Week 8 and 9- I’m Backkkkk (heck I
have no idea what week I am on)
I feel like I am back from the
dead. I had a time of it with stomach
issues and feeling drained. The Thursday
before the beach I had a sore throat and what would be my normal allergy/cold
illness after school starts. So, I went
to the beach anyway and had a good time.
Tuesday, however, I wake up with a
fever and stomachache as well as the things that go along with that. I go to school, sit in on a meeting (dripping
with sweat, unable to contribute and on fire) and Sarah immediately gets me a
sub and a ride (the principal’s driver took me, waited and then drove me home)
to the SOS clinic. I have a bacterial
infection (after waiting for a blood test to rule out dengue “bleed out the eyeballs”
fever). No biggie- but I guess in a third
world country a bacterial infection is a big deal. So... I sleep for two days and then wake up
with a backache because the beds are so hard.
I had no Internet so I cannot even mindlessly surf the web and there is
nothing, I mean nothing on TV. I start
watching Wreck It Ralph and I am now
into it and what happens- the electricity goes out with five minutes left in
the movie! I do not know if the evil man was defeated and if the little girl
reaches her goal. Damn- I am a
complainer! I go back to work on
Thursday since I had no fever and since writing lesson plans is more of a
hassle than going to work. The kids are
so sweet. I wake up to an email message
from two of my favorite seniors from CHS, go to work and was given a teacher
appreciation gift of Coco Chanel perfume and am invited to a birthday party
(customary here for the kids to take everyone to a nice restaurant for their
birthday). I love it when you feel really crappy and then the day just gets
better and better.
And then it gets worse. I finally get Internet and realize that the
boys have been trying to get ahold of me.
I wait at home until Dylan is up and about 9:00 pm my time I am back to
no Internet. So I walk to the school. As
I arrive it is black- not a lights on all around. No electricity means no server, which means
no Internet. I sit outside on the steps
and start praying for a miracle. I am frantic because I do not like this
feeling. I am mom and if they need me they
should be able to get ahold of me. After
praying, I look up (genuinely thinking the lights will be on because God and I
have that kind of connection!) only to see more blackness. About that time Mark (our new internet guy)
walks around the corner- have I talked about what a “G” he is??) and I start
crying. Needless to say, he’s my miracle and I soon get to talk to both Josh
and Dylan. No emergencies- just wanting to talk- thank goodness. I truly believe that my request for friends
to pray for me and my “reminder” bowls are working!
So it is now Friday and I am starting
to feel human again. It is Myanmar food
day so all the staff and kids dress up in traditional clothing and at lunchtime
the gym is full of food from all around the area. One of my seniors lead me
around and tell me what to get and even though I made sure they gave me just
one little taste- it was too much after being sick. After school, we have a
student council movie night-which is really just a chance for the kids to hang
out after school and socialize. By the time I get home, my stomach is at it
again. But I refuse to let it stop
me. Saturday I am up and ready to find a
couch (with three days on my back it is so important now to never have that
discomfort again). So I shop, buy the
first couch I find (plus some “Ray Ban” sunglasses, some material and another
piece of lacquer ware) and I wonder where all my money is going! I go to the French Film festival and see Quartet directed by Dustin Hoffman- if
it is showing in the USA run to see it- loved it!!! However, too much, too soon, sick again. I miss the party Sunday and stay home and
sleep all day.
By Monday I am starving. Bananas, crackers and 7-Up was good for a
while but I need real food. No noodles, no rice, no curry! About seven others
join me and I am a happy camper. The week continues; I feel ok but not up to
par. Friday comes around and it is the
night we have reservations to tour the local brewery. Now I have been on some brewery tours, but
nothing like this. Basically, we tour
for about 10 minutes and drink for about four hours- FREE. By the end we are
doing karaoke and end with the chugging contest (what are we 18??). First five girls (ok-- if you insist--I'll do it) start. I think back to college days and yes! I still
have it. I win (do not know if I should brag about this but I do think I
surprised quite a few of the younger teachers- I felt like I won the lottery
(but really only got to take home a Myanmar glass mug- which, in reality,
wasn’t even a prize but asked for it anyway). The bus ride home was a
sing-a-long and then a stop at the local beer station for more (I know my
limits and went home).
Today is Saturday and I feel
fine. I need to grade, but have inked
out tomorrow for that, so I join my roommate and friends for a tour of the
alligator farm and nice French meal and a mani/pedi to end out the day- oh and
popcorn. Life is good.
Reflections So Far:
1.
It does not
matter how much technology a person has, nothing is better than knowing you can
pick up the phone and call. Nothing
better than holding those you love and giving them a big squeeze. I worry about my sister, and brother, my best
friend and children. I hear of friends
losing loved ones and do not like the fact that all I can do is post a Facebook
message. I am glad I will be home for
Christmas; I plan to get a lot of hugs and kisses into the few weeks I will be
there.
2.
I think I
understand why so many of the teachers who teach overseas like this continue to
do it. Basically, most of your needs are
taken care of by others (no cleaning, laundry, shopping) and on a teacher’s
salary one can live extremely well. A trip is around every corner and money can
be saved to buy a house where one wants to land in retirement.
3.
The other
day I told Sarah I did not think these kids needed me like the ones I am use to
teaching. She told me I needed to dig a
little deeper and that I might find out differently. So much of teaching is not just the academic part.
I think I miss being mom to the masses.
4.
In a third
world country, one cannot get too comfortable.
My friend Scott did what I am so afraid of doing- he looked up and fell
into God knows what- yes- one of those things I mentioned that occur around
here. Sidewalk, sidewalk, sidewalk, BAMB
missing sidewalk and kurplunk- whole body in hole. We nursed him but he ended
up going to the hospital in Bangkok- infected leg. One can never be too careful and I do not
care how “old ladyish” I look, I am going to continue looking down and being
careful.
5.
I found
good tweezers!! It’s the little things
in life that really matter.
The gym turned Myanmar food day event headquarters
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