6:30 AM - Wake up to the sound of a Thai news radio station being broadcasted throughout the school grounds. Wish they would turn it off so I can sleep more :) Roll off my pallet and head downstairs for a dip bath and brush my teeth. Read my Bible, pray, eat a granola bar, and get dressed.
7:50 - Walk to morning ceremony on school grounds with my roommate, P'Nid (Her first name is Suphanee, but her nickname is Nid. P stands for big sister.) Observe morning ceremony: a teacher lectures the students while they stand in straight lines (in the sun!), a student leads the other students in the Thai National Song, then the school song, then they say the 5 tenants (??) of Buddhism and wai to Buddha. I keep my hands by my sides.
8:10 - Walk to school, climb 4 floors to the English department. Sit at my desk and receive my schedule for the day. (Turn the fan on HIGH!) There are 8 periods in a day and I usually have 3 or 4 classes. In between classes I do a Bible study called "A Woman's Heart: God's Dwelling Place" by Beth Moore. It is great and I usually am able to finish 2 "days" in one day. I also check papers sometimes or work on my next lesson. There is a computer in the room, and when the power is working I can check the internet!
I am also blessed with many visitors to my desk! Teachers come and offer me food and fruit and sit down to talk and practice their English. Students stop by and look at my pictures or just smile at me. They all marvel over my white skin. I tell them, "In America white skin isn't popular! Dark skin is!" They can't believe that white people would actually lay in the sun to get darker. When they go to the beach they wear a hat, pants, and long sleeve shirt so they won't get darker!
A typical class - I walk into the room and am greeted enthusiastically and happily! "Hello teacher!" "Hello Katie!" Then the class leader says loudly, "Stand up, please." All the students stand up and say, "Good morning teacher Katie." I say, "Good morning! How are you?" They say, "I'm fine and you?" I usually throw them off my saying "Excellent!" or "Great!" (They only know fine!!) And then I tell them to sit down.
Sometimes the teacher will give me a topic to teach and sometimes they will say it's up to me. So I do songs: "Hokey Pokey," "This is the way" and so on. We play games to practice their English. I also do a lot of vocabulary practice by showing my pictures. I can show them pictures of my sisters and they learn the word. Pictures of my dog, my church, so on. They LOVE to see my pictures, especially of my sister Karlie! They say "suay mak mak mak!" Which means, very very very beautiful! (I agree, by the way!)
I also get a chance to share my faith with them. I usually draw a cross on the board and say, I'm Christian. Or in Thai - Chris-te-an. I tell them that I love Projow (God) and Preyesus (Jesus). I tell them about my boat (church). Some students know what I'm talking about but for many I am the first Christian they have ever met.
12:20 - Lunchtime! P'Beab (Niyom) usually cooks lunch for me and it's pretty good! We sit at my desk and eat together. Sometimes, teachers will make "appointment" with me and take me to a restaurant for lunch. Every Thursday I meet with the Blounts (missionaries) for our weekly meeting. It is such a blessing and encouragement.
4:00 - School is out! By this time I'm HOT and yucky, so I go home and take another bath and change clothes. Sometimes I watch a little TV (ER on DVD) or read my book. Take a break!
5:30 - My roommate P'Nid and I go to the market on her motorcycle. They sell raw meat, fruit, and vegetables. And don't forget insects to eat! We buy some meat and vegetables and go back home and prepare dinner. It's been fun learning how to cook Thai!
6:30 - Go walking around the school with P'Beab! Sometimes I watch her play basketball first.
7:30 - Time for another bath and get ready for bed! Do my Bible study "Lies Women Believe" and write in my journal. Talk to Grandma or Mom. Go to sleep around 9:30!
Well, I hope this gives you an idea of my typical day! There are always surprises and different things that happen, but this can give you a good idea! Leave a comment!
