connie's space

“How wonderful for you!” my former Chinese student in China, Jason, messaged me. “You will soon have all your things, after waiting so long, almost 5 years. I think you will be very happy.”

Very happy? Understatement of the year.

The Story of My “Stuff”

Getting all my things back into my possession has been a huge dilemma since I was locked out of China due to Covid restrictions.

I have been teaching now in this service position since 1987. I began in Japan, then went on to China, then to Taiwan, back to China, a 3-year USA stint due to Covid and finally my new placement in Laos.

And, yes, all my things have followed me over those 35 years. I went from 1 suitcase in Japan to over 100 boxes of teaching supplies, clothes, books, educational materials, bedding, kitchen utensils, cultural gifts and decor, not to mention my American holiday decorations. (Christmas takes up 5 boxes in itself, including strands of lights galore).

I had hoped to return to go through everything, discard, give away or throw away unnecessary items before the shipping company was hired. Sad to say, my tourist visa to enter China was denied last December, . . . . twice. With our two countries’ relations being so poor, this was not surprising but it certainly was disappointing.

My Abandoned Things

The story of my abandoned things is a long one.

First, my college moved all items to another teacher’s apartment on the campus. When it was discovered I would not continue with my English teaching position in that country, my Australian friend (Geoff) who is married to a Chinese woman, Snow, graciously said he’d house my entire household in his wife’s apartment in Luzhou. Arrangements were made and all those 100 boxes-plus were sent to his home. There it was stored for over a year, with my hoped-for visit to go through it all.

That, as mentioned above, didn’t happen.

Jason to the Rescue

With my visa denial, it was next a matter of hiring a shipping company in China to deal with the move to Laos. I had no idea where to start or who to contact.

It was my former student, Jason Li, who came to my aid.
“Let me find a shipping company for you here. There are so many. I can find a good one and see if you’re satisfied with it. If not, I will find another one.”

That was 3 weeks ago.

In a whirlwind of text messages back and forth to me, the shipping company Jason first chose as a possibility won the prize. Their professionalism in answering all of my questions, assessing from a video the estimated cost, being in contact with me day and night put all my fears at rest.

With Geoff’s assistance, a downpayment was wired to the company last Saturday. Two company workers arrived to Geoff’s home on Wednesday to pack it all up.

Within 4 hours, it was in the truck and on its way to the warehouse for weighing.

All that was left were these items which I asked Geoff to haul out of the to-be-sent pile.

Cost of shipment depends on the weight and cubic meters of goods. Mine filled 3 pallets, cost was calculated, Geoff wired the remaining funds yesterday, the company should receive that transfer today or tomorrow and then, folks, it’s coming to Laos!

Door-to-door service, 15 days from the start of its journey, all customs documents and tax fees are included . . . I do nothing but wait for its arrival.

How’s it coming? I was told by truck and train. I insured for $3,000 so if it goes missing, guess I’ll be enjoying a huge shopping spree in Laos to replace it all.

My Friday Housewarming Gathering for the Laos Staff

It’s going to be a VERY tight squeeze to get everything I own into this apartment here in Laos. I have a small second empty bedroom only so the rest of my things will be scattered throughout the sitting room, patio and my already-crowded bedroom.

With such a mess to deal with in the near future, I am inviting the staff over for my housewarming party this coming Friday. I’ve already informed everyone we’ll be taking off from work Friday afternoon, 3- 6 p.m., to enjoy cakes, cookies, coffee, drinks, fellowship and chatting time at my permanent home here in Laos.

As director of the Center, I can do that! Don’t have to ask anyone’s permission but myself.

Ah, the perks of being the boss, yes?

Be looking for more news from Vientiane, Laos, as I continue to settle into my new adventurous environment: motorbiking, teaching, administrating, learning, hosting . . . . and waiting for Christmas in July (all my things) to arrive very, very, very soon.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Connie in Laos

What a joyful week the staff and I have had!

We have a Caretaker!

With the departure of Lalaine, who previously lived at the Center out of the kindness of her heart, I’ve been searching for someone to take her place.

Briefly, if you recall, Lalaine was from the Philippines and already had a full-time job as an English teacher here at a secondary school. Her help to watch and clean the Center was enlisted 2 years ago by Angie, the former director. She didn’t receive a salary but stayed for free in a small room. She approached me 6 weeks ago about wanting to leave and get an apartment nearer her school. I absolutely agreed! Her service to us was a blessing but it was time for her to “have a rest” (as the Chinese say), take care of herself, not have those 5 a.m. wake-ups to clean before the sun came out or late night lock-ups when we all had left.

