tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55783998725598631542024-03-05T10:55:23.205-08:00Miss In Thailand... Peace Corps Adventures.Michelle Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06411605238766259024noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5578399872559863154.post-57161926035985580582015-12-12T20:27:00.000-08:002016-03-08T20:12:33.823-08:00Octember -- The end has begun<div style="text-align: justify;">
My service in Thailand is winding down way too quickly! At this point, I have about 90 days of service remaining, and just reflecting on the past 90 days, it's so crazy and surreal, and almost scary how quickly time has been flying! October and November seemed to be a blurry whirlwind of events. </div>
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The highlights of the past couple of months included assisting a friend with a Youth Leadership Camp in a nearby province, participating in Camp GLOW/BROS with six of my students and two of my teachers, along with several other volunteers and their students and teachers, and finally, the Close of Service Conference with all of the volunteers in my group. All this following the mid-year break for my schools. It is so good to be back to my routine, back in my community, and back in my schools with my students.</div>
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Here are just a few highlights of some of the recent highlights.<br />
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<b>Youth Leadership Camp: </b>I met with a few volunteers to help facilitate a Youth Mentorship and Leadership Camp where we led high school students in activities to help them to identify and develop their leadership skills. The highlight of the camp was tasking the highschoolers to plan a camp on their own camp and then bringing in elementary school students to participate in this camp, which was planned entirely by the high school students. As volunteers, we continued to lend support to the older students whenever needed, but they did a wonderful job. It was really impressive to see how their teamwork and leadership skills emerged over the course of a few days and how they were able to handle the task of planning and facilitating a two-day camp so exceptionally well. It was a tremendous experience for all involved.<br />
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<b>Camp GLOW/BROS:</b> Girls Leading Our World, (GLOW) is an event led by Peace Corps Volunteers in various countries around the world that promotes gender equality and challenges gender stereotypes, it is designed as an empowerment tool for girls to tap into and explore their great leadership potential. We realize that in order for girls to reach their potential, it is just as important for boys to receive this education so that they can be supportive of their female counterparts. Boys Respecting Others and Self (BROS) is designed to do just that. I'm really glad that I had an opportunity to participate in the first Camp GLOW/BROS hosted in Thailand along with six of my students and two teachers from my community.</div>
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<b>Close of Service:</b> The US Ambassador to Thailand, Glyn Davies, hosted all of the volunteers in my group for an early Thanksgiving Dinner at his residence to thank us for our two years of service. It was a lovely traditional meal with all of the fixings, and I felt incredibly blessed to be sharing it with my amazing family of volunteers. I was given the honor of representing my group in addressing the ambassador and I shared some of my thoughts and reflections of my volunteer experience and how thankful I am for the opportunity to serve in this capacity and all that it has meant to me. I was glad when other volunteers expressed that they shared similar sentiments, it reaffirmed our bond and the experience for me in so many ways. The next few days were a bit more solemn as staff prepared us for the inevitable end of our time here as volunteers in Thailand.<br />
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It has truly been a bitter sweet time. See more snapshots of my every day life in the videos below.<br />
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<br />Michelle Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06411605238766259024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5578399872559863154.post-59784284861644763892015-10-09T00:37:00.000-07:002015-11-06T00:39:23.797-08:00Lifestyle Thai-style (part 3)<div class="MsoNormal">
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When I arrived in Thailand almost two years ago, I didn't realize that every day life would present me with so many opportunities for me to teach and so many opportunities for me to learn. Among the lessons taught and learned are lessons about self esteem and image, personal space and temperament. </div>
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Below is the continuation and conclusion....</div>
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<b>7. </b><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></b></span><b>Verbal
Observations…</b><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></b></span>It
is not uncommon or impolite for someone in this culture to make jokes, remarks,
or ask pointed questions about another's physical appearance. From weight, height, and
skin color to body proportions and acne, I've gotten it all, and it's quite a common practice. Sometimes when comments are made about my hair and
skin color, I chalk it up to ignorance or lack of exposure/diversity; sometimes when comments are made about my weight, I feel perhaps they can be expression of care and concern; but sometimes it takes more effort to convince myself that some comments aren't born
out of cruelty, insensitivity, and/or ill-humor. After 20 months, some of the
comments aren't as frequent, and I'm not as sensitive to some of them as I had been in
the past, but I'm far from immune and don't find it funny or pleasant to
witness or experience this practice. The students that I work with definitely have tougher skin than I do, but I usually intervene when I see students
making derogatory remarks towards each other, but most adults lead by example,
reinforcing and encouraging this behavior.<br />
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I try to get students to pay three compliments for each of their insults, it's still all a joke to them. The students don't seem to realize sometimes that 'verbally observing' that someone is fat or clumsy is an insult ("but teacher, if she's fat, she's fat! isn't she fat?" "but he keeps dropping things, so it's true, he's clumsy!") but I hope that they would get into the practice of make positive observations of each other and building each other's self esteem.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpj-pyYmXzAo6cKeQqgnODgUXhaPzDSBT9f2OWqZBsCrja_qgIJOALqf6mTKHUSzdJNkQsJgJ-CDre57bD9weJO8TWGXYZOLiQeXYysvpyzaV4DIsSHgxO6q_qsjnRNoI37svHRqWRn7M/s1600/IMG_3665.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpj-pyYmXzAo6cKeQqgnODgUXhaPzDSBT9f2OWqZBsCrja_qgIJOALqf6mTKHUSzdJNkQsJgJ-CDre57bD9weJO8TWGXYZOLiQeXYysvpyzaV4DIsSHgxO6q_qsjnRNoI37svHRqWRn7M/s320/IMG_3665.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The two girls in the box just had a lesson about saying nice things (one to the other)<br />
The boy saw the whole thing and helped the offender to come up with compliments.<br />
The little ones on the side didn't get it, but they will.</td></tr>
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<b>8. White Beauty...</b><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></b></span>In
Thailand, white skin is the standard of beauty.<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></span>Every skin
product, from face and body wash to powder and deodorant, contains skin
whitening agents. In blazing sun and 99ºF heat, Thai people would wear long
sleeved jackets so that the sun doesn't darken their skin. While in some other
places in the world it is considered a luxury and privilege to lay in the sun
and have bronzed skin, in Thailand, it is quite the opposite. Bronzed or
darkened skin is frowned upon and considered ugly and undesirable because of
the perception that farmers, “peasants” and those of lowest social status are
the ones out in the sun with darker skin. Many Thai people have naturally brown
skin, not necessarily darkened by spending countless hours farming in direct
sunlight, but the standard of beauty is to have white skin so people often go
to extreme lengths to achieve this standard. </div>
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As a foreigner, I've been told that this standard of beauty doesn't apply to
me, all the same, I've heard countless comments referencing my dark skin. Some
complimentary, some polite, and some are none of the above. Kids joking and
jeering with each other that if they spend too much time in the sun they'll get
as dark as I am, or at a food stand with a darker skinned vendor hearing the adjacent
vendor commenting "Is that your sister? You both have the same black
skin" and of course, there is "She has black skin, but isn't she
pretty?" I try to respond with grace and poise and use these opportunities
to assert that beauty has no color.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh5NqWZdg8-zjKFpf4gw-R8NQj-cjKWey_c9o4TQirPZXnYRaVvDl84gyRSQyN-WLlf1-KN0OHvvfFr8svJxxQjM51QXwZzRLHXyKCekcQXBG1xTFDgOXcfK8h_1reLg19YDJ3zYwO5cE/s1600/IMG_3614.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh5NqWZdg8-zjKFpf4gw-R8NQj-cjKWey_c9o4TQirPZXnYRaVvDl84gyRSQyN-WLlf1-KN0OHvvfFr8svJxxQjM51QXwZzRLHXyKCekcQXBG1xTFDgOXcfK8h_1reLg19YDJ3zYwO5cE/s200/IMG_3614.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White Beauty, Pure and Flawless (Face Wash)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWe9zwy9QQ4CFv703OMQSB5iqARDCDtBpshHSwXhlD_QGLQkpTLabjIkArDFv3bADJWoLqGy4V_UrYG1o-uQDUOxNthCRw3CcIIieof_ovgQxOnARi0nHUVxaRL4nFQDmEsoyyfXP-J7Q/s1600/IMG_3466.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWe9zwy9QQ4CFv703OMQSB5iqARDCDtBpshHSwXhlD_QGLQkpTLabjIkArDFv3bADJWoLqGy4V_UrYG1o-uQDUOxNthCRw3CcIIieof_ovgQxOnARi0nHUVxaRL4nFQDmEsoyyfXP-J7Q/s200/IMG_3466.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Body White UV, Light Touch White, Ultimate White, Healthy White<br />
(Lotions)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Z5xl5pgrTgS_gV2kBpVllBNj5QYmO5vdEv4tOizJNVl_dilBLvfNr-f8z9PGIjBpdtunk6O_8WjHNv49UFI3mksRmywTHyuWJwRk-GRMvbF3F_pcJ6EQyCHsBrzLCBa00M2p5oj_xIw/s1600/IMG_3465.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Z5xl5pgrTgS_gV2kBpVllBNj5QYmO5vdEv4tOizJNVl_dilBLvfNr-f8z9PGIjBpdtunk6O_8WjHNv49UFI3mksRmywTHyuWJwRk-GRMvbF3F_pcJ6EQyCHsBrzLCBa00M2p5oj_xIw/s200/IMG_3465.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whitening Anti-Perspirants</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6VArnV54rSaFDCGhZiui00HfpRwXDrIA00DmtfMlRtI-DUHpMzR8K0NTJnZqKbfkmy3F_CGeBBqr0LLZn-BHFvRgQNRyxqVwz0DXui0P1-96VmIccINwmgzxwEREI2X6bnTyIo7V0Ups/s1600/IMG_3467.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6VArnV54rSaFDCGhZiui00HfpRwXDrIA00DmtfMlRtI-DUHpMzR8K0NTJnZqKbfkmy3F_CGeBBqr0LLZn-BHFvRgQNRyxqVwz0DXui0P1-96VmIccINwmgzxwEREI2X6bnTyIo7V0Ups/s200/IMG_3467.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White Perfect. White = Perfect.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></td></tr>
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<b>9. </b><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></b></span><b>Value of Privacy…</b><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></b></span>One of the major differences between Thai and American culture is that Thai
is more of a collectivistic culture, and Americanism is more individualistic. When meeting someone in America for the first time, you'd likely be asked about where you're from, what work you do, and what you have accomplished. When meeting someone in Thailand for the first time, you'd likely be asked if you're married yet (if not, why not, followed by an offer to help you find a mate), how old you are (to determine if they should refer to you as an older sibling - <i>pii </i>or younger sibling - <i>nong</i>), and what foods you like to eat (for a dinner invitation likely to follow). </div>
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There's a sense of community that I like - sometimes. Anytime I ride my bike or
walk anywhere, I'm greeted by several people asking me where I'm going, where
I'm coming from, and if I'd eaten yet. Sometimes, by the time I get to where I'm going,
the people there already know where I'm coming from and where I stopped on the
way. Today, for example, I spent my morning at school and on my way to the
government office where I am spending my afternoon, I stopped at a little
neighborhood shop. When I got to the office, I was met with "So what did
you buy at the shop?" by an officer who was having lunch nearby. </div>
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One of the challenges of being an individualist in a collectivistic community is the value of privacy. I've become pretty immune to the questions about where I'm going or coming from, and why I don't have a Thai boyfriend yet, but ever so often I feel challenged when my privacy is compromised. There are
times when I get annoyed when someone asks me why I'm smiling at my phone,
there are times when I feel violated when someone peeks over my shoulder at the
ATM and remarks about my balance, there are times when I just have to laugh when
someone joins my family video chat without invitation, and then there are times
when I feel overwhelmed with love and care when I'm sick and the whole village
responds with well wishes, advice, and home remedies. Sometimes, at the end of the day, I realize that's all it is - expressions of love and care.</div>
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<b>10. Sabaai-Sabaai….</b><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></b></span>This is
the pace and the way of life for most of Thailand. Very relaxed and easy going,
to the utmost degree. <i>Jai-yen</i>, which means cool heart or calm spirit, is an
aspect of Thai culture that goes hand in hand with the notion of <i>sabaai-sabaai</i>.
Together, these concepts encourage and enable a chilled and laid back attitude,
mannerism, and lifestyle. I usually describe myself as a very calm and easy going
person, I'm pretty adaptable and not easily stressed, but adapting this
lifestyle has actually been stressful and a challenge at times. I've been told
countless times in the workplace not to think so hard and not to be so serious.
I find comfort and calmness in order, knowing what's happening when, having a
schedule, making plans, noting the details. Now when I try to focus on and try
to clarify these things, I'm met with: <i>mai bpen rai</i> (don't worry) and
<i>jai-yen-yen</i> (calm your heart). This is still a work in progress, but over the
past twenty months, I have become pretty sabaai/relaxed, more adaptable and able to go
with the flow, not feeling the need to plan and control every aspect of my life
and my day, and trusting that things will work themselves out, as they usually
do, so I've become okay with that. Almost to the point where I worry about my
return and transition to the demands of the American workplace. But <i>mai bpen
rai</i>, I'll deal with that when the time comes. But for the next six months,
<i>sabaai-sabaai</i>!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Sabaai Life</td></tr>
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See the video below for snippets of my everyday life.</div>
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Michelle Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06411605238766259024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5578399872559863154.post-37408567295555099872015-09-30T06:33:00.000-07:002015-11-06T00:30:55.486-08:00Lifestyle Thai-style (Part 2)<div style="text-align: justify;">
I am now 75% through my time of service in Thailand. This country has grown on me in so many ways, and I feel as though I am a part of it, I know for certain that it has become a part of me. There are parts of Thai culture that I absolutely love and that I have embraced and adopted, and there are other parts that just are what they are. As my time here is winding down, I realize more and more the many, many aspects of this lifestyle that I've become accustomed to that will be no more when I get to the other side.</div>
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To continue from my previous post, here are just a few more examples.</div>
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<b>4.</b> <b>Culture of Rice... </b>Rice is en<strong>grain</strong>ed in many aspects of Thai culture, economy, and overall lifestyle. Up until recently, Thailand was the world's largest exporter of rice, now second to India. One informal way to greet someone is to ask "Gin kaao ru yang?" (Have you eaten rice yet?) in lieu of the more standard "Sabaai dii mai?" (Are you well?/How are you?). The general term for eating (gin kaao) literally translates to "eat rice" and the terms breakfast, lunch, and dinner, literally translate to morning rice, noon rice, and evening rice. To ask someone what they've eaten, one would say "Gin kaao gap aria?" (what did you eat with your rice?). As you may have guessed, rice is not only a part of everyday conversation, but the central part of every meal, and many desserts. It was quite the interestingly pleasant surprise the first time I bought ice-cream in Thailand and found rice at the bottom of my cup. At most meals, each person is served a bowl of rice and a variety of dishes are placed in the middle of the table for everyone to help themselves. It is considered disrespectful and unacceptable for a person not to finish their serving of rice.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kaao niiao mamuang -- Sticky Rice and Mango <br />
My new favorite dessert! (next to cheesecake)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A rice coconut snack</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Learning to make a dessert <br />
rice cooked in coconut milk and a small slice of banana <br />
wrapped in banana leaf</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fun for everyone LOL</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not too shabby, eh?</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue Dyed Rice</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you tell what's missing? </td></tr>
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I've been asked, "Do you ever eat rice in America?" and I'm sometimes met with a shocked response when I say that I do. Some Thai people tend to think that the equivalent to rice in America is bread. I've had to explain on many occasions that Americans don't eat hamburgers and subway sandwiches for every single meal. In fact, I recently developed a sensitivity to gluten (found in wheat, rye, and barley) and my host family's initial response was basically, "how will you ever survive when you get back to America when all they eat over there is bread?" Sure, we have terms like "bread winner" and "daily bread" but we don't have national holidays and ceremonies to commemorate the plowing of wheat.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Celebrating Father's Day with Rice Games!</td></tr>
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We change it up occasionally. For my host mom's birthday, we had hot pot!.</div>
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<b>5. </b><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 18px;"> </span></b></span><b>Alcohol…</b><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 18px;"> </span></span><s>Many</s><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 18px;"> </span></span>Most social interactions in this region of Thailand include alcohol, specifically beer and whiskey. There are areas of Thailand where it is not customary for women to drink alcohol, but where I live, everybody drinks, all the time. There is no such thing as waiting until five o’clock. At dinners and social gatherings, the host takes pride in making sure that each person’s glass is full for the duration of the event. The usual options at such gatherings are beer, whiskey, and water, so I drink lots and lots of water. Sometimes there is Coke, but I don’t drink caffeinated drinks either. There is hardly ever any sort of juice or non-caffeinated drink option, so yes, lots and lots of water. Being happy and having a good time is very important in this culture, and although there are the negative social, domestic, health, and safety implications of this manner of alcohol consumption, they don't seem to weigh as heavily as the importance of having a good time. </div>
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Lunch-time with the teachers at school.</div>
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We had a visitor, so the good stuff was brought out.</div>
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<b>6. Motocy… </b>The motorbike, or motocy as the Thais say, is the main mode of transportation in most communities throughout Thailand. It's not unusual to see a family of three or four sitting on a single bike, I see pre-teens riding motocy's full speed throughout the community, the older kids ride these bikes to and from school, I've seen people carrying live chicken on their motocy's, I've seen dogs of all sizes driven around on these bikes, people load their motocys with small and medium sized pieces of furniture, large water jugs, tons of shopping bags, parcels, luggage, and just about anything that you can imagine putting in a car. Some motocy’s even have baby seats, and I'm almost positive that I saw a mother nursing her baby on a moving bike. </div>
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It's amusing, even awe-inspiring sometimes to see how creatively people are able to arrange and maneuver themselves and their belongings to get from point to point. It's disturbing though, to see that many riders do not wear helmets or exercise much caution when riding. I've seen people talking and texting on cell phones, riding shirtless at high speeds, dangerously weaving in and out of high traffic, I've seen both passengers and drivers eating and drinking while riding, then there is also the issue of drunk driving. My own little community has seen a handful of bike accidents and fatalities during the time that I've been here. This is a huge issue country wide, especially during times of festivities and merriment. </div>
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Peace Corps prohibits volunteers from operating any motorized vehicle, and from riding (even as passengers) on motorcycles. Doing so can result in immediate termination or expulsion from service. I do my part to set a good example to my students and community by always wearing my helmet when I ride my bicycle (regardless to the fact that not wearing a helmet can also result in immediate termination of service). I teach my students bike and helmet safety, and even though many of them may not be able to access or afford helmets, I've taught them other ways that they can be safe and cautious on the road. I hope that my students, and everyone else for that matter, can avoid the tragedy of motorcy injury or fatality.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Students riding to school</div>
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Some people attach carts to their motorbikes to carry crops and produce. </div>
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And sometimes, children.</div>
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What is a culture without quirks? Sometimes it seems like there is a YOLO mentality at play - you only live once, so have fun, be merry, take risks, enjoy life. Interesting twist though, Thai/Buddhists actually believe in multiple lives through reincarnation, and that each life should be lived fully and well. Here are a few snippets of how I've been living my life...</div>
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Michelle Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06411605238766259024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5578399872559863154.post-5528798412557478932015-09-20T02:16:00.000-07:002015-10-13T02:21:07.949-07:00Lifestyle Thai-style (Part 1)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
It's been over twenty months since I've arrived in Thailand. It's amazing to think of how far I've come, how I've adopted the language and adapted to the culture, how the little rural village in Isaan has become my community and my home, and how the people here have become my family and my friends. What started as an adventure has become my life. </div>
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As my time here is winding down, I realize more and more that there are so many aspects of this lifestyle that I've become accustomed to seeing, doing, and dealing with that will be no more when I get to the other side. Here are a few examples (I originally had fifteen, then cut it down to ten, then decided to publish in three parts for readability)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>1. </b><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 18px;"> </span></b></span><b>Removing Shoes</b>... It is standard Thai etiquette to remove shoes before entering a building, most specifically temples and homes. I’ve heard something to the effect of spirits living in the soil that should be left outside. It is common to remove shoes before entering some shops and offices, and children remove their shoes before entering the classroom. Even the U.S. Peace Corps office in Bangkok follows the no-shoes custom. When I first came to Thailand, I thought that this meant that I'd have to keep my feet presentable i.e. pedicured all the time, but on the contrary, barefeet are so commonplace, that nobody really pays any mind to what their toes look like. Even so, I still take personal pleasure in treating myself to a regular pedicures. Coming from a place where many see this barefoot practice as "earthy" or even unsanitary, I've come to see the practicality of leaving the dirt outside, and I can see myself continuing this practice, or at least a variation of leaving shoes at the door, when I have my own place again.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Similar signs can be found just about everywhere</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My students stretch their toes as they do their work</td></tr>
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Students all wear the same shoes!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the temple, no shoes allowed.</td></tr>
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<b>2. </b><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 18px;"> </span></b></span><b>Wai…</b><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 18px;"> </span></b></span>This gesture of putting hands together (like prayer hands) and lifting them is used in greeting and farewell, and also to show respect and gratitude. There are different forms of wai, a wai is usually done with a bowed head. The degree to which the hands are raised and the head is bowed varies across situations. Typically, the person with lower social ranking makes the first wai, sometimes the superior or senior person would not wai in return, but may nod and maybe smile in acknowledgement, likewise, it is usually not necessary or expected for adults to return a wai to children. A wai is sometimes used in meetings when a person wishes to be excused from a room or reenters the room, this individual will wai before making his exit or before returning to his seat. People also wai to show respect to religious symbols (artifacts, images, temples, statues, shrines, and other structures), it is not uncommon to hear drivers honk in lieu of a wai when passing shrines on the side of the road, and I certainly have seen drivers do single handed, and even double handed wais when passing temples. Because I am a foreigner, a lot of people, children especially, are happy to wave to me and shake my hands in greeting, it's like a mini cultural exchange exercise. I always wai in formal settings, when meeting someone for the first time, and to show respect to individuals of high social ranking, but there are times when I opt to exercise the liberty of being a foreigner and just smile and wave.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">Students Wai Teachers on Teacher Appreciation Day,<br />
which is actually called<br />
Wan Wai Kru (Day to Wai the Teacher)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">Wai-ing with friends at a temple that we visited on a recent retreat<br />
also note our bare feet!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">Wai-ing with friends and dinosaurs </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">Even Ronald Wais in Thailand!</td></tr>
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<b>3. </b><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 18px;"> </span></b></span><b>Affection… </b>In rural Thailand, it is rare to see men and women, even married couples, showing affection, even holding hands, whether in public or in the presence of others in their own homes. I, myself, am not big on PDA (public displays of affection), but the complete absence of it between couples struck me as as interesting. Even more interesting is how much more common it is to see closeness and affection being displayed within gender groups, especially among men and boys. By affection, I’m referring to hugs, hand holding, arm over shoulder, head lean on shoulder, playful physical contact, and the sort (non-sexual contact) and not<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 18px;"> </span></span>the prevalence of <i>ladyboys</i>. I've observed that boys and men, regardless to age or orientation, are comfortable being brotherly and playful without physical aggression or competition, which is quite different to my observations of typical male socialization in American cultures. </div>
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Isn't it interesting how displays of love and respect vary across cultures? See the short video below for other snippets and observations of my everyday life.</div>
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To Be Continued!</div>
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Part 2</div>
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Part 3</div>
Michelle Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06411605238766259024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5578399872559863154.post-63388426226186646912015-06-30T02:34:00.001-07:002015-07-01T13:17:55.944-07:00Ups and Downs and Hopes<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It has been a while since my last blog post and <a href="http://miss823.blogspot.com/2015/04/hiatus.html">hiatus</a>, and I've since returned to my little village in Thailand to resume my service. I am so rejuvenated, and so very glad to be back. My time away coincided with the schools' summer break, so it's almost like I didn't miss a beat! The starting of a new school year is just evidence upon evidence (upon evidence) that I'm over the proverbial "hump" of my service. It's been a long time coming, but at the same time, it's a little hard to accept that this is the home stretch!</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mid-Service Conference with 46 fellow group members.</span><br>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This officially marked the mid-point of our service. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At Mid-Service Conference with Stephen and Julia</span><br>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was so great to spend time with fellow volunteers!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In</span> my personal reflections, I recalled a chart that we received during our Pre-Service Training shortly after arriving in Thailand. It's a neat little graphic that Peace Corps developed which shows the roller coaster of emotional ups and downs that volunteers typically go through during the course of service. It's quite a ride! There's a reason (many actually) why they call it "The toughest job you'll ever love." </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Typical cycle of a PCV's Ups (Adjustment) and Downs (Vulnerability)</span><br>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Graphic originally located on </span><a href="https://adrianmsanchez.com/2015/05/06/the-typical-cycle-of-feelings-of-a-volunteer-during-2-yrs-of-service/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">this blog</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">While each volunteer has a unique experience, the chart is startlingly on point in so many ways. Now that I've pretty much worked my way out of my mid-service crises, I'm hoping that the remainder of my time in Thailand stays true to the chart and remains on the upside. The second year of service is sometimes referred to as the "Year-2-UpSwing" during which, many volunteers are finally able to: capitalize on the relationships that were developed during the first year, see first year ideas/projects to fruition, and establish a sense of sustainability. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At this point, I have about nine months remaining in my service, and I'm definitely experiencing a wee bit of all of the above. I'm already looking forward to reviewing and reflecting on this chart/my service at the 27 month mark. It's pretty motivational, knowing that with the time I have remaining, the period of human gestation, there is potential for miracles, great success, and other wonderful happenings. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Delightful visit with Amanda, my friend who serves in a nearby province.</span><br>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Discussing plans for the remainder of our service </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and enjoying delicious treats!</span><br>
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">We both determined to birth something wonderful with the remainder of our time here :-)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm so grateful for the unwavering support that I've received through all of the ups and downs, especially recently. I'm embracing this homestretch and everything that comes along with it. Hopefully, I'll be able to resume a monthly blogging schedule, to help keep me on task, I've started recording snippets of my daily life that I'd like to share in the form of a short video at the end of each month.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thanks for being on this journey with me. If there's anything that you'd like to see in an upcoming blog or video, please comment below!</span></div>
