Monday, May 30, 2005
Tan's Birthday
Tan turned 22 on Sunday. And I finally got my luggage. It arrived on Friday, two days after I got here. The bags were shipped to my school. Thanks mom. Your labelling helped the airline find my bag. My first day of class went well. I taught P.5 today. I'm teaching P.3 every other day of the week. They are the same kids I had last year. I hope that goes well. The Thai teacher who is my counterpart in P.3 is going to come back in two weeks. Until then I will be working with a different Thai teacher. I think things will be okay. I've enjoyed the time I've spent with Tan and the new teachers. Some of the new teachers met Tan and friends from church at Tan's birthday party. It was held at a very nice Thai restaurant run by Tan's friends. I gave her a purse and a perfume from Victoria's Secret. This is special because there isn't a VS store in Thailand. That's all for now.
A Hectic, Long Trip
It was Sunday night, the night after the wedding. I had planned to arrive in Bangkok by 11 am local time on Tuesday. But I didn't get very far that night. I got stuck in El Paso. Robert dropped me off with plenty of time to spare. I was early for my flight, but I unfortunately was flying America's *cough* Worst *cough* I mean America West. *Cough* Excuse me. Something's in my throat.
A few guys told me that America West has been really bad with delays and cancellations. One guy who was going to miss his connection to Ontario said, "If you've got time to spare, go by air."
There was a problem with the plane's radio. So my flight was cancelled to Phoenix, which is their hub by the way. Why wouldn't you have an extra plane at your hub? By the time this was announced I had missed my chance to get on a flight directly to LAX. I was going to spend the night alone in a Microtel Hotel in El Paso. The airline paid for my room and two meals. Luckily, America West is a partner with EVA air. So they scheduled me for flights the next day for no charge.
I called Tan that night to tell her I was going to be late. She answered at lunch time in Bangkok. I couldn't tell her when I would arrive because I noticed that my ticket said I would arrive on Tuesday. But I knew that wasn't possible, so it wasn't using local times. I was too tired to figure out the time zones. So she couldn't meet me at the airport as she had planned.
The next morning I went to the airport early got my new boarding passes to Phoenix and LAX. Since my flights were different than I had originally, my luggage tags were handwritten. I checked them in, and then I tried to call Tan. I was unsuccessful because the toll free number on my international phone card didn't work on pay phones. So I couldn't reach her. I still didn't have a better idea of when I would arrive anyway. This time there was a slight delay, but the airplane was in the port at least. So I knew we would actually get in it this time.
I made it to Phoenix okay, but I had to scramble to board the plane to take me to LAX. I found it just as it was time for people to start boarding. Then we pulled away from the loading port, and I thought we were on our way. But we were halted. The pilot announced that heavy traffic into LAX was causing us to wait. So we sat on the runway for about 45 minutes or longer. Finally, we got out of Phoenix.
Everytime I go to LAX I feel lost. There are so many buildings and so many people coming and going. It's overwhelming. I left America West and was happily rid of them. Then I asked someone for directions. A nice lady directed me to a shuttle to the International Terminal. There I found departures on the second floor. I got into the wrong line before a lady asked me what airline I wanted. She directed me to a much shorter line for EVA air. So I got in it gladly. EVA Air was not open yet. So I waited for about half-an-hour and then finally got my boarding pass and some bad news. I had lost my luggage claim number in Phoenix or somewhere in the vast maze of LAX. So the lady sent out an APB for my bag. I wasn't sure if things were getting better or worse. It certainly felt hectic. While I waited for about 4 hours, I met a few people. One was a guy who was going to meet his Taiwanese girlfriend and her family in Taipei. Another one was an American visiting family in Taipei. He was a graduate of Illinois University. He was going get a master's in San Francisco and go on to do international business. Finally I met a Thai lady on her way to Bangkok to visit family she hadn't seen for many years. She moved to Baytown, Texas 15 years ago with her husband. She spoke heavily accented English. I mentioned my family connection to Baytown, and she thought that was funny. I mentioned my Grandmother's church, and she gave me a flyer from her Baptist church so I could visit sometime.
Finally, after 13 hours and about 7,000 miles I arrived in Taipei. I had watched three bad movies and was about to go crazy from being in a plane so long when I immediately got on another plane for 4 more hours to Bangkok. I arrived at 2 a.m. local time on Wednesday. And I got more bad news. My luggage had been lost.
