What can be accomplished in less than 100 days in a new country...

I am so sorry that I have not updated this blog in…two months?! Sheesh, I didn't realize it's been that long already. 

I guess I didn't realize it because it really hasn't been that long at all. This realization came to my attention on Monday when the other American teachers and I went to Mae Sai for our 90 day visa run. 90 days? What? It feels like I have been here for a year already! There's no way…Whelp, I guess it's true. Here's some updates on what you can accomplish in under 100 days when you move halfway around the world to Thailand.

Learn enough of the language:

     It's pretty cool when you can go to a restaurant and greet the staff, order your meal politely, ask where the restroom is, ask how much the bill is, understand the amount due, pay, say Thank You and leave. It's also cool when you can translate some words in your biology class to help your students understand what in the world you are talking about related to the nervous system. Telling another teacher that you have already eaten and that you "are full" and telling the taxi driver to "turn right, continue straight and stop here!" The list goes on of the few words that I have learned to get around Thailand and it feels great. 

Learn how to be a teacher:

     I have learned enough about diagnostics, test giving practices, classroom management, making learning fun, lesson planning and professionalism to efficiently run a class. For a long period of time I was unsure how I was performing as a teacher, but a couple of extremely sweet interactions made me feel good about how I am doing. 

     When we got back from our Christmas break one of my students came into the office and gave me a card with a note written in it. She explained how she appreciates me as her teacher because I explain the content clearly and I make class fun. Little notes like that make all of the hard work and extra study time worth it. I am so, so lucky to have the incredible students I have each day in class. 

     The same student also included a jade bracelet in the letter. She said that she had gone to the temple with her Grandmother to pray for the new year. After, she got three jade bracelets and wanted to give one to me. I put it on right away exited for the constant reminder around my wrist that although some days when I wonder if my students understood anything at all, to keep trying because I am making a difference for at least one student. Also, when I get back to the US, I hope this bracelet never falls off. I want it to be a constant reminder of the blessings I have had in every interaction in Thailand and the blessings I have every day of my life. There is always a lesson to be learned and a smile that can make someone else's day. Physical reminders are good. 

Never eat the seafood in the south of Thailand:

     If you follow me on Facebook, you got your fair share of how I was feeling during our trip to Krabi, Thailand; one of the most beautiful places in the world. Christmas night, we were on an island enjoying a kabob BBQ after a long day of rock climbing, swimming and snorkeling when we consumed some BAADD seafood. Kyle made it within 5 minutes of our bungalow before he puked off the back of a pick up truck (our taxi home). I made it to the bungalow, laid down complaining about how I felt and then lost it. The unfortunate piece of shrimp (yea, that small) put us out of commission for two days. Luckily, with some medicinal charcoal, lots of Gatorade and some rest we were back at it a few days later. Words of wisdom - if they offer food on an island, ALWASY tell them you're a vegetarian! 

Travel to the south of Thailand:

     Besides the food poisoning, our trip was amazing. The beaches were unbelievable, the water was turquoise, the long tailed boats were just like you see in a postcard or on Pinterest…it was amazing. One of the coolest parts of the trip was at the end of our Christmas day snorkeling adventure (right before the illness) our boat captain took is to a dark area and turned off all of the lights. We all jumped in to see bioluminescent plankton in the water. With each stroke of our arm or our leg to stay afloat it looked like our bodies were stirring up magic ferry dust. It was unlike anything I ever imagined I would see in this world.

Harvest coffee with a hill tribe family:
     One weekend Kyle and I realized we really wanted to learn more bout the coffee they grow here in Northern Thailand. Thailand is usually known for the Robusta coffee that comes from the south, but up in the north they have Arabica coffee and it is absolutely amazing. We asked the owner of one of the coffee shops we visited often if they would be able to take us to the farm to see how it's grown. In true Thai fashion they immediately asked when we would like to go. Kyle and I jumped into a four wheel drive SUV and went on the rocky road to the farm.
     For the day we met and harvested coffee cherries with farmers of the Akka hill tribe. It was amazing. The views from the mountain were amazing, knowing that the cherries I was harvesting would make their way into the cup of a consumer somewhere was amazing and understanding the intense process of harvesting coffee and truly living in the label "fair trade" was eyeopening.
     From this experience, Kyle and I have been brewing up an idea for a business involving bringing Northern Thai coffee to the rest of the world! If you continue to read, you will read about the Kao Jai Coffee company (at the end).

Understand that the Thai diet is much better than the American diet
     This is something that has been very difficult for me to understand, yet so simple. I am talking about the difference in the Thai diet and the American diet.
     When we first got here we realized that everything is either rice, noodles, or fried. The people like to add sugar to EVERYTHING along with fish sauce and hot sauce or chili powder. Something that was different, though, is that in Thailand (and many other countries) believe in using all parts of the animal. This includes the blood - ah! Each part of the animal provides some kind of nutrients for our bodies.
     Trying to stay away from as much fried food as I could, I tried to eat like a Thai. There are not many overweight Thai people and there are many elderly Thai people…something's got to be working for them. As I started to eat like a Thai I realized that my fingernails and my hair were growing faster. When I was preparing my digestive system lesson plan I asked my co teacher if it is common for people to get their gull bladders removed in Thailand, I thought it would be cool to teach the students about that. He said no, no that does not happen here. Interesting.
     I have concluded that everything they eat here is fresh and natural. When you go to the market the chickens still have their heads, the fish are still swimming around in the bucket and the eggs are not refrigerated. You know when you go to a local restaurant that the chicken you are consuming was alive in the recent past. Also, I have noticed that Thai people eat all of the time. They snack, and when they do it is often something spicy keeping their metabolism up.
     I do not have all of the answers about the diet, but it is fascinating to think about. I am not sure if you have seen pictures, but Kyle has lost 10 kg! About 20 lbs! Something in this odd diet definitely works and Americans need to adopt it!

