Aa Thit Nung Set Laaeo!

Translation or what I think it means... Week One finished! It's probably a little off, but it's close. :)

Not only has week one finished, week two is under way. Filled with questions like, "Ajan, why is there a present perfect tense?" "Why are there twelve tenses in English?" "Do we really have to write three pages in our journal this week?" and the list continues.

The first week was successful and fun. I am happy to be back teaching. At the beginning of the year, the students are always ready to learn and achieve everything! They are excited even about learning parts of speech. (Crazy? Maybe!) I hope the enthusiasm continues through the year.

It's fun getting to know the first year students and building better relationships with the second and third year students. It's interesting to see all of their personalities become more apparent the longer they are here and the more English they know. They go from being a sea of nameless people who are afraid to even sit next to a teacher to students with names, nick names, personalities, quirks and people you care very much about.

As much as I like my students and enjoy teaching them, I was ever so happy for Friday to arrive. But even happier for Friday to finish! It was a LONG, but good week.

This week I finished my classes for this past semester, which is very exciting! The final papers was a killers making me very thankful to have a couple week break before starting my new classes. I need to use this time to finish getting things figured out for teaching before I start on new classes. While starting new classes at the moment doesn't seem thrilling, it does mean I'll be home for a couple weeks, which makes me happy!

Sawadtee Jao!

-Lainy J.

What to do on a Sunday!?!

Looking for an interesting, fun, exciting activity to do on a Sunday??? Go flying through a jungle! I highly recommend it.

The day began with us leaving the house at 6 am. (So much for sleeping in after finishing my paper the night/ wee hours of the morning before!) We were off on 2-3 hour motorbike ride. At first it was a lot of fun, but sitting on a bike after a while isn't so comfortable. It was fun being able to see all the scenery, though. After two years, I still think Thailand is very beautiful and GREEN! Pictures just cannot capture the true beauty of it all. Although, I try. :)

Being a passenger on a motorbike allows you to play photographer, which is fun. I sometimes feel like a tourist though. haha! Oh well!

Buay and Me on our way

Erika behind us

I have been trying since I've been in Thailand to get a shot of dogs on a motorbike that do it justice. This is the first one I am really happy with and I almost didn't take for fear of people thinking I was a silly farang!

Dogs are amazing here!

After our journey, we arrived! Now, it's time to FLY through the jungle!

Ready to go!

Zoom... zoom... ZOOM!

Like our outfits??

Cheese!

What am I doing??? Ahhh?!?!

Look at me mom, I'm flying! No hands! :)

Water break with lots of laughing!

One of the beautiful views

Wheee!

Laughing because that's my job!

Erika and I were flying together.

She's superwoman!

Chillin'

Chillin' some more

I found tinker bell

Look at me... I can fly!

Peace!

I kind of match... haha!

I found super monkey too!

The three of us with our amazing guides!

Aren't we cute after flying, hiking and free falling?! It was a happy ending!

Back on the bike... heading back to school.

It was such a fun day! A nice way to celebrate finishing one week of classes and the end of my semester! :)

Wish all of you could have come with us! Sanuk dee mak! :)

Lots of Love,

Lainy J.

Websites and Blogs

Just a note to let you know Legacy's website is up and running. Please give take a look if you want to know more about the school. www.legacyleader.org Nathan a teacher from the past two years and Bronson revamped it. We will be updating it soon with the new class's photos.

Also, we have a school blog. I have a link off to the right. Check that one out too. My blog has more a personal spin to it whereas that one is more about the facts. I'll be posting on there as well.

-Lainy J.

Thoughts as School Begins...

Hey Everyone!

The Legacy Institute school year has commenced. Wow! Beginning year three at Legacy. I find myself wondering if I'm crazy. (I'm not requesting confirmation or refutation this statement.) Looking back and thinking about my first journey to Legacy, I am simply amazed and astonished. I was coming with intentions of teaching for nine months and then going back home to "resume my life." Little did I know that my life in those nine months would be impacted in ways that would cause to make the decision to come back for a second year and yet again for a third. I am happy and feel like I'm right where I'm supposed to be right now for this time in my life. Perhaps, I am a little crazy, but normal is boring. Living in Thailand is anything, but what most people would consider "normal." For that I'm thankful. Yes, there are things that drive me nuts and if you continue reading, you'll read about a couple of them. Overall, it is fantastic. 

Orientation took place on Sunday. Our director drew a ladder on the white board showing students what we wanted for them. Ultimately for them to have a "good life." Well, what does it take to have a good life? With some audience participation on the students' part, the following list was created. Education, God Knowledge, Skills, Practice and Friendships all of these things move you toward a good life. Then he told the students to ask the Ajans (teachers) for help. They are here and want to help you attain the goal of a good life. Wow, what a huge responsibility! I'm hope I'm making an impact on students' lives in a positive way and helping them reach their goals. I ultimately want them to have a good life, but it hit me how much responsibility goes into being a teacher, even greater still an Ajan in Asia. I hope I can live up to the challenge ahead and that they will leave Legacy impacted in amazing ways. 

What do you think? What is a good life? Do you have a good life? What would make it good? How can you change or what can you change to make your life better? I was at the farm talking with one of the secretaries. She came on staff shortly before I went home so as we were chatting, she was asking me questions about me, my family, ultimately, my life. She said, "You're a good person." I laughed. Then she said, "I think you have a good life." After pausing for a moment, "I do have a good life" was my response. I know sometimes I get caught up in the hustle and bustle of life, aches and pains, stress and busyness of it all that I may forget to take inventory of all the many ways I've been blessed. I want to challenge each of you to take a moment out of your busy day and take note of the blessings in your life. 

Much Love,

Lainy J.

AKA The Crazy Girl Living in Thailand :) 

Photos for Your Viewing Pleasure

Hey! 

