This morning was my first Laos lesson with Ajan (Teacher) Soi. I have signed up for 21 lessons, 1 1/2 hours each, every other day. I have done daily lessons before, in China, but not while teaching or coming up with new strategies to help the Center make money. My brain has been working overtime trying to think of ways to get us out out of the red from 2023. I’ll share with you later about those plans, proposals and write-ups.

After that first 1 1/2 hours, I honestly felt this language is impossible to speak or pronounce correctly. Every sentence I repeated and simple phrase when flying out of my head within several minutes.

But Soi has been very encouraging and so patient as I struggled to say a simple, “My name is” or “Excuse me” or “Nice to meet you” or “Sorry.” I still don’t know my numbers. Oh, well. Step by step!

She charges so little, I think.  I am paying a total of 4,250,000 Kip ($202), of which $20 was given to the Center for classroom use and air-conditioning. Let’s hope my 21 lessons will get me past my anxiety stage and give me that feeling of confidence to communicate something, even if a little, with the Laos people.

My Birthday . . . Again!

The staff surprised me after my lesson with a coconut birthday cake. Everyone sang happy birthday to me once again, then each went around the table to give me special birthday wishes. Monday is always a very tiring day after a nice weekend. This certainly was a way of brightening up the going-back-to-work blues.

 
I cut the cake into 14 small pieces, which were eagerly gobbled down in matter of seconds. Without enough porcelain plates , one of the staff members ingeniously cut the cake box into squares to be used as temporary plates. I’ll remember that for next time, when it’s my turn to treat a staff member to his/her own birthday treat.

Tomorrow, by the way, is the big day: Motorbike shopping!! My birthday treat to myself continues onward as I prepare to buy myself a Honda motor scooter. 

Be watching this space for the results! Freedom is on its way.