Dispatches

Pictures

2012-02-05T20:32:00.004-06:00

My sleeping table...note the a/c in the background, i.e., fan.

My close personal friend, Ronald.

Lucky winner of a bicyicle as a door prize.

Bowling with a coconut.

On stage at Student Day.

Still more.....

2012-02-03T08:21:00.004-06:00

Water shaped like a lotus.

Students dancing at students day. Notice the dog.

Thai and King's flags at school.

Mananya & Anna, 6th graders.

Neighbor lady with food cart.

Pictures are worth 1000 words.

2012-02-02T08:17:00.002-06:00

Noon hour jumping rope.

Sixth graders serving lunch.

Unfinished temporarily? abandoned house next door.

Cattle on street in front of house

Lunch time.

More pictures.

2012-02-01T08:17:00.002-06:00

6th graders with letters from America.

Letters from America.

3rd graders sweeping and mopping. Some schools don't even had a custodian but Wat Klang does.

Kindergarteners.

Missing video.

2012-01-31T06:35:00.002-06:00

While I was teaching vocabulary to the 4th grade the word 'dance' came up. The teacher, to make the point of the Thai word for dance, began to sing. As soon as she began singing all the students stood up and began dancing to her singing. It was obvious they all knew the steps and moves to go with the song. So why didn't I video it?

Home again with pictures.

2012-01-31T06:21:00.003-06:00

1st grade twins.

1st grade supervising the fire.

Students cleaning up the school yard.

Yard clean up.

I'm pointing to the high water mark in the room where I slept.

Video of morning exercises.

Last call in Bangkok!

2012-01-28T21:54:00.002-06:00

"What is the appeal of SE Asia?" I'm often asked. The answer to me is unclear. Of course during Minnesota winter I'm happy to be in the tropics. But, more than that, I continue to find Asia endlessly fascinating. That fascination does not dim with time and exposure. On the contrary, it actually grows as I am able to become more deeply immersed in life here. My work at the school, Wat Klang, and living with a family gives me, at least, some glimpse into Thai life.

Soon after I arrive at home I'll post pictures from this trip on this blog. For the next day and a half I'll be in some stage of transit.

Reflections.

2012-01-27T23:59:00.002-06:00

The send off that the teachers gave me yesterday has caused me to reflect on what my presence may mean to them. The depth of the feelings expressed and the heartiness of their hope that I return makes me wonder about its meaning. Here are some thoughts about it.

Wat Klang is a small school in a poor neighborhood in an out of the way place. Perhaps the fact that I have chosen to volunteer there for three successive years really touches them. Yesterday, before I left, they asked me to write a "To whom it may concern" type letter about the school and my experience there. I understood that they were hoping for a positive reference letter they could use. Readers of this blog know that I've been somewhat critical of the school and its practices. Relying on my years of writing personal references I did what I had often done in the past...I emphasized the positives. Primarily I focused on the teachers genuine concern for the students and the esprit de corps among the teachers.

Perhaps it takes three years before one is more fully accepted and established. It does make me wonder what a fourth year will be like if I'm able to return next year. My Thai vocabulary has doubled this year and that with my other learning's does also make me more effective, too.

All will be reavealed......

Homeward bound!

2012-01-27T03:14:00.002-06:00

WOW! The teachers gave quite a send off lunch with gifts. Lunch was Pad Thai, steak, roasted chicken and several desserts. The best dessert was ripe, sweet mango with sweetened sticky rice.
We all laughed a lot. Some was at me and some was with me. :) My Thai pronunciation sometimes cracks them up. There is no 'th' sound in Thai so that gives them fits with 'the' or 'thirteen'. So the laughter goes both ways. They gave me strong encouragement to return next year.
One little mystery was solved. Often when I'm teaching students ask to go to the toilet. I always say yes, and always two students go. Yesterday I asked one of the sharpest 6th grade students why, for either boys or girls, it always took two? The answer was there is no latch on the door so the 2nd person goes to guard the door. I just love Thailand....that is so Thai!
It's Friday afternoon and I'm in Bangkok on my way home. I'll arrive in Minneapolis on Monday, Jan. 30.

Remedial education Thai style.

2012-01-26T00:17:00.002-06:00

A 4th grade student transferred to from another school to Wat Klang It became apparent that this 4th grader can't read. The solution? He's now in first grade learning to read with the 1st graders. It doesn't appear that he has a disability and the theory is that he was an unmotivated student in a very large class.

Saying goodbye!

2012-01-26T00:10:00.002-06:00

Today was my final session with the 5th and 6th grades. Sort of sad because the 6th grade will scatter to different schools next year so I won't see them again. There are some very sweet 6th graders and I'll miss them. I did run into a former student from Wat Salapoon on the street yesterday...fun.
The 5th and graders wrote letters to students at Noble School in Minneapolis where I volunteer. They included their Thai address hoping to get a pen pal relationship started. There are twice as many students in 5th grade at Noble than in 5th and 6th at Wat Klang so not every Noble student will get a letter.

The year of the dragon!

2012-01-24T23:51:00.002-06:00

Thai love to celebrate so they make a big deal out of Chinese New Year's. The family took me to see the excitement last night. The main street of downtown was closed off with hundred's of booths selling, exhibiting, promoting, etc. Several stages were set up for a variety of types of entertainment; Chinese opera, Thai Dancing, singing and more.
The food court had tables and chairs set on the street with 26 food vendors on one side and 12 on the other. I'm guessing that the whole street was closed for a mile and there were many more food vendors interspersed throughout the entire street.
Not only do Thai love to celebrate they also love to eat and shop.

It's just so Thai......

2012-01-24T23:46:00.002-06:00

Asked to teach 4th grade first hour I was nicely started when the 4th grade teacher, who is also my supervisor, came to the room. She said that all teachers in Thailand had to watch something on TV. She went to the back of the room and, joined by the principal, turned on the TV. They spent the hour watching as I attempted, with some success, to hold the students interest in the front of the room.

Labor practices in Thailand.

2012-01-24T00:03:00.001-06:00

Chinese New Year's is quite a big deal here. Although, when I said "Happy Chinese New Year's" yesterday I was told that all the teachers were either Buddhist or Muslim, as if Chinese could be neither. Anyway, many people celebrate Chinese New Year.
Poo, the twenty five year old daughter in my family, who works in accounting in a building firm, was given Chinese New Year's Day off. The catch was that she had to work Sunday because Monday was the holiday...mandatory.

A turn of events!

2012-01-23T23:59:00.002-06:00

Perhaps walking out of class was the right thing to do. Today both the 5th and 6th grades were very attentive. It was actually possible to do some teaching. The teachers are now staying in the class room with me. That not only helps student behavior but it gives the teachers a non-threatening way to practice their English.

Teachers at Wat Klang

2012-01-23T00:35:00.002-06:00

The elementary teachers at Wat Klang, grades 1-6, are very good friends. When they pay for things...I wasn't able to determine what it is they pay for...they add 1% and that goes in a kitty. They take money from the kitty to pay for things like their planned trip to Chaing Mai.
The principle is male but all the other teachers are women. The first grade teacher is 56 and wears her hair short in a western style. The other teachers wear dresses or skirts but she is always in slacks. She likes to portray her self as a tom boy and is a widow. It really surprised me to learn today that she is Muslim. When I asked her why she didn't wear a headscarf she said "it's too hot."
Perhaps my biggest influence at the school has been on the teachers proficiency with English. I suggested that next year I just teach the teachers. The designated English teacher has shadowed me much of the time this year. It helps me because I can ask her what a word is in Thai. It helps her as she asks meanings or pronunciations. Her English has improved during the three years I've taught at Wat Klang.

Random observations.

2012-01-21T00:31:00.002-06:00

The temperature is mid-nineties, relative humidity in the nineties, dew point at least 80, the sun is out and the woman ahead of me on the sidewalk is wearing black tights.
Eating with Thai is a very communal event. There's an old legend, which may have some truth in it, that in the late nineteenth century the Thai king arranged that a distinguished British clergyman would invite the king to a formal dinner. At the dinner the king carefully observed all of the silver and how it was used at each place setting and coures. One can imagine in British society how many various pieces that would be. After the king dinner said that he had decided to use the two important eating utensils, a fork and a large spoon, and discard the rest. To this day, Thai eat with a spoon, table spoon size, in the right hand and a fork in the left to push food unto the spoon.
Most Thai meals are what we would call family style, with a number of bowls on the table holding a variety of foods. Each person has a shallow bowl or plate filled with rice unto which the food from the bowls on the table is added. All the females at the table, and especially those closest to me, take the responsibility of ladling food from the bowls to my plate and I'm never asked. It only ends when I say I'm full; "Im lau, kup". With most of my meals, either at school with 6+ female teachers or at home with 2 females, I never have to worry about getting enough to eat. I think this practice is a sign of honor.
There are no serving utensils in the entrees on the table. Everyone uses his/her spoon to ladle onto the bed of rice. This means that the food being given me is served with the same spoon with which that woman is eating.
At school the school lunch, which is cooked at school and I usually find very good, is supplemented by snacks provided by the teachers. Some are very good and others?.... Boiled sweet corn is considered a dessert served cold with no salt or butter and individual kernels peeled off and eaten...no treat for me. Deep fried bananas are very good, soy? beans in the pod not so good.

