New Beginnings

It's been a hot minute since my last post, so that can only mean one thing besides the obvious laziness, school has started again.  New term, new school, new set of minds to mold, this time at a primary school teaching 4th grade.  It has been quite the transition from teaching high school girls to teaching 9 year old minions, but I love the energy they spew.
Just a little bit across town from my old school, lies the adorableness that is Anuban Chaiyaphum School, primary school, aka my work home for the next 4 months.
Without getting involved with the politics of the situation, I find myself quite challenged as I am no longer just teaching English, but am also teaching Science, Math (these poor kids), and Health now.  A giant plus, I do get to have one class of 35 wonderful minions, as I call them, and I mean it in the most affectionate way possible.  I am joyed at the fact I will be able to get to know each child and their names, as opposed to last term where teaching 12 classes of 50 students wasn't a conducive environment for learning names.

One thing is certain, if I enter the day with any emotion but happiness, these children turn it around, even if it's for a brief second, with their pure adorableness and love.  They misbehave more than they listen, but they're kids, what can you honestly expect from them?  They have the attention span of ants but it's those teachable moments when you see some of them struggle, then get so excited when they grasp a concept.

This term is also a lot more challenging given the fact I haven't taken a single math course since I was in high school (thank you Bachelor of Arts), so it is an ironic twist, I would teach 4th grade math.  All I can say is, Google is saving my life with all the worksheets I could ever imagine.

I am teaching what's called MEP (Mini English Program), and these kids are crazy smart, as in they know more English than most of my high schoolers last term.  I find I have to use my "back pocket teaching" to pull out random assignments to the students who finish working before the other kids do.  I am also discovering again the kids that disrupt the class the most are usually the ones that either are far more advanced than the subject matter, or don't understand the material at all.  Either way, I am so lucky to have a Thai co-teacher to help so we can give those students better attention.

While I do miss my old students, it's Chaiyaphum, which is quite small, so I still see them everywhere.  Everywhere being the night market, 7-11, and Tesco Lotus (basically Safeway).  It's interesting because some of my current students have older sisters who I taught last term at Satri (high school).

While I plan to leave Chaiyaphum at the end of the term, I already know it will be difficult to leave my students, of whom I've already fallen in love with.  I mean, come on, they are the cutest set of 4th graders.  Ever.

Ayuthaya, Koh Tao, and Bangkok

Summer break can only mean one thing for teachers, time to travel, travel, travel. The school year came and went, these 4 months have flown by and being here has already changed me in more ways than I ever could have imagined. I love my students, all 520 of them, so much so that I'm teaching another term at the same school. Teaching these kids has been such a whirlwind experience that I will forever be grateful for. 

Finals came and went, grades were turned in (our pink grade books will forever haunt me), and teachers began to travel. March was for traveling around the tinest bit of Thailand, April will bring Vietnam adventures. 

I was lucky to have company on my adventures with such an incredible human being. Our first stop on our mini vacation was Ayuthaya, the old capital of Thailand, to see ancient wats, and honestly, there was this head in a tree which or may not have been the sole reason we went there. It was worth it.

Old Ayuthaya is fairly small so we were able to get around by water taxis, and ended up rented a motorbike for the day to see some of the temples. It was quite the shock to suddenly be surrounded by foreigners, tourists, and people who spoke English, quite different than Chaiyaphum.

The hostel I stayed at offered a temple tour, with water taxi transportation. I visited three temples, watched the sunset on the water, and got to start playing tourist- the best start to a much deserved vacation. 

One night and two days later, it was time to embark on yet another journey, a day of travelling to Koh Tao (which included the most uncomfortable night train and a 2 hour ferry ride), on of the islands, turtle island for Scuba diving (and certification). I've always loved the water, but add the ability to breath underwater at 18m and its like I'm a real life mermaid.  The certification course for open water lasted about 3 days, I took quizzes, a test, water skills... it was legit. I spent about a week there, being one with the ocean.  Once I went scuba diving, I knew I would never be able to look at snorkeling the same way again. There's so much more you can see at 18m that you can't see at the surface. I saw a sea turtle, which was probably the coolest thing ever, mostly cause I was breathing underwater and was so close to the fella, I could pet it.  Also, barracudas are epic. The makers of Finding Nemo were spot on. I'm already planning how much I need to save from teaching so I can plan my next Scuba trip to some place new. 

