New Year Celebrations

  

Happy New Year 2011 or in Thailand, Happy 2554

To begin the New Year, here is one of my favorite Buddha Quotes:

“Whenever you see things, just see;

  Whenever you listen, just listen;

  Whenever you know, just know.”

 Our New Year celebration continued for two weeks…

Beginning on January 30^th, and then continuing on New Years Eve day, we started at one o’clock in the afternoon and finally welcomed in the New Year at Australian midnight.

That reminded me of when we were in Vegas and California and celebrated New York New Year! We ate all day and toasted with the School Director and the “American” James, who was our school Santa Claus. He was visiting from Switzerland, and it turned out that 20 years ago he was in the Peace Corps and taught English at the same school that I am teaching at now. He said it was much smaller then, and only had three grades. James is now an attorney, and works for the World Trade Organization in Geneva. It was nice to actually have an English conversation. We talked about Swiss cheese fondue, and all the many varieties of which I remember fondly from my travels to Switzerland. Cheese is almost non-existent in Thailand, and I do miss that! (I bought some Thai mozzarella cheese, and disappointedly it tasted a like a rubber band.)

Everyone joined in for both Thai and American Karaoke, complete with video screen and microphones. 

Happily, since I don’t sing, I was able to teach a little song to the young son of the Head of the English Department, which he sang with gusto!

Welcoming in the New Year would not be complete without visiting wats (temples) and receiving Buddha blessings from the monks.
I gratefully received two hand woven wrist bands, one that takes all the negative energy away and another to bring in good health.

They are still on my wrists, and it is customary to wear them until they fall off naturally.

The next New Year celebration was a special dinner for all 60 teachers at our school directors house with happy students helping to serve the food and wash the dishes

Again more FOOD, gifts and more Karaoke, with a big screen and microphones also set up outside. 

My gift came from the head of the local government; it is a special golden tree to bring abundance and good health and has its own place in my home. 

Continuing with the annual new year honoring of teachers was the all day and into the night " Teachers Day" celebration, January 16^th. 

The event began in the morning with all teachers from the Sopisai District, about 1000, being welcomed with an orchid corsage, coffee or tea and something sweet. 

The morning ceremony continued with monks on stage chanting for about an hour and ending with a special water blessing for all in attendance. 

After a delicious Thai lunch, the afternoon was spent with a variety of sport games and teacher competitions. 

The evening was transformed into a Thai style night club, complete with music, and on stage singers and dancers.

Lots more Thai food was served including fish, beef, chicken, pork, vegetables, rice and noodles.

 

The day finally ended with everyone dancing… at least I think that was what it was… 

more like a combination of line dancing and aerobics, but everyone was laughing, singing and having a wonderful Thai time...until next time,
Happy 2554!

Christmas at Sopisaipittayakhom School

 Christmas at Sopisaipittayakhom School

The second week in December the school in Thailand where I am teaching asked if I would teach something about Christmas.  So??? Of course I said yes, and had no idea that it would mushroom into a full blown Christmas program and New Year celebration

It started with the idea of teaching my classes “Jingle Bells” and ended up with the entire 1500 students singing and producing an all day event complete with Santa Claus.

 
In preparation we had a variety of art projects including posters, puppets, stockings, bells, snowflakes, hats, Santa’s, and Christmas cards. 

 

The students really enjoyed it all, and the school looked a lot like an American school with Christmas artwork all through the halls! I was amazed at how creative the kids are since there is no formal art program in the school.

The Thai teachers in the English department all helped.

We even had all the other 60 teachers participate in a “Color Santa Contest.”

 The students decorated the stage, created many mini-shows and rehearsed until performance day… 

and rehearsed and rehearsed...

the actual performance day kept changing…. 

First scheduled for Dec 23, then 24^th, then 26^th and finally Christmas on Dec 3oth!

The reindeer were of course, girls….

See story below.

Reindeer's Story at Christmas

According to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, while both male and female reindeer grow antlers in the summer each year, male reindeer drop their antlers at the beginning of winter, usually late November to mid-December. However, female reindeer retain their antlers till after they give birth in the spring. Therefore, according to EVERY historical rendition depicting Santa's reindeer, EVERY single one of them, from Rudolph to Blitzen, had to be a girl.

We should have known... ONLY women would be able to drag a fat man in a red velvet suit all around the world in one night and not get lost.

So our Santa, who happened to be visiting friends, was actually from America.

