We had two special events at school last week. Wednesday morning during the opening ceremony, there was a special ceremony to honor a missionary who was in the region (Laos, Thailand, Viet Nam) in the 1600s. One of the buildings at the school is named after him. A large picture was on the altar and the Sisters and teachers put flowers and jasmine wreaths on the altar. I was also invited to do this. Tony, Kate, and Lovely were not nearby, as they were standing in the shade. It was very hot that morning, as we felt sorry for all the students and teachers who had to stand out in the sun.
Thursday was Wai Kru (respect the teachers) Day. Since the school is so large (900-1000 students), there were two ceremonies—one for pre-school and grades 1-3 and one for grades 4-9. Tony and I got to participate in both. Kate and Lovely stayed in the background and left with the first group to teach their classes. They don’t like to be on display at these events. My Peace Corps experience got me used to this, and I don’t mind it any more. It’s just what is expected and I do it. Since there are so many students, all students did not come up to the teachers like they did at my former schools. Here, two representatives from each class came up. Nor did all teachers participate. A group of us sat in two rows on the stage.
The class representatives presented their floral arrangements to the altar and then lined up in front of the Sisters and Kru Tang in the front row. (I was moved to the front row for the second group when someone left and there was an empty chair.)
When each Sister had a student in front of her, the students waied and then bowed to the Sister or teacher and she put her hand on the student’s shoulder. Then the arrangements were passed to the back row and along to the end of the row. After the older students presented all their arrangements, students who had flower bouquets were told they could present them to several of us on the stage.
Tony was quite popular and received many flowers. Some students gave me flowers, too.
After each session, group photos were taken.
I am always amazed at the lovely floral arrangements the students create.
These were on display for the rest of the day.
Monday evening I returned to the massage therapist. She had suggested an herbal steam massage, especially for my shoulders, as the right shoulder, which has never been a problem, was hurting a lot. She worked on me for 90 minutes, and I felt much better afterwards. I’ll be seeing her again. Her style is a little different from Khun Nit’s in the village, but she is very strong and is aware of what needs special attention.
My neighbor gave me twelve bananas from the bunch that were growing beside my gate.
Other news from the village: Khun Kasemsri told me that Khun Lai finally got a school in Chonburi. It’s not the one she was in line for a few months ago, but at least she got a school and is now a school director like she wanted to be. Only about 15 of the teachers went on the trip to take her to her new school because teachers didn’t want to go with Khun Kumtom. She said it’s worse at the school this year than last year and teachers are always very tired. She also told me that the students keep asking when I’m coming back. I guess they remember that I left last year and then returned. And people call the radio station asking where I am. It’s nice to know I am missed.
I finally got to ask Khun Teamjan about my rent again. She laughed and consulted with Khun Toy and then told me 1000 bahts (about $30). This is a special friend price, as that is what Kate and Lovely pay for their one room. I also asked her about getting a sit-on toilet, and she said she’ll have a builder come to replace the toilet.
Khun Dakom said that, if I am here when Khun Toy retires in a year and a half, she can go to America with me. He now says he doesn’t want to go. Khun Toy was all smiles when he said she could go to America with me. I really would like to have that happen. She and her family do so much for me; it would be nice to help her realize this dream.
Note on the book damage: Quite a few books now have interesting holes in the pages. Most are still readable. I’ll need to tear out a few stories in reading books, as they are not useable. I had to throw away three books that were almost totally gone inside.
And a couple travel notes: The TSA approved lock on my big heavy plastic bag was ripped off along with the ends of the zipper when I claimed the bag. The bag was half open and the zipper could not be closed without the ends. I guess I was lucky the contents were still in the bag and not missing or strewn around. I don’t know why it was pulled off and thought later that I possibly should have reported it, but there isn’t anything that could be done and the bag was not worth replacing. One pull tab next to the TSA lock on the zipper of my large suitcase is missing. I’m guessing it was pulled off, as they don’t fall off, but the zipper was too strong to break. Also, they confiscated my peanut butter at the airport. The woman said that she could squeeze the jar, which was in a plastic bag; so it couldn’t be carried on. I wondered if it would have been OK in a glass jar that couldn’t be squeezed.
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