On Goodbyes (Part I)

Who would've thought that I have been in the Land of Smiles, Thailand, for almost two years now? Who would've thought that I, together with the teachers in my batch two years ago, braved a court case that would've sent us either in jail or be banished from this beautiful country for something that we can never be accused of being guilty - something which our school brought upon us (but I don't want to get into the details now)? Who would've thought that I have met a kaleidoscope of individuals - all beautiful inside out, go to myriad of places, and knew for myself what it really meant to be independent? Most of all, who would've thought that saying goodbye would be this difficult when I have been looking forward to this week, to the last day of school? Indeed, the mind cannot always control what the heart feels. I have always been a thinking person - it has most often than not, mind over matter for me. But I cannot stop myself from succumbing to pangs of 'pain' when I think about saying goodbye to the wonderful students that were entrusted to me over the past two years. I cannot stop myself from being teary-eyed when I think about saying goodbye to these wonderful souls: my students, my friends, my colleagues, my Thailand.

This is my reality, though. For as long as I remain to be an international school teacher and for as long as the desire and the challenge to face new challenges in a new place, in a new culture, still remains in me, I am bound to say goodbye time and again. I just hope that I will not become a pro at it because I want to, I need to, savor this feeling - no matter how powerless it may make me feel.

I'll be saying goodbye to my Chemistry classes - a mix of sophomores, juniors, and seniors. They are a web of interesting individuals, all with the potential to make a change in their communities.

I'll be saying goodbye to my AP Chemistry class - students that I've had for two years and who I know will make a difference not only in their lives but in others, as well.

I'll be saying goodbye to my favorite freshmen - they always make my day although I almost always do not tell them this. I have always been looking forward to my class with them - they are such a talented, and good-natured bunch. I just hope that, and this is true for the rest of the TCIS student body, nationality will not keep them from making meaningful friendships, meaningful relationships.

I will be saying goodbye to my friends who have made life more meaningful and colorful these past two years.

Best of all, I will be saying goodbye to Thailand where most weekends I can just abandon maps (only to a certain extent) and give in to the excitement that adventure brings. I will make sure that I will have the same weekend moments in Ningbo, China where I will be for the next three years.

For now though, I am savoring at the same time hating saying goodbye.




Ave Maria!

100-year Old Market

I have always been wanting to go to Samut Prakarn's 100-year old market, one of the must-see places in Thailand. I finally was able to do so this Saturday afternoon and I invited Ruby, a friend and a colleague, to come with me. I know I should have prepared more than writing the name of the market and its address but being in Thailand for almost two years now made me a little bit careless since I almost always got to destinations of interest with my map or simply asking directions from Thai teacher assistants in school or from colleagues who may have visited the places that I am interested in. We got lost - sort of - and here's the story. Ruby and I hailed a taxi right out of Parkland and the driver (as most Thai drivers go) just 'sort of' nodded when we told him of our destination. He started speaking in Thai, though, and no amount of "No pasa Thai" (I don't speak Thai) can stop him. So we finally made him stop but only after he had made the U-turn going to the Nation Tower side. We called Ruby's Saturday helper, Aum, and asked help from her. It turned out that the taxi driver really did not know where we wanted to go so we alighted from his taxi (after paying 45 baht). We hailed another taxi but the taxi driver cannot figure out where we want to go even though I showed him the market's name and address in my iPhone ( I know, I should've included how it is written in Thai, too) so we hailed another. We told him where we wanted to go and he radioed his 'homebase' and asked for help but it is still apparent that he's not able to figure out where we were really headed. So I called Kay, our librarian and asked her for Khun Rung's mobile number. Rung, a Thai, is the library assistant and have brought Kay to the 100-year old market sometime early last year. I called Rung but there was no answer in two attempts so I just sent her a message. We are, by the way, nearing Chang Erawan now and finally Aum called Ruby and asked to speak with the driver. After they chatted, the driver finally 'knew' where we wanted to go. About 30 minutes later, we arrived in this big complex with many structures and a stupa that is still under construction. Both royal and Thai flags adorned the small bridge leading to these structures. Little did we know that the driver took us to Bang Phli Market not the 100-year old market. We knew because he spoke with a motorcy driver and I think asked if this is the 100-year old market. Apparently it isn't and he tried to tell us that it's still very far from where we are and that he will take us there but not on meter. Ruby and I of course alighted in no time after we paid him. In Thailand, never go on a taxi without the meter turned on. This is also true in my country too, the Philippines. Anyway, since we were in the Bang Phli market, we explored it and stayed there for around 30 minutes. We then hailed another taxi and asked to be brought to the 100-year old market. And thankfully this time, Khun Rung was able to answer my call, chatted with the driver, and after around 32 kilometres, we finally arrived in the 100-year old market. I love the market although not too many shops were open and not too many shoppers were around since it was almost 4:00 P.M. when we got there. Many items on sale are found in Chatuchak or just about any market but what struck me the most is that a lot of old people were manning the shops - it really IS an 'old' market. And of course, another thing of interest is the food. One will never be disappointed with the food that are on sale in a Thai local market. I love the experience though, I'm never one to easily get frustrated with a few surprises. :) By the way, after some communication through actions with the driver, we were able to ask him to stay and wait for us while we explore the market. We did this since getting a taxi back to Bangna-trat is very difficult.

