International Day

How does one share the best of Canada with children ages 3-11 in 30 minutes? It's impossible really. I don't believe one can truly experience all that Canada has to offer without a roadtrip through the rockies, or a drive through the Prairies, or a day in the bustling cities of Toronto or Montreal, or through an adventure in the Maritimes. Canada has so much to offer. How does one choose a single part of it to teach a group of children from a variety of backgrounds about? The answer: nearly impossible.

My answer, considering the time constraints, the ages being dealt with, and my lack of desire to delve too far into something I wouldn't be able to get out of, was simple. With my younger children, ages 7 and under, we learned how to say Bonjour (language: Canadian) and we made hats (thanks Dawn) with the maple leaf as the outstanding feature. Most kids calld it the Canada leaf. That was good enough for me. I wore red and white.... and the classroom was decorated in red and white. This is a picture of the Reception Class (age 4-5) with a mixture of Thai, Norwegian, Indian, Chinese, Malaysian, Laotian, and Sri Lankan. Clearly we are not in our normal school uniforms on this day, as children were allowed to dress in costumes from their individual cultures if they so desired.

With Key Stage Two, years 3 through 6, we played some rousing games of ball hockey. Minor injuries occured, but there was no "Bertuzzi" incident... and any injury seemed to be settled with an offer of an ice pack and the promise of a yummy maple candy at the end. (thanks Marg). Really, I had nothing to do with the injuries. I played full on - but was sure to stay clear of injuring any childrenn in the process. They took care of that aspect of the game themselves. This class is a mix of Thai, Japanese, Korean, Swiss, Austrailian and Philipino... many of whom were in traditional dress. It was quite the thing to play hockey, especially with the girls, but they enjoyed it.

Anyway, it was all in good fun. We sang (well, I sang) the national anthem to begin the hockey game and we were off. And I left a messy classroom which is always a sign of good fun. And I had children asking me for more maple candies today. (again - thanks Marg).

The children had a wonderful day of visiting, Australian, the Netherlands, New Zealand, England, Japan, France, Canada, and Thailand.... with passports to go with it. The

Canadian passport stamp was the beaver. How appropriate!

What a strange country!!

Well, I have been living in this country for coming up to 9 months. It never ceases to amaze me what strange things can happen.

The other day... a newspaper article stating that it is now illegal to use a cellphone while driving. (this in a country that doesn't where helmets on motorcycles or seatbelts in cars). Hands free is okay, but no holding a cellphone to your ear. If you are caught doing this... you will be fined 400 Baht. No big deal. But then the article goes on to say that if you attempt to bribe the police, indicating that bribing the police occurs frequently, you will be fined 400 Baht. But when you talk to people who have actually been pulled over, they say you have to bribe the police. It always works in your favour. Maybe I should try that upon my return to Canada. Well...

There are moments when I wish I had a camera. There are hilarious signs in this country. Some that make no sense. Some that specifically say: "Foreigners, use other door" But we came across a funny sticker-sign in a taxi the other day. A picture of a man sitting down. Coming out of his rear-end was a "puff" of smoke and then "rays" coming out of that puff of smoke. We came up with only one conclusion as to what this sign could mean. No farting in the taxi. It brought us great amusement for the ride home from work.

I have been doing double duty this week at work. Teaching ESL but also teaching Year One. It has actually been quite the pleasure having a whole class to teach all day. It has been stressful, mind you considering that I have been doing two jobs, but enjoyable nonetheless.

A great decision lies before me: I think I need a sign telling me what to do. What do I do next? I am coming to the end of my contract, but the head teacher (principal) really wants me to stay and has offered me a new position, better position, better pay. I could also return to Canada. Toronto? Vancouver? maybe even London?

It is amazing seeing the world and amazing living in new societies.

Anyone with any advice - please reply.

Phuket: Honeymoon destination? I think not

So... our two week vacation ended in Phuket. The beaches were lovely; there was tons to do. It was a hopping place. Now, I'm hardly planning a honeymoon anytime in the near future... but this is hardly a place for honeymooners. I'm tempted to tell mom and dad not to read this blog entry, but they will anyway... so here it goes.

Phuket...

how do I love thee?

Let me count the ways.

I love thee for thy beaches, white and sandy.

I love thee for thy calm welcoming sea.

I love thee for thy Irish Pub... that welcomed us with open arms.

I love thee for thy lady boys... everywhere you turn

I love thee for the invitations to Ping Pong shows... everywhere you turn

I love thee for the invitations to Gay Go-Go Dancing Shows

I love the for having a bar called, "Big Bob's Ago-Go.

I love thee for the desperate men who huddle in the corners of bars, seeking out a willing female.

I love thee for not being interested in three lovely single girls.

I love thee for just letting us have a good time.

I love thee for this bar (Lime Bar) that was none of the above and just let us have fun and dance and not be disturbed. (uncless you count the distubances by the highly intoxicated Australians sitting at the table beside us).

