Week 1

Dear friends and family,
It's amazing that David and I are already done with one week here! Boy, time has flown beyond any sense of measure. So far, teaching has been an absolute adventure. I was even offered a full-time job teaching 8th grade maths in the local primary school today. Needless to say, they are desperate for teachers an even offered me a whopping $100 a week. Not too shabby. Of course, I couldn't accept seeing as how my students would probably be greatly disappointed if I deserted them next year. (Right, you guys, right?) I also splurged on an $8 hour massage a few minutes ago. I find it peculiar how different massages are in different countries. I think this one might has topped my Greek massage that I received a few years earlier in awkward moments. At one point, the Thai woman was making a circle eight around a new area.

David seems to be really enjoying the construction aspect of the volunteer work. I'm really excited to see soem finished products. Yes, pictures will come soon when I get longer than a few minutes on a computer. Other highlights this week include jumping in the pool every afternoon after sweating/teaching all morning, making animal face masks with the youngings, meeting my "20-year-old" brother for the first time (it's hard to remember that he's no longer 12), seeing my younger brother flirt with the other volunteers, running through the rain at a Buddhist temple, seeing the Tsunami momument recently erected to remember the people who did not survive, playing cards with the other super cool volunteers, and finishing FOUR novels in one week! I haven't fully adjusted to the 14 hour time change just yet, and I find myself often waking aroun 7:00 in the morning and reading on our balcony. It's probably the best way to start any day.

Thank you all (especially past students) who have responded and given me updates in your own lives. I hope all is well!
Love,Jesicah Rolapp