Saturday, March 24, 2012
Aleena Said
Aleena and I were talking about baseball the other day. She told me that at first she didn't know how to play, and she had thought that everyone would be on the field at the same time. We laughed about it, but I guess since she had only played soccer and basketball, it's not really that surprising.
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Paying It Back
Tomorrow is the parent-student conferences at ISB, so the kids are "off" school. They have to go for a short time for the conference, but otherwise are off school. The conferences are normally spread out over two days, but today was a makeup day for the eight or so days that they missed because of the flood.
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Lady Gaga
Tim and some of her friends are going to the upcoming Lady Gaga concert in Bangkok this May. Apparently Joy knew someone who was able to score them tickets before they went on sale to the general public.
While they did not ask me if I wanted to go, I was hardly upset, as I probably would have declined. One person in our family who did not take being excluded very well was Aleena. When she learned that her mom had tickets and that she (Aleena) would not be able to go, she started crying. At one point she was on the floor weeping loudly stating "I want to go". Tim was at work at the time, so I had the joy of dealing with that myself.
I explained that none of her friends were going; that this was only for the moms. Aleena asked who was going, and when I told her, she said that one of them should give up their ticket so that she could go instead. Unsuccessful with this tact, she wrote a letter to her mom, which included a picture of herself crying because she could not go.
Aleena has brought it up a couple of more times since the initial outburst of tears, and while she didn't cry, it's clear that she is not happy about it. I guess I'm going to hear about this for a while.
While they did not ask me if I wanted to go, I was hardly upset, as I probably would have declined. One person in our family who did not take being excluded very well was Aleena. When she learned that her mom had tickets and that she (Aleena) would not be able to go, she started crying. At one point she was on the floor weeping loudly stating "I want to go". Tim was at work at the time, so I had the joy of dealing with that myself.
I explained that none of her friends were going; that this was only for the moms. Aleena asked who was going, and when I told her, she said that one of them should give up their ticket so that she could go instead. Unsuccessful with this tact, she wrote a letter to her mom, which included a picture of herself crying because she could not go.
Aleena has brought it up a couple of more times since the initial outburst of tears, and while she didn't cry, it's clear that she is not happy about it. I guess I'm going to hear about this for a while.
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Ninety More Days
Tomorrow is my interview with Thai immigration to receive my ninety day visa extension. When I get back from our April trip to Japan, then I will need to apply for my one year spouse visa.
If things go as expected, then that will probably be the last Thai visa that I need. Our plan is to leave in the summer of 2013, so if my one year visa expires in April, 2013, I can make a trip or two out of the country if necessary. Realistically, a trip is probably more work than just doing the paperwork, but it is also likely to be more fun.
If things go as expected, then that will probably be the last Thai visa that I need. Our plan is to leave in the summer of 2013, so if my one year visa expires in April, 2013, I can make a trip or two out of the country if necessary. Realistically, a trip is probably more work than just doing the paperwork, but it is also likely to be more fun.
Let It Rain
The girls camping trip was certainly a memorable one. On their second day, a strong storm swept through the campsite, tossing around the tents, and even knocking over some trees. Most of the girls were out doing activities at the time, while a few mothers who had stayed behind to rest frantically tried to zip up the tents to prevent everything from getting wet.
Some of the troops made the decision to head back home on Saturday night and forgo another night at the camp ground and the next day's activities. Aleena's Brownie troop was one of those who chose to go home, while Tim stayed with her Junior group. The lodge allowed those who stayed to move into rooms instead of staying in wet tents. I think that this made for a more pleasant stay the second night, because while the rooms are not air conditioned, they have fans and are much more comfortable than sleeping in a tent.
I remember two years ago when Jacob and I camped at the same place while he was a Cub Scout. We had not properly attached the rain guard on the tent that first night, and were rewarded with some rain in our tent. Fortunately we woke up before things were too wet, and I was able to correct the problem. We were certainly not the only ones to get wet that night, several families faring much worse than us.
Some of the troops made the decision to head back home on Saturday night and forgo another night at the camp ground and the next day's activities. Aleena's Brownie troop was one of those who chose to go home, while Tim stayed with her Junior group. The lodge allowed those who stayed to move into rooms instead of staying in wet tents. I think that this made for a more pleasant stay the second night, because while the rooms are not air conditioned, they have fans and are much more comfortable than sleeping in a tent.
