Greetings from Krabi

B and I arrived safely in Krabi on Christmas morning. We made our way to the town of Ao Naong and then caught a long tail boat to a beach called Railay. Accomodations were easy to find and we settled in. Unfortunately the weather didn't really cooperate with our "beach" vacation. While the beach is truly beautiful the weather was wet and cloudy. Railay is a pretty quiet place so I have to admit I was going a bit stir crazy. By the second day the sun came out in the morning and stayed until about 2:30 so I has able to enjoy some rest and relaxation on the beach. While on the beach you are constantly hounded by people wantingto give you massages or sell you snacks and drinks. I had a fourty minute foot massage (for like maybe $5) as I layed in the sun. It was very nice.

Yesterday B and I took a boat tour of the Kho Pi Pi Islands. We went snorkling twice and visited the famous beach where the movie The Beach was filmed. It was totally beautiful. Again I have pictures but I won't be able to add them until I get back to my laptop (assuming it's still in my bag in Bangkok). I will post when I can. You won't believe how beatiful it is here.

Okay, enough rambling. B and I are waiting to catch a bus to the airport for our flight to Samui. I'll update when I can. In the mean time, HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

T-7 Hours

Where I am now...

Where I'll be in less than 36 hours of travel  ....

Yes, I think the stress, sleepness nights, and tears will have all been worth it once I arrive on the beaches of Thailand.

Sadness and 23 kg Luggage Restriction

Sadness

Wow! Tomorrow evening I am set to head to the airport for the start of my one  year adventure.  

This past week has been really tough on me emotionally.  To begin with a super wonderful guy named Simon passed away.  Simon was young and fit yet for what ever reason he had a heart attack that claimed his life.  Simon left behind his wife,  parents, and siblings.  In my mind I'm still trying to figure out why.  It's just so wrong.

In addition it was the week of goodbyes.  It's been really hard for me to say goodbye to so many important people in my life.  I've been trying to hold back my tears and I've been pretty good most of the time but I know some have seen them slip out.  When I left work on Friday I stopped by the gym to say goodbye to  my colleagues and friends.  I couldn't look anyone in the eye as I was giving/getting my last goodbye hugs.  By the time I hit the car I was in full streaming tears.  I've been in tears a lot these past few days.

I know that I'm about to embark on an amazing adventure.  I also know that it's only for a year, and that I'm coming home.  But even knowing all that I can't  help feeling sad about leaving so many people behind.

*23 kg Luggage Restriction

Today I was one step away from becoming a  basket case.  I can't tell you how many times I weighed and reweighed my suitcase to get it under that 23 kg mark. Whose idea is this weight restriction anyhow?  I'm going to a far away country for a year.  I'll be living in the part of the country that has four seasons so I need clothing for all seasons.  I also want to bike commute, swim, and run while I'm there so I need some work out clothing.  I'm not packing much of anything actually but it doesn't seem to matter.  I'm still having trouble getting under those silly 23 kg.  Thankfully I have some friends/family coming in the next few months so they are helping to bring over a bit of my stuff.  I figure it's a fair trade for a free place to stay.  I am very grateful for their delivery service.  (As a side, I just realized that for the domestic Thai flights I've booked my luggage has to be down to 20 kg!!  Isn't that stupid - I can't even fill a suitcase!  Thankfully the one bag that I will be storing while I travel Thailand will be far from full so I can over load it while it's in storage.  Ugh.)

Until next time, wishing you all the very best this holiday season.

Please be patient with my updates.  It may be a while for the next one because...  "I'm leaving on a jet plane.  Don' t know when I'll be back again........"

*Just back from the post office.  I broke down and pulled some more winter clothing from the suitcase and mailed it.  Who needs winter clothing in the SUMMER!!  I'm also very very grateful to my friends K and R because they are bringing some of my winter clothing too.  T-13.5 hours until departure.

How Much Weight Can I Gain?????

Wow, I forget how busy the Christmas season can be, and how much I can over eat.  Leaving for a year adventure has made it even worse this year.  I can't remember the last time I ate dinner in my own home.  I'm not complaining though as this is life and it's meant to be lived.  But wow, I hope my clothing will still fit me by the time I land in Australia.

