Still going well

Hey everyone,

I am at an internet cafe since the internet at Ban San Faan is currently going on and off and I generally get a few minutes to type before it goes off again. Anyway, I am now in my second month at Ban San Faan and still having fun. The kids started school again on Wednesday and I know have more tasks than before. I help Averil with English and Math classes and one day was put with the one Kindergartner, Abby, since she doesn't quite fit into the classes. This is a bit of a challenge since she has to be taught Thai and English and I cannot really teach Thai as I don't know it. I think that was probably only a one day thing, but only time will tell. I have been continuing to attempt to help Caleb learn English (the newest child), which is interesting. He seems to be picking up on the animals I am teaching him, but not on the alphabet.

Today, I went to a wedding for an Australian girl about my age and a Thai man-of the Karen hill tribe in Thailand. It was small and simple, but nice. There was a ceremony inside which was supposed to be outside, but due to rain had to be moved. The grooms family were all dressed in traditional Karen clothing, which consist of tunics for the men, and dresses for the women. I'll have to take a picture of this and post it. Most of the older Karen people do not speak Thai, but speak their own language. The younger people tend to learn Thai as well. It was kind of funny to hear the bride's parents say they didn't know exactly what was going on when we asked where the reception was (well in which building on the property)...it's funny to hear that other people too feel the go with the flow nature that must be present when visiting Thailand. Often things are unclear, so if you're not willing to be laid back about life in general, than you might have a hard time here-i just find it comical. The food at the wedding was good-sweet and sour chicken, vegetables, rice, pineapple, and of course wedding cake. It was a short affair-no dancing or alcohol as was present in all the other weddings that I have been too. It was a lot simpler than American weddings tend to be.

I hope all is well with the rest of you. John will be joining me here within the next 10 days, which is exciting. I will post more pictures as soon as the internet at BSF stops acting up.

Love,

Brittany