He was a great surprise to the all the students…especially the two other schools we invited to come and see the “Big  Christmas Show.”

Please remember this is Thailand and most of the students had no idea about Christmas, in fact they had not even heard Christmas songs… so it really was a first! 

And the school also wanted the story about the First Christmas… we did the best we could, with the costumes being a bit of a challenge with “0” budget… even I was in awe as the multi-act presentation continued for hours.

Here is a link to see the 5 minute video sample.

http://www.youtube.com/my_videos_timedtext?video_id=ZIsbV_6wwKE

Of course no show in Thailand would be complete without their rendition of a Thai music video.



 And Miss Christmas was a Kathoey,

  “Lady Boy” (a teacher at that).

 

The day ended as all Thai events do…with lots of wonderful food and the students celebrated a job well done! I was exhausted but very happy and proud of the students.

Phukradueng Mountain - National Park

Mountain climbing at Phukradueng National Park

In early December I went on a 4 day trip with 6 teachers and 60 senior students to climb the highest mountain in Thailand.

It was a fun and challenging weekend. My body was taxed to the max... close to 4 days with almost no sleep and very steep climb up and down the mountain!

The first night we left from school at midnight for an all night ride to Phukradueng National Park… as we boarded the old fashioned school bus I noticed it had a video screen at the front…so they could play Thai music videos! Not much sleeping on the bus!

Arriving around 8am at the park, I found a toilet and a coffee…the little things that are so important. 

Then we began the climb...a very difficult steep mountain climb...maybe that could be the reason many of the teachers kept asking me if I was sure I wanted to go. 

Of course I thought I was in pretty good physical shape and began with great enthusiasm.

My newly purchased small back-pack seemed light enough as we started, however it gradually seemed to get heaver as we climbed. 

It took me over 6 hours to get to the top…but with a great deal of encouragement from the students, lots of water and a few rest stops...

I finally made it to the top and the students were so proud of me. 

I would not have made it without them cheering me on. 

I think I was almost the last one up to the top.

  

When we got to the top every part of my body ached.

Then as we set up the tents we found out our reserved bedding was gone…It was a holiday weekend, the Kings Birthday, so they were over sold.

Sleeping on the cold hard ground without a sleeping bag and no blankets, and only a light jacket was not in the original plan.

I froze and my legs kept cramping from the cold and damp weather on the top of the mountain.

 

But as always, something wonderful happened… 

I got up to go to the outdoor toilet and only about two feet from me was a real reindeer. 

Luckily I had my i-phone camera… photo a bit dim, but I did not want to try a flash.

The next day I decided to do a shorter hike around the top… 

I wanted to see the waterfall and the Buddha. 

Of course there is one on the top of the mountain… its Thailand! 

Also I got back to camp early and got sleeping bags for a much more comfortable night before the decent down the mountain.

Thank goodness we had a day in between and refreshed I carefully began… hundreds of steep steps, ladders and rocks later… resting less frequently, I made it down with the first group! Happily we all laughed, sang and danced…even had time to shop and I bought a t-shirt as a souvenir that I really had conquered Phukradueng Mountain.

 

Then another eight hour bus trip back to school riding with 60 singing (in Thai) high school seniors!!!  Even they were exhausted, but still dancing in the aisles of the  bus. I was happy to have a hot shower and a warm bed.

Phu Kradueng National Park, covers an area of 348.12 Kilometers with 60 Kilometers of a vast plateau on the top of mountain. The highest peak is 1,316m above sea level. (4,317 feet)

 In general, Phu Kradueng is the sandstone mountain consisting of an abundance of flora and fauna and the fullness of cliffs, savanna, streams and waterfalls.  

 It is the head watershed of Lam Nam Phong River which is one of the most important rivers in Northeastern Thailand.

According to its high elevation and climatic condition, the weather on the mountaintop is cool all year round. 

Sometimes, in the winter. temperature may drop to freezing point. 

So, Thailand invites visitors to be a Phu Kradueng conqueror at least once of their life.

Just another adventure for a 70 year old teacher in Thailand!

Loy Krathong Festival - Full Moon

Loy Krathong is a very important Festival in Thailand.

It is held on the November Full Moon…and in some places the October and December Full Moon as well. 

Some of you reading this know that I used to participate in Goddess Full Moon Celebrations in both Los Angeles and Las Vegas. 