All in the pursuit of science.

2012-01-20T02:47:00.002-06:00

"Be at school at 8:00" I was told. "Is that Thai time or American time" I asked? Of course it was Thai time so about 9:00 Kindergarten through 6th grade boarded saung taos, literally in Thai "two benches". These are trucks or pick-ups that have two benches in the back for passengers with a roof, sides with open windows and a standing area in the back. The destination was a science center.
The morning program consisted of two or thee schools with all their students K-6, sitting in one big room watching German science/environmental movies dubbed in Thai. One of the movies was creative enough to hold some attention, the others not so much.
Last night I watched an English language program on TV related to the 8 SE Asian nations, ASEAN cooperation. The focus was the state of education in Thailand. The researcher concluded that Thai schools were not very effective. It reinforced my perceptions after having been in a couple of Thai schools.
The morning left me with mixed feelings. On the one hand I feel bad that these students aren't being served better. On the other the experience was a lark for me. It again gave me an inside experience in Thai culture as the token foreigner.
The teachers are encouraging me to extend by stay because in February they are all going to the northern resort city of Chaing Mai. That would be a very interesting experience. I don't know the purpose of the trip.
Oh, by the way I'm in Bangkok...a real bed for two nights!

2012-01-19T01:01:00.002-06:00

"My" house is about half finished in construction. The basic structure is poured concrete with two floors. The downstairs floor, where I sleep, has been tiled but the upstairs has not. Nothing has been painted either inside our out. The plan is to paint the outside peach, the downstairs yellow and the upstairs a combination of blue and yellow.
When the sun gets to the western sky after noon it shines on the west wall of the house. Being dark, bare concrete the wall absorbs the sun's heat. If you put your hand to the wall it feels beyond warm, almost hot, to the touch. This adds a significant amount of heat to the house. When the exterior is painted I think the house will be cooler.

The old water bucket!

2012-01-19T00:56:00.002-06:00

The class schedule this morning meant that I got to the teacher's lunch table while the three year-olds were having lunch. Children begin school when they are three. After lunch I noticed that they were lining up for something so I went to investigate. They were lined up in front of a water bucket and there were two cups. They took turns dipping one of the two cups in the bucket for a drink of water before they went out to play.

"Just hit him" she said.

2012-01-19T00:42:00.002-06:00

Leading the sixth grade class wasn't going well even with a Thai teacher, though not the sixth grade teacher, in the room. I wrote on the board "If you do not behave I'm leaving." The teacher translated my message so everyone understood. About three minutes later no student was paying attention so I walked out and went to the office and sat down.
About ten minutes later the class came to me with a written statement which they read "Please come back. We are sorry we will behave." I went back and finished the hour with no more problems.
When I saw the sixth grade teacher later she said "You should hit them." "No, I said, I won't do that." The other teachers said that they have similar problems with lack of respect.
My analysis is that they use too much verbal and physical force with meager results. If I were to hit someone I would have had to hit every student in the room because none of them were paying attention. Long, loud lectures don't change student behavior. I'm very interested in helping these students learn English but I'm not interested in forcing them to do it against their will.
It was interesting that this hour followed a very productive one with the 4th grade.

From the floor to a table.

2012-01-17T23:53:00.002-06:00

I'm not sleeping on the floor anymore. When I returned home Monday a large 6'X4' with 18" legs had appeared at the house. It's my new sleeping platform, which I understand was borrowed from neighbor. The top of the table is as hard as the floor but it is easier for me to get up.

Whew, passed that test!

2012-01-17T23:41:00.002-06:00

It was obvious that something was up at school this morning, even the teachers were dusting and cleaning. There was an air of excitement. My supervision said that an educational official was going to visit the school in relationship to the recent flood. She was due at 11:00 and I was assigned to teach the 5th grade beginning at 10:30.
About 11:10 as I was teaching the class;
"There was a student who went to Tacoma
Intending to earn a diploma
Who said 'because of the rain I cannot remain.
I think I prefer Oklahoma.'"
our distinguished visitor stopped at the door of my classroom. She asked if she could observe from the back of the room and of I course I said "Yes." She watched a little while with her large entourage and then they moved on.
Over lunch I learned that she is the Thai Minister of Education! She told the teachers she liked what I was doing. Perhaps my contract will be renewed. :)

The downside....

2012-01-17T00:05:00.002-06:00

The cool dry winds out of China have been replaced with tropical heat and humidly. All I have to do to break a sweat is sit. Understand, I'm not complaining.
After teaching 4th grade this morning I moved over to sixth grade. The first 40 minutes went well but then attention was beginning to slip. I broke out a puzzle, perhaps you've seen it or one like it, this one of antique tractors to be arranged to complete the picture.
The girls got to the puzzle first but before long they were muscled out of the way by the boys, which is typical. So, while the boys struggled unsuccessfully to complete the puzzle, I had a very productive educational time with the girls...who have more intrinsic interest in learning English.
Students are given much opportunity to lead at school. Most of the leadership is done by the girls. I'm going to ask the teachers their interpretation of this.
It appears that women's lot is not easy in Thailand. On the one hand their is very little public harassment of women. Watching Thai movies, which are very violent, with my family I commented on how often women are struck or violently attacked. This led to a discussion of Thai domestic abuse which they say is very common.
Thai Buddhism has some wonderful attributes among which is a racial inclusively. Unlike the Shintoism of Japan which reinforced racial purity there is the opposite in Thai Buddhism. It reflects in the openness in society to other races.
On the other hand Thai Buddhism is very misogynistic. There are nuns but they have very little status. Monks, on the other hand, are deeply revered and accorded great respect. It a woman touches a monk he must go through elaborate purification rites. It seems to me that this dichotomy gets played out in Thai society at the expense of women. This attitude about women is traced back to Buddha, himself. Unlike Jesus, who, properly understood, was the first feminist treating the women of his day as equal to men.

Cola shine.

2012-01-16T23:56:00.002-06:00

At breakfast this morning I discovered that we were out of bottled water. The family all drink tap water but all the advice is for us farang to do that. I do wonder how much difference it makes given that the dishes are washed in tap water and it's also used in cooking. Nevertheless, to be on the safe side I brushed my teeth in Cola today...a first for me.
Riding on thew back of the motorbike I noticed that we were coming up behind a JCB front end loader motoring down the street. Riding in the bucket were three female construction workers in typical dress for their work; big floppy hat, bandannas around their faces so only their eyes showed, long sleeved reflective jackets and baggy trousers. As we passed them I glanced down and saw one had brightly painted and manicured nails.

Morning in Ayutthaya

2012-01-15T21:57:00.002-06:00

Today's teacher day gives me an opportunity to hang out in Ayutthaya which is typically a one or two day stop on most tourist's itinerary. History is the attraction as Ayutthaya was the capital of Thailand until it was destroyed by the Burmese in 1776. Thailand then moved it's capital to Bangkok to be further from Burma.
The old capital was built on an island, one by two miles wide. The island was created by digging a moat where three rivers come together. The Thai resisted the Burmese invasion of the island for a year before finally being defeated. The Burmese then wreaked havoc on the island destroying the temples, palaces and building. It is the remnants of these structures that draws the tourists. The island has been made a special historical district by Thailand and much effort has gone toward preservation and improvements.
"My" house is off the island and looks a bit like pictures of housing developments devastated by foreclosures. There are more vacant or uncompleted houses than ones that are finished. The flood and loss of income stopped construction. Perhaps people will return and complete construction when they have more money.
This morning a Caterpillar road grader was working on the gravel street. Eventually it will be paved with concrete.
Riding on the back of a motorbike to this internet cafe we came up behind an old dump truck loaded with garbage belching black diesel smoke. At least some garbage is being picked up because off the island there is garbage strewn every where. Not very pleasant air to breath on the bike, however.

No wonder I'm having trouble!

2012-01-13T20:04:00.002-06:00

With my annual trips to Thailand I've been struggling to learn a bit of Thai. I can say hello and goodbye, order a meal and get what I expected and do a few other things in Thai. However, Thai has 44 consonants and 32 vowels which makes it very difficult. Then, added to the difficulty, there are 5 tones which can change a word spelled the same way to five different meanings. If they used the same script we do it would be a bit easier to learn but they use a writing that has more in common with Sanskrit which I cannot read at all. A few years ago traveling in Malaysia I picked up some words because they used our alphabet.
So...Ill keep trying but have no hope that I'll ever become conversant. With my family at dinner, the only meal we all share, we have lively conversation with much laughter as they work on their English and me on my Thai. Poo and I sit with Thai/English and English/Thai dictionaries and point out words when all else fails. She did study English at the University but does not use it at work so she struggles with pronunciation and vocabulary. When I've communicated and idea to her, often with the aid of my dictionary, she then translates into Thai for her parents. Or, if one of them wants to say something to me and their English isn't adequate, she'll translate for me. We laugh a lot...at my pronunciation of Thai and at their attempts at English.
Wondering where I am? Bangkok for the weekend. (Saturday here.)

Again, it's so Thai.