Koh Tao was beautiful and amazing, and I will forever remember my first diving experience, the amazing people I met, and how much I've missed being an island girl. But, it was time to go to Bangkok, which was actually my first time visiting there since I moved to Thailand. This time was different because I actually had time to see the tourist attractions: the Grand Palace, Reclining Buddha, MBK (mega mall in Bangkok).  First stop on playing tourist, after checking in to the hostel, eating, and a nap, of course, the Grand Palace and yes, it was pretty grand. 

 The Grand Palace is huge, and of course it was humid hot that day, but oh so worth it. Some areas were closed off in true palace fashion and these pictures don't even come close to doing the site justice. Visiting this place was probably my favorite thing I saw in Bangkok, truly amazing. 

The Reclining Buddha an Emerald Buddha was just insane. Reclining Buddha is ginormous (reclining) Buddha and it was quite breathtaking. 

I wasn't able to get a picture of the Emerald Buddha because pictures of him weren't allowed, which is completely understandable and normal for temples. the Emerald Buddha was this itty bitty, troll doll sized Buddha encased in a glass case surrounded by this huge gold and colorful stand. It was quite the sight to see.

Ayuthaya, Koh Tao, and Bangkok were lovely. As I write this on a bus back to Chaiyaphum, I am filled with all sorts of emotions. In May, school starts again, this time with many new teachers, a whole new set of children to teach, and a new chapter. My two best friends I made here are embarking on their own journeys, the amazing people I have met along the way are on their new adventures and I know each and everyone of them have made me grow. This life changing experience has been such an ineffable one and I can't wait to see what more I can learn. 

Christmas and a Marathon

I figured I should really post my Christmas blog before another Christmas happens, especially given that it's almost the end of February.  My first Christmas in Chaiyaphum was amazing.  I still had school, but instead of teaching classes, we had a day full of activities.  Satri had a talent contest where we (foreign English teachers) judged our students on singing and dancing competitions.  

My M2/1 class sang the best version of "Last Christmas" and had the best dance to go with it. 

Foreign English department with our head 

The best part of my Christmas was my family coming to visit me.  My brother and dad's first time in Thailand, my family's first time in Chaiyaphum.  I felt so lucky to have them come see me where I teach, where I live, and who I hang out with.  It was difficult not being able to see them the year before for the holidays, so it was truly an amazing present and gift to have them here with me.

My family got to see a bit of the Christmas assembly with my students, I got to show them around Chaiyaphum, the night market, the little town I love and now call home.   I gave them rides on my scooter, the blueberry, my favorite mode of transportation.  I was excited to play tourist with them and got to sightsee and visit places I haven't yet seen.  They stayed for a few days, a short trip, but much needed.

Stone Henge

Flash forward a few weeks and we are now in 2015 (how did that happen?!) and Satri had our holiday party, cowboy themed included.  If you think Americans like themed parties, you haven't been to a Thai party, themed parties are no joke and they are pretty much the best things ever.  Not only was it an all you can eat feast (my favorite), there was free pitcher beer, and yes each of us had our own beer pitcher, because Thailand.

Every once in a while, you'll come across some batshit crazy people who just one day decide to run a marathon.  Yes, that person is me.  A couple girls here decided to start training for a half marathon, and because I have completed a marathon before, I thought, well, I can do a full, why not?  I woke up one Saturday and thought, if I can run 15 miles today, I'll sign up for the marathon, if not, oh well.  So, about two and a half weeks of training, so basically no training, I found myself in Khon Kaen, a two hour trip from my town, at 4 am, standing with hundreds (I wouldn't say thousands because there weren't thousands) of Thais, foreigners, and travelers of all ages all with one goal in mind: to finish a marathon and earn bragging rights and a badass status.  

