Harry Potter is ... hot?

Today was my first experience teaching a real class in a classroom- it was a class of 7-9 year olds at a school here in Bangkok. I was expecting to be super nervous going into it, but I was surprisingly calm and excited. I couldn't have asked for it to have gone any better... the kids were amazing and SO smart! They were quick to catch on to new activities and the vocab I taught them, and they were very well behaved. I had so much fun with them and I got a great evaluation from my observer! He told me I was a natural at teaching, I was confident and engaging, and that the kids seemed to be very comfortable with me.

Unfortunately, my nice Lumix had to stay at home today since the shutter is pretty loud and likely to distract the kids. I had to settle for taking photos with my old canon (which I now think is a horrible camera in comparison) and my iPhone, of all things!

It was so great to have a group of kids who were so excited to learn and participate. They were the PERFECT first class.


Playing a modified version of duck, duck, duck, goose. Instead of ducks and geese, the kids were monkeys and tigers in order to make the game fit my lesson- things in the jungle.


I taught the kids the Banana Song, which went over amazingly well and I plan to teach this song to every class I ever have. The kids thought it was hilarious and I think it helped them feel nice and comfortable with me. And yes, I voluntarily sung and danced first thing on a Monday morning. Also, please take note of the date on the board. It is the 13rd of September.


Starting my vocab lesson! I taught them that monkeys climb, tigers roar, and elephants are big.


Alexa teaching her lesson about sports


Another teacher's lesson was "Under the Sea"...


The kids learning some "Under the Sea" vocab


The students working on a puzzle


These kids were SO cute!

One of the other teachers taught a lesson about superheroes. She taught the kids that Harry Potter is magical. To learn the vocab, the kids repeat the sentence after the teacher. Well, one little girl- a 7 year old- apparently has her own views on Harry Potter. She made it a point to tell that teacher that Harry Potter is VERY hot! I have a feeling I'm going to love this teaching thing.

Tomorrow I'll be teaching 9-11 year olds about jobs. If it goes half as well as today's lesson went, I'll be a happy camper =)

Another Saturday Successfully Sanuked

Today is Saturday, which means lots of sanuking with In Search of Sanuk! So I traveled all the way across Bangkok only to get a migraine the second I got off the train. I was so upset that I wouldn't get to see the kids today... I had been looking forward to it all week! But, literally moments before everyone started to arrive, my migraine started to disappear and I was able to spend another fabulous Saturday with Dwight & Co!

I didn't realize until after I got home what an effect the migraine had on my picture taking abilities! But a wonderful day is a wonderful day and it should still be shared.

I love to see these kids smile =)


Juice, please!


This boy kept asking me to take his picture but he wouldn't sit still!


The kids absolutely ADORE Dwight!


The morning class in Yommarat. Complete with Usna and everything!


I think this is the most precious thing I have ever seen...


You'd be surprised at how well even the youngest kids can speak English!


I always try to get candid shots but they always catch me at the last second.


Everyone loves snack time!


These kids are definitely NOT shy.


The afternoon class in Pinklao...

HDRI

I'm finally starting to get back into HDR photography. I've got an awesome new camera and and awesome new city to explore... how can I help but be inspired? These were all taken in and around my neighborhood. They're definitely not my best but I think they give a really interesting view of Bangkok that you wouldn't otherwise be able to see. I definitely need to invest in a tripod here!

I Sanuked My Saturday

Today I had the privilege of Sanuking my Saturday with the awesome Dwight Turner and a few other volunteers. We went to two communities here in Bangkok- one that was pretty poor and the other a bit more middle class- but both were amazing. The kids are so incredible and absolutely adorable. I actually feel like I'm lessening the experience by trying to put it into words. I don't know what it was about the whole thing, but I truly loved every second of it and there's nowhere in the world I would have rather been today than in those two communities with those kids. I only wish I didn't have to wait a whole week to go back again!

I don't think this kid said a word the entire time we were there, but have you ever seen a more adorable little boy?


I spent a lot of time with this girl today, so she asked me to take her picture. Of course, I happily obliged.


Snack time!


I wish I could say I posed them like this, but they just looked that picture perfect on their own.


It's hard to believe anyone lives like this. We actually had to walk down the train tracks to get to the "building" where the class is held and yes, it's an active train track.


I don't think this picture could possibly be any more adorable...


Gorgeous kids... they were both a bit shy at first but it only took them about a minute to warm up to me, and then they insisted on having a rather lengthy photo shoot!


I will pay a very large sum of money to anyone who can find me three kids cuter than these...


At the end of the class, this kid came up to me and gave me a hug and wouldn't let go. He was talking to me in Thai but I obviously couldn't understand a word he was saying. Eventually someone translated for me, and he was asking me if I would come back next weekend. Is that even a question? OF COURSE I'll be back next weekend!


We taught them the Banana Song (which is still stuck in my head!) and the moves that go along with it. After class the kids were all still singing it!


A big thank you to Dwight for putting this whole thing together and carrying it out every Saturday... how awesome is that? So thank you to Dwight and to the kids for an amazing Saturday!

Dinosaurs and Lumphini Park

Some more lazy pictures but hey, it's really the content that counts, right? Last night, a few of the other girls and I went to Lumphini Park and then out around there after. It was definitely a good time, to say the least!

My first time on the BTS... it's SO much nicer and cleaner than the subway in New York!


At Lumphini Park... this is apparently a really popular sport here in Thailand, but of course I already forget what it's called.


These dinosaurs (aka monitor lizards) just casually walk all around the park. They're HUGE! I don't think 4 feet long is an exaggeration at all. We were afraid they were going to eat us, but they were actually really calm and slow.


Being badass from a safe distance. I was afraid to get too close...


Being good little American tourists!


The usual...


This guy was awesome


One of my new favorite fruits- custard apple! I'm getting so spoiled over here with the food! And everything, for that matter.