Yesterday was my first day of school. I'm teaching 10th & 11th graders at a public high school in Lampang called Lampangkanlayanee. There are 3 other farang (western) teachers at my school that teach english and then there are the thai teachers that teach english. I have 21 classes and see each one once a week for 50 minutes. Its such a short time and so infrequent that they will pretty much forget what they learned by the next week.
The students are so cute. They stand up at the beginning of class and say "Good morning Teacher" in unison and then "Thank you teacher. See you Teacher" at the end of class. All Thai people have short nicknames. Some are just vowel sounds like "Oh" or "Aeh" but I have quite a few students whose nicknames are "Beer" (pronounced "Be-ah." There are several students with the nickname "May," "Bee," and
"Pam." A common nickname is "Porn," although its pronounced "Pawn." I won't be able to remember everyones name because I have something like 800 students in total.
The funniest thing happened in one of my 10th grade classes (they call it M-4 here). I went over the months of the year. Then I split them into 4 teams and they had to get in age order. I had to explain it several times, but they got it eventually. When they were all in order, each team got a point and I told them they could sit down. They all sat down exactly where they were standing, not in their seats, so they were all sitting on the floor, which was hilarious. When they realized that I meant their seats they all started laughing and I needed a minute to compose myself because I was laughing so hard. It was funny to see 40 students just sit on the floor.
I was also supposed to teach 5 classes yesterday, but because they are on a 10 period schedule this week instead of the usual 9 and I didn't hear the bell, I overtaught about 10 minutes and no one said anything until finally one kid said "Teacher you teach long." That was my only 11th grade class yesterday. I ran out of things to do with them because I didn't hear the bell. This made me late for my next class, and a teacher had already told them that they could leave. The way the schedule works is that both teachers and students change class rooms for each class. Once in a while the students may be in the classroom already, but for the most part they come in at least a little late because the bell that dismisses the first class is also the bell that starts the next one. I have to hustle to get to classes on time if they are in different buildings.
I'm living in an apartment that is right next to the school. Almost a roll out of bed and get to school, except that they close the gate that is right next to my apartment building by 7:50, so I can't ever be later than that. Its quite a convienient commute. I have one room with a bed, tv, fridge, ac, and a bathroom (with hot water!) The other teachers that I met at training that are in Lampang are also in the apartment building so there are some friendly faces.
Todays the second day of classes for me...then, its the weekend!
Monday, Margo & I went to Chiang Mai, which is easily my favorite city so far in Thailand. Compared to Bangkok, it is amazing and one of the biggest differences is that most stuff within the city is walkable. Some of the touristy type things are a tuk-tuk (a type of taxi) ride away, but we haven't done any of the touristy things yet. Lampang is only about an hour and a half away from Chiang Mai, so I know I'll be there again soon. On the way there, we took a really cheap bus- about 40 baht (or $1.50). I got on and saw that there was only one double-seat left on the bus (perfect for me & Margo), but when I got to the back I realized why it was open- there was a very noticiable leak and the seat was already wet. So I sat in a wet seat with water continually dripping on me and new leaks kept springing up on the way. It was actually quite funny when I got off and the back of my leg was soaked and my extra t-shirt that I draped over my shoulder was soaked as well. At least it was only $1.50, so I can't complain about that!
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Friday, October 24, 2008
A note from training...
I finally made it to an internet cafe during training. Its not that they are hard to find- this one is just down the street from our hotel- we've just been so busy with the training this is the first day I had time.
I thought I was going to feel like a lost puppy away from its mother for the first time when I first left Margo at her aunt's house and took a taxi to the hotel, but I was just nervous to be navigating through Bangkok by myself. I got to the hotel after the taxi driver dropped me off at the wrong place, but it was very close to the actual hotel I was supposed to be at, so one of the guys at the first place brought me to where I needed to be. My roommate at training is really cool. She's from Cali, is Cambodian, and knows some Thai, so we've gotten around together without a problem. After our first day of training the two of us went to Khao San road, which is where every tourist goes for a least a little bit. Its a street full of vendors- vendors of food, clothing, watches, jewelry, pirated music and movies, basically everything. We decided we had to go there at least once. Yesterday after training we went as a group to Siam square, where the newest (and most expensive mall is.) By expensive I mean, Prada, Coach, and all the other name brands I don't know and don't buy. Needless to say I didn't buy anything there (well except food of course.) We then went to a bar called the 360, which boasts a 360 degree view of Bangkok from the 31st floor of the Hilton Hotel. The view was amazing, especially at night when the lights set the city aglow. The prices for drinks weren't quite as amazing. I can't complain though because they weren't even expensive for NYC standards, just high compared to everything else here, and high compared to what we will be getting paid as teachers. I found out that while we don't get paid all that much, we get paid up to 3 times what Thai teachers make. This doesn't seem fair at all, but schools wouldn't be able to attract farang (western) teachers if they paid us the same as they did Thai teachers.
