Year end - Looking through the lens of a foreigner

December News - a point of view 

December consisted of weddings, luncheon celebrations to Christmas gatherings; Instructing a new set of ESL classes to making some progress with the Resource Activity Book known as ‘English Voices of Myanmar’.  From looking through the lens of a foreigner over the last 6 months in NayPyiTaw to our usual theatre of humanity  in  our local neighbourhood.

Our neighbours across the road continue to endlessly entertain us with the usual theatre of humanity.  What with the older sister and brother holding, dropping their large woven garbage bamboo basket, alternating between picking- up  fallen garbage to racing behind the navy blue garbage truck with other children teasing one another, while Kevin right behind them watch the ins and outs on the way – taking part of the charming chaos; To grandpa’s new diverting scheme in keeping his grandson busy with this and that, taking a risk in cajoling him only to find that his family has already left for school, quietly, wide eyes watching them drift by from a distance… While mom still bellows Myanmar words that we still don’t understand.  This time not at her son, who by this time is at the end of the dirt road far from her, but hollerss at another family whom they share their little compound with … :)

December began with a luncheon celebration to welcome new parliamentary staff, bestowed and organized by parliamentary officials,  which I gladly attended with  the office staff.  Everyone raved about the Indian chicken curry with chapatti especially prepared by talented parliamentary staffs for this special occasion.

On the weekend, in early December, we celebrated another special event.  Kevin and I attended my colleague’s wedding at the SweShiDaw restaurant where, on our arrival, arm in arm with one of the hostesses, we were ushered to the parliamentary officials’ tables rather than having the opportunity to sit with my colleagues, which I would have preferred; simply, to reconnect with them and to introduce them to Kevin.  The bride and groom, fixed smiles, were donned in beautiful attire and tirelessly walked from table to table for snapshots.  We had a lovely time and food delicious.

For Christmas, we  Kevin and I had a festive BBQ dinner party with friends and had a delicious decadent unique meal. Definitely mouthwatering range of flavours and textures that consisted  primarily of several meat dishes: Italian sausages, pork chops, steak, spareribs with wine, beer, cocktails  to ring the New Year in – the 2018 count down …The company, the food, and relaxing ambiance was more than I can say.  We’re so lucky! 

As for work, my old class, though previously agreed by the officials that I were to have them for one full year - 2 terms,  was dissolved for reasons  I will never know and 2 new sets of ESL classes were constructed.  However, something good always comes from something that one may naturally be disappointed with at first.   

Initially with this sudden change, it meant that I had little time to hold my small parliamentary group or my MPs’ English conversational group or in developing the Resource Activity Book that my former students and I began to write from the grassroots up.  However, my new classes are just as smart and geniuses and talented as my former 2017 parliamentary class!   

That is to say that although the Resource Activity Book ‘English Voices of Myanmar’ is progressing at a slower pace, with the consent of the big boss,  I was able to touch base, reconnect with some of my former students for the Myanmar translation.  I have also been given the consent to work with some of my present students to work on the book.

As for looking through the lens of a foreigner over the last 6 months in NayPyiTaw, we had some very good times and some challenging ones.

We feel very fortunate to have landed in a local community, living among the locals to experience the special things that we would never otherwise have experienced, if we had stayed in a hotel where other expats are expected to stay .  By day end, a surge of excitement rushes over me, down my spine as I enter our little dirt road and pass children squealing with delight, neighbours waiving and chatting and Kevin sitting on his red chair awaiting for my arrival from a hard day’s work.

 

Though we have a TV with one channel, TV is the last thing on our minds.   To date, I’ve read 19 books (different genre).  Normally, at home, I might be lucky if I read 6 – 7 books the most in one year.   As soon as I finish reading one, I’m already excited to start working through another; another story of people’s lives, love, friendship, their hopes, wants, etcetera.  That's when you realize how lucky you are to have the life that you have.   I’m in the process of reading ‘Hotel on the Corner of Bitter Sweet’ , Jamie Ford.  Look it up – it's a good read about love and friendship between an American-Asian couple.

Yes time has indeed past quickly. NayPyiTaw, often referred to as the perplex city from bystanders, after a time, does grow on you: the gentle people, their warmth, support   has had an optimistic effect on my work and me.  So far for us, collaborating, building the capacity of both parliamentary staff and parliamentarians have been most encouraging.  We've seen progress and milestones.   My new students, as my former ones were, are wonderful, respectful, eager to learn and super smart.

More will be posted at later time ....:)  In the meantime, wishing you fun reading and lots of laughter for January 2018....:)