Preschool Graduation

Knowing Thai people's love for pomp and circumstance, and having attended several preschool "graduation" ceremonies in the US, I was not surprised when I was invited to attend the ceremony for Nong Nan to lap (pick up) barina (certificate) anuban (preschool).

I arrived at her house around 7:15 am to make sure we would have time to take pictures before the ceremony. My 'graduation' gift to her was a large pink teddy bear - which she loved and insisted on taking with her.

When we arrived, we went straight to the window where the families borrowed the graduation robes for the little ones. They were so cute with their uniforms showing underneath their tiny little robes!

Nong Nice (Nan's sister) holds the bear and Nan has me hold

the flowers from her teacher. (She was a little grumpy.)

We took pictures with her friend and with her teachers all around the school. There were about 7 arches set up for photographic purposes, balloons and all.

with some friends and her teacher

with some friend and the teddy bear

(If only Thais liked to smile in pictures more...)

Around 8am everyone filed into the auditorium for the ceremony. The ceremony started, as usual, with about 45 min of talking from the "higher ups" at the school. (The affinity for pomp and circumstance here is overshadowed only by the affinity for microphones!) Needless to say the students, and I, were a little bored.

But, we made it through and after the speeches, the 2nd year preschoolers provided entertainment. Again, it was the usual - Thai "babies" with more make-up than the world has seen since the 80s dancing around on stage. I am always impressed that kids this young can remember all their moves. However, it is also upsetting to see what some of these moves are. The suggestive ways that they teach their young children to dance don't seem to fit with the culture of reserve. This show was not too bad - more cute than suggestive. For that I was grateful!

After the performance, each student had a moment in the spotlight as they walked across the stage to receive their certificate, barina. They had obviously practiced quite a few times (fortunately not while we sat and waited, as is usually the case) because each student walked to the middle of the stage, did a 90 degree sharp turn, made a deep wai (bow with prayer hands) and reached his/her right hand straight out to receive the certificate. I was amazed at how perfectly each of these five year old performed their 'duties' in receiving the certificate.

After they had the paper, they did another sharp 90 degree turn, held the certificate against their bodies in their right hand and continued off the stage.

Nong Nan walks off stage after receiving her certificate.

Though the students were a bit fidgety, they were really very patient as they waited for all their friends to lap barina anuban.

I snap a quick picture of Nan and her friend

while they are waiting.

After all the students had their certificates, each class was brought on stage to take a picture with the directors/ sponsors of the school, the principal and the class teachers.

Nan's class picture

An up-close of Nong Nan in the class picture setup.

Goodbye Party #2

Tuesday night, Wat Prachanimit school hosted my Goodbye party number two. The first one was also at this school - last week's assembly with the students. This time, it was a "thank you" and "farewell" from the teachers. The theme was "Friendship Beyond Frontier" - which they came up with themselves (very impressive!)

When I arrived, the tables were set with the usual party set up.

Dinner included about 8 courses starting with nibbles (cashews and chips), going through fried pork, fried rice, soups, steamed sea food, a whole fish and ending with sticky rice and dried fruit. We were stuffed.

While we ate, the school band played. I have been somewhat of a "groupie" for the band, so it was really meaningful to me that they came to the party to perform.

We took a picture together.

In the middle of the party, the teachers performed the traditional Isaan (NE region of Thailand) ceremony for good luck and blessing. This ceremony is often performed to bid people welcome or farewell.

This is the center point of the ceremony. It is made by hand from banana leaves and flowers. The strings are soaked in jasmine water for fragrance and good luck.

Each person removes one string from the display and ties it around the arm of the person being honored. As they tie the string they offer prayers and good wishes for that person. My blessings included some for good heath, good luck and good money! They also each reminded me not to forget them! :)

It was very nice to touch base with each person who came to the party. This is my co-teacher Wasana - one of my closest friends here.