Monday, July 6, 2009
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Thailand! (part 1)
So, by now, I'm into my second week of my missions trip to Thailand. And the theme so far? God is good! He has been my Everything this week. So much has happened that I have no clue how to start blogging about it! My internet access has been shaky to say the least. But, I will give it a shot!!
Tuesday, June 16: Began my journey to Thailand! Charleston to Atlanta, first. Spent a few hours walking around the Atlanta airport. Got lost once and ended up having to go through security again. Yes, I am that ditzy sometimes!
Finally got on the flight to Japan. Once I am sitting there, the pilot announces that there has been a volcanic eruption in Russia! The ash is covering the path that we were going to take over the Pacific, so we have to take a longer, alternate route. As a result, we have to stop in San Fran to fuel up. Great news! :)
The flight is uneventful! I sleep, listen to music, and read. Watch a little tv on the screen way in front of me. I try to ignore the couple next to me who show way too much PDA. I think it was about 14 hours. Finally arrive in Tokyo, where they have held my next flight! Yay! I was afraid I would have to wait for another plane. The next flight took 8 hours. More sleeping and eating weird airplane food. At least I have a seat between me and the person by the window! I can move my legs! Yes!
Arrive in Bangkok. Can't keep the smile off my face. No problem getting my baggage and finding my taxi. Went to stay in the nicest hotel I've ever experienced! Slept more, took a nice long shower, and went back to the airport for my last leg of the journey. It took about an hour and we were in Krabi!
Linda and Richard were there to pick me up and they took me to their house not far from the airport. They successfully kept me up for a few more hours before I went to bed.
Friday, June 18: Time to begin work! I went with Linda and Richard to the Thai countryside. We visited people who said they were interested in learning more about God. We had a Bible study. Same on Saturday, except that the group on Saturday is mostly young girls and they are so excited to learn about God! And excited to see me, a foreigner! They call foreigners "farangs," and I hear it whispered whereever I go! Also "cow" which means white! The girls touched my hair and legs and were so interested in me. It was too cute. Two twin girls, Not and Nan, were especially smart and answered all the questions correctly! (I was told-the whole thing was is in Thai.)
Also, on Friday, we went to my school: Blai Prayawittyacom! It is WAAAAY in the country and not like my other Thai school. I finally met Niyom, the teacher who I had been in contact with before my trip. She is so welcoming and invites us to eat lunch at her house. Before lunch, she ushers me into an English classroom and leaves me there to talk to the kids! This was when those pictures were taken that are on my facebook account. I spent about 20 minutes there but it felt like a long time because I wasn't sure what to do!
Then, we go to my new house. This is where culture shock hit me! I thought that I was prepared but I definitely wasn't. It is a 2 story house. On the bottom floor it has a small living area and kitchen and bathroom. Upstairs are 3 bedrooms: mine, Suphanee's, and an empty one. There's no AC, and in my room there is no bed. The bathroom consists of a Thai style toilet (I won't get too graphic here!) and a tank of water. You use the tank of water to both flush the toilet and dip a bowl in to a take a bath. Whew! This shook me up! I wasn't ready for that!
Anyway... (it gets better! I promise!)
Saturday, June 19: Worked again with Linda and Richard. The most memorable moment from this day was the Thai funeral we attended that night. One of Richard's friend's mother died. When you get to the funeral, you go to this area that looks like a restarant or a family reunion set up. You eat dinner and there are hired cooks and waitresses. One of the dinners was chicken inards! Mmm! After you eat, you go up front and sit in the chairs for the audience. Monks are seated up front. The coffin is there, and in front of it is an image of Buddha that people go kneel in front of and light insense. Off to the side there is a platform where the monks will chant. There is a white string that is hanging down to the platform. It goes up to the ceiling and then back down into the coffin. That is so the chants that the monks say go right into the coffin.
On the platform there are these big paper fans that have a picture of Buddha on one side. The monks hold them in front of them while they chant. Linda said that they do this because they don't want to be distracted or think bad thoughts while they are chanting. On the other side, writen in Thai, it says: "You are born. You grow old. You have pain. You die." How sad. What kind of hope is that?
