School Contract

Today, we officially began our one month school break. Early this morning, we had meeting and there were couple of agendum that the director discussed about. One of them was the signing of each one yearly contract. I’ve been working with this institution for a couple of years already but it’s the first time that the management told us that we have had to sign up the contract before the next school year begins.

So I read the whole context of the contract, there have been few conditions written on it. One condition that caught my attention is, “If you want to resign before your contract ends, you should have to find a replacement, if ever you could not find a replacement, you are not allow to resign, but if you want to resign without management’s approval, you should have to pay the school. For instance, how much is your monthly salary that’s what you have to pay for the school also. Wow! Granting, I am receiving 10,000 monthly and I will be resigning before the end of the school, let me say, 6 months before the school year ends so I have to pay 60,000 baht….Wow!

I fully understood the school management why they asked us to sign this kind of contract because there were few teachers left there without finishing their contract. And the management has had a hard time finding for a replacement and the students never finished their lessons. The worst was who would make the students’ grade. This cased happened this semester, so our school manager took over the other classes because a teacher left late of January this year.

The Fridge

After school last Friday, I went to the City but before lunch I phoned my friend, who was with me for a couple of nights, and she told me that she forgotten to unplug one of the extension wires but she turned off all other plugs.

Since, we had an experienced already that our place was almost eaten by the fire due to the negligence of my neighbor, so I phoned my landlady to turn off one of the switches outside my room, I told her to just turn off the switch for the lights only which is the number 10, not the switch for the fridge which is number 20. And she said yes.

Well, when I arrived early morning today, my room smelled very badly but I have to ignore it because I needed to run to school or else I would be late. To make the long story short, when I arrived after school, I opened my fridge, oh..my..oh..my…the fridge was terribly smelled bad.

Good that I told my colleague to get the two kilos of fish in my fridge for her consumption for a couple of days. But I told her just to leave the small package of fish and she did leave it in the fridge then it made my fridge terribly smelled badly. If I knew that my landlady turned off the two switches, I might told my Filipino colleague to take all the things inside my fridge.

Anyways, they’re all rotten already, so what to do, well of course, I had to clean up the fridge…super hmmmm…then I was thinking how I can get rid from the super bad smell in the fridge. I tried to find some charcoal but I couldn’t find, so I tried to cut a few pieces of unions and put them in the freezer and in the fridge, and after a couple of minutes the smelly thing banished, now it smells onions though but it does not matter as long as the very bad smelled gone already.

A Big Treat

We just arrived from Phuket and I am now staying at my friend’s house and tomorrow at 5:30 A.M, I will be traveling back to the town where I am staying and go to work as well.

The meeting went successfully and I was very refreshed and encouraged. I truly treasured every meeting and I was very thankful to God that for the last minutes He allowed me to go there.

One additional surprised that God had given me; the swimming pool has been working already. But I never brought my swimming suit because of my past experience there a year ago. The swimming pool didn't work so that's the reason I never brought my swimming pool. Guess what? In spite, I didn’t bring my swimming suit still I went for a swim with my under wear and sleeveless, I supposed to only wear my bras but my friend let me used her sleeveless. Then I did SPA twice also, my first SPA I only used simple bath soap but on the second SPA I used perfumed and oil and when I came out from the bath tub I truly smelled nice, relaxed, and my skin was smoother.

Happy swimming with the lovely children.

Unexpected Trip

Yesterday, I received an email from a friend in Singapore, asking me why my name was not in list for the meeting.

Then, a friend of mine told me that, my scholarship has been approved already. I truly amazed when he said like this because I never applied for it. But I have desired to attend the meeting but due to a few concerns, it was so hard for me to decide whether I would pursue my desire to attend the meeting.

But here’s the opportunity for me to attend the meeting but I haven’t asked permission from the school yet, and I was not very sure whether the management would allow me to file a two day leave. But, early morning today, I spoke and asked permission from the assistant principal, about my trip for Phuket. Then, she never said no, she immediately said yes but with that I should finish the assignments that she has been assignment to me.

