Her Fourth Week (10 Feb - 16 Feb)

Time Flies

Today, all of the sea-teachers in PNRU planned to go to Chatuchak Market to buy souvenirs to bring home. So, around 11.30 AM we arrived at the bus stop and took the bus with number 39. It’s the pink bus that have no air-con, however the bus was good and it’s cheaper. After 45 minutes passed we arrived at the market, but before that we went to the BTS station first to change our money.

At the bus

At the market, the eleven of us was split into three groups. We made a deal that at 4PM we have to meet at the park. At first, it was Arma, Cocom, Nina, Nanik, Yeri and I but we lost Nani on our way. We bought many things, such as clothes, key chains, pouches, and bags. There were so many things and we bought many things too until we forgot that we have no money left. It’s 3PM already so we decided to go to the meeting point. There we found Nanik with Aman and Dirk. At 4PM Desy, Nana, and Miko come. Then, we decided to go back to the dorm. On our way, we miss the bus stop we have to stop at Wat Phrashi. We actually have to stop there but we didn’t stop there because we were not sure. Fortunately, the bus went ahead in front of the university, so we stopped there. It was our first time went out using bus without our buddies, so it’s a kind of understanding situation for us, hhe.

Cha-am Beach

Cha-am Beach

In the next day, we went to Cha-am beach and Amphawa Floating Market. So, at 7AM we already arrived in front of CTE building. There we met Tan, James, Paul, Nampeung, Zeen, and Yu. Ajarn Pichy, Ajarn Aphicart, and Ajarn Suwan also some with us. Before we went to the beach, Ajarn Pichy told all of us that tomorrow we didn’t need to go back to the school anymore.

Cha-am Beach

Cha-am Beach

Cha-am Beach

Cha-am Beach

It took two hours to get to the beach. I was in the same van with Nampeung, Zeen, Yu, Nana, Miko, Nanik, Aman, Ajarn Pichy, and Ajarn Apichart. We spent most of time on the way by sleeping. At 9.30 AM we arrived at the beach. To be honest, the beach was just so so, maybe because I compared it to the beaches in Indonesia so it’s just like an ordinary beach. However, I was still happy to see the beach. We spent around 3 hours at the beach. Some of us were swam in the beach and the other just enjoy the vibe or took some photos.

Amphawa Floating Market

Amphawa Floating Market

Amphawa Floating Market

Amphawa Floating Market

Mekong River

Mekong River

At 1PM we went to Amphawa floating market and it took another two hours to get there. It’s quite far so most of us in the van just slept again. When we arrived, there were so many visitors so it took time to get the van parked. Maybe because today’s Monday so many people come to this market. When we come to the market, we couldn’t move as we want despite of many people besides we have to protect our belongings. At first, we went together but we just got split until it just only Nina, James, and I. There I bought crispy rice noodle and durian candies. When we strolling around the market, suddenly James asked us to ride the boat. At first we refused it but then he said that he’d pay for us, hhe. So, we rode the boat across the Mekong River for about an hour. There were many resorts in the river side and we saw some temples and statue too. When all of us have come back to the van then we decided to come back to the university. It took another two hours again and spent the time with sleeping again.

We went to Big C

On Monday, we have no agenda. So today, I tried to finish my self-report and prepared for the farewell party. In the evening, we planned to buy Thai tea powder and James suggested us to go Big C. So, Paul and he accompanied Nina, Arma, Cocom, and I went there. It took about 15 minutes to get there, quite fast because there was no traffic today. There, we buy original Thai tea and green tea. After that, outside the mall we saw a food stall who cold “nasi kuning” and the seller was moslem too, so we decided to buy it as our dinner.

Meeting with Ajarn Pichy

Meeting with Ajarn Pichy

Green tea from Ajarn Pichy

In the next day, Cocom, Arma, and I have a meeting with Ajarn Pichy at her room in CTE building to discuss about our evaluation last week. She talked about our performances last week and gave us the evaluation form to be copied, she also gave us the Thai tea because we said that we liked Thai tea so much. In the evening, we went to Central Plaza to take my transfer money in western union. We were Cocom, Nina, Arma, James, and I again. After I took the money, we went to the bank to change Cocom’s money into Baht and then we went to buy some snacks to be brought home. When we arrived at the dorm, the sea teachers gathered to discuss about our farewell performances.

