June 14, 2011
Most Americans know of June 14th as flag day ... I know that flag day 2011 will be one that I will remember for a long time. I awoke as if it was any other day of teaching in Thailand, planning to teach but expecting much more. As I was preparing for school (aka going on facebook now that I have internet in my house) my phone started to ring and I saw that it was my father calling ... this cannot be good. As I tentatively answered the phone, trying to sound optimistic as usual I had a sick feeling I was not going to like the news on the other end. Through short breaths he managed to tell me that him and my mother were at the vet and were just told that they need to put Rocky down. My only reaction was "NO." No, this isn't fair! No, I am too far away! No, John and Megan aren't there either. No, we love him too much. No, I want more time with him. Through immediate sobs I managed to tell Rocky that I love him and will miss him as my dad held the phone to his ear, told my dad I would be 'okay', and hung up. I somehow continued to gather my belongings for school and begin to eat breakfast. On most mornings Michelle and I sit at the table chatting until my ride shows up anytime within a 30 minute window. Today Earm and Sumet came early! So as I was shoving the last bite of oatmeal into my mouth while simultaneously wiping the tears from my face I ran out to the car, only to realize they were early because we needed to go lamp shopping.
We arrive at school around the normal time and I head to my classroom to continue pulling myself together and prepare for a full day of 4 classes to teach. Little to my knowledge at this point, today is voting for the student representative board. I realize about 10 minutes into what is supposed to be my first class that all the students are headed to the covered pavilion to take part in democracy's finest hour(s). Voting. In true Thai fashion this involves standing line and taking one piece of paper to the next person to get the next piece of paper to cast your vote to then place in the guarded box. It was all very official and I was able to spend the whole morning, not suffering through teaching the sound the letter "Bb" makes but harassing and giggling with my favorite students. Somehow the unpredictability of Thailand manages to come through in the most surprising of ways. Now I will guide you through the process of voting in a Thai elementary school.
First, let's look at who is running . . .
Then wait in line to get a small piece of paper from this person . . .
And take that piece of paper to this person and sign your name on the appropriate class list
That person will give you a ballot that looks like this
You then take that ballot to this designated area to mark your choice
After you have made your decision you can place your ballot in the official ballot holding box being watched by security
Let's not forget how important security is during an election ... at any level!
But don't let voting get you stressed . . .
IT'S FUN!
We arrive at school around the normal time and I head to my classroom to continue pulling myself together and prepare for a full day of 4 classes to teach. Little to my knowledge at this point, today is voting for the student representative board. I realize about 10 minutes into what is supposed to be my first class that all the students are headed to the covered pavilion to take part in democracy's finest hour(s). Voting. In true Thai fashion this involves standing line and taking one piece of paper to the next person to get the next piece of paper to cast your vote to then place in the guarded box. It was all very official and I was able to spend the whole morning, not suffering through teaching the sound the letter "Bb" makes but harassing and giggling with my favorite students. Somehow the unpredictability of Thailand manages to come through in the most surprising of ways. Now I will guide you through the process of voting in a Thai elementary school.
First, let's look at who is running . . .
Then wait in line to get a small piece of paper from this person . . .
And take that piece of paper to this person and sign your name on the appropriate class list
That person will give you a ballot that looks like this
You then take that ballot to this designated area to mark your choice
After you have made your decision you can place your ballot in the official ballot holding box being watched by security
Let's not forget how important security is during an election ... at any level!
But don't let voting get you stressed . . .
IT'S FUN!
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