Today we had more language and culture lessons.  We also had a sharing session where we were asked to write down why we were here.  Not, the canned polite response, but the real one – were we looking for something, running from something, what have we gone through to get here, what were we hoping to learn or how did we want to grow, etc.  I thought it was a very brave and real way to look at the situation.  I think it’s a huge part of what needs to be dealt with to learn and grow.  We also talked about the various emotions that may come up while adjusting to our new lives and various ways to deal with that.  I’m sure the importance of the exercises was lost on many.

I’m very impressed with this company.  One of the quotes I’ve seen several times through them is “You may not get the experience you want, but you will get the experience you need”.  I feel they have done a good job of stressing the importance of releasing expectations, embracing the new culture and going with the flow.  It’s almost ATP meets teaching English.  I am impressed.

Tonight was New Year’s Eve.  They planned a beach bbq.  I thought this might be kind of hokey and I kind of felt bad that the whole staff had to hang out with us on NYE, but it was awesome.  The beach was beautiful, the food was great.  A truck drove up and started playing music.  They don’t wait until midnight to set off fireworks so they were going off all night.  There were more fireworks at midnight, though.  People were sending off the floating lanterns too.  It was a beautiful way to celebrate the end of the year and the start of my new life in Thailand.

(c) all rights reserved Kimberly Fiore