This is the day. My first Christmas away from Kansas City and my
family. My three months in Thailand have had many ups and downs, but
this past week has by far been the hardest. It’s Christmas but it
doesn’t feel the same. It’s not cold and certainly not snowing, instead
the heat index was 106 degrees and bug spray was my perfume of choice. I
woke up bright and early Christmas morning, not to see what Santa
brought me but to head off to school. My sisters aren’t snuggled in bed
with me, my mom isn’t making cinnamon rolls and we aren’t spending the
entire day together in our PJs. Needless to say, this Christmas looked
quite different.
While I haven’t quite mastered Thai I discovered a few other languages to connect with my school community today.
#1: Minionese
In Thailand Christmas resembles Halloween, at least at my school. This year all of the teachers dressed up as their favorite Disney character. My friend Biew and I dressed up as Christmas minions. As I walked into school my students pointed and giggled, confused as always by Teacher Amy’s weird antics. All day I would go up to my students and speak minonese, “bee do bee do.” They would laugh and start talking minion too. Everyone from kindergarten to high school could relate.
#2: The Language of Music
Dance and music speak for themselves. These past few weeks I have been able to encourage my students through dance. Dance doesn’t require any speaking, the shy students can feel like they are excelling in dance club which I believe makes them more confident in English class. Check out my students rocking Santa Clause is Coming to Town and Let it Snow! (sorry about the video quality, I was busy being a stage mom in the back).
During lunch a small group was singing karaoke in the gym and asked me if I wanted to sing. I of course obliged and lined up Mariah Carey’s All I Want For Christmas Is You. These kids, along with myself, needed to experience a real Cosgrove kitchen style dance party. I started singing and once the song picked up I began going around the gym getting random students to dance with me. At first they thought I was crazy (like usual) but soon dozens of kids were crazily dancing in the gym. Doesn’t matter your age, language or nationality, everyone can understand the language of music.
#3: Imagination
You don’t have to speak to live in an imaginary world. Children have a gift of childlike wonder. My students especially find random items around school to act as their props for their games. This afternoon we celebrated New Years. The school band played all afternoon and students ran freely playing and “relaxing.” I was sitting with a few of my high school students and one of my first grade students balloons fell in my lap. I tossed it back to him which ensued a serious game of balloon hot potato volleyball. We laughed and cringed when it would hit the floor. One by one other students came over to join in the fun. Soon I was being bombarded with balloons as a dozen students surrounded me wanting to play.
Nothing needed to be said. Our laughter and imagination brought us together.
#4: English
My students might not be able to respond to “How are you?” truthfully (most say “I’m fine thank you and you.” but they all know Merry Christmas. Students have to pass by my office to leave school everyday. Sometimes I stand outside, say goodbye and wave each of them off. Today I stood there and wished each student Merry Christmas. Sometimes my students don’t listen, don’t care and don’t want to learn. But as I stood there wishing them all a Merry Christmas I realized how much I love them. Even though they don’t always understand me, every student understood Merry Christmas delivered with a big smile and lots of love. I felt homesick today but this was the perfect way to remind me just exactly why I am in Thailand sharing Christmas with my students rather than my family.
#5: Giving
Gift giving is a very important part of Thai culture and Christmas. To make sure I could spread Christmas cheer with as many people as possible I bought 500 baht worth of candy at 7/11 and gave each teacher one when I greeted them in the morning. With just saying hello and Merry Christmas I was able to connect with teachers whom I haven’t really gotten to know yet.
I also received many gifts that made me feel so loved. Last weekend my friend Christine and her mom treated me to a weekend on the island of Ko Sichang. It was a refreshing weekend and I felt so blessed to be able to feel like part of a family for the weekend! I also recieved many gifts and well wishes from my family and friends back home. My room is fully decorated for Christmas with a tree complete with little gifts from home and even a few from my students.
For me the language of giving this week brought me the most joy. I was able to give my family the gift of time and new memories. Seeing them enjoy their time together made my Christmas!
#6: Christ
I knew this experience wasn’t going to be easy. But it has challenged me in new and big ways. Just like any job some days I don’t want to get up, sometimes I get frustrated, and sometimes I wonder if I’m even making a difference. And on top of all those struggles I don’t have my parents or college roommates to encourage me at the end of the day.
Before I left my little sister wrote the sweetest letter to me on her blog. In it she said, “I wish you enough fear to bring you on your knees in front of Jesus. I wish you enough tears to water the flower that will grow from your labors.” I have been humbled and brought to my knees many times this month and I’m sure many times to come. But God has been faithful and in this new season of live as I continue to grow closer and closer towards Him. Through feeling anxious and lonely, I invite Him into my life for the minuscule tasks. This has brought me unending amounts of peace. And today I celebrate Him. My encourager at the end of the day and biggest cheerleader.
And isn’t He the real meaning of Christmas? Even though I’m not with my family today, which absolutely breaks my heart, I can rest in knowing that Christ is the real reason for this day.
Last night I went to Christmas Eve mass in Pattaya and celebrated with Catholics from every continent. One of the most beautiful things about the church is that no matter where you are in the world you hear the same message. Hundreds of people from different backgrounds, countries and native languages worshiped together as one body. Worshiped together knowing that their loved ones were hearing the same message. Christ transcends all languages and nationalities!