While the monks are chanting (which is the strangest sound), everyone in the audience wais (holds their hands in front of them in a prayer-like gesture) to show respect to Buddha. We don't wai, because we are Christians. No one even pays any attention to us. Linda told me that there is a lot of pressure on the monks because if they make one mistake during the chants, the person who died is doomed.
After the monks chant, people go up and give money to the monks. This is one way to make merit for your next life (I think). And, people have to bring money in a white envelope to give to the family. Richard had to give money for all of us.
Well, this is long enough for part 1! I'll add more later! Sorry I can't post pictures!
If you managed to make it through this whole post, leave a comment!
Tuesday, June 16: Began my journey to Thailand! Charleston to Atlanta, first. Spent a few hours walking around the Atlanta airport. Got lost once and ended up having to go through security again. Yes, I am that ditzy sometimes!
Finally got on the flight to Japan. Once I am sitting there, the pilot announces that there has been a volcanic eruption in Russia! The ash is covering the path that we were going to take over the Pacific, so we have to take a longer, alternate route. As a result, we have to stop in San Fran to fuel up. Great news! :)
The flight is uneventful! I sleep, listen to music, and read. Watch a little tv on the screen way in front of me. I try to ignore the couple next to me who show way too much PDA. I think it was about 14 hours. Finally arrive in Tokyo, where they have held my next flight! Yay! I was afraid I would have to wait for another plane. The next flight took 8 hours. More sleeping and eating weird airplane food. At least I have a seat between me and the person by the window! I can move my legs! Yes!
Arrive in Bangkok. Can't keep the smile off my face. No problem getting my baggage and finding my taxi. Went to stay in the nicest hotel I've ever experienced! Slept more, took a nice long shower, and went back to the airport for my last leg of the journey. It took about an hour and we were in Krabi!
Linda and Richard were there to pick me up and they took me to their house not far from the airport. They successfully kept me up for a few more hours before I went to bed.
Friday, June 18: Time to begin work! I went with Linda and Richard to the Thai countryside. We visited people who said they were interested in learning more about God. We had a Bible study. Same on Saturday, except that the group on Saturday is mostly young girls and they are so excited to learn about God! And excited to see me, a foreigner! They call foreigners "farangs," and I hear it whispered whereever I go! Also "cow" which means white! The girls touched my hair and legs and were so interested in me. It was too cute. Two twin girls, Not and Nan, were especially smart and answered all the questions correctly! (I was told-the whole thing was is in Thai.)
Also, on Friday, we went to my school: Blai Prayawittyacom! It is WAAAAY in the country and not like my other Thai school. I finally met Niyom, the teacher who I had been in contact with before my trip. She is so welcoming and invites us to eat lunch at her house. Before lunch, she ushers me into an English classroom and leaves me there to talk to the kids! This was when those pictures were taken that are on my facebook account. I spent about 20 minutes there but it felt like a long time because I wasn't sure what to do!
Then, we go to my new house. This is where culture shock hit me! I thought that I was prepared but I definitely wasn't. It is a 2 story house. On the bottom floor it has a small living area and kitchen and bathroom. Upstairs are 3 bedrooms: mine, Suphanee's, and an empty one. There's no AC, and in my room there is no bed. The bathroom consists of a Thai style toilet (I won't get too graphic here!) and a tank of water. You use the tank of water to both flush the toilet and dip a bowl in to a take a bath. Whew! This shook me up! I wasn't ready for that!
Anyway... (it gets better! I promise!)
