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. =)
