Luang Prabang

This past week was Lao New Year break and was a much needed vaca from the busy-ness of teaching.

Day 1: Road trip to Luang Prabang

-The day started with a early morning bike ride to ARDA to meet up with the gang and head out on our road trip. 10 hours is the approximated time of travel. Little was I expecting it to be all curves and turns. No exaggeration when I say that once we turned one corner there was literally another one awaiting. As we wound our way up and down the mountain there were numerous times we had to stop for those with motion sickness to stumble out of the van and relief their still spinning tummies. We would occasionally pass through a village with bamboo huts lining the roadside and fruit stands accompanied by smiling faces. Despite the nausea the view from the mountain was absolutely stunning.

Once we arrived in Luang Prabang we shuffled our tired selves through the brightly lit night market to scope out all the goodies before heading back to the LP ARDA campus to rest ourselves for the adventure that awaited the following day.

Day 2: Elephants, Rivers, and Waterfalls OH MY!

- Doom was his name. Doom the elephant. Rebecca and I sat upon a "throne" on his back that wiggled just a little more than he did. Such an exhilarating experience that will forever be unforgettable. After riding the giant creature we visited Koung Si Waterfall. I have never seen water so blue in my life. Absolutely gorgeous. We got to swim in the crystal waters of Koung Si right after hiking up the many layers of falls to see it.

Day 3: Kings Palace and Ban Pak Ou cave

- The Kings Palace (now turned into a museum) and Ban Pak Ou cave were more touristy than anything. I myself am not the kind of person who enjoys crowds of lost foreigners or a miniature caved decked out and painted. I'd rather sight-see the natural beauty of this world.

Day 4: Blue Lagoon swimming and Spelunking

- On our way back to Vientiane we stopped by Vang Vieng for a little spelunking around a REAL cave. Pitch black, darker than the devil himself. Not a thing could be seen without a flash light or headlamp and boy was I glad we had both. Not expecting it to be so legit I wore my flip-flops. Which just meant I had to be extra cautious with it being wet and slippery. It was so beautiful! We took a moment of silence deep inside the cave where we turned out the lights and stood still for a bit. All that was heard was the dripping of water off the stalactites dangling from the ceiling of the cave. Amazing.

Our vacation in a nutshell. To all of the gang, thanks for the memories.

conquering fears, or rather just killing them...

Imagine yourself taking a nice cool shower after an amazing blood-pumping workout in the heat of the afternoon. One of the best feelings in the world right? Most definitely! That was the beginning of my magnificent morning, despite the fact that my incredible shower was cut short by a visitor... a large winged creature crawling out from the drain. COCKROACH! My mind was racing. The shower is so small I didn't know whether to risk opening the door and be forced even closer to the little devil or jump onto the toilet. I took the risk, one way or another I wasn't going to have that thing in the same room with me... alive. I hugged the door as close as it would get and quickly jumped to the other side. Horrified and nearly slipping on the wet tiles (there was no way I'd waste precious cockroach killing time to dry off) I raced to the pantry for the "roach remover" (a very large pan). Mustering up enough strength... and courage to kill the darned thing I stood at the outside of the bathroom watching as it moved around its little feelers contemplating its next move. Praying for enough uuumph to send him to hell where he belonged I laid the pan smack dab on his tiny behind. 3 times. This being my second successful murder of a cockroach-> Kelsea: 2 Cockroach's: 0

A taste of the Lao culture

Be prepared for a wonderful culturinary experience, as I take you through what I have experienced in the magnificent country of Lao... I hope your hungry.

As we begin I'd like to invite you to close your eyes and imagine you are in a tropical paradise. Feel the soft caress of your hair being whisked across your face by the breeze that is a most heavenly gift, as the days are wonderfully warm. Stretch your arms into the "Y" formation, as if you were strutting around with "Village People" singing about a certain physical fitness and family center, and lean as far back as you can (please be seated) and listen to each vertebrae in your spinal column as they give you a round of applause. Now I'd like you to breathe in, with a breath so deep and forceful that it will most definitely cause some sort of shift in the weather, causing all meteorologists to finally be wrong about tomorrows forecast. Release.

Let me tell you that as you may be reclined on a sandy island, sipping on your beverage of choice, I'm in a different paradise. Ladies and Gentlemen prepare your taste buds, you're in for a treat.

