Last Saturday the school had Parents’ Conferences. We had heard that they were happening but had not been told that we were expected to participate until Sister Viphaporn told us at 4:45 on Friday. Kate wore jeans because “No one told me what to wear.” “No one told me” is usually my line; so it was a little surprising to hear it from her. Sister Viphaporn told us that we would be introduced and parents would be invited to sign up for special classes with us. We were not asked if we wanted to teach special classes.
On Saturday, about 150 people—parents and students—came on Saturday. These were the attending families of the 1069 students, not a great turn out. Homeroom teachers and special teachers, including us, were introduced. Then the three sisters talked for two hours. Then parents went to classrooms. It was really more like a parents’ meeting than what I know as parents’ conferences. I could see that no one was going to be interested in special classes that day. Kate and Lovely would like to teach a special class for some extra money. Since each student pays 500 bahts a month, it is a good way for teachers to earn extra money even after the school takes 15%. Tony and I really felt like we were on display. It seemed that the purpose of our being there was to show off the foreign teachers that they parents pay for.
Last Friday I had my last rabies injection. Thursday the scab on the wound came off when the nurse cleaned it, and the doctor dismissed me from daily dressing and cleaning. I was able to walk at my normal pace by the end of last week and felt good in general. So, that saga is over.
My neighbor took me to see the owner of the dog to talk to her about the money. I asked him to help because his English is good and I wanted someone who could interpret well enough for her to understand what the effects of the bite were and why it cost so much. She was not happy to see me and told him that the dog will bite me again. He had me sit in the car and talk out the window. She says she is very poor and has no money. He couldn’t tell if she is really poor or is saying that so she doesn’t have to give me any more money. The balance is 4000 bahts (about $120). I had decided that I would split this with her. She tried to negotiate to pay 1000, but I stuck with 2000. He had her sign a paper stating that she will give me 1000 in ten days and another 1000 at the beginning of October. I think I’ll let her pay only 1000 bahts more in the end. What I really wanted was for her to understand that I know she has this obligation and that she has it even though I am a foreigner; it’s the principle, not the money. I learned that it is not only customary for the dog owner to pay expenses related to a bite, it is the law. She’s lucky that the school insurance paid 5000 bahts. I wonder what she would do if the dog had bitten someone who is poor and could not pay the expenses. Total cost: 11,250 bahts (about $370)
Khun Kwan told me that the special class would stop at the end of August because Bitoy will go to aerobics class every evening. I was disappointed, as the girls are doing well and it’s one of the few things I really enjoy. Then she asked if I would teach on Saturday, which turned out to be Saturday and Sunday. She also said the class will be at my house instead of hers. I think this is because she likes to sleep late on the weekends and is not up at 9:00 when we have class. She wanted two hours each day, but I said that’s too long. After meeting with them the first day, I was correct. It’s hard to keep their attention after an hour. They are ten years old, and, since there are only three of them, they do quite a lot in 60 or 90 minutes. The girls agreed that 90 minutes is enough. Since we’re meeting at my house in the morning, the class no longer includes a meal. That’s really OK, as I like having my own food for dinner and I like more vegetables than Khun Kwan provides.
Khun Yindee called me Saturday morning to tell me the bad news that she and her husband would not be able to take me to dinner for my birthday as they had been planning to do. (I hadn’t yet been informed of this plan.) The really bad news, though, was that Khun Greandach had a heart attack Friday night and was in Intensive Care at the hospital. I hope it wasn’t a really bad heart attack.
Khun Toy called me in the morning to tell me that we would have lunch together. We went to the place where they took me for karaoke after the dog bite. I thought this was an interesting choice. We were the only people there, and a long table was set up for us. The girls went with us and had their own table and food. Khun Kwan and Kru Oy came. Khun Teamjan and Khun Somlan joined us later. Khun Adin and his friend and Khun Joy and her friend also came.
The big surprise was when Khun Joy and a woman who works at the place left and came back with a British man. It was like having my own foreigner for the day. It was nice to have someone to speak English with. He is here meeting the young woman to see if he wants to have her as a partner. They met online and this is their first time to talk to and see each other. He is 50; she is 31 and has a 3-year-old son. She doesn’t speak English other than a few words. He has been here only four days and is missing being able to speak English fluently. One thing he would like to do is make a difference in someone’s life. If he stays with her, he can certainly do that. With his money, she can have a nice house and send her son to a better preschool, among other benefits. He would plan to be in England working for a few months and then come here for a couple months. He has vacationed in tourist towns before and likes Thai “girls.” He likes their honesty and values and way of life. It was interesting chatting with him. I know she’ll do all she can to keep him; whether the relationship works will be up to him.
After eating, the karaoke began. And we danced. After a couple hours, it was time for cake. They had two small cakes. The candles were numbers: 183. Khun Teamjan explained that that was for the total of our—mine, hers, and Khun Toy’s—ages, since we all have birthdays this month and this was a party for all of us. Then there was more karaoke and dancing. We were there for four hours. It was good fun.
On the way home, I had Khun Dakom take me to the branch bank my friends had told me about the other day. It’s near Big C and is open evenings and weekends. He dropped me off and let me take care of myself because it was Saturday and that whole area was extremely busy and there was no parking. I hadn’t thought about that when I asked to go. So, I finally have an ATM card. (When I had tried to get one before, I was told to go back when I have a work permit.) The young woman helping me could speak enough English to say the necessary words to tell me what to do: signature, four numbers PIN, deposit how much? She noticed that it’s my birthday and said “It’s your birthday. Happy Birthday,” which was sweet.
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