Two Weeks and Counting

I feel like writing a new post even though I don't have too much to say. There are exactly two weeks left before I leave for Thailand. The excitement and anticipation that I had since the beginning of summer hasn't worn off. I just shipped 34 pounds worth of books and teaching materials by diplomatic pouch to Thailand. It is a convenient (and cheap) method of shipping for me and the books will be waiting for me when I arrive at my town, or at least that's what I was told. I think I'm going to end up bringing two suitcases, but I'm trying to pack as lightly as possible. I've gotten basically everything that I believe I'll need for a year long stay in Thailand; it feels strange to think that I can live out a whole year with only two suitcases of stuff, but I'm kidding myself, because I'll have a ton of household stuff to purchase when I get to my apartment.

I have to confess that I'm looking just as forward to the plane ride as my arrival in Thailand. I used to be slightly phobic of plane rides, but in the past few years, I've enjoyed planes. I'm not sure why. Perhaps a reason that I associate plane rides with pleasure is not in the plane ride itself, but the places they take me. Traveling is liberating to me because there are no obligations or deadlines involved. One of my friends interestingly pointed out that the happiest she has seen me was when I was abroad traveling. I feel free when I travel, and I tend to go along with the flow of things much more than when I'm at school or the like. It takes my friends a lot of energy to push me out of my apartment or library when I'm at school and almost impossible to make me go on their crazy adventures, because I'm usually at my wit's end meeting deadlines to projects and tests.

In all this, I have come to associate plane rides with pleasure. It's nice to read a book and when bored, be able to look out to see puffy white clouds floating past, or if I'm lucky, see the ocean below or other natural formations. I've arranged my seats on my two upcoming flights so that I'll have two seats to myself for both rides so that's a plus. It's kind of like business seating in economy class. It makes sense that the plane I'm riding isn't full, because it is an American carrier that is departing from Los Angeles. Since there are so many cheaper alternatives of international carriers available in a major city such as LA, I didn't think people will ride as much on an American carrier which all are rated at the most 3 stars out of 5 by Skytrax. A lot of the other international carriers are cheaper and can be upwards of 4 or 5 stars with usually great in-flight entertainment and good service. I am riding an American carrier though, because the Fulbright program has generously provided me with the tickets!

Here are some photos from my past flying adventures:

Thailand

Chicago

Barcelona

Italy

Seattle

Ratchaphruek trees

Ratchaphruek trees (pronounced rart-cha-pru-ek), scientific name Cassia fistula, are deciduous trees found all throughout Southeast Asia. It's common name is the Golden Shower Tree due to its characteristic bright yellow flowers. It is also supposed to have medical properties including uses as a laxative and a remedy for aching bones and heart problems. My mother recalled fondly that when she was a child, the sight of blooming ratchaphruek trees would lift her spirits greatly, because it heralded the end of the school year and the beginning of the hot summer season. The tree is called Ngu wa in Burma.

The reason I chose this tree as part of my title is because the ratchaphruek is the national flower and a symbol of Thailand, a place where I will call home for the next year. Since the color of the flower is yellow, it is also associated with the king of Thailand, His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, also known as Rama IX.

Cassia fistula (Photo from Wikipedia)

Games galore

I just ordered a few portable games from Amazon to bring with me to Thailand (UNO, Bananagrams, and Settlers of Catan). I thought they'd be fun to play to pass the time with my fellow Fulbrighters and especially with my students. I don't know if Thai kids like board games and such, but I think it'll be worth introducing them.

Another set of good news is that I have established contact with all my fellow Fulbright ETAs, and we have a nice thread going on in Gmail. Some of us who have the same flight have even opted to sit together. I really hope and pray that we'll all get along well and be of one mind and heart.

I also recently read an article concerning Thai youth in the NY Times. It gave me something to think about concerning my future students. The article essentially talked about connections between the bouts of instability in Thailand and how those events may have created situations in which Thai students are tempted to get into trouble. Supposedly, a problematic connection is that frequent changes in government cause frequent changes in education policies and also declining educational standards. The article cited examples in the Northeast where violence among youth have become increasingly common. Though this could be indirectly connected to the political changes, another culprit could be the financial struggles that the Northeast has been facing for many years.

I am not sure if my future students in Sawankhalok are also going through similar struggles. Two of my fellow Fubrighters have commented that they have seen similar problems among the students they have taught in the US. It could very well be a worldwide occurrence, so I don't agree completely with the article that the political upheavals alone are causing trouble among the youth. Perhaps the economic downtown all around the world is causing direct and indirect effects on children. I hope that as a teacher, I don't only equip my students with greater fluency in English, but that I'm able to plant seeds in their lives that will help them grow up to be successful and happy. I'm not sure what kind of seed that is, and it'll be a challenge with the language barrier. As important that English is in giving the students more flexibility in shaping their futures and communicating globally, I hope that I can give them other gifts to help them.