Hello
I'm not dead! I promise. If anyone is in contact with STEVEN WAYNE ATWELL, tell him we say hi!
Love misty, tiffany and mom
P.S. Send money dad....the shopping is good...lolz. Just joking.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Thursday, June 12, 2008
2nd and last Cambodia Visa Run Complete!!!
On Thursday Jodie and I took the day off from Mercy to complete our last and final visa run. The drive was much more manageable in the company of normal less talkative and annoying passengers. At the border we were of course bombarded by little children repeating “madam, madam” over and over in search of money. This time I came a little bit more prepared. I brought a long some of the little notebooks and pencils that I brought a long with me from Canada. Of course when I reached into my bag, a group of them swarmed me and as they snatched up the little notebook and pencils in seconds and ran off with them to avoid it being snatched up by another kid. One of the American passengers translated what the children were saying as they stood at the door of the van. They were saying “I will use the money for food, for real” and they said that over and over again.
This same passenger told us that he had been living in Thailand for 6 years and that he spent 3 days in a Thai detention centre because he was a victim of visa renewal scam at Khao San Road. At the time he was working as a teacher and he didn’t have time to do a visa run so he was advised to go to this place on Khao San Road that would give you a renewal stamp. He went believing it to be legit but later learned that it was not a proper stamp and so he was detained. At the time, an American President was visiting in regards to an OPEC summit and extra security measures were being taken at the borders. He was not the only victim, 8,000 other travelers were detained in the country during this period. Another traveler who he met while being detained ended up spending a 6 months in the Thai prison because of the same situation. He along 25 other farangs (non-thai) people sat and awaited their fate squashed together is a small room. It was a messy situation because he was being accused of fraud in what they claimed to be an attempt of replicating the border stamp. Of course this company was to blame but it took a couple of days along with a court hearing to prove his innocence. This happened in 2003 and he said that whole ordeal including court proceedings spanned a two year period. I know that if that was me, the moment I was released I would be on the next flight home. I was shocked hearing his testimony of the event along with the fact that he has continued to live here after the fact.
Anyways, off I go. Mom and Tiffany will be here in 36 hrssssssssss!!!!!!!!!!!!Sorry for spelling and grammar. I didn't get a chance to edit it.
Sending love from Thailand
Misty
This same passenger told us that he had been living in Thailand for 6 years and that he spent 3 days in a Thai detention centre because he was a victim of visa renewal scam at Khao San Road. At the time he was working as a teacher and he didn’t have time to do a visa run so he was advised to go to this place on Khao San Road that would give you a renewal stamp. He went believing it to be legit but later learned that it was not a proper stamp and so he was detained. At the time, an American President was visiting in regards to an OPEC summit and extra security measures were being taken at the borders. He was not the only victim, 8,000 other travelers were detained in the country during this period. Another traveler who he met while being detained ended up spending a 6 months in the Thai prison because of the same situation. He along 25 other farangs (non-thai) people sat and awaited their fate squashed together is a small room. It was a messy situation because he was being accused of fraud in what they claimed to be an attempt of replicating the border stamp. Of course this company was to blame but it took a couple of days along with a court hearing to prove his innocence. This happened in 2003 and he said that whole ordeal including court proceedings spanned a two year period. I know that if that was me, the moment I was released I would be on the next flight home. I was shocked hearing his testimony of the event along with the fact that he has continued to live here after the fact.
Anyways, off I go. Mom and Tiffany will be here in 36 hrssssssssss!!!!!!!!!!!!Sorry for spelling and grammar. I didn't get a chance to edit it.