I was so lucky to have some amazing friends come along on their scooter and cheer me on.  This marathon was very much Thailand in that it was a bit disorganized.  There weren't cheerleaders (except for Val and Sam), minimal water stations, and zero bathrooms-well, the bathrooms were at the gas stations we ran past.  

The route was beautiful through.  Marathoners ran through a temple, around the Khon Kaen college, and all around the town.  Now, because Thailand, it got hot, and got hot fast.  Struggles were real around mile 18-26, the wall hit me and hit me hard.  Unlike my Portland Marathon where I pretty much blacked out the entire time, I unfortunately felt every muscle, every thought, everything.  Things definitely became difficult around mile 18, especially when I tore a muscle, which had been acting up running the past couple weeks.  Running was painful and the mile markers were off.  This was also their first year using timing chips, so times were off as well, but like any race, I sprinted those last strides and earned my medal, and bragging rights- a twice marathon finisher!!

Running 26.2 miles and finding out you still have 2 more miles to run on the course.

 I definitely felt every muscle for a few days.  The bus ride back to Chaiyaphum was rough, but I am so glad I ran another marathon and so proud I not only got a medal, but more so I finished another marathon.  I admit, I'm extremely crazy, because not many people do things like this, but when else in my life, could I say I was able to successfully complete a marathon in another country, in Thailand, the land of many smiles?

Thanksgiving and the Kings' Birthday

Chaiyaphum sunset right outside my apartment

Being sick sucks. Being a sick teacher in a foreign country really sucks.  I ended up having to miss a day of work, but it's unavoidable, especially when I'm surrounded by my 250 students I see everyday.   Finally feeling like my old self again, just in time for my visa trip to Laos this weekend. 

I figured I should update on Thanksgiving finally, especially before Christmas.  Obviously I had to work on Thanksgiving, and given one of my classes just had a quiz in their first block with me, it was only fitting to educate them about American Thanksgiving in their second class with me that day.  Naturally, I had my M2 students (13/14 year olds-8th graders) trace their hands and make hand turkeys.  They enjoyed it, and it was the perfect lesson to plan (also I was sick that day, so explaining about American Thanksgiving and turkeys was much easier for my brain to comprehend.  Something about being in a developing country, dust, and germy kids tends to keep getting me sick- who would've thought?). 

My M2s hard at work tracing their hands for hand turkeys

"Hold up your turkeys! I want a picture!" Sometimes it's good to let them be kids.

These kids can draw better than I can. 

That Thursday night, a bunch of teacher farongs from around Chaiyaphum got together at a restaurant we go to a lot for lunch, and had a friendsgiving dinner.  It was delicious-no I didn't eat turkey.  The lady that owns the place, Bun, knows I'm a vegetarian, there are a couple vegetarians here, and made a special vegetable pot pie for me.  My phone died as soon as I got there, so I wasn't able to get a bunch of photos but it was nice to have some Thanksgiving food-mashed potatoes, veggies, meatless stuffing, something other than Thai food.  We had a nice meal, hung out for a few hours, then went home- we still had work the next day.

American Thanksgiving

Friday, December 5th is the King's Birthday.  It's quite a big deal with celebrations running all that week.  December 5th is considered a national holiday, so we had no school and got to have a nice 4 day work week.  That Thursday, there was a giant celebration assembly to honor the King and his birthday.  Thai teachers wore their white uniforms, and the foreign teachers wore yellow.  It's customary to wear yellow because the King was born on a Monday-which is the color yellow  (Thailand has different colors for the days of the week).  For the month of December however, we wear yellow on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday to honor the King.  

The morning assembly was decorated in yellow, golds, and every shade inbetween.  After the assembly, all the teachers waited in line to sign what I could only assume is similar to a guest book for the king.  We- the foreign teachers signed it too.  Long live the King.

