hey lady's Finale

What I did this year

I left home and crossed an ocean in search of independence and adventure
I became close friends with some very unlikely people
I ate scorpion twice—and liked it
I drove a scooter
I crashed a scooter
I managed to have my passport held for ransom
I kissed some boys from other countries (tee hee!)
I started listening to club/dance music—and I like it.
I gave some kids confidence and taught them to use it
I climbed the Great Wall of China—twice.
I learned that no one else makes you happy—it’s a personal choice that takes work
I started wearing cute high-heeled shoes and boots everyday—and I look like a rock-star’s Mum in them! Go Mum-in-me!
I learned that ‘venting’ only increases my anger-so I shut the hell up for a change.
I learned that the best thing you can wear is your confidence, and the worst thing you can wear is a see-through dress in front of a projector screen.
I saw someone eat a snake. It was enthralling but sad
I learned that all people who travel are just looking for the next thing to anticipate—and that describes me—and I never knew that before—I thought I was content
I learned that communism looks really harsh-but it’s actually just capitalism with sharper traditional edges
I learned that you can lose it on your students when you have to, but as long as you show them you care and want to help them-they will love you ‘til death
Also, it’s okay to yell in the library and steal their food from their hands—next time, they’ll bring you a snack too!
I learned that I own and want too much, and though my salary is about 8 times larger than the Chinese English teacher that I work with, who essentially has the same job and works longer hours than me—what I make is still not enough and that is disgusting in my gut. How did I become so gross?
I turned 26 and I love being closer to 30! Really!
I realized that all these things and more take time and patience, so it’s MOST important to be good to yourself, good to those who love you, and good to those who need something ‘good’ in their life.

Thanks to everyone back home for their selfless support and love (and for keeping me in your 'loops'). I'm going to miss my best friends out here at Teacher Camp--I'll never forget the huge impact you had on me this year--it's so special to have family all over the world. Finally, I'm going to send a "good wishes" fire ballon over the sea and into the sky in Thailand next week for all my students who made this year so inspiring for me--you made my first year as a teacher so memorable and warm and I am indebted.

So here I go, ending a chapter I've worked so hard on and beginning a new one. But before I do, it's time to go back to Thailand with my Mum to help her with her own adventure. To leave this final blog on a high note, I'd like to share with you all something my Dad wrote to me before I went to Thailand last February (if you have a drink in hand, put it down):

Hi Michelle, thanks for the message..You are starting to worry me with your escapades in the far east!! please be careful of:

- giving over your passport to anyone for the luxury of a brief bit of fun!
- never give your passport to anyone not an "official" required to view it!
- dont talk to strange men......unless you want to go missing.
- keep an eye on your vital organs, they are worth a ton over there!!
- dont talk to strange (albeit charming) men!
- dont accept drinks from strangers!
- watch your drinks!
- never take your eye off your drink!!!
- dont accept drinks, rides, bong hits, etc of ANYONE!!
- keep an eye on your drinks!
- keep your guard up!
- keep your wits about you!!
- travel in septuplettes!!
- go to the loo two by two by two by two = 8!!

You are in a strange land...their turf...please be careful.

I love you, and want to see you again.....alive!!!!
Dad
xoxoxox


I come from good people; and I take them into my classrooms, my relationships, and my likes & loves.
Farewell,

xox
Micha

PS. Playlist: "Way Too Long" by David Myles