Sending love from Thailand
Misty
Time for a recap
Heather our friend and fellow education student came arrived in Bangkok on Thursday evening. We didn’t meet up on Thursday because technical difficulties but made plans meet up with her on Friday. In the afternoon, we met up her and accompanied her via the sawgtaow (sp?) to Mercy for our final evening class. Both Jodie and I were testing our students for assessment on Friday but even so the class was eventful because we made plans to cook with them early next week. The girls are going to show us how to prepare some of our favorite Thai dishes and in return we are going to bake a cake along with some cookies for dessert. After class we took Heather around Mercy and introduced her to some of the children that she didn’t get a chance to meet during her first visit. When we arrived at Mercy 6, some of the little ones were participating in musical exercises. Of course we had to join them. Who wouldn’t want to shake you bum and do Macarena type dance moves with 4 and 5 year old children? A few minutes into Heather, Jodie and I had broken out in a sweat but we kept moving. Song after song, we kept dancing until we couldn’t do it anymore. The children seemed to enjoy our participation and it was a fun moment to share with the cuties in Mercy 6.
Next we grabbed a taxi and headed to Emporium and decided to stop and get a massage. I’m not a big fan of Thai massages, so I went for the more expensive oil massage. Probably paid to much for it but I got two free hot showers out of it so I can’t complain too much. I had the option of showering before and after the massage. Of course, I took full advantage.
After the massage we headed to Dubliners to meet Si Jie and her mom for her farewell dinner. We expected to see Lee Shamrock there but were sadly informed that he is on holiday in California for the next month. That meant that we would not be rocking out with him and his one man band. Cedric, the fellow Mercy volunteer joined us and we all hung out at our favourite pub together with Si Jie for the last time.
On Saturday, the three of us travelled to the Grand Palace and the Reclining Buddha. Jodie and I had been to the Reclining Buddha previously but the Grand Palace was an all new experience. Amongst the large crowds of tourist, we toured the grounds and sites.
Heather got a massage on the Reclining Buddha grounds. They have a massage therapy school there and it is quite a popular massage destination. Heather walked away as a very happy customer. Jodie and I waited and watched people come in and their reactions an hour later. We overheard two girls say that their massage was better than sex….haha. On our way to the Grand Palace a man attempted to scam us out of going to the palace. He tried to tell us that we weren’t dressed appropriately and that we woudn’t be able to go in because it Thai people were in there praying. He then tried to talk us into getting in a tuk tuk and touring other sites around the palace. We didn’t fall for it and ignored his request. We ventured over to the Grand Palace and successfully toured the grounds and sites.
In the evening, we headed over to Siam to watch Sex and the City. It was a perfect end to our girl’s day and we thoroughly enjoyed the movie. I laughed out loud a lot and was completely taken to another world while watching it.
Our goal was to take Heather on every means of transportation in Bangkok. During her time here we successfully got her on a sawgthoaw, bus, skytrain, boat and subway. The only two forms of transportation that we didn’t conquer were a tuk tuk and a motorcycle taxi.
On Sunday we woke up bright and early and went to the weekend market. After hours of shopping we stopped for lunch for an hour or so while it rained outside. In the afternoon we continued our shopping and then headed back to soi 40 to sent Si Jie off. We traveled in a Mercy van to the airport with Ning, a Kindergarten teacher, Si Jie and her mom. It was really sad to watch her say goodbye to the boys and the taff at soi 40. I sat in the van and my eyes welled up a little bit thinking that we would never see her at soi 40 again.
Last week I went to 7/11 alone in search of some chocolate for Jodie and I. This 7/11 had just recently opened and that day was the first day they had the hot dog grill was up and running. I walked and there were literally like 34 school aged children excitedly shopping for treats that I’m sure they had been saving for. I thought to myself “I have never seen so many people in a 7/11 ever”. I proceeded to find a mars bar for Jodie and a banana muffin for myself. There was a crowd by the cash so the cashier ushered me to the front. As I was paying, I felt a little hand grab my waist from the back. I turned around to find a little 4 year old boy with a big grin on his face. At first I didn’t recognize him but I responded by smiling back at him and laughing in my head. As I was leaving I remembered that he was a Mercy 6 child and that earlier in the week the boys were teasing and poking me while I had supper with them. The whole 7/11 experience made me laugh including the little poking me while I was inline. All the kids were so excited about this 7/11. They were so excited about buying ham slices and m&m’s, all of which they couldn’t find at their nearby street vendor.
