I'm here in Bangkok now! I wanted to post photographs and everything but I forgot my laptop cord back in Pu Wiang. My laptop is now out of battery...

It's good to be in the city again. I was really surprised by how much Thai I can understand and speak now. It's not that much but it's so much more than the last time I was here. I can even follow conversations pretty well! I wish I had more time here. So many good people with such warm hearts. Too many goodbyes!

Goodbye! Goodbye!

I'll write more once I get into the city tomorrow but I am overwhelmed with all the farewells. I can't believe just how close I have gotten with so many people here. Everyone keeps crying and I am giving lots of Sewon hugs.

I am so happy about teaching here at Wiang Wong Kot. My students are so amazing and I've gotten so close to everyone.

This week is full of farewells..


Edit: A bunch of students came up to me today with like 12 photographs of my face and asked me to sign them. And then they handed me 40 more photos...of MY FACE. That is so bizarre and cute and crazy!

Busy Last Days in Thailand

I've been battling my poor self-image despite all the nice compliments I get here in rural Thailand. So I decided I needed to be pampered. Well, where else could I have gone in rural Thailand but the village hair salon! I don't even know how to describe that place. It was just like a little space next to the rice field. And the hairdresser literally cut my bangs straight across which surprisingly turned out well. And the shopkeeper kept speaking to me in Issan! My students' parents always do that, too. But anyway, it was really relaxing and I don't look all that different but I think my hair is lighter. Also, there was a parrot there screeching "Sawadee Kap!" It reminded me of Melie's parrots except hers said, "What's up!"

I'm teaching all of my classes for the last time. It's a lot of goodbyes and funny requests like, "Teacher ka, could you sing a song?" Or "Teacher, please speak Issan!" I'm eating so much tropical fruits because I told everyone about how we don't really have all the different fruits in Virginia and if we do, they're not as fresh or delicious. I'm invited to dinner at a teacher's house today. Tomorrow I am teaching a lot of classes because all the students want to say goodbye. We don't have classes on Thursday because of the Wai Kru Ceremony. I'm really excited about participating in that! And then I think there's a big farewell party planned for me. It's going to be sad!

Anyway, I'm going to head out now.