I finished up teaching at Chaikesem Whittya on Friday. What a great week. Once again we sang songs and practiced our English. Kru Lek loaned me one of her motor cycles for the week to get to Chaikesem. It is kind of a cross between a mo-ped and a motorcycle. It is a 100cc, 4 speed, semi-automatic. It's a very fun way to get around and see Thailand. Chaikesem is a bigger school with 800 students. Their English is very good and they are, for the most, part very disciplined students. I was supposed to teach one class with Kru Patty, (one of the teachers that attended the Power of One program), and when she told me to take a break instead I was surprised to find out why later that day. She said that several students in the class did not turn in a big assignment that was due that day so she had to discipline them with a bamboo switch across the bum. I told her that this was something that is never allowed in America because of the litigious way of Americans.
There is a sense of urgency in the air at all of the high schools this week as all the students are preparing for final exams coming up next week. The 12th grade also has there University entrance exams this weekend. The exams are taken in the city all day Saturday and all day Sunday. Just like American students, there is a lot of pressure on the students to do well on these exams so that they can get into a good college. I will be glad when they are done with exams so that we can celebrate and hang out again.
Today is Sunday and I am back at Ban Krud for a hot shower and relaxing on the beach. It is very hot here. About 90 -95 degrees everyday and there has been no rain for several Months. The farmers are praying for rain everyday as it is unusually dry. The humidity is high but they desperately need rain for their crops. The bugs are out of control right now. I have gone through several bottles of bug spray already. The sea is calm and beautiful. I will miss it terribly. The beach has been my escape every weekend and sometimes after school. I love to just sit and enjoy the sunset and I try to soak in every minute of it knowing that I only have 3 weeks left.
Kru Lek is taking such good care of me still. We have dinner every night and she is always having me try new dishes. She seems to know when I am craving American food because she will occasionally take me to a restaurant in town that serves pizza and spaghetti. It's not the best but it is still delicious and a nice departure from rice and fish. She takes my dirty laundry every few days and always makes sure that I have lots of snacks and coffee at my house. I am so spoiled.
Yesterday I taught English to about 70 kids at a local Buddhist Temple. I was so amazed that these kids, aged 7 -15, came to learn English on a Saturday. We studied for about 3 hours but it was really fun because we sang several songs and I played guitar for them. We also played Simon Says, all in English. I will do this again for the next 3 Saturdays. The students will then get a certificate upon completion. Their teacher, Kru Dang, sent letters to all of the parents of her school and asked them to encourage their kids to study English with a foreigner. She says it is a rare opportunity for them and is invaluable in helping them learn to speak and understand English. After the lesson several students stayed for a picture and wanted me to sign their notebooks. I gave them my email and asked them to email me anytime. They are so adorable!
Monday I start back at the primary school, Ban Hin Turn. I am excited to go back to see the students and teachers.
Life is good!
And so it is....
Namaste
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