On Monday we went took Heather to MBK and the Temple of Dawn. We ended the evening off with a special Swensons extravaganza. We ordered the fondue which includes 9 scoops of ice cream along with fruit and waffles. It was delicious but we were all filled to the brim and feeling a little sick after we finished it.
On Tuesday we were back to Mercy, teaching along with showing a new volunteer named EJ around. He is actually staying at soi 40 with us and has take over Si Jie’s room. He is a high school student originally from the Philippines. He has been living with his parents her in Thailand for the last 8 years and he attends Father Joe’s church at AIT.
Anyways, that’s all I can think to tell you right now. Our time here is quickly passing us by and in just a few days Mom and Tiffany will be here. I am so excited to show them around and spend time with them. I feel like it has been forever since I’ve seen them.
Off I go. We have laundry to do.
Sending love from Thailand,
Misty
Next we grabbed a taxi and headed to Emporium and decided to stop and get a massage. I’m not a big fan of Thai massages, so I went for the more expensive oil massage. Probably paid to much for it but I got two free hot showers out of it so I can’t complain too much. I had the option of showering before and after the massage. Of course, I took full advantage.
After the massage we headed to Dubliners to meet Si Jie and her mom for her farewell dinner. We expected to see Lee Shamrock there but were sadly informed that he is on holiday in California for the next month. That meant that we would not be rocking out with him and his one man band. Cedric, the fellow Mercy volunteer joined us and we all hung out at our favourite pub together with Si Jie for the last time.
On Saturday, the three of us travelled to the Grand Palace and the Reclining Buddha. Jodie and I had been to the Reclining Buddha previously but the Grand Palace was an all new experience. Amongst the large crowds of tourist, we toured the grounds and sites.
Heather got a massage on the Reclining Buddha grounds. They have a massage therapy school there and it is quite a popular massage destination. Heather walked away as a very happy customer. Jodie and I waited and watched people come in and their reactions an hour later. We overheard two girls say that their massage was better than sex….haha. On our way to the Grand Palace a man attempted to scam us out of going to the palace. He tried to tell us that we weren’t dressed appropriately and that we woudn’t be able to go in because it Thai people were in there praying. He then tried to talk us into getting in a tuk tuk and touring other sites around the palace. We didn’t fall for it and ignored his request. We ventured over to the Grand Palace and successfully toured the grounds and sites.
In the evening, we headed over to Siam to watch Sex and the City. It was a perfect end to our girl’s day and we thoroughly enjoyed the movie. I laughed out loud a lot and was completely taken to another world while watching it.
Our goal was to take Heather on every means of transportation in Bangkok. During her time here we successfully got her on a sawgthoaw, bus, skytrain, boat and subway. The only two forms of transportation that we didn’t conquer were a tuk tuk and a motorcycle taxi.
On Sunday we woke up bright and early and went to the weekend market. After hours of shopping we stopped for lunch for an hour or so while it rained outside. In the afternoon we continued our shopping and then headed back to soi 40 to sent Si Jie off. We traveled in a Mercy van to the airport with Ning, a Kindergarten teacher, Si Jie and her mom. It was really sad to watch her say goodbye to the boys and the taff at soi 40. I sat in the van and my eyes welled up a little bit thinking that we would never see her at soi 40 again.
Last week I went to 7/11 alone in search of some chocolate for Jodie and I. This 7/11 had just recently opened and that day was the first day they had the hot dog grill was up and running. I walked and there were literally like 34 school aged children excitedly shopping for treats that I’m sure they had been saving for. I thought to myself “I have never seen so many people in a 7/11 ever”. I proceeded to find a mars bar for Jodie and a banana muffin for myself. There was a crowd by the cash so the cashier ushered me to the front. As I was paying, I felt a little hand grab my waist from the back. I turned around to find a little 4 year old boy with a big grin on his face. At first I didn’t recognize him but I responded by smiling back at him and laughing in my head. As I was leaving I remembered that he was a Mercy 6 child and that earlier in the week the boys were teasing and poking me while I had supper with them. The whole 7/11 experience made me laugh including the little poking me while I was inline. All the kids were so excited about this 7/11. They were so excited about buying ham slices and m&m’s, all of which they couldn’t find at their nearby street vendor.
