thanks, Columbus.

hi.

it has now been 3 months (and a couple days) since my arrival in this crazy city- bangkok. many ask- "so, are you enjoying it so far?" "how's the weather?" "do you miss home?"

the answers: yes. hot. yes.

however, to add some additional information on the way that I am feeling about being displaced in this crazy asian metropolis can be summed up in the question: "HOW?"

HOW can it be that it is literally impossible to see the sun set here?
HOW is it that fresh air so so hard to come by?
HOW on earth can I still have 8 months left here?
HOW can these children possibly be learning anything from me?
HOW will I ever save any money if all I want to do is spend it on travelling?

so, if any of you can answer any of these questions for me..I'd be oh, so grateful!
I've spoken with a few people- friends and family, and have explained my current feeling towards my experience teaching. I've come to the realization that I love my students. I love their ambition. I love their personalities. I love their hilarious comments and broken English..but, I'm pretty sure I don't love being a teacher. Because teaching is far more than spending time with kids and getting to know their individual personalities, the actual "work" of teaching isn't really my cup of tea.
But, we must all do things in life that we aren't all that fond of.
And, in my case- I do the lesson planning (that I'm not fond of) so I can spend time with these students (who I am fond of).

November. AH, yes. November is coming. HOORAY.
November is a fantastic month. Besides turkey and all the dressings, November brings the closing of one season and the opening to another. While the remainder of the leaves tightly grasping onto branches finally reach the ground, the temperature cools enough to see your breath on your morning drive into work... (well, not in Bangkok- but, sometimes I turn the air conditioning down real low and pretend).
I'm actually noticing a difference in the temperature here. The monsoons have finally stopped, and the sun rests around 6pm..so- this must be fall? Winter? who knows. I know that it's not AS hot here as when I first arrived (meaning- my fingers and toes aren't sweating as much) but other than that, the weather is still the same. BUT- celebrate..because, somewhere in the world all the wonders of November are happening. so, celebrate for me, wherever you are- okay?

So- Thanksgiving...yep. Thanksgiving here goes..well...unnoticed. uncelebrated. While this school employs 11 Americans they do not employ any sort of Thanksgiving Day policy where we all sleep in and enjoy fine, tasty treats; however, turkey, cranberry and gravy or not- we WILL be celebrating giving and thanks.

for example- my idea:
everyone can GIVE me a birthday present-
and, I'll say: THANKS!

no? bad idea?
what if I dress like a Pilgrim?
..or..maybe even an Indian?

..a Turkey?


hmm. I've run out of ideas. anyhow- I think the other Americans and I will celebrate in our little Thai kinda way...so, thanks Columbus. here's to you.