What My Dad Taught Me

In honor of Father's Day I thought I would share 10 things that my dad has taught me.

Here we go...

What my dad taught me:

1. God has a plan for each of us. It's is the right plan. The only plan. Follow it obediently and do not stray.
2. Love is not only shown through affection. Not just hugs. Not just kisses. Some of the greatest affection can be show through action.
3. Don't be afraid to surprise the ones you love. Whether it's with gifts or acts of service, it's ok to show people you care.
4. Always tell the people you love that you love them. Always.
5. Don't be afraid to laugh at yourself. We all do stupid things. Just laugh.
6. Be respectful. No questions asked.
7. Be confident.
8. Be encouraging. A few encouraging words can go a long way.
9. Sometimes a good nap is all you need.
10. Don't try to control people. Let them be free to live their own lives and be a shoulder to lean on when times get tough.

I love you dad, Happy Father's Day!

Orientation and a Crucial Lesson

As stated in my last blog post I'm not sure how often I will be blogging, so don't be too heartbroken if I don't write on a daily basis.

Yet today was too blog-worthy to not post.

We had orientation in "The Big House" (it's basically the main office area of COSA) and A told us all about different projects we'll be working on and the like. I will be helping organize as well as teach English classes in the community on Saturdays and Sundays. I will also be working to organize and implement an English tutoring program for some of the Thai staff in the organization. There are a few more options I'm hoping to do (one of which includes writing on the COSA blog), but nothing official in that area yet. I'll keep you posted. We have another orientation tomorrow, A will be telling us about sex trafficking in and around Northern Thailand. I'm looking forward to gaining more knowledge and having a better idea of that types of issues might arise from past experiences some of these girls might have had.

We also went to the grocery store today, quite a story goes along with it. Warning it might be a bit unsettling for those with weak stomachs (maybe that's a bit dramatic).

The spice factor of Thai food is much higher than what my original pallet is used to. It's not unbearable, but one can definitely tell that it's there! With such dining differences come internal disturbances...if you catch my drift. So after having an eventful bathroom experience on my part, our group heads out to the grocery store. Things are going all fine and well until they start mixing themselves up again. Good thing another bathroom wasn't far away.

Once all was said and done, I'm looking around for toilet tissue. To my left...nothing. To my right...nothing. Above me, beneath me, diagonal...nothing.

Dang it. Worst time to not have toilet paper...EVER

I carefully inch my way (with pants on) over to another stall...nothing

Then another...nothing.

Nothing
NOthing
NoTHING
NOTHING

So I head to the sink area. Low and behold, a roll of toilet paper...by the sink. The sink.

Note to self, when going to a public bathroom you need to grab a chunk of tissue before you head into a stall.

Well at least now I'll never forget again...ever.

Oh culture...you get me every time!

Welcome to COSA

And so, my adventure in Thailand begins...

I'm sitting on my bed in the volunteer shelter and part of me feels like I should be up and doing something (like being social), while the rest of me knows that I should probably just take a nap.

I arrived at approximately 9:40 this morning and was picked up by one of the directors (we'll call her A) and the main driver.

Riding through downtown it didn't seem much different than Saipan, just bigger and busier. A told me all about what I'll be doing and what is ahead. I'm pretty excited, everything just seems a little overwhelming right now. Traveling 24 hours and only getting a minimal amount of sleep may have something to do with that. Once we arrived at the shelter A gave me a quick tour, introduced me to some of the staff, and showed me the house that I'll be living in. There are about 7 other people I'll be living with and only one bathroom. Going to this from living by myself will be an adjustment, but I'm sure it'll seem like nothing once things get going. At the moment they're all downtown though. Some of the younger girls are off from school right now so I got to spend some time with them. We ate lunch together and made bracelets out of beads and string.

I have orientation with A and a couple other new volunteers tomorrow. I'm looking forward to getting things started, but today is just going to be a day of downtime and adjustment.

I will keep you posted throughout the month. Could be weekly, daily...whenever :D.

But right now, I must nap.

Layover #2: Bangkok

As so my journey continues...

Travel from Osaka to Bangkok was no problem. I flew with Thai Airways and, good grief, they probably have the most beautiful plane I've ever traveled in!