Below are some pictures of both markets.

Nakhon Pathom

Nang Panyang and Ate Jane in the Land of Smiles

Nang Panyang and Ate Jane finally came to visit me in Bangkok! They are from HongKong and have been working there for well over 2 decades. They were very gracious to me when I went to Hongkong during September of last year that is why their coming here made me happy as I can repay, to some extent, their generosity. Nang Panyang and my family went back a long way. She took care of me for a very short time when I was still a toddler and the bond that she had with our family was not broken with her leaving. She went to HongKong almost 2 decades ago to try her luck and she was blessed to meet Ate Jane, a fellow Cebuana, who worked in a bank, and who is married to a Hongkongnese. They are a good combination of two generations and I learned a lot from them.

Here are some of the photos I took of them and a link to my Facebook album documenting their visit can be found after the last photo. Enjoy!

caught in river taxi traffic at Damnoen Saduak Floating Market

about to have our breakfast of bami nam moo (pork noodles) - YUM!

on our way to Damnoen Saduak Floating Market on a river taxi

wacky poses - Wat Arun in the background

Ate Jane in Wat Arun

Nang Panyang with two of the 'guards' in the Wat Pho complex

Ate Jane putting in her 20 baht in exchange for a bowl of coins for merit-making

Nang Panyang with the Leaning Buddha in the background

Here's the link to my Facebook album:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=199616&id=743294883&op=6

Ave Maria!

Aunties in the Land of Smiles

My aunties, Nini (Sally) and Alma (Amy) finally found time in their busy schedule to come and visit me in Thailand. They stayed with me for 6 days, 10-16 April 2010, and I had fun touring them in and out of Bangkok. It was a timely visit as I am on my one week Spring/Songkran (Thai New Year) break that's why I was able to take them to places. However, it was also an untimely one since Thailand was, still is as of this writing, in a political turmoil. In fact, the first day of their visit, 10 April 2010, will forever be marked in Thai history as the day when a bloody crackdown on the Red Shirt protesters resulted in 21 deaths and hundreds injured. It sure was challenging to think of routes that will not let us come face-to-face with the protesters. But then again, their visit was a fun and memorable one. It was Auntie Amy's second visit to Thailand while it was Auntie Nini's first. (I always find it interesting that they get to go to European countries first before visiting an Asian country but maybe the opportunity did not present itself then.)

I took them to boat rides along the Chao Phraya River, to temples especially to my favorite temple, Wat Arun, to Bangkok's big shopping malls, to Koh Kret - a man-made island housing Thailand's original settlers, the Mon people, and we even went to an authentic jewelry store where both of them got good value for their money (I think).