To bring toilet paper everywhere
     In Thailand there are "squatters" in the very Thai areas. In areas where there is a high concentration of tourists there will be a western style toilet. To flush a squatter you take a bucket from an area filled with water, fill the bucket, and pour it in the squatter. After that, it functions just like a western toilet.
     The squatters seem to actually be a better, more natural way to eliminate undigested food from the body, but I just don't like them. Maybe that will change during our travels around SE Asia after our teaching contract is over. Hmm…I hope so at least!
    Oh, as for the title of this section…I don't know how the Thai clean themselves, but make sure you carry toilet paper at all times. Sometimes there will be the option of a bidet (butt sprayer type)…but they have very hard water pressure and you will be wet, and look like you peed in your pants for the rest of the day if you are not a seasoned user. Careful. This did not happen to me, but I imagine it in my head every time I see one.

 Traveling to a tourist area of the country as a self proclaimed "local"
     This was interesting. When we took our flight down to Krabi, Thailand we experienced a lot of different kinds of Thai people than we were used to in Northern Thailand. They seemed to not be impressed with some of the tourists and thinking we were wealthy vacationers, they simply wanted our money. To politely wai and say "Sa wat dee kha" to someone when walking into a shop, we immediately separated ourselves from the vacationers. Trowing in a "sa wat dee pee mai kha" as we were leaving from dinner was something that would catch the waiter off guard and they would smile so big. It was fun and refreshing for both parties to speak in Thai and for us to show the Thai people that we adore their country and their culture and that we wanted to learn Thai show them that. Each mispronounced word that came out of our mouthes made their faces light up and in return made us feel great too. It was an interesting experience to see the beautiful areas of Thailand completely taken over by Europeans and vacationers.

My wonderful students
     The students here at PCCCR impress me every single day. I often acknowledge that English is hard and that I am very proud of them for trying so hard in class. Each class they come in with notebooks and pens ready to take notes and do their best. I always try to have videos to help them understand what I explain.
     Beyond their efforts in class, the students here are extremely well rounded. Just to go to this school, you've got to be one smart cookie. The students have to test in the school and receive scholarships. After that, they test into their class within their grade, the classes are divided 1-6; 1 being the strongest students and 6 being the weaker students (but obviously still very smart).
     At the beginning of class the students will come in and one student will tell the rest of the students "stand up please" and they will all say in unison "Good Morning/Afternoon Teacher!" and I will tell them to sit and they will say "Thank you, Teacher!" At the end of class they will all stand up again and say "Thank you teacher, see you again next time!" After which one or more students will help my carry my stuff back down to the office.
     Each morning upon arriving to school each smiling face will feverishly wave to us and excitedly say "Good Morning teacher!" as we walk to our office. During class if I was to show any sign of being cold, a student would take off their jacket and give it to me. They always want to help and they are so kind. But, this is not only to me, they are like this with their peers too.
     Toady we had Children's Day. So, similar to Fathers Day and Mothers Day, there is Children's Day in Thailand. The school held a big celebration with games and presents for the students all morning. It was fun to watch them all smile and giggle as their grade competed against the other grades. But, to give you an idea of how the morning went, I felt like I was on a movie set. Every student on campus was there and every student was EXTREMELY enthusiastic about everything that was happening. Each time the M4s beat a team in tug-of-war they would blow the roof off cheering. Each time any student won a prize, all of the students would cheer. That is the best part about Thailand, the kids have extremely competitive spirits, but they know how to lose and are very respectful. They will go into the competition fierce, but if they lose they will always congratulate the other team and clap for them. The support from all students is amazing here in Thailand.
     A sad, but true reality hit when I was trying to explain to some teachers about bullies in America. They were horrified at what I tried to describe, there is absolutely nothing like that here in Thailand. The attitude of acceptance and support and respect is just overwhelming sometimes.

I think that's enough for right now, though  I have a lot to update on. Keep tuned for more about upcoming Sport Day, Teacher's Day and other fun activities!

Lots of Love,

Meg

PS If you would like to learn about Kao Jai Coffee, read below! This is the email I sent to TOMS shoes. The person who received my email has been talking to "Elite Members of the TOMS staff" and they will be emailing me soon. I hope they follow through!

• Conversation started December 10, 2013
• 

  12/10, 7:33am
  

  Megan Marie
  

  
  

  To Blake, and everyone at TOMS,

  I wanted to send a message as a Thank You for the book, Start Something That Matters.

  I am currently lying in my mosquito-ridden room in Chiang Rai, Thailand where I teach High School Biology to students at a science magnet school. My friend and I traveled to Thailand to experience a new culture and to appreciate a different way of life. When we first arrived to Thailand we were walking around downtown Chiang Rai and we noticed that there were many, many coffee shops, one on each corner! We stopped in to see what the big deal was and had our first cup of coffee; we instantly knew that it was something special.

  After making many trips to more coffee shops, we did some research on the coffee grown in Northern Thailand. The coffee is among the top 1% in the world because of the absolute perfect environment to grow in the hills of Northern Thailand. Interested to see if a very large coffee driven country was already introduced to the brew, we realized that Thai coffee has not yet made it’s way around the globe to America.

  We asked one of the managers if we would be able to talk to the owner about understanding coffee more and getting to a mountain to see how it's grown. Well, the owner was actually sitting right behind us.

  After connecting with the owner's sister, she took us to the Doi Chaang Valley to harvest coffee with the farmers for a day. We quickly understood the incredible amount of work that goes into harvesting, soaking and milling the coffee all before it is roasted, packaged, ground and brewed making it’s way to the cup of the consumer.

  To cut out a few details, my boyfriend and I were so impressed by the coffee and have heard many, many times that people didn’t know coffee beans are in the middle of the cherry; we have decided to launch Kao Jai Coffee.

