2012: A Year to Remember

 

I hope you had a Merry Christmas and are already having a fantastic New Year! This picture is me with my staff at the school I manage in Bangkok, Thailand. And yes, I do happen to be the tallest person and only male. Haha!

2012 was one helluva year -- and truly one of the best in my 26, almost 27 years, of existence. Criss-crossing the globe; visiting and working on 3 major continents: Australia, Europe and Asia. It's been a wonderful journey...with no intention of slowing down. All counted, in 2012 I traveled to 19 cities across 9 countries and 4 continents!

- Kununurra, WA, Australia

- Sydney, NSW, Australia

- Bangkok, Thailand

- Berlin, Germany

- Potsdam, Germany

- Halle, Germany

- Milano, Italy

- Lake Como, Italy

- Venice, Italy

- Padova, Italy

- Florence, Italy

- Paris, France

- Brussels, Belgium

- Phnom Pehn, Cambodia

- Siem Reap, Cambodia

- Vientiane, Laos

- Pattaya, Thailand

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

- San Francisco, CA, USA

About 2 weeks ago I flew back home to America for the Christmas/NY holiday to see family and friends. As I write this, it is the eve of my departure back to the Land of Smiles (LoS). It's great to be back in The States, if only for a short while. I had been out of the U.S. for just under 2 years!

Learning Home, the school I manage, is doing great. In the last 3 months we've increased the number of students by 30%. The classes are creative and exciting. The kids are having a great time while getting a fantastic education. It's a fun group to be working with. 

Here are some pictures of recent events at the school. I have some of the cutest kids in the WORLD:

Little Forest (aka "Forest Gump") and his mommy at our Christmas Fun Fair.

Nong Notre and Devina at our Loy Krathong celebration.

Dancing our butts off on Halloween!

Me with little Leia on International Day -- so cute!

If you'd like to stay up-to-date on all of the events and activities of the school, I've started a separate blog called The Best Start. Check it out: www.thebeststartblog.blogspot.com.

Moving on...

In October I started studying for my Bachelor's in Business Administration at a large international college in Bangkok called Assumption University, or ABAC (Assumption Business Administration College). I am enrolled in their evening BBA program, which will take me 4 years to complete. It's a long road ahead, but I know it's worth it and much of what I'm learning is very applicable to my current job. 

The school has several dozen partner universities in many different countries: Australia, America, Japan, New Zealand, Germany, Austria, England and many more. I do not intend to finish my degree in Thailand, but spend at least a year or two and then transfer to another university when I move on to my next country. 

The main campus.

I have really enjoyed the time I've spent on this trip to The States. A few days ago my mother and I made a trip north to visit her side of the family. We took Highway 1 most of the way, which runs all up and down the absolutely beautiful California coast. 

Breathtaking.

I got to see my Grandma and so much of my family. I haven't see them in 2 years so we had a lot of catching up to do!

My adorable mother and grandma.

Me with some of my "crazier-than-coconuts" cousins!

In the last 12 days or so of being here in The States, I have tried to tell as many friends and family of the fun, excitement and opportunities of Bangkok and Thailand in general. Without a doubt, Thailand has some of the best beaches, most diverse city life and wonderful personalities in the world. I am never bored; always kept interested by the unique culture, the ever-challenging tonal language and the international city dwellers I meet almost daily.

Ok, enough of all that. 2011 and 2012 were filled with heaps and heaps of great memories, many of which I captured in pictures -- but also in videos. I've had some people say they enjoy the videos the most so I thought I would humor you and include some of the highlights from the end of 2011 and the year of 2012.

Here they are:

Speaking gibberish to a young Aboriginal girl; my successful attempt at cheering her up.
Kalumburu, WA, Australia.

About a month ago I was invited to the Annual International Pattaya Fireworks Show, which lasted a full 45 minutes! I was almost directly underneath the fireworks.
Pattaya, Thailand.

Me and a few other friends attended a crocodile show in a province 3 hours out of Bangkok. I was dared to place money in a live, living, breathing crocodile's mouth. The entertainers were not helpful in easing my nerves. Here he is saying, "Crocodile eat chicken; hand is same-same chicken."
Kanchanaburi, Thailand.

Same province, we took a little safari. Shortly into the trip our vehicle was bombarded by hungry giraffes.
Kanchanaburi, Thailand.

A few months ago, there was a crazy Hindu parade that took place until the wee hours of the morning. It encircled about 10 city blocks and came right by my condo building. I took a video from my balcony.
Bangkok, Thailand.

I heard once that Australia has the largest number of deadly creatures in the world. I ran this by an Aussie once and he doubted me. This is a LUPDS: Large, Unidentified, Probably Dangerous/Deadly Spider (personally coined term).
Kalumburu, WA, Australia.

Thank you for reading! I hope you had as much fun in 2012 as I did. And of course I hope you have an even better 2013.

I say with the utmost sincerity that traveling and living abroad has been by far the best experience of my life. See you around here again in the weeks and months to come!