Cheese and Beer?

Aua,  Aey, Aem, Oei, Uning, Endoo.

You've got that right?? Ok here are some more names.

Fah, Fon, Fifa, Toomtam, Tonlew, Chatchai, Kaohom, Matmee, Numchoke,  Pangpond, Pingpong, PP, Plub, Pim, Peem, Phing, Pream, Preaw, Poom, Boom, Bam, Dong, Lookpla, Yok, Yam.

You'll remember those right? Along with the other 30 on your class list.

Then there's the Fah 1 and Fah 2 or the students that change their name throughout the semester.

Or some more fun names:  Bonus, Best, Title, Nice, Proud. Often the kids with these names are the worst in class.

Or the cute Primary girls named Ant, Fame, Cheer, Angel, and Cream.

Or some other favorites:   Cheese, Mammoth, Beer, Ikque, Porn, Ice, Auckland.  


I kid you not these are names of real children called by their teachers and families alike.  There are the western names thrown into the mix: Andrew, Annie, Peter, Max,  but those students are a minority, maybe 4 out of a class of 30.

Culturally children are given a nickname at a young age, spelled in English like the ones I listed. They also have their full Thai name which is written for final tests, school and governmental paperwork.  But on a day to day basis they are called Cheese or PP.

At first the nicknames were overwhelming, especially with the number of students I was teaching and only two hours a week.  Now although I still get a good laugh, it's just the norm for me.  I can remember every name of my 100 Primary students on a good day.  I still can't say a few, or don't say it in a way that the students responds too, but they are just the kids names now.

Which are your favorite nicknames? Or teachers in Thailand what awesome names should be added??

Teaching Tiny Ones

It's reached the midterm point of the semester, and now a few weeks past the midterm point because I've taken so long to post.  I've enjoyed teaching Primary 1 and 3 students (1st and 3rd grade).  What I love most is the student joy and excitement.  They are always excited to see you, a rare few aside, and they are almost always enthusiastic to learn, especially Primary 1 students.  They can certainly be exhausting, and even the simplest tasks can take an hour to do, but their smiles still brighten my day.

I've been asked to share some pictures and I must say my kiddos are pretty darn cute.  The pictures are from Wai Kru Day where students say thank you to teachers.

And to keep you entertained here are some of the many faces of a P 1 student. 

Venturing through Vietnam

It's been awhile since I've finished my two months of travel in Southeast Asia and I still never caught up on those blogs.  Sorry that might not actually happen, but I'll post some more pictures and stories here and there.

Some of my favorite places in Vietnam. I truly cannot get over the views from the Sapa hill tribes in northern Vietnam.

My Lovely host 

Phong Nha National Park.

Caves!

 

And backpacker motorcycle gangs

Hoi An the beautiful historic city of lanterns.

Dalat Pretty city prettier mountains and waterfalls. 

Cayoning

 Hoi Van Pass a beautiful motorbike ride!!

Fishing Villages outside Mui Ne, the morning routine.

Hanoi the capital on first glance I was unimpressed, but in a second visit it grew on me greatly.

A rice soup, my favorite street food!

The only two stops in Vietnam I didn't mention where Ho Chi Mihn City, too many people, too much traffic, but still cool.  And Hue where I only spent one day, so I can't truly judge.

I really loved my time in Vietnam, and found it welcoming, easy to travel through and absolutely beautiful.