Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Monday, November 24, 2008
Weekending
Well I finally got off my lazy bum and got around - a little.
Phi Nun took me to a massive Tesco/Lotus (basically like walmart), which still only had one brand of granola bars and small chocolate (yum!). We ate lunch at the food court - the Thai have this cool system of coupons/cards. You hand over around 100 baht a piece (which should cover dinner, drinks and dessert, i.e. $3), and then you can buy from any of the little food booths.
For dessert, both of the teachers with me ordered this ice thing and I got roped in as well. It's basically jelly cubes, etc. with syrup and shaved ice on top. You can pick around 4 things to go in the bottom. I picked pumpkin and pineapple rather than red beans or jelly cubes; my teacher said those were too sweet for her, lol!
So last night, I finished decorating my room (so nice and colorful now, instead of four hospital walls). I also finally ventured out the other side of the soi (small street) that I live on and went for a long walk to find the night bazaar. I don't know how long it took, but I did pass by the exercise 'park' (basically this place with bright colored metal equipment that can be used as steppers and such, also has people doing aerobics!)
It was so weird though, it was only 6:45, but of course with how the sun just sets here, there's no real light difference between that and 11 o'clock. I got stopped by this guy on my soi on a motorbike. He was heading the opposite way, but he stopped to tell me, in broken English, how it wasn't safe here and asked where I was going. In hindsight, he was probably going to offer me a ride, but hey, stranger hello! I didn't tell him, but just reassured him I would be fine. The walk was a little sketchy, but still, it wasn't even 7 so I just kept walking confidently. Ooh, it's all in the attitude. ('I know where I'm going, I know how to get there and I'm so secure I don't even have to notice you...')
So eventually I arrived at the night bazaar. My first time! - I am such a slacker. It was nice; I really was just looking for a yellow shirt to wear today. We have to wear yellow on Mondays (the king was born on Monday and that's the day's color), and my other bright, bright yellow shirt is in the wash. (Yes I am surviving on bi-monthly clothes washing, so?) Out of three reasonable possibilites (I couldn't get anything too trendy - just too awkward and it needed a collar), only one fit! -pout- And it gaps just a little, so I had to use my Sukhothai pin to make sure it stays together!
I picked up some strawberries on the way in - they looked moist and there was some brown powder mixture they were being tossed in. Me being me, on top of American, thought - hey frozen strawberries, dunked in brown sugar no less!
Silly Audra.
They turned out to be air-tempture barely ripe tiny strawberries tossed in, dum dum dum, a spicy sour mixture. Anyone who's eaten anything in Thailand would not be surprised. At each Thai table, there are always five containers to cover the basic tastes: chilies and chilies in vinegar (spicy), chilies in an orange sauce (sour), sugar (sweet) and fish sauce (salty). This spicy+ powder is also available everywhere - they give you little packets with your fruit and add it into shakes - unless you're obviously a farang, like me. Then they take pity and usually ask or only add if you do ask.
But, yeah good food adventure - I got 6 sushi rolls for 50 baht (like $1.20), very sweet.
Anyway, so leaving the food, I was totally spotted by a student! (Hi ajarn Audra!) It was so weird; it was just in passing, but the boy was taller than me, I recognized him vaguely, I was wearing shorts, and his arm was wrapped around (I'm guessing) his girlfriend. And I just realized, it was like all those times, you know, when you'd see a teacher out of school and think woah! They exist outside of school! Except I was totally on the opposite side this time.
Finally, walking out from the bazaar I ended up passing Thai massage. I still hadn't gotten one at all since I've arrived and this was 100 baht per hour (very sweet considering most places charge about 400). So I succombed and got a foot massage. And of course, I ended up cobbling a conversation with my masseuse and some others. She spoke enough for us to get by and I 'taught' english to another woman. Basically 'a moment' and 'very' - shop talk. Of course, 'v' is a really hard sound for thai speakers so I tried to get her to bite her lip and make the sound, just like I would couch me kids. Nothing doing.