Here are some of the pictures of the places I took them to. More are found on the Facebook photo album links that are posted below the photos. And oh, Auntie Nini celebrated her birthday here, too! It was her first birthday celebration overseas and we had fun! :) Enjoy the photos!

inside the Hall of the Erawan Shrine and Museum

majestic staircase of the Erawan Shrine and Museum

inside the Erawan Shrine and Museum complex with Airavata, the mythical 3-headed elephant in the background

taking a respite from the sun behind the sunken pagoda in Koh Kret

We all agree with what is written on the piece of wood - we are all travellers, everything will pass.

in Koh Kret island with a big Buddha statue in the background

with a very gracious Mon merchant

inside Wat Traimitr in Chinatown

entrance to Chinatown

inside the Grand Palace

Grand Palace grounds

outside Holy Redeemer Church in Soi Ruamrudee

Auntie Nini's birthday lunch at Prestige Hot Pot in Central Bangna

inside Holy Infant Jesus Church in Bangna-trad

Auntie Nini and the produce that we bought after our morning walk on her birthday to King Rama IX park

inside King Rama IX Royal Park and Botanical Garden

Wat Arun

merit-making inside Wat Pho, Temple of the Reclining Buddha

inside Wat Pho with the statue of the leaning Buddha behind them

outside the Si Lom MRT Station with Red Shirt protesters (UDD) behind them

Here are the links to the Facebook albums I put up to document their visit.

1) http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=202717&id=743294883

2) http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=202938&id=743294883

3) http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=203312&id=743294883

4) http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=203354&id=743294883

5) http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=203382&id=743294883

(Either click on each link or copy and paste each address to your web browser. Enjoy!)

Ave Maria!

Crazy Two Weeks (that are now done and over with)

Whew! The last two weeks may have been the craziest two weeks I've ever had! Imagine heading for school at 6:00 am from M-F (sometimes even at 5:50) and going home at around 5:45 pm? I have to ditch the van that the school provided since it leaves at 6:30 in the am and leaves school at 3:45 in the afternoon. There's just so much to do but I am thankful for it gave me my passion back - really! And oh, I said no to one job offer and said yes to another. So if the paperwork pushes through (local authorities need to approve my job appointment even if it is still in an international school), I'll be in PRC hopefully come August 2010). I am excited but I will elaborate on this later once I know for sure that I get my letter of invitation from the local authorities.

Missing my students is becoming more of a reality now that the school year is winding down. I always suck at goodbyes - always.

Bangkok and the 'Reds'

I am expecting friends from Hong Kong this weekend. I am supposed to tour them around downtown Bangkok, the wats, the klongs, and the what-have-yous. This Saturday's big 'Red' rally (Thailand's UDD political group) may put a big dent on our plans especially since one of the targeted areas is Samut Prakarn, that's where my place is. Will we have to brush shoulders with the 'Reds' this Saturday and Sunday just so we can go around Bangkok? There are a lot of areas to visit though, those that are away from the targeted rally areas but as of now, I am quite tired to think of options - and I am getting tired of the 'Reds'. I understand though that holding these rallies is still within their constitutional rights especially since they were able to hold 'peaceful' rallies recently. What I really wanna say is, "Can we PLEASE get on with it? Move on?!?!"

Hmmmmm….

(This blog appears in my Friendster blog, tabula rasa undone ... my not so explored passion, more than two years ago.)

26 January 2007

Hmmmmm….

Filed under: justaboutanything — cristyjones @ 7:55 pm

Here I am again … procrastinating… Oh yeah!

I’ve got tons of work to do but somehow I can’t overcome the lure of the net and the smooth feel of the touch pad (toink!!!)

My mind just can’t click with Gradequick…

My body just can’t say no to a hobby (which I’m trying so hard NOT to make into a hobby)

Surfing… and surfing… and surfing…

Through the electronic waves… through air packets… through 0 and 1… 0 and 1… 0 and 1…

And I don’t know where this is going so I better end

Lest you might think of me as a no-good quest.

Hehehehe

Funny....

(This blog appears in my Friendster blog, tabula rasa undone ... my not so explored passion, more than two years ago.)

21 April 2007

Funny….

