The Mere English Camp

Me in action
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I did not go to school today since my Co-Teacher, Anne, invited me to go along to an english camp with her.  English camps are day long immersions in the english language.  The main english teacher of each school usually organizes them for their students; either at their school or an alternate location.

In this case, camp was held at a wildlife preserve for a "Mere" waterfowl.  It was a really beautiful place and quite peaceful.  There were 80 students and about 15 total teachers with about 6 of them speaking english.  With the day completely well organized, things ran like clock work.  Complete with an opening ceremony by the assoc director of the Trang region schools, there was an ice breaking session followed by 2 breakout sessions, lunch, and then 2 more break out sessions.  There were 4 stations and the kids were broken up into 20 students.  They rotated so that each group made it through the stations (break-out sessions).  Anne and I headed up station 3 where we talked about directions, left , right, straight, forward, etc....so that the students might possibly be able to give us Farangs dircetions around their town.  The students had a blast in our station as we ended it with a song that they had to create based on giving directions and attach to it some dance moves.  You should have seen some of the moves.

Students at camp
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It was a fun day overall.  The teachers were really nice, and yet again the subject was about Anne and I getting married.  I think the teachers from my primary school have been conspiring by calling these teachers and prompting them on the Anne/ Jeremy conversation.  It is really funny actually.  I had some pretty spicy food today, and all the teachers were completely amazed that I was eating it since some of them wouldn't even try it.  I have gotten pretty (well almost) numb to seriously spicy food.  Give me a handful of chili peppers for breakfast....well not that far.  The teachers said they have my approval to marry Anne since I can handle thai spicy food.

Wildlife preserve
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We ended camp and left around 4:30 and since it was about 2 miles from the mountain top restaurant that I was at yesterday, I made a suggestion and we headed up there for about 2 hours.  What an amazing view this place has.  Between the view and conversation we got lost.  Sitting there, Anne realized it was nearly 6:40 and she was supposed to tutor an english class at 7pm back in town....so off we headed.  She probably got there about 30 minutes late based on what she said today.  The students didn't care as they went across the street and shopped until class started.

preserve
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Today, I went back to school and had a pretty normal day this morning....until the afternoon rolled around.  I was set to leave around 12:30 like I do on most Thursdays but today was unlike any other and will most likely leave a scar for the rest of my life.  One teacher did not show up today and Anne was asked to watch the pre-school class for 2 hours.  Well, guess who got coerced into helping her - ME.  These kids are animals and I wanted to string every one of their little butts up on a coat hook.  We tried to do everything that we could to make them tired and want to take a nap.  It sort of worked, but before they crashed they were running around like banchees pinching butts, jumping on my back, anchoring on my leg, 6 of them holding my hand at a time, etc.  It was sheer craziness.....  If being a pre-school teacher was the last jump on earth, I still wouldn't take it.  It wasn't that bad really....or was it?

Calgon take me away.....and absent that, I headed downtown and had my first ever foot massage for 60 minutes...for $18 US.  This was the most amazing thing ever......and I fell asleep so I can't really give you any other details than that.

Tomorrow, Friday, is my day off and I probably will not do anything except hang out and get ready to leave for Phi Phi Islands on Saturday morning.  Jay, Heather and one other volunteer leave tomorrow morning to head back to world of reality.  I have one more week here until I head off to the Sanctuary Resort for a week long detox, cleanse, yoga and meditation.  It will be nice to end this trip that way so that I can process everything.

I will post another blog on Tuesday next week after I get back from Phi Phi Islands.  Have a good weekend!!