Turns out that you can still get a cold when it's over a hundred degrees. I started coming down with something yesterday and now I have a full blown cough, sore throat, and stuffy nose. Needless to say, I didn't get much sleep last night so I've been in a daze all day.
I did still have to work though. I went to Soccer school yet again and I really wish I knew what the actual name of the school, but I don't so that's too bad. The kids were amazing today and were able to keep up with all my little English teaching experiments. With the older grades, I worked on sentence structure and taught the difference between nouns and verbs. In the younger grades, we talked about colors and telling time. I also made a new friend. I like to call him tramp. I realize this may sound mean, but you have to take into consideration that he is a dog. He is also a very dirty dog and reminds me of tramp from the Disney movie, Lady and the Tramp. He has already pinned me down for a sucker and follows at my heels while I'm eating. Awww, I miss Dilly and Cruiser. I felt like it was a very productive day regardless of the fact that I felt so sick.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
It's Raining, It's Pouring
I never really understood the expression "it's raining cats and dogs" until I came to Thailand. We jut entered into the rainy season and we find ourselves in the most inconvenient places when the weather suddenly changes and the heavens open up soak us down to the bone. It's been fun though so I can't complain. It's actually kind of funny because people here will still ride their mo-peds in the rain, the only difference is that they carry an umbrella in one hand.
I've started to pick up the language which has help make me a better teacher in the process. That's pretty much what I've been doing the last two weeks--teach English nonstop. Everyday we try to come up with a new way to teach to keep it interesting and enjoyable for the kids. The kids just tend to laugh at us when we speack Thai to them and I've realized that when I respond with the English slang "yea", in Thai it means something bad, so i've been trying really hard not to say that.
On Monday and Wednesday we worked on square-foot gardening at DEPDC. This nest week we will be teaching the agriculture students a lesson on compost which should be fun because we are going to start our own compost pile at the volunteer house to show them what compost begins to look like and what to add to it and what not to. Mr T, a local Thai, was telling me about a really awesome project that has been started in Thailand and I think it goes right along with our square-foot gardening. It's called FAITH which stands for food always in the house. Maybe we can get involved with it.
Well I'm off to teach another English lesson...talk to you soon...
Oh, I've also found out that I'm not a very good speller without spell check so I apologise for any errors.
I've started to pick up the language which has help make me a better teacher in the process. That's pretty much what I've been doing the last two weeks--teach English nonstop. Everyday we try to come up with a new way to teach to keep it interesting and enjoyable for the kids. The kids just tend to laugh at us when we speack Thai to them and I've realized that when I respond with the English slang "yea", in Thai it means something bad, so i've been trying really hard not to say that.
On Monday and Wednesday we worked on square-foot gardening at DEPDC. This nest week we will be teaching the agriculture students a lesson on compost which should be fun because we are going to start our own compost pile at the volunteer house to show them what compost begins to look like and what to add to it and what not to. Mr T, a local Thai, was telling me about a really awesome project that has been started in Thailand and I think it goes right along with our square-foot gardening. It's called FAITH which stands for food always in the house. Maybe we can get involved with it.
Well I'm off to teach another English lesson...talk to you soon...
Oh, I've also found out that I'm not a very good speller without spell check so I apologise for any errors.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Another Day...well actually week
It's been awhile since they last time I wrote and for that I am sorry, but if you think about it, it's actually a good thing because that means I'm really busy working and doing what I came here to do. This past week has been crazy and exciting along with frustrating, but also rewarding. This is the first year in Thailand so we are starting from square-one and it's been difficult getting projects off the ground. Luckily there are many new possibilities that we came across this week. There are several groups that we are looking to partner with that are involved in combating human trafficking and I really hope that all pan out. So everyone rides motorcycles, scooters, mo-peds, or whatever you want to call them. And I do mean everyone. When we walk by the high schools here, there is literally a sea of them. Today we got off the bus and had to find another method of transportation to get the rest of the way to our project. Next thing I know, the other two volunteers hop on the back of what appears to be a mo-ped taxi service and signal at me to do the same. I was wearing shorts along with a t-shirt so I took one last look at my arms and legs and said "well it was nice knowing you" and then we were off. Much to my surprise, I arrived with not even a hair out of place, but let me tell you that I am so thankful for helmets back in the states.
Apparently I was wrong, there really is soccer at soccer school. We also teach a dance class and English. On Wednesday, half our volunteers left for Bangkok suddenly and without notice, including the girl that normally teaches the dance class. Being one of the only volunteers left with any dance experience, I got the opportunity, or one could say was forced into teaching the dance class to about 30 students. I tried earnestly to think of a dance that would be easy enough for them to learn and much to my dismay, all I could think of was the electric slide. As it turns out, it was a huge success. So much so that even the school teachers came in to try and learn it as well.
