Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Lao Lessons: Hello

I finally bought that Laos dictionary I said I would. The dictionary I bought has a three parts, The first allows you to look up an English word to see the word in Laos, the second part lists Laos words and then what they mean in English, and the third section shows the Laos word and how to pronounce it. So far it's much better than any apps I have found or teaching books, which are scarce to begin with.

I've decided to start with basic words rather than learning the alphabet or grammar. I think this will help me more once i'm there than anything else.


Tuesday, April 22, 2014

When Childhood Dreams Come True

Confession time, I have had a running bucket list since I was five years old. I don't know if its normal for a five year old to have a bucket list but I did. As years have passed I have continually added and crossed off things on my list, but as a five year there was only one thing, see The Broadway production of The Lion King. Oh you think i'm exaggerating but sadly I am not. Disney's The Lion King came out when I was two years old. I have grown up watching this movie and to say I was am obsessed with it is an understatement. As a kid I could not only quote every line in this movie and sing along with every song, but I would also act it out. And no matter how many times I watched it during that one part (you know what part i'm talking about) I would shout at the TV for someone to save Simba, hoping that this time the film would magically change and Mufasa would live. Although this never happened my childhood dream of seeing the show live and on stage finally came true this past Friday!

My 3rd b-day, look closely & you can see Simba & Pumba on my cake
My mom and dad "surprised" me with tickets for my birthday & by "surprise" I mean I found out at Christmas because my dad is really bad at keeping secrets. So after four long months of waiting the day finally arrived and I was as excited as a little kid going to Disney World for the first time. I seriously started giggling as the first note from the Circle of Life pierced through the Theater, and I may or may not have been one of those obnoxious people that sang along. Oops.. 


posing with Mufasa


Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Feeling 22

It's my birthday! WAHOO!


Today I am twenty-two years old and while most people are super excited on their birthdays, I'm not really sure how I feel about this whole getting older thing. It's not that I really fear growing up and of course I still love to celebrate, but getting older means the less young I am. Duh I know that's obvious, but I like being young. I like not having to worry about responsibility and still having the freedom to pursue anything I want. There are so many things I want to do and so little time to do them. So I guess for now you can call me Peter Pan, dreaming of flying off to Neverland where I can stay forever young.

How this girl feels about turning four is exactly how I feel about turning twenty-two


& of course what is a twenty-second birthday without playing this song on repeat all day long

Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Another Living Life Lately

If I haven't already said this, TIME IS FLYING!! I was talking to a friend the other day when they asked me how my week was going and what I had been up to. I just kind of sat there and had to ask myself the same question. I know I did go places and see people but everything has just gone by so fast lately that it all has become one big blur. Thankfully though there are pictures to help me remember what a good time I have been having lately. So here's a quick look at what I've been up to lately.

Having breakfast for dinner with my best friend from back in Tennessee
chasing bacon
Running for a cure
Catching up with some more friends I haven't seen in a while
Attending weddings
Reuniting with some Zeta sisters
& taking LOTS of pictures of my pup
LOOK AT THAT FACE!!
SERIOUSLY THAT FACE!!
& some more wedding fun. #classic
Monday, April 7, 2014

Why Laos?

The number one question I get asked after telling someone I am going to Laos for a year is "Why Laos?" Well actually its usually the number two question. The number one question is "What is a Laos?" But after I explain to people that Laos is indeed a country and is not to be confused with a louse, they go on to ask why. But to be honest I don't have an answer, and to be even more honest I always thought I would end up back in Spain.

When applying for jobs last semester I only knew that I wanted to go abroad. I wasn't ready to settle down but I was eager (still am) to explore the world. I wanted adventures and I wanted to live a life that I would be proud of. As cliché or silly as it may sound I had dreams that I wanted to make a reality, and I didn't want to grow up without doing what I always said I would.

I began researching for different ways to work abroad and someone suggested that I look into teaching English. So I began applying and was lucky enough to be accepted to work with an organization that sends teachers over to various countries in Asia. I had never been to Asia before and was really open to going to any country they would want to send me. Despite my mom insisting that I choose China, I really wanted to keep an open mind. After a few interviews and personality tests the organization gave me a couple choices that they thought would be a good fit for me, Laos and Vietnam. Being who I am I immediately began reading up and researching the two countries. I already knew quite a bit about Vietnam of course, but not Laos. I could have easily fallen into the What is a Laos category before I was accepted. Laos is known for being a friendly and happy culture and is often referred to as the Land of Smiles. It is close to Thailand (somewhere I have always wanted to visit) and is similar in culture. I immediately loved the idea of living in such a happy and friendly place, but I was still open to being sent to either country. I simply wanted to leave my decision up to fate, wherever I was supposed to be is where I would end up. Lucky for me that place ended up being the Land of Smiles.

Though I am not there yet, I am already madly in love with this country. Googling pictures and reading blogs of people living there just makes me that much more excited. I am so lucky to have this opportunity. And though I don't have a real answer to why Laos, my best reasoning is "why not?"

Laos Market- Google Images


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