Before I talk about school-related things, I want to touch up on some things I haven't really done justice with. I said in an earlier entry that I sort of have two lives here: my Mae Pa life, and my Mae Sot life. This, to a large extent, has been true all along, but I've really only written about my Mae Pa life. I want to take this opportunity to talk about important people I've gotten to know, and memorable things that have happened outside of school.
Donny is a Thai-Karen guy I met, who works in Mae Sot for the UN, and he lived in the USA (Rhode Island) for several years. I think this makes him the only Thai person I've gotten to know who speaks almost perfect English. Chris is an interesting fellow.... I met him in the English speaking church, to which we've both attended quite haphazardly. He's technically Burmese (born in Burma to Burmese parents), yet doesn't actually speak the language. He was educated in India, and speaks almost perfect English (oddly enough, with a Scottish accent). Exactly what he's doing in Mae Sot, I've not been entirely clear.... he's told me three different things at three different times. Despite being only 19, he's lived in pretty much every country in Asia- including Afghanistan.
Mindy is someone with whom I became pretty friendly in my first month here (although she's been long gone). I actually met her through a Bible Study (which I will talk more about shortly). She's a Chinese-American who seems to have dedicated most of her life to teaching the Karens here (she's currently at home in Seattle only for a short while).
It's also worth mentioning "Doctor" Caroline- a McGill medical student who I actually met before coming to Mae Sot..... admittedly, I only actually saw her a small handful of times while she was still her, I am ever so greatful for how she helped me when I got sick early on.
Neill and Diana I mentioned in an entry much earlier.... the fact that I haven't written much about them since then isn't meant to apply that I havent been seeing them on a regular basis. In fact, they've opened their home to me at least once a week, and their house has actually become like a second (well, technically third- as BHSOH is second) home for me. And then, there's Gail: the Kiwi who's been staying with them (doing what exactly I'm not entirely sure). She has quietly become oe of my best Mae Sot friends.... hosting a weekly Bible Study on Tuesday nights, for which I've been quite thankful (especially in compensation for the horrible church services in town). I cannot overstate the impact she's had on me during this whole trip, despite the fact that we come from totally lives, have totally different personalities, have, in fact, almost nothing in common, probably will never see each other again, and may or may not maintain consistent contact.
However, my best friends in Mae Sot are Canadians, and people I'm actually likely to see again. Karl, who's teaching at BHSOH with me, is living with his girlfriend Marianne, Caroline, and Christine (each of whom is teaching at another school). Sadly, I've only been able to hang out with them usually about once or twice a week- but I've enjoyed seeing them when I have. Last night, they decided to make me a poutine supper!!! Granted, it wasn't up to Greenspot standards, but it was quite good for anywhere outsied of Quebec.... and for rural Thailand, it was superb!!! I was quite happy. They are staying in Mae Sot for another 4 months, but when they get back to Canada, its actually quite likely that I will see them, as they live in or near the province of Quebec.
There is yet another story that I really should mention. So, Khine Oo Maung (principal of BHSOH) has a friend named Mehn Bala Shin, an extremely short (less than 1,5 m) old Karen man who runs a Karen school in Mae Sot. He was desperate for volunteers, and Khine Oo Maung wanted me to talk to him. Without really thinking, I agreed to help him on weekends: until I realised that I really didn't want to. but.... he was desperate, so he really persued me (I dont mean to apply that he was mean about it...).Also, his english is quite bad, and it was very hard to explain to him that I wouldnt be able to help him. However, I said I would be willing to give him money.... which of course made him happy. He showed me a tour of the school, which is quite cramped in "downtown" MaeSod, and he showed me plans and estimates for new school grounds. The land itself, according to the estimate he showed me, cost only about 35 000 B (or about 1000 USD). I realised- I have that much money! Of course, its not my own, but money we raised in the BSC back at McGill.... but knowing that it would make a HUGE difference, I told him that I'd cover the entire fee.
For a month, I didn't hear from him.... I had actually forgotten about him, as I eventually became rather busy. Out of nowhere, he shows up at my door on Thursday night. Firstly, he tells me that his school is moving to the new grounds for the 08-09 school year. Secondly, he gave me some gifts. I was only expecting a Karen longyi or something, but he gave me: a shoulder back, a Karen dress (not as gay as it sounds), and a really nice Karen suit jacket. And if that wasn't enough.... he took me out to the fanciest restaraunt in town (and indeed, one of the most famous in all of Thailand): Khao Fang Khao Mang. This restaraunt, which I had read about, but never thought to go, is halfway between school and my guest house, and is actually built in a forest..... like, in the middle of the dining area, there is a real bonafide (and natural) lake, with trees around it...... I really wish I had taken pictures, because it was quite something else. Oh yeah, and the food was good.
Now for school stuff. I'm not going to reiterate the same sorts of things I've been talking about for the last several weeks. I asked my grade 9 class, for their final essay, to do a class review (which I told them would not be graded). They misunderstood this slightly, and actually wrote about their own class (as in, the students and all their teachers)- so I didnt get as much feedback as I had hoped. However, first of all, ALL of the essays were very well written. Second of all, the feedback I did get was all positive.... . turns out, more than anything, the students have really enjoyed writing my essays. On Friday, they had a farewell ceremony for me.... which was quite nice.
