I'm Nearing the End....

I've finally reached that point where I had to start saying goodbye. And let me tell you, it's breaking my heart. I know I've only been here a month, but the love and support everyone's shown me has been incredible. Today was my last class with my Level 1 students. I might've taught them the English language, but they taught me a whole new culture and way of living. They taught me everything from how to get around Bangkok by myself to where I can eat near where I live. So without them I'd be both lost and hungry.

Truely though, they are some of the nicest people I've met. It's so hard to leave them. Mamay is going to come see me off at the airport when I leave, and all the others are already asking when I will be returning. Oh, and they also asked if I had Skype, because they want to see live snow. I told them I'd do one better, that I'll Skype them from my iPhone and hold it when I go sledding so they can vicariously see what all the fuss is about. I honestly can't wait to show them snow.

Class photo!

Oh, and they even got me thank you gifts for teaching them! (As my Pre-1 students phrased it, "for sharing your knowledge".) The four girls who are friends together at KMIT got me a handmade bag. They want me to wear it around in the US and show them pictures. I can't wait! And one of the boys gave me a little handmade doll keychain. Oh, and funny story, Thai's don't hug. They have a very specific cultural stigma of personal space. They just don't do it. But all of the girls hugged me before they left today! I felt very honored. The guys just shuffled out after asking if I would tell them when I was coming back so they can take another class with me. I'd call that a success.

The keychain Kim gave me. 

I adore this purse. It's even cuter on the inside!

(A gift from May, Mint, Nes, and Chompu.)