Back from Koh Mook

Sorry, I know I haven't posted in a while. There is an asswipe sitting to my left trying to intercept the computer.
I am currently planning a weekend on Koh Pha Ngan for the upcoming weekend... sweet.
I just spent a weekend in paradise. literally. no joke. i'm serious. weekend in paradise. it was unreal. and paradise on a budget. so it was just, as Max Sinsteden would say, "di-vine".

Before I talk about that- I need to backtrack:

I couldn't ask for a better work placement. On our very first day, Casey and I pulled up to our school in a private car to see 1500 kids lined up in rows for their morning prayer and announcments. The girls in light blue uniforms with blue bows and short hair (which we later learned was to avoid their consciousness of their beauty at their age) and boys in blue shirts and shorts. While I have always associated uniforms with conformity and close-mindedness, I found something attractive about the unifying element of their dress. Casey and I, with 1500 pairs of eyes on us, were ushered to the stage to greet the students. While Casey introduced herself, I waved and received the response of a queen, with waving hands and cheering. I have never felt so cool in my life. no lie.
the actual teaching part was a bit overwhelming at first because we, assuming that we were not going to do anything on our first day, had not prepared any lectures. the teacher ushered us into a classroom, left the room and there we stood, with forty smiling facing giggling at us Americans and nothing prepared. We talked about America but half of our words received blank stares. We did some songs, which Casey was MUCH more comfortable with than me, but I got over my stagefright quickly. We then played hangman and simon says which we called "teacher says". This worked well and as the day went on, we perfected the games. By the end of the day we were tired, overwhelmed, but very thrilled with our placement. Since Casey is an actress and used to a crowd in front of her, I think she found the experience much easier than me, but by the end of the day I felt much better about the situation.
Casey and I witnessed a very unique Thai tradition on that day. We had heard that schools and public buildings in Bangkok had three bathrooms, one for men, one for women, and one for transexuals but did not except to witness this tradtion in the town of Trang. After giving bad expositions of American dance, Casey and I asked the students to dance for us. Everyone turned to the dancer of the class and we were surprised to see that it was a boy. The boy, who dressed in girl colors, swaggered up to the front of the room and the class, embracing his flamoyancy, began clapping and singing as he performed a dance that, in any other school, would have provoked a severe beating from bullies.
We ate our lunch with Pat, Pet, Tip, and other English teachers whose names we don't really know but pretend to. Something interesting: when I say my name, every Thai person who hears it consistently distorts his or her face in confusion at such a strange name. I'm so glad,after having a freshman year where most of my friends' names were Rachel, to finally be somewhere where my name is rare.
I keep on writing in detail and am progressing at a snails pace with this account of my past week.
Everyday the English teachers bring us Thai fruit, dessert (cakes that were sooo good) and other delicacies (I wouldn't eat the fried whole fish they brought..).
On our second day, Casey and I were given our own classroom. It is airconditioned, has a brand new computer, and a nice divider so we can teach 2 classes at once. The room is so lovely and I think really shows the school's appreciation that we are there.
By the way, I haven't realled mentionated this yet but the teaching is challenging and rewarding. Every class we have to evaluate the students and adjust our lecture/game plans. I really feel like i am making a difference, even if I am just giving the student a greater impotus to learn English. It is SUCH a wonderful feeling.

I am wired right now from dealing with hotel reservations so I will skip to this past weekend but I will continue to describe the school in the next blog.

I left the planning and travel arrangements to the group"s "dad" Barry who found us the most beautiful resort I have ever been to and if you know anything about my family's vacations, you know that that says a LOT.
We arrrived at the dock and, having to wait for the boat to pick us up, sat in a cafe and ate ice cream ( i didn't have any, don't worry mom). We then boarded a very new and rather flashy motorboat and travelled at high speeds towards stunning islands with high limestone rocks covered in thick jungle like vegetation.
I almost cried when I saw our resort. SEriously. The resort was a series of beach bungalows located on a narrow peninsula with the restaurant at the end of the peninsula. It was called Sivali Resort if you want to check out the website. There is perfect blue water and serene bungalows lining the beach. AH it was so beautiful. There were also free kayak rentals, internet accesses and great sunrise and sunset views. In short, I felt I was in heaven.
Casey and I roomed together in a bungalow with floor to ceiling windows on three sides, flower petals on our beds and private beaches (all for around 40 bucks a night per person)- UNREAL, right?
Besides our motorboat, every boat that Isaw from that point onwards was a longtail boat with these crazy 1940s looking engines that I was shocked actuallly worked.
We went on a day trip to the famed Emerald Cave where we had to swim through a pitch black cave to emerge in a private cove. Pirates used to keep their booty there because it was so hidden (I thought tou'd like that Rana and by the way, got your email, I am never on the comp except to do this stuff but I love you and will write back soon). It was breathtaking.. also most ppl found the swim in the dark caves terrifying (of course I'm too badass to be phased by it) so arriving on this beach was especially wonderful for them. To give you a sense of what it looked like, it was kind of like being at the bottom of a volcano.. except with pretty sand.
I went on many kayak rides.. one with Casey riding on the back of it.. and all ending up in incredible drifting momemnts with great conversations.
I also went for a run through the fishing town.. very cool.. and tons of long walks with friends from the trip.
AT night we drank Singhas on the beach, listened to several of the girls sing. and o WAIT I almost forgot this part.. we went skinny dipping with an 84 year old man. IT was hilarious. Casey went up to him and asked "Phil, what's up?" and he said " Nothing's up yet, nothing's up yet". BEST quote of the trip so far haha.
O and also the water was phosphorescent so we had incredible views of what looked like stars in the water. it was startlingly beautiful.
I didn't read much because my book got wet but the last night I taught Spades to my British friend Barry, Jessica the Wellesley crazy girl who is amazing, and Sarah the singer.
OKAY I need to stop writing.. more stories to come
and I didn't spellcheck or proofread so bear with me.