Answers to Some of Your Questions

This post was written during my first year in Thailand:

You might be wondering how I write my blog.  It isn't always easy to update it. I use the computer lab almost everyday at school, but sometimes it is full. Other times I use the Internet cafes, but they are very slow. It takes about 30 minutes to send one email from them. The school computers are fast most of the time. At peak times they get really slow too, and one time the power went out in the lab. Fortunately, I had just sent my email.

Here are some answers to some of your questions. I don't have a roommate. My apartment is bigger than my dorm room was at Baylor. It has a bathroom, a patio, and air conditioning.

 At school, I haven't received any more teacher training in Thailand. I guess they just assume I can do the job. I was given lesson plans for the year. Basically, I teach whatever is in the textbook.  It is a British curriculum. I am also teaching my students the words for common classroom objects like desk, pencil, and "rubbish bin" instead of trash can. I'm also teaching them colors.

My students know how to greet me, but I'm convinced many of them don't fully understand what they're saying. Every day one of the students says, "Students stand up." Then they say,"Good morning teacher." And I reply, "Good morning, students. How are you?" They say, "I'm fine thank you." (That's the usual answer from almost every Thai person when I ask them, "How are you?" Even adults. No one ever taught them to say something like, "I'm having a rough day, but thanks for asking.")

I have managed to get most kids to turn in their work before class ends and the rest do it for homework. There are only a couple of kids who don't do any of it. It is surprising how much kids can learn from me when I don't know their language. I'll say a command in English just like I would if I was teaching a 2nd grade class in America. If they don't understand then I pantomime or gesture what I mean. I also draw pictures and write words on the board. I have about 20 to 25 students in each class. I teach three classes per day from morning until lunch. Each period lasts 50 minutes but no one is in a hurry to leave when class ends. My workday lasts from 8 am until about 4 pm. A van picks me up at 7 am. I will soon start tutoring kids after school. I don't know how much time that will be.

I still haven't got a cheap way to call home. I'll buy a mobile phone and a calling card soon.

I bought a guitar yesterday. It is a nice one. The brand is Fina, which I've never heard of before. I got the case and everything for it for 7,000 Baht or about $150. It might be nicer than the guitar I have at home which was $200 used from a pawn shop, and that doesn't include the case I got for it. Many things are cheap here.

I really enjoyed playing soccer. I didn't score any goals, but I assisted one. Our team lost 2-1. It was fun though. I was the most aggressive player on the field. When I pressured the ball the other team shouted Farang! Farang! Farang! Which means foreigner. I want to get a jersey that says farang on the back.

I love and miss y'all.