On Goodbyes (Part I)

Who would've thought that I have been in the Land of Smiles, Thailand, for almost two years now? Who would've thought that I, together with the teachers in my batch two years ago, braved a court case that would've sent us either in jail or be banished from this beautiful country for something that we can never be accused of being guilty - something which our school brought upon us (but I don't want to get into the details now)? Who would've thought that I have met a kaleidoscope of individuals - all beautiful inside out, go to myriad of places, and knew for myself what it really meant to be independent? Most of all, who would've thought that saying goodbye would be this difficult when I have been looking forward to this week, to the last day of school? Indeed, the mind cannot always control what the heart feels. I have always been a thinking person - it has most often than not, mind over matter for me. But I cannot stop myself from succumbing to pangs of 'pain' when I think about saying goodbye to the wonderful students that were entrusted to me over the past two years. I cannot stop myself from being teary-eyed when I think about saying goodbye to these wonderful souls: my students, my friends, my colleagues, my Thailand.

This is my reality, though. For as long as I remain to be an international school teacher and for as long as the desire and the challenge to face new challenges in a new place, in a new culture, still remains in me, I am bound to say goodbye time and again. I just hope that I will not become a pro at it because I want to, I need to, savor this feeling - no matter how powerless it may make me feel.

I'll be saying goodbye to my Chemistry classes - a mix of sophomores, juniors, and seniors. They are a web of interesting individuals, all with the potential to make a change in their communities.

I'll be saying goodbye to my AP Chemistry class - students that I've had for two years and who I know will make a difference not only in their lives but in others, as well.

I'll be saying goodbye to my favorite freshmen - they always make my day although I almost always do not tell them this. I have always been looking forward to my class with them - they are such a talented, and good-natured bunch. I just hope that, and this is true for the rest of the TCIS student body, nationality will not keep them from making meaningful friendships, meaningful relationships.

I will be saying goodbye to my friends who have made life more meaningful and colorful these past two years.

Best of all, I will be saying goodbye to Thailand where most weekends I can just abandon maps (only to a certain extent) and give in to the excitement that adventure brings. I will make sure that I will have the same weekend moments in Ningbo, China where I will be for the next three years.

For now though, I am savoring at the same time hating saying goodbye.




Ave Maria!