January.  It’s a New Year and we PCVs (Group 123) are half way done.  Peace Corps Thailand has welcomed a new group of recruits (Group 124) and pretty soon it will be time for Group 122 to return home or go on their next adventure. I’m sure there’s a hidden metaphor in there someone about "Auld Lang Syne" and new acquaintances. However that song goes. Welcome freshman.

At the end of last year I had a couple visitors. My mom was able to take time off of work and come travel to a couple hot spots and shop. We got to travel to Phuket, Chiang Mai and even a boat ride to the Golden Triangle of Thailand, Burma and Laos. My boyfriend visited a month later and we went to KhaoYai National Park, my site at Thung Song, Ao Nang- Krabi, and Bangkok. It meant a lot to have visitors and the people in my village were excited to see variety. Seeing the same white, female farang around can get boring.

To my family and friends, I hope everyone has a fun- filled new year with adventure, meaning, and happiness.