During this time, the staff and I have been taking over: sweeping leaves, bagging those for trash pick-up, emptying out garbage cans, mopping the offices and classrooms, scrubbing our public toilets . . . . While sharing duties has been a blessing, it’s just added a little extra to our days.

As for me, the director, a few more duties were with Lalaine’s exit.

I’ve had to come during the weekends to turn off the night security lights on Saturday and Sunday mornings, then come in the evenings to turn them back on again. Every time I motored over on my Honda Scooby, I dreaded turning down our little alleyway. I had this fear the gate would be broken into, I’d enter to find broken office windows and glass doors, and our beautiful new computers gone.

Or, worse yet, the place burned to the ground due to faulty wiring.

Or a part of the roof caved in due to the torrential rains we’ve been having.

Or . . . . . (My mind was always racing as to what disaster I might find.)

How fortunate for us that one of our Laos college scholarship recipients, 23-year-old Suher, was looking for a place to stay after his recent graduation. He just finished 4 years in Business English. He was hoping for a Laos hotel position (we have so many foreign tourists here and business folk) and is applying now. He also is putting his brother through college, who is in his second year, and needed funding for that.

Perfect timing for all of us.

Suher graciously accepted the position last week and has been busy cleaning the grounds. Everything is immaculate. Weeds gone. Tree limbs removed. Fallen coconut tree palms hauled away. Not a single leaf in sight on a daily basis. My classroom is sparkling. Toilets smelling of Clorox and all porcelain entities shining.

Suher also has been tasked in his job description to take care of my rambunctious children when they arrive 20 minutes early. I am teaching the junior high at that time and they’d been a bit of a nuisance, pounding on the classroom door or shouting out, “Teacher!! We are here!!”

Without supervision, it was becoming a problem.

Suher to the rescue! He keeps them occupied at our outside tables with board games, playing badminton or tossing the ball around. All that pent-up energy from a full day at school is released before yet another classroom learning session with me. Finally, my never-ending irksome annoyance of interruptions is no longer.

And his first overnight with us, he discovered this disaster, which happened in one of our unused classrooms.

Water was leaking throughout the classroom toilet area so Suher quickly turned off the main valve. Had he not been here, inspecting that room or others on a daily basis, our water bill would not only have been through the roof but this mess wouldn’t have been taken care of for . . . days? Weeks? Months?

As Suher continues to look for a suitable job, he will stay here for free and be paid a small salary (one we can afford) to help him with his future as a college graduate.

Thank you, Suher, for all you do and for accepting this vital position to help the Center thrive! We are so very, very fortunate to have you.

VIM Team Visit

Suher’s timing couldn’t have been more perfect. He came on Thursday, just in time for a Monday visit by overseas’ visitors.

Last Monday, a Volunteer in Mission (VIM) team from West Ohio visited the Center for a few hours, bringing with them 6 used laptop computers for our future computer courses. And teaching supplies for Connie. (Surprise!)

The staff and I had been preparing for their Center visit for 6 weeks. We made snacks available. We carefully set up the classroom. We bought simple gifts. I prepared a power point of the Center’s activities and our needs.

The group was on the tail end of their 10-day stay in Laos after leading several Laos women gathering events.

I was so pleased to host them as a director, even if for a few hours.

Connie’s Treat: Staff luncheon Today

In celebration of Suher joining our staff and a very successful VIM visit, I suggested we have a Friday luncheon on Connie.

Khamxay chose an Indian restaurant around the corner from us. We were joined not only by the Center’s staff but by the other divisions of my placement here, including community , women and youth development.

The Center is located in Vientiane but the other offices are located on a 35-minute drive from the city, at the church that I attend in the countryside.

It is not often that we all get together so this was a very special event. We were only missing Daniel Yang, one of the community program developers, and his wife, Christy. The two had dashed over to Thailand for a quick over-the-border exit and re-entry so Christy could get her 1-month tourist visa renewed. Khamxay is still working on her permanent spouse visa, good for a year. While waiting for that process to take place, the option of the 1-month visa is what most foreigners in Laos do before a permanent visa can be completed.

Look at our happy faces (and all that great food)! 

What a great way to end the week here at the Center:  A new staff member, computers and teaching supply gifts from abroad, marvelously cleaned buildings and compound (now looked after on a regular basis), great food and even better, having a unique and much-needed fellowship time together.

