Well, my first day of class is in the books and there definitely were some differences from the classes I have taught in America. First and foremost, only 1 of my 11 students was in class at 9:00am (when the class was scheduled to start). About half of the students were there by 9:30am and by 10:00am, all students had finally arrived. Yikes! What a start. I did have the chance to speak with that first student that showed up and he explained it as since all of the students work so hard during the week, they might feel that they need to relax on the weekend. Unfortunately, the same tardiness occurred after the morning break and lunch break. I really hope this isn’t a trend and it is just ‘first class’ lateness. All of the students knew each other very well as this was their third semester taking the same class together as part of ABAC’s executive MBA program. They are actually a great group of students and can speak English very well, so there was certainly some disappointment on my part. They did agree to be “on time” for class next week, though. Let’s hope so because I have 3 chapters to cover and I can’t afford to fall behind with such a short (8 week) semester. Another interesting thing is that I was asked over and over whether the textbook was required. I am not sure how much the “International” version of the book is (paperback and much cheaper than the same text if purchased in the US), but I can tell immediately that they are looking to keep their expenses to a minimum. Another complaint that I have is that only a few students participated in the discussion, which I guess is similar to some of the classes I have taught in the US. One student mentioned to me during the break that students were being “too polite” and not commenting, but he was clearly being sarcastic. Speaking of the break, all of the students invited me to join them on their morning break at the coffee shop just below the classroom and for them at lunch to eat Thai food. The funny thing was that once we sat down together, they all were just chatting away and all speaking English with me without any hesitation – quite a stark difference from the “too polite” students in class. It was actually pretty neat spending break with them and they were all interested in seeing pictures of Jet and Ben. And I am also sorry to report that the very first comment one of my students told me once I sat down during our morning break was, “You look a lot like Tom Cruise”. What! You have got to be kidding me! This is now getting to be ridiculous. The last thing to mention about my first day, and this has got me concerned a little bit, was that it took me a few extra minutes to explain the assignments and work due this semester. Usually this doesn’t take long at all in the US, but my fear is that there will be (and has been)some miscommunication on my part. I did not expect this at all.
In a few hours Sup will come by after he finishes teaching today, so I will have some time to catch up with him. Sup has asked me to fill-in teaching an English class for him on Friday at his university (Ramkhamhaeng University), which is actually just next to Rajamangala stadium and ABAC. We’ll see what happens there. Jet is also planning to come by tomorrow (Sunday) with her Mom and Ben so I am really looking forward to that. I am not sure if the plan is for me to go back with them for a day or so or if they will just stay here for a day or so. I guess we’ll find out tomorrow. I attended church again yesterday and it also was another 20 minute service. I decided to stick around a few minutes afterwards and an informal prayer session was held for the next 30-40 minutes that was led by an Indian student. She also led the few that remained in some songs and she literally blew me away with how well she sung. She could be a legitimate contestant on American Idol … she was that good. Although I don’t know if those words mean much after I admitted to recently having dreams of being an American Idol finalist. After the prayer session ended, another Indian student (about half or 5 that remained were Indian) welcomed me to join them in a prayer vigil to be held tonight (Saturday) from 10:00pm – 2:00am. I don’t know if I could do that just yet. There will be a Sunday service tomorrow at 10:00am, which depending on Jet’s arrival, I do hope to attend as well.
May 10, 2008 at 7:07 pm |
First I would like to apologize for not being able to talk to you yesterday. I had just gotton to Josh’s game when I realized I had forgot the snack. I had to run across the street to Pick n Save to get a new one. I really wanted to be able to talk to you in person, so to speak, instead of on the computer. Hopefully next time you call I will things won’t be so crazy.
I am glad you made it theough your first class, even though there were some bumps in the road. Are your students Thai? What is the name of the course you are teaching? How has the weather been? How has your stomach been tolerating the food? Do you miss pizza and bbq yet? How is Jet enjoying her time? Does she miss you? Where will she, her mom, and Ben stay if they stay by you? How is Sup?
I talked to Jenny for awhile this morning and she said Jenna is doing great. So far she is a good sleeper but doesn’t eat the greatest yet. Taylor made a comment to Mark that Jenny won’t have time for her anymore. I’m sure in the beginning it will be an adjustment but I think that Taylor will find that things will be just fine. Just like she had to adjust to Mark and Jake, she will adjust to having Jenna around. I think Taylor will make a great big sister.
May birthdays are being addad in with Maggie’s graduation party. The only stipulation is that there will be no presents exchanged for the birthday part. Renee had a good point, that it should just be about the getting together and not about the presents. So if you are planning on attending. no presents for the birthday people. If you want to bring one because Maggie finally finshed school, fine, but not for anything else.
Well I guess I’ll get back to work now. I hope all is well over there, after all it’s a new day.
May 10, 2008 at 7:11 pm |
Glad to see that you made it through the “first class” day. Donald is a little better today and tonight, he started his new antibiotic. We hope it goes better and gets him well. We had the garage sale today and made a whopping $33. At least I cleaned out a few things. Now I am organized to take the rest of the stuff to Salvation Army to donate. Dan and Julie had work going on at their house and I walked down to see what it was. They have added a dormer to the room upstairs and are having the upstairs finished. I told him about your blog. I was surprised that he didn’t know. It’s really entertaining to hear about all your new experiences. Maybe to fun will continue through to whole summer.
May 10, 2008 at 7:32 pm |
P.S. I went to the Body Works exibit at the Milwaukee Public Museum today with the engine. If you have never heard of it you should google it and see what I am talking about. In summary they have found a way to preserve a body without the skin so you get the chance to see the inside of the human body. You see all the nerves, tendons, bones and internal organs of a human (and a horse). It was very intresting to see and if you research it alittle you will see what I am talking about. Almost all of the bodies were men, and I saw more “winkies” than I can believe. They have the bodies posed in different ways. There are two football players, a runner, a dancer and many others. I thought of you Andy when they had one man posed as a teacher, chalk in one hand and a book in the other. I had to laugh, not because I was thinking of you dead, but instead imagining you sitting in front of your class. Hope that didn’t creep you out.