I wish you all a very merry Christmas. I pray that you feel loved today,
not only by the people around you but by Christ who loved you enough to
die for your sins. Hold tight to those you love because there’s nothing
more special than being surrounded by your family and friends!
In Thailand Christmas resembles Halloween, at least at my school. This year all of the teachers dressed up as their favorite Disney character. My friend Biew and I dressed up as Christmas minions. As I walked into school my students pointed and giggled, confused as always by Teacher Amy’s weird antics. All day I would go up to my students and speak minonese, “bee do bee do.” They would laugh and start talking minion too. Everyone from kindergarten to high school could relate.
#2: The Language of Music
Dance and music speak for themselves. These past few weeks I have been able to encourage my students through dance. Dance doesn’t require any speaking, the shy students can feel like they are excelling in dance club which I believe makes them more confident in English class. Check out my students rocking Santa Clause is Coming to Town and Let it Snow! (sorry about the video quality, I was busy being a stage mom in the back).
During lunch a small group was singing karaoke in the gym and asked me if I wanted to sing. I of course obliged and lined up Mariah Carey’s All I Want For Christmas Is You. These kids, along with myself, needed to experience a real Cosgrove kitchen style dance party. I started singing and once the song picked up I began going around the gym getting random students to dance with me. At first they thought I was crazy (like usual) but soon dozens of kids were crazily dancing in the gym. Doesn’t matter your age, language or nationality, everyone can understand the language of music.
#3: Imagination
You don’t have to speak to live in an imaginary world. Children have a gift of childlike wonder. My students especially find random items around school to act as their props for their games. This afternoon we celebrated New Years. The school band played all afternoon and students ran freely playing and “relaxing.” I was sitting with a few of my high school students and one of my first grade students balloons fell in my lap. I tossed it back to him which ensued a serious game of balloon hot potato volleyball. We laughed and cringed when it would hit the floor. One by one other students came over to join in the fun. Soon I was being bombarded with balloons as a dozen students surrounded me wanting to play.
Nothing needed to be said. Our laughter and imagination brought us together.
#4: English
My students might not be able to respond to “How are you?” truthfully (most say “I’m fine thank you and you.” but they all know Merry Christmas. Students have to pass by my office to leave school everyday. Sometimes I stand outside, say goodbye and wave each of them off. Today I stood there and wished each student Merry Christmas. Sometimes my students don’t listen, don’t care and don’t want to learn. But as I stood there wishing them all a Merry Christmas I realized how much I love them. Even though they don’t always understand me, every student understood Merry Christmas delivered with a big smile and lots of love. I felt homesick today but this was the perfect way to remind me just exactly why I am in Thailand sharing Christmas with my students rather than my family.
#5: Giving
Gift giving is a very important part of Thai culture and Christmas. To make sure I could spread Christmas cheer with as many people as possible I bought 500 baht worth of candy at 7/11 and gave each teacher one when I greeted them in the morning. With just saying hello and Merry Christmas I was able to connect with teachers whom I haven’t really gotten to know yet.
I also received many gifts that made me feel so loved. Last weekend my friend Christine and her mom treated me to a weekend on the island of Ko Sichang. It was a refreshing weekend and I felt so blessed to be able to feel like part of a family for the weekend! I also recieved many gifts and well wishes from my family and friends back home. My room is fully decorated for Christmas with a tree complete with little gifts from home and even a few from my students.
For me the language of giving this week brought me the most joy. I was able to give my family the gift of time and new memories. Seeing them enjoy their time together made my Christmas!
#6: Christ
I knew this experience wasn’t going to be easy. But it has challenged me in new and big ways. Just like any job some days I don’t want to get up, sometimes I get frustrated, and sometimes I wonder if I’m even making a difference. And on top of all those struggles I don’t have my parents or college roommates to encourage me at the end of the day.
Before I left my little sister wrote the sweetest letter to me on her blog. In it she said, “I wish you enough fear to bring you on your knees in front of Jesus. I wish you enough tears to water the flower that will grow from your labors.” I have been humbled and brought to my knees many times this month and I’m sure many times to come. But God has been faithful and in this new season of live as I continue to grow closer and closer towards Him. Through feeling anxious and lonely, I invite Him into my life for the minuscule tasks. This has brought me unending amounts of peace. And today I celebrate Him. My encourager at the end of the day and biggest cheerleader.
And isn’t He the real meaning of Christmas? Even though I’m not with my family today, which absolutely breaks my heart, I can rest in knowing that Christ is the real reason for this day.
Last night I went to Christmas Eve mass in Pattaya and celebrated with Catholics from every continent. One of the most beautiful things about the church is that no matter where you are in the world you hear the same message. Hundreds of people from different backgrounds, countries and native languages worshiped together as one body. Worshiped together knowing that their loved ones were hearing the same message. Christ transcends all languages and nationalities!
Thank you to everyone for your texts, calls, prayers, letters and kind gifts! Thank you for making my first Christmas away from home a little merrier!
Much love and Merry merry Christmas,
Amy
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Read more from Amy during her year as a Fulbright Teaching Assistant in Thailand at: https://sameamebutdifferent.wordpress.com/
For more information about the Fulbright Grant Opportunities, check out http://eca.state.gov/fulbright/fulbright-programs
