week 15

Whenever someone moves to a foreign land there is always the warning that the fun, honeymoon part of "culture shock" will eventually wear off and the actual shock part will set in, I think thats beginning to happen. From the outside this whole experience seems more like a fantasy, but for me its becoming more and more of a raw reality.

Each day I spend two hours commuting across Bangkok (half of which involves being in a taxi out of hell) and eight hours at a school where one other person speaks English. Four of these hours I spend in the classroom. Some of you might not think that sounds like a lot, but seeing that prior to this experience my only interaction with children consisted of reaching over them when selecting my cereal box at the local grocery, you can better understand my shock. The kids for the most part are great, even the second grader who just learned how to force burp and does it for 50 minutes straight, or the third graders that insist that I am with child (I will never again wear something that resembles a dress), or the "I'm so innocent," but have-my-friend's-notebook-under-mine cheaters, or even the boys in 6th grade that make dirty comic books using our class vocabulary words (yes, it might be funny- but I can't laugh bc I'm in charge). Its just difficult to teach a class where some kids could possibly carry on a conversation in English and others might need to be on medication (seriously) or even a special school. For the most part they are all very patient with me and make me laugh daily. The Thai teachers don't really interact with me. I witnessed the one supposed English Thai teacher, Thor, faux knee the "special" 6th grader, Mickey, in the groin. The sad part is that it didn't even faze me, she's just that weird. She most likely meant no harm and just wanted to act like one of the students. She does that well. When she is "assisting" me in class she mostly fiddles with the kids, helping them cheat, and occasionally talks to other teachers in my classroom while I am trying to teach. I finally shhhhhoshed her on Tuesday, it was quite satisfying. So yea, my "assistance" is more of a nuisance. This week was long and rough, sorry to complain, but I have my reasons (the above just being crumbs from a loaf).

To give a glimpse: Christina and I were at the end of out afternoon taxi ride to the train, when we saw a woman sitting at the bus stop. She had the strangest look on her face. As we observed her, I remarked "she looks like she's about to laugh really hard or flash us." Lo and behold there is was; she pulled her shirt up to show us. I mean, she did look a little crazy and I have had my time in cities to know crazies, but when you get to the point where you can predict what crazies will do, well you begin to feel a little crazy yourself. (*Sorry if I offended anyone with the term crazies, but its all I could think of.) That's where I'm at, living a life that's a little bit crazy, hoping it doesn't get the best of me.

On a positive note, there are some highs to mention. Today's school lunch menu: fish balls and noodles. So Chris and I decided to hit the streets. As soon as we walked out of our school, there they were, a heavenly host. The school's guard, "Gunther" and one of the cleaning ladies, who we claim is an angel (she has the friendliest smile). They were standing by a street-food cart, Gunther had taken over the grill and was grilling some intestines-on-a-stick, while the lady was making papaya salad. It was almost homey to have so many smiles and be able to communicate a bit with them in broken (very broken) Thai. There we were, all the outcasts united, enjoying some spicy papaya salad.

I ended my Friday by going to a production of "Wizard of Oz" at the school my friend, Kristen works at across town. It was AMAZING. Fully pre-recorded audio, so the kids just mouthed their lines, awesome costumes and choreography. They redeemed the whole concept of teaching English in Thailand. The wizard was a screen of computerized flames and spawn from hell computerized red, ball face -Scot Dixon, we wished you could have shared the greatness with us, you were there in spirit nonetheless.

And with that I conclude not just another week, but week 15 (of teaching, that is), one that will forever live on in infamy. TGIF!

a 5.9 girl in a 5.9 boy world.

maybe I am a bit tired of being a giant. At least my childhood dreams of being 6 foot never came true. blessings in disguise.

Tomorrow I begin my intense tutoring sessions for two hours a day until the 20th, so I decided I would post since it might be a while. Good news is the job will likely pay from my ticket to India for October. Yes, I am going to India for two weeks. Get excited, cause I certainly am.

Week 14 teaching. The last two weeks have gone by pretty fast and work seems to be living up to its actual meaning. Last week during one of our bidaily taxi rides, Christina turns to me and says " Rachel, we don't even have any hair." Considering we have both sheered about a foot of hair each since being in the land of Thai, its quite true. The funny part is that its the last thing that fazes us now, whereas a few month ago I might have cried if my haircut included a neck shave. What was once so important seems so irrelevant now, and while we have been stripped of so many comforts there are a few that we must keep close. For instance voluntarily supplying soap and toilet paper for our school (or ourselves at the school).

Back to taxies. One bright morning about 5 minutes into our ride, our driver flings forth his left arm and as it extends towards the windshield, he lets out a loud and unexpected sound effect resembling a rocket being launched. Chris and I shift our eyes to one another and without word communicate that the sound was in fact strange, but a repetition might be rather enjoyable. Our silent request was answered as the commute went on, the driver must have had some tension to release because he was quite good at the rocket/ffffhhhhhhmmmmmm sound. He then cranked up the Thai jams and started singing/whistleling along. I might add that he was great at whistling. All this before 8 am.

Last week I also was humbled once again as I purchased Kidz Bop Hits Vol.II on itunes. But the humiliation completely paid off as my 6th graders really got into learning "Lean on me" today (motions and all). I had a moment, as I walked around the classroom in my bare-feet listening to them sing along. My own little life version on Dangerous Minds. They have requested hip-hop for the next piece, so if any readers want to send recommendations for that I am open for options.

Wish me luck in my tutoring adventures, hope I survive... its all for India.

Here are links to my photos for those who do not have facebook:

http://baylor.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2126497&l=7b632&id=9223449