2012-01-13T02:51:00.002-06:00

Today is student day in Thailand so I went with my school to the sub-district gathering that included three other school. There were games for the children like bingo, ring toss, darts but my favorite was bowling with odd shaped coconuts. It was typical Thai happy chaos.
Told to be at school at 8:00 a.m. I arrived at 7:50 and found many students present, About 8:10 the first teacher appeared and around 8:30 we walked the six blocks to the gathering. As each student registered they were given a stuffed animal and their name was put in a box for a door prize.
After the students were registered some official gave a long speech which was totally ignored by everyone. Next up was a 2nd and 3rd group of dancers from another school. They were all gussied up in frilly dresses, make up including lip stick and fancy hairdos. They danced several numbers with a lead singer who looked a bit older. When the music stopped people came forward and gave the singer money. The boring official thanked them and each one in turn curtsied, waied and said "kappen ka"...thank you. But, wait a minute...those last two said "kappen krup" not "kappen ka"....that means they're boys! They sure looked like girls they way they were dressed and made up....it's just so Thai!
Being the only farang , Caucasian, present I became a photo op. Mothers, many families were present, wanted to take my picture with their child or students would ask me to take their picture.
The day ended with drawing for door prizes which lasted an hour. There were stuffed animals, games, toys, canned snack food and a dozen new bikes. Every child left the event with an arm load of toys, stuffed animals, coloring books, etc. There were eight different games and every child came away from every game with a prize. These were four small school so when one thinks of this done all across Thailand it must be enough to create a national economic boost.
Oh, yes, there was food. Thai people don't do anything without eating. Ice cream, snacks of all kinds, and then bags of sticky rice and drumsticks were available around the gathering area. Away from the games there were serving tables serving fulls meals of rice and noodles, I had some good Pad Thai...no one left hungry.
It is much fun to be on the inside of these events which are so much of the Thai school children's experience. It sure beats lying on a beach!

Mai pen rai

2012-01-12T00:32:00.004-06:00

A phrase that one often hears in Thailand is 'mai pen rai'. If you ask a Thai to translate it you'll probably hear it means 'cool heart' which is nothing like what we mean when we say cold hearted. Rather it is much more like 'don't get your undies in a bunch' or 'don't sweat it'. There is great value placed on calm demeanor and not getting angry or upset which causes you to lose face. It seems like this is very fundamental to Thai culture. It can create something of a lackadaisical attitude.
This casual attitude is evident at school. Even while a teacher, or the principal himself, is addressing the students in assembly it is obvious that most students are not paying attention. In addition the teachers who are not leading sit at a table nearby an visit loudly with each other. Students and teachers wander around the premises while classes are in session. Usually while I'm teaching there are a cluster of students from other grades standing outside the door watching. A bell rings to begin the day and again after lunch but other than that classes run an our more or less. Students not listening? mai pen rai Students wandering around? mai pen rai Class not start on time? mai pen rai

2012-01-12T00:11:00.001-06:00

Teaching mojo returns.

2012-01-11T00:47:00.004-06:00

After a few days I'm on track with the students; don't expect them to be where they were at this time last year, change gears regularly for short attention spans, don't worry if they're not all paying attention all the time, work with the willing/eager, stick to the basics, employ tricks to get them to commit individually and when I'm done quit even if there is time left in the hour. Oh, yes, be ready to shake every grubby hand that's offered outside the classroom.
It's a blast!

Teaching mojo returns.

2012-01-11T00:47:00.001-06:00

No wonder their socks have holes.

2012-01-11T00:43:00.002-06:00

Students take their shoes off outside their classrooms. A quick glance at the number of shoes lined up tells how many students to expect in the room. During the noon free time many go out to play without bothering to put on their shoes. Yesterday there were ten students playing soccer on the concrete in their stocking feet.

Jingle Bells at Wat Klang.

2012-01-11T00:38:00.002-06:00

The letters from American students to the students at Wat Klang really challenge the Thai student's English ability. I was helping a student read his American letter the writer wrote about music class and singing. When I came to the word 'singing' I began singing Jingle Bells to illustrate singing and the whole class joined me.
I shouldn't have been surprised. The day I was at Tesco buying my sleeping pad Gai's ten year old son and his friend were singing Jingle Bells on pitch with all the words. Who knows maybe they'll see snow some day.

Just soooo Thai!

2012-01-11T00:33:00.002-06:00

There's a new email cafe where tourists hang out that I like because it's not over run with noisy Thai boys playing video games. It's small, 5 computers, and also serves food. Today 4 computers were occupied when I entered and the 5th one would not access the internet.
The owner tried a couple of things which didn't work and then she told me that in ten minutes one that worked would be available. So I took a seat off to the side to wait and she brought me a menu for food! Just soooooooooo Thai.

A cool wind!

2012-01-10T00:49:00.002-06:00

Since being in Thailand I've had more time below than above my temperature comfort level. Of course my range is quite high, maybe about 70 as my low and 95 as my high. There's been a cool wind blowing out of China the last few days. Their is no a/c in my house and I wouldn't have turned it on if there was.
It's easy to figure out the relative elevation around Ayutthaya, just look for the high water mark on the fence, tree, wall or post. There are many sandbags, all of which were over run, rotting in the sun. Some of students waited out the flood on the roof of their house.

I thought it sounded like a liturgy.

2012-01-10T00:28:00.003-06:00

Every morning the students (grades 1-6) at Wat Klang School gather in the under croft for opening exercises. An English word for the day is taught, today it was ate. There are some mild calisthenics and then some things that all the students say in unison. It's apparent that the upper grades know this very well by heart and the lower grades are learning but all participate. The first was a Muslim litany on some sort but rather lengthy. The second is a Buddhist litany of about the same length. I'd guess about 10% of the students are Muslim. It's hard to tell because they all dress alike. Occasionally a name like Farouk will give me a clue.
After lunch, which they call "eat rice", and play time they all head back to the under croft. Lined up in rows of boys and girls from 6th down to 1st grade they sit on the floor. Their long recitation in unison intrigued me. I learned that they were reciting the multiplication tables in a semi chant...again clear that the youngest ones were only beginning to learn them. This was followed by a long Thai poem again recited in unison.
Today was the big day when I gave they 5th and 6th grade students the American letters from Noble Academy. They were pleased but overwhelmed by the length of the letters. A few 6th graders could read the letter they were given with a little help. The other 6th and 5th graders were lost. My supervisor and I spent the time helping them. The 6th grade teacher has started the class on writing letters back. Given their grasp of English the letters back will be boilerplate. The exercise is a very good English learning experience. It is fun to be a conduit. Some of the students are including their Thai mailing addresses so there may be an on going exchange.

Wat Klang School again.

2012-01-09T00:10:00.002-06:00

This morning my supervisor asked me to teach 4th grade the first hour followed by 3rd grade. As I headed off to the 4th grade she stopped me, pointed to the yard where students were busy picking up tree branches and changed the request to 3rd second hour followed by 4th.
The trees on the grounds in front of the school had been pruned and the students, grades 2-6, spent the first house taking all the branches to the end of the grounds where they were piled and burned. Several things struck me about this project. For example, all the students pitched in seemingly with out complaint, moving even the heaviest branches by group effort. There was minimal supervision and there were no students acting uncooperatively. The second grade class, with teacher, was left tending the fire with little obvious concern that some one might be burned. In a half hour the work was done.
While this was happening a band struck up at the temple across the grounds. Leading the parade were Thai women dancing, then the band, followed by a monk dressed in white robes. Bringing up the end of the parade were people bearing gifts. The parade circled the temple three times and then there was a ceremony ordaining the monk in white robes.
At some time in their life most Thai men spend time as a monk. Often they are a monk for three months but the time can vary. After their stint as a monk they return to their former life.
The 3rd grade teacher told me she had to go the the bank?, I think that's what she said, so I would be alone with her 20 3rd graders. At 9:30, the appointed time, I entered the 3rd grade classroom, the teacher was gone, and all the students were working in their workbooks. Class went fine without her. "Hello, my name is___. I am nine years old. I go to Wat Klang School."
Kathy W. gave me many tips on teaching ELL (English language learners) and she sent a cassette tape recorder with me. Today I used it with the 4th grade doing the exercise "Hello, my name is...." This recorder is going to come in very handy in the classroom.

What is different?

