The world always looks brighter from behind a smile.    -Author Unknown

<< Some of my 6th graders.

This week has been unreal, and I’m pretty sure I’m the most blessed person on the planet. Though I was forced to fight through insomnia and my students were absolutely insane all week, I can still say that this has been one of the best weeks I’ve had since I’ve been back, and that’s something to be thankful for. For some strange reason there’s just been a bounce in my step and a smile on my face as of late, and I am lovin’ every minute of it. Bangkok is officially feeling like home, and that’s definitely something I’ve been longing to feel over the last 2 months. FINALLY! I’m proud to say that I actually have a social life, and I’m making friends. I think it’s safe to say that Joey and David have both been promoted to Bangkok-BFF status…and that’s kind of a big deal. Anyone who knows me, knows I don’t trust people easily…but for some reason, I find that I am starting to open up to these 2. Though that slightly freaks me out, maybe it’s good for me. I seriously thought that I was going to have to settle for surface “friendships” for the next year, but now I’m beginning to see that it’s possible to start from scratch and maybe find people who share the same interests and values that I do. It’s also quite refreshing to have genuine conversations that go deeper than the petty, gossip that normally gets thrown around the office. << Yay friends! [Jesse & Joey]

God is also giving me blatant opportunities to share my faith, and it’s pretty amazing. I’m not even having to seek out opportunities…He’s just throwing them in my face pretty much. When I was younger, I feel like the term “witnessing” was blown so out of proportion and made to seem like such a difficult task or feat, but honestly, I find that it’s really not that hard to just talk about what I believe. Just living my life and showing love to people is, in itself, a witness…even though I’m not remotely close to perfect. I screw up with the best of ‘em, but I pride myself in just being real with people I guess. Fakeness isn’t ok with me at all, and I really am trying to surround myself with genuine people. I enjoy having conversations about worldviews and such, and I love hearing about what other people believe, even if it differs from me…yet another reason I’m thankful to bust out of the Bible Belt bubble and into the real world. Haha. It’s amazing how God is continually molding me into who I am to become and shaping my worldview with each conversation. Living outside of good ol’ Tennessee is quite the wake-up call.

So, in other news…I ordered $100 worth of textbooks for my independent studying through UNC via the astrophysics professor that I contacted. I guess I really am going to go for this as I’m investing my own money and all. No regrets, right? Now, I’m just praying that I can study my butt off over the next 6 months enough to pass the physics and general GRE exam so I can get accepted to grad school at UNC. I mean…REALLY?! How did this even happen?! God is crazy. Life is crazy. How was UNC the only school that offered online astronomy classes? Once again, this just proves that making plans is pointless because life always throws you curve balls. That reminds me of something Eric told me when I was freaking out about Thailand back in April…

“Don’t question what is going on. Life throws curve balls. You either let a good opportunity pass or you knock it out of the park.”    -Eric Thomas

What a philosopher. (He won’t even know that I quoted him in my blog because he probably stopped reading it weeks ago. Haha!) But seriously…that’s some of the best advice I’ve received, and I know it sounds simple and elementary, but it’s so true. Seriously…no regrets. I’m tired of settling for second-best when I know I deserve better. I’m going for my dream of being an astronomy professor until God puts a roadblock in my path. Bring it on. I’ll even quote ol’ A.O. while I’m at it…”You going to UNC’s got destiny written all over it.” Haha. Thanks buddy. :)

I really do feel like the luckiest person on Earth. I keep listening to that cheesy song “Lucky” too, but I love it. I catch myself singing it while I’m walking down the street or getting ready for work in the morning. But hey, I’m just happy to be smiling. God is in control, and I refuse to worry. It feels good to let go and just enjoy the ride…

P.S. I cut my hair again. It’s just too hot here to deal with it. But no worries…I won’t shave it off. (haha Allison)

I’m out. //Cwalk.