In the middle of the week we went to a place called DEPDC located near the border of Burma which is essentially a small community for children that have been or are at rick for human trafficking. This is one of my favorite projects because the kids have such sweet spirits and they are so eager to learn. We teach English, leadership classes, host an English radio show, along with teaching square-foot gardening. It takes almost 2 hours to get there by bus among various security checkpoints by the police. I learned that hard way that you really do need your passport with you. Anyway, I would love to put up pictures for you to see, but due to safety reasons, the school does not like us to take pictures of the kids, maybe I'll put some stick figure drawings on here so you get the idea.
Over the weekend, a small group of us traveled up into the hill to stay overnight with a tribe there. It was probably one of the single most amazing experiences of my life. They have such simple lives, but yet they have such a profound sense of who they are and I'm sure we can learn much more from them then we could ever teach to them. Mr. T, our driver, tour guide, and pretty much group leader for the weekend, shared some humbling talks with us. He took us to site where another organization developed a green energy station. They have their own elephants that they care for so the idea is that you scoop up the elephant poop and put it into a chamber where it turns into gas which is an awesome idea. The downfall is that the community was not invested in the project so they didn't know how to maintain it so it just sits there. He showed us several of these projects and we realized the importance of working alongside the locals and not just shoving our ideas and goals down their throats. They really need to be involved or else we are wasting our time and theirs.
I have written so much that I think I should probably stop for now, but I'll leave you with my thoughts on Thailand after this first week. I have deeply fallen in love with this country and have developed a great deal of respect and understanding for the people, the culture, the people's love for their king, and the king himself. I am tempted to change out my plane ticket and stay here this next year, but shhhhh don't tell my parents.
Apparently I was wrong, there really is soccer at soccer school. We also teach a dance class and English. On Wednesday, half our volunteers left for Bangkok suddenly and without notice, including the girl that normally teaches the dance class. Being one of the only volunteers left with any dance experience, I got the opportunity, or one could say was forced into teaching the dance class to about 30 students. I tried earnestly to think of a dance that would be easy enough for them to learn and much to my dismay, all I could think of was the electric slide. As it turns out, it was a huge success. So much so that even the school teachers came in to try and learn it as well.
In the middle of the week we went to a place called DEPDC located near the border of Burma which is essentially a small community for children that have been or are at rick for human trafficking. This is one of my favorite projects because the kids have such sweet spirits and they are so eager to learn. We teach English, leadership classes, host an English radio show, along with teaching square-foot gardening. It takes almost 2 hours to get there by bus among various security checkpoints by the police. I learned that hard way that you really do need your passport with you. Anyway, I would love to put up pictures for you to see, but due to safety reasons, the school does not like us to take pictures of the kids, maybe I'll put some stick figure drawings on here so you get the idea.
Over the weekend, a small group of us traveled up into the hill to stay overnight with a tribe there. It was probably one of the single most amazing experiences of my life. They have such simple lives, but yet they have such a profound sense of who they are and I'm sure we can learn much more from them then we could ever teach to them. Mr. T, our driver, tour guide, and pretty much group leader for the weekend, shared some humbling talks with us. He took us to site where another organization developed a green energy station. They have their own elephants that they care for so the idea is that you scoop up the elephant poop and put it into a chamber where it turns into gas which is an awesome idea. The downfall is that the community was not invested in the project so they didn't know how to maintain it so it just sits there. He showed us several of these projects and we realized the importance of working alongside the locals and not just shoving our ideas and goals down their throats. They really need to be involved or else we are wasting our time and theirs.
I have written so much that I think I should probably stop for now, but I'll leave you with my thoughts on Thailand after this first week. I have deeply fallen in love with this country and have developed a great deal of respect and understanding for the people, the culture, the people's love for their king, and the king himself. I am tempted to change out my plane ticket and stay here this next year, but shhhhh don't tell my parents.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Not In Kansas Anymore
Traveling was rough. Arriving in Bangkok was worse. Massive confusion and the urge to curl up into a ball and stay there for the rest of the 9 weeks. Somehow I managed to pull myself out of it though and I seem to be adjusting well. I had breakfast and lunch for only 75 cents so that cheered me up quite a bit. We seem to have a really great team this year and I'm exited to work with them. Crazy thing...showers make up the entire bathrooms here, there is no separator or anything like that so I'm trying to learn not the soak the toilet paper when I shower. I never knew spicy until I ate here and I've learned that my lips can sweat. It turns out that in Thai, if you are a girl you say things differently than guys, but I didn't know that so for the past few days I've been saying things as if I was a guy...I could not for the life of me understand what I was saying wrong to make people look at me funny, but now I know. I'll keep you updated on all the cultural changes that I experience because I find them to be quite fun. You really have to have a sense of humor here.
