This is just a word to the wise. Just because a Caucasian woman speaks to you does not mean she would like to be a part of your future life. I am not interested in sleeping with you. I am merely being led by the hand (literally) to come speak to you because you are the only other 'farang' in sight and that means we must know each other. I am happy you are here to be with your wife's family (huge surprise) but could you please tell her that I am not trying to persuade you back to the light side. Also, her dagger eyes can't offend me. I'm used to people staring at me 24/7.
Also, telling me you knew I was American by my accent is not a conversational topic. I can tell that you are German or British by your accent but don't mention it because it doesn't need to be said. So, please, smile, play along and in two minutes you can go back to your day.
Over and out, big guys.
I just want to take a second and say how thankful I am to have such wonderful people in my life. I have never felt more supported and loved than I do right now. I'm seriously blessed to have been given such great opportunities and to be connected to such inspirational people all over the world. So, here is a heartfelt 'thank you' to all of you. You really do help keep me sane.
I've officially been at site for two weeks. I'm learning daily that its all about the mini-milestones. My friend Valerie made a very accurate point yesterday. She said,' We only have one more of each day left'. What she means is that we will only have one more April 4th in Thailand. It seems like everything is so far away until you really break it down.
I know I've only been here a short time but I feel like I'm seeing so much more Thai culture than I ever did in Singburi during training. Granted, this is because I am with Thais all day doing Thai things instead of being in training and language class. That being said, I have so much to write about!
First, let's talk about the hardest part so far: learning to disregard everything you've ever been taught. OK, not everything but I do things here I would never do in America or Europe. Examples? You bet! Last week I was asked if I could help a student who is going to England for a month exchange program practice conversational English. Again, I said yes. So, we set a date- Friday I would speak in English with the student. Then I realized that Friday my co-teacher would be in Laos and I have never met this person or their family. So, Friday comes around and I am picked up by strangers, I get in their car and drive to their house (which is amazing). If you were to ask me if I'd ever get into a car with a stranger to go to their house I would quickly answer with a very firm 'no'. But, here it's almost expected. I just have to trust that things will work out. As far as I can tell the people here are looking out for my best interests so I am going to continue my blind trust until there is a reason for me to change my tactics.
The second hardest thing, believe it or not, is doing nothing. It should be easy to literally lay around all day. In fact, it is not. As Americans we are raised to be motivated go-getters. The Thai culture that I have experienced so far is much more relaxed. Don't get me wrong, Thais work very hard and do jobs that an average American would be reluctant to even try. There is a saying, 'Jai yen yen' which means something like cool your heart. It's meaning translates to 'relax' or 'slow down'. So, I've been trying to practice my 'jai yen yen' skills a lot lately. In America if you were to wake up, have tea and toast then lay down, then eat breakfast, then lay down and talk, then shower, then lay down and talk while having a snack, then go to lunch, then take a nap, then eat dinner and finally round the day off by watching TV and drinking more tea or coffee people would think you were crazy. This is normal here. It is taking some serious getting used to. Granted, it is summer break and teachers have earned it but I'm ready to go! I can't wait to start. I feel like I've been waiting for so long, now I'm here and I have to wait another month. I just tell myself, 'jai yen yen' about five times a day.
Speaking of getting started, we will have an English camp in the next month or so. The Thai Ministry of Education is sponsoring camps that must be accomplished by May 16th. So, my co-teacher is in BKK for meetings about said camps all week. She called today and said she is learning a lot and is excited. I can't wait. I'm not sure I get to officially participate in all three camps because they are not PC camps but I would love to help as much as possible.
I am realizing that this is turning into quite the hodgepodge of topics so I'll add a few stories about 'Thai Time' and you'll be out of here.
We refer to the way Thais deal with punctuality, and regard for time in general as 'Thai Time' is is much like 'Island Time' and very different from what we could call 'American Time'. The most frustrating part of 'Thai Time is the lack of details given along with an invitation.
This is the story of a very long visit to a backhoe. Last week my co-teacher said she had to run an errand to another province to get a part for her backhoe that is being used in yet another province to make a lake and asked if I'd like to go along for the ride. I obviously was doing nothing else so I said I'd go and we were off! We drove for about two hours to a neighboring province to the CAT urban retailer only to discover that the part we needed was not in stock and they'd have to order it from Bangkok. We had to pass through the Province my friend Erin and her husband Josh live in to come back to Kamphaeng Phet so my teacher asked me to text her and see if she was free. I was so excited to have coffee with Erin later that day! So, we went to eat goy-tee-aow (noodle soup) and then I was told were headed towards Sukhothai (Erin). This was true. I just was not aware there were a few more stops before we'd get there. We went to a few banks, and then went to the site where they are digging the lake...where we stayed for two and a half hours. I didn't bring a book because I innocently thought it'd be a quick trip. So, I just sat and tried to keep a passive positive expression on my face. Erin then called and said she had been invited to dinner with some teachers, ironically enough in Kamphaeng Phet. I wanted to cry I was so frustrated. The fact is, its not a big deal. I just was tired of having no control and being 'culturally sensitive'. So, we drove home shortly after that with a stop at the market in Kamphaeng Phet proper.
The second big 'Thai Time' incident happened today. My co-teacher is in BKK for meetings and she told me that Wednesday and Thursday there were meetings at the school I should attend. She tells me to go at 8am. Needless to say, I was very excited to be tasked with something as easy and minimal as going to a meeting in which I can't understand a thing being said. So, my host family drives me to the school and there is only one truck there. A few kids and adults are sweeping the grounds and that's about it. But, the office is open so I am told to wait there. Which I do. This time I brought a book (I'm learning). So, I just start reading, and reading and reading until about ten when teachers start showing up armed with brooms, dustpans, and vacuums. In fact today was not a meeting. It was cleaning day. I don't know why it is cleaning day considering school does not start for a month but it was. I asked if I could help and they told me, 'Mai, mai-bpen-rai. Ain noog-sue.' (No, don't worry about it. Read your book.). So, I did. Then at noon one of my favorite teachers took my to eat more goy-tee-aow and then brought me back to my host family's house. I'm learning to laugh at these situations because really, there is nothing else to do.
Finally, I'd like to leave you with this video I found on another PCV's blog. I can't wait to make one about Thailand.
I'm happy and healthy and I hope you all are too! If you'd like my permanent address let me know!
