The last week was full of fun and inspiring days along with a few cultural differences-slaps in the face...but hey, you can't win 'em all.
high-lights:
'When I grow up I want to be an artist!'
English Club- 90 kids drawing themselves as their grown ups in their dream professions. Adorable. Extra high-fives for those future artists and teachers!
2nd Graders- On Wednesday, at my smaller school a few second graders came to find me. They asked to 'shake hands' while miming the action (I don't know where they learned about this). So, indulging them, I shook their hands. Instead of letting go, they then bowed to me (still holding my hand) and then kissed my hand like I was a queen. The rest of the class got wind of what was going on, along with a few 3rd graders and soon enough there was a line of children to shake and then kiss my hand. Sometimes my life is so surreal.
Jaree's visit- Jaree is the Program Manager for the CBOD program here in Thailand. She was out and about in Kamphaeng Phet visit other volunteers and since she was in the neighborhood decided to come and say hello. Since I'm TCCO and she wasn't there to do an official evaluation we just got to have a very relaxed chat. It was so wonderful to talk to staff about trials, tribulations, worries and successes. She had positive feedback and was pleased to see how things were going and then helped to clear up some miscommunication about the goals of the Peace Corps program here. I wish she could visit weekly.
Banana bread- So, I've been doing a little research on how to bake with limited resources (an oven) and came across a few recipes online involving a rice cooker. Considering I'm serving in South-East Asia a rice cooker is one thing I do have in my new rental house. Houses are probably considered bad luck unless they have one upon moving in. If you didn't know, rice is a big deal here.
That being said, today I tried it for the first time! It worked perfectly. It is essentially like cooking in a dutch oven for all of you outdoorsy people or pioneers out there. So, make it in the woods too.
Here's how it went:
I thought my rice cooker knew it wasn't rice and turned off just to spite me. So, I held the button down with books. Don't do this. Your rice cooker knows whats up. Things started to smell burnt after about 2 minutes. I removed the books and everything was great after that.
finished when a toothpick or chopstick in my case comes out clean
flip on to some sort of clean surface. be careful, the pan is really hot. duh.
Enjoy the delicious dense banana bread!
How much of what?
1 egg
5 small bananas (or equivalent)
5 tablespoons of butter
2/3 cup of sugar
1 3/4 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon of salt
2 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder
* this would be even more delicious with cinnamon and nutmeg and nuts...the sky's the limit. Create!
I am so happy and excited this worked. If banana bread works then peanut butter banana bread, pumpkin bread and carrot cake will all work too.
Lastly, some words of wisdom I found on a student's English notebook:
As usual, I've neglected to update my blog for an excusable amount of time. The fact of the matter is that things are starting to feel really normal here...even if crazy things happen everyday. I'm becoming much more comfortable with the continuous sweating, geckos and gecko poop all day everyday, strangers touching my skin, chickens in my yard that look like dinosaurs, lack of schedule (even though there is always a schedule), rice (I even miss it sometimes), intimate questions which I used to think were offensive, my hair falling out, my overwhelming hatred for ants, and my posse of elementary students who leave their classes to come find me and tell me every English word they know.
In the last month I've traveled to the south and north, started school at two schools, visited a national park, went to an Islamic wedding, slept and played on an island in the Andaman Sea, got to see new old friends (I already feel like I've know some of these people forever), missed home so much it hurt a little, moved into my own house, acted as translator for other 'farangs' who needed help and experienced far more than I can remember.
Here are a few examples to help you understand what I'm dealing with a on a daily basis:
- I am greeted by my co-workers as Ms. Universe or Ms. Thailand World more often than not.
- This year has been the hottest 'hot season' since 2002. Bring on the rain, please!
- An entire 5th grade class decided that since I don't already have a nickname, my nickname should be 'Barbie' because 'that's who you look like'. I would really like to see what their Barbies look like...if they are smelly, sweaty, and speak in broken Thai I might let them call me that.
- The cook at one of my schools was also my host 'mom' so she makes me delicious food everyday and I never have to deal with being offered pork or beef! Its awesome
-Students don't understand that people all over the world look differently from one another. I am still unsure how to answer questions like, 'why do you have blue eyes?' or 'why is your skin white!? its so beautiful!' Along with that, I think we're going to have some big talks about beauty and self esteem.
- Some days I wake up with geckos on me.
- I have no idea how I loved so long without eating tropical fruit everyday. It might be the hardest part of readjusting when I move home in 2 years.
- Learning how to cope when you're not prepared...almost everyday. When is the worst time to discover your head lamp is broken? When the power goes out and our in the middle of doing your laundry and you don't own any candles.
