We had a week of fireworks near the school culminating in a massive display several Friday nights ago. It turns out that for those that are well-to-do there is a huge sending off when they die. I heard, although could not actually confirm with my Thai students, that the fireworks are to guide the departed's spirit. I'm not sure where, exactly. But guide it did through both light and noise. Friday's display was beautiful, and it was fun standing with all the students in the yard, ohhhing and ahhhing, however, the week was a bit rough. They go on rather late (11 or so) and are very loud. It was a bit nerve-racking. Often the displays were accompanied by chanting, which I actually alternate between finding eerie and soothing.
I have students from both Thailand and Burma/Myanmar. Some of the Thai students make a point to keep up with what is going on in the government. The village has a little kiosk where the newspaper is posted and I am sure they hear from others. The Thai students were (and still are) very interested in what happened with the coup and hoping that the former prime minister will not wheedle his way back into the country. (He's a tricky guy and very rich. He recently bought Manchester United - a soccer club - and they have been winning. Thailand loves soccer and can't help but follow this team.) They were also interested in the voting process for the new Constitution and additions and subtractions there have been to it, to ensure that the shady dealings of the past don't return. (The former Prime Minister Thaksin became very rich while in power. He made sure that rules were changed or relaxed to benefit his companies.)
The Burmese students also follow what is going on in their country. Burma's government is terrible. Recently prices have been going out of control in Rangoon (the capital) and many are short on food. The students at Rangoon University are also getting restless for change. Fortunately, those out of the cities are still able to afford the basics because they are more self-sufficient. There is a lot of corruption and the students often share stories about growing up that reflect this.
Every weekend at church we get to hear the most amazing music. So many of the students are naturally talented and put their songs together the morning of. Usually they will sing in their own language (Thai, Burmese, Lahu, Shan,....), and every so often we will get a song in English. I personally really like their voices with the native music. The two meld so well, and it sounds and looks natural. When they sing in their own languages they get into the song so much more, which is no surprise since I am sure they are less nervous and the lyrics mean more to them.
Now that I have directed a choir, I have a whole new appreciation for directors. Actually, this experience has given me a whole new appreciation for instructors of any kind. I imagine that generally when people teach, they are hoping to share something they take pleasure in, and are hoping those being instructed will too. If the instructor really cares, they put a lot of effort in to help. They are constantly trying to improve themselves, analyze the students, and find new ways of passing on knowledge. Well, I can say, then, that it can get very discouraging when others don't take advantage of the work.
I now see what past teachers and directors have done in a whole new light. I don't know why I never realized how disrespectful it was to not try my hardest when others clearly were. I suppose we assume that the teacher doesn't really care that we pass. Or, when it comes to choir, why should I try when the end result sounds good? Well, I can say from experience that when you see a sea of blank faces, yet you have given study guides, tutoring sessions, recorded music, conversation time, etc. etc. you really start to wonder why you are trying so hard and yet aren't seeing a lot of effort on the other side. Eeeks, to all those I have done that to I'm sorry! : )
This past weekend we had a visitor come up from Bangkok. It was wonderful to have someone else around for a bit. We wandered through the Night Bazaar in Chiang Mai and then went to the Riverside Restaurant to hear a live band play. We didn't expect much, but were pleasantly surprised when the Thai band began playing covers of songs by the likes of Coldplay, U2, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Considering that none of my students know who U2 is, this is a very cool thing. Not only did they play these songs, but they also sounded really good. I even liked a couple versions better than the originals.
A few days ago, Stacey came in to say that she had seen some of the guys poking around in the yard and digging holes. When she asked what they were up to, they replied that they were digging for crickets that they were then going to fry. "Mmmmm mmmm," was my first thought upon hearing this. "I've gotta see for myself." So off I went to see the dying crickets in the plastic pop bottle. They were very plump, brown specimens - disgusting looking actually, with their long legs and huge eyes. However, I gamely went into the kitchen once they were fried. One of my other students was standing there and looked a little curious about the whole thing. I asked her if she had ever tried crickets to which she shook her head no. "I will try one if you try one on the count of three." I said. So we did. And they were actually pretty good. (Side note: They did not taste like chicken.) However, I don't think this will become a major staple of my diet. Thinking about those legs and those eyes kind of made me queasy. A welcome side effect of this cricket excavation was that the school is a lot more quiet. Those things make the most piercing noise.
We are in the midst of finals week. Finals will be done on Thursday and after compiling grades first semester will be a wrap.
