Thanksgiving



Blowing kisses to all of you!!!!!



Thanksgiving has come at the most perfect time. On this Thai journey of mine I have recently found myself struggling to answer the questions “Why am I here?” “What is my mission?” “Why am I not at home helping my own country’s education system?” In all this thinking I have also seen how much I appreciate my life and all the things and people in it.

So as my story goes I am thankful for. . .

·         My family (first on the list for a reason). Specifically my parents. Teddy, Keuka and I are the luckiest kids alive, we have by far the bestest, yes bestest, parents to ever walk the planet. Without my parent’s encouragement and support I would not be where I am today or have the strength to follow through with the challenges I put myself up to. If it weren’t for my parents and their consoling words I would be celebrating this holiday with my family. (meaning not challenging myself and living every day” out of my box”). My brother because even though he knows how to push my buttons, the wrong ones, he manages to go out of his way all the time to make sure I am taken care of and loved.

·         My parents didn’t learn how to be so awesome on their own they had role models, my grandparents. Nan and Papa Sid (he lives with me each and every day and should be especially remembered on Thanksgiving as it was the day he left a true impression of how thankful we should be- what an amazing and long life he had), Grandpa and Grandma. No people move me more than these 4 when I am around them. At their age they are the wisest people I know and the most caring and always bring a smile to my face.

·         Of course friends are a must to help us through life but I can honestly say I have some amazing ones. Not a day goes by that I don’t get a little hello from someone from back home wishing me well wishes. I am especially thankful this Thanksgiving for my new WorldTeach friends. I don’t know what I would do without their support and stories we share of our struggles and joys of everyday Thai life.

·         Next comes skype/email because without it I wouldn’t be able to have the support from my family and friends back home and in turn would be lost here in Thailand living “out of my box”.

·         My education, because with my education I have the means to travel and know about the world around me and not just the village I live in. I am more accepting of all peoples. I can teach others all the wonderful knowledge teachers have given me. Along with education is Teachers!!!!! Even the not so awesome ones, yes we have all had them, but I appreciate them more each and every day as I am here in Thailand because they blow the teachers here in Thailand out of the water. So to every teacher I have ever had, THANK YOU!!!!!!!

·         All the people and organizations that donated money or support to help me make my dream of teaching abroad come true. On the days I feel like quitting and coming home I know I can because it would mean letting my community down, so thank you for pushing me!!!!!!

·         Travel- without it I wouldn’t be where I am today or have been to so many places all around the US and the world.

·         Snow- because being hot all the time isn’t that great. (Skiing and hut trips)

·         Exercise- it’s what keeps the blood pumping and me strong in my mind, body and soul.

·         Hot Showers (for that matter cold showers on a hot afternoon, that is if the water from the village is turned on)

·         Bikes- I just got a bike today although it only has one peddle it is still amazing!!! And immediately put a smile on my face as I rode through Chok Amnuay.

·         Jack Fruit- if you have never tried it you should. In one bite you get flavors of all seasons!!! The cinnamon of Christmas, the apples and pumpkins of fall, the freshness of spring, and the bite of a nice cold drink in the summer.

·         Being an American!!!!!!!

·         My life and all the opportunities and people God has blessed me with.

To my family and friends I LOVE YOU each and every day!!!!