On the organization front my trip to Thailand is officially on and I'm pretty excited about what I have on the agenda.  Now I hope that the political trouble keeps at bay until I'm out of the country and on my way to Hong Kong, and Australia.

That's all for the update now.  But soon enough (I leave in 11 days and 3 hours) I'll have a lot to write about.

Karen

Oh yah, thanks for the comments.  I LOVE getting personal comments (hopefully I won't get spam comments though because I think they suck).

T-20 Days - Thailand and other Ramblings

Apparently in less than 20 days I'm moving to Australia for a year.  As the journey approaches more rapidly my mind seems to be spinning out of control.

This week the biggest concern is the initial trip to Thailand.  A friend of mine from Vancouver is joining me for the first ten days of my journey but so much is up in the air.  Her trip is all about going to Thailand and I was so looking forward to having a friend to travel with for a bit.  But, as I type this the airports in Bangkok are closed and there is a travel advisory not to go there.  If we were flying this week the decision would be simple, we would not go to Thailand.  Refunds would be issued and plans would change.  But that's not the case.  The travel agent can't tell us much right now so that isn't helping either.  Hopefully things will sort themselves out soon enough.  I really don't like having this part of my journey in limbo.

A few other glitches seem to be popping up but thankfully they are small glitches.

I am continuing to pack up some of my personal belongings from my apartment.  It surprises me to see how much personal "stuff" I actually own.  Thankfully I don't have to pack up my entire apartment.  My exchange partner will want and need most of my household items.

The phone calls and e-mails continue as well.  I think I have the banking under control but I still have questions about medical and dental.  I think my car storage is taken care of too, but I have to remember to switch the insurance the day I leave.  

On a positive note, I was able to deliver a small box of winter clothing to a friend.  She is shipping a vehicle back to Australia and offered to take some things for me.  Hopefully the box will arrive safely and I will be able to be reunited with my things.

My to do list keeps growing and I sure hope I can get everything done before I leave.  I think I will need all the luck I can have so please WISH ME LUCK!!

They Know...

My poor sweet wonderful grade one class.  I'm sure they didn't see this coming.  

Today I had to tell them that I'm only with them until Christmas break.  I started by telling them about my exciting vacation in Thailand and Hong Kong.  When I was finished  I told them my news about  how I wasn't coming back to Canada after my vacation.  I brought out the globe and showed them where we live now and where I will be living.  I told them about the teacher coming from Australia.  I showed them pictures of her and I pointed out her great big friendly smile.  I nearly cried in front of my class.

At first I think they were in shock and they were sad.  But kids are tough.  Through out the day I tried to speak with each one individually to see how they felt.  Most are sad, but most are also excited to have a teacher from Australia come and teach them.  

Thankfully children are strong.  I know they will be fine and I will too.  My Australian exchange partner is one lucky lady.  I have a truly wonderful class this year.

Wave of Emotions

It's funny that something as exciting as a year adventure in Australia can bring on so many emotions for me.  Here are three that seem to be taking over.

Scared

Yup, that's right I'm scared.  I'm  not scared because I think I've made a mistake with my decision.  I know I haven't.  I'm scared because it's the unknown.  How will I survive in Thailand and Hong Kong on my own?  Will everything work out in Australia?  Being frightened isn't a bad thing, it is just one of the emotions I'm dealing with these days.

Sad

The other day at work I was approached by a friend who was trying to organize something special for me before I leave for my adventure.  You'd think this would bring a smile to my face. Initially it did but the more we talked the more I realized how sad it will be to leave the people that I care about and that care about me.  Ultimately that's what I'm doing.  I'm leaving everyone behind.  I will survive, but I'm certain there will be many tears shed until I get settled into my new life.

Excited

Of course I'm excited!  I'm about to spend a year living in Australia.  There will be so much to see, so much to explore, and so much to do.  I've already searched the internet looking for potential destination marathons.  While teaching I will have three two week vacations and a few long weekends.  I probably should buy stock in the Australian airlines because if an opportunity presents itself I'll be traveling to get there.

T- 30 days until I leave.  I sure hope I can hold it together.