Tutoring the neighbor children is going well. They are very serious about learning English. The group is growing. One girl brought her little brother last night and another mother asked Max if she could send her daughter. I agreed.
The three current students, a girl and her brother, plus their cousin, all live in an inter-generational home next door. Shortly after the students left last night they were back at the door with a hot bowl of Thai food for me, a plate of fruit and some sweets from their grandmother who lives with them. I thought "that's something my grandma would have done!"
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Misc. observations.
In conversation with Gai the other day, she speaks rapid fire English with a speech impediment and Thai pronunciation, I learned what it takes for her to borrow money. First, she has to find someone who will lend money because the bank will not. Then, if she borrows money, she has to pay 20% interest. WOW!
It's a bit of a ride to get to school each morning. Some of it is open country with rice paddies. A couple of days ago on my trip to school I saw a mink cross the road between paddies. I didn't know there were mink in Thailand. The Thai dictionary gives the Thai word for mink so that confirmed my identification.
The third grade teacher was absent today. Walking by the the 3rd grade room I looked in. The third graders were all sitting at their desks working in their notebooks with no adult in the room. Perhaps the students are on their best behavior when left alone. With an adult present they may engage in attention gaining behavior.
It's a bit of a ride to get to school each morning. Some of it is open country with rice paddies. A couple of days ago on my trip to school I saw a mink cross the road between paddies. I didn't know there were mink in Thailand. The Thai dictionary gives the Thai word for mink so that confirmed my identification.
The third grade teacher was absent today. Walking by the the 3rd grade room I looked in. The third graders were all sitting at their desks working in their notebooks with no adult in the room. Perhaps the students are on their best behavior when left alone. With an adult present they may engage in attention gaining behavior.
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| 5th graders, "one more picture, teacher." |
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| 5th grade is very small. |
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| 6th grade. |
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Thai or American Thinking.
On Sunday when we went to see Max' new shop I had know idea where it was. As we went into a busy business district I thought "oh, good, foot traffic." We drove through that area and kept driving and driving ending up at the opposite side of town. Not only were we far from the house, the shop is located on a small street in a residential neighborhood. My heart sank as I began to contemplate possible business failure.
The shop itself is very nice. Several rooms that can be used for specific purposes. The building is modern and will have air conditioning. It also has its own kitchen. Max will be confined to the shop from opening in the morning until closing at night because it is so far from home.
Her partner's father was killed in a motorcycle-minibus accident last weekend. So, she's withdrawn from the partnership to go home and take care of her mother. This doesn't seem to bother Max who says she'll just phone a friend if she needs another therapist.
As we sat in the shop talking Max told me that she was renting the space from her niece. That turned the light on for me. Of course, this is Thailand, it's about family. Capitalism, yes, but always in the context of family. Is that wrong?
The shop itself is very nice. Several rooms that can be used for specific purposes. The building is modern and will have air conditioning. It also has its own kitchen. Max will be confined to the shop from opening in the morning until closing at night because it is so far from home.
Her partner's father was killed in a motorcycle-minibus accident last weekend. So, she's withdrawn from the partnership to go home and take care of her mother. This doesn't seem to bother Max who says she'll just phone a friend if she needs another therapist.
As we sat in the shop talking Max told me that she was renting the space from her niece. That turned the light on for me. Of course, this is Thailand, it's about family. Capitalism, yes, but always in the context of family. Is that wrong?
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| Who needs an ironing board? Max ironing. |
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| No eye protection! |
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| Not so Redi Mix. |
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| Third grade. |
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| Mantis Praying. :) |
Excitement at home!
Poo came home with good news last night. She's getting a $31.00 raise next month. This will mean that this 25 year old university graduate who works six days a week will now be earning $265.00 a month.
She pays $3.00 a day bus fare for her commuting back and fort to work.
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| This is Poo holding one end of the sign for her mother's new shop. |
How things work in Thailand.