There are some individuals at the school that I will never forget. Three Burmese teachers: Saya Cheng, Saya Lwin,
and Saya Zin dee (note: Saya = Teacher),
in particular have been very kind to me. All of the current volunteers are very pleasant (and I wish they've been around the whole time). Although Im probably going to see Karl back in Montreal. Naing Will (Grade 6) and Ye Thi Ha "Kinmigau" (Grade 6)
..... Maung Soe "Khwei:" (Grade 6) the chess prodigy, is a very special young man. He's the type that is good at almost everything he attempts, yet is at the same time gentle and kind.
Ako "Africa" "Mosquito Bite" (grade 10)
and Yin Shell "koyokaya" (Grade 10) were never actually my students, but we always laughed together and had fun. Ko Phyo (grade 10) also wasn't my student..... although he's probably the wealthiest student in the school, and always tried to buy me lunch. Turns out, he may very possibly end up in New York by 2008 (he's one of the few students who is legal). Then, of course, my grade 9 class. Each and every student has been memorable, but there are a few that stand out. Thiri is the girl who would always stare at me, and never tried to hide the fact that she, well, liked me.
Despite that (or perhaps, in spite of them), she ended up being one of the most outstanding students in the class. At the beginning, I thought she was somewhat limited, but her work- especially her writing- has been top notch towards the end. Her speaking skills are still underdeveloped, but she definitely has the ability to go far. Sa Nay Tun was always very quiet.... and for that reason, his speaking was not so great. At first, I considered him one of the least advanced students in the class, but by the end, especially in his writing and on the dications, he ended up being one of the top students (If I had to rate him, I would probably put him at #4, right behind Thiri at #3). Doh Soe's speaking is inconsistent, as is his writing, but he ripped through the newspaper articles like there was no tomorrow- getting all the answers right!! Dar Yee Hla was one of the slowest students (I would probably put him at #12 out of 13), but he had a lot of creativity in his mind.... occasionally, he would put poems and stuff in his writing. Naing naing was sadly the slowest student in the class, and was very limited in all capacities (in regards to English). But she was a sweet girl, and her effort was never lacking. By the end, her writing actually became rather good (better than perhaps half the class), especially compared to what she gave me for the first few essays..... Even when I put enough pressure on her to speak, she actually impressed me and exceeded my expectations. So, despite long being frustrated with her seemingly limited abilities, she ended up being one of my favourites. Then, the #2 student, Lwin Lwin Mar. At 19, shes the oldest student in grade 9, and has been appointed the class monitor. And justifiably so. Not a small individual, she has no problems at all with speaking (and her English is quite good). Her work was pretty consistent, although her speaking was definitely her strong point (which she used to complain during the newspaper articles!!!). Despite her complaining, she told me that she really appreciated me and that I was her "favourite" teacher. Her dream is to be a doctor in Canada.... and she definitely has the brains and the drive to do so. Maybe I might actually see her in Canada some day! Last, but certainly not least, is the top student in grade 9, and the one who I must say was my favourite: May Dar Li Maung.
The girl is nothing short of brilliant: and she knows it- as lack of confidence wasnt often a problem with her (except during the newspaper articles.... but I kept pushing her, and she always got all the answers right). She almost always went way above and beyond the other students, and she is the kind of student that any teacher would kill to have. I could go on forever about some of the fantastic pieces of work she gave me..... but I fear that this entry is getting too long.
As much as I've adored my grade 9 class- there is one person with whom I've grown closer than I couldve ever imagined- and someone that I will be truly sad to leave.
That is none other than Min Saw Thwin (the orphan non-student, "helper"). Teacher Stefan (or, as he called, "S-Tefah), was very close to him, becoming a sort of psuedo-father- buying him lunch, hanging out with him, etc. When S-Tefah left in early July, I decided to replace him. So pretty much every day, during my non-class time (which is the majority of the day), I've bonded quite close with him. Despite the fact that we can never have a proper conversation, we've shared so many laughs, that I can't forget him. Of all the stories I will come back with (and trust me, there are MANY), Min Saw Thwin stories outnumber them all..... I do not have the capacity on this blog to do these stories justice.
Friday night (after our poutine party in Mae Sot), I spent at the school....it seemed to be their mission to get me drunk, as by the end of the night I had taken 6 beers (two of which were Chang- quite strong!). Although, I was not drunk, but it was certainly a memorable night!!
Alas, it has come time to end this entry. I have put Mae Sot pictures up on facebook, so you can FINALLY see where it is that I;ve been spending my last two months. Although I'm soon leaving Mae Sot, I have quite a journey before arriving in MOntrael. The first part of the journey alone will be quite arduous. For those of you who like google earth:On Tuesday Morning, I will take a bus from Mae Sot to Tak, then from Tak to Phitsanulok, from there to Udon Thani (where I will probably crash- as thats a combined traveling time of about 12 hours, not including wait time). On Wednesday Morning, I will go from Udon Thani to Nong Khai (about 1,5 hours) and from Nong Khai, I cross the border into Lao, and arrive shortly thereafter in Vientiane. On Thursday I fly from Vientiane to Luang Prabang, where I intend to be for my next blog update. Of course, much of this is quite dependent on the mercy of the bus operators.
It is mostly with sadness that I close this final entry from Mae Sot, and indeed Thailand. From Mae Sot, I bid you all farewell. Many thanks for all of you who have been loyally reading my blog- and a special thanks to Gerbie and to SuLin for their warm, supportive phone calls. See you in Laos!!!
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