I’ve officially hit the one year mark in my stay here in Thailand- I know we all say that we can’t believe how time flies, blah blah blah, but it’s so true. Over a year ago I stepped on a plane not even knowing what to expect once I got to Asia. I tell people that it’s totally a God-thing that I made it here because I never have had any desire to live in Asia or teach English, and a year and a half ago I made a decision to come here and look at me now haha- teaching English and living in Asia. I sometimes think God has a good sense of humor.
For those I haven’t told, I am staying for another year! I just decided, and I really haven’t talked to many people about it, but I’ve been praying about this a lot recently. I love being here and I love my life right now, so I’m just gonna stay put. I’m coming home for 6 weeks in March and April so I have lots of people to see then! I’m so thankful for my family and my friends- you guys are beyond awesome! Thank you for prayers and cards- you make being far from home a lot easier!
Now for the life update:
This past month was hard- it wasn’t my first time away from home on a holiday, but it was my first Christmas away from my family. I definitely had my moments where I was ready to just come home and not live in Thailand anymore. Most of the homesickness from the holiday season has passed and now I’m at the point where I can make a better decision for myself.
December FLEW by- it was chopped up by so many long weekends and cancelled classes that we plowed straight on through to Christmas and got there before anyone knew what happened. I left to go to the Philippines for Christmas once work got out, and spent ten days there with my friends Jessica and Apples.
We spent about three or four days in Manila with Apples and her family. We spent Christmas with her parents, her brother and sister-in-law, and her super cute nephew Travis! We went to a candlelight service for Christmas Eve and then Christmas day was time just spent at home exchanging gifts. It was nice just to be able to relax and not worry about anything for a few days. The next week we left for Boracay! It’s a beautiful island in the Philippines, and yes, there are a lot of tourists, but I have never been to a more beautiful beach! The water was crystal clear and the sand was white. They make a point to keep the beach clean, and smoke free, so it was nice to walk around and there not be any trash around. We spent four days just walking, swimming, tanning and eating. Heaven! I loved being there and took a lot of pictures! You can see them all on my Facebook if you want: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?id=66504060&aid=2103654
We went back to Manila after the beach and spent some more time relaxing and hanging out. I was in Manila for New Year’s and it was awesome! Totally beats our 4th of July fireworks celebrations any day. Everyone sets off their own fireworks and everyone is awake (even the kids) until well after midnight. It was so cool to experience that with new friends.
These were going off right above us- crazy!
I flew back to Bangkok the Sunday before I had to go back to work and was glad to be back home in a city that was familiar to me. (It’s still weird that this is what I consider home now) I started back work on the 4th and I’m getting back into the swing of things. We only have two and a half more weeks of teaching, a review week, exam week, and then project and then this school year is finished! I have some in service to get through for a few weeks after that but that will fly by. I’m so close to getting to go home! I’m very excited- it’s been a LONG time since I’ve spent more than a week or two at a time at home. This time I get six (paid) weeks at home!! I can’t wait to see everyone!
I miss you and love you all SO much! I’m so glad God put you in my life! Blessings on you all!
Alyse 
