Well it's about time! With all the publicity about the new(?) book by Harper Lee I decided it was finally time to read TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD. In the comfort of my house in Thailand I used the 3g feature in my Kindle to download it. WOW! Now I see what all the fuss is about. Better late than never...engaged me from the first page.
Before I left for Thailand a friend gave me KILLED AT THE WHIM OF A HAT, Colin Cotterill. It is a whimsical "who dunnit" set in Thailand. I've read several of his books which were the same genre but set in Laos. Part of the fun in reading them is references to Thai or Laotian places and customs with which I'm familiar and part of the delight was reading it while in Thailand.
Today the neighborhood book-club is gathering to discuss THE KITCHEN HOUSE, Kathleen Grissom, published in 2010 and a New York Times Bestseller. "A touching tale of oppressed women, black and white....[This novel] about love survival, friendship, and loss in the antebellum South should not be missed." The Boston Globe
The setting is a Virginia plantation in the turn of the 17th century. It is told through two voices, both female. One is Lavinia an Irish girl who lost both of her parents in the Atlantic crossing so she becomes an indentured servant on the plantation owned by the ship's captain. The other voice is Belle, who was the captain's daughter by a negro woman. They speak as if writing in a diary with alternating chapters. It gives a glimpse, albeit a powerful glimpse, of the brutality faced by slaves and also by white women in that time. I highly recommend it.
Now I'm going to read THOSE ANGRY DAYS: Roosevelt. Lindbergh, and America's Fight Over World War II, 1939-1941, Lynne Olson. This is the book, selected by the history book-club I just started, as the next book. I'll report on it later.
Sunday, March 29, 2015
Well Behaved, Part 2
He said, "I have a brother (Caucasian) with seven children who are respectful because he insists on it, using power to enforce this value. The Hmong community is different. They engender respectfulness among their children by being respectful. From birth Hmong children are taught that respect for others is respect for oneself. Therefore, the children exercise self control, i.e., good behavior."
The speaker is a Caucasian man that I know who is married to Hmong woman. He was not at all surprised when I shared my experience chaperoning 5th grade Hmong students to the Science Museum. Hmong culture explains the good behavior. It certainly makes them delightful.
The speaker is a Caucasian man that I know who is married to Hmong woman. He was not at all surprised when I shared my experience chaperoning 5th grade Hmong students to the Science Museum. Hmong culture explains the good behavior. It certainly makes them delightful.
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| A previous field trip |
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| Expressing their gratitude |
Thursday, March 26, 2015
Well Behaved
For several years I've been volunteering at Noble Academy, A Hmong charter school. Noble has about 500 students in grades kindergarten through eight. Over 90% of the students are Hmong most of the other students are African with a few Caucasians. All students study the Hmong language and culture. Many of the students speak Hmong at home and some speak African languages. 97% are eligible for free or reduced lunches.
It's an ideal volunteer opportunity for me. I work primarily with 5th and 6th grades. If I'm available to volunteer I call the school to find out if there is any in classroom work for me to do. If there is I go otherwise I stay home. I do not need to commit to being there at any given time.
Over the years I've observed how exceptionally well behaved are the students. They are pleasant, energetic but respectful and orderly. Yesterday I accompanied the 5th grade on a field trip to the science museum. Seven students, 3 boys and 4 girls, were assigned to my group out of the 50 students who participated. It was really fun because they were excited about the variety of things to do and explore. Yet, they were very willing to stay together as a group and never strayed far from me. The other 43 students were equally as well behaved.
Why? Why are these Hmong and African students so well behaved? Is it the homogeneity of the school? Is it something in the Hmong and African culture? Does it have to do with the relatively recent experience of immigration? These are mostly 2nd and 3rd generation Americans. These are questions for which I have no answer...but it makes volunteering a delight.
This will be the last year in the building pictured below. A new school is being built in Maple Grove very near Osseo and the junctions of highways #81 and #169. The new building is much larger so the school will expand classes beyond eight grade. Classes will begin there in September.
It's an ideal volunteer opportunity for me. I work primarily with 5th and 6th grades. If I'm available to volunteer I call the school to find out if there is any in classroom work for me to do. If there is I go otherwise I stay home. I do not need to commit to being there at any given time.
