What Happens When It All Goes Awfully Wrong?? Smile!

The reason I've been a little MIA from my blog-I left the Teach Abroad Program after the first term to accommodate my friend that came to live with me in Thailand. I'm a Teach Alumni, and now that I'm on my own heres what happened-after 2 months of just settling for where I was and what I was doing I decided to be drastic! I quit my job, got kicked out of my house and found my self in a place I just didn’t want to be. 

Let me rewind. I moved to a new city to work. Hat Yai. I didn’t know much about the town when I moved there but I took a leap, packed up everything and caught a plane to the south of Thailand.  I was living in Sattahip, a small town below Bangkok. My home was on the Royal Thai Marine Base teaching wonderful little 4 year olds surrounded by amazing people. For many reason, I decided to try something new. So I left. When I got to Hat Yai it was like a culture shock! And I was in the same country! There were definitely nice people but few and far between. Though I made sure to try and surround my self with those kind hearted people including my friend who moved all the way out here. I tried to stay positive. Then I started teaching at a school where the teachers hated me because I was new and a foreigner. But again, tried to stay positive. I loved the kids I taught. They knew that, the teachers knew that and the parents knew that. So that made it worth it. Then after 2 months I had a run in with my boss. She had been fine before that. I ignored all the rumors I heard about how nasty and crazy she was. But one day she flipped her switch and went totally nuts on me! With in 5 days, she had called me into her office, screamed and shouted as much as she could. Then followed me down the street on her motorbike just to yell at me some more. When I decided to stick it out until the end of term, for the kids, she then walked in my house. No knocking, no calling before hand, just walked right in. The yelling, on her part, began again. There was never any point to fight back or stand up for my self when she called me stupid because the woman just start flipping out more. That was it. The moment she came into my personal space I knew I had to quit. If she thought she was able to go that far than there was nowhere I could go to avoid this woman. The next day I quit. Well long story short, she was the signer on the lease for the house my friend and I were living in. When I quit and she lost it, again, we found ourselves on the street the very next day. (this was illegal by the way but we just wanted to get as far away from her as fast as possible!) After checking into a hotel, then finding a 1-bedroom apartment we were free!! 

Again, what happens when it all goes awfully wrong? Smile!! My friend decided he is going to come out to visit me since I no longer had work. He is coming out before the end of term. So I set out looking for some part time work. A week and a half later I found a new full time job. The school was desperate for a teacher even if it would only be for one month and I would be leaving before the term ended. What’s the catch? I’d have to move again, but this time to an even smaller town that I knew nothing about. The only things I had heard was that is was small, boring, there was nothing to do and almost no foreigners. So I took it. Don’t ask me why.

Smile. I’m here now. Sitting on my porch. I wake up to the sounds of roosters yelling at me not to be late. Now going to sleep, listening to the daily intercom chants from the mosque close to the house. The sky is beautiful and the sunsets are even better when they fall behind light clouds and swaying palm trees. It brings in a cool breeze that makes the heat of the day worth it. I'm looking up. I can actually see stars?? Perfect. With maybe 2 scattered clouds, the bright moon and stars shining through palm leaves against the black sky; an image I will never forget. I have no one to speak English to on a regular basis. I’m alone. Smile. The biggest event since I've been here was the rice cropping ceremony that was put on by my school. It had maybe 50 students and 10 teachers. The parents, local towns people, the governor and a camera crew all came. It’s the country! After school and on the weekends I take out my motorbike and just enjoy the mountains and the breeze. I might be alone but there hasn’t been a day yet where I feel alone. Some times we just need to get away from it all. I have a school where they respect me, students who come running across the school just to say hi and shake my hand. Sure there are those tough days when a class of 45 12 year olds don't feel like listening and try and create chaos! I'm tired, have a soar throat from trying to shout over them but at the end of the day, it ok.  The teachers eat lunch with me even though we don’t speak the same language and a town that’s not only beautiful itself but the nicest people who fill it up. The town has only one main road and I do all my shopping at the local market. It will be incredibly sad to say good-bye so soon but I am so happy I’m here and I’m lucky that I said yes. And smiled! 

