The business of the week at school last week was decorating the classrooms. On Thursday there was a field trip that students went on for half of the day. The other half was spent decorating. I had planned to see two classes, as the third was during their field trip, but I saw none. I had a test scheduled for one class, but we postponed it till the next class. Who am I to tell students they have to take a test instead of decorating, especially when they were in the midst of the project.
Every classroom has a tree and a manger
as well as bulletin boards, window decorations, and hanging decorations.
Some of the mangers are quite creative; all are interesting. Most are made from recycled or natural materials. One of the competitions was for the best-decorated classroom.
The other event of the week was a series of contests. I was asked to read words for a spelling contest and to help judge a singing contest. When I asked why students were having a spelling contest, I learned that “Christmas belongs to the English department;” so there must be contests related to English. The spelling contest had Christmas words. The singing contest was not related to Christmas, but students sang in English. There was also a contest with questions related to information about Christmas, such as “How many reindeer pull Santa’s sleigh?” And there were contests for drawing a picture, drawing a picture with Paint, coloring a picture, and making cards.
Saturday night I went with Khun Dakom and the group to a friend’s birthday party. The birthday man turned out to be the man who owns the various tutoring centers. There were about 120 people at the party, which was a nine-course dinner—shrimp, two salads, pork leg, fish, oysters, soup, rice, and fruit. Then cupcakes were brought to the tables. There was a stage show with the usual dancers and singer, and there was a slide show featuring photos throughout his life.
Weather: Last week it was very cold (by local standards) for a couple days. After not sleeping well one night due to being cold, I got out the comforter, which kept me cozy for the next two nights. After that, I now keep the comforter handy in case it is needed, which it is some nights. During the cold spell, I was wearing a jacket in the house in the morning and evening. Some teachers and students wore scarves and jackets most of the day.
Adventure of the week: My Christmas box arrived on Thursday. When I picked it up after school, a 9th grade boy was there and decided to help me. I told him I was going to the bus station. Our first stop was Khun Toom’s office to see what I had said. She translated, and he was ready to take me to the bus station. Outside the school, he put the box down, saying he would get his car. I was a bit surprised that he has a car. I needn’t have been surprised, as it was a motorcycle. The Thai word is the same, meaning vehicle. He also had his friend on the motorcycle with him. He put my package in front of him. I was thinking I would walk to the bus station and meet them there, but he motioned for me to sit behind his friend. Then we took off. I’ve ridden with a number of people, but this was my first ride with a 15-year-old full of macho hormones. We zoomed and stopped. We didn’t slow down much for turns. I was glad I was only going to the bus station, about a three-minute ride. It was nice of the boy to want to help me, but I was never happier to arrive at the bus station.
Two 6th grade girls were in the songtaew with me and got off at the same place. They motioned that they would help me with the package. It was a bit heavy, and I didn’t know where they were going; so I let them carry it for a few minutes and then told them I had to turn down the road. It was sweet of them to help.
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