Two guys came by and spoke to me briefly, (like no one recognizes my school!) and I even got both some iced tea and water for free. Sooo pampered! (I have got to learn the thai word for coconut though...) And get this, I started to ask how I could take a taxi (still haven't seen one, but i'd settle for the back of a motorbike) back home. One of the men strictly told me I couldn't walk (mai dai, mai dai - can't) and my masseuse drove me home on her motorbike!!!! No extra charge!!! Soo nice.
I've got to say looking young sometimes comes in handy.
Phi Nun took me to a massive Tesco/Lotus (basically like walmart), which still only had one brand of granola bars and small chocolate (yum!). We ate lunch at the food court - the Thai have this cool system of coupons/cards. You hand over around 100 baht a piece (which should cover dinner, drinks and dessert, i.e. $3), and then you can buy from any of the little food booths.
For dessert, both of the teachers with me ordered this ice thing and I got roped in as well. It's basically jelly cubes, etc. with syrup and shaved ice on top. You can pick around 4 things to go in the bottom. I picked pumpkin and pineapple rather than red beans or jelly cubes; my teacher said those were too sweet for her, lol!
So last night, I finished decorating my room (so nice and colorful now, instead of four hospital walls). I also finally ventured out the other side of the soi (small street) that I live on and went for a long walk to find the night bazaar. I don't know how long it took, but I did pass by the exercise 'park' (basically this place with bright colored metal equipment that can be used as steppers and such, also has people doing aerobics!)
It was so weird though, it was only 6:45, but of course with how the sun just sets here, there's no real light difference between that and 11 o'clock. I got stopped by this guy on my soi on a motorbike. He was heading the opposite way, but he stopped to tell me, in broken English, how it wasn't safe here and asked where I was going. In hindsight, he was probably going to offer me a ride, but hey, stranger hello! I didn't tell him, but just reassured him I would be fine. The walk was a little sketchy, but still, it wasn't even 7 so I just kept walking confidently. Ooh, it's all in the attitude. ('I know where I'm going, I know how to get there and I'm so secure I don't even have to notice you...')
So eventually I arrived at the night bazaar. My first time! - I am such a slacker. It was nice; I really was just looking for a yellow shirt to wear today. We have to wear yellow on Mondays (the king was born on Monday and that's the day's color), and my other bright, bright yellow shirt is in the wash. (Yes I am surviving on bi-monthly clothes washing, so?) Out of three reasonable possibilites (I couldn't get anything too trendy - just too awkward and it needed a collar), only one fit! -pout- And it gaps just a little, so I had to use my Sukhothai pin to make sure it stays together!
I picked up some strawberries on the way in - they looked moist and there was some brown powder mixture they were being tossed in. Me being me, on top of American, thought - hey frozen strawberries, dunked in brown sugar no less!
Silly Audra.
They turned out to be air-tempture barely ripe tiny strawberries tossed in, dum dum dum, a spicy sour mixture. Anyone who's eaten anything in Thailand would not be surprised. At each Thai table, there are always five containers to cover the basic tastes: chilies and chilies in vinegar (spicy), chilies in an orange sauce (sour), sugar (sweet) and fish sauce (salty). This spicy+ powder is also available everywhere - they give you little packets with your fruit and add it into shakes - unless you're obviously a farang, like me. Then they take pity and usually ask or only add if you do ask.
But, yeah good food adventure - I got 6 sushi rolls for 50 baht (like $1.20), very sweet.
Anyway, so leaving the food, I was totally spotted by a student! (Hi ajarn Audra!) It was so weird; it was just in passing, but the boy was taller than me, I recognized him vaguely, I was wearing shorts, and his arm was wrapped around (I'm guessing) his girlfriend. And I just realized, it was like all those times, you know, when you'd see a teacher out of school and think woah! They exist outside of school! Except I was totally on the opposite side this time.
Finally, walking out from the bazaar I ended up passing Thai massage. I still hadn't gotten one at all since I've arrived and this was 100 baht per hour (very sweet considering most places charge about 400). So I succombed and got a foot massage. And of course, I ended up cobbling a conversation with my masseuse and some others. She spoke enough for us to get by and I 'taught' english to another woman. Basically 'a moment' and 'very' - shop talk. Of course, 'v' is a really hard sound for thai speakers so I tried to get her to bite her lip and make the sound, just like I would couch me kids. Nothing doing.