"What happens when you hold up a cat and drop it? It lands on its feet."-My dad

      

Stories That Must Be Told

There are some stories that must be told and after I constantly tell people about this particular one, I realized it wasn't on here! What do you think about this? 

About 2 months ago my parents came to visit. One place we went of course was Ayutthaya, the ancient city. ( Look up Biking Through History from my old blog about this city) I had emptied out my entire wallet so I wasn't carrying around unnecessary papers. I slipped it in the drawer of the night stand in the hotel room. We did our tour and two days later got on a plane for our next adventure. I pulled out my wallet once we got on and there it was, the reminder that my entire semesters savings were sitting back in the hotel room. Right away the attendant realized I was freaking out and came over right away. With in minutes she was on the phone with the hotel and they had arranged for an email conversation with me and the hotel, as well as arranging a place to mail my things if they found it. The plane landed and the flight attendant gave me her phone number and wished me luck. The next day I received an email from the woman at the hotel to inform me of the exact contents that were found which included 9,120 baht, 2 credit cards and business cards. They hadn't touched a penny! Or I suppose a baht! Ha. We had arranged a time and place to mail my things and that was that. These people were already amazing to me. Then I got another email a few days before we were heading back to Bangkok, anxiously waiting to get my money back, that read they thought it would be best to hand deliver my package. The last morning of the trip, I sat in the lobby and out in the rain pulled up a bright pink taxi. I boy popped out, couldn't be any older than me, and ran in the door wiping off his shirt. He stood there while I untied the string on the package. Inside was another package. I ripped that right open. Finally after the layers had been peeled I pulled out the contents in the manila envelope. In my hands exactly as I had put it in the drawer was a stake of papers, money and credit cards. I'd never been so happy. I definitely paid for his 2 hour taxi ride back and something for actually bringing it too me! But even more I couldn't believe there had been people that would be so honest and go to such lengths to return my things back safely. 

The Difficulties of Thai Exams

This is a theme I’ve come across with many Thai exams. I can’t speak or all schools, but I have heard this a lot and am now experiencing it first hand. Thai schools-full of cheating and fake grades. I’ve given my first set of exams and it was all bad! The students will do what ever it takes to cheat. They aren't even hiding the fact that they are cheating, they just do it! I’ve asked other teachers about this and they all have said the same thing. I even talked to foreigners who have lived here for a few years and they go to the extreme to say that the cheating is so well known that they won't even go to the hospitals here for anything major because they wouldn’t want to have surgery from people who cheated their way through their medical exams. My students looked confused when I told them there would be NO cheating in my class. Like this was the first time anyone has ever said it. What't the point of giving students exams if they just think they are going to pass anyway. Now I graded the exams. The range of grades landed anywhere from .5 out of 46 to 46 out of 46. I presented this to my employer and I am now facing major consequences. I am not allowed to fail any students. Even if a student didn't fill out the exam, I must pass them with a 50%. This isn’t fare by any means! So, reluctantly I had to raise all my grades so that everyone passed. Ok, I've unfortunately accepted this.  

New School

It seems that since I got to Thailand I have been given an enormous amount of luck. First with being put on the Royal Thai Marine base and been shown an amazing amount of respect as a teacher. I made great friends and was taken care of by everyone I knew and didn’t know for that matter. I was worried about moving to a whole new school, new students, new teachers, and new town. Nothing about it is familiar or comfortable. But it’s supposed to be an adventure right? First day of school went on with out a hitch. Not only am I teaching a whole new age group, but also I have my own Thai assistant, and my own classroom that she brings the students to everyday. I’m decorating the room with the children’s work and drawings too. The classroom is beautiful with bright colors painted on the walls.   

