So many things to tell! I'm having the worst time deciding on a title for this post!
So let's back up. The weekend. Unfortunately, I have very little to tell about my weekend. I spent a lot of time just walking around Chaiyaphum getting a sense for where things are and having a leisurely time. I found the post office! That and the food I ate are probably the most exciting things to happen. And the food was delicious! Last night in particular I stumbled upon this restaurant which fed me an excellent Panang curry. It was spicy but I think they definitely toned it down for me and it had these great sweet notes in the aftertaste. And the kaffir leaves had this slightly bitter taste. Truly amazing. I ordered the pork Panang because pork is the only food word I know. Pork is "moo" in Thai. Now you understand why I can remember it, right? Anyway, while we're talking about food, I love getting lunch at the school. While some days have definitely been better than others, I love how it gets me to try things I wouldn't even know how to order otherwise. Today's lunch was a pork dish with greens (not kaffir leaves, but not exactly sure what they were other than cooked) and then a glass noodle dish with chicken (?). Both were really good and very mild in terms of spice. Not going to lie - while I really like spicy food, sometimes its nice not to cry during lunch :) Of course, the day wouldn't be complete without some watery eyes. This afternoon our TAs brought back a som tom salad which was very sweet and very spicy. I think it had pineapple, papaya, and cucumber. Can't be sure though. Especially because typically I only like cucumber in that trio (but I thought the salad was really yummy). Ok, but enough about food.
Today went well in terms of classes. My morning started early because I had to go to their morning assembly and lead a game which my P5 students were presenting. They each had a poster with something on it (i.e. a soccer ball) and one by one they would go down the line and say, "If you like football stand up. If you don't like football sit down." They would say it first in English and then in Thai and since no one reacted to anything I was saying in English or anything they said in English, I'm thinking the English was really just for the benefit of them practicing. ;) That being said, I think the funniest part for me was when I was introducing myself and asking everyone to start the game by standing up, and then I motioned, and then (since no one had moved) I asked my students how to say "stand up in Thai" and I repeated that and everyone laughed (myself included) and stood up. Never hurt anyone to laugh at themselves and I think my students really appreciated being able to teach me something.
After assembly I went and met the director of the school. He was definitely shocked at how young I am and our meeting was kept brief because I had to go to class!
My classes went well for the most part. I bribed my students to answer questions with stars and once they understood what I was doing class participation was at an all time high. I'm hoping my sticker reward system (where they'll actually be able to keep track) will go into effect later this week. I'm just waiting to get their pictures all printed out and taped up in the classroom. That being said, my last class was kind of a mess. To be fair, the lesson was kind of hard - some of them could handle it. Others definitely struggled the whole time. Tomorrow though we're supposed to be learning reflexive pronouns and I have a plan! We're going to learn a song - more of a diddy really - to learn what the reflexive pronouns are! Want to hear it?
I mean, who doesn't love Pooh Bear characters teaching you pronouns? Actually, Winnie the Pooh is a really big deal here (he's on everything! like the water jugs in my office!) so I think the video will be a hit. Plus, I'm actually going to make them learn the song so that should be fun.
OK, so I've covered food, school, what else? Oh! So, in my office (the ICEP office) there is me, G (the woman from the Philippines), and the two TAs (one for each of us). Then, in the office next door there are two rotating(?) teachers. One is the Czech woman (who I don't remember if I mentioned) and the other was a man but he left and now he's been replaced by another guy. Why is this such a big deal? This is the 6th person in this town who I've met who speaks English and the 2nd who is from Chicago! No joke. The guy who I took over for was from Chi-town and now there is another person from Chicago! Who knew Chicagoans loved Thailand so much? Especially since the Thais seem to be obsessed with San Francisco (no lies, I can't count how many Thais I've met who have asked if I've been to San Fran and expressed a desire to go there themselves. It comes up almost every time I say I'm from the U.S.). So that was fun for us to discover.
Well, I'm not sure I can think of anything else for today. The apartment search, well, let's just say you'll know when I know. Which is not today unfortunately. Sigh.
