End of July

Where did this month go.  Seems like it was just starting.  So much has happened -- a lot of work, a lot of fun, and a lot of new friends.  Sounds like the perfect mix to me.  In two days, it is time to go back to Maesai for another Visa run.  Rules and regs have recently changed so just when you think you've got it under control, ba-a-m, another bump, so back to Maesai and an 8-hour bus ride for a few minutes worth of red tape.  Have to physically leave Thailand, walk across a bridge to Myanmar to get my Visa validated, and then back across bridge to Thailand to get a new stamp.  Hopefully this will be the last time I have to do this as the Foundation I am working with is still trying to get me on Thai Visa which will give me another full year.  Otherwise, come October, I have to get out of dodge, and those contingency plans are not in my wheelhouse currently.  So, here's to all the things that did go right this month and yea for all the wonderful new friends and good times.  I am happy!

My new friend James Michael

Good friends Maykin, Jo and Fon

Cheers!

Jennie and Frances McGuire with Jo and Maykin

Jennie, Maykin and Frances

Party @ The Meeting Room 

May and Jam

And then some, oh my!

Kalisha Thailand, performing her art

Kalisha and her finished piece

Now if you've got to work, not too shabby!

Lotus PSK Hotel

Staff of Lotus Hotel learning how to give "service excellent"

English class -- aerobics class, hm-m-m

a new teacher is born, my friend Kung

My friends in Lamphun, Som, Ning, Kung & Gay

Lamphun class

Ladies of Lamphun

 

Have been having the best time teaching so many different and interesting students since I came to Thailand.  We started new session tonight in Lamphun with old friends and many new ones.  Best thing about Thai students is that they are excited and nervous to be learning English no matter what their skill level is.  They are happy to have native speaker take time to talk with them and help them improve their skills, and because they are so inspiring, they make me want to help even more.  Wish all students had their enthusiasm and interest in learning -- I think that is one of big differences, and it makes me feel not only needed, but truly worthwhile.  

Today I'm celebrating my Thai Work Permit.  What an accomplishment!  I was sponsored by Cornerstone Foundation to do volunteer work as teacher and administrator throughout Thailand, and I sincerely appreciate their confidence and guidance.  I will continue to work with both Cornerstone and LIFE to help bring English skills to Thai people especially in underserved areas and those without opportunities to receive training on their own.  This is the final class for just one of those Thai factories who are intent are giving their employees additional skills which will benefit not only them personally but will also provide a better future for all citizens within ASEAN Community.  The look of happiness and pride is obvious.

Exotic Adventure Continues

So how do you top an adventure such as I have been experiencing the past 6 months?  You go on another adventure, of course!  I met up with 3 wonderful ladies for dinner earlier this week; ladies who I had never had the pleasure of meeting in person and only one with whom I had "chatted" during the past year.  We had such a wonderful time talking not only about the diversity of our backgrounds, but the commonalities of the new independent women who have careers and take care of their families, but still find time for exotic adventures.  

We met up again for a dinner and cultural show in Chiang Mai and then made plans to visit the the Chiang Rai District with its Hot Springs, White Temple, Mekong River and Golden Triangle -- the confluence of Thailand, Laos and Myanmar -- and finally the Karen Long Neck Hill Tribe village.


What a day, and these are but a few of the wonderful sights from our excursion:

Would you believe a "no smoking" sign?  Cigarettes are being handed out by the devil...

Thai New Year

OMG!  Where do I begin.  I was told that Chiang Mai had best new year's festival, and when I asked my son, all he could say was, "you just can't imagine."  So I went to my friend's restaurant and after visiting for short time, Fon and I got on motor bike to visit her friend in Old City across the river.  I have never had so much fun in my life!  We, of course, had to go to Taipai Gate to buy water guns finally if only for defense, but then walking the streets was like every child's dream come true.  Thousands of participant having the biggest water fight in the world and I was in the middle of it.  Forget that half the buckets that were dumped on you were from garbage pails filled with ice chunks and water -- enough to wake you up and then some -- we gave as good as we got!  Here's just a short sample of some great scenes from the streets, and then a rather happy video that gives a good taste of traditional and modern celebrations -- just awesome.  Enjoy!

ASEAN Community: My Assignment

To relay information for the various students regarding the countries which will make up the forthcoming ASEAN  Economic Community, each of the teachers was assigned 2 countries as our focus.  I was assigned Vietnam and Myanmar.  Interesting to study facts, geography and culture of two countries I only had minimal knowledge of previously, so I was as interested as the students would be to learn.  Certainly cannot qualify as an expert, but I have now learned basic yet fascinating knowledge of both Vietnam and Myanmar, and have now interviewed several lovely ladies from Vietnam and Myanmar (or what used to be called Burma). I certainly hope my travels will someday include these two points of interest.


Here are some pictures and information that you might enjoy:

The Vietnamese became independent from Imperial China in 938 AD, following the Battle of Bạch Đằng River. Successive Vietnamese royal dynasties flourished as the nation expanded geographically and politically into Southeast Asia, until the Indochina Peninsula was colonized by the French in the mid-19th century. The First Indochina War eventually led to their expulsion from the country in 1954 leaving Vietnam divided politically into two countries. Fighting between the two sides continued, with heavy foreign intervention, during the Vietnam War, which ended with a North Vietnamese victory in 1975.

Emerging from this prolonged military engagement, the war-ravaged Communist nation was politically isolated. In 1986, the government instituted economic and political reforms and began a path towards international reintegration. By 2000, it had established diplomatic relations with most nations. Its economic growth has been among the highest in the world since 2000, and according to Citigroup, such high growth is set to continue. Vietnam has the highest Global Growth Generators Index among 11 major economies, and its successful economic reforms resulted in it joining the World Trade Organization in 2007 and is now part of the ASEAN Economic Community set for completion in 2015.

90.5 million inhabitants as of 2011, Vietnam is the world's 13th-most-populous country

Consisting primarily of mountains and shorelines

Vietnamese Dress

Flag of Vietnam

                        Flag of Myanmar

Burmese wedding procession

Burmese SPDC members greet Thai Prime Minister

Burmese Ramayana dance

People of Myanmar

Burmese tribesman

Ancient Burmese temple in Chiangmai