Coconuts

My friend Holly and I are like coconuts... we are brown on the outside, but white on the inside. We both were adopted from Korea and moved to the US where we had white (or at least semi-white) families (Holly also has an adopted brother). Despite being Asian, we don't FEEL Asian and as funny as this may sound, we FORGET that we are Asian.


Since coming to Thailand we have felt more Asian than ever as we "blend in" and have people speak to us in Thai, as we get offered the Thai menus at restaurants, as we have people laugh at us when we say, "Poot pasaht Thai mai dai" (please forgive me spelling any of you Thai speakers), and as we have people look at us expectantly when we're surrounded by farong-looking people... but it's really those farong-looking like people that speak Thai better than us!


This weekend at the 2009 ICS International Day, we decided to embrace our Asian-ness. There were booths representing the many nationalities at our school. Each booth had information about the country, a game of some sort, clothing, and food. Essentially, it was like the Festival of Nations in MN, except on a much smaller scale. We went back to our Korean roots, had both of our Korean and American names written in Korean for us, dressed up in the traditional hanbok, and took some very typical Asian pictures. Holly even got a fake Asian mole. Too bad she didn't get any fake hairs to grow out of the thing. [hahaha]


In a sense, being Asian, or even pretending to be Asian has become more of a running joke for us than anything else, but it's fun none-the-less, and even more fun to have a friend that understands what it really is like to be a coconut.

Game on

Teacher vs. teacher football game. Red vs. gray... red won. Can you see the testosterone radiating from these pictures?!?

Getting situated/sucking air

Jason (MS science) and Mike tag-teaming Stephen (MS principal), whilst Yohan (MS Thai) tries to run to the rescue

Too much red for Stephen to handle...

Stephen upset about being tag-teamed and not making the play...

Brett (ES art/PE) showing off his mad skills while Allen (MS math) protects/defends him

Jason & Mike

George (HS PE) looks for an open teammate. Luc finds and opening and looks to take him down.

Hut hut... HIKE!

Mike trying to find an open man.

Red team huddle... talking through some plays/strategies

Mike loves being here at ICS. Not only are there several men teachers (at TLO he was definitely the minority), but there are several men teachers that are interested in sports. There is rarely a Saturday morning that he isn't playing basketball for 3 hours, a week that goes by where he doesn't play a pick-up game of some sort, and a Sunday afternoon where he doesn't play soccer for 2 hours. Aside from that, he is involved in a fantasy football team with the men of ICS and I often times find him deep into conversation with some of these guys about coaching, sports in general, specific sports teams, coaches, or players. I am so thankful for the fellowship that he has with these guys.

They never cease...

Okay, so I know my blog posts have been really wordy lately, so I promise that my next blog post will include some pictures!

These kids never cease to make me laugh. Sometime it's because they are just plain funny, and other times it's because their English is...lacking.

Karly: (to a Spanish student who walks in during my break) Can I help you?
Student: Yes. I was absent all last week due to the 2009 influenza (aka: H1N1).
Karly: Sure, what can I do for you?
Student: Well, I am kind of confused on the material and I just really need some understandings.
Karly: You need some understandings?
Student: Yes Mrs. Karly, I really need some understandings.
Karly: Oh, some understandings! Of course. What kind of understandings do you need?
Student: Well, the understandings I need are...

I know, I should have told him that he needed some explanations, not understandings... but it was just so cute that I couldn't bring myself to do it. :)

Mike has been playing hockey with his students lately. One student kept approaching him to tell him about her pain tally. She would say things like, "I have one pain" or "I got nine pains today." In other words, she was telling him how many times she hurt herself. Whenever Mike would ask her if she was okay, she would always tell him "Yep!"

As many of you know, Mike teaches K4 (aka: 4 year old kindergarten [or pre-school]). It's not his favorite as the children are quite wild, but he always comes home with the best stories. :) He has a little Thai girl in that class whom he affectionately refers to as his "prissy K4 girl," who is not only prissy, but also extremely blunt. She always makes her opinion known and makes sure that Mike understands when she doesn't like something. If she doesn't want to run a lap, she will tell Mike "I don't like that" or "I don't want to do that." Here is an insight into their interesting relationship:

K4 girl: Why do read us a Bible verse every class?
Mike: It's just part of gym class. Is that okay?
K4 girl: Yup.

Mike: This is the only time I will see you this week, since we don't have school this Thursday
K4 girl: [clapping her hands excitedly] Yaaaaaaay!
Mike: Yay that you don't have school on Thursday or yay that you won't see me?
K4 girl: [clapping hands excitedly] Yay that I won't see you!
Mike: [fake cries]
K4 class: [laughs]

Sometimes I don't know why a person would ever want to give up teaching... the kids are simply too funny and entertaining. I think we need to take the suggestion of my mother-in-law and start writing a book about all the weird/funny/silly things that our students do. They certainly keep us on our toes!