May I present to you the capital city of Laos, Vientiane.

Here we have a typical construction site in Lao. Yes, they're using twigs as makeshift scaffolding. For all I know that could be a strong structure, but by the looks of it, well, its enough to give any project manager from anywhere else a heart attack. Drink it in folks, this is quite a site.

To the right of the photo you will find a common mode of transportation. A Tuk-Tuk. The taxi-cab of Laos; usually the front part of a motorbike connected to a small truck-bed, complete with bench and canopy. A true friend when you have tired feet. But beware, drivers are sure to gyp and you may find that once you've reached your destination they may have overcharged you tremendously. I recommend bartering before hand and agreeing on a price. Don't be afraid to walk away if what they're asking is too ridiculous. They just might change their mind.

If you were to ask a local if they owned a motorbike you may get looked at as though you have just asked if they owned a toothbrush. Everybody who needs to be somewhere owns one. They are the main vehicle here in Laos. Don't be surprised if you see a child exiting a schoolyard on one, they're aloud and as far as I know as long as you can drive, you can.

Welcome to Patuxay Park!

What an array of color and design! Patuxay is near the top of the list when it comes to tourist hotspots in Laos. This isn't but a short jaunt (meh.... 30 min. walk) down the road from our house and was quite a site to see.

While here kindly obey the written rules. Please, no passing a grass.

This is it, feast your eyes on Patuxay.

Located in the heart of the Vientiane city, Patuxay (meaning "victory gate") as pretty as it may seem, was built during a turbulent time in Laos history. The monument was built in 1960, after World War II, in memory of the soldiers who died in previous wars and during the independence from France in 1949. It was built using funds and cement originally intended for an airfield, and new city airport, because of this the monument is sometimes referred to as the "vertical runway". A little bit of Patuxay history right there.

Patuxay doesn't fail to satisfy. And is beautified inside and out. Like a pastry, the decadent artistry that you can see from afar only tempts you to take a closer look.

As you peer into the magnificent creation you might as well be convincing yourself "surely one bite won't do much harm". Immediately you are engulfed with such awe and overcome by the beauty of all the tasty deliciousness you just have to step in further to feel the full affect. One wonderful thing after another and before you know it you've just swallowed the whole damn donut. Just the same this site gives the same feeling of satisfactory bliss, besides the fact that there is no guilt in this pleasure, and you don't have the wonderfully decorated Patuxay slapped on your hips.

To Clarify

Well apparently I am a pure vegetarian

according to http://www.veganmeans.com/how_veganism/Becoming_Vegan_what_is_veganism.htm.

"Thus, one who eats a pure vegetarian diet purely for health reasons...would not truly be considered vegan unless and until such people commit to reverence for all conscious life. That ‘reverence’ component means violent activism is also not vegan.

In veganism, health benefits don’t take precedence over respect for other animals or environmental awareness, or caring about humanity. All are of equal and interconnected importance."

My health is my #1 concern when compared to animals and environmental awareness. Don't get me wrong. Its not that I don't care about such things, I do, It's that my passion is health and forever will be. So to clarify I'm not going vegan. I will be eating a vegan diet which supposedly makes me a "pure vegetarian".

"Self-Control"

Nothing particularly new of note, yet keeping extraordinarily busy. It is nice though, I have a deeper appreciation for empty weekends where nothing is planned but workouts and meal times :)

I went on another 2 mile run yesterday and got myself up early for the extra special event. Running to me, now, means so much more than just exercise, or getting skinny. Its a way to feel amazingly strong and successful. Its like giving yourself a pat on the back for putting up with life's stressors. Its a rewarding feeling really. Its taken me awhile to realize that what you do to your body or with your body is the only thing that you can control. Trying to control the life of another person or another situation is like heaving a world of stress onto your shoulders. Your not God. Leave those situations to Someone that can handle them. From what you eat, and what you wear, to what you do to get yourself off up the couch; its all up to YOU. And its such a fantastic feeling to know that I'm able to control SOMETHING in life... myself. Ahhhhh, yup, it feels good.

