Something Interesting

Ok, so I went to this place called Tops Market, on Sunday around 1 p.m.. I had one of the most interesting things happen while visiting this establishment, and since being here in Thailand. So I walked into Tops Market not really thinking to much about anything and I go through straight to one of the aisles where the deodorant is and as I am get to start of the aisle, I realize I am singing the song that's on the radio. The song was Sophie B. Hawkins, "As I lay Me Down."

Check out this video: As I Lay Me Down - Sophie B. Hawkins

An old song from High School, one that I really enjoyed. Then I started walking down the aisle and there was an American couple talking and shopping for things. There was no one else around, and I had this euphoric moment where I thought I was back home, shopping in some shopping center. Funny and interesting, I think. But then I looked down and saw the size of the deodorant sticks (which probably explains the BO problem we have with our students--they are one third or half the size of ones I get in the states--in Thai I would say the motto it totally opposite that of Texas, "everything is bigger in Texas") and then I looked back at the cash registers and all I saw the wonderful Thai ladies taking money and wai'ing each customer as they leave. The moment was quickly gone, yet subtle, and good.

Miss you all. God bless!

Another Video

This is a video of my daily routine; my walk from my apartment to the school. My camera's battery died as I was walking up the steps to chapel or I would have let you see the auditorium. Which you don't miss much, it is a big room with chairs! ;) Anyways, sorry for it being so shaky too!

If you look there was a man cleaning water off the sidewalk, that is because that whole drive and parking lot was under water the night before. We had two days of crazy rain and it flooded the road. I heard a story, that in the 80's the King actually had to pass a law for the government to fix the flooding of Ekamai Road. It was fixed in Two days! People were working day in, day out. If you haven't done your research, the King and Queen here are borderline worshiped.. and that is be nice.

Anyways, here's the video:

Back to School

Well, Ekamai was back to school on Thursday; Wednesday evening for most of you Americans out there! It was nice to have a day off, almost like those ice days back home in Tennessee. But instead of ice it was the government up he val!

It was nice to be back at school, otherwise there isn't much that I do here. I am not one who goes and tries everything the city offers. Or travels around. I need to be more like that but it's not really my personality to do that. I love traveling with people and don't like doing things alone.

Anyways, for the past two weeks, a bunch of us play some sport on Thursday nights. Last week it was basketball and last night it was futsol. Very fun. But, not that I am complaining, typically I am playing with all girls. Like any educational system, there are more girls than guy teachers.. it's fun though, to get out and play games.

Also, on Sundays, I have been playing in a Basketball league. The churches and the organizations here that are Adventist have put this league together. There are 8 teams, our team was 1 and 5 before I started playing and now is 4 and 6. We have to win our next two games to make it to the playoffs or something like that.

I have been taking a Thai class too. Monday and Wednesday nights for two hours. Trying to learn how to speak Thai. I know Nit Noi, which means "very little". I am working on it though, if I stay here long enough I plan to be able to carry on full conversations with people. First, I am going to try and learn how to order food and tell the taxi where I would like to go. :) First things first, you know? Haha.

Hopefully I will have some more pictures and video soon. I hope all is well where you are and that God is blessing you tremendously.

Bangkok Violence

Bangkok sees violence.  Well, the people here in Thailand are some of the nicest people you will ever meet.  But like everyone there is an evil side that you don't expect.  This past week and especially this weekend.  Starting on September 2, early in the morning, Yellow group representing the PAD.  Got attacked by the anti-government group in Red.

  I don't know exactly their views other than the ones in Yellow,  who  are funded and well organized, do not like the Prime Minister  and  want him out and will not back down until he is gone.  And  the Red  group are for the Prime Minister and has caused all this  violence.

  The picture to the left shows the  violent clash between pro and anti-government supporters in Thailand's capital, Bangkok, left many injured, and at least one dead.

After the violence the Prime Minister came out and called the city

 to be in a state of emergency and gave control to the Military.  So the Military, now can arrest whom every they feel and can break up people are collecting in groups of 5 or more.

The picture to the right shows the military surrounding the and making a barrier on the streets.  All this is happing a good ways away from my School, but the Mission Hospital is across the street.  I have heard that its about 10 kilometers away, so about 20 minutes.  Takes like 1 hr though because of traffic.  I was supprised to see the guy with the big knife.. that's crazy, I don't plan on going anywhere near that scene.  :)

Here are some more pictures: 

Website: Go to the BBC NEWS website for more information.