So let's back up. The weekend. Unfortunately, I have very little to tell about my weekend. I spent a lot of time just walking around Chaiyaphum getting a sense for where things are and having a leisurely time. I found the post office! That and the food I ate are probably the most exciting things to happen. And the food was delicious! Last night in particular I stumbled upon this restaurant which fed me an excellent Panang curry. It was spicy but I think they definitely toned it down for me and it had these great sweet notes in the aftertaste. And the kaffir leaves had this slightly bitter taste. Truly amazing. I ordered the pork Panang because pork is the only food word I know. Pork is "moo" in Thai. Now you understand why I can remember it, right? Anyway, while we're talking about food, I love getting lunch at the school. While some days have definitely been better than others, I love how it gets me to try things I wouldn't even know how to order otherwise. Today's lunch was a pork dish with greens (not kaffir leaves, but not exactly sure what they were other than cooked) and then a glass noodle dish with chicken (?). Both were really good and very mild in terms of spice. Not going to lie - while I really like spicy food, sometimes its nice not to cry during lunch :) Of course, the day wouldn't be complete without some watery eyes. This afternoon our TAs brought back a som tom salad which was very sweet and very spicy. I think it had pineapple, papaya, and cucumber. Can't be sure though. Especially because typically I only like cucumber in that trio (but I thought the salad was really yummy). Ok, but enough about food.
Today went well in terms of classes. My morning started early because I had to go to their morning assembly and lead a game which my P5 students were presenting. They each had a poster with something on it (i.e. a soccer ball) and one by one they would go down the line and say, "If you like football stand up. If you don't like football sit down." They would say it first in English and then in Thai and since no one reacted to anything I was saying in English or anything they said in English, I'm thinking the English was really just for the benefit of them practicing. ;) That being said, I think the funniest part for me was when I was introducing myself and asking everyone to start the game by standing up, and then I motioned, and then (since no one had moved) I asked my students how to say "stand up in Thai" and I repeated that and everyone laughed (myself included) and stood up. Never hurt anyone to laugh at themselves and I think my students really appreciated being able to teach me something.
After assembly I went and met the director of the school. He was definitely shocked at how young I am and our meeting was kept brief because I had to go to class!
My classes went well for the most part. I bribed my students to answer questions with stars and once they understood what I was doing class participation was at an all time high. I'm hoping my sticker reward system (where they'll actually be able to keep track) will go into effect later this week. I'm just waiting to get their pictures all printed out and taped up in the classroom. That being said, my last class was kind of a mess. To be fair, the lesson was kind of hard - some of them could handle it. Others definitely struggled the whole time. Tomorrow though we're supposed to be learning reflexive pronouns and I have a plan! We're going to learn a song - more of a diddy really - to learn what the reflexive pronouns are! Want to hear it?
I mean, who doesn't love Pooh Bear characters teaching you pronouns? Actually, Winnie the Pooh is a really big deal here (he's on everything! like the water jugs in my office!) so I think the video will be a hit. Plus, I'm actually going to make them learn the song so that should be fun.
OK, so I've covered food, school, what else? Oh! So, in my office (the ICEP office) there is me, G (the woman from the Philippines), and the two TAs (one for each of us). Then, in the office next door there are two rotating(?) teachers. One is the Czech woman (who I don't remember if I mentioned) and the other was a man but he left and now he's been replaced by another guy. Why is this such a big deal? This is the 6th person in this town who I've met who speaks English and the 2nd who is from Chicago! No joke. The guy who I took over for was from Chi-town and now there is another person from Chicago! Who knew Chicagoans loved Thailand so much? Especially since the Thais seem to be obsessed with San Francisco (no lies, I can't count how many Thais I've met who have asked if I've been to San Fran and expressed a desire to go there themselves. It comes up almost every time I say I'm from the U.S.). So that was fun for us to discover.
Well, I'm not sure I can think of anything else for today. The apartment search, well, let's just say you'll know when I know. Which is not today unfortunately. Sigh.
1. Winnie the Pooh is the best.
ReplyDelete2. Eyeore refers to 'itself'?
3. I wish that you were teaching German, because I have excellent educational videos about grammar for that.
4. Have you found places to eat where the staff is willing to make recommendations? That can lead to interesting (and worthwhile) adventures, in my experience.
1. You are so right :)
Delete2. I know! My mom said the same thing actually. She suggested they should have used a honey pot. Poor Eeyore :(
3. Haha, but there must be some in English too? Actually - Do you remember Schoolhouse Rock?
4. No, but that's a great idea! I definitely need to learn more Thai to be able to ask though.
5. Happy Birthday!!!