On our way to meet ajarn

What we have for dinner

At Huamum Night Market

Strawberry patbingsoo

Oreo patbingsoo

With Ajarn Pichy

With Ajarn Aphichart

With Ajarn Som

 On Wednesday evening we were invited by Ajarn Pichy to have dinner with Ajarn Som, Ajarn Apichart, and her. At 5.30PM, Arma, Cocom, Nanik, and I met Tan and Lookpad in Wat Phrasi bus stop. Then, we went to the bus station to take the bus. The restaurant was quite far and this was the first time too for Tan and Lookpad, so we were confused to find the location and get lost too. After took some walk, we found the restaurant. It was halal Thai restaurant, so we didn’t need to worry. There, four of us ordered noodle with chicken and have blackcurrant tea. It was delicious and the drink was refreshing. After that, ajarn asked us to go to the Huamum Night Market. The market was so crowded, perhaps it was valentine day so many couple went out this night. There, ajarns treated us patbingsoo. We bought strawberry and oreo patbingsoo.

Post Training Photo

In the next day, we have the farewell party already. Time flied and I did not expect that this day would come so fast. At 7.45 AM we arrived at the hall, but we couldn’t find anyone, maybe because we come too early. Thirty minutes later, the buddies come and prepared everything. At this moment, we wore our traditional clothes; I wear “kebaya” as the traditional clothes from Yogyakarta.

We came first

Present our school report

Receiving the certificate from the president of PNRU

With president of PNRU and ajarns in PNRU

At 9 AM, the farewell party officially opened. James as the MC today delivered the agenda we would have today. Ajarn Som, as the vice dean gave the report from this activities and Mr. Direk Pornsima as the Dean gave his special remark. After that, all of the sea teacher have to report their activity at the school. The four of us, Cocom, Arma, Nanik, and I told to the audience about Princess Chulabhorn Science High School Pathumthani. Next, we were given the certificate by the President of PNRU and listen to his special remark according to this activity.

With Ajarn Pichy

With Teacher Preaw

With the dancer

With Ajarn Suwan

After that, we have the break session and all of us have lunch at Phranakhon Grand View. We eat rice that was mixed with meat and there also fried egg. It looked like “nasi kebuli” but with different taste. Then, the sea teacher back to the hall first to do some rehearsal. We prepared some traditional dancing so we need to do final checking.

We danced Maumere dance

We danced Nandak dance

We sang Kemesraan song

We sang Kemesraan song

First, the Thai students showed us the traditional dance from Thailand. Next, it’s the time for us to perform. We have three session, first we danced traditional dance from Jakarta then continued with sang the national anthem of Indonesia after that we danced Maumere; traditional dance from Ambon. After this session ended, then it followed with individual performances. Nina opened this session, she danced Javanese traditional dance from Central Java, then continued with Arma who dance Lenso, from Ambon. Afterwards Tor-Tor danced from Medan by Nana and this session was ended by Aman with his traditional song. In the third session we sang a song entitled Kemesraan, this song was about parting or good bye, which was suitable for our situation right now.

With Ajarn Suwan and Ajarn Som

Big love from us

After the farewell ended, James said that we would have dinner at the dorm. However, Py asked me to go out, to enjoy Bangkok from different perspective before I went home. So, around 5.30 PM he picked me up and we went to have some snacks behind the universities. Suddenly, he come up with an idea that I have to see Raminthra Night Market. He said it’s the biggest night market in that area, so we decided to get there. It took about 15 minutes and the market was so big. We went around the market and bought nothing, besides we couldn’t decide which food to eat. Then, he remembered that his friends were having dinner near their dorm so he asked me to go back to the place before.

There, I met his friends. Two boys and a girl, the boys were in the same class with Py. I have met them before but still I forgot their names. While the girl was from Music Education if I weren’t mistaken. They ordered steak, but unfortunately it was pork steak so I couldn’t eat. At 8.30 PM he send me back to the dorm and they were still chattering around after dinner. There were James, Paul, Zeen, and Nampeung with the other sea teachers.

Today was Friday and it’s my departure day. So today I spent most of my time by packed my baggage. Around 10 PM, Cocom, Arma and I went to BTS Mochit to change our money and before we went back we visited the Chatuchak Park. It was very hot so we were just strolling around the park and enjoying Bangkok before I left this night. At 1PM we decided to go back to the dorm.

