When it Rains the Power Goes off.

And that means no air conditioning, no lights, no wifi and no internet.  And that means a hot and boring evening last night and no daily post.

It also meant for a hot and tiring day.  The power did come on intermittently last night, but we had to search for the circuit breaker so it actually went on in the teacher's quarters.
Today I had Chemistry under the shade of tree - acting out physical change and chemical change.  Earth science was in the ping pong area with mineral samples set out on the tables - nothing if not adaptable.

The photo above shows the heavy rain falling yesterday afternoon.  This was as I was riding back up the hill.  I pulled over just prior to the downpour.  Luckily for me the verandah I had chosen to shelter under belonged to Ban Pong massage.  So I had a foot and calf massage for one hour.  By that time the rain had stopped and a rode the remaining hilly 10 kms with relaxed legs.

Time for a cuppa - More elephants

In Chiangmai for the weekend. Spent Friday evening with other stasis at an ex pat ladies evening hosted by Angela, the headmasters wife. Angela was a lovely hostess and had arranged pampering treats for us to indulge in- pedicures and manicures and feet massages along with a jewellery display. An nice evening with good food and some wine and I now have respectable looking feet.
Exploring Chiang Mai again today. Had an afternoon stop at the Raming Tea House. Lovely spot with a green courtyard and a shop selling celadon ware. Mt tea came in this elephant tea pot and celadon elephant cup. The teapot did not pour well and I was reminded of the urinating elephant I saw last week as the tea spurted out.
Cute cup, but would it be too kitsch in Finch Street?

The Rice Paddy

The "rice paddy" is the staff name for a bar/restaurant just near school.  The words bar and restaurant imply a level of service, comfort and food that convey an overly exaggerated image of the place.  You can buy a coke and a beer and there is a menu with pictures that you can choose from.
I had a bad day on Tuesday - rude Year 10 boy - say no more.  When Muyassar, the Uzbeki art teacher, asked how my day was, I became a bit upset (in typical Mary style).  At dinner time Muyassar knocked on my door and suggested the "rice paddy".  So I had a beer, some chicken and hot basil and a debrief about life at APIS with Muyassar and an American couple and felt much better.
The food was fine, the beer was cold, the view was green and conversation cathartic.  Hope you all have a lovely weekend.
I am off to Chiang mai for an ex-pats ladies night hosted by the Principal's wife.

Wai Khru Ceremony

The Wai Khru ceremony was affirming for teachers.  Staff were called onto the stage in groups, high school, middle school and elementary.  Students from these grades then came up on stage in groups. They knelt down, performed a wai before presenting us with the flower cones they made yesterday.  We had a brief chat with them - difficult if you didn't teach the student who ended up in front of you - and wished them well for the academic year.
The ceremony was coordinated by the Thai language staff.  Teachers were encouraged to wear traditional Thai clothing, hence the men in the photos are wearing collarless cotton shirts.  However Zane (red hair, white shirt) said he bought his in Bangladesh from a mate who runs a sweat shop!!!
Luckily I had packed my Laos wrap around skirt, which was appropriate.
The ceremony began with "The King's Song", followed by a Thai chant and concluded with a song praising teachers.  The school captain - who I fondly call "Our Leader" spoke about respect for teachers and how wonderful teachers are and that students should show gratitude to their teachers.  Amazing!

Wai Khru

Wai Khru is a ceremony held at the beginning of the school year to show respect for teachers.  A great concept!!
Today we had the Wai Khru rehersal.  I learnt that a wai is a gesture with both hands together, as in prayer, and then bowing.
After the rehearsal the students worked in grade level groups to make cone flowers for their teachers.  These will be presented in the Wai Khru ceremony tomorrow.  The orchids were beautiful as well as the other flowers.  Students made their own arrangements and then placed them in a cone made with a banana leaf with a small candle and two incense sticks.
Above you can see Kevin, from China, who is in my Geometry and Earth Science classes concentrating as he arranges his bouquet.
Ah Mun below is also  from China and one of my Earth Science students.  She is very quiet and a  lovely student.

Another Elephant

This one on top of the ridge of roof of a garden structure.  There are a lot of decorative elephant statues as part of the architecture here.  Elephants on gates and gate posts, elephants on bridges, elephants at doorways.  This is the highest one I have seen. Cute, but not as good as the real thing.

More Elephants

They were so gorgeous, I thought I would share another elephant photo today.  This time of a family group.  My morning at the waterfall with the elephants has been the highlight of my time in Thailand so far.