Right where I belong...

I kind of was mourning the loss of my free time this afternoon, as I trudged over to school to work on a few last minute lesson ideas and get my lesson plans on the board for my kids. After being home from school for an entire week due to illness, my routine of things has been slightly thrown off. Despite being quite sick and sleeping off a fever all week, I have to admit that I enjoyed my time at home with a very unstructured day... correcting a few papers here and there while simultaneously watching a movie, reading a good book, spending more time in prayer and reading my Bible, sleeping in, staying in my pj's until mid-morning, etc. My day was mine. So I had a mini-funeral in my mind this afternoon, wishing that my time wasn't quite over, as I thought about the crazy "crunch time" that we have now entered at school since semester finals are only 12 teaching days away...

But by God's amazing grace, I got to school and I felt relieved and eager.
Relieved and eager to:
...get back to my normal routine
...have the opportunity to teach some amazing students
...have a job when other's have been struggling to find work
...organize and plan lesson plans/activities
...correct papers and see how much progress my students are making
...punch in grades and see how my students are doing overall
...interact with people instead of be quarantined to my apartment
...laugh and act ridiculous with my students
...be challenged to give my day over to God
...bless and be blessed by others

God is good. I am sure that there will be a season in my life when I stay at home with a small child or two for a little while; but I am going to find joy and contentment in the season that I am in now, because I know that when I am at school, I am not only right where God wants me, but I'm right where I belong.

To have kids or not to have kids...

Karly: How was your morning?
Mike: Good, but I had a 3rd grader caressing my arm today.
Karly: What? Oh, pulling on your arm hairs now? (**see previous post)
Mike: No, playing with my veins.
Karly: Interesting. Well, they do bulge out.
Mike: Yeah, she didn't know what they were! She asked me, "What are those Mr. Mike?" So I told her they were veins and that she had them too. Then she asked me, "What are they for?" I was kind of surprised that a 3rd grader didn't know what veins were for. I told her they were for carrying blood to different parts of my body.
Karly: Kids are SO weird!

Can I just say...?

Can I just say that Mike had me laughing so hard the other night when he was telling me about kids in his PE classes telling him he had hairy legs? Now granted, I know they are elementary kids but most of these kids have a father figure in their life and most of the women around here don't shave their legs, so you'd think that they'd have seen hairy legs before! But what got me rolling was when he told me that when he sits in a circle with them each morning (remember that they have NO concept of personal space), the kids that sit next to him sometimes will pull on his leg hairs. One boy even told him that he thought it was cool to do that since he could see his skin "pull up" in little dots. What does Mike do about all of this? He simply ignores them. [SIGH] The joys of working with the little ones.

In other somewhat funny news, since Mike is coaching a U-13 soccer team, he was asked to think about doing a Tuesday afternoon life group with the team. A life group is basically a small group or discipleship program here at school to support those that a Christians, to get kids that aren't Christians to perhaps start asking some tough questions, etc... but in a sense it's more like FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes). Well, since Mike's team doesn't have practice on Tuesdays, he can't make the life group mandatory. So optional it was, and for his first life group session he had two kids... which unfortunately isn't all that surprising considering the number of Christians at this school. So Mike was talking about teamwork and working together for his first session. While he's reading 1 Corinthians 12:12-26 about being one body with many members, suddenly one of the two boys starts laughing. The boy apologizes and says, "I'm sorry, it's just that you sound like a sports commentator!"

It's official...kids are so weird!

Apothecary

I'm sick with an upper respiratory infection, and a fever that thankfully hasn't been consistently high enough for me to be officially diagnosed with H1N1. Grade 6 at ICS, on the other hand, has been shut down for the rest of the week because of H1N1, and grade 4 was earlier this year as well. I'm praying that it won't reach the high school!

Insurance and seeing a doctor are a bit different here than in the states. It seems more efficient to me (and I'm all about efficiency) and it just seems to make more sense! I went to the hospital yesterday morning, which may or may not seem strange, but going the hospital here is like going to a clinic in the states. They check you in at a reception desk by taking your insurance card & ID card. Then they usher you over to this little table that has a nurse who takes your blood pressure, temperature, and weight. The nurse asks what your symptoms are, gives you a little piece of paper with all of your stats and send you off to the correct department in the hospital. So off I went to the department of medicine.