- Co-teaching is not as easy as it seems. We're all learning this day by day. I may in fact be the most patient person alive upon my return.
I'll write in more detail about these events later but for now I'll give you some pictures to check out so it feels like you were there too!
Weea and I at the waterfall at the National Park close to my community.
In Khlong Lan National Park
Some of my favorite ladies at Rissa's co-teacher's wedding.
Thai princesses...I think we can all say, I've found my look!
Before Valerie's English camp they dressed us up in traditional Thai garb.
Arriving at Ko Phayam!
Sometimes Thailand looks like Washington.
Bungalow breakfast and the beach 50 yards away. Life is so good!
2nd grader posse
English Club! The first day we had 90 students attend. Its going to be intense!
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!
I would like to preface this post by sharing a little Peace Corps insight. During Pre-Service Training we are all told over and over to take chances and say 'yes' to new experiences...as long as they comply with the rules we need to follow for safety and security reasons. I've been trying my best to have the adventure of a life time. I say yes to things without even know what might be in store. This was exactly the case on Wednesday on our trip from Singburi to Kamphaeng Phet. Wednesday morning was emotional. We all knew we had to leave and start our own individual adventures in separate villages all over the country. That being said, there were very few tears as we were driven away by our counter-parts and co-teachers. So, we're driving to my site, we stop for lunch, I'm a little nervous (as anyone would be) but trying to make the most of it when Kru Kate asks if I want to go see the monkeys. In grand old Peace Corps fashion I responded with a quick yes and a smile. We are in Thailand after all and the monkeys here are as cute as anywhere. So, at this point I'm thinking we're going to some sort of monkey preserve much like the bison range in Montana or something along those lines. Soon, out of nowhere there are these two 'mountains' in the middle of the rice fields. We turn and head straight for one called Khao No. She tells me that there are thousands of monkeys that live on the mountain in caves and at dusk thousands of bats fly out of the caves too. I'm thinking, nature; cool. We continue driving around the base of the mountain and see monkeys paying, swimming in puddles, cleaning each other and doing other wild monkey activities. we drive for about five minutes and then she pulls over next to trolly covered in wire and filled with food to feed the monkeys. Kate jumps out of the car, I follow her lead hesitantly and the monkeys instantly know whats up. Not fifteen seconds later we are surrounded by over 200 primates. Kru Kate then hands me a bag of nuts to feed to the little (and in some cases not so little) creatures. They are all around me so I thought if i threw them further away they might run to gather around the tossed food. Good in theory but actuality is another story entirely. I continue to throw the nuts when a monkey starts to pull my skirt. My skirt was sliding over my hips so i shoo the monkey way and pull up my skirt when it hits me. And by 'it' I mean a monkey. I was distracted by the little monkey on the ground and a much larger money decided it was time for action. He lunged at me, grabbed the bag of nuts from my hand and then jumped over my shoulder and ran away. I about lost it. I wasn't hurt, just a little scrape but I was seriously freaked out. I just stood there with my hands together looking at all of the other 400 eyes staring at me saying in Thai, I don't like monkeys! We stayed for another five minutes before we left. I can't wait to take people there when they visit. I'll stay in the car but it was such a surreal experience I think everyone should try it.
Lesson learned: Its nice to see animals in their natural habitat. You should leave them there and not disturb their way to life. Thailand might need signs that say, 'Don't feed the Monkeys' like we have for the bears in Washington.
Let the adventure continue!
First, I would like to start this riveting short story with a weather report. The 'hot' season in Thailand has officially started. It is much like that part in 'The Devine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood' where they say, 'There's not a g.damn breeze in the whole state of Louisiana'. You just sit and melt. So along with the heat and humidity the rice fields are also being harvested. When the fields are harvested there are millions or trillions of 1/8 inch long insects that swarm...everything.
So, like most insects they are drawn to light. Most families have been going 'lights out' at around 7:45 each night because if you have the lights on the room will be filled with hundred of these insects. I didn't really pay attention to this rule thinking that they'd mind their own business. Valerie was over last night until about 8:30. We we're just hanging, shootin' the breeze about the end of PST, you know, sweating together. She went home and I decided to take a shower.I thought I was being tricky by leaving the light in the hall on instead of in my room. I was anticipating the insects to fly towards the new light once mine was turned off. This was not the case.
I walked into my dark wood room after my shower (I didn't turn on the light) and started to change into my pajamas. Then out of no where I started being pelted by the bugs! They were flying onto me because I was the new lightest thing in the room. I had 50+ insects all over me. All I could think was, 'Is this real life?'.
People here are obsessed with white skin. They think it is very beautiful...but now it might also be a hazard!