I called Tan. I had woken her up. Fortunately, she was not working that day. I got a taxi ride from the airport to my apartment. No one was awake except the night security guard. He doesn't speak any English. I tried to use my Thai phrase book to communicate that he should wake up the manager to give me a key, but I wasn't getting through. Finally, I called Tan and handed the phone to him. She explained the situation and I finally got him to let me in. I took a nap. Finally, Tan came over to see me. It was the reunion we had been thinking about for two months. The school let me have a day off. So we hung out and saw Star Wars III. I slept very well that night. I used to Benadryl to help knock me out.
A few guys told me that America West has been really bad with delays and cancellations. One guy who was going to miss his connection to Ontario said, "If you've got time to spare, go by air."
There was a problem with the plane's radio. So my flight was cancelled to Phoenix, which is their hub by the way. Why wouldn't you have an extra plane at your hub? By the time this was announced I had missed my chance to get on a flight directly to LAX. I was going to spend the night alone in a Microtel Hotel in El Paso. The airline paid for my room and two meals. Luckily, America West is a partner with EVA air. So they scheduled me for flights the next day for no charge.
I called Tan that night to tell her I was going to be late. She answered at lunch time in Bangkok. I couldn't tell her when I would arrive because I noticed that my ticket said I would arrive on Tuesday. But I knew that wasn't possible, so it wasn't using local times. I was too tired to figure out the time zones. So she couldn't meet me at the airport as she had planned.
The next morning I went to the airport early got my new boarding passes to Phoenix and LAX. Since my flights were different than I had originally, my luggage tags were handwritten. I checked them in, and then I tried to call Tan. I was unsuccessful because the toll free number on my international phone card didn't work on pay phones. So I couldn't reach her. I still didn't have a better idea of when I would arrive anyway. This time there was a slight delay, but the airplane was in the port at least. So I knew we would actually get in it this time.
I made it to Phoenix okay, but I had to scramble to board the plane to take me to LAX. I found it just as it was time for people to start boarding. Then we pulled away from the loading port, and I thought we were on our way. But we were halted. The pilot announced that heavy traffic into LAX was causing us to wait. So we sat on the runway for about 45 minutes or longer. Finally, we got out of Phoenix.
Everytime I go to LAX I feel lost. There are so many buildings and so many people coming and going. It's overwhelming. I left America West and was happily rid of them. Then I asked someone for directions. A nice lady directed me to a shuttle to the International Terminal. There I found departures on the second floor. I got into the wrong line before a lady asked me what airline I wanted. She directed me to a much shorter line for EVA air. So I got in it gladly. EVA Air was not open yet. So I waited for about half-an-hour and then finally got my boarding pass and some bad news. I had lost my luggage claim number in Phoenix or somewhere in the vast maze of LAX. So the lady sent out an APB for my bag. I wasn't sure if things were getting better or worse. It certainly felt hectic. While I waited for about 4 hours, I met a few people. One was a guy who was going to meet his Taiwanese girlfriend and her family in Taipei. Another one was an American visiting family in Taipei. He was a graduate of Illinois University. He was going get a master's in San Francisco and go on to do international business. Finally I met a Thai lady on her way to Bangkok to visit family she hadn't seen for many years. She moved to Baytown, Texas 15 years ago with her husband. She spoke heavily accented English. I mentioned my family connection to Baytown, and she thought that was funny. I mentioned my Grandmother's church, and she gave me a flyer from her Baptist church so I could visit sometime.
Finally, after 13 hours and about 7,000 miles I arrived in Taipei. I had watched three bad movies and was about to go crazy from being in a plane so long when I immediately got on another plane for 4 more hours to Bangkok. I arrived at 2 a.m. local time on Wednesday. And I got more bad news. My luggage had been lost.
I called Tan. I had woken her up. Fortunately, she was not working that day. I got a taxi ride from the airport to my apartment. No one was awake except the night security guard. He doesn't speak any English. I tried to use my Thai phrase book to communicate that he should wake up the manager to give me a key, but I wasn't getting through. Finally, I called Tan and handed the phone to him. She explained the situation and I finally got him to let me in. I took a nap. Finally, Tan came over to see me. It was the reunion we had been thinking about for two months. The school let me have a day off. So we hung out and saw Star Wars III. I slept very well that night. I used to Benadryl to help knock me out.