2012-01-07T01:56:00.002-06:00

Something is different about teaching at Wat Klang this year. However, I'm having some trouble understanding exactly what it is. Some of it may be me. I have thoroughly enjoyed volunteering at Noble Academy all fall. It's easy for me because I don't have to worry about classroom management I get to work either individually with students or in small groups. When I received an email from them today I realize how much I miss them.
At Wat Klang I'm almost always the only teacher in the room. Besides I don't speak their language. With the 4th grade Thursday I was never able to help them understand the question "How old are you?" It didn't help that I didn't have my Thai/English dictionary with me.
While the classes are smaller this year it seems like the students are more distractable. They were just back from their New Year's holiday so that may be a factor. Perhaps the protracted flood may also have an effect. The teachers talk about the flood a lot. I think I can tell that the students are behind compared to last year. The letters that students at Noble Academy wrote to students at War Klang will take much interpreting. My hope that Wat Klang students could write back may be unrealistic.
A note to a Marine in Iowa recovering from back surgery...get over it! Soon, I hope :)

Bangkok R & R

2012-01-06T00:47:00.002-06:00

After a night in a real bed and a hot shower I wandered out to see what's up on Silom Rd., a major street one block away. In the block to Silom I pass many sidewalk foodstalls. offering everything from sit down full meals to ala carte chicken, pastries fried as you wait, fresh fruit, fruit juices, fried eggs and omelets, a pastry in big pan they looks like Danish ebleskiever and more. The crowd on the sidewalk rivals the most dense at the state fair. One pedestrian rule prevails on the sidewalk; don't wait for anyone no matter how narrow the opening even as others come from the other way. I tried waiting once and I'd still be there if I hadn't given up and plunged ahead.
Silom Rd, three lanes of traffic each way with the Skytrain track overhead, is bumper to bumper as usual. That allows for foot traffic across the street as cars stop for the jam, just look out for the motorcycles scooting between the stopped cars. Oh, Yes, remember to look to your right because they drive on the right...but do glance left to watch for the motorcycles going the wrong way.
The sidewalks along Silom have stalls selling clothes, shoes, jewelry, sunglasses, cosmetics, lingerie, music CDs, flowers (for altars), etc. In addition there are always people selling raffle tickets. Today they were two sellers peddling sim cards for cell phones, one of which I noticed advertised 3G (I need to explore that.) There are also blind people who've been outfitted with music boxes to accompany their singing as they solicit money. A group of young people are collecting for UNICEF. I haven't seen the elderly woman who tells fortunes this year. Every block or so there is a beggar holding up his/her cup. One woman sells prepackaged sandwiches. All in all...never a dull moment!

A typical school day at Wat Klang.

2012-01-05T02:46:00.002-06:00

After the school's opening ceremonies concluded this morning my minder asked if I would teach 5th grade from 8:30-9:30 and 6th grade from 10:30-11:30. Shortly after I began with the 5th grade my minder came to my room and said "The teachers have to go see the monks at 9:30 so will you teach 6th grade then?" This meant that the only class with an adult that hour would be mine...the 6th. At 10:30 after finishing the 6th grade class I was walking by my supervisor's room which is the 4th grade. When she saw me she said "The 4th graders want you to teach them so will you teach them until 11:00?"
Wat Klang is such an interesting comparison with Noble School where I volunteer at home. The students at Wat Klang can be left unsupervised for an hour and they don't get in trouble. Noble students couldn't do that. On the other hand classroom behavior with a teacher present is much worse at Wat Klang than at Noble.

Just like where I grew up!

2012-01-05T02:39:00.002-06:00

Mai, Max and I were sitting on the front step when the neighbors across the street came over. We had an animated conversation using the Thai/English dictionaries when necessary. The conversation ranged far and wide and included my showing snow pictures from last winter. The talk had gone on for well over an hour when the neighbors just stood up without a word and walked home. No 'goodbyes' or 'happy to have met you', they just left. It made me feel right at home because that's what they do where I grew up...my personal version of Lake Wobegon .

School at last.

2012-01-03T23:53:00.002-06:00

School reopened today (Wednesday) after the new year's holiday. Were the students hyper? Well...yes! The school withstood the flood very well....the ground level was flooded but is such that there wasn't much damage. All the classrooms are on the 2nd level and were not affected. School didn't open until November 29, and I can tell the students are behind compared to other years.
Classes are smaller now as some students have not returned. My 4th grade class has only 9 students and 3rd has 18. Each year gets easier as I learn from past experience.
The teachers gave me a rousing welcome back and clapped when I told them I could stay through January. They all spent the flood hanging out in the upper floor of their houses. School will now be six days a week until summer to compensate for the three months they missed.
Something irregular is happening in school this Friday and Saturday the precludes my teaching. I'm going to go to BKK for a bed and a hot shower. I'll return Sunday.

Shades of Peru!

2012-01-02T21:47:00.002-06:00

Some years ago, after hiking some of the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, Peru, Lisa and I visited the Amazon rain forest. We stayed in an eco lodge run by indigenous people. Our lodge was in a small clearing and the back was open to the jungle which was just a few feet away. At various times, both night and day, Howler Monkeys would howl...an unearthly sound filtering through the jungle.
It seems Howler Monkeys have been reincarnated as Thai dogs. Dogs are an ever present reality in Thai residential neighborhoods and there's probably not a night that's not interrupted by at least one dog fight below my open window. But the dogs in this neighborhood are into howling, more daytime than at night. Something will set them off and for several minutes they all join in reminding me of Howler Monkeys in Peru.

Tears of gratitude!

2012-01-02T21:26:00.003-06:00

During the tour of Gai's water damaged house discussion turned to government help. Such conversations are always fraught with the possibility of misunderstanding. Max speaks about as much English and I do Thai. Gai speaks more English but she's like Chihuahua with a pep pill and all these semi understandable words come pouring out so that I'm usually lost in the wake. Anyway, I came away with the understanding that each family would get 2000B, ca. $60. (A little PS to this paragraph; Last night Max said she was going to get eggs, a fact for which I was happy because she makes the world's best omelette's, and I mentioned cost. "No" she said "free." Turns out, I think, that they were a form of flood relief...30 eggs.)
Max and Gai were talking about repaying me for any help I gave. When I explained that, no, it's gift not a loan and that's it's from friends and my church in America who heard about the flood, they both had the same instantaneous reaction; they both burst into tears. The worry, stress and pressure of trying to recover is so great that this good news overwhelmed them. They also mentioned all the place to which they turned for help to no avail.

Breakast in Ayutthaya

2012-01-02T21:15:00.002-06:00

The Thai concept for breakfast is a bit different than in America. Today it was stir fried (A little diversion here: seen on a Thai Menu "Friend Fried"...wonder if he was deep fried? :) anyway, as I was saying, today it was stir fried green onions and asparagus on a bed of rice. It works for me.
Poo left at 6am for her first day back on the job in about four months. She'll be home again at 6pm. I think I mentioned her monthly salary of $200. of which a third goes for bus fare. She's 25, with a university degree in computer science. Now she works in the office of a construction company and her duties include accounting and marketing.

Reality strikes.

2012-01-01T22:48:00.002-06:00

Poo, the twenty something daughter, returned this morning from several days at the temple. Cheered by the good news that she can resume her old job in I.T. tomorrow I thought that now the family will take a huge step toward financial recovery. Silly me!
Reality struck when I learned that her salary is 6000B ($200) per month. Certainly that will be helpful but seems rather little in overcoming the effects of the flood. Oh, yes, there's also the fact that bus fare to and from work, and hour each way, is 100B...each way. So that's at least a third of her salary.

Courtesy visit.

2012-01-01T22:03:00.002-06:00

Two years ago while I was here I lived with Nick, an American from Maine. We stayed in a little house in the compound of an extended family. It's the one I've of which I've posted pictures both before and during the flood. Nick, married a Thai woman and is still living and teaching here.
Yesterday I went to pay my respects to that family. They are the most solidly middle class of any of the people I know here and I wondered how they came through the flood. Their compound shows the effects of the water but they appear to be OK though they had to evacuate. He has a large Honda motorcycle and that was damaged. They have children, their daughter is 16 and their son is 17, and their English is quite good.

One mystery less more unexplained.

2012-01-01T21:51:00.003-06:00

Knowing that my hosts spent three months living on the 2nd story of their house with over six feet of water downstairs I wondered ow they did it? Max cooks on a hotplate so moving that upstairs was not a problem. But how did they get food? Yesterday they showed me around the outside of their house explaining how they hope to finish it someday. Under the house was a small, perhaps 8', boat. There is a little second story balcony from which they could enter the boat and paddle off in search of food. But, as deep as the water was, where was food for sale?
How they kept electricity upstairs is also a mystery. The water line on the electricity post is clearly above their electric meter.

Obvious distress!

2012-01-01T21:39:00.002-06:00

First time visitors to Ayutthaya likely would not notice much of the floods effects. The temples are again open to visitors and tourists are beginning to return. Many of the hotels and guesthouses are open and evidence of the flood has been excised. Thai cities always have a lot of litter and trash strewn about in open spaces.
However, now in my fourth stay here I can see a radical difference. Effects of the flood shows up in everything from the high water marks on walls, to more litter and trash and many abandoned buildings. The house where I stay is in a new development and about half of the houses on the street have been abandoned, at least for now, in various stages of construction. The same house abandonment was obvious on Gai's street as well...though those were all houses that had been completed.

No wonder I didn't like it!

2012-01-01T21:29:00.002-06:00

Much of Thai food is wonderfully good. Part of the adventure of living with a family is eating what they eat minus my peculiar restrictions; no fish, cucumbers or extremely spicy food. At the table Max loads our plates with rice and then we take food from the other bowls on the table to eat with our rice. Last night there was something dark and gelatinous in the pork soup which I didn't like. The soup appeared again this morning and now with Poo, the 20 something daughter home from the temple, I asked her what it was. She answered in Thai, picked up the Thai English dictionary and translated "pig's blood." OK...I don't need to do that again, though the soup was good.
I've started keeping a notebook with me at the table to record the dishes I really like. Then when in a Thai place in America I'll know what to order.

