Day 28: Bright Lights. Big City.

I had my first formal observation at school today! I taught David's English class, 6/9 (they're my favorite), and they were angelic! I taught them how to sing the song "Do, Re, Mi" from "The Sound of Music" and it felt like I was a chorus teacher! I kinda liked it! I could totally picture myself being Woopie Goldberg in Sister Act 2 directing a choir. That would be my jam! But anyway, I split the class up into rows and divided up the parts so we could just practice going up and down the scale. When we were almost finished with that exercise, I asked the class if they wanted to see how high they could go so we just kept going up the scale by rows...and who do you think hit that last high note? Yep...me. I belted that sucker out as loud as I could and nailed it! Needless to say, my entire class erupted in applause. Haha! It was too funny. I love cutting up with my students in class and joking around with them. Especially, the 6/9 class because they know better than to get out of hand and take advantage of the joking atmosphere (unlike the 6/10 class haha). So anyway, I'm pretty sure I did well for my first formal observation. Teaching is getting so much more natural, and I know I say this everyday, but I'm so sad that I only have one more week with these amazing kids. Ok...I'm not going to think about that.

So tonight, Allison and I ventured out past Paragon and explored another block of Bangkok. Aaaaand it was awesome! I am so disappointed that we got in such a routine that we just went to the food court and back for the past month! There's just so much in this city to see and explore, and I know I'll never be able to do it all, but that doesn't make it any less frustrating. So there was a bike show next to the new mall we discovered. Let me tell you how funny it was to see Thai bikers. It was like Daytona Bike Week in Bangkok! Haha! We even saw some Harley Davidson bikes, and to top it all off, there was a huuuuge Jack Daniel's display at the eating area outside next to the bike show. Hahahaha! Yeah...represent Tennessee in Thailand! Obviously, I had to take a picture of that. So we kept walking down the street/market/open area next to the huge mall (it's hard to describe it) and found another eating area with a live band on a huge stage and a noodle buffet! We were way too excited about those noodles, so we loaded up for only 20 baht (less than $1!) and sat down to enjoy. Oh, by the way...I don't know when this happened, but somehow Allison and I ended up loving Thai food! Maybe we just got used to it and ended up finding out which stuff we like and which stuff we hate, but bottom line...It's great and I love it! And this is where I should probably give Aunt Judy some props and also apologize for calling Caleb a liar in a previous blog...(rolling my eyes) Ok you were right, the food is amazing! :) I might have indulged in a Dairy Queen oreo Blizzard today, too. It was less than a dollar, so I don't regret it. That clearly falls in a different category than the awful McDonald's that I experienced yesterday. Ice cream is in a category of its own. Haha.

So the Chinese New Year's decorations are coming out in Bangkok now. I'm kind of disappointed that we won't be here to celebrate it, but we'll be in Chiang Mai for it, so that should still be a lot of fun. It will for sure be a more cultural experience. I am so glad that we have Chinese New Year's to celebrate instead of Valentine's Day. BONK! Forget that mess! Allison can be my Valentine this year while we go to a dragon parade or something here! Haha.

I'm getting really excited about traveling around in a week. I think we've decided to hit up a beach in the south for a few days after we're done teaching. That will be a lot of fun for sure...can't wait to come home tan in the middle of winter! I love it! And words can't even describe how stoked I am about visiting Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai. (sigh) It's going to be unbelievable. I can't wait to ride an elephant and pet a tiger and FINALLY get some legit souvenirs for all you fine folks back home. I'm trying to save my money now because I know things are way more expensive here in the big city as opposed to up north, but I can't help but be a little worried that I'm just banking on Chiang Mai being like, souvenir heaven. But, that's what Heidi said and she used to live there, so I'll just choose to believe her. Let's just hope she's right...for your sakes. ;)

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law...Finally, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus." --Galatians 5:22-23; 6:17

I'm out.
Cwalk.