Khao Lak

I'm in Khao Lak for the weekend. Decided to check out the local tourist spot (about 45-50 km from the school) and hit the beach.

I got to spend the night at my friend Fiona's house last night and had a great time catching up. She's done some amazing things for the school both with teaching and with fundraising and she's an inspiration. She's very involved with other charities as well.

And of course there's the beach... I spent three hours there today and will be hitting it again either later or tomorrow. Getting lots of R&R before heading back to the school on Sunday.

Right now I'm working with the youngest of the kindergarteners (K1) while we have 4 other volunteers and I'm also enjoying the company of the cooks while we work on English. I help chop carrots and we speak English and work on vocabulary. They are FUN!

Each day all of us volunteers have reading time with 1-3 each of the older kids. There are 115 children at the school right now and I don't get to directly teach the older kids but I'm working on memorizing their names. They quiz me. Every time the walk by they point to themselves and say... "My name?" We all have a good laugh and then if I mix it up I make up a new name for myself and we crack up some more. On Wednesdays I'm back to going to the local primary school for an hour each with grades 5 and 6. These classes have 20-25 students each so I do games in English to try to keep them engaged.

The kids at Yaowawit are wonderful kids and I'm glad they are at our school. This is one of the best orphanages in Thailand and the staff and teachers are incredible.

Best wishes for those of you shopping for Christmas gifts. To those of you who are German/ Europeans, Happy Saint Nicholas Day! (You put out your biggest shoe on the night of Dec 5th and St. Nicholas may bring you loads of candy...if you've been good of course).

Have a sweet treat day.
Happy December!