Definition of Forlorn

2011-12-31T20:52:00.002-06:00

Imagine yourself in a large shopping mall, in Tesco the Thai version of Target, shopping with seven Thai when you feel the all too familiar, initial symptoms of food poisoning. "How did this happen? you may ask. Well...
Gai picked me up via tuk tuk to take me to an internet cafe. After I completed my internet time we all, Max my host lady, too, had lunch and then went to Gai's house to inspect the aftermath of the flood. Gai's house is in a relatively new development that might make us think of town houses. Unlike the traditional Thai houses which are either built on stilts or are two story these are all one story. Gai said she didn't think much of it when the water reached her door...that's happened before...but it kept coming until it was several feet deep in the house. With no second floor in which to take refuge or store their belongings they had to flee with the clothes on their backs. The evacuated to a shelter with 1000s of others but that, too, flooded. They ended up with relatives in Bangkok. Thus the email they sent to in December, "house flooded, no money no food." They also had to abandon their tuk tuk to the flood...I'll say more about this another time.
Max and family spent three months trapped upstairs yet, to Gai, they were the lucky ones because they didn't have to flee and were able to carry their belongings upstairs. It's all relative.
My first night on the floor was a bit difficult, so, because Gai's house is near Tesco, and we had a tuk tuk I decided to go buy a sleeping mat. Three things I didn't take into consideration when I made this decision. First, that I had seven Thai in tow; second, that it was Saturday of New Years Weekend and the entire population of Ayutthaya would be at Tesco; and third, I'd be symptomatic of food poisoning I quickly found the mat I wanted and then we did some clothes shopping for the children while my stomach began to send distress signals. We could not find anything that 14 year old Mai wanted as I felt increasingly sick. It's my new definition of forlorn...stuck in a Thai shopping mall looking for clothes when my stomach is threatening explosion.
We did make it back to the comforts of a bathroom in my house...and suddenly I was doubly grateful for a western style toilet. When I'm sick I'm like a dog that just wants to be left alone...not an option with two Thai women feeling personally responsible for my well being! But I survived both the food poisoning and the attention that it brought. It turned out be a relatively mild bout, I am an expert after all, and I feel fine today.
Because it was New Year's Eve there was huge neighborhood celebration on the street by the house. I even managed to sleep through the music and fireworks; cherry bombs. I'd have joined them if I felt better. Maybe next year :).
A little PS: There so many Christmas Trees in Bangkok it feels like a northern MN forest!

Ayuttthaya Now (

2011-12-30T21:38:00.003-06:00

The trip from Bkk to Ayutthaya gave me a cardiac moment. I've got this large suitcase filled with books for school, plus my suitcase and carry on bag...100lbs total. With all this I elected to a take a taxi from the guesthouse to the minibus so I wouldn't have schlep it all on the Skytrain. The taxi drive was clueless so eventually I got out in the middle of the street, in a big traffic jam somewhat in the vicinity of the minibus. After successfully negotiating the street crossing to a minibus I was pointed up the steps and thataway.

Hoisting 100lbs of bags I climbed the three flight of stairs and viola...I knew where I was and where I needed to go. Around the Democracy Monument on the skywalk, down three flights of stairs, through the outdoor shops and to the correct minibus.

My host family is (was?) building a new house when the flood hit. Construction stopped then so I'm living in a construction zone. Sleeping on the floor doesn't get any easier. The water line in the downstairs where I stay is about at the 8ft level or about 12ft above the street. How they maintained electricity as they were trapped upstairs for three months is a mystery, their electric meter on the pole in front of their house is below the high water line. Fortunately they have an upstairs bathroom and had enough food stockpiled to wait out the flood.
Communication is a bit difficult because, Poo, daughter, is gone for a few days...temple something? Mai (Mr) is still working and Max (Mrs) is too but doesn't have many costumers. The good news is that Poo will have a job beginning Jan. 2. The company she was working for in IT folded during the flood.

I connected with Gai this morning. She's the one who managed the volunteer teachers the first year I was here. She speaks English so fast, broken and accented that I seldom am sure what's she's said. One thing is very clear...she's deeply grateful for some money I wired to her family before I came. I think she said that their tuk tuk, the family's source of income, is being repaired and will soon be ready.

Riding the River

2011-12-29T18:39:00.002-06:00

A ride on the Chao Phraya river via river taxi, while always entertaining, didn't reveal much obvious flood damage. It was apparent the river had been over it's banks and still is higher than I've ever seen it. The fancy hotels at river's edge have their swimming pools open.
An article in the Bangkok Post this week told of Honda Motor Co., crushing 1200 new cars that were caught in the flood. Ayutthaya is at the heart of Thailand's industrial area. The flooding swamped it all. A shortage of micro chips is expected because much of the world's supply comes from this area.
At noon today (Friday) I'll leave BKK for Ayutthaya. It's been unseasonal cool here with temps. in the 60s at night. Perhaps it will warm up for me in Ayutthaya where I sleep on the floor and do not have a/c.

Shopping BKK Style

2011-12-28T19:49:00.002-06:00

Yesterday morning I took the elevated train (Skytrain) to the Siam Center on my quest for a cell phone. The Siam Center is BKK's version of the Mall of America...perhaps as many stores but not all under one roof. My family suggested, OK, insisted that I have a phone this time. The first price suggested by the clerk was 900B ($30) and when the bargaining ended I payed 650B. However, I could have made money on the deal. I payed with a 1000B note and received 1350B in change. Of course I returned the 1000B. My first incoming call? From Steve S. inviting me to the wedding.
In the phone instructions there is a section on "Fake Calls". It instructs on how to make your phone ring if you're in a boring meeting or conversation. Perhaps I'll study up on that!
To get the full BKK experience I went shopping at the Pratnumun in the afternoon. It's blocks of stalls selling clothing and whatever all under one roof. I bought an outfit for Mai-Evy. I sure hope its fits because returns will be a problem.

Sleepless in Bangkok

2011-12-27T19:37:00.002-06:00

Someplace past midnight I awakened as my body told me it was noonish and my stomach said it had missed lunch. Parker Palmer, in one one of his books, said if you find yourself in something of which you can't get out get into it, i.e., "if you can't get out of it get into it". I've found that a very helpful philosophy in many situations and it's saved me a lot of useless angst. So, with that in mind, rather than tossing and turning I got up and watched a bit of Asia News and CNN on TV. Then finished the 'who dunnit' I began on the plane.
After that I was able to sleep until 8am. Daylight this close to the equator is 6am until 6pm year around. Therefore, anytime I see daylight I know that breakfast, included with the room, will be ready...it's served from 6-10am. Today's menu; fried eggs, bread for toasting with peanut butter and jam, two tasteless dried cereals w/soy milk, yogurt, noodles, bananas, guava, a couple of stir fries, mango juice and coffee. Something for every one's taste.
Dairy's not big in Asia nor is bread. My host family last year told me Americans would not be so fat if they ate less bread and more rice. The dairy and bread sections in a grocery store are one small shelf while rice takes a whole aisle. Eggs are sold in plastic bags. Oveltine is so popular that McDonald's sells it as they do pork sandwiches.

Bangkok Chilling

2011-12-27T04:12:00.002-06:00

Imagine my surprise, after arising at 3am for a 6am flight to Chicago, as I sit and wait for my flight to Inchon, Korea, up walks my cousin, Steve S. Turns out he's on my flight on his way to a friend's wedding in Bangkok. Not only that, he'll also be on my return flight. We also were able to share a taxi from the airport becasue we're staying in the same area of this huge city. After the wedding Steve is going to Singapore and Viet Nam.
The 13.5 hour flight to Korea made the 5.5 hour from there to Bangkok seem like a touch and go! Headwinds to Korea put us in late and our connecting flight was held for us. It's my first time on Asiana Airlines and I'm a convert. Wonderful service and they gave me an exit row for the long flight to Korea for no extra charge. Didn't realize how bad Delta is until I had this comparison. Plus, the Asiana flight cost me 100,000 frequent flier miles and Delta wanted 150,000.
So I'm chilling the Bangkok Christian Guesthouse again. No flood in this central area of BKK. However, every time the flood comes up in conversation people talk about how bad it was in Ayutthaya.
Surprisingly cool here...perhaps the 60s this a.m. and the Guesthouse has just kept the doors open without turning on the a/c. From the plane window I could see ice and snow in Inchon, Korea. Interesting conversation with my Korean seat mates re: the leadership change in N. Korea. One just graduated from IA State with a degree in engineering and is going to work in Brazil. He said that the Korean students were told to gather in Chicago if war broke out and the government would send a plane to pick them up.
I can't start teaching until next week so I'll hang here in BKK a few days. My big suitcase of teaching materials made it here with the rest of my luggage.

Packing bags.........

2011-12-23T11:00:00.002-06:00

The large gun metal grey Samsonite suitcase I bought at a 2nd hand store for $5.00 is packed full of books and school supplies. Also included are almost 50 letters from Noble Academy 50th graders. I'll leave the suitcase and supplies there.
Those letters and the replies will be the focus of much of English Teaching. I'll invite the Thai students to include their mailing addresses on the letters I carry back. Perhaps it will initiate a pen pal relationship. Kathy W. also gave me cassette tape recorder that I can use as a tool to help the students as they learn to speak English. Trial and error with some good coaching from people like Kathy are helping me to gradually figure out how to help the students with their English.
A brief email from the English teacher at 'my' school said that they're all fine. I do wonder if some students will have left during the flood, or.....?

Letters to Thailand.