I remember two years ago when Jacob and I camped at the same place while he was a Cub Scout. We had not properly attached the rain guard on the tent that first night, and were rewarded with some rain in our tent. Fortunately we woke up before things were too wet, and I was able to correct the problem. We were certainly not the only ones to get wet that night, several families faring much worse than us.
Thursday, March 8, 2012
International Day
This International Week at ISB's elementary school, when the students celebrate their diverse backgrounds and countries of origins. During the week, they were allowed to wear t-shirts that represented their homeland, and today (Friday) they are encouraged to wear their countries traditional costumes and outfits. International Week was originally scheduled in November, but had to be moved back due to the flooding in Thailand.
Nalin and Aleena decided to wear traditional Thai outfits. Aleena would bemoan the fact that there are not really American costumes, dismissing the cowboy motif.
The day starts off with a parade from the sports fields to the Chevron theater, where they have a student assembly. There are a lot of parents along the parade route, taking photos and waiving at the children. After the assembly, the students return to their classrooms, where parents have setup stations to teach the kids about different countries culture.
Last year I went and took some photos at the parade, but this year I decided to sit it out. Instead, I had the girls pose for some photos in my "studio" before they went to school.
Nalin and Aleena decided to wear traditional Thai outfits. Aleena would bemoan the fact that there are not really American costumes, dismissing the cowboy motif.
The day starts off with a parade from the sports fields to the Chevron theater, where they have a student assembly. There are a lot of parents along the parade route, taking photos and waiving at the children. After the assembly, the students return to their classrooms, where parents have setup stations to teach the kids about different countries culture.
Last year I went and took some photos at the parade, but this year I decided to sit it out. Instead, I had the girls pose for some photos in my "studio" before they went to school.
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Jacob's Birthday
Last Saturday Jacob celebrated his last pre-teen birthday in a pretty low key manner. The family went to dinner at a Korean BBQ in Central Changwattana at Jacob's request. After dinner, we returned home for some cake and presents.
As is evident from the photo, Jacob enjoyed the cake, even before he started eating it.
As is evident from the photo, Jacob enjoyed the cake, even before he started eating it.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Wat Sadet Field Trip
Aleena was very excited about school on Monday because the second graders went on a field trip to deliver the books that they had purchased for the Wat Sadet school. Wat Sadet was impacted by the flood, with the first floor classrooms under about a meter of water.
ISB did a great job in organizing the second grade's fund raising for Wat Sadet. The kids earned the money, purchased the books, and then completed the loop by delivering the books to the school. It's great that in addition to making the effort to raise the money, that they got to see the people that they were helping.
First thing Monday morning the second graders boarded buses for the forty-five minute drive to Wat Sadet. Each had a plastic bag containing the books that they had purchased with the money raised by their class. Each class was accompanied by their teachers and two parent chaperons. I think every class invited its homeroom mom, but they had different ways to select the other parent. One class asked for volunteers and then drew a name out of a hat. I was fortunate to get to go, the primary reason probably being my camera, although Ms. Wood's assistant is into photography and has some nice camera equipment and skills.
After arriving at the school, each class went to a separate pre-K classroom. The classrooms were a stark contrast to those found at ISB. There was no air conditioning, smart boards, computers, walls lined with books and supplies like you find in every second grade classroom at ISB. There weren't even desks or tables for the students.
In each room, a teacher read the children a story from one of the books brought by Aleena and her fellow second graders. After the story, each second grader was paired with a pre-K student from Wat Sadet. The ISB students gave the books to their partner, and together they reviewed the books. The second graders had made book marks for their partners and brought blank bookmarks so that their partners could write their name and draw the Thai flag on them as a memento for the ISB students.
I can't say enough about how well this was done and how lucky I was to be allowed to be there. The kids really did a good thing and went above and beyond what was expected from them in raising money. The books that they provided will make a difference to those children. While I know that Aleena may not fully appreciate how lucky she is in life, I hope that this might at least sow the seed.
ISB did a great job in organizing the second grade's fund raising for Wat Sadet. The kids earned the money, purchased the books, and then completed the loop by delivering the books to the school. It's great that in addition to making the effort to raise the money, that they got to see the people that they were helping.