After the string ceremony, each department (and some individuals) offered me a gift. At first I was not very excited about being given anything more prior to my packing and departure, but most people gave me beautiful traditional Thai silks and cottons. The principal and his wife were so sweet, giving me a gift from them and from the school. They called me their daughter and promised to miss me!

The English department had shirts made with our caricatures on the back. I don't think it really looks like us, but it's fun all the same. The front of the shirt says Thailand (heart) America. We're friends! So cute! Their gift to me was the picture from our shirt framed.

The picture is the "five angels" - like Charlie's Angels, so we had to have a pose as well.

And of course, no Thai party is complete with out karaoke and dancing (to the karaoke of course). There were no English Karaoke songs (unusual) so I listened and danced. Honestly, I didn't mind NOT being pushed to the mike. Usually the only songs to be found are ones I've never heard of. (Though I've learned a great version of "Rhinestone Cowboy" and "Take me to your heart"!)

River Fun

This past weekend was a three day weekend in Thailand. Actually, I didn't know this until Friday evening, so hadn't made any plans other than writing scholarship essays - yippee! My Thai friends had other ideas. Saturday I went into Korat city with P Noot and we spent the day eating yummy "falang" food and ice cream and shopping. Sunday I did work on essays, but Monday was a fun adventure.

On Monday, I traveled to the neighboring province of Chaiyaphum with P Noot, P Noy and 2 of P Noy's "Ps" (P means older sibling and is used loosely to refer to people who are older than you.) I'd been to this national park before. Actually, it was one of the first adventures I had in Thailand, so it seems that even this has come to a full circle.

The water was cold and refreshing and it seemed like lots of people had our same idea.

One beautiful thing about Thai people is that they rarely worry about acting "childish". Though all three of us are old "spinsters" by Thai standards (though myself considerably less so) we joined in with the kids to slide down the slippery rock. We laughed and had a great time as we did it.

Here is P Noot and P Noy after they came down the slide

And here's me as I went down.

The man that was with us, appeared to be rather grandfather like (though he joked that he should only have to pay child's entrance fee because he only had a few teeth!) but had as much fun as anyone rolling and sliding around in the water.

Here he is emerging from the water! What fun - and so cute!

We also played and wrestled around - splashing each other and having a great time of it.

P Noot tries to resist as I try to dunk her - not all the way, don't worry. (She can't swim)

It was a refreshing and wonderful day of vacation and fun.

Eucational River Barge

This past weekend, shortly after returning to my town, I joined a group of about twenty Thai English teachers for a training/trip. Now, trips with Thais can be wonderful or horrible (usually depending on the hour of departure and how many hours they scream karaoke on the bus - the record for the latter is 8 hours straight). However, I really like most of the teachers that went and I was up for one last hurrah!

So, we set out at 2am on Saturday morning to drive down to the Chao Praya River, near Bangkok. This is one of the largest rivers in Thailand, but I really didn't know anything about it.

The first day was a little hard because we were all quite sleep deprived, but the facilitators were amazing and kept us moving with activities, cooking, cleaning and games. We started out with safety instructions:

We learned the English word "life jacket" (not life guard or life saver) and how to correctly put them on. We also discussed emergency routine and learned the phrase "Man Overboard" (not 'man overboat'! :) though it makes sense).

After this there were English language activities with breaks in between to take in some beautiful river-side views.

Here the teachers figure out the correct order for the steps of corn harvest using pictures and English sentences.

Then we wrote our own steps for various food items. This one is potato chips. We "learned' that potato chips take more energy to make (and create more waste) than fresh boiled corn.

Here the Thai trainer, Chompooh, prepares a white board to teach body parts of sea animals. All of these activities taught English words to the teachers, but were activities that could also be used with the students back in their classrooms.

Here are some views from the boat:

A Ferry boat docked outside a riverside house.

A beautiful, Thai-style, pavilion on the side of the river.

Even some monks prefer boat travel!

