Update #28
Another Bulletin Board:
So what happens when someone is impressed with the job you did??? They ask you to do it! There was another large bulletin board that was looking shabby so we weren't too surprised when sister asked us to redo it. It was a Kid of the Month board so we brainstormed some ideas & let sister pick the one she wanted. Next we were off to the office supply store again for supplies for an underwater scene with a fish for each kid. Again, we got rave reviews ...and though we sure didn't expect to dig up that part of our teaching experience...we were glad to please & fill the need.
Broken and Angry Children:
Sister Marie Paul spent much time with us today talking about her children...broken and angry. First they were rejected by parents & then the orphanage they were first in rejected them due to their AIDS and on top of it all, they are so confused & angry about having AIDS through no fault of their own. They have been loved by no one. They trust no one. Sisters' love is the first and it has taken them years to quell some of that anger and soothe their broken hearts just a bit. I must admit spending time with them was tough as they were quite wild and it was only with a bit of humor that I could get them to stop painting the table, or taking from my supply bag whatever they wanted, or cutting up good paper, or etc.... Sister has been to some training but is often at a loss as to how to handle situations. I think she felt like she could confide in us and use us as a sounding board...listening ears. I hope so.
Painting/Cutting/Glitter Marathon:
When the kids came home on Valentines Day, we were ready...and it's a good thing. The first ones came about 4:30 and the last ones left around 8:30!! They painted, cut &/or glittered nearly every piece of paper we had. We showed them how to make hearts...and soon there were hearts everywhere. Glitter was the highlight. Some painted slowly and with much skill...others loved being able to paint the entire sheet with multiple colors. By 8, the room was lined with drying art work and the kids, sisters, a teacher & some Vietnam visiting priest were walking around admiring the work. When I realized that the crowd, paint, glitter & scissors was getting a bit too much in one room, the teacher in me came out. I motioned for them to follow & Rog and I each grabbed a taller kid to form a London Bridge--and a better place for all their energy. When we tired of that, we had them sit in a large circle and showed them how to play Duck, Duck, Goose. Though I am sure they had no idea what a duck or goose was--they caught on quickly. They loved picking Rog as he tried to corner them and out smart them by reversing the direction he ran. So who cares it broke the rules--it sure made them laugh!! Finally--it was time for the kids to go to bed (and us too!). The sisters led the kids in singing the same Thank you song that the kids in Kolkata sang to us--only in Thai first and then English. We gave each a chocolate gold coin & a huge hug. Several ran out and picked blossoms off the tree to give us. The sisters thanked us profusely and we in turn thanked them for opening their home & hearts to us. What a full and loving Valentines Day! p.s. And to add even more delight to the day, I savored two diet cokes & a Dove chocolate bar...Rog ate a Black Chocolate bar (Thai product).
Kindness everywhere in Thailand:
Here's just a few of the kind acts that the Thai do for us all the time--
-While unsuccessfully trying to tag down a taxi, a young girl asked us where we were headed & then literally jumped in front of the next taxi that went by, told the driver where we were headed & negotiated the price, smiled & waved good bye as we drove off.
-One evening, rather late, we were trying to find a art supply store. As we walked by a grocery store, the keeper came out & asked us if he could help. After telling us the art store was not near, he handed us four oranges and bowed.
-As I was sitting in a bus stop, I was curiously looking at something a young man was drinking. He spoke up and told me what it was--in Thai--and seemed to indicate where I could buy some. I just smiled & shook my head no. Then just as we went to get on the bus, he brought me over two cold water bottles. He had the biggest grin on his face & refused money.
-Though Rog often has to lug around his suitcases, I seldom do as Thai gentlemen quickly take mine.
Service everywhere in Thailand:
Remember gas attendants? Door attendants? etc...they are still here.
Education:
We can't believe how many schools/colleges we see as we travel about. Thais put a high emphasis on education. Many appear to be boarding schools & all require uniforms. Even the colleges. They are well maintained & quite nice with ornate gates surrounding them. I did chuckle as we passed one ornate gilded entrance gate...with a water buffalo lounging right in front of it.
