and we're back

Some of the funniest moments in the past few days have been when we have had to walk down stairs. It is getting much better, but still a bit difficult. The day after we got back, we did pretty much everything in our power to avoid them, we even paid more at our hostel so that we could have rooms on the ground floors (which were air conditioned as well, which is why they were more expensive). The routine was usually the same...we'd see the stairs, stop, complain a little bit, take a big breath, and walk sideways, very slowly, down the stairs. If we walked sideways, it would use different muscles than those that were sore, so it worked a little bit better. Now I am able to walk down the stairs looking forward, I see that as great progress!

Now we are back at school for a couple of prep days before the kids come back. This morning we had sports day, which was absolutely hilarious. We were divided into two teams, and the Thai and English teachers were mixed together. We started with a parade for...nobody. We all lined up and marched out of the school to some music with nobody watching other than the security guards and the principal, it was hilarious and completley pointless, as are so many things here! Then we played a bunch of different games and relays. We also had a cheering competition and somehow I got roped into dancing with a bunch of Thai teachers to a Thai cheer. It was ridiculous. They were all yelling that they needed falang teachers (foreign teachers) to come dance, so a few of us volunteered, assuming that we would at least be able to practice it once. No, we basically had to get up in front of the entire school and try to follow the complex Thai dance that was going on in front of us. It was hilarious, but probably one of the most embarassing things that I have ever done. Oh well, someone had to take one for the team, and we ended up winning the cheer competition, so I guess that it was worth it.

It's sad that the holidays are over, but it'll be good to see my kids again and get back into the routine of school...there are lots of long weekends in December though, so I'm looking forward to a lot more travelling then!