Michelle Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06411605238766259024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5578399872559863154.post-37316440920024743562015-04-15T21:36:00.000-07:002015-06-23T01:20:48.390-07:00Hiatus <div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>It's been a while since my last blog post, and a lot has happened during that time. There was an incident at my site recently, and Peace Corps has allowed me some time to [temporarily] remove myself from my service in Thailand. This has been a period of learning, growing, processing, and healing. I'm truly grateful for the amount and quality of care that I've received from the Peace Corps during this time. I also appreciate the love and support that I've received from family and friends.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>I haven't yet decided what my next step will be, in terms of whether or not I will return to my site or even resume my service. Barring one isolated incident, jarring as it may have been, my Peace Corps experience has been absolutely incredible in so many ways. Here are some reflections from my first year (Jan to Dec 2014) in Thailand (mostly pictures that you may have seen previously here on the blog). Thanks a bunch for being a part of my journey!</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>To be continued...</i></span>Michelle Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06411605238766259024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5578399872559863154.post-8754779734923421172015-02-27T23:52:00.000-08:002015-03-01T20:31:32.877-08:00Mom in Thailand<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The best surprise ever was my mom's visit to Thailand. A few days before I returned from my holiday vacation, my mom announced that she would be traveling with me and spending a month with me in Thailand. My whole family was in on the surprise, and even one of my friends out here in Thailand. My mom had done all of her research, and even made a few calls so that we could be seated together for the whole trip (I purchased my tickets a couple months in advance). This vacation was her well deserved gift to herself after a very trying and very successful academic year, it was also her first trip outside of the US/Caribbean. I'm usually not one for surprises, but this one was amazing, I'm really glad she chose to spend this time with me, it was wonderful.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The big surprise revealed. My mom's ticket to Thailand!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our journey from Miami to Bangkok was over thirty hours long, including a lengthy layover in Doha, Qatar. The flight itself was pretty pleasant and comfortable. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The food, the entertainment, the legroom (!!!) and overall service were great. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I would definitely use Qatar Airways for future travel, and would highly recommend to others. We left Miami on Tuesday afternoon and arrived in Bangkok on Thursday evening.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Qatar Airways. World Class Service!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In Doha, Qatar. It was freezing cold!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We were on a mission find someplace quiet and comfortable to sleep until our next flight</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghcHK_h9ylIKxSJLa_P3P0Y-DUgAFGsTpnMZsib91dFQCTpWJCGiPSQjPHeNGpFBGvKY8K6dXL0Ak3kbIFs9w8WaCVi-qZmfbw8S_Ne9RG3AZ9lVJ0N2wIknlvkWEF5FpZUWs2ywKorlo/s640/blogger-image--1923655831.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="475" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghcHK_h9ylIKxSJLa_P3P0Y-DUgAFGsTpnMZsib91dFQCTpWJCGiPSQjPHeNGpFBGvKY8K6dXL0Ak3kbIFs9w8WaCVi-qZmfbw8S_Ne9RG3AZ9lVJ0N2wIknlvkWEF5FpZUWs2ywKorlo/s640/blogger-image--1923655831.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One of the many delicious meals that we were served along the way</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIERX_5QTUCRwkacFf4pywMPR4uyfaTvMyNKoXVxw5XT2aghlGTVGCHgTw88uA-y7bcX-ZBSITq8-93Zp8lbPeEJEUR9l4geRkJd1M0m93-jsoRTGSh2tM2t7-7BqjQjmZ2JvW6ljwbW0/s640/blogger-image--1466937449.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIERX_5QTUCRwkacFf4pywMPR4uyfaTvMyNKoXVxw5XT2aghlGTVGCHgTw88uA-y7bcX-ZBSITq8-93Zp8lbPeEJEUR9l4geRkJd1M0m93-jsoRTGSh2tM2t7-7BqjQjmZ2JvW6ljwbW0/s640/blogger-image--1466937449.jpg" width="475" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We finally made it!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij6GgfdNTIZc5krJ4Hi1r-5167xquH2NrYACfZl9siDbUIEte5-mDuCOO0lH0GOhDHjOsXaZ-QyW9EthyphenhyphenfeS1OWBemgxjVKyEnj1n1-40v5_Qh2BkOAtydN_Iicgd4SmquhYR-CIg_pmQ/s1600/blogger-image--1992161440.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij6GgfdNTIZc5krJ4Hi1r-5167xquH2NrYACfZl9siDbUIEte5-mDuCOO0lH0GOhDHjOsXaZ-QyW9EthyphenhyphenfeS1OWBemgxjVKyEnj1n1-40v5_Qh2BkOAtydN_Iicgd4SmquhYR-CIg_pmQ/s1600/blogger-image--1992161440.jpg" height="471" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My mom's first meal in Thailand.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She was surprised to see soup in a plastic bag.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But that is not unusual.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The price was unusually high though, since it's airport food.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">70THB, about 2USD, twice as much as it would cost in the village.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEhnajrnT6lG3Q973i6f4fpzpm1n0UDkOs5rw3GSv1i9eeOCDjG98GYTfAOPLYagQDc1A-wN30KPZCJf2p65GBguOXeuyKDrDiaYo-Z24fKkUhQh7BRgbPeFVylid3kLOMBj5Hj83Xy44/s640/blogger-image-1047856868.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="479" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEhnajrnT6lG3Q973i6f4fpzpm1n0UDkOs5rw3GSv1i9eeOCDjG98GYTfAOPLYagQDc1A-wN30KPZCJf2p65GBguOXeuyKDrDiaYo-Z24fKkUhQh7BRgbPeFVylid3kLOMBj5Hj83Xy44/s640/blogger-image-1047856868.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She got lots of baht! 32 THB for 1 USD!</span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We spent most of Friday in rest and recovery then traveled to a nearby province for the weekend where we visited a friend and got to attend church. From there, we finally made our way to my little village in the Isaan (Northeastern) region.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Among friends, after church at the Adventist International University</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At the Victory Monument in Bangkok. Ready to head to my home!</span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We took a short flight from Bangkok to the province neighboring mine, and my host mom and host brother met us at the airport. Prior to our arrival, I had explained to my host mom that my mom and I would stay at a little motel in the village. Once we got in though, she insisted that we stay at her home and spend our money exploring and doing fun stuff. There isn't much of a counter-argument to that. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My mom-mom with my host mom and brother.</span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We got to the house, and the welcome committee (neighbors and extended family) warmly greeted us. Introductions were made, we had dinner, and all had a merry time. They taught my mom a few of the local phrases, and especially enjoyed her reaction to the spicy food.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijejUey-iqqbQg4262zZEhr_J2Q3JrznkIZxhyphenhyphenoQBFjvcXt2BmPIFSTgw9AjZg9uIIqTPHOw7Hw47tsL4e27nG0aaR2AMCnPgHeH2TM0mONs2mdGEBTrUWp272UFtOxHQdiRXEq8AiC-M/s640/blogger-image--57510834.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="475" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijejUey-iqqbQg4262zZEhr_J2Q3JrznkIZxhyphenhyphenoQBFjvcXt2BmPIFSTgw9AjZg9uIIqTPHOw7Hw47tsL4e27nG0aaR2AMCnPgHeH2TM0mONs2mdGEBTrUWp272UFtOxHQdiRXEq8AiC-M/s640/blogger-image--57510834.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Welcome Party!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_EICsTfd-Khqcf5D7pFOJ2VjEjfzt3di6j0cN44eGSz0cpI91XX0dEcnAi9eyQegmV58KpevEtAjPOpmJE7KF66lLk7guln1Zrc4ByKCKCHeifmF1zNYLDfUuHARKt8-jou62wyKGK08/s1600/IMG_0155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_EICsTfd-Khqcf5D7pFOJ2VjEjfzt3di6j0cN44eGSz0cpI91XX0dEcnAi9eyQegmV58KpevEtAjPOpmJE7KF66lLk7guln1Zrc4ByKCKCHeifmF1zNYLDfUuHARKt8-jou62wyKGK08/s1600/IMG_0155.JPG" height="471" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was nice to have two moms.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPvims-pVyct4J5_GgKsnXl5W8n1v0kgkRh8hTqKaINn6SRlq4X5lbcs07u_H4rlKSsEY-Yi_ko_zzQU6tO-ICjq4siMzksMLDXn5QsbvHx4ArV9Cl9wMzWV8pfA8nKN_aUhFrm4WfhfE/s1600/IMG_0970.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPvims-pVyct4J5_GgKsnXl5W8n1v0kgkRh8hTqKaINn6SRlq4X5lbcs07u_H4rlKSsEY-Yi_ko_zzQU6tO-ICjq4siMzksMLDXn5QsbvHx4ArV9Cl9wMzWV8pfA8nKN_aUhFrm4WfhfE/s1600/IMG_0970.JPG" height="640" width="353" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Right down to the knowing look they gave each other<br />as they watched me hurriedly packed my travel bag on our last night,<br />at the last minute of course.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was happy to share various aspects my new life with my mom. She got to meet the people who I now think of as family, she got to eat sticky rice and enjoy meals without utensils, she quickly got accustomed to the morning announcements blasting from the loud speaker at 6:30 am, the daily bucket baths, and hanger-drying laundry. In a way, I got to experience the newness all over again, and I got to see how far I've come. Not only in terms of language acquisition and cultural adaptation, but just in general life experience. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<img border="0" height="479" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt9nxQkdwk17uell1ussLKGKKXNwjOtvPHPLpaScbNYHprn9uP9BTIuhJD6kY9CJr8p5WT7Kz_H-7ikvsMe7rrVl9hyIRyZ1CRTWWWtxnMXBmoDhVkQV2W08xq2e12BhyKQOYicg3wO-o/s640/blogger-image--254945891.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
My host mom doesn't usually cook, but she made her specialty for our special guest</div>
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my personal favorite: pat gra-prao gai (chicken stirfried with basil) </div>
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and locally grown riceberry</div>
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">During her final week in the village, my mom accompanied me to my schools. For the most part, the students were on their best behavior, and my mother was very impressed by how respectful, responsive, and eager to learn they were.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiso3SOX6vXyKGKxjI2Gmi1hZRbUwUYddLoCQbkLn5b2Ri76-ivFayJOZMq_faCSviz2hMztyCRLQ3Fqj8fxF9ozu3z0VlIs-jhcBxK6ZEGEdSwmajVw-L5i4jgUuxt9fGC_HN4Gf9FpnA/s640/blogger-image-2019887775.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="479" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiso3SOX6vXyKGKxjI2Gmi1hZRbUwUYddLoCQbkLn5b2Ri76-ivFayJOZMq_faCSviz2hMztyCRLQ3Fqj8fxF9ozu3z0VlIs-jhcBxK6ZEGEdSwmajVw-L5i4jgUuxt9fGC_HN4Gf9FpnA/s640/blogger-image-2019887775.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With my mom and coteacher and our students</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJWSZDE1ZvHeH1blKIUIJBlduwkv_dHsrdkNPp3NAH9XtU6vP8aqiEAcnwDR_QQZIYHlx0EtbWrp8XSnRNxSv4daVUiV_6OkHzBEYoyhILCtXvcou3ebRjv-40SRhElhCwmYbsBZoSKXM/s640/blogger-image--487444622.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="479" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJWSZDE1ZvHeH1blKIUIJBlduwkv_dHsrdkNPp3NAH9XtU6vP8aqiEAcnwDR_QQZIYHlx0EtbWrp8XSnRNxSv4daVUiV_6OkHzBEYoyhILCtXvcou3ebRjv-40SRhElhCwmYbsBZoSKXM/s640/blogger-image--487444622.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My mom with a few students at another school</span></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJPOpcb7MMEexmM3NnUEyt3yVtnkDkZjw6yMV913Do8tQh6TKwTMN931PAj5rUajXHwbCxmzvhdta6tWJyTqO1nfXGkvEjZINqAo1QYcKeNuSe7Mzqocz1BxiqM1o-5PQGIvDkhqnJA2o/s1600/unnamed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJPOpcb7MMEexmM3NnUEyt3yVtnkDkZjw6yMV913Do8tQh6TKwTMN931PAj5rUajXHwbCxmzvhdta6tWJyTqO1nfXGkvEjZINqAo1QYcKeNuSe7Mzqocz1BxiqM1o-5PQGIvDkhqnJA2o/s1600/unnamed.jpg" height="475" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My mom is a nurse and helped me with my lesson about healthy habits.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH913tzlPxaeezugtUVsR-9q4EJVZezwD9K_p0uBEz8d9VxnslDVkV0G9BjFxsZEp2HBGC1kodhhOXZcn991i34xj2Pr9Yh5OWIVuU2lhZZbTJ0IS14xOGfZQ8n0HvghJNDMAXUZe-PNc/s1600/unname.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH913tzlPxaeezugtUVsR-9q4EJVZezwD9K_p0uBEz8d9VxnslDVkV0G9BjFxsZEp2HBGC1kodhhOXZcn991i34xj2Pr9Yh5OWIVuU2lhZZbTJ0IS14xOGfZQ8n0HvghJNDMAXUZe-PNc/s1600/unname.jpg" height="471" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My program manager came to visit, and all of my school directors came to the meeting.<br />I wasn't sure if some of them would show up, so "You'll get to meet my mom" <br />was part of my invitation/pitch.</span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I knew that I wanted my mom to see more of Thailand than just my village but I had spent all of my "vacation days" on my trip home, so our excursion time would have to be very limited. With the cooperation of my host family, we were able to make the most of our weekends. I asked my mom if there was anything that she really wanted to do, she quickly responded "Ride an elephant," so the first weekend, my host mom and host cousin took us to the elephant village (หมู่บ้านช้าง = muu-baan chang) in the neighboring province. In Muu-baan Chang, as you may imagine, there is an elephant in just about every yard in the village. Some elephants are used for shows and for riding, some are cared for as pets, and others just graze all day. Although the elephant ride was something that my mom really wanted to do, she was super terrified once the elephant started moving. Eventually, she got over her fear, and enjoyed her ride. The next few weekends were spent exploring Thai culture, foods, massages, and shopping. Here are a few pictures from our afternoon with the elephants.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfXBPgZY93Y01QjMwnaJ3wgsaY6jvf9QS_fDbd84rzjIcR4DS8ZfKiptyDVr5zRLndImhCgwjvL71h5DdQfUeXQFo8wxb20h-2m07JUbMDhzJoCLeChT5y5c6vzboF97hrCmL_GSCECiQ/s640/blogger-image-1983902741.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfXBPgZY93Y01QjMwnaJ3wgsaY6jvf9QS_fDbd84rzjIcR4DS8ZfKiptyDVr5zRLndImhCgwjvL71h5DdQfUeXQFo8wxb20h-2m07JUbMDhzJoCLeChT5y5c6vzboF97hrCmL_GSCECiQ/s640/blogger-image-1983902741.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At the elephant village <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">หมู่บ้านช้าง</span> </span></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5166FoUhO5_VqCI2EBao5RX3qi4UhL3Zkl5MzmpM55tIrWmgHbX_7pK9euKnSIb-u33KTD6EXdkwOIX7J37vDisoXIaDuytwVs2mlsZsSt6m0Ed3XZtfDntvYnOiGPip75otket3otMg/s1600/IMG_0185.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5166FoUhO5_VqCI2EBao5RX3qi4UhL3Zkl5MzmpM55tIrWmgHbX_7pK9euKnSIb-u33KTD6EXdkwOIX7J37vDisoXIaDuytwVs2mlsZsSt6m0Ed3XZtfDntvYnOiGPip75otket3otMg/s1600/IMG_0185.JPG" height="475" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Just washing his pet elephant,<br />the others playing in the background.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcRZS-0w2wMCHuVauLWTa78KUNhIHuYsCM4wq3vo8tgDgxfvC7MheP_ktarPbjTmWvPOLwwbF_3fFxi_IZQF-a89H0cQdhyphenhyphenpHfxcaRTozqgahYthyphenhyphenXNqvUSe1a640vPU1Q5-uTzqQUqgk/s1600/IMG_0169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcRZS-0w2wMCHuVauLWTa78KUNhIHuYsCM4wq3vo8tgDgxfvC7MheP_ktarPbjTmWvPOLwwbF_3fFxi_IZQF-a89H0cQdhyphenhyphenpHfxcaRTozqgahYthyphenhyphenXNqvUSe1a640vPU1Q5-uTzqQUqgk/s1600/IMG_0169.JPG" height="475" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Momma elephant going after baby elephant</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh84NJ9IEpfLJe1pId5K6nih4AuTdcDizxvqi1KEaLrDMKvrA97U6kSWUGsjgENd5eFjN2Sln_ID2AmVGYK6ZVZB3FmyBpS37TM-5fBAmQCWOF5yzyjzJIvcaAQfA6Vec1L6cyu6einkrY/s1600/IMG_0174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh84NJ9IEpfLJe1pId5K6nih4AuTdcDizxvqi1KEaLrDMKvrA97U6kSWUGsjgENd5eFjN2Sln_ID2AmVGYK6ZVZB3FmyBpS37TM-5fBAmQCWOF5yzyjzJIvcaAQfA6Vec1L6cyu6einkrY/s1600/IMG_0174.JPG" height="471" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My mom was so scared in the beginning. They were about to let her off.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7lXcS2oaaPzr0xkHAybPXiV40QUEw8B7G2AbzP8bNxQO3Wj37MnNzz6wYJ4irbmuDdxWh_7rafGLwlED717xLufLJ4bPcZv2H3udXena8itYAtJ1lUjV5_qNdoX4ZWjl19EwnYLSkzrk/s1600/IMG_0182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7lXcS2oaaPzr0xkHAybPXiV40QUEw8B7G2AbzP8bNxQO3Wj37MnNzz6wYJ4irbmuDdxWh_7rafGLwlED717xLufLJ4bPcZv2H3udXena8itYAtJ1lUjV5_qNdoX4ZWjl19EwnYLSkzrk/s1600/IMG_0182.JPG" height="475" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But it wasn't long before she was enjoying herself</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuBdvRtSzAGq7G4ZDwhCWgby8Ii4IMcRWnF5QDQMc1rA7u1UW9hRlBa-s86pBBLqeo3qvqtecpgNPyOiRZ_cLSFsoNjLm8l2nAMVB97KH_56OSdYCmDQLHD5j4jidkd1piJj02fhcylYE/s1600/IMG_0203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuBdvRtSzAGq7G4ZDwhCWgby8Ii4IMcRWnF5QDQMc1rA7u1UW9hRlBa-s86pBBLqeo3qvqtecpgNPyOiRZ_cLSFsoNjLm8l2nAMVB97KH_56OSdYCmDQLHD5j4jidkd1piJj02fhcylYE/s1600/IMG_0203.JPG" height="475" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My host mom.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1PE9JDiUcC6KfP7_lAD6OtlHiy-hB1rRuDhZZ1jIvzJW-dCZxZhacKKFQmJs5c0pOlsC3MDoTg_ofoVFGYo-eyL1oX8I9z44YnlkxP91Lch_FIBIv5mcQot78baQEFcke3BddD5IP6so/s1600/IMG_0206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1PE9JDiUcC6KfP7_lAD6OtlHiy-hB1rRuDhZZ1jIvzJW-dCZxZhacKKFQmJs5c0pOlsC3MDoTg_ofoVFGYo-eyL1oX8I9z44YnlkxP91Lch_FIBIv5mcQot78baQEFcke3BddD5IP6so/s1600/IMG_0206.JPG" height="640" width="475" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was the bravest of the bunch lol</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZYRA9EuSYBPA0s2onDiG-nXC8POACKPBOQERBpiIclo0ex3jdv0vfpviySjUHqgevijeEVsVcGfX_I0JrrvM1F1_BsA0i_6RBCxQ-yChWJzPpVcLr0kBi_ZoCvS57FkGbJNzHFVJwgNY/s1600/IMG_0173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZYRA9EuSYBPA0s2onDiG-nXC8POACKPBOQERBpiIclo0ex3jdv0vfpviySjUHqgevijeEVsVcGfX_I0JrrvM1F1_BsA0i_6RBCxQ-yChWJzPpVcLr0kBi_ZoCvS57FkGbJNzHFVJwgNY/s1600/IMG_0173.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I don't usually take selfies, but when I do...</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For my mom's final week in Thailand, I managed a quick trip to Chiang Mai. We said goodbye and thank you to my host family and community for their tremendous kindness and hospitality, and we made our way to north of Thailand. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Chiang Mai is a popular tourist destination, I was happy to finally have a reason + opportunity to visit, and just thrilled to have my mom as my companion. W</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">hile in Chiang Mai, my mom dared herself to give it another go with the elephants. And since we were being daring, we ended the day with tigers! Our first day was pretty action packed, here are just a few pictures.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL_Ph25KvW7xp3cdJbioWCZ8w9WGlNTrX2xv-Afx4ZyeL8rHR9LatD7XMiUNKqJn3_OYs4fROOU6zpvEH1EkoQ0bxK1zB_F2TpyIbJUpxCKb3xuSLS211dCFxqYUeJDG6IjA_eqgz-wzE/s1600/IMG_0313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL_Ph25KvW7xp3cdJbioWCZ8w9WGlNTrX2xv-Afx4ZyeL8rHR9LatD7XMiUNKqJn3_OYs4fROOU6zpvEH1EkoQ0bxK1zB_F2TpyIbJUpxCKb3xuSLS211dCFxqYUeJDG6IjA_eqgz-wzE/s1600/IMG_0313.JPG" height="475" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Giving it another go.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik9dz98RF_VlXZ0_KESMSY-9iW1IBGZz63fLepJ_Kd4JCzRZw2TJciJ431Tex3zTCaaY5E72nFaCM7vIhUOGVRSf6DaQjKKy140grijgXhFWkLef4cSfR_v9JdQlVB0wcTKQ0QjzqfOZY/s1600/IMG_0319.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik9dz98RF_VlXZ0_KESMSY-9iW1IBGZz63fLepJ_Kd4JCzRZw2TJciJ431Tex3zTCaaY5E72nFaCM7vIhUOGVRSf6DaQjKKy140grijgXhFWkLef4cSfR_v9JdQlVB0wcTKQ0QjzqfOZY/s1600/IMG_0319.JPG" height="640" width="475" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Such Friendly Giants. This one really liked me :-)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix3XKn4b8a7tRslVrOXAbOzg7QpRte8TfK9-ZaXjZRXWqWY8nb0j1z97pzMFErmVmQt40s6Yy3mQ4fEWuEkXeGVWKiwKIXKrqO_8JBr26s3senC7xXSyeAK6tEH4b5jwJzx01o-xtHXcc/s1600/IMG_0316.MOV" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix3XKn4b8a7tRslVrOXAbOzg7QpRte8TfK9-ZaXjZRXWqWY8nb0j1z97pzMFErmVmQt40s6Yy3mQ4fEWuEkXeGVWKiwKIXKrqO_8JBr26s3senC7xXSyeAK6tEH4b5jwJzx01o-xtHXcc/s1600/IMG_0316.MOV" height="640" width="360" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We had some free time with the elephants before the show</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfUdDAf7L5gWxJHUyygJHfHsDOxi49kqBwYbLdTExDYwuQUh7c4lquwklX4z3TOqRb20WtEW8OY-8EUeFiO6Iil4ICFkasGOhP3v20s4mqSeSJAGAGTGDBibLyW0PPFoWO9WNIw5-Dn1Y/s1600/IMG_0379.JPG" height="640" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Monkey School</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzXCOV356jecr9YvHCr1NZ6tfWiXkQ3A3e1ldb-i5N5MrMqam7bUZSG3SMgOSoyyoGPUEBRBojo4Hn78wqYU9A2dS__CtmLsLfzatIu2RapRitMENykGD-nf4uDiFK_1gJjl-rcxHonwg/s1600/IMG_0377.JPG" height="640" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Monkey School</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijS1i7EM0TQeg-BeeyVqW4sWT34v4E67lLY36FTSx1FwkJGUUW6paYAMV_zeaURv5HO3d3H_YeVEhGtSkKISwQkCAFWsdU3W558whtSl2RjW7aVCT4WNbnUkwwRAwHg5rctTVkmKXqGwo/s1600/IMG_0426.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijS1i7EM0TQeg-BeeyVqW4sWT34v4E67lLY36FTSx1FwkJGUUW6paYAMV_zeaURv5HO3d3H_YeVEhGtSkKISwQkCAFWsdU3W558whtSl2RjW7aVCT4WNbnUkwwRAwHg5rctTVkmKXqGwo/s1600/IMG_0426.JPG" height="475" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Baby monkey, went in to grab a sticker on her shirt.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4WhHIKaMkhK_mrWE9okiuPmXVKJWllC9VMVhL72qwx4anZ2dN8EQtRV1ir5LMR2LQHguRtKVOG2A1KpXnIA6gv8nCcqKdarC3J79I1FRxPI1D5KuiTJGrIH5aGnlKss3taFNvQ8B4Mys/s1600/IMG_0465.JPG" height="475" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tiger Kingdom</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0biAI2-gc3o/VNUAsP9_3NI/AAAAAAAAF4s/sPbz903pwUE/s1600/15%2B-%2B1.mov" height="640" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Love the big cats</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmnCHIQb_fBv8fLYugUg-Hl3doLQSCkCWYVa-XePHQliC9bFaVDww5G3lNIy4gPyz9g-ePaIHDlD6etvXDU3RvaJmHHWUg4vbDghWF4eXgiC6ofxz3MsEPJ6drAas_-zKHD0JiuWsSzB0/s1600/IMG_0482.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmnCHIQb_fBv8fLYugUg-Hl3doLQSCkCWYVa-XePHQliC9bFaVDww5G3lNIy4gPyz9g-ePaIHDlD6etvXDU3RvaJmHHWUg4vbDghWF4eXgiC6ofxz3MsEPJ6drAas_-zKHD0JiuWsSzB0/s1600/IMG_0482.JPG" height="475" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tiger grooming itself as I pet it.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD29kfoTyotRx1ak1S4C979fo3qmgvpt6GA6ngaPsijpskQAIFuk81lVlhqDw3OvEyMVwU8DdjHoV9bzPz-hNXvxyVPM8Lcyi5e0944toYwe8Q9aLpJDoECj4uTfnFJPnyacHT1sHJ6hc/s1600/IMG_0485.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD29kfoTyotRx1ak1S4C979fo3qmgvpt6GA6ngaPsijpskQAIFuk81lVlhqDw3OvEyMVwU8DdjHoV9bzPz-hNXvxyVPM8Lcyi5e0944toYwe8Q9aLpJDoECj4uTfnFJPnyacHT1sHJ6hc/s1600/IMG_0485.JPG" height="475" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The tigers were really mellow. The trainers say they are not drugged.<br />They are just big lazy cats being big lazy cats!<br />These tigers have been in captivity for generations,<br />so they don't have much hunt in them.<br />But just in case natural instincts get the best of them,<br />trainers are nearby to intervene.</span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
We did some more sight seeing and enjoyed being tourists for the last couple of days before her departure. </span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjEDfhp1e_521zN2FJmgmJ2EpzEeLZyDFk14kskHsULyExLF6xO27SubJvHn10XM2cLZmVbN0jzCUin28cl025qgQR7_MyJc0oSAUVB4tKllt2Sdajbmjc8xaAxTp2esj7_9VCx9z1E8I/s1600/IMG_0522.JPG" height="475" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At Wat Doi Suthep</span></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjEDfhp1e_521zN2FJmgmJ2EpzEeLZyDFk14kskHsULyExLF6xO27SubJvHn10XM2cLZmVbN0jzCUin28cl025qgQR7_MyJc0oSAUVB4tKllt2Sdajbmjc8xaAxTp2esj7_9VCx9z1E8I/s1600/IMG_0522.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgde1Dsts8MIjPAqfOy_Tl8c2YBXHV2dYQK5pbRnqHTUkA2WMY9vQByFGI5FnZEizZ776M_77kYuEflyoGhySjwRkhlOkGrFG5OryOa7kADa6ZNS4JeTdeD82i72MiVd26WwjXcrFDG9pc/s1600/IMG_0568.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgde1Dsts8MIjPAqfOy_Tl8c2YBXHV2dYQK5pbRnqHTUkA2WMY9vQByFGI5FnZEizZ776M_77kYuEflyoGhySjwRkhlOkGrFG5OryOa7kADa6ZNS4JeTdeD82i72MiVd26WwjXcrFDG9pc/s1600/IMG_0568.JPG" height="640" width="475" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We had to climb over 300 stairs to get to the top. We took breaks.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg555QErg4oWtswJmIkUU34l_HyNcQBm2wI344kb5Kl4IPpruhiBtlAdeYtdrHmJLNma9bx1mYzzEn_LUmtSbg5Dg2mbswfPL_rhEroxOm_TRMAbrO1RIGpdg7yRRNULvFt3Nqh66jBxT0/s1600/IMG_0528.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg555QErg4oWtswJmIkUU34l_HyNcQBm2wI344kb5Kl4IPpruhiBtlAdeYtdrHmJLNma9bx1mYzzEn_LUmtSbg5Dg2mbswfPL_rhEroxOm_TRMAbrO1RIGpdg7yRRNULvFt3Nqh66jBxT0/s1600/IMG_0528.JPG" height="640" width="475" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Kinda like a 'Congrats You Made It!' sign. But not really.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaFbqeRVeZA-3HJtGLtofpptzduRiAgrSW2TQno6xQuegEGTjrGZgsi00xOSk7dh0sG24HemwziDs6Uxp_AX_ZvzXpziq1pipQcTjK9fP-Kpry6IKsT-Ozx36TK2I_iUh0g4S_6R0aBys/s1600/IMG_0563.JPG" height="640" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="475" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was gorgeous</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeXKDxwK9UvKcLK7KF5kSK3xwH4JlfcTz_PtBeJDmPqNAsaKF1s1GGWt0q-xoStLzZPW8Togoiyfh4krktwDDa6CdaQ_QX4J1_WFDE3MYLHrcAd0dg6dsSG_oZ-ergpbONOv-nZjqqN5Q/s1600/IMG_0555.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeXKDxwK9UvKcLK7KF5kSK3xwH4JlfcTz_PtBeJDmPqNAsaKF1s1GGWt0q-xoStLzZPW8Togoiyfh4krktwDDa6CdaQ_QX4J1_WFDE3MYLHrcAd0dg6dsSG_oZ-ergpbONOv-nZjqqN5Q/s1600/IMG_0555.JPG" height="475" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Everything was beautiful.<br />The weather was overcast so we didn't get any good pics of the view.</span></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ZGl2QD0YUd6pSGCKn05T9sUvC0qiWA1bB9vYhWOLlRYmooRP60_p9skq8HlCx4ZafvKQ4wfR8Sy0p9YuelVele9O1Wh9HL1gs6gCPNRIO0oLrBAPyeWFfPqJXA4_f2kqfDrUWaDLgMY/s1600/IMG_0571.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ZGl2QD0YUd6pSGCKn05T9sUvC0qiWA1bB9vYhWOLlRYmooRP60_p9skq8HlCx4ZafvKQ4wfR8Sy0p9YuelVele9O1Wh9HL1gs6gCPNRIO0oLrBAPyeWFfPqJXA4_f2kqfDrUWaDLgMY/s1600/IMG_0571.JPG" height="475" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Night Safari</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht0FAE10MpvUVojOIAZko7-njJd2Rr8wQFP4gr34_Rwt59Ys8AwxbPo2JLjDuHoZoemDhLbrP4TsrQBQNfXcg1SsHGjxFQ3pxqj84jUlS37m3m-2aCDerrgOPMdTQvi9BI6osok06Qr58/s1600/IMG_0573.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht0FAE10MpvUVojOIAZko7-njJd2Rr8wQFP4gr34_Rwt59Ys8AwxbPo2JLjDuHoZoemDhLbrP4TsrQBQNfXcg1SsHGjxFQ3pxqj84jUlS37m3m-2aCDerrgOPMdTQvi9BI6osok06Qr58/s1600/IMG_0573.JPG" height="475" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Night Safari</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5XYPyZvsTO8-qrAH3lfv6-f2PlDc6w9Sq89Lx4Lx60iI1mZ9ML8YEmamRoQQevvU5hwqnTSERl88s3QXez_uUECUfpcRT9heP89KNvIjdfO7XMX9DoTlur0bNaSPWO4D1nFb8PyqCiso/s1600/IMG_0601.JPG" height="475" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Amazing Light/Water Show. Better than fireworks!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg555QErg4oWtswJmIkUU34l_HyNcQBm2wI344kb5Kl4IPpruhiBtlAdeYtdrHmJLNma9bx1mYzzEn_LUmtSbg5Dg2mbswfPL_rhEroxOm_TRMAbrO1RIGpdg7yRRNULvFt3Nqh66jBxT0/s1600/IMG_0528.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiB5nCppdIeCSnFlER6hwaShZ8YolI7sE4tZEZpb1iDkXqAjptMoyiq1VCJ-RPVz-vBE8jflCFhVCzZdPxWdEXZbORheWA8IMW7NWNxDO2UDTAdbKB2MPkpDXUacW8WvOky0NEctjjY38/s1600/IMG_0609.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiB5nCppdIeCSnFlER6hwaShZ8YolI7sE4tZEZpb1iDkXqAjptMoyiq1VCJ-RPVz-vBE8jflCFhVCzZdPxWdEXZbORheWA8IMW7NWNxDO2UDTAdbKB2MPkpDXUacW8WvOky0NEctjjY38/s1600/IMG_0609.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On the safari!</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5mHSs8OOqAHMyaz2SwjWKuC6m7Mzje3BAV-QG1lSMujXw26MGrl_RJ8RuLC1z3B31voIeUg2vZ7JIff9Ula4PeUxihnshjPS_oFvhTmSMrKR-F63A4KaJOYrBX9mcntVtERSAgPZkEyQ/s1600/IMG_0643.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5mHSs8OOqAHMyaz2SwjWKuC6m7Mzje3BAV-QG1lSMujXw26MGrl_RJ8RuLC1z3B31voIeUg2vZ7JIff9Ula4PeUxihnshjPS_oFvhTmSMrKR-F63A4KaJOYrBX9mcntVtERSAgPZkEyQ/s1600/IMG_0643.JPG" height="475" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Zebras! We saw so many animals but weren't allowed to use flash, so not many good shots.</span></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeXKDxwK9UvKcLK7KF5kSK3xwH4JlfcTz_PtBeJDmPqNAsaKF1s1GGWt0q-xoStLzZPW8Togoiyfh4krktwDDa6CdaQ_QX4J1_WFDE3MYLHrcAd0dg6dsSG_oZ-ergpbONOv-nZjqqN5Q/s1600/IMG_0555.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi414eGv0sd2MapEyxk_uvKxgYa547RFkBXtTB_MYbLn400uEBsTb3J2y2p3US-gfH2ihKyT0ri3WHARRnO_dEjJ4lQOckCkXi7Nd8hcByTAqL4nNehkWeveOQMCHnUyC7zhEZiBAq9R7w/s1600/IMG_0702.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi414eGv0sd2MapEyxk_uvKxgYa547RFkBXtTB_MYbLn400uEBsTb3J2y2p3US-gfH2ihKyT0ri3WHARRnO_dEjJ4lQOckCkXi7Nd8hcByTAqL4nNehkWeveOQMCHnUyC7zhEZiBAq9R7w/s1600/IMG_0702.JPG" height="640" width="475" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Overall great night!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We spent our last few hours in Chiang Mai at the Art in Paradise 3D Interactive Museum. There's a lot of buzz in the media right now about optical illusions. This museum was full of them! Here are just a few...</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ZGl2QD0YUd6pSGCKn05T9sUvC0qiWA1bB9vYhWOLlRYmooRP60_p9skq8HlCx4ZafvKQ4wfR8Sy0p9YuelVele9O1Wh9HL1gs6gCPNRIO0oLrBAPyeWFfPqJXA4_f2kqfDrUWaDLgMY/s1600/IMG_0571.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHwI-hY0ZQtpqlLflT1Uy_46crMjDrPmX1M0k2x-J4LCSP7NzfU37Xz5laNUJ0aNVpEjfP5lDVxomD8HkYw8Ec1J7_IweexGM6q2CEjAlP3mDCckd9mcLQgvJ01GchsIeu06fqdwTJtiE/s1600/IMG_0710.JPG" height="475" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As if petting tigers wasn't enough adventure for one trip</span></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjszjFcriGfoMDEb66sj_e7J0K9NQPfMrnY7376KElOOP_N8IiBAZQD6KJSNaT104unlnUG6P98dABW6iCdJFR9NmC83CqqBxGFMNi_yJ0fOX0qTven-l_ehsXIzy9v0gHF2ooMUkx8pmM/s1600/IMG_0782.JPG" height="475" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Panda Time</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6qBJey-ziUbHR3RnJWqega7XFCLqcn3HfJPAK8Z3voNyh_uKmyxs8XuRQQcMWIyE-btYKXK7-PzpBeOy6YfI5uG1wEFmM2KkllmcMtXhkz0uLhXAbB5lnqnPKOJG6CJWL0KeCEpUvhvg/s1600/IMG_0753.JPG" height="640" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm not gonna hurt your baby. I promise.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8HMLl9og_JrJ3x4bcS2cQknU4xOkaFtPECAjfbDoWoDJ38ZC8oYRA2Q6SqyP7pvbKXzJKuhoijfLoJKKjMLFtW8E2_PRMlBXCjh0TU2ZxvjXib3Kp_2kLydWbI8yEGvO9yWZrL2hGLzM/s1600/IMG_0790.JPG" height="640" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="475" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sweet Water</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRDe85An2Bz60h0pIYrNOWrKXHYID1s_Xx5ypbWRB5XPeY9b8Z9OXBi8NEz1nA-bPwhBragKXn4TlKEULmloa_G9t7XSbKkv6OM_wd4CzTESNo20T-F38ASFM_TFNAx71EO9XRGWSUioM/s1600/IMG_0875.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRDe85An2Bz60h0pIYrNOWrKXHYID1s_Xx5ypbWRB5XPeY9b8Z9OXBi8NEz1nA-bPwhBragKXn4TlKEULmloa_G9t7XSbKkv6OM_wd4CzTESNo20T-F38ASFM_TFNAx71EO9XRGWSUioM/s1600/IMG_0875.JPG" height="640" width="492" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To get to the other side.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDTFUBEa7wOhX8gzYxDBibbgjEGlHH1oXOI0nxW_WbJsFh9VwCKVcE9FowcM4qLBqPooAgy8fvztHNGCOZZVdRufK48xElK7j9d-CewC5UN0UugzRgYFCy0XUAaL43GKuriDfW4FuuWDA/s1600/IMG_0840.JPG" height="475" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hanging on for dear life</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz_WAM7str35GKPxzsJsfCFhjLmmijLexN7k8aR-yiJzOZ7AcWMVlpmvO2QBei4lW2gN4ftkFcliHL9Qwiaj94_uhjAdw3ONwSnVjn-qfA0FZ5QqlPwD1CmVTziNn5TIy9G00b8w-ZvX8/s1600/IMG_0857.JPG" height="517" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">... and then there was a Michelle!</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH52aYYYR-OQguUidzYIj6CVnku1zxPNHAQNsDdZG9XxQ5srikXS2cXpaoAiBgdj-Vggz_HFwnedJnpcTm2gt09_BUGjfhqmFzYeMxDekM9tARwQM_VnUSnHzXZtE9asDuROmFeKke0zQ/s1600/IMG_0740.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH52aYYYR-OQguUidzYIj6CVnku1zxPNHAQNsDdZG9XxQ5srikXS2cXpaoAiBgdj-Vggz_HFwnedJnpcTm2gt09_BUGjfhqmFzYeMxDekM9tARwQM_VnUSnHzXZtE9asDuROmFeKke0zQ/s1600/IMG_0740.JPG" height="475" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Under the Sea!</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidbfTCtbHKpAivI9IijJrPurO9Hyn08_WNY7zr8cvLXlP2wpbK81zgkel2AGkXs-PHiqJ54FueajD-AsI6dMGatye68dJFQZb8xKwsRV9KfntzuoRFg50rGnM-KKOSOLGGk9UhIgvGYyY/s1600/IMG_0802.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidbfTCtbHKpAivI9IijJrPurO9Hyn08_WNY7zr8cvLXlP2wpbK81zgkel2AGkXs-PHiqJ54FueajD-AsI6dMGatye68dJFQZb8xKwsRV9KfntzuoRFg50rGnM-KKOSOLGGk9UhIgvGYyY/s1600/IMG_0802.JPG" height="475" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Just floating around</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjngt2mpg9s6QBIDOOVTUROUleZHTqBSkLLyGl89g8AnmbfBKelftVoQjxzXLXFsLUxKYggUWs6T-15t8O7CuUyj8LVINkfIXHa7myLXznfFLkm3StlTJgztgcLhNLwrSD55QnIl8q71Ew/s1600/IMG_0849.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjngt2mpg9s6QBIDOOVTUROUleZHTqBSkLLyGl89g8AnmbfBKelftVoQjxzXLXFsLUxKYggUWs6T-15t8O7CuUyj8LVINkfIXHa7myLXznfFLkm3StlTJgztgcLhNLwrSD55QnIl8q71Ew/s1600/IMG_0849.JPG" height="453" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Just floating around</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIBfMHSHrZGB-eCbaMKNhS8aFRi5XZt-0JaRPJR4plNL4um7LWWDEJowNhHm9dsAoA4orGtKYBVReEzyQq3l8pw0GWs0nIfMdl3POY8ZQlG6F_Lqm4DWyS1Idvy5KV9qgaGVakwW9AtVA/s1600/IMG_0813.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIBfMHSHrZGB-eCbaMKNhS8aFRi5XZt-0JaRPJR4plNL4um7LWWDEJowNhHm9dsAoA4orGtKYBVReEzyQq3l8pw0GWs0nIfMdl3POY8ZQlG6F_Lqm4DWyS1Idvy5KV9qgaGVakwW9AtVA/s1600/IMG_0813.JPG" height="475" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Just floating around</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiMbpRae9dHljjfR2hlyiRmo2d4Npm36-sDmiMrK3OWr2AJaRokNbAuJRq5AstagmVaOnkM9iLAjabhNha460icCLl4uCbaWF5akVzwh0nwjpE8bbOjq4GvONPDTv9oReCf0BEpLde4Vk/s1600/IMG_0821.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiMbpRae9dHljjfR2hlyiRmo2d4Npm36-sDmiMrK3OWr2AJaRokNbAuJRq5AstagmVaOnkM9iLAjabhNha460icCLl4uCbaWF5akVzwh0nwjpE8bbOjq4GvONPDTv9oReCf0BEpLde4Vk/s1600/IMG_0821.JPG" height="475" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What a view!</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYte73WSezg_wr8GumGGaFRI9gV3y1hvFwYQydqbr3DLXkIwkPXOZnaaT7ayvZoX-5AvvkP5scO77bVCLKN8qZfza23wFJRHL0THJgnOaSjYvmVK5yiamIE6nA_68AWXzy_Je0VsquzNc/s1600/IMG_0851.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYte73WSezg_wr8GumGGaFRI9gV3y1hvFwYQydqbr3DLXkIwkPXOZnaaT7ayvZoX-5AvvkP5scO77bVCLKN8qZfza23wFJRHL0THJgnOaSjYvmVK5yiamIE6nA_68AWXzy_Je0VsquzNc/s1600/IMG_0851.JPG" height="453" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Best seats in the house</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFODshfscC6jZU7NZ3tlbDk0nvuzK7t4JZIHZaUFQTtzNhVfTnBbRZ2EKaJczoxXLcQ3EgtpiMSbG1EmnG-oz92WnOkjHvNMZ_Vh9Zx4QkE7v4qhEO4aYQkxUO0OXSg0pT12B-JQGL62w/s1600/IMG_0878.JPG" height="640" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="466" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Really!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; orphans: auto; padding: 6px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQs1qlmOxhxScn-C8rxaqc2Qp1XgQXO0jUlfSErCCEk-M0L3yuoRyYibbVyirVEtqiwUjLUb-FfsKZSDpgHjKDA0EPwnIbryXGPCq56TYYt_2Zo_MGYyzAQ7TrnKxFlbHucQ1mZpaeq0A/s1600/IMG_0703.JPG" height="475" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On a song-taew, our last adventure in Chiang Mai.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was the shortest month ever. I had spent a total of six weeks with my mother, no doubt the most time we've spent together in years, and I was really sad to see her leave. I thoroughly enjoyed showing her around my community and the adventures that we had exploring areas that were less familiar to me. There's a lot more of Thailand that she would love to see, so she's already planning to return in a few years. With or without me. Meanwhile, I'll be looking forward to possibly entertaining more visitors in the near future.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVPTbszVUdj9O5Zkg-x7_wVVi5JFG4nBqkj633j3eI-vpLr0g3XuIhStZJeXFnVMTpI5KctaTTXcmyth9H82_o5QDgurjmIy4mKy4gwkwECI0uWcOzaEkqsD0JwGT_CILjtRdksAV6-VI/s1600/IMG_0888.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVPTbszVUdj9O5Zkg-x7_wVVi5JFG4nBqkj633j3eI-vpLr0g3XuIhStZJeXFnVMTpI5KctaTTXcmyth9H82_o5QDgurjmIy4mKy4gwkwECI0uWcOzaEkqsD0JwGT_CILjtRdksAV6-VI/s1600/IMG_0888.JPG" height="477" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Figuring out where we wanna go next time lol</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A few hours before my mom said goodbye to Thailand.</span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG98VcT-AnbrPMlJIHB61uH83Jvnv6br-koHrCWiiHavIzq-E4lldfcPwMbE3Fct8Tuiho-B8S_5hPrVxpcAPOmL8aSnQEPgIgrmltcEshopR9l-7UcN54kBfA6RSuOMkCzIn8pIo124I/s1600/IMG_0887.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></a></div>
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Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06411605238766259024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5578399872559863154.post-43791315395048563812015-01-26T01:04:00.000-08:002015-01-30T01:56:22.914-08:00Home for the Holidays - Questions<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">During
my recent visit to the US, my family and friends had many questions about
my past year living and serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Thailand. Here are some of the most commonly asked questions...</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">. Have you gained
weight?<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Barely.
