Two weeks and counting

     This morning, I was sitting on my doorstep (with a cup of Milo) contemplating the sunrise. It was quiet morning. Spooky (my neighbor's doggie) was sitting out on the road as usual, the chickens hadn't yet started running around making noise, and my next door neighbor's puppy was unusually quiet (believe me, I usually wake up to his racket!). 
     I realized that I have exactly 3 weeks before I leave this place. Only three weeks before I leave this place of beauty. This place where I can enjoy quiet sunsets in shorts and tank top. No cars, no airplanes, no busy noises. No having to worry about running for class, about homework, about who likes who, about . . .  well, about life. Ok, so part of this freedom stems from the fact that it's school holiday right now. Oh yeah, and that's also part of the reason why it's so quiet during the morning!
     Back to contemplation. As I checked the calendar on my phone (and drank my Milo) I counted the days and realized that in 3 short weeks I'll be back to my busy life. Where has the time flown? What do I have to show for all my time here? What am I bringing back with me to the States? To be honest, I'm loathe to go back. I can't imagine living that life anymore. School, studying, people, competing, all those things that I used to do so easily. I'm not saying that life here is easy. It certainly isn't. But there is an element of . . . I guess you could call it "freedom" that is missing in the other part of my world. Many of the young adults here have this "freedom" that I wish I had, to a certain extent. No great responsibilities are on their heads. If they didn't want to continue school right now, it's wasn't a big deal. After graduation from secondary school (or high school, as it's known in other parts of the world), it was o.k. to take time off and work at home, or elsewhere. You didn't have to immediately enter higher education. I found out the other day that one of my students at the secondary school is my age. He's 20-years-old and is just in Upper 6 (equivalent to 12th Grade). 20-years-old!! I'm a 20-year-old with 2 years of college already finished!! How did my life become so different from his?
     I look at these past months and long to have those fun times again. Graduation and it's total chaos, going out to eat roti canai with my cousin, sharing laughs with fellow teachers, teasing my students, walking around campus and enjoying laughs. I've baked pies, brownies, cookies, and more with the company of The Nanny and my "nephew", I've jumped in the river with my cousin Suzika, I've taught science and math and music, I've cheered my kids at sports day (where they took gold medals). I've grown in ways that I never realized before. I'd like to think I'm more level-headed now, that I think before I make my decisions, that I weigh my options, my words, my actions. 
     Most of all, I'm going to miss the friends I've made. Spooky the dog, Cikgu Johnny, Soliten, and their families, my students who tell I'm beautiful, the little boys who always say "Good morning, teacher" in their adorable voices, my "adopted mom", my musical friend, aunties at work, and so much more. I don't want to leave! It's only 2 more weeks! 
Really?