finally catching up!

sawatdee kah!

i am finally caught up on posting the photos i've taken so far here in thailand. check them out: Flickr Photos.

i am currently at school getting some planning done. my classroom is coming along, slowly but surely. i will be taking more photos of the students and classroom tomorrow.

week one of summer school was fairly uneventful. the boys were with their thai teachers and the students from the regular program (as opposed to the english program) for the entire week. i only saw them in the mornings for the school song and prayer and one day i was able to teach a lesson and had some time to try to learn their names, which are tough to pronounce.

they are very small and adorable. they are very respectful, though the language barrier is difficult. when i say, "please sit down" and there are blank stares, i know i have my work cut out for me! it will be challenging and rewarding. for grade one students it is the beginning of the school year. they are all required to attend summer school. i have the students now that i will have the entire year. we spend summer learning commands (sit down, stand up, form two lines, make a circle, write, draw, stop, look, listen, legs crossed, hands on knees...etc.), colors, numbers, and a few sentences: 'what's your name?' 'how are you?' 'what class are you in?'... etc, and class discipline policies and procedures. the boys speak little english (if any), so it's slow and steady with games, songs, activities, and plenty of repetition.

regarding my uniform, i haven't been given the fabric to have it (them) made yet, so i don't have a uniform yet. i have dress requirements (which are a little beyond standard) but no uniform until term 1. i will post photos of me in the good ole uniform when i actually have it to wear. (i'm excited to not have to worry about what to wear! the uniform will be easy!) we participate in wearing yellow shirts and dark pants on mondays in honor of the king. i'll get a photo of that posted for you soon.

this week is a short week at school with an "excursion" (field trip) on thursday and no school on friday for a thai holiday and the beginning of songkran festival, thai new year (they're in 2551)! it's the water fight week!!! i am traveling to the same island in the south that i visited before to spend time with lucas, who's been down south for a week and a half now. i hear he's antsy to have some company as the relaxation is getting boring. haha. it will be nice to be out of the city as the festivities get very crazy... that's what i hear constantly, "it's CRAZY." supposedly, the party will be a little tamer on the island.

as for the past week : a friend and i are trying to find separate apartments in the same building, so we're apt. shopping. it's been tough as most places are too expensive or too far from school. we have spent every evening after school on our hunt to no avail. hopefully we'll find something soon! cross your fingers for us!

a friend's mother has asked me a couple questions that i'll share with you all...

Do you like the people that you work with? i like the people i work with very much. they are all different kinds of people and everyone is very friendly and nice. i am constantly being asked to join for dinner or a movie or shopping... all kinds of things! everyone seems to work well together and i enjoy my time with them all.

Are you the only new teacher that started at the time that you did - and the only American? there are 21 new teachers (of 31) this year, including me. i am one of five americans on staff. myself and one other guy are new americans to the staff. most of the others are australian, as are my two main bosses. my blog post previous to this one explains that a little bit more...

Did you and Luke do any interesting things when he was in Bangkok? Luke and i were very busy with seeing bangkok... we went to khao san road a couple days (the backpacker area that he knows well), we did a long boat ride up the river and through some canals in bangkok, we ate at a lot of different places, including several indian restaurants (aw, that sounds good for tonight!), went out with the teachers for pool and wandering the city, did some shopping here and there, saw a movie (called '300'), did some email... we did a lot. there are some photos from our adventures around the city. i've only seen the massive grand palace from a distance and would like to visit it soon. there are several art galleries that are calling my name as well. i'll be busy with school work but hope to make it soon!

i hope you are all well and good in your prospective cities! i miss you all and love hearing from you if you have the chance!

sawatdee kah!

ps. my thai classes have started and i'm learning new thai phrases and words every day, it's very fun! thai people always smile or giggle when i practice. they are delighted when someone tries their language... off to eat!