tsstss

I never know how to begin these memoirs. A week ago I was leaving the island of Koh Chang (aka paradise), its about a five hour bus ride away to the town where you take the ferry over. Not the most memorable bus ride, which included roaches, faulty toilets, leeky roofs and loud Thai music videos. But the time on the island was amazing, one of the most beautiful beaches I have ever seen. Since it's off season, the five of us almost had the beach to ourselves...paradise. We rented motor scooter to see the island. I had a moment of utter bliss and contentment while riding my motor bike in the pouring rain right after hiking to swim beneath a gorgeous waterfall. One of those moments where nothing can taint and no one can touch.

Yesterday, some of us went to the 4th of July celebrations at the American Consulate. It was fun, random and at times a bit strange seeing that most of the Americans consisted of old men with Thai women. Nonetheless I got flowers, funny pictures and a sweet airbrush tattoo of a unicorn.

The past few weeks at school have been fun, it's beginning to feel more routine and comfortable. The students are cute most of the time, until they can't stop yelling "teeecha finish" as soon as they complete their worksheets (which are intended to keep them quiet). The funniest was in my Friday afternoon 5th grade class. My school doesn't have an automatic bell system, so they are never on time since the secretary is in charge of ringing in and half the time Christina and me are the ones to signal the time. So it was the end of a REALLY long class of "teecha finish," heat and loud hammering right outside our window (did I mention the school is partially under reconstruction so ridiculously loud noises haunt my everyday). I was trying to buy time by letting them play a game called killers, similar to heads up 7 up. After two rounds of them immediately knowing who was "it" because they all were cheating, I ended the game, telling them that it wasn't fun if they cheated. Then in my "I'm sick of this crap" mood, I wrote in large letters on the board CHEATERS and explained further how its just not ok or fun. Then I put a hangman on the board. First word: _ _ _ _ t _ r s. They began to guess "computers, students, teachers"....nope, you guesses it CHEATERS! I laughed and my sanity was finally saved by the bell (15 minutes late).

They can be cute sometimes, like the other day when I showed up with my new haircut. A little boy, Boss, with strategically places sweat drops on his nose, in the same class goes "teecha beautiful." Then he goes "teecha, what animal? tssstsss." I asked him to repeat and he did so with a straight, serious face. I respond with " a snake? I don't know?" He goes "good job, teecha."