Ah, yes! And did I forget to mention that office manager, Khamxay,  is getting more requests from parents and others about adding future classes to our class schedule?  Not only that, but I have 2 new students!

Despite still being the only teacher for the next few months, our reputation is growing.   I’m expecting our next Global Mission Volunteer to arrive in August so this places us in a good position to add those extra courses parents are begging for.

As I said, lots to celebrate, which hopefully more of those on the horizon.  Stay tuned!
Connie in Laos, closing off.

“Connie, Santi has been in an accident.”

No one, especially an administrator, likes that kind of text message early in the morning from her office manager.

Even more disturbing was the picture that followed.

Oh, my gosh!

Santi, my primary school translator, my go-to Center guy who rakes leaves, runs errands, helps sell our unwanted stuff from the storage room, and double-duties as the Community Health and Agricultural Development (CHAD) assistant, was in an accident!!

“Is he OK?!” I texted back in a panic.

Picture 2 followed.

“Yes, thank God.”

My next message was to Santi.

“How are you?! I saw the accident picture. I am so sorry. ”

“I’m in the hospital now,” he replied. “Swollen shin, pain in my side and my shoulder has a small wound. Not serious but I think I will not come to work today.”

“Of course not. You will be sore tomorrow and for a few days. You need to rest. Just let me know if you need anything.”

I then added, “Were you wearing your helmet?”

“Of course!”

Whew. Sigh of relief on that one. While helmets are required, there are quite a few who don’t bother. The roadside traffic officers are allowed to fine people for such offenses but usually just ignore it. Hard to stop a person who is zipping by at semi-high speeds, weaving in and out of cars, even gunning through stoplights. And since a majority of motorbikes don’t even have attached rear license plates, there is no way to follow up on missing-headgear individuals.

Several hours later, Santi reported he was finally at home, taking it easy. I recommended an ice pack or cold towels on the shin to keep the swelling down. He took me up on the suggestion and it seemed to have helped ease the pain, including his nighttime sleep.

Santi is now back in the office after a 3-day absence but moving slowly, with small aches and pains.

Taking Adequate Note of This Incident

As for myself, who quite readily and easily zips about town on my beloved midnight blue Honda Scoopy, this is a cautionary tale. Of course, I pay attention when I drive. There are trucks, cars, parked vehicles whose doors unexpectedly pop open into oncoming traffic (so far my swerve-and-miss reflexes have served me well), pedestrians crossing in the middle of the street, the hundreds of stray dogs that aimlessly meander into or flop directly onto the road, and all the other motorcycles that join with me on their own travels throughout the city.

We all pay attention to one another.

But there are times when I’m in a hurry. I’m late to the office. I want to get to the bank before it closes. I’m meeting a friend and running behind schedule. I need a quick 20-minute run to the D-mart (grocery store similar to Walmart) for my Diet Coke. Or I have an after-work 7:30 p.m. dash to the open air market for purchasing fresh produce.

In such instances, my mind is often racing in advance to the task ahead, with little or no concentration in getting there in one piece.

Do I dare mention the days when my vanity wins out? Sometimes, if I’m going a couple of blocks up the road and back again, the helmet stays off. I don’t want to mess up my hair before class.

Santi’s recent accident has reminded me that I must be more careful. In a car, we are somewhat protected from injury due to seatbelts and the metal that surrounds us. On a motorbike, it’s a different story, as seen with Santi’s injuries. (How fortunate they were not life-threatening. It could have been so much worse.)

I certainly am not rejoicing in Santi’s accident but I will say it has given me pause when it comes to my own motoring skills. No more carefree, absent-minded whizzing about the city or journeying on the long route leading to the church on Sunday. And absolutely no more helmet-less jogs up the road and back for lunchtime meals or snack runs. I got it. Time to be 100% more vigilant.

A Parting Note

Transportation for me sure has come a long way from China, those many years ago, on my Red Lion bicycle. I was so proud of that $35 purchase.

No helmets present then, fewer cars and trucks, slow (snail-like) progression of traffic, sudden stops at shops or markets never causing panic from behind, and smiles or waves galore given in abundance.

Ah, the good-ole days of bicycling around Nanchang city, 1991!

Reminiscing about those many years ago in China, I did wonder a bit. If I could, would I exchange the safe, calming, leisure ride of my Red Lion bike for the hectic dashing, darting and fast arrival time of my Honda Scoopy?

Hmmmm. What do you think?

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