thaim for school

I think I’m getting worse and worse at keeping a consistent blog, but things just keep getting busier & busier! But they also just get better && better:]

Things are going great at DEPDC (click here to learn more!). I am still loving teaching all the many kids and if their excitement for learning is measured by their energy level, then they just keep getting more excited to learn and come to school! I will admit, however, that coming up with interactive lesson plans for kindergarteners, ages 7-13, has become quite a challenge & ever so exhausting. But so worth it, nonetheless. It’s also been even more of a challenge without my former teaching partner, coco, who had to leave about a week ago to head back to the states. The kids miss her like crazy. But in all reality, I miss her most.

our kindergarten class. such a struggle taking this pic.

decided to teach about families. hey mom, check out the sweet palm tree :]

she was so proud of her pic

The other week during our creativity class, there were three girls who didn’t want to join in. These three girls, ages 8, 10, and 13, were sitting out by a tree. I motioned for them to come over to the class, but they shook their heads, silently telling me that they were perfectly content sitting where they were. I had to head back to the art room to help out Paul and Hudson with the art activity, so I gave up and left them there after already tried to convince them that they would have fun by dancing around with a smile (they were supposed to be in the dance class). Once back in the art room, I decided to leave and  head back to try and convince them once more. They saw me approaching them from the pathway, and quickly dashed behind the bus so that I wouldn’t be able to see them still sitting by that tree. Unfortunately for them, I saw that quick maneuver. Instead of continuing on the path, I creeped behind on the opposite side of the bus to meet them in the middle. They were still looking on the pathway for me when I approached them on the opposite side and yelled “Sawadee kahhh!” They were taken by surprise and then just started laughing. They headed back to their tree and I decided to awkwardly sit with them there in silence since I had no way of communicating with them. They quietly giggled to each other. I then decided to pull out my ipod and show them some pictures of my friends and family. I pointed to the picture and would say, “Sister. Nicole…Friend. Christie, Julianne. Brother. Joshua.” They would quietly repeat back what I said and were simply amused by the pictures, especially with the ones where I was making ridiculous faces. I then decided it was time to pull out some J Bieb and let them watch/listen to the music video, ‘Pray’. They loved it. I later realized it might have been wrong to reward these girls with Justin Bieber for skipping out on class…But I justified this thought by telling myself that establishing that bond with the girls was most important. They were much more interactive in class the next time that I saw them.

I have recently cut back my time at DEPDC recently and have dedicated the majority of my week to teaching at the Monsaendao school. I am LOVING every minute spent there. As I mentioned in a previous blog, this school is an NGO that, for many years, has worked with ethnic minority groups on issues such as community development, child’s rights protection, and human trafficking. There are a total of 32 girls living at this facility who have been rescued from abusive situations such as trafficking and also some who have been abandoned. The majority of the girls have no family and live here where they are able to get an education, learn life skills, and participate in other activities to gain a greater sense of worth.

When I first met with the manager of the school, Kiki, she was anxious to have us. They currently have only one teacher to teach and keep track of these 32 girls, ages 12-18. I was just as happy to help and established that we would be coming three days each week: Wednesday-creativity class and Thursday & Friday we would teach English.

Monsaengdao lily pond

The commute takes about half the time as it does to DEPDC. Can I just say that it is going to be so strange sitting in a normal vehicle when I get home? The typical trip to DEPDC & the recovery school involves nearly every vehicle besides a car…

song taews

tuk-tuks

buses. typically like the one above.

motorcycles

back of pickups

This past Wednesday, I was finally able to put to use all the bracelet string that I bought from Michael’s at home, and taught the girls how to make friendship bracelets. They loved it, and most were better, && much quicker, than I was at making them. I was touched when I came back the next day and one girl, Olay, called out my name, “jayMEE” and silently wrapped the bracelet she had finished around my wrist. I have instantly fallen in love with these girls.

they made me the pink/orange/yellow one-second from top

[ps: like my collection? i started this tradition last year w/ my friend, nicole. a new bracelet for each place i visit]

Thursday and Friday we taught some English and they had a great time learning some songs, playing BINGO, and dominating at Simon Says. Later that day, they asked us if we wanted to help them cut down some Bamboo as they are planning on making a little raft for their lilly pond. I happily agreed. They threw on some mosquito repellent powder on my face and I headed into the forest with them. I had such a good time having the minimal discussions with them as our language permitted. I was able to learn most all of their names, their age, and of course, sing some Justin Bieber with them.

I think that Justin Bieber has become the new universal language of this generation. It hasn’t failed me yet.

As always, I'll end w/ some fun pics from the past couple weeks...enjoy! i know i am :]

trekking through pitch black caves, using my camera to light the way.

monkies, monkies, everywhere.

botanical gardens

the above pictures are dedicated to ashley homeslice <3

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dancing at a thai disco tech.

...thai people aren't much of dancers & just stand around. i think it's safe to say that they were amused when we all jumped onstage and started dancing. we also later found out by hudson that when, during a performance, they shined the lights on us and started talking about us "farangs," they were making fun of us. we didn't care too much though, the night was priceless.

side note: i never finish my rice here in thailand. i sometimes leave a little creation for the cooks.

thailand bowling w/ coco

another weekend in chiang mai...

temple on the hill. [they draped on that stylish skirt over my shorts while walking the temple grounds]

motorcycling up to the temple w/ jordan in the rain

my favorite three-story starbucks was necessary

used book stores are the best. i could have stayed here for hours. check out the british version of the harry potters! i was so tempted to buy them all. i came out with two purchases: 'The God of Small Things' by Arundhati Roy && 'Jesus & Buddha: The Parallel Sayings'

until next time...