sorry it's been a while!

greetings again! it's been a while, i've been quite consumed with work at learning for leadership. i was so, so sad to leave! i will miss everyone so much! i have no worries; miss miranda will take very good care of my precious students. (did you catch that spelling word, anyone?? it starts with a p.)

i hope to hear from all of the wonderful people i got to know in all the classes in the whole school. i want to say a special thank you to miss nicole and mr. mike's classes for trying to make me CRY with those sweet, beautiful cards! i love them and will bring them out when i am sad and missing home in thailand. thank you so much!

my students: muad, santana, erica, najma, omer, mercedes, christian, ashley, diarra, jasmine, noura, jamie, desi, anescia, muna, connor, and ivan each made me wonderful cards and posters. i was so touched that they took the time to make some beautiful creations! thank you all for being so great! remember to take care of each other and EARN that party! it shouldn't take but one day and then we can celebrate your accomplishment! don't forget to keep REX happy. i think he likes school better when you're all there keeping him company. i had a wonderful last week of school, thank all of you for everything! thanks, miss miranda!

it's going to be hard to stay away in these next two weeks before i leave, but i have sooooo much work to do before i go. i still have to pack up the apartment and move things to storage. then there are arrangements to make in selling my car and paying the bills while i am gone. (those bills! they just don't stop coming!)

my parents (who are so awesome) put on a fantastic going-away party for me at True Thai restaurant yesterday. it was so much fun! i am So glad that we decided to do it because i was able to see my family and friends before i get too busy with packing and moving. thank you all for coming to send me off so well! i think that i am STILL full from all the wonderful food. be sure to check out True Thai if you haven't! the owner is a friend of my mother's and she's so sweet and considerate! it's an awesome coincidence that she attended the school that i will be teaching at in thailand (when they allowed girls)! cool, huh!?!? thanks, Mom, Dad, and Anna! it was a wonderful time! i want to thank Ryan and Amy (my cousin and his wife) for the promise of a cockroach on them. i'll let you know how that one goes... *shiver* (HI DELLA, JOSHUA, and Little RYAN!! thanks for coming to my party and giving me great hugs!)

it's official that i'll be teaching Grade One in thailand. i haven't learned yet if this means 1st grade or kindergarten... their system is a little different than here in the US. i will get the fabric for my teaching uniform (light green and dark green) when i arrive for orientation. i will then take the fabric to a seamstress and have my uniforms made! at least i won't have to wonder what to wear in the morning! the boys all wear a uniform as well. the pictures i have seen show a white button-up short-sleeved shirt, blue shorts, and a scarf tied around their neck that is red and yellow. we'll see if it has changed this year. during summer school (the first two months) i will be allowed to wear my own clothing to teach, however there is a dress code. i must wear a skirt (longer than my knee) and a shirt that covers my shoulders. it shouldn't be too difficult.

i have a special request for all who are reading these blogs... i don't have all of your email addresses and i'd like to get them. please send an email to extrabeth@gmail.com so that i can put your address in my address book. THANKS!! have a great day! it's getting a little warmer!