In the past year, I've gained exactly 2kg (roughly 4.5 lbs), which is barely
noticeable on my small frame. Those familiar with my Peace Corps journey may
know that my application/medical clearance process was complicated and
prolonged due to my perceived "underweight condition" and that I'd
been actively trying everything to gain weight since then and even after I
arrived in Thailand. This became an unhealthy obsession for me, yet and still,
my efforts did not yield much. I've since decided to just eat as normally and
as healthily as possible, appreciate my genes and metabolism, and not worry
about my weight.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2.
Can you cook Thai food?<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Unfortunately,
No. I have picked up a couple things along the way, but the majority of my
meals are prepared behind the scenes. I take opportunities to observe and even
help in the cooking process when possible, but more often than not, I'm shooed
away to sit and wait until the food is finished. I suppose I could be more
insistent on learning how to cook/prepare Thai meals, but really and truly,
I've never had the gift/inclination or whatever it takes to actually cook,
so... I think I'll make more of an effort this year though, because I don't think that I can return to a life of microwaveables and takeout... We'll see...</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3.
Can you speak Thai?<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Yes,
I can. I wouldn't consider myself fluent, but I know enough to get around
comfortably living and working among non-English speakers, I also know enough to travel
out and about the country by myself, and of course, shop and get bargains. About 90% of my everyday interactions (including
classroom management) are in Thai. My reading and writing skills aren't too great though, but I can read most street signs and complete forms with my basic information. <i>(Thai
has actually been categorized as being one of the most complicated writing systems in the
world, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKVtpCByEy4" target="_blank">this video</a> explains why.)</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">4.
Are inter cultural relationships common in Thailand? (Sometimes phrased as "Are
you dating anyone over there?")<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">From
my observation, most Thais seem to "couple up" among themselves at a
fairly young age, but it is not uncommon to find <strike>old white</strike> retired
foreign men with very young Thai wives or girlfriends. I have yet to see a Thai
man of any age with a foreign (non-Asian) wife or girlfriend. (And nope, I haven't explored the dating scene either. I'm very focused on my roles as a Volunteer.)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">5.
So really, what do you do?<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As
a Youth Development Volunteer, I do activities and programs with youth in my
community to help them to develop life skills; this includes making healthy
choices, promoting positive self image, addressing gender norms and biases,
improving communication skills as well as English language skills. This satisfies the first
goal of Peace Corps to help interested countries in meeting specific needs. The
second goal of Peace Corps is to promote a better understanding of the United States to
the people in the country of service, so I find ways to share aspects of
American culture with my community and students whenever possible. The third
goal of Peace Corps is to promote a better understanding of other peoples and
cultures among Americans, which I do through blogs and emails.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">6.
What are your plans for Post-Peace Corps?<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">First
and foremost, I would definitely get my social work license. Beyond that, there
are a few options that I may explore. I vowed to dedicate my 20's to service,
but I may take a shift from volunteerism to take advantage of my NCE
(Non-Competitive Eligibility) Status. This gives preferential consideration for
employment with the US Government for up to one year after completion of Peace
Corps service. Veteran's Affairs has been on my mind, or Family and Children
Services at the state level, I've also considered returning to AmeriCorps or
doing international service work with my church. I plan to explore each of these
options more carefully towards the end of my service.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">7.
What do you miss the most about America?<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My
family, having a car, and the wide variety of foods.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">8.
What will you miss the most about Thailand?<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My
host family and community, the people in general, and their tremendous
hospitality. I will also miss how inexpensive everything is! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">9.
How much longer will you be in Thailand?<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Until
the close of my service in March 2016. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>10.
Can I come to visit you?</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Yes!!! Just let me know when!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj78ZL7ApwAPV_rPJz9K7FyeooiJHMbBCh2jtPjvzfCDNydKIXfB_iolhwH-57AZ9NQCrNiWk7jk3jWD8YvuU7MV37aOluzLbK3Ll6thrsKuhotkUVNx_9hxa4lQs7V0ndY9HFl92j0qM4/s1600/fam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj78ZL7ApwAPV_rPJz9K7FyeooiJHMbBCh2jtPjvzfCDNydKIXfB_iolhwH-57AZ9NQCrNiWk7jk3jWD8YvuU7MV37aOluzLbK3Ll6thrsKuhotkUVNx_9hxa4lQs7V0ndY9HFl92j0qM4/s1600/fam.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">My family. I miss them the most!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I'm always happy to answer questions about my life/service in Thailand. Feel free to comment below if you have any!</span></div>
Michelle Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06411605238766259024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5578399872559863154.post-39492627478126020592015-01-13T19:59:00.000-08:002015-01-13T19:59:30.123-08:00Home for the Holidays - Highlights<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It has been about a year since I left home to begin my service in Thailand, at that point, I was uncertain as to whether or not I would return home (or to the USA) at any point during my twenty-seven months of service. I knew that I would miss my family and numerous celebrations/life events of loved ones, but I also knew that I could just immerse myself completely into this new life for two years and that my family and friends would still be there when I return. All the same, during the year leading up to my departure, I made it a point to save enough for at least one trip back home, just in case.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Just in case" came in the form of an invitation to a dear friend's wedding, which would take place during the holiday season and would be perfect for spending time with friends and family, and just enjoying the holidays with loved ones. Although I didn't technically go "home" for the holidays, it was close enough. I spent my vacation surrounded by folks near and dear to my heart; after all, home is where the heart is.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My parents and siblings traveled from their different locations to meet me, so in a sense, "home" came to me. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The timing of this trip translated into the perfect opportunity for a family vacation, which we haven't had in over a decade. This was actually our first family vacation since my brother was born, so really, our first full family vacation. We toured four cities in ten days, visiting family, friends, theme parks, and just enjoying our togetherness. It was a great time.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMh3qeaX-i4DQAKFnnn9_BHTioQOXRzJ7XU2kzemOP7AT4Umh86d0cYJg1qjZwpGgYBjQFKHyUCPTlYo0YzI8VbMT1YM8BvTlTPGQb0d6R7oMWczJY8EumbkLByV4X_yaOCKTPYXOh3tI/s1600/1495893_4949652556123_9049673865079825491_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMh3qeaX-i4DQAKFnnn9_BHTioQOXRzJ7XU2kzemOP7AT4Umh86d0cYJg1qjZwpGgYBjQFKHyUCPTlYo0YzI8VbMT1YM8BvTlTPGQb0d6R7oMWczJY8EumbkLByV4X_yaOCKTPYXOh3tI/s1600/1495893_4949652556123_9049673865079825491_o.jpg" height="571" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All of us. First Family Vacation. Last Sabbath of 2014.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My two week retreat and family vacation was nothing short of wonderful, here are just a few highlights from my trip.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>The Union Of Mr & Mrs Louis.</b> I had the opportunity to witness the beautiful union of my dear friend Tasha and her love, with the company of great friends. Tasha and I became friends during our AmeriCorps service and we have maintained a great bond and friendship even as life has taken us on various separate journeys. I am so happy that she has found a life partner, and I'm glad that I was able to be a part of their special day.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEAoymUB5QmNrn10Vdc4tkb9XcERmGf88sBRQsKpdBgLLUHipdvUaBgOoAlh75PdMkQkYcjSPZQ1ingz3LPB8s11Ys4FJfPjRkVGO1fg6vYTsstP6asj0kX3GDshxXmP91VOgFlnLAtNw/s1600/00wedcollage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEAoymUB5QmNrn10Vdc4tkb9XcERmGf88sBRQsKpdBgLLUHipdvUaBgOoAlh75PdMkQkYcjSPZQ1ingz3LPB8s11Ys4FJfPjRkVGO1fg6vYTsstP6asj0kX3GDshxXmP91VOgFlnLAtNw/s1600/00wedcollage.jpg" height="354" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Celebrating Love and Friendships</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>"Keep Calm and </b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">กินข้าว</span>" </b>These souvenir t-shirts were great conversation pieces. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">กินข้าว</span> (<i>gin-kaao)</i> translates literally to <i>eat rice, </i>and really refers to just eating a meal in general since rice is a given for just about every Thai meal. Lately though, </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I had been longing for breakfast foods and pasta. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My first stop was supposed to be IHOP, but we settled for Denny's and it was just as good to me. Pancakes at midnight, so yum, followed by more of my favorites at Olive Garden, Boston Market, Chipotle, Cheesecake Factory, and homemade Caribbean food at relatives' homes. I kept calm and enjoyed many rice-less meals for the remainder of my trip, and it was amazing!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfGPYwWBDfi14yVacTt3CfGD0gDQKBshyt0ejhAkVNIUC-3xZUo5COzG5b7YQPy0p090YfwSeI9Yx1ZaMU7An_fsp2McBlpCIJZF_LmNr2VOG6V8W3ok2CzkT-H41FgJ5fmA_VNuxasqc/s1600/00ginkaao.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfGPYwWBDfi14yVacTt3CfGD0gDQKBshyt0ejhAkVNIUC-3xZUo5COzG5b7YQPy0p090YfwSeI9Yx1ZaMU7An_fsp2McBlpCIJZF_LmNr2VOG6V8W3ok2CzkT-H41FgJ5fmA_VNuxasqc/s1600/00ginkaao.jpg" height="442" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying a variety of meals with my family. Pancakes, Pasta, and Caribbean Cuisine. Loved it!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Santa's Enchanted Forest</b>, World's Largest Christmas Theme Park, so magical! My siblings and I have enjoyed the magic and enchantment of this park for the past few years, but this is the first time we all went together. The weather was a bit chilly, but we rode every ride, watched every show, and had countless hours of fun.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgYVAb6h5qhBObOiPo7qHahLWd8Tl7xQRxk9GO5h3gVu8FxsGL7iYWTIawIB9_MvWpt5lbYpj4nKaVIeiVtW5LtFO0VAXEYbAURbc2haSvGc41L5UA1cYeUMOA65F0a3236d4yt82LENM/s1600/00forrest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgYVAb6h5qhBObOiPo7qHahLWd8Tl7xQRxk9GO5h3gVu8FxsGL7iYWTIawIB9_MvWpt5lbYpj4nKaVIeiVtW5LtFO0VAXEYbAURbc2haSvGc41L5UA1cYeUMOA65F0a3236d4yt82LENM/s1600/00forrest.jpg" height="442" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying the enchanted forest with the siblings. We had a fantabulous time.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Bro's first trip to Universal. </b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My sisters and I had our Disney and Universal adventures when we were pretty little, my brother missed out on a lot since he is so much younger than we are, but we felt that he was due his chance to experience the magic. We spent two full days exploring Universal Resort and Studios, and even with the rain and chilly weather, we had a blast! Next time, Disney!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUagEb6HsuSPtVAV-Ge7qkYZEeab5UNXu_57CqC-Lx6qPXwj-hXaODG4hJkZw-YCMz-GS6not2AYwNaU_8NEAJbbk6i5iwnXK3_1ZYyqlxFsYw1-Kla1QGzxPk9EJsNldUGHagCJXRFCw/s1600/00universal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUagEb6HsuSPtVAV-Ge7qkYZEeab5UNXu_57CqC-Lx6qPXwj-hXaODG4hJkZw-YCMz-GS6not2AYwNaU_8NEAJbbk6i5iwnXK3_1ZYyqlxFsYw1-Kla1QGzxPk9EJsNldUGHagCJXRFCw/s1600/00universal.jpg" height="442" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We spent two full days exploring the parks, in the wind and the rain, and we still had an awesome time.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Gifts from Thailand, with Love</b>. When my community members learned that I was going home for the holidays, they brought gifts and souvenirs for me to share with my family. They came bearing gifts right up until the morning that I was leaving. The gifts were all produced in my community, my family loved and appreciated every one.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVzPL3dCx9EvGuUNNZzihhiVFii93GUeSUZ2YWV1bZ88Wl32EixmhgGg9weDvun7anXUBzMuPL_lpJlpj7rmQbzrwT_IGje62_Dofo4qPTBwOPvvu7v9qwVhn7TFjGI1O9I4UtklR8YxI/s1600/00gifts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVzPL3dCx9EvGuUNNZzihhiVFii93GUeSUZ2YWV1bZ88Wl32EixmhgGg9weDvun7anXUBzMuPL_lpJlpj7rmQbzrwT_IGje62_Dofo4qPTBwOPvvu7v9qwVhn7TFjGI1O9I4UtklR8YxI/s1600/00gifts.jpg" height="376" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gifts from my community, all locally made/grown in our villages. My family loved them!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Congratulating Mom. </b>My mother had a year of great academic achievements, she completed her nursing degree earlier in the year and recently top-scored the national certification/licensure examination on the first try. This is a tremendous accomplishment! My aunt and uncle organized a lovely celebration in her honor, and I was happy to share this moment with her.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In the middle of her celebration, my mother decided to give me a wonderful surprise. See my sister's video for her documentation of our vacation, including my big and wonderful surprise at 5:30. Stay tuned for more!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To be continued :-)</span></div>
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Michelle Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06411605238766259024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5578399872559863154.post-11323649167209412482014-12-09T09:01:00.000-08:002014-12-10T05:47:58.303-08:00Long Live The King<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Verdana, sans-serif"><br></font></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;"><span style="clear: left; color: black; float: left; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/d3/b7/7b/d3b77b1bb497253cd27ed1a1c5340c37.jpg" height="200" width="200"></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On December 5th,
we celebrated the 87th birthday of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej,
also known as Rama IX (the ninth king of this dynasty),
and affectionately referred to by Thais as <em><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">po kong prathet</span></em> (</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Browallia New",sans-serif;">พ่อของประเทศ</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">)</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;"> which means Father of the Country. Many Thais wear yellow all month long in The King's
honor (yellow is the color-of-the-day for Monday, the day on which The King was
born). The King was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts while his father studied at
Harvard, he is the only living monarch to be born in the United States. In 1946, when he was only eighteen years old, Rama IX began
his reign, and has been on the throne for the better part of the past
century (over 68 years). He is currently the longest-serving head of state in
the world, the longest reigning monarch in Thai history, and
for the vast majority of the Thai population, he has been the only
reigning king of their lifetime.</span><o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> (Side note for history buffs, the history of the Siam/Thai throne is quite interesting, right down to the series of events that led to Rama IX's ascension.)</span><br>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;"><a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8122/8698487026_b2ca8f5058_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8122/8698487026_b2ca8f5058_z.jpg" width="200"></span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The King is greatly revered
in Thailand, the level of respect and admiration that people hold for him was
described to me by a Thai colleague as compared to what many
Westerners may feel towards a modern-day Jesus Christ/Mother
Theresa/Princess Diana/Michael Jackson, all in one person. The
King is most known for his kind heart and his generosity; he is also an
artist, photographer, accomplished musician, and very
intelligent; he holds patents for his invention of rain
cloud makers, he has been involved in social and economic projects and has
made tremendous contributions in the medical and agricultural reform of the
country; he led the country into its democratic state; and everyone
agrees that he is quite handsome. The King's portrait can be found in just
about every home, school, office, business place, market place,
courtyard, and major street intersection across the country. Despite
laws that prohibit anything (spoken or written word, forms of art, music,
movies, etc) that may be deemed as insulting to the throne, the love that
Thais have for their King seems to be quite genuine. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br>
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span><br>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEidxIK4_Rb2VTm1OUpjCwYCoJUXuEn2_Y3rNebgyCeXPBa5JwSLRcCJQ1kOaxr0Fk5tpJRsHPYb_H4MgUT-4AldsL2TjAd-vZl1Z_YJLozjJa_7bJunbNTjcV5xhE5gfSYK8afrlgnstxZoGt3D4a-9JmX4eE1U2mSCWvyk969wRN1vIyvuEtc3FQ=" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://mini9999.com/yahoo_site_admin/assets/images/king.260181834_std.jpg" height="140" width="200"></span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This year, the King was
unable to make his much anticipated birthday address due to doctor's
orders. It was stated that he is not in fact ill, but rather
recovering from recent illness and medical procedures. The King's health has
been declining for the past several years and everyone hopes persistently
for his improved health and wellness. The King is truly loved and has done
a tremendous lot for the country and for the people throughout his
reign, understandably, most Thais cannot imagine a
Thailand without the beloved King and I cannot imagine the state of
*indescribable emotion* that the country will be in <strike>if</strike> when he is no
longer with us. To the King, and for the sake of the people, I join the country to sincerely wish him many
more birthdays, and the best of health, strength, and sound
mind to the very end of his days.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.mthai.com/en/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Long-Live-the-King.jpg" height="220" width="320"></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br>
<span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This year, the King's birthday fell on a Friday, there were various activities throughout the week, however my time was spent primarily in the schools. On Thursday, I spent my morning at school and the afternoon at a cultural/agricultural exhibition/festival in my district, then Friday, which was a national holiday, was all about preparing for the evening's ceremonies. Below are some pictures that from the festivities that I attended in my district.</span></span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;"><br>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm77rA14ihYtplf9JDgbNoMEhEdK-0Bc__aCG5elBg1WzVJ4qpTC2tBdWheh39Oy6A-0wOpgo-N6KvOwJSHI8RgH9ZvBxIa8DM1BMn-2Ptn6vErELl87DEtIDhO0Q9vBBEmslZPnJ158U/s1600/IMG_2573.JPG" height="480" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640"></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With Kru Toi at our community's booth</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkE5W7qUlJgM_b2xawxvM3r7vuDSBCsYIogHMzTbncxVpIPr2a8eh7xEAWqzMUp7VYOxeTdjYB6MD0EvPbVJzkmLP9N5YbM3-CmWTVLxA99qqZh1AGxxgWr1HQOeCzX4HnTo_IaPlyDzg/s1600/IMG_9211.JPG" height="480" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640"></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A troupe from our community dressed in traditional gear for the opening performance</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT5HHrJlRChSSq0NlKnO8cDpSCW256m7b9zzN_Ta7lYT1LSVjxtzKYptM39nH3RMw4HMWS8QpNs2vij-8mICKzyJtoCuGP8SZGcRKpfv4DkLxdzDrMleO7YWuoOIccyNDvS2W8oh9ULSU/s1600/IMG_2989.JPG" height="640" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640"></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The leader of our district and his team at our booth to inspect and judge for the competition</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5lv4ZAzRbiS45ba_kfDnNRzgzRt26xKlw8hy8Dc1_jnxBuPq7i-55pbvLR_Z6rIpaIb3_fkGLDeK4IOuB_XSQnxb75ywH6wbG84Qj-tlvoHEfbjMJjIDNrpfBlUfEJHtIHL741RC82oE/s1600/IMG_9258.JPG" height="480" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640"></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Some items from our booth</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPDkKFMNTRVHa3vAtcnTpmH4A6Ek_Tg8V1ZCeaRWpIchONExWK3GnS955EJUPyegJ7A9spKDt9Ujf9IO3Mve7YlfO7W9ksy62aRZAoJuQEusB-Sqklhx8delDoNEnvBlAKI68W_lFmTqY/s1600/IMG_9269.JPG" height="480" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640"></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Produce grown and decorated in our local villages</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3WkeZxOe5vI9DXY3QsGg2Z6wtlE1Wrscj_fkCcYoom3AME-B-0eqIybrBsiSThhSmFL5rrmwH_OpnLSrbXZlogBgjlI0msKuknWtVCXSHVVoyYpPHsNwf_e0Jz3qGrxPgj4RNvsdstVk/s1600/IMG_9222.JPG" height="480" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640"></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Such lovely arrangements!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Sf61WhGHwmNb-yp3sGNZGrpHbF1KpaVoGinrzVmlM4lubTyiG5KEfeeg5FRnbV1ikGoCGBcUD6iArYShQu9ZKqQxPG5mW7jXWLjIyHluOcuLJpuPMxLKC3AT5FKygQhH6qBktt3yKGA/s1600/WP_20141204_022%5B1%5D.jpg" height="358" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640"></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And guaranteed deliciousness :-)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgurnU4fQ-rfUYXgfAj_AebkcBdMiNMNVJPcjvUraY7o65j9kQGj7dKDEfytQMHWgyAtD75AND6FzFywLjHu7fvVE1RIL_7Bpg1qTTv1MAr0L59U4V6eGa8lKj1qw8yCo8lyBqjmwJwNyM/s1600/WP_20141204_021%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgurnU4fQ-rfUYXgfAj_AebkcBdMiNMNVJPcjvUraY7o65j9kQGj7dKDEfytQMHWgyAtD75AND6FzFywLjHu7fvVE1RIL_7Bpg1qTTv1MAr0L59U4V6eGa8lKj1qw8yCo8lyBqjmwJwNyM/s1600/WP_20141204_021%5B1%5D.jpg" height="640" width="358"></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Different strains of rice</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV6fBrUSqEo1YzeaFaLL8kq49bkf0ImT6q6Enq62WnhHjRzrcCUZic0OxlPlJU72eO0tomlEU0bFhGvxIn-RGcqdwiPH88gOkWm6D1AqCM5hD8SjXre88JdoNDUurbCk4GMlymZAC58-A/s1600/WP_20141204_024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV6fBrUSqEo1YzeaFaLL8kq49bkf0ImT6q6Enq62WnhHjRzrcCUZic0OxlPlJU72eO0tomlEU0bFhGvxIn-RGcqdwiPH88gOkWm6D1AqCM5hD8SjXre88JdoNDUurbCk4GMlymZAC58-A/s1600/WP_20141204_024.jpg" height="358" width="640"></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Craft items, clothing, and purses for sale, all locally made</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7JUgOA7ZrSA2m4_YvF0qaIh56eI-6ObF7W2nMH8zQIhIhoupeTp_KcJn0UQSWeYsr_1OFF4jOxDaBcngxlyxWw8lXlDkXR9wUX1bpN0rl0Ah703gZ23sVL0fEkNR-Jy5qFg223LVHUuQ/s1600/WP_20141204_033%5B1%5D.jpg" height="358" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640"></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">More clothes and a photo display of various community events</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6a0lhxoFCn8Nxjb1kKSj2F3u8EtZtAsX0UQUpJsZ79f-UY2maEQ7UC7r8NV_ETVkFRxOChZ8meBHpHRjr28sm9lEFyduMdEjKoNLMHnmwcrygGAjll2Nj72Bq-F5svl7mMzzPzk2_5zs/s1600/WP_20141204_045_2.jpg" height="358" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640"></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We also brought fish from our pond at the local government office where we've been raising fish and frogs</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnbCjQhhlNZ90eTmIHbKWBXYjkYNHw8Fp-DHUlzp7_6f_Gq7nQAU9i-S-xpAbHxthgeHaNIz6dlAE4DzbmY7cCTtXK7vwmbc_yxWW_KGmeO6aoW9cfSXo-2HQB5npNmoqOc5WyXwjxCg4/s1600/IMG_2599.JPG" height="480" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640"></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Teachers passed through with their students to check out our display and identify the various plants and fruits</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPcP3WhLsb40qAhQ7nEPfwNctL8o_c6dJxuEWLjx30skVLUltTuxMhyphenhyphensdBhK-nxTkN5iw0cTKPvonZZFQGz84apTw3zdzPrhEM0O5_9KnVXsP5wtzCQNKb0DhmQuXhSw1ph-eNNtO3rlI/s1600/IMG_9231.JPG" height="480" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640"></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our Nayoke/Mayor collecting the prize, our booth won FIRST PLACE!!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw7tNER-2ieI0ym01362Gh2t-GjWOB5XGoNeT7AbQL9IMVRzl55LaWNZV5ojAa7Q_xky_IjQGzWFiUOezNf_lA0df3t6Wxr88H_AOPD0guoZWZC59anb00OZ2TSpHSdJj9_tGOvqBl1t4/s1600/IMG_2567.JPG" height="539" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640"></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With one of my school directors, We are #1!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_FIRBXauG9PDLOAzsdvg4Q_sd4onr-kWrR0gfJjSMoSievZVFJpQ1-zle10_IUCWikfhbbvDMXtQsx51Pp5a-MAl0_GS92Bg1xLGbt71nlw6sNM7iWoaa5bwfzGLUbFfvxdfRzl-Nytc/s1600/IMG_2960.JPG" height="640" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640"></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The leader of our district opening the day's events</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOpxfJAPoD1kiJ-05JI2feYZOOhG3mt0mZsycRCQYLBQH8DVHzZW2FmlYOwWCboIWrHZCJ8SUS4PkpueWwdkwbUZbzNt8v3mRZDX5tE3Yf-TcdHAt02wrPxcXcRiURmgBj5e6DycS1cPM/s1600/IMG_9273.JPG" height="480" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640"></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">District leader doing a demonstration of the afternoon's first activity.</span><br>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">First you shake the rice grains off of the stalks</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs8SOKB0G64hIH3125BqU5iS6aEeh4wAk-UOIfgDOa3EY4mW_CJvJsUQuuUvGWnyypcG5jkyYfSIFtFafcLqKW47E4X7lo-9oru7i8vHQfqECpWweS79SnepJdR-p2otHWGALB6H-ttfI/s1600/IMG_9279.JPG" height="480" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640"></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then toss the stalks over to your partner</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUOo7CtbEXB07lvniQmrafVWrjvxFfzx4q9CvyyapE_z3fVq3hk0lW1bYkp7BPHPX0isfGmcOSLX8I06NWU4UQQRsNR5Se6RZY9fzMOoy-3FWg8a-ZbsYANovL3D-zN-vgEFhz4PGfjTk/s1600/IMG_2580.JPG" height="480" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640"></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now let the games begin! I called it "The Rice Games"</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK1URcU-TD43ONKkSsujN4IdzIIoo3xbMPYhyphenhyphenZdj6U_60O9fxHYQ-GyFfHo-cKo5c9MUXr31BseBs2k4WMsYfKxR_3qzNYmtkIm43u_PtWB9o_xGdaMt6WAGG3r76YZO7unRmQnofFijo/s1600/IMG_2582.JPG" height="480" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640"></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Stalks are separated to be rebundled for feed</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsIQlNaSiN1WdmDWoDlvCoPgj6WIZQfQC1cZWtuvEoi4q2nmyGhlAlhtAD6CsHFWeB49ByzKZaLh-PLDQ7aPUmlY1TG4TNedCVanOA1yvzr3AARHQ7IAXOQlaM8jmJvOPDMvVGVx6s5mc/s1600/IMG_2584.JPG" height="480" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640"></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Rice is mortar and pestle'd out of the husk</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ZQkMyEnuEiOtv53n2slYbJlC7jRCkHZyBtPuugJVtG_Pp8IwMbjGEq0s4N89Y2667mH4d1iAnDZGYfAzDBtH_pN3XlsQAOeZ84mCMiFg5TPIZ2g81lUIpNIRfIy0nkWvdGxBY2GNvv0/s1600/IMG_2587.JPG" height="480" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640"></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then the husks are sifted away</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitPs7ka3BK4cbrcG6wV4wQIiWYwHt3KiQR4EoH8mEFfkvq5iQpF03udU0_poCl1urXyW81n05-9L9BYPHMUCVeb7lGVfhDvI6gaT6h8pWjENpBHNEjGVGMWopiz26lHS4NIaJWvHCXTOk/s1600/IMG_2589.JPG" height="480" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640"></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Check it out! I don't think we placed in this competition after the rice was weighed, but I sure learned a lot!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIDeySS5oIHt-OK6tqj4w5GmaMXMB9B-q4pZ73xD_PIvmiUAXA-USYvjpu1cCZjxkMNCTosprXN8UtkMv4IxeQIrJkjxrlMHk5hdT2a61h_teno7hLRT_tCFxBs2W4tM3LZg9M3y5mFj8/s1600/WP_20141204_065.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIDeySS5oIHt-OK6tqj4w5GmaMXMB9B-q4pZ73xD_PIvmiUAXA-USYvjpu1cCZjxkMNCTosprXN8UtkMv4IxeQIrJkjxrlMHk5hdT2a61h_teno7hLRT_tCFxBs2W4tM3LZg9M3y5mFj8/s1600/WP_20141204_065.jpg" height="358" width="640"></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They told me to give it a try. But I wasn't fast enough or strong enough apparently lol</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiKA1kCv0Cfw50UxNGL3r79Qf4ASS33gjhLJSpQG6ry-uMwGb7ZvikYZ53MGSBKONinUvG2BZNBcusKjaQLuZhZFYQpsSjJrE6KfSuFO2GFg1vlgcOVTGnT01cru0kgykuQT1HNWw8D6A/s1600/IMG_9270.JPG" height="480" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640"></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was resigned to taking pictures and having my hand held</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfHiRaIX-C47xYyRCzEbi1PAODk2tJQWJ3_8P09GRtM38kmSnZ9BxfmnD6niDST_XRPym32zFseRCdJVRYnvhkx47XDT9O1pfN6NToLOIPcTAcrPyoM8bXgyQ3mNWTucJs7PXZ3tOG1jU/s1600/IMG_3005.JPG" height="478" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640"></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The stage all set for the evening's events</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG_v7ZKl1h7Ea5Ucm5Q5tEtBhgMPkZxesKzGVlfuoZ4Za2Pipk7Ppql4eh1ebh9maawE_t3dReh0Xf8zerhtA733bLYst4c7Qit1MSLo-FgaxqI55RnQTW2sV95Gm25DA2DO99pDfOwGs/s1600/IMG_2603.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG_v7ZKl1h7Ea5Ucm5Q5tEtBhgMPkZxesKzGVlfuoZ4Za2Pipk7Ppql4eh1ebh9maawE_t3dReh0Xf8zerhtA733bLYst4c7Qit1MSLo-FgaxqI55RnQTW2sV95Gm25DA2DO99pDfOwGs/s1600/IMG_2603.JPG" height="640" width="480"></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With Pii Baow, our community development officer,</span><br>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">who has recently been assigned as my counterpart.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0E5WY4sIEOZSBWaK9XnpVHBD1g9j1SqsNx_3GE37zv9mEy0qcENnSKU4jXD5ewCPWZjZYy7GRpKrH0Xt8z0B_TWeaT6IEBy5AMg_MfsBrfxffvPl_0PHV6uaWnJIeGaSHBpwfB3k0KLE/s1600/IMG_3034.JPG" height="496" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640"></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pii Baow and Pii Noi (my host mom) assisting the Nayoke/Mayor</span><br>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">in paying homage to the King</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ4YbhGWh-kNlnuvRo4mpuPNNQu8gUo1nESYiRgfR7WA5RVyWSiNF1I_zK_f1Ohf7xKJzAUPSUiTPkr_yphON4jPNe_j1Ja4dz_ORuqwSX8DPbgnnXKdaaT2buAO7Yyx1fBXOgk61rVL4/s1600/IMG_9322.JPG" height="480" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640"></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Paying homage to the King on behalf of our community</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDCuQt_k82Lv0KnZf6eiLNmydYwYUzJoY4Ss3jgvqj2Q-1i0iNQin2ZiagAhBdjdu4AgW7jMmnbdKUP-arX2BHAE8oyJOimzOT-LigCBTuJz8ZDdd48hfWEWELLqnwjafsEwC6-0X6yb0/s1600/IMG_2615.JPG" height="261" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640"></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Government officials, community leaders, and other representatives from every</span><br>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">community/subdistrict </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">lined up to pay respect to The King</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEcMW6RWwaVMxi8H41jnpZFfxa1y6NM3WWpxVIw_Ok9Nl6eGvhqie5LodwhIx6ft7jma0H_JTiD4SS0Kty0IHyHhZgKL2A185FavS3nl1zrIBvKR6HO1ML8xfHaXwAuj7KRmn3ljf4_IQ/s1600/IMG_2627.JPG" height="300" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640"></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Once everyone had gone, candles were lit and national songs were sung</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLW4lAwlY31V2iuys-yCRBYdRzIhtyX6BnJpXUnhHZT2ysrsrm0p6t06KZGqDlSDzwtK1HkEnZK7l67VArHInBF2p86dGsDpRC3W3c-M8GTWl5-jAlwsdXBCVsZQ0qAESgiYZ5hmMTKB8/s1600/IMG_3057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLW4lAwlY31V2iuys-yCRBYdRzIhtyX6BnJpXUnhHZT2ysrsrm0p6t06KZGqDlSDzwtK1HkEnZK7l67VArHInBF2p86dGsDpRC3W3c-M8GTWl5-jAlwsdXBCVsZQ0qAESgiYZ5hmMTKB8/s1600/IMG_3057.JPG" height="478" width="640"></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Officials from my community</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfTbMIamJvxVlXzf8MRE4TfbJbibW93UDUdFAHtRfm_REY1scFp0d9KYO4N17AFC9ouTLVGdazhyGoxHi-quNdiB-1Ye79olEWu5U026HgvOApNhWvrujSGXcalA9bkpwBuBzXdr3-2Iw/s1600/IMG_2632.JPG" height="480" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640"></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All officials were dressed in various forms of traditional Thai-wear</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLn20R5oB0Lq3zfH0p_6Kl8XWVi7D2r8sdiThUeamFBc5eUO_fjWW6NzS5tSAtR9lVNYKF83HKJFPOoHpX0GF0zJWYxrA50OSdSjc4-SvqrUIvjHf3-EkbkECWQhZ9ebwhI-xFqpH2wjI/s1600/IMG_2633.JPG" height="480" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640"></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The candles were all placed onto this sand table. This is part of Buddhist merit making ritual,</span><br>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and usually when I see this, I think of it as resembling a giant ash tray,</span><br>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">but this night, it most certainly resembled a giant birthday cake</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkYpriySANVZMb53eiwe5vj03xSZHloFVgYGk_CcQZxBzM3J0wbOlnlR9XrWBsNzzLq4L9gzHTFLZR1V6KHy5wBom-_WbFs7whJdMwbfRLUOt68b6JYPrlPN0d_tVTCCTKXcg2AfTyBNs/s1600/IMG_2677.JPG" height="480" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640"></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All of the tributes to the king</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTmtdw9blxQV2xSwiICqp6i9_cjkNnEzSwOtw1gyu-5TjaJOKj8Z_uYV56LxBL4hO5gkAjLK63CQMqYE6L3azqgBVhpMyJfUYecjEs_jebtF2D2EYnm0ZqTxxyOHNPc8FynJx6dmch2Nw/s1600/IMG_2650.JPG" height="480" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640"></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And then the performances began</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6hRNiDKTHC6KZ86HbGnYZuMAYADWH1lQyFFMK4S9mgLHVVTq_xEEmDoVh52uXVCKsuz3Gr3uyL3V_LUGT0873xNIXFDelXOqV58QchMp2TYcT9gRVcV1xZxWqXKHFW2fils16MqsaK0s/s1600/IMG_2658.JPG" height="480" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640"></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Performers from the secondary school in my community</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7r-jGY7KUQHIOIfNqB5R1pzaRZSVmsGnLgWYqRPgWXlF-ksazPVkCi-dcet3536fJYgDvfbSuT4QgaOcXIu9OBH-MpwstOkDeK00zvqUJ-dEBy3rwRSQDy-pPHx-kJO_oh6w-HOBjLFg/s1600/IMG_2670.JPG" height="480" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640"></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Maw-lam-sing -- regional song and dance -- performed by our local government office.