Coming to an End

Well, our volunteering at school is coming to an end soon. We've been teaching at the Sirimongkalajarn school for 6 1/2 weeks now. The Thai teachers told the students that we will be leaving soon and there has been a surge in their love and affection for us. We have been introducing two new volunteers to our kids this week and they will take over for us after we leave. The 2nd graders have been especially affectionate. I think it's partially because they are Oye's class and she always takes care of us.

Today, the students were giving us notes and cards that read, "I love you teacher." They would fold the notes up really small and put them into paper purses that they made! It was so sweet. Two of them even wrote, "I will not forget you teacher." That almost made me cry because I know I won't forget them, but they're so young and they see so many different volunteers, it would be naive to assume they'll remember us forever. After all the notes and paper purses filled with pieces of gum, little figurines, and necklaces, about eight or nine kids... gave us stuffed animals. Oh yes. Their own stuffed animals. You can definitely tell that the kids have been sleeping with them because they are all matted from years of being carried around and drooled on. Robbie and I felt bad taking them with us- but you can't refuse a gift like that! Giving someone your stuffed animal is like the ultimate way of showing your love as a kid. I remember giving two of my favorite stuffed animals to friends (Lang and Kate.) We'll need to get a picture of our new collection of bears, because it's pretty hilarious. Today Robbie and I had to take a taxi home from school and we weren't the least bit embarrassed of our arms full of stuffed animals. : )

We've come to the conclusion that it's going to be bittersweet to leave Chiang Mai. The worst part is definitely going to be saying goodbye to the kids and teachers at school. We've become friends with a lot of volunteers while we've been here, but they've mostly all come and gone. A group of new volunteers just arrived and we won't really have time to get to know them. I will not be sad to leave the actual city of Chiang Mai though. It's too crowded and polluted for our taste, or at least for an extended stay. And I certainly won't be sad to get HOME!! Robbie and I both are looking forward to relaxing at Sunset Beach with our families. We really just can't wait to see everyone. We talk about it every day. And just as a side note, we're especially sad to be missing the 4th of July at Sunset this year. But don't worry, we'll represent the USA with pride in Thailand! We've been planning to cook out and wear our red,white,and blue.

Okay, we miss you all and can't wait to see you!!!!!! LOVE,
Maggie and Robbie