The evening of the first day, we docked near an open field where we played some team building and listening activities - most of which involved blindfolds and listening to instructions from a partner/team.

I partner with AJ Wasana for a game of "Sherman's tanks". We came in third.

Listening for the instructions from her partner, Jenny is ready to bomb another tank.

(She was the winner.)

By the end of day one, we were exhausted and ready for bed, but it didn't stop us from sitting on the upper deck and enjoying a beautiful sunset.

Sunset on the Chao Praya River

Day two brought us to Ayutthaya. After a few more activities on board, we started seeing some of the ancient ruined temples of the former capital of Siam, Ayutthaya.

a ruined temple on the side of the river

After doing some activities about Ayutthaya on board, we docked in the city itself and visited a museum and some historical ruins. It was great fun. I love this town!

a bunch of us at the temple of the three kings in Ayutthaya

What a great trip!

Going Away Party number 1

These last few months I've been feeling more and more ready to finish up my time here in Thailand and move on the the next chapter of my life. It has been a challenging experience during which I have grown in ways I could never have imagined. Every possible emotion has surfaced at one point or another in intense ways that don't come about as often at home.

My focus these last months has been on what is next. I knew that with change comes some amount of mourning for what has passed, but I didn't expect to have extreme emotions in this area as I began my journey out of Thailand. It is time to move on and I feel so ready for what's next.

However, after my emergency journey home to be with my father, I have returned filled with only positive and joyful emotions about this place. Those things that were rubbing me raw before I left don't seem to matter any more. There is no time to start new projects. Whatever impact I had the potential to make has been made or not made by this point. I am focused now only on enjoying those meaningful relationships in my life here.

This past weekend, I traveled with the group of English teachers that I have worked the most with here. We took a river barge down the Chao Praya River, one of the main rivers of Thailand. It was a wonderful, educational and fun weekend. However, this story must be saved for a later time. Now I want to tell about what has happened today.

I had been informed on Saturday that this morning the students would "say goodbye" to me at the school where I live. I thought that I would make a brief appearance at their morning meeting and be done with it. Clearly, I had a momentary lapse in memory about how well Thais do ceremony, pomp and circumstance!

What I did have was an entire school assemble dedicated entirely to expressing appreciation and love for me and my time here. It was So touching!


AJ Wasana, the teacher I teach with at this school, was the MC. She talked a little bit about my time here and then invited students up to present me with flowers and gifts. Each homeroom class had something to give me! The students walked on their knees, as is a traditional show of respect. The came up to me and presented me with

gifts

flowers

traditional Thai leis for made of fragrant jasmine

and even a picture of the Thai King and Queen for my wall in America!

Even a member of the community that surrounds the school attended to present me with a gift from the community

the traditional flower ring hand-made from beads

A couple of the students gave speeches on behalf of the entire student body and then I shared a few of my thoughts and feelings with them as well. I hadn't prepared a speech, but managed well enough in Thai so that they understood my message and emotions. The last speech was given by Po-oh (the principal). He is very sweet and sincere (quite an exception as Thai principals go!)

I politely receive Po-oh's speech

a group picture with the teachers after all the students presented their gifts to me

After most of the students left, one class stayed to each offer me individual gifts. This is the class that I feel closest to. I taught them last year and they are AJ Wasana's home room class. Their gifts were really special and included several hand made neck scarves - which will come in handy in Connecticut!

Watcharaporn is one of my favorite student. Her gift was one of the scarves!

A couple of students were really emotional and really tugged at my heart strings. This kind of sincerity is hard to come by here and therefor so incredibly meaningful!

What an amazing morning! Now my house smells of jasmine from all the flowers. And I think I'll have to ship home one more box than expected! :)

Meanwhile, Back on the Ranch

At last, I have returned home to my town in Korat. I was away a total of three weeks and it was about time to be getting back!

