Wednesday, 29 December 2004
Last night, Ajarn Ong-Ard and his family and other administrators took me and Christy and her parents out to dinner. Of course, we went to the fancy German restaurant in Phuttamonthon, which I have been to now five times. It's where they take all guests and foreigners because it has nice ambience and German food, although we always order Thai food. It was delicious! On the way to dinner, P'Oi, an English administrator and parent of one of our EP students, called to say that her father had just lost his battle to cancer. Turns out, this week is a week of mourning for more reason than one. Today and tomorrow, we are wearing black and/or white to pay our respects for those that lost their lives in the tragic tsunami disaster in southern Thailand and surrounding countries.
On our drive home from the restaurant, Christy recounted again her experience this past weekend, and she reflected on how they were so lucky and blessed to not be on the beach. She is convinced that had they not had to leave for her mother's emergency the night before, she would have most likely been sunbathing on the beach that morning. She wondered why God decided to spare her life instead of so many countless others, and is still amazed by everything that happened.
Tonight is our school's Christmas dinner and party that has been planned for while. But, it may be a somber one considering the events that have occurred this week. Many friends who have emailed me have compared this time to being like the aftermath of 9/11. It is interesting because when I first arrived in Thailand, one of my parents told me how she was so shocked and felt for America when 9/11 happened. Now, the tables are turned. As many Asian countries deal with the destruction and loss of lives of thousands of people, people all over the world are reaching out and sending their condolences, prayers, and thoughts. It is surreal to be living here and experiencing this right now, but also comforting to see so many Thais come together in unity for each other and their family and friends.
Tuesday, December 28, 2004
Sunday, December 26, 2004
Thailand Devastated with Destruction
Monday, 27 December 2004
Some people have emailed to see if I am okay. Just wanted everyone to know that I am fine. The southern beach area and Phuket is a 45 minute plane ride, or over a 12 hour car ride away from where I am. In addition, I live pretty inland within Central Thailand, not near any beaches or coastline. Christy and her parents were visiting the area this weekend, but luckily were in the city yesterday, out of harm's way. The tsunamis did however kill hundreds in Thailand, and thousands elsewhere. I called my friend Na to make sure her brother was okay, as he owns a business and lives in Phuket. But he was fine. My friend Linda's husband has family who lives down there, and last night, one was in the hospital and one was still missing. I heard today that even the princess' son died, while jetskiing during vacation on Phuket Island. Bhumi Jensen is the son of the king's eldest daughter, Princess Ubolratana, who gave up some of her royal privileges after marrying a foreign commoner.
I was planning on going to Phuket with Na and Jun's (my student) family next weekend for New Year's, but now I am not. Friends that are visiting from Seattle in mid-February want to go there to kayak and relax on the beach, but some people right now are saying the area will not be able to recuperate for at least six months to a year. One of the islands, Ko Phi Phi, where I want to go to, and Leonardo DiCaprio's "The Beach" movie was filmed, was hit hard; I read that over 200 bungalows at a beach resort were washed away by the tsunami. We may have to change our plans to head to the islands in the Gulf of Thailand, on the other side, which were not affected by this tragedy.
Just like many of you, I am trying to follow the news on CNN and on the internet. It's just awful; there were hardly any warning signs (as the countries bordering the Indian Ocean have not used any warning systems before - had they done so, they may have been able to warn other countries like Thailand that tsunamis were coming), and so many lives were taken within a matter of twenty minutes. Christy and her parents should be arriving in Nakhon Pathom any minute now to enjoy the rest of their vacation before they head back to Seattle. Christy would have been on the beach that morning had they not had to rush off to the hospital to take her mom for a concussion she apparently gotten the day before. It was indeed a blessing in disguise, as luckily, they were all in the town of Phuket, and not on the beach, when the tsunamis hit. They said it was like a movie, as they left the hospital and hundreds of people were in the lobby with broken bones and hurt from the tsunamis. They, and their luggage, were escorted via medical vehicles (all the taxis were taken!) to the airport, which was not departing any planes. They were put into safety zones on higher ground as they anticipated another tsunami on its way. They said that even though there were no warning systems in place, all the local Thais were calm, cool, and collected and got people where they needed to be in safety without chaos. All the airlines passed out their airplane food and water to people waiting in the airport. But, they are now safe here in Nakhon Pathom and just wonder about all the devastation to the area. They'll probably want to rest after all of the excitement they've had so far! Christy's parents have been checking online and trying to contact the place they stayed at in Ko Lanta to see if they are okay, but looking at the map, it most likely got hit by the tsunamis as well.
