I remember when Lara and I just got to Nong Khai, probably a day or two into officially living at the Isara house we agreed that, “ I have a feeling that I’m going to be sad to leave this place”—and whaddaya know, we definitely were! And our nasal passages and eyes proved it. It felt surreal to leave this charity that housed us over the few months that we’ve been in this foreign country. Kirk and Ming provided the comfort, safety and room to grow in this place. We could ask for more. We all developed such a strong bond with one another, just enough for us to feel comfortable to make jokes and to confide in one another. And it didn’t take much to do this, especially when you’re working with altruistic people who really have admirable qualities in themselves. I appreciate you guys so much. Thank you, Kirk & Ming.
It was incredibly difficult to leave. Felt tears fill my ducts, emptying out to my hands because I didn’t want to show people that I was sad to leave. I wanted everyone to know that I was extremely thankful for their presence in my life and everything they’ve provided for me, internally. I left e-mails to those I bonded with and gave big hugs to the kids who came by after school (it was a Tuesday, so they didn’t have class… it was still nice that they were there!). I knew that it was going to be different the moment I stepped outside that house; Lara and I would be alone again. We had an unsettling feeling when we finally left those doors and stepped into our departing tuk-tuk. Kirk and Ming followed us to the bus station where we were departing for Udon Thani then to Chiang Mai. I couldn’t help but continue to cry because I knew that I would miss every moment being at Isara and I knew that it was to the extent that this was such an amazing, eye-opening experience for me. I knew I would miss the kids, the laughter, the lost in translations, the practicing of the alphabet, the badminton games, the tiring and endless games of colored bingo, the “good after-noon, teeeechaaas”… all of that. And as far as living in the house, I can’t even begin to bullet point what I’d miss, we all had a great time living under this one roof together.
Thank you to everyone, for giving me your friendship, bestowing your wisdom, sharing your stories, allowing Lara and I to be a part of something greater than ourselves and opening your arms to a little girl with a big heart.
On Monday, I celebrated my first birthday overseas that I could clearly remember (I spent my first two birthdays in the Philippines when I was just a baby—so that doesn’t really count). This birthday was a little different than those that I would normally spend at home. This birthday, I spent a great deal reflecting about the year before and constantly counting my blessings. Last year, I spent my birthday stressed over GREs and figuring out what to do with myself because I once believed that there was no outlet for me in my post-undergrad life. I was lost. I experienced a lot of emotions that caused me to do irrational things, forcing my heart to finally stand in the front line and eventually let go of what I believed could become suppressing to me. It was different then. But now that I think about where I am a year later, eyes a little more clear, I needed all of that to become what I am right now.
Birthday Celebration #1 I spent my birthday this year with people I eventually came to love and appreciate, people who substituted the family and friends that I had back home. Being that it was also my last weekend in Nong Khai, the Isara gang and I headed out to a local bar called Bar-Nana, where we enjoyed live music and each other's company. It was refreshing almost… I think the last time I was really out with people like that was when I last left the U.S. As we walked through the streets of Nong Khai, I kept thinking, “’I would probably be doing the exact thing in San Jose, spending a little bit more money on the booze that I’d be drinking at the moment, being a little more dressed up, and paying way too much for cover at a club”. It wasn’t that different from what I did that weekend in a sense that it was less expensive: drinking beer purchased from 7-11 while consuming on the way to the celebration venue, somewhat dressy (I even straightened my hair a bit and curled my eyelashes!) and spending absolutely nothing on cover.
After we spent part of the night at Bar-nana, we went to a bar called Warm-up, which is nothing like the Felang bars in Nong Khai (less grimy old men with tiny (sometimes very young) Thai women) because more locals actually find themselves here on weekends enjoying a game of pool and drinking a bottle of 100 Pipers Scotch. After Warm-Up we decided to hit the hay and called it a night.
Birthday Celebration #2 I was incredibly emotional on this day. It wasn’t the overwhelming feelings of sudden homesickness that drowns me during flows of reflections, but marking this the last whole day that I was able to spend with everyone at Isara.The day ran as usual. I did some last minute e-mail writing, made phone calls home and tried to finish up everything on my to-do list before leaving and being disconnected from everyone for awhile. Lara and I taught our last lesson together to our Beginners class. I couldn’t help but get lost in a trance of flashbacks while overseeing the students copy down the parts of the face onto their little notebooks. It was almost yesterday when we shadowed this class. I remember observing which ones I found closely resembling me when I was kid, or the cute ones who I wanted to learn their names. So much has happened since then.
