Our class trip

Today was an answer to the restlessness of my last post. I think the students have been getting restless too. So the school sent us all on a day trip to Mae Sa Waterfalls. I was expecting a short outing actually. I heard we would be leaving around 9 or 10 this morning and that was about it. I grabbed an umbrella (I never leave home without it - and am often rewarded) and my camera and joined the crew. We piled into the back of the pick-up (my first time using the back as a mode of transporation for myself) and jolted down the road. Our journey in the truck took us through Mae Rim and, as we had to stop for lunch supplies, gave us a close-up look at one of the many colorful shops along the road. They are colorful because the stores are so shallow that all of the inventory is close to the road.
The waterfalls are only about a 15-20 minute drive from here. We arrived shortly and hiked a short way up the ten adjoining falls. We set up a little base camp of sorts and started the rest of the way up. Here is where the camera became a big deal. I had no idea how much everyone would love having their pictures taken. There was pose after pose. Needless to say, the hike up the relatively short distance took awhile. After about 2 hours of hiking/walking we returned for lunch.

I would have to say that the highlight of the day was finding out everyone was prepared to go swimming. Of course, I wasn't prepared - but in the end it was no matter and I jumped right in with the rest. Many just swam in regular clothes anyway and brought dry clothes along.

It was really a lot of fun chasing eachother around in the water, falling over, doing silly things. I think it actually really did help to bring the students closer together - and the teachers too! Since about half the students are from Burma and the other half are from Thailand, there is a natural divide that is difficult for them to cross. They have to speak English when they talk to eachother. Good for me, hard for them!

After a couple more hours of fun it started to rain and was time to go. The ride back was very interesting - but the students have a hang of how to hold the umbrellas so we weren't soaked through (although I was already soaked, so it didn't matter!). I thought it was a refreshing close to a really enjoyable day. I am already looking forward to more excursions, as they are all so much fun to be with!

Addition 6/15: Just for you Aimee! : ) A picture of Malat, myself, and Kohn Din - Plus, look at that crazy tree!

Restless was a vocab word

It is one of those spring nights, not unlike one in Minneapolis, where, after a long hot day, we are rewarded with a glowing sunset and a cooling breeze. On these types of nights at home I would get the urge to call someone up, jump in the car, and meet whomever someplace, anyplace - preferably The Brewpub, Psycho Suzi's, or the lakes. The weather calls for an outdoor patio, a good drink, and fun conversation.

It sounds like I miss home when in actuality I don't that much. However, I am feeling a bit restless tonight. I have been pacing the courtyard here at the school and wanting to go out and do something. One of my students, Beka (bayka), appeared to be in the same mood as he was riding his bike around in circles. I stopped to chat and said, "It is just one of those nights where I am feeling restless." He gave me a smile (a polite one that means he doesn't know what I am talking about but doesn't want me to have to repeat it.) I now know this smile. "Hey, restless was one of our vocabulary words," I said. "It means that a person can't sleep, that they may be nervous, and/or they can't sit still - they want to be doing something." He seemed to understand then and went pedaling off muttering "restless" under his breath so as not to forget the word.

This kind of illustrates how I feel here a lot. We are kind of out of the way, making going into town difficult, and while here I feel a little claustrophobic because talking is kind of a chore. Fortunately, there is the other teacher, Stacey, who I get along very well with, but one person day in and day out doesn't make my world feel like it's getting bigger. Of course I do speak with the students quite a lot and really enjoy all of them.

I do hope that this post doesn't sound too negative - I'm actually in a really good mood! I went running this evening with one of the students, Naley, and played badminton with her and two other gals. I also talked to our cook, Andrew, for awhile about gas prices and where he should visit when he comes to the US. (I had to admit, though it pained me, that there isn't really much for a tourist to see in Minneapolis.) Andrew has a good grasp on English. In terms of the others, I am trying to find activities that they enjoy and am hoping to connect that way. Once classes start and they all respond to my mad teaching skills I see a dramatic change in store!

If anyone has any suggestions for me about teaching (or making the most of being a foreigner who doesn't speak the language) let me know. I do intend to learn some Thai while I am here, however, I am supposed to speak English with the students since that is a big reason they come to this school. Makes sense.

The Semi-Painted Picture

I must admit, I am pretty much on vacation at the moment. I actually get 8 hours of sleep a night, eat three square meals a day (that I don't have to cook!), have someone else do my laundry, and am pretty much spoiled. In return, I teach two one hour classes each week to a group of students who seem to think I can do no wrong. Life is good. Every morning I get up, have jam, toast and Nestea coffee (a step down from good ole Starbucks) and relax. This is followed by a quick trip to the farm to hang out with the students or a session trying to read about the culture, the classes I will teach or recreational reading. (Did I mention I am really spoiled right now?) Afternoons consist of more reading or a trip to the internet shop. Some afternoons I go into either Chiang Mai or Mae Rim to get groceries. And at night, Stacey (the other teacher) and I watch the Gilmore Girls (in order to keep our vocabulary and wit from disappearing). This pretty much sums up the extent of my days. For those that now think I am a lazy bum, this will change in two weeks when classes officially start and then I will have 5 classes and lots of work. I've decided to revel in this current peaceful period. Well, revel and prepare - I'm not a complete bum!

The Farm

Every morning during the week the students work at the farm. I have tried to get in the habit of dropping in a couple times a week just to get to know the students. It's also helpful to speak with them to discover their level of English. It makes teaching a little easier. Plus, they seem to feel less pressure and are more likely to make an attempt to say something to me. Usually I try to find a small group or one person, sit down to help weed, make brief small talk and then wait for them to start talking. Sometimes it's difficult as some of the students are newer arrivals and haven't learned much English yet.

The farm is on the bank of a river and consists of the main house, the chicken coop, a huge garden (used for our food at the school), and a smaller house (for the family that attends the school). It is landscaped beautifully with a pond, waterfall, bridge, an open green area, many beautiful trees. It is a very peaceful place and many of the students go there to get away and read.

Here is a view of the farm (through all those trees!) from the bridge over the river. All of the grasses to the right will be covered by water in the upcoming rainy season.

The house at the farm.

The School

Most of my time is spent at the school. We eat all of our meals here, and this is where most of the students plus Stacey and I live.

The ajarn's (teacher's) house.