Two guys came by and spoke to me briefly, (like no one recognizes my school!) and I even got both some iced tea and water for free. Sooo pampered! (I have got to learn the thai word for coconut though...) And get this, I started to ask how I could take a taxi (still haven't seen one, but i'd settle for the back of a motorbike) back home. One of the men strictly told me I couldn't walk (mai dai, mai dai - can't) and my masseuse drove me home on her motorbike!!!! No extra charge!!! Soo nice.
I've got to say looking young sometimes comes in handy.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Teacher of Teachers
This is so Thailand - I was invited to join this English Teachers' Association on a Thursday. So I said yes, obviously. The next meeting seemed to be Saturday, when the woman inviting me turned and asked what worked for my schedule. Worked for me? 'Shouldn't it be the other way around?' Nevertheless, I shrugged and said 10 o'clock. The woman beamed.
'So Ryan will teach at 9 and then you at 10.'
Wait, teach?! The woman was gone before I could protest. Apparently, I signed up to help teach at a seminar weekend for Thai English teachers.
So Saturday, I set out for school at around 9:45, getting there about 5 minutes early. Realizing I didn't even know where the seminar was meeting (and telling myself it had to be at our school), I started to head to the English department. Thankfully, I stumbled upon it - in a conference room in another building.
So I arrived, tried to slip in quietly at the back when veritable flares went up - I could see the signal pass to the front. 'Au-dra is here!'
I was sent forward and had to introduce myself. It turned out they hadn't started yet. (Oh yeah, this is Thailand).
So Ryan was up to teach, going through songs and how they can help teach: below is the 'Ensy, Wensy Spider' (which I explained meant very little - apparently Ryan thought it was the spider's name) and I think the Hokey Pokey.
I ended up helping either sing the song, show motions or explaining meaning. So at the end, they took thirty (I'm not exaggerating) of us and thanked us.
'Wait, aren't I supposed to teach?'
'Oh, no more time.'
I did come back the next day though and gave some games/strategies to practice English, as seen below.
'So Ryan will teach at 9 and then you at 10.'
Wait, teach?! The woman was gone before I could protest. Apparently, I signed up to help teach at a seminar weekend for Thai English teachers.
So Saturday, I set out for school at around 9:45, getting there about 5 minutes early. Realizing I didn't even know where the seminar was meeting (and telling myself it had to be at our school), I started to head to the English department. Thankfully, I stumbled upon it - in a conference room in another building.
So I arrived, tried to slip in quietly at the back when veritable flares went up - I could see the signal pass to the front. 'Au-dra is here!'
I was sent forward and had to introduce myself. It turned out they hadn't started yet. (Oh yeah, this is Thailand).
So Ryan was up to teach, going through songs and how they can help teach: below is the 'Ensy, Wensy Spider' (which I explained meant very little - apparently Ryan thought it was the spider's name) and I think the Hokey Pokey.
I ended up helping either sing the song, show motions or explaining meaning. So at the end, they took thirty (I'm not exaggerating) of us and thanked us.
'Wait, aren't I supposed to teach?'
'Oh, no more time.'
I did come back the next day though and gave some games/strategies to practice English, as seen below.
Dinner & Dancing
This was a charity dancing event that apparently my school bought ten tickets for. Almost no one decided to go, so I was invited as well as Pin.
The dinner was like six courses, with all different kind of tastes. So good!
We decided to go up and dance on the main dance floor. We used Thai hand motions (fingers splayed and such), but the footwork was surprisingly all rhumba, chachacha and other ballroom steps. (which I know due to my last stay in Thailand & dance class at Mahidol, ironic I know)
And yes, that is a plate I'm holding. Apparently if you were brave enough to go up and dance, you were given a little present. I got the plate, two tubes of travel toothpaste and a little kitchy bag with Chiang Mai on it.