Training so far has been helpful for me. Its not all that exciting, but they've gone over stuff like lesson plans, what to teach, what to expect from Thai students, what to expect anywhere in Thailand, grading etc...
This was more helpful for me than for most because I am one of the few that has no teaching experience or hasn't taken a teaching english as a foriegn language course. Today we did sample lessons. I was the only one in my group that didn't just finish a 3 week course in Phuket, Thailand, so my lesson was completely different from the rest of theirs (so more exciting). They all liked it, so I think it went well. I'm still nervous for my first day, which is next Thursday (the 30th.) I was supposed to start November 3rd, but since the school starts earlier and I don't have to take a trip to Laos to get my non-immigrant visa, I agreed to start a few days earlier.
Training ends tomorrow, and after that Margo & I will head up to Lampang, which is about a 7 hour bus ride.
I met the other new teachers that will be placed in Lampang. They won't be at my school, but they will all be in the same apartment building as me because the schools are so close. I think we'll have a fun time in Lampang :)
I thought I was going to feel like a lost puppy away from its mother for the first time when I first left Margo at her aunt's house and took a taxi to the hotel, but I was just nervous to be navigating through Bangkok by myself. I got to the hotel after the taxi driver dropped me off at the wrong place, but it was very close to the actual hotel I was supposed to be at, so one of the guys at the first place brought me to where I needed to be. My roommate at training is really cool. She's from Cali, is Cambodian, and knows some Thai, so we've gotten around together without a problem. After our first day of training the two of us went to Khao San road, which is where every tourist goes for a least a little bit. Its a street full of vendors- vendors of food, clothing, watches, jewelry, pirated music and movies, basically everything. We decided we had to go there at least once. Yesterday after training we went as a group to Siam square, where the newest (and most expensive mall is.) By expensive I mean, Prada, Coach, and all the other name brands I don't know and don't buy. Needless to say I didn't buy anything there (well except food of course.) We then went to a bar called the 360, which boasts a 360 degree view of Bangkok from the 31st floor of the Hilton Hotel. The view was amazing, especially at night when the lights set the city aglow. The prices for drinks weren't quite as amazing. I can't complain though because they weren't even expensive for NYC standards, just high compared to everything else here, and high compared to what we will be getting paid as teachers. I found out that while we don't get paid all that much, we get paid up to 3 times what Thai teachers make. This doesn't seem fair at all, but schools wouldn't be able to attract farang (western) teachers if they paid us the same as they did Thai teachers.
Training so far has been helpful for me. Its not all that exciting, but they've gone over stuff like lesson plans, what to teach, what to expect from Thai students, what to expect anywhere in Thailand, grading etc...
This was more helpful for me than for most because I am one of the few that has no teaching experience or hasn't taken a teaching english as a foriegn language course. Today we did sample lessons. I was the only one in my group that didn't just finish a 3 week course in Phuket, Thailand, so my lesson was completely different from the rest of theirs (so more exciting). They all liked it, so I think it went well. I'm still nervous for my first day, which is next Thursday (the 30th.) I was supposed to start November 3rd, but since the school starts earlier and I don't have to take a trip to Laos to get my non-immigrant visa, I agreed to start a few days earlier.
Training ends tomorrow, and after that Margo & I will head up to Lampang, which is about a 7 hour bus ride.
I met the other new teachers that will be placed in Lampang. They won't be at my school, but they will all be in the same apartment building as me because the schools are so close. I think we'll have a fun time in Lampang :)
Monday, October 20, 2008
Everythings better in Lampang
I’m back in Bangkok with Margo- this time staying at her aunt’s house in the outskirts of Bangkok. Her house is really cute. The compound is set up so her office building (and part of the living quarters) is on one side and the rest of the living space is on the other side, separated by a nice green space and a pool. Some day I'd like a commute so short! The plants and trees in the courtyard are so jungly.
Koh Samet was beautiful and relaxing. It took us most of the day to get back on Saturday. On our way in, I had my first experience with squat toilets. Squat toilets are basically half toilets that you stand on and squat and hope your pants stay dry. My camping experience has prepared me for this. Squat toilets also don’t flush the way western toilets do- you have to pour a bucket of water to flush out the dirty water. At one point on our way to a meal, we passed a sewage hauler, the pungent smell reminded me of my days at the Grass Island Waste Water Treatment Plant.