Kannika, one of the English teachers at the school where I live, picked me up in a town close to mine, where I was dropped off by the bus. She bestowed on me the biggest hug I think I have ever received from a Thai person. I almost toppled over from the combination of the hug and my extremely large backpack!

More exciting, even, than this hug was my welcoming committee at my house. In my absence, Pumpkin, one of my cats lost a great deal of weight!

Before and After

Due, in part, to my lax parenting, I realised that I was yet again to become a grandmother. I was hoping for three.


Instead....

I got FIVE!

Toto (Swahili: child),

Bagheera (Hindi: leopard),

Comet,

Noir (French: black),

and Lukged (Thai: raisin)

(Left picture: Toto, Bagheera, Comet, Noir, Lukged)
(Right picture: Noir, Bagheera, Comet, Toto, Lukged)

They are so cute. Only one looks like the mother, Pumpkin, and I think there were probably two fathers (i.e. the 'milkman' was orange!). I'm not sure exactly when the kittens were born, but I don't think it was too long after I left. My guess is that they are a little more than two weeks old.

Other than this most welcome party, the party on my porch continues.



Study hall.... And infirmary

I took these pictures from inside my house within the time period of an hour - just to prove I am not making it up, that my porch is the most favorite spot for many of the students. I have asked them in an extreme variety of ways to find other places to "perch", but to no avail.... What a nice welcome!

Before coming to the office to write this, I had to drop off something at the hospital. I was greeted by many of the nurses that I know. Most expressed that they missed me in some way. One was the epitome of Thailand. She first walked by, said she hadn't seen me in a while and patted my stomach while telling my I'd gotten fat since last she saw me. Not five minutes later, she returned and expressed how much she'd been missing me - wouldn't I please come hang out with her upstairs for a while today since it had been so long. Ah - Thailand.

Laugh or cry.

I choose to laugh! (And hanging out with my new 'grandbabies'!)

The Year of the Golden Pig

Well, I finally figured out how to post a title onto my blogs. How exciting - it only took my six months. Oh well!

It's been a while since I last posted and so much has happened. In brief, I took emergency leave of absence from Thailand because my dad underwent open heart surgery after a mild heart attack. The procedure was successful and he is home from the hospital. I am also back in Thailand and ready to finish off my last month here before heading home for good. In other news, I learned that I have been accepted into graduate school, so I will begin a three-year program in nurse-midwifery in September. So, it's been an intense, busy couple of weeks with many blessings.

This week was Chinese New Years. Chinese New Year is based on a lunar calendar. New Year begins at the new moon - usually the second new moon after the winter solstice. The celebration lasts 14 days until the full moon. Thus this year's new year celebration began on February 18th and will end on March 4th.

Because there are so many Chinese-Thais and Chinese in Thailand, there are always celebrations around the country - and especially in the large Chinatown area of Bangkok. Yesterday, while attempting to get from the main bus station to the Peace Corps office, the city bus I was riding got stuck in traffic going through Chinatown. Luckily I was in no hurry, so I could sit back and enjoy taking in the street-side festivities. Here are a few pictures:

A crowd gathers at the Chinatown gate. Many rub the stone lion for good luck.

Vendors line the streets selling colorful paper dragons on sticks.

a close-up of one of the dragons

the streets are filled with banner, lanterns, dragons and, of course, many cars and people

A restaurant has it's lanterns up for the new year. Shark Finn soup, anyone?

This year is extra special. Chronologically it is the year of the pig. However, this year is extra special - it is the year of the GOLDEN PIG. In addition to the zodiac animals, Chinese use the five elements - water, wood, fire, earth and metal - in their horoscopes. I don't know much about this, but apparently every twelve years, the normal animal year is more auspicious because it is combined with one of the elements. The Golden pig year is the year of the "fire" pig. This golden year only comes about every 60 years. It is considered especially auspicious to have a baby or start a business in the year of the pig, especially the golden pig. Some people thing this may start a baby boom around mainland China. We'll see...

Happy New Year!