For some reason, there was this one eight-step (more like 7 & 1/2) that I just could not get! So one of my Phi gave me some special tutoring - which cracked up the table next to us.
Finally, I got it! (You do notice though that my eyes are fixed on her feet)
And we started a conga line!
The dinner was like six courses, with all different kind of tastes. So good!
We decided to go up and dance on the main dance floor. We used Thai hand motions (fingers splayed and such), but the footwork was surprisingly all rhumba, chachacha and other ballroom steps. (which I know due to my last stay in Thailand & dance class at Mahidol, ironic I know)
And yes, that is a plate I'm holding. Apparently if you were brave enough to go up and dance, you were given a little present. I got the plate, two tubes of travel toothpaste and a little kitchy bag with Chiang Mai on it.
For some reason, there was this one eight-step (more like 7 & 1/2) that I just could not get! So one of my Phi gave me some special tutoring - which cracked up the table next to us.
Finally, I got it! (You do notice though that my eyes are fixed on her feet)
And we started a conga line!
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Thank Phi Ma(y)o
Some of my fellow teachers are karaoking with a book of 'greatest hits' and a guitar. LOL!
Anyway, so on to the pics: (This would be my first week in Phitsanulok)
I give the first 'word of the day': cool at general assembly Monday. (All the teachers loved to come to me later, saying 'you spoke slow. I understood!' Phi Mayo especially likes to use cool now.)
Phi Nun and I.
English teachers and Pin: Ryan, Pin, Lilibeth, Phi Mayo, myself and Walter.
Pin 'making' Som Tum i.e. papaya salad, with Thai student supervising.
Arrival in Phitsanulok, complete with hotel buffet breakfast: from left - myself, Phi Mayo, Phi Nun (my head teacher), and Phi Bpaw (she cooks every Friday for some students - guess where I eat that day!)
Anyway, so on to the pics: (This would be my first week in Phitsanulok)
I give the first 'word of the day': cool at general assembly Monday. (All the teachers loved to come to me later, saying 'you spoke slow. I understood!' Phi Mayo especially likes to use cool now.)
Phi Nun and I.
English teachers and Pin: Ryan, Pin, Lilibeth, Phi Mayo, myself and Walter.
Pin 'making' Som Tum i.e. papaya salad, with Thai student supervising.
Arrival in Phitsanulok, complete with hotel buffet breakfast: from left - myself, Phi Mayo, Phi Nun (my head teacher), and Phi Bpaw (she cooks every Friday for some students - guess where I eat that day!)
Random facts
The 'neat-it's-a-farang-new-teacher-let's-listen' stage has officially passed. Oy!
I have recieved three skirts and one vest, most recent count, from the industrious shopper in the M5 department.
I was greeted in French by a student walking on campus the other day: 'Bonjour!" I know French so I answered back. "Bonjour!"
"Ca va?" I blinked. I have only had, I think, like one student ask me how I was doing in English.
"Ca va bien." Then she giggled with her friend.
I had parties with my M6 classes all this past week, first for Loy Kratong, then just played Scrabble. It's kindof funny, so many of the students pull out dictionaries! I had to remove a few words - but the best word I saw: ulna.
Yesterday, I did a mock dialogue with two helpers: Milk and Donut. I am not kidding - and I think I was seriously the only one who got the joke.
I've done Charades with weekend activities for my M4 classes, they have been so great! (One of the boys came forward and did a strut walk - I'm not sure what to demonstrate - and my whole class cracked up when one girl yelled 'katoey!' i.e. lady-boy. I shushed them, but I'm actually a little happy that I at least recognized the word! -
I actually have at least four in my assorted classes. The girls tease them if I have an activity of boys vs. girls that they shouldn't be included - they tend to have higher-pitched voices, very pale faces, and occassionally sparkly accessories.)
On Tuesdays, the English department is supposed to stand at certain places on campus and greet students. We're supposed to be there at 7:30, but my rides still pick me up that time or later.
We've been wearing white and black for the past week since the King's mother's funeral is going on in Bangkok right now.
