Vacation time!!!

Well, I know these days I write less and less often, but often times when there is so much going on I end up sleeping rather than writing my blog. Right now, I am about to shower, pack and get ready to start my vacation. I have clean clothes and I am putting my blanket out for the laundry lady to see if she will clean it. Top sheets don't exist in Thailand, so blankies have to be washed and why not when I am going to be out of town for a week. I am headed up to Lampang today and then in a few days I will be in Chiang Mai. Honestly, I can't believe it is already a break though I am so thankful for a week off teaching. There are those moments between classes when I put my headphones in, turn up the volume on my music, close my eyes and for ten minutes try to forget children exist. I love them, but they wear you down a little bit.

Friday was Sports Day which is the Thai version of field day. They start off with a big parade where everyone dresses up in Thai costumes. The school is divided into colored teams and that is how they compete. This year they added pink as a color. I watched the parade with my ladyboy friend who kept going, "Do you teach these students? Do you teach these students?" Yes, I teach all the students minus the little ones, Annabans, that are in another building/school deal. Unfortunately, I was feeling ill and had to go home before the festivities were over.

This weekend two of my friends visited to help me celebrate one of my farang friend's birthday. We feel like it was a birthday well done. Vietnamese food, burgers, mashed potatoes, Thai barbeque, the awesome meatloaf-like dish the Aussie brings (I HAVE to get that recipe), and of course, cake.  Met one of the guys that owns a bar here in town and who also does tattoos, writes a town newsletter and paints. He said he will paint me a picture (given time) if I can come up with what I want. My, my, whatever will I choose? But last night we started festivities around 4pm and keep going until midnight. We had good music and good conversation. I love laughing until I am crying and Chinese wine makes some of my friends veeeery funny.

So today I will soon force myself out of bed. I cannot very well leave dirty dishes or I might have ant colony in my bathroom by the time I get back. And anyway, it will give my hair time to dry since I don't have a blow dryer. I will meander to the bus station, get whatever the next bus is to Lampang and then I will visit the mall, and three parks I want to see and I think I will pick up some fruit and visit Ocean, my favorite and first Thai friend. Then I will see what my friends in Lampang have in store for me tonight and tomorrow. I do have to shop for more shorts because the ones I have now are falling off with a belt. So that is nice and I am going to a bigger city where I can do some shopping. Chiang Mai, I know is going to be a whirlwind so for now I am thinking a chill time in Lampang. Let's see what actually happens 55.

Now, one last thing: I was talking to some people back home and realized that no one has a picture of the places I visit often and talk about. So I am going to try and start taking pictures of everyday things. Today will be the bus station. But alrighty, I have to get started with my vacation. Juk juk! (Kiss, kiss).