A long Letter, on Sabbath Afternoon

So it is Sabbath evening, and I have just finished my first two weeks of school. I really have started to enjoy the students more as I have gotten to know them and meet them. Still it is hard pronouncing names like: Apisith Sukhochaiyakij, Yuthaphan Wiraponsawan, Teetawat Inengrungrod, or Peeranon Vorakulsathien, and many other ones that sound wrong to say but are common in Thailand, one is Pisidporn or something like that.

The kids here have had no discipline when it comes to Physical Education classes. For some reason I keep coming into environments like this for PE. I had the same thing when I went to Oregon but at least they spoke English and did not stare at me like I just spoke Greek to them, when speaking English. =) I was going to say, as if I spoke a foreign language. Hahaha

Ok, classes are going good, in-spite all the formalities. I have four other people working under me, and the way things are, sometimes is hard to deal with. Let me explain. In previous years the school had an Athletic Director and he was over the Physical Education, Athletics and anything dealing with sports. But he started stealing things and not reporting money properly, signed that he was coaching when he was not so he could get extra hours of pay, etc... Then, two years ago, they had an Athletic Coordinator, responsible for coordinating sports games and scheduling court for practice times and times for teachers in the evenings. Anyways, the Athletic Coordinator and the Athletic Director/Physical Education Head, did not get along or work well with each other. So the school split the two programs.

Now I am having to repeat the benefits of a messed up system. They actually have made me Athletic Director, so I am in-charge of all Physical Education, Sports, Athletics, and the such, so our Athletic Coordinator, and three other PE Teachers have to report to me or go through me for decision making. That is all fine and I can handle it but we have our equipment for Physical Education and they have their equipment for Athletics. And there is this sharp line in-between. Which is good, to some degree, but frustrating when your not use to it. I am working on making that line a little less sharp. =)

Anyways, I like the people I work with, I am the only trained Physical Education teacher, with a degree. Out of the three teachers I have teaching classes there is really only one that teaches like I would like them too. One teacher does an ok job, and the other teacher struggles a lot with classroom management and teaching, but he will not be coming back next year, he is supposed to be retiring.

I am coaching the Middle School Basketball team in the evenings, and have had three practices so far. We have 15 boys on that team. Any they don't understand me. =) There is a real since of confusion and chaos but they have started doing better. We have our first game on Monday or Tuesday, Sept. 1 or 2. So when your getting up on that Monday morning, I will have already started my game or finished. Hehe..

I am learning a lot about Thai culture, and people, too. In Thai culture, it is really bad if you do not have control of your emotions. So for people who express emotions it is a hard place to work, sometimes. It is common for someone to be upset with another person, and act very nice to their face, Wai them with a respectful, "Sa wat dee, Krap." Which means, "Hello." or can mean, "Good Day." And then speak dirty about them later or be storming mad in their head. Not really happen to me yet, but it is ok I am an American, and if they get upset, I can come home, right? =)

But amongst all this their is a fine line and teaching that must go on. Pray that the Lord be with each Teacher and student. We have 90% or more Buddhist, Sikhs, Muslims, compared to maybe 3% Adventist/Christians. I think there is one Catholic amongst all 1200 or so students. I know that the school has 2 or 3 Buddhist working on staff. One is working as my Athletic Coordinator.

Oh, a praise and something for you to glory in. The Pastor and one of the Chaplains, Renee Goff from Walla Walla, they went to this ladies hospital room on Friday. Well, here is a little background. They found out that this lady was sick and was in the hospital, and then later that day found that she had a virus and she was not going to last much longer. The Pastor, the Chaplain, and Assistant Chaplain, were earlier Friday talking about how wonderful it would be if we (people in general, the world, humanity) would live their faith, no matter what faith, just actually live what they believe. Then this situation came up with this lady. Without hesitation Renee, the Assistant Chaplain, said "Ok, lets start living what we believe."

So the Pastor set up an anointing at the hospital. They, the Pastor and Renee, headed down to the hospital to anoint this lady who has a virus and can not breath and basically after the anointing they were going to pull her plug. Now for the best part, after church today at potluck, come to find out this lady was still alive, has no signs of an infection, can breath fine and is getting better!

So miracles do work all around the world! God total rewarded Renee's and the Pastors faith. I pray that we all can have that faith and we can start living our faith right now! Whether you are Christian, Muslim, etc... and we can encourage others to be truthful and honest in following their believes. Our world is so full of people who claim to be these things but are not even close. How can you call yourself a Muslim if you are eating pork and drinking wine. And how can you call yourself a Buddhist, if you are treating other hatefully, and not showing others respect. And for us Christians how can we call our self's Christian and not even know Jesus as a friend and then not even act like Him, when we carry His name as CHRISTian.

Something to think about, something to pray about, and something to share. Love and God bless you ALL!