Filed under: justaboutanything — cristyjones @ 8:34 pm

I came across the lines of a song that goes something like this, "When the ones you shared your memories with don’t even remember your birthday….", it got me into thinking. Why? I went through this…once. And I’m still struck with something like pain deep in my gut even if it happened many months ago. I guess there’s just no replacing one’s closest friend - one’s bestfriend. I can also relate with yet another line of a song, "You don’t miss the water ’til the well runs dry…" Sure, that line is easy to understand but it’s got more meaning to me now. Whew! LIFE. And what’s even more inspiring is that I’d go through the same experience again - now I know I can. Sure, my life went akimbo once but I know that I’m good at surviving in limbo and I have just proven that to myself. LIFE is indeed beautiful … especially if we do not forget to bring our sunscreen! hehehehehe. Gotcha!!!

The Sorcerer

(This blog appears in my Friendster blog, tabula rasa undone ... my not so explored passion, more than two years ago. This was written at a time when I thought I understood about relationships and their endings but it turned out that I still had some bitterness in me so I just had to let it out. When I look back now, those were really good experiences: the relationship and everything that happened after. I can no longer remember most of the emotions that led me to write the words below, though. What I do remember is there is a huge time gap between my writing this and the time I posted this first in my Friendster blog.)

1 June 2007

The Sorcerer

Filed under: justaboutanything — cristyjones @ 7:09 pm

Thoughts of her never calmed me

I have always been uneasy

When I learned about her

Something’s just not right

It didn’t click right

And true enough things

Started their downhill ride

And you turned to her

Things were becoming bleak

For me as each day passes

Until I lost you – though not totally – yet

Still she continues to wield her power

Widening the chasm between us

And then she used her best potion – friendship

She cons me into admitting

That times with you were the best

And she used this knowledge

To permanently pull us apart

Yet despite her charm, despite her subtle ways

I managed to look through to her

And I saw that her purpose

Is to wreak havoc

To our lives

And leaves us to pick up the pieces

But I can’t – not totally

Because she left me with a curse

She took you away from me…

Forever…

And still you believe her…

The sorcerer…

Wimbledon 2007

(This blog appears in my Friendster blog, tabula rasa undone ... my not so explored passion, more than two years ago.)

6 July 2007

Wimbledon 2007

Filed under: Justine and tennis — cristyjones @ 8:17 pm

I was ready to delete a name in my Wimbledon homepage, I wasn’t paying that much attention after 10 minutes into the game, I was so sure of the outcome - only to be proven otherwise.

The first set was played the way it ought to be played. Magnificent one-handed backhand passes, beautiful ground strokes, fantastic footwork, superb drop shots. All these from the world number one. And then a see-saw of a second set which I should have known had the makings of a comeback. And now I know why: Pierce Brosnan - 007. Marion Bartoli of France, world number 18, caught a glimpse of him cheering for her in the stands and she continued making her comeback all through the third set. The result? The greatest shock of the tournament: Justine Henin, my player, world number one, the crowd’s favorite to win, the people’s (and the papers’) best bet to hoist that Wimbledon trophy this year, bundled out of Wimbledon 2007. How unbelievable can that be? Oh Pierce, you should have ducked!!!

A really exciting fortnight of tennis it has been. Although I was just following the proceedings online but this is the first time that I would go to sleep at 3 or 4 in the morning just to finish watching Justine’s match for the day (merci to www.channelsurfing.net). Thank God it’s still summer break for me, huh?

In the end, the better player on the court during the Wimbledon 2007 Ladies Singles Semi-Finals won. That’s tennis. That’s sports. That’s life. It drove home an obvious point to me: never write off an underdog because underdogs have nothing to lose.

So, at the end of an exciting two weeks for me – I am happy. Oh, how can that be when my player just got trounced out of a grand slam by an underdog? Because the underdog - Marion - produced her best tennis and deserved to win. Does that mean that I would lose interest in the finals now? Honestly, yes. And no one can blame me. It would have been thrilling to see Justine and Venus fight in the finals: one diminutive and feisty, the other all about power; one mentally and physically tough, the other hampered by injuries. And that’s Justine – Venus, a’ight?