Max and Poo approached me the other day saying that a neighbor had asked if I would tutor English to a couple of students and, if so, how much would I charge? After some discussion I agree to do it. More discussion ensued about pricing. It should be high enough to reflect my status, high, but affordable. We agreed that I would charge $3.00 per hour per student.
Yesterday afternoon I had my first session with them. It was a delightful time. The are two earnest students, ages 11 and 12, in 4th and 6th grades. They came prepared to learn...every teacher's dream.
By breakfast time this morning, 7:00 a.m., the word was already back to Max. "Mr. Al is jai dee." I have a "good heart".
I'm looking forward to doing this There is significant open time for me that this will fill constructively.
I was teaching 6th grade this morning second hour. I was having fun using their nick names (Every child in Thailand is given a short nick name at birth, usually by the mother. Some of the nick names in my classes are Pet, O, M, Bell, Mata, Noon, Nun, Bass, Kit, Fern, Ning, My, Pla, Arm, Bible, and Da.) to show how adding/subtracting letters change sounds. For example 'Pla'. Add y and the a in Pla changes from short to long.
Suddenly a loud noise made it impossible to be heard. Going to the door I saw that the custodian had decided that this would be a good time to use the gas motor driven weed whipper to do some trimming near my room. Class ended early.
Yesterday afternoon I had my first session with them. It was a delightful time. The are two earnest students, ages 11 and 12, in 4th and 6th grades. They came prepared to learn...every teacher's dream.
By breakfast time this morning, 7:00 a.m., the word was already back to Max. "Mr. Al is jai dee." I have a "good heart".
I'm looking forward to doing this There is significant open time for me that this will fill constructively.
I was teaching 6th grade this morning second hour. I was having fun using their nick names (Every child in Thailand is given a short nick name at birth, usually by the mother. Some of the nick names in my classes are Pet, O, M, Bell, Mata, Noon, Nun, Bass, Kit, Fern, Ning, My, Pla, Arm, Bible, and Da.) to show how adding/subtracting letters change sounds. For example 'Pla'. Add y and the a in Pla changes from short to long.
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| Why now? |
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| 6th grade. |
Monday, January 28, 2013
Be flexible!
Back teaching at Wat Klang I noticed a square marked out on the lawn. I asked a teacher what it is for and she said bocce ball. I'd noticed students playing bocce the last few days so I din't think much of it. That is, until I lost the 4th grade boys.
We'd been down in the assembly/dining hall doing Total Physical Response. When it was time to move to the classroom the girls came but the boys didn't. When I went looking for them I found that they had been directed, by whom I don't know, to play bocce ball.
Perhaps it had something to do with the fact that the 4th grade teacher is in Bangkok for the day. No substitute for the missing teacher, and while I was present at school, I was the only adult who did anything with the 4th grade. It's so Thai...whatever???????
We'd been down in the assembly/dining hall doing Total Physical Response. When it was time to move to the classroom the girls came but the boys didn't. When I went looking for them I found that they had been directed, by whom I don't know, to play bocce ball.
Perhaps it had something to do with the fact that the 4th grade teacher is in Bangkok for the day. No substitute for the missing teacher, and while I was present at school, I was the only adult who did anything with the 4th grade. It's so Thai...whatever???????
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| 4th graders playing bocce. |
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| 4th graders posing. |
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| Playing boccce. |
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| Custodian mowing for bocce. |
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| 4th grade on the floor. |
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| Sign for Max' new therapeutic massage shop/ |
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| Max holding sign. |
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| The shop. |
Saturday, January 26, 2013
This and that......
Friday as I was riding the minibus to Bangkok we drove through a thunder shower. This morning (Sunday) before I left Bangkok it rained a little. Now it's nice and steamy...no ice problems here!