Families and staff here are talking about all the damage and the losses of lives, especially mourning the loss of the King's grandson (The royal family is highly revered.). Take care, and thanks for your emails!
Some people have emailed to see if I am okay. Just wanted everyone to know that I am fine. The southern beach area and Phuket is a 45 minute plane ride, or over a 12 hour car ride away from where I am. In addition, I live pretty inland within Central Thailand, not near any beaches or coastline. Christy and her parents were visiting the area this weekend, but luckily were in the city yesterday, out of harm's way. The tsunamis did however kill hundreds in Thailand, and thousands elsewhere. I called my friend Na to make sure her brother was okay, as he owns a business and lives in Phuket. But he was fine. My friend Linda's husband has family who lives down there, and last night, one was in the hospital and one was still missing. I heard today that even the princess' son died, while jetskiing during vacation on Phuket Island. Bhumi Jensen is the son of the king's eldest daughter, Princess Ubolratana, who gave up some of her royal privileges after marrying a foreign commoner.
I was planning on going to Phuket with Na and Jun's (my student) family next weekend for New Year's, but now I am not. Friends that are visiting from Seattle in mid-February want to go there to kayak and relax on the beach, but some people right now are saying the area will not be able to recuperate for at least six months to a year. One of the islands, Ko Phi Phi, where I want to go to, and Leonardo DiCaprio's "The Beach" movie was filmed, was hit hard; I read that over 200 bungalows at a beach resort were washed away by the tsunami. We may have to change our plans to head to the islands in the Gulf of Thailand, on the other side, which were not affected by this tragedy.
Just like many of you, I am trying to follow the news on CNN and on the internet. It's just awful; there were hardly any warning signs (as the countries bordering the Indian Ocean have not used any warning systems before - had they done so, they may have been able to warn other countries like Thailand that tsunamis were coming), and so many lives were taken within a matter of twenty minutes. Christy and her parents should be arriving in Nakhon Pathom any minute now to enjoy the rest of their vacation before they head back to Seattle. Christy would have been on the beach that morning had they not had to rush off to the hospital to take her mom for a concussion she apparently gotten the day before. It was indeed a blessing in disguise, as luckily, they were all in the town of Phuket, and not on the beach, when the tsunamis hit. They said it was like a movie, as they left the hospital and hundreds of people were in the lobby with broken bones and hurt from the tsunamis. They, and their luggage, were escorted via medical vehicles (all the taxis were taken!) to the airport, which was not departing any planes. They were put into safety zones on higher ground as they anticipated another tsunami on its way. They said that even though there were no warning systems in place, all the local Thais were calm, cool, and collected and got people where they needed to be in safety without chaos. All the airlines passed out their airplane food and water to people waiting in the airport. But, they are now safe here in Nakhon Pathom and just wonder about all the devastation to the area. They'll probably want to rest after all of the excitement they've had so far! Christy's parents have been checking online and trying to contact the place they stayed at in Ko Lanta to see if they are okay, but looking at the map, it most likely got hit by the tsunamis as well.
Families and staff here are talking about all the damage and the losses of lives, especially mourning the loss of the King's grandson (The royal family is highly revered.). Take care, and thanks for your emails!
More Christmas Festivities
Sunday, 26 December 2004
When I first came to Thailand, I had no idea if I was even going to have a real Christmas, and so far, I have done more celebrating this week than ever! This morning, Aw and I woke up early to go to Soi Sawng market. I bought eggs and a huge round throw pillow. It was 320 baht ($8 - a big purchase!), but I figured it was my Christmas present to myself, and I love it! Not sure I can bring it back to America with me, but it is very soft and excellent decor for my room. We were running late, so hopped on a motorcycle taxi to quickly get back to the house and eat noodles we bought before P'Aot came to pick us up for church. Luckily, she was running late and came by after 9:30 am. We went to a different church, the church P'Aot goes to and Aw used to go to, called Hope Church. It's more of a younger congregation with hip pop music rather than traditional hymns. There was an hour and a half sermon (way too long for my liking, as a Thai guy named Tom - who now lives and studies in the UK - translated for me), dancing with young children shaking their hips, lunch with an assortment of Thai foods for 10 baht each, and a gift tree. We paid 10 baht each for a coupon, which allowed us to pick a lucky star with a number of the Christmas tree. That number corresponded to a prize we got. I got a plastic decorated cup and a pot of flowers. Came home and took a two hour nap. Woke up to get Christy's text message that she and her parents are stuck in Phuket because of the tsunamis!