Pin, the exchange student from Norway, just got this huge shipment of chocolate and marzipan. Mmmm-mmm. It was so good!!!!
Granola bars are nowhere to be found! I knew I should've stocked up on them in Bangkok!!!!
The 'cold' season actually finally came last week! Low 70s and I can come home without my clothes sweated out! Very nice! (Actually almost chilly - considering wearing a jacket some places.)
Pictures next.
I have recieved three skirts and one vest, most recent count, from the industrious shopper in the M5 department.
I was greeted in French by a student walking on campus the other day: 'Bonjour!" I know French so I answered back. "Bonjour!"
"Ca va?" I blinked. I have only had, I think, like one student ask me how I was doing in English.
"Ca va bien." Then she giggled with her friend.
I had parties with my M6 classes all this past week, first for Loy Kratong, then just played Scrabble. It's kindof funny, so many of the students pull out dictionaries! I had to remove a few words - but the best word I saw: ulna.
Yesterday, I did a mock dialogue with two helpers: Milk and Donut. I am not kidding - and I think I was seriously the only one who got the joke.
I've done Charades with weekend activities for my M4 classes, they have been so great! (One of the boys came forward and did a strut walk - I'm not sure what to demonstrate - and my whole class cracked up when one girl yelled 'katoey!' i.e. lady-boy. I shushed them, but I'm actually a little happy that I at least recognized the word! -
I actually have at least four in my assorted classes. The girls tease them if I have an activity of boys vs. girls that they shouldn't be included - they tend to have higher-pitched voices, very pale faces, and occassionally sparkly accessories.)
On Tuesdays, the English department is supposed to stand at certain places on campus and greet students. We're supposed to be there at 7:30, but my rides still pick me up that time or later.
We've been wearing white and black for the past week since the King's mother's funeral is going on in Bangkok right now.
Pin, the exchange student from Norway, just got this huge shipment of chocolate and marzipan. Mmmm-mmm. It was so good!!!!
Granola bars are nowhere to be found! I knew I should've stocked up on them in Bangkok!!!!
The 'cold' season actually finally came last week! Low 70s and I can come home without my clothes sweated out! Very nice! (Actually almost chilly - considering wearing a jacket some places.)
Pictures next.
The idiocy of me
I made a complete idiot of myself last Tuesday.
So I was up on the second floor of the Matayom 6 building (12th grade), right before class. There's a corridor lined by classrooms on one side, then a hip-length wall that's open-air. I put my bag on top and while I was rooting around, dropped something on the eaves. (They're about 4-5 feet long.)
I looked around, but I wasn't honestly going to have a student go pick it up. It was too far to just reach, nevermind the wall, and the item wasn't enough to warrent asking someone else to get it, just sentimental value.
So I stepped unto the little stone bench right next to me, sat on the top of the wall, turned and then slid off on the other side of the wall. There was an outcropping about four inches long that I was positive was secure, which I stood on. I lowered myself, clung to the wall and retrieved my item. All very easy.
Then I faced the real problem - getting back over the wall.
I was wearing a 'tight' black skirt, so hitching one leg over was completely out-of-the-question. No bench to stand on either. (Students who had been watching me in surprise now began to cluster in concern.) I had visions of getting stuck, but finally realized I could just hop up and sit on top of the wall. Never been a huge fan of this technique, even when trying to get out of a pool, but what else was there? So I hopped up - too far and nearly cracked my head open on the stone floor. Two 12th grade boys came to my rescue (thankfully - I'm just glad I wasn't in M4 with 10th graders) and managed to catch me.
So there I - er, draped, legs still barely hooked over the wall, completely parallel to the floor. And what am I holding in my hand?
A pen.
A pen I got last time I was in Thailand two years ago, at an International church.
Yes, this is what I risked life and limb, not to mention ego, for.
Blushing bright red, I'm sure (though it also could've been the abrupt altitude change), I was tugged to my feet and thanked my impromptu rescuers.
And of course, this occurred right outside the class I was about to teach.