Over the years I've observed how exceptionally well behaved are the students. They are pleasant, energetic but respectful and orderly. Yesterday I accompanied the 5th grade on a field trip to the science museum. Seven students, 3 boys and 4 girls, were assigned to my group out of the 50 students who participated. It was really fun because they were excited about the variety of things to do and explore. Yet, they were very willing to stay together as a group and never strayed far from me. The other 43 students were equally as well behaved.
Why? Why are these Hmong and African students so well behaved? Is it the homogeneity of the school? Is it something in the Hmong and African culture? Does it have to do with the relatively recent experience of immigration? These are mostly 2nd and 3rd generation Americans. These are questions for which I have no answer...but it makes volunteering a delight.
This will be the last year in the building pictured below. A new school is being built in Maple Grove very near Osseo and the junctions of highways #81 and #169. The new building is much larger so the school will expand classes beyond eight grade. Classes will begin there in September.
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| The current Noble School building at 40th and Thomas in north Minneapolis. |
Sunday, March 15, 2015
Chilling in Bangkok
Shopping...Thailand's favorite activity. It seems as if every second person is selling something; food, clothes, gadgets, lottery tickets, you name it. Even in the halls of the hospitals vendors set up booths. Busy Silom Road, a major downtown street with three lanes each direction becomes a shopping mall every Sunday evening with motorized traffic banned (except for the motorcycles that weave through the pedestrians. Walking the length...many blocks...was my version of window shopping.
Bangkok is a few degrees cooler that Ayutthaya. Funny the difference between 98 and 95. After that thunder shower some days ago I noticed that the puddles did not evaporate very fast...a feature of humidity in the upper 90s. No one here says "but it's a dry heat." Thai people complain a lot about heat and when I answer "This is Thailand" they laugh.
Bangkok is a few degrees cooler that Ayutthaya. Funny the difference between 98 and 95. After that thunder shower some days ago I noticed that the puddles did not evaporate very fast...a feature of humidity in the upper 90s. No one here says "but it's a dry heat." Thai people complain a lot about heat and when I answer "This is Thailand" they laugh.
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| Bananas on the tree by the house |
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| Market on Silom Rd. |
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| Market on Silom Rd. with my Skytrain stop in the background |
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| Papaya tree by the house...fruit has more than doubled in size since I came |
Saturday, March 14, 2015
Pictures
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| With teachers |
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| Teacher, Aaronsee, translating my speech |
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| Students assembled |
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| 6th grade boys |
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| 6th grade girls |
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| In front of the school |
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| The teachers |
Friday, March 13, 2015
Graduation and Farewell
Being the last day of the school term and my last day of teaching graduation for the 6th grade and my farewell were combined into one event. The 6th grade were wearing their school uniforms with white tops and it is the custom to get farewell messages written on their shirts...like writing in yearbooks in America.
There was an all school assembly for graduation and farewell, I was seated in front with the other teachers. Graduating 6th graders approached us on their knees, bowed to us and presented us with roses. The roses were gathered from us and given to the younger students who later presented them to the 6th graders who lined up in front. Of course there were speeches including my farewell address and a thank you to me from the principle and a also thank you to me from a 6th grade student. The 5th grade sang a long song in unison as a choir. Then I was presented with several gifts.
Not surprisingly there were tears among the 6th grade. More surprising were the tears of the younger students...some crying so hard they couldn't eat their lunch. However, when the ice cream served on sweet, sticky rice came around the tears dried up.
So ends another year; for the students, they now have vacation until mid-May when the new term begins and for me until next January? The teachers are urging my return. The teachers will continue to work through March and then they will be off until the new term. At the beginning of the term each teacher will visit each of her students at the student's home. My goodbye to the 6th grade had a finality because they now move unto middle school. The class will split between two middle schools.
One very touching moment for me was when it was time for me to leave most of the teachers walked me to the gate where I caught my ride. They have really 'adopted' me into their group. One of the teachers plans to retire in October but the others expect to remain. The retiring one said she'd come back and cook for me when I return.
Teaching has been satisfying. The relationships with teachers and students is great and I feel like I now know how to be effective. I hope I've made a difference in the student's lives but I know I have helped the teachers.
There was an all school assembly for graduation and farewell, I was seated in front with the other teachers. Graduating 6th graders approached us on their knees, bowed to us and presented us with roses. The roses were gathered from us and given to the younger students who later presented them to the 6th graders who lined up in front. Of course there were speeches including my farewell address and a thank you to me from the principle and a also thank you to me from a 6th grade student. The 5th grade sang a long song in unison as a choir. Then I was presented with several gifts.