Thursday, May 12, 2005
Remembering Grandma
My Grandma Regena Cross passed away today around 11 am. She probably suffered from a stroke. I know she is in a better place now and she feels no more pain. She was not herself when I saw her last weekend. In a way, that comforts me. I find it hard to put into words the lasting contribution and legacy that she gave to our family. She was a loving mother to my dad and Aunt Kay and Uncle Tracy. She was a wonderful Grandma to me. Grandma Cross had such a servant's heart and a great sense of humor. I miss her. I'll miss the great conversations we had and listening to her stories. It is comforting to know that she is in Heaven, and she is reunited with Grandpa Ray.
Sunday, April 24, 2005
Everyone lives in a bubble
I went up to Sugarland, Texas this weekend to see some of my family that I hadn't seen since I acquired the label of "world traveler." I don't really think the label fits me. Sure, I've been further away from the USA than most of the people I know, but I still have seen only a tiny part of Southeast Asia. There's a whole lot left in the world unseen by my eyes and untouched by the soles of my sneakers.
I went up to see my cousin Linda in a dance recital. Her high school Stars team put on a terrific dancing show. Most of the dances combined elements of ballet and cheerleading, with an occasional bit of tap dancing. I've never seen Linda dance before. It was impressive. She can spin like a top, prance like a deer and lift up other girls like a ballet dancer. And she could keep up step for step with Britney Spears in any routine from her music videos.
I also saw my cousin Tori. She had a baby while I was away. Her daughter Alex is adorable. And I met her husband Monty for the first time as well. It was a tough delivery for Tori, but I think she is feeling better now. Thank God that Alex is healthy.
There were so many family members that I saw this weekend. There just wasn't even time to really catch up with them all. And I won't have enough time because I leave in a month. I'll miss everyone.
I've adjusted fairly well to being back in America. I'm amazed at how traffic actually moves. Bangkok traffic makes Austin traffic look very organized. And traffic in Vietnam makes Bangkok traffic look organized. When I was in Thailand, I missed Mexican food and homecooking. Now I enjoy eating them, but I miss Thai food. I tried making some Tom Yum Kung, spicy prawn soup. It was okay but too bland. Not spicy enough. And I miss the excitement of traveling and experiencing Thai culture. The Thai people are so friendly and inclusive. So these two months in America are a transition, an in-between time.
I'm definitely looking forward to going back to Thailand. Having a girlfriend waiting for me is a big part of it. That's one reason I'm eager to go, but that's not all. I just miss the adventure. I miss the friendships I made too. Right now I'm working a lot as a substitute teacher. It's similar to my work in Thailand in many ways. But I don't hang out with friends like I did in Thailand. I had lots of fun on a regular basis. I don't go out as much now. I hang out at home with mom and dad, which is fine. But it's a little boring sometimes. We did go to a Bob Marley Festival in Austin. That was pretty cool. Things will probably change a bit when my brother comes back from college next weekend. He knows how to have fun.
And life has changed a lot since I left. About a dozen of my friends and/or acquaintances have gotten married. I've heard of other surprises as well. And I guess many of my friends are too busy to write. Others things amaze me too. My cousins have grown and matured so much in 10 months. It's true what they say: You can never go home again. Because home is just an idea. Your idea of home is not reality. When you come back everything has changed.
I think one of the most irritating things about not being in Thailand has been just a lack of understanding. Most Americans don't go to Asia. Many Americans I speak to don't know anything about Thailand. Some people asked if they speak Taiwanese.
I've told some of the middle school and high school kids about my experiences. Usually they're curious. Some of the kids laugh at me when I say a phrase in Thai. The kids try to imitate me and they can't. They really laughed when I told them about squat toilets. I'm not ever sure how that came up in conversation. And lots of the teachers I meet say they wouldn't want to go that far away. Lots of people limit themselves. They're afraid of leaving America. They're comfortable in their own bubbles.
The pictures I've shown don't do a very good job of sharing my experience. And my stories aren't any better. It's really frustrating because I can't really share it. If I say something was beautiful, you can only think of what you know or try to imagine from looking at my photos. But you'll never see what I saw unless you go to the same place. You are limited by your point of view, by your bubble. Everyone lives in a bubble. I just live in a different one. One that includes parts of Asia. I hope some of my friends and family will visit me when I go back. If not, just keep reading. I'll continue to share my experiences in this limited way.