On Monday we went took Heather to MBK and the Temple of Dawn. We ended the evening off with a special Swensons extravaganza. We ordered the fondue which includes 9 scoops of ice cream along with fruit and waffles. It was delicious but we were all filled to the brim and feeling a little sick after we finished it.
On Tuesday we were back to Mercy, teaching along with showing a new volunteer named EJ around. He is actually staying at soi 40 with us and has take over Si Jie’s room. He is a high school student originally from the Philippines. He has been living with his parents her in Thailand for the last 8 years and he attends Father Joe’s church at AIT.
Anyways, that’s all I can think to tell you right now. Our time here is quickly passing us by and in just a few days Mom and Tiffany will be here. I am so excited to show them around and spend time with them. I feel like it has been forever since I’ve seen them.
Off I go. We have laundry to do.
Sending love from Thailand,
Misty
Thursday, June 5, 2008
One of many future trips to the airport
Driving back into Bangkok from the airport last night flooded me with memories of when Jodie and I first arrived in Thailand. This was Si Jie’s moms first time in Bangkok and she was seeing everything for the first time and she was staring out her window making comments on the smallest things. I was flooded with memories and feelings about how our time here is almost done and what a beautiful experience that it has been so far. Sometimes I get so use to being here that I forget to appreciate the unique culture that surrounds me. Being at the airport reminded me the Thailand adventure is finishing and that this chapter is on its final pages. The saddest part of saying goodbye is knowing that I will probably never see these people again and all I will have is treasured pictures and memories. There is a much more permanent conclusion to this chapter because of the distance and language challenges which makes it harder.
I have this feeling that returning to Canada will be emotionally straining. I can picture myself calling Jodie hours after I returned to chat and maybe cry with her. I can picture myself trying to replicate simple daily things that I experience here just to help me readjust. Of course I am excited to return home and reunite with loved ones but I am also dreading the loss of purpose that I foresee feeling when I return home. Everyday here is like a mystery waiting to be discovered. At home, everything is comfortable and predictable which is going to take time to get use to again.
I am incredibly grateful to have been given this opportunity. My experience is unique to me and my eyes and my heart have been opened up in a very meaningful way. I have come to share laughs, shed tears, celebrate and mourn with a group of amazing people here in Thailand.
All this emotion is spilling out and I still have a month left. Anyways, make sure you read Jodie’s blog today she had a really interesting conversation about slum life with her students in class and I only caught the last bit of it so I trust that you will read her blog to get the full account.
Sending love from Thailand,
Misty
I have this feeling that returning to Canada will be emotionally straining. I can picture myself calling Jodie hours after I returned to chat and maybe cry with her. I can picture myself trying to replicate simple daily things that I experience here just to help me readjust. Of course I am excited to return home and reunite with loved ones but I am also dreading the loss of purpose that I foresee feeling when I return home. Everyday here is like a mystery waiting to be discovered. At home, everything is comfortable and predictable which is going to take time to get use to again.
I am incredibly grateful to have been given this opportunity. My experience is unique to me and my eyes and my heart have been opened up in a very meaningful way. I have come to share laughs, shed tears, celebrate and mourn with a group of amazing people here in Thailand.
All this emotion is spilling out and I still have a month left. Anyways, make sure you read Jodie’s blog today she had a really interesting conversation about slum life with her students in class and I only caught the last bit of it so I trust that you will read her blog to get the full account.
Sending love from Thailand,
Misty
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Where are those girls?
Sorry that I haven’t blogged for while, so much and yet so little has been going on in our lives. We’ve been hanging out with friends who we will soon be saying goodbye which has distracted us from blogging. I do have some stories worth blogging about though. So here it goes….
