A Very HOT English Camp

Last friday, I had the chance to once again be involved in an English Camp. This time it was with the Anuban Ubon English Program. This camp marks my seventh camp since I arrived here in Thailand. These camps are so much fun to be involved with, it gives me a chance to spend time with a bigger group of students from other schools in the city.

As usual, I didn't know much about the camp, all I knew was that there would around 350 students there. It's a pretty big number, but not the biggest that I've dealt with (500). When I got there, I realized that this camp would be a little different than all the rest; we would be outside. Now this wouldn't have posed a problem if this camp would have been held a couple months ago, but we are just now getting into the summer season. Recently the temperatures have been around 100 or more degrees, it's been insanely hot. 

The heat, thankfully, didn't put a damper on the day; the kids were very enthusiastic to go through the seven rotations of English activities. Erin and I were able to work together at this camp; our rotation was a worksheet of questions. The student had to find a friend who had done or liked something on the list. We also separated into two groups and did a description drawing activity. Everything went really well, we had the help of English/Thai teacher, who could translate if needed. For the most part, the day went by really fast. By the end it I was so exhausted. Being out in the sun always drains my energy, I was thankful when the rotations were finished and we could go back inside. For the last hour we did some songs and competitions between the groups. The kids really enjoyed doing the 'chicken dance' as did all the staff. It was pretty funny. Erin and I weren't the only foreigners; there was four other men. One from Sweden, another from England, one from Canada, and another from my home; the United States. It always nice to talk to English with other foreigners. I never thought I would miss my mother language so much, but not being able to talk to everyone and have them understand gets frustrating sometimes. 

This English camp might very well have been my last. Right now, Thai schools are letting out for the summer, and it's not likely another one will be put on until next year. I'm really happy I had the chance to enjoy this experience once again. It's days like this that I know I will look back on fondly.

On my 'empty' day...

So this last Friday (on my only real day off), Erin and I accepted the invitation by this Thai family to go somewhere with them. The description is vague, because that is exactly what it was: unclear. Erin teaches the children and their mother during the week, and we have often gone to eat dinner with them after class. So interacting with them wasn't unfamiliar. 

They picked us up around nine or so, and we headed to eat 'breakfast.' Thai food has no distinction between meals, in other words there is no one breakfast category. We went and ate something that is called, "Cow Mung Gai." I have had this once before and I don't remember it being this good. I really enjoyed it. The meal consists of rice, boiled chicken and a broth-like soup. The environment of the restaurant was like Thailand's version of breakfast diner, except there was nothing close to pancakes on the menu. lol. I have really never been out to eat for breakfast here, so experiencing that was very interesting. 

At this point, we still have no idea what exactly is on the day's agenda. The only thing we know is that we're going to the Parmoat's work (the father). We drive aways out of the city and into the country. He works at a dam and when we got there we found out we were also at their home. I could sense this was going to be a long day of nothing and was already dreading the long hours before I would be able to lay down in my bed. We hung out down by the river, on this wooden raft like structure. The kids and their very loving dog; Brownie went swimming. It was so hot and I have to admit the water looked refreshing. 

After lunch, Parmoat and his wife took us to the Thai temple. It was little awkward, because they went to worship and obvious we weren't there to do that. I've been to Thai temples and seen monks before, but never before this had I spoke to a monk; and in English none-the-less! He gave us a tour around the temple, explaining certain things; it was very interesting. At one point, he asked us if we wanted to worship; I politely declined. It's a good feeling when I can respect someones religion and they can do the same. I don't think I would have liked it, if the monk or the family would have pushed worshiping the Buddha on us. Seeing this culture and this religion up close, has made me so comforted and grateful for my relationship with God. I don't have to bow to a golden statue to talk to my God, He's always there! The monk told us, "oh if you worship this one, you'll be successful and this one...something else" All I could think about was I'm so glad it's not really like that. God is with us no matter what!

After the temple outing, we went back to the house and hung out some more. The kids went swimming again and Erin and I just relaxed. All I really wanted was to be back home in the comfort of my own house. Another thing about this whole day is; it's so exhausting talking to a non-English speaker! It takes so much effort to try and understand and then process what is being said. By the end of the day I was so dead, and we hadn't really done anything! I'll admit, the whole was all about patience. I was trying so hard to be patient, and by the end of it was losing the battle. I have to say, a whole day outing will not be happening ever again. 

But looking on the 'bright side' of things; I learned a lot about Thai culture and difference between our beliefs. It made me appreciate my God more and for that I'm so thankful. 

HOT HOT HOT

Yes...it's HOT! I mean I knew this time would come. When I first arrived in Thailand it was the raining season and even then it was hot. But then the weather took a strange turn and the rain completely stopped and it became windy and cool. And again, suddenly the weather has changed once again. The fan is now my best friend, and even it cannot save me entirely from the heat's wrath. lol. The scary thing is...this is only the beginning. We're aren't even in the hottest time of the year, that's still to come. 

A Swarm of Something...

So tonight was pretty interesting. Erin and I went to the park as usually to do some exercise. Our usually routine is 5 laps around and then we hit up the night market for some fruit smoothies. We did this like any other night, but when we got to the market something was very different. There were these moth like insects swarming the lights like crazy. I don't just mean a few, I talking hundreds. After getting our smoothies we made our way back to where we parked the motorbike, as we did this we noticed that all the major lights were swarmed by these insects. 

When we got back to our house we didn't know what to expect. We had forgotten to leave the hall light on, so it was completely dark. As soon as we walked inside and turned on the lights, hundreds of these little bugs flocked out of our bedrooms and surrounded the light. I was totally freaked out. I've never seen anything like this before. We devised a plan to get them out of the house by turning all the lights off, except the far hall light. This seemed to immediately work, which was a tremendous relief. But still the situation was very strange. Our bedrooms were filled with 'wing' like debris left behind from the insects. It was really gross...I began sweeping it all up. There was just so much. 

One year ago...

today I started this blog. Randomly today, I was thinking about when I started writing this blog. And guess what?! It was today...crazy!! I'm really happy I started this outlet and I'm glad I've kept it up. I know it'll be something good to look back on.

It's weird thinking about 'looking back on' because as I was writing this particular entry, I remembered that I used to keep another blog 'xanga'. And for a second, I was convinced that I had deleted that blog...but then I wasn't so sure. So I decided to check and lo and behold there it was. I started it in April of 2006 and kept it going until February of 2007; roughly two years ago. I had totally forgotten about it...until today. So I took a look at it, and all I can say is wow. I feel as if I've grown so much in this time. Many of the things I wrote have changed drastically, but even with that being true; I'm glad I kept the blog. Blogging and journaling has taught me a lot about myself and has given me an insight of myself that I don't think I would have ever discovered with out my various outlets. 

Another observation from my old blog account...I had forgotten a lot of the feelings I was experiencing then. And I am SO HAPPY that I have grown from that person, because that person was not truly happy. And now I can completely, truthfully say, I AM HAPPY! 

I love life. <3

Welcome to February!

I just can't believe its February already. The count is down to 98 days as of today. I have under 100 days left here...wow. With all this excitement, I'm also a little sad. Good byes will have to be said and the question whether I will ever see these people or this place ever again is floating in my mind. Tomorrow this feeling starts officially, because Amanda will be going home to Australia. She's been here for 10 months already, and I'm so thankful to have gotten to know her and become such great friends. It's great to have known someone who has survived the life here, and I look forward to keeping in touch. Hey, now I have a serious reason to travel to Australia!! yay! lol.