Moviestar Naoka

For the current unit in my English classes, we are studying professions. So for one of their homework pages, my kids had to draw a picture of what they wanted to be when they grew up. The boys were almost all pilots and policemen, and the girls almost all doctors/nurses and teachers (naturally, considering their role model.) Except for Naoka. Now, Naoka is one of my favorite students (granted, this applies to about 70% of my students...but still true in her case). She is maybe the chubbiest girl in my class, and is about as close to a diva as a 6 year old Thai girl can get. At least once a class, she will raise her hand and call out, 'Teacher, waaater' in her high pitched voice, giving the impression that if she doesn't get some soon, she faint away dramatically in front of the class. But she is always smiling, and when she smiles really big, her cheeks cover her eyes so it looks like they are closed. I mean, adorable.

But anyways, I'm flipping through the homework, making sure that everyone has done it, and idle curiosity is making me take note of what they want to be when they grow up. I get to her's, flip her book open without much thought, and what is staring back at me but a picture of a tall skinny woman in sunglasses, standing a stage holding a microphone. Hearts and bows abound, and above the picture there is one word: Moviestar. I just had to snap a picture of both the homework and one of me and her. (Though we were making up a test, so I couldn't quite coax out that legendary smile.) But I mean, so precious, and so perfect for Naoka. And Naok (her nickname to her nickname, pronounced Nah-oak), you go girl. :)

TPWWLT - Timba ft Katy Perry - 'Until We Meet Again'

Happy Birthday America

The local VFW in Chiang Mai (est. 2007), in conjunction with the US consulate and a local restaurant, threw a big 4th of July bash today. We had bought our tickets a few weeks ago, so after laying in bed all morning, I headed over to the bash, being held on the grounds of the Chiang Mai municipal stadium. Hopped in line for some food, waited for quite a while in the hot sun, but after about an hour, finally reached the front of the line. The local western restaurant had catered the event, and had such offerings as pasta salad, chicken, baked beans, ribs, hot dogs, sausage, fruit, onion rings, burgers and corn on the cob. Loaded up a plate with all of the above, and a second one, for my friends who were much farther back in line. Finished eating, walked around till they got their food, and we all grabbed a table. Sat and hung out, played some cards and waited around until the fireworks.

It was really a pretty great day. I ate until I feel semi nauseous, in true American fashion. (As Julia said, we were 'comfortably uncomfortable.') And not only that, but gorged on some good old fashioned American comfort food. (Also washed that down with a lemonade, and followed it up with some watermelon and double scoop waffle cone of ice cream.) Got to play cards with friends, first time in a while I have played cards. Saw one of my students, this adorable mixed race girl named Tiger. Got to hear the national anthem, and it was awesome. And got to see fireworks. Which despite them being about 2 min long and having no finale whatsoever, I couldn't help but love. I really do love fireworks. Great day, great job by the VFW, and happy birthday America.

TPWWLT - Jim Gaffigan - 'Holidays' ('I normally don't have a burger, a brat and a steak, but it is 4th of July. Annd I need the energy if I'm going to start blowing crap up...Its what the founding fathers would want.)