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
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