Stream of Thought

The little morning ABC cutie pies!

Why do students stare at me? Why am I called a Farang? Why do the Thai people video tape every single meeting? Why does the town turn off the water whenever they want, confusing Rita to no end and making it difficult to shower or do laundry (no water in the evenings and on weekends)? Why haven’t they discovered how amazing hot showers are (waking up to a shower as shockingly cold as Rudi Reservoir is a true wake up call for the day)? Why do Thai people not use gestures when talking to me to help me understand? Why do teachers let their students roam around the school grounds as they please instead of doing work in the classroom? Why do teachers leave their students alone in the classroom unattended while they have a staff meeting or visit with other teachers? I am frustrated each day by these questions and many more and they make me want to run away yet I am drawn to stay and enjoy this year in Thailand because of my school and my Chok Amnuay community.

I am always taken care of. Two teachers brought me to the market on Monday and bought a feasts worth of 3 lbs of long-gkongs , 3 tab-tim (pomegranate), 2 noi naa (sugar apples), 8 tasty donut type treats, a huge loaf of raisin bread, and a gigantic bottles of water, none of which I was allowed to carry. Tuesday morning two little students escorted me from my house to school and once in my office, Krew (teacher) Rita, had a crew of students surrounding her and we enjoyed singing the ABC’s as I prepared for my first lesson of the day. Such little cutie pies stuffed with smiles!!! Then to end the day Phee Toy (my PA’s wife) called and brought me to Nakhon Phanom for dinner and after we each ate 2 desserts. I was iim (full) to the max by the end of the night. I feel guilty receiving all they have given me. I didn’t come to be a celebrity. I came to share part of me with them not wanting a drop in return yet I have been overly provided for and welcomed.

I love my students truly and deeply (although they drive me up a wall with their staring and are extremely difficult to teach with the language barrio). I love my PA (principal) who asks me after every class “Are you happy?” I of course respond “I am happy” (even if the lesson wasn’t all that great). I have 3 teachers who always take me to lunch, teach me Thai at the end of the day, take me on little adventures, or take me to dinner. I can tell they will be lifelong friends and mentors and I have only known them less than two weeks yet have shared a lifetime of laughter. 

To top it all off I am adjusting as well as anyone would I guess. I used the spigot for the first time fully clothed and didn’t soak myself and my jaw dropped to the ground today when an airplane flew over because it is the first one I have seen since I was dropped off in Bangkok by one.

"Rita learn cooking"

Is it a duck or a chicken????

Oh, my smart students!

My 18 year old roommate, Sutassa Runchitkort