First thing Monday morning the second graders boarded buses for the forty-five minute drive to Wat Sadet. Each had a plastic bag containing the books that they had purchased with the money raised by their class. Each class was accompanied by their teachers and two parent chaperons. I think every class invited its homeroom mom, but they had different ways to select the other parent. One class asked for volunteers and then drew a name out of a hat. I was fortunate to get to go, the primary reason probably being my camera, although Ms. Wood's assistant is into photography and has some nice camera equipment and skills.
After arriving at the school, each class went to a separate pre-K classroom. The classrooms were a stark contrast to those found at ISB. There was no air conditioning, smart boards, computers, walls lined with books and supplies like you find in every second grade classroom at ISB. There weren't even desks or tables for the students.
In each room, a teacher read the children a story from one of the books brought by Aleena and her fellow second graders. After the story, each second grader was paired with a pre-K student from Wat Sadet. The ISB students gave the books to their partner, and together they reviewed the books. The second graders had made book marks for their partners and brought blank bookmarks so that their partners could write their name and draw the Thai flag on them as a memento for the ISB students.
I can't say enough about how well this was done and how lucky I was to be allowed to be there. The kids really did a good thing and went above and beyond what was expected from them in raising money. The books that they provided will make a difference to those children. While I know that Aleena may not fully appreciate how lucky she is in life, I hope that this might at least sow the seed.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Job and Maria Charity Run
Friday afternoon the sixth annual Job and Maria Charity Fun Run took place at ISB. Job and Maria were ISB first grade students who dies in the 2004 Tsunami. The charity benefits those Thais who were impacted by the Tsunami.
The two hundred baht entry fee includes both a t-shirt and participation in the race. The runs were organized by age, the pre-K kids ran two-hundred meters, the adults and high school kids a mile, and others a distance in between. Aleena and Tim were both signed up to participate, but Tim ended up giving her shirt to someone who had left theirs at home.
The second graders had to run one lap around the track. They had a false start, but only ten or so of the thirty kids running actually stopped. The let the results from that run stand, and then they ran another heat later in the afternoon for those who had stopped or wanted to run a second time. This left them six ribbons short (3 for the girls, 3 for the boys), so the winners in the adult races gave up their ribbons for the kids.
The two hundred baht entry fee includes both a t-shirt and participation in the race. The runs were organized by age, the pre-K kids ran two-hundred meters, the adults and high school kids a mile, and others a distance in between. Aleena and Tim were both signed up to participate, but Tim ended up giving her shirt to someone who had left theirs at home.
The second graders had to run one lap around the track. They had a false start, but only ten or so of the thirty kids running actually stopped. The let the results from that run stand, and then they ran another heat later in the afternoon for those who had stopped or wanted to run a second time. This left them six ribbons short (3 for the girls, 3 for the boys), so the winners in the adult races gave up their ribbons for the kids.
Friday, February 24, 2012
Sometimes I Wish They Would Just Deport Me
So we completed the application of my ninety day visa. Sort of. We hired someone to help us with the process. Tim told me that she was told that the price was about $35 dollars, which we both thought was absurdly low. It turns out she charged us over $300, which is absurdly high, about twice as much as the Thai monthly minimum wage.
In order for me to stay, I have to show that I have a minimum of 400,000 baht (~$13,000) in the bank for at least two (maybe three) months. The idea is that I have the money to support myself while I stay here, even though I am certain that there is no scenario where I could receive government benefits intended for the impoverished.
In any case, they require an updated savings book and a letter from the bank confirming my account and the required balance. I'm really not sure why they require both, as I think that if I were able to forge a bank book, that I could easily forge the letter. The bank book shows all the transactions on the account, and it would be very easy to see if I had met the requirements. In the Nonthaburi office, the bank letter is only good for seven days after which you need to get a new one. When we submitted our application today, we included a letter from the bank date two days ago and the bank book that had been updated this morning. Apparently that is not good enough for the Bangkok office. They require a letter from the bank on the day of the application.
This is an absolutely ridiculous requirement. The purpose of the letter and bank book is to show that I have the money at the time that I applied. After I submit the application, I am free to go and empty out the bank account. Are they concerned that I might have gotten the letter two days ago and then immediately emptied the account so that I never really had the money when I applied? Do they really think that if I could let the money sit in the account for several months, I couldn't wait the two extra days to empty it? Maybe, but my savings book was updated less than an hour before we submitted the application. Can someone really believe that I went to the trouble of forging my bank book so that I could withdraw my money two days early?
