To say goodbye, is to die a little

This post is coming incredibly late. During my last week of school, we had a flurry of events and happenings that distracted from updating this blog including our school (along with all schools in my town) celebrating Asahna Bucha Day (It's known as Monk Holiday according to my host brother's laconic statements). I couldn't really teach that day because we had to start the ceremony earlier in the day. Before the temple walking ceremony, my students, administrators, and co-teachers had a "goodbye treatment" for my leaving Phichit. As soon as they began, my tears instantly began to somersault down my cheeks. My students from each grade began to individually hand me "Thank You" cards. I'm so grateful for their presence in my life. They've continued to encourage me and push me for a deeper understanding on issues of educational equality, comprehension and closing the opportunity gap when it comes to these issues.


My parting has been such sorrow. It feels like I began to leave just when everyone began to be get comfortable. For me, my desire to leave Thailand came around a month into teaching. I wasn't missing home, I wasn't uncomfortable, I just felt like I had gotten "enough" out of this experience. But 2 weeks later, the longing to leave had dissipated and I was ready to fully immerse and engage into teaching. Now a full two months later, I have a feeling of such bittersweet sorrow. I'm leaving with so many questions about impact, goals, achievements and purpose, while here. I hope I have time to evaluate these questions as I transition back home. There are moments when I wonder if my leaving was more potent in their minds than my time actually spent in the classroom.

These were completely unexpected.
I honestly didn't know how I was going to pack all of these into my already tiny suitcase.

These past few months has been the best time of my life. And I hope that if anything, my students will remember the joy they felt during our engaging English conversations. I hope that they will feel even more inspired to learn this language and maximize on their individual potential as they grow into future leaders, workers, and inspirations.

Khob Kun ka,
Kruu Sade

Host Family Day 1

Yesterday, was my full first day with meeting my host family. So far, it’s been insightful, overwhelming and exciting at times. We first arrived in Phichit earlier in the afternoon yesterday and met with key people in the program (country coordinators, host families, community members, etc.). We then waited for our host families to pick us up and take use back to our new homes. After getting into my room, my mee (thai for mom) and I drove on her motobike and met with the mayor of our town about my work in this community and any questions that I would have. We then took a drive around and sat by a lake & fed catfish, drove through some temples, visited my paw (thai for dad)’s chicken farm. It was so a good introduction. My paw and I just watched a football game (Thailand vs. Taipei) and I went up to sleep. Yesterday, I was able to visit my school and introduce myself to the teachers and students. (by the way: there is an overdue post about intentions, goals and impressions being a TOEFL teacher in another language as an American and an African. I’ll get to that in another post, but I digress). Today is the morning of the 3rd day, and I hope it goes well. It has been a bit difficult with my mee because she feels a bit shy because of her lack of english but I,also suffer from a lack of thai. A funny moment occured when we both pulled out our dictionary help guides. She had her thai – to english and I had my english– to thai. I hope that we both gain something from this experience and that it is a mutually beneficial transaction.