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

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

Lao Lessons

So in preparation for my big move to Laos I have been trying to learn a few key Lao phrases. But let's be real so far it has been one big epic FAIL! As someone who speaks Spanish pretty well, knows enough French to get by, and even a little basic Chinese I consider myself pretty good at picking up languages, but Lao.. well I'm not sure if I will ever get the hang of this. You would think it would be similar to Chinese but let me tell you it. is. not. The two languages are alike in the fact that they are both tonal and written in letters that look nothing like the English language; however, the similarities end there.

In an attempt to make some sense of this language I downloaded a few apps to my phone as well as flipped through a Laos language book but I still just can't seem to get the hang of it. I listen to the robotic voice on my app pronounce the letters kor, khor, and khor (& no that is not a typo khor and khor are two different letters and apparently sound completely different) over and over again. And though I can hear a slight difference between the three, it's not enough that I can successfully repeat it back.

Though I haven't quite been able to master Lao just yet, I have not given up. My next idea is to search for a Lao/English dictionary and try learning actual words instead of the alphabet. I don't really know if its a good idea or not but I think being able to say hello to a local when I get to Laos makes more sense then reciting the alphabet to them.

And in case you would like to learn the Laos alphabet yourself here is a lovely chart via google!

Living Life Lately

I apologize for my lack of posting. So much has happened!! 

from my older sister getting married,

to lots and lots of time spent with visiting family,

a day trip to Rome (Georgia that is) to watch some beautiful friends compete in a pageant,

and loads of cuddling and obsessing over my family's newest addition.

As usual it has also been a week of emotional rollercoasters. Its amazing how I can feel so encouraged one minute and so discouraged the next but thankfully overall it was a pretty good week. Seeing my friends from school was just what I needed and helped cure a little bit of the Romesickness I had been feeling. And of course is there anything that some puppy kisses can't cure!?

Another pup picture for the road