On a new note, I have made the decision to go Vegan (with the exception of honey). I am in search of a healthier lifestyle, and have found becoming vegan to be, well, quite becoming. This past year is what I've been calling my "off year". From giving in to certain food related temptations to not motivating myself to get off my @$$, i've been taking the easy way out of things. "Oh surely just ONE won't hurt"( and then the whole bag is empty before I know it) and "I just don't feel up to it today"; I call these demon phrases. Certainly I can't be saying this. None-the-less these are the kinds of things that I won't be telling myself this year. This also gives me the chance to pull out my creative cap and come-up with healthier vegan alternatives. This should be interesting... I have, so far, found a delicious split pea soup recipe that is just as satisfying as ever. My search for whole wheat flour/spelt flour/ ANY "whole" flour has been a fail. I have made it a priority to hunt for this item, as it will definitely broaden my recipe landscape.

well, hope all is well to all

Pajoua pon - [Pajowah pone] - Godbless you!

Let's get down to Busy-ness

I feel so accomplished!

My biggest accomplishment this week you ask?

I went on a run! A RUN! My first run in 10 weeks. oh how glorious. I've never felt more amazing. My foot has healed enough for me reduce the amount of bandaging on it to just gauze pads and vet wrap, now making it fittable in my running shoe. Meanning... I can RUN. Which brings me one step closer to my Goal #1, Triathlon here I come.

My second biggest accomplishment??

My first week of teaching was a success. Not as difficult as I thought it to be, with a few hours each day devoted to lesson planning, then an evening class, it works pretty well.

What else are you doing in Laos??? (So many questions)

Here in Laos I'm keeping busy; Lao lessons, Skills Center (teaching English to Children), Meetings, and Teaching at ARDA, ( oh! and working out) pretty much fill up my week. I love it! Keeping busy is my sort of thing.

speaking of which I've got a lesson plan to write....

Ringing in the New Year

Here it is, my first blog starting out this amazing new year.

This year for me will be a year of adventure and growth, beginning with being able to watch a Cheetah chase on African soil, boating in an estuary filled to the brim with sleepy hippos, getting burnt to a crisp (and loving every second of it) on the warm beaches of St. Lucia, as well as flying off to the country of Laos to live and teach English for a year (whoa!). I'd say I'm off to a pretty good start.

My teaching experience is taking place at ARDA (Anglican Relief and development Agency) Language Center in Vientiane, Laos. I will be teaching 5 days a week to local Lao students most of which will be older than myself. By this time next year I will have taught 2 terms of English in a foreign place on the opposite end of the globe, all for a purpose. For I know that I am meant for so much more than wasting my time "getting ahead" in work, school, & life. Helping the lives of others is what I've been called to do and what we've all been called to do really. And having joy in helping others is where we help ourselves. I strongly believe that once we let go of selfish ambitions and thrive to help others, we will greatly benefit. That said I am stoked for this term of teaching and what is to come. Currently I am listening to "Breakaway" by Kelly Clarkson, and it couldn't be a more perfect way of explaining the feelings I have about me being where I am. "I'll spread my wings and I'll learn how to fly, though it's not easy to tell you goodbye, gotta take a risk, take a chance, make a change and breakaway" You can't learn how to fly if you don't spread your wings. As corny as this sounds I believe it to be utterly true. How can you reach your full potential if you don't take a risk, take a chance, or make a change in your life? Life is filled with golden opportunities that are often not taken because of fear. This is my golden opportunity and I'm taking it and flying with it and lord-willing it will change me for the better.

As for my first week being in Laos it's been wonderfully busy and full of exciting new things. Whenever I need groceries I walk to the market and find pretty much any and every fresh fruit or vegetable imaginable. Needless to say, I'm in heaven. Even in the grocery stores they have Musli, natural peanut butter, wild Lao honey, whole wheat pasta, brown rice milk, almond milk, fresh eggs, assorted legumes, and "fitness" bread (super dense, and super delicious). Pretty much everything I need, they have. Free-weights are also sold here and interestingly enough come only in 3, 6, 7, & 9lbs. Oddly the 6lb weights that Rebecca got feel significantly lighter than my 5lb-ers that I brought from the states. Even so I still bought the 9lb weights hoping to add a little 'umph' to my morning workouts. Speaking of exercise I have set goals for myself to accomplish throughout this year, not necessarily relating to exercise (though some have entirely to do with it) but goals just the same. My first goal of this new year is something that I won't be able to accomplish until next year but can train for during my time here.