2011-12-20T20:32:00.002-06:00

The fifth grade students at Noble School, with whom I volunteer, are busy writing letters to my students in Thailand. I'll bring the letters with me. They letters are a good educational tool. The Noble teachers used them as a learning exercise in letter writing. They will also be a good learning tool in Thailand giving the Thai students practice in reading English. I will also have them write back to the students at Noble. The letters from Noble are quite long...they'll be challenge for the Thai students. If it wasn't for the 12 hour time difference we could Skype between schools, but.....

Thailand trip plans.

2011-12-18T18:49:00.001-06:00

Perhaps I was asleep at the switch, but, whatever, I was late making my frequent flier reservations for my trip to Thailand. Coming back was not problem but to find a free flight out I have to leave on Christmas Day...very early! Flight time is 6:00am via United to Chicago to catch an Aisiana Airlines plane to Bangkok via Seoul Korea. This will be the first time that I'm not flying either Northwest or Delta through Tokyo. I think of it as another adventure.
This flight schedule will get me to Thailand several days before I can begin teaching on January 3. What to do? Unless another more creative thought strikes me I'll probably hang out at Christian Guesthouse in Bangkok. The wonderful tropical heat and humidity will allow my shoulders to un-cramp after hunching against the December cold in Minnesota.
The big question, 'what will I find after the flood?' will not really get answered until I get to Ayutthaya on January 1. Central Bangkok, in which the Christian Guesthouse is located, was not flooded. While in Thailand I'll update this blog regularly.

Thank you received from Thailand.

2011-12-13T16:03:00.003-06:00

This is the family described below.

This is their house.

This is the verbatim thank you email I received for the money I sent via Western Union.
"Our families. Thank you so much that you have a good spirit so send money to us is 7400 Baht ($250.) if you want to help us help you. If you come to Ayutthaya to tell us. We will await you. Or send a message to us. They are not computer at home."
I'm pleased that I was able to get the money to them before I arrived. I will make clear to the families that I help that the money is not all from me. I'll tell them that churches and friends in America provided much of it.

Auction Pictures

2011-12-11T21:16:00.003-06:00

Relief For Flooded Thailand

2011-12-10T18:37:00.002-06:00

Three years ago when I was teaching in Ayutthaya, Thailand, I lived in a house with other volunteer teachers. A Thai woman, Gai, was hired to provide us with food and language instruction. Gai and her husband, Mai, have three children at home. The children became special to the volunteer teachers. I have stayed in contact with the family via email and visiting them when I've been in Ayutthaya.
During the recent flood I received an email from Gai which said in effect; 'house flooded, no money no food.' Their income source is a Tuk-Tuk, a small three wheeled taxi they use to transport tourists. Obviously not usable during a severe flood.
Now they are home but do not have enough money to replace the school clothes their children need or to fix damage to their house. However, today I was able to wire them some money via Western Union so they do not need to wait for my arrival in two weeks to get some help.

Auction

2011-12-10T18:17:00.002-06:00

In 1885 my grandfather, Lars Negstad, bought the rights to a homestead in SDak. and three years later completed the requirements to receive the 160 acres from the U.S.government. Since that time the land has been farmed by Negstads. After Lars came my father, Albert. Albert was followed by his son and my brother, David. After David came his son, Wayne who has farmed until now.
This summer Wayne decided to quit farming and concentrate his efforts on his tax and accounting business. He is in the process of buying the H & R Block business in Brookings, where he has worked winters for a number of years. He will continue to live on the farm.
Yesterday he auctioned his farm machinery and he has rented his land for next year. The auction was cold but sunny, the high temperature reached 12 degrees. Grandpa Lars planted trees around the farmstead and those trees have been maintained by his successors. They provided welcome protection from the wind for the auction. It appeared to this bystander that the auction was a success.
The oldest item sold was an antique road grader that belonged to my uncle, Henry. In the early part of the 20th century he had a road building business building some of the first roads in Brookings County. He pulled the grader with his huge 40-80 Avery tractor.
Wayne's brother, Neil, is interested in history so his plan was to buy the grader and give it to the Brookings Co. museum, located in Volga. (Parenthetically, the museum was begun by Neil's great uncle on his grandmother's side, John Bergh.) We all thought that the grader would sell for $50 or $100. Give Neil credit, he stuck with the bidding until he prevailed...at $950. So the museum will get the grader.

Word from Thailand.

2011-11-30T20:50:00.003-06:00

Recently I've had fairly regular but brief emails from my host family in Thailand. Today the message was that Max (wife/mother) is going back to work tomorrow. Poo, daughter, is out of a job because her company disbanded. She's a University graduate and was working in I.T. No word about Mai (husband/father). The emails are very brief and cryptic.
I also heard from Gai, the woman who fed the volunteer teachers three years ago. She said they were working on their house and she said "please help my family." I assume that help would be money. I've emailed her back to ask for clarification. Their livelihood was a tuk-tuk, the three wheeled taxis that are ubiquitous in Thailand. I asked in my email if the tuk-tuk is safe. If it is they have some hope of recovery once tourists return.
I'll bring as much money as I can to help these families get back on their feet. Should you be interested in more information on the recent flooding Wikipedia, the online encyclopedia, has very good information about it www.wikipedia.com

Thanksgiving Day pics

2011-11-25T20:29:00.003-06:00

Mai-Evy and Trygve have a mutual admiration thing!

Better News

2011-11-25T16:15:00.002-06:00

Today I had a brief email from Poo, the daughter in my Thai host family, who says their house is now dry. Her emails are always brief and a bit cryptic but I assume that they're not back to work yet. I wonder how they survived this long and especially weeks marooned in the second story of their house?

Thais adjust to life in waist-deep floodwater

2011-11-23T19:15:00.000-06:00

Thais adjust to life in waist-deep floodwater

News from Thailand

2011-11-21T20:21:00.002-06:00

I'm now in email contact with the family with whom I stayed last year. Since I was there they have moved into the house they were building. The house is flooded but they are holed up on the second floor unable to go out. They do have food and they spend their days reading and watching TV. (I'm curious how they have electricity when the downstairs if flooded?) It seems that they have been isolated like this for at least three months. This means that none of them are working. They think the water will recede by Dec. 1.
They have invited me to stay with them again and I plan to do that. I'll leave here on Dec. 25, and spend January teaching in the same school...I hope. The school is currently flooded, it's on the banks of a canal, but I'm hoping it will be operational by the first week of January.
The United States pledged a paltry 10 million in aid. Grace University Lutheran, where I am a member is gathering funds to send with me. I'll distribute it to some families I know there. Another family sent me a brief email a few weeks ago that said "House flooded, no money, no food."

News from Thailand

2011-11-18T18:51:00.003-06:00

The house in which I stayed two years ago, now flooded.

I've received some occasional emails from the family with whom I stayed last year including an invitation to stay with them again when I go back. While I was there they were in the process of building a house which they've since occupied. Fortunately is two story. They've been living in the upper story, and best as I can tell, unable to go out. Apparently they have electricity because they did send an email. A couple of weeks ago they said that they had not worked in three months. They also said they expect the water to subside by Dec. 1. The rains began in July but now have ended. The school where I teach is flooded and that was no surprise to me.

The U.S. announced 10 million in aid which I think is an appallingly stingy response! Losses in Thailand will many billion dollars. I'll bring what money I can for some direct aid. I'm really wondering what I'll find when I get there.

Pictures from the Domican Republic

2011-11-16T18:07:00.003-06:00

Art for sale on the street.

Flowers in the market.

Vegetable market.

Our hotel showing our 2nd story balcony.

Conde street the pedestrian street that ran past our hotel.

Adios Santo Domingo

2011-11-15T07:18:00.002-06:00

One meal to go and we will have succeeded in our goal of eating every meal outdoors while in the Dominican Republic. Last night was special under clear tropical skies we are one edge of a large plaza. The table was illuminated by soft candle light and we were serenaded by strolling guitarists. Families gathered on the plaza with children running to and fro.
Santo Domingo sleeps later than Bangkok which is a more frentic place.
The curmudgeonette´s natural friendliness gets her in trouble in the tourist shops. They take that friendliness as interest in their wares. This was particularly true when we visited the large market specializing in things for tourists. The walk around the market was most interesting because that is where the locals trade; fruits, vegtable, grains, flours, flowers, meat...the dressed chicken in the full noonday sun with caged chickens awaiting their turn.
Dominican cuisine is nothing special. It is basically meat and starch with little spice. The lack of spice shoots a hole in my theory that countries in hot climates use a lot of pepper, e.g., Thailand, India, Mexico, etc.
Now...home again.

Sunday in Santo Domingo

2011-11-13T11:07:00.002-06:00

The curmudgeonette took us to mass at the Cathedral this morning. The 12:00 mass started at 12:15. I departed 30 minutes into the homily and decided to worship at my blog. She stayed on.
Tourist prices prevail in this colonial section of the city. Meal costs are similar to downtown Minneapolis.
Good or bad I can´t help comparing Santo Domingo with Bangkok. On a twenty block walk yesterday I passed 6 places to eat. In Bangkok that walk would have brought me by at least 200. Here there are virtually no street vendors. There are a few small motorcycles compared to 1000s in BKK. The weather is similar; pleasantly tropical with an occasional afternoon shower.