It was so humid in Samet, the I started to sweat immediately after showering. I felt like I was on the island from LOST, but I’m sure I did not look as good as Kate or Jack…I probably looked more like Hurley. Me as Hurley...
Most of the menus so far are in English as well as Thai, but some of the translations are not quite perfect. This one restaurant in Samet had “Wodka tonics” and offered “fried aborigine” in the vegetarian section…a few letters (it should have been aubergine) makes a huuuge difference.
Sunday we went to Chatuchak market- a huge weekend flee market that was started in the 40’s by Prime Minister Plaek Philbulsongkram. We were there pretty much all day. I ended up with a t-shirt, shell necklace, sunglasses, and a keychain for 270 baht, or around $8. I still think of everything in USD, but Margo, who thinks in baht, says that it was expensive (or at least in Lampang standards since everything in Bangkok is more expensive.) I still maintain that it was a successful day of shopping. Margo's motto has been "Everything is better in Lampang"...she's reffering mostly to the price of things because everything is cheaper there for sure. Margo keeps hyping up Lampang, but I'm still not quite sure what to expect.
I felt like I was on a set of a movie while at the market. They play the Thai national anthem at 8 am and 6 pm everyday in public places. During the playing of the national anthem everything stops. People freeze in their tracks. Its like one of those movies where someone has the power to stop time, everyone freezes, and the person with the power can walk through the crowd. It was particularly amazing today at the market; all the walking, talking, shopping, bartering, and eating paused for a few seconds.
I also saw my first elephant while at the market- although it shouldn’t have been there. While we were wandering around Chatuchak, we got stuck in the pet section, which was heartbreaking. There were so many tiny puppies that should not have been away from their mothers yet. After seeing a few we jetted out of there for fear we would end up buying one.
There are a few things I noticed about driving: road rules are just a suggestion, signaling is a rare occurrence, and cars can squeeze 3 lanes wide on a 2-lane highway.
Today we went to the Royal Palace and Temple of the Emerald Buddha, which is not actually emerald, but when it was first discovered covered in plaster, the green was thought to be emerald, when it was actually jade. The architecture is soo beautiful. Everything is so intricately decorated and lots of gold.
This is Margo & I at the Temple of the Emerald Buddha
Koh Samet was beautiful and relaxing. It took us most of the day to get back on Saturday. On our way in, I had my first experience with squat toilets. Squat toilets are basically half toilets that you stand on and squat and hope your pants stay dry. My camping experience has prepared me for this. Squat toilets also don’t flush the way western toilets do- you have to pour a bucket of water to flush out the dirty water. At one point on our way to a meal, we passed a sewage hauler, the pungent smell reminded me of my days at the Grass Island Waste Water Treatment Plant.
It was so humid in Samet, the I started to sweat immediately after showering. I felt like I was on the island from LOST, but I’m sure I did not look as good as Kate or Jack…I probably looked more like Hurley. Me as Hurley...
Most of the menus so far are in English as well as Thai, but some of the translations are not quite perfect. This one restaurant in Samet had “Wodka tonics” and offered “fried aborigine” in the vegetarian section…a few letters (it should have been aubergine) makes a huuuge difference.
Sunday we went to Chatuchak market- a huge weekend flee market that was started in the 40’s by Prime Minister Plaek Philbulsongkram. We were there pretty much all day. I ended up with a t-shirt, shell necklace, sunglasses, and a keychain for 270 baht, or around $8. I still think of everything in USD, but Margo, who thinks in baht, says that it was expensive (or at least in Lampang standards since everything in Bangkok is more expensive.) I still maintain that it was a successful day of shopping. Margo's motto has been "Everything is better in Lampang"...she's reffering mostly to the price of things because everything is cheaper there for sure. Margo keeps hyping up Lampang, but I'm still not quite sure what to expect.
I felt like I was on a set of a movie while at the market. They play the Thai national anthem at 8 am and 6 pm everyday in public places. During the playing of the national anthem everything stops. People freeze in their tracks. Its like one of those movies where someone has the power to stop time, everyone freezes, and the person with the power can walk through the crowd. It was particularly amazing today at the market; all the walking, talking, shopping, bartering, and eating paused for a few seconds.
I also saw my first elephant while at the market- although it shouldn’t have been there. While we were wandering around Chatuchak, we got stuck in the pet section, which was heartbreaking. There were so many tiny puppies that should not have been away from their mothers yet. After seeing a few we jetted out of there for fear we would end up buying one.