Kirk interjected towards the end of our class and had the students write me birthday cards and sing happy birthday to me. I still have some of the cards with me right now while I’m traveling. The students were very sweet—some even gave me presents! I got a plush toy and a bag of chocolate covered wafers from Nut, a Hello Kitty key chain with my name on it from Pom Pam, and Oishi Tea drinks from Dream (Lara and I joked that she just went “shopping” at the 7-11 her parents own down the block for me). I had a great time teaching this class. It’s just so bittersweet to leave!
Later, we went to the buffet to celebrate my birthday. I think I almost inhaled some of my food. I’m usually really hungry on Mondays since Lara and I fruit fast on Sundays, so it was definitely satisfying my ravenous hunger. Once we finished dinner we headed over to the hotel next to Bar-Nana and sang good ol Thai karaoke. We were greeted by Kirk and Ming singing, surprised that we got to the venue so quickly after they’d left a bit early to make the karaoke reservation. We sang songs that made us laugh, scream (or at least made Bell & Sam!), snooze (I saw Nok dosing off!), and cheer from excitement. It’s always so much fun to resurface those songs that took you back to certain times in your life, or just the feelings tied to singing them. Sometimes, I remember songs based on which playlist they’re under when I hear them and I usually feel that exact mood.
To me, singing always is a symbol of togetherness. I couldn’t help but keep a permanent smile when I looked around the room seeing everyone have a great time, singing and laughing together—usually from trying to hit those unattainable pitches, or from shock that Bell and Sam are freakin undercover rockstars! Besides that, I also thought “this is almost the last of this experience with everyone” which made me feel a bit bittersweet about leaving Nong Khai.
At the end of the night when Kirk asked how my birthday went, I told him that it was one of those days where your face just has this sore feeling from being clenched so much from smiling.
I like those feelings.
Thank you, Isara for making this an extraordinary birthday that I will never forget.
This will be my last post from Nong Khai. Lara and I will be traveling throughout Thailand for a few weeks until December 17, where we will then leave for Sydney, Australia. Don't wait up for me, I'll be somewhere around this country causing a ruckus or just getting absolutely lost in translation. I prefer the former! Hah.
Thank you to all the warm birthday wishes. Caused me to feel a bit of homesickness, but being with such positive and kind-hearted people here at Isara, I was able to overcome these emotions.
Today was also my last day here at Isara. I can't give a proper farewell and reflection since I've got so many things running through my mind at the moment... ah and it's too late right now. But please rest assured that I feel the utmost gratitude for all the amazing people I've come to know, comfort and welcoming embrace into this beautiful community, the sweetest students, and sincerest exchange made here. It's been fun! I will miss every moment of this.
Expect some updates in a few weeks, till then my friends... SEEEEEE YAAAAAAH!
On Friday, Lara and I decided to shake up our lesson by playing Twister! We made the Twister mat with some inexpensive fabric and cut out circles in 4 different colors. The concept of direction was the focus of our lesson and body parts-- this will also potentially lead into the game, "Simon Says" hopefully sometime. Groups were separated since there wouldn't be enough room for all of our students to play at once (oh, gosh... I can't imagine what kind of disaster would happen with all of them on it!). When we gave an example the kids were a bit confused as to what they should be doing exactly, but once they got onto that mat, they figured it out... kinda. They didn't know whether to keep their hands and/or feet where they already landed or to move to a completely new dot... haha. Despite the confusion, they had a fun time playing!
Every year, the largest university in Nong Khai, Khon Kaen hosts a rice harvesting festival held at various rice fields in Nong Khai. We were invited by this university to take part in their harvesting ceremony to learn the history of the Northeastern area of Thailand's traditional methods of harvest. Pertinent to this area, large families annually harvest their rice together, but in effect of the downward spiraling economy, these families gradually made their way to larger cities in Thailand prospecting higher paying job opportunities, leaving their homes and land. Hiring outside help has superseded the traditional family harvesting experience and diluted the Northeastern traditions of rice harvesting, but as a response Khon Kaen has made it their goal to keep these traditions alive by exposing them to nearby countries and the community along with volunteering to harvest other fields during this season.
We began our day, gloomy and early at the tender hour of 7 am--it's been a little chilly here lately, which has been turning on my hibernation mode a few days already! A coach bus awaited us at the Naga fountain a few blocks away. We were greeted by a few members from the university staff along with students from Khon Kaen. I was still a little disoriented so I wasn't feeling too social when greeting other volunteers on the bus.
When we arrived, we saw hundreds of people in bright orange hats peeking through the rice stalks and dispersed throughout the fields. As we got closer, the university students organized themselves into a gauntlet, greeting us with the Wai. I really like the way they greet people here, it just gives off this genuine respect for one another.