  Kao Jai in Thai language means, "to understand." Kai Jai Coffee literally translated means "to understand coffee."

  We want to inspire a movement with our product. Not knowing the entire process, or even the fact that coffee starts in the center of a cherry will allow the consumer to kao jai (understand) that there is a story behind the interactions we have each day whether it is a person, a thing, or our morning cup of joe. Allowing people to understand the process between the cherry and the cup will challenge them to understand their friends and their family on a deeper level. Coffee is the way it is because of the process behind it, people are the way they are because they all have a story. The last two characters in the word Kao Jai, when written in Thai, mean “heart.” So, Kao Jai can also be literally translated to “enter one’s heart” which is exactly what we want our consumers to do!

  Kao Jai Coffee will also have a Kao Jai fund that will financially help applicants to travel to another country for educational, entrepreneurial or social missions. Kao Jai will also fund youth in America to go on domestic mission trips, such as Appalachia Service Project, our previous employer, to understand the needs of the people in our own country.

  I believe that sometimes we have to leave our hometowns and comfort zones and meet others with different perspectives on life to truly understand what we have in the relationships with the people around us in our everyday lives.

  Moving to another country, or going on a weeklong mission trip, in my own experience, allows our minds and our hearts to be rewired. When participants go into the experience with an open mind and an open heart, their perspectives are changed and often times they are inspired to live a life of service and to continue to understand and appreciate those around them.

  Steve Jobs once said, “A lot of people in our industry haven't had very diverse experiences. So they don't have enough dots to connect, and they end up with very linear solutions without a broad perspective of the problem. The broader one's understanding of the human experience, the better design we will have."

  The book “Start Something That Matters” has truly inspired me to continue to work hard and start this company and to allow and inspire others to kao jai. With each turn of the page, I am encouraged more and more that this will work and that our company will not only allow others to go on trips and have their minds rewired, but that there is a possibility to inspire a movement to kao jai (understand). We want people to take a step back, and realize that everyone comes with a story, that everyone’s ideas, reactions and perspectives stem from somewhere. Ask them, “What’s your story?”

  Thank you again for being an inspiration to change the world. I have a pair of TOMS that I brought to Thailand not only because they are comfortable, but also because each time I put them on I think of Blake’s story about an idea that came to fruition and inspired a movement. We are just ordinary people with an idea that can change the world. It’s absolutely inspiring and amazing.

  If you have read all the way to this point, thank you so, so much. I love to share my story (though I only shared a little here) to anyone that is willing to read/listen!

  Thank you for all that you do, keep up the great work changing the world!

  Sincerely inspired,

  Megan Armstrong Chiang Rai, Thailand Baltimore, Maryland

Two short updates:

Motorbikin’ in Thailand

            So, I did it. I got a motorbike. I have been warned many times before about the dangers of a motorbike, but I have realized that if you go really slowly on the side of the road (as if you are riding a bicycle) you will be fine. To be honest the drivers in Thailand are scary, they weave in and out of traffic, and do some crazy things. Yesterday in the taxi the light had clearly turned red but the taxi flashed his lights on high beams and continued through the light…huh?

            I have thought about the pros and cons of getting a motorbike and, if I am very cautious (including watching those around me) then the pros far outweigh the cons. Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love living at a boarding school. Getting to know your students after school and at dinner is a treat. But, sometimes it feels like we live in a bubble. The only way to get out of the bubble is to make a phone call to the taxi company. We have had many, many communication problems with the taxi company and the drivers sometimes resulting in the drivers simply giving up and not coming to get us. I cannot do my laundry, pick up anything from the store, or go shopping without a painful miscommunication with the taxi company (and 6 dollars round trip).

            Last night Kyle and I met an English teacher from a school downtown to rent a bike. The title “English teacher” is a little deceiving here, Rob is from England. He is extremely nice and he has rented to the foreign teachers at our school before. I brought Kyle along because he has driven dirt bikes so I knew he would get the hang of driving much faster than me.

            The ride home was extremely enjoyable. Feeling the wind on our skin, seeing the sights all around and tasting the sweetness of freedom, the language barrier between the taxi company and me has been demolished and it feels great.

In the Classroom

            This week has been fantastic in the classroom. Although I realized that BINGO is not as great of a past time as hangman for my Thai students, my co teacher sat in the back of one of my classes and told me that the kids are having a great time with me and that he is very pleased with how our classes complement each other.

            My lesson this week included DNA Trascription, Translation and Gene Expression. Often times in my class I will see the students staring at me and I get a sense that they are lost. I quickly think of examples and analogies I can throw at them but they still don’t get it. Then, finally it will turn into a game of charades trying to get the students to understand what I am talking about.

            For the lesson I showed a couple videos, drew on the board to help them understand, and spoke very slowly in English. For the most part I think the students were getting it.

            For the second part of the lesson we played BINGO! I had the students make a 4x4 board in their notes and gave them a list of words to use in the blocks. The list included RNA Primer, Helicase, Promoter Region and so on. I wanted them to practice reading and writing the words. When they were done I would read the definition of the word and they would have to decide if they had it or not.

            After that was done, if there were a couple minutes left in the period we would play “Hot Seat.” In hot seat a student will sit in a seat at the front of the room facing the class, another student would write a vocabulary word on the board behind them and the class would describe the word catch phrase style to the student facing them.

            Today was interesting, and hilarious. One of the strongest students in the class (who they all pointed to and cheered on to volunteer for hot seat) was sitting in the seat. Another student wrote “RNA Polymerase” on the board. The students start to describe it to her and she smiles, wiggles around in her chair and says “mRNA Polymerase!!” I am not sure what the students were saying at this point but I gathered they were telling her to “not say the m!” So, the girl thinks really hard and she starts “m—R---N---A….po---lllllllll----er--ase?” hahaha! She took the m out of Polymerase. It was the cutest thing ever. I am so proud of the students and what they are able to understand from my class. Every now and then I have to tell them to only speak English, but for the most part they are good at listening and speaking.