</span><br>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We won SECOND PLACE!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The celebration was wonderful, and lasted well past my bedtime, but it was incredible. As Father of the Country, The King's birthday also doubles as Father's Day in Thailand. The Father's Day aspect of the day seemed to have been overshadowed by all of the celebrations of the King's birthday though. I believe that some schools had ceremonies, but I was not able to witness any this year. Nonetheless, I wanted to close off by giving a Father's Day shout-out to all of the father's reading my blog, especially my own! </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-a-hkg.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/972005_531052011804_534724996_n.jpg?oh=8860809eb3234d9f532bbb423a25a25b&oe=5515D0DD" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="303" src="https://scontent-a-hkg.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/972005_531052011804_534724996_n.jpg?oh=8860809eb3234d9f532bbb423a25a25b&oe=5515D0DD" width="320"></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Happy Father's Day Daddy!</span><br>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thank you for your love and support.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This post was prepared to be published on Thanksgiving Day, but various events prevented that from happening. I must say that the month of November has been one of the most eventful (and exhausting) months to date, but it's been awesome! Hopefully, you'll see some of that below :-)</span></em><br>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's that time of the year, when most American families come together to express their gratitude for all of the blessings of the year, and of course, to eat a huge meal and watch football, American football that is. Although I've spent most of past several years living away from my family, I've always managed to find a home for Thanksgiving, and this year was no exception. This year, I enjoyed a Pre-Thanksgiving potluck dinner with fellow Peace Corps Volunteers in Bangkok. It was a really nice get-together, a much larger crowd than the usual, but I had a great time with my fellow group members and got to meet some of the senior volunteers for the first time. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkQoCOR2-W98oDF65jySfMN_oTnZdF67ZAfqVUnPpkswVtVGFX2UwB6NKT2m3LoOe9mUNG8fzLAuyUXt4njYkmRUe5nfW4ewhTGgu4ft1MhXctm0Y2rR2RdSe2PA0fNOQ88DXFluoRri8/s1600/fakes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkQoCOR2-W98oDF65jySfMN_oTnZdF67ZAfqVUnPpkswVtVGFX2UwB6NKT2m3LoOe9mUNG8fzLAuyUXt4njYkmRUe5nfW4ewhTGgu4ft1MhXctm0Y2rR2RdSe2PA0fNOQ88DXFluoRri8/s1600/fakes.jpg" height="426" width="640"></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">pretty awesome time with a pretty awesome group :-)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As is custom, I've taken time to reflect on my year, and as always, I have so much to be thankful for. On my long list of blessings, here are three that I am especially grateful for this year.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>The opportunity to serve as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Thailand. </strong><br>Cliché as it may be to say this, I am truly having an experience of a lifetime, in so many ways. A few years ago, even in my wildest imagination, the thought would have never crossed my mind that I would ever come to Thailand or that I would even consider becoming a Peace Corps Volunteer. I look back at the events , situations, and circumstances that led me here, and I am so sure that I am right where I am supposed to be and I'm doing exactly what I'm supposed to be doing, and I'm thankful for every moment.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Family</strong><br>My family has been so supportive of my decisions, and that has been such a blessing. In the beginning, naturally, there were a few questions about whether or not I was sure that this was something that I wanted to do at this point of my life, partly because I'm not exactly the adventurous, journey-across-the-world-for-two-years type, and also because it meant leaving really good employment behind, but once everyone was sure that I was sure, it's been 1000% support. I've realized that this isn't the case for everyone, and it makes me appreciate my family even more.<br><br>I'm also extremely appreciative of the Thai families that have taken me as one of their own. I can go on and on about how at home and how loved I've felt in my time here, but there's just so much more that I can't articulate. I couldn't imagine more perfect matches than the families that have adopted me since I've been here, and I am extremely grateful for them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Friendship</strong><br>Over the past several months, I've developed some pretty incredible friendships, among my fellow volunteers and within my community. I have a feeling that these friendships will extend way beyond my two years here in Thailand. My pre-Peace Corps friendships have been put to the test of time and distance with various outcome, but I'm thankful for them all.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The month of November has actually been quite eventful. I'm glad that schools are back in session, while that's been great, I've had a few pretty awesome adventures outside of the schools as well. At some point, my camera went missing, so some pretty awesome moments are undocumented, but I'm glad for the memories. Thankfully, I found my camera hiding out oddly positioned in a corner of one of my bags, I was so relieved when I found it, almost to the point of tears. Here are some moments that were captured this month.</span><br>
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<strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lao Border Market</span></strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGtf4i08mCc5xQ95GvVWQ8wXRf7K1kKkz-qiQqC0JqueYKVSA8iALoGi9fCmUEQfC62NYRFdemHH-AyDeyef5wkiGpVliOLRX6p2MyRmDV-MKpb6hCwKVJp0Z9NeLp1U12KWUygsJfsB8/s1600/PicMonkey+Laos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGtf4i08mCc5xQ95GvVWQ8wXRf7K1kKkz-qiQqC0JqueYKVSA8iALoGi9fCmUEQfC62NYRFdemHH-AyDeyef5wkiGpVliOLRX6p2MyRmDV-MKpb6hCwKVJp0Z9NeLp1U12KWUygsJfsB8/s1600/PicMonkey+Laos.jpg" height="577" width="640"></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My host family had told me that we would bpai-tiiao (take a trip) to the Lao border market, it wasn't until we got there that I realized that we would actually be crossing the border into Laos. Luckily, I had my passport and the Peace Corps director was gracious enough to grant me last minute permission to leave the country. It seems like ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations) nationals just need to show ID to cross the border from one country to another, so my family just waited patiently as I completed visa applications and went through all of the customs clearance procedures. I got nervous when my host cousin started taking pictures (despite the sign) but the customs officers didn't even flinch when the flash went off (quite a contrast to my travel experience through the US, Canada, and Caribbean where officers threaten confiscation at the sight of any recording device). We had a fun time shopping and afterwards we had a nice lunch on the river market. As we ate, we were amused by the 'banana boat' riders getting drag raced through the river by little speed boats. Once we were finished eating, my host brother and cousins convinced me to take a ride with them, I sat securely in the middle and received the least splash (and whiplash) and we all had a screaming good time. Twas a great day!</span><br>
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<strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Loy Krathong Festival</span></strong><br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMwxUrlnhjD7NUamLVaCl_Z-xZBSincMFoQibx-c_noojZBGPyqlTkkyQdfaHsDsls6YL-G0yJEf0OCP7qwXylUQbUsgONUzVpsicbTEsRpBXXp1STR49N3PkSFaOq644TRV_1JEWNb40/s1600/loy+grathong.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMwxUrlnhjD7NUamLVaCl_Z-xZBSincMFoQibx-c_noojZBGPyqlTkkyQdfaHsDsls6YL-G0yJEf0OCP7qwXylUQbUsgONUzVpsicbTEsRpBXXp1STR49N3PkSFaOq644TRV_1JEWNb40/s1600/loy+grathong.jpg" height="640" width="580"></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Loy Krathong is the annual floating festival. It was a beautiful event. River floats (krathong) are made from banana leaves, flowers, and other natural materials, then a candle is lit and the floats are sent down the river. We release negative emotions into the river along with the krathong and make a wish. There are also huge lanterns that are lit and sent floating into the sky (same concept as the hot air balloon), my host mom and I got to release a lantern together, and we were told to make a wish as we did so. The lanterns were so beautiful floating away in the sky. I couldn't get many clear pictures, but it was a beautiful night. The main event was a beauty pageant, it was somewhat similar to pageants in the US (minus swimsuit and talent exhibition). </span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPMVL3AeABIvFPamIA3tfiYi6Kwk_81Hrs5hF2D06qdJpUFZ0bfnNv_00EghDPRlRf9UWIGZq2Jhl2taquRDvE1A1lArOvLNtZPTJWCpUupK1k9lQt__I3V6Qkhisrupg7w55jiSRVB34/s1600/IMG_2373.JPG" height="480" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640"></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ten contestants from the villages competing</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMsKlePkPbbVLYu_d8uFtd_D3SJdHJ9I5NY0SbaIL4yySQR7ysdh0lDmWf-Pq6s7sNZiChyphenhyphenE30xox1MSIHPb6W06IVB1FcMFYIHmYJMSGshBnPL6vAFXHWEK55Yi01Fib1PPjTLI1785E/s1600/IMG_2305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMsKlePkPbbVLYu_d8uFtd_D3SJdHJ9I5NY0SbaIL4yySQR7ysdh0lDmWf-Pq6s7sNZiChyphenhyphenE30xox1MSIHPb6W06IVB1FcMFYIHmYJMSGshBnPL6vAFXHWEK55Yi01Fib1PPjTLI1785E/s1600/IMG_2305.JPG" height="480" width="640"></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The contestants are dressed gorgeously from head to toe in traditional Thai wear</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK6mqEOUAo1jwMFZSO213VcrVSGPQV0NiYCd5a1Juh_HsCFS2DiUNzKYJus_wmBHBXoTcCdxBvJOc6bKr5gJBqkJF9F9AM5WYTRCdvr0UN5_MiDGyNFonEvcubK0-gnl8wWh1R_lwqRRw/s1600/IMG_2334.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK6mqEOUAo1jwMFZSO213VcrVSGPQV0NiYCd5a1Juh_HsCFS2DiUNzKYJus_wmBHBXoTcCdxBvJOc6bKr5gJBqkJF9F9AM5WYTRCdvr0UN5_MiDGyNFonEvcubK0-gnl8wWh1R_lwqRRw/s1600/IMG_2334.JPG" height="480" width="640"></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As they get to end of the stage, they receive flowers from their family and village supporters</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Fmt7xoqHSdUew0Cmr8DydqlTBLU7_Ujl405a349FKOLF8z6FTNra0oARmvfSNs0zjRE-OaqoNVvboGLi5NJJX7xxsodq8PRJ0BgPSavprzcxbL7tZt7yNkUCOsgjVijJP89emx-oLQ8/s1600/IMG_2311.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Fmt7xoqHSdUew0Cmr8DydqlTBLU7_Ujl405a349FKOLF8z6FTNra0oARmvfSNs0zjRE-OaqoNVvboGLi5NJJX7xxsodq8PRJ0BgPSavprzcxbL7tZt7yNkUCOsgjVijJP89emx-oLQ8/s1600/IMG_2311.JPG" height="480" width="640"></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Everybody gets involved!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI7PXajxfURtt441dNFK-AYNcT1t-k2glk6IeYSDRVStWuAWHvATfAzTpvPGmRy_TPUJAUyvm_OqmpSTmlBGKT8Hs2sclz-iZ9ThdP-i8OiPXHqnH9N2y8klI-2G-oTC88eQXPkIzVqbU/s1600/IMG_2317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI7PXajxfURtt441dNFK-AYNcT1t-k2glk6IeYSDRVStWuAWHvATfAzTpvPGmRy_TPUJAUyvm_OqmpSTmlBGKT8Hs2sclz-iZ9ThdP-i8OiPXHqnH9N2y8klI-2G-oTC88eQXPkIzVqbU/s1600/IMG_2317.JPG" height="480" width="640"></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was a lovely event</span></td></tr>
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<strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Giiao Kaao</span></strong><br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBcxAKaf2B4k2ORyCeghhvd-YAlTl8JFTlwF54mWrb-Qwo_yxJgzWwKu59y0OPGPsxEUp86z5pK5J61c4qYpDoP6MQcHz6oHM6VwcwsKZuZaow1xbXFeCjRTFutgWXFEwOaLWovqjMRgc/s1600/PicMonkey+Khaao.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBcxAKaf2B4k2ORyCeghhvd-YAlTl8JFTlwF54mWrb-Qwo_yxJgzWwKu59y0OPGPsxEUp86z5pK5J61c4qYpDoP6MQcHz6oHM6VwcwsKZuZaow1xbXFeCjRTFutgWXFEwOaLWovqjMRgc/s1600/PicMonkey+Khaao.jpg" height="640" width="580"></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's rice harvesting season out here. I was invited to giiao kaao (harvest rice) with students at one of my schools. It was nice to do something outside of the classroom with the students. Mr. C, the Cameroonian English teacher, was there as well and it was also his first time harvesting rice. Many of the students (4th through 6th graders) already had experience with rice farming and harvesting, so most of the teachers just supervised and it was up to the students to be our teachers and correct us when we made mistakes, they got a kick out of that, but they were great and we all had a really good time.</span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZDMc9rKzZT6oMDUNw_THKmClmBBpmy_t6jvssbhbmUGU8os2fypme9Wuk42ef7okX6SrphV4jbNfam0jD8MXN_jhoGhlb49hyphenhyphenETLtb3dirOGjLLMclPUXlEwRWBjeGb0nBoWrp5BKPPk/s1600/IMG_2284.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></a><br>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfeF32u1NTZGTX1GbJJ2qlRl-1bUfoe8TcbNbqC3EJHK7nUeJbt_kOpvgzjLCVQL7qNVdbqdzkuVZRe5ZJrsb5E1Da5s0Xy2wpVXD3IU0-t-uouDKKORZXxBB44NnMT3MKeP4zOJT33uI/s1600/IMG_2461.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfeF32u1NTZGTX1GbJJ2qlRl-1bUfoe8TcbNbqC3EJHK7nUeJbt_kOpvgzjLCVQL7qNVdbqdzkuVZRe5ZJrsb5E1Da5s0Xy2wpVXD3IU0-t-uouDKKORZXxBB44NnMT3MKeP4zOJT33uI/s1600/IMG_2461.JPG" height="480" width="640"></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Drying out rice from my host mom's field in front of our home</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBmeJdfJTAm_oVtL3GXVpL3gAmcg-SU7DZQVYdmMY3vNk12TkW58Lkv4JkQM2mBTV9-f8jzQ8rebz8ZieR8kieu0VRvoFklZWiMn5ADnJey_1FVvceYi1hvHa0P0AVXtI6O6gpGZLaWIM/s1600/IMG_2465.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBmeJdfJTAm_oVtL3GXVpL3gAmcg-SU7DZQVYdmMY3vNk12TkW58Lkv4JkQM2mBTV9-f8jzQ8rebz8ZieR8kieu0VRvoFklZWiMn5ADnJey_1FVvceYi1hvHa0P0AVXtI6O6gpGZLaWIM/s1600/IMG_2465.JPG" height="480" width="640"></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bagging rice with my neighbors at another neighbor's home</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMmobFQu-Yz3ZKE_iCHRIkfi7FpXM-T-qN0KSZ5toLBRruPunD96SEZWkIyZA5EZg2lt969ntfyoqnMG7Ulb_oNHDo7a4w7odv97eq6wTahePYXr81mI39ji7kFpx7hyphenhyphendPby8b_leYzu4/s1600/IMG_2472.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMmobFQu-Yz3ZKE_iCHRIkfi7FpXM-T-qN0KSZ5toLBRruPunD96SEZWkIyZA5EZg2lt969ntfyoqnMG7Ulb_oNHDo7a4w7odv97eq6wTahePYXr81mI39ji7kFpx7hyphenhyphendPby8b_leYzu4/s1600/IMG_2472.JPG" height="480" width="640"></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The rice irritated my skin, so I had to sit out with the little one</span></td></tr>
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<strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Road Trip</span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I invited two of my teachers to attend a Peace Corps hosted workshop with me. We were meeting at a site about five hours away, but we made a few stops and bpai-tiiao'd (had some fun adventures) along the way and extended our road time to twelve hours. It was exhausting, but fun, my teachers are pretty cool.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY6Reb6DTv72tR0SJf9THwaL8Xp9S2iUbIkONLSlQJE2sKpYfZN2s3_eUNIZRxhb0xWREG7FzafnZKRAFyHeqo1VMeilGyzCvgYy9ZTp6mbPxKIZ7y995WoiWpakfbgjFk8yLYeBV6nb0/s1600/bai+tii1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY6Reb6DTv72tR0SJf9THwaL8Xp9S2iUbIkONLSlQJE2sKpYfZN2s3_eUNIZRxhb0xWREG7FzafnZKRAFyHeqo1VMeilGyzCvgYy9ZTp6mbPxKIZ7y995WoiWpakfbgjFk8yLYeBV6nb0/s1600/bai+tii1.jpg" height="640" width="494"></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our first stop was an ancient palace and temple in our province, the </span><br>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Prasart Wat Sra Kampaeng Yai, the largest in this province</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigTaU9-B0mQbTZTEirCIrPnHtlBEYKjvl2Wg0oWnW3174MwkdbvifNDLrMDnAjwS1Re3KvHSpSwQ-MnG6xkQg4vEYHQCFC8BqSUsEXd7dRWUXbv-fltXFagnUq-o96QT54W6SnOuiYRLw/s1600/bai+tii+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigTaU9-B0mQbTZTEirCIrPnHtlBEYKjvl2Wg0oWnW3174MwkdbvifNDLrMDnAjwS1Re3KvHSpSwQ-MnG6xkQg4vEYHQCFC8BqSUsEXd7dRWUXbv-fltXFagnUq-o96QT54W6SnOuiYRLw/s1600/bai+tii+2.jpg" height="640" width="632"></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our last stop was "The Verona" - a gorgeous spot that mimics the Italian city. </span><br>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We were all tired at that point, so we had dinner on site and went straight to the hotel.</span><br>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"The Verona" is actually still under construction, but I can already see this as a </span><br>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">neat little wedding spot.</span></td></tr>
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<strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Student Friendly Schools</span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Peace Corps hosted a workshop to address gender based violence in schools. We learned a lot from the conference and from each other, and we had fun too!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjy1X6YQf1NpxDqOzOn6QyBWKvJeVxIAQKL-IuU5ltOEHl2hOrSuZqaZhYR0eXCHwqqGxUimbVT1jk3I1_e9YXAsmf4GZk_CtYJkg1iHVj9t2HrQX15pPagJUTeCxIwQnzbOjpVX98tfc/s1600/sfs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjy1X6YQf1NpxDqOzOn6QyBWKvJeVxIAQKL-IuU5ltOEHl2hOrSuZqaZhYR0eXCHwqqGxUimbVT1jk3I1_e9YXAsmf4GZk_CtYJkg1iHVj9t2HrQX15pPagJUTeCxIwQnzbOjpVX98tfc/s1600/sfs.jpg" height="640" width="470"></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wonderful workship</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVrh88lA0JcTbdbDDZm6ZH7M6qT_TFBZ5od40LZeHON5VAn9LuxzS6lBKqIcIngu36VHToWMTuWU5YcD70LSP6-E2FgNPFuHHng0uWaBPTyeMC9p1JCx7K1XKXd6MABUpWJZnvx3NBkS8/s1600/DSCN3083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVrh88lA0JcTbdbDDZm6ZH7M6qT_TFBZ5od40LZeHON5VAn9LuxzS6lBKqIcIngu36VHToWMTuWU5YcD70LSP6-E2FgNPFuHHng0uWaBPTyeMC9p1JCx7K1XKXd6MABUpWJZnvx3NBkS8/s1600/DSCN3083.JPG" height="480" width="640"></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The food was amazing too</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcnfYkBvXNdvD2YPhWomcdjKPGm6ql2fPibWKT-gV02D84dkas5IuIfvb-8ZLQfQrApmddBM3G2qC94_n8O0Xei0kGyGWd_u3ThjWQGbRKxiesmc_qaw_OCAbsELCiF98ljkqCchiwrDI/s1600/DSCN3138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcnfYkBvXNdvD2YPhWomcdjKPGm6ql2fPibWKT-gV02D84dkas5IuIfvb-8ZLQfQrApmddBM3G2qC94_n8O0Xei0kGyGWd_u3ThjWQGbRKxiesmc_qaw_OCAbsELCiF98ljkqCchiwrDI/s1600/DSCN3138.JPG" height="480" width="640"></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We had a pretty great and successful time together.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bangkok Randoms... It's always a great time when I get to hang out with other Peace Corps Volunteers :-)</span><br>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgoq2EEUp57euZUqrYkR3r5Fhxcg6jbWFOjjYc0-lg72Db_KjefIOql_wpcerEv2DBOKgtuYYQMjZeQY9vjjF57EjYeuta_G8F8smPoIr1kavQ8RNVQefgTu8JUOAJiKzBzd-MM1D9Cjs/s1600/giv.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgoq2EEUp57euZUqrYkR3r5Fhxcg6jbWFOjjYc0-lg72Db_KjefIOql_wpcerEv2DBOKgtuYYQMjZeQY9vjjF57EjYeuta_G8F8smPoIr1kavQ8RNVQefgTu8JUOAJiKzBzd-MM1D9Cjs/s1600/giv.jpg" height="300" width="400"></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hanging out, chit-chatting after pre-Thanksgiving Dinner</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLwhK_dSTOmvMARblMo8FZHa1pzFJ03gVegKB1Hx0-aAAy-XMX6wl6HtH92BKiq5fvb7w2Tzb77fctc3DS2LT0YwZrlRC4mV5hlPhAwVE3SwtCrb8fY5zZwXMnXd7aEnp4KcHgUOVR4eI/s1600/IMG_2415.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLwhK_dSTOmvMARblMo8FZHa1pzFJ03gVegKB1Hx0-aAAy-XMX6wl6HtH92BKiq5fvb7w2Tzb77fctc3DS2LT0YwZrlRC4mV5hlPhAwVE3SwtCrb8fY5zZwXMnXd7aEnp4KcHgUOVR4eI/s1600/IMG_2415.JPG" height="400" width="300"></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Christmas Spirit :-) Outside of a Bangkok Mall</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA_5uZxroA09-LMavQWFubybkCg-7vAGPXXVGjQJxu2hr-TXwGiOltU5OMzpwsJhJAWyrKGduYeDnEtDv2WNPvS1rAdkSoTZeOGzRE_mTyFPStnyczEZ8keBYZOHr8YXs6J_BvIsrR78Q/s1600/panda.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA_5uZxroA09-LMavQWFubybkCg-7vAGPXXVGjQJxu2hr-TXwGiOltU5OMzpwsJhJAWyrKGduYeDnEtDv2WNPvS1rAdkSoTZeOGzRE_mTyFPStnyczEZ8keBYZOHr8YXs6J_BvIsrR78Q/s1600/panda.jpg" height="400" style="cursor: move;" unselectable="on" width="298"></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So glad we found these super awesome scarf shirts</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOcWJaEkzq1QRh8mc674YXfuvlZb0ruUatjA5NHp6Ex3bMtbk7RjjE33t8ygEWmfHVpjRuceOATp2pEYPm3gn1ohXM-xG1n1KHsqYWSNPAuGUWDCx-_tPKoOb1mDyol6JRxrHWWlishvQ/s1600/kev.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOcWJaEkzq1QRh8mc674YXfuvlZb0ruUatjA5NHp6Ex3bMtbk7RjjE33t8ygEWmfHVpjRuceOATp2pEYPm3gn1ohXM-xG1n1KHsqYWSNPAuGUWDCx-_tPKoOb1mDyol6JRxrHWWlishvQ/s1600/kev.jpg" height="300" width="400"></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In good company with Peace Corps Thailand's</span><br>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Country Director and new Training Director</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With all of the happenings of the month, I especially loved sharing Thanksgiving with my students towards the end. I taught about blessings, gratitude, and Thanksgiving foods and traditions. We made thankful hand turkeys and/or colored Thanksgiving pictures as we watched "Charlie Brown's Thanksgiving" in English and Thai. Here are a few student masterpieces...</span><br><br></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTAVIgAuwOszErJG4hZ7o_PDaT1mJFUVZcqBtRwBdMLS2ByCmTbgmVXWMkr-AQsRnbFDSOaEgaEnsJNvWl53wDb4NDE66HvHg-BNYigThLH7_DY9yHiC0RmQOaWg0iciZbhnq9J2-tsys/s1600/20141126_121538.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTAVIgAuwOszErJG4hZ7o_PDaT1mJFUVZcqBtRwBdMLS2ByCmTbgmVXWMkr-AQsRnbFDSOaEgaEnsJNvWl53wDb4NDE66HvHg-BNYigThLH7_DY9yHiC0RmQOaWg0iciZbhnq9J2-tsys/s1600/20141126_121538.jpg" height="640" width="480"></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This creative masterpiece is my personal fave</span></td></tr>
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<strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Happy Thanksgiving Everyone! </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Suuk-San-Wan-Kob-Kun-Prajao!</span></strong></div>
</span><br>
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<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">While
most schools in America are still getting into the swing of a new school year, most schools in Thailand have already wrapped up the first semester and are gearing up for the second. It seems
like it wasn't that long ago, I was standing in a meeting room with all of the
school directors from the sub-district, nervously introducing myself and
presenting the Peace Corps framework with proposed activities for the year. I
anticipated that maybe one or two may not have interest in me and my
proposal or may not be able to accommodate me, but it was a flood of a relief to receive their unanimous approval,
enthusiasm, and willingness to have me and to incorporate me into the schools
and their various schedules. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Moving forward, I was nervous about meeting the
students, wondering how they would respond to me, and whether or not they would
like me. I don't think I've ever been so anxious about the approval of others
or how much they liked me, or if they liked me at all, especially not about the
opinion of children. In my previous experiences, I typically dealt with children
in serious and even messy situations and being in my presence did not necessarily
translate into a fun or smiley event. I'd gotten used to that role, but this
time around, I'm playing a different role, which is quite the opposite, and I
wasn't sure if or how I could pull it off. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">So, it's been several months since this anxious lady showed up in the schools, riding a bike, lessons in
hand, claiming not to be a teacher, and speaking broken Thai. If anything, the students seemed intrigued,
and it wasn't long before I realized that my anxieties were all in vain. They asked their questions, I taught my lessons, we had our fun, we certainly had our moments, and we all
made it through a pretty non-catastrophic first semester. The first quarter of my service, in the books, and I have
a really good feeling about what is to come.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> Without repeating anything that has
been mentioned in previous posts, here are ten very random, yet very memorable
moments of my first semester.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Teachable moments... Out
of the mouths of babes...</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<ol start="1" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Are you really
from America? Americans are pretty and have pretty white skin. You have black skin, but
you're pretty. <span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(So, everyone knows that Americans have white skin, blonde hair, and blue eyes. And I obviously have none of that, so I understand their confusion. </i></span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Students have some familiarity with black race since there are Cameroonian
teachers in the villages, but until now, children have been lost on the
concept of African-Americans or Blacks in America. Adults, however, are at
least familiar with Barack and Michelle Obama, and to a lesser extent, Beyoncé and Michael Jackson. <u>Cultural Note:</u> </i></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Thais in general have an obsession and fascination with white
skin. Every skin product, from body wash to deodorant, has whitening
agents because apparently white skin is pretty skin. Darker skin is
symbolic of lower socioeconomic status, specifically of farm worker, even though some Thais are naturally darker than others.) </i></span><br />
</span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">You and Mr. C
should get married. You both speak English, and you're both black. <span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Mr.
C is a Cameroonian man, the foreign English teacher for my village. He's
also very nice. As if speaking English and being black aren't reasons
enough for marriage.) </i></span><br />
</span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Please teach us
to do our hair like yours. <i><span style="font-size: x-small;">(This said while playing with and sniffing at my braided hair during a break. The thing with homogeneity is that
"my hair is different" only leads to more bafflement and questions.) </span>
</i><br />
</span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Teacher, do you
have Ebola?<i> <span style="font-size: x-small;">(This said quite innocently while holding my hand walking
to lunch. My guess is that she made the association after watching some
news coverage.)</span></i></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Why are you so
tall? You're tall like a man. <span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Simple answer, because my father is
tall. Yes, I'm taller than all of the female teachers in the school.
Probably taller than every female in the village, daresay country (just kidding, I know I'm not). So they don't realize that 170cm or
5'7" isn't necessarily tall-like-a-man standards in most non-Asian
countries.)</i></span></span></span></li>
</ol>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk5DG5pe5fVXHvuRNO5iwaGJUOlZQKoGW210WUFtK7vD2zG0VuYy0sLXK5MYPOS6bnCk-j9bAKOJ7ews1xIzOw_hBRtCARW0SZwKRuCwrvhbNZzfYXpZ7KwWF-SWLLlVaoYnIPj-gtymQ/s1600/20141013_120546.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk5DG5pe5fVXHvuRNO5iwaGJUOlZQKoGW210WUFtK7vD2zG0VuYy0sLXK5MYPOS6bnCk-j9bAKOJ7ews1xIzOw_hBRtCARW0SZwKRuCwrvhbNZzfYXpZ7KwWF-SWLLlVaoYnIPj-gtymQ/s1600/20141013_120546.jpg" height="320" width="206" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teachable moments don't always happen in the classroom</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</i></span></span></span><br />
<ol start="1" type="1">
</ol>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Moments that make me wonder why I let these kiddos have any breaks... But really, sometimes the breaks
are more for me than for them...</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<ol start="6" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">After spending
ten minutes of their five minute break running to the vendor to purchase
then eat salty and spicy treats, I finally get the students somewhat settled
down. Three students immediately request a water break because their
mouths are supposedly burning from the spicy snacks. I try to offer them
my unopened bottle of 'teacher water' but they decline and try to sneak out of the classroom door. I
decide to continue the lesson from the doorway, then out of the blue, a
student frantically points to the back of the room "Teacher look,
look..." I turn my head "...elephant!" I turn my head back
in time to see two rascals jumping out the window... <br /><br /><br />
</span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Students have a
five minute water/bathroom break. Three minutes in, a student returns to the class crying, "What's wrong?" he shows me a patch in his head that
wasn't there before the break. "Who did that?" Cue in two
students following behind, one with scissors in hand and the other explaining
that the boy's hair was too long and needed to be cut. Ummm... How is this
okay? I turn to the victim "Do you want us to go to the
principal/director?" as expected, he refuses. Okay. I turn to the
other students and ask "Are you a barber? Is this a barber shop? Yes,
you're in school, yes, you're a student. What did you come to school to
do? Yes, you came here to learn, not to cut hair. Very good." They
wrote in Thai ten times, then in English five times, 'I am a student, I am
not a barber. I will learn, I will not cut hair." The next week's
lesson was about occupations. Interestingly, the victim, who was sporting
a new haircut, was the only one who wants to be a barber when he grows up.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></li>
</ol>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitwvWq8ZBumRj3_Ti1vAmUzpXBCkKkr9OIOFGCFYo_5F1o9SIW1CVs7BM2ffyazNFvN-UWwN8xcPWbB2kX_NWHGaF2xK6-9VcNeAIT769qQIv1zXmzpEC_ymdqZfLHhzcWDljqIoh83cE/s1600/IMG_2140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitwvWq8ZBumRj3_Ti1vAmUzpXBCkKkr9OIOFGCFYo_5F1o9SIW1CVs7BM2ffyazNFvN-UWwN8xcPWbB2kX_NWHGaF2xK6-9VcNeAIT769qQIv1zXmzpEC_ymdqZfLHhzcWDljqIoh83cE/s1600/IMG_2140.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Little Rascals</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCrutz4QtIQfmecONfKFa11-6R6iHv-ZpCgXMZHJWony3sZU-FBm7hWDLvAFEtuVpMbBbo1komj1ayvuIWaihsfxOYfv5TCZuET_F1753gORV_lGWrIOOWwnc-e9ORBHIaVmd3wrEhrA4/s1600/IMG_2052.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCrutz4QtIQfmecONfKFa11-6R6iHv-ZpCgXMZHJWony3sZU-FBm7hWDLvAFEtuVpMbBbo1komj1ayvuIWaihsfxOYfv5TCZuET_F1753gORV_lGWrIOOWwnc-e9ORBHIaVmd3wrEhrA4/s1600/IMG_2052.JPG" height="320" width="316" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Water Break</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Awkward
Moments</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span><br />
<ol start="8" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The question is
frequently asked "Why don't you eat pork or seafood?" and when I
say that it's because of my religion, I usually get a nod in response, or
a chuckle and a joke along the lines of not being able to eat anything
delicious because of my religion. The custodian at one of my schools took the conversation even further. "Why?