I walked on the plane, all the flight attendants were wearing traditional Thai clothing (which they soon changed out of once they had to start working) made of silk. All the seats were vivid colors of gold, purple, and fuchsia (a very dark fuchsia, believe me, my eyes didn't burn when I saw it). Everything seemed so regal, even the food plates were beautiful! They also had fleece blankets instead of the cheap, thin kind. Quite the posh experience if I say so myself (did I mention I was in economy class?). I sat next to an old, quiet lady who had an ashy cigarette smell about her. Though, I probably didn't smell too great either after hours of travel. As the plane began its accent my eyelids made their decent. I slept solid for a majority of the flight and woke up to a meal of French toast, fruits, yogurt, and other such breakfast foods. Though, as the plane began to lower into its destination the realization that immigration was coming hit me and about half way through my meal I wasn't so hungry anymore.

What would they ask me?
Did I fill out my paper work alright?
Will they give me the right visa?
Is there a wrong visa?
Stop thinking Michelle, you're being ridiculous.

The plane landed and a shuttle soon came to pick up the passengers. After a quick currency exchange I retrieved my boarding pass and took a few small steps next door to immigration. Oddly enough seeing all the counters there actually made me feel relieved (thanks God), maybe because it showed me how the process was going to go. The joys of being a visual learner. I walked up to the counter and the immigration man didn't even talk to me (YES!). He stuck his hand out for my passport, stamped a few things, made a couple of staples, and sent me on my way.

Feeling rather foolish for, once again, getting myself all in a tizzy for no reason, I continued on my way to find internet. That was a whole different process. I first tried to see if there was a source I could just connect to without any sort of code. No luck. I went to an internet kiosk. It had awkward keys, and a strange sort of mouse ("Ain't nobody got time for dat!"). So I packed myself up and began my journey for the interwebs. At last I found a service desk and they gave me the necessary login information.

Now I sit, on a light blue chair this time, patiently waiting for the final flight of my venture.
So close, yet so far!

See you in Chiang Mai...preferably after I shower and brush my teeth.

Layover #1: Japan

After hours of travel I’ve made it to Japan. Though, that’s not to say funny things haven’t popped up along the way. I will warn you, I’m tired so I apologize in advance if parts of this blog are a) uncomprehendable (I don’t think that’s a word…oh well, it is now!) b) incorrect both spelling and grammar wise (see letter a) or c) too attractive for you to handle.

Let’s begin shall we?

 

It all started a little before 1:00pm. My stomach was tight with knots about what was to come. (Before I continue, let me assure you that I do not have a fear of flying. It’s the whole rush of trying to get where you’re going/the over looming fear of going through immigration that gets me.) AW, Little E, and AVH dropped me off at the airport. The whole way there they were reassuring me that things would be fine (and well surprise, surprise they were!) Hugs were exchanged; words of encouragement were given, then they were off and I made my way inside. I waited in line to check-

in and stared blankly at a dark, vacant kiosk. Though stressful at the time, I suppose even airport people need to eat lunch too…Soon WB came and joined me in my game of patience. He waited with me in line and during check in. We said our goodbyes and he watched me as I made my way through security.

I was off and running (or…sitting). Stress levels were down and my stomach didn’t feel like removing its contents anymore (thanks stomach, you rock). I was ready to start my journey.

Before I knew it I was in Guam. Not much notable about that airport except for the bathroom. As any good traveler knows, it’s best to use any bathroom you can before you get on the plane. So I walk in and it looks like there are plenty of stalls open, or so I thought. Half of the stalls are locked without anyone in them, three others are clogged, and two won’t flush…so this other lady and I are waiting for the only stall left. Oh well, it makes for a good story :D.

My flight from Guam went smoothly; I sat next to a really precious old Japanese couple. I kind of wanted to shrink them down and take them home in my pocket…but that’s kind of like kidnapping (old-peoplenapping? Wait old people take naps…ok this is getting out of hand) and that’s frowned on in most societies.  

It wasn’t until I reached my current location, the Osaka airport (dun dun duuuuuuuuuuuuuuuun), that the fun really began. I get off the plane and head off to the transfers’ security area. I really had no idea if it was where I was supposed to be or not, but the people working there were very considerate. Japanese people are just fabulous people in general. If you don’t know a Japanese person, you should…because they’re fabulous. But I digress. So I head up the stairs looking for a place the find my gate. Scanning the screens my gate is nowhere to be found, so I figured I’d be logical and go to a random gate and ask someone there.