I went up to see my cousin Linda in a dance recital. Her high school Stars team put on a terrific dancing show. Most of the dances combined elements of ballet and cheerleading, with an occasional bit of tap dancing. I've never seen Linda dance before. It was impressive. She can spin like a top, prance like a deer and lift up other girls like a ballet dancer. And she could keep up step for step with Britney Spears in any routine from her music videos.
I also saw my cousin Tori. She had a baby while I was away. Her daughter Alex is adorable. And I met her husband Monty for the first time as well. It was a tough delivery for Tori, but I think she is feeling better now. Thank God that Alex is healthy.
There were so many family members that I saw this weekend. There just wasn't even time to really catch up with them all. And I won't have enough time because I leave in a month. I'll miss everyone.
I've adjusted fairly well to being back in America. I'm amazed at how traffic actually moves. Bangkok traffic makes Austin traffic look very organized. And traffic in Vietnam makes Bangkok traffic look organized. When I was in Thailand, I missed Mexican food and homecooking. Now I enjoy eating them, but I miss Thai food. I tried making some Tom Yum Kung, spicy prawn soup. It was okay but too bland. Not spicy enough. And I miss the excitement of traveling and experiencing Thai culture. The Thai people are so friendly and inclusive. So these two months in America are a transition, an in-between time.
I'm definitely looking forward to going back to Thailand. Having a girlfriend waiting for me is a big part of it. That's one reason I'm eager to go, but that's not all. I just miss the adventure. I miss the friendships I made too. Right now I'm working a lot as a substitute teacher. It's similar to my work in Thailand in many ways. But I don't hang out with friends like I did in Thailand. I had lots of fun on a regular basis. I don't go out as much now. I hang out at home with mom and dad, which is fine. But it's a little boring sometimes. We did go to a Bob Marley Festival in Austin. That was pretty cool. Things will probably change a bit when my brother comes back from college next weekend. He knows how to have fun.
And life has changed a lot since I left. About a dozen of my friends and/or acquaintances have gotten married. I've heard of other surprises as well. And I guess many of my friends are too busy to write. Others things amaze me too. My cousins have grown and matured so much in 10 months. It's true what they say: You can never go home again. Because home is just an idea. Your idea of home is not reality. When you come back everything has changed.
I think one of the most irritating things about not being in Thailand has been just a lack of understanding. Most Americans don't go to Asia. Many Americans I speak to don't know anything about Thailand. Some people asked if they speak Taiwanese.
I've told some of the middle school and high school kids about my experiences. Usually they're curious. Some of the kids laugh at me when I say a phrase in Thai. The kids try to imitate me and they can't. They really laughed when I told them about squat toilets. I'm not ever sure how that came up in conversation. And lots of the teachers I meet say they wouldn't want to go that far away. Lots of people limit themselves. They're afraid of leaving America. They're comfortable in their own bubbles.
The pictures I've shown don't do a very good job of sharing my experience. And my stories aren't any better. It's really frustrating because I can't really share it. If I say something was beautiful, you can only think of what you know or try to imagine from looking at my photos. But you'll never see what I saw unless you go to the same place. You are limited by your point of view, by your bubble. Everyone lives in a bubble. I just live in a different one. One that includes parts of Asia. I hope some of my friends and family will visit me when I go back. If not, just keep reading. I'll continue to share my experiences in this limited way.
Monday, April 18, 2005
More about Songkran
I forgot to mention that Songkran is the Thai New Year celebration. Thais celebrate Chinese New Year, New Year's Day on Jan. 1st and of course their own New Year. They'll take any excuse to party. If you want to read more about Songkran, check out this blog of a friend of mine in Bangkok. http://www.ram-z-online.com/blog/
Tuesday, April 12, 2005
Crazy Thai Water Festival
I talked to Tan on the phone today and she told me that the Songkran Festival is going on right now. It's a very interesting Thai celebration. Thai people take water hoses, squirt guns, water balloons or anything to get each other wet. They also throw powder on each other. Sounds like fun. April is the hottest month of the year in Thailand. I think it is a Buddhist holiday. Songkran also sounds like it gets out of control. Guys like to get girls wet and then grab them. It sounds like it might be the Thai equivalent of a Mardi Gras party. Tan doesn't want to go out during Songkran because the Bangkok police won't do anything to control the craziness. Some girls complained about it on the news. I wish I could see it. I'll have to stay for it sometime.