I have a theory of why they require the letter dated the same day. Every major Thai bank (many of them anyway) have a branch in the immigration and government building. Tim is a premium customer (Wisdom) with K Bank and they never charge her for the letter. This branch charged one hundred baht for the letter telling her that her Wisdom status did not entitle her to a free letter. I'm guessing that most every person applying for a visa that requires a bank letter ends up getting them from the branches in the immigration building. I'm guessing that this adds up to a lot of fees over the course of a year and I'm sure the banks are very grateful to whoever makes the decision to require a letter dated the same day.
We left after getting the updated bank letter, leaving the person we hired to stand in the queue for us. Before we left, she took us before an immigration officer so that they could see that we were real. I would like to use the woman when we apply for the one year visa, but her fee is really excessive.
I am assuming that the application will be approved and I'll get my extension. Although maybe I'll get lucky and they'll order me deported instead; send me out of the country for a six month cooling off period.
In order for me to stay, I have to show that I have a minimum of 400,000 baht (~$13,000) in the bank for at least two (maybe three) months. The idea is that I have the money to support myself while I stay here, even though I am certain that there is no scenario where I could receive government benefits intended for the impoverished.
In any case, they require an updated savings book and a letter from the bank confirming my account and the required balance. I'm really not sure why they require both, as I think that if I were able to forge a bank book, that I could easily forge the letter. The bank book shows all the transactions on the account, and it would be very easy to see if I had met the requirements. In the Nonthaburi office, the bank letter is only good for seven days after which you need to get a new one. When we submitted our application today, we included a letter from the bank date two days ago and the bank book that had been updated this morning. Apparently that is not good enough for the Bangkok office. They require a letter from the bank on the day of the application.
This is an absolutely ridiculous requirement. The purpose of the letter and bank book is to show that I have the money at the time that I applied. After I submit the application, I am free to go and empty out the bank account. Are they concerned that I might have gotten the letter two days ago and then immediately emptied the account so that I never really had the money when I applied? Do they really think that if I could let the money sit in the account for several months, I couldn't wait the two extra days to empty it? Maybe, but my savings book was updated less than an hour before we submitted the application. Can someone really believe that I went to the trouble of forging my bank book so that I could withdraw my money two days early?
I have a theory of why they require the letter dated the same day. Every major Thai bank (many of them anyway) have a branch in the immigration and government building. Tim is a premium customer (Wisdom) with K Bank and they never charge her for the letter. This branch charged one hundred baht for the letter telling her that her Wisdom status did not entitle her to a free letter. I'm guessing that most every person applying for a visa that requires a bank letter ends up getting them from the branches in the immigration building. I'm guessing that this adds up to a lot of fees over the course of a year and I'm sure the banks are very grateful to whoever makes the decision to require a letter dated the same day.
We left after getting the updated bank letter, leaving the person we hired to stand in the queue for us. Before we left, she took us before an immigration officer so that they could see that we were real. I would like to use the woman when we apply for the one year visa, but her fee is really excessive.
I am assuming that the application will be approved and I'll get my extension. Although maybe I'll get lucky and they'll order me deported instead; send me out of the country for a six month cooling off period.
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Starting Over
Today we are going to the Thai immigration office to apply for my ninety day visa. If I get the ninety day visa, then I can apply for a one year visa based on my marriage.
We learned that a lot of the rules have changed recently because someone new has taken charge of the immigration department. This is apparently a common pattern; a new person takes charge, makes new rules and decides to clamp down hard on immigration rules and requirements, then after four or five months, things relax again.
One good thing is that we have to go to the immigration offices on Chaengwattanna for the ninety day visa. This office is only about ten or fifteen minutes from our house. When applying for the one year visa, we have to drive forty five minutes to the office in Nonthaburi.
This time we hired someone to help us with the process. Hopefully this means that things will go more smoothly. I guess if things don't work out, and I can't get the ninety day visa, I can always take a week holiday every month so that I can re-enter and get another thirty day visa. Yeah, I'm sure Tim would love that.
We learned that a lot of the rules have changed recently because someone new has taken charge of the immigration department. This is apparently a common pattern; a new person takes charge, makes new rules and decides to clamp down hard on immigration rules and requirements, then after four or five months, things relax again.
