Crazy day

Massive spider!

This picture is really weird any explanations?!Had a busy day today and yesterday. Went hiking this morning with the most insane guy I've ever met. He didn't stop making noise from the moment we met him till we said goodbye. I'm sure he was taking drugs of some kind. Our tour group was friendly but one guy was a war veteran from Vietnam and bought opium as we walked. It was a really crazy day but beautiful scenery. Yesterday we went to an incredible temple. There was so much gold in there I am sure they could support their whole country on it for a few years. Anyway I'm shattered and hungry from walking so can't write any more. We're off to see a Thai boxing match and have a big dinner and beers now!

Temples and monk chat

We visited some temples this afternoon - they are everywhere in this city. The monks like to chat to English speaking tourists to help improve their English. So we got roped into chatting with some monks. One was from Laos so we talked about Vietnam. Gareth says I will have bad karma now as I made our excuses to get us out of staying and chatting all afternoon!

Train ride to Chiang Mai

We arrived this morning in Chiang Mai - in the North of Thailand by sleeper train. It was great fun. The guys came to bring us food and beers, before getting our beds ready and tucking us in for the night! The only problem was up on the top bunk (where I was) it was freezing and had a bright flourescent bulb, while Gareth was warm, dark and cozy in the spacious bottom bunk. He let me swop in the early hours of the morning. Got to our hotel, which only costs 10 quid a night (I was a bit dubious) but it is perfect. Chiang Mai is a city surrounded by a moat. It's really lovely looking and I've already spotted loads of great antique shops. Hopefully we'll take it easy today then do some walking to Wats (temples) tomorrow.

Bangkok

Having a great time here although the weather is crazy and it keeps on pouring down at just the wrong time! I have some photos to put on but the computer here is not allowing me to upload them so they will have to wait.

Bangkok is really insane. I like it but much prefer little Ho Chi Minh as everything is 5 mins away by foot. Here you have to take the train or taxis - who are intent on ripping you off or trying to take you to their mates' shops. It really is an exhausting place! We met up with Emma from uni - she lives here teaching at an international school. It was great to see her and we went to a nice little jazz bar by a park.

Tonight we're off on the sleeper train to Chiang Mai where we can go walking and see lots of historical sites. It should be more relaxing than here. I will then try to put on some pics!

End of term

The end of term is finally here. This week has dragged on and it feels great to be finished. I just went to have an amazing massage - given to me by the parents in my class. I still have 2 more in the package they gave me. This massage place (Apothacaire) is so great it would be worth a trip to Vietnam alone! I feel totally chilled out and ready for my holiday.

I have to pack now for Thailand. I need to buy a suitcase tomorrow as mine is very heavy and we only have 15kg allowance. I've never left packing so late - we leave on Sunday. Hopefully I will be able to post lots of good photos from now on...

End of year party

Went to our end of term party last night. It was grat fun but we're all a bit worse for wear today. For me it's been three nights out in a row and I feel really shattered. I can't wait to go on holiday and really get a rest.

Buddha

Bought a lovely new ornament for the house. I spotted this buddha ages back and have wanted to buy it. I saved up last month and finally splashed out. I'm running out of space to put all my things though, so I suppose I'll just have to save up and buy some more nice furniture!

School's out celebrations!

Had a good night last night. We went to a party organised for the end of term - we have some really talented teachers who put on a bit of music. On Thursday we had our management dinner at the Sheriton buffet. The food is amazing, I ate tons of seafood, and it's free-flow wine all night. I was very well behaved and was the only one without a headache at school the next day.

We're almost at the end of term! I can't wait for holidays. I am so excited to go to Thailand. We plan to shop in Bangkok and meet up with my uni friend, Emma, who teaches there; walk through the mountains and temples in Chiang Mai; then scuba dive and drink cocktails on the beach. Yey!

We have another party tonight put on by the school for everyone who works there including guards, office people, cleaners... Apparantly the Vietnamese staff get quite drunk - as it's all free and they don't normally touch alcohol. Looking forward to getting dressed up, but I'm not sure how I'm going to do my third night out in a row.

Almost holiday time

Just 3 more weeks of school. When I write it down it seems like a really long time left we are all ready for a holiday including the kids.  Been so busy with school stuff so not much news. Hopefully I should have lots of great pictures when we go traveling in Thailand. I'm so excited!

Been out shopping for house stuff and painting things this weekend. Seen some lovely furniture and think I'm going to splash out this week!  It's so cheap to pick up all the paints and canvases - about 20 quid for the lot. It's great! I am doing some stuff from Mexico - photos I took with a painting in mind and never got round to doing them.  It's nice to have a hobby and feel like I'm doing something other than work. It's very relaxing. 

Just bought this table runner thing to protect my cabinet that's getting scratched like crazy.

Here are my paintings part finished. I will be able to show finished pieces soon hopefully!

Busy bee

Here are some photos of the past few weeks. Some from Melanie's wedding, some of us in the pub after and see if you can spot the one of me the morning after. It's not hard.

I know I haven't written for ages. It's been crazy at work and it just seems to get busier. I wasn't in school today after catching some horrible bug from the kids. I should be back in tomorrow though. With reports and meetings, meetings, meetings it ever seems to stop and if I miss a day it really piles up. At least I got some admin stuff done today without kids poking and tapping me on the shoulder every 2 minutes.

I'm really looking forward to next year. Nothing was saved last year so I had to write everything from scratch. Now it's all saved on the computer it just means changing it a little which will make my life so much easier. It's always nice to have a new bunch of teachers around too. Not trying to wish my life away though - I have Gem's wedding and a trip trough Thailand to look forward to first. Less than 6 weeks to go now!