School Daze

Well my daughter is back to school today, second term of K-1.

I guess before I talk more about the first day back I should explain to ya'll back home that Thailand (and most Asian countries) are not on the same school calendar that we have in the USA. Their 1st Semester (term) starts in May. Mid-year break is in September/October, then the 2nd Semester goes until end of March. (April is high summer in Thailand).

She really didn't want to go back. She clung to Mommy's arm out to the car. Sat looking depressed on the way to the school without uttering a word. Then clung to Mommy's arm again as we walked to the admin offices... until she saw all the other kids playing in the school yard. At which time Mommy had to cling to Marisa's arm up to the admin office, and all the way to the classroom so we could meet the teacher and deposit Marisa's bookbag with all the other bags. Then we had to cling to her arm again on the walk back to the school yard. At the first oppotunity she took off running to find kids her size to play with.

We stood and watched as the bell rang and all the kids formed into lines by classroom. The Thai flag was raised and all the kids sang the national anthem (Thai that is), and marched off to class to begin the second half of the school year.

I love coming home from work and having Marisa (daughter) run up screaming "Papa!" and tell me all about what she learned, or what games she played, or what friends she played with that day at school. Granted K-1 is the equivalent of Pre-School in the USA, but it's still fun to listen to her.

Now finally, Mommy gets some peace and quiet from about 0800 to 1500 for another few months... excepting for the other child (my son) who is now 6 months old. She looked at me and sighed, and I looked at her and said, "Only 20 more years to go honey, then we can relax free and clear again."