What is your religion? Are you Muslim?" I explained to him that I am
a Seventh-day Adventist Christian, and that some aspects of my religion
are similar to Islam. He proceeded to debate me, "But the other
foreign teacher is a Christian and he eats everything." I explained
that there are different groups of Christians, and that all Christians don't do all the same things, but we study the Bible which instructs us not to eat
certain foods. At this point I remember that my Bible app has Thai
translations, so I showed him the chapter (Leviticus 11) that lists
unclean foods. I smile as he reads on and nods his head in
understanding/acceptance, then he smiles at me and says "Well, here
it says you can eat insects." Really? He returned my phone and I
changed the language back to English. Sure enough. Well... Americans don't
eat insects. <br />
</span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">During a
community meeting, I noticed that one of my school directors had some
documents in a book, upon second glance, I realized that the book was
Black Beauty. He is quite literate in English and often insists that we
speak in English, our conversations usually include him spelling out words
when he is unsure of the pronunciation. That being the case, I wasn't too
surprised to see him with an English book. I commented to him that it was
a good book, a classic which used to be very popular in America. I
asked him where I can find English books around here. He told me that they
are not very common, but he recently found this one at a little store in the
neighboring province. He asked me if I wanted to read it, and without
thinking, I told him that I've read it a few times before. He said
"Oh, okay" and the expression on his face before he walked away
made me wonder if he brought (or bought?) the book specifically for me. </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMbQCScyHfNavUgctBAo8mNEZI1MS3LMpLrJuGiTpOgR2lxUgwp32R_nzC8RG6Uer_WfHoyxDC6QW38KiPdbp4rqvJIfiPAYAWktqcTqpMrVnr3oSjtYhnIaHkbrEEQpGhOQtUqNKe3yQ/s1600/IMG_2066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMbQCScyHfNavUgctBAo8mNEZI1MS3LMpLrJuGiTpOgR2lxUgwp32R_nzC8RG6Uer_WfHoyxDC6QW38KiPdbp4rqvJIfiPAYAWktqcTqpMrVnr3oSjtYhnIaHkbrEEQpGhOQtUqNKe3yQ/s1600/IMG_2066.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Literary School Director</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Moments away from school</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<ol start="10" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> My host cousin invited me to participate in an English
camp at his school in a nearby village. It was great to be in a different
environment, meeting and working with new teachers and students, I even got to work with Miss E (Cameroonian teacher in my
district who does my hair). We taught some fun English songs to the whole
group of about fifty students, and when the students separated into smaller groups, I co-facilitated the Question Words station. I had a really
great time and got some lesson ideas that I was able to take back to my
schools. </span></span></li>
</ol>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWHs4YXyZPs1On8eCEN4t3f5TMSKmYjlPFhNto2D7dUfK-rPXL1XntdF82yfebjgH834CPWP2zaRDUTbXOv2f1a7zk_IMvg-HH2fqgy5xrIF0WiQHMS_TFq-OfZWa0SIc9Ke2XdEH_MW8/s1600/IMG_5320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWHs4YXyZPs1On8eCEN4t3f5TMSKmYjlPFhNto2D7dUfK-rPXL1XntdF82yfebjgH834CPWP2zaRDUTbXOv2f1a7zk_IMvg-HH2fqgy5xrIF0WiQHMS_TFq-OfZWa0SIc9Ke2XdEH_MW8/s1600/IMG_5320.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Ms. E and I teaching <i>Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd0Yb_K1GgLzmSu9eOKJHQpmHiNtwrnFGyi6gku-6H496sQsMfy8J2dwwD93d30lp7I63IgQBTJoIZjvAOu7b2uuvR__UPmik4WUImcbGw6m5Tum34wA4IWqv8cq8vmsWxQ5xKw2WshyphenhyphenA/s1600/IMG_5395.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd0Yb_K1GgLzmSu9eOKJHQpmHiNtwrnFGyi6gku-6H496sQsMfy8J2dwwD93d30lp7I63IgQBTJoIZjvAOu7b2uuvR__UPmik4WUImcbGw6m5Tum34wA4IWqv8cq8vmsWxQ5xKw2WshyphenhyphenA/s1600/IMG_5395.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Teaching question words to a small group with my host cousin and one of his coteachers.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">There are a few more away from school moments, but since I'm already at ten, I'll just share pictures...</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DlE4wVgHInc/VCArpbpVdsI/AAAAAAAADio/UWph1eEyheA/s1600/IMG_2094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLp8Z6RbRVCtk1B0hlwzVrM8EYbg8VwvwbieR3jlvu6CP3-l-eN-hLJ2RCmyQ0hnNxr-CQzqClodahyphenhyphendo5YIwunW-Sk0WP2VomEsf20EFDMJs6O2L46uWfD8AGFZu_tglmo-ySK2BpWu4/s1600/IMG_1941.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLp8Z6RbRVCtk1B0hlwzVrM8EYbg8VwvwbieR3jlvu6CP3-l-eN-hLJ2RCmyQ0hnNxr-CQzqClodahyphenhyphendo5YIwunW-Sk0WP2VomEsf20EFDMJs6O2L46uWfD8AGFZu_tglmo-ySK2BpWu4/s1600/IMG_1941.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Sometimes I get to visit other volunteers on long weekends. And sometimes we get to pig out at non-Thai restaurants.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkp9oPjPwxZ_rqFXi1YEzY4kBePb5SW4n1ttZhyphenhyphen-79z_JzBxxo7lnZQQwaCc3swNIGJ391Y_huFtKa67YqSuOYH7VbKOAsYDqj4UawEKw3bu0O8ni2S82DtzhPbnLzPYfJvl70UxV0vIg/s1600/IMG_1943.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkp9oPjPwxZ_rqFXi1YEzY4kBePb5SW4n1ttZhyphenhyphen-79z_JzBxxo7lnZQQwaCc3swNIGJ391Y_huFtKa67YqSuOYH7VbKOAsYDqj4UawEKw3bu0O8ni2S82DtzhPbnLzPYfJvl70UxV0vIg/s1600/IMG_1943.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Once in awhile, I get to be the shortest person in the group.</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh344zjcDqEMTUDUOJD0iX7bFNPm2GlSdBWnoxTf2nP6q1Zyx8413kJx1T8X39n817MorIRk1XJBf71Sz2viIbOMH7vNxh7qjBeZaVFwtcy1rYIBkeZkUkNYyeBW_IrJj-pq0jH90TBfTU/s1600/2014-08-09" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh344zjcDqEMTUDUOJD0iX7bFNPm2GlSdBWnoxTf2nP6q1Zyx8413kJx1T8X39n817MorIRk1XJBf71Sz2viIbOMH7vNxh7qjBeZaVFwtcy1rYIBkeZkUkNYyeBW_IrJj-pq0jH90TBfTU/s1600/2014-08-09" height="298" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Amanda's site is famous for dinosaurs</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPxxz5grxfMYiJivmvXmsZ6EfTZODns1_bDaI89-ssv_48Ae93yjkK6HEz56Pc1xpQycsY2Y3ZyANTWJd6ySMFVW6IebQvLpryxGgZFK88dy33iBh9HAUSAKV83TMuB6KAA5ivbMrMMpY/s1600/2014-08-22.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPxxz5grxfMYiJivmvXmsZ6EfTZODns1_bDaI89-ssv_48Ae93yjkK6HEz56Pc1xpQycsY2Y3ZyANTWJd6ySMFVW6IebQvLpryxGgZFK88dy33iBh9HAUSAKV83TMuB6KAA5ivbMrMMpY/s1600/2014-08-22.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Love in a hopeless place?</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_2U8zHJ3Y7Hw5xsjOh-e_gJGxOq7EyfI_o6ZYA3kNoCPvjYv1-lT3kmOBGtDv45y5FJlNDcHumhhwe4sXWIjjwj25pRV6_x7NFKtJDqPZ_avA4SIjT_7Gawe3iesT-YjNyzgXwmWhohI/s1600/IMG_5904.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_2U8zHJ3Y7Hw5xsjOh-e_gJGxOq7EyfI_o6ZYA3kNoCPvjYv1-lT3kmOBGtDv45y5FJlNDcHumhhwe4sXWIjjwj25pRV6_x7NFKtJDqPZ_avA4SIjT_7Gawe3iesT-YjNyzgXwmWhohI/s1600/IMG_5904.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Andrew's site is famous for it's historical ruins</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlVyz99nWffxMmJTfzz7pkpAvHF0VPRQwFcuY-snYOb4sgbOI0sH33Y9Cc5odar0PZcgaU3TABpf3zrRgrCyhVGzD5e_id35mbDtRRM6PWzblWcKA-ON9QwxIO8cylrn5iNdr6vMvmeuE/s1600/IMG_5918.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlVyz99nWffxMmJTfzz7pkpAvHF0VPRQwFcuY-snYOb4sgbOI0sH33Y9Cc5odar0PZcgaU3TABpf3zrRgrCyhVGzD5e_id35mbDtRRM6PWzblWcKA-ON9QwxIO8cylrn5iNdr6vMvmeuE/s1600/IMG_5918.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Beautiful park</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieNz0zNkTeKKUWxttDC27L_DvPxSXw6DBx83lJSKkv57RiOkXy6HLPcIkcEckWHpjPQpnQ_YoH2zj8zkQfuVP2MiocIfm7lVG09hTuWc_E00faiLhyphenhyphenOEFEjYyuQPAKqJUJUVU-CVjRZsA/s1600/IMG_5836.JPG" height="400" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="266" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Goofing around</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YXTR7sGlsDU/U_b0--ZMV4I/AAAAAAAAC6Q/aDl3XXNQans/s1600/2014-08-22.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YXTR7sGlsDU/U_b0--ZMV4I/AAAAAAAAC6Q/aDl3XXNQans/s1600/2014-08-22.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Just having a goofy good time.</span></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY-uyi_bPedHdam6X8GleKB0MhqCHopKb4WFOJaJJBPCdy4I32W0qU9G6Fx-Ef048ZMEkfSZ_0eNSiUDX8IrE_z6R9byBT9AyBMio8LUepQPWd4G394-mSZ9hAG-IDdt-rLeSC5dJmVJQ/s1600/2014-09-22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY-uyi_bPedHdam6X8GleKB0MhqCHopKb4WFOJaJJBPCdy4I32W0qU9G6Fx-Ef048ZMEkfSZ_0eNSiUDX8IrE_z6R9byBT9AyBMio8LUepQPWd4G394-mSZ9hAG-IDdt-rLeSC5dJmVJQ/s1600/2014-09-22.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Burritos and Burgers in Bangkok with Amanda.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKx6F_OJuWUq2OUtPArIh0Jo7O7VnFTDTduomISvvkjyMi6Fdux41j8ixdxeTpJ8e_FKmlPWJlnIam_0XNvleD_7sOZ20_EuAtlnoXU8V2J3omBKDGW57ir0ifjPqhlnFOUdd2KQIpH68/s1600/5302284718009982181" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKx6F_OJuWUq2OUtPArIh0Jo7O7VnFTDTduomISvvkjyMi6Fdux41j8ixdxeTpJ8e_FKmlPWJlnIam_0XNvleD_7sOZ20_EuAtlnoXU8V2J3omBKDGW57ir0ifjPqhlnFOUdd2KQIpH68/s1600/5302284718009982181" height="268" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Pineapple Fried Rice in Bangkok with Katherine. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I made an exception to my "No Thai food in Bangkok" rule</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_2O-I2UoNTNDLGxUilpCF9RN705Gguvt-cQf3mLeaMeSSMlsa0F4LmSN6_tlEg1NP9w-xA5FRuX_npyHQTgO1-ke6H4mqcmip05_xQhLiiRyrMzbAsCPI3Ovgz7TKM9M5es22TOtELgY/s1600/507831422413919140" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_2O-I2UoNTNDLGxUilpCF9RN705Gguvt-cQf3mLeaMeSSMlsa0F4LmSN6_tlEg1NP9w-xA5FRuX_npyHQTgO1-ke6H4mqcmip05_xQhLiiRyrMzbAsCPI3Ovgz7TKM9M5es22TOtELgY/s1600/507831422413919140" height="300" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">This was actually the dish I ate at my Going-to-Thailand dinner at a Thai restaurant in Miami</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd9ZJST2sF-yfIV57M3uX1qdo1HwMnTZm79jEgdypVFspLmx2OjL_NXNyOW9HwskAnDtzvEj0C59jEnAxL7xuxjg8eBgKHlKnquFWor3FDD-eW6g1OifSdM80tgJieHSZJKaP_fJIXn6s/s1600/2014-10-07.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd9ZJST2sF-yfIV57M3uX1qdo1HwMnTZm79jEgdypVFspLmx2OjL_NXNyOW9HwskAnDtzvEj0C59jEnAxL7xuxjg8eBgKHlKnquFWor3FDD-eW6g1OifSdM80tgJieHSZJKaP_fJIXn6s/s1600/2014-10-07.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">My whole break has been spent hub </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">doing desk work, preparing for the upcoming semester, and hanging out with coworkers. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">It's gotten pretty comfortable, but I am ready to get back out there!</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">This is actually the last week of my break, I've regrouped, and I'm ready to return. The break is three weeks long, quite similar to the Christmas/Winter/Holiday break in America (then the summer equivalent takes place from March to May). Semester 2.0 is right ahead, and I anticipate many more memorable moments to come! </span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Michelle Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06411605238766259024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5578399872559863154.post-85134365310998079642014-09-30T09:11:00.000-07:002014-09-30T09:37:25.518-07:00First Success Story<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Here we are, the very last day of September, and I realize that it's been over a month since my last blog post.... I've been doing a pretty good job at blogging at least once a month, but somehow September seemed to fly by so quickly! Really, where did the time go?? I can hardly believe it!! This past month, in addition to my regular work routine, I spent a couple weeks working on my first six-month report for Peace Corps, then I spent about a week in Bangkok following up on a brief illness, and it seems like the rest of the month just got lost somewhere in between there.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Did you notice that I referenced a six-month report?? Yes! It's been over six months since I've been at my site, a quarter of my service is complete, about a third of my time here in Thailand has passed. Time certainly does seem to fly in Peace Corps!! So more about this report... Every six months, Peace Corps Volunteers have to submit a comprehensive report which entails a quantitative and qualitative summary/breakdown/analysis of our service. Basically, we do some number crunching and write a few essays reflecting the work that has been done so far.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">One section of the report called for a success story, a story that demonstrates a positive impact that I've made. I revisited and skipped this section so many times. I kept thinking: I know I've been here six months already, but it really doesn't seem like it's been that long, it really doesn't seem like I've been able to do very much, I don't feel like I've made much of an impact at all. Most of what I've done so far is teach English, and that's hardly been "successful." Sometimes it seems like the students forget half of what I teach after a couple weeks; sometimes just being in the classroom is difficult, as I haven't had much classroom experience and behavior management in a different language is no walk in the park... Honestly, I'd had a particularly trying week, and I just could not drudge up any semblance of a success story aside from how I resisted a teacher's insistence of </span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">"You should use the stick, they understand the stick."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">At some point in this whole thought process, I thought back to my days as an AmeriCorps/City Year Team Leader, I often encouraged my team members to look for and share "starfish stories" from their service. The term "starfish story" is based on the tale of a little girl walking on a beach littered with starfish, she picked them up as she strolled along and threw them back into the sea; though she was ridiculed and taunted by others telling her that she couldn't possibly save them all or make a difference, she smiled as she went along, and as she threw in another starfish, she said "I made a difference to that one!" (paraphrased)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Although somewhat different, I decided to follow the advice that I'd given my corps members in the past, "The story does not have to be a grandeur spectacular tale, it's the little things!" So here goes my success story...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<br><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>[XYZ] School is
the smallest school in my subdistrict. </i><i>Every Thursday afternoon,
for three hours, </i><i>I teach a room of fifteen students from ป4
to ป6 [4th through 6th grade]. We learn and we play together, and when they asked me recently if I have any children, I told
them that they were all my babies. These students, although they are a
handful at times, are the nearest and dearest to my heart. Most Thursday afternoons,</i><i> the pre-school (anuban) teacher, the </i><i> foreign teacher (teaching English
to ป1-ป3), and I are the only [teachers] present at the school; sometimes after pre-school is
dismissed, I would ask the anuban teacher to join us in our
activities for the last hour of school.</i><br><br><i>Recently,
I taught Mother's Day songs at all six of my schools leading up to the
Queen's Birthday/Mother's Day Celebration. I had selected two songs - "<a href="http://www.google.co.th/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=3&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CC4QtwIwAg&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DeGWMkdlpU-s&ei=e7wqVPfkLZT_ugT4hoGgAw&usg=AFQjCNHzYNIvxAAr9HpMRe7wlbiqqwxM2Q&bvm=bv.76477589,d.c2E" target="_blank">You are My Sunshine</a>" and "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A014gTIAeng" target="_blank">I Love My Mommy</a>." At each school, I played both songs
once and had the students vote on which one they wanted to learn. At [XYZ] School, "I Love My Mommy" won by a single vote. I
translated the song so that the students could understand the meaning,
transliterated for pronunciation, then we practiced singing and came up with some actions together. I realized that some
students were slacking off a bit, just doing the actions, and relying on
other students to carry the song. To encourage full participation and
teamwork, I separated the students into three random groups of five and
gave them fifteen minutes to practice the song. The groups were
randomized to encourage students to work with other students outside of
the little "best friend" cliques that they usually form. </i></span></blockquote>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUDoUjnd9-nRQIa6JZ5hODDwUPl11Mnbi8M9lzqQPhyphenhyphengmcP-V-zD_Sud_pYsgW04PiBIbFg5hSLb6y5MJm8SxXbDSvtCzK6ohN0buGxj-kC_v5GIltgWRmGL9kqkG0wEwWGxkxsfZPCyc/s1600/MVI_1881.wmv" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUDoUjnd9-nRQIa6JZ5hODDwUPl11Mnbi8M9lzqQPhyphenhyphengmcP-V-zD_Sud_pYsgW04PiBIbFg5hSLb6y5MJm8SxXbDSvtCzK6ohN0buGxj-kC_v5GIltgWRmGL9kqkG0wEwWGxkxsfZPCyc/s1600/MVI_1881.wmv" height="225" width="400"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Group Practice</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>Each
group occupied separate empty rooms to practice, I informed them
that there would be a competition after fifteen minutes. I went from room to room to silently observe and to give time reminders in five
minute increments. In one classroom, I observed students singing and
playing separately in different areas of the the room. In another classroom, I
observed students singing together with their papers and practicing the
actions. In the third room (office/lounge), I observed students lounging and
laughing on the couch, drinking water from teacups, pretending that they were having coffee, then pretending to practice
when they saw me. After fifteen minutes, I brought the groups back
together, and they had a surprise audience/judge, the anuban teacher. The
groups went up one by one to perform, it was obvious which group
really practiced, which group semi-practiced, and which group "pretend
practiced." I didn't have the language to fully and properly explain to
them the correlation between their practice session and their
performance, but I conveyed some of my ideas to the anuban teacher (who
also doesn't speak English, but is a sympathetic listener), and she was
able to really bring it home for them. The students all understood why
the winning group won and agreed that they should work better as a team.</i></span><br><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>As I dismissed the students, they asked what I would be teaching them next
week. The next week was going to be a short week due to the Mother's
Day holiday, and I hadn't really thought about a lesson, so I told them
that I didn't know yet. They told me that they wanted to learn the
second song and that they wanted to use teamwork. Although it would be
post-Mother's day, I loved the idea and decided to take them up on their
suggestion. We did a take-2 the following week, this time inviting the
other foreign teacher and the ป1-ป3 students to be the audience (the
anuban teacher had to leave early). Honestly, the improvement the second
week was stellar compared to the week before, it was a more difficult song, but each group demonstrated teamwork in their practice, and they all did a great job performing! It was so good
that by the third round, the younger students were able to sing along to
parts of the song. I told my students how proud I was of all them.</i></span><br><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>I had only planned to teach them an English Mothers' Day song, even though
I knew that they would probably forget it in a few weeks, but I have a feeling they walked away with much more. I hope
that they will always remember the importance of teamwork and apply that
lesson to other areas of life. </i></span></blockquote>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1fDwA1TRUIbl2ekP37Kxd544pBCxJYipBRzGiwJKKHsDdakzAoM-GSZe098vBC4r-nIB6QHtWX5csPT-jRDjDTSXUBLKXX_nyE898bRrLdr5O2ONDh4SB0bEP39xrvaVfJ40B1OPDYzo/s1600/IMG_1567.JPG" height="300" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400"></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The moment they became my babies...<br><br>They'd had their "Wai Kruu" ceremony to honor their teachers that morning,<br>When I got there in the afternoon, they showed me the arrangements <br>that they had made and said that they wanted to honor me too. <br>They sat me down and proceeded to have a mini ceremony, just for me!<br>It was so very touching.<br><br>I adopted them right then and there.<br></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisKTiK5VsSrwgWB82H6eKHxLKSxDKUXi4VVuTgeAD6WuEWib-ES9SZZhaVBJQmr1SuSigqiArXDxbD6gGSr4nMxz-6DmClbMy65z8L21rjJ_begevlgSdFen7wk1nWQs6-dnuPIAf66DA/s1600/IMG_1569.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisKTiK5VsSrwgWB82H6eKHxLKSxDKUXi4VVuTgeAD6WuEWib-ES9SZZhaVBJQmr1SuSigqiArXDxbD6gGSr4nMxz-6DmClbMy65z8L21rjJ_begevlgSdFen7wk1nWQs6-dnuPIAf66DA/s1600/IMG_1569.JPG" height="300" width="400"></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Post-Wai-Kruu-Michelle Ceremony</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQeK0wlZ3_hhTCwVBkxhku4uS7i_CS8HTIj9UGfg42LCd5wLtNAhm-0_k6KNrCDxJXoV1fjeDH-8PPMDrqxCpO4LysFdEpyICr4IrjkTApC0lO6SwWZkUIIIX1MNctYGmYcBT5V4GBFKc/s1600/IMG_2078.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQeK0wlZ3_hhTCwVBkxhku4uS7i_CS8HTIj9UGfg42LCd5wLtNAhm-0_k6KNrCDxJXoV1fjeDH-8PPMDrqxCpO4LysFdEpyICr4IrjkTApC0lO6SwWZkUIIIX1MNctYGmYcBT5V4GBFKc/s1600/IMG_2078.JPG" height="300" width="400"></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The Fifth and Sixth Graders performing "The Wolf in Sheep's Clothing"</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZLQgiG2MhzdWBntL9qb3vzg7JuuoOoeHJ0hkBJM1DxsA2Pdoqo25zZDD4DJ0HJOLNBvPAFFo7JspuGzRD8CkxovcFfV6zn8FmagxcIUv4q9VXPIEn_KWk0yoWcKkgZgckA4w9dJmvNn0/s1600/IMG_2080.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZLQgiG2MhzdWBntL9qb3vzg7JuuoOoeHJ0hkBJM1DxsA2Pdoqo25zZDD4DJ0HJOLNBvPAFFo7JspuGzRD8CkxovcFfV6zn8FmagxcIUv4q9VXPIEn_KWk0yoWcKkgZgckA4w9dJmvNn0/s1600/IMG_2080.JPG" height="300" width="400"></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Check out the cunning little wolf!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicA1QMnfKn4m2FCKisUchBj8NvH5Mpo0tfC3TurJ608ZEZOjyXB9kJXngDJBM9eYMsXGrg6KjD2CbFmDhiu-KqHoPWoDhsqu9oq58N52uMzpjtcFl2NGRT2lblXNdOf5TrYDfGUP6-_-M/s1600/IMG_1886.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicA1QMnfKn4m2FCKisUchBj8NvH5Mpo0tfC3TurJ608ZEZOjyXB9kJXngDJBM9eYMsXGrg6KjD2CbFmDhiu-KqHoPWoDhsqu9oq58N52uMzpjtcFl2NGRT2lblXNdOf5TrYDfGUP6-_-M/s1600/IMG_1886.JPG" height="300" width="400"></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">With my babies :-)</span></td></tr>
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Michelle Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06411605238766259024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5578399872559863154.post-59312708441926181782014-08-17T21:52:00.003-07:002014-08-18T07:53:50.707-07:00Mother's Day, Thai Way<div class="separator" dir="ltr" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mother's Day (wan-maeh วันแม่) is celebrated on the Queen's birthday here in Thailand (likewise, Father's Day is celebrated on the King's birthday). Queen Sirikit is affectionately known as "Mother of the Country" so to celebrate her birthday, as well as to honor all mothers in the country, August 12th is a national holiday (which actually resulted in a four day weekend since it fell on a Tuesday this year). Queen Sirikit was born on a Friday, since the customary "color of the day" for Friday is light blue, light blue flags bearing her insignia are flown throughout the country in honor of her special day. Schools and temples host special events and ceremonies to honor mothers in the each community. To prepare for the ceremony at the schools, I was asked to teach the students an English Mother's Day song. I taught a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A014gTIAeng" target="_blank">simple song that I found on YouTube</a> and even performed with the students at one of the ceremonies. At the Mother's Day Ceremony, I was truly touched and impressed by the sentiments of love and appreciation shown to the mothers.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgONvrv1_i2k2_Txn6v-CAsNQf4ti-hTo5qM9tGSrzVhyphenhyphenHsweoQNSB4pM0WtRi-uOcYUPqwdsRvFO2EYGziDo5Rit6k8BherQMgsIhGwyBgWUD0lCF6jJ3Dt93u-PnUsYR2IPl6t81juj4/s1600/IMG_1907.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgONvrv1_i2k2_Txn6v-CAsNQf4ti-hTo5qM9tGSrzVhyphenhyphenHsweoQNSB4pM0WtRi-uOcYUPqwdsRvFO2EYGziDo5Rit6k8BherQMgsIhGwyBgWUD0lCF6jJ3Dt93u-PnUsYR2IPl6t81juj4/s1600/IMG_1907.JPG" height="240" width="320"></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">First the mothers are seated</span><br>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Then their children kneel before them</span><br>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">with an offering, a mini wreath.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpujC-O2BrV6KHI6GAPgx91xnDiDRMEFT7Y6PG61PfDGGbK4VqoqOpALh4O3UTjrIhCpQSlB5NX5KZc9XpJeDmvNBADuCae1AV6BD6g8cZAdpBNmyr4XLzLNWJ8Nu0N4a7nB0iQ-hEc_Q/s1600/IMG_1909.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpujC-O2BrV6KHI6GAPgx91xnDiDRMEFT7Y6PG61PfDGGbK4VqoqOpALh4O3UTjrIhCpQSlB5NX5KZc9XpJeDmvNBADuCae1AV6BD6g8cZAdpBNmyr4XLzLNWJ8Nu0N4a7nB0iQ-hEc_Q/s1600/IMG_1909.JPG" height="240" width="320"></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The children present the mothers with the offering</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGnPwxCy7vzdgerVwry31XTaBN_czKJNdbN-qZ2t5Ip7GbJnEkao2v9AOHMkBoWJ7dWluVvGp27d6E8w7M60fiEGfrycKw644xS9vLtfIOx1Rbhd3BaQ1PtzDI5mV7kyyXn3rXkgO8IeA/s1600/IMG_1910.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGnPwxCy7vzdgerVwry31XTaBN_czKJNdbN-qZ2t5Ip7GbJnEkao2v9AOHMkBoWJ7dWluVvGp27d6E8w7M60fiEGfrycKw644xS9vLtfIOx1Rbhd3BaQ1PtzDI5mV7kyyXn3rXkgO8IeA/s1600/IMG_1910.JPG" height="240" width="320"></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Then bow three times to the mother's feet</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtu9sce133rIg87wFJ7pgRyJIN9ZspRaN4x5VdP0p-G5uiyQTyFVhEqLXvnlXoUfvgKGZkm42I70luPy_6KHn8senL0BoAjtPjBmf9UbowgzHh-N4rS8wGNWJqXTXg0tgq2xbdbjYlm9U/s1600/IMG_1912.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtu9sce133rIg87wFJ7pgRyJIN9ZspRaN4x5VdP0p-G5uiyQTyFVhEqLXvnlXoUfvgKGZkm42I70luPy_6KHn8senL0BoAjtPjBmf9UbowgzHh-N4rS8wGNWJqXTXg0tgq2xbdbjYlm9U/s1600/IMG_1912.JPG" height="240" width="320"></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Then they embrace :-)</span><br>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">This mother and son are my neighbors and like my</span><br>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">extended family. I usually have meals at their home and</span><br>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">the son is my bodyguard and stays with me if I'm ever home alone.</span><br>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">He's the most mature ten year old I know, it was nice to see</span><br>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">him embraced so sweetly with his mother on this day.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtS0dLztEcePkxvnuEtvxeXREtKFhYVOYJu1XfRuYZWa1FJNgsuqF1t9Xo02x2ptmccbufOG-XLG-RW4-fv19wFKVcVn2dvSXN0afI9JWSGDIUJhaeJCHsFfxDiRMJ4tp9Lo8AThLLm54/s1600/IMG_1897.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtS0dLztEcePkxvnuEtvxeXREtKFhYVOYJu1XfRuYZWa1FJNgsuqF1t9Xo02x2ptmccbufOG-XLG-RW4-fv19wFKVcVn2dvSXN0afI9JWSGDIUJhaeJCHsFfxDiRMJ4tp9Lo8AThLLm54/s1600/IMG_1897.JPG" height="240" width="320"></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Kindergartners are always the cutest!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ0BlXDTLT6Z9Jjq8XwF-hwUMvUW2YPQNfV9LHAIn5Bboix1XrGddHvVtoTDASxvlGMJJMlzTNtnBj9tOKnUBboOw69w-qyxJxGms5gCpZ6Hv-KlwaRo4h426cNeElXWzLhq-FzY54Y5c/s1600/IMG_1929.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ0BlXDTLT6Z9Jjq8XwF-hwUMvUW2YPQNfV9LHAIn5Bboix1XrGddHvVtoTDASxvlGMJJMlzTNtnBj9tOKnUBboOw69w-qyxJxGms5gCpZ6Hv-KlwaRo4h426cNeElXWzLhq-FzY54Y5c/s1600/IMG_1929.JPG" height="320" width="221"></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">After the ceremony with Kru Ya (one of my co-teachers)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYTs1_gtLOwQnpxOPpuCk1_u-LXHW0KoUuuj7uRYJ-B4Viipyeck5eStBwcAkK6-q8F2zDbM9yqdSCA13l9AHNiHfWtozwdYiKrda-6fUqf2fj7IVVbnr9bB5NzvjCeIJN79guuJetX5g/s1600/IMG_1937.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYTs1_gtLOwQnpxOPpuCk1_u-LXHW0KoUuuj7uRYJ-B4Viipyeck5eStBwcAkK6-q8F2zDbM9yqdSCA13l9AHNiHfWtozwdYiKrda-6fUqf2fj7IVVbnr9bB5NzvjCeIJN79guuJetX5g/s1600/IMG_1937.JPG" height="240" width="320"></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The flag of Queen Sirikit, Mother of the Country</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFKMTn8QFO7B5SuPAp0zlZYB8-pVzpPTy4SMwtoKOwG9X_JbPcmS22HQIl1JlVXu0GiXPvp3DJqO7fbLh_gPjqAkHvqewdPWxI9_15b5TpmIEJzmdCAwth1OZdzCRvLpXU6C0oc8wflMk/s1600/IMG_1938.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFKMTn8QFO7B5SuPAp0zlZYB8-pVzpPTy4SMwtoKOwG9X_JbPcmS22HQIl1JlVXu0GiXPvp3DJqO7fbLh_gPjqAkHvqewdPWxI9_15b5TpmIEJzmdCAwth1OZdzCRvLpXU6C0oc8wflMk/s1600/IMG_1938.JPG" height="240" width="320"></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The flag is flown all over the country in her honor.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4IypApb1zy_wqgbunUJ3m7OAYvBuzFK2wZEyVnoGDrhyphenhyphen4qwcvolYK4Fv2egggswrP6IL3fwMnoH2H8VreAGycwSIuUbAZLRZOOKLXeGTF4PSVV9v-UXJO-27crHUeZsJ17J5LgV7EFt4/s1600/IMG_1875.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4IypApb1zy_wqgbunUJ3m7OAYvBuzFK2wZEyVnoGDrhyphenhyphen4qwcvolYK4Fv2egggswrP6IL3fwMnoH2H8VreAGycwSIuUbAZLRZOOKLXeGTF4PSVV9v-UXJO-27crHUeZsJ17J5LgV7EFt4/s1600/IMG_1875.JPG" height="240" width="320"></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Students learning mothers day songs, </span><br>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">traditional Thai song and then my English song</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VzZhZyWylGs/U-3ZEpcQaKI/AAAAAAAACv0/83aWGII7Su0/s1600/MVI_1879.MOV" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VzZhZyWylGs/U-3ZEpcQaKI/AAAAAAAACv0/83aWGII7Su0/s1600/MVI_1879.MOV" height="179" width="320"></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Practicing in small groups</span><br>
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">(for some odd reason, the videos won't load)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oPFoQlciTlk/U-3WyeKiBXI/AAAAAAAACvI/MQkEtUtrpSg/s1600/MVI_1881.MOV" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oPFoQlciTlk/U-3WyeKiBXI/AAAAAAAACvI/MQkEtUtrpSg/s1600/MVI_1881.MOV" height="179" width="320"></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The whole class practicing.</span><br>
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">(I wish the videos would load!!)</span></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="text-align: justify;">I</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="text-align: justify;">n my previous post, I mentioned that I would be highlighting some of the individuals who have become near and dear to me over the past few months. It's only appropriate to start with my host mom. I call her Pii Noi - "</span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Pii</i><span style="text-align: justify;">" is the prefix used to address/refer to older siblings, "</span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Noi</i><span style="text-align: justify;">" is her nickname, which means little or tiny. It's been a bit over five months since Pii Noi opened her home to me and offered me her top floor, I was a stranger at the time, but I've felt welcomed and at home since day one. Since then, she's played a huge part in helping me to integrate into the community and settle into life here. Pii Noi is well known and respected, and has introduced me to many good-to-know people in the community. Although she doesn't speak any English, we communicate pretty well, she's patient with my broken Thai, we play charades from time to time, and more often than not, we understand each other.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb9ka9OfvB1mR4ywvEpgP7JdWj_fkWc5-n1Q9FprhEDd8YfVP-KMOiF9XG1XbMW0A6agTjTxdvjj6DQ34oo-yJsKtvuBD3YwYwFFsjciVl-Qz6GcfLosDsp5-1vMOaf_rxr2P7MHf7e48/s1600/IMG_277898590637646.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb9ka9OfvB1mR4ywvEpgP7JdWj_fkWc5-n1Q9FprhEDd8YfVP-KMOiF9XG1XbMW0A6agTjTxdvjj6DQ34oo-yJsKtvuBD3YwYwFFsjciVl-Qz6GcfLosDsp5-1vMOaf_rxr2P7MHf7e48/s1600/IMG_277898590637646.jpeg" height="273" width="320"></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Pii Noi and I at mother's day dinner :-)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Just a few things about Pii Noi that I love:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She is extremely kind, generous, caring, understanding, and intuitive.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Her style balances simple and classy very well. </span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She is strong and brave, I've seen her take on a snake and a scorpion!</span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">She has a great network of friends and family. She knows everybody and everybody knows her. </span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She once was a cook, and cooked a lot when her children were young, not so much anymore, but when she does, it's great!</span></div>