Not surprisingly there were tears among the 6th grade. More surprising were the tears of the younger students...some crying so hard they couldn't eat their lunch. However, when the ice cream served on sweet, sticky rice came around the tears dried up.
So ends another year; for the students, they now have vacation until mid-May when the new term begins and for me until next January? The teachers are urging my return. The teachers will continue to work through March and then they will be off until the new term. At the beginning of the term each teacher will visit each of her students at the student's home. My goodbye to the 6th grade had a finality because they now move unto middle school. The class will split between two middle schools.
One very touching moment for me was when it was time for me to leave most of the teachers walked me to the gate where I caught my ride. They have really 'adopted' me into their group. One of the teachers plans to retire in October but the others expect to remain. The retiring one said she'd come back and cook for me when I return.
Teaching has been satisfying. The relationships with teachers and students is great and I feel like I now know how to be effective. I hope I've made a difference in the student's lives but I know I have helped the teachers.
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| Students assembled |
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| Don bowing to me |
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| I'm blessing Milk |
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| Teachers and students |
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| 5th grade choir singing |
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| Boem thanking me |
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| My farewell address |
At The Night Market
Gai's family took me to the night market for dinner to say goodbye. We had a lovely setting along a canal. The historical district of Ayutthaya is an island, essentially square, with rivers on three sides and a canal on the fourth, This was the capital of Thailand and the water served as a defensive barrier. It wasn't enough, however, the Burmese army over ran it in an invasion (1765-67) defeating the Thai army and destroying the city. The capital was then moved down river, away from Burma to Bangkok (Krung Thep).
Both Mai, now 17, and Ploy, now 16, had recent birthdays so after dinner we went shopping, Naturally 9 year old Pearwa could not be left out.
Both Mai, now 17, and Ploy, now 16, had recent birthdays so after dinner we went shopping, Naturally 9 year old Pearwa could not be left out.
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| Row boat on the canal |
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| Truck engine poweres 'long tail' boat |
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| Dinner table |
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| Mai and Ploy |
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| Girl cooking in the night market |
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| Pearwa shopping |
Thursday, March 12, 2015
Game Day
Today I had my final classes with 5th and 6th grade. The 6th graders actually graduate tomorrow. It was time to have some fun so I made it game day. They were not familiar with the old "pass the thimble (bottle cap)" but they quickly caught on and thought it great fun. Not only did they know "drop the handkerchief" they have a chanting clap that they do in unison as they play. I've taught what I can, their term is over, I'm going home...'let's play.' That goes well almost anywhere but the Thai are especially keen on having fun..."sanook'. My plan is the same for the 3rd and 4th grades tomorrow.
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| 3 & 4 years olds at lunch |
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| Cucumbers and silverware |
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| In the computer room |
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| Boys raking before school |
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| 6th grade playing pass the bottle cap |
Ramblings
In the hotel in Ch-Am I watched some Aljazeera on TV. That was a first for me and I was positively impressed. It was just after the Israeli prime minster spoke to congress. They presented a half hour analysis featuring two Americans and one Israeli. It was very respectful discussion in spite sharp disagreement which considered the issue in depth.
There was also an hour long feature on the place of women on the world. The most ardant feminists would have been quite statisfied, The status of women in the Middle East got balanced and significant coverage.
And then there's this positive: no Wolf Blitzer!
There was also an hour long feature on the place of women on the world. The most ardant feminists would have been quite statisfied, The status of women in the Middle East got balanced and significant coverage.
And then there's this positive: no Wolf Blitzer!
Wednesday, March 11, 2015
Pictures
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| Mee eating breakfast bought on the way to school |
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| With 4th grade in library |
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| Twins Lila and Nada |
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| Reed and Munhid |
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| No lock toilets |
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| I'm in the light pants |
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| Hula hoop while standing on the backs of others |
Tuesday, March 10, 2015
Pictures
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| Hawa, Meena and Belle, grade six |
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| Principal lauding the haircuts |
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| Sunset from the house |
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| Morning line up from the 6th grade side |
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| Tightener on bamboo scaffold
Thought it was cooler today so I checked the temperature and it was 98.
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Different Values
There's a new cook in the kitchen at school...different from last year and there were two then. This year teachers have be involved with the cooking as have students from the 6th grade. Today when I taught 6th grade three of the most proficient students were in the kitchen.
