X Marks the Spot!

Volunteering to Teach Children

This Saturday morning was spent teaching the cutest bunch of children at a local community center.  Our company started organizing volunteer sessions once a month and this Saturday was our first—I went along with two of my male coworkers.  In true Asian style, weekends and breaks don’t mean play time for children but rather good opportunities for the kids to take additional classes.  I remember my summers were filled with lessons (which I thought were totally normal until I was told otherwise much later in life).

I went in not knowing what the day held and unfortunately the normal teacher wasn’t there.  The poor guys clearly don’t have much experience dealing with children and after a while I somehow found myself in the front of the room leading the lesson with a bunch of 5 year olds.  I think the premise of the class was around improving their English—probably why me and 2 expat dudes were perfect for it.  Except I didn’t realize so after we ran out word games, I started teaching them math (true Asian style).  Wasn’t until the hour and a half was over that my friend told me actually the class was call “English and Me.”  Wooops

The day though was so much fun though.  The kids were super cute and I don’t know I guess maybe I have a way with kids.  When one of the girls started crying b/c it was her first day and she was scared, I prompted picked her up, took her to the couch, wrapped my arms around her and rocked her until her sobbing stopped.  Amazing how some comforting shusshing noises do the trick.  The only other woman there was a Singorean lady who I thought was the teacher but when I saw her helpless ways in comforting the girl and keeping the boys in check, I found myself quickly losing respect for the Singporean schoolmarms until I realized, she was only a volunteer too.  So after the girl was comforted, I noticed my friend had lost control of the class and two of the boys were running around, causing a bit of chaos in the 20 odd class.  So I grabbed one, swung him over my shoulder (superman style b/c kids like that) and sat him down in the front of the class w/ a look.  It lasted for only about 5 minutes b/c two boys = hard for one person to control and my coworkers were just looking on helpless.  Surprisingly though, just a stern look at the kid sent him scrambling to his chair with a sheepish grin while I continued with the lesson (this happened a few times b/c I couldn’t keep both settled w/ just one of me and a full class).  With time though, I think I can teach them proper discipline with a firm but kind hand.

The second class was older, 7 year olds and we sat around a circle reading.  At first all were very shy and my poor coworkers really didn’t know how to coax or teach these poor kids (most were girls).  However by the end, we had them arms extended excitedly, squirming quietly in their chairs for their turn to read out loud, even though many couldn’t read the whole page.  The best part I think was when I found myself surrounded by a  a circle of cute little girls, out of their chairs and crowding around me to tell about their adventures to the zoo or going to the library (themes of our books).  What a rewarding experience, watching them come out of their shell like that.

After the session was over, the center’s organizers came in, thanked us and asked to debrief.  The boys said they would have really liked a lesson plan since they had no idea what they were doing and found it hard to control some of the kids. The women apologized for the last minute change with no teachers but thought we did a good job regardless.  I’d be curious to see the diff with a proper teacher (kindergarten principle) next time.  

The organizers made a funny comment though that I found strange.  They said that when they peeped in and saw me comforting the crying girl, they were shocked b/c they certainly “wouldn’t have had the patience for that.”  No patience to comfort a crying scared girl?  What does that even mean??  Then in regards to the two boys running around, after we left one of the guys said he couldn’t stand that and he prefers children “who just sit there and behave.”  WHAT???  Boys are meant to run around and be full of energy.  Luckily the other one said he disagree and totally prefers the ones who know how to have fun.  I agree—all the kids were good and it was clear they could be disciplined.  It’s just about how.  The organizers mentioned an overnight field trip w/ the kids to the zoo one weekend (I must admit, the boys looked a bit nervous at the prospect) but OMG that would be SO MUCH FUN!!

Maybe it’s my experience teaching kids how to swim all those years or perhaps helping to raise my sister…I don’t know.  Kids’ psyches are easy to understand.  Afterall they’re just children.  Or maybe I just have a way of connecting well with children and know how to handle the range from the terrified ones crying their eyes out to the rambunctious ones with too much energy to the super smart ones who just wanted to learn more.  Who knows.  But every child is different and I found the day so completely and totally rewarding, watching them open up, learning, getting it, improving…I guess I don’t necessarily need to go and find the poor, troubled, or needy children to help.  If I can make a difference even just creating a fun environment for a bunch of 5-7 year olds to learn over a Saturday morning—that’s still totally worth however much time and effort needed I think.