Upon entering the department of medicine, I had a lady talk to me in Thai as she took my little piece of paper with my stats. I told her (in Thai) that I don't speak Thai. She looked at me, smiled, and then spoke to me in Thai again. I found that rather humorous... maybe she didn't understand what I had said? I waited about 15 minutes before I was able to see the doctor who asked more questions and then told me he was going to prescribe an antibiotic and a nasal decongestant

I was then ushered out and went to wait at the department of pharmacy. As I waited, I was able to pay for my visit and my 2 medications. I was surprised that it all only cost about $18 American dollars. When my name was called to pick up my medicine, I was even more surprised that it only cost $18 because I was given 6 different medicines. I was told that the Thai like to over-medicate, but didn't believe it until they handed me all the medications!

I thought it was rather thoughtful in a sense though because the doctor I had seen really wanted to make sure that he did all that he could for me and that he had covered all of his bases. For example, I told him I had a little bit of a sore throat, but no cough... and in my little bag of goodies I found 2 bags of cough drops, which actually have come in quite handy today. I was also given Tylenol, which I thought was kind of funny since most people have Tylenol at home, but here in Thailand they want to make sure that they've given you everything you need to recover. Additionally I was given an electrolyte powder, diarrhea medication just in case my aching stomach resulted in... well, you know, and then the anticipated antibiotic and a nasal decongestant.

So off I went with my little bag in hand... it was like Halloween only with medication instead of candy... and here I am recovering at home with a little drugstore at hand. Very efficient indeed. Cheers to a quick recovery... I'm already missing teaching and being with my crazy students!

Good times

The other day the Varsity boys and girls soccer teams each played a game against the men and women faculty of ICS. We were able to round up about 11 women players to play against the girls, and we actually did OK! Apparently last year the final score was 9-0, while this year we held our own a little bit better with a final score of 3-1. I can't even think of the last time that I played soccer... maybe 10th grade gym class? Anyway, it was ridiculous amounts of fun, despite the soreness the next day! It was also the perfect day to play because it was only about 7o-some degrees! It actually felt chilly!! So all the teachers didn't have trouble playing because of the heat; but rather, because of being out of shape! HA! Here's a team pic:


The men on the other hand, dominated the boys soccer team with a final score of 4-1. This was the first year in a long time that the men actually beat the students though. Which when you think about it, should really happen since they have been practicing as a team, are in shape, significantly younger, and actually have soccer knowledge and skills. However, there is a lot of natural athleticism among the men folk this year, along with just knowing how to play "smart" so they conquered this year. Unfortunately, I didn't get a picture of them, maybe I can find someone else who does!

We already played the student vs. faculty volleyball game (the men won & the women lost again... but we won two sets, which made ICS history!), the basketball games will be coming up soon, as well as the football game. We've never been part of a school that has done something like this before, but we certainly are enjoying it! Good times!

The hardest part

The hardest part of being here in Thailand isn’t being far away from family or friends. It isn’t being away from Sovereign Grace. It isn’t missing specific foods or restaurants that I love, like Chipotle, Baker’s Square, Noodles & Company, and Panera. It isn’t missing the crunchy fall leaves, apple picking, the smell of bonfires, running in the cool weather, or seeing the beautiful colors. The hardest part of being here is knowing how desperately lost this country and my students are. My heart aches for them. Daily, they are presented with the glorious gospel and God’s richest mercies… and daily, they reject and scorn the precious gift. It’s so hard to not feel so burdened, knowing that ETERNITY is at stake.

During our weekly chapel time, the high school students have been learning about virtues. Yesterday’s chapel was on patience. The teacher who was speaking on patience not only talked about exerting patience in our own life, but also how God has been so patient with us. He talked about how God’s patience will not last forever though, as the coming of Christ is not far off. But as nobody knows when/how soon that day will come, we need to be prepared for that day. In other words: accept Christ as your personal Savior. (I believe that it is truly God that opens one’s heart and eyes to the glorious riches and beauty of the gospel though, not man’s doing/his own effort). To close chapel, students were invited to think over what was said during chapel as they listened to a song, but were allowed to leave quietly and go to homeroom when they were done examining their own heart. I was so saddened to see 90% of the student body just get up and walk out of the auditorium practically before the song even began.