As I patted myself down, trying to wipe away the white dust covering my entire behind, two younger girls giggled and shook their hands. 'Mai bpen rai Teacher!' (Never mind/no worries)
Right, easy for them to say.
That was also about the time Phi Bpaw rushed out from her office. 'Oh Audra, you don't do that! You always get a student!'
Suffice to say, I felt like an idiot for a looooong time afterward.
Between this incident, singing in class, and all my games, I just know I am going to go down as the crazy American teacher.
So I was up on the second floor of the Matayom 6 building (12th grade), right before class. There's a corridor lined by classrooms on one side, then a hip-length wall that's open-air. I put my bag on top and while I was rooting around, dropped something on the eaves. (They're about 4-5 feet long.)
I looked around, but I wasn't honestly going to have a student go pick it up. It was too far to just reach, nevermind the wall, and the item wasn't enough to warrent asking someone else to get it, just sentimental value.
So I stepped unto the little stone bench right next to me, sat on the top of the wall, turned and then slid off on the other side of the wall. There was an outcropping about four inches long that I was positive was secure, which I stood on. I lowered myself, clung to the wall and retrieved my item. All very easy.
Then I faced the real problem - getting back over the wall.
I was wearing a 'tight' black skirt, so hitching one leg over was completely out-of-the-question. No bench to stand on either. (Students who had been watching me in surprise now began to cluster in concern.) I had visions of getting stuck, but finally realized I could just hop up and sit on top of the wall. Never been a huge fan of this technique, even when trying to get out of a pool, but what else was there? So I hopped up - too far and nearly cracked my head open on the stone floor. Two 12th grade boys came to my rescue (thankfully - I'm just glad I wasn't in M4 with 10th graders) and managed to catch me.
So there I - er, draped, legs still barely hooked over the wall, completely parallel to the floor. And what am I holding in my hand?
A pen.
A pen I got last time I was in Thailand two years ago, at an International church.
Yes, this is what I risked life and limb, not to mention ego, for.
Blushing bright red, I'm sure (though it also could've been the abrupt altitude change), I was tugged to my feet and thanked my impromptu rescuers.
And of course, this occurred right outside the class I was about to teach.
As I patted myself down, trying to wipe away the white dust covering my entire behind, two younger girls giggled and shook their hands. 'Mai bpen rai Teacher!' (Never mind/no worries)
Right, easy for them to say.
That was also about the time Phi Bpaw rushed out from her office. 'Oh Audra, you don't do that! You always get a student!'
Suffice to say, I felt like an idiot for a looooong time afterward.
Between this incident, singing in class, and all my games, I just know I am going to go down as the crazy American teacher.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Phitsanulok (Pit-san-ah-low)
So I am definitely up here in Phitsanulok, about 6-7 hours from Bangkok (though I have heard of an express train that can get to Bangkok in 5) close to the Lao border. I am seriously in the city! Well, I'm not in the downtown area (kit wah - I think), but the Night Bazaar is within walking distance (15ish minutes I think), I've got a 7-11 around the corner as well as fresh fruit and a pad thai place, Tesco Lotus (supermarket) further and the Wat Yai, with "the most beautiful Buddha image" that everyone mentioned is my next door neighbor! I also saw the train station today and it's close too. So no 'rural village' for me! (I also have wireless in my apartment - 500 baht(about $15) for 600+ hours for 30 days. Sweet!) I see farang (foreignors) just about every day.
Even at my school there are other foreign teachers. There's three others: this older man Walter who's been just about everywhere, and two people from the Philippines, Lilibeth and Ryan. It's actually interesting - they slip into what I assume is Tagalog at random times. There's also an exchange student from Germany who knows English, Thai nickname Bin. She didn't know Thai before she came - but she's taking classes! Oy! Anyway, none of them are my co-teachers. Instead, I have Thai co-teachers, just like they do apparently (or at least the newest girl: Beth).
[Brief cultural note: Phi is a reference to an older sibling. Phi chai is older brother, phi saow older sister. However, to just address some, you could give the title phi as a token of respect and comradeship. I address all my fellow teachers as Phi as they have told me to.]
