"Kob khun ka" (thank you) Rotary International

Last Sunday we got together with our Rotary host counselors and the major leaders of Rotary (President Rattakul, VP Noraseth and Professor Saowalak). It was interesting to hear the history of Rotary in Thailand, feel the immense pride they have for their work, and talk about involvement in their communities. Pictured on the right is the president of Rotary in Thailand with my host counselor, Srifa.
The 3-month program in Thailand, which runs twice a year, started in 2005 and has graduated 166 people from over 47 countries. My cohort is the 9th class; the number nine, in Thailand, is preferred as the current king is the ninth to rule the Kingdom of Thailand.
On a side note, King Bumibol Adulyadej is revered and loved by ALL of the Thai people. There is absolutely no tolerance for those lacking respect or for “criticizing” the royal family; it is actually against the law!!! Stores, markets, offices and little shops often have a picture of the king as a sign of respect and of admiration for him. It is quite amazing to hear the Thai people talk about the king … their king!!

Here is my class - the ninth!!!!!

Pictured above in a beautiful orange-colored sari, Aarti, my classmate from India, (who incidentally is training to be an astronaut with NASA)gave my class this poem by Lao Tzu (570-490 B.C.) which signifies the reason why we are here to begin with … to find peace within our own hearts.

If there is to be peace in the world, there must be peace in the nations.
If there is to be peace in the nations, there must be peace in the cities.
If there is to be peace in the cities, there must be peace between neighbors.
If there is to be peace between neighbors, there must be peace in the home.
If there is to be peace in the home, there must be peace in the heart.

My new gym and school!!

So yesterday, I signed up for the gym – yes, the posh gym at the Princess Hotel http://pprincess.com/leisure/Leisure.aspx?id=d6abc2b1-03a1-4eaa-9676-61e4192039c9 ! :o) Sam and I walked over at 5:45 in morning. She went swimming and I decided to lift weights. The sound of techno music filled the room (quite unique!) and a few people were walking around as spots for those working out. They’re all very nice – polite, respectful (always bowing, or “wai-ing,” which I will explain at a later time) and yes, always smiling. That is the Thai way – to always smile … my kind of place! :o) Walking back to my dorm at around 7:00 this morning was “somewhat peaceful” in terms of traffic. Because everyone drives on the left-hand side, it is difficult for westerners to cross, namely me, so I have to be careful yet assertive.

Being the minority, American in this case, is awesome, especially in class with my professors and classmates! I relish each moment of class time as I interact, exchange ideas and mainly listen to the political situations and views of my classmates from around the world. Our professors this week (Michael Fryer and Irene Santiago)are respectively from England and the Philippines. Michael is a trainer, consultant and professor in community development and conflict resolution and Irene is the former senior advisor on the peace process in the Philippines amongst other things. During our tea breaks and lunches, we talk about our personal lives – that which is dear to us – such as family, values, religion and tradition. Technically, this part of my day is not in the classroom, but the expression and exchange of ideas is an invaluable educational experience. In regard to language, the university students from Chula come over every morning to teach us Thai before we begin our “marathon day” of intense instruction! They are patient, eager, funny and yes, always smiling!!

Random Images of Bangkok

Buddha statue
Spirit house - ornate yet symbolic of peace and solemnity
Toilet paper dispenser in the library
... unique and interesting, no?

Many “nations” convene!

Going to class every day "with the United Nations" is AMAZING! Together, my class represents over 13 countries!!! And the languages that are spoken amongst us … totally amazing!! Let me tell you, I’m becoming well informed about world politics!! ;o) Today, each of us presented our respected topics in regard to conflict. My topic, for those of you who are interested, is on bullying among school children and the expansion of social networking. Some of the other topics included Sudanese settlement in greater Dandenong, the process of peace building in the aftermath of the protracted armed conflict in Sri Lanka and the situation in Haiti.

Presenting my topic this afternoon Manish (India/USA) presents Technology and Humanitarian Interventions

Chulalongkorn University's graduates

Chula is the oldest and most prestigious university in Thailand offering its students 105 undergraduate programs, over 200 graduate programs and 93 doctoral programs. Today is their graduation day!!! It is an all day affair on campus with picnics, a hired photographer, extravagant floral bouquets and lots of smiling! Isn't their academic regalia sharp looking??

Moments ...

Yesterday and today, I took a few pictures (not as many as Lindsay) but I wanted to share them with you. Some are pictures and others are pictures of “moments.” There’s a difference! Capturing the latter is the most difficult …

... definitely a moment!
Thai children are absolutely beautiful!

Daddy's little girl.

Busy Bangkok

Out of the 22 original fellows selected internationally by Rotary, only 17 of us remain. After the program got postponed due to the civil unrest a couple of months ago, a handful could not make the switch due to other obligations.
By mid-morning a small group of us took off to the city centre where we checked out a posh gym. Although it’s a little steep for Bangkok and the U.S., it’s something a few of us are considering. After we check out the university gym tomorrow, a decision will be made. They have YoChi, which is a combination of yoga and tai chi. Cool, huh? Well, I finally have internet service, someone will be cleaning my living space everyday and I will be having my laundry sent out to be washed and ironed! I also have unmanageable hair, which may have to be cut shorter, will sweat uncontrollably for the next three months, have critters in my hostel, and will be over-stimulated with shopping, shopping, shopping!!!! My host Rotarian Counselor, Srifa, called me this afternoon to see how I was doing, which was nice; we’ll also be meeting a group of Rotarians this Sunday. Thais are super super nice! A good handful stopped me and one of my classmates to help, translate and just chat!! The Rotarians are overly accommodating and hospitable, so it’s been a wonderful experience! I’ve always said that when you are involved with Rotary in programs such as these, there’s a sense of always walking on a red carpet. Yes, like a princess!!! ;o)
Seeing as though the movie Eat, Pray, Love will be coming out this fall, I should write about my three months in Thailand. The book would be entitled Eat, Sweat, Shop! Today, I had a fresh coconut juice slush, fresh mangos, a crepe with banana, egg and raisins (from a man who was making it by the side of a road), and for dinner I had Vietnamese food. On the way over to dinner at the MBK Center (Thailand’s legendary shopping mall), Martin, Maria and I were speaking in Spanish and Andrezza and I were speaking in Italian. It was awesome!!!!!!!!! And dinner … delicious!!!!! The entire time was spent sweating, like droplets of sweat trickling down my back and forehead (sorry for the details). Those of you who know me well get that visuals are extremely important! Despite the sweat, there’s no place I’d rather be!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!