I am currently sitting in BioLab2 waiting for my students. They told me to come Tuesday evening at 6pm to teach them more about the lesson they learned last week. Some of my students have very clear visions for their future and that includes being good at English. They are dedicating more of their time to come back to the science building at night to continue to listen and to learn. The only problem is that they didn't know how to say "thirty" so they omit it. As a result I have a half hour to catch y'all up on my life before the students get here. Here's a bit of what I have been thinking lately.

In my country…
     It is SO weird to say things like "In America, we do this" or have a student or teacher say "…what do you call this in your country?" At Lock Haven there were many, many exchange students so I would hear "well, in my country…" often, but the thought of being the one to say those words never crossed my mind.
     Jimmy and Jennifer both traveled to Europe when they were in high school, while I thought it sounded fun and exotic, I never really had the urge and I have no memories of ever being bit by the travel bug…or even sensing the bug anywhere close to me. It wasn't until Kyle and I thought about what we were going to do in the future that I thought about going abroad. The moments that evoked thought about this topic most was when I would talk to the four girls I knew this summer about their experience in the Peace Corps. It sounded riveting to immerse yourself in and truly learn another culture. So, I did it!
     Another odd realization is each morning when we get to school, I walk with the other teachers and Kyle and Monique will say bye when we reach the "Foreign Language Department." Weird! English…a foreign language? Me, a foreigner? It's all still unreal to think about.

Dirty or clean?
     When I got my assignment here in Chiang Rai we were given a list of accommodations. Included in that list was a "washing machine." Well, I am not sure if they were referring to the two large buckets sitting in the vacant downstairs room, but there is no washing machine in our house (or to use on our campus).
     I have always been funny about laundry, I like to wear something once and if I sweat in it a tiny bit I toss it in the laundry (I am becoming more ashamed of this as the days go on). Here, it has been a little different. Although I brought a lot of teaching clothes, when we first arrived in the country the Supreme Patriarch, Somdet Phra Nyanasamvara, passed away. As a result the nation would mourn for 30 days only wearing black, white and gray. None of the teaching clothes I brought with me are black, white or gray forcing me to buy a new wardrobe. Knowing that this was only temporary, I only bought about three outfits worth of clothes that I planned on rotating for the next 30 days. Last week I wore the same shirt THREE times. 
     Is it really dirty? No, if its not underwear, its never really dirty; unless you want to wash it by hand or ride your bike a few miles to the washing machines. 

Eating for energy
     This is something that I have never really experienced before. Upon getting to Thailand where the food is much…different than America I realized that the difference between Thailand and America is that here they eat for energy. This is not to say that they do not enjoy what they are eating, but the main purpose for eating is to gain energy. In America I found myself eating when I was bored, eating when I was sitting on the couch watching a movie, when I turned on the Food Network…all the time. I would eat just to eat, or because "I wanted to." This is kind of a hard one to explain, but truly eating for energy is a new concept that I like.

Routines…things I "cannot live without!"
     There were many times when I would sit in the comfort of my Johnson City home thinking, goodness I really hope they have (insert luxury here) in Thailand! I thought about my specific face moisturizer, my daily snack of rice cakes, my diet coke at lunch. I thought of everything that was routine and comfortable and I thought about how I would possibly be able to do without these comforts and routines in Thailand.
     When you get here you only have what's in your suitcase. While the thought of not being able to pack enough rice cakes for five months made me a little uncomfortable, you realize how quickly you adjust and find new comforts that work in your new country. Saltines may turn into fried banana chips (not equivalent in calories) and your daily diet coke may turn into Northern Thailand's rich, unbelievable coffee. Everything else is changing, so why wouldn't your comforts?
     Turns out the things you thought you couldn't live without, they change...and it's quite a freeing experience to not "need" them anymore.

There is much, much more but the students have arrived! More later.

Miss ya, love ya, Meg

Greetings!

I am currently writing to you from my tiny desk in my room on what I thought was a Saturday morning, but now that I look at the clock it is 1:24pm…I have been lounging around and it has been glorious!

What a crazy journey it has been up to this point. So many new normals, reevaluations of previous views/thoughts, realizations of what you "need" in your everyday life, the education system…pretty much everything except rice, that is one thing that has stayed the same.

After a couple…interesting….meals in a row, my fellow teachers and I decided to go downtown to get some pizza. We caught wind that they use REAL cheese on their pizza and that it tastes just like pizza in America. Although I found this hard to believe, we began out journey by calling the cab. 

Sara, one of my roommates, called the cab at 5:18pm when she was told that it would be an hour before the cab would get to us. We were hungry, but we all decided that pizza was worth an hour wait. Laying in bed a while longer watching some youtube videos and getting caught up with our American friends and family on Facebook, we started to get ready for our night of fine dining. An hour had passed before we realized that the cab company did not ask Sara for her phone number, something they did every time so the cab driver could call when they were close. Sara called back asking for a cab again and they told us a half hour. 

Impatiently waiting, we microwaved a bag of popcorn and got out a deck of cards. A flush, four of a kind, or any other winning hand would buy your taxi fare to and from dinner.

A half hour passes and Sara's phone rings, the taxi drivers speaks no English. Here we go again. It seems that the moments we are most excited, or starving, are the moments when it is most difficult to attempt to explain where we are, where we want to go…or anything for that matter. Frustrated, we walked outside our door, found a student and had them talk to the driver. Twenty minutes later we are back on track for dinner.

Upon getting to town we make our way to the pizza place. When we entered through the doors we realize the entire place filled with Americans and Europeans. Classic. 

