GALLERY OF MEMORIES:
A Dreamlike Adventure
Week 1
January 6, 2019- Goodbye Philippines!
This day has finally come. I'm really leaving my country and going to Thailand. It's going to be my very first international travel. I'm having a mixed feeling right now. I am a bit sad because I won't be able to see my family and friends for a whole month. I also feel excited because I'm finally going to one of my dream places to visit. Most importantly, I feel so nervous because I really don't know as to what awaits me when I arrive in a totally unfamiliar place.
Anyways, I know that God is with me and He will continue to guide and support me.
I woke up early since I don't want to be late and miss my flight. My family accompanied me to the airport. While entering the airport, I did not glace to them since I know that I will only miss them more.
This is it. I'm going to travel for so many ours. I know it will be tiring and won't be easy. But I know I can do this. Fighting!
January 7, 2019- Touchdown Chiang Mai, Thailand
After so many hours of long travel, after transferring from one airport to another and after a tiring airport procedures, I am now finally in Chiang Mai! Yahoooo!
My schoolmate and were fetched by Miss Arry, our coordinator, in the airport. She was with her 3 other student who will also be participating in the Sea Teacher Project and they will be deployed to my beloved hometown, Iloilo city, Philippines. They were holding a banner that's why we didn't have a hard time looking for them. When we arrived to Chiang Mai Rajabhat University, Miss Aery and our buddies brought us to the International House. It is the place where we would stay for a month. After showing us our room and explain to us the rules of the dorm, we went to school's cafeteria to eat our breakfast. Upon entering the place, I could already smell the strong spices coming from the foods. Then I told myself, "This is it I'm really in Thailand. I really have to try eating spicy food." Our buddies, accompanied us so they we won’t have a hard time ordering our food. I was also happy because Miss Arry paid for us.
While eating, we discussed about the things that we must expect during our whole stay and they kept on telling us to enjoy our stay. They also asked us on what we could suggest them since they are travelling to the Philippines.
After eating, Miss Arry left us with our buddies to tour us around the campus. I'm really surprised with the fact that their university is really big. It's like 3x bigger than our universities and their building are 5 x higher than our school's building. When I was in their library, I was amazed again since they have a museum in their library. Upon touring their school, I've realized that they are abundant with so many facilities. They also showed us the Demonstration School which is also located inside the school campus. It is the school where we are going to be student teachers.
After touring us around the campus, they let us rest in the dorm. While I was in the dorm, I did not immediately rest just like my other schoolmate. When I arrived our room, the first thing that I did was to take a bath. It has been 24 hours that I was not able to have shower and I feel so refreshed after doing so. After taking a bath, I unpacked all my things and placed it in the (cabinet) that was provided. After fulfilling my task, I finally rested.
At 1:30 pm, we had to get up since we will be fetched again by another set of buddies who will accompany us to buy groceries at two ‘o’clock, we waited at the lounge fro them. Our buddies arrived with Meida, a Sea teacher from Indonesia. They sent Meida to her room first. After introducing ourselves to each other, we decided to go and eat our lunch in their cafeteria. I had a noodle for lunch since I am still full. While eating, they taught us some Thai word.
We then went to a local market. It was a market selling various types of foods from Chiang Mai. Aside from a local market, we also went to a grocery store named Tesco Lotus. We bought a lot of Thai snacks that they recommended us. They sent us back to our dorm after buying all the things that we will need.
n the evening the other group of buddies took us into Malin Plaza. It is where we ate our dinner. After eating dinner, we walk around the plaza for a while. Before going back to the dormitory, I asked them if it is possible for us to find banana rotee. It is a Thai dish that I really want to eat because a lot of people said it is delicious. We were not dismayed since we were ae to find one. I happily went back to the dormitory after having the rotee.
It was a tiring yet fun day. I really enjoyed so much. I really appreciate the way they welcomed us and constantly tell us to just enjoy our stay here. I hope that we will be able to form strong bonds among us.
January 8, 2019- Day 2
I woke up early in a cold and rainy day. Even though I still feel tired, I have to get up from my bed in order to attend our orientation program with some of the officials of the university. It was raining really hard so we had difficulty going to the conference room at first. Good thing was that the caretaker of the dormitory lend us an umbrella.