I was fortunate enough to be in Bangkok for the November Full Moon ... look closely and you may see the full moon in the right upper corner of the photo as well as a few dim orbs... the the happy spirits were out in full force.

On the December, Full Moon and Winter Solstice, I also floated another Krathong in the small pond behind my house with prayers for all of you...may you have health, happiness and joy filled days in 2011.

Marcia, the Wisconsinite I met in Lao was also in Bangkok so we went to the river for the giant celebration. 

Along with thousands of Thai’s we ceremoniously floated our flowers and candles, took a boat ride, saw the spectacular Fireworks and had a great time. 

The special song that they sing on 

Loy Krathong translates roughly to:

"November Full Moon shines. 

 Loi, loi, Krathong.

The waters high in the river and local klong (canal). 

Everyone is here and full of cheer. 

We’re together at the river, each one with his krathong. 

As we push away we pray, We can see a better day.” 

BANGKOK

 Before I began my teaching at Sopisaipittayakhom School in Nongkahi Province, I spent a couple of weeks in the capitol city of Thailand. 

My first day in Bangkok, I took a taxi to the guest house that I had reserved. A guest house is like a small boutique hotel, usually cheaper than a big hotel. It was 600 baht a night = about $20 American dollars.

The only problem was the taxi driver could not find the place even though I had the address. Finally, because he could not understand my English or my Thai, he gave up and dropped me off at a police station. Now, for the first time, I felt very alone in a city of 12 million people.  Not knowing exactly what to do, I went into the station with hopes that someone could speak a little English… finally one dispatcher was able to understand a bit and we called for more information, then in true Thai hospitality an officer gave me a ride on his police motor cycle…. flashing lights and all, to the Tonaor Place. Outside a Goddess welcomed me and I was pleasantly surprised to find a nice clean room with air-conditioning, TV, refrigerator, table and chairs, a full size bed, western toilet and hot water shower. There was even a massage spa and nail salon next door. Finally a place to rest before exploring Bangkok!

The next day, in true tourist style I set off to explore the city, maps in hand of the subway, sky-train and “what to see in Bangkok” guide. There is so much to do and so many places to see that two weeks just made a dent. However I will attempt a few highlights:

 Probably the most famous and widely recognized landmark is the Wat Phra Kaew and Grand Palace of the King. The complex covers 218,000 square meters and is surrounded by four walls 1900 meters in length… grand it is! 

To the north of the Royal Residence is the Royal Monastery where the renowned Emerald Buddha is on display. This is the most sacred object to the Buddhist of Thailand. It is carved from a single piece of Jasper (Jade) and 61 cm high, (about two feet), contrary to many people thoughts it is a very small Buddha and not made of Emerald. It sits under a Thai style canopy on a gilded pedestal. Only the King changes Buddha's gem encrusted robes, with a different robe for each of the three seasons, hot, cool, and rainy.

On another day wandering through one of the many street markets I somehow managed to get my wallet stolen, lucky for me not my passport, and only a small amount of cash. 

So then I set out to find a quiet green meditative respite in the vibrant city of crowds, traffic, noise and pollution.

  

  

I took the surprisingly clean and fast subway to Lumphini Park. The park sits in the middle of the city, much like Central Park in Manhattan, New York. It even has little paddle boats on the lake with the Bangkok skyline surrounding the park. 

Being a Rotarian I wanted to visit Rotary in Bangkok, which I did. Had I decided to stay and teach in Bangkok, the decision of which club to join would have been difficult. I enjoyed the three lunch clubs I attended and felt most welcome at them. They are all doing good things locally and internationally.

Two of the clubs met at inside the Grand Hyatt Hotel. Outside the hotel stands the Erawan Shrine where the air is filled with the aromatic haze of incense. Both locals and tourists alike visit the shrine and offer flowers and prayers to the four-headed Brahma, God of creation.

While in Bangkok I also went to a Bangkok Teachers Network conference ... over 500 English teachers, most were teaching at International schools. The keynote speaker was Dr Art-ong Jumsai Na Ayudhya.

He is the official trainer of Teachers for the Ministry of Educatiion in Thailand, specializing in human values education. In addition to several award winning books, including “Path to Peace”, he also worked on the automatic landing device for NASA’s Viking Space Project.  He gave a most inspirational message which included, “ I Want Peace.” Dr Art-ong suggested we get rid of the “I” and then get rid of the “Want” and then we will be left with, PEACE!