27. Domestic Bliss in Bang Kahn

So right now I am sitting in my lounge..sinking into my mini sofa, my feet plonked on my pink floor.

Best day. So far:)

I taught four sensational classes – children and me – we belong together. Nuff said. I have one particular class – age 7 – that everything good in me lights up – I become the best version of myself with them – light, free, a bubble of happy energy – I whirl and laugh about the classroom getting so much joy when they understand what they i'm trying to teach them. And that class is filled with eager beavers, which only makes me more eager to be there! The same cant be said for my teenagers – but i'm not going there tonight – as that was yesterday – my Tuesdays are days I always try to push away and as soon as i've had one, I do my best to put it behind me and focus on the fact that Wednesday is coming – the beavers await! :) At one point in class today, I was sitting behind my desk – marking their adorable script – and looked out of my window – mountains rolling on for years – with tiny speccled shacks.. this village is a beautiful sight. Ah. That simply does not do it justice.

After school I did some laundry – by hand.. which only made the experience more satisfying – dripping with sweat I kept on scrubbing.. and then when hanging it up – I had to put on my shoes as not to get nipped by a scorpion. Ah! The country life.. :) Spiders that you only ever see on National Geographic, frogs, mozzies, scorpions and ghecco's, ants and bugs of all shapes and sizes – everywhere. On our first night, Pelin and I encountered a half Cocoroatch – half flying lizzard bug that terrified us half to death.. “Well, Pelin darling..you wanted the country. You got the country.”

That we did, and I am loving it! My little cottage is an adorable double story half wooden – half white brick affair – with the cutest wooden staircase – pink floors – a lady bug door mat – baby blueish green shutters – floral bedding – pink roses ofcoarse – granny would love it! Buddahs and the most darling birdy finishings. I love my home. I have an office as well, which is great – sationary abound! :)

The teachers are just the most interesting and wonderful woman – I sat with them for a while this evening – our homes are all together – and we have a communal back yard – and we chatted away merrily – and boy when they are done with me – I am going to be a speaking fluent Thai! In the last two weeks I have picked up so much and I find myself able to grasp the gist of many conversations.

 

Today marked a true turning point. My teachers and I crossed a barrier – one I know means a sure sign of friendship! My students are officially used to a “farang” being around so they are no longer poking and prodding and squeeling when I pass by – which did make me feel as if I was living in a fish bowl! My puppies have all been given homes – I was looking after six puppies – and for me, it was a tad stressfull,tp say the least – wondering what on earth I would do with these little creatures I had nursed back to health and loved so much!

Also a creepy Thai man has not ruined my stride, nor has the lying, cheating agent that lured me to Thung Song in the first place – now that was a week from hell! Bug I persurvered, and – I hate to buff my ego :) but I am going to give myself a couple of solid pats on the back – because I pushed and fought for the life I was looking for here – refusing for anyone or anything to get in the way of that – and look where I am now.. sitting in my glorius home, listening to the crickets and frogs – eager to get to bed so I can finish my awful book (I have to finish them – I can never just say,”This is shit, on to the next.”) so that I can begin the next, which is sure to be magical!

Oh! Pelin moved out – because it's a long way for her to get to her school – and the roads are very dangerous – she had an accident last week – and it's just not responisble, so she moved to a flat right next to her school and has most of her stuff here – and is ofcoarse always welcome, so she effectively has a home in the city and a home in the country:) Tomorrow afternoon she is fetching me and we are heading off to a thanks giving dinner with some foreigners (who teach in Thung Song) in town. Our first thanksgiving:) And in Thailand.. who would have thought.

This weekend we might head off to Trang – which has apparently got some of the hidden gems - beaches – that we are eager to investigate.

Otherwise – right now I am going to go and finish that book. Up at six thirty tomorrow. Oh, how my life has changed. For the first time in years – In this particular moment – I can honestly say I am trully at peace. Travelling has been a whirlwhind of fun – but shit – three months later – I was desporate to settle down.. and not become one of those people you see so often and think to yourself, “Buddy, you really need to go home. And just.. give your mother a hug.” (“,)

Night night friends and family – I miss you all so much – you just have no idea. No words. But sending all the love in the world your way – close your eyes and feel it's warmth! xx