I eventually deleted Marion’s name in my Wimbledon homepage along with Serena’s. I changed it for Roger, Rafa, Richard, and the oh so guapo Novak. Of course, Justine is there – she occupies the first box as always. Exciting fortnight of tennis, huh? You bet! And what happens to the ladies’ world number one now? She’ll continue her reign as world number one. She’ll go home, feel bad for a few days, and be back all fresh and play her matches en route to the US Open. Don’t forget that during all these, she’ll be surrounded by her supporters and family whom she just recently reunited with after her marriage breakup and the accident of her elder brother. Full of drama? You bet!

Whew! The wettest Wimbledon tournament so far – the famous English summer weather really had a kick! And oh, the final score?

Justine Henin (1) BELGIUM 6 5 1

Marion Bartoli (18) FRANCE 1 7 6

How elusive can the Venus Rosewater Dish be for Justine? It’s proven to be very elusive indeed. Wimbledon – the only grand slam that she needs to complete her collection of grand slam trophies and join the elite in women’s tennis when it comes to winning grand slams.

But in a way, she won her “special” Wimbledon. In the quarter finals against the second best grass court player: Serena Williams, something only Justine can do.

In conclusion, Wimbledon 2007 was an unforgettable achievement for the greatest grass court player in the world, Justine Henin.

Wimbledon 2008 just might be THE year. And who knows this time, I’ll make it?

Allez Justine! Tu es mon heroine.

(Check Justine’s website at www.justine-henin.be and you’ll know why she’s not only the best on court but off-court as well.)

Wimbledon - one last time

(This blog appears in my Friendster blog, tabula rasa undone ... my not so explored passion, more than two years ago.)

Wimbledon - one last time

Filed under: Justine and tennis — cristyjones @ 12:55 am

I take back the words that I said - at least some of them. It came out that I was still a little bit interested in the final results. Here it is: Venus Williams defeated Marion Bartoli to claim her fourth Wimbledon trophy: her namesake - the Venus Rosewater Dish. And (still) to be fair to Marion (which I know I’m very good at considering everything…) she still showed her good moves, she dug in especially in the 2nd round. And as for Venus, well, she is a grass court player - no doubt about that. In fact, I think that her current position in the WTA rankings is a fake because the rankings aside, she is still in the top five. But oh well, there are rules and rules, so…

The men’s finals this year was a repeat of last year’s. But the similarity ends there. Why? Man oh man, Rafa gave King Roger a hell of a shock all the way to the fifth set! Whew! But Roger proved his being an all-around tennis player. Furthermore, he concretized an important point: centre court at Wimbledon is indeed his home - no matter what Jonas Bjorkman may have to say on that matter. And, he equaled Bjorn Borg’s Wimbledon record - winning it for 5 straight years. Not to worry for Rafa, though. He’ll hoist that Wimbledon trophy some time in the coming years.

As for the doubles, the Bryan brothers were denied winning the men’s doubles for two consecutive years - it’s the year of the French, that’s why. And oh, something’s brewing in the mixed doubles; something good and definitely one to look forward to especially in the next grand slam, the US Open, and that is the unusual pair of Jamie Murray and Jelena Jankovic who, despite teaming up for the first time, got ahold of this year’s mixed doubles trophy. And the chemistry between the two was just too obvious. Hmmmmm,….

And talking about chemistry, that’s what I teach but I’m a ROARING (sic) supporter of tennis (especially to Justine Henin) since high school - thanks to my father (who I watch countless tennis matches on TV to the chagrin of my mother) and Michael Chang (who we’ll be hearing more of hopefully since he just came back to the pro-tennis circuit as a coach) and Marcelo Rios (whatever happened to him?).

Enough of Wimbledon for now, at least for this year. So what’s up now with tennis? Well, one more grand slam - the US Open - in August with Maria (G-R-U-N-T) Sharapova as the defending champion and the WTA championships near the end of this year and the fight for the numero uno position who happens to have Justine as the defending champion (to both). An in between are the US Open Series and other Tiers I, II and III events.

Allez Justine! Tu es mon heroine - always.

(Look out also for this up and coming Serbian player: Ana Ivanovic. She’s really good and all of 19. She’ll be in the same caliber as Justine - soon. I know so.)

gracious even in defeat