Wow!

So much has happened since my last post. I have Internet access from the school, and can post, but this weekend am in Mae Hong Song, because it there is no school for the 5 day Buddhist holiday. I got a free ride here, since one of the teachers lives in Mae Hong Song, already there is music and gongs in full for the holiday!

From my last post, I left Cave Lodge, got on the back of this Thai man's moter bike and felt like I was kissing the world goodbye as I went up this steep hill 20kilometers into the jungle. The hill is so steep and plain dirt with rocks, we almost fell over a couple times. He drove me into this village on top of on of the mountains made of bamboo huts, cattle, hogs, and dogs roaming the street. I didn't see any people, and realized they were probably in the fields working. He drove me to the middle of the village, (it's not very big, maybe .5 mile radius..haha.) and pointed to some white buildings and said "school." He motioned for me to go into the courtyard, and so I got off the bike and walked into the middle of this empty cement square surrounded by colonial white buildings. I could hear the sound of children laughing, and playing, and teachers talking in Thai, and walked into a classroom and asked for Mr.Pemok. A teacher didn't understand what I said, but then led me into a room where there was a white girl with long brown hair and a little pointy eared man. Later I was introduced to the girl, Hannah from England, and Mr. Peamok.

Hannah had been at the school for 1 month teaching English, and had a lot to tell me about the school. I was glad she was there to tell me about the school, especially when I learned none of the teachers spoke English. Only a little. :0 Ah!
Immediately I thought, why don't we teach the teachers how to speak, then they can teach the students.... still this idea is in the works...:) Hannah has taught in Korea as well, and has no teaching training, but after hearing about her methods of teaching, I was and am very impressed by her organization and approach to teaching the students.

All the students are below the age of 12, Grades 1-6. It is a primary school, which means they have to take a national exam next month, and are in school from Monday until Friday then go home on the weekends. There are girls dorms, and boys dorms, an open outdoor shower, and 2 hongnams (toilets).
I was so impressed at this facility, they have a laptop, paper, notebooks, and desks! It is simple, but kept clean, and Mr. Pemok is really into recycling, so all the plastic, and paper is kept to be recycled. Also there is a guitar, which I used in my classes today to teach the words of the weather: hot, cold, cloudy, sunny, gray skies, sunshine...ect. Snowy and icy isn't relevant to Thailand. :)

I am staying in a hut adjacent to the football (soccer court), and above where the hogs sleep. :) I am very thankful, and am given a mat, 3 blankets, candles, and a lock for my door. It is perfect, and very cozy.
Everyone eats at the same time, rice 3 times a day with various toppings consisting of pork, chicken, beef, or pak (veggies). I help cook, stir, and clean dishes before and after every meal. Breakfast, is at 8am, Lunch 12:30pm and Dinner at 9pm (Really late dinner, because I've been playing soccer with the male teachers, and older male students, so after we play, I sit on the wooden kitchen floor and eat with the guys at night by candlelight). Yesterday I was cooking chicken and garlic in this huge pot for all the students. One of the women added chillies and onion, and the steam was so powerful I found myself crying from the spice after awhile! Can you say spicy!?  ยไ

I could keep typing about what the school is, but I was journaling yesterday and summarized it perfectly. Below is yesterday's journal entry:


I clap my hands together covered in white chalk dust, sending a cloud of powder in the chilly morning air. Carefully I take a step forward on the cold wooden floor, bare feet and toes grabbing the smooth wood below, propelling me towards the far corner desk to a little white box of broken chalk. (yes, it's a requirement at the school to teach barefoot!! How cool is that!?)
Greeting swadee kah, bowing my head and look up into the tawny tan faces illuminated by a smile effervescing with anticipation for the day ahead. I grab a long stick of chalk and press hard into the green board- only to have the chalk break in half and clatter to the floor. Moving swiftly, a walking example- and Lord! That blessed desk I have finally learned to maneuver around after hitting my hip numerous times, now sore from impact.
Sharing bowls of rice, carrot, grilled corn, stir fry on the kitchen floor after 4 hours of football with the boys. Tribal dancing around the classroom singing ABC phonetically- (A says a or aa, b says b)- Thank you mom you've taught me so much I could never repay you.
3 meals of rice a day. Awoke this morning to a little girl knocking, wanting to make sure I get up and get breakfast so I can teach her.
I stumbled out of a dream, opened the door, and blasted by the chilly air to see her sweet face, shining black eyes and little hand holding my Chacos. With the other hand she made a eating motion to her mouth. "Jenah', Jenah," she said. I smiled and bowed sawadee kah, as she slipped the Chacos on my feet. "Hungnam," I said pointing towards the toilet, which she grabbed my hand and softly squeezed it with her little fingers. Kindness-love-purity.

"You are very special today. Ginger tea! You like?" Pemok gleamed at me with his large sided ears, under a little cranberry wool hat, then looked away- what is he thinking? So many thoughts in the sky in the gates of the school. In the class- I can communicate to their minds. Spark and warm hearts with music. The real symphony is born in the energy of understanding, and with that a feeling that is indescribable. Chai dee mak mak! 2/15/11

Hannah is really into climbing and has her own equipment. She came to Thailand to climb, and wants to teach the children out of her heart. This is what we have in common. We already talked about teaching in a way so our styles, and topics build and complement on eachother's teaching style so the students will learn how to speak English faster.
The students speak no English- at all. They know the alphabet, but don't know each letter has a sound. They cannot read English. This has been a huge challenge, because the students I taught in Phuket could all read English, or at least could sound out a word. But these students don't know anything. They are great, smart, and funny students-
Everyone loves songs, and music, and having fun. They remember a word or idea better if in a song. This is perfect, considering I love to compose! Today I taught them You are my Sunshine, with hand motions, and sang to the guitar. They really liked this! I also taught colors to the younger classes, and divided them into teams where one team  would get a point if they guessed the right color. This game got really competitive, and loud, and the students were cheering and laughing and having fun! I picture this atmosphere exactly when I think of learning taking place. The student is teaching himself/herself and teaching others. Even teaching me Thai in the process. I can now have a somewhat decent conversation in Thai, beyond just saying Hi, and Thank you, which communicates to the people I care about them....which is exactly why I am here. To love.
:)
Going to find somewhere to sleep- it is getting dark here.

Miss you all in the states! Catch some big waves.
Skype Sunday night (morning- Oklahoma) is totally going to happen, I go back to the school Monday morning at 5am.