End of the Year

      In 2 weeks plus 1 day, I will be on a plane back to the states.  I will be coming following the end of my first school year in Thailand.  Its hard to believe that its this time of year.  It seems like the year just flew by.  I look forward to starting the next school as an old timer.  Someone who can make a place for new people and actually know where things are.  I don't have to start over for once in teaching.  I get my same classroom.  A lot of same students.  Same coworkers, same house and same familiar environment.  I can't wait!  Its a first for me.  Normally I have a new job because I was laid off of the old one.  The closest I have gotten prior to this year to having the same job was having the same school but different type of students.
      Looking back on this past year, I can see some changes that have taken place in me.  But I suspect I won't know exactly how much has changed until I'm around family and friends and they notice the difference.  Or I notice the difference in the way that I respond to things or interact with people.
I will be in CA mostly this vacation with a short trip to MT to see my sister.  I haven't seen her in a couple of years or more and I've never met my niece who is 2 1/2 yrs.  
        I will also be taking part in VBS at my church and just hanging out with people.  Can't wait!
I will return to Chiang Mai in July with my kitty Lily in tow.  Excited about that too.  I hope to make a short trip down to Ao Nang, same place that I went to for spring break.  I made connections with people down there and I love the environment.  If a job ever opens up there, I plan to apply.  Have you ever just felt like you belonged somewhere?  Santa Cruz will always be that to me.  But now Thailand is that.

12 days to go!!