30.

Now, I'm not huge into superstitions and whatnot (with the exception of my lucky number being 19, so maybe I'm a little stitious),  but 30 is a number that I'm going to bed thinking about tonight for quite a few reasons in regards to both thinking back on my time in Thailand and looking forward to what's coming next. Here's why. 

1) I celebrated my 30th birthday here (that pic is from my 31st, but duplicate the face just a year younger and it's the same-same). I mean, that's a big deal! And what a time it was. My first birthday EVER away from family and familiarity, but boy, has it been worth it. And to say goodbye to 30 and hello to 31 is something I definitely never saw myself doing still livin' here, and my mom and dad would agree, but I can't imagine my life any other way. I'm legit #blessed.

2) 30 is the current number of days I have remaining with my P4 students. Ugh, these nighttime allergies are making my eyes water. Their last day of school is March 11. I've been fortunate enough to be co-teaching with the most amazing Thai mothers I could've asked for, and the 3 fourth grade classes I'm teaching continue to surprise me every day. I've definitely seen a change in them in the past nine months (especially when it comes to them being silly, surprisingly enough), and it's something l will always look back on with a smile on my face. The fact that I can have conversations with them that go beyond the basic name/age/favorite food and have them understand and joke with me are why I00% love it here. The classroom atmosphere is strange at times, yes, but I'm gonna randomly think of some of these kids in 6 years and tear up because these turkeys have wriggled their way into my heart (no, I'm not tearing up now, how dare you!). Here's my hooligans. I hear them saying something like,"Teachaaa, ORANGE you going to miss us?!?" or something equally cheesy. 

3) 30 is both the day I leave here and the day I'll land back in America (March 30- time zones are weird). I'll be staying in Portland with Kaley-baby and Dad for a little over a week before heading down south, y'all. I'm going to be at my moms for a bit, so def hit me up via Internet, hoptown/nashville/Louisville/Clarkville peoples. I'll be going to stay with Broseph in Lexington at some point in April as well. My old phone number retired a year ago, so don't blow that up cause I'm not sure who you'd get on the other end and I don't want some random person being woken up by calls or texts for me and/or Wilma and therefore hating me. 

And see, even HE appreciates my culture and hometown as he partakes of the traditional Kentucky meal of KFC. Agh, I need to go to bed. I'm going to dream of my future Instagram account called 'Package Eating' as to fend off anymore melancholy feelings. 💗

January 2016

crappy photo from a resort on Koh Chang (didn't even stay here for New Years) 

It's really weird typing 2016 as it relates to me still being in Thailand. Realistically I should've been home almost a year ago. Well, contractually. I honestly couldn't imagine that being my reality, though. And also, I clearly sucked at keeping up with this. Now that my time is ticking down, though, it has me thinking and really wanting to reflect on my time here and start mentally preparing myself for things I'm going to have to adjust to when I get back to the US of A. 

No motorbike taxis 

Yes, they can be hella dangerous, but they are SO convenient. The guys outside of our apartment complex basically know my schedule better than I do and get me there quickly, with me seeing my life flash before my eyes or being slammed into his back when he hits the brakes or me mumbling a minimum of 7 expletives under my breath every time I'm on one. Ugh, you mean I have to DRIVE to Kroger? Please just drive me there for less than a dollar, thanks. 

Driving 

Yeah. It's been two years since I've even sat behind a steering wheel. I'm gonna need a refresher, and I feel I might've subconsciously absorbed road rage. Turn signals, what're those? But it is going to feel amazing, driving through the country with the windows down by myself and NOT blaring techno music at 8:20am in a van full of sweaty people. 

Weather 

Honestly, experiencing anything other than rain and extreme heat and humidity is going to be a straight up blessing, and most likely be a ginormous blow to my immune system. It'll be nice to wear long sleeves and feel some sort of breeze, but I'll probably also have a bad cold and/or allergies this fall and winter. Don't judge me.

Routines 

Actually doing my hair is going to be such a change. Frizz is part of my life now, and I feel like I only have a good hair day after I get a trim from the hairdressers because they use some kind of magic potion that'll keep your hair straight for more than 2.6 seconds after walking outside. I'm ready for my hair to not be sweaty and it for it to do what I want it to. 

Foreigners

Not to be crazy rude, but when you see white people in our town, you always look at them and want to know who they are/you already know them because there aren't that many of us here. Our town is small, so being surrounded by English speakers is reserved for places where lots of foreigners visit, like Pattaya and Bangkok. Being around my fam and friends and having relaxed conversations is going to be so strange at first.

just a small part of the foreign teacher Lumpini/Arun's gang 

Hometown places/friends 

Being able to drive around and see the places where I've spent time growing up is going to bring back so many memories for the first month or so. Just like I've acclimated to living here, I'm going to have to assimilate and get used to being back home again. I honestly cannot wait to chill on my moms couch, stay at my dads, see my family and friends, and get used to being around things I already know. (Just FYI, I most likely WILL be couch surfing for a month or so, so don't be surprised when I blow up your fb asking for a spot.)

Food 

Right now, we eat a lot of amazing and inexpensive Thai food. I also can get a decent sized bag of fruit (crash pineapple, watermelon, mango, papaya) for less than a dollar basically any time I want. Spending money on things in general is probably going to take me time to get used to for a hot second, especially where the food is involved. I'm gonna miss real Thai food hardcore. 😭

one of my favorites- noodles and veggies and pork, oh my! 

My students/teachers 

Teacher Apinya's going away dinner (my Thai teacher, Monta, is the one with glasses striking a pose)

It's going to be so sad leaving this amazing place. I've come to know my past students, current students, and coworkers so well in the past two years. My last week at school is basically going to be me crying every day. I'm really hoping that my kids and teachers keep in touch. 

some of my old students that are P5 now (SpongeBob is on my back) 

Travel 

Ugh, this is gonna be so hard. I love being able to hop on a bus or in a van and visit some of the most beautiful places on Earth for a weekend. Not only that, but I got to enjoy it with some of the most amazing people that I've been blessed to know. Being apart from my second family is going to be crazy difficult, too. 

love these guys 

The countdown has started. Get ready, 'Merica.