Can’t wait for next time!! :-)

Doing Good

Tonight I attended an event in support of St. Baldricks—a charity supporting research to find cures for childhood cancer.  It was an event hosted by our clients but our team at the account went in support and I attended to support my colleagues.

All in all it was a great event.  The idea is participants raise money to have their heads shaven.  It was fun watching the head of our strategy practice in SE Asia get his head shaved into a mohawk and then totally off, however, what made the made the biggest impression were the children who volunteered.  The first pair were the sons of the head of our practice.  The trio went on stage and together, had their heads shaven to help raise money for cancer research.  

The way it works is, many already donated via the internet but tonight, they also passed around hats for more donations in support of the particular people on stage, getting their heads shaven.  The children of course got the most support.  Imagine a 10 and 12 year old, up there, helping a great cause because they’ve been inspired by their father.  Later, the sons of the client lead (head of APAC) also got up (this time, one was an EIGHT YEAR OLD!) and had his head completely shaved off.  He raised over $2K just right there b/c it was such a touching sight.

As I stood there, watching these boys supporting a great cause not necessarily because they felt passionate about it but rather because they were inspired by the actions of their parents, I couldn’t help but think…I know I have spoken a lot about not seeing the point of getting married, not being too sure about the whole husband thing.  But … if for some reason I decide to pursue the traditional concept of a family, having a husband there to be a good, strong, inspirational male role model to my children would certainly be one good reason to bite the bullet.  

It truly was touching.  In the place of their mothers/wife, I would be so proud.  Providing a strong male role model to my children…ok, I admit.  That would be one good reason to give some guy a shot.

Something to think about.

Top 10 Memorable Moments: Phuket

Upon reflection of the cartoon list, I actually did some things I didn’t plan on.  Lol.  I’ll post pics later tonight but in the meantime…

My Top 10 Memorable Moments:

1. Crashing on my motorbike, trying to learn how to ride for the first time…in the streets of Thailand
2. Cruising along & weaving in and out of the hilly roads overlooking the beautiful ocean on said motorbike for 3-4 hours immediately after my crash—can’t beat the feeling of wind in my hair
3. Eating delicious Thai food that I don’t know the name of, right on the side of the street
4. Racing along in a large speed boat, watching the beautiful limestone cliffs in Phang Nga Bay go by
5. Swimming in the temperate and absolutely clear waters by the white sandy beach on a tiny island in the middle of nowhere
6. Falling asleep, warm in my lounge chair with nothing but sound of the waves and soft sand beneath my toes
7. Riding around in a Tuk Tuk, nervously wondering if it will make it up and over the steeps hills near Patong
8. Dining right on the beach, with delicious seafood and beer in hand, watching the sun set over the horizon and then the stars coming out in a rather intimate and romantic setting
9. Spending 4 hours at the tailor, picking patterns, selecting materials, then being told it would be $1,500, flipping out and bargaining it down to $400 for 2 suits, a pair of pants and a dress
10. Getting “lost” on the island, going swiftly from beach resort to dense jungle to tiny villages within the span of just a couple of hours

Good Times :-)

Travel Fun

7:15am: Wake up, a bit groggy, look at the clock realize: “Oh No! I’ve missed my flight to Phuket!” Immediately enter What-To-Do-In-Case-of-Missed-Flight Mode. “Wait, no my flight’s at 9am.  I’m just LATE.  Was supposed to leave at 7am, maybe I can make it. Ok, UP!”

7:20am: Brushing teeth, trying to do math. “If the flight’s at 9am, why doesn’t the check-in counter open until 7:30am? Is the flight really at 9am? What time is my flight??”

7:22am: Turn on computer so I can check my itinerary

7:23am: Pull out my suitcase and start tossing clothes/swim suits in

7:25am: Type in Phuket into gmail—lots of hits, no flight confirmation. “Hmm…did I actually book a flight?? I attempted to so many times, did I actually do it?”  ”Wouldn’t put it past myself to forget”…”Who the hell am I flying?!” “Wait no, I have it in my Outlook, it must be confirmed.  Just need to figure out who I’m flying.” “Random guess…TIGER” “Success! 9:30am flight” “cool, that gives me some breathing room, maybe I’ll make it!” 

Fleeting Thought: “Why didn’t they send me a reminder email? Lame.”