As we were waiting for our food we started talking about how expected we all were to eat something familiar that did not contain rice. Believe it or not, I wasn't even craving a Chipotle burrito…a burrito has rice in it. I wanted something that was as different from Thai food as it could be!

We also started to talk about what brought us to Thailand in the first place. The four of us had gone through this entire experience together, but we never really had this conversation.

Sara, from Missouri, has her masters in Education. Not wanting to go straight into the world of Education in the states, she wanted to go abroad and go on an adventure. Sara is similar to Kyle as far as not being too worried about the future, just going with the flow and planning when it's time. Monique, on the other hand, has a similar story to mine. She had been working for the same company for 9 years while attending school full time. She just graduated and was considering her options when she decided to sell everything she has, pack her suitcases and go on an adventure. 

Monique started to talk about how she has been feeling a little freaked out lately thinking about the fact that all she has is what she packed in her suitcases. Although she has comfort in knowing that she could stay with her parents when she gets back to the states, that is not ideal in her mind. I assured her that I had the exact same freak out moments when I was selling all of my possessions. By the time I left Tennessee I had everything I owned packed in my Honda Accord. Often times I would be with Kyle and one moment I would be beside myself thinking about how cool my life is that I am moving to Thailand, and in the very next moment I would have a pit in my stomach thinking about the fact that I just sold my microwave, I terminated my lease, I quit my steady job and I was thinking about selling my car. What kind of crazy got into me?!

But, the more that I thought about it as we were sitting there, the more and more I realize how blessed all four of us are. We have support systems, and faith in ourselves and our abilities to pack up everything we have and move halfway across the world the live with people we had never met (at that point) to teach at a school we have never seen and to stand in front of students that don't understand us.

We are so lucky to have even the resources and support to allow such a crazy idea enter our thoughts, and soon consume them allowing us to book a flight and commit to a position. 

I have always been a grounded person. I have worked since I was 14 years old, I have always had a great, loving home life and I have had opportunities fall into my lap. I had no reason to leave everything I knew, a job that I loved and a land that understood me. But, comfortable is not what pushes you to grow. Comfortable is not what allows you to truly understand what others are going through if you have never put yourself in an environment where nothing is easy; where deciding your next move is based on whether you can communicate your needs to someone. 

I do not want to get into this too much because I do not feel that I am educated enough. But, in the US when everyone was debating over Obamacare I often wondered to myself if they have ever known anyone that has lived in poverty. The people who are complaining about allowing people who have struggled their entire life to have healthcare…have they ever gotten a taste of what it's like for every decision you make to be one that involves feeding your family or medicating your child?

This is one reason why I wanted to be uncomfortable. I wanted to travel to a land where not only do I not speak the same language as the people, but I don't even look like them to start to understand the struggles that people in America go through every single day. I want to live in a house with no windows, ride my bike a couple miles on the side of the road to town to do my laundry and struggle to do something simple like hail a taxi to go to town. 

When you have grown up with opportunities, resources and a loving family, its hard to know what its like to not have one, or any of those things. Although I will never know what it means to not have a loving family, I have learned to manage my resources and I have learned how it feels to have no one understand you. 

I was laying in bed today catching up on some of my favorite TV shows when I heard this song. Every lyric in the song is perfect, and the girls do it justice. Take a listen:

Thank you to everyone who got me here, and to all of you who continue to support and encourage me. Although it has been challenging, it has been everything and much more than I hoped it would be. 

Stay tuned for more. 

Love and Miss You ALL!

Meg

Sa wat dee kha! Sa bye de mai kha? (hello, how are you?)

Hello! I just got back from morning assembly which consists of the students singing the national anthem, singing the school song and repeating some other stuff (not sure what they were saying). At the end of the assembly the person over the loud speaker said something that made all of the students laugh…too bad I don't speak Thai…it seemed pretty funny.

Some updates:

Do you miss American food?
     When I first got to Thailand, we were staying at a hotel in Bangkok for orientation. The food that we were served was mass produced Thai food, and I must say…it wasn't very good. I was getting adjusted to the climate, to the people, to the language among other things, it was difficult for me to also get used to eating fried rice and curry for breakfast!
     At first, it was a comfort thing. You would be surprised how much you can miss something when the option of having it is not there at all. Knowing that Thai food was my only option at that point made me miss the comfort of American food, something I know and something I could predict how my stomach would react to it. As time has gone on, I have adjusted well. Now, my new normal is to expect something with coconut milk/water based for lunch, noodles and rice for breakfast and dinner, and I know a couple places in town where I can go to get some Thai-ized American food (like Americanized Thai food).

What is the biggest cultural difference you have experienced so far?
     I have definitely experienced a lot of differences, but there is one that stands out the most in my everyday life here in Thailand. The attitude of the staff here (and everywhere in Thailand) is not to worry, but to relax and go with the flow. When I got here for my first day of school I didn't have a schedule, I didn't know what or who I was teaching and I didn't have any supplies. My schedule changed many times, often leaving me unprepared and frantic. In America I would consider the administration's lack of preparedness a personal attack, that they did not care about my success. But, that is far from the truth here. Thai people genuinely want you to be happy, if they sense that you are upset or nervous they will tell you not to worry, to relax. Although it has been very difficult for me, someone who likes to be over prepared and I will admit that I am a little uptight, it has forced me to slow down, relax and just go with the flow. This is a very good difference that I have experienced.

