A Dose of being a Teacher in Laos...

Yo...it's been too long so I'm going to get to the point...I'm changing it up and will be bring to you all a different take on my experience here in Laos....I'm bring you all my lyrical/poetic skills to my blog...with that said...here is a short rap I wrote while I was waiting for my students, but none came because of the local festivity that went on in the city that today...enjoy...

Teacher John's Rap #1

Written on November 9, 2011

In the classroom,

Chillin with the dust pan and broom,

Waiting for my students to come,

Hoping for some excitement and fun,

Writing out what's on mind,

Feeling that I'm wasting time,

     Am I just trying to bust-a-rhyme,

     Or thinking about someone so fine,

     I'm at a stop,

     I really don't know what's going to pop,

     Today I don't think my students will come,

     They all went to give alms, oh sounds like fun,

          What do I do,

          Wait here and be a crazy fool,

          I'm in such a mood,

          Telling who knows who,

          I'm in Laos being super fly,

          Always telling my students not to be shy!! =)

John's Family...and MORE family...

Lak 52...
So 2 months being in Laos and I finally got the chance to visit my dad’s side of the family…relatives who I stayed with back in 2008 after my study abroad experience in Thailand…Mike and his family wanted to take a trip to Lak 52 which is the village my great-uncle, uncles, aunts, and cousins lived…approximately an hour and a half from Vientiane.  Mike and his family were very kind to ask if I wanted to go and visit my family there and of course I jumped on this opportunity because it has been 3 years since I last saw my relatives or even contacted them…it was so wonderful to see them all again…although my aunt was not there because she was at the farmland and my uncle had just came back the day before because I was coming to visit them.  Like always…my relatives welcomed us with open arms and we all had an exchange where I was the translator…we had a where we’re at…telling how I’m back teaching in Laos for a year and checked upon how my relatives were doing…we exchanged about many things…dialoguing about their farming life, education life for young Hmong children, and about which came first the egg or the chicken…it’s funny because my uncle asked that same question back in 2008 when I came to stay with them…OH, AScott…wish you were here buddy…anyways as always…they made lunch for us and the food was simple and delicious…vegetables, meat, rice, chili pepper paste, and water…Mike and Colin really liked the chili paste…Mike actually suggested to my uncle to make the paste and sell it in Vientiane.  So wonderful to have spent time with them again…Mike’s kids were definitely the main attraction to all the little Hmong kids in the neighborhood…none of the Hmong kids played with his kids, but just quietly observed his kids playing with umbrellas and dirt…well…I had to return that day and hope to go back and stay a night or more with them…=)

Group photo with my uncle who is next to me with 2 Hmong kids, Colin (the tall guy on the far right), and Mike's family (middle).

 My uncle and I...conversing...

 Great uncle, uncle, and I.

 Great uncle is strong as an ox...can never get tired of speaking. =)

More family…
So I received a phone call last month from my aunt in the states on my mom’s side…she was calling to check up on me and see if I contacted and visited her brother-in-law…my uncle…I hadn’t at that time, but in our conversation…she asked where I was staying and overhearing our talk…my uncle recognized the place I was staying…SEA Game Village…he spoke out and said oh…my nephew lives there too…so my aunt handed the cell phone to him and he clarified about where I was staying and sure enough it is same place his nephew is also staying…so my uncle said he will call his brother to give him my number and so that his nephew can contact me…after that phone call of his…my cousin called me a few days later and we finally met each other one day…he resembled my uncle so much just a younger version…anyways...we got to talk and he was much younger than I thought…he's studying at the Lao-American College and I forget what he was majoring…he is a nice fellow…it so crazy to believe that living in this area for 2 months and who would have thought that one of my cousins lived in the building next to mine…small world…small world…well after our meet…we were trying to set up a day where I could go and visit his dad and mom…and I did…actually stayed the night which wasn't the plan but it worked out extremely well…my uncle…my cousin’s dad is a RN…registered nurse and has his own clinic where he worked after hours from the hospital…surprisingly his clinic was right next to his house…right next to the front porch…I saw him helping with the community people with illnesses and provide meds….I met with my aunt as well as my great aunt….so funny…the first thing my great aunt asked me was…do you have a wife?  I said no and she responded…good…why don’t you find one here…there are many beautiful Hmong ladies here especially at New Year’s…you should go and see if there is a lady you like and talk with her…I giggled and nodded my head…sure, I’ll see if there are any ladies I'd like…smiling…oh OGs…she was quite precious…and my aunt was a small petite lady carry a little one…her youngest…so that night they celebrated my cousin’s b-day…I felt bad because I didn’t know and did not get him anything and I show up empty handed…I met with many other people that night…relatives (a cousin who studied in Australia who got his master’s…very talkative guy in a good way because he was curiously talkative about many things...he was very impressed about how I spoke Hmong quite well…he has a daughter who lived with him while he was studying in Australia so she learned English and can speak a good amount…he told me about a situation when he was speaking to his daughter in English…telling her to eat cat…pronouncing the word incorrectly his daughter corrected him…saying, “No dad…it’s eat cake”…I started laughing and he got a kick out of it telling me this story…very cute, also I met another cousin who has the same Hmong name as me…Huaj Vam…it is not every day you meet or find someone with that Hmong name…he is pretty cool…very mature and well respected by the parents as well as the younger generations)… and then I met my cousins gang who all play football (aka soccer) together…after a buffet style dinner and cake…my cousin and his gang had their own little gathering outside the house next to the clinic…Korean style BBQ…(in Lao=”Seen-dat” or something like that)…they were grilling, drinking, thumping music (Hmong, Lao, and Thai), and chatted the night away…it was so great for me to experience that moment with these Hmong guys and with my cousin…I had a good time…just chilling, talking, eating, drinking, more eating, and more drinking…this was how Hmong-Lao guys kick it together…so cozy and sebai sebai…chill chill…we stayed up til the drinks were done and that was around 2am…