There are a few things I noticed about driving: road rules are just a suggestion, signaling is a rare occurrence, and cars can squeeze 3 lanes wide on a 2-lane highway.
Today we went to the Royal Palace and Temple of the Emerald Buddha, which is not actually emerald, but when it was first discovered covered in plaster, the green was thought to be emerald, when it was actually jade. The architecture is soo beautiful. Everything is so intricately decorated and lots of gold.
This is Margo & I at the Temple of the Emerald Buddha
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Koh Samet
I am currently sitting in an internet cafe in Koh Samet, which is a small island about a 3 hour bus ride & ferry ride south of Bangkok. We left the hotel in Bangkok yesterday morning and got here yesterday afternoon. It was pouring by the time we got to Ban Phe, the city we took the ferry from, and the streets were flooded. It didn't really slow us down too much, but the water had no where to go so the streets flooded pretty quickly. We got to Koh Samet and walked down to the beach looking for a bungalow. The first place had no fan rooms left and the second had none with private bathrooms, so we settled on the third, which was, how should I put it?, below standards.
It was also a steep walk with no path to get to it. We were so exhausted though from traveling that we accepted it. I was still jet-lagged from the flight that I laid down for what was supposed to be a nap at around 7 pm and didn't wake up until 7:30 am. We decided to find another bungalow, which we did, and although its a bit more expensive (about $12 each per night as opposed to $4.50 a night) its definitely worth it.
The water is beautiful and warm! For me, it is heaven! We spent hours in the water today. I also got an hour long Thai massage for less than $7. Mom, maybe you should fund some more massages so I can learn from experience ;)
Ok, were off for some dinner! More to come when I get back to Bangkok for shopping and training...
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Bangkok!
So I made it to Bangkok after a 24+ hour trip. The flight was awfully long, but luckily Tammy suggested I request bulkhead seats, which I got for the first flight. I had lots of leg room and was able to get up and walk around quite frequently. I was next to a very nice older Thai lady on the flight from JFK to Tokyo who shared stories about Thailand and the US and also shared her snacks. 14 hours is a long time to sit around. I did get to catch up on some movies that I've been wanting to see: Sex and the City, Indiana Jones 4, and Leatherheads...even watching 3 movies only took up half the time at most.
I arrived at aroun 11:30 pm (Thai time) last night and went back to Margo's parents hotel, showered, and went out for my first meal in Thailand, which consisted of lots of noodles, vegetables, and tofu...my kind of food! So cheap too. I had a Vietnamese dish for lunch today which cost about $3 USD. Apparently that's expensive by Thai standards. In Lampang I could get the same for about $1 USD. My money will definitely go far here if I can eat a full meal for $1. After traveling for 24 hours and my first meal, we went out for a few beers but had some trouble finding a place that was open. A taxi driver wouldn't take us where we originally wanted to go because the protestors were out, so Margo's roommate's friends picked us up and we drove around to find another place open, had a beer or two and played some pool. The music choice at the place we went to was quite interesting. They love Eric Clapton...but the most interesting song choice was "Puff the Magic Dragon."
Its quite easy to avoid the protestors, you just need to avoid certain areas. Since I'm with people who know Thai and where to go I'll be completely fine (so don't worry Mom & Dad!) Also, its very nice touring around Bangkok with my very own personal translator (Margo that is.)
I've only had a few hours around Bangkok, but it reminds me of NYC a little bit- only hotter, stickier, with lots of pink taxis, cars that drive on the opposite side of the street, and more street food and vendors. Picture China town x100.
I think tomorrow Margo & I will be off to the south (not quite sure where exactly yet) until I have my training here in Bangkok on the 22 to the 26th.
Love and miss everyone at home!
I arrived at aroun 11:30 pm (Thai time) last night and went back to Margo's parents hotel, showered, and went out for my first meal in Thailand, which consisted of lots of noodles, vegetables, and tofu...my kind of food! So cheap too. I had a Vietnamese dish for lunch today which cost about $3 USD. Apparently that's expensive by Thai standards. In Lampang I could get the same for about $1 USD. My money will definitely go far here if I can eat a full meal for $1. After traveling for 24 hours and my first meal, we went out for a few beers but had some trouble finding a place that was open. A taxi driver wouldn't take us where we originally wanted to go because the protestors were out, so Margo's roommate's friends picked us up and we drove around to find another place open, had a beer or two and played some pool. The music choice at the place we went to was quite interesting. They love Eric Clapton...but the most interesting song choice was "Puff the Magic Dragon."