How is the language barrier?
     The language barrier is very difficult, but I am learning to get used to it. There are many minutes in the day when I have no idea what is going on, I have no idea what anyone is saying. I will be sitting here at my desk with a conversation going on around me and their tone will sound like they are having a very serious discussion and then all the sudden they will break out in laughter. Other times I will hear two teachers talking to each other thinking to myself, what in the WORLD does that mean in Thai? That could not have been a word!
     The language barrier has been difficult, but sometimes funny between me and other teachers. Two examples: one day my co-teacher turned around in his chair and asked if I was trying in class. Mortified, I froze and just said "yes." I couldn't believe they didn't think I was trying…it was the third day and all I had done up to that point was introduce myself and describe to the students what they would be learning in my class this semester. Luckily, they were trying to ask if I was "tired" in class. Whew! The second mix up was when I asked if the students would get my class in English, and also in Thai. At first the teachers said no, no you are the teacher. But, after my first class went terribly and I frantically went to the teacher asking her how the students would be able to learn with such advanced English words, she told me that they also get the class in Thai. Whew!

How is being a teacher?
     Being a teacher is hard, but it is very fun too. It is difficult to come up with lesson plans when you have only ever been a student, not a teacher. Without any background or knowledge about teaching strategies, diagnostics or classroom management, it has been up to me to figure everything out. Although this has been challenging and I have learned a lot, it has taken a lot of time and energy. Luckily, my students are very sweet and forgiving. When I forget where I am in the lesson or I accidentally forget to plug in the speakers for a video, they run up and help me out. The students (for the most part) really want to learn and have a great respect for their teachers.

How are your living accommodations?
     They are great! I would say that I am "roughing it" a little bit, but that's what I wanted. I am still getting used to seeing a gecko running up my wall while I am lying in bed about to fall asleep, but after realizing that they eat other animals, insects and creatures in my house, they can roam as much as they want!
     Our "kitchen" comprises of a mini fridge, a microwave and a wok (which we haven't used yet). We use the sinks in the bathroom to was our dishes. Although the kitchen is lacking a bit, it doesn't bother us because we have GOT to have some of the best school meals in the country. Each day we have traditional Thai food that is so delicious! I am doing my best to give everything a try once, sometimes the textures or the sweet/interesting taste is too much for me but for the most part I have loved the food here. One of our fellow teachers is still building up her tolerance for spicy food. Each day when we go to the canteen a student will let her know whether the food is ok for her to eat, or if she should stick to rice. It's absolutely adorable and precious how much the students have taken us under their wings.
     Something I did not expect…We are entering November which is "winter" here in Thailand. When the teachers told us it would get cold, of course we giggled a little and told them that we like this weather, it's not cold for us. But, the past few mornings I have woken up freezing! It actually does get cold here! By cold I mean that I got one extra blanket from the Big C (similar to Walmart) and I was good to go.

I have to get to work on my digestive system lesson, more updates later!

Love,

Meg

Hello! Thank YOU (whoever you may be) so much for clicking on the link to come and share with my experience here in Thailand! I have a LOT to update on!

Let's travel back to mid October when I touched down in this great country, that's the last time I posted right? I will post more often to keep these a little shorter! :)

So come with me, on my journey of leaving America for the first time….

Arriving to Bangkok, Thailand:
     Upon landing in Bangkok, the nerves started to set in…I couldn't figure out how to fill out my immigration card! I am here for…employment!? What did I agree to?! I have never been to a foreign country before so naturally I agreed that my first time would be to work a full time job, of course. After I set that straight with myself, I got to the next part. Since I was a non-immigrant traveler I had to write my home address. MY HOME address. Oh yea, that's right. My first trip to another country (halfway around the world) and I don't even know where I am staying! Hopefully the name of the school that I am not sure how to pronounce will work for this one. Next question: employment. Teacher? Oh yea! I decided that with my BS degree that I was going to teach High School Biology.
     I finally made it through the long lines to the officials at the front. Terrified, I handed the nice Thai man my virgin passport and was so excited to say "Sawatdee, kha" like I had learned from my iPhone app, but my mind went completely blank and I awkwardly stood there. He sat there in his official uniform and all I could think of is that he would start to question me and I would have no idea how to answer his questions and that I would be deported. If you have ever traveled internationally you have probably figured out that he didn't ask me any questions, he stamped my passport in about 3 seconds and put it back through the window to me. Whelp, that was easy!
     Next I was off to exchange my $300 USD for some Thai baht. I got to the window and handed the lady 300 USD and she bowed to me. OH YEA! I had forgotten all about wai'ing to people! Cool! I got my colorful bills (that looked like monopoly money) and we were off...

Orientation:
     After arriving to the hotel, we had to check in. There were two orientations going on at the same time so we had to walk over to the other hotel to get our materials and name tags. Walking out on the street, pretending not to be effected by the strong smells, roaming dogs, street meat everywhere, 4 people per motor bike and four 7-11s within 100 yards of each other I started to walk to the other hotel. Culture shock, you will not get the best of me. As I was walking to the other hotel, who do I run into other than Mark Lenz. Within minutes of getting to our hotel in Bangkok I see one of my former ASP staffers who had also been accepted to the same program. Unbelievable!
     Training was a lot of fun, we had a couple sessions in Thai language and teacher training which entailed what teaching Thai kids may be like, a couple fun games to play with them and a couple challenges the kids have when learning English.
    During the last part of training we went on a little field trip to Kanchanaburi which was absolutely amazing. When Kyle and I got to our room we walked out on our balcony to see an unbelievable view of the mountains. The next day we went got to ride elephants and go bamboo rafting, it was SO much fun.
    OEG (overseas exchange group) training reminded me so much of ASP training. All of the applicants were together in each of our sessions and we got to know each other and form friendships throughout the week. We all knew where we were headed afterwards and what some of our challenges would be. Throughout the week we friended each other on Facebook to stay in touch when we get to our Provinces and to make sure to be in contact about when we can visit each other.
    After returning from Kanchanaburi each OEG teacher got to meet the coordinator from their school. Kyle, Sara, Monique and I found a teacher from our school, it was too far for our coordinator to travel to meet us. The teacher took us to the bus station so we could catch our 13 hour bus ride to Chiang Rai. We said bye to all of our friends wishing them luck in their new schools, promising to keep in touch and that we would visit.

