Home Sweet Home

We made it! After 30+ hours of travel time, we are back in Canada..to stay!

Needed to get something Canadian pumping through our veins immediately upon arriving in Canada (Vancouver)
Tim Horton's in the airport.

Always the most fun part of traveling...arriving home!
Our mothers, part of the excited welcoming crew at the airport in Regina.




101 posts done.
Well, this blog has been a snapshot of my life over the past two years. I am not sure if I should officially say this is the end..who knows what the future holds? For now, it is.
Since we have been back, numerous people have asked, "How was Thailand?" To sum it up, it was amazing. I would go back there and do it all over again in a second... if only I could bring my family and friends! If you are looking for an adventure, I highly recommend checking out Thailand. The people are beautiful inside and out.
Thanks for the encouragement and compliments along the journey, you all were my motivators for keeping up with this blog.

Sawadeeka

 

Ballin' in Bali

Another stamp in our passports. Andy and I spent the week in Bali, Indonesia. It was so different from Thailand, but man, what a magical place.

For the first leg of our trip, we headed to the east coast of the island and stopped at Amed.

The resort we stayed at was stunning. The private bungalows had gorgeous outdoor bathrooms, where you could stare up at the lush mountains while taking a shower, or relaxing on the toilet...

First meal in Indonesia!
Our trip focused around snorkeling, eating, surfing, and more eating.



The resort was right on the beach (always a must at one point on an island getaway). The sand in Amed is coarse black, volcanic sand from a nearby volcano (which we only had a chance to see a tiny fraction of).

Food, food, food.

One day we hired a boat driver to take us out to see the most spectacular coral gardens ever. Definitely National Geographic worthy. We stopped at a shipwreck on the way back, but the visibility was pretty poor and we weren't able to see it. But it was okay, because we saw DOLPHINS!! It was awesome.

Patriotic on Canada Day.

Ready to enjoy our first true Balinese meal. So different from Thai, but also delicious.

The entrance of our resort. A tad tricky when weighed down with luggage!

After a few days in Amed, we headed to the southern part of the island. This was the view on the way.



Terraced rice paddies.

Next stop: Legian Beach.

Legian is a surfer's paradise. Non-stop waves with a smooth, sandy ocean floor is a perfect combination for beginner surfers.

We spent a few days learning how to surf. The second we got onto the boards, I was hooked. The fact that we had private lessons from these rad locals, and that the temperature of the water was 27°C may have played a big role in my newfound love.

Vanilla milkshakes- the best way to end an intense surf session.

Along with a freshly made sandwich.

We were millionaires every day in Bali, literally.

Like I already said, we did a LOT of eating. We tried all kinds of food, including some local dishes at cheap restaurants void of any tourists.

It may not look that appetizing, but boy was it scrumptious!

A bookstore on a motorcycle- it works.

No need to Photoshop the sunsets!

Felt like a celebrity every night on the beach. White skin and light hair is sure to attract the paparazzi.

Bali is known for its BBQ suckling pig (though we never had a chance to try it).

Andy and I had a spa afternoon. I had my nails painted while he had four ladies grooming him.

It was hard not to make this entire post about the drinks and food we consumed.... soooo good!!

Ready for takeoff. Not a bad view from the runway.

We will be back Bali, just you wait!

Until We Meet Again

Yesterday was the day I have dreaded all year. It was time to say goodbye to my coworkers who have become my dear friends over the past two years.

Before I had to say my goodbyes, Andy had to say his. On Thursday night, his coworkers (turned friends) organized a dinner in his honour. I accompanied him for some moral support. 

A portion of the staff and students Andy has worked with. They are some of the most caring people in all the land.

The man behind it all... Andy's boss.

Dinner was held at Baiyoke Sky Hotel II, an 85 storey skyscraper. The view was incredible.





Always smiling.

On Friday, the last official day of work, my boss took the staff out for a lovely lunch. I said goodbye to everyone at the school, and then met up for supper with most of my nearest and dearest friends for one last hurrah. We went to our favourite restaurant on the river, Princess Terrace.

The best coworkers a girl could have.

Now for a week in Bali before we head home to the Land of the Living Skies.

All Kinds of Tears

After spending roughly 3,200 hours teaching here in Bangkok, it is time to say goodbye.

For the final field trip with my class, we went to Dream World, a gigantic amusement park.

It was kind of a magical place.

With so many rides.

The day was filled with laughter, popcorn, puke, and soaked students.
 

I could not pry them away from the water rides. They went on this one SEVEN times in a row.

 

After I went on this ride with them, it was settled. I was the coolest teacher ever.

The last day of school was one I honestly did not want to end (so soon).

We played hilarious games all day.

My precious babies (doing their signature hand moves).
The day ended with lots of group hugs and tears (even from the tough guys)! This is one class I am going to really miss.

To add to the emotional roller coaster...at the ripe age of 90, Andy's sweet Papa Al passed away on the weekend. I loved him from the moment I met him, and he is and always will be missed dearly. We were fortunate enough to Skype with Papa Al a couple weeks ago. It is one memory I will always have... him relaxing in a chair, talking to us.. while shaving! We are sad that we will no longer see him on Earth and that he won't be able to witness our marriage, but it's nice knowing we have one more angel watching over us.
Heaven has been gaining a lot of precious angels lately.



To start my summer holidays, we went to another early Canada Day celebration this year.
Beef and perogies were served.. what more could a girl want?

To officially end the school year, I went to prom!

Before the festivities were in full swing, a few of us teachers snuck out for a drink. Shhhh.

It was a fun night at a great venue.



The food was delicious.

And the students were entertaining.

Mainly because they had awesome outfits.

One of my biggest accomplishments of the year...the 2012-2013 BCISB yearbook (complete with my personal sweat, blood, and tears)!

Now to finish cleaning my classroom, pack up the apartment....... then what?!