Saturday, March 3, 2007

This blog comes from Lisa Brooks, Sophomore Creative Writing Major from Pepperdine University. Lisa comes from Plano, Texas.

To all the ones we love,

The theme of the letter is ‘SANOOK’, which means ‘fun’ in Thai, and which has become a sort of a mantra for our experience here in Chiang Mai. I want to update you on the stunning events of week 8, which was packed with all the SANOOK you can handle. You see, SANOOK is the Thai way, and as my Dad so cleverly states, “It’sThai-way or the highway”. We choose the Thai way. Would you believe that even economics can be SANOOK? This little-known fact was actively proven to us this week through the lectures of Ajarn Chaiyan. He managed to make the economic ups and downs of the country into a regular comedy. It’s not that what he was speaking about was particularly uplifting or humorous, but he chose the light-hearted route above the oh-so-serious option, and that is quintessential Thai. Our culture class has given us so many insights. Over the weekend, there were no group plans and so we were once again at the wonderful mercy of our Thai families. There was much SANOOK to behad by all. I, in particular, got to go into a cave in a place called Chiang Dao. We traveled in Thai style (as SANOOK as possible), which means that we stopped about every half hour for a snack. One hot-dog, one bowl of noodle soup, one plate of pad-see-yu and an iced chocolate later, we reached our destination (this was all before noon). I ventured in the cave with my older brother, Pi Jack, and we paid the $3 (100 baht) for the guided tour. The guide was wearing sandals, so I thought, how rough could this be? I’ve been in Carlsbad Caverns twice. I’m basically a spelunker. But this was WAY more SANOOK than Carlsbad. There was no lighted path…our guide had a lantern that I kept praying wouldn’t go out. We saw bats galore, and had to crawl through tiny and wet spaces in order to get from one cave ‘room’ to another. But the fascinating thing was that in the depths of this cave, there was a small temple. Pi Jack told me that monks used to come there over 300 years ago. I am sure many others could report on the heaps of SANOOK they found themselves in this past weekend. Just ask. It’s always a surprising time here in Thailand. But the SANOOK wasn’t over with the weekend.

Today, Tuesday, we had our Thai language final. In keeping with theThai-way, SANOOK was incorporated even into the test. This was no sit-down, be quiet, only look at your own paper type of test. We were given the assignment to write skits in Thai, with basically every freedom and most every person as fair game-including our Thai teachers, AjarnMike, and our Thai families and friends. If ever there was a SANOOK-ful way to take an exam, this was it. Each of the four groups really went all out… from a colorful “khitoi” (transvestite) impersonation to well-planned representations of Ajarn Mike’s idiosyncrasies, the amount of SANOOK in that room was record-breaking. We had a special lunchafterward, in celebration of the end our Thai language class. It included our dear favorites: sweet and sour chicken, spring rolls, and mangoes and sticky rice. The conclusion of our Thai language class is a reminder that our time here in Chiang Mai is coming to an end.

However, this is by no means the end of the SANOOK. We spent our free time this week planning for Spring Break. The group will disperse and scatter along Thailand’s most beautiful beaches and return a few shades darker (or redder, for some unlucky ones). It is hard to believe that Spring Break is just around the corner. Everything is flying by. It seems like just yesterday we were moving in with our Thai families, suffering through awkward introductions and countless miscommunication issues. We have now learned a considerable amount of Thai and have survived whatever adventure our Thai families have put us up to. I think it is true what they say, “Time flies when youare having SANOOK”. We praise God for the experience and we rejoice in His ability to uncover a sparkling gem from any situation. Psalm 136:1“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good.”

Lisa Brooks
SST Student from Pepperdine University

PS: Update on Shawn: We just wanted to give you an update on the Shawn Livingston, the student who had the fall on the waterfall on February 11. Last week Shawn was given the green light from the surgeon to fly home. He got out of the hospital on Tuesday, February 27 and he, his mother (Gwen), and one of his surgeons flew home last night from Chiang Mai. Shawn is doing very well--he is talking and joking with us, but we know this is a long process with many unknowns. He had a couple days the week of February 22 that were very difficult, but we found out that it was caused by a reaction to one of the medicines. Now that it is out of his system he is doing well. The prognosis is for a full recovery after his eye heals/is repaired. We consider this a miracle, and thank you all foryour prayers! Yesterday we had a big send off in class for Shawn and Gwen. This was followed by a Lunch with Karaoke, and a final hang out opportunity for Shawn and his friends. The plane left Chiang Mai at 9:00 PM and there were more than 30 people who came to bring their best wishes for a bon voyage and to send Shawn, Gwen, and doctor to America in style. We would appreciate your prayers during their flight--it is difficult even under good circumstances! I know Shawn's mother is very tired, and though they have had a lot of support here; she has had to deal with so much stress. It means to much to all of us knowing that you are holding them up in prayer.

Thanks, Ann and Mike

(look for pictures of Shawn's send-off--community.webshots.com/user/ajarnmike100).