I have been watching the news on CNN and the footage looks devastating! About 400 killed so far by this largest earthquake (8.9) to hit in over 40 years, and the tsunamis surprised many in this tourist town of beach resorts on the southern coast of Thailand. Jun's family was planning on driving me there for New Year's next weekend and going to Phuket Fantasea (a US $60 million cultural theme park) and the beach, but perhaps our plans will change now. I'm not sure if Christy and her parents will be able to leave on their flight back to Bangkok tonight. I called my friend Na (Jun's cousin) to make sure her brother is okay, as he lives in Phuket, but she said he lives in the city, not near the coast, so he and his business are fine. It's really scary though to think of all the damage to these places, like Ko Phi Phi, an island where I am planning on taking friends to when they visit in mid-February. I will stay posted on the news and keep trying to call Christy, as the phone lines are cut off now. Hope they get back to Nakhon Pathom safely.
Phu's family took me and Matt out for dinner tonight at a nice outdoor Thai restaurant I have been to before with friends. We ran into Linda and her family dining there as well. As Phu ran around the restaurant (the teacher in me had to talk to him once), we enjoyed fish, tom ka gai soup, som tum, fried rice, and another very spicy soup. We talked about my suggestion to retain Phu and have him repeat grade 1 next year. His father seemed okay with the idea tonight. They gave us Christmas gifts, moisturizing cream and facial toner (perfect girl gifts!), and brought me home. I chatted with Tik and Aw, who were busy applying straightening cream to Tik's hair, and talked about me perhaps going home with Aw for new year's weekend to see her mother's house 13 hours away in northern Thailand, near Laos.
When I first came to Thailand, I had no idea if I was even going to have a real Christmas, and so far, I have done more celebrating this week than ever! This morning, Aw and I woke up early to go to Soi Sawng market. I bought eggs and a huge round throw pillow. It was 320 baht ($8 - a big purchase!), but I figured it was my Christmas present to myself, and I love it! Not sure I can bring it back to America with me, but it is very soft and excellent decor for my room. We were running late, so hopped on a motorcycle taxi to quickly get back to the house and eat noodles we bought before P'Aot came to pick us up for church. Luckily, she was running late and came by after 9:30 am. We went to a different church, the church P'Aot goes to and Aw used to go to, called Hope Church. It's more of a younger congregation with hip pop music rather than traditional hymns. There was an hour and a half sermon (way too long for my liking, as a Thai guy named Tom - who now lives and studies in the UK - translated for me), dancing with young children shaking their hips, lunch with an assortment of Thai foods for 10 baht each, and a gift tree. We paid 10 baht each for a coupon, which allowed us to pick a lucky star with a number of the Christmas tree. That number corresponded to a prize we got. I got a plastic decorated cup and a pot of flowers. Came home and took a two hour nap. Woke up to get Christy's text message that she and her parents are stuck in Phuket because of the tsunamis!
I have been watching the news on CNN and the footage looks devastating! About 400 killed so far by this largest earthquake (8.9) to hit in over 40 years, and the tsunamis surprised many in this tourist town of beach resorts on the southern coast of Thailand. Jun's family was planning on driving me there for New Year's next weekend and going to Phuket Fantasea (a US $60 million cultural theme park) and the beach, but perhaps our plans will change now. I'm not sure if Christy and her parents will be able to leave on their flight back to Bangkok tonight. I called my friend Na (Jun's cousin) to make sure her brother is okay, as he lives in Phuket, but she said he lives in the city, not near the coast, so he and his business are fine. It's really scary though to think of all the damage to these places, like Ko Phi Phi, an island where I am planning on taking friends to when they visit in mid-February. I will stay posted on the news and keep trying to call Christy, as the phone lines are cut off now. Hope they get back to Nakhon Pathom safely.
