Notes from an IPOD

Thoughts from a high school auditorium...

Udomsitthisuksa High School, April 2012:

Today is going to be a good day. My alarm went off at 6:40 am and I was out of bed at exactly 7 am, (I'm a 'two alarms until I get up' kind of snoozer.) After washing my face and brushing my teeth I looked dismally at my ever decreasing bucket of fresh water, and worried for just a moment what I was going to do when it runs out...3 days already without water at the Home since our pump is being repaired...oh well, I guess there is absolutely nothing I can do about that situation except grin and bear it along with all the other kids who can't bathe and hope for a trip to the river soon!

When I finished filling my thermos with 'instant' coffee I leaned out of the big wooden double-door windows in my room that look out over the vegetable gardens and kids' dining area and enjoyed the unobstructed view of sunrise climbing over the mountains. As I started to lock up I caught a glimpse of two small boys fighting over something in the car park below me... Not today boys, somebody else is going to have to break that up!

After locking the stairwell door that leads to my room I jumped as someone tapped on my shoulder! Of course it was only Lochoy, waiting for me patiently, as today was a big day for him. Two nights ago he asked me to attend a graduation ceremony for him at his high school and to be his official photographer. He's reminded me every day since, so here I am. Now already 8:30 am, siting in an auditorium waiting for his grand entrance with the rest of his classmates. It occurs to me that I have attended every one of his school rallies and performances over the past 7 months and his teachers and peers smile at me in recognition. It also occurs to me that Lochoy wants me here, not just for my camera, but to be a warm body in a seat reserved for his family and friends.

To be honest I have absolutely no idea what is going on around me. The auditorium is decorated with rich purples and golds and there are flower bouquets neatly arranged along the center stage. There is a very pregnant teacher behind me stacking books on a table at the entrance, and that's not going to help because I can't read a word of Thai script yet. I think, this is a ceremony for undergrads becoming upperclassmen because I am sure Lochoy has another few years of schooling left before he finishes high school...hmm. Never mind, he's asked me to be here for him and that's all that's really important.

Living in a small village, I'm used to getting a lot of attention as a foreigner, however I have never once felt unwelcome because of it. Lochoy has just run up to hand me his backpack with a great smile on his face as he yelled 'I passed, I passed!' Yay! I know he's passed his exams and will move on to the next grade now, I certainly felt a surge of pride just now. My little brother passed today!

The ceremony starts, the headmaster of the school delivers each student an individual certificate of honor and the 'prim and proper' ceremony reminds me how grateful I am to be done with this chapter of my life. I laugh at these high schoolers pulling chairs out from their friends when the headmaster's not looking; defying their teachers who continue to 'shush' them quite unsuccessfully; tucking and untucking their uniforms, and spiking their hair in case the cute girl in the back row is watching.

Nowhere else I'd rather be on a bright, Friday morning...

Sent from Stefanie's IPod