Mini Vacation Before Our Vacation

Hello family! This weekend we FINALLY made our way to Sukhothai, the ruins of the first capital of Thailand. We have been meaning to go for two months now, but Sukhothai has been flooded so we finally got to go this weekend. We left Saturday morning and took the train to Phitsanulok. We then had to take a tuk tuk to the bus station and take a bus to Sukothai. It was about an hour away from Phitsanulok. We had originally planned to rent bikes and bike around Sukhothai, but we were already tired when we got there. We ended up taking a tuk tuk tour around central Sukhothai. Our driver took us to all the major ruins and the tour lasted about 3 hours. The ruins were awe-inspiring and were in the middle of a beautiful park! Our driver took us back to the bus station and we took the bus back to Phitsanulok. We all pretty much slept the entire bus ride. When we got back to Phitsanulok, we walked to our hotel and checked into our rooms. We hadn't eaten anything all day, so we made our way across the street to the Big C. I had pizza and Dairy Queen for dinner and it was glorious. That night we were going to go see the new Dracula movie in English at Central Plaza, but Courtney, Michele, Kim, and I were too tired to go, so only Lexy and Leanna ended up seeing it. The next morning, we went to church. We ran into the ILP girls teaching at the school in Phitsanulok, so we decided to leave after sacrament meeting and go hang out with them at their school. The girls in Phitsanulok were so nice and fun to hang out with, we wondered why we haven't hung out with them before. They have already taken their vacation to the islands, so they gave us lots of good advice on what to do there. I also grew a little jealous of the Phitsanulok girls. They only have to teach 10 hours a week while I have to teach 20 hours. Their coordinator also seems a lot cooler and less flaky and cheap with them like Tang is with us. However, I had to remember how blessed I was to be teaching at the Phichit school. If I was at the Phitsanulok school, I never would've met my awesome kiddies. I can't imagine being with any other kids besides Nest, Pizza, Moo Pee, Sun, Basia, Yipso, Tiger, and Chester!

Hump Day

Hello family! Tomorrow is Wednesday so that means it's hump day! Not only are we already half way through the week, we are also officially half way through our stay in Thailand. We've been here for nine weeks and have nine weeks left! It has been a little hectic this week with finishing winter camps and getting ready to leave for Cambodia and Krabi next week. Mom and Leanna also leave for Boston this week to visit Katie. I'm so jealous you guys are having a vacation without me! Eat delicious food for me.There are only nine more weeks until I see you guys again!

The Boy Named Name

Hello family! I finished my third day of teaching winter camps today. It is so much harder teaching the winter camps than my usual classes. The kids are just so little that they can't pay attention and it's not like they understand anything you're saying anyway. I literally had to hold one boy's hands down the entire class because he wouldn't stop touching everything and getting out of his seat. To make matters worse, one of the Thai preschool teachers dramatically quit today. She stopped showing up to work on Monday. We saw her crying and fighting with the other Thai teachers last week, so that probably contributed to her quitting. That means there is one less Thai teacher to help me handle the preschool kids. I had to pull up a boy's pants today while he stenched of poop. Not fun friends, not fun. I miss my kindergarten class and the bratty elementary kids! However, there is one boy who makes my day better. His name is Name and he is the son of one of cooks. He's coming to winter camps to learn a little English. He's around 11 or 12 but he's stuck in class with 4 and 5 year olds. He is so nice and friendly. He is always smiling and is so willing to learn English. He is the only one who listens and rolls his eyes at the crazy little kids. It's too bad he can't come to school at Imperial because the school is only preschool through second grade. We're thinking of giving him private English lessons when winter camps are over because he wants to learn English, but doesn't have the opportunity to do so. I'm going to stop here before it turns into another Hallmark Hall of Fame movie. I hope you all are well!

First World Problems?

Hello family! We started winter camps today. It's so crazy teaching the really little kids. They are only 2 and 3 years old! I just held one boy the entire class because he wouldn't stop bawling. We didn't even get through half the craft we were making today because the kids were just staring at me not understanding any English. I will get used to these new kids but I miss my usual kiddos. I won't teach my normal class again for a month! On another note, it has been so hot these past few days. I was really tired on Thursday and wanted to take a nap, but it was too hot to even lay on my bed. I've also been dreaming of food other than rice. I was wishing last night that my pillow was a donut! I guess these are just first world problems, but Lexy and I were discussing whether they were still first world problems while we're living in a third world country? I guess not huh? I love and miss you all!

My Birthday

Hello family! My birthday on Monday was definitely one I will never forget. I have to admit, I was a little overwhelmed on Sunday night. We had just gotten back from Bangkok and everyone was tired. I didn't expect my birthday to be a big deal. On Monday I was in for a big surprise. I walked into the school in the morning expecting it to be a normal day. I then saw balloons on the staircase leading up to my classroom and all of my students excitedly waiting for me. I walked in and the entire classroom was decorated with balloons and banners. One of my students gave me a a beautiful bouquet of Thai flowers. The kids then gave me a card that said Happy Birthday in Thai on the front. Inside, the kids all signed their names and drew pictures of me. They sang to me twice during opening. I was so touched and had tears in my eyes, but I didn't know the most touching moment was still to come. I was teaching later in the morning and Teacher Lexy came upstairs asking my class and Teacher Michele's class to come downstairs. I honestly had no idea what was going on. I brought my students downstairs and almost the whole school was assembled in the opening room. All five preschool and kindergarten classes as well as Tang, the security guards, and the Thai teachers were waiting for me. Teacher Kim invited me to the front and everyone sang Happy Birthday to me in English and Thai. Afterwards, all the kids, including the ones I don't even teach, all swarmed me with hugs saying "We love Teacher Jessie." We then took a group picture and the Thai teachers brought out a cake they bought for me at the bakery. I was in full blown tears at that point. This was definitely one of most special birthdays I've ever had. Teaching and living in Thailand has been anything but easy, but moments like that make it all worth it. I cannot tell you how much I have learned these past two months. I know that there is love and kindness in the world. I love all the kids and teachers at the school and am touched by their love for me. This experience has definitely made me stronger and has helped me better love and appreciate everyone at home. I can't wait to see you all again!