</li>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She has a nice kitchen and keeps it open for others to use.</span></li>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She is a busy body and gets up with (if not before) the sun, every single day. Her energy is not quite contagious, but it is motivating.</span></li>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">She was the only girl in her family and she has two sons, and so she's genuinely very happy to have a girl (me!) around.</span> </span></li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE6NCTZqoS-j4k6dv1VQQcHCzZGHVqlDs88bNVCo69I6iSR4ofQx_B8MCTWkNpl5yonNDogoWD1OHb9pZBjYRHkfuaQEtRQPhH4xJcMga5DtWKL5Ev5NvEFXBEJtacsgn3eRwY3TEHtqQ/s1600/IMG_0875.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE6NCTZqoS-j4k6dv1VQQcHCzZGHVqlDs88bNVCo69I6iSR4ofQx_B8MCTWkNpl5yonNDogoWD1OHb9pZBjYRHkfuaQEtRQPhH4xJcMga5DtWKL5Ev5NvEFXBEJtacsgn3eRwY3TEHtqQ/s1600/IMG_0875.JPG" height="320" width="195"></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Pii Noi and I at the Sports Day where I was</span><br>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">dressed up in traditional Thai wear </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">for </span></span><br>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">the opening ceremony.</span></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Before I moved into my community, Peace Corps gave me a list of families in the community that I could potentially live with. For various reasons, circumstances and/or conditions at those homes were not exactly 'fit' when I got here. My supervisor told me that one of the officers at the hub lived nearby and had room in her house so I could stay there. That officer was Pii Noi, and her home has been my home ever since.</span><br>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirULSH8Jwi_9_VWGN3xJzfrjE9dTwgUaAW9i98vXigLUlc2hdiqipikPontOVMIm3zHRmrIFFXRMsHmP5NfleyjOpyQKUhX3fjTJGRX_YClgMr93GyVs2PAgOLonsuaIiXxlfwRKuZjGk/s1600/IMG_0673.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirULSH8Jwi_9_VWGN3xJzfrjE9dTwgUaAW9i98vXigLUlc2hdiqipikPontOVMIm3zHRmrIFFXRMsHmP5NfleyjOpyQKUhX3fjTJGRX_YClgMr93GyVs2PAgOLonsuaIiXxlfwRKuZjGk/s1600/IMG_0673.JPG" height="240" width="320"></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">My first dinner at my new home with my new family</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuoMABzloOE_tdWpnNA3QU_S9U7G3K32zvJfKdhpg1Z6e-hci70h4GhkfiCRacfBGqjW7AqaKnVlIl9uW3XwkzDPb3AZvAzgKdEsuzPk3I4HxStYfmt16rEnxoCyS8n17NSSLkhDLxA4Q/s1600/IMG_1152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuoMABzloOE_tdWpnNA3QU_S9U7G3K32zvJfKdhpg1Z6e-hci70h4GhkfiCRacfBGqjW7AqaKnVlIl9uW3XwkzDPb3AZvAzgKdEsuzPk3I4HxStYfmt16rEnxoCyS8n17NSSLkhDLxA4Q/s1600/IMG_1152.JPG" height="240" width="320"></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Recent breakfast with extended family members.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">It is a Peace Corps requirment that volunteers live with a family in the assigned community for the initial three months, after which we may rent a home in the community. On day one, before she knew much about me, Pii Noi said that I could stay with her for the full two years if I wanted to. We've revisited the conversation a couple times since, and apparently she still feels the same way, I've even verified with third parties, and well, here we are five months later.</span> </span><br>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2rB-7fq10U45Di9oKhvBcUQGky0EAi0KZ4nCR_8oP6AA1Z8LsHjKY0zpSKIePXQqTtJDxnGZGcwiCT1jRib8U0vn9IXekS78EZgeIDp1ouql3zq1_FEoA8orAwfCWU9XUym6QGsdUgg0/s1600/IMG_1157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2rB-7fq10U45Di9oKhvBcUQGky0EAi0KZ4nCR_8oP6AA1Z8LsHjKY0zpSKIePXQqTtJDxnGZGcwiCT1jRib8U0vn9IXekS78EZgeIDp1ouql3zq1_FEoA8orAwfCWU9XUym6QGsdUgg0/s1600/IMG_1157.JPG" height="240" width="320"></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Recent lunch at a Japanese restaurant </span><br>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">(occasionally we eat non-Thai food)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My host mom has been widowed for about three years, her youngest son studies in a neighboring province and the older is on his own, so it's usually just the two of us. We keep each other's company, we talk, we laugh, we have conversations; on the flip side, she also allows me to be my introverted self and she understands why (or at least accepts that) I don't wake up at 6:30am on the weekends. Overall, I'm happy and comfortable living with her. Sooner or later, I am sure that I will leave the nest, as the independent/introverted parts of me crave more of my own space, but no matter what, I'm sure that I will maintain a close relationship with Pii Noi.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin5x9CHN1BIq0Y9pD3K6V0hH-_xilQxr93zTJPYDLnubBiFMkSHZaEmjLEqA9u9BlBxIzDs9M7w0K0TfZnVW1niQqGN0DWteDgdhl7EtDUIJHUEbbpFUxy-UkY3NaQt-n-3H7VU5MOpow/s1600/10322683_244745959064996_149147351609578933_n.jpg" height="320" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240"></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Just chillaxing after a recent dinner</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOFLXUXYgRbkPTojfWRbcvN5fBvu3JuEt6J9xwkoIw2066DTeVP1Hv-AXc5Esq4nq2g6vN4mRkwrwsFEdc_zeGxG7LgAPiO4j-8NCPMvh3-Y4-qSlZVh4OsiX-FnDi_Gj_vj9NbntoBAA/s1600/IMG_132449198150686.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOFLXUXYgRbkPTojfWRbcvN5fBvu3JuEt6J9xwkoIw2066DTeVP1Hv-AXc5Esq4nq2g6vN4mRkwrwsFEdc_zeGxG7LgAPiO4j-8NCPMvh3-Y4-qSlZVh4OsiX-FnDi_Gj_vj9NbntoBAA/s1600/IMG_132449198150686.jpeg" height="320" width="240"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Honorable mention to my first host mom,</span><br>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">who taught me how to eat, sit, dress, and</span><br>
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">carry/present myself t</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">he "riap-roy" </span><br>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(Thai appropriate) way.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIwaERbp9fYySRDJ45K6EDIILRr5Ast5H_puQvcfBaaAtXA_FlEBYoLB5Cnp_YOdvPuS0bgwLBMb0Mi3LxT1mUjcPdY_HqFFo8pGlMoIGAQez9bWEm8dHEm0bHgcnshLiv8DOtUSdKWhc/s1600/2014-08-18" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIwaERbp9fYySRDJ45K6EDIILRr5Ast5H_puQvcfBaaAtXA_FlEBYoLB5Cnp_YOdvPuS0bgwLBMb0Mi3LxT1mUjcPdY_HqFFo8pGlMoIGAQez9bWEm8dHEm0bHgcnshLiv8DOtUSdKWhc/s1600/2014-08-18" height="217" width="320"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Extra Special Shout Out to my real mother, my birth mom,<br>who has encouraged and motivated me every day of my life.<br>This picture was taken my last night at home -<br>we went to dinner at a Thai restaurant.<br>I miss her very much.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div>
Michelle Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06411605238766259024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5578399872559863154.post-63980905971969285482014-07-25T02:53:00.001-07:002014-07-25T07:04:03.457-07:00All Clear and Bpai-Tiiao<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've been in Thailand for over six months now, and for the first time since I've been here, our Safety and Security Status is at "All Clear" which means that all Peace Corps Volunteers can go about their lives with more ease. Due to the recent changes in the government, however controversial, there haven't been any recent riots or incidents of violence. With the all-clear status, Peace Corps Thailand is no longer limiting volunteers' travel to/within Bangkok (as has been the case ever since I've been here), and we are no longer restricted to just staying in our communities. Politics aside, and although I was virtually unaffected by all of the happenings, it feels really good to know that the coast is clear and that I don't have to be on the lookout for riots and bombings if I head down to the capital. Which I did recently.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Thai word <i>bpai-tiiao</i> ไป-เที่ยว means to take a trip, particularly for pleasure. You can bpai-tiiao to the mall, to the market, to the beach, to other countries, or anywhere you want to go to have fun. My recent travels were more of a medical trip and a conference, but since returning to my community about about a week ago, the constant questions have been - <i>bpai-tiiao nai? </i>(where did you go on your trip?) <i>bpai-tiiao gap kraii</i>? (who did you travel with?) <i>bpai-tiiao sanuuk mai</i>? (was your trip fun?) - actually, yes, my trip was fun, so I guess it was a bpai-tiiao after all :-)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: justify;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwUVqoaVYaCQWft872uH65y4bzkUNOKLpG3FHGtTWsRM9J7L5qzs4xoh7i-RYyFwKj0Mf9um6ht74pdErbAYm0Ydv2WdpN6_6zXF1ImcRZVQl0zM_DrUA3pJoBRDnbNZKcDsPyx_u05aE/s1600/IMG_1760.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwUVqoaVYaCQWft872uH65y4bzkUNOKLpG3FHGtTWsRM9J7L5qzs4xoh7i-RYyFwKj0Mf9um6ht74pdErbAYm0Ydv2WdpN6_6zXF1ImcRZVQl0zM_DrUA3pJoBRDnbNZKcDsPyx_u05aE/s1600/IMG_1760.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My first time using the Bangkok Transportation System.<br />I like how people stand so nicely in line to wait for the sky train</span></td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: justify;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8U4jefIfGp21_bh7lAbo6I3Pl7NsbjklbI15OozD6K8efdrzq4bU6ZYoQYgDNzVdLNgGFe15_ngmQgbiBYtFr_OQCCTWEof2WBewHpvFGLaiwX4cnQNI72CYuX0ai-E4S44MXhOcqmHM/s1600/IMG_1762.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8U4jefIfGp21_bh7lAbo6I3Pl7NsbjklbI15OozD6K8efdrzq4bU6ZYoQYgDNzVdLNgGFe15_ngmQgbiBYtFr_OQCCTWEof2WBewHpvFGLaiwX4cnQNI72CYuX0ai-E4S44MXhOcqmHM/s1600/IMG_1762.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And I love how they remain standing nicely in line<br />until all passengers have exited the train before they get on</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
Following a slight injury a few weeks ago, I was summoned to the Peace Corps Medical Office in Bangkok. I had endured two separate injuries in the same area in the course of a couple days, and with the combined care of my neighbors, my coworkers (original incident happened at work), my host mom, my "real" mom, and my community health center, I was on the right track, but the trip was necessary just to be on the safe side (and for peace of mind). I must say, this incident made me realize how fortunate I am to be in a country where medicine is advanced, and I also felt a deeper appreciation for the Peace Corps Medical Staff, they are simply the best.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
To make the most of my trip, I decided to go to church - this was the only time that I've been out on my own and I hadn't been to church since I've been in this country, so that's what I decided to do with my weekend. There is a Seventh-day Adventist Church in Bangkok, and the church also has an international university campus in a nearby province. Thanks to the wonders of social media, connections were made, I made a new friend, took a van to the nearby province, and had an overall wonderful and refreshing weekend. Not only did I get to go to church, I stayed on campus for the weekend and met people from all over the world - and everyone spoke English! - it was almost like I'd left Thailand for a couple days. I also learned that there is a Seventh-day Adventist Church in my region, so I won't have to travel for twelve hours next time I want to go to church, but at the same time, I'm sure I'll be back.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: justify;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ8wgTdaCGBiXaTw_VKC2wVkqizeXU-DifJgefPeGOymRPpaeoEX9WK2XVOBHQMp40otgjk9n6QtiXH79LTY2flOjmIzWUhzhZ3q912zNaa0PzssYIidQD3DW0TFyH4NJD_0RmA5L4TRY/s1600/IMG_1639.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ8wgTdaCGBiXaTw_VKC2wVkqizeXU-DifJgefPeGOymRPpaeoEX9WK2XVOBHQMp40otgjk9n6QtiXH79LTY2flOjmIzWUhzhZ3q912zNaa0PzssYIidQD3DW0TFyH4NJD_0RmA5L4TRY/s1600/IMG_1639.JPG" height="297" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Such a beautiful church!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: justify;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGSWiXmjkbZnU2mElExa7V0wzcTjXB6OxRpqwR0x8-NRg-TTCeFs-YIVpdUHicfaDeTDx7aUn0HdPqSMDT2Y4pFlw-z3XNBf6RJBqzvK-sphfZEmnQlFe3qeXf3HhhUQD5EJ_TZz8YAHw/s1600/IMG_1637.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGSWiXmjkbZnU2mElExa7V0wzcTjXB6OxRpqwR0x8-NRg-TTCeFs-YIVpdUHicfaDeTDx7aUn0HdPqSMDT2Y4pFlw-z3XNBf6RJBqzvK-sphfZEmnQlFe3qeXf3HhhUQD5EJ_TZz8YAHw/s1600/IMG_1637.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With my new friend. She was a wonderful host! :-)<br />Oh, true story, once we got to talking, I learned that<br />she lived in New York for a while and was friends with one of my aunts.<br />Small world indeed!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg388HHjEl7Yiv6z4F5iT9HyajFbWrKWvO-wmEKZJoW8TCp-BngZ88ymqS2r7tj6btyffW4bflsbqm1-urpXQKpFw_oITX2d9w_RJAaGziH035mDI-N9rc9czW0tN9aP_e8_HCEI31Fgns/s1600/IMG_1626.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg388HHjEl7Yiv6z4F5iT9HyajFbWrKWvO-wmEKZJoW8TCp-BngZ88ymqS2r7tj6btyffW4bflsbqm1-urpXQKpFw_oITX2d9w_RJAaGziH035mDI-N9rc9czW0tN9aP_e8_HCEI31Fgns/s1600/IMG_1626.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The service was bi-lingual, since it's their summer time, usually<br />Thai and English speaking congregations meet separately.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsrzwykKmqlI61bvlmBP_s2bp1tP0z29DKC1092jAThrXn0ld_s9Qn2o7IAoblcep2eDyDMO5ui9CQ1-XplhVBUWco-1PetwxCVsX5bO4x9dK0_Jdu6LHyz5zBIoYarqkWUpx2_lRUeKc/s1600/IMG_1631.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsrzwykKmqlI61bvlmBP_s2bp1tP0z29DKC1092jAThrXn0ld_s9Qn2o7IAoblcep2eDyDMO5ui9CQ1-XplhVBUWco-1PetwxCVsX5bO4x9dK0_Jdu6LHyz5zBIoYarqkWUpx2_lRUeKc/s1600/IMG_1631.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was a blessed and beautiful sunny Sabbath day :-)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> That weekend was followed by a ten-day "Reconnect Conference" where all of the members of my volunteer group (now forty-nine) had an opportunity to do just that, reconnect. The whole group hasn't been together since we were dispersed throughout the country a few months ago. Now that we're all (somewhat) settled in, Peace Corps called us to come together to share experiences and learn new stuff. It was a nice change of pace, I got to sleep in an air-conditioned room, have real hot showers, enjoy meaningful conversations in English, eat meals that didn't include rice, have American-style fun, and commiserate with my fellow volunteers. The training itself was very good, our local counterparts and co-teachers joined us for the last few days. I learned a lot about how to be more effective in my service, and they learned about how they can support me in my role. I'm excited to be able to implement all that I've learned, and with their support, I'm looking forward to great impact.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmo6VebauvjpiCWgWisizGFm5bWK9b6WCvN8cNM6naNa_EcI83i7CVV19vc6nuwFER-3I5PTelccLG-uxg_UVzijm5e3pWzs8EkFRvfvMDCaSjGYA-kclCkILquP_kcRdQ6iXW9ukBmXo/s1600/10402005_766884200019283_3377973439779851372_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmo6VebauvjpiCWgWisizGFm5bWK9b6WCvN8cNM6naNa_EcI83i7CVV19vc6nuwFER-3I5PTelccLG-uxg_UVzijm5e3pWzs8EkFRvfvMDCaSjGYA-kclCkILquP_kcRdQ6iXW9ukBmXo/s1600/10402005_766884200019283_3377973439779851372_n.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All Youth in Development Volunteers with our Counterparts<br />also, Peace Corps programming staff and partner agency staff</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXKIXE8W_DHytQaXrkYAn7D6TU8yJDq4Jub3cTJTzI2BnGv2coGxi38J6XjWMLoKz_OvHFoEw2cKb8u-LE0N2ETNnfhmkrRDFJHIriBdOm0tt3dHLJ_zlxwHRavqHeU7IUUKv5OjylBH0/s1600/IMG_1656.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXKIXE8W_DHytQaXrkYAn7D6TU8yJDq4Jub3cTJTzI2BnGv2coGxi38J6XjWMLoKz_OvHFoEw2cKb8u-LE0N2ETNnfhmkrRDFJHIriBdOm0tt3dHLJ_zlxwHRavqHeU7IUUKv5OjylBH0/s1600/IMG_1656.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bowling with other volunteers :-) Twas fun, I even got a couple strikes!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKbNMzfZXhS9v0h-1G5y-F5CzSEq1IBK-3XSNEpFfhonnBSsW-2tkLT2moxtxEo16V4My6Z4W73EpqIdJuaJGNhIOkjsDJnIQgH3n7-LVUJCy5CjDN24HmCQJrlu4vDX7AIFCAvmHSmnA/s1600/IMG_1733.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKbNMzfZXhS9v0h-1G5y-F5CzSEq1IBK-3XSNEpFfhonnBSsW-2tkLT2moxtxEo16V4My6Z4W73EpqIdJuaJGNhIOkjsDJnIQgH3n7-LVUJCy5CjDN24HmCQJrlu4vDX7AIFCAvmHSmnA/s1600/IMG_1733.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Seeing some sites with my counterparts :-)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It really is nice to be back in my village. I truly felt like I was coming home after being away for a couple weeks. As much as I enjoyed being away for that period of time, I also felt a deeper connection and appreciation for my site. I live and work with a really great bunch of people. The Peace Corps experience definitely has its ups and downs, I certainly have my fair share on a regular basis, but I'm so thankful for the people around me who make it easier in so man</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">y ways. In subsequent posts, I will be highlighting some of these individuals. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My posts aren't as frequent as I would like them to be, between the internet situation (which is affected by the monsoon) and other uncertainties of life, it's difficult to have a regular schedule. But I'll continue to do what I can. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A few more pictures from my trip:</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRClSfm4JRRvfCXzego5Z4NVXxX5biK7MQW7kholndE84BlmlxQK8DhxV0ys-taHsGbJFEVtFqUuGPnVzP_t2-0X0CTZiUQjuXWZwIwgdjg4zVOAKtlwIn3hr7pFCVmjYzOMOqMSACUWA/s1600/IMG_1981.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRClSfm4JRRvfCXzego5Z4NVXxX5biK7MQW7kholndE84BlmlxQK8DhxV0ys-taHsGbJFEVtFqUuGPnVzP_t2-0X0CTZiUQjuXWZwIwgdjg4zVOAKtlwIn3hr7pFCVmjYzOMOqMSACUWA/s1600/IMG_1981.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We visited Wat Kiriwong - Temple on a Hill</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBeCNO7dMYkYIegRAmXWsIYyNWUmj-5WhNe7RITEXJWsYVIYvjVlFGzz_OxgqiG1oGy87TK4JT9tSGKyb7olUjeYTBoRaeXTf8U8LWp8mysjNtSblHy_oJ0ao4YkLViMa1hoavSZnrB9k/s1600/IMG_1971.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBeCNO7dMYkYIegRAmXWsIYyNWUmj-5WhNe7RITEXJWsYVIYvjVlFGzz_OxgqiG1oGy87TK4JT9tSGKyb7olUjeYTBoRaeXTf8U8LWp8mysjNtSblHy_oJ0ao4YkLViMa1hoavSZnrB9k/s1600/IMG_1971.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was magnificent</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0qQ5_rvUEvW2kL5Un2VHpGIzuoaAKDL6GXhfwkBuhkN-XJzblCPN58kAdPlJi2btQqpFsnVNAGfBsL-Y59OPqLcR6nJaInJpkFYyF30UMXO4DXgQMBIkOOD6xR_eAde5BQNblsRPSnVU/s1600/IMG_1938.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0qQ5_rvUEvW2kL5Un2VHpGIzuoaAKDL6GXhfwkBuhkN-XJzblCPN58kAdPlJi2btQqpFsnVNAGfBsL-Y59OPqLcR6nJaInJpkFYyF30UMXO4DXgQMBIkOOD6xR_eAde5BQNblsRPSnVU/s1600/IMG_1938.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yes, we are all Americans. Yes, the question was asked.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjZyiQxspzwTKn2sXjgWicEmaWyCwbc2IyZJiS0NyJ6cO-_mDFWLnzIn0SBP6Qvl2OXCaRQx5zG69JjqvO8osj7bTIzCHOLp6m16PG-rHWz2DYzilc3DZ9L7A8HZmRlzYVnZ8qJU7jVq8/s1600/IMG_1671.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjZyiQxspzwTKn2sXjgWicEmaWyCwbc2IyZJiS0NyJ6cO-_mDFWLnzIn0SBP6Qvl2OXCaRQx5zG69JjqvO8osj7bTIzCHOLp6m16PG-rHWz2DYzilc3DZ9L7A8HZmRlzYVnZ8qJU7jVq8/s1600/IMG_1671.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Women are not supposed to touch monks or stand above them.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb-TAvWhyexhvdw-rHEJZQENhUbqoEz9NF3FKtkLK1XbRIKDEQ0QS7TXqjwrj-WaU0-bbizKAk0si8zzJG5xOC7IU-A54X4xeF8Mf0NXKvhjFM-kD8D_Sv0VVltlwlrQ9zlnQrH1F0_1I/s1600/IMG_1708.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb-TAvWhyexhvdw-rHEJZQENhUbqoEz9NF3FKtkLK1XbRIKDEQ0QS7TXqjwrj-WaU0-bbizKAk0si8zzJG5xOC7IU-A54X4xeF8Mf0NXKvhjFM-kD8D_Sv0VVltlwlrQ9zlnQrH1F0_1I/s1600/IMG_1708.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Roosters (and rooster statues) are offered for religious merit</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoRyTKfhsKg16ZOe-6HLBw17RdWZruBaMJp1_NQ38yMhMwzwl0dEz_honYgRkrhXCxe-MS8JVTihKCxJHNSx1f8qQnRyG-0I4ejc-nzl0Qospr-sNvIZfxrhyM_yezUcWpwIBzeCjxAPs/s1600/IMG_1710.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoRyTKfhsKg16ZOe-6HLBw17RdWZruBaMJp1_NQ38yMhMwzwl0dEz_honYgRkrhXCxe-MS8JVTihKCxJHNSx1f8qQnRyG-0I4ejc-nzl0Qospr-sNvIZfxrhyM_yezUcWpwIBzeCjxAPs/s1600/IMG_1710.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Something about it reminded me of my Little Havana days ;-)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgW3oLe1PFfW7arThVGKwIzu0MdnFck7ZUtg-sdFo5cDVuLA1IcetguNxZC1Vg8s5Oj9rt8hTmd0wFJppDbFWNCOmXzQWfB2f1GGhAck3il6z5lLD6crqfc-QiW2oQCwgKNd-6LF58DwA/s1600/IMG_1856.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgW3oLe1PFfW7arThVGKwIzu0MdnFck7ZUtg-sdFo5cDVuLA1IcetguNxZC1Vg8s5Oj9rt8hTmd0wFJppDbFWNCOmXzQWfB2f1GGhAck3il6z5lLD6crqfc-QiW2oQCwgKNd-6LF58DwA/s1600/IMG_1856.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">There were many interesting figures</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMfXPxURot_3awot0wr1oHbbGmYGozXEVG6E9dDhoV8L7bj6VGq7SGm2Vm3-JqKLNXawtG2VnT2cWD6qwdwy4PbNn0WIiyqoZBLbpYz7y3WenMdesbbcLHVv8VFiNBU-OuwOD2li5xrTM/s1600/IMG_1893.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMfXPxURot_3awot0wr1oHbbGmYGozXEVG6E9dDhoV8L7bj6VGq7SGm2Vm3-JqKLNXawtG2VnT2cWD6qwdwy4PbNn0WIiyqoZBLbpYz7y3WenMdesbbcLHVv8VFiNBU-OuwOD2li5xrTM/s1600/IMG_1893.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Yet another one.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGDklFUj6C2fblT0h4slf3BybEkxpWoOpyFQJW0VNPkKD2ayPX6LxUV22knxzTy2dRt9qb3cOQEc2YwrWuiBRGIhcnCKX0mZPyV3f_mPmLXZDqhq3enpAZ5zy5INpLW2lJuW1Hn98UdwI/s1600/IMG_1880.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGDklFUj6C2fblT0h4slf3BybEkxpWoOpyFQJW0VNPkKD2ayPX6LxUV22knxzTy2dRt9qb3cOQEc2YwrWuiBRGIhcnCKX0mZPyV3f_mPmLXZDqhq3enpAZ5zy5INpLW2lJuW1Hn98UdwI/s1600/IMG_1880.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Here sits the protector of the community</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-a2PA1YJiE6EAbBUQzAUc6FSplCs9gGoxt5QQ7MFBo-p2iOh4zu_NJhOg_ig1TXNTqadp5dXTdinJFNA1fiO4n5LLi9ZuJtEFBOQ7qUPrT9ZqrYwtYEgkkwolB1L52SOzNrwjOcqhZB0/s1600/IMG_1724.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-a2PA1YJiE6EAbBUQzAUc6FSplCs9gGoxt5QQ7MFBo-p2iOh4zu_NJhOg_ig1TXNTqadp5dXTdinJFNA1fiO4n5LLi9ZuJtEFBOQ7qUPrT9ZqrYwtYEgkkwolB1L52SOzNrwjOcqhZB0/s1600/IMG_1724.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On a tuk-tuk, popular form of transportation w</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">ith my roommate 'Spook'</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuODlRbdwK02M3Zckrg1OUxcQmy0R74z2KL6F3bCg7dqaJ9Ntk-y1jqIZ0mCX60xpejIihWKwwxFnZs5-TvedcaHHonVZCV1Uu5PLWzClGImZJsmAtzma8B7VPOpCL-jiukv-fXGwC7qY/s1600/IMG_1768.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuODlRbdwK02M3Zckrg1OUxcQmy0R74z2KL6F3bCg7dqaJ9Ntk-y1jqIZ0mCX60xpejIihWKwwxFnZs5-TvedcaHHonVZCV1Uu5PLWzClGImZJsmAtzma8B7VPOpCL-jiukv-fXGwC7qY/s1600/IMG_1768.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Fun at a Mexican restaurant with one of my favorite PCVs</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2o4SZJQ1JcZ9GWyzzA72OOzRDcZQjE4MI7dxkM_HjlXnc_fKzrKbghhPiMcr9oHYiv2QkU8bx9bNCX4pw_0rtr0JhBPHgcSxDifoxZLhqKegSUD-dX88USMshLcphSGSG6Mk0OaCng7A/s1600/IMG_1781.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2o4SZJQ1JcZ9GWyzzA72OOzRDcZQjE4MI7dxkM_HjlXnc_fKzrKbghhPiMcr9oHYiv2QkU8bx9bNCX4pw_0rtr0JhBPHgcSxDifoxZLhqKegSUD-dX88USMshLcphSGSG6Mk0OaCng7A/s1600/IMG_1781.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My first time at a hostel. This was our pit stop in Bangkok<br />on the way back to site. Saphai-Pae means<br />"backpackers" - we were definitely backpacking!<br />Best part is Peace Corps Volunteers get discounts!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlrtvS0umYfySchFD1YYThOF6YqMp93gcstj56Z2hX-2hL4B3y656GWhoD924nEjoFo8ILtEMk75DxLmONYRG3jG8MyuejEd24ojmy87X3d78bOcYr6rITYxKdqMch7C7R2ImKmG8gpp4/s1600/IMG_1653.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlrtvS0umYfySchFD1YYThOF6YqMp93gcstj56Z2hX-2hL4B3y656GWhoD924nEjoFo8ILtEMk75DxLmONYRG3jG8MyuejEd24ojmy87X3d78bOcYr6rITYxKdqMch7C7R2ImKmG8gpp4/s1600/IMG_1653.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My first time eating at McDonald's in Thailand. It was actually pretty good, and I had pretty good company.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnAxC9hu90Zak3j9Zfh66ZSyH6h92yzV76RiECU8TZ_xQka51c1i8t_zprwCIHrF2Nl8T0Qm89NgaqnF1bdNF2IApeh_cqBSeKlbwyLpZXII7JZJ5Mza34kaPlv9y7tDBz7s-zuTuTL3k/s1600/IMG_1654.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnAxC9hu90Zak3j9Zfh66ZSyH6h92yzV76RiECU8TZ_xQka51c1i8t_zprwCIHrF2Nl8T0Qm89NgaqnF1bdNF2IApeh_cqBSeKlbwyLpZXII7JZJ5Mza34kaPlv9y7tDBz7s-zuTuTL3k/s1600/IMG_1654.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don't you love how multicultural Ronald is?<br />Thais 'wai' to show respect, and also to say<br />Hello and Goodbye :-)</span><br />
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Michelle Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06411605238766259024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5578399872559863154.post-471433052015076562014-06-20T05:12:00.000-07:002014-06-20T05:12:22.333-07:00School Daze<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">School has been in session for a few weeks now, and I'm loving it so far. It's a little hectic, and there are still some kinks to be ironed out, but for the most part, I'm happy with the way everything is going. As a Youth Development Volunteer, my role is to work with youth in the community, and with the community itself, to help the upcoming generation develop skills and habits that will help them to mature into healthy, productive, positively contributing adults in society. I felt that the best and most effective way for me to connect with youth would be to meet with them in their schools since that's where they spend most of their time. All of the schools in my community have welcomed me with arms wide open, however, despite having explained my role several times, I'm mistaken for an English Teacher and tasked to teach English (the biggest kink), but one step at a time. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB1NmL1Y4dW5nTSqHSTFKvQOC_b_TOQR6xRNWOSNKo0KK1sL1-g5diH2WPJyWsVMYE0vDaZemaUkfcHWfiOKte9-2IwscRKsk-BX7AKmhvmPX75GDqBzNzmk169kr1fSJvOvEH-yUw8bk/s1600/IMG_1491.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB1NmL1Y4dW5nTSqHSTFKvQOC_b_TOQR6xRNWOSNKo0KK1sL1-g5diH2WPJyWsVMYE0vDaZemaUkfcHWfiOKte9-2IwscRKsk-BX7AKmhvmPX75GDqBzNzmk169kr1fSJvOvEH-yUw8bk/s1600/IMG_1491.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I attended an English Camp with some of my high-schoolers</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've gone from basically just going with the flow of everything around me to having a very rigid schedule. I spend Mondays and Fridays at the Sub-district Administrative Organization (SAO, which operates as the City Hall) working on my lessons and/or participating in community events/activities with my counterparts. Tuesday through Thursday, I work at six schools in the community, five primary schools and one secondary school. I spend a half day at each school (three to four hours) and so far I've been doing a combination of teaching English as it relates to self identity and emotions, and just general English vocabulary, and having the students do activities or have mock conversations using the vocabulary. As time goes on, I will incorporate more activities pertinent to youth development.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcLYF54qUzAHJreiCZCcHhuBS7yudkQzhLwT1k0ojfNHFobqLOABSuN6ZDPZ6aei7FLqYeIBflFhvlco5rBTwZ7HediRhpbV6Vhe-NfV4NDzzelbLoj8TwohVSvZKxa9JFX_u0hRDAU3I/s1600/IMG_1528.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></a><br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5To-ycsNmX79zJQVa42BkDl8ljSDTqHhMLlub8nSiCijFle6cz6Y6rc-jMAJZ5ZyuPXn0RfKZPrBagcRCwHSGU8kaS_rHpCO34LLwhwL43YlSU4g80DGa-NL63Q8m63UZlsNrEx-Md6w/s1600/IMG_1528.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5To-ycsNmX79zJQVa42BkDl8ljSDTqHhMLlub8nSiCijFle6cz6Y6rc-jMAJZ5ZyuPXn0RfKZPrBagcRCwHSGU8kaS_rHpCO34LLwhwL43YlSU4g80DGa-NL63Q8m63UZlsNrEx-Md6w/s1600/IMG_1528.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As much as I'd like to distinguish and work in the capacity of my true role, I appreciate and enjoy the level of respect shown to teachers here in Thailand. There is even a tradition near the beginning of the school year when every student makes little floral offerings for their teachers and present them in a near reverent ceremony for Wan Wai Kruu, which is basically Teacher Respect Day. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here is a video another Peace Corps Volunteer made of the Wan Wai Kruu ceremony at her school</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="https://ytimg.googleusercontent.com/vi/q49oX4_Wcs0/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="https://youtube.googleapis.com/v/q49oX4_Wcs0&source=uds"><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed width="320" height="266" src="https://youtube.googleapis.com/v/q49oX4_Wcs0&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></object></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here are a few pictures from the Wan Wai Kruu ceremony that I participated in</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimbSKyjXOAc1SDIc9ich3N1HBZlnPMx1Ii6ICh2mKxTC2XeXt2F4OQyVT1sHEDXhqcQxUJ7TVI4tPgqMh72Jju0gtR8wlNfc1ZD-llhtNOJXHQA1OTfQFWCjNZsKPZ3zLNEg2vJawaogc/s1600/IMG_1446.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimbSKyjXOAc1SDIc9ich3N1HBZlnPMx1Ii6ICh2mKxTC2XeXt2F4OQyVT1sHEDXhqcQxUJ7TVI4tPgqMh72Jju0gtR8wlNfc1ZD-llhtNOJXHQA1OTfQFWCjNZsKPZ3zLNEg2vJawaogc/s1600/IMG_1446.JPG" height="209" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All of the students assembled together with their mini bouquets</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirTi2_Eg0cQZ9mxn9PtgxAsHJJwpGQQhWplZtL5SP6pnrBcSlWHq3wznA7uGZmxxEP_OY0oT6H63BnwMqTzfUj3OGYM83CtXiWkMwkiLSJ9H0yMsXRq2iNnJ0-5ptfvKQC4snaBtltrqg/s1600/IMG_1456.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirTi2_Eg0cQZ9mxn9PtgxAsHJJwpGQQhWplZtL5SP6pnrBcSlWHq3wznA7uGZmxxEP_OY0oT6H63BnwMqTzfUj3OGYM83CtXiWkMwkiLSJ9H0yMsXRq2iNnJ0-5ptfvKQC4snaBtltrqg/s1600/IMG_1456.JPG" height="166" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Every student comes on stage to present their individual tokens</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8McCZ1eOlLf4r386fI1xSAY3XGz2YT86TL_G9fSJJ7uBpMD20dtOnZHW-aJ1GGliDb18YE8S67hlWzGy7vNCZaXN0hbzl0tI1c419EqB-9kXyTy6GNDwafoBE4SYvaMMDP2KuyM7uxd8/s1600/IMG_1448.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8McCZ1eOlLf4r386fI1xSAY3XGz2YT86TL_G9fSJJ7uBpMD20dtOnZHW-aJ1GGliDb18YE8S67hlWzGy7vNCZaXN0hbzl0tI1c419EqB-9kXyTy6GNDwafoBE4SYvaMMDP2KuyM7uxd8/s1600/IMG_1448.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A representative from each class presents teachers </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">with an arrangement made by the class</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghVNJoY1rCbd40o8BVi_p80oljwLYhPt7CTkpSLQWTWCmmp3EbvtWGbwgUQUMymsR56oHdRpSyTkQ5aNpSm3EB_bezbfV_GczYAp0pVg-_vN9gqK4oZHX5mjMrbbo6ZhoNb-wbiDj1ea0/s1600/IMG_1465.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghVNJoY1rCbd40o8BVi_p80oljwLYhPt7CTkpSLQWTWCmmp3EbvtWGbwgUQUMymsR56oHdRpSyTkQ5aNpSm3EB_bezbfV_GczYAp0pVg-_vN9gqK4oZHX5mjMrbbo6ZhoNb-wbiDj1ea0/s1600/IMG_1465.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A couple of the mini arrangements that I received</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-6aKloSdZBVjnz1at8ZbpgTTCUZ9b0BeOO83gs5x8mc8cUrNopF4LrCdmV4v7umC9Dea16IypcUFTuX7y_ef92ym1mcyUUNgAx7YPRKFTGGZmSjW1mXpaH4w6VjDI3_5JLaAfnAVxen0/s1600/IMG_1475.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-6aKloSdZBVjnz1at8ZbpgTTCUZ9b0BeOO83gs5x8mc8cUrNopF4LrCdmV4v7umC9Dea16IypcUFTuX7y_ef92ym1mcyUUNgAx7YPRKFTGGZmSjW1mXpaH4w6VjDI3_5JLaAfnAVxen0/s1600/IMG_1475.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All made by the students </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsZZdKOD8nIsmY1gAEOrOrbhwLOCXIPA0PXmsQdnoXshyoa8kUUnUbl8Ud9U21pzOw7RdfAawzaQjaoaWvVTLwz5XUg18WOEnip7ZuJafoS3s69JpLG9UnyZSeWzZIecUtmrweduo7o0c/s1600/IMG_1472.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsZZdKOD8nIsmY1gAEOrOrbhwLOCXIPA0PXmsQdnoXshyoa8kUUnUbl8Ud9U21pzOw7RdfAawzaQjaoaWvVTLwz5XUg18WOEnip7ZuJafoS3s69JpLG9UnyZSeWzZIecUtmrweduo7o0c/s1600/IMG_1472.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One made by each class, from Pre-K to Sixth Grade</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6hP_JfjoJ0Kjm6XfNqmAZJcF3EQusHVaFqPvubGmFRxtqxmCv2lTHHLwtpZz_gppaaGXFObsFzmphVCWbd4kMPdQ3Lbk4A7dcQ1BmX6pfqhycjhbmptCZsSSjaeUwO0SEq-2sX_rtFxo/s1600/IMG_1477.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6hP_JfjoJ0Kjm6XfNqmAZJcF3EQusHVaFqPvubGmFRxtqxmCv2lTHHLwtpZz_gppaaGXFObsFzmphVCWbd4kMPdQ3Lbk4A7dcQ1BmX6pfqhycjhbmptCZsSSjaeUwO0SEq-2sX_rtFxo/s1600/IMG_1477.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Aren't they cute?</span></td></tr>
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</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Outside of this special day, teachers are very highly respected by students and community members alike. A couple other cultural contrasts I've noticed are that Thai students do not challenge or question teachers, at all, the answer to "Do you have any questions?" is always "No" while the answer to "Do you understand?" is always "Yes" (which is not always the truth), and the response to corporal punishment (which I do not practice) is a wai/bow and a thank you. I try to make my time in the classroom fun, and I encourage the students to ask questions and give opinions and suggestions (although I don't always have the language to understand or respond).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here are some photos from an activity that I did with one of my classes. We did an English lesson about animals (which they requested) after which, I challenged them to demonstrate their comprehension through a little competitive game of "telephone" - this is how it went:</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6n_Llan4WBvFs58ROfRfFVGnB3qaMH21KsF1zqEDWT4sBU4-jAFNptJWTpywoEVb5SiwYCKFkczZDbHf0AVlMOQYoqTezkfIgdwp_qyfUxsKMAk23aN3JlnKKgbHfzeeKwGicQMkcFWw/s1600/IMG_1521.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6n_Llan4WBvFs58ROfRfFVGnB3qaMH21KsF1zqEDWT4sBU4-jAFNptJWTpywoEVb5SiwYCKFkczZDbHf0AVlMOQYoqTezkfIgdwp_qyfUxsKMAk23aN3JlnKKgbHfzeeKwGicQMkcFWw/s1600/IMG_1521.JPG" height="166" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The students lined up into two teams, they love boy vs girl </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">competitions, and I let em have it since it's near equal</span></span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR95j2xpn-dm5RF9WqNdPnkjyyCBOg1QgHw_dp6UW062dS22UyjNaU0osjKsBAyAKWeegycsExUvLuw06mbjQ1YAEtUcxI30dVDWiRSlVguO-qIf24enrLdn11onz73Fu7Sils99gXd9w/s1600/IMG_1523.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR95j2xpn-dm5RF9WqNdPnkjyyCBOg1QgHw_dp6UW062dS22UyjNaU0osjKsBAyAKWeegycsExUvLuw06mbjQ1YAEtUcxI30dVDWiRSlVguO-qIf24enrLdn11onz73Fu7Sils99gXd9w/s1600/IMG_1523.JPG" height="187" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I whispered an animal name to one person from each team, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">then they passed the word along to the front of the line.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2m828uX52MYfp9OOKDUNDHtFUzeHXEohIsoSMcrJ_3ec_qtEEW97Z_0-XG-UJLDGUjdX1DoNR4a2xguzJhLre9wkTyAzaTNga7D-Rke8fvGgryYKKa1rU_zq998zL54aR3Af1graApVg/s1600/IMG_1522.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2m828uX52MYfp9OOKDUNDHtFUzeHXEohIsoSMcrJ_3ec_qtEEW97Z_0-XG-UJLDGUjdX1DoNR4a2xguzJhLre9wkTyAzaTNga7D-Rke8fvGgryYKKa1rU_zq998zL54aR3Af1graApVg/s1600/IMG_1522.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The person at the front of the line runs to the board to draw the animal</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDME7WsP9bKIVgVAcY9_fpGI5fWqvFZrsC1KOlJ8c8rHwiiJ00OCUzaBsdWRaNz1cwBMCkrvFzJ6eMlPxqm-tNePVYLzPEIbK-MajIzA8UyAsG2MTz5MHMbqSasoC-kQnmXlSjzP3VKow/s1600/IMG_1524.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDME7WsP9bKIVgVAcY9_fpGI5fWqvFZrsC1KOlJ8c8rHwiiJ00OCUzaBsdWRaNz1cwBMCkrvFzJ6eMlPxqm-tNePVYLzPEIbK-MajIzA8UyAsG2MTz5MHMbqSasoC-kQnmXlSjzP3VKow/s1600/IMG_1524.JPG" height="209" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Points were first awarded for speed and then for accuracy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">No surprise when duck turned into dog,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">but somehow elephant became telephone :-/</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdKsx7ML4v9ZeHZFZH2TGdVUBYi3SGOXjtdPqNO3Lia9UACvHKTZnwoQ-ZECmetGcMSLRCnDnO9rbWMhrSOpR4VWSp8SXOeoAPMp43gk8JTeMGo0HEMsDaSvz6F1_yYIhUNiwZp7i0CMY/s1600/IMG_1526.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdKsx7ML4v9ZeHZFZH2TGdVUBYi3SGOXjtdPqNO3Lia9UACvHKTZnwoQ-ZECmetGcMSLRCnDnO9rbWMhrSOpR4VWSp8SXOeoAPMp43gk8JTeMGo0HEMsDaSvz6F1_yYIhUNiwZp7i0CMY/s1600/IMG_1526.JPG" height="233" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I did the same activity at another school, I'm also learning as I go,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">notice the less jumbled chalkboard?</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdyEshxG8Lm9rd-EIoP9m3lWTa_ZwSSWThyphenhyphenE3gDGTVqHYimzSTtP1wzR_IocC0aygXm-M3_Fax0TSs7HB_qnuBVDOTFeGy5Ke56ZsHGM52lO7s4arnAOCD1aoZjbplket0wZ4AlhqyI6U/s1600/IMG_1530.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdyEshxG8Lm9rd-EIoP9m3lWTa_ZwSSWThyphenhyphenE3gDGTVqHYimzSTtP1wzR_IocC0aygXm-M3_Fax0TSs7HB_qnuBVDOTFeGy5Ke56ZsHGM52lO7s4arnAOCD1aoZjbplket0wZ4AlhqyI6U/s1600/IMG_1530.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After the activity, they wrote their "Today I learned about" sentence</span></td></tr>
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</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I think I'm settling into my schools quite nicely, and I believe that sooner than later, I'll be well settled into my role as well. For right now though, my school days are off to a pretty good start.</span></div>
