Apartment Pics!

Here are some pictures of the apartments where I'll most likely be living in Bangkok, which are right next to the school.

This is the building. The ground floor is shops.

View from the building looking out from the front hall/balcony. The white building on the left is front of the school.

Example living area of a studio apartment

Example kitchen from a studio apartment. Stove, but no oven (have to get a toaster oven)

Something More

I've been watching a fair amount of "The West Wing" lately and have been finding myself drawn to something in the characters that I couldn't quite put my finger on at first. How could a television show make a job working 18 hours a day in politics and public policy look appealing? How could they manage to make it look fun? And then I realized what it was about these characters' lives that was appealing: they are working, giving all they have, for a cause that they believe in, a cause that one of them describes as "the real deal".

It made me realize what is so appealing about serving as a missionary teacher in Thailand- that I'll be a part of a team, working together, striving together for a cause we believe in, something more than a cause in fact, but the real deal. One of the things I loved about teaching at BAICA was the sense of family among the staff. Were staff relationships perfect? No- de ninguna manera. But, there was a sense there that I don't get in any other school or job, a sense that we are striving together for something that is worth something. And I am looking forward to that sense of community and family and purpose in Thailand.

In "The West Wing", they are not, obviously, working for what is true and lasting, no matter how noble the effort is. How much greater is it when the cause and ideal that we are putting our time into is the very one that lasts forever.

To be bored, therefore, does not mean that we have nothing to do, but that we question the value of the things we are so busy doing. The great paradox of our time is that many of us are busy and bored at the same time. While running from one event to the next, we wonder in our innermost selves if anything is really happening. While we can hardly keep up with our many tasks and obligations, we are not so sure that it would make any difference if we did nothing at all. While people keep pushing us in all directions, we doubt if anyone really cares. In short, while our lives are full, we feel unfulfilled... Henry Nouwen

Still winter

According to Michiganders, it is "warming up" outside. But when I look outside, all I see is a Buenos Aires winter. It's 40F, maybe, and raining. Now, I'm not saying that it's not better than the single digit temps we were having, I'm just saying that in my book it's still winter. And boo on winter. Plus, they're predicting snow this week, so let's not get carried away.

Tomorrow I should be starting my next long term sub job teaching math. It will be at the same middle school as the last job, and I'm really glad about that. I was there yesterday, in for someone else, and got to sit and eat lunch with people I actually knew, who know me and include me in the conversation. As a sub, this is big, and makes such a difference in my day.

I'm continuing my Thai classes once per week and actually feel like I can say a few things now. My processing time is really slow so I don't think I'd be able to say much in real life, but I'm making progress at least. Yesterday I learned how to tell time. They don't use the 12 hour clock or the 24 hour clock in Thailand. They have a special system, which luckily has a few spots that utilize the 12 hour clock and has a few other patterns imbedded in them. What I've discovered is that if I can find I pattern, I can learn anything.

That's about all for life around here. One of these days spring will actually come!!