I felt like a celebrity. I must have had 30 people lined up to get my autograph. Ok, this did happen, but let me put this statement into context. As a requirement for Thai social studies classes, students must learn how to "wai" properly. A wai is putting one's palms together and bowing one's head out of respect to an elder or authority (you've probably seen it in Asian movies). Students have to "wai" twenty teachers/school staff persons and get their signatures to prove that the students really did what they were supposed to do. More than 30 2nd and 3rd graders were lined up to get my friend's signature. I thought I would help her out and start signing the students' books, but it turned out that they all lined up for both of us and the lines continued to grow. I think I signed my name for 10-15 minutes. Oh, the joy and humor of living in another country:)
This month was filled with cultural experiences because I got to do another Thai dance this year for our school's 156th anniversary (as you can see from the pictures at the top of this post). The first picture is from last year. I liked this costume much better than my costume this year. However, the dance we learned this year was more complicated than last year's dance and I feel proud of our group for working so hard to learn it. The men in the pictures are co-teachers from my department.
I also celebrated my birthday this month. My students sang "Happy Birthday" to me two times and many people at work wished me a happy birthday. I got to go to Sizzler with my friends (Sizzler here is really good--especially the unlimited salad bar) on my birthday and I got to celebrate at home with my church friends the next day. I cooked Mexican food for the party at my house and I ended up showing everyone all the different ways you can melt cheese. We had nachos, quesadillas, and tacos. It was great. The top picture is of my roommates and other friends on my birthday. (Aren't you proud of me for finally putting pictures on my blog? Just kidding)
Finally, I am so grateful to God for opening new doors for me to serve in the churches that I attend. I have gotten to facilite or "MC" twice in the church that I attend in the afternoon and I got to speak in the Thai/English service that I attend in the morning. I've also gotten to share some American dishes with my Filipino friends because we eat dinner together every Sunday after church. I've made Texas chili and beef stew. Both went over very well, praise the Lord!