 
 

Actually the school its self is painted pink and blue and orange. It’s amazing. The difference in the student’s behavior is a complete 180 from my old school too. These students actually pay attention and want to learn. Well, most of the time. I only have 30 in each class instead of the 45 before. This makes a world of difference. And the greatest feeling about it all is when I go to lunch and 6 or 7 students will sit next to me and try and speak English. Well the extent of the transaction is them point to something and saying, “flower, chicken, pig, blue, pink, ice cream.” Then they follow me back to the classroom the rest of my break period. When they finally have to leave they wrap their little arms around my waist and give me a big hug. Then there’s my schedule. I don’t start work on Mondays until 12:30. On Thursdays and Fridays I finish at 1:30 and the rest of the week I start ay 8:30 and finished at 3:30. It’s just perfect. The only down side I see so far is that since I’m only at school the hours I have class and I have my own room, I don’t get to interact with the other Thai teachers and that was something I really enjoyed at my last school. It’s like I come for the job then leave. Though there is one teacher who is incredibly nice. Most mornings he either brings me iced tea in the little plastic bags that people drink out of here or a bag of fruit. So I’m sure I just have to give it some time and I’ll have gotten to know the others fairly well. I hope. It’s only been a week and I’m so glad I made a change to try a new challenge. I’m going into this taking it head on!

Wild Adventures and New Friends

Today we decided to go hiking up the monkey hill. We don’t actually know what the name is but it’s covered with monkeys. Hence, the new name. We’re smart. We made our way up, admiring the gorgeous view, watching people stare at us as they drive by. Yes, we are the crazy farang that are hiking up this hill. People in Thailand don’t like to walk anywhere. No matter where we go, someone is offering us a ride. We rested at a viewing point. There were a few other people there with their truck. We start to walk up to the rail where you can over look the Gulf and see all the beautiful islands and Navy ships. The water was sparkling blue and the sky just as clear.

Well, this would have been a nice stop if it weren’t for the darn monkeys! This one big guy starts walking toward me from the fence. I slowly back away but it just speeds up then I turn to run to the truck. Stop. Another monkey comes out of nowhere just sitting on top of the car. It hissed at me like the wild animal it was. Big, sharp fangs pointing themselves at me! Seriously, scary. What did I do? I was just trying to get away. So we decided the best idea would be to change our minds about stopping at this gorgeous view and make it as fast as possible to the top. We get there and sat on a bench facing the water. Magnificent. Best view around. Some visitors came by to set off firecrackers. We realized the pit where they light them was right in front of us. That was some crazy ear shattering noise. I’m surprised I’m not deaf. By the way, firecrackers are lit as an offering of some kind. When it was over a small monkey with one arm slowly walked up. I looked at him and thought, “Oh how sad a gimp monkey. Well what could he really do?” Never feel bad for the monkeys! Like it was in fast forward, the monkey ran towards me, jumped up on the bench and stole my bag of chip that were sitting inches from my leg! Rethinking my decision not to get my rabies shot before I came.

The next day, the other English teacher at our school invited us to come to her house. We swam in her pool, she made us snacks and an amazing western dinner. Since I got here, I have met the kindest people. I’ve never come across so many strangers that genuinely want to help you in any way they can. She is officially my life savor. She knew we didn’t have anything in the kitchen to cook on so she gave us a hot plate. On top of that she told me I could have her motorbike while I’m living here. While we were relaxing she and her family told us crazy stories she had since she’s lived here. Anything from the break ins at her house to the nutty German guy who gets drunk and runs around outside naked and cries. But the craziest one of all!! The murder at her neighbors’ house. Apparently 2 women cut his head off with a Samaria sword claiming he was keeping them in there and wouldn’t let them leave. What nut jobs! Yet she still lives there. After the wonderful day came to an end, this sweet heart drove us 30 minutes back to the base. It was such a great weekend. Even better that I found some amazing people to call friends.

Tip #1-Around wild animals remember not to carry food in your pocket. And or run the other direction!!!

Biking Through History

We got into Ayutthaya last night. Definitely was a creepy time to arrive. It was extremely dark and we had no idea where we were going. All we had was the name of the hotel and the cross street. So we started our adventure with backpacks strapped on. We headed down a dark street with taxi drivers yelling, “Where you go?? Where you go?? 30 baht!!” Just keep walking, don’t look up. We eventually found our way to the small sign that read, “Baan Lotus Guest House”. There was a huge gate blocking what looked like a secret road. Once on the other side, we made our way down the gravel walk way up to a cute building. We checked in with the somewhat crazy but sweet old lady and got up to our nice air-conditioned room. Clean room, warm shower, cold air…I was sooo happy. When I woke up the next morning, I opened up the tinted windows and saw the most gorgeous view. Right in front of me was where the Guest House got its name: The lotus pond. They were in full bloom. Lotuses are my absolute favorite flower. They open in the morning and close later in the day. If you see statues of Buddha’s, many are sitting on a Lotus flower. They grow in swamps; the most disgusting place but there pops up the most gorgeous flower.

We spent the whole day biking around ruins from the old city. We saw a shrine room underground, a face in tree roots and ancient statues from the 17^th century dressed in “gold” cloth. After all that, we took a tour for just 180 bt. ($6). It took us to Ayutthaya Elephant Village, and a few other ruin sites. Near sundown, we sat out on the top of a temple to watch the sunset. It was beautiful but we also had fun just relaxing and talking. In the distance was a burning field. Smoke lifted up to a beautiful barely lit sky. We went to a few more Wat’s that were gorgeous all lit up at night.

 

Tour was over so we went out for dinner. The rest of the night turned into something quite random. By 1:30am there were about 10 people at our table.  We didn’t know any of them but here we were all having a wonderful time. This has to be my number 1 favorite thing about traveling. Sitting at a table with people from 6 separate countries all with different stories to tell about their travels. Truly amazing.

On the last morning, I was fully expecting to just be sleeping in, reading a little bit next to the lotus pond, getting lunch and then finally getting home after navigating our way from bus stop to bus stop. But I also shouldn’t be surprised anymore when things don’t turn out the way I planned. Let me back track for you.

This morning, the roosters woke me up early. I went over to the lotus pond and just sat in the hamic with book in hand. But that’s where it stayed. For the next hour I didn’t even turn a page. I just sat there, staring at the beautiful flowers. It’s amazing when you let your mind be still for a moment. Which I never really did till I got here. Once we checked out and got to the street the buses were on, we flagged one down. We were quite relieved to have gotten on the right one. We arrived in Bangkok and stopped in 7-11. A little kid came up to me and asked, “Where you go?” I told him “Sattahip” and all he said was thank you and walked away. I just thought how normal this was starting to become since people do that all the time. Until we got to our bus terminal and out of nowhere the little boy walked up and stood next to me and smiled. He said hello and just kept staring. When I looked away at Julia (becoming very uncomfortable) he walked off the sidewalk and started smoking. Seriously! How old was this kid?? He was wearing the light blue shirt and navy blue pants. The same uniform as the people who worked there. Did this little boy, smoking, work on the buses? And why was he there? Did he come to this one because I told him where I was going? The whole thing was extremely weird! We waited until the bus came and got on like we knew where we were going. Since we live on the Marine base it’s also not too hard to spot the place where all the soldiers are.  We didn’t notice a problem till people started looking at us funny. Not like the normal way they stare at us but in a way that says oh, they definitely don’t know what they are doing. Turns out this time we were supposed to buy tickets before we got on the bus. But how are we supposed to know this? No signs, no one telling us to go get them, just disturbed looks. All they had to do was point to a ticket counter and have us go get it. But for 30 minutes we sat there awkwardly. We asked the soldier next to us if everything was ok. He just kept nodding. Then they started talking to the driver. They looking at us, stood up and got off the bus. The driver pointed to their seats. So we moved over to those and sat down. Except, the two soldiers weren’t getting back on. When the bus filled up we looked around and saw everyone in his or her assigned seats. There were no more seats left. Did those 2 guys just give up theirs for us? Why aren’t they getting back on? What’s happening? Man! It’s so frustrating not knowing what people are saying or what’s going on! The soldiers smiled at us through the window, got back on the bus as it was pulling out and sat on the stairs next to the door. I can’t believe they just gave up their seats! The ride back was about 2.5 hours and they literally got on and off every time someone else had to get on or off. When they left at the stop right before ours they smiled and waved goodbye.

That my friends are the people of Thailand.

Tip #1-Welcome strangers. It always turns out that you think you have traveled a lot! Just wait. You will get the most fascinating and inspiring life stories.

Tip #2-Accept generosity with a grateful heart. The people here love to help. So expect it and be humbled. It’s fantastic!

Tip #3-Breath. Take a moment for your self. Sit and do nothing. It’s interesting to see how long we can sit before we get jumpy sitting with our own thoughts.