In the Dominican Republic

2011-11-12T11:11:00.002-06:00

Christopher Columbus is big here in Santo Domingo. In fact his brother is credited as the city founder. There´s a huge staute of CC in the plaza next to our hotel which is in the colonial zone of the city. The 500 year old cathederal in on the other side of the plaza. Perhaps CC is big because none of the peaceful aboriginals lived to tell. They couldn´t stand up to European enslavement and disease.
The weather is pleasantly tropical and in the mutual comfort zone of the curmudgeon and curmudgeonette. That zone reaches from 75-85F. Below 75 the curmudgeon is cold and above 85 the curmudgeonette is hot. When we planned the trip we thought that there´d be 2 feet of snow in MN to escape. Too much global warming!
I wish I knew as much Spainish as I know Thai, which isn´t very much. There is enough tourist traffic so some know English but a little more Spanish would be helpful to me.
More another day.

Traveling!

2011-11-08T19:19:00.003-06:00

The curmudgeonette and I are going to take a five trip, leaving Friday, to the Dominican Republic. Are we going to the beach? No. We tried that once south of Cancun, Mexico, and got so bored that we hopped a bus and went to Belize for a day.
We have reserved a hotel in the heart of the Colonial District of Santo Domingo, the city founded by Christopher Columbus' brother. We'll explore the city and skip the beach unless we make a day visit to one.
When we made our plans we thought we'd be escaping the cold and snow. As it turns out we have no snow and it's not very cold.
I'll try to blog from S.D....and Yes, I do plan to spend January in Thailand. I do wonder what I'll find after the floods. I did get word from the family with whom I stayed that the water is almost out of their house now. One friend is sending some $$ with me to give to someone who lost much in the flood.

What's in a name?

2011-11-08T19:04:00.002-06:00

The diversity of first names of the 5th graders at Noble Academy fascinates me. Here is a large sample of names. Weewan, William, Michelle, Madelyn, Chimeng, Toubee, Aric, Victoria, Blia, Malaki, Cassidy, Usa, Joey, Jantheny, Newlife, Kenny, Mercedes, Linda, Klimisha, Romeo, Blessing, April, Kong, Yasminna, Ladani, Isha, Isabella... I wish I knew the stories behind the names.
Volunteering at the school is so much fun I should perhaps be paying for the opportunity!
PS Spellcheck didn't recognise 14 names.

Halloween Pics.

2011-11-06T20:02:00.001-06:00

Here are a few pictures from Halloween.

Thailand flooding strands elephants in Ayutthaya

2011-11-01T10:55:00.000-06:00

Thailand flooding strands elephants in Ayutthaya

The dream.

2011-10-29T09:23:00.002-06:00

A large pumpkin sits on the receptionist's desk at Noble School. It is decorated with traditional Hmong art. The ink inscription on the pumpkin reads "It was my grandparent's dream to go to school. I am living that dream."
It was sweet to have two fifth grade classes sing happy birthday to me yesterday.

Bangkok residents make run on lifejackets

2011-10-28T20:28:00.000-06:00

Bangkok residents make run on lifejackets

Good question!

2011-10-25T13:12:00.002-06:00

While I was working with a group of 3, 5th graders today one student asked me "Who invented the # sign for numbers?" "I don't know," I said. "Good question" she said...and it was.
Accompanying one 5th grade class to their session on "Musical Math" satisfied my curiosity. I'd been wondering about Musical Math for which the students leave their home room. What is it? It explores the connections between math and music. Today's lesson was about whole, half, quarter and eighth notes and the fractions implied.

Best Weekend Story

2011-10-24T12:40:00.003-06:00

Lars, Charlie (Lars' father-in-law) and I had a weekend hunting trip to SD. Lars' story won top honors with the group. It goes like this.
Lars, needing a haircut, called the phone number listed on the door of Sinai's new hair salon for an appointment. Visiting with the barber as she cut his hair she said she lived on a acreage about half way between Sinai and Nunda. She went on to say "The coyotes were making such a racket again last night that I couldn't sleep. I wasn't about to lose another night of sleep so I got up, took my pistol went out and fired a couple of shots in the air. That's the last I heard of the coyotes and I slept like a baby."

Floodwaters near Bangkok keep Thais on edge

2011-10-24T12:40:00.000-06:00

Floodwaters near Bangkok keep Thais on edge

Thai PM admits government overwhelmed by floods

2011-10-20T16:06:00.000-06:00

Thai PM admits government overwhelmed by floods

Field Trip

2011-10-19T15:27:00.002-06:00

Target Field (baseball) was the destination of a 4th and 5th grade field trip for Noble Academy today. We got a thorough tour of the facility; dugout, dressing room, boxes, bull pen et. al. There were math and science lessons for the students which related to baseball. It was apparent that our students aren't much into baseball but they really enjoyed the day.
Our one room country school didn't have field trips though I remember the day an airplane landed in the field next school. The teacher let us go across the road and into the field to investigate. A local contractor flew his Piper Cub to look at some drainage work he was to do. When he took off he had us hold the airplane while he revved the engine. At his signal we all let go and he was airborne in a few feet. I also remember tearing out the seat of my pants crossing the fence to return to school.
The memory of that takeoff came back to me when I was on aircraft carrier while in the Marines. The USS Princeton had been retrofitted to carry Marine helicopters. The Marines also use Pier Cubs for reconnaissance and there were some of those aboard ship, too.
The carrier would cruise at about 30 knots, approx. 45 miles per hour, and always headed into the wind when airplanes were landing or taking off. The Piper Cubs would be airborne at about that speed. To land on the deck the pilot would come in low, slowing to about the speed of the ship. He'd suddenly cut all the power off and sailors who were standing by would quickly grab the plane and keep it from flipping over backward.
To take off the sailors would hold the plane while the pilot revved the engine. He'd give it full power, the sailors would release their hold and the plane would be instantly airborne.

Fire Drill!

2011-10-17T19:07:00.002-06:00

Noble Academy conducted a fire drill while I was volunteering. The 5th graders quickly lined up and trooped responsibly out to the parking lot until the "all clear" signal. Everything I've witnessed at Noble thus far has been well done.
We didn't have fire drills at Brookings Country rural school #21 in the eight years I attended. It wouldn't have taken a teacher and twelve students long to exit that small room. The furnace (stove) was in the front of the room and the exit in the rear so the likely hood of being trapped was small. What good the quart size, glass fire extinguishers near the ceiling would have done is debatable.
While I was in grades 1-4, heat was from a coal burner in the front left corner. The school was uninsulated so when the coal burned out in the evening the inside of the room quickly became as cold as the outside temperature. It was the teacher's job to arrive early and light the fire so that there was some heat in the room when students arrived.
When the coal burner was replaced with an oil burner we thought that we'd really arrived! The burner would be turned down after school but there would be some heat in the room in the morning. There was no coal fire to light nor coal to schlep into the school from the coal shed.
One thing remained the same. Students sent to stand in the corner for misbehavior stood in the corner behind the stove; coal or oil.

Silence at Noon.

2011-10-16T15:20:00.004-06:00

It was a picture perfect day for the pheasant season opener in SDak. The temperature was about 60 degrees, there were a few fleecy clouds and perhaps a 6 mph. wind from the north west. Quite a contrast to the 30mph wind with gusts to 40 the day before.
One of my fields is adjacent to a large, perhaps 320 acre, state owned wildlife area. When I arrived at my field I noted a hunting party of 6 persons waiting for the opening on the public area. Pheasant hunting opens at noon on the third Saturday of October in SDak.
Both the date and the time are rooted in history. When the pheasant population grew enough so that there would be a hunting season noon was set as the opening hour. Noon was not chosen for any conservation reasons. Noon was an economic decision. SDak was a popular destination for out of state duck hunters and duck hunting is best done at dawn. Therefore, noon was chosen as the opening of pheasant hunting each day so that duck hunters would not miss out. The money spent by the duck hunters was important to the state so the pheasant season's daily opening time was set to accommodate them.
The tradition still lingers so the during the first two weeks of the season shooting begins at noon. For the remainder of the season hunting begins each day at 10:00am. Hunting ends each day at sundown.
I'd been hunting for about a half hour on Sunday when I realized what was missing. Like Sherlock Holmes' "dog that didn't bark" there was silence. Usually a few minutes after 12:00 the sound of gun fire sounds like a small war. A couple of times a I heard a few shots from the hunters in the next field and that was all. Predictions were that the bird numbers are down 40% from last year. A combination of a harsh winter and wet spring had taken its toll. The silence suggests the predictions are true.
You ask "And what about you?" Yes, what about me? My plan was to walk the fence line that divides my land from the states and post "No Hunting" signs so that hunters will know where the public land ends. Trygve had flushed a brood of young birds that hadn't even developed adult coloring, obviously a very late hatch. I had posted a couple of signs and was about to post a third sign on the fence next to standing corn planted as a winter food plot on the state land. I laid my gun carefully in the grass, turned around, took my sign and stapler from my hunting vest and two roosters flushed about 15 yards in front of me.
I once read an outdoor writer who said "Birds you miss fly forever." He's correct. Those birds remain in my minds eye flying into the distance. Did I mind? Not much...it's the proximity that counts.

Silence at Noon.