The students sitting in their perfect class lines. 

English teachers and the girls in the Thai costumes are actually our students

Some of my students-yes, all 5 rows of them. 

So. Much. Yellow. The King's birthday is also Father's day, we wrote little notes to our fathers and stuck it on the tree.

Next week, the kids have "Sports Week," so there are no classes, but we still come into work to get our grade books in order.  I'm missing Monday and Tuesday for Laos, but it will be nice to have time to work on grades for my students.  Sports week is just like sports day in the states, but this lasts a whole week.  It's a fun week before midterms for students to compete against their classmates with badminton, basketball, table tennis, and other fun sports.  My students have been working hard, they deserve this fun week before I have to cram some review material into their noggins.  

On that note, I will leave you with my Work Permit photo which looks absolutely nothing like me.  One, I'm not smiling, and two, hello photoshop.  I went into get my photo taken the other day, when I was sick, so the original picture looked like death.  The picture came out looking like I wore make up to begin with. Not too shabby, Thailand.  

dat Thai Life

K̄ĥāw p̄hạd kai dao - Fried rice and egg.

First off, this is the second time writing this, as my previous post did not upload for some reason.

Chaiyaphum has been a trip so far.  Although I have only been here a few weeks, it feels as if I have been here forever.  I am extremely happy I switched placement agencies and feel I am in a much better place in life because of it.

I have been working at Satri Chaiyaphum, teaching Matyumum 2, which is secondary, mostly girls school, at a level 2, equivalent to 8^th grade in America.  I teach 20, 50 minute classes a week and also take part of English club as part of a farong (foreigner) requirement.

I teach different levels of M2 as well as IEP/Basic- grammar based classes (I have 2 classes with IEP of which I both see 5 times a week each) and ECD- listening and speaking based.  My students are most definitely a handful, but I do enjoy the challenge of teaching them.  I only see my ECD students once a week so it can be difficult to get lessons in with them, but I'm slowly getting the grove of this teaching thing.

My M2/1 class. "Teacha, Teacha, picta, picta!!"

Weekends have been filled with pop-up markets, wandering, and the night market-one of Chaiyaphum's most visited tourist attraction (according to Google).  Everything is pretty affordable- I especially enjoy the fact I can get a meal for 30 Baht, .90 cents.  Needless to say, I'm getting very well fed.  I haven't gone running yet, because it can be difficult with all the stray dogs chasing you and it's hot, but I'll get around to it.  There's even a free gym around here somewhere.  

This past weekend some of the English teachers in my building, Val, who works at the primary school down the street from mine, and Alison, who works at my school walked down the street to the second hand market –holy crap galore.  I managed to get 2 skirts and a blouse for a little under 100 Baht –about $3 USD, I love Thailand.

Second hand market galore! Myself, Val, and Alison-teachers weekend shopping trip

Sunday my friends Val, Sam, and I drove to Tattone Waterfalls, about 30 minutes away on the motorbike.  I was supposed to be following Sam and Val on Sam’s motorbike, (yes, I have a motorbike, it’s blue and pretty and matches my orange helmet.  Almost everyone here has a motorbike, you kind of need one to get around town and go anywhere.  I also found out I like driving motorbikes, who knew, because I always swore I'd never get one...) but Sam decided to drive like a bat out of Hell, so I lost them and got lost trying to get there.  2 hours and a beautiful drive later, I finally arrived, and just as soon slipped and fell on my butt on a flat, dry surface near the waterfall—In true Marissa fashion.  And yes, everyone saw.  As they say in Thailand, Mai Pen Rai- the Hakuna Matata of Thais, meaning no worries, or eh whatevs. 

We went on one of the nice last days for the waterfall before it dries up.  Although Tattone Waterfalls is no Multnomah Falls (Portland friends and loved ones, you will completely agree with me on this one), the drive and experience was just as beautiful.  

Val, Sam, and myself

Tadttone Waterfalls, Chaiyaphum