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| Watering the plants, downtown Bangkok. |
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| Students (Bangkok) raising money for schools in the north. |
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| Food stall on the sidewalk. They pay the city to rent the space on the sidewalk for a few hours. |
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| Filling the minibus with propane gas. |
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| Art work on the side of a bus. |
Friday, January 25, 2013
More pictures
This is a day that it's possible to upload pictures so I'll do that. They'll be random but that fits my personality.
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| Monkeys on tuk-tuk. |
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| Catfish feeding. |
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| My house, for 4 months they stepped from the 2nd floor balcony into a boat. |
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| 6th graders leading. |
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| Washing dishes after lunch. |
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| Fancy house on stilts. (I spy) |
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| Sunset (I Spy) |
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| Spirit house built to house spirits displaced when the people's house was built. (Animist belief) |
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| A family is living in this uncompleted house. |
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| Woman, carrying child, in tradtional clothes. (I Spy) |
Going With The Flow!
It's definately a good idea to go with the flow in Thailand, maybe more here than anywhere else I've been. Today reconfirmed that idea. It happened at school.
Doing the Total Physical Response teaching works best if there is physical space. Therefore, I've been taking my classes down to the dinning/assembly hall. One of my learning's is that it sometimes helpful to work in smaller groups even than my small classes. The problem with that is the students who are not directly involved often create commotion with each other. But I solved the problem! If I have them lie on the floor they behave better. Put that in your elementary education handbook. :)
But, back to going with the flow. During the daily opening ceremonies at school this morning I saw the teacher of the 3yrd olds go talk to the 3r graders and their teacher. I wondered about it but didn't give it a lot of thought, that is, until I couldn't hold the attention of the 5th graders. They were all looking out on the front lawn where the 3rd and 4th graders were holding 50 meter races under the supervision of the teacher of the the 3yrd olds. My hour with the 5th graders was about up so I took them back to their room.
Scheduled to teach the 6th grade I knew that it would be lost cause with the competition for attention with the races. What to do? I thought about asking the 6th grade teacher if I should take the students outside.
But, the language issue would be very complicated and I've had the distinct impression from her that she doesn't care a whole lot what I do as long as she has the hour free. I thought, this is Thailand, the logical thing to do is join the fun. So I took the class outside and in minutes they were involved in the races. No one seemed to give a second thought to the 6th graders joining the fun.
Students always wear uniforms but not the same ones every day. On some days the girls uniforms are slacks and tops but today's uniform was skirts. No problem. The girls who were wearing shorts under their skirts just took their skirts off. The other girls just gather up their skirts and ran.
A big deal in Thailand is having what they call "sanook". We'd probably translate it fun. It was fun and the last half hour of class after the races ended was the most productive time yet.
Doing the Total Physical Response teaching works best if there is physical space. Therefore, I've been taking my classes down to the dinning/assembly hall. One of my learning's is that it sometimes helpful to work in smaller groups even than my small classes. The problem with that is the students who are not directly involved often create commotion with each other. But I solved the problem! If I have them lie on the floor they behave better. Put that in your elementary education handbook. :)
But, back to going with the flow. During the daily opening ceremonies at school this morning I saw the teacher of the 3yrd olds go talk to the 3r graders and their teacher. I wondered about it but didn't give it a lot of thought, that is, until I couldn't hold the attention of the 5th graders. They were all looking out on the front lawn where the 3rd and 4th graders were holding 50 meter races under the supervision of the teacher of the the 3yrd olds. My hour with the 5th graders was about up so I took them back to their room.
Scheduled to teach the 6th grade I knew that it would be lost cause with the competition for attention with the races. What to do? I thought about asking the 6th grade teacher if I should take the students outside.
But, the language issue would be very complicated and I've had the distinct impression from her that she doesn't care a whole lot what I do as long as she has the hour free. I thought, this is Thailand, the logical thing to do is join the fun. So I took the class outside and in minutes they were involved in the races. No one seemed to give a second thought to the 6th graders joining the fun.