Monday, April 11, 2005
What I've been up to for two weeks
So for about two weeks I've been back in the US of A. I've been working by day as a substitute teacher and by night I AM BATMAN! Um... sorry. As I was saying, I am working almost everyday because there is a shortage of substitutes. It's a little strange working at the schools where I went to middle school and high school. I've seen some of my old teachers and my mom also works at the schools.
I've taken lots of pictures and put them in an album called Austin. Check out my travel photos link. I took some pictures of some murals on the old Tower Records building. The CD shop closed down and now some of the murals are covered with graffiti. It's sad. I liked that place. Austin has a lot of unique stores and live music clubs and bars. Every year more of them seem to go out of business.
I also went to the Arboretum and took pictures of the marble cow statues there. And a girl in Amy's Ice Cream showed off by tossing ice cream and catching it in a scooper.
It's a nice time of year to be in Texas. The trees are green. The weather is a little cool. It's Spring.
My brother came down from UT Dallas to visit me last weekend. Sam, our friend, brought him. He's like another brother to me. We saw a Dr. Seuss art exhibit http://www.arton5th.com
This weekend I went back to visit my alma mater, Baylor University. The Baylor Bears Lady backetball team won the national championship! The whole campus seemed to still be happy about that. I actually met Sofia Young, the Championship Game MVP. She was at the concert/crush event. One of my friends knows her and invited her to come. I worked and lived at Brooks Residence Hall when I was in college. I went back to see a student concert at Brooks. It was for Mission Waco, a really good charity that helps the homeless. It was an awesome show by Ethan Durelle. Check them out at http://www.ethandurelle.net They are hoping to tour in Asia in the future, hopefully Japan. Maybe I can convince them to go to Thailand.
I really enjoyed seeing all my college buddies. I hope I can make another trip up to Waco soon. Well I'm being told to go to sleep by my mom. Good night!
I've taken lots of pictures and put them in an album called Austin. Check out my travel photos link. I took some pictures of some murals on the old Tower Records building. The CD shop closed down and now some of the murals are covered with graffiti. It's sad. I liked that place. Austin has a lot of unique stores and live music clubs and bars. Every year more of them seem to go out of business.
I also went to the Arboretum and took pictures of the marble cow statues there. And a girl in Amy's Ice Cream showed off by tossing ice cream and catching it in a scooper.
It's a nice time of year to be in Texas. The trees are green. The weather is a little cool. It's Spring.
My brother came down from UT Dallas to visit me last weekend. Sam, our friend, brought him. He's like another brother to me. We saw a Dr. Seuss art exhibit http://www.arton5th.com
This weekend I went back to visit my alma mater, Baylor University. The Baylor Bears Lady backetball team won the national championship! The whole campus seemed to still be happy about that. I actually met Sofia Young, the Championship Game MVP. She was at the concert/crush event. One of my friends knows her and invited her to come. I worked and lived at Brooks Residence Hall when I was in college. I went back to see a student concert at Brooks. It was for Mission Waco, a really good charity that helps the homeless. It was an awesome show by Ethan Durelle. Check them out at http://www.ethandurelle.net They are hoping to tour in Asia in the future, hopefully Japan. Maybe I can convince them to go to Thailand.
I really enjoyed seeing all my college buddies. I hope I can make another trip up to Waco soon. Well I'm being told to go to sleep by my mom. Good night!
Thursday, April 07, 2005
Tuesday, March 29, 2005
Thursday, March 24, 2005
Waiting
How much of life is spent waiting?
I won't wait much longer to return to the US. I only have 15 hours until I begin the return trip. But even as I step on to home soil, I'll still be waiting. Waiting to come back to Thailand. And see one person in particular...named...Grasshopper.
Waiting is a part of life. It's tough to accept. There is not enough time. If there was more time, we would find more things to do and then there still wouldn't be enough.
Eternity in a day. A second in an hour. If we were always together, would our love become sour?
No, surely not, dear friends. For there's no greater power. Love conquors all, so on with it go. But since we have no such luck, reunions are the sweetest things we know.
