Last Day of School

Me and a few of my students.

My four weeks in Ban Mi have come and gone as Tuesday was the last day of school.   I definitely planned on teaching longer than six weeks while I was here, but then again- I guess I didn't really plan at all.  I honestly never looked into when the Thai school term starts and finishes and when they take their holidays.  But after being here, I get it.  March and April are the hottest months (lucky me) so it makes sense for the break to happen during that time.  So after a month that past in the blink of an eye, my time in Ban Mi is over.  Teaching in Thailand was a wonderful and unique experience that gave me the opportunity to see a side of the culture that many tourists don't ever get to experience.  I have been fortunate to be able to participate in the everyday life of Thailand and it truly has been a once in a life time experience. 

Assembly on the last day of school.

The last few days of school were pretty much what you would expect from the last few days at any school.  Kids checked out and not paying attention, teachers giving out busy work to keep them occupied, yearbooks being passed back and forth, pictures being taken and goodbyes being said.  It was hard to leave my students and the faculty in the Foreign Language department who made me feel so welcome, but I think the hardest thing for me to leave behind was normalcy, or at least closest thing resembling it since I've been here.  I was in Ban Mi for four weeks which is the longest I have been in one place in about 3 months.  It felt nice to unpack my stuff, however little of it there is; be a regular at my favorite restaurant; have a routine and just stay in one place for awhile. But if Thailand has taught me anything its not to get to comfortable.  I packed up my suitcase - again - and moved back to the Twinhouse on Wednesday afternoon.  In all honesty, it's very strange to be back.   It still feels like home, but not in the same way as when I first arrived.  There are only a handful of people that I know but I'm not surprised, it has been over 2 months since I've been here.  Same place just different people, and an entirely different vibe along with it.  There are always people coming and going so the mood changes quickly.

I am planning on being here, or at least with the organization, for the rest of my time in Thailand.  I will spend the first few weeks at the local orphanage, painting, cleaning and playing with the kids. I'm really looking forward to spending some more time with Thai children, but also really helping out and getting my hands dirty.  After that I plan on spending a few weeks doing some of the projects that the Twinhouse offers around Thailand.  Stay tuned for an update on my time at the orphanage.