Students always wear uniforms but not the same ones every day. On some days the girls uniforms are slacks and tops but today's uniform was skirts. No problem. The girls who were wearing shorts under their skirts just took their skirts off. The other girls just gather up their skirts and ran.
A big deal in Thailand is having what they call "sanook". We'd probably translate it fun. It was fun and the last half hour of class after the races ended was the most productive time yet.
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| 5th grade class lying down. |
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| 4th and 5th graders. |
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| The Curmudgeon and students. |
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| At the starting line. |
Thursday, January 24, 2013
American or Thai?
Yesterday's trip to the immigration office prompted some reflections. My reaction on experiencing the office was to think about how I could quickly reorganize it to be more efficient. Often I find myself thinking about efficiencies. It is the American way; efficient. practical, quick.
What if we try to look at the office through Thai eyes? Many years ago when the Thai authorities decided that some system of tracking foreign visitors was needed a process was developed. Write their data in a log book. Stamp the passport with stamps indicating time of entry, time of departure, etc. Have the stamping officer sign and date the stamps. Sometimes many visitors come to the office so have a different person do each step. When more offices are opened around the country have them operate in the same way the first office did.
For decades this system has been in place. Now, imagine the Traveling Curmudgeon is appointed head of immigration for Thailand. Having drunk the milk of American efficiancy he brings in computers, eliminates 4 of the 5 desks, automates stamping passports, etc. What is the effect?
Noi, the woman who wrote my data into the log book, loses her job. It is a tremendous loss of face(status) and an economic hardship. She not only helped support her own children but she was the primary support for her widowed mother, and disabled aunt. The fabric of her extended family is seriously torn.
A similar effect would happen with all the "Nois" in all the other offices. Then, too, similar dislocation would happen with all the other staff persons fired. No immigration officer would want to visit such misfortune on so many people simply for the sake of efficiency.
In this way Thailand is a very conservative country. Change risks hurting people, causing loss of status and disrupting life. Why take the chance? Perhaps it's a value that could well be practiced by venture capitalists in America!
What if we try to look at the office through Thai eyes? Many years ago when the Thai authorities decided that some system of tracking foreign visitors was needed a process was developed. Write their data in a log book. Stamp the passport with stamps indicating time of entry, time of departure, etc. Have the stamping officer sign and date the stamps. Sometimes many visitors come to the office so have a different person do each step. When more offices are opened around the country have them operate in the same way the first office did.
For decades this system has been in place. Now, imagine the Traveling Curmudgeon is appointed head of immigration for Thailand. Having drunk the milk of American efficiancy he brings in computers, eliminates 4 of the 5 desks, automates stamping passports, etc. What is the effect?
Noi, the woman who wrote my data into the log book, loses her job. It is a tremendous loss of face(status) and an economic hardship. She not only helped support her own children but she was the primary support for her widowed mother, and disabled aunt. The fabric of her extended family is seriously torn.
A similar effect would happen with all the "Nois" in all the other offices. Then, too, similar dislocation would happen with all the other staff persons fired. No immigration officer would want to visit such misfortune on so many people simply for the sake of efficiency.
In this way Thailand is a very conservative country. Change risks hurting people, causing loss of status and disrupting life. Why take the chance? Perhaps it's a value that could well be practiced by venture capitalists in America!
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| Mai and Opa at school. |
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| "I Spy" house on stilts. |
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| Washing dishes after lunch. |
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| Christmas decorations at school. |
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| Shoes lined up in the lunch room. |
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| Dog in the lunch room. |
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| 3 year olds lining up. |
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| 6th graders leading opening. |
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Some random pictures.
Some days I'm not able to upload pictures to this blog so the pictures get backed up. Because uploading is working today I'll get caught up a bit but the pictures will be kind of random.
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| Noble students: Why does this man have a car battery connected to his grill? |
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| Papaya tree behind the house. |
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| All the comforts of home; my bed. |
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| 3rd grade (first half) |
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| 3rd grade (second half) |
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| Noble students; I spy papaya. |
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