I won't wait much longer to return to the US. I only have 15 hours until I begin the return trip. But even as I step on to home soil, I'll still be waiting. Waiting to come back to Thailand. And see one person in particular...named...Grasshopper.
Waiting is a part of life. It's tough to accept. There is not enough time. If there was more time, we would find more things to do and then there still wouldn't be enough.
Eternity in a day. A second in an hour. If we were always together, would our love become sour?
No, surely not, dear friends. For there's no greater power. Love conquors all, so on with it go. But since we have no such luck, reunions are the sweetest things we know.
Friday, March 04, 2005
Khao Lak
It's hard to believe I've been a teacher in Thailand for almost 10 months.
I had a break from work, so I went with three friends who are also teachers to go to Southern Thailand. We were hoping to volunteer for Tsunami relief. We flew to Phuket from Bangkok on Sunday night and stayed in a very cheap hotel. Whoever named the place a hotel had wishful thinking. The next afternoon we hopped on a bus to the Tsunami Volunteer Center at Khao Lak Nature Resort, Phang Nga Province. http://www.tsunamivolunteer.net/
After a two-and-a-half hour trip, we spotted the volunteer center and jumped off the bus. Well, most of us did. Cyndi didn't get off at first because she was looking for her sandals. The busses don't stop very long, so you must exit quickly. The driver kept going for half-a-minute until he noticed she wanted to get off.
We didn't know where we would stay so we walked towards the volunteer center. Luckily, we found a place not far from it. We never found out the name of the guesthouse, but it used to be a restaurant. It must have just opened. We were located near a police station and the entrance to Khao Lak National Park. There were pictures of unidentified bodies at the station. Most of them were Thai, and some were children. Across the road was a religious shrine with lots of abandoned motorbikes in front of it. Thai people honked as they drove by. The Thai lady who ran our guesthouse told us it was a place to honor the ghosts and Buddha.
My friends and I had driven through Khao Lak in early December. It was a busy, little tourist town with dive shops restaurants, beach resorts and ATMs from all major bank branches. Lots of the places are still there, but there are virtually no tourists, except volunteers. Almost everything closed in town after 9 p.m.
The beaches looked like a war zone in the aftermath of the tsunami. Beaches that were once covered with hotels and resorts were now deserted with a few crumbled buildings and overturned cars. We also saw a large ship, probably from the Thai Navy, that was washed about 500 meters from the road on the side opposite from the beach. It is not a small boat.
The volunteer center used to be a beach resort, but the owner Khun Somporn generously let survivors and volunteer workers stay for free. Then it became a center for registering the dead. Now volunteers are doing all sorts of things from building furniture for schools, laying bricks, clearing debris off the beach, boatyard construction to twisting wire around rebar.
The center had some pets. There were two dogs and even two gibbons hanging around. One of the monkeys was friendly. It let volunteers give it foot massages. The other one hit people on the head and swung away. Every once in a while we saw a monkey fight one of the dogs.
Zach went to work with an intense construction guy from America to build a boatyard. He used power tools and helped mix cement and other labor. He worked with two Thai men who had lost family members in the disaster. He also worked with two Germans who were members of an ancient journeyman association. They had to wear strange outfits and stay at least 500 km away from their homes for two years. They wore black vests and ties over white shirts, dark cordorouy pants with two zippers, and black hats. One of them was very tall, even for a German, and he wore a black top hat. He didn't speak much English. The shorter one wore a derby hat and spoke English fairly well. They also drank Singha beer with Sprite.
Cyndi, Leigh and I helped out a construction site for a village called Bang Sak. Nishon from Canada was our guide from the center. He helped us hitch a ride to the site. Thai people were very friendly to volunteers. Volunteers from the center were teamed up with Mercy Foundation, a Thai Christian organization, who is trying to build 50 houses for the Bang Sak village community. Cyndi and Leigh twisted wire around rebar. I helped mix cement, move dirt and other jobs at the construction site. I met volunteers from places all around the world like England, Germany, Belgium, France, Ireland, Japan, Canada, and Norway. And I'm proud to say there were lots of Americans. I also met many Thai people while working. Some of them had come down from Isaan, NE Thailand.