The university did a great job in bringing to life the tradition and creating an active space for volunteers to participate by hosting relay races, instrument (from the rice stalks sturdier bottom piece) competitions and rice whipping to disconnect the grains from the stalks. Alongside the events, the coordinators also invited us to actually harvest rice. We used sickle knives and made sure our hats were on correctly to protect us from the sun. We harvested for about 10 minutes, piling up stalks of rice on the side and learning the appropriate technique of harvesting. It wasn't an extremely arduous process, considering we experienced the last phase of growing rice (harvesting). However, I did learn to appreciate the technique and skill farmers have when tending their crops and the patience they have to grow fields and fields of rice.
Me & "Yuri"... possibly from Korea or Japan. Lol.
As noon approached, we finished up the activities and asked to participate in a small interview session with the coordinators that would be aired nationally and locally (hey, Mom... I'm famous here! Just kidding. Kirk said that they might just edit us out and only air the white people speaking). Melanie and I were joking about how they probably are confused as to why these two Asian girls were in the interview at all since majority of the volunteers that were asked to participate were Thai's understanding of "Foreigner" a.k.a. White people. I've often found myself having to clarify my background since my skin tone and facial features are similar to Thai's and sometimes feel ashamed that I don't have the correct words to express myself. Maybe it's because I've felt their exasperation through their confused looks and frustrated head shakes, but in hindsight, this is part of the traveling experience, the lost in translation paradox.
Making sure we plugged Isara in during our interviews! Take that, T-2-T!
After the festival, we joined the university students at their university and had lunch. We were also given a tour of their newly built aquarium.
It was a great day spent with a few of us from Isara and a fantastic experience. I was expecting to be working really hard out there, sweating like crazy and having no fun at all, but it was quite the opposite! I really appreciate the university's effort to preserve these traditions while creating an educational experience for foreigners. So, I could finally say that I've harvested rice before... awesome!
P.S. more pictures & a video will be posted later!
I'm getting lazy to write so I'll bullet point a few highlights from yesterday's day trip!
6 am departure
DEFINITELY unstylish attire to the temple
First time wearing socks since the U.S.
Rented a sweet van with various features: kareoke, reclining seats, and A/C
Watching Madonna live in London on the way to our destination. She does a lot of thrusting during her shows! Haha.
Visited Wat Pho Tok-- A wat (temple) built into the mountain. Climbed hellllllllllaaaaa stairs! Walked past several bat droppings. Walked on surprisingly sturdy planks. Breath-taking view from the top of the mountain.
And another newly built Wat... I didn't catch the name: Shook the cup with numbered sticks to tell my fortune and apparently I need a widow in my life. Dead butterflies on the floor =(. We got there at 8 am. -____-
Visited another Wat dedicated to a deceased monk-- A beautiful wat with modern architecture. Followed by a wet dog.
Waterfalls-- Watching tourists slip and slide on the rocks. Slipping on several rocks. Getting bruised on my bottom =(. Taking a relaxing nap then realizing the tourists ALL left and the waterfall was ours to expore. Playing in the water. Slipping in little holes in the ground. Watching Ming have fun sliding over and over again. Watching Lara get a wedgie from sliding. Almost witnessing Monks commit suicide from the top of the waterfall...jk, they were playing around!
Wearing a towel back home because I forgot to bring extra bottoms. -____-
Over the past few days, the Isara house has become livelier! Four new volunteers from the U.S. have been so kind to give their time and energy to be a part of the Isara community. Travis, who joined us on Monday is from Chicago. Cyncerie & Alex from San Francisco and Melanie from San Diego all joined us on Tuesday. Kirk & Ming said that this is the most volunteers they've had the first year they were in operation. I'm really excited to have them join us, it's been awhile since Lara and I had people to hang out with aside from the kids, Ming & Kirk.
Switching rooms with Kirk & Ming to make more room for the new volunteers
Our new room (Kirk & Ming's old room) + Melanie's new space
Before they arrived, we also had a chance to teach with another volunteer from Germany. Although, Lothar has only been here for 3 weeks, he contributed generously to the growth of this charity. He helped with the Halloween party by paying for the drinks, candy and snacks and also stepped in to teach a few classes as well while we were in Laos. It was a pleasure meeting you, Lothar. I'm happy that this charity has reached further out to people all over the world. Thank you for being so sweet and helpful to the kids. The kids won't forget "My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean", for sure. Your presence was always positive and warm-hearted. Safe travels back to Germany!