I am so accustomed to teaching in Christian schools where the students ARE Christians, where they pay attention in chapel instead of falling asleep, where they are eager to sing praise instead of slumping down in their seat, where they are attentive to the speaker instead of talking to their friends. Teaching at TLO and CAB was comfortable and in a sense, “easy”. My heart didn’t ache so much for my students because I wasn’t as concerned about the condition of their souls. Here in Thailand, I am brought to my knees in prayer and sadness. I am left clinging to Isaiah 55:11, “so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” So I am trusting that God’s precious word will not come back void… trusting that His will be done… trusting that despite my flaws, my sin, my pride, my shame, that He would use me as His vessel to be a light here at ICS… trusting that God hears my cries and my prayers interceding for my students… trusting that God will continue to move, soften hearts, and open eyes because He doesn’t want anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).

As I cried yesterday thinking how unfair it is that God would save me and perhaps not many of my students, Mike reminded me to find joy in my own salvation… to remember what it was like to be a rebellious enemy of God, scorning Him in every regard, but how God gave me beauty for ashes and a heart of flesh for a heart of stone. Mike also reminded me that mercy is not mercy if it is extended to everyone. It’s hard to accept… I struggle with election and with accepting not seeing some/many of my students “safely home” one day. It just gives me all the more reason to be here and share my life with them, to love them, to serve them, and to be on my knees praying for them. Won’t you join with me in praying for them?

Shane and Shane came out with a new CD. In our household, we love Shane and Shane. We love how their songs speak truth to us, how they are centered on Bible verses, and how they are wicked awesome guitar players and singers. One of their new songs, and actually the title of the new album, is called “Everything is Different.” As Mike and I listened to this song for the first time last night, we rejoiced in thankfulness knowing that everything is different in Christ… praise the Lord for that. I pray that everything would be different for my students and that Christ would overwhelm them with His love.

Everything is Different

Who am I to know Your glory
Who am I to recognize Your voice
Calling out

How could I be in Your story
God who was and is, and is to come
Who has won

I was dead in my sin
You came in, yeah

You made a way when there was no way
You covered heaviness with garments of praise
You wrote a song and you're singing it over me
I feel a dead heart beating now
This revelation makes me want to shout
That Jesus has been sent
And everything is different
Oh yes it is

You turn ashes into beauty
You are for me not against me now
You found me somehow

You turn mourning into dancing
You turn weeping into joyful noise
Oh rejoice

I was dead in my sin
You came in, yeah

You made a way when there was no way
You covered heaviness with garments of praise
You wrote a song and you're singing it over me
I feel a dead heart beating now
This revelation makes me want to shout
That Jesus has been sent
And everything is different
Oh yes it is

What manner of love
That You would call us sons and daughters
We call Abba Father
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah
I will never be the same

You made a way when there was no way
You covered heaviness with garments of praise
You wrote a song and you're singing it over me
I feel a dead heart beating now
This revelation makes me want to shout
That Jesus has been sent

You made a way when there was no way
You covered heaviness with garments of praise
You wrote a song and you're singing it over me
I feel a dead heart beating now
This revelation makes me want to shout
That Jesus has been sent
And everything is different

A few firsts

1. I ran a 5K. It was my first organized run since I don't really like the idea of paying to run outside, but this run was for cancer research, so I was all for it. Part of me just really wanted the t-shirt that they give out because I thought it would be in Thai or say Bangkok on it somewhere. However, by the time Kristin and I got there and checked in, they were all out of t-shirts! No worries though, because the shirt was all in English and it didn't say Bangkok on it anywhere--disappointing, I know. Anyway, after having been used to running inside, on a treadmill, in air-con, running outside in the heat & humidity, despite it being 8 in the morning, was quite the change for me! My lungs definitely hated me at specific points during the run, and I had plenty of 60+ year-old-looking Thai men and women outrunning me. But it was great and I met my two goals: I didn't walk at any point in time, and I finished! (I'm feeling it today though!)


2. Saw my first "walking stick" the other day (in person). If you look at it closely (click on the picture itself to see a larger image), its head really looks like and "alien" head. Absurd creature, in my opinion.


3. Went to Seacon Square (one of the largest malls in Asia) and saw a cheerleading competition. The teams consisted of mainly (-ahem- flamboyant) males, which was interesting to me since I was on a team in HS that was all girls. Also saw some new stunts that were particularly amazing to me.




4. We went to our first hot-pot Japanese restaurant with our new friend, A. He is a college friend of one of Mike's childhood friends. A is from Thailand, so he enjoys showing us around and taking us to some of his favorite restaurants in Bangkok.



5. Read the Twilight series for the first time. Just like with the Harry Potter books, it took me a little while to jump on the bandwagon. And just like the Harry Potter books, I enjoyed the Twilight series immensely, and was thankful that I didn't jump on the bandwagon right away because then I didn't have to wait for all the books to come out one by one. Mike bought me the box set for my birthday and I flew through them in a week. Now I'm looking forward to seeing the movies.