I enjoyed the experience despite the tough work in the stifling heat. I was worn out after three days of work. Some volunteers had been there for over two months. I give other volunteers special praise. Some guys from Iowa took time off from college to come and volunteer. Two Germans were sleeping in tents while buidling houses. Many other volunteers were doing the same because guesthouses in the area were filling up. That's true sacrifice.
Why is it that volunteers seem to always have a huge "hippy" crowd? There were lots of vegetarians. At a BBQ party one night and I mistakenly ate some tofu and veggie shishkabobs. Eck! They had real BBQ too, but it was dark and I just grabbed whatever I could off the grill.
I hope I can go back sometime and work longer. I recommend the Tsunami Volunteer Center for anyone who wants the opportunity to volunteer. Just be aware of the tofu BBQ.
In Other News...
Way to go Lady Bears Basketball!! Big 12 Champions!!
I had a break from work, so I went with three friends who are also teachers to go to Southern Thailand. We were hoping to volunteer for Tsunami relief. We flew to Phuket from Bangkok on Sunday night and stayed in a very cheap hotel. Whoever named the place a hotel had wishful thinking. The next afternoon we hopped on a bus to the Tsunami Volunteer Center at Khao Lak Nature Resort, Phang Nga Province. http://www.tsunamivolunteer.net/
After a two-and-a-half hour trip, we spotted the volunteer center and jumped off the bus. Well, most of us did. Cyndi didn't get off at first because she was looking for her sandals. The busses don't stop very long, so you must exit quickly. The driver kept going for half-a-minute until he noticed she wanted to get off.
We didn't know where we would stay so we walked towards the volunteer center. Luckily, we found a place not far from it. We never found out the name of the guesthouse, but it used to be a restaurant. It must have just opened. We were located near a police station and the entrance to Khao Lak National Park. There were pictures of unidentified bodies at the station. Most of them were Thai, and some were children. Across the road was a religious shrine with lots of abandoned motorbikes in front of it. Thai people honked as they drove by. The Thai lady who ran our guesthouse told us it was a place to honor the ghosts and Buddha.
My friends and I had driven through Khao Lak in early December. It was a busy, little tourist town with dive shops restaurants, beach resorts and ATMs from all major bank branches. Lots of the places are still there, but there are virtually no tourists, except volunteers. Almost everything closed in town after 9 p.m.
The beaches looked like a war zone in the aftermath of the tsunami. Beaches that were once covered with hotels and resorts were now deserted with a few crumbled buildings and overturned cars. We also saw a large ship, probably from the Thai Navy, that was washed about 500 meters from the road on the side opposite from the beach. It is not a small boat.
The volunteer center used to be a beach resort, but the owner Khun Somporn generously let survivors and volunteer workers stay for free. Then it became a center for registering the dead. Now volunteers are doing all sorts of things from building furniture for schools, laying bricks, clearing debris off the beach, boatyard construction to twisting wire around rebar.
The center had some pets. There were two dogs and even two gibbons hanging around. One of the monkeys was friendly. It let volunteers give it foot massages. The other one hit people on the head and swung away. Every once in a while we saw a monkey fight one of the dogs.
Zach went to work with an intense construction guy from America to build a boatyard. He used power tools and helped mix cement and other labor. He worked with two Thai men who had lost family members in the disaster. He also worked with two Germans who were members of an ancient journeyman association. They had to wear strange outfits and stay at least 500 km away from their homes for two years. They wore black vests and ties over white shirts, dark cordorouy pants with two zippers, and black hats. One of them was very tall, even for a German, and he wore a black top hat. He didn't speak much English. The shorter one wore a derby hat and spoke English fairly well. They also drank Singha beer with Sprite.
Cyndi, Leigh and I helped out a construction site for a village called Bang Sak. Nishon from Canada was our guide from the center. He helped us hitch a ride to the site. Thai people were very friendly to volunteers. Volunteers from the center were teamed up with Mercy Foundation, a Thai Christian organization, who is trying to build 50 houses for the Bang Sak village community. Cyndi and Leigh twisted wire around rebar. I helped mix cement, move dirt and other jobs at the construction site. I met volunteers from places all around the world like England, Germany, Belgium, France, Ireland, Japan, Canada, and Norway. And I'm proud to say there were lots of Americans. I also met many Thai people while working. Some of them had come down from Isaan, NE Thailand.
