Energizing!

I just met with my friend, KW, a retired ESL (English as a Second Language) teacher, to brainstorm teaching ideas for my teaching in Thailand. The first year I taught in Thailand I shared a house with several other volunteers some of whom were teachers. They were a great resource for me. Additionally there was a huge stash of educational material in "our" house. When I went back last year I shared a different house with one volunteer who had no teaching experience. Not only that, all the educational materials were gone. This year I stayed as the only volunteer with a Thai family.
One effect of these changes was that my teaching repertoire was wearing rather thin. KW bubbles with ideas and resources for teaching, though she tells me that I'm teaching EFL (English as a Foreign Language). Whichever I'm doing, she has so many creative ideas that I'm energized and I think my teaching will be more engaging, effective and fun.
Bringing a second suitcase is one idea that emerged. Typically I bring one small suitcase and small carry on. However, on international flights two checked bags are permitted per passenger. One could be filled with educational materials and I could store it at the school for my use when I return.
She also directed me to some helpful web sites. Previously when I clicked on 'ESL' I got about 100,000 hits. Attempting to wade through them for something helpful was more than I could manage. Finding the right website will be a boon.
Can't wait to try out some of these ideas!

Curmudgeonette Report

Joanne's back fusion operation of November 9, 2009 was only partially successful. The upper part of the fusion is solid. Unfortunately the lower part, in the sacroiliac, the screws did not hold. The effect of this has been constant, severe and increasing pain.
After several consultations and much thought and prayer Joanne has opted for restorative surgery to re-anchor the screws. The surgery is scheduled for March 7, at Abbott Northwestern Hospital...same surgeon, same hospital.
To keep family and friends posted on her progress she has reactivated her Caringbridge page which gives more information. I will keep it up to date during and after surgery until such time as she is ready to self report. To access her page go to www.caringbridge.org/visit/jnegstad

Why I like SDak!

Edith's pond, across the street from the Sinai house.

The Sinai house at -20 degrees.

When the curmudgeonette and I bought a house in Sinai, SD the local postmistress said that made us eligible for a post office box. So we now proudly claim Box 34, Sinai, S.D., 57106 as our SDak address.

Today I made a quick stop in Sinai on a business matter. It was my first time there since my last pheasant hunting trip ended December 15. I went to the post office to check my mail box and found it full of advertisers (The Yellow Paper). In conversation with the postmistress I said that perhaps I should fill out a '"Temporarily Away" form because I didn't expect to be in town again until April. She said "Don't bother. You don't get very much mail but if something comes for you I'll tell your brother." Minneapolis has much going for it but not that kind of service.

The only place to buy gas in Sinai is at the grain elevator. The pump is across the street from the elevator office. When I buy gas, I pump my gas and then walk across the street to report how much gas I got and pay for it. Again, that is not the procedure in Minneapolis.

Last year's Thai house in the dry and wet seasons.

The house where I stayed last year as he looked during the wet season.


The house as it looked when I lived in it.

More pics.

The teachers as Wat Klang School.

Fifth grade class.

Two fourth graders.

In the market.

What I don't miss about Thailand.

MJ asked what I don't miss about Thailand. This is a short list. I don't miss people talking loudly on the bus when I'm trying to sleep. I don't miss cold showers. I don't miss sleeping on the floor. I don't miss Bangkok tuk tuk drivers. I don't miss the sound of dog fights at night. I don't miss Bangkok traffic jams.

A few more things I miss about Thailand.

I miss the sound of roosters crowing at dawn. I miss the ballet of Bangkok traffic. I miss seeing school children doing homework Saturdays in a cafe. I miss long tail boats on the river. I miss riding the water taxis. I miss the ubiquitous pictures of the king. I miss the melodramatic Thai TV. I miss the cutsie, sentimental decorations on bags and packaging. I miss the hucksters trying to sell me "Rolex" watches. I miss deep fried bananas rolled in sugar. I miss soda in plastic bags. I miss the calling of doves. I miss feeding the catfish. I miss students calling out "teacher" "teacher". I miss seeing first graders mopping and sweeping.

Missing Thailand

What do I miss about Thailand? Perhaps the most obvious as we live through snow and cold is the weather. I also miss motorbike rides and Thai food. I miss seeing CD discs hanging from truck bumpers and elephant tails as reflectors. I also miss the interesting assortment of vehicles...tuk tuks, motorcycle taxis, motorcycles pushing carts, motorcycles with sidecars that cook and serve food, motorcycles with 3, 4 and sometimes even 5 passengers. I miss hearing the national anthem at 8am and 6 pm. I miss the students at school and the teachers. I miss "my" Thai family. I miss the musical rhythm of spoken Thai. I miss the smiles and warmth of Thai people. I miss seeing high school girls and boys in uniform carrying brief cases. I miss sidewalk vendors and night markets. I miss the green of rice fields and the storks that feed in them. I miss seeing the city streets washed on the weekends. I miss the organized chaos of night market set up. I miss the laughter that I provoke when I try to speak Thai. I miss great meals that cost a dollar or two. I miss being in a place that is so different from my usual life. I miss the freedom that comes from being unable to control much of what happens to and around me. I miss navigating by temples. I miss the feeling of comfort in a foreign place that in some small way I have made my own. I miss the pleasure of being able to order a meal in Thai and receiving what I ordered. I miss the satisfaction of being able to navigate Bangkok by Sky Train and minibus. I miss being a total outsider. I miss $10. two hour Thai massages. I miss the delight that Thai school children have in shaking hands. I miss the atmosphere of Thai schools. I miss the satisfaction of hearing students learn new pronunciations. I miss the uninhibited but respectful attitude of the students. I miss the smell of food cooked in the open air. I miss the smell of Jasmine. I miss the sight of Bougainvilleas spilling over a wall. I miss the vendors selling their wares at stop lights. I miss negotiating with taxi drivers over fares. I miss Thai markets. I miss Thai omelets. I miss exchanging pleasantries with my favorite beggar. I miss shopping for silk in the night market. I miss the respectful custom of never being presented a bill at a restaurant until I request it. I miss seeing elephants on the street.
These are a few of the things I miss.