Ray LaMontagne speaks to me. (sings to me).

Don’t let your soul get lonely, child it’s only time, it will go by..
(Ray LaMontagne)

Ah yes. Time. I’ve been a bit of a wreck as far as thinking about the fact that I will be living in another country that is completely unfamiliar (right now), for an entire year. 365 days. AHH! I often doubt that I can do it. I love my family and friends too much, I say. And all of my dreams are about being in the States- so this doesn’t help much! But each day does get easier. And I am holding to Ray’s words, “time it will go by.” It’s difficult, because I certainly don’t want to wish my days away and rush my experience, but I equally hope in the future when I will see all that is familiar, and all those that I love, again! Oh, to be able to live in the moment! It’s something I think we all aspire to do- but I often fall short of. I will continue to try and master this skill, and let you know how it goes.

While 365 days does seem like a long time, I’ve just calculated that I have already been here for 28 days! And Thailand is beginning to feel familiar. I can ride my bicycle to the post office, to restaurants, and most importantly, to the coffee shop. YES, little Surat Thani, Thailand, has a coffee shop. And a seriously good one at that. It’s called My Cup. And it is my cup of tea! (especially on weekends). The atmosphere is comfortable, the java delightful. It’s as if I’m in a little coffee shop down the street in Clintonville. It’s a taste of home, and I’m addicted (to coffee and the shop).



Oh, by the way, I am a teacher. I really am, now! It’s amazing. Amidst all of the Malay madness, and adjusting to the culture, I had forgotten that I have my first ‘real job’. It’s totally a real job, guys. Who knew it would happen to me? I work a good, long work week, teaching and lesson planning, and loving, loving the kids. Every week I adore them more. It will be hard to leave them. But because of this fact, I will warn you that my blogs may be more few and far between. But I will try hard to be faithful and blog every week. Forgive me if I fall off the face of the earth. But the gravity is the same over here in Asia, so I shouldn’t! hah. Lame humor. But seriously.

This is me being honest and telling you that I miss you and the States, dearly, today. So go out there and miss me, too. hah!

(This is Cartoon- he's totally incredible! He just learned how to write his name. Go, Cartoon!!)