Michelle Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06411605238766259024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5578399872559863154.post-4892570796007621322014-05-29T20:30:00.001-07:002014-05-29T20:30:40.231-07:00Moving Right Along...<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's been about a week since the military assumed authority of Thailand. Since my last post, schools have resumed their normal activities, most television stations are back on air, the curfew has been relaxed (now effective from midnight to 4 am vs 10pm to 5am), and the king has <a href="http://www.shreveporttimes.com/usatoday/article/9587641" target="_blank">endorsed</a> the new leadership. Thai people have great respect and reverence for their King and "no coup in Thailand has succeeded" without <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-27572726" target="_blank">his blessing</a>. I'm glad that schools are back in session, and since I don't really watch Thai television and I'm in bed by 10pm every night anyway, I was personally unaffected by the restrictions. As far as military presence goes, there was a check point and armed soldiers on the way to a sporting event that I went to earlier in the week, but that's extent of what I've seen so far.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg09uy3FnnYL-NC4USIoyZPo_I_lCJ4KkeTWrPbTVJp2DqPrpKO5aff7sIjELJFSvCmI551-GW-5UVJX7KpXTQMmIu1HQtxEiKctqschqlWxPu1msNB6dXz7mMFhX4VUV5yqDbvc4KdKU4/s1600/IMG_1405.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg09uy3FnnYL-NC4USIoyZPo_I_lCJ4KkeTWrPbTVJp2DqPrpKO5aff7sIjELJFSvCmI551-GW-5UVJX7KpXTQMmIu1HQtxEiKctqschqlWxPu1msNB6dXz7mMFhX4VUV5yqDbvc4KdKU4/s1600/IMG_1405.JPG" height="400" width="372" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Military tank. It was lunch time.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFgF7slcSwBh_fOSty5BSOz-Y1VzykifTH1lAHp-WMbLVbB5fsQyzHyYxO2WWjdl5EAj2OjvOqQCm31-qk2raqxfw-_nrKsUFEZp7PlqWHuC6P-bMHgkjE_CIUt7ng_3ZOa9AP9-J95AE/s1600/IMG_1406.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFgF7slcSwBh_fOSty5BSOz-Y1VzykifTH1lAHp-WMbLVbB5fsQyzHyYxO2WWjdl5EAj2OjvOqQCm31-qk2raqxfw-_nrKsUFEZp7PlqWHuC6P-bMHgkjE_CIUt7ng_3ZOa9AP9-J95AE/s1600/IMG_1406.JPG" height="400" width="372" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Soldiers on the corners of major intersection</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As most of the movement is concentrated in Bangkok, there is (thankfully) very little to be seen in my neck of the woods, and the same is true for the majority of the country. As it has been established that news sources (print, television, radio) are being censored, many people have taken to social media for real coverage. Although it's common knowledge that social media is also being censored, there's still a lot to be seen across this medium that will probably never make it to any official news source. This was shaken up yesterday when Facebook was temporarily unavailable across the country. The incident was supposedly a <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory/thai-facebook-users-censorship-scare-23893055" target="_blank">glitch</a> or a <a href="http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/412255/facebook-temporarily-down" target="_blank">misunderstanding</a>, and life was back to "normal" within <strike>a couple hours</strike> thirty minutes, according to <strike>censored</strike> official news sources. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In other news, I finally have a routine, and although things might change, it's nice to have an idea of what will be happening from day to day. If you know me well, you know how important it is for me to have structure in my life, and honestly, that has been lacking for the past month or so. So from famine to feast, moving forward, I will be working in six schools. Mondays and Fridays are my hub days where I plan, debrief, do paperwork, and/or activities with my SAO (Subdistrict Administrative Organization/City Hall/Hub). Tuesday through Thursday are my school days, where I will spend four hours at each school doing activities. I'll get into this more in a subsequent post, but I'm loving every challenge, except maybe the exhaustion of my thirty minute bike ride in 102<span style="color: black; font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-variant: normal; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: +mj-cs; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-font-family: +mj-ea; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: black; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: text1; mso-style-textfill-type: solid; mso-text-raise: 0%; text-transform: uppercase; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">º </span></span>weather, but hey, I'll take it. Saturday is my day of rest, and I'll be tutoring on Sundays.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7QSvsTGyGfwWCP6Lvv2Z3cmMI002v-xtUfIml3bVAY1OMBvddZkeG6wLhXbsOsnLSpYoDVzeWi9yGCI4jQuk8FqPYlCxhvOsKeYRnlTGu_bEy3KMeAVoQakisdRe5G6e47sQFTRy_8wM/s1600/IMG_1414.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7QSvsTGyGfwWCP6Lvv2Z3cmMI002v-xtUfIml3bVAY1OMBvddZkeG6wLhXbsOsnLSpYoDVzeWi9yGCI4jQuk8FqPYlCxhvOsKeYRnlTGu_bEy3KMeAVoQakisdRe5G6e47sQFTRy_8wM/s1600/IMG_1414.JPG" height="400" width="372" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At a sporting event with my hub workers and our cheerleaders :-)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg6bGzCCzheSvkAsup-z9sRxEpykxB2GgIP0NuDmh-WkeHlivkKSu4MH9hXpdY-20uWIh7242_xGDLJ-Vbmud67mvgBG5dV3_b-l-kYLhU-DX3q9Q3UmXZ0HOnnil2-t8lBUG8HOqT-rM/s1600/IMG_1430.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg6bGzCCzheSvkAsup-z9sRxEpykxB2GgIP0NuDmh-WkeHlivkKSu4MH9hXpdY-20uWIh7242_xGDLJ-Vbmud67mvgBG5dV3_b-l-kYLhU-DX3q9Q3UmXZ0HOnnil2-t8lBUG8HOqT-rM/s1600/IMG_1430.JPG" height="400" width="372" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of my classes. I came to observe fifth and sixth grade, but I ended up teaching fourth through sixth graders English.<br />
Good thing I had a couple PowerPoint lessons prepared for tutoring sessions!!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Life seems to moving right along, even with Peace Corps Volunteers remaining on "Standfast" status (which might be lifted soon) it can be easy to forget that the country is under military rule. This status basically means that I'm not allowed to leave my community, and as I'm now settling into the routine of schools and everything else, I can't think of anywhere else that I'd like to be. I'm not oblivious to what the country is going through, but Facebook incident aside, it hasn't consumed much of my thoughts since the initial announcements. I continue to pray and hope for the restoration of peace in this country, and I hope that you will do the same.</span></div>
Michelle Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06411605238766259024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5578399872559863154.post-58159793282901894902014-05-23T02:22:00.001-07:002014-05-29T20:39:21.077-07:00Current Happenings<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thanks to all who have expressed concern regarding the political situation here in Thailand. It's headline news that there has been a dramatic influx of political activity over the past few weeks and that the military has most recently launched a <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-27517591" target="_blank">Coup D'état</a> taking over The Government of Thailand. Peace Corps Thailand has once again activated a nationwide "STANDFAST" which means that volunteers are to be vigilant, remain in respective communities until further notice, and make preparations to leave at a moment's notice if necessary.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Under conditions of the coup, the country has been placed on a curfew from 10pm to 5am, the constitution has been suspended (don't know the full implications of this), schools are closed, all <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-27529063" target="_blank">television programming</a> has been suspended, and political gatherings of more than five people are banned. There has been talk about censoring or even banning social media and shutting down the internet, but this has been deemed <a href="http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/411109/bid-to-censor-web-comment-impossible" target="_blank">an impossible feat</a> due to the fact that many ISP's are outside of the country and many social networks are global and easily accessible via said ISP's. Even so, there is no internet at my site, and I am currently accessing the internet from my </span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">mobile network (which is spotty, due to network overload).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Otherwise, things are relatively peaceful in my neck of the woods, I am twelve hours away from Bangkok, the nation's capital where all of the "big action" is taking place. There is virtually no military presence in my community and the greatest concern that I've heard is basically an annoyance of not having TV or internet. Peace Corps is sending us updates periodically, and in doing my part to remain vigilant, I am also keeping my eye on the </span><a href="http://www.bangkokpost.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bangkok Post</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> and <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world/asia/" target="_blank">BBC News</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Here's a quick clip from BBC about the coup:</span><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/vtCI8oOdtmQ?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In other news, it has been a little while since my last post and honestly, life has been a series of roller coasters the past few weeks. For a moment, I felt like things were getting on a steady track, but you know, here we are. So we'll see how this goes and how long it lasts. I hope to be back soon with another update, meanwhile, please keep us in your thoughts and pray for the restoration of peace in this country.</span></div>
Michelle Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06411605238766259024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5578399872559863154.post-55595065173374486912014-05-11T23:59:00.001-07:002014-05-11T23:59:35.583-07:00Bun Bang Fai/Rocket Festival 2557<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bun Bang Fai is a Rocket Festival that takes place in the North Eastern (Isaan) region of Thailand. The festival takes place over the course of three days, the first day being a parade followed by two days filled with fun, food, music, blast-offs, and much like most competitive sports (think car or horse racing) gambling. Bun Bang Fai is celebrated in my community once every two years. I'm glad that I had the opportunity to participate in this year's events. I think the pictures below tell the whole story. Enjoy! </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1muYVhZlgjNvU6G9OV7-9I1es5o1eZLX1vzjY4o1wCuBEhyphenhyphenUA7NdFJjAUp9ehXEd5u5S3hNOaoePPf1fNIom1I6IMrzpbCTp3fgzvayS4GS6fMwFeBk4I4jouNPVstz9W3O_w4gKiYQQ/s1600/IMG_1193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1muYVhZlgjNvU6G9OV7-9I1es5o1eZLX1vzjY4o1wCuBEhyphenhyphenUA7NdFJjAUp9ehXEd5u5S3hNOaoePPf1fNIom1I6IMrzpbCTp3fgzvayS4GS6fMwFeBk4I4jouNPVstz9W3O_w4gKiYQQ/s1600/IMG_1193.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We decorated floats the night before the parade.</span></td></tr>
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<strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Day 1: The floats varied in style and extravagance.</span></strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0yqZIfyUGsnnQiC6pGGR37ryrarva6G639LubyRwPzJC0xRfmcA1Qj5ca9HJhiBbDRoPIOC5QoFQW0fqBqqQQAkpaacJ8eEnCJCKteETqMs_nN1Ny1WqP1MY5HGUt4AU6ENxGg34K-Mg/s1600/IMG_1213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0yqZIfyUGsnnQiC6pGGR37ryrarva6G639LubyRwPzJC0xRfmcA1Qj5ca9HJhiBbDRoPIOC5QoFQW0fqBqqQQAkpaacJ8eEnCJCKteETqMs_nN1Ny1WqP1MY5HGUt4AU6ENxGg34K-Mg/s1600/IMG_1213.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8OkC_uXanntAWjl4a1z9-e_IpHydXu2LjyMcAQsKLp6zfbnZQM-4lgzuosPndxgpF5sKwrhpGSWVGLnMlaT1hRjlPTQYG0Gv5BH4k-gFQtZUcOQsulpfcGSFCRnyvfAaNwsCYYQgoTmI/s1600/IMG_1253.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8OkC_uXanntAWjl4a1z9-e_IpHydXu2LjyMcAQsKLp6zfbnZQM-4lgzuosPndxgpF5sKwrhpGSWVGLnMlaT1hRjlPTQYG0Gv5BH4k-gFQtZUcOQsulpfcGSFCRnyvfAaNwsCYYQgoTmI/s1600/IMG_1253.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The King is honored in all that is done</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUobHp4cou1EMxt7so6xEWOkBAprrV4WPv25fx1jdAHzPZYrUruMCGj6HlO1pTSoFCb6R-rv5r9xRsEnXc6VkSyYu9RVweDEMctPS94mNdJ0sRCQ3ad26YmYcfbga_jFkjb-GvmhuKcfc/s1600/IMG_1235.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUobHp4cou1EMxt7so6xEWOkBAprrV4WPv25fx1jdAHzPZYrUruMCGj6HlO1pTSoFCb6R-rv5r9xRsEnXc6VkSyYu9RVweDEMctPS94mNdJ0sRCQ3ad26YmYcfbga_jFkjb-GvmhuKcfc/s1600/IMG_1235.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With some of my crew :-)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> <strong>Characters Welcome:</strong></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(It is what you think it is lol)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> <strong>The Troupes</strong></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And then we got rained out. The most rain I've seen since I've been in this country. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We got completely drenched, but it was fun..</span></td></tr>
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<strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Days 2 & 3 The Rockets</span></strong></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgokx1bM7mSWdvKzIk_V7hHCFuO0CjgyP11TdUcRG9XnUKiQOum70rcsnj66camuY54A0iU5pWzsN5D0E6rN35ca0xvh2wR6QHh6HuBG3NL8dfcR_VZWxtl6_Y740sQWEsSJzJYOsuW62U/s1600/IMG_1262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgokx1bM7mSWdvKzIk_V7hHCFuO0CjgyP11TdUcRG9XnUKiQOum70rcsnj66camuY54A0iU5pWzsN5D0E6rN35ca0xvh2wR6QHh6HuBG3NL8dfcR_VZWxtl6_Y740sQWEsSJzJYOsuW62U/s1600/IMG_1262.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Preparing the rockets for flight</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS1DsnlTVXqJ33hMXd7hXdIY8NDlcIRM51ExKRABL0ixIE9g2wr1wh0MPdcOjhk-otuDzIhPH-Enhai0062Uk8QPacXNqMmwG0rwICg04wvzw5g9321V-1QysHkimZAOQYxmklVi_5gsg/s1600/IMG_1276.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS1DsnlTVXqJ33hMXd7hXdIY8NDlcIRM51ExKRABL0ixIE9g2wr1wh0MPdcOjhk-otuDzIhPH-Enhai0062Uk8QPacXNqMmwG0rwICg04wvzw5g9321V-1QysHkimZAOQYxmklVi_5gsg/s1600/IMG_1276.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3,2,1 - Blastoff!!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDo2wGSUqaGB2mvSq5vZfer25riQZUKHlLAOm6zOBlcehn758dmosh5WsbpbFGjtRCP_kzMRMynPiNZJzuJ7ofpMknbor69f4d5JnGhuui9i5QrLWBX-QlmykA8YvKyZPZJJHNd3O_ZdA/s1600/Snapshot+1+(5-9-2014+4-21+AM).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDo2wGSUqaGB2mvSq5vZfer25riQZUKHlLAOm6zOBlcehn758dmosh5WsbpbFGjtRCP_kzMRMynPiNZJzuJ7ofpMknbor69f4d5JnGhuui9i5QrLWBX-QlmykA8YvKyZPZJJHNd3O_ZdA/s1600/Snapshot+1+(5-9-2014+4-21+AM).png" height="225" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Or not.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIcqWgYvumKgH5tn_X9RKWe0N3OJN4VSVbiFsXqMOppY-jehLBwsOe3rWZ58awqasJ7KTHRDvhzo11VwAes5bhlU8WLFmUyF8iPcyy1Yx-KPmFXKAMTS2P2u8Cci7MTGYCGn6etEqKApo/s1600/Snapshot+2+(5-9-2014+4-22+AM).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIcqWgYvumKgH5tn_X9RKWe0N3OJN4VSVbiFsXqMOppY-jehLBwsOe3rWZ58awqasJ7KTHRDvhzo11VwAes5bhlU8WLFmUyF8iPcyy1Yx-KPmFXKAMTS2P2u8Cci7MTGYCGn6etEqKApo/s1600/Snapshot+2+(5-9-2014+4-22+AM).png" height="225" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sometimes just a blast.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I didn't get many good shots, but I did manage to capture the difference between a successful and unsuccessful launch</span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I also enjoyed:</span></strong><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ynagHKGD1ub0L1uAspuicbCSAOS_ehGnUnWPgyZI17hf4ZbpdUblqwrPzftYfRFkSlxeO9V21AnUrK6KQnsrfbH8lzLq4ABdfREzGEgmaWwevNKrt0aQUwdu4gvonydfjaiDkHT0JXE/s1600/IMG_1272.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ynagHKGD1ub0L1uAspuicbCSAOS_ehGnUnWPgyZI17hf4ZbpdUblqwrPzftYfRFkSlxeO9V21AnUrK6KQnsrfbH8lzLq4ABdfREzGEgmaWwevNKrt0aQUwdu4gvonydfjaiDkHT0JXE/s1600/IMG_1272.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Band Performances</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZL1nZ0KPZDE/U3Bnwvtq1lI/AAAAAAAABZY/FTTZZowM29g/s1600/2014-05-11" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZL1nZ0KPZDE/U3Bnwvtq1lI/AAAAAAAABZY/FTTZZowM29g/s1600/2014-05-11" height="320" width="245" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Making new friends</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW3oGoNdO1EdhSQ0LozkOgLRHCRqYpVZzQ3cwAsqXJpgxSb0KcuwEOCC_CDn9uaYgWxBnQHUWdst3XCjOyI-RMd7leH9jjTJuqz70rkBDcqoTvcVzo1zKSmrq7m4bzWvZNrs0cvK1C8Hc/s1600/IMG_1274.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW3oGoNdO1EdhSQ0LozkOgLRHCRqYpVZzQ3cwAsqXJpgxSb0KcuwEOCC_CDn9uaYgWxBnQHUWdst3XCjOyI-RMd7leH9jjTJuqz70rkBDcqoTvcVzo1zKSmrq7m4bzWvZNrs0cvK1C8Hc/s1600/IMG_1274.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Conversations with cool people</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIZfSigk4ag0ypNrd8Ci9E_MkMgVZUIh-YkqiBTphbOrt2EJG1Fio4aIODkVtcHapYYy4RsUS3JFBPqiZGx3hOTBcehnfpRtbW-ekjlz5Di0Me4ki6vcYbdidKGtRHcBn6U7TiGGT5BDw/s1600/IMG_1281.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIZfSigk4ag0ypNrd8Ci9E_MkMgVZUIh-YkqiBTphbOrt2EJG1Fio4aIODkVtcHapYYy4RsUS3JFBPqiZGx3hOTBcehnfpRtbW-ekjlz5Di0Me4ki6vcYbdidKGtRHcBn6U7TiGGT5BDw/s1600/IMG_1281.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Beautiful Sunsets</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOgrhhWreX6zphC8o9Nb_NW24cGsKux1XJEL_BH1ARS_1yx0yQpl7dnLNQ8yG2VHBWWxW4Yn9V8OaL1CMy15XrP9hLsIAo8L2U2xrpKotDE4EuccAX9JA8OG6knkvobm3pf5L6IcGTgfY/s1600/2014-05-09" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOgrhhWreX6zphC8o9Nb_NW24cGsKux1XJEL_BH1ARS_1yx0yQpl7dnLNQ8yG2VHBWWxW4Yn9V8OaL1CMy15XrP9hLsIAo8L2U2xrpKotDE4EuccAX9JA8OG6knkvobm3pf5L6IcGTgfY/s1600/2014-05-09" height="320" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Maw-Lam-Sing</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Overall, I really enjoyed my Bun Bang Fai experience. Twas a great weekend :-)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>Cultural Note:</u> <i>Songkran Festival is the celebration of the Traditional Thai New Year. According to Thai tradition/Buddhist belief, the current year is 2557. The Western calendar system has been widely adapted, so most <a href="http://udon-news.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/1200x1200/images/downloads/calendar-thailand-2014-2557-1.jpg" target="_blank">calendars</a> show both the Western/Christian year and the Thai/Buddhist year beginning in January to minimize confusion.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Songkran Festival takes place over the course of three days (April 13 - 15). During this time, people take time to honor their elders and family members, and participate in religious activities. The highlight of Songkran is water. Some events include the pouring of water on hands or over the heads of others, at home I helped my host mom to gather and wash all of her religious tokens, and most folks go out to the streets with hoses, buckets, barrels, water guns filled with water (ice cold water!) to douse all passers-by and bystanders. I've heard different theories about the heavy symbolism of water in this tradition, the three major themes are 1) Asking the spirits for relief from heat (basically ushering in the rainy season, it's summer time right now) 2) Extending blessings and well wishes unto others 3) Blessing others by relieving them from the heat.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This year, Songkran started on a Monday, which resulted in a five-day weekend and a two-day work week. Most of my holiday was spent at home with my host family. It was actually very good bonding time, I ate an average of four meals a day (even helped to prepare a couple), and I got to catch up on some much needed and appreciated relaxation. We did participate in two activities, one was a small community event for the elderly, and the other was "Party Foam" (yes, foam party). There were other activities planned that didn't work out for various reasons, nonetheless, I really and truly enjoyed the weekend. I'm already looking forward to being active in next year's events.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I got the job as P' Em's Registration Assistant. Minimal Language Requirements.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1POtwvbuJ5sJgExbwBn5IhJeMfprC1XbyTG923n7YLJEymHVEmdevcU-TZ_tjR4YQUal72uF57aUzkb2CK9Ae-NPJTB33SOuEXdYmR259LlYBY2Cu6oXasHTzra-hMW0O8ftZqIbLIL0/s640/20140411_094913.jpg" height="400" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dancing with the folks. If the spirits are happy, then we will be blessed with rain!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjONAVgvGxKX7U3pfN9wwUOBqopo1eO2KFx_jxmfeAWPCdnFnzirViMW2Ba6J9SCSx4WSCN5fHLeLoO957YJN13RpKEioNCkhUoUdEXQBaRM7gDL26oiAazkRDhszC66_80L_Y899ymk8/s640/1397187069669_.jpg" height="400" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I guess they were very happy, this stuff really works! <br />(Shoes courtesy of my host mom since my only waterproof shoes are flip flops)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here are a few clips from my outing:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Next on the my community's social calender is <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocket_Festival" target="_blank">Bun Bang Fai (Rocket Festival)</a> which will be taking place at the beginning of next month. Bun Bang Fai is an Isaan tradition and happens in my community once every other year, so I'm hoping to get the absolute most out of it. I've already been nominated to participate in the parade, but my host mother advised that if I participate in the parade, I will not get to see it, and I should see it. And I agree. I'm already looking forward to it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thai culture is so very rich. I'm looking forward to every cultural and traditional experience that I will immerse myself into during my time here, and I will be sure to share along the way, so stay tuned!</span></div>
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Michelle Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06411605238766259024noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5578399872559863154.post-77410462267516593412014-04-10T09:24:00.000-07:002014-04-11T06:13:43.723-07:00Integrating.<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Since being in my new community, my main focus has been integration. Integrating largely involves meeting people, getting to know my community as a whole, and figuring out where I fit in. This often requires me to step out of my comfort zone. People who know me know that I love my comfort zone, but I'm expanding my horizons every single day. Sometimes multiple times a day. Here are a few of my integration experiences:</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At a school's promotion exercise, I met the principal and a couple teachers, one of the teachers whispered to me that Teacher C-- was coming and that I should meet him too. I first heard the name even before I entered my community; Mr. C--, English Teacher, from Cameroon, very nice man. In fact, obviously noting my skin color, many locals assume that I am also from Cameroon and respond with raised eyebrows when I explain that I am an American. Schools are on summer vacation at the moment, so I wasn't expecting to meet this famous teacher until school reopened, but he did show up to address to his students, as he finished his speech, I was called to join the stage. This interaction was super awkward for several reasons, but we got through it quite gracefully. I had to leave before the ceremony was over, and haven't had any interaction since, but I'm sure we'll meet again.</span><br>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Meeting Mr. C.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSGDBbMWvjCZ7VCLNLjdicZ4_WMkzupr9oKVOW7Ivqzk2OfjSgjjRc5vYJlUhsGTRw9VbI1jzgQKv2Li0FI_ZaiLWlEtKiTqVTxgnxNaZQK6FUF_OReUdsNqLy8bSebmaGjkmLPBOt77k/s1600/IMG_0756.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I attended the wedding of my Mayor's son. It was a lovely event, quite casual and relaxed. The bride and groom, their families, and wedding participants dress up, but guests are more "smart casual" in their attire. This was one event where I got to be more of an observer than a participant... at least for a while. I did get to take a picture with the bride and groom, and then after the show was over, I found myself in the center of a ton of photos. I've actually gotten used to people snapping pictures of me in the market with camera phones, or grabbing my arm and pulling me into a pose for a friend already armed with a camera, but this night was different. I'm not a person who typically enjoys being the center of attention, but I found it quite fun and funny actually. Some people introduced themselves, most didn't bother, and it was at least ten minutes of picture taking before I was able to leave. </span></div>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqG7C6HEGmrLga2cTiFwAlboFDR8bvt96v0jqgkXYIJpGfNccyjya7tEzS0SmBnscymS_Qdamx-5o97ayCdCa-lhgQVFUMbPi0qCpJW955el3Rhv5qVX97gbzC9ACCE4WkE2VysCIdYNk/s1600/IMG_0792.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqG7C6HEGmrLga2cTiFwAlboFDR8bvt96v0jqgkXYIJpGfNccyjya7tEzS0SmBnscymS_Qdamx-5o97ayCdCa-lhgQVFUMbPi0qCpJW955el3Rhv5qVX97gbzC9ACCE4WkE2VysCIdYNk/s1600/IMG_0792.JPG" height="300" width="400"></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Blushing Bride and Groom. And my new English Speaking Friend, Bea!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVcrqdASiYOG_UfIvfBge7COdQXjNQFvw-6EFj_NGZX4cIwpWrSRGPkb2jI-rLKH-BRbyA2IOQMWW9veSjF9dPJyg9Pmm9vgjQfjHeqC_yZ11cTRarD6AdDQXdOz12PqEHBC_Ek4Ui97M/s1600/IMG_0812.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVcrqdASiYOG_UfIvfBge7COdQXjNQFvw-6EFj_NGZX4cIwpWrSRGPkb2jI-rLKH-BRbyA2IOQMWW9veSjF9dPJyg9Pmm9vgjQfjHeqC_yZ11cTRarD6AdDQXdOz12PqEHBC_Ek4Ui97M/s1600/IMG_0812.JPG" height="240" width="320"></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yes Sir, we can take a picture. Nice to meet you by the way. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At that point, I realized that my host mom and one of the teachers were nodding and giggling about something, my celeb status maybe? Before I could get curious enough, I was summoned to be the major (or mayor?) for the community sports day event. My title got lost in translation, but basically, I understood that I would be dressed up, in a mini skirt, and I would lead a march. </span><br>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On the night of the fitting, I had three options, I did not choose the mini skirt. In fact, I underestimated the heat of the day, and chose what I thought was the classiest outfit, not thinking that it would be sweltering when it was time to hit the road... The outfit needed no alterations, so the fitting did not last very long. We agreed that I should go home, get some sleep, and meet back in the morning at 5:00 a.m. to <i>dteng-naa gap dteng-dtuua </i>-- literally adorn my face and my body, but really, do make-up and get dressed.<i> </i></span><br>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTv51vNInuRn3GTMBHgeITx6c58m-4fjCIEyWi8HJfciQIWYr_1q6ji5DdLBEIPSZ2BnXHb3xosFPC9xSb2QVpzmV8QSqbHt4T2T3mtfdAQa1jiTGvtUxrmYDM1ICFruLTsPfJdJzOirg/s1600/IMG_0847.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTv51vNInuRn3GTMBHgeITx6c58m-4fjCIEyWi8HJfciQIWYr_1q6ji5DdLBEIPSZ2BnXHb3xosFPC9xSb2QVpzmV8QSqbHt4T2T3mtfdAQa1jiTGvtUxrmYDM1ICFruLTsPfJdJzOirg/s1600/IMG_0847.JPG" height="640" width="481"></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Suuai mai? (Pretty, right?)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I decided to walk back to the house after my fitting since it was only a few minutes away. So, back in my home clothes, walking back to the house, I saw a village meeting in progress. I had met the village leader earlier that day and recognized him as the facilitator. He recognized me too, walking past the meeting area, and he called me inside. He introduced me and I spoke to the group for a minute and answered a few questions. I found myself sitting through the meeting, and I actually understood some of the content. I'm glad that I got to be a part of it.</span></div>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnIywvlXYnNmSM_DgIlqIg1w9R41Uc2h3FxETEDvNh7H7_MRfaIEbz4wSQicyy00cUX_r7-M4AD7Ne9iiO2QbNl4VUmMhAlAC02x8QYGMX9PCGWtv9e0kwuYJDyXQ8i70EZ3JDvM1fcIo/s1600/IMG_0851.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnIywvlXYnNmSM_DgIlqIg1w9R41Uc2h3FxETEDvNh7H7_MRfaIEbz4wSQicyy00cUX_r7-M4AD7Ne9iiO2QbNl4VUmMhAlAC02x8QYGMX9PCGWtv9e0kwuYJDyXQ8i70EZ3JDvM1fcIo/s1600/IMG_0851.JPG" height="300" width="400"></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So when they said Peace Corps Volunteers are on duty 24/7...</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sports Day, summed up in two word: <i>Rohn</i> (HOT) and <i>Sanuuk</i> (FUN!). We started my day at 5:00 am with a make-up session. I brought my own brown makeup for obvious reasons, we used it, but I somehow ended up with a white face anyway. All part of the costume. I had lots of fun, received lots of compliments, and managed to avoid melting in the 100</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">°</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">F sun. I was beyond happy to get to go home in the middle of the day to shower. I returned to the event and enjoyed the sports activities, even did a little cheerleading. I got to meet a ton of people throughout the day, and had a really great time.</span><br>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmkoR_9Ons84BLanY68L-F2LGkbWjDYBV7Rl45hrf-dcpDvFLD9tyPzUujR2LDJu8R1_VkteL7yx4ttLDjAjWs76rCHzEfV8vA1n2EfLMXBo-wALUabiolukleGDnbDpXhZEEKkOeDR9Y/s1600/IMG_0862.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmkoR_9Ons84BLanY68L-F2LGkbWjDYBV7Rl45hrf-dcpDvFLD9tyPzUujR2LDJu8R1_VkteL7yx4ttLDjAjWs76rCHzEfV8vA1n2EfLMXBo-wALUabiolukleGDnbDpXhZEEKkOeDR9Y/s1600/IMG_0862.JPG" height="400" width="300"></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Full Thai Traditional. Who is that lady in red?</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifnL5H52DHRoFQ06U0jyIY0Fhm5wGS4sPTGGUXvNbbUjtYHK12zmy9JZywR30FVfqIiW094__dnl0CzU2iYclCFjQ_7hvXJPF5s0vb49UQjlp65mE3U2CVn0VDorNKz9oGeKAM6Ab1-eA/s1600/IMG_0894.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifnL5H52DHRoFQ06U0jyIY0Fhm5wGS4sPTGGUXvNbbUjtYHK12zmy9JZywR30FVfqIiW094__dnl0CzU2iYclCFjQ_7hvXJPF5s0vb49UQjlp65mE3U2CVn0VDorNKz9oGeKAM6Ab1-eA/s1600/IMG_0894.JPG" height="300" width="400"></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Leading the village in the parade.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOzAszT8xgz9lVz33kHs5fwPIHbeourIMiDUFnQu2w3ZiGQ_5G2kxQQWkWx9lZd3bnucM7F6jsemN7tSI9-tldTAqp1iSS9wiJOGSjvK4Sg7lld8Wcy_kMEO_Us3AtalUT0c73-eI5cgw/s1600/IMG_0909.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOzAszT8xgz9lVz33kHs5fwPIHbeourIMiDUFnQu2w3ZiGQ_5G2kxQQWkWx9lZd3bnucM7F6jsemN7tSI9-tldTAqp1iSS9wiJOGSjvK4Sg7lld8Wcy_kMEO_Us3AtalUT0c73-eI5cgw/s1600/IMG_0909.JPG" height="300" width="400"></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cheerleading with my village members. Pink Team!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One thing I love about this community (and this country!) is the genuine care, respect, and value given to the elderly population. The Community Health Center and City Hall Officials make home visits through various villages every week, and monthly pension is delivered in person, in cash. I really love this hands-on approach. One of the officers suggested that I teach the seniors English on these visits, but I'm not sure how beneficial that would be to them. I'm actually able to have pretty decent (sometimes even humorous) conversations with them in Thai... Like when this one lady held on to my hands as she asked the usual questions: where are you from, how long have you been in Thailand, do you like Thai food, do you have a boyfriend, do you think Thai men are handsome, do you want a Thai boyfriend? At this point, she began to really examine my palms, and she said that she saw a lot of boyfriends. I took my hand away and said "<i>mai chai" </i>(not correct), she said <i>"chai, chai" </i>(yes, correct) and winked at me. She was hilarious. So, this boyfriend business is a common curiosity among Thai people, sometimes the conversation gets uncomfortable, but I'm learning ways around it.</span><br>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXmrM-OtgIEbEWqVw-xGYpyb_u3pR5evcGf0tatC8tu_Sy5AJIDendsT59QrUQ5z9gNd8tsqnwUWjwpntgYrKkf_Nswf5-0H23jILTvkX4YX0zK_h9pRomzl8Cm4MOBKmGwOQthE5uw7U/s1600/IMG_0948.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXmrM-OtgIEbEWqVw-xGYpyb_u3pR5evcGf0tatC8tu_Sy5AJIDendsT59QrUQ5z9gNd8tsqnwUWjwpntgYrKkf_Nswf5-0H23jILTvkX4YX0zK_h9pRomzl8Cm4MOBKmGwOQthE5uw7U/s1600/IMG_0948.JPG" height="300" width="400"></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Able-bodied seniors meet at a central area in the village to collect their cash pension.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdgMiNbivw202vVoEelgYSxxCIXMtS0BvmXzMk8N2SsDgfBskizpH9eG7rsi-fvSv0sXQppzWz1_NUPdmj3nhyyEcAq4siAL9_fxcNKtTLwLbJrF-vxm31opO1cnQbFGg-Jm4eD359J3k/s1600/IMG_0949.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdgMiNbivw202vVoEelgYSxxCIXMtS0BvmXzMk8N2SsDgfBskizpH9eG7rsi-fvSv0sXQppzWz1_NUPdmj3nhyyEcAq4siAL9_fxcNKtTLwLbJrF-vxm31opO1cnQbFGg-Jm4eD359J3k/s1600/IMG_0949.JPG" height="300" width="400"></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Home bound seniors are visited by the community health center and city hall officials<br><br><br></span><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlSExttvjGIikNOPVvKePzKjiivb1XaosvHb1qN4To2gN9v65OPf6N8QOiDdJx9dZKa-2rUjYzrOR6c5rhWHa5MQc65fWHazgoobMuZ_x-wXeSWIp7mSAXAbKTNgoiyhyNEWBurgSpB0Y/s1600/IMG_1050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlSExttvjGIikNOPVvKePzKjiivb1XaosvHb1qN4To2gN9v65OPf6N8QOiDdJx9dZKa-2rUjYzrOR6c5rhWHa5MQc65fWHazgoobMuZ_x-wXeSWIp7mSAXAbKTNgoiyhyNEWBurgSpB0Y/s1600/IMG_1050.JPG" height="640" width="480"></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A couple senior "sports" going on in the background, but this was my activity of choice.<br>My young eyes and steady arms were much appreciated for needle-threading :-)<br>Oh, and there's nothing in my eye, I checked after I saw this picture...<br>And the strings on my wrists were given as part of a blessing ritual.<br>To ensure good luck, I must wear them for at least seven days, and remove them without cutting...</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Today I had the opportunity to participate in a senior social event. It was a great day, </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">sanuuk sanuuk </i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(very fun)</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">, but the best part was when I had the opportunity to pay respect to the elders by pouring water on their hands, some of them splashed water on my shoulder as a blessing. It was incredibly humbling. Although I'm here to work with youth, I can see myself continuing to be involved with this population.</span><br>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgUz5KNY9reGno1ClZAzFjsg45fGovfm_GgnABSJJ1ayh9arHgMEgIX9UTiqTdpbq2tvLgXpaS2h4sRThPkJJUzEzW8tVnCZva9-6ZtuOtvUquPmCdWflg6LwnDYJF_lR_t2UL58eVysY/s1600/IMG_1026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgUz5KNY9reGno1ClZAzFjsg45fGovfm_GgnABSJJ1ayh9arHgMEgIX9UTiqTdpbq2tvLgXpaS2h4sRThPkJJUzEzW8tVnCZva9-6ZtuOtvUquPmCdWflg6LwnDYJF_lR_t2UL58eVysY/s1600/IMG_1026.JPG" height="481" width="640"></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Verdana, sans-serif">They are darlings!</font></td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiukbz6Yysu9V6LnGszqu58X53temEZ3TTRMYcEA9MYncdhsNyvkKfs6Jfla3cNHN678A-R8Hfp8O9f_XOYvH1ueOMKzsnLb95z497qk0Ud7rSLyoXHaOouJR6Ccyl4rB9CYpLHpTwlMf8/s1600/IMG_1015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiukbz6Yysu9V6LnGszqu58X53temEZ3TTRMYcEA9MYncdhsNyvkKfs6Jfla3cNHN678A-R8Hfp8O9f_XOYvH1ueOMKzsnLb95z497qk0Ud7rSLyoXHaOouJR6Ccyl4rB9CYpLHpTwlMf8/s1600/IMG_1015.JPG" height="481" width="640"></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The best part of my day.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE1NdJww31nAqDewjqN2mfRnZGfLSCBDNsyeNy3UZl_akvL-BQF4sXkSAhDYfX1Vaz6LoeaIkglBsWKrkbeFE81d4BuFCDYossAcZ6F-MJTANWtiRJYVYUkjhFXpQPuFLNGggwZsYPulU/s1600/IMG_1025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE1NdJww31nAqDewjqN2mfRnZGfLSCBDNsyeNy3UZl_akvL-BQF4sXkSAhDYfX1Vaz6LoeaIkglBsWKrkbeFE81d4BuFCDYossAcZ6F-MJTANWtiRJYVYUkjhFXpQPuFLNGggwZsYPulU/s1600/IMG_1025.JPG" height="481" width="640"></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So humbled...</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Speaking of water, </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Songkran_%28Thailand%29" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Songkran festival</a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> begins in a couple days. I've been hearing about it for a while, it's the celebration of the Thai New Year and it involves splashing people with water in the street (and being splashed)! I've been looking forward to it for a while. Stay tuned!</span></div>