I enjoyed the experience despite the tough work in the stifling heat. I was worn out after three days of work. Some volunteers had been there for over two months. I give other volunteers special praise. Some guys from Iowa took time off from college to come and volunteer. Two Germans were sleeping in tents while buidling houses. Many other volunteers were doing the same because guesthouses in the area were filling up. That's true sacrifice.
Why is it that volunteers seem to always have a huge "hippy" crowd? There were lots of vegetarians. At a BBQ party one night and I mistakenly ate some tofu and veggie shishkabobs. Eck! They had real BBQ too, but it was dark and I just grabbed whatever I could off the grill.
I hope I can go back sometime and work longer. I recommend the Tsunami Volunteer Center for anyone who wants the opportunity to volunteer. Just be aware of the tofu BBQ.
In Other News...
Way to go Lady Bears Basketball!! Big 12 Champions!!
Friday, February 25, 2005
The End of the Semester
Smile!
Today was the second to last day of classes. The last day will be on Monday when the kids take their final exam. So today I took pictures and the kids asked for my e-mail. It's funny. Most of them can't write very much. It'll be interesting to see what kind of letters I get. Some kids even wanted my phone number in America. I was touched, but I didn't give it to them. The kids know I'll be coming back in May so they weren't sad. And I wasn't sad either. I'll miss them, but I'm also glad this semester is going to end soon. It's been tough. I've learned more than the kids did. I hope I will be a more patient teacher and less of a pushover next semester.
Monday, February 21, 2005
Bernd
Bernd is one of the best friends I've made in Thailand. I met him through friends at church. He's from a village near Stuttgart, Germany. I like his sense of humor and his dedication to following the Lord. He has a vision to be a missionary in and through the business world. He got me interested in Youth With A Mission http://www.ywam.org/. He did a program called Discipleship Training School in Seattle. He travelled to South Korea and China and did missionary work with YWAM. I am interested in doing DTS also. But I don't know if the Lord is calling me to do it and if so where I should go.
Right now Bernd is travelling in Myanmar with his German friend Miri (sorry if I misspelled her name). Bernd won't be in Thailand much longer. He's going back to Germany. He wants to continue studying.
Right now Bernd is travelling in Myanmar with his German friend Miri (sorry if I misspelled her name). Bernd won't be in Thailand much longer. He's going back to Germany. He wants to continue studying.
See Y'all Soon
I'm excited! I'm thinking about returning home to Texas. I miss Austin, I miss Baylor, and I even miss Waco. It's been so long since I've walked the streets of downtown Austin or hung out in coffee shops with Baylor students or seen live music played only by westerners in a little hole-in-the-wall place. Thai people can play well though, I must admit. I love going to hear bands in Bangkok. But it ain't the same.
I really miss my mom and dad, my little brother, and my dog Winter. It's amazing that I haven't seen them since I arrived in Thailand on May 20th last year. God has given me the strength to deal with being away from them so long. God has given me great friends, and I am so thankful. I'm very thankful for Tan and the time we share together.
I'm going to be back in the USA from March 25 to May 22. I want to see as many family and friends as I can before I go back to Bangkok. I will stay in LA for a few days around Easter time and then go to Austin. I'll probably work as a substitute teacher at my old middle school or high school. It'll feel strange to be working there. Mr. Duran is still the principal at Westview Middle School. I hope I can earn about $60 a day. That isn't much in the US, but it's a lot in Thailand. When I'm not working, I hope I can make road trips to Houston, Waco, Dallas and other places. I'll see y'all soon.
I really miss my mom and dad, my little brother, and my dog Winter. It's amazing that I haven't seen them since I arrived in Thailand on May 20th last year. God has given me the strength to deal with being away from them so long. God has given me great friends, and I am so thankful. I'm very thankful for Tan and the time we share together.
I'm going to be back in the USA from March 25 to May 22. I want to see as many family and friends as I can before I go back to Bangkok. I will stay in LA for a few days around Easter time and then go to Austin. I'll probably work as a substitute teacher at my old middle school or high school. It'll feel strange to be working there. Mr. Duran is still the principal at Westview Middle School. I hope I can earn about $60 a day. That isn't much in the US, but it's a lot in Thailand. When I'm not working, I hope I can make road trips to Houston, Waco, Dallas and other places. I'll see y'all soon.
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