Today was the first day of projects and not all that eventful. We went to the hospital in the morning and found out just exactly what it felt like to be in the I Love Lucy episode where she works at a chocolate factory assembly line and can't keep up so she starts shoving chocolate in her mouth and so on. We were given orders to compile what they call "one packs", which contain 1 folded strip of gauze, 6 cotton balls, and then sealed airtight in little plastic bags. Our instructions were that we could only assemble 120 at a time, but the best part was that every time we thought we were finished, the lady brought more materials to do another set. 1, 2, 3, 4...120, 1, 2, 3, 4...120, 1, 2, 3, 4...120 and on and on and on. I wanted to start putting them down my shirt just so we could catch. I'm only joking, I know how important even the littlest things are here, but seriously, it was a long day. I also had a meeting with my country director about possible projects with human trafficking victims, cross your fingers and hope it all plays out. Tomorrow I'm teaching at soccer school and I just want all y'all to know that I've never played soccer a day in my life so this should be interesting. Actually from what I hear there is no soccer involved, they just call it soccer school. That makes sense...right?
Today was the first day of projects and not all that eventful. We went to the hospital in the morning and found out just exactly what it felt like to be in the I Love Lucy episode where she works at a chocolate factory assembly line and can't keep up so she starts shoving chocolate in her mouth and so on. We were given orders to compile what they call "one packs", which contain 1 folded strip of gauze, 6 cotton balls, and then sealed airtight in little plastic bags. Our instructions were that we could only assemble 120 at a time, but the best part was that every time we thought we were finished, the lady brought more materials to do another set. 1, 2, 3, 4...120, 1, 2, 3, 4...120, 1, 2, 3, 4...120 and on and on and on. I wanted to start putting them down my shirt just so we could catch. I'm only joking, I know how important even the littlest things are here, but seriously, it was a long day. I also had a meeting with my country director about possible projects with human trafficking victims, cross your fingers and hope it all plays out. Tomorrow I'm teaching at soccer school and I just want all y'all to know that I've never played soccer a day in my life so this should be interesting. Actually from what I hear there is no soccer involved, they just call it soccer school. That makes sense...right?
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
New Raffle Items
Avila Golf Course donated a package including 2 free rounds of golf and golf cart rental. Slo Athletics donated a 1 month gym membership including a month of free personal training sessions worth $400. Bladerunner donated a hair color and cut worth $125. Items were also donated from Los Osos Fitness, Salon Red, Hearst Castle, and Giancarlo's Restaurant. Hopefully more to come tomorrow.
I realize it is very late but I'm wired on Dr. Pepper and Macaroons and probably some anxiety for this event mixed in. These past few days have been...hmmm...what's the word I'm looking for....fun. My car, which I love dearly, gave me trouble for the very first time in all the time I have owned it. All of a sudden I noticed to temperature gauge was in the red and moments later it literally started smoking. I was so sad and I still am, but I do have an appointment to get it checked out tomorrow. Yesterday I met with some potential sponsors and let's just say they were not very pleasant, but as always, I smiled and thanked them for their time and consideration. Today I had a scramble to get fliers donated, but Staples came through so YAY! I did manage to squeeze in time to stop at Sun-N-Buns Bakery to pick up some fresh baked doggie treats for my puppies and they absolutely loved me for it. I feel very accomplished today.
Oh and by the Way
So it turns out that yes, I did break my nose on Saturday. I would like to thank everyone who has been concerned, but I promise that I'm fine, it hurt my ego more than my face. Also Grandma and Grandpa arrived last night and grandma brought her apron so she is ready to whip up some sweet treats for Friday night. Dusty from New Frontiers was awesome when we called yesterday and told us that he had ordered all the lettuce before we could even remind him, YAY Dusty! Oh and one of the guys that works at Moondoggies donated a brand new skateboard for the raffle. This event is really coming together.
Farmer's Markets
This past week has been a whirlwind. Friday we went to the Cambria's Farmers Market and let me tell you what sweet spirits they have up in Cambria. An older man convinced me that his dog was a racoodle, part raccoon part poodle. Maybe that's just how gullible I am, but he was so serious. Anyway, we had some hits and misses. Some people were pro's at avoiding eye-contact and other's looked at every booth for updates on events in their community. We handed out over 40 fliers and we had some people commit to attending the fundraiser on Friday. I think I'll check this one off as a success. On Monday my awesome mom and sister were so great in handing out even more fliers at the Farmer's Market in Los Osos while I was out of town. I don't know what I would do without them. Now we just have to sell tickets like crazy.
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