Hello there!
The first half of my study abroad journey is coming to an emotional end. Wow. I donโt really know how to express these thoughts, and I probably wonโt be able to fully process everything until I, too, return home next June. But damn. Itโs hard knowing that within a week, I am going to have to say goodbye to so many people with whom I have shared so many precious memories with in this strange little city of Bangkok. From the first, sweaty walk across the Phra Pin Klao Bridge, to the first tuk-tuk ride, to the first blurry nights out, to the first questionable street vendor dinner, to the first 3 a.m. 7/11 toasties, to the first everything โ I have done it all with these wonderful people from all corners of the world.
We celebrated our own little early Christmas last night, in the form of a Secret Santa and White Elephant gift exchange. It was fun, it was charming, and it was a little emotional at times. It made all of our hearts full, and in the words of one of my friends here, it was something out of a Hallmark movie. It was wonderful, and I am glad I got to celebrate one of my favorite holidays with these crazy people.
I hate that we have finals right now. It sucks that we are forced to spend these last few moments with each other cramming information for tests that we are going to forget anyways within a week. After all, in five years, what are we more likely to remember โ one last rally around our Bangkok stomping grounds or studying in a Thai library? Oh well. Weโre doing the best we can with what weโve got.
Itโs crazy how far weโve come. Wow. It feels like yesterday that we were getting kicked out of an AirBnB in the middle of Hua Hin for trying to sneak in too many peopleโฆ and itโs crazy that it happened our first weekend here in Bangkok. It was our first bonding experience, and looking back, that was where it all began. Just wow.
Now that I think about it, so much has happened these past four months. It has flown by, but it has perhaps been one of the most full four months that I have ever had the opportunity to experience. From the bottom of my heart, I am truly thankful for being given the chance to study Thailand, and I am truly thankful to the people at FEA for allowing me the financial freedom to pursue such an experience.
I am looking forward to where life takes me over the course of these next few monthsโฆ but until then, I wish time would slow down just a little more. Damn. These next ten days are going to be a rollercoaster ride of emotions. And so the story goes, I suppose.
Jae