Also…my uncle’s house is incomplete, but for the most part complete…they moved in already…they have a roof, bedrooms, kitchen, but the inside ceiling roof needed to be covered and he told me that Lao style houses you keep building and fixing as you go...when you have the money to pay for it…it’s not like America where the house is already completely built and then you move in...the duration of my visit everyone kept telling me how the house is bad and not clean and how it may not/is not like houses in America…and I responded…as long as you have a house with a roof over your head...that’s all what you really need…a place for your family to live together…

John's Random Hmong Encounters

3 Gents on the songtail...
Songtail public transportation (truck bed=seating area=3000Kip=37 cents)…so my fellow Fulbright friends: Leslie, Toby, and I were on our way to the morning one day.  A few minutes after we got on the truck bed…three young gentlemen got on…I was thinking…could they be Hmong?  Then I overheard them talking…yes, they were Hmong…I immediately told Toby and Leslie…hey these guys are Hmong…how do you know they asked and I said…they are speaking Hmong…as I was speaking English to Toby and Leslie as I sat across from them…the gentlemen were trying to guess where we were from and they guess that I was Chinese…Neej Suav…I smiled and told Leslie and Toby…they think I’m Chinese and we all smiled…Leslie told me…John, you should interrupt and talk with them…I was like well…maybe…I don’t know…Leslie kept pressuring me…do it…now or never…do it live!  Toby also told me to speak with them too…so I was like what the heck…why not?  So I spoke and asked them….brothers, are you all Hmong?  I honestly have to say…I got blank stares from them…deer looking at headlights…a good 20-30 second stare and silence…you all should have seen their faces…PRICELESS and ADORABLE…they soon replied…Yes, yes, we are Hmong…and from there we conserved about where everyone is from, what we are doing, and etc.

Meat Ladies...
So there is a small market near my accommodation where I’m living and there are many vendors selling fruits, sweets, toiletries, clothes, vegetables, school supplies, meat, and much more…but on this day I was shopping for my weekly groceries and I’ve decided to buy certain things from certain vendors trying to be a frequent customer…anyways there is a lady who sells meat (pork) and on this particular day there were 2 other ladies with her…a young gal who looks to be younger than me and an older lady probably around her 50-60s….the meat lady was probably around my mother's age so I was wanting to buy meat…a kilo or two worth of pork…as I approached them…I could not help but overhear them speaking in Hmong…I thought to myself…huh what and excited…Hmong vendors!  I asked, “Are you Hmong?”  They all replied back yes, and I asked for their names…I forgot all but the younger lady’s name because I had a hard time understanding it because I was expecting a Hmong/Lao name when in fact she was pronouncing Amy…Amy…Amy…the whole time and my friend Leslie said it's Amy…I did not believe her name was an English name…I smiled and laughed.

Bookshop gent...
So on the university campus there is a bookshop selling a variety of things from school supplies, mini-grocery/household items, and books.  Anyways as I began teaching classes…I need teaching materials so I went to check out the university’s bookshop…well in front of the bookshop there is a counter area to drop off you book bags/purses…the first couple of times I went I would drop off my backpack and this gentleman would give me a number and every time I saw him I wondered…is he Hmong?  There is some distinct features I can identify about a Hmong person…and my gut feeling was telling me that he was Hmong…so one day after I bought some supplies I asked him…are you Hmong?  He said yes…and we spoke for bit…his name is Cha Hawj and his mother is from the Thao clan although I don’t know if there is a relationship between her and I, but my guess is that there is…he is a student majoring in computer science and he really would like me to visit and meet his family…I have yet to go, but I hope soon.  =)

John-Vacation Time? Chillin + A Little Bit of Work...Not Much...Yet at Least.

