not much is updated...

for those of you who are keeping track of this trek: not much is updated. i still have a job in bangkok. they're wrapping up their school year there. my paperwork is "coming soon" and then it'll be really official.

we're counting down now (we = barb and i). i believe it's somewhere around 35 days to departure. that, as it turns out, gives me a little jump in my heart... it's coming up quick! i am still just as excited, though overwhelmed with the work i have to do before beginning to pack for the move.

i've made a new friend, via a friend from book club, who is living and working in chiang mai, the second largest city that is located in northern thailand. i can't wait to meet her over there, now that i've met her here! she gave me a lot of good advice and showed me pictures and video that made me even more excited.

i only have three weeks left at learning for leadership charter school. i've enjoyed my time there and will miss everyone so much. i can't wait to see what they've accomplished there when i return to minnesota, whenever that will be. i am proud of how hard my students have been working this year.

on another note: i went to see one of my favorite musicians, chris koza, last night, again. he and his band are so talented and i want them to be successful, so check them out! support them. see them live. buy their cds.
their opening acts were pretty fantastic, as well. i particularly liked the brass kings. they were so awesome! support local music!

what i've learned lately about thailand...
the head is sacred. the feet are "dirty." never point your feet at someone. never touch someone on their head.

they teach their children that thailand is shaped like an elephant bowing his head. sometimes the shape is also described as a leaning tree. both work for me.

they eat insects as a snack. it'll be a snap decision on whether i venture a taste. *shiver* as i sit here it's feeling like a NO thanks. on the other hand, i have to remember that etiquette and politeness are of the utmost importance.

i have to wear insect repellant. mosquitos are rampant. i won't discust you with the details of the diseases they carry. you can look that one up for yourself.

i'm learning new things every day. i'll share them as i do.

thanks for reading my blog. mom and dad: you're the BEST!

general details

(for cousin mikey, that scoundrel!) there has been some confusion.
my name is beth. i am a teacher. i am moving to thailand to teach for one year, maybe longer. i will leave usa near february 26, 2007. my position in thailand begins march 22, 2007. i will be arriving early to travel, settle in to a living space, and learn the city of bangkok.
i will be teaching either grade 1 or 2 in an english program at an all-boys school in the tourist district of bangkok. my focus will be to teach math, science, news (reading/english), computers, phy.ed. and health. the class also has a thai teacher to teach them thai, social studies, art, music, and chinese. to encourage the use of english, the thai teacher is not in the room while i am teaching, however we will still work as a team.
the first few days are organized to be orientation. i will teach summer school the following two weeks. then, i will have a week off for their thai new year celebration, called songkran festival. it turns out that it's a nationwide, weeklong water fight. i've heard several accounts of the fun and can't wait to experience it myself.
after songkran, i teach two more weeks of summer school, have two weeks off, then term one begins.
i will be arriving at the start of their hot season (march to may). the rainy season is june to september. the "cool" (77 degree average) season is october to february. that in itself will be an adjustment... NO SNOW! i can hardly stand the bitter cold, but i'll probably miss it at some point. we'll just see.
(how's that mikey? are you still confused and lost and hopelessly frustrated? i can keep going...)

tuesdays are always better than mondays.

the week has begun and activities are in full swing. there is always so much work to be done.
the plans for thailand are slowly, but surely, being updated. one issue at a time. i await materials for my non-immigrant B visa. i hope to obtain it before the month of february. i want to be organized so well that i'm sitting around with not much to do in the days before we leave.
my dear friend, barb, will be traveling along with me when i make the official move. she and i have made flexible plans to see a couple of southern thai islands. we are hoping to make it to koh pha ngan, koh phi phi and hopefully, the northern city of chiang mai.
i received several travel books about thailand as gifts for christmas and have purchased a "teach yourself thai" cd set. i can't get through even the first sound without giggling. it's immature but the sounds are new and seem a little funny to me. they are, however, just sounds that i must perfect and not words or sentences yet. it will be quite an undertaking to learn this new and difficult language. for now it remains friendly entertainment.
i am looking at less than two months until i leave. i remain extremely excited. i just cannot wait. i am anxious to get there, see some sights, relax and settle in.
as i said, another glorious day goes by.

today today, a glorious day

today begins what will be my online (super cool) journal. all of the latest and greatest information will be posted here for all to learn what daily mishaps and adventures i stumble upon. in my mind, it will be a bumpy ride, so get your safety gear ready! it's going to be great!

thailand ~ you'll see me soon!