One of our students who we haven’t seen in awhile returned to Mercy yesterday. Day stopped coming to our class because she wanted to get a job during the summer holiday to help her mom with the bills at home. I asked her about the job she had and she told me that she worked in a nearby mall making crepes at a food stand. I asked her how long she worked every day and she said that her day started at 8:00 and it ended at 9:00. Her daily income was 180 baht a day which is approximately 6 dollars Canadian. This job would be the equivalent to a mall or food court job at home but the her salary blew me away. The minimum wage per hour at home is higher than the daily wage for this young girl. Mind you I am not factoring the cost of living and food but you can imagine how impossible it would be to get ahead and save.
Another interesting fact that I was recently informed about was Thai yearly calendar. When our students date their work I noticed that they didn’t reference the current year as 2008. The Thai year is 543 years more than our yearly schedule. According to the Thai calendar, we are currently in the year of 2551 and we students date their paper they write. 06/04/51. I am still not sure the exact reason but I think it has something to do with the beginning of the Thai empire. I’m not sure though, so please don’t quote me. I will try to find the complete answer later.
Heather who is a fellow education student is returning to Bangkok this weekend. Last time she was here we spent the weekend in Ko Chang so we are excited to be given another opportunity to show her more of Thailand. Massages, temples and shopping are on the itinerary.
A few of the children in Mercy 6 have been sick lately. Whether it is a head ache or something more serious, seeing their little tired eyes always saddens me. Sometimes you forget that their little bodies are so weak and susceptible to illness because of AIDS effect on their body. For most of these children, their life expectancy will only reach late adolescents and early adulthood. There were moments this week when this reality really hit me and it saddened me.
Spicey also known as Si Chon is having an eye surgery early next week. Spicey has deteriorating eye sight and the doctors expect him to go completely blind. The surgery includes replacing some part of his eye. The details I’m not that sure of. This is all the information we received through the translation but all of you at home can be praying that the surgery will go successfully. I’m not sure if they are expected full visibility in the eye or if this will slow the blinding process. Either way, prayers would be greatly appreciated.
Sending love from Thailand,
Misty
“Only when we understand can we care. Only when we care will we help. Only if we help shall they be saved”
One of our students who we haven’t seen in awhile returned to Mercy yesterday. Day stopped coming to our class because she wanted to get a job during the summer holiday to help her mom with the bills at home. I asked her about the job she had and she told me that she worked in a nearby mall making crepes at a food stand. I asked her how long she worked every day and she said that her day started at 8:00 and it ended at 9:00. Her daily income was 180 baht a day which is approximately 6 dollars Canadian. This job would be the equivalent to a mall or food court job at home but the her salary blew me away. The minimum wage per hour at home is higher than the daily wage for this young girl. Mind you I am not factoring the cost of living and food but you can imagine how impossible it would be to get ahead and save.
Another interesting fact that I was recently informed about was Thai yearly calendar. When our students date their work I noticed that they didn’t reference the current year as 2008. The Thai year is 543 years more than our yearly schedule. According to the Thai calendar, we are currently in the year of 2551 and we students date their paper they write. 06/04/51. I am still not sure the exact reason but I think it has something to do with the beginning of the Thai empire. I’m not sure though, so please don’t quote me. I will try to find the complete answer later.
Heather who is a fellow education student is returning to Bangkok this weekend. Last time she was here we spent the weekend in Ko Chang so we are excited to be given another opportunity to show her more of Thailand. Massages, temples and shopping are on the itinerary.
A few of the children in Mercy 6 have been sick lately. Whether it is a head ache or something more serious, seeing their little tired eyes always saddens me. Sometimes you forget that their little bodies are so weak and susceptible to illness because of AIDS effect on their body. For most of these children, their life expectancy will only reach late adolescents and early adulthood. There were moments this week when this reality really hit me and it saddened me.
Spicey also known as Si Chon is having an eye surgery early next week. Spicey has deteriorating eye sight and the doctors expect him to go completely blind. The surgery includes replacing some part of his eye. The details I’m not that sure of. This is all the information we received through the translation but all of you at home can be praying that the surgery will go successfully. I’m not sure if they are expected full visibility in the eye or if this will slow the blinding process. Either way, prayers would be greatly appreciated.
Sending love from Thailand,
Misty
“Only when we understand can we care. Only when we care will we help. Only if we help shall they be saved”
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