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

New Adventures

It's hard to believe I graduated college a week ago. I still haven't been able to wrap my mind around it. The idea seems so surreal because well I certainly can't be old enough to graduate. Was I not just starting kindergarten or trying to figure out how to survive middle school? Was it not just yesterday that I was a high school senior and pushing my parents out the door ready to start my first year at Shorter?  I guess yesterday was not three and a half years ago. Now as my friends prepare to return back to Rome in a few weeks I will stay behind. This is not just winter break for me. Instead it is the turning of a page. No more exhausting research papers or stressful finals weeks, now I am looking forward to new adventures!

Speaking of new adventures, I have some really exciting news to share with y'all! *drum roll please*... I am moving to Laos!! I have committed to working there for eleven months as an English teacher. And obviously I am really excited to go because this is just one step forward in living out my dream and travelling the world! Unfortunately, I have about six months of waiting before I leave but honestly that is probably a good thing because there is A LOT to do in the meantime. So keep checking back because I promise (to do my best) to keep you updated along the way.

(read about some of my other traveling adventures here)

Gradation Day: