Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Christmas in Khokphet

‘Twas the day of Christmas, and all through Khokphet,
Not a student was sure of just what they would get.
They heard Ms. Jessie chatting with teachers, so jolly,
But knew not a thing of gingerbread or holly. 


So into four groups they were parted and placed.
They learned about Santa and as elves they raced
To save Christmas day for all girls and boys
By running St. Nick his hat for the delivery of toys. 


In the canteen they sat ‘round to hear a short tale
Of chasing and tricks by a gingerbread male.
After each boy and girl with sweets did decorate
A cookie that after lunch they hurriedly ate.


Off in the distance, children learned a short song
Of Rudolph the reindeer, whose nose made a long
Foggy night of Christmas a doable feat.
After which reindeer headbands were made. What a treat! 


With Mrs. Praneet the kids learned the reason
People celebrate differently during the winter season.
Whether lighting of candles, or birth of their king,
The songs and traditions are all worthy the sharing.


Then, off each little one went with a skip
Cookies in tummies, headbands for the trip.
Homeward they travelled with smiles so bright,
Singing “Wish you a merry Christmas!” well into the night.




*Many thanks to all those who sent care packages to make 250 gingerbread cookies and reindeer headbands possible for my sweet students. You know who you are, and you rock!

Monday, December 16, 2013

Today, I did this...

I Think I'm Gonna Like It Here from "Annie" PCV Thailand Style
Host: Now, farang, what would you like to do first?
PCV: The English, then the social inequities, that way if my Thai is sub-par...
Host: No, no, no, you don't understand! You don't have to work while you're here with us! 
PCV: I won't?!? But isn't that sort of the point?
Host: Why, you're our guest!

Host: You wear the color of the day
Yai: Today is yellow, why are you wearing green?
Host: The bucket shower has some frogs 
PCV: I get to have pets in the bathroom? Oh, boy!
Host: We hung the mosquito net already
Nong: If you're afraid of ghosts, I can sleep with you
PCV: I think I'm gonna like it here!

(Dance sequence where PCV is squeezed and prodded by every member of the host family, then force fed a ridiculous amount of food)

Host: The rice fields are all around 
PCV: I get to eat rice? Oh, boy!
Host: The kanom wan is always here 
PCV: You mean I can eat all I want?
Host: We have a million more for you (These Americans are so fat!)
PCV: I think I'm gonna like it here!

(More food and mosquito attacks commence)

Pii: When you wake, take a shower, you have to take a shower!
Nong: When you come home, take a shower, you have to take another shower!

(PCV spins around in wonder as the host family shouts...)
Host family: Did you take a shower yet? Did you eat rice yet? Go to bed!

Host: And geckos chirp upon your walls 
PCV: They'll sing me to sleep at night!
Host: Mosquitos come out around 6 
Host family: We have but one request, please eat some more kanomes!
PCV: I know I'm gonna like it here!

(Montage of freezing bucket showers and overeating)

PCV: Used to live in a state where I'd eat some cheese
        Get me now, holy cow! Could someone pass a kanom please!
(Thousands of kanoms are handed to PCV at once)
Host: Gin yert yert!
PCV: I didn't mean it!

(Still more eating of kanoms)

Host: We've never had an American 
Host family: Farang, farang, farang, farang, farang, farang, farang, farang, farang!
PCV: I'll be you first volunteer!
Host family: We have but one request, please eat some more kanomes!
PCV & Host family: I/We know I'm/your gonna like it here!

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Happy Birthday Nong Pern!

Today, my hosts' daughter turned 15 years old. In Thailand, the birthday girl or boy traditionally makes merit in the morning when the monks come to collect alms, then it's business as usual.  It's a lovely tradition, but it doesn't quite meld with my American sensibilities, and since a third of my work here is about helping the people of Thailand understand American culture better, what nicer way to keep that goal alive than by making a heart-shaped chocolate cake and cream cheese frosting from scratch, and decorating it with M&Ms as a surprise after dinner? Did I mention I also got her some presents? Yeah, it was a pretty wonderful night. Here are some highlights...

