Back and forth again, the home comings, reunions and travel lags have made this blog post a long time coming! I have to admit, I have been avoiding my blog lately...I have been avoiding all email/internet communications outside of work since I have been feeling stressed and burnt out the last few months. Now, I feel fresh, recharged and energized!
I have been back in the states again, 6 weeks this time!, revisiting family and friends. It's always bittersweet knowing my time with them is limited, however every moment counts and keeps me going while I am away living my life's work here in Thailand. So here's a brief recap of the last few months for you...in pictures!
When I came back to Thailand Tik surprised me in Bangkok and spent 10 days with me roaming the outer Kanchanaburi province: visiting friends along the way, exploring new parks, and most importantly introducing him to my kids at Baan Unrak! They absolutely loved him and well, that just makes my heart smile :) He has become such an important staple in my life, and I feel he has filled THE void in my almost perfect life.
My friends back home, Stephy, Nadia, Madeleine...I would be lost without your love and support. You guys are my rocks and I believe I am fearless because I know I always have warm friends to cry to at the end of a hard and long day. I love you guys!
My family, has grown exponentially and they are getting BIG. Here the boys are looking more and more like little men, and building their courage to speak and play like their older brother Cooper.
My mom, always the all-things-Mexican enthusiast! I've never heard of pinatas for Easter, but what the hell the kids absolutely loved watching Abue beat the living daylights out of this stuffed bunny!
Cooper is becoming more and more handsome, and I love him for his kindness and respect every time he sees me. I love this little man the most, and I'm looking forward to the day he's asking me for travel advice!
The little girls are just precious, aren't they? Sarah is still a little bit cautious, however she seems to trust me a little bit more each time I come back to visit. Sofia is a trusting snuggle bunny and I see her as the 'reckless one' something I can relate to in my family!
This time I enjoyed cooking home meals for my family, shopping (thanks Mom!) and overall just lazy hang out days around Miami. I look forward to next year's return!
Now I am back at work, at the children's home Baan Unrak. Tik is on his way to Saraburi for work and it looks like it might be another 2 months before we can see each other again. We are trying our hardest to make this work, and he keeps me going with more purpose than ever here in Thailand.
ISV groups are coming soon, in less than 2 weeks I will be off to Chiang Dao working at a wildlife conservation project for the first time. A new adventure, a new challenge, and new fresh group of volunteers to lead safely through the jungle mountains....on and on we go!
Cheers,
Stefanie
