Wow! It has certainly been awile since I've last updated. I have a reason for that. I was sick for 3 weeks. I find that funny, considering I got sick just a few days after my last post in which I hoped I would stop getting sick and/or injured. Ironies of life, eh? Well, Long story short, I was very sick for awhile there with a virus. Unfortunately, there's nothing you can do with a virus except wait for it to go away. This resulted in me missing 2 weeks of teaching.
Typically, this would simply be an uncomfortable illness, but there were several other factors involved in this story. First of all, ALL of our administrators (English) were out of the country, leaving a competent Thai staff with limited English speaking skills and a few delegates to handle specific tasks, such as arranging for subs. This also coincided with the timing of 2 babies being born to teachers at our campus, which resulted in the 2 subs that we had going back and forth covering for the classes so that the families could bond. This left my poor Thai teacher with no subs for about 3 out of the 6 days I couldn't teach. Kru Som is definitely a rock star!
Aside from the administrative aspect, the 7-11 down our street was closed for a month to remodel it. This meant that I couldn't stock up on food and drinks (because I don't buy groceries here. It's cheaper to eat out for every meal, believe it or not). On the plus side, I was able to lose a good bit of weight! On the bad side, it was very difficult to stay hydrated.
This was my first time really being sick on my own. I had no family or friends to help, and I was too proud to ask, so I learned a lot about independence during this time. I learned anew about the uselessness of whining and found within me the drive to keep going. I learned to prioritize and that I can accomplish anything if it's important enough to me. It made me stronger. Well, emotionally anyway.
My favorite part, though, was going back to work. There is one little boy whom I have been having a lot of trouble with all year. He wasn't sure about whether or not he liked me, and we were engaged in a power struggle for a good 5-6 months. He's 3!! Well, when I came back, he made it clear that he'd really missed me. Ever since I've been back (going on 3 weeks now), he's been continuously seeking my approval and being openly affectionate (in his own way). If for nothing else, being sick was worth the victory of getting through to that little guy. Just in time for the school year to end. :P
6 more weeks, and I will be back in California!! I've missed my family and friends, and I can't wait to see them all again. I'm not sure what next year will bring when I return to Thailand in June, but I know that it is in God's hands. Throughout the entire year, He has made His presence known to me. He has been there in the highs as well as the extreme lows that have pervaded my second year abroad. I can't wait to see what He has in store for me next!
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