Saturday, June 19: Worked again with Linda and Richard. The most memorable moment from this day was the Thai funeral we attended that night. One of Richard's friend's mother died. When you get to the funeral, you go to this area that looks like a restarant or a family reunion set up. You eat dinner and there are hired cooks and waitresses. One of the dinners was chicken inards! Mmm! After you eat, you go up front and sit in the chairs for the audience. Monks are seated up front. The coffin is there, and in front of it is an image of Buddha that people go kneel in front of and light insense. Off to the side there is a platform where the monks will chant. There is a white string that is hanging down to the platform. It goes up to the ceiling and then back down into the coffin. That is so the chants that the monks say go right into the coffin.
On the platform there are these big paper fans that have a picture of Buddha on one side. The monks hold them in front of them while they chant. Linda said that they do this because they don't want to be distracted or think bad thoughts while they are chanting. On the other side, writen in Thai, it says: "You are born. You grow old. You have pain. You die." How sad. What kind of hope is that?
While the monks are chanting (which is the strangest sound), everyone in the audience wais (holds their hands in front of them in a prayer-like gesture) to show respect to Buddha. We don't wai, because we are Christians. No one even pays any attention to us. Linda told me that there is a lot of pressure on the monks because if they make one mistake during the chants, the person who died is doomed.
After the monks chant, people go up and give money to the monks. This is one way to make merit for your next life (I think). And, people have to bring money in a white envelope to give to the family. Richard had to give money for all of us.
Well, this is long enough for part 1! I'll add more later! Sorry I can't post pictures!
If you managed to make it through this whole post, leave a comment!
Sunday, June 14, 2009
1:10 AM
I thought I'd stop in and say hello since I can't sleep! Only 2 days until I leave for Thailand! I'm leaving Tuesday morning and flying to Atlanta, then Tokyo, then Bangkok. I'll spend the night there and then fly to Krabi the next day. (Click on that link to see some pictures of beautiful Krabi!) So, all together, there will be about 23 hours of flying!
And I'm pretty much ready. But my brain won't settle! At about midnight I got up and packed some of my bathroom stuff, then made up my guest bed, washed the dishes in my sink, and here I am still not tired. I guess I'll go try to sleep again!
And I'm pretty much ready. But my brain won't settle! At about midnight I got up and packed some of my bathroom stuff, then made up my guest bed, washed the dishes in my sink, and here I am still not tired. I guess I'll go try to sleep again!
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
His love
It's truly hard to understand His love for us. These passages make it so real...
From a woman who wrote about her husband's response to her double mastectomy:
Oh Lord, give me the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how high, how long, and how deep your love really is. And help me experience your love, though it is so great I may never fully understand it.
From a woman who wrote about her husband's response to her double mastectomy:
As we wept and trembled when he took my bandages off the first time, I was so ugly, scarred, and bald. I was in intense grief that I could never be a whole wife to him again. Steve held me tightly and with tears in his eyes said, "Melana, I love you because that is who I am."And this one...
I instantly recognized Christ in my husband...No comeliness in us draws Christ's attention; it is only His essence that draws Him to us.
Put together all the tenderest love you know of, the deepest you have ever felt, and the strongest that has ever been poured out upon you, and heap upon it all the love of all the loving human hearts in the world, and then multiply it by infinity, and you will begin, perhaps, to have some faint glimpse of what the love of God is.from Lies Women Believe by Nancy Leigh DeMoss
Oh Lord, give me the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how high, how long, and how deep your love really is. And help me experience your love, though it is so great I may never fully understand it.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Every last detail
I'm sitting here near tears because of God's goodness. He has taken care of everything regarding this trip. I'm just writing this because I don't want to forget how He cares for the smallest details in my life. He is SO good. My most recent example - I just got off the phone with a friend from church. Yesterday, I mentioned that I wanted to find 8 little gifts for the English teachers at the Thai school. I wanted to take them a little something American or South Carolinian! She went out and bought 8 mini Charleston baskets for me to take. What??? I mean, how sweet is that.
And yesterday, my church went above and beyond when they gave me more money for my trip. And promised their prayers over and over.
