Monkeys. Not unlike the critters I teach every day. Just hairier. (Just kidding, by the way, I love my students. They are so cute. And can be naughty. Like monkeys.)This past weekend, my friend, AWW, and I traveled to Lopburi to join up with N and about half of the CIEE/OEG group who were also there for the monkey banquet. Just a brief explanation: every year, Lopburi throws a pretty big banquet for all the resident monkeys that live in their cities because it is believed that you will have good luck if you treat monkeys well. I think it's just a ruse to learn to be patient with those who are different and annoying, so I'm taking a leaf out of that book and applying to my life at TP School.
The trip on the way there was interesting, and I could see why it is so pleasant to travel in Thailand. We got on the 8:00p bus, but I was placed directly behind the driver's seat where the drivers sleep with four other tiny Thai girls (AWW sat up top). I met Noi and Noi (they're both named Noi--isn't that a hoot?--one is an English teacher who is just north of Mae Sot, whose English is amazing compared to my co-teacher's), who told us that our original plan to go to Singburi and then transfer buses to Lopburi was a horrible idea because they just drop us off at the side of the road at 1a with no means of transportation into Lopburi. So they suggested we got off with them at Nakhonsawan, they would set us up in a hotel, and then we can continue our journey the next day. That's just what we did, and I can't say just how grateful I am to both Nois for talking us out of going to Singburi. Thailand is filled with people who are willing to help (more than there are in the States, anyway), and it's nice to be reminded that, especially when the school is so disorganized and it's hard to remember why I'm here in the first place when classes have been canceled so frequently the past two to three weeks.
Lopburi was great. It was easy to get around; AWW was a great travelmate; and since N got into Lopburi late Friday night (we got in around noon Saturday because we stayed the night in Nakhonsawan); he showed us around the gigantic street markets around the area. Our first view of monkeys? Just outside of our hotel. All windows and open areas are barred, and they were quite entertaining! 
We saw a disgustingly (I say this with affection) large group of us CIEE/OEG teachers, and went to the sunflower fields and swimming at a nearby lake. I was so happy to see SS, CH, and EL! I miss you girls so much--hope to see you all soon!
So today there was no school, but everyone was still there. Apparently, some higher-ups came to visit (coughinspectcough) the school, and there was a 2.5 hour opening ceremony that I was required to attend (we left at the 2 hour mark and never looked back), and then we sat in a classroom for 10 minutes whilst J demonstrated howthe smartboards are being "used" in the classroom (by the way, not many Thai teachers use the smartboard, even when they are privileged to have a room with a smartboard--if you're not using it, lemme use the room, please!), and then we went to open our bank accounts. Whenever I have a bank account in a different place, I feel that I've finally settled in a place somewhere and won't be leaving for a while. I feel grounded, which is nice but kind of disorienting, having to know that I won't be back in the States after my 10 months here are over. The future is uncertain.No school tomorrow either. I don't know why. They don't tell us anything. Apparently, we're having a Lord of the Rings marathon tomorrow. While they watch that, I will be doing my 40+ lesson plans and finding some time between then to read through submissions for Niche magazine. I need to remember that I'm not only a teacher, but an editor too.
What are my plans next weekend, you ask?
Chiang Mai again, but this time for our 3 day weekend, which includes used-bookstore-browsing, muay thai training, taking a cooking class, (hopefully) some rock climbing, and going to the nearby orphanage to volunteer for a day.
This is why I love Thailand. I get to do all of the things I love in one city, in three days, and did I mention my students are generally monkey-like cute?
You describe your students as being "monkey-like cute" with an alarming regularity. I LOVE IT! Ha!
ReplyDeleteSorry classes are getting cancelled so often. That sucks. What would you do with a smart board if you had one? I think one of my teachers in high school had a smart board and it was pretty helpful for math stuff because he'd show us the problems and then write stuff on them. Though maybe that was some kind of iPad he hooked up to a program on the projector screen? Or a precursor to an iPad anyway. FUCK I AM OLD!
I'm glad to hear the Thai people are nice. I wonder what the nicest nation of people in the world is?
Tell me how volunteering at the orphanage is. I would imagine that it's, well, sad. But fullfilling hopefully?
I'm sorry your future is uncertain. We all have uncertain futures at this point. But once you get back to the states you'll be able to point to this awesome teaching experience and be like "WHA-BAM! RESUME'D!"
As long as you don't describe your students as "monkey-like cute." That might hurt you in the application process. Just sayin'.
I agree with Cerasi, saying your students are monkeys is probably true anywhere. But you don't necessarily want to say that during the interview... lol.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that you're getting the opportunity to travel a lot. That was something that I loved and miss about Australia.