One Week in Uttaradit

Wednesday: Meeting my host family

Would it surprise you if I told you I had already sang karaoke on day one? 

I arrived at my host family's house at about 6pm where about thirty people we feasting to the end of a sports season. In true Thai style, a trophy table was set up in front of the Karaoke speaker truck and screen brought in for the party.

Inside the house I bowed to my new host parents and handed each of them a Phuang Malai flower wreath that represents welcoming, hospitality, and respect. It literally means flower garland that binds together, and is symbolic of our new relationship.

My host parents Pa Bprasong and Mae Foo also live with their three year old niece Nadia, whose mother works in Bangkok.

After this formal greeting I was shown around the house and told to go take a shower (not because I stink, hosts want their guests to be comfortable, so they offer a shower after sweating under the Thai sun all day).

I then attempted to wow the crowd by singing karaoke to Adele's Rolling In the Deep. 

Thursday: First day at work

Left to right: Main counterpart, Pii Thim, two more counterparts Pii Thim, Pii Bpatt, and Nayoke Phajon
Photo Courtesy of Kenny Keng

My first day of work! Pii Thim picked me up and we traveled to the Subdistrict Administrative Organization (SAO) office which will be my home base for the next two years. I work in the welfare department and spent the day interviewing and getting to know the employees here. The Nayoke, Kun Phrajon, is sort of like the Mayor of the subdistrict. Nayone Phrajon and some of the other employees took me out to eat at a noodle shop (review on Amazing Aa-haan coming soon).

Here I met Kenny Kang, noodle shop owner, artist, teacher, historian, traveler, and english speaker! Kenny showed us his gallery and exhibition, The Spirit of Ancient Phichi.

Kenny's Gallery 

Kenny expressed interest in working with me to teach life skills to students and will help me plan some english camps during April. I look forward to working with him.

Friday: Biking along the city wall

After work today, Kenny took me and his daughter Fern to mountain bike on the wall of Ancient Phichai, a former major city. All that remains is an earthen wall that makes for great biking.

Fern also speaks excellent english and is interested in working with me to plan english camps, as well as show me around town.

Saturday and Sunday: Weekend Relaxation

I spent the weekend doing laundry, organizing and unpacking, doing laundry, taking leisurely bike rides, and meeting many new faces. 

Neighborhood kiddos picked me up and showed me around the neighborhood.

My new friend, whose nickname is conveniently friend, is a local high school student who wants to practice her english. She took me to the market and recommended watching A Street Cat Named Bob. Which I now also recommend watching.

Pii Newts saw me riding my bike and stopped to talk. She is a former airline steward who now owns my favorite coffee shop, Coffee and Bags. She lives right down the road from me.

Went out to lunch with some international english teachers from the local high school.

Monday: Meetings

At the SAO I met with Kenny and Fern to start planning some english camps. After work some neighborhood kids, Song and Pizza took me to their elementary school.

Pizza on the left, Song on the right

Tuesday: School Tours

This was one of the most exhausting days I've experienced in Thailand so far. Today I visited all six schools in the district, met their principals and the teachers I will be working with. I gave a short presentation about myself and my role as a youth development worker teaching life skills. I asked questions about the school resources, when they wanted me to teach, how many students I would be teaching, who I would be teaching with, and which life skills they wanted me to focus on.

All of this spoken in Thai. My brain was fried. But I was really proud of myself.

One of the principals introduced himself, his staff, and his school, saying that they have been waiting for me for a long time. They have been preparing their students for a long time to work with me. The students can't wait to meet me.

I had to hold back the tears welling up in my eyes.

I have been waiting for them a long time too. I've spent a lot of time developing my skill set, and preparing my mind and heart to do this work. I am excited to meet the students. Find out all their interests and quirks. Help them set goals. Watch them grow.

I don't quite have the Thai to say all of this. But hopefully my message got across.

The beginning of the school term in May can't come soon enough.

BONUS DAY Friday: Little Graduate

Today is preschool graduation, or bandit-noi, which literally means little graduate. How cute is that? The kids were even cuter. Each four year old had on their graduation gown, their makeup, their hair done up, and their best shoes on.

I especially loved the boys' shoes, which looked like professional dress shoes, except for the Ben-10 logos on their clasps.

Nadia, who has now become my little sister, did not graduate today, she will graduate next year. However, she was selected to be one of five students in her class of over 30, to perform Ram Thai. She came dressed to the nines in her traditional Thai outfit. 

Nadia is the short one on the left.

When she walked on stage to perform my heart swelled and there were tears in my eyes. I've only known this sweet girl for 10 days, but she has stolen my heart. If you've ever been to a 3 year old ballet recital you know how it goes. One kid is crying. One just stares into the crowd. One is doing her own thing. And one knows the routine perfectly. Nadia was that kid. She was proudly singing along to the song and hit every move right on time. I had nothing to do with her preparation for this. I didn't even know she was going to perform. But I was so, so proud of her. 

And I told her so after the show. She then gave me the biggest hug. I love you Nadia.