Goal #1: When I get back to the states I hope to compete in and finish a triathlon and maybe a few marathons. And perhaps make this a new hobby. Since having a few close-call experiences, I have realized how fortunate I am to have everything I have, limbs included. Therefore I will no longer take advantage of my feet and intend to use them to their full potential until I wear them to nubs.

Goal #2: Become involved in the children's ministry. There is a skills center here that invites Lao children to learn about the word of G'od, the children meet 3 days a week and since I am able I intend to help out on 2 of the 3 days. I'm definitely charged (I'm running out of adjectives) to see how G'od will use me at the center.

Goal #3: (Relates to Goal #1 but more personal) Get into the best shape of my life! This includes the energy I put in to my body (food/diet) and how I will expend it (exercise). Eating delicious, healthy food is easy to do here given the array of good eats, and since I'm on a budget I'm "forced" to cook for myself. I love it!

Of course working out and eating right is not something I could do by myself. Temptations do set in, and knowing that I have the strength of my almighty father is what keeps me strong. This passage keeps me motivated through tempting situations and pushes me towards becoming successful at accomplishing Goal #3; No temptations has seized you except what is common to man. And G'od is Faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

- 1 Corinthians 10:13.

Its my passion; good food and exercise. I could write a whole blog post about how I'm going about achieving this goal and how delighted I am to know that I will soon have it achieved. In fact I just might ;)

More updates to come soon! And looking back on this post I think i'll be needing to update more than once a week...

ARDA Website:

Day 24- Day 29: the last days; homeward bound

This is it! The last days of the TEFL training course. Portfolio is complete, test is finished, just awaiting my course certificate to be presented to me in 30 min. What a great adventure! I definitely feel quite accomplished and ready to teach abroad. Every moment and experience here has been absolutely fantastic. And memories to last, for sure.

Homeward bound I go, just in time for the trick-or-treat season of candy.

Can't wait to see everybody!

Day 23: How often is God good?

All the time.

Today was yet another day of teaching, this time to a fresh new batch of chillens. New school, new students. I prayed especially hard last night and this morning that God would get me through this ridiculous new model of teaching. Prayer works guys. No way on earth could I have gotten through this lesson plan by myself. Strength, Confidence, and Passion for teaching were the gifts I was blessed with today. Absolutely. Speaking of strength, God gave me little energy for a run this morning before class. I loved it! God IS good y'all.

Day 19- Day 22: Chatuchak Market; Bangkok

Thursday and Friday were observation days, where us, as students. would observe as the teachers taught; showing us how the next lesson model should be done. How crazy it is that with just 2 hours of sitting on our bums, our minds are tired. Exhausted is more like it. Well after two days of exhausting mind-work I went to Bangkok with a friend of mine who is currently teaching in Laos where I will be teaching, and is actually the one who had mentioned and helped me through this teaching opportunity, thank you Rebecca! :) While in Bangkok we walked around Chatuchak Market and window shopped for hours.

( http://www.intoasia.com/bangkok/markets/chatuchak.php ) This place is huge. Despite the amount of time we were out and about we didn't even double-track once. Amazing! Later that evening we went to the night Bazaar, which is another market that takes place in the evening. Everything is full of color and the whole market lights up the senses. Definitely worth more than just a look through.

Bangkok is a great place, but the serene essence of Ban Phe is where it's at for me. A little ocean-side breeze is all it takes to fall back into that wonderland feel.

Nothing feels quite like home though, 6 more days.

Day 17 & Day 18: Practice Makes Perfect

Teacher practicing take 2 & 3 were on these days. The teacher practices were at a local charity school just a 45 min. drive from Ban Phe where orphans and children that don't have the money to go elsewhere go to learn English. Its a good feeling. An hour long session in a very warm open-air classroom is enough to take your breath away, literally. Sweating buckets we're all putting our heart and soul into getting these children to understand the context that we are modeling. So far we have all succeeded, and its all well worth it. Life is good :)