So...its time for an update huh?  I've been doing a whole lot of chilling=eat, sleep, eat, sleep, spending money, and just relaxing in Laos.

Anyways let me pick from my last journal entry...

Meeting a Friend (Relative?)
September 5th, 2011...day 24...so its been 12 days since the last time I wrote in my journal...anyways a lot of things has happened and I have a lot on my mind...I really need to write it all out...recall, reflect, and understand myself even more...so I got to meet a young man working at the US Embassy who is the same ethnicity as me and his name is Seng (or Sang) Moua, but everyone calls him Moua Seng...last name first...cool guy...his parents actually lives in Lak 52 where my relatives live...I thought to myself...sweet...wondered if he knew them which he didn't...well maybe his parents knows my relatives...well Moua Seng is still quite young which caught me for a little surprise for some reason...I got his phone # and he said to give him a call whenever after work hours or weekends if I wanted to hang out or travel to anywhere.

Muay Lao Adventure
So on a Sunday night a while back I went along with Colin (one of the other Fulbright ETAs) and Mike (an US Embassy Officer) to go watch some kickboxing, but I wasn't sure what was meant by kickboxing...plus I wanted to go because I knew if I didn't go I'll just be in my room on the internet...so I told myself...time for some cultural emerging time...and boy let me tell you...it was quite the cultural experience..how so...well Colin and I went into town early to grab some non-Lao food (aka pizza) and shop for a few things...this isn't quite the cultural part yet...then wondered about in the city until it was time for Mike to pick us up so we chilled at the Lao 5 star hotel plaza lobby (AC included =)...once Mike came to pick us up...we headed to pick up one of the kick-boxer...wow..I didn't realize Mike knew a fighter...so got to the gym where Mike went to train/work-out...there were 2 young fellas living in a room off to the side of the gym...go figure it was a Muay Thai...well in this case Muay Lao training center with a ring in the middle...after picking up these guys...I thought we were well on our way to the match site...given that it was getting close to 7pm, but we headed out of the city and picked up several more friends which were buddines with the 2 previous guys that Mike picked up and this time one of them was the fighter...so here is where the real adventure begins...as I continue to believe that we were going to be late as time was drawing near 7pm, but I realized that we should be fine because one of the fighter was with us so surely we will be alright and they won't start his match just yet or maybe he would have to forfeit, but I was being optimist...so as one of the young Lao guy gave directions to Mike on getting to this Muay Lao site...what I guessed should have been a 15-20 minute ride...turned out to be a 2 hour scavenger hunt...the young Lao guy directing Mike was just as lost as he thought he remembered the place with the right directions...after arriving at some temple in some village (who knows where)...which we thought to be the correct place after asking for directions from a guy at the corner which was a failure because it wasn't the correct place...so with 2 hours gone...there was no hope and the decision was made to return and head back home given it was around 9pm now, but get this as we were making our way back...we somehow made it to some Muay Lao fighting site...but upon arrival the ring was up, but no action...just some carnival activities surrounding the ring...then the fights started within 10 minutes...beginning with what it seems to be12 year olds from my guess kickboxing...physically intense...so after about 3-4 matches...Mike's friend was in the ring and let me tell you it was a pretty entertaining fight...leg kicking, knees flying, punches thrown and after about 3 rounds with no knock out, but won by point scores I believe or something Mike's friend was declared the winner.  So after the match...roughly 10:30pmish...Colin and I was given the chance to stay the night at Mike's because it was a longer ride to take us back to our place (30mins away)...so crashing over at Mike's and let me tell you what a sweet house he and his family is living at...waking up the next morning and seeing his wife and children up and about...reminded me of my home and my family...plus to top that off there was a kitchen which I got to cook some simple eggs with rice...can't wait to start cooking in my room...still waiting to go to Thailand and buy all the cookware I need...a little homesick and I miss a kitchen and its funny because this is coming from those who know me...I don't cook or at least as I like to say don't show that I can cook at home that is...anyways Mike's wife and kids are just precious...his kids are absolutely adorable...his son sure loves dinosaurs...rrrR. =)

