Hello, สวัสดี (Sa wa dii), Hola

One really important lesson I have learned this year is that humans are the same wherever you go. We all have likes, dislikes, jokes, and games. We work and like to have fun. Climate and socioeconomic standing play a role in living conditions. Culture and religion create differences in term of respect and belief. But for the most part humans, no matter where they live are the same. It's hard to imagine that someone halfway around the world could be the same as yourself and yet they are. I found this to be most true with my students. While there are some obvious differences between Thai students and American students a major similarity I learned this year was that fads are all the rage. They come in overnight and leave just as quickly! I easily saw three different games take the interests of my students. They remained popular for various amounts of time but were prevalent enough for me to recognize it as a fad. Just the same as pogs and crazy bones were for children when I was in elementary school so are these games to my Thai students. EVERYONE plays. Boys and girls of all grades play. Last semester cat's cradle was all the rage - which made me extremely excited since I knew how to play and could get in on the action.

Next, early this semester came a game similar to chinese jumprope, but my students would simply string together an obnoxious amount of rubber bands to create the rope. Ingenious I thought. And currently a game very similar to jacks or pick up sticks is taking the lead in popularity. Here are some of my P. 5 students playing in my classroom during lunch - before class with me starts.





Hope enjoyed this little glimpse into the lives of my students, and feel comforted in knowing that fads are everywhere!