Phu's family took me and Matt out for dinner tonight at a nice outdoor Thai restaurant I have been to before with friends. We ran into Linda and her family dining there as well. As Phu ran around the restaurant (the teacher in me had to talk to him once), we enjoyed fish, tom ka gai soup, som tum, fried rice, and another very spicy soup. We talked about my suggestion to retain Phu and have him repeat grade 1 next year. His father seemed okay with the idea tonight. They gave us Christmas gifts, moisturizing cream and facial toner (perfect girl gifts!), and brought me home. I chatted with Tik and Aw, who were busy applying straightening cream to Tik's hair, and talked about me perhaps going home with Aw for new year's weekend to see her mother's house 13 hours away in northern Thailand, near Laos.
Saturday, December 25, 2004
Merry Christmas!
Saturday, 25 December 2004
I woke up to the sound of Christmas music playing. Daniel, a friend of Linda's who lives and teaches at a university in Hat Yai in southern Thailand, came up to spend the night as well. This is his fourth year sleeping over Christmas eve. I think he misses his family in Minneapolis at Christmas time. We met each other (since I came in during the wee hours of morning when Daniel and Linda's daughter Tina were fast asleep) and talked about teaching in Thailand. He's doing a workshop on how to lead an English camp at the TESL conference in Bangkok held in mid-January. He gave me tips on traveling to the beaches in Krabi province. We sat around the tree, me, Daniel, Tina, Linda, and her husband Somkiet. We passed out the stockings and opened the gifts from Santa first. Then we passed out the gifts (I brought a huge bag of mine from my friends to her house so I could open them there.) and watched Tina open hers first. Then we all opened ours. I got an assortment of traditional Thai gifts from my friends and families of my students. Tik gave me a traditional thai pillow, which I absolutely love, and Pop's family gave me a traditional Thai wrap around skirt. P'Pau gave me this beautiful turquoise material with Thai pictures on it - a beautiful mural I've now laid on my floor in my room, a wooden box from Mint's family, and a lovely black scarf/shawl, which I wore for Christmas dinner, from Aw.
But, the most thoughtful and surprising gift was from Christy. She gave me a Thai-English Bible. I had seen one at the Chinese church nearby and had thought one day before I leave Thailand, I should get one. Anyone that knows me knows I never grew up going to church and have never been a particularly religious person, but I do believe in God, and ever since being here, I have gone to church and devotions every week (even though they are all in Thai, and I don't understand most of it). At first, I started going for the networking (although some of my friends may say it's the free lunch) and because the school is strong in its faith as a member of the Church of Christ in Thailand. Over the past couple of months, because of my father's serious health issues, I am leaning towards God more than ever before in my life. It was a very thoughtful gift, and it brought tears to my eyes as I reflected on her caring and generosity.
Some of you know, but for those who don't, I am planning on moving to Hawai'i in the spring. My initial plans to teach here in Thailand for at least a year have changed, and I have already informed my principal that I will be leaving here after finishing the term at the end of March. I want to go home to spend quality time with my dad and help him and my family out. It has been difficult being so far away, especially during the holidays. I called my dad today and could hear the Hawaiian music playing in the background at their annual Christmas eve party. The phone reception was bad, but at least I could send my love and say "Merry Christmas" to my father and my stepmom. My dad knows this time is difficult for me, but reassured me that he is doing fine.
Tonight, we had Bamrung Wittaya Church's Christmas dinner. It was nice to see all of the teachers there, even if many of them are Buddhist and not of Christian faith. We ate dinner, chatted, and then headed inside for the four hour long service. Thai people definitely do NOT know how to make it short and sweet. Tik was falling asleep, Aw was writing text messages on her phone, and I was not understanding one word. There was, of course, many dances and skits performed by children - one of the acts had the most atrocious looking outfits and hair I have seen thus far. It was hilarious! During another act, a toddler got up and started dancing along with the teenagers, mimicking their moves. The audience gave him a round of applause for the impromptu act, and one woman came up and gave him a 100 baht bill for his charm. The lucky number gifts were the most exciting, and woke everyone up in the pews. I ended up getting four prizes and gave two to Aw and Tik, as everyone was giving me a hard time for winning so many times. I kept the two Bird glasses (Bird is a popular pop singer here) and an organizer tray with drawers. We finally left at sii thum (10 pm!) totally exhausted! After all, I found out from Tik and Aw that they didn't get back from Christmas caroling until 5 am this morning! (They had driven to Paint's house in a different province an hour away, after dropping me off at Linda's to continue their Christmas caroling!)
