General News

Living overseas can be a little difficult sometimes. Mostly, it is exciting and fun, but when events or holidays happen at home, it can be a little trying. Fortunately for me, I live near a city big enough to cater to whims of foreigners such as myself. This year for Thanksgiving we went to The Duke’s – a popular foreigner spot (and therefore not a lot of “Thai style” like in my misleading post title). Every year, actually, they have Thanksgiving dinner. It’s a really nice spread that tastes close to home – as close as it possibly can I think. We had butternut squash soup, rolls, caesar salad, and then turkey with all the trimmings – stuffing, sweet potatoes, green beans, mashed potatoes, gravy, and a small dish of cranberries. After that we had a choice of apple or pumpkin pie and a cup of coffee. By the end I was pleasantly full – not stuffed – but I did still feel the afternoon effects of the turkey.

It was a really nice dinner and I felt so thankful to be able to enjoy God’s blessings in a familiar way, halfway around the world.

The other two volunteer teachers: Austin and Nathan

The delicious dinner

Dessert!

This is a very belated post – but hopefully everyone’s Thanksgiving was great! I am still feeling the effects of it, since it’s a good reminder to…BE THANKFUL!

>Living overseas can be a little difficult sometimes. Mostly, it is exciting and fun, but when events or holidays happen at home, it can be a little trying. Fortunately for me, I live near a city big enough to cater to whims of foreigners such as myself. This year for Thanksgiving we went to The Duke’s – a popular foreigner spot (and therefore not a lot of “Thai style” like in my misleading post title). Every year, actually, they have Thanksgiving dinner. It’s a really nice spread that tastes close to home – as close as it possibly can I think. We had butternut squash soup, rolls, caesar salad, and then turkey with all the trimmings – stuffing, sweet potatoes, green beans, mashed potatoes, gravy, and a small dish of cranberries. After that we had a choice of apple or pumpkin pie and a cup of coffee. By the end I was pleasantly full – not stuffed – but I did still feel the afternoon effects of the turkey.

It was a really nice dinner and I felt so thankful to be able to enjoy God’s blessings in a familiar way, halfway around the world.

The other two volunteer teachers: Austin and Nathan

The delicious dinner

Dessert!

This is a very belated post – but hopefully everyone’s Thanksgiving was great! I am still feeling the effects of it, since it’s a good reminder to…BE THANKFUL!

It’s been a few weeks of Lahu cultural events! (And, yes, an American cultural event as well, but that’s next post!)

A couple weeks ago I finally went to the village of one of my students. It was such a great opportunity since I told him a couple years ago that I would really try to make it there. Well, I finally did!

We left early in the morning, piling into the back of a pick-up truck that took us a couple hours to the north. The weather was beautiful and sitting back there seeing the mountains and crops pass us by was so beautiful. Thailand is truly a gorgeous place.

We arrived and had a wonderful breakfast (brunch?) and then went to the villages Thanksgiving service. There, several groups got up and sang a song or two, including some of the students, and then there was a message given in Lahu. It isn’t until I hear another language other than Thai that I feel like, oh I wish they would speak in Thai, then I would understand a little! I didn’t understand but got some translation later.

In an open area of the village tents were put up and people brought all different kinds of food. After eating we spent some time relaxing indoors – talking and eating snacks.

Samuey was our host, but I was able to see where another of my students lives, and a former student. It was a great opportunity to see where they are from and meet their families.

Before long, it was time to head back to Chiang Mai – another fun experience under my belt.

Posted by: Aj. Erika

>It’s been a few weeks of Lahu cultural events! (And, yes, an American cultural event as well, but that’s next post!)

A couple weeks ago I finally went to the village of one of my students. It was such a great opportunity since I told him a couple years ago that I would really try to make it there. Well, I finally did!

We left early in the morning, piling into the back of a pick-up truck that took us a couple hours to the north. The weather was beautiful and sitting back there seeing the mountains and crops pass us by was so beautiful. Thailand is truly a gorgeous place.

We arrived and had a wonderful breakfast (brunch?) and then went to the villages Thanksgiving service. There, several groups got up and sang a song or two, including some of the students, and then there was a message given in Lahu. It isn’t until I hear another language other than Thai that I feel like, oh I wish they would speak in Thai, then I would understand a little! I didn’t understand but got some translation later.

In an open area of the village tents were put up and people brought all different kinds of food. After eating we spent some time relaxing indoors – talking and eating snacks.

Samuey was our host, but I was able to see where another of my students lives, and a former student. It was a great opportunity to see where they are from and meet their families.

Before long, it was time to head back to Chiang Mai – another fun experience under my belt.

Posted by: Aj. Erika

Weddings are truly a cultural experience. Weddings in Thailand – at least those I have been too – are similar to religious ceremonies in the US in that the pastor reads through what is expected of each throughout the marriage. They also talk about it being a union that God instituted. (Of course, this is what I know from my students’ translations!). Also, friends of the bride and/or groom sing songs for them. The ceremony is generally really short, depending on the pastor and how long he will talk. They sign the document in front of everyone as witnesses and then the ceremony is over.

After the ceremony there is food! The whole village seems to help and they start cooking long before. They usually kill a pig and a bunch of chickens (I’m thankful for the latter!). They set up large tents and the guests sit and eat. After everyone has eaten the bride and groom go to the groom’s village to stay for a few days (I suppose when that is possible). In that village there is another feast.

One thing that has struck me at the four weddings I’ve been to is that the bride and groom are both very involved in getting everything ready. They often serve the guests food and help clean up. It’s a lot of work for them! (Not to say, of course, that their families and others in the village don’t put in a lot of time, too!) The couple looks very humble and serving throughout the whole thing. Somehow it seems less like the focus is on them that day than that their focus is on others that day. And serving and working together.

A couple weeks ago one of my former students got married. I went to the wedding with some of the other students here. It was a wonderful time. I was able to meet Surachai’s family and his new wife. And I was able to see more of Thailand. We went to the bride’s village first, and spent the night. Early the next morning at 8 they had the ceremony. We ate and then hopped in a truck for the drive to the groom’s village, which took about 2 hours. After eating again there, we came back to school.

The bride and groom are both Lahu* and are wearing traditional Lahu dress in the pictures below.

* The Lahu are an ethnic group found in many countries in Asia including China, Burma (Myanmar), Laos, Vietnam, and Thailand. In Thailand they are one of the six main hilltribe groups.
Wikipedia – Lahu people article