Thailand is hot, hot, HOT!

I've been receiving lots of emails asking for an update - no worries, I haven't disappeared in Thailand (though sometimes I do feel like I could just melt away). The truth is, it's so hot here these days that I find it difficult to gather enough motivation to do anything beyond the essential.

With only 9 days left in the country, I am now reflecting on the time I've spent here. Upon arrival, I thought I had my whole 10 weeks planned out - teaching at a daycare in the mornings, helping out at the orphanage in the afternoons. I was really looking forward to James' arrival and our return back to Australia together. Crash, bam! An unexpected school summer vacation, a break-up and a change in job description later... here I am.

Thailand has sat me down, shut me up and taught me a great deal in the school of life, especially the part dealing with "unexpected change."

While it's simply impossible to relay all the events that have impacted my time here, I will say that what I have gained in character is far more valuable than anything I could have foreseen. Living among children and adults who have experienced loss far greater than anything I can imagine - I have learned much about the value and importance of human connections. Children here are without mothers, fathers, siblings or family homes, and they carry with them memories that no child should ever be burdened with – but they are some of the happiest children in the world. The reason is because they are still loved by the incredible staff here and they have found new homes and families in each other.

“Thai time” is an aspect of living here that has frustrated me to no ends. If you've been to Thailand, you likely have an idea of what I mean by, “Thai time.” In the West, we are obsessed with efficient use of time; in Thailand, things always get done 'tomorrow.' Since my role here has changed from being a teacher to being a Victoria University liaison (working with neighbouring schools and colleges and setting up programs for future volunteer teachers) – I have experienced 'Thai time' in the deepest sense of the meaning. I've had business meetings delayed by hours because someone was having a nap. I've arrived at schools for a pre-scheduled 'observation day' only to find out that, in fact, it's a Nation-wide holiday and no one bothered to tell me! This Thai mentality of time has forced me to become more patient and flexible as a person and as a professional.

One of my favourite roles while here, has been tutoring a woman who works at the orphanage named “Nong.” Nong is being sponsored to visit Australia for 3 months and she'll be living in Melbourne and studying English. We've been preparing together and as things turn out – I'll be in Melbourne for the duration of her stay! Nong is such a special woman – at 43, she's so vibrant and energetic that I had assumed she was in her early 30s. In the tsunami, Nong lost her husband (who was a fisherman out to sea that day) and her 3 children. She was planning a day out with her kids and had only left to fill her motorbike with gas. When she came back to pick them up, everything and everyone was gone. Nong has reclaimed her life but is still left with everyday reminders of what she and her entire community has lost. We were studying at the beach just last night and she told me she can't swim anymore because water holds such heavy memories.

I will be picking Nong up from the airport in Melbourne and I can't wait to see her first impressions of Australia! She's never left Thailand before! She has shared her culture and language with me and I'm so honored that I get to do the same.

What's the plan now? I'm flying back to Melbourne on May 22 and I'm planning to stay there until late September. I've accepted another teaching contract in China – this time in Shenyang City, Liaoning Province – and I'll be home to Canada before Christmas! I'm feeling very traveled-out and so I'm hoping I can stay put somewhere in Canada for a while – I'm considering Vancouver. The next time I write will likely be from Melbourne – Cheers all!