Tuesday, March 12, 2007

This blog comes from Blair Warner, Sophomore International
Business major from Pepperdine University. Blair comes from Hood River,
Oregon.

Dear Friends and Family:

I think a Thai vocabulary lesson is in order as I begin this SST update.
Let me introduce you to the Thai word "uan," pronounced “ooh-waan”. Uan is
Thai for fat. And this is silly and it is at the top of almost everyone’s
commonly heard vocabulary in their Thai families. And as we all prepare to
say goodbye to our Thai families, we are sad, yes we are, but uan is
something that most of us are also feeling.

A good way to describe a peculiarity of the typical Thai family (not that
there aren’t thousands of strange things in a typical American family) is
that you are told constantly that you are uan, and then you are
immediately forced to eat three more helpings of rice until you both feel
and look like a blimp. So as we get excited for spring break, I think most
of us naksiksaas (students) are looking at our bathing suits, wondering
how exactly we are going to wear that thing for a week on the beach with
our various extra rice/noodle weights. Jogging, anyone? Oh boy.

So this last week was filled with studying, spending time with our
families and goodbyes at our various internships as we had our final Thai
culture exam on Friday. No hilarious skits were a part of this final, and
for most of us it was a last-ditch study effort, four written in-class
essays, and then academic freedom! I can speak for all of us when I say
that it is great to be done. This culture class has taught us a lot about
Thai culture and has helped us be able to apply all that we are witness to
in Chiang Mai life and in our Thai families to general cultural aspects of
Thailand.

I cannot speak for everyone’s specific internships, although I wish I
could. I am a part of the Baan Ponsawan (boardinghouse) and English
teaching internship along with Nate, Sara, Courtney 1 and Courtney 2. I
can say that it was an incredible week for all of us. Our last two days of
teaching were unforgettable. I will miss my second grade students more
than words can say (yes, think of the Extreme song). However, we
definitely used more than words to show our love for these children, as
did they in return. With these kids, language and cultural barriers were
crossed as we use things like stickers, snacks, hugs, a little English
teaching here and there, and learning constructive Thai phrases like “you
are smart” as we tried to show the kids that we care. They are so smart
and capable, and we just hope that they have a fair shot at the bright
future they deserve so much. We put together a goodbye party at our school
on Wednesday, and it was amazing to give them balloons, face painting,
stickers and ice cream. The five of us also got to say goodbye for real on
Saturday when we went swimming with the kids at a local pool. What a great
time. It breaks my heart, but I know that we will be back. Maybe not all
of us within a year, maybe not in even in three or four, but we will be
back. My heart is with these underprivileged kids. They have given me a
joy of working with kids that I did not previously possess. So we students
said goodbye to all those who have changed our hearts and lives in these
incredible internships, whether they be monks or hilltribe kids or special
needs children or silver craftsmen or northern Thai young men…and many
more!

This week other students in our group also had going away parties at their
internship placements, including 9 students at the Buddhist University, 2
students at Anuban Chiang Mai School, and Dominique at the Healing
Foundation.

But you must be wondering, what about the SST 2007 banquet?? I can feel
your excitement, and can honestly say that it was such a success. Everyone
was dressed “to the nines” in their fabulously tailored or
Thailand-designed outfits, and I thought it ironic that this formal dinner
was the nicest and probably the cleanest our group will be for the next
month and a half. From now on it’s sun, sand and sweat on the beaches and
in various cities in Thailand as we travel places with HOT weather. And
then after that comes the not-so-frequent showering that will (not) occur
the Karen village in April. : ) But us SST 2007 students are up for it,
yes we are. But going back to the banquet, the night was filled with an
encore of one of our Thai language skits, many heartfelt thank yous to all
those who make our experiences in Thailand possible, and an incredibly
memorable time with our Thai families.

What else are we up to these days? Why, packing of course. I’m resorting
to magic as I try to fit my accumulated Thai treasures into a couple
suitcases, and I know others are experiencing similar challenges. But as
with all of these Thailand adversities, the resourceful and amazing SST
2007 group will succeed. And there is also last minute Chiang Mai shopping
and eating and enjoying life and our families in northern Thailand. Last
night at the Sunday walking street market over half our group was there,
covered in shopping bags. I can’t believe how the time has flown, cliché
yes, but never more true.

Our group is going to bond, Kumbaiya-style, during our Thailand field
trip, and then split off into several groups for incredible spring break
experiences at the world’s best beaches!! Parents and relatives and
friends, we miss you and are thinking of you when we aren’t busy shoveling
mango and sticky rice into our mouths. Take care and know that we are
healthy, happy, and extremely well-fed.

Blair Warner, SST student from Pepperdine University