2015 was a big year! I graduated, joined the marketing team at VML
for the summer, explored Ireland with the fam, traveled for Stage One
and started my grant year with Fulbright Thailand. Last year I rang in
2015 at the Plaza with my KC friends. After the midnight celebration we
made our way back to my house and talked about all 2015 would hold. We
didn’t know where we’d end up but one thing we predicted for 2015 would
be a ring on Kali’s finger. And here we are 2015 came with a ring for
Kales and 2016 brings her wedding to Jeff!!!
This year I celebrated in Chiang Mai with my Fulbright friends.
Thankfully we had a week off school. Following our rockin’ Christmas
party I headed north to spend some time in the cooler weather.
First, I headed to my co teacher Biew’s house in Roi Et. She lives on
a beautiful farm which was the perfect place for us to unwind after a
crazy few weeks at school. After taking an overnight bus and napping
shortly after we arrived I continued to take three naps that day prior
to conking out around 8. Biew had some school work to do and I couldn’t
quite stay awake as I read a book in preparation for our Fulbright
virtual bookclub. Obviously my body needed some serious R&R. The day
after my nap marathon we went to a nearby temple and explored.
And the kicker of the time in Roi Et was fishing with my bare hands.
We biked over to see the farm only to find Biew’s family fishing in the
mud. It looked too fun to not take part so I hoped in and they taught me
how to fish. It’s a lot harder than it looks, but after some practice I
caught a few.
Tuesday I flew to Chiang Mai and got to spend some time with my
friend Lyna from Arkansas. She is working in Chiang Mai and actually had
a group in from the University of Arkansas. I was lucky enough to sit
in on their session about Buddism. I learned that it is bad to
compliment newborn babies. This would have been a very good piece of
information to know before I told Biew’s sister how beautiful her
daughter was 100 times.
Wednesday and Thursday other Fulbrighters trickled into Chiang Mai
and Thursday night we celebrated New Years in the best of fashions.
After a family dinner at a Burmese restaurant we went outside to find
lanterns flying above. I had no idea they lit lanterns on New Years as
well as Loi Krathong. I was so excited to get to take part in this Thai
tradition. It was a beautiful sight seeing them fly away.
The next day Meg, Jacob and I hiked up to a temple that overlooked
the city. No where to be and no plan we just explored around the temple
and stopped at the zoo on the way down the hill. My favorite kind of
day–when no plan and aimless wandering take you somewhere awesome.
To round out a great week I spent last weekend in Bangkok with my
little Danielle and her friends Armin and Ari. We went to JJ market, got
Thai massages and walked around my favorite park. They were surprised
by the mall culture of Thailand and loved seeing the mix of old temples
next to skyscrapers. To end their time in Thailand we went to a rooftop
bar called Above 11 and enjoyed the view. They left Sunday to take part
in a HogsAbroad trip to Vietnam and then I headed back to Bowin for
school.
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Last year on New Years I had no idea where I’d end up ringing in
2016. This year I have no idea where I’ll be ringing in 2017. Cheers to
new adventures!
In other news…
On Tuesday after my P5/1 class there are two girls that always help
me clean up the classroom. Once we finished class one of the two, Fern,
ran up to me, gave me a big hug and said “Happy New Year!” Day made!
Want to give me a hug but can’t make it this far? I’d love some new
Spotify playlists to run to and keep up with American music. Apparently
I’ve fallen way behind. Feel free to share your favorite playlists with
me:)
Tuesday I flew to Chiang Mai and got to spend some time with my
friend Lyna from Arkansas. She is working in Chiang Mai and actually had
a group in from the University of Arkansas. I was lucky enough to sit
in on their session about Buddism. I learned that it is bad to
compliment newborn babies. This would have been a very good piece of
information to know before I told Biew’s sister how beautiful her
daughter was 100 times.