One good thing is that we have to go to the immigration offices on Chaengwattanna for the ninety day visa. This office is only about ten or fifteen minutes from our house. When applying for the one year visa, we have to drive forty five minutes to the office in Nonthaburi.
This time we hired someone to help us with the process. Hopefully this means that things will go more smoothly. I guess if things don't work out, and I can't get the ninety day visa, I can always take a week holiday every month so that I can re-enter and get another thirty day visa. Yeah, I'm sure Tim would love that.
Giving Back
Today the ISB second grade classes purchased books to help a Thai school that had its library destroyed by the recent floods. This is another example of ISB's good work in trying to help the surrounding community which is much less fortunate.
Over the past few weeks, the second graders have been raising money to buy books. They were encouraged to earn the money themselves. Some did household chores, some gave massages to their parents and still others had lemonade sales. Aleena did some extra work around the house and she also made some bead jewelry which she sold. Each of the six classes had a goal to raise 10,000 baht (~$667) for a total goal of 60,000 baht($2,000). The kids raised nearly 120,000 baht, nearly doubling their goal. Today the kids went to a book sale in order to pick out books for the kids. Each child had enough to buy four or five books.
The classrooms divided their money evenly among their students, and the students could then pick out and buy books for the Thai school. Volunteer parents, of which I was one, acted as the sales clerks in collecting money from the kids. It was bedlam as the kids crowded around the tables looking for books. They were all thrusting their money at us, eager to make their purchases. In between collecting money and quizzing the second grades on how much change they should get, I managed to snap a few photos.
The kids all seemed to have a great time. Not surprisingly, in the end, the kids had enough money to buy all of the books at the book sale.
On Monday, the second graders will visit the school to deliver the books. It's great that they get to put faces with the work that they did. I hope it something that will give Aleena and her classmates a sense of accomplishment and instill in them a sense of how lucky they are, and how they can make a real difference in the lives of other people.
Over the past few weeks, the second graders have been raising money to buy books. They were encouraged to earn the money themselves. Some did household chores, some gave massages to their parents and still others had lemonade sales. Aleena did some extra work around the house and she also made some bead jewelry which she sold. Each of the six classes had a goal to raise 10,000 baht (~$667) for a total goal of 60,000 baht($2,000). The kids raised nearly 120,000 baht, nearly doubling their goal. Today the kids went to a book sale in order to pick out books for the kids. Each child had enough to buy four or five books.
The classrooms divided their money evenly among their students, and the students could then pick out and buy books for the Thai school. Volunteer parents, of which I was one, acted as the sales clerks in collecting money from the kids. It was bedlam as the kids crowded around the tables looking for books. They were all thrusting their money at us, eager to make their purchases. In between collecting money and quizzing the second grades on how much change they should get, I managed to snap a few photos.
The kids all seemed to have a great time. Not surprisingly, in the end, the kids had enough money to buy all of the books at the book sale.
On Monday, the second graders will visit the school to deliver the books. It's great that they get to put faces with the work that they did. I hope it something that will give Aleena and her classmates a sense of accomplishment and instill in them a sense of how lucky they are, and how they can make a real difference in the lives of other people.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Birthday
Yesterday was Tim's birthday. Our plan had been to have lunch together at a hotel downtown, and have dinner with the kids at home. We had to change plans at the last minute because some things came up that Tim had to handle for work. Our family celebration is moved to Friday, and lunch to next week.
Normally we are pretty low key when it comes to presents, and this year was in line with that tradition. Last year was a milestone, so I did quite a bit more, including buying her a nice TAG Heuer watch and taking her on a surprise trip to Sukhothai. This year I bought some music on iTunes and put it on her iPhone. She's been wanting new music for working out and now she has some.
After we dropped the kids off in the morning a few of her friends stopped by briefly before she went to work. Joom, Joy and Michelle came over and dropped of a lovely bouquet of flowers.
Normally we are pretty low key when it comes to presents, and this year was in line with that tradition. Last year was a milestone, so I did quite a bit more, including buying her a nice TAG Heuer watch and taking her on a surprise trip to Sukhothai. This year I bought some music on iTunes and put it on her iPhone. She's been wanting new music for working out and now she has some.
After we dropped the kids off in the morning a few of her friends stopped by briefly before she went to work. Joom, Joy and Michelle came over and dropped of a lovely bouquet of flowers.
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