They Mock and Won't Stop the Talk

The teaching has begun. I am teaching two grade 2 classes, with a total of 54 students (who I might add have rather interesting names to learn). From Boss, to Titee, Smart, Ice, Dong, Punch and Prince, my life has become busy with many new little "friends". The kids are more chatty than I really ever thought possible and the language barrier is beyond challenging. How do I explain the germination of plants when I can't even get them to stand up without using actions? This, my friends, is going to be a challenging year to say the least. I am more stern than I ever really hoped to be, but it is worth the sanity in the end. I did receive a note the other day, which for some reason totally made my day; "Ms. Karyn is a crab". Goes to show just how "mean" I'm being, but I do get the random hug and plenty of smiles to make up for the crabbiness. I'm looking forward to getting over the first week, the awkwardness and into the teaching and fun. Will keep you all updated!

Koh Phi Phi, Heart of the 2004 Tsunami

Part of my journey thus far has taken me to the island of Koh Phi Phi. This island was devastated by the December 26th tsunami of 2004. My visit to the island was not only filled with relaxation but accompanied with thought, remorse and empathy towards those that not only witnessed the disaster but continue to rebuild their homes and their lives.

Before this visit my thoughts in regards to this event included the faces of foreign tourists and adults. I had never questioned the affect or whereabouts of the children. I met a few children on the island which somehow restructured my entire memory of the event.

The contrast on this island is quite unlike anything I have ever witnessed. This is the most beautiful spot on earth that I have ever visited, yet such tragedy and heartache blend into the beauty. I climbed a mountain (in flip flops), seeing people clean and build along the way. At the top of the climb I was overcome with awe. What a world we live in, and what steps need to be taken to reach the final resting places.

Over-stepping with the prepping?

The fun and games have come to an end (for the week). Down to business as we are now at the school day in and day out, prepping for our up and coming first day of school. There was a minor bump in the road, as I was assigned kindergarden, but Martyna generously swapped so I am now teaching to grade 2 classes. I feel pretty good about this as I just finished a teaching block in grade 2. I'm not quite sure what to expect, or even how to prep. Seems as though I'm wasting most of my time making calendars and stuff like that. I do love the school though, its so beautiful! I'm excited for the kids to come, that'll make the "reality TV vibe" vanish a bit... I hope at least.

There must be more to see... Candid Camera or Punk'd on MTV?

This weekend we went to Kanchunaburi for a team building opportunity for all of the teaching staff at Lertlah School. The resort was BEAUTIFUL and the party was well organized as a whole, but I could not believe that I was actually a part of reality, and if I was in fact still in "real life" I truly began to wait for candid camera to pop out from the bushes.

The day began with 300 teachers, both foreign and Thai, in a room, sitting in the circle. We, the foreigners, smiled at the MC, which of course was all in Thai, so we had no idea what it was that we found so "funny". We moved from sitting on chairs to sitting on the floor for a couple of hours. The reason this was also so funny to me was because there is no way that this would ever happen in Canada. The day progressed as we were all placed into teams and had to walk around the grounds (the team remaining in a giant circle of yarn), moving from station to station. The stations included everything from rolling in fridge boxes to jumping along on crazy carpets. We were also led through army ant hills and were again asked to sit on the grass, which resulted in hives for us crazy white folk.

The candid camera crew totally lucked out in the evening when we hit up karaoke and dancing. CRAZY!!! I of course did my share (I will Survive) but Anthony stomped us all with "Sex Bomb". Amazing really. Karaoke is also taken quite seriously. We were rewarded with beer and booze for our team efforts from the afternoon and then joined in on the dancing. This was also crazy. At one point a few of us simply began yelling "loud noises, loud noises". Nothing is fazed. Cranberries "Zombie" is also another favorite around here, so that too was simply crazy. Everything is crazy and I sometimes feel that there is little need to even try and explain.

Good times, good times! The adventures continue...

The all-encompasing bathrooms... where the budays second as wash brooms.

WARNING: This blog may been deemed by some as fitting into the too-much-information-category. Turn back from this site now if you are at all hesitant as I'm sure some posts will only get more "uncomfortable" in time.

There are a lot of adjustments to make in regards to living in Thailand. Some of the obvious ones are the climate, the food and the "wildlife". One of the strangest things, that I truly wonder if I'll ever get used to, are the washrooms. First of all, as a warning, pack your own toilet paper when traveling through Thailand. This simple act can save many an awkward moment. Second bit of advice, work the thigh muscles as squatting may in fact become a regular occurrence. Third bit, invest in rubber boots.