Hi!

Hello!

How are you? 

How's it going?

Where are you from? 

How old are you? 

Above is a word picture of what you hear the first year students saying as they are trying to use their English. :) They are doing quite well. I wanted to give you a taste of what it would be like to be here. 

Don't worry I have some actual photographs too. :) 

I have made cinnamon rolls in Thailand previously. The first two times they were a great success! I had never made them before and wanted to try. A ton of work, but they were worth it. Well, I attempted again my second year and failed. That being the case, I tried again last year and still failed. They tasted alright, but I could have knocked someone out if I chucked it at them! That just wouldn't do and it bugged me. So, this year I decided I needed a NEW recipe. I went to my dear friend "Mr. Google" and found one. They turned out lovely. So, now I need to make them two more times to ensure they are in fact good. :) 

Arroy mak!!! Ow mai kha?

In Asia if you want to know if someone is in the house, you just have to go to the door. There shoes hold the answer. When you enter the house, you leave your shoes outside for various reasons. Our main reason outside of it being cultural, it keeps it cleaner longer. 

Outside the teachers' house. You wouldn't know there are only two of us! 

You know class is back in session... students' shoes. 

I would like to introduce you to some of those shoe owners.

These are some of the boys outside the boys' house doing homework at the table Japur/Uaorawet built. It is the new popular hang out at Legacy. 

All of the new students have two or more names. Some of them are funny, English names. It's hard to keep track of who everyone is talking about with the many names. 

First year students. Muhy and Ben 

First year students L-R Soda, Pim, Fah, Spy, and Second year student Ah Jar.

The next photo, you might find funny. However if you lived here, you would realize the vital role this member plays in our community.

It keeps us from melting. :)

The next few are from study hall tonight. It was great seeing the second year students taking the initiative to work with and help the first year students. I love it!

And the last photo I have for you is not my friend nor my prince. But I did not kiss him to find out either as some have suggested. This pesky thing tried to enter my room last night and I shrieked and Erika saved me. Then he showed up in the shower this morning and disappeared and found his way back in the bathroom tonight. As I said in a previous post, I'm thankful I was not an Egyptian facing the plague of frogs. 

 

Cute? I think NOT!!! 

Hope this finds you well. 

-Lainy J.

Homeboy, Papers and Ants!!!

Greetings from Mae Sa Luang!

I think jet lag has worn off and I'm back into the swing of things on this side of the world. However, I am beginning to wonder if I am ever going to acclimate back to the humidity. People at home can attest to the fact that I was cold most of the time I was home minus a couple days here and there. Cold is just a faint memory in my mind. What is cold? My fan has become my best friend!!! I'm quite sure I would simply melt without it. haha!

Homeboy a term I'm sure most of you are familiar. New students have been arriving over the last week and a half. Surachai one of our second year students come to the teachers' house and shouts, "Ajan!" He then proceeds to inform me that a new student had arrived. Of course we ask what their name is and where they are. He told me, "home boy." In my head head, I hear homeboy. I giggle a little and realize he is telling me the new student is in the boys' house. His name in fact is not homeboy. Nor was he referring to the new student as homeboy. I would have been pleased to know that somehow he picked up on some slang and used it appropriately. No matter the case, it definitely brought a smile and lots of laughing as I retold Erika the story. Part of the perks of teaching English is Asia.

I wish I had a funny story about papers flying all over our house or being bombarded by paper airplanes or something like that. I was bombarded by papers, but it was paper writing for my Master's courses. Our semester is coming to a close, which means final projects and for these classes I'm currently in, massive, intense papers. I started on one back in March and the other I began preparation and research while I was home. The one paper I expected to be intense and it had to be modified due to the political situation over here when I arrived. The other paper I thought was going to be fairly easy. Oh no! It turned out to be a 13 page paper needing 15 sources! Much to my surprise, I have an intense research paper on my hands. I finished the  draft that was due only an hour after the deadline. I am so thankful that a draft is done. Now we have two weeks before the final is due. Within the week, I should receive my draft back with comments and advice from my partner. Giving me one week to get the final revisions and touches done on it. I will be so  very happy when it is completed!

Ants... many of you know my hatred for these critters here in Asia. Hatred is a bit of a harsh word, but ants invade the house on a regular basis and it is not my favorite thing about Asia. Well, I think my hatred for the normal ants have dwindled since Friday night. I was going to the kitchen to get some water and what do I find?!?! These ugly, big, gross, awful, flying, black ants covering a cupboard door. Really?!?! I just had a battle earlier with ants in my shower and won. We sprayed them with some cleaner, which kills them. Then they were all over the kitchen floor. Not the most fun thing. In hindsight, it's kind of funny at how shocked I was to see all these ants in our kitchen. I wish I had a picture, but that was the last thing on my mind when I saw them.

Other than that, we are gearing up for school to start. We have been discussing objectives and course descriptions to have them on the books for future teachers as well as guidelines for us to make sure we're all on the same page. We're gathering together supplies and a schedule will soon be made. I will be teaching 3rd year English (Reading, Writing, and Discussion), 2nd year English (Reading, Writing, and Discussion), Journalism, Health, First year Bible and potentially a Teaching Seminar class second semester. While we have some stuff from the past couple year, my goal is to revamp the curriculum for the English. Last year I taught 2nd year and my first year I taught 3rd year. I have ideas and want to make it better. Hopefully this will help Legacy's teachers in the future. I will be adding to, changing and omitting things from the other courses in hopes of making them better as well, but my main focus will be on the English curriculum.

Please continue to keep us in your prayers as we get ready to start school next week. Wisdom  from above will definitely be needed for the year. I'll try to post again before school starts maybe with photos, but no promises. :)

Hope all is well!

Much Love,
Lainy J.