That’s actually a really terrible idea, especially if you decide to go to the other side of the airport where there isn’t any living thing present. Then you decide to be logical again and ask a security guy for help, only to find that he speaks little to no English and you tell yourself that you should probably learn more languages so you don’t have to deal with this again…not that that would happen to me of course >_>.

But alas I did find my gate (about an hour later) and now I’m sitting in a blindingly yellow chair typitty-typing away at this blog…which is longer than it should be. But that’s ok because I’ve got two whole hours to kill.

*le sigh*

I’m not sure when I’ll be back to blog, hopefully in Bangkok. If not, I’ll see you in Chiang Mai!

Pre-Travel Jitters

So here I am, 7:33am on the morning of my day of departure for Thailand.
I have got a little over seven hours before I leave, but who invited all these butterflies?

Before I get too far, I suppose I should catch you up as to why I'm going to said Asian country.

I will be volunteering at a shelter for girls who are either at risk of being involved in or have already been involved in sex trafficking. This organization gives them the chance to be educated and have a safe haven so that no further damage can be done. An amazing goal if you ask me.

 I booked this trip months ago, but the realization of it all is just settling in.

Am I terrified? Scared? Well, no that's a bit extreme (though I do think I should have brushed up more on my Thai before today. Oh well, hindsight is 20/20)...but I just have a healthy bit of anxious anticipation (if there is such a thing). My biggest concern at the moment is dealing with customs at the airport. Though, I have heard that the immigration people make things pretty easy for travelers.

I covet your prayers.

Prayers for calm during travel
Prayers for safety
Prayers for the organization as it continues its mission to help these girls
Prayers for health
Prayers that luggage doesn't get lost
Prayers that God can use me in the best way possible

Though with prayers, come copious amounts of praises as well.

Praises that I have been given this opportunity
Praises that finances for this trip were no problem
Praises for support and encouragement from family and friends all over the U.S. and Saipan.
Praises for long layovers so I have plenty of time to find my gates and get through customs at my point of entry.
Praises that there is an organization that can give these girls a chance.
Praises that the staff of the organization have been so helpful.

I know I'm doing the right thing, God wouldn't have let things work out so well if I wasn't.
All that's left to do is to leave.

I will be blogging during my layovers as well as during my time in the country (a little less than a month to be exact). You are more than welcome to follow my posts!

See you in Japan.

180 Days

It's been about a week since I closed the door on my first teaching experience. To say I learned a lot would be an understatement.

I'll start with saying that although student teaching and four years of education classes were a crucial asset in the process of becoming an educator, there were plenty of aspects that I couldn't have prepared for if I tried. Thus many personal lessons ensued.

1. Be patient

In the profession of teaching this may seem like an obvious one. When you work with kids (of any age) you need to have some level of patience (preferably a high one). But good grief does that patience get tested. From behavior to simple things like having multiple students coming up to your desk asking the same question over...and over...and over...I'm surprised I still have chunks of my hair left. Regardless, there is no excuse for a snappy teacher. Just take a deep breath. Bite your tongue if you have to. Then move on. How your students react to you can often depend on how you react to your students.

2. You have a spine. Use it.

Let's face it, as a teacher criticism is inescapable. You are constantly being watched. Whether it's by parents, fellow teachers, your principal, or even the students themselves...there is no safe place to hide. In such cases you will more than likely get comments (both negative and positive) about how you perform things in your classroom. It's good to take such advice into consideration, yet it's ok to explain why you do the things you do and stand up for yourself. Say a parent is upset that little Jonny got an F on his homework assignment because he or she didn't turn it in and wants him to have the chance to redo it. Yet you have a strict turn in policy, thus making it so he gets a zero for a missing assignment. It's ok to stand your ground.

3. Be lenient when necessary.
On the other side of the spectrum, there will be chances when you'll need to give students some leeway. Life at home can really affect how a student performs. If mom and dad are getting a divorce, the last thing on little Sally's mind is going to be studying for her Spelling test. It's always important to keep the well being of the student in mind. If you're unsure, just look at how he or she is performing in class.

4. Be encouraging.
As much as I hate to admit it, this is one I struggled with. Not to say I never encouraged my students, believe me I did. Yet sometimes it's just so easy to get caught up in what students need to improve on instead of focusing on the great things they've already accomplished. When you're a teacher you should be one of your students' biggest cheerleaders. Be positive. Celebrate small victories. Show your students you're proud of them. It might to farther than you expect.

...Onward to year two...