This pattern has caused me to wonder about the efficiency of using teachers and students to cook. The pay scale for teachers is much higher than for a cook. Students could benefit from additional class time. Why, I wondered, rely on teachers and students? Teachers also go to the market to buy food during school time.
It was time to ask I decided. The answers spoke volumes about values. The dialog went something like this. "Why use teachers and students in the kitchen when they could be in class?" "I love my students so I like to cook for them." "Couldn't you show your love by teaching them more?" "But there's only one cook and she wouldn't have the food ready when the students come to eat?" "Why don't you hire another cook?" "Because the cook doesn't have any friends who are interested." "Why do you have this cook?" "Because she is a friend of ours."
That's where the conversation ended...it's a matter of values and when it comes to values we always think ours are right.
This pattern has caused me to wonder about the efficiency of using teachers and students to cook. The pay scale for teachers is much higher than for a cook. Students could benefit from additional class time. Why, I wondered, rely on teachers and students? Teachers also go to the market to buy food during school time.
It was time to ask I decided. The answers spoke volumes about values. The dialog went something like this. "Why use teachers and students in the kitchen when they could be in class?" "I love my students so I like to cook for them." "Couldn't you show your love by teaching them more?" "But there's only one cook and she wouldn't have the food ready when the students come to eat?" "Why don't you hire another cook?" "Because the cook doesn't have any friends who are interested." "Why do you have this cook?" "Because she is a friend of ours."
That's where the conversation ended...it's a matter of values and when it comes to values we always think ours are right.
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| Student line up from the 3yr old side |
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| Dogs welcome at morning line up |
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| Teachers talking while students lead |
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| Students leading while teachers talk to each other |
Monday, March 9, 2015
Two Sewing Machines
They're not Singers, but, I bought two sewing machines today and unlike my mother's they aren't foot powered. Poe has been working as a bookkeeper/accountant. She gets paid 37 baht per hour, which is slightly more than a dollar, for regular time which is 48 hours a week. That's 8 hours a day six days a week with Sunday off. She's now on overtime so is working 6 twelve hour days and her over time pay is 54 baht per hour...which is still less than $2. Her university degree qualified her for this position. She is on day shift for two weeks then night shift for two. Her bus fare is 150 baht per day round trip to work or about $4. There is no paid vacation, sick time or pension benefits.
When Met, Poe's mother, was twelve she was sent to Bangkok for a month to learn how to sew. Two years ago I bought Met two sewing machines which she uses to supplement her income from doing Thai massage. Those sewing skills she learned as a girl have come in handy.
Keeping up the tradition, Met sent Poe to sewing classes when she twelve. Poe has decided she'd rather sew than work as a bookkeeper. I did the math and it makes sense to me on a number of levels, Currently Met is finishing athletic shorts for which she gets paid 27 baht each (32 baht = $1.).
If Poe only sews 2 per hour she's equalled her overtime pay and she can easily do several more than that. Other benefits include not having to pay bus fare, working from home, not working twelve hour shifts and not working nights.
The machines are commercial grade. One will have two needles and the other will be equipped with four. Met's two machines are similar; one has two needles and the other five. She has found that she seldom needs five needles so having only one machine like that will be adequate for the two of them. The total for the two machines including the tables was approximately $450.
When Met, Poe's mother, was twelve she was sent to Bangkok for a month to learn how to sew. Two years ago I bought Met two sewing machines which she uses to supplement her income from doing Thai massage. Those sewing skills she learned as a girl have come in handy.
Keeping up the tradition, Met sent Poe to sewing classes when she twelve. Poe has decided she'd rather sew than work as a bookkeeper. I did the math and it makes sense to me on a number of levels, Currently Met is finishing athletic shorts for which she gets paid 27 baht each (32 baht = $1.).
If Poe only sews 2 per hour she's equalled her overtime pay and she can easily do several more than that. Other benefits include not having to pay bus fare, working from home, not working twelve hour shifts and not working nights.
The machines are commercial grade. One will have two needles and the other will be equipped with four. Met's two machines are similar; one has two needles and the other five. She has found that she seldom needs five needles so having only one machine like that will be adequate for the two of them. The total for the two machines including the tables was approximately $450.
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| The five needle machine |
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| Met at her two needle machine |
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