A few days ago, we were able to have our first yoga class here at Isara, led by Lara. This is the first class that she taught with more than 3 people, me being the only consistent student. I'm happy that she's able to work on her teaching skills in different concentrations with a range of ages and outside of the classroom. She did a great job teaching! I think it's important for yoga classes to have the right elements in instruction, one being the calm and soothing voice of an instructor and the instant welcoming feeling of understanding that this space is used for silence and mindfulness. And I also think it's important to help first timers ease into this practice because it may appear intimidating to someone who has never practiced it. This is just the beginning, Lara!
Yoga at 10am! Haha.
Here are also some photos of our mini-photoshoot for the homepage!
As far as teaching goes, the students are progressing well. We experience quite a bit of frustration when teaching at times, but that's just a simple motivator to be patient and work on my teaching skills. It's difficult to communicate with our beginners class because they are so scattered in thought sometimes and learning to keep their attention for an additional hour out of the day after spending the previous 7 hours in school! We are lucky enough to have Party & Bell help with the translation, otherwise, I have no idea how we would be able to do it! This week's lesson covers prepositions, which gives allows them to be a little bit more active in class. This was also Travis' first day teaching.
For the advanced class, we decided to give them an opportunity to express themselves artistically by writing a Japanese poem called a Haiku. I'm sure you guys wrote one of these when you were in elementary school. I don't remember writing one of these when I was younger, but I'm sure if I did, it wouldn't have been any good! I was very impressed by the poems that the students produced. It was a process to construct these poems, but they did a great job overall. We try to reinforce the language as much as possible during class by asking our students to speak English and sharing with us their work by reading them aloud (I have some video's I'll be posting of them reciting the poems! I'll post those later). Initially, I thought this would be somewhat difficult for them to comprehend because when native Thai speakers speak English, more syllables are produced than necessary and could make writing a Haiku a bit hard-- but of course, the world of teaching is always dynamic and unpredictable-- the students were amazing! Some were actually comedic and deeply profound. Here are just some examples of the poems.
Jame with his dried orchid. His poem went a little something like this... Flowers and women They are the same sweet beauty Guys can't deny them
By Pompam. I have to agree, you gotta get past things
This one is made me tear a little. So sincere and touching!
That's what we've been up to lately! More updates to come. =)
I'm not sure about how often you check this thing, but I just wanted to wish you a Happy Birthday all the way from Thailand. Om should be happier! He's holding up the "Happy". I love you. <3
Every year, the Thai festival Loy Krathong, is celebrated on the full moon of November. This festival is celebrated to honor the Buddha and his many blessings given to us. Traditionally, small banana boats/rafts are made with beautiful flowers, banana leaves, candles and incense and set afloat along the river. Money, hair and fingernail pieces are also placed on these boats. The intentions for these detachments (letting go of the boat, hair and fingernail pieces) is to symbolize the negative parts of oneself like hate and anger. Also, this holiday pays respect to the river for its nourishment and service to us.
A major banana boat construction session was held today in substitution for our regular class schedule. We had higher attendance on this day since the schools opened this week and many of our students returned. I was really eager to make these boats when I heard Ming introduce this festival to us because if you know me, I'm big on crafts, sewing, recycling things to make other pieces of art and using my imagination and creativity to find beauty and function in unused objects.
Yok, looking over my shoulder as I make my krathong
Krathong workshop!
We began making these boats with simple and all natural materials like banana tree stock, banana leaves, tooth picks and vibrant flowers. I was amazed to see how creative all the students got with the limited materials they had. It was fascinating to watch the students gradually create their resplendent pieces of art. The intricacies in folding the banana leaves, positioning and usage of flowers to accent and mounting of several banana stock to create layers are all various techniques the students used to make their boats. They definitely mastered this art and had a fun time making them.
My creation!
A closer view
After spending a few hours creating these traditional floating devices, we headed out to a nearby temple that was just right off the riverfront. Only a few of the kids joined us, since usually this is a family spent festival. We were all so excited to share these moments together, I could just tell that the process of making these boats brought them happiness and being able to set them afloat was but another instant moment of joy. As we approached the temple, krathong vendors were posted in front and crowds and crowds of people made their way through the entrance. A beauty pageant was also in running during this event.
On the way to the temple
Beauty pageant
There was such a great turn-out at this event! So much that the line went past several vendors and we patiently had to wait until we were able to make our way down to the riverfront. Once we got there, we were allowed to say a small prayer before letting our boats go. Watching the negativity in our lives float away and renewing ourselves with hope that we can live our lives free from such debilitating and self-imposed states were simple reminders for change. This was a really positive festival to celebrate for me. The process and symbolism of everything refreshed me of these things I should consciously apply to my daily routine and life. We should always take the time to be mindful of ourselves and the opportunity to continue to become better people.
In line to set our krathongs afloat
Thank you, Thailand for exposing me to experiences like these. Namaste.
