It was 30th of June 2005 when the plane landed in Bangkok. I felt both excited and sad. I was excited because everything here was all new to me and sad because it was my first time to be away from my family and I was worried I wouldn’t be able to land a job here. As we get off the plane Thai flight attendants would wai to us and with big wide smiles on their faces they greeted us “Sawasdee Ka!”. True to its name, Thailand is really a land of smiles. In that moment I felt how warm and friendly Thais are. I spent my first week in Thailand traveling around Bangkok. I visited many temples and admired every temple’s architectural designs. They’re all unique and amazing!
My first teaching job in Thailand was in Bangkok. I worked in Kumon in Central Lat Phrao. The salary wasn’t what I expected but I had to accept the job as my pocket money was running out. Kumon is a tutorial center which focuses on subjects like Math and English. In here I was exposed to all levels of students. Starting from as young as 3 years old who had just started learning to utter their first English words to as old as 45 years old who thought it wasn’t too late for them to learn the language. This center was a good training ground for me to hone my teaching skills and my ability to be able to reach out to Thai students who dreaded English. I was then enjoying my job in Bangkok even with a salary that was just enough to cover for all my basic needs when I got a call from Uttaradit School offering me a job. It wasn’t that easy to leave Kumon because I wouldn’t just be leaving a job behind but what saddened me the most was leaving those students who had just started to like “English” as well as their parents who still thought that I am Thai.
I started working for Uttaradit School in April 2006. All the teachers and students made me feel that I was welcome. My co teachers were all very helpful and accommodating. They would even go beyond their way just to extend help whenever I needed one. I got countless lifts going home, free meal, free tour around the city and nearby provinces and also they would even extend financial help and moral support when needed. During the first few months of teaching in this school, I lost count of how many students had run away from me feeling so shy to greet and talk to me in English. Some would even take a different path afraid I’d stop them for a few minutes chat. But as time passed by, I felt so happy how the students have changed. Students now will most likely say, “hi” and “hello”. Some who are braver and confident in their English would stop me and start a small talk, even if it’s just a pattern like “Hi. Hello. How are you? Fine, Thank you and you?”. I felt somehow I had accomplished something when I hear my students try to speak English with me even if they’re just simple and short phrases.
It was in Thailand when I first met my husband. No, he’s not Thai. He’s Canadian. I met him on line.It was also here in Thailand where we got married. We had a beautiful wedding in Chiangmai. Our wedding coordinator did a really good job to give us a wedding to remember for the rest of our lives. It was somewhat different from the ones we had back home. It had a touch of Thai custom. We floated nine (9) fire balloons (Kom Loy). They said as we float these - all our problems, sorrows and bad luck will fly away with them. They also said that 9 is a lucky number for Thais and that floating 9 fire balloons would bring us, the new couple, abundant blessings and good luck.
Next year, I will be moving to Canada to be with my husband. Leaving Thailand would be as hard as leaving home because I had learned how to love it as my own. I had learned how to adapt and embrace its culture and traditions. I even had acquired and mastered the art of bargaining and haggling for price the same way as Thais do when they go shopping. I even look like a Thai with my black hair, skin tone and facial features. I also love Thai food. My husband and I are addicted to sticky rice (Kao Niaw) and pork with basil (Pad Ga Krapao Moo). In fact he asked me to learn how tocook Thai food before I go to Canada. And like Thai people, I also think Song Kran is the most fun filled holiday here. It is fun playing water and getting wet with people who have their water guns and big hose of water ready to splash water on you as you pass by. Oh! I will miss everything in Thailand when I leave. But for sure all the experiences I have had here as well as all the people I have met will always remain in my heart forever. All these would make me want to come back again to the place I called…….my second home!