The orientation program was just short. There were no any formal speech or any intermission numbers. The head just told us that she want to skip the formal part because she wants us to feel relaxed and comfortable. We were asked to introduce ourselves and they also introduced themselves. During the program, we were also given a token from the university and I and my co-participant from my school also gave them a plaque of recognition from our school.
There was also a question and answer portion wherein we were given the chance to ask anything that we want to learn from them. It was just for a brief moment and after that we were to go back to our dormitory and rest because it was really raining very hard.
Our buddies went to our dormitory and told us that they would like to accompany us to buy our dinner. We at the area outside of the university and I have noticed that there are relay a lot of restaurants and food stores and stalls. We decide to eat in a noodle restaurant wherein I got to eat the famous “Pad Thai” for the very first time. After eating dinner, we bought a dessert and went back to our dormitory.
January 9, 2019- Day 3
Went to Chiang Mai Rajabhat University- Demonstration School today. It is just a 5 minute- walk from the International Housing were are currently staying. Upon arrival at the school, we went to the school’s front gate and joined the teacher who was standing at the side of the gate to greet her students. We just followed her since we were not given any instructions and we still don’t know what to do. While greeting the students, I can feel that the students are very respectful and they always give us a wide smile whenever they see us. I can feel their warm and enthusiastic welcome. There were also students who approached us and tried to ask for our name even though they are having a hard time speaking in English. I really appreciate their effort.
When our mentor, “Kru Joy”(means Teacher Joy”), arrived, she sent Meida, one of our co- participant in the SEA-Teacher Project, to the Pre-school Department since she was assigned to that area. We were also permitted to go inside the building and to take a look at the classroom.
After sending Meida off, Kru Joy led us into one of the offices and told us to have a break there for 20 mins. then left us since she has a business to do. While staying in the office, some of the students visited us and asked our names. We can hardly understand each other but we tried our best in order for us to communicate. I am actually frustrated with myself because I cannot understand them. The children spent their time for a short while since their classes are about to start.
Kru Joy showed us her office where in we are also going to stay. She also gave us our own table where we can do our work. She and Kru Joy also gave us a welcome gift which really surprised me. It really warms my heart they extend so much effort just to let us feel relaxed and comfortable.
After giving the gifts, Kru Jume let us accompany her for us to observe one of the school's P.E. class. The class then played a game similar to basketball. But the only difference is that there is a ring man who holds a basket which serves as a ring and in which he/she can freely move to any direction in order to catch the ball. Other than that, all rules applied to basketball is also used to that game. It was my first time witnessing that kind of game since we don't play that in the Philippines. I enjoyed watching them because I can really tell that they were enjoying the game and that they don't mind if they lose. They were just having fun.
In the afternoon, Kru Joy requested us to help them decorate their Christmas tree for the children's day this coming Friday. We eagerly helped them since we really want to have something to do.
After decorating the Christmas tree, we went back again to our office and waited until its 4 pm for us to log out. Before logging out, we played for a short while with the pupils. When we were about to go back to the International House, the children repeatedly said goodbye to us and that to see each other again tomorrow.
I did not feel tired the whole day because of the teachers and the pupils who warmly welcomed us. I really felt important and welcomed in their school.
This evening, our student buddies, Kik and Kwang, fetched us up in our room and told us that they will bring us to Chiang Mai's biggest Mall, the Central Festive. They told us that there was up to 70% sale in the items and we may be able to shop for the things that we want. But upon arriving there, I still find it expensive even though that the items were already on sale. Because of it, I learned another Thai word which is "paeng" which means expensive. We also ate dinner in that mall. While shopping, I've learned a lot of Thai words. Our buddies even apologized to us because their English was not good. I told them that we are the ones feeling sorry because we take their supposedly free time just for us to enjoy our stay here. I also told them that I am really grateful because despite the fact that they were having exams and they are busy, they really make time for us. They also asked us to teach them how to speak English.
After eating, they sent us back again to our dormitory. I thanked them again for showing us their place. I'm really loving my stay here in Thailand. It seems that I don't want to go back in the Philippines anymore. Just kidding.
