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!