Wow. I can't believe it's been almost a month since I updated this thing. First I would like to apologize to those of you who were actively reading my posts (OK so I'm mostly talking to you Mom lol), I didn't intend to leave you hanging. Though, my lack of posts is mostly a good thing. I have been keeping busy, making trips on my long weekends, and just being a typical tourist. A couple of weekends ago I went to Bangkok with the other teachers I am stationed with and had an absolutely amazing time. We stayed on Khaosan Road (which, if you are a traveler in your 20s, I definitely recommend) and I didn't come back with a face tattoo or a tiger (regrettably). We went to the famous Siam Palace mall, which was the #1 most instagrammed place in 2015 for a reason. This is their famous Hanging Garden which is made up of live plants embedded in the wall itself. Bangkok definitely treated me well. This past weekend we had a midterm TTC meeting that we had to attend, which required us to take an overnight bus trip that lasted about 11 hours. That was not fun, let me tell you. The weekend coincided with a 3 day holiday for which schools were out! We decided since we were up in North Thailand we would visit Chiang Mai, which is one of the most visited and beautiful cities in Thailand. Chiang Mai did not let me down. I fell in love with the city. There is so much to do and see there, which was a much needed change from Chaiyaphum. I got to pet tigers! And I even got to go swimming. I've always loved to swim, but you learn to truly appreciate being immersed in water once you have experienced the Thailand heat. Then there was the food. The trip to Chiang Mai would have been worth it even if I had not got to pet tigers or visit the "Grand Canyon". One of the things that I miss most about home is the food. My stomach has not adjusted well to Thai food, so I wind up not eating a lot during meals. So when I can get my hands on food my stomach is used to, and that if I'm being honest I really crave, it's a big deal. There is a restaurant called Salsa Kitchen there that has decent Mexican food, and it is definitely worth the Baht. My chicken enchiladas were delicious. Needless to say, I will definitely be returning to Chiang Mai. I just wish I lived closer.
Remember in the beginning of this post when I said my lack of posts was MOSTLY a good thing? If truth be told, there was a little part of me that hasn't written anything because I wasn't sure what to say. In the beginning I was completely unhappy. I didn't get the placement I wanted. I hated the location, the isolation, the lack of autonomy here. I was bored. Then I started making friends, and traveling, and getting the hang of the whole teacher thing. I was trying to look at everything in a positive light instead of a negative one. But, speaking for myself, that is really hard. It's a daily struggle for me here. Now that I have been here 2 months, and I have gone through all these phases, I'm not sure how I feel. I'm happy some days, but those are the days when I've found a way to keep myself busy. I'm sad and so homesick I could cry some days. The "summer camp" feel has gone now, and it's starting to hit me that I have 8 more months to go. This officially marks the longest I have ever been away from home, and I think it's driving me a little crazy. I feel like this a lot, and it really would drive me crazy if I wasn't able to see the impact that I'm making. When I walk through the village and the kids run up to me, yelling English phrases that I have taught them (especially when they stick their little fists out and say "pound it" to bump knuckles) it makes me feel so accomplished and proud. I just hope I can finally adjust to being here, so that these little moments add up to a year's worth of accomplishments.
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AuthorGeorgia girl teaching English in Thailand Archives
January 2017
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