Quickly for those of you wondering, the Japan earthquake/tsunami will not be hitting Thailand - the Tsunami warning cleared Thailand almost straight away, still I'm sure it will bring back some memories for the people who live in this beautiful country. I think most of us interns are very aware that Japan has a huge number of TEFL teachers over there and it could easily have been happening to us so our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone who's been effected!

Well what else can I say? This evening will be my last spent in Sakon Nakhon, tomorrow I jump on an over night bus to Chiang Mai and begin the final month of my adventure doing a bit of sightseeing.

Its been a lovely chilled out final week with the kids all doing exams I've been popping into school to show my face but been able to tie up lots of loose ends with paperwork, planning and most importantly packing during the afternoons. I went into school monday and spoke with the Assistant Director who told me that indeed I was all done and could leave on Friday. After getting back to my desk there was a rush of teachers coming into my room and a hushed conversation after which I was informed that we would be going for a goodbye meal that night courtesy of the AD. It was very lovely! Jenny translated for me that everyone had loved having me at the school and they were so sad to see me go that they felt this rare turn of events (a higher power at the school paying and attending a meal, hehe) was needed. Glad I managed to change their minds about Falang teachers!!!

It really was lovely, just about 10 of us went to MK (a kinda do it yourself soup place) and had a lovely meal. Of course I also needed to say goodbye to A' Anne and EQ so on Wednesday I had a goodbye meal at A' Annes restaurant too (a Anne's is always a favourite because she dosn't mind if have a beer and I get to play fight with EQ) and then Thursday night a slightly more relaxed goodbye meal with Jiep, Jenny, Lek and Spinter and then this evening just me love and Jenny had goodbye Pizza! hehe

After a weeks of many goodbyes I guess I can't really say that I was on my own in Sakon Nakhon anymore!

It was sad saying goodbye to everyone at school today, the prathom 5 teachers were very lovely and Jenny is under instructions from the Thai teachers to keep in touch with me while i'm in Thailand and make sure I'm ok because I'm on my own here! hehe

Obviously Jenny, Lovella and Jiep have been my closest friends since I've been here and I certainly will miss them all!

Dosn't quite feel real yet mind you. I guess when I'm loading my massive rucksack onto the bus to leave SN instead of just jumping on with a handbag and making my way down those crazy twisty mountain roads for the final time there may well be a tear in my eye!

Its funny how much I've taken this place for granted. There may not be a lot to do here but its certainly beautiful and I hope I dont forget that. With so many monks, Songthaws and traditional thai wooden houses on every road its maybe the closest there is to old Thailand where you can still have electricity and wifi, and I have certainly needed both! Esp now its getting so hot! I'd melt without my aircon! Awww, I making myself sad already! hehe

Dont get me wrong, I'm not so sad that I wanna stay here right now! haha! I can't wait to get on the road again and see some of the sights, play with some heffelumps, have Thai ladys bend me into funny shapes and stand on my back in the name of massage, raft down some rivers and maybe dive past 12 meters but I will miss the gremilins (well most of them!) and the company of some very lovely people!

Anyhoo, last essentials to be packed in the morning and its goodbye Sakon Nakhon, hello Chiang Mai!

Woooooooooooooooooooop!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!