Hello everyone.

Well I am safe in Chiangmai Thailand. So what am I doing in Thailand you ask?

I am teaching Art and Movement (yoga, tumbling, tap dance? I will define it better when I know what works) at a Montessori school north of Chiangmai.  It is called the Starfish Country Home School.  The name is based on a Parable.

There are 23 students from age 2 to 7.  They are all orphans, but keep in mind, here if you only have one parent you are an orphan.  Several children still have one parent they are in contact with. 

I will be here for 7 months.  The school is actually an old resort so all of the classrooms and my rooms are hotel rooms with bathrooms.  I have found that I seem to seek out the experience that is most different from what I grew up with.  I may have found it here.  That is what I love about it.  As different as Thai is from English I am still working with children.  Smiling, laughing and even crying are the same in all languages.

This is very exiting and I am amazed at how many emotions are possible at once.  I am exited, scared, tired, nervous, laughing at myself for the silly things I worried about.  How long did I debate what shoes are appropriate to teach in? Closed toed or open toed?   In the end I didn’t bring any teaching shoes, just traveling shoes.  As it turns out Thai’s don’t wear shoes indoors.  So I get to teach barefoot!!!!

Here is my story day by day. I hope you are well, happy and doing something you love.  I love you all.  Madalitso, Alice