I just can't get over His goodness. And the goodness of His people. Oh Lord make me worthy of serving you!
And yesterday, my church went above and beyond when they gave me more money for my trip. And promised their prayers over and over.
I just can't get over His goodness. And the goodness of His people. Oh Lord make me worthy of serving you!
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
This is one of those posts...
...where I have to be real! I'd like to be all, "I'm fine! I'm brave! I'm excited! God's in control!" But the truth is, I'm scared! I'm anxious! I'm nervous!
Ok, enough with all the exclamation marks. But you get the point. These 2 pictures below represent my biggest sources of anxiety. The first picture is of the Suvarnabhumi Airport, and it represents the flight to Thailand. It's going to be long. I've done it before, and I was miserable. Unless you've been on one of these excruciatingly long flights, you just don't get it.
Second, the whole airport thing. If you know me, you know that I'm quite prone to getting lost. I have no sense of direction, and these huge airports frighten me.
Last, the hotel picture represents the night I have to stay in Bangkok alone. I'm staying in the airport hotel, so I won't have to take a taxi or anything. But I've never spent the night alone in a hotel! Really, I've never spent the night alone in any situation like this.
But, and that word is key, I KNOW this is God's will for me. I KNOW He wants me to do this. I KNOW He will protect me. And I KNOW that although it may be tough, it's really not that big of a deal. And it will totally be worth it, when I get to meet all those sweet Thai students and teachers. That is the part I can't wait for!
Ok, enough with all the exclamation marks. But you get the point. These 2 pictures below represent my biggest sources of anxiety. The first picture is of the Suvarnabhumi Airport, and it represents the flight to Thailand. It's going to be long. I've done it before, and I was miserable. Unless you've been on one of these excruciatingly long flights, you just don't get it.
Second, the whole airport thing. If you know me, you know that I'm quite prone to getting lost. I have no sense of direction, and these huge airports frighten me.
Last, the hotel picture represents the night I have to stay in Bangkok alone. I'm staying in the airport hotel, so I won't have to take a taxi or anything. But I've never spent the night alone in a hotel! Really, I've never spent the night alone in any situation like this.
But, and that word is key, I KNOW this is God's will for me. I KNOW He wants me to do this. I KNOW He will protect me. And I KNOW that although it may be tough, it's really not that big of a deal. And it will totally be worth it, when I get to meet all those sweet Thai students and teachers. That is the part I can't wait for!
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
This may be a sign that I am ready for summer
There is a certain student that I have to "talk" to several times every day. Let's call him Alex. He generally a good kid, he is just ALWAYS out of his seat and ALWAYS talking. So, during my day, I say "Alex" about 100 times.
The other day I was taking a little afternoon nap. Through my sleep, I heard Toby barking obnoxiously in the backyard. It finally woke me up...and I sat up and yelled, "ALEX! BE QUIET!"
Oops! Wrong name!
The other day I was taking a little afternoon nap. Through my sleep, I heard Toby barking obnoxiously in the backyard. It finally woke me up...and I sat up and yelled, "ALEX! BE QUIET!"
Oops! Wrong name!
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Toby went to school
On Friday, Toby came to school! My class is pretty much awesome, and we earned the opportunity for me to bring my dog to school. We were allowed to have him for the entire day, but I didn't think Toby could handle it! So, my grandparents came at lunch and brought him along. Toby actually did very well! He was a bit nervous, and I had to hold him for most of the afternoon, but he let everyone pet him and he was a hit! It was a great surprise for my class!
Monday, May 25, 2009
Girls' Weekend!
I am one blessed girl! I just spent the last 3 days with my girlfriends from college: Audra-Kelly, Denee, Erin, and Melody! (One friend was missing - Kelly.) We went to Asheville and had a wonderful time...including 12 hours of shopping on Saturday! Erin and I were so tired we actually stayed in the car and had a nap while the others went in the last store.
