Well, the rain just keeps falling. Today is not nearly as bad as yesterday and I've been able to leave the house. Apparently, we are experiencing the effects of tropical depression Chang Saen (or Big Elephant). The eye of the storm is over Ubon Rachatani. Much of the country is experiencing flooding, so I guess we are lucky that all we have is a grey sky and constant rain and drizzles.

Last night, I went to dinner with a bunch of my teacher friends for Ah Jarn Kanika's birthday. This is a tradition that we have. For everyone's birthday, we go to a nice restaurant and then split the bill. Everyone pays an equal amount except for the birthday girl - who eats for free. This may sound ordinary, but in this country it is quite amazing. Thais almost never split the bill. Typically, the oldest, wealthiest or highest ranking person at the table pays for everyone. In fact, most Thai people refer to the splitting of any bill as "American Share". So, my progressive group of friends is quite unique!

Here is almost everyone at the table. We all have on our Yellow King shirts because yesterday was Monday. (King Phumiporn's Royal color is Yellow and since this is the 60th anniversary year of his reign, all Thai people wear their yellow shirts at least every Monday.)

Anyway, it was a nice dinner until the subject of AJ Kanika's husband came up. He was supposed to meet us at the restaurant, but unfortunately he was extremely drunk and unable to drive - stuck at the school (don't really know why he went there in the first place). I felt terrible for her. I had known that her husband was an alcoholic, but I hoped that for her birthday he might try and be on his best behavior. Unfortunately, it was not to be.

Soon, the school janitor "delivered" her husband (followed by his son on a motorcycle to take him home) to the restaurant. He came in and proceeded to stumble about and talk in a very loud voice. I wai-ed him (prayer hand greeting) as is customary, however soon wished I hadn't. His attention had been drawn to me and he began to talk...Well, shout...at me. This is not surprising behavior - most drunk Thais do exactly the same. However, I felt horrible because it was my friend's birthday and her husband that was shouting at me. Generally the remarks were things like "HOW ARE YOU? ARE YOU SURE?" or "GOOD MORNING TEACHER!" The usual phrases that Thais who don't speak English generally know. I basically ignored him, giving short answers when he got really loud and obnoxious to try and appease him. I couldn't look at him because if I did, I would see the tears welling in AJ Kanika's eyes and it just broke my heart.

The worst moment was yet to come, though. He was draped over Kanika's shoulders (again embarrassing for her as public displays of affection and touch are not appropriate here) and having trouble holding his head up. We were trying to make conversation at the table and with Kanika and pretend this wasn't happening. But then, in a break in the (forced) conversation, her husband asked me very loudly to be his mistress. Again, this is not terribly unusual drunk Thai male behavior, but I was horrified. I'd had enough. I told him that he was very rude and that he was sitting next to his lovely wife. Instead of talking to me and saying ridiculous things, I told him, he should be complimenting her and paying attention to her on her birthday. Being as drunk as he was, he probably couldn't register what I was saying. Honestly, it was more for AJ Kanika's benefit. I felt that I had to say something. It was terrible.

Soon the birthday cake came. The wishes written on it were for happiness and love. I told her to make a strong wish.

AJ Kanika made a strong wish and prayer. I'm sure we all knew what she was wishing for.


We cut the cake and tried to enjoy it while at the same time going quickly so the uncomfortable situation could end. I felt terrible for her.

What a way to spend your birthday...or should I say your life!