7:29am: Pull open my Travel Electronics drawer to get chargers and converters: “Wait, what outlet system is Thailand on…” think think think “I think US but not sure… Ugh, whatever, no time—grab the chunky universal one.”

7:30am: Pull open my Travel Documents drawer to get currency and passport. Grab the wad of Thai Bahts but then stop: “Wait, is this Thai money or Malaysian money? It looks Malaysia.” Glance down (I keep my Foreign Currency in a drawer like a cashier’s drawer, all laid out my type): “No, that says Bank of Malaysia on it. Pretty sure this scribble is Thai…”

Fleeting Thought: “Ppl really need to put the name of their countries on their currency.  How confusing!!”

7:33am: “Wait I forgot something…PASSPORT!” Go back to drawer, grab passport “is that the right passport?” “Check.” “Is my departing card still in there?” “Sweet”

7:37am: Finish packing: “Maybe I should weigh this since I’m flying discount.” “Crap, it’s 10kg” “There’s freakin’ nothing inside! How the hell am I supposed to get it down to 7kg!” Try to readjust for about 2 mins: “No time, screw it, maybe I’ll get away with it.”

Fleeting Though: “Need to get discount airline specific bag that doesn’t weight much—forgo sturdy Samsonite for now.”

7:40am: “Crap I left a bunch of dishes in the sink from last night.  If my roommate gets back from her long weekend in HK and finds dishes, she’ll flip.” Check watch…internal debate. Decide to hurridly do dishes. 

7:45am: Out the door.  ”Hope I didn’t forget anything.”

7:47am: Cab Driver: “Where are you going?” 

Me: “Airport. Terminal 1. Tiger Airways.”

Cab Driver: “Tiger Airways is budget terminal.”

Me: “Oh, ok, budget terminal then.”

Cab Driver looks at me skeptically

7:55am: Cab Driver: “Are you sure you’re flying Tiger Airways?”

Me: “Yes…”

Cab Driver laughs and shakes his head at me

Cab Diver: “Ok….”

8:30am: Fail to sneak past luggage weighing guy.  Must check in bag.  $25.  ”Lame.”

8:35am: “STARVING!!” “Ok, will get food.” “Ahhh, Steamed Bao!” 

Me: “Hi, is that Char Siew Bao?” (Half English Half Chinese)

Counter Lady: “Yes, it’s Char Siew Bao” (in Chinese)

Me: “And what is that?” pointing down (in English)

Lady: “Chicken” (in Chinese)

Me: “And what?” (Switching to Chinese now for her)

Lady: “Chicken.” I give her a funny look “I Mean Pork” (in English)

Me: “Ok, can I have a Chicken? and a Char Siew Bao?” (Switched back to English)

Lady: “Sure, 1 Chicken, 1 Char Siew Bao” (Half English Half Chinese)

Lady: “Two Dollars” (Chinese)

Fleeting Thought: “Dude, pick a freakin’ language and stick to it? Why did she keep flipping? She seemed hesitant.  Was I intimidating her with my full-on American English and my full-on Mainland Chinese?”

Fleeting Thought 2: “Stop intimidating locals with my proper, accent-less speech”

8:40am: “What to drink?” “Coffee?” “Hmm…wouldn’t that just make you super jumpy? You know how Coffee affects you in the morning.” “But Coffee is yummy and I’m thirsty. Iced Coffee!!” “Ok”

9:30am: On the plane, flying somewhere over Malaysia. Totally wired and super restless.  ”Shouldn’t have had the coffee.”

9:45am: “Oh they’re passing around immigration cards!  Something to do. Sweet.”

9:52am: “What hotel am I staying at?” “Crap.” think think think “I’ll just put the one my cousins are staying at.” “Way to go—forgetting what hotel you’re staying at.  This isn’t the first time.  Actually it’s the norm.” “I know I know…” “Come to think of it, you also failed to look up how to get from the airport to Surin Beach, where you’re staying.  You also forgot to look up the currency exchange.” *Sigh* “I know…I’ll figure it out when I get there.” “That’s what you always say and don’t you remember accidentally taking out $900 worth of cash in Korea b/c you decided to randomly type in a number that seemed right?” “Yeah yeah, I know I suck.  I really need to take travelling more seriously.”  ”You’ve been saying this for ages. Hopping over to Thailand isn’t the same as driving to Atlanta.” “I know.  I suck.  Must learn to travel better. Stop harassing me”

The end.