Last break from school was October 19th for fall
break. Since that time our school has had many new things happen. Unfortunately
there are still only 3 students. But, since then the 2nd grade
classroom has been decorated, the Library filled with books and creative wall
decorations, the music and dance room received a large mirror, decorations and
many instruments, and many other facelifts have helped make it look more like a
functioning school. There also have been many brochures, emails, pamphlets and
other marketing pieces created and distributed since then. Our school was a
sponsor and had a booth at the Hanoi International Women’s Club Charity Bazaar
in the end of November. This is a really neat event in which HIWC organizes all
kinds of booths for vendors, schools and even a large area filled with booths
from many countries represented in Hanoi. There were a large number of
countries represented and many drinks and delicious foods to eat. Over 7,000
people attended and a large amount of money was raised for charity. We used
this event as an opportunity to distribute flyers about our upcoming “Open Day”
the next week. This event kept our school busy decorating and preparing for
most of November. It yielded no immediate students, but will help us with next
year’s enrollment. Anyway….after a busy November filled with curriculum work,
decorating a school, creating marketing pieces, information packets, designing
a website and teaching Monday evenings across the city and Wednesday after
school….…….we were burned out and needing a break. It was quite obvious that we
needed a break as we gained a more negative attitude toward Hanoi in November
and December. It could be the constant overcast sky and occasional drizzle all
winter long, or it could be the pollution (especially noticed on our Monday
night drives across the city to teach a night ESL class), or it could be the
constant honking and aggressive behavior on the streets, sidewalks,
stores………….or more than likely it was all of the above. In the end, it was time
for a break from Hanoi so that we could enjoy our time here and value the
positive things it has to offer.
Wednesday, December 19 was our last day of school before
break and we didn’t waste any time messing around to get out of the pollution
of Hanoi! We were on the first flight out of there that night! I had been
telling Lance about the feeling that engulfs you right as you get off the plane
in Bangkok….it’s like the humidity surrounds and swallows you! The first thing
Lance said when we got off the plane was, “I now know exactly what you were
trying to explain!” We spent that night
in Bangkok and then got up the next morning to take a bus to Singburi, the
small town I used to live in, in central Thailand, where I taught for a year in
a mini-English program. I already had 5 meals planned, because I wanted Lance
to taste all the foods I ate day in and day out, and we were only going to be
there for a little over a day! The first thing we did when we got there was to
cross 3 of the foods off our list! After refueling with some great Thai food,
we headed to Anuban School, where I taught.
It was great to see all my old students and Pat and James, who ran the
program. I almost remembered all of their crazy names, such as Milk, Bonus,
Copter, Big, etc! For supper that night I had Lance enjoy another treat I used
to enjoy….Pizza Company Shrimp Cocktail pizza! Yes, sounds terrible, but it’s
great! The sauce is 1000 Island and it has shrimp, tomatoes and pineapple!
We
spent the next day driving motorbikes around to check out some big buddhas in
the area and to see the great countryside.
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| We found out that almost all vehicles take gas under their hood! It was very strange! Also, it took about 20 times as long to fill up...I don't know if they don't have the same pressure or what! |
Late afternoon we made our way to
Lopburi to see my old friend Meghan. We had a great evening full of reminiscing
and sharing new tales! The next morning we took off for Kanchanaburi.
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