Click here for =>Muay Lao Photos

The Dose of TEACHER TRAINING
So I showed up the following morning after the night at Mike's to our 1st day of of English teaching training in a t-shirt and flip-flop held at the US Embassy...I said to myself...wow, great first impression John and I was so embarrassed, but the show went on...as reflect on that week of training from our English Teaching Master, Ms. Shirley Baker...smiles.  I have to say she is an amazing lady with a precious motherly heart and enlightening teacher.  I definitely will carry with me a piece of who she is=patience, calm heart, passion in teaching, frustration and worries, but mainly being happy going...a "good friend."  Despite me learning the basic foundation on how to teach English as a 2nd language, how to make a lesson plan (always be prepared...overly prepared), develop language skills in reading, writing, speaking, and listening (the 4 pillars I call them), but more importantly I was taught who she was...thee Ms. Shirley Baker...something you will understand if she was your teacher.  That week definitely got me excited about being an English Teacher...and learned more about myself in regards of becoming an educator...what did I just learn...well when teaching/learning...one must have her/his cup half full...sorry going philosophical here..what I mean by that is go into a classroom not know everything, but something...as the teacher...you may know the subject but be sure to learn something from your students and as the student...have an open mind/heart to learn something new and don't have the mindset of knowing everything already and maybe you may teach something to your teacher too.  The key is the "open mind/heart to be a successful teacher/student especially if I want to be a meaningful teacher to my Lao students this upcoming academic year.

The Educator I am
I'm a visual person who must engage one's self to effectively teach/learn=gain an unique teaching/learning experience from the moment...

• I'm a critical thinker...super aware of every word, action, and the presence I give off to others and my surrounding...very cautious of my choices/decisions as they give/lead to consequences=action comes with a reaction...wanting what's best and a safe way to make learning/teaching an unique experience for all...wanting creativity, innovation, excitement, humor, seriousness, meaningful, enjoyable, spiritual, loving, entertaining, developmental, experiential, and humanely of the teaching/learning process...
• WOW, this is what the power an educator has to possess and give to others...quite scary and enlightening...shaping the minds of the present future...from my notes and reflection I want to teach/develop the Lao students' English language skills, to be and have the confidence with the fundamental foundation in learning English as a language of opportunity for one's future...that in itself is an incredible power//ability to possess and not everyone seeks it.

Being Lao
From my observations/interpretation so to say..being Lao

• =soft spoken, shy, not direct or confrontational, self-reserved, or maybe these are culturally/socially learned (who knows)
• =can't date/have relationship a foreigner (non-Lao) or have sex...its the Lao law...can't have sex until marriage, but can marry a foreigner (is this cultural...yes, maybe...you decide =)
• =being on time is showing up late...at least 30 mins...maybe this is an Asian thing =)
• =2-5 minute walk is ridiculously far (why walk if you have a motorbike...or the excuse is too hot and I'll be tanned =)
• =physical relationship expression...don't kiss in public, no huggy hugs, I have yet to see anyone hold hands walking around, conservatively dressed when out in public meaning shoulders covered and legs not revealing...no skin above knee is shown, lighter/whiter skin is better/beautiful especially for ladies
• =the Lao wife image...not talkative (not loud nor direct), can cook, listens to husband, and doesn't argue, no dyed hair (natural), or at least this is what I've been told for the ideal Lao wife for a Lao man.
• =the Lao husband...he has an open-ended image....he has no specification...but one can guess he has to be rich, handsome...blah blah blah...you get the picture.
• =no "hellos"/greetings to strangers walking pass you, no one carries backpacks...only messager bags (besides little kids)
• =many Lao people love to eat, drink (Beer Lao, the country's beer), and karaoke
• =believes Americans eat a lot so they will serve you big portions
• =spells "Congratulation" as "Tulation" which I don't know why, but a pretty cute idea for the University of Tulsa to take up maybe. =)
• =Lao university diplomas includes a mug shot photo of one's self on the right side, birth date, birthplace, and its size is as small as a high school diploma, on the left side is English and right side is in Lao
• =having braces is considered cute i.e. the fashion for ladies
• =many Lao people are short and petite...I mean I really don't see a lot big/tall Lao people...Colin, the other Fulbrighter is always the tallest person whenever we go out
• =Lao people have a wonderfully good heart, super kind, polite, super welcoming, family orientated, always open and wanting you to come over and eat (a lot of food), go out of their way to make you feel comfortable and happy
• =on a hot sunny day an umbrella is a necessary/useful item to be equipped with to keep yourself untanned and cool as well as wearing long sleeve sweat shirts/jackets if no umbrella