Day 16: Forever Grateful

30 thai students, 3 observers, 1 teacher. me. Nerve-racking as all get-out, but overall what a fantastic experience! I was placed in an outdoor classroom with a magnificent view of a overly large pond surrounded by flowers and cattle. The peaceful scenery helped to calm my nerves as I trudge through my lesson plan. Not bad for a first-timer. I do have to admit, the amount of lesson planning put into just an hour of teaching is TREMENDOUS. But as many already know, hard work reaps great reward. 5+ hours I have spent for tomorrows lesson and I am stoked for the outcome. It does take some sane brains to endure the time-consumingness of it all, therefore, for any teacher who I have ever known, will ever know, or will never get the privilege to meet; hats off to you. high-five. two thumbs up. I admire everything you do for the sake of passing your knowledge onto the deserving and helping to better this world, whether it be English, Spanish, Math, Science, Horse-back Therapy, Fitness Instructors, and the list goes on and on and on, because the truth is there is always something to be learnt and, fact: there is always going to be someone to teach it, whatever it may be. I am forever grateful for those who have taught me, you know who you are, and you know that you have helped me to become the person I am today. Thank you.

Day 15: "Hello, My Name Is Kelsea. What's your name?"

Working on lesson planning is incredibly time consuming, not only that but the teaching is going to be impeccably repetitive. The mandatory warmer for the Basic Lesson Model of teaching goes as follows:

Teacher/Teacher (Teacher is in front of class room swapping places with herself making like she's having a conversation with another person.)

"Hello, my name is Kelsea. Whats your name?"

"My name is Laura."

"Nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you too."

(Repeat 4x)

Teacher/Student (Teacher motions for a student to stand, and engages in dialogue with student)

T: "Hello, my name is Kelsea. Whats your name?"

S: "My name is ____."

T: "Nice to meet you."

S: "Nice to meet you too."

(Repeat 8x, w/ 8 different students)

Student/Teacher (Teacher motions for a student to stand, this time student starts off the convo.)

S: "Hello, my name is ____. Whats your name?"

T: "My name is Kelsea."

S: "Nice to meet you."

T: "Nice to meet you too."

(Repeat 8x, w/ 8 different students)

Student/Student (Teacher motions for 2 students to stand, and have them engage in warmer dialogue.)

...you get it

(Repeat 8x, w/ 8 different pairs of students)

U (Horseshoe- # students off 1,2,1,2,etc.- 1's stand and rotate around the u-shape formation of students and engage in warmer dialogue with the seated 2's)

(students continue this until they get bored and sit down...)

Repetative yea?

And this is just the warmer.

Oh the joys of repetition.

Day 14: Missin' Out on Paradise

No Koh Samet island for me today. I didn't go to bed until 4am due to some tedious class preparation, I wanted to be readily prepared for Monday (first day of teaching gahhhh!). I woke up at 6am... my stomach had finally discovered I was in a foreign country. Woke up again at 8am, then 12pm. From then I slept until 4pm. Feeling better, I stumbled downstairs into the classroom and finished up on my lesson planning. It gets dark around 6pm here, so by the time I had finished what I needed to get done there was no sign of light. I decided to go to bed since there was obviously nothing else I could do, given that the internet was out and everyone else was at Koh Samet enjoying paradise. No regrets though, thankfully I was able to go to that paradise island the week before, and this absence saved me money as well as gave me time to make a swift recovery. That and Ban Phe could be a paradise of its own... just with a lot more dogs...

Day 13: Monk See, Monk Do... Monk Learn English??

This morning was a glorious morning as we woke up and got gussied up to observe at a school for monks. Departure time was set for 9:00am, and at 9:00am we left. We bounced around in a Baht Bus ("somthrop"- pretty much a pickup truck with an awning tossed up in the bed, complete with a few padded benches) on the way to the school. Once we arrived we slipped off our shoes before proceeding up the stairs into the classroom. We were greeted by 9 children dressed in robes of a brown hue - that covered one shoulder and were floor length. We observed as one of the interns of TEFL taught 2 lessons in 2hrs. After we finished with our looong observation we loaded back up into the Baht Bus and headed back to the school. *LUNCH BREAK* After lunch came the hard stuff. Not necessarily difficult but more of the meticulous sort. Lesson plans. Ohhhhh lesson plans. 7+ pages of detailed descriptions of what you plan on teaching, and how you will go about teaching it. d.e.t.a.i.l.e.d like crazy. Taking a little over 3 hours to finish, not including another 3+ hours for the materials that need to be made up for the ie; recorded tape, pictures (9 double-sided), cheat sheet (helpful), worksheet of four 4-line dialogues to be written up and copied (20). I have a new respect for teachers, FOR SURE. But, hey, no complaints here. Truth be told, Im excited. A new journey has begun.