2011-10-16T15:20:00.001-06:00

Lynx

2011-10-11T17:16:00.003-06:00

In June I began attending the Lynx, MN WNBA basketball team. It's a seven block stroll over to target center where they play. It turns out I was a bit ahead of the popularity curve as the Lynx had the best season in the WNBA and then swept through all of the playoffs and to the championship with only one loss.

There was a parade in their honor today down Nicollet Mall with a pep rally following at Target Center. It was a fun celebration. Naturally they thanked many people. Among those they thanked was their publicist whom they called to the stage. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that their publicist is Aaron S., whom I confirmed at St. James.

I'll attach a couple of picture from the parade. The top picture shows Taj McWilliams/Franklin,the LYNX starting center who started every game though she's turning 41 in a couple of days. The other picture shows Seimone Augustus and Lyndsey Whalen who is from Hutchinson, MN.

Skunk vacation...

2011-10-10T08:03:00.003-06:00

Ruth Quail, age 88, of Sinai, SD died October 3. 2011. She grew up on a neighboring farm and was my teacher for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, grades in Rural District School #21, Brookings Co. SD. Seeing her obituary reminded me of a 1st grade experience.

Our little school house sat on a stone foundation with no basement. One fall day we noticed that an animal had tunneled under the foundation. Marvin Jepsen, who was in 8th grade set a trap in the tunnel. When we returned to school the next day there was a skunk caught in the trap.

Marvin ran home, about a quarter of mile across a field, and got his .22 caliber rifle. After he shot the skunk Miss Quail decided to recess school for a few days to allow the odor to subside. It was my one and only skunk vacation.

So that's the problem!

2011-10-04T14:59:00.002-06:00

In the 5th grade classroom I was given the task of introducing similes and metaphors to three students. After giving myself a quick mental review of these figures of speech I went to work. One student caught on quite quickly. Another student was having a particularly hard time. Being a part time volunteer it's relatively easy to be patient, but, I did think to myself, "Wow, he's really obtuse."
After class the teacher checked in with me. When I reported the student's struggle she said "Oh, yes, he's new and is just learning English." Well then............

School lockdown.

2011-10-04T14:33:00.002-06:00

Midway through my volunteer stint with a 5th grade class at Noble School on Monday there was a lock down drill. An announcement over the PA system said that a stranger had breached security in the building and the school was on lock down. All outside doors to the school are kept locked and admittance is by a buzzer attendant system. The 5th grade teacher quickly closed and locked the classroom door which has no window. She had the class sit on the floor in a corner away from the door and the windows and explained what was happening. The students sat quietly and waited for the all clear.
The chasm between my experience of the first eight grades in a one room country school and that of students in 2011 is as great as the Grand Canyon. This lock down was just one more such example. It did, however, bring back a memory.
There was a system in place for the supervision of country school teachers through a County Superintendent. In Brookings Country, SD, while I was an elementary student, that person was Miss. Van Maanen She had an interesting style.
Our school building was very small with three windows on the sides and none front or back. There was a small entry room which was the only access to the classroom. We left our coats, boots and lunches in the unheated entry. In the coldest part of winter lunches would be frozen by noon.
Miss. Van Maanen drove a twenties model car...bigger than a Ford or Chevy. She'd come to the school from the east which gave a slightly downhill approach. Turning off the engine and depressing the clutch she'd coast into the school yard. Exiting the car noiselessly she'd go into the entry quietly. There she would listen for awhile to gather information about the teacher's classroom management. Eventually she'd enter the classroom but that would be the first anyone would know of her presence. I don't know that the teachers thought be the students were all afraid of her.

Not a hero!

2011-09-23T20:40:00.002-06:00

Last night while I was standing in the foyer of Target Center before the Lynx game a woman whom I didn't know approached me shook my hand, said "Thank you" and handed me a pre-printed card. On the front of the card was printed "Thank you for your service and dedication to Our Country." On the reverse it said "Dear American Hero, I am not certain as to how to express my gratitude for all you have done to secure my freedom. Please accept this simple card as a small token of my appreciation. A grateful American citizen."
It took me a little while to figure out that I was likely selected because I was wearing my 'Marines' cap a friend gave me this summer. It left me with decidedly mixed feelings.
At the very least I know that I am not a hero. When I enlisted in 1959 all healthy American males were expected to serve at least two years. After two years of directionless college I needed to regroup. A three year enlistment in the Marines gave me time to grow up, fulfill my military obligation and have some travel and adventure. Patriotism? not so much and no heroism.
The infantry company to which I was assigned had a First Sergeant who had 30+ years of service. I remember him waxing eloquent about the lack of patriotism among the Marines in the company. Some of the Marines had enlisted as an alternative to going to jail.
The well meaning woman who gave me the card is probably the embodiment of reaction to the disgraceful treatment of American Servicemen returning from Vietnam. Everyone seems ready to bend over backward to honor military personnel. It is true that many make great sacrifices in military service.
The all volunteer services of today are a subject for another blog in which I'll argue that the draft should be reinstated,

Expensive Lynx

2011-09-22T14:07:00.002-06:00

All season I've been attending the WNBA Lynx games. Going alone, I'd buy a $10.00 ticket, which was the least expensive, and then sit in better vacant seat. Well...no more. Now, in the second round of play offs, the cheap tickets are $15.00 but the crowds are so big that there are no better vacant seats.
Tonight is the first game of the second round and I paid $42.00 for a seat like I was previously sitting in for $10.00. The ticket price was $35.00 and then Ticketmaster charged me $7.00 for the privilege of doing business with them.
They beat San Antonio 2 of 3 in the first round and now they start a best of 3 with Phoenix.

Ingenous splint

2011-09-22T14:01:00.002-06:00

The topic of the "reading for comprehension" lesson I was working on with three fifth graders was "Our Marvelous Body." I asked the three students with whom I was working if they had ever had a broken bone? C. said "Yes, I broke my wrist." Then I asked if she'd had a cast on her arm. She said "No, we laid chopsticks on my arm and wrapped it with cloth to keep it from moving." It must have worked because her arm is fine now. Perhaps that's what you do when you don't have medical insurance.

So slow smart....

2011-09-20T17:01:00.002-06:00

M. & S.A. were in town for a quick visit to see us and our condo. So M.A. and I wandered over to the Mill City Museum and were greatly impressed. The best feature is an elevator display using a freight elevator as theater seats as the elevator stops at 8 floors telling the story of the flour mill. The stops were superbly and creatively done...I'd say an outstanding presentation. The 19 minute movie history of Mpls. done by Kevin Kling was also first rate. The unanswered question; Why has it taken me so long to discover this?
M.A. saw his first Peddle Pub, too. That's the wagon? carrying up to 15 passengers and peddled by 12 of them that plies downtown Mpls. It's a mobile pub. There are 8 of them here.

Book Report

2011-09-18T18:31:00.003-06:00

Our (old) neighborhood book club read Faith Sullivan's The Cape Ann and had a lively discussion of the book. The book is a good read but the most delightful part was that Faith Sullivan was present. She's a lively, vivacious and very interesting person. She lives in Mn and buy groceries at Byerly's where PN works so PN invited her to attend our book club.
Faith said that she once lived in a railroad depot as do the main characters in The Cape Ann. That reminded me of the time that the grain elevator manager and his family lived the elevator in my home town in SD.
Faith has written a sequel to The Cape Ann which is entitled Gardenias.

Noble Academy

2011-09-14T16:30:00.003-06:00

When I walked into the 5th grade classroom to volunteer today the teacher was ecstatic. She said "It's the first time in years I've had a volunteer." Now that's a fun reception! I think I've found my niche.
While I was helping Malachi with his reading I did some of the getting acquainted stuff. "Do you like to ride your bike?" " No." " Do you like to go fishing." "No." "Do you like to play basketball?" "No." "What do you like to do?" "My homework."
While I was helping some students the teacher had a math session with other students. A math problem was projected on a white board. As the students worked the problem, simple Algebra actually, the teacher's writing on the board interfaced with the computer program. When I was a student in that one room country school in SDak. we didn't have that.

Nice Ride Bikes

2011-09-13T14:38:00.002-06:00

Scattered about downtown Mpls. are Nice Ride Bikes which are available for rent. Pop in your credit card and pop a bike out of the docking station. Or, people like me, have an annual subscription with our own electronic key that lets us take a bike free for thirty minutes, after which, there is a small fee.
Suffering from a sore heel this summer and with a very energetic young Springer I've taken to biking more and walking less. Trygve loves running alongside the bike. Being the Norwegian that I am, I've learned where to change bikes so I can ride longer than thirty minutes without an additional charge.
What I didn't know is that there is an internal odometer in these bikes that records mileage as they are ridden. So, it was a pleasant surprise when I went online to look at my account and discover that I've peddled over 400 miles this summer. Trygve has run most of those miles as well.

More about Noble Academy

2011-09-08T13:40:00.002-06:00

Teachers at Noble are hired on an 'at will' basis. All students have an improvement plan. Every six weeks they are measured against that plan. If a majority of a class is improving the teacher is assumed to be competent. If progress of a class is inadequate the teacher is counseled. If subsequent measurements show inadequate improvement the teacher may be dismissed with 30 days notice. Teachers can also resign after giving 30 days notice.