Another Bulletin Board:
So what happens when someone is impressed with the job you did??? They ask you to do it! There was another large bulletin board that was looking shabby so we weren't too surprised when sister asked us to redo it. It was a Kid of the Month board so we brainstormed some ideas & let sister pick the one she wanted. Next we were off to the office supply store again for supplies for an underwater scene with a fish for each kid. Again, we got rave reviews ...and though we sure didn't expect to dig up that part of our teaching experience...we were glad to please & fill the need.
Broken and Angry Children:
Sister Marie Paul spent much time with us today talking about her children...broken and angry. First they were rejected by parents & then the orphanage they were first in rejected them due to their AIDS and on top of it all, they are so confused & angry about having AIDS through no fault of their own. They have been loved by no one. They trust no one. Sisters' love is the first and it has taken them years to quell some of that anger and soothe their broken hearts just a bit. I must admit spending time with them was tough as they were quite wild and it was only with a bit of humor that I could get them to stop painting the table, or taking from my supply bag whatever they wanted, or cutting up good paper, or etc.... Sister has been to some training but is often at a loss as to how to handle situations. I think she felt like she could confide in us and use us as a sounding board...listening ears. I hope so.
Painting/Cutting/Glitter Marathon:
When the kids came home on Valentines Day, we were ready...and it's a good thing. The first ones came about 4:30 and the last ones left around 8:30!! They painted, cut &/or glittered nearly every piece of paper we had. We showed them how to make hearts...and soon there were hearts everywhere. Glitter was the highlight. Some painted slowly and with much skill...others loved being able to paint the entire sheet with multiple colors. By 8, the room was lined with drying art work and the kids, sisters, a teacher & some Vietnam visiting priest were walking around admiring the work. When I realized that the crowd, paint, glitter & scissors was getting a bit too much in one room, the teacher in me came out. I motioned for them to follow & Rog and I each grabbed a taller kid to form a London Bridge--and a better place for all their energy. When we tired of that, we had them sit in a large circle and showed them how to play Duck, Duck, Goose. Though I am sure they had no idea what a duck or goose was--they caught on quickly. They loved picking Rog as he tried to corner them and out smart them by reversing the direction he ran. So who cares it broke the rules--it sure made them laugh!! Finally--it was time for the kids to go to bed (and us too!). The sisters led the kids in singing the same Thank you song that the kids in Kolkata sang to us--only in Thai first and then English. We gave each a chocolate gold coin & a huge hug. Several ran out and picked blossoms off the tree to give us. The sisters thanked us profusely and we in turn thanked them for opening their home & hearts to us. What a full and loving Valentines Day! p.s. And to add even more delight to the day, I savored two diet cokes & a Dove chocolate bar...Rog ate a Black Chocolate bar (Thai product).
Kindness everywhere in Thailand:
Here's just a few of the kind acts that the Thai do for us all the time--
-While unsuccessfully trying to tag down a taxi, a young girl asked us where we were headed & then literally jumped in front of the next taxi that went by, told the driver where we were headed & negotiated the price, smiled & waved good bye as we drove off.
-One evening, rather late, we were trying to find a art supply store. As we walked by a grocery store, the keeper came out & asked us if he could help. After telling us the art store was not near, he handed us four oranges and bowed.
-As I was sitting in a bus stop, I was curiously looking at something a young man was drinking. He spoke up and told me what it was--in Thai--and seemed to indicate where I could buy some. I just smiled & shook my head no. Then just as we went to get on the bus, he brought me over two cold water bottles. He had the biggest grin on his face & refused money.
-Though Rog often has to lug around his suitcases, I seldom do as Thai gentlemen quickly take mine.
Service everywhere in Thailand:
Remember gas attendants? Door attendants? etc...they are still here.
Education:
We can't believe how many schools/colleges we see as we travel about. Thais put a high emphasis on education. Many appear to be boarding schools & all require uniforms. Even the colleges. They are well maintained & quite nice with ornate gates surrounding them. I did chuckle as we passed one ornate gilded entrance gate...with a water buffalo lounging right in front of it.