AaaH-Ra-Ra-Boom-Dee-AiY here I come.

Day 12: Last Day Man...

The days of tedious classroom note-taking and seemingly endless chatter are finished! - for the TEFL course that is... Today was the last day of mind-numbing nonsense, and now onto the real deal. Its showtime baby! Starting tomorrow our class observes a classroom full of young adolescents being taught by a TEFL intern. We will observe and take note of how the class is being taught, what is being taught, and what we can take away from this experience. Next week comes our own opportunity to teach, starting Monday the magic begins. Prayer would be much appreciated, Its definitely a new book I haven't read and i'm kind of just diving into it. Prayer for confidence, courage, compassion, organization, strength, and magnificent teaching skills would be fabulous ;)

Love to all!

Day 11: My Life Is Not My Own

Late into the night, as the skies opened up and continuously rained buckets, I had a great conversation with a guy who is also a student here @ TEFL. He began explaining to me how he has made some mistakes in the past and according to what he’s told me he has stumbled upon many unfortunate scenarios, and wrong-place-wrong-time kind of deals. Now, Im not going to delve into detail here because that’s his business not mine, but during a part of our conversation I was struck with such a revelation where for a moment I could definitely relate. After his stories of tragic past events he started explaining to me that despite all that he has done and all of the misfortune that he has endured whether out of consequence or just plain bad luck; his father, unjudgingly, has always been there with unconditional love and no matter the circumstance, he was there... ALWAYS. He then continued saying how he would do anything just to make his father smile - give him something to be proud of, and to do something with his life that will somehow repay his father. As he was saying this, immediately, one thought came to my head, “aren’t I in the same situation?” I owe myself to MY father, Jesus Christ! The one who died on the cross, in unfathomable love for his children, to bail me out from a sentence of death and forgive me of all the sins i’ve committed (past, present, and future), yet I don't deserve any of it. I owe him my life. And just listening to the booming thunder and watching as the lightning flashed upon the entire ocean in the cool, black night, I felt the sheer presence of Jesus Christ, and I was filled with such a raw loving passion. I serve a powerful God. My God is here with me, and I am not alone. I want to make my Jesus smile.

Day 10: ...and spiders, Oh My!

Another long day of classes followed by Pad Thai and a noncompetitive game of billiards. Nothing eventful until later in the evening as I was getting ready for bed a HUGE spider trickled from the ceiling, spiraling down his web. As I was getting ready to smash him with my slipper, mid-air, he jumped from his string of silk and began scurrying (the fastest I had EVER seen) across the floor towards my feet. I then laid my slipper so hard on his rear end, that I broke two of my nails (I hadn't noticed until after the fact). Praying with all of my might that there would be the body of a dead spider under my slipper, I lifted it up, and sure enough a crumpled lifeless arachnid lay in the middle of my floor. Using my slipper I shoved him under the bed. Feeling accomplished and powerful, as well as a little squirmy, I hopped into bed very proud of myself.

Day 9: Grammar sucketh, it do

Class begins again! It is monday, and weather has set the tone for today; overcast with a very high chance of dull. Our lesson today - grammar. Just the thought of making the English language even more complicated than it already is send chills up and down my spine, and back up again. I never liked grammar and I never will, and thats that. Good news though; I wont be needing to teach it when I go over to teach in Laos. Thank the Lord Almighty!

Another interesting experience (having absolutely nothing to do with grammar); last night after I had fallen asleep I awoke to find that the power had gone out, the only reason I knew this was because my air-conditioner wasn't making any noise, and there were flashes of lightning sparking outside my window, so I could only assume... anyways, thought this would be blog-worthy.

Now, I believe I will finish off my day with a banana smoothie, and thanks to computers with DVD slots, a visit from my personal trainer Jillian Michaels.

I love her.

Day 8: Lockdown

Thats right. Its lockdown time. Meaning my door is locked, and Im lying down. Its time to get down to business and get this class work finished. I have devoted all day to get this done and by-golly ima get it done. So "la gon-ca" for now. Time to get busy.