Open House on a Cold, Rainy Day

Saturday, 15 January 2005

I know, you're gonna say, yeah right it was cold! But, for Thailand, it was! It poured all day today, and I was freezing in my long sleeve blouse and skirt. It was really unusual weather, but it was overcast, gray, and rainy all weekend. Seemed like a typical Seattle day. Because of this, not as many people showed up as we had hoped for our English Program Open House today. Christy and I were up late last night and worked hard all week to prepare for today. All the Thai teachers from various grades were there to help pass out water and snacks and welcome families. (Teachers typically work all school events, even if it doesn't have to do with them!) The skit (on protecting our earth and recycling - you'd be proud Mom!) I directed the kids in impressed parents because they were surprised at their ability to speak English. Our kids have really grown so much in their ability to speak and understand English, in just the five months I've been here. Both Christy and I are amazed at how much they have learned, and I've seen more progress with this group of kids than in all of my teaching career. Even though we hadn't practiced with microphones, and a couple of the kids were oblivious to speaking into the microphones, it went well. One couple (the father is French and the wife is Thai, but they both speak fluent English) came and looked at our classroom and talked to us for awhile and asked valid questions about the program, since they are not happy with the current program their child is in. The video we had produced was really good and gave a glimpse of our daily teaching with fun pictures of the kids. I really do hope parents are interested in our English program.

After, Phu's father took us to lunch with his classmates from his doctoral program. It was a long drive to a town by the sea, called Samut Sakhon. It was a nice, late lunch, with a lot of fresh seafood, crab, fish, prawns, soup, etc. and they had a private room with karaoke. So, I sang the Carpenters' "Top of the World" with Phu's father. It was hilarious! Phu, who was a little under the weather, was rather content as he positioned a chair just right so he could sit and stare out of the big windows watching the ferries go by and looking at all the fish on the deck. After I pigged out at lunch, we went to the top of the restaurant, where there was a deck overlooking the sea. We took a drive around the area after lunch and stumbled upon a set of nice, quaint guest houses where you can take a boat on the river and watch the fireflies at night. It's about 800 baht ($20) per night on the weekends. Phu's father suggested a bunch of us come back one weekend to enjoy good seafood and relax. It's only about an hour and a half or so from where we live. Sounds like a grand idea to me!