Before I left the dorm and PNRU

Around 4PM, Tan and Nampeung already picked me up in front of the dorm. Ajarn Som, Ajarn Aphicart, and Ajarn Pichy also there to send Miko and I off. My flight would take off at 23.35 PM but Miko’s at 7.15 PM, so I went to the airport earlier because there would be no van to send me to the airport at night.

With Tan and Nampeung

With Nampeung

With Tan

At the airport, I met Zeen, Py, Hong, and the other two Thai friends. I was touched by them because they gave their spare time just to send us off. After Miko went to the boarding gate, Zeen, Hong, Py, and the other two went home first. So, there were only Tan and Nampeung who accompanied me. However, around 8PM Py come back again and he gave me a gift for me and around 9 PM he said he have to go. At 9.30 PM I went to boarding gate and it meant that I have to go.

With Zeen, Py, Nampeung, Tan, and Hong

With Zeen, Py, Nampeung, Tan, and Hong

Personally, it’s a meaningful 28 days for me. I got to know new cultures, new friends, and new experiences. Thank you everyone and see you when I see you!

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Her Third Week (3 Feb – 9 Feb)

Has it done already?

This Saturday James asked us to go to Asiatique with him. At 1.30 PM we went to the nearest bus stop and took the bus to BTS Mochit near Chatuchak Market. There, we bought the sky train ticket. We have to pay using coin money, so we change our money into coins to get the ticket. It took about an hour to get to the last stop. The train was the sky train type, like MRT in Singapore but not underground. So, we could see the cityscape from the train.

Waiting for the train

Waiting for the train

At the port

The view from the boat

At 3.30 PM we arrived at the port, there we have to wait 30 minutes to get the free ticket. So, we decided to take some photos at the port. Finally the boat came and there were so many passengers who waited for the free boat. Along the river, we were amazed by the view that there were many café, resort, and tall building in the river side. Ten minutes later we arrived at Asiatique. The place were amazing, it’s a large open-air mall in Chao Phraya River side. There were many cafes and stores that sold food, clothes, and also souvenirs from Thailand. There was a big ferris wheel too and you need to pay 200 baht to ride it.

At the boat

At Asiatique

At Asiatique

At Asiatique

Asiatique at night

To get a free boat back to the port, we need to go back at 7PM. Fortunately, we could made it before we have dinner near the mosque behind Asiatique. The food was halal so we didn’t need to worry about anything.

Cooking class

Cooking class

Cooking class

In the next day, we need to go to CTE building around 10AM to have a cooking class with Ajarn Suwan. He showed and told us how to make Somtam (papaya salad). He prepared many things for today’s agenda. First, he showed us the way to make it then he asked us to make it by our own selves. The somtam itself tasted sour, but it was not that bad although most of us couldn’t eat it because of the sourness.

Around 2.30 PM, Cocom, Arma, Nanik, and I have to go back to the school. Fortunately, Lookpad accompanied us together with Nina. Nina wanted to change her money and Arma too, so Lookpad accompanied them. First, we have to stop at Rangsit market, Lookpad, Arma and Nina then went to Future Park Mall to change the money. They walked to the mall and it took a long time because the bus stop and the mall was very far.

At 5PM they come back from the mall and they were so exhausted. Then, four of us directly rode the bus who went to Pathumthani. It took about 45 minutes to get there. We stopped at Tesco Lotus Pathumthani to take the taxi. At 6.50PM we arrived at the dorm and paid around 80 baht for the taxi. Unfortunately, the dorm we used to live already closed. The dorm was for M.6 students and they were home because they would have the exam next week so there were no students in the dorm. We need to wait around 30 minutes outside the dorm with so many mosquitos to enter the dorm. Finally, a teacher opened the dorm and gave us the dorm key so we wouldn’t get locked again.

On Monday, we were told by Teacher Preaw that we would have the evaluation on this week. Tomorrow I would get evaluated by her, in the next day Cocom would get evaluated by Teacher Palin, and on Thursday Arma would get evaluated by Teacher El. Moreover, she also told us that the material for the evaluation was problem-solution essay. So, today we planned to give the students the theory of problem solution essay because they only have one period on Monday.

Teacher Preaw gave us the material in PPT form, the handout, and the essay example. We could change those in our own styles. So for today, we taught five class which were M.5/1, M.5/2, N.5/4, M.5/5, and M.5/6. Each of them have one period and we taught them about problem-solution essay.