January 10, 2019- Day 4
We continued to observe the classes today. We get to witness how the school starts their day by having a program or flag ceremony. It includes the singing of the national anthem, meditation and exercise. We were also called in front of the stage in order to be introduced to all of the students and the faculty. They all excitedly greeted us afterwards.
There were two classes, Prathom 4/2 and Prathom 5/1, that I was able to observe today. They were all English classes since I was assigned to teach in English. The topic that was discussed in Prathom 4/2 was all about directions. While the topic that was discussed to Prathom 5/1 was entitled help our planet. During the class, each student holds a book. The teacher then plays an audio wherein they have to follow what the voice in the audio is playing. If the students are not able to understand the instructions, the teacher just translates it to them.
Our mentor also gave us our schedule for this whole month. In the afternoon, we stayed in our office and were told to study the things that we would want to know. I spent my whole afternoon learning some Thai words.
In the evening, our buddies picked us up in our dormitory and accompanied us to one of the night market. There were a lot of cheap things to buy. The most exciting thing was the foods that can be seen anywhere. I really ate a lot of Thai foods and desserts. I even tried to eat a worm. Don’t worry. It was an edible type of worm. I really enjoyed that night since I was able to taste various kind of foods.
January 11, 2019- Children's Day!
I really had so much fun today. I is because the Demonstration school celebrated Children’s Day. It was my first time witnessing this kind of event since we don’t have that kind of celebration in the Philippines.
There were a lot of prizes. When I say a lot, there were really a lot! I was a bit shocked because of that. There were sacks of snacks and chips, stuffed toys from the smallest to the largest, there were also cash prizes and other stuffs that kids would really love to have.
There was a raffle draw where will be able to win things that were mentioned above. The kids were also given the chance to showcase their performance. They performed various Thai- Pop and even Korean- Pop songs. Some danced to English songs. I took so much photos and videos that the storage in my phone got full so I had to transfer it to my other phone.
The program continued in the afternoon continued as the kids were able to enjoy playing with different games prepared by the teachers. We also helped in the program by handing out prizes i one of the games. I went back to the dormitory feeling tire but genuinely happy as I was able to see that the joy in the children’s faces and was able to hear in their laughter.
We were not accompanied by our buddies today. So we decided to walk around in the area near the campus to look for something to eat. We walked for around 2 hours because we made up a decision that we are going to find a store that sell Filipino cup noodles. However, to our dismay, we haven’t found any so we ended up buying an instant food in one of the convenience store. We went home feeling so tired and sleepy.
January 12, 2019- Hmong New Year
Today is Saturday and that means no class! Hooray!
Our plan for today was to attend the Hmong New Year’s Celebration. Our buddies, Jan and Putt were the ones who brought us into the place which celebrates Hmong New Year. I was actually surprised at first because they suddenly went straight up to our room and told us that they carry various dresses with them and that we have to change into those dresses. While I was being dressed by Jan, she told me that the dress was actually the traditional dress of a tribe were she came from, the Hmong tribe. We had so much laughter while dressing up because every one of us including Putt were first timers when it comes to wearing that kind of clothes. So, Jan, had to dress us all one by one.
Jan successfully dressed us up and we finally went out. At first I was shy walking outside because I thought my dress might be too short and it was really my first time wearing a dress while wander around. I was really conscious at first.
When we came to the place where it celebrates Hmong New Year, there was so much crowd and there were also a lot of thing and food being sold. There were also pairs of people playing a ball in which they call “pob”. Jan told me that the ball is given by a woman to a man that she loves. It is believed that she will marry that man whom she gave her ball. The game is played by tossing the ball and the other person will catch it and vice versa. There were also some groups who performed on the stage.
After watching the performances, Jan brought us to a place called Highland Museum. It was a place that showcased the different ethnic races living in Thailand. There are 9 tribal groups that migrated and now lives in Thailand namely, the Lahu, Lisu, Htin, Mien, Akha, Hmong, Karen and the other 2. I love the place since it was so detailed it really represents the various cultures of Thailand. There was also screen for each area that explains everything about each tribal group and it was explained in English that’s why I was able to understand and enjoy the presentation.