So… THIS IS IT!

I figure this will be my last post, as my brother arrives in a couple of days and the next two weeks before we come home together will be jam-packed!! I am currently sitting in an internet café on Kao San road in Bangkok awaiting his arrival… which will be delayed because his flight got cancelled and changed to the next day.. brutal! So, I am contemplating how I will spend my time here while I wait, as I am poorer than poor! I’m trying to find anything to do besides sit in my stinky, 15$-a-night hotel room. I think I’ll eat some cheap but delicious street food, and then write some post cards, and then find somewhere to read my book… *sigh. But hey, I really can’t complain… I am in the most amazing place ever!

I have to say, the last 3 weeks in Pattaya were awesome, and there couldn’t have been a better way to end things. For the last 3 weeks, I was able to act as a TA (Teaching Assistant) for one of our students at his Regular International School. He attends half-days with a TA, and then comes to our school- Mountain Smile- in the afternoons. His TA became ill, and I was lucky enough to fill the position. It was so much fun, and definitely a great learning experience. I loved working in the classroom, helping out, and getting to know the other kids. I feel very lucky to have experienced volunteering in these three different school settings (Regents International School, Mountain Smile, and Father Ray). They were all very different experiences and I learned so much from each place.

As a final “hurrah” from Mountain Smile School, I planned a Play Day hosted by our school, on my last day. We invited kids from Regents School and Father Ray, and had them visit our school and participate in some fun activities for the afternoon. It went over pretty well, and it was really nice to be able to share our little school with others! Everyone loved it. We had arts and crafts, some wide-games, face painting, trampolining, Wii games, and everything else our school has to offer. Overall, the kids enjoyed themselves, and it was a nice way for me to say goodbye to the kids from all of the schools I volunteered at!

A huge part of me wishes I could stay here longer, and a big part of me feels like my time here is not meant to be over just yet, but I also feel ready to come home, and get back to my life… real life; work, school, etc.! As I sit back and reflect on my leaving soon, I have mixed emotions. I am so excited to come home, but I know I will miss it here; I will miss the weather, the beaches, the food, the traffic (believe it or not), the bars and clubs (haha), the hustle and bustle of the streets, the smells (good and bad), the cheap cheap shopping and amazing markets, the schools and the kids I have worked with, and my amazing new friends… Maybe I will just have to come back… one day!

Well, I am going to go find somewhere to relax now. I’ve had a rough weekend of partying, sushi-eating, and shopping around Bangkok; Chatuchak Market, Central World Mall, Siam Paragon Mall, China Town, etc. And I’ll do it all again in 2 days time when David arrives! Until next time (if there is a next time), take care :)

Peace and Love

Denise

Stolen Camera, Birthdays, a New Job, and New Hair!

It has been an INTERESTING 2 weeks to say the LEAST. I am not sure I can even retell some of my stories. Actually, I am sure I cannot tell some things. But don't worry, I'll try to keep you entertained.

I guess the most exciting and saddening event of the past two weeks was the loss of my camera on the Island of Koh Samed. The weekend was wonderful until my camera was stolen on the last evening. I travelled to Koh Samed for three days with three of my new friends, as Koh Samed is very close to Pattaya, but a nice little island getaway. We promised to do the weekend on a budget, as none of us really have money to spare. And on a budget, we stayed! Our hotel rooms cost each of us 7.00$ a night! And we survived off of fruit, fish, chicken, and corn being sold on the beach, and of course saved money in the evenings by drinking 5.00$ bottles of Sangsom (Thai Rum) from 7-eleven! By the end of the weekend I gained a new nickname: Sangsom. Enough said. The weekend was relaxing and fun; we lay by the beach all day, and watched amazing fire shows and danced at night! And all was lovely until my camera was stolen. Two days and 130.00$ later, however, I have a NEW, pink, fujifilm camera. It is definitely not as nice as my original camera, and definitely not waterproof like my old one, but it does the trick!

The following week brought more funfilled days and evenings, as we celebrated two friends' birthdays. Long story short, we ate too much cake, drank too much wine, and stayed out way too late, on more than one.. or two occasions!

Next, and most exciting for me, I have a new position for my last three weeks of volunteering here in Pattaya. One of our students who requires a one on one assistant at his international school for half of the day, recently lost his Educational Assistant as he got sick. So, lucky for me, I get to fill the position for the next three weeks, and experinece working in a massive international school- Regents, in Pattaya. It is a beautiful school, the teachers are great, and the kids are super cute! I am enjoying this new experience, and very happy to be having the chance to do a variety of things here; making the most of my time volunteering in Thailand. This opportunity also means that I wont be able to volunteer at the Father Ray Foundation anymore, however, luckily I will see the Father Ray children one more time before I leave. As my last "hoorah", I am planning a Play Day at our school, and children from Father Ray, Regents, and another special needs school in Bangkok will be attending. We'll have games, crafts, activities, and of course some Nintendo Wii fun for everyone to enjoy!

Speaking of the Nintendo Wii, we are slowly but surely teaching the kids how to use it. It's been tricky so far, but I am confident that they will get the hang of it! The most popular game so far has been the cooking game! The kids have learned to make crepes; they melt butter in the pan, spread the crepe mix, chop and add berries, and of course flip and catch the crepe on the pan. (I actually think I enjoy this game more than the kids! Joking...)

Last week a Monk came to bless our school. This was a really neat thing to see, even though I didn't completely understand everything he was doing, and why! The Monk told us that he had a very good feeling about our school and its location. After he blessed us and the school, and after we made our offerings, he sat and chatted for a while, and expressed an interest in having me come to the temple and teach English to some of the Monks/ Teachers. This is something I am very interested in, still, however with only 3 weeks left, and so much on my plate, I don't think it's possible anymore, which is a shame, as it would have been another neat experience!

Lastly, my new hair! Yes, all 30 inches of my new, black hair! I cannot express how nice it feels to once again have long hair, even if it's in the form of extensions! I absolutely love it. There is not much more I can say, except for; I love it, period. And I will post pics for those who haven't seen it!

Again, I cannot believe I only have 3 weeks left at the school. And only 5 weeks left in Thailand. Where did the time go? Leaving here will be bitter sweet. I am so excited to see everyone at home, but I know I will miss this place so much. I am afraid for how I will feel after a week back in Canada... in the cold... in the snow!

Anywho, Peace and Love.

Denise