Now, some of the things I have come across in regards to the washroom situation include signs saying "please do not stand on seat". This, in my little bubble of a world, is simply strange and random. I still do not comprehend the request. The next odd bit is the shower. In most bathrooms that have a shower, there is no separation between washing and "unloading". There is simply a room with a mirror, sink, toilet, shower head and drain. The drain is often in the center of this little room, meaning that all water will somehow, and in its own time, make its way out of the room. Seeing as how this is a one room one deal type of thing, when showering, all becomes very wet. Another bit of advice, allow the person you are traveling with, or rooming with to use the facilities before showering.

Now, the oddest thing for me (and don't blame the western up-bringing) is the no flush policy. Let me explain. You can flush your "business" but you can't flush paper. Therefore, there is a little hose beside each toilet which is used to "wipe" and "clean". There is also a little pail beside each toilet to collect the paper. Paper is either decoration (oh, and must be collected before entry into a stall) or simply for drying. When using public washrooms, you may here sudden bursts of rushing water, which might just catch you off guard, but no worries... this is the norm.

Us Westerners are having difficulties adjusting to the idea of utilizing the "buday". We also have problems not flushing the paper, sometimes not collecting paper before entry, and have in result caused problems for the plumbing as well. There are few who have ventured into the territory of the mysterious hoses, but not for the purpose which they have been created for. Apparently, the buday is a great source for hosing down the all-inclusive bathroom. This idea may also take a while for me to agree with...

Note little hose by toilet. This is in my apartment.

Went to the soi to eat, met up with an elephant on the street

I have said this more than once... my life right now would be a great reality show. Half the time I'm convinced that I am in fact living through the lens of candid camera, because so many things are so random and just plain old weird. I have problems believing it all to be real, still trying to simply go with the flow.

A couple of us were leaving our apartment for dinner today and what did we see? Well an elephant of course! A busy street with cars and people and businesses, and of course elephants. Who am I to think this is weird or strange? Just that my world, my Canadian world, had the extent of squirrels in the yard and bears at the dump. Elephants weren't a frequent in Manitoba.

Before this occurrence I was quite sure that my life was "ab-normal" but no more convincing is necessary. Now I simply know.

Interested to see what tomorrow brings. A giraffe perhaps?!?

Vocabulary Bobabulary

I am really trying to grasp some of the Thai language, but it's hard. I think the challenge is fantastic in the sense that I have a little glimpse at what my students will be going through with English. Here's what I can remember so far:

Sawadeka - hello, goodbye. If you are a male you have to end your words with "cap", therefore, sawadekap.

Kapkunka - thank you. Again, males would say kapkunkap

Wai - a greeting, folding the hands together, lowering your face to your fingers and a slight bow. Where your fingers meet you face depends on the status of the person you are wai-ing.

Sy - left, good for directing taxi drivers

Quoi - right, again for the taxis

Soi - street and we use this regularly. I would never say I'm going to the street for lunch, but the soi.

Song - 2, as in the number. This is also important for the taxi rides. We live on Road 2, sum is 3 and I have confused a few taxi drivers by saying sum over song

Farang (pronounced phalang) - foreigners or westerners (whities). I don't use this one, but here it directed towards me often.

Koh (Ko) - island... nice to know when thinking about long weekends

That's about as far as I've gotten so far. I have been to a few Thai classes for the foreign teachers at the school, but still can't remember how to say chicken, slow down or bathroom. It'll come I'm sure.

Can't help but grin, off to Hua Hin

So far so good here in Bangkok. The weather will definitely take some adjustment, as will the food. I just returned from a weekend get-away in Hua Hin, which is a few hours south of Bangkok. All of us Winnipegers jumped into some vans, making the journey, excited about the beach. Beyond the beach, the greatest treat was definitely the monkeys. We ventured up to Monkey Mountain, joining the monkeys in random walks through the grounds and Buddhist monuments. It was all very surreal and quite an adventure. Ramon was scratched, now requiring rabies shots and Richard was bitten, also recquiring immunizations. Lucky enough for me, I only had a monkey stop on top of my shoulders for a momentary banana snack.

The jet lag hit me this weekend. I had many problems falling asleep at night, then ending up rather exhausted during the day. The lack of sleep also made my irritable stomach that much more annoying, so I hid out in the room for extra zzz's Saturday evening.



I loved the market, still cannot get over the people and am quite sketched out by the random "old western men" who seem to prey on young Thai women. That totally disturbs me. All in all, this weekend was an eye opener and a good introduction of what my life may just look like this upcomming year. Oh man, I can only imagine...