From Where I Stand

(delayed post from a month ago) The past two weeks have been a whirlwind. I had to make a VISA run because my working VISA (Non-Immigration B) was going to expire. The University will not have any documents by the time my VISA expires so off to another country I went to renew it. It seems like there is a significant lack of communication between our mini school and the higher ups at the University. Long story short, I went to Laos trusting that my school had given me all the valid documents to apply for a new working VISA. I was denied the working VISA because my school did not provide me with legitimate documents. I ended up getting a tourist VISA instead and pretty much figured all of this out on my own because once again, the University doesn't know what they are doing or how to prepare their teachers for a business trip. Such is life. However, I wouldn't change my trip to Laos for anything. Yes there were situations I felt paralyzed in because I didn't know what t

Here are a few: The past two weeks have been all about rice. From learning how it is grown to making crafts with uncooked rice to watering our own plants, the kids have fully understood the word "kao" or rice.  The grand finale of our rice-themed weeks took place at a rice field.  Parents and several staff from our school came. All of the kids piled in on one bus to experience an adventure of a life time. Our Mini English Program got to plant their very own rice right outside of town. It got messy real fast.  so. much. fun. I want to go again and plant.  Look Nam showing off her play-dough rice patty.  Ms. Bed Head can really create masterpieces!  Preme and his stacked 'rice'. So proud.  Anything to exercise our fine motor skills. I am nurturing something! My plant actually has three buds now.  Super excited that I am not killing it.  Went to Bangkok this past weekend for business and got to hang out with these t