I woke up to the sound of Christmas music playing. Daniel, a friend of Linda's who lives and teaches at a university in Hat Yai in southern Thailand, came up to spend the night as well. This is his fourth year sleeping over Christmas eve. I think he misses his family in Minneapolis at Christmas time. We met each other (since I came in during the wee hours of morning when Daniel and Linda's daughter Tina were fast asleep) and talked about teaching in Thailand. He's doing a workshop on how to lead an English camp at the TESL conference in Bangkok held in mid-January. He gave me tips on traveling to the beaches in Krabi province. We sat around the tree, me, Daniel, Tina, Linda, and her husband Somkiet. We passed out the stockings and opened the gifts from Santa first. Then we passed out the gifts (I brought a huge bag of mine from my friends to her house so I could open them there.) and watched Tina open hers first. Then we all opened ours. I got an assortment of traditional Thai gifts from my friends and families of my students. Tik gave me a traditional thai pillow, which I absolutely love, and Pop's family gave me a traditional Thai wrap around skirt. P'Pau gave me this beautiful turquoise material with Thai pictures on it - a beautiful mural I've now laid on my floor in my room, a wooden box from Mint's family, and a lovely black scarf/shawl, which I wore for Christmas dinner, from Aw.
But, the most thoughtful and surprising gift was from Christy. She gave me a Thai-English Bible. I had seen one at the Chinese church nearby and had thought one day before I leave Thailand, I should get one. Anyone that knows me knows I never grew up going to church and have never been a particularly religious person, but I do believe in God, and ever since being here, I have gone to church and devotions every week (even though they are all in Thai, and I don't understand most of it). At first, I started going for the networking (although some of my friends may say it's the free lunch) and because the school is strong in its faith as a member of the Church of Christ in Thailand. Over the past couple of months, because of my father's serious health issues, I am leaning towards God more than ever before in my life. It was a very thoughtful gift, and it brought tears to my eyes as I reflected on her caring and generosity.
Some of you know, but for those who don't, I am planning on moving to Hawai'i in the spring. My initial plans to teach here in Thailand for at least a year have changed, and I have already informed my principal that I will be leaving here after finishing the term at the end of March. I want to go home to spend quality time with my dad and help him and my family out. It has been difficult being so far away, especially during the holidays. I called my dad today and could hear the Hawaiian music playing in the background at their annual Christmas eve party. The phone reception was bad, but at least I could send my love and say "Merry Christmas" to my father and my stepmom. My dad knows this time is difficult for me, but reassured me that he is doing fine.
Tonight, we had Bamrung Wittaya Church's Christmas dinner. It was nice to see all of the teachers there, even if many of them are Buddhist and not of Christian faith. We ate dinner, chatted, and then headed inside for the four hour long service. Thai people definitely do NOT know how to make it short and sweet. Tik was falling asleep, Aw was writing text messages on her phone, and I was not understanding one word. There was, of course, many dances and skits performed by children - one of the acts had the most atrocious looking outfits and hair I have seen thus far. It was hilarious! During another act, a toddler got up and started dancing along with the teenagers, mimicking their moves. The audience gave him a round of applause for the impromptu act, and one woman came up and gave him a 100 baht bill for his charm. The lucky number gifts were the most exciting, and woke everyone up in the pews. I ended up getting four prizes and gave two to Aw and Tik, as everyone was giving me a hard time for winning so many times. I kept the two Bird glasses (Bird is a popular pop singer here) and an organizer tray with drawers. We finally left at sii thum (10 pm!) totally exhausted! After all, I found out from Tik and Aw that they didn't get back from Christmas caroling until 5 am this morning! (They had driven to Paint's house in a different province an hour away, after dropping me off at Linda's to continue their Christmas caroling!)
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