I've only met half of my co-teachers - but Phi Mao, who met me at the airport, loves to teach with me, even though we only have two classes together I think, and another Phi (Bpaw?) will sit in the back of the room and translate if the students are really not getting it (but mostly she just watches). I don't know if she'll keep doing this, but I kinda hope so. (I have a guilty admission - I am using Thai in the classroom with students who don't understand - but why not? They'd just get explainations from other students in Thai)
My schedule is 18 classes a week - I taught about three-quarters last week. Phi Nun (the head teacher) was indignant because she'd promised Fulbright I could just observe - but how was I supposed to explain the Thai teachers either didn't show up or pushed me to the front of the classroom? I played a lot of Splat (a game where I write answers on the board, ask a question and they have to run to hit the right on) and intro stuff. I have all 12 divisions of M.4 (grade 10 - the divisions go from highest scoring to lowest scoring students) and 6 of M.6 - and I have to say after the fourth time, using the same games/ideas got old. So I started changing it up. That was fun!
Anyway, so my school and kids are great! (even if I've heard souay [beautiful] so many times, I'm literally sick of it and I, erm, accidentally told one of my classes my nickname: Aurada [beautiful girl] or Or for short - and got greeted by another class with it!) Also, it turns out there are 'national' sports at the big stadium here in December and January - so I have two weeks off during both months!!!!! (Too bad Dec.'s ends right on Dec. 24th!) So be warned I'll be travelling around!!
I will be up in Sukhothai for Loy Kratong, a festival taking place on Nov. 12th this year! It started in Sukhothai and it's rumored to still be the best place to see it. I mentioned it to my teachers and they formally asked permission! It's going to be a whole van of us.
More to come.
Even at my school there are other foreign teachers. There's three others: this older man Walter who's been just about everywhere, and two people from the Philippines, Lilibeth and Ryan. It's actually interesting - they slip into what I assume is Tagalog at random times. There's also an exchange student from Germany who knows English, Thai nickname Bin. She didn't know Thai before she came - but she's taking classes! Oy! Anyway, none of them are my co-teachers. Instead, I have Thai co-teachers, just like they do apparently (or at least the newest girl: Beth).
[Brief cultural note: Phi is a reference to an older sibling. Phi chai is older brother, phi saow older sister. However, to just address some, you could give the title phi as a token of respect and comradeship. I address all my fellow teachers as Phi as they have told me to.]
I've only met half of my co-teachers - but Phi Mao, who met me at the airport, loves to teach with me, even though we only have two classes together I think, and another Phi (Bpaw?) will sit in the back of the room and translate if the students are really not getting it (but mostly she just watches). I don't know if she'll keep doing this, but I kinda hope so. (I have a guilty admission - I am using Thai in the classroom with students who don't understand - but why not? They'd just get explainations from other students in Thai)
My schedule is 18 classes a week - I taught about three-quarters last week. Phi Nun (the head teacher) was indignant because she'd promised Fulbright I could just observe - but how was I supposed to explain the Thai teachers either didn't show up or pushed me to the front of the classroom? I played a lot of Splat (a game where I write answers on the board, ask a question and they have to run to hit the right on) and intro stuff. I have all 12 divisions of M.4 (grade 10 - the divisions go from highest scoring to lowest scoring students) and 6 of M.6 - and I have to say after the fourth time, using the same games/ideas got old. So I started changing it up. That was fun!
Anyway, so my school and kids are great! (even if I've heard souay [beautiful] so many times, I'm literally sick of it and I, erm, accidentally told one of my classes my nickname: Aurada [beautiful girl] or Or for short - and got greeted by another class with it!) Also, it turns out there are 'national' sports at the big stadium here in December and January - so I have two weeks off during both months!!!!! (Too bad Dec.'s ends right on Dec. 24th!) So be warned I'll be travelling around!!
I will be up in Sukhothai for Loy Kratong, a festival taking place on Nov. 12th this year! It started in Sukhothai and it's rumored to still be the best place to see it. I mentioned it to my teachers and they formally asked permission! It's going to be a whole van of us.
More to come.
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