Evaluation session

Evaluation session

My lesson plan

My lesson plan

My lesson plan

In the next day, I have my evaluation on the first period in M.5/1. I taught problem-solution essay using PPP (Presentation, Practice, and Production) technique. First, I asked students’ understanding about problem-solution essay, because in the last meeting we already talked about this material. After that, I did a little overview to check their comprehension. After that, I gave them the handout. There were two kinds of exercises in it, but first I asked them to do scanning on the essay text and found out the problem and solution on the text. Then, I asked the students to read problem and solution they found. In the production, I make a group of six, which consisted of four students for every group. I gave them different topics for each groups and asked them to discuss the topics within the groups. After that, the students have to make essay outline according to their topics. In the outline already written part of the essay, such as title, thesis, problem, solution, and conclusion. At the end of the lesson, all of the groups could finish the outline.

Students' work on essay outline

Students' work on essay outline

After I finished the evaluation, Teacher Preaw gave me some comments and suggestions. When I asked the students to read the essay, she said that I’d better to give them time limitation so that it would not be too long and moreover she said I did a good job.

Cocom's evaluation class

On Wednesday, Cocom would get evaluated on the third period by Teacher Palin in M.5/2. Arma and I would be her teaching assistant. Her evaluation done well too, the students could finished did their essay outline.

In the next day, when we went out from the dorm, we saw students of M.5 went out from the school using school bus. Meanwhile today was Arma’s turn to get evaluated in M.5/4. So, we asked Teacher Preaw where they were going. She said that she forgot to tell us that for the next two days, students of M.5 would no longer in the school because of the science project. We were surprised by that fact, especially Arma. So, after discussed with Teacher El, Teacher Preaw said that Arma would be evaluated tomorrow in M.2 along with the supervisors’ evaluation. So, tomorrow we would do the team teaching in M.2, but Teacher El would only evaluated Arma and Ajarn Pichy and Ajarn Som would evaluated all of us.

The material for the evaluation

The material for the evaluation

Lesson plan of M.2

Teacher El gave us the material and the lesson plan for M.2. The material was about passive voice. So for the whole day we discussed how to teach the students because we didn’t know the characteristics of students in M.2.

Teacher El, Ajarn Pichy, and Ajarn Som evaluated us

On Friday, we got evaluated on sixth period. There were Ajarn Pichy, Ajarn Som, Teacher El, Teacher Preaw, and Teacher Mey in the class. In this time, we use PPP as the teaching technique. First, we showed them some videos related to the topic. After that, we asked them what passive voice was. Then, we played the videos again and asked them one sentence that the remembered from the video. Next, I asked some students to come in front of the class to arrange the sentence. The first sentence they made was in active, so I asked them to change it into passive voice.

Evaluation was held in M.2

The students discussed the game questions

Students got ready for the game

Students paid attention on the sea teachers

After that, we gave them a brief explanation about passive voice, surprisingly most of the students already understood about the topic so we didn’t get many difficulties in teaching them. Later, some exercises were given to them. The exercises were to change the active into the passive form. All students could finish it. Afterwards we made some games, we divided the class into three groups. Then, we gave the students six sentences in active form and asked them to change it into passive voice. The students have to write the passive voice on the board in order. So, one students could only write one word and they did it one by one. The groups would compete each other and the fastest and got the most correct answer would be the winner. After the games done, we found out that the third group was the winner, the group consisted of all girls. When the class ended, we asked students’ first impression toward us.

School facility

School facility

School facility

School facility

After the evaluation done, Ajarn Pichy come to us and said that we did a good job. However, there were some points that need to be fixed. For example, when we played the videos it’s better to tell the students to pay attention on some point so that we didn’t to play it twice. Moreover, because it was the first time we did the team teaching, she said that we might have some miscommunication and miss coordination toward each other. Moreover, she said that next week we need to go back to the school again, however what we knew was today’s the last day. She added that we already did the evaluation and we didn’t need to go back to the school, so she said that she would discuss this thing with the other supervisors.

School facility

School facility

School facility

School facility

Ajarn Preaw said that the van driver had another appointment today, so he couldn’t bring us back to the dorm. Then, she offer us to go back to Bangkok together with her and the other foreign teachers who were going to Bangkok to by taxi. Because the school was very far away from the city, so we have to pay more to call the taxi. We paid for 200 baht to get to the bus stop. After that, we took the bus to go to Rangsit and go to another bus to the campus. Today, we spent a lot of money just to go back to the campus.

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