Reflection

I've officially been here in Thailand for one year now and I must say it seems like much longer. I guess I have been through so much over the past year that it feels like much longer. I can identify three threads running through my life that have been prominent since moving here.

Thai Culture & Language
I have made many awesome Thai friends and have learned so much from them. In general, I have noticed that Thai people are kind and warming to each other. When I walk around my soi, I can see the street vendors chatting with each other, laughing and having a good time. People here seem to be "happy". Also, Thai people are extremely proud of their heritage and culture and they will go to great lengths to hold onto that. Although some do branch out into other cultures and love to learn in other countries, I don't know of anyone who has really left their Thai culture or culture.

Teaching
The reason I came here was to teach. And taught I have! Being around these kids has taught me so much. Although sometimes they can be rowdy and obnoxious, for the most part they are pretty neat. They have pretty big ambitions and look forward to the coming years.

Growing In The Church
I have come to know and love a great church family here in Bangkok and my relationship with God and the church has grown tremendously. As being one of the main worship leaders and also having been here for a year, some people in the church look up to me. It's really a great privileged to meet new people coming through the church - to hear their story and to encourage them in their walk of faith. Also getting to know the people in my bible study and having a good time reading and studying the scriptures with them. I always seem to cause a little trouble there by asking juicy questions, but I think everyone seems to have fun with it.

My future plans right now are tentative. I plan to stay in my current position until March. In March, I intend to try to work at a different school, maybe an international school. I've heard the pay is higher, which would allow me to have a little bit extra income for traveling. After working in Thailand for 1 year more, I plan to move to another country and continue teaching English or working with the church. But, I don't really know what the future holds and so I will live my life one day at a time enjoying every minute that I can.

-A