Castle in the Clouds- A Teacher's Adventure in Myanmar and Guatemala: week three continued- Don't Rain on My Parade

Wednesday Aug. 21^st Shopping for wine

At this point of the game, whenever someone asks me if I want to go somewhere, I generally say yes (although I have said no to all the late night bars- not quite there yet). So, I jump in a cab and go to the wine storm that is having a Monsoon sale (10 to 40% off of their wines). I have never really been one who has a bunch of wine in the house; I generally buy it when I am having company or going to a friend’s house, but I guess when I think I will not have the opportunity again I feel a need to buy. So I go, and I buy and I find other things like pasta sauce and rosemary and herbs de Provence and fancy olives and for some reason I am so excited. I think the house is now ready for guests.

Thursday Aug. 22^nd “Someone told me long ago, there’s a calm before the storm..”

This week I feel like I am back in my first years of teaching. I am about to teach a book I have not read yet so I will be two chapters ahead of the kids and I am following other people’s lead with lesson plans so everything I am doing is new. Thanks goodness I have the confidence to make these plans lessons my own, but to feel so needy is so foreign to me. For many, many years I have taken the lead and helped others plan or at least I have been about to contribute. I am sure glad I am older and do not have a prideful nature or I would not be having any fun because I would be so stressed out.

I have been kicked off of the fantasy football league but still get to go to the parties and watch the games; I really only wanted to be in the league so I could hang out with the guys (I know that sounds a little weird coming from a 51 year old, but I think it will make me miss my boys a little less.

I walk home from school only to find it has been raining all day and the water is rising. As I slowing trudge through the water that has pooled up and kid passes me, says hello and then does a cartwheel in the water. I have to laugh at myself. I am being so careful not to get wet, yet as a kid I use to love to play in the rain. I remember lying in the road by the drains and just let the water rush over me. It was one of my favorite things. I think I will make it a point to play in the rain one Saturday.

Tonight we hear a hello at our gate only to find a fellow teacher helping the rattan guys find our house (I guess 116 the yellow house by YIS was not a good enough description!). My rattan furniture has arrived. Now I can get organized because I have some place to put stuff. I got shelving with the most beautiful hand made baskets and a free- standing closet. It feels like Christmas. It is the little things that make life easier.

We end the night sitting on the porch watching the rain come down and the water rise. Thoughts of snakes once again creep into my thoughts and we have a whole conversation about Burmese pythons- I am so glad I can laugh.

Friday Aug. 23^rd “I wanna Know- have you ever seen the rain?”

I am not laughing when Kay comes into my room at about 9:30 and says, “Sara (she use to live in my house) said you need to go home and move all your electronic equipment upstairs- your house might flood.” Holy crap! No one told me about this. Well, I go home, move furniture and electronics and go back to school. We get notice that we have early release (the kids whoop and holler and hug each other they are so excited- too funny- we have only been in school for three weeks!). Later that evening I find out the real message, which was, “The house has never flooded but has come close. You should probably move electronics just to be safe.” It was the telephone game in real life.

The night consisted of happy hour at White Rice with teachers from all three international schools- American Chinese food to follow. It was a great end to an eventful week. I have many papers to grade, but would rather write. That’s all for now.

Reflections so far:

1. When did I get so old? I have not gone out to see the nightlife yet. My roommate keeps asking, but it does not sound inviting quite yet. Soon perhaps- I love hearing her stories. Bodyguards in the local clubs surrounding them, walking and just happening upon hot spot- things that would have been second nature in my twenties.

2. Attitude is everything! For years I have said this as my students leave my room and these three weeks have really put that to the test. I loved being stranded at the airport in Beijing because of the people I met; I love the rain even though there are cautionary tales that go along with it and I love not knowing what will happen next. I will continue to have the attitude that life is an adventure as long as one has the right attitude.

3. Are you having fun yet? As the golf cart drove me home today, my friend Diane yelled this at me as she waited for them to drop me off and come get her. Fun is a relative term. Yes, I am having fun.

4. This is a great time to be in this country. Being part of a country that is emerging into democracy and teaching the young children who will seek a higher education and then come back to lead is humbling. Each new person I meet and ask why they are here, reminds me of that. We got a new teacher two days ago and he reminded me of that. Each novel I read with the kids and each thematic discussion always comes around to this powerful time in their nation. I am blessed to be part of it.

5. We never stop learning. Everyday I am learning something new. Kind of ironic since I ma here to teach. Such is life- the mysteries never stop as long as one has eyes willing to see the lessons this life has to teach.

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