Sunday morning Khun Dakom called to invite me to go with them to Wat Hua Don. I knew they were staying at Khun Kwan’s house for the weekend, as Kru Oy was in Chiang Mai, and I was thinking about calling and inviting them to lunch. But going to the wat was just as good. Even better, as I didn’t have to prepare lunch. Of course, I was given plenty of advanced notice: He said they’d pick me up in 20 minutes.
The first stop was Khun Somlan’s house for breakfast. I learned that the housewarming for the house he’s having built for his mother has been delayed till March, since the house isn’t finished yet. At breakfast, 9:30, I was told that we would have lunch at the wat. I wondered what the occasion was, since the feeding of the monks is usually early for breakfast. Khun Toy couldn’t answer my question; so I waited. Another car with some relatives and Khun Dakom’s mother (age 85) also arrived when we did. They got out pans and food to make Korean barbecue, and the monks started cooking their meal. The women also started cooking for the rest of us. The group was only the people who came in our two cars. I guess they had arranged to feed the monks that day. After a short time, at 11:00, I was told to eat lunch. I decided to walk around the forest first, as I wasn’t ready to eat again yet. And I do enjoy the forest.
After lunch we walked to the old temple so everyone could see the new roof that is being put over the foundation. Khun Dakom’s mother went along. I marveled at how strong she is now—walking and chatting. She really looks good. I remembered the first times I saw her when she was not well and could hardly sit up for more than a few minutes. She was so frail that it didn’t seem like she’d live much longer. And here she is. She recently returned from visiting the son in Chiang Mai.
In addition to the new roof, the wat has two other changes since I was last there. The first one I noticed was the addition of a green jade Buddha on the altar. Then I noticed that there is a new building beside the main one. Later Phra Tong took us in to see the new library.
This was the first time I’d been to the wat since I moved. When they go from the village, it’s out of the way to pick me up and bring me home. I have missed going there, as it is one of my special places here. So I was really happy for the opportunity to be able to go again. It was really good to be out of the city and to walk among the trees. And to see Phra Tong. And to hang out with my good friends.
And I got to see them again on Friday and Saturday. After school Friday, Khun Dakom called to tell me to walk to Khun Somlan’s house for a housewarming. I was surprised, as he had told me it would be on 4 March. I was tired and hot at the end of the day, but there’s nothing like a call from a good friend saying to come for dinner to lift the spirits. And then a student’s mother picked me up and drove me to Khun Somlan’s house, which was an added treat on the very hot day.
When I arrived, I learned that this was the moving in ceremony and the house blessing will be on the 4th. He has had a beautiful house built in back of their house for his mother-in-law (age 93).
Friday they moved her things from their house into the new house. People carried items and we walked around the house three times. Then we put the items into the appropriate room: water and some food in the kitchen, pillows and altar items in the bedroom.
There was a bowl full of flower petals and coins that were spread on her bed. Then she lay down for a few minutes. Afterwards, the two young boys were told they could search for coins, and they were happy that they found a handful each. Then we all ate dinner.
Khun Dakom told me that we would make our bi-monthly trip to the hospital on Saturday, as the scheduled date is on the 4th and we’ll be at the housewarming. I was surprised to see that he stopped drinking around 7:00. He sat next to me and said he stopped drinking because he had to have his blood checked on Saturday. He also went home early, as he wasn’t drinking with his buddies.
Saturday morning we arrived at the hospital at 7:20 and had our blood taken half an hour later. We then ate breakfast and waited to see the doctor. It was noon before our numbers came up. It was a new doctor again, but she said next time I will see the one I saw in December. Next we waited to pick up our meds, as we finally left at 1:30. Then it was time for our reward: lunch at the Chinese duck soup restaurant, which is always a treat.
Khun Dakom told me that Khun Yindee had reported that I plan to teach in Vietnam. When I explained that I will do that for two or three months and return here in September, Khun Toy was very happy. That confirmed again that it is important for them that I be here, and I’m really glad that I will be. I wondered if they had thought I would be teaching and would not return. What I’m actually doing is keeping busy until September so I can be here for her retirement.
Friday was exhibition day at school, so no classes. There were exhibits and activities most of the day.
The opening ceremony included a few dances, as usual.
Then everyone walked around the exhibits. Several were selling food students had made. The math department was selling the geometric balls students had been making for two weeks. I don’t think many were sold. The science department had students doing science “tricks.” The English department sold sandwiches made to order. They also had a booth where students could shake a stick out and identify the flag of an ASEAN country and/or read the word for greeting in that language. Kate and Lovely worked there. When I went to relieve them, they said they wanted to stay. So I hung out in the office for half of the day. My interest level in these exhibitions is about three hours. I went back down and walked around and asked if I could help a few times and went down for the closing ceremony.
At the end of the day, Khun Toom gave me the schedule for exams. I’d been trying to get it all week so I would know what classes I have to teach next week. It turns out that they’ve moved exams again and everyone will take them on the same days; so I have to teach all the classes Monday to Thursday. I’m done teaching and the students are done learning. So I’ll review yet again and basically give them the exam questions to study for those who bother to study in or out of class. I do what I can to help them.
When I was walking home Thursday evening, my eye was caught by what looked like me. It is me. I’m featured on the new banner advertisement for the school. There’s one on each corner. Two weeks ago I was called out of class to have my photo taken in the Sound Lab. I had no idea what it was for, but it was urgent, as Sister Viphaporn wanted me there “now.” The banner focuses on the Sound Lab with a picture of me teaching and students listening. I suppose they are advertising their Sound Lab and native speaker teacher at the same time to appeal to potential parents to enroll their students next year.
The weather cooled down early in the week. I had to get the comforter out again for two nights and wear a jacket to school two mornings. But it’s back to being hot—near 100 degrees—again. The fan stays on all day and night these days. It is time for the hot season to begin, and it’s here.
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