Anyway, that's my story on Phuket. Bought some lovely jewellery, had a shot of cranberry vodka in an ice bar. It felt just like home. I walked in saying, "Bienvenue a Canada," while everyone else was begging to get out.
I hope you have all taken notice of the lovely tan that I have developed. AHHH.. Thailand. How do I love thee?

Songkran

So, I've had the past two weeks off of work. A blessing really. It was either going to be me or one of the children who wouldn't make it out safely. But all is well; I'm alive and so are all the kids - last time I checked anyway.

Anyway, the reason for the two week holiday was for Songkran; aka. Thai new year; aka The water festival. Emphasis on the water festival. We left our hotel in lovely Koh Lanta and had a ride in the back of a truck to the pier to head off to our next island destination. We were primped and pretty, ready to enjoy a lovely boat ride. Little did we know what was coming our way. Yes - we were armed. With ultimate super soaker water pistols..... but our defence was nothing compared to army that faced us. Buckets upon buckets of water were poured over our heads... by complete strangers saying, "Happy New Year, Happy Songkran." Absolutely insane. Then there are the people waiting to through powder on your wet clothing which is meant to be a sign of good luck. And some of the powder was red... we were a real mess. Drenched... passports, phones, and ipods included.

Upon arrival in Koh Phi Phi, we were met with much the same madness. However here, I think they were waiting for white people.... and pure ice water was thrown in our path. We finally made it to our room, where we had to completely unpack our bags and hang everything we owned out to dry.

We went out that night... armed and dangerous. Songran shirts, water pistols, and aviator sunglasses to complete the look. Nobody was getting in our way.

More on our fabulous vacation to come...

Family

When you are so far away from home and phone calls seem to be near impossible, and the only means of communication is email - it just plain stinks. It's not so easy to jump on a plane and fly to Vancouver. You don't get to click your heals and say "there's no place like home" and just arrive there. There are times when you just wish you could be with your family, not just for you but for them too.

I constantly ask myself, "What am I gaining by living here?"
The answers are many. I could go on and on. I am gaining so much by living here. Personally, mentally, spiritually. The list would go on and on. I'm learning so much and am experiencing things I never would have dreamed of.

But at the same time as asking the above question, you also ask "what am I missing by living here?"
Again, the answers are many. One can't even make a pros and cons list to look at the two questions. They are incomparable.

For all of those reading this, please say a prayer for my Uncle Lawson, who now lies in peace. And say a prayer for our family.

There's no place like home.
There's no place like home.
There's no place like home.

Holidays are Here

So... today was the last day of the second term of school. One more term to go!!! But before all of that must commence... two weeks vacation. Beach - here I come.

Today was actually a really fun day at school. It was the Songkran festival celebration. Songkran holiday is around April 13th, but we celebrated today. It is the Thai New Year, the hottest time of year, and what follows is the much anticipated rainy season. We started the day off with a somewhat solemn ceremony where the children each, one by one, wished us luck and a Happy Songkran. Then the fun began.

The rest of the day was pure fun. Water games, swimming, throwing flour. All in good fun. And for some reason I was constantly hearing, "Get Miss Teresa," where I would then be chased by classes of children with water pistols, or another group trying to throw me in the pool. It was good fun - exhausting, but good.

So, as of tomorrow, I will be at the beach, working on my tan, and enjoying every second of rest. I am going to Koh Chang, where I went in October. Then to Koh Lanta, Koh Phi Phi, and Phuket. I'm really looking forward to the vacation... and I'm not even thinking of the fact that it only lasts for two weeks.

hot hot hot

So, yes, I know. It has been a long time since my last post. That's not to say that nothing has happened in the past month; believe me, there are many adventures which have been had. I suppose I have just become lazy.

I apologize to all of you, especially those of you who have been waking up to snow on the ground. It is hot here. I mean REALLY hot. I had to do playground duty today - and would have enjoyed jumping in our pool... although the pool isn't built yet. It's hot. Blistering may be a good word. My upcoming vacation (2 more sleeps) is forecasted for temperatures between 40 and 45 degrees.

Speaking of hot - we had a fire drill at school the other day. First one of the year. Now... only in Thailand would a fire drill proceed as follows:

• an alarm that can only be heard if you are in the hallway, and people in the hallways, running into classrooms to inform the teachers of what is happening
• children taking the time to put on their shoes as shoes aren't allowed inside.... but we had to wait while 12 three year olds put their shoes on.... and many other small children
• having personal nannies walking with their children with umbrellas to protect them from the sun.
• school maids holding large beach umbrellas to shade the children from the sun.

Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but if the school was on fire - one would think getting the children out quickly would be more important than them putting their shoes on. It would also be important to actually hear the fire alarm. And one would hope that the top priority would not be shading the children from the sun. Maybe that's only my opinion.

Sometimes I have to shake my head and say "only in Thailand."