The cake complete with 15 candles
A team effort





My beautiful host family
Cutting her first birthday cake
Sharing in the love

Friday, December 6, 2013

Tough Conversations


Sometimes conversations here aren't just difficult because the language is not easy to master. It's not always the words that get in the way, but the entire way in which I view the world which can sometimes be so very different from those of my friends, students, and co-workers here. At times, it feels heartbreaking. At times, I don't know if I can handle the frustration of it any longer. At times...I am amazed at the transformation that takes place through these tough conversations that I have to brave, though thankfully not always alone. Here is one such example...


At the Encourage Choice, Empower Gender camp that I attended with three eighth grade students and my co-teacher, we played a simple game that spoke volumes. Questions dealing with everything from substance abuse to public displays of affection, and sexual choices to personal preferences were covered. At one point the scenario, "eating dinner with someone who has AIDS," was posed. I found myself in the 100% comfortable realm at the center of the circle along with various students, volunteers, and counterparts, some stood in the 50/50 range, and way on the outside of the circle stood my teacher, eyes wide at the thought that such a thing would be comfortable for me. I almost got mad. I definitely got shaken. I wondered how this sweet woman who not only teaches English, but health as well, could be so close-minded. I admit it. Internally, I was being quite judgmental.


As the camp continued, my fellow PCVs and their counterparts did a phenomenal job at touching on such taboo subjects with a lighthearted but straight-forward approach. My co-teacher took copious notes in every session. She asked for copies of all of the lesson plans, teaching materials, and any other guides that covered these topics in order for her to supplement her health curriculum. When I asked her how she talked about such issues as sexual health with the students, she said, "It's very difficult," a nice way of saying, "I basically don't."


On the last day of camp, the same scenarios were posed. I witnessed the change in responses from question to question, but was floored when my co-teacher proudly joined me in the center of the circle and shook my arm to have me notice that she would sit down to dinner with a person who had AIDS with a grin and loud, "Of course I would!" I saw my joy mirrored in her proud eyes looking up to me for support, for approval, for acknowledgement that she had learned and stood up for something new, now. What a powerfully transformative weekend the GAD committee provided for us!


Some time later, Peace Corps Director of Programing and Training here in Thailand sent me an email that she was impressed by the willingness of my co-teacher to participate so eagerly in discussions at the camp, and extended an invitation for us to attend an event at the U.S. Ambassador's residence in honor of World AIDS Day.  I was excited by the news, but still uncertain about how my co-teacher would respond. I mean, a camp setting is far different from submitting for approval from our principal and attending an event in Bangkok to raise awareness about AIDS. As we talked about it, she was nothing but honored by the idea and rushed to speak to the principal about it within the hour.


The event was a mixer, with many people from all walks of life within Thailand, various NGO representatives, and embassy personnel. As we mingled, speaking to nurses, educators, aid workers, and business-types, I witnessed a dramatic shift in my co-teacher. She wasn't afraid to let her guard down and ask questions if she didn't understand. She listened as I did, searching for ways to teach our students more valuable and accurate information in a community that is impacted on a palpable level by HIV/AIDS. Our students made it onto the poster that Peace Corps submitted for the event, and was hung at the entrance to the event, which was a very pleasant surprise. We spoke with pride about our sweet kids to the ambassador, and as my co-teacher spoke about the lessons they learned, I saw the value of education. I saw the sustainability of this program that focuses on teachers and students alike.

“Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant.”  
~Robert Louis Stevenson

Sunday, December 1, 2013

Restless Reflection

As others turn blind eyes
To the pain that lives
I see

As others forget the whispers
Once shared in fear
I remember

As others use the cane
To prove a point
I leave

As others use cruel names
To feel superior
I hear

As others take advantage
Of all they can
I give

As others struggle with
A system against them
I watch

As others break their backs
To provide for all
I thank

As others go through motions
To get a handout
I work

As others laugh at all
They don't understand
I learn

As others stay the same
For years and years
I change