Sorry for leaving the Thailand updates hanging, but I’ve been back in the United States for one week now, having gotten back late night August 1^st.

My last week in Thailand went well. I completed my assignments and teaching practices for CELTA “to standard.” It’s pretty much certain that I’ll pass and be officially awarded the certificate in a month after approval by Cambridge. I’m so thankful that it worked out for me to get a TEFL certificate out of my time in Thailand. I spent my last weekend free with Gowin, whose home I stayed at during the month, and with friends from CELTA. I barely got back to the US on time, since my original flight Chiang Mai–Taipei was rescheduled so that it departed by the time I got to the airport. I was redirected to a flight to Bangkok then to Taipei to catch my flight in LAX in time. It was one of the most enjoyable travels I’ve had though. I met an English teacher and philosophy major who also missed the first flight, and had good conversations with him along the way. I also sat with a friend from CELTA on the flight to Bangkok, and the last flight with an American-Taiwanese woman who was returning to the US from a mission trip in Taiwan. My buddy Cameron Day picked me up from the airport after happily waiting 2 extra hours! Loyal friends like that are hard to come by.

This week has been an adjustment, getting back into American culture and life. Wouldn’t call it culture shock, but it’s close. I was really groggy from jet-lag and had weird sleep patterns, more than usual for me. It’s wonderful to see my roommates, other friends and familiar faces again. Going to the store is interesting – different kinds of stuff than Thailand and too many choices and brands! On the roads in the USA they drive on the right side of the road, there are more cars than motorbikes, and the motorbikes I do see are so colossal compared to Thailand’s.

Now I’m looking for a job, getting ready to start seminary half-time+ and trying to choose what sort of service and ministry opportunities I should take. Now after college decisions are numerous and wide open. I trust God will guide me.

Thanks to everyone who has been following and praying! Your support has meant more to me than you know. I’ll try to write up a summary to send out if anyone is interested.