Going back to Lao people having a "good heart"...I have a special occasion to explain why...I had an upset stomach one day and the Lao lady working at the US Embassy overheard our conservation about my stomach and immediately offered to have some chicken-rice soup be homemade delivered to me at the embassy...I was like hold on...you don't have to do that, but she insisted and that was ok...and said, "you're away from home and no one to take care of you."  So I ended up going to her house picking up the soup and boy it was nice and hot...just cooked and ready to be served...let me tell you that the chicken-rice soup was the cure, but I believe the secret medicine was the motherly love, care, and concern she had for me that helped my tummy feel all better...she put a big smile on my face...and oh yeah...she made enough not only for lunch but enough for me to take home for dinner too...so wonderful! =)

Check out my photo albums...click on any title below. =)

Album #2

LAOSC

 Food & Drinks

Buddha Park

Fantastic Four Team Photos

John-Coming back for the 3rd time.

The Beginning of the beginning...well something like that...
August 22, 2011 and I'm 10 days into the beginning of my Fulbright experience as an English Teaching Assistant in Laos.  I don't know how I feel really...so many mix feelings...excited because I'm back for the 3rd time...this time for 10 months...it hasn't hit me that I'm back here in LAOS...for the time being though I'm really feeling relaxed (sa-bai-sa-bai)...comfortable to the point that I feel that I've been living in Laos forever and on vacation...maybe this is a sign that I need to start challenging and pushing myself to step out of my comfort zone.  A lot has happen...crossing the Friendship Bridge for the 3rd time and my feeling in my heart always amazes me and reminds me holy crap...my parents swam across that river (the Mekong River) and trust me its not a little river either...a feeling where tears started to come out of my eyes...
Then later the US Embassy had an all you can eat BBQ celebration for departing and arriving new staff and this involved so much food, drinks, and to top it off KARAOKE...oh we Asians like the karaoke and party...well especially Lao people that is, but it was great...I met with many awesome people working at the US Embassy...what I mean by awesome is like meeting US Ambassador Karen Stewart to the Lao PDR...I mean come on..to a minority kid coming from Oklahoma who only seen cowboys and cows...just kidding...that's not certainly the case nor true...there's not just cowboys and cows. in Oklahoma..there are cool peeps like city-councilors, mayors, etc.  LOL..anyways..the Lao language is very similar to Thai...well same same, but different different = phrase often used with foreigners...there are similar vocabs between the 2 languages given my knowledge of speaking 4th grade level Thai, but Laos has a much different sound when spekaing not to be mistaken with tones which I have no problem with.

Slacking with the journal...
So today is August 24th...day 12 in Laos...I'm slacking with writing in my journal..so what do I write now...my mind is all over the place...thinking about my family, how I can't wait to start teaching, continue to learn the Lao language...hopefully read and write, wrote on my wall of a steady schedule/routine I'm trying to get myself to do daily...let's see if I can keep myself motivated to follow through with it...this morning I was an hour late into the routine (smile)...well today I'm going to give myself the time to really reflect and write about a lot of my feelings and thoughts...trying to understand who I am.

My journey...
What it means to me to be in Laos this 3rd time..well several reasons...A.) for professional/career development as an educator because I'm planning to get a doctoral degree and teach @ the university level...B.) use my experience living in Thailand for a year as an English trainer/teacher/facilitator since that will provide me the foundation and confidence to teach effectively and learn from this journey as an ETA (the practitioner side)...C.) being a cultural ambassador between USA and Laos...this is a once in a life time opportunity to exchange my life's experience living in the states as an American-born-citizen and specifically as a minority person...hoping to spark and ignite confidence and encouragement to Laos students especially Lao minority students (students coming from different hill tribes) on how education is one of the best way to open doors of opportunities and how it can change one's life for the best like how it has done for me thus far and I really would like to understand more about the Lao minorities' lives in general specifically their goals and hardships/challenges in life and education...not only that...I want to break a lot of barriers or perceived assumptions I have and been told about Laos and its people...lastly to really reconnect with my family's roots...finding/visiting both my parents' birthplaces, visiting relatives and finding others...this is my continuation of soul searching of who I am and why I am the person I am...this is my spiritual journey that I am embarking for the next 10-11 months...so let's roll..sa-bai-dee Laos...my home.  =)

Click here to see photos I've taken thus far...enjoy!-->Photos.

Our Journey, Our Stories

Sa-bai-dee & Hello

Welcome everyone to our blog!

We are a group of four diverse people serving as Fulbright English Teaching Assistants (ETAs) at the National University of Laos in Vientiane for the 2011-2012 school year.  This is the first year they are offering the ETA program in Laos, so we are the pioneers! We all come from unique backgrounds and experiences, which you will see when you read our blog. Thanks for visiting us, and we hope you enjoy our stories!