Heading to Chiang Rai!
    After being dropped off at the bus station we began the long journey to the north. Contrary to what I had been thinking, the bus ride was actually very pleasant. We were given pillows and blankets when we got on. Then we were giving little snacks and treats, then some water, then a juice box, then some coffee, then a fascial cleansing wipe….the service never ended! We stopped at 1am at a rest stop where they had food and bathrooms - squatters. We got back on and continued the trip. We were woken up around 6:30am to some Thai pop music videos which was fun.
     Once we arrived at the bus station in Chiang Rai we were greeted by our coordinators, two loving, funny ladies who spoke very good English. They took us to a morning market where we got some dried pork and sticky rice for breakfast (SOOO GOOD). After, they took us to the school where we would be living. As we pulled into the school they looked back and smiled and told us that our school is like a resort. As we drove around I definitely knew what she was referring to! There were palm trees, bright colors, so, so, so much space to run and play!

Or living accommodations:
     We pulled up to our house and it looked just as it did in the picture. As soon as we walked in, the two ladies took of their shoes and explained that it's a thai custom. We all took off our shoes too. We walked around the house which has now (two weeks later) become quite cozy. Upstairs there are four bedrooms. Each bedroom has a bed, desk and closet. The rooms do not have windows, just shutters and screens. Downstairs is our shower stall and two toilet stalls. We also have a "kitchen" that has a mini fridge, a microwave and a toaster (no sink or stove).
     In thai culture boys and girls do not live in the same house so Kyle is our neighbor across the way. He is living alone in his home. Well, not really alone though. He has a lot of gecko, snail and frog friends :)
     Our houses are on a VERY large campus with the students. At first I was a little nervous to be living on the same campus where I work. Our coordinators told us that they would like for us to play sports with the kids. I thought, are we going to get any time for ourselves? After school on Tuesday we decided to play basketball with the students and it was amazing. The students are amazing at basketball! They play smart and hard, although they are extremely polite, they are competitive! Walking around campus and seeing my students has been so much fun. It is great to see them outside of the classroom, they are full of joy and laughter and brighten our days!

Quick trip to Chiang Mai!
     When we got to our house in Chiang Rai, our coordinator told us that we would not be starting until the following week and that we should go and explore, specifically to go to Chiang Mai for a couple of days. We took her advice, repacked our bags and headed to Chiang Mai. We didn't have any plans, we didn't know where we were going to stay, we just packed a backpack with the basic things and headed to the bus station. We got our tickets for the there hour bus ride for six dollars.
     When we got to Chiang Mai one of our other OEG friends called us and told us that they found a place for 6 bucks a night. Obviously we quickly booked a room and went out explore the town. We got some GREAT thai food close by, the meals are usually only 1 USD. We stopped at a 7-11 on the way home for some shampoo and cookies and got a good night's sleep. The next day we went to Tiger Kingdom, it was awesome! I was too scared to go in with the big tigers so I saw the baby cubs. My goodness it was adorable.
     We did more exploring, more eating of great thai food and eventually headed back to Chiang Rai.

School!
    The following Monday was the first day of school: AHH! The first day of school was hectic beyond measure. The only things I knew were to get there before 7:45am and to wear a long skirt and a blouse.
    Upon arriving I met the biology teacher. He gave me my schedule and went over what the class would be learning this semester. He then told me that he was the biology teacher for M4 (10th grade) and that I would be working with the M5 (11th grade) biology teacher as well. For my M4 class I learned I would be teaching Genetics, DNA, Evolution, Biotechnology and the History of Life. I had a class in 20 minutes and I had to explain these concepts to them and get them excited for the semester. Um, what? Yea…I am going to need those 20 minutes and wikipedia before I can teach this first class!
    After I survived three classes I met the second M5 teacher who told me that I would be teaching the digestive system, the immune system, the nervous system and hormones. She told me that this week I need to start teaching the digestive system. Once again, let me study a little and whip together a quick power point and I will be there.
    Throughout this whole process I managed to use enough words to ask the teachers if the students get the classes that I am teaching in English in Thia as well. Their answer was no, that I am the biology teacher for those subjects. Yea, what?!
     So, here I am, right before heading to lunch, thinking…what. did. I. agree. to. do? What if these kids don't understand me? How do I teach? What is animal phyla? Goodness gracious!

Teaching in class:
     If the students in America acted the way the students do in Thailand…I don't even know what our country would be capable of. The amount of respect each student shows to the teachers is unbelievable. In the morning as I walk to school and to class each student will bow their head to me, look up, smile wide, wave and say "good morning teacha!" sometimes accompanied by "I love you teacha" or "how are you!?" with genuine interest in your answer.
     At PCCCR (Princess Chulabhorn's College, Chiang Rai) the students must test into the school. The school itself is a public school that is funded by the princess who was a science major. It is similar to a magnet school in the states. The school is extremely well funded with amazing resources available to the students and the teachers. For the most part the students are excited to learn and the importance of education has been instilled in them in some way. This makes teaching a little easier, but the students also inspire me with their excitement and will to learn. Their motivation to become something and work hard for it and to help each other is incredible. I feel extremely blessed to be at this school with these students!

The US teachers/my roommates
     Sara is from Missouri and has her masters in English Education which is kind of funny because she is the other one working with me in the science department. Sara is teaching general science and the scientific method to M1 and M2 students, or 7th and 8th graders. Sara is high energy and a great friend.
     Monique is from California and was also an Education major in Arts and Theatre. Monique is teaching English to M1, M3 and M4 students. Monique loves to listen to music and she has been my workout partner :)
     Kyle is not our roommate, but he is our neighbor across the way (the director's house is between our house and his house). Kyle is teaching M3, M4 and M5 students English. Kyle is also teaching an elective class in public speaking.