One of the highlights of the weekend was the feeling in the air. It was one of total acceptance. With these girls, I can say whatever I want, and they accept me. Actually, they LOVE me! What a feeling! It was good for my soul to be there with them, and get some things off my chest. It was good to share some stuff that's going on with me, and not feel judged or looked down upon.
Most of the girls don't know this, but I've conquered something big this weekend. Well, maybe it's too soon to say conquered, but on my way there! (Hey Erin, did you notice my correct use of it's? That's just for you, girl!) Anyway, it's due to my girls and their love and support. So thanks, girls, for being you.
I've got a big week coming up. I've got to finish report cards (actually, starting them would be good too!), start packing up my classroom, create a DVD for each student of class pictures, and get a presentation together to share at church on Sunday. But, I feel energized from this weekend! Plus, it definitely helps to know that in 2 weeks from today I will be done with the 2008-09 school year and one week away from Thailand!
Monday, May 4, 2009
another funny moment
Every morning at school we watch the morning news. This morning during the part about school lunch, they announced that we will be having peach cobbler for dessert. One little boy piped up. "Peach cob? What's that??" And another boy answered, "Fruit on a cob, or maybe fruit on a bob! You know, like corn!"
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
funny moment
I was at the post office today mailing my visa application when the clerk sees that the address is The Royal Thai Embassy.
"Are you Thai?"
hehe!!!
Ah, no. I'm the whitest white girl you can imagine!
"Are you Thai?"
hehe!!!
Ah, no. I'm the whitest white girl you can imagine!
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Spring Break Project
This china cabinet is older than me, and it was in every house I lived in as I grew up. I have "fond" memories of dusting it when I was little! So ever since its been mine, I have wanted to paint it. I painted my kitchen cabinets white soon after I moved in, and later bought a white kitchen table. So, this needed to happen! It was a pain to paint but it is so worth it! I love how it turned out. I don't know if you can tell from the pictures but I painted the back wall of the cabinet yellow to match the kitchen walls. And I changed the cabinet pulls to something a little more modern. Yay!
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Spring Break!
Oh my...I am SO thankful for Spring Break! Melody is here and we are having such a great time! We have been able to do stuff with Kelly and just hang out. We've been pretty busy, actually, trying to fit in all the things we want to do. Tonight we are going to get pizza and watch "Saving Sarah Cain." I'm so thankful for good friends. Here's what happens when you don't have a fourth person to take the pictures!
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Holding my breath
I feel like I'm holding my breath lately, just waiting for Spring Break! School has been a bit on the stressful side. This is one of those times I wish I could go into details and let it all out on the blog. But I don't need a lawsuit either! Anyway, I am simply looking forward to a week with little to do and a chance to recoup from a couple of crazy weeks.
You know, I have a tendency to think in metaphors sometimes. Its really a strange characteristic, I think. Does anyone else do this? For example, the whole poem I wrote about my tulips was obviously a metaphor for something else. And I was thinking about my current feelings about school, I thought of a roller coaster. Some people get on a roller coaster and scream, throw their hands in the air, and thrill with each scary turn. Other people grip the bar as hard as they can, take a deep breath, and grit their teeth. Right now, I'm definitely the latter. I am getting through this time and bearing it, but I can't wait for it to be over! Just being honest.
Time for me to get busy with my chores, I have a guest coming for Spring Break!
You know, I have a tendency to think in metaphors sometimes. Its really a strange characteristic, I think. Does anyone else do this? For example, the whole poem I wrote about my tulips was obviously a metaphor for something else. And I was thinking about my current feelings about school, I thought of a roller coaster. Some people get on a roller coaster and scream, throw their hands in the air, and thrill with each scary turn. Other people grip the bar as hard as they can, take a deep breath, and grit their teeth. Right now, I'm definitely the latter. I am getting through this time and bearing it, but I can't wait for it to be over! Just being honest.
Time for me to get busy with my chores, I have a guest coming for Spring Break!
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