Michelle Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06411605238766259024noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5578399872559863154.post-35424625424644894102014-03-26T03:45:00.000-07:002014-03-28T08:05:23.037-07:00One Week In<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here stands an official United States Peace Corps Volunteer in service to the <br />Royal Government of Thailand</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Following my last post was my Swearing-In Ceremony in conjunction with the Close of Service Ceremony for the group that came in two years ago. Apparently, this is the first time that the two <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Isev0lZoSg" target="_blank">ceremonies</a> took place at the same time, and I can't imagine a better way to begin or end my service. It was inspiring to hear their stories and look forward to what is to come, and I would love to be able to experience looking back when I reach the finish line. After the ceremony, we got to mingle for a bit, have lunch, say goodbyes, then finally, hit the road. My journey to my new home was nine hours long but I made it, safe and sound.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Newly Sworn-In Volunteers</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Saying Goodbye to my first aa-jaan and language classmates</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Meeting my RanNayoke (Deputy Mayor) who was our driver for nine hours.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've been at my site for about a week now. My new community is so very different from my training community. Here we have wider roads and fewer rice fields, houses are less traditional, there is a different variety of food, and the list can go on and on. The people, as before, are very warm and welcoming, and are very impressed by my limited language ability, even more so by my even more limited ability to speak the local lingo. I'm experiencing the novelty of being the new kid on the block all over again, and trying to establish some sort of a routine.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My New Home :-) <br />The neighbors come over to play badminton every day.<br />They've been teaching me the game, and <br />I've been teaching them Sudoku and English! </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My new family is very nice, and I haven't had any difficulty fitting in. My host mom is really cool and trendy, and she is beyond happy to have a girl around. She has two sons, one my age, but he is away for college, and the other is nineteen and lives at home. Her husband died three years ago, but there is family is around and they help out with different stuff around the house. My first two days at my host home, my host mom dressed me up from hat to shoes, and over the weekend, we did each other's nails. I set up a phone meeting for her and my first host mom, I couldn't understand most of the conversation, but it was over an hour long, and there was lots of laughter on both ends. My host mom said "Kui gap meh suphhan sanuk sanuk" which basically means that she enjoyed the conversation very much. She's made reference to the conversation several times since then, I heard you like to eat fried chicken, we'll eat that tonight, I heard you like to wash your hair with hot water (unresolved misunderstanding) there is hot water in the shower (yaaay!). I'm glad they got to chat, I think that they would like each other in real life, and I hope that they can meet each other soon.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My host mom next to me, my brother and his girlfriend right across from us,<br />next to them, a cousin who speaks English, and at the end, <br />cousins/neighbors who help out at the house sometimes. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm getting a new mosquito net soon, and curtains.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A flushing western toilet, and water heater!<br />I actually got comfortable with the old squatty potty,<br />but I'm happy that cold baths are a thing of the past.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For the next two years, I will be working out of the Oh-Boh-Tor (OBT), which is kinda like City Hall. I will work with community organizers to plan events and activities for youth in the community. The OBT will be my hub, but I also plan to work with schools in the area and the local health center. I've met a few key people so far, and the next couple of months will be spent mostly building relationships within the community and finding where I best fit in. The folks at the OBT are pretty cool so far, we've done some outings and activities with the health center, and I've visited a couple of the schools, including the Non-Formal Education Center. In quite a few cases, I thought that I was going on a quick school visit and maybe a short meeting with the principal, or maybe an event that I can observe and even participate in, but I somehow end up with a microphone. Fun times.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My New Hub</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Speaking at a senior aerobics event<br />I had a little help with my outfit ;-)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Speaking at a school's promotion exercise.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My Nayoke (Mayor/Supervisor) and officers that I will be working closely with</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So far, I haven't had any significant problems with the language difference, apparently, there are four languages spoken around here -- Passa Thai (Standard Thai), Passa Isaan (Local Lingo), Passa Laos (Laos, which influences the local lingo) and Passa Khmer (Cambodian, as Cambodia borders my province). So far, I haven't had any encounters with the latter two. The majority of my time is spent in the work environment where Standard Thai is the norm. At home, I can tell that an effort is made to speak Standard Thai around me, even so, there are some differences, and when folks are speaking among themselves, it's a completely different. I'll get the hang of it eventually, but that's not my focus right now.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As far as food goes, sticky rice is the standard staple here, and it is the norm to eat without utensils, and sometimes without individual dishes - each person reaches into the big bowl of sticky rice, grabs a fist full, ball it up, dip the rice ball into whichever sauce, pick up a piece of meat or veggie, and eat... My first host mom actually demonstrated this to me before I came here, and I laughed and thought "No way" but here I am, and I'm doing it!! I have tried a few new dishes since I've been here, many of which are pretty tasty, I've also been offered several delicacies, including kai-mot-deng (ant larvae), maleng-saap (cockroach), and gop (frog). I've been advised that the best way around this is "K</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">ə</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">ə</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">i gin l</span><span class="hps"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Angsana New"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-language: TH; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">ɛ</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">ɛ</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-o, deh mai chop" (I've eaten it before, but I don't like it - which is true in some instances). This strategy works well, seeing that I've obviously been in country for awhile, and have some degree of acclimation to the culture, otherwise, the pressure would be on for me to 'chim-chim' (taste).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm looking forward to experiencing more and sharing more as I go :-)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yesterday (Tuesday), my group (Grp 126: 2014-2016) got to meet and mingle with the group that is leaving (Grp 124: 2012-2014), and more than ever before, I'm looking forward to the next two years, my own experiences, and the stories that I will surely share for many years to come. It was so refreshing to speak with the 124's. Just when I feel that I've barely made it through training, I've been motivated to make it through the full two years, two years that begin tomorrow. I got to speak to some volunteers who served in Isaan, they basically confirmed that, although the local language is very different, I can still communicate using the Standard Thai that I've learned. In relaxed/informal settings, the local language will be spoken among the locals, but if I'm being addressed directly, the standard language will be used. I was also assured that the folks in Isaan (Con Isaan) are super friendly and hospitable; the volunteers had amazing things to say, and mostly about Con Isaan. I am ready ready ready to see for myself what it's all about. I also met some fellow AmeriCorps Alums, including two who were City Year Corps Members! That was pretty exciting. I must admit, I wasn't too thrilled when I heard about the mandatory mingle session, but I am so glad that it happened.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">City Year Alums</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Monday was day one of our two-day Counterpart Conference. I got to meet two of my counterparts, Pii Gai and Pii Tai - these are their nicknames which I have been confusing, but their actual names are harder to remember... I will be working with them when I get to my site, so the past two days have been about defining roles and responsibilities, clarifying expectations and other technical stuff, as well as training on how to work through cultural differences. Although we've only been working together for two days, I already have a good feeling about the next two years. They each know/speak a fair amount of English, and I know/speak a fair amount of Thai, so we've been able to communicate without any major glitches so far. The two times that we did get stuck, aa-jaans (language teachers) were nearby and were able to jump in and help to clarify/explain. Let me just say, I am going to miss the aa-jaans so very much. But back to my my counterparts, they are super nice, super sweet, and sabaii sabaii (relaxed). They asked me if I knew anything about Isaan language; I said "Sombaii-dtii boh ka" (how are you), and they were so tickled and impressed, they egged me on to say more. I threw out the few phrases that I could remember, and we had a nice laugh about the whole thing.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My counterparts, Pii Tai and Pii Gai</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On Sunday, I said goodbye to my host family. We had some heartfelt exchanges, but thankfully, there were no tears, I'm not good at tears. That morning, we had breakfast with extended family, and later on, all of the neighbors came over to help me to load all of my stuff into the pickup, and by all my stuff, I mean two suitcases, a backpack, one box, and my bike. We went to a ran-ahan (little restaurant) for lunch, we ate, shared some laughs and some memories, ate some more, and just as we were joking about how to tell Peace Corps that I should stay with them for two years, my host dad's phone rang. Peace Corps staff calling to see if everything was okay -- time flies when you're having your last meal together! Apparently, it was check in time and none of us had noticed. We went to the hotel, back to where we met eight weeks ago, we checked my stuff in, and lingered around for a bit, promising to stay in touch and that we will see each other again.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRF_4yl9OjhNa27DwxIzanskNv_L0pZoh0tGxxVQcYHhNlJA70Ql-9OKcHJ_p0Z7ga3KGTtA9YS6DKijUlfE1Bb84H5Tx6Gs8DUGq0GEkBSy6FG3U6OXaVzzPjCZboj2R93VdnQ8-vzuk/s1600/IMG_0599.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRF_4yl9OjhNa27DwxIzanskNv_L0pZoh0tGxxVQcYHhNlJA70Ql-9OKcHJ_p0Z7ga3KGTtA9YS6DKijUlfE1Bb84H5Tx6Gs8DUGq0GEkBSy6FG3U6OXaVzzPjCZboj2R93VdnQ8-vzuk/s1600/IMG_0599.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Saying goodbye to my host parents</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On Saturday, we had a nice little farewell ceremony for the families in our little village. I took some time to write little individual love notes for everyone in my family (I wrote in English and aa-jaan translated to Thai) and before the ceremony began, I gave everyone their notes along with little gifts (tshirts for my parents and American fragrances and nick nacks for everyone else). They seemed to appreciate the notes most of all, they read the notes aloud and passed them around to each other, and we all enjoyed a really nice moment. The ceremony was really nice, Thai traditional, complete with a potluck dinner. Twas nice.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My Village, Volunteers & Host Families</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With my family</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Reading my Thank You Speech</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAjkFOsLS0NF0YepHH1cIIKBGrvKm1o_pQKjl_vCUTIpUHOM7nfcrfUwMQPIZy51OayoG0oD-gKkNbiXMXJ9BVUpyXVfizhWuNuBKq-PTQgnXEB4Fsi9iDb975EQwZqmqctUYczs6hh9c/s1600/IMG_0564.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAjkFOsLS0NF0YepHH1cIIKBGrvKm1o_pQKjl_vCUTIpUHOM7nfcrfUwMQPIZy51OayoG0oD-gKkNbiXMXJ9BVUpyXVfizhWuNuBKq-PTQgnXEB4Fsi9iDb975EQwZqmqctUYczs6hh9c/s1600/IMG_0564.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Communal Dinner</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Friday was our last day at our training hub, so we did a nice little Thank You ceremony for the Nayok (mayor) and the staff that had been so warm towards us for the past several weeks. When I got home at the end of the day, my host dad decided to do an impromptu "take-your-daughter-to-work-day" to the rice fields. Previously, we hadn't had any one-on-one time, and it was nice to see him relaxed in his environment. We chatted for a bit and then I took a few pictures while he worked and as the sun set. It was a really nice hang out. That evening, we went to a festival and the Nayok invited the volunteers to work at the flower booth. He announced over the loudspeaker that we're down to our last few days, and invited the village members to stop by throughout the night to wish us well. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPF3A1ShuEYanfhPMR-uJPgHT7O_ac3vu13crQ0Pj8c3AFDajW6OGvSXeSsoIIBUE9h2NGGYruu-TZVYH0_qlxpyaTMY1SSixaLGHlm-qHuU4jWsh5KdqsmF8oGcbM5nB6tXHkKY4jS0/s1600/IMG_0523.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPF3A1ShuEYanfhPMR-uJPgHT7O_ac3vu13crQ0Pj8c3AFDajW6OGvSXeSsoIIBUE9h2NGGYruu-TZVYH0_qlxpyaTMY1SSixaLGHlm-qHuU4jWsh5KdqsmF8oGcbM5nB6tXHkKY4jS0/s1600/IMG_0523.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Group Pic, Trainees and Staff</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXxa2JpVtoxJOKKB3ZpKBFRAVzCEmSwWy38cOdr-OLYAexeM3FZ4lsw1oumk29LF2qF0IkqWhCSHz59X090f-_j5U-5XHXAysCty5iWszMO5rAgTfXDXHToLpiBjpGXao39NeNoP_utbI/s1600/IMG_0483.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXxa2JpVtoxJOKKB3ZpKBFRAVzCEmSwWy38cOdr-OLYAexeM3FZ4lsw1oumk29LF2qF0IkqWhCSHz59X090f-_j5U-5XHXAysCty5iWszMO5rAgTfXDXHToLpiBjpGXao39NeNoP_utbI/s1600/IMG_0483.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Walking through the fields</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTI5UiaNU8_yGzE28_VA7PsBjkY0qbnrk5aHD8tf67Ac4k8Fu3sZcnEl_AJTXdlh00IHN9j4bH7XyVIbQeWDzuPnIQ-xYGLmHtRNyxyKYOVkYdzXpYVolPjuJ73-B7YKhYDmSWEqMJX4s/s1600/IMG_0508.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTI5UiaNU8_yGzE28_VA7PsBjkY0qbnrk5aHD8tf67Ac4k8Fu3sZcnEl_AJTXdlh00IHN9j4bH7XyVIbQeWDzuPnIQ-xYGLmHtRNyxyKYOVkYdzXpYVolPjuJ73-B7YKhYDmSWEqMJX4s/s1600/IMG_0508.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Meet and Greet at the flower booth</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2sbZS9y6jjFM42N-lG2NyKxDGaV34gIgpAMwyjJRBF4peKaYtfJxcOqpfh-rC3DwOzDbLlMqY6tLs5ghyaHcMLy5aa-4i5_27gNX_ZIlHnoiStKjoaf7zxoDMKnWsqS4wQZBOEx37Kkc/s1600/IMG_0511.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2sbZS9y6jjFM42N-lG2NyKxDGaV34gIgpAMwyjJRBF4peKaYtfJxcOqpfh-rC3DwOzDbLlMqY6tLs5ghyaHcMLy5aa-4i5_27gNX_ZIlHnoiStKjoaf7zxoDMKnWsqS4wQZBOEx37Kkc/s1600/IMG_0511.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I got excited when I saw his AmeriCorps Logo. But he said he got it from the "free box"</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That's as far back as I will go. Yesterday, my host dad (who is a man of very few words) called me to say that he misses me a lot and that the loves me. Today, I planned to call my host mom at 7:30, but she called me at 7:15 to ask me about my day and to ask me what I ate for dinner. They've been such great parents to me, and I will definitely keep in touch and visit in the future. Meanwhile, I'll be moving onward. I will have a new host family in my new community, and I hope that they're just as wonderful as my original host family.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX-6EOn_wiYJMpQJ_GqKU1NoTeETxhfKkQrHzI0lCmcNbir9pjG4olTvhjYdx0ZSJ4RCvmgjwDREhANdzS9NZvTnER46MLyvQkVGEuIds33zQn7ZFPIiiLJp0SLma_Cs2oQXks7f-LBKw/s1600/IMG_0493.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX-6EOn_wiYJMpQJ_GqKU1NoTeETxhfKkQrHzI0lCmcNbir9pjG4olTvhjYdx0ZSJ4RCvmgjwDREhANdzS9NZvTnER46MLyvQkVGEuIds33zQn7ZFPIiiLJp0SLma_Cs2oQXks7f-LBKw/s1600/IMG_0493.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The sun has set on my life as a trainee, now onward to becoming a volunteer!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The past couple days have been spent at the hotel, and it has been a nice little limbo. I'm making the most of the last time that I will see my fellow group members for a while, and I'm enjoying the hot showers, wi-fi in bed, and a few other conveniences. Tomorrow is a big day. I don't know what internet access will be like in my new community, but I'll be sure to check in once I figure it out. Wish me luck! </span>Michelle Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06411605238766259024noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5578399872559863154.post-9722281248784877212014-03-12T22:03:00.002-07:002014-03-14T03:04:33.532-07:00Not There Yet...<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's been a pretty hectic week. Over the past few days, we've been going through the motions of concluding our Pre-Service Training, going through assessments and evaluations, and preparing to leave the nest. Like all transitions, it has been bitter sweet. On Monday, I completed my Final Review where I was able to discuss my progress, address concerns, and receive feedback from the staff in the areas of Language Learning, Technical Training, Cross Cultural Competency, Safety & Security, and Health. I didn't have any major concerns, and neither did the staff. The staff recognized and commended my efforts in all areas, they believe that I have what it takes and that I will be a successful volunteer, so I was nominated for service without any conditions or reservations. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Also on Monday, I received the results of my Language Proficiency Interview. I needed a score of Intermediate-Low to qualify for service. The interview was structured as an informal conversation - I answered questions about my family, food, weather, comparing/contrasting America and Thailand, and my life before Peace Corps. I felt like everything was going well, and then I got hit with two scenarios. First scenario was "I am a sixteen year old boy, my girlfriend is pregnant, nobody knows, and I'm coming to you for help." I responded by asking "How many months pregnant is she? Who else knows about this? What do you want to do? Okay, well we need to set up a doctor's visit, and a meeting with both sets of parents to discuss what we are going to do. Don't worry. It will be okay. Thanks for telling me. Bye" I didn't understand the response to "what do you want to do?" but overall, I don't think that I handled it terribly. I didn't expect to be hit with a second scenario, in fact, I think I was the only one with a second scenario, but it was "You visit the community health center and you want to know what the main health concerns are." I don't have the vocabulary to ask the question right out, so I started by asking general demographic questions, then asked how many people come in each day, and then what is the reason for most of them coming in, then thank you and good bye. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3kkhwpD5KCxYnOZrdanJ_ufN8bHn3ZUOSCzT1M4frHdERenBAeZyTgLB9ubCq9AfR-2AGTcM9c7UyGk5__xNv0WTmiVUY6k4KHJonN82bW4ajPrrm-eFBmLkRozJ4Hy7kyEDy5_SoO1c/s1600/IMG_0457.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3kkhwpD5KCxYnOZrdanJ_ufN8bHn3ZUOSCzT1M4frHdERenBAeZyTgLB9ubCq9AfR-2AGTcM9c7UyGk5__xNv0WTmiVUY6k4KHJonN82bW4ajPrrm-eFBmLkRozJ4Hy7kyEDy5_SoO1c/s1600/IMG_0457.JPG" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last Day of Thai Class . This is my second group, and we met at the community health center.<br />
Shame on me for not knowing more health related vocabulary!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I walked out of the interview feeling less than super confident, but still hoping that I achieved the Int-Low requirement. Scoring Int-Low means that I can initiate and respond to common and simple statements, perform tasks such as introductions and ordering food, and express elementary needs. I scored Intermediate-Mid, which pretty much means that I can speak in full and complex sentences, engage in simple conversations, and be understood by sympathetic listeners. I'm very relieved to know that I've surpassed my goal. But I know that I still have a very long way to go. A very veeerrry long way to go apparently.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I went to an event at my neighborhood wat (temple) a couple weeks ago, and got to do a little fortune telling thing, my aa-jaan (language teacher) interpreted the fortune for me and said that I would be lucky in the south and that I would find love in the south. I'm not a superstitious person, but since then I've been obsessed with going to the south. Not for any romantic reason, but just because I feel so lucky and loved in the community that I'm in right now and I want so badly to feel this way all over again in my new community. I've learned a few things about the southern region of Thailand, and the more I learned, the more I had my heart set on where I want to be. The southern region is where the beaches are, I'm an island girl, so for that reason alone, I was sold. Also, Thailand is predominantly Buddhist, but there is a concentration of Muslims in the south. I've heard that Buddhism in Thailand is different from Buddhism in other regions, and I heard that the same is true for Islam. Since I am familiar with Islam, I am very interested in observing and participating in their way of life here in Thailand.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWPkwkSSRZ9ZLmX1k0iu6SDv1CrHQg8XHJ_UeRARGIbt6d6ZlUAOr-UMgQtIBDikhANdHHruq0Owtf2rAGnV9DIZ7f3EyH9cpUNSH8OQmb9NtwmNkJRF7LxeRHU-8w9oEQefUIX7g8MvA/s1600/IMG_0504.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWPkwkSSRZ9ZLmX1k0iu6SDv1CrHQg8XHJ_UeRARGIbt6d6ZlUAOr-UMgQtIBDikhANdHHruq0Owtf2rAGnV9DIZ7f3EyH9cpUNSH8OQmb9NtwmNkJRF7LxeRHU-8w9oEQefUIX7g8MvA/s1600/IMG_0504.JPG" height="320" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My "fortune" that my aa-jaan translated for me</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've had conversations with my family about the various regions in Thailand. They spoke very fondly of the north (most notably Chiang Mai) and the south (most notably Phueket). They would love for me to stay in the central area, since that is where we live. In reference to the North-Eastern Region (aka Isaan), my host mom said that they don't really speak Thai there. She says that they speak Isaan, and that she doesn't understand them. I confirmed with my aa-jaan that it's not just a little twang or dialect, but it really is pretty much a different language. Language is tough for me. Somehow, with amazing aa-jaans, four hours of language class, four days a week, for the past two months, I've managed to reach a level where I can be understood by sympathetic listeners. Somehow, after being exposed to Spanish for 20+ years, my proficiency isn't a whole lot better. Taking that into consideration, knowing that I can't take an aa-jaan to site with me, I decided that maybe Isaan wouldn't be the place for me.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://faorap-apcas.org/thailand/images/ThaiMap.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://faorap-apcas.org/thailand/images/ThaiMap.gif" height="640" width="399" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Soooo.... Today we found out where we will be serving for the next two years. There have been little conversations here and there among trainees along the lines of preferences "I want to be in this region because there are mountains/beaches/major cities/etc nearby." I've said many times, "I really do not know Thailand well enough to have much of a preference or to be picky about an assignment, it's a lovely country and I'm just happy to be here" recently I've added "...but I heard the south is really nice" or "...but I heard they speak their own language in Isaan." Even with all that I've learned in the past couple weeks, the original sentiment remain</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">s true. So, when I learned that my placement site will be in Isaan, I just laughed at the odds.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9G69919p4smptIRWElh4k1RAG-PrM8-enYRsby0O2W9fzVcL0RAa3iTRFYc2a6IJXW-hpCF9reW2UjZxe5fwiginQYoYP0d4xtmLRvd3PVhr_6AD8k00PJJMgZQF6hGCsAkGbwu9U3kU/s1600/SAM_1999.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9G69919p4smptIRWElh4k1RAG-PrM8-enYRsby0O2W9fzVcL0RAa3iTRFYc2a6IJXW-hpCF9reW2UjZxe5fwiginQYoYP0d4xtmLRvd3PVhr_6AD8k00PJJMgZQF6hGCsAkGbwu9U3kU/s1600/SAM_1999.JPG" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Big Reveal!! The staff created a map of Thailand on the floor <br />
and did a fun and dramatic intro and welcome to our site.</td></tr>
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<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Following the big reveal, we (volunteers assigned to Isaan) participated in an Intro to Passa Isaan (Isaan Language) session. The Standard Thai that we've learned should be a good foundation. We've been assured that most of the Isaan locals should be able to understand (even if they can't speak) standard Thai. The sentence structure is the same, a good number of common words, terms, tones, and phrases are very different, but I'm sure I'll get a hang of it once I've been at site for a while. Being from the Caribbean, I would compare Passa Isaan to a bilingual Patois, influenced by Laos and Thai. Standard Thai is spoken in schools, so students, teachers, and other educated/professional individuals will be able to speak accordingly, so I should be fine in the work environment. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Learn more about <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaan" target="_blank">Isaan</a> and the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isan_language" target="_blank">Isaan Language</a> by following the links, and wish me luck!</span></div>
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Michelle Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06411605238766259024noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5578399872559863154.post-30414540909829892662014-03-05T02:10:00.000-08:002014-03-05T21:33:10.145-08:00HomeStay Week Seven: Seven Memories<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There isn’t a day that goes by that I’m not reminded that my
time here in my Pre-Service Training (PST) home-stay community is coming to an end.
Apparently, word has gotten around, so I am now also having conversations with
folks in the community about my pending departure and if I’ll ever come back to
visit. I’m not out of here yet, but I must admit, the past several weeks have
been quite memorable and I will surely miss this place. Some memorable moments
I’ve mentioned in previous posts -- riding the elephant, adventures at the
dinner table, encounters in the bathroom, and random people in random places
knowing my name… Since this is my seventh week here, I think that it is appropriate to list seven memorable moments, not top-seven
and not in any particular order, just seven of the many moments that I’ll hold
dear to my heart as I leave here.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 7pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 7pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">My host mom and sister combing my hair. Yes, my
natural hair. They were so fascinated with my hair when I finally took out my
braids. They helped me to blow dry and cornrow my hair, and even add in extensions.
They didn’t do a bad job, but I did stay up that night fixing it up…</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 7pt;"><br /></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Deciding not to ever mention “Ticket Agent” in
my employment history. Tones are so important in Thai language, one ‘word’ can
have multiple meanings depending on the tone and the context used. </span><i style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Dtuua-tɛɛn </i><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">means
agent/representative, <i>kaai </i>means to sell,</span><i style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> dtǔua </i><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">means ticket. I had a job as a </span><i style="text-indent: -0.25in;">dtuua-tɛɛn kaai dtǔua </i><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">before I moved to Thailand</span><i style="text-indent: -0.25in;">.
Dtuua</i><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> (different tone) means body. Saying </span><i style="text-indent: -0.25in;">dtuua- tɛɛn dtuua</i><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> (without the appropriate tone) would be
suggesting that I was a person who sold my body… Kinda like saying someone was
“a pro” or “in the business” – making reference to the job without using the
specific term. Anyone who knows my history with music lessons knows how
terrible I am with tones, and would agree that I shouldn’t even mess with this
one. </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">My folks took me to KFC. I had recently declared
that I love fried chicken, and they’ve served it at least twice a week ever
since, but this particular day, they decided that they would take me on a
little field trip so that I can eat American style fried chicken. So we ordered
a family bucket, and I also ordered my favorite – the twister. Ummm… Not the
same, at all, none of it. I told my host mom “Gai tot tii bahn aroi gwaa KFC”
(Fried chicken at home is more delicious than KFC).</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">A typical first-time conversation here in
Thailand pretty much revolve around the following questions: What is your name?
Where are you from? How old are you? How long will you be in Thailand? Do you
miss home? Are you married? Do you have a boyfriend? Do you want a Thai
boyfriend? (Regardless of previous answer.) Do you think Thai men are handsome?
What do you like to eat? A couple (actually 3) of these conversations, in the
presence of my host parents, have resulted in my being awkwardly shuffled into
me taking a walk and/or eating with somebody’s son/brother/friend. Awkward is
an understatement, but it’s cute and funny to those setting it up, so haha. My
sense of humor improves every day.</span><span style="font-size: 7pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">My host brother doesn’t usually have a whole lot
to say in general, but sometimes when our folks have other stuff going on, they
ask him to stick around to help me with my homework or the washing machine, to ride
with me to the corner store or ran-ahan, or to pick me up from an outing that
unexpectedly ended after dark. My parents are protective and don’t want me to
be home alone, or to go out alone (except to training), or to ride my bike
before/after certain hours. I understand completely, but sometimes I feel like
a burdensome little sister sometimes. I’m the big sister in my family at home,
so that’s the last thing that I’d want to be to anybody. He’s younger than I
am, and quite coy, so our interactions are almost laughable sometimes. It’s
hard to adequately describe specific anecdotes, but he makes the list anyway.</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Funerals are pretty informal social occasions
here in Thailand. Events for one funeral are spread out over seven days, with
maybe one or two days being semi-solemn. Basically, we dress in any combination
of black, white, gray, and sometimes jeans, the community gathers at the home
of the deceased or at the wat (church), they bring in tokens (flower or blanket
wreaths) during the first few days, the monks come out and recite prayers
nightly, and then it’s just lots of food, eating and socializing every night. I
attended a funeral where the daughter of the deceased is an English teacher. I
was happy to speak to a villager who could speak English, and she was happy to
have a native English-speaker to speak English to. We hit it off pretty well,
and then she started to get possessive of me and she begged me to come live
with her since her mother was gone and she was going to be lonely. She really
and seriously would have kidnapped me if she thought that she could. I haven’t
seen her since the funeral, but I think about her sometimes and I hope she’s
doing okay.</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></span></span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
mentioned in a previous post that I really enjoy my one-on-one breakfast time
with my host mom. Apparently the feeling is mutual. We had a really nice warm
conversation about my pending departure, and she “Pii ja siia-jai, mai chop gin
kaao con diao. Ja gin gap krai mai?” Basically, her heart will be sad because
she doesn’t like to eat alone, and who will she eat with… Her husband goes to
work early and her kids don’t eat breakfast. Before I could respond, she
realized that it was time for me to leave and she shooed me away. The thing
about these conversations, as soon as they start to get mushy or sentimental,
someone finds a way to change the subject, make a joke, or dismiss the
conversation. But she knows that I’m going to miss her too.</span></span></li>
</ol>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLDwauYLGyW5B7sHji8_hY4p2XGcAp-LaAWqvVIvmJ8_k7-1acbrERXJsCEp99AG2XRjvQ_7i4kLBPXd8QqnS5-lhR16TEGZ5Hc0tq_WALc_q0I61KARwrDUOvJi-7iNLTtfLiwYj3nYI/s1600/IMG_0331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLDwauYLGyW5B7sHji8_hY4p2XGcAp-LaAWqvVIvmJ8_k7-1acbrERXJsCEp99AG2XRjvQ_7i4kLBPXd8QqnS5-lhR16TEGZ5Hc0tq_WALc_q0I61KARwrDUOvJi-7iNLTtfLiwYj3nYI/s1600/IMG_0331.JPG" height="238" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My host mom and I making merit on Maka Bucha Day (Buddhist Holiday)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="text-indent: -24px;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I’ve had great moments with my neighbors, within my
community, with my fellow trainees, our trainers, the ajaans… I’ve developed
relationships that I just cannot put into words and I am going to miss them all.
PST has been quite the experience, I’ve learned and grown a whole lot over the
past several weeks, and I do feel prepared to begin my two years of service.
Next week will be the grand finale, it’s going to be pretty hectic, and so this
may be my final post as a trainee before I become an official Peace Corps
Volunteer.</span><br />
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Michelle Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06411605238766259024noreply@blogger.com5