I would love to write more but I am fighting my eyelids right now (it's 2pm in the states, but it's 1:10am here!). I hope that this post give everyone at home a little bit of an idea/picture of what's happening while you're sleeping at night ;) it's so funny when I am on Facebook I only see my Thai teacher friend's updates because everyone in America is sleeping and right when I wake or up right before I go to sleep I see my American friend's updates :)

I will type much more later and try to keep up with this so you all can have an idea of what I am doing and how the semester is going! I love and miss everyone so much!

Goodnight!

Meg

PS sorry for all of the typos or incoherent sentences, it's been a long week and I don't have time to proofread :)

Cuz I'm leaving on a jet plane, don't know when I'll be back again...

October 12, 13

WARNING: no time for editing from here on out, deal with it. J

Hey Everyone!

I am almost to my destination of Bangkok, Thailand for a weeklong orientation with CIEE! CIEE is a non-profit organization that is top of the line when it comes to foreign exchange. They are not only setting up teachers from America to teach around the world, they are also send people from all over the world to America.

If the journey to get to Bangkok alone is any indication of what type of experience I am going to have in Thailand then I don’t even know what to do with myself…in a crazy good way!

To start things off I had a TERRIBLE day before I left the ground Thursday at 11pm. I will spare you the details on that, though.

After arriving to the airport 3.5 hours early for my first international flight (also my first time to Dulles) I checked in with Qatar Airways. The people at the desk were more than helpful and upon looking at my Thai visa the agent said “Oh, you’re going to Bangkok, too” I replied “yes, did someone else just check in?” he nodded with a smile and I enlightened him that we were going to teach.

I made my way to gate 43 when I noticed the CHIPOTLE a few gates up. I hadn’t eaten much that day because the nerves were too much for my stomach as it was. I got some Chipotle while I waited for my travel buddy.

Jimmy told me that one of his coworkers was going to teach in Thailand too…we later found out that we are on the same flights!

Jess and I got ready to board the plane when I gave my ticket to a Qatar Airlines worker. He looks at me, looks at my ticket then at my passport and continues to inform me, “Megan, you cannot take food on the plane.” Attempting to hide my Chipotle burrito I frantically ask where the closest trashcan is and confirm that I am going to throw it away as soon as physically possible. He laughs hysterically and says “ Megan, Megan I am joking; have a great flight.” I must have been wearing my experience (or lack thereof) on my sleeve.

After wondering why I didn’t go through customs and being fooled that I couldn’t bring food on the plane, you would have thought this was not only my first international fight…you would have thought I never set foot in an airport.

I board the plane handing my ticket to an extremely friendly face telling me “Megan, you will go straight, take a right and your seat will be on your left.” His smile and charm were much more appreciated than he probably would have thought.

Upon finding my tiny seat (I don’t know how Kyle will fit) I find the following:

-       Pillow and super comfy blanket

-       Tooth brush and paste

-       Eye cover and ear plugs

-       An extremely comfy pair if socks

all contained in a small Qatar airways bag.

Are you kidding me?! This plane even had MOOD LIGHTING. I thought to myself, every cent I paid for this flight was totally worth it.

BUT that wasn’t it! There were about a hundred movies to choose from, album after album of music that you could make your own play list to, a remote that you could type on, speak into like a phone, use as a game controller, control your movie or even SWIPE YOUR CREDIT CARD THROUGH. Um, WHAT!? Every cent.

Next I start to smell a great cooked meal but I couldn’t see anyone eating or a flight attendant in sight. About 10 minutes later my movie pauses and a menu appears on my screen. This is what I ended up getting:

-       Leg of lamb with rice, perfectly seasoned

-       Cheese and crackers

-       Little thing of water

-       A wonderful bean, corn, veggie salad with cilantro

-       Coffee cake

-       More cheese

Once again, what?

Also, ALCOHOL IS FREE? How in the WORLD (pun intended) is this my first international flight in 25 years of living?!

Side note, I watched:

-       Monsters Inc

-       Hangover part III

-       Modern Family

-       Heart of Dixie

-       A Bug’s Lift (for two seconds before I realized that was two cartoon movies in a row, what would the lady next to me think?)

-       The English Teacher (terrible)

I also listened to music, watched a virtual map of our plane and where we were, watched the sun set over Saudi Arabia and caught a 3-hour night’s worth of sleep.

Eventually we arrive to Doha, Qatar. The airport is not yet able to accept planes as large as the one I was on so we had to walk down a staircase and catch a bus. You know when they show the president come off of Air Force 1? That’s kind of how I felt at this point. This was economy class, folks.

While on the bus Jess and I found another friend traveling to Bangkok to teach! Mary Kate is from Annapolis, MD and is just as excited and enthusiastic as Jess and I. We explored the airport; it didn’t seem too interesting…except the male and female mosques! Cool! *no sleeping in prayer rooms.

Sitting by the gate updating our Facebook status, we are also able to FaceTime our family at home and let them know how our flight went…it was weird; I didn’t feel like I was in a different part of …the WORLD! Technology these days, I’m tellin’ ya!

Now I am sitting on the plane headed to Bangkok. I capitalized on a mistake I made in the first flight, I got a cup full of white wine with my dinner to calm myself down. I am happy as a clam, full and ready to start my adventure in Thailand!

More later!

P.S. Mark Lenz, one of my staffers in Magoffin County, KY, is also in Thailand with the same organization – crazy, huh? He got to Bangkok before me and told me to wake him up when I get to the hotel. We are going to go exploring! Absolutely CAN. NOT. WAIT. This has proven to be an opportunity of a lifetime and I have only been on the plane getting to Thailand. I am one lucky girl. That, I know for sure.

P.PS. Did I mention that I am listening to The Avett Brothers' Carpenter album as I type this? Yep, through the seat in front of me; this plane has EVERYTHING.