Its quite easy to avoid the protestors, you just need to avoid certain areas. Since I'm with people who know Thai and where to go I'll be completely fine (so don't worry Mom & Dad!) Also, its very nice touring around Bangkok with my very own personal translator (Margo that is.)
I've only had a few hours around Bangkok, but it reminds me of NYC a little bit- only hotter, stickier, with lots of pink taxis, cars that drive on the opposite side of the street, and more street food and vendors. Picture China town x100.
I think tomorrow Margo & I will be off to the south (not quite sure where exactly yet) until I have my training here in Bangkok on the 22 to the 26th.
Love and miss everyone at home!
Monday, October 6, 2008
New Adventure
I have 6 days left in the states, for a long while at least. It seems to weird to think about. For those of you who don't know, I'm leaving October 12 for Thailand. I'll be there for 5+ months teaching English at a high school in Lampang, Thailand.
I've been out of the country before but its still a new feeling for me. When I studied in Mexico I had some of the same jitters I do now but I can say that I'm less nervous than my last trip abroad even though I know absolutely no Thai at all. I was nervous about how my Spanish would fair when put to the test (it turned out to be fine). For some reason though, I'm not nervous really about not knowing Thai. The fact that Margo and her parents will be at the airport when I arrive in Bangkok (in 1 week!) is putting me (and my parents) at ease.
The only part I'm nervous about is the teaching part. My undergrad degree in Environmental Engineering did not exactly prepare me for teaching. Why teach English in Thailand when I studied Environmental Engineering you ask? Well, for one, I'm not ready to enter the "real world" and get a real job. My internships have given me a taste of that and honestly I'm not ready for it. Secondly, why not? I wanna travel as much as I can so why not travel and teach English to make enough money to continue traveling. I've only planned as far as February 28th (the last day of the semester). Who knows where I'll be after that.
Margo is working on finding me a house or apartment...but that won't be settled until I get there.
What else? Oh yes, what to pack? I am limited to the amount I can bring on the flight and wouldn't want to bring too much more because we plan on traveling around after the semester is over. Everything is cheap there, but I'm surely much larger than most Thai women that I might have to have clothes made specifically for me...and forget about bras. I know I need to be prepared for not being able to buy any that would even come close to fitting. I'm a procrastinator, and although I've thought about these things- I've done little to address them. Now I'm running out of time to get it all done and see everyone before I leave!
I'm so excited to get out of the country and to see Margo, but the full effect has not hit me yet. I don't think it will until I'm actually on my flight...my 14 hour flight from JFK to Tokyo and then another few hours from Tokyo to Bangkok. I'll have so much time on my hands during that flight- I could write a book, but I promise not to bore you with that.
I've been out of the country before but its still a new feeling for me. When I studied in Mexico I had some of the same jitters I do now but I can say that I'm less nervous than my last trip abroad even though I know absolutely no Thai at all. I was nervous about how my Spanish would fair when put to the test (it turned out to be fine). For some reason though, I'm not nervous really about not knowing Thai. The fact that Margo and her parents will be at the airport when I arrive in Bangkok (in 1 week!) is putting me (and my parents) at ease.
The only part I'm nervous about is the teaching part. My undergrad degree in Environmental Engineering did not exactly prepare me for teaching. Why teach English in Thailand when I studied Environmental Engineering you ask? Well, for one, I'm not ready to enter the "real world" and get a real job. My internships have given me a taste of that and honestly I'm not ready for it. Secondly, why not? I wanna travel as much as I can so why not travel and teach English to make enough money to continue traveling. I've only planned as far as February 28th (the last day of the semester). Who knows where I'll be after that.
Margo is working on finding me a house or apartment...but that won't be settled until I get there.
What else? Oh yes, what to pack? I am limited to the amount I can bring on the flight and wouldn't want to bring too much more because we plan on traveling around after the semester is over. Everything is cheap there, but I'm surely much larger than most Thai women that I might have to have clothes made specifically for me...and forget about bras. I know I need to be prepared for not being able to buy any that would even come close to fitting. I'm a procrastinator, and although I've thought about these things- I've done little to address them. Now I'm running out of time to get it all done and see everyone before I leave!
I'm so excited to get out of the country and to see Margo, but the full effect has not hit me yet. I don't think it will until I'm actually on my flight...my 14 hour flight from JFK to Tokyo and then another few hours from Tokyo to Bangkok. I'll have so much time on my hands during that flight- I could write a book, but I promise not to bore you with that.
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