Well, I tried my best to finish my works but I haven’t finish one job yet. But I finished all my grades already. So I still have a day to finish decorating the little studio which is my second work for the graduating students on Friday.

I am truly amazed how God answered my heart desire; I just put the important things in my bag that I needed to bring to Phuket. And after school tomorrow, I will be traveling to City and we’ll leave for Phuket early in the morning the following day.

The Presents

While I was in the Philippines last Month, I received an email from a friend in Hatyai City and telling me that I’ve got Christmas presents waited for me to pick up. And the Christmas presents were from friends in Singapore. Since, I arrived here from the Philippines; I don’t have a chance to go to the city and picked up my presents so I waited until Last Friday during our OPM. So, when I arrived at the center, where we're always held our OPM. I immediately asked my colleague where my presents were? So, she told me at the prayer room, so I went to the room and I took my gift and opened it immediately. Can't wait....LOL

Here are the gifts. The cholocates, I shared to my colleagues and devotional book is really what I needed. Well, a couple of days ago, I've been craving for chocolates and not long enough I've go them. PTL!

To my friends in Singapore, God bless your heart. Thank you so much for remembering me in many ways.

The Weather

The weather here has been changing a lot particular in the small town where I am staying. For a couple of days now had been raining every afternoon, but the strange things were, not all in the town has been raining but only in our school area and neighboring villages. For instance, yesterday I was very wet standing along the road waiting for the transportation for almost 30 minutes. Then when I almost arrived home, the rain just got started and not so heavy yet.

Well, today I was on the road waiting for the transportation again, and the transportations were not many because most of the schools had been starting the school break, only my school has not been starting the school break yet, not until the end of this month. The rain was so heavy and I was very wet again, though I was using an umbrella but due to the super heavy rain still I became wet. Well, the transportation arrived after 35 minutes of waiting. Thank God.

I was very surprised, seeing the next block that it’s very dry and there was no rain at all. When I arrived home, sure enough there’s no rain. I was very wet when I got down from the transportation. The fact is, even at the moment, there’s no rain in my place, and the breeze of the wind is a little humid. By the way, my school is not that really far from my house, it's only 7 to 10 minutes drive. And the rain poured only on that place.

I remember something, in a couple of years ago, March is a hot season here in Thailand, there’s no rain and it’s very humid. But, I also notice that a year or two years ago, there’s a little rain during this month too. But this year, the rain was really heavy. I guess, not all part of Thailand has been raining though. I am just talking about where I am now, in Satun.

Well, does this indicate that the weather here in Satun is much different from the other places in Thailand? Well, I don’t know it yet, too. I try to Google it later so that my weather report will truly be accurate. (Smiles)

15 Years Scholarship

Last weekend, we had meeting at school and one of the agendum was about the scholarship that the government in Thailand has been implemented.

For 15 years, the government of Thailand is giving scholarship for all the nationals from kindergarten until high school. The scholarship covers all the expenses such as school uniforms, books, tuition fees, etc. And the scholarship stars this coming school year. Wow!

For those who want to study at the private schools, the government will give half of all the expenses for each student, and for those who want to study at the government school will receive the full scholarships.

Truly Amazing Thailand! They’ll always look after their people. Imagine for 15 years scholarship, it’s truly big wow! Then I interviewed with one of my Thai colleagues, if the students need to undergo examinations in order for them to avail the scholarship, my colleague said, "they would never take exams, the scholarship is for everyone". Then, I told my colleague, wow…Thailand is a rich country, then she said, “not really but they would always help us.”

How I wish that my country will think and do the same way. It’s only on my wish, I guess. But we never know, might be someday, who knows?

Thirty Days

It has been 30 days today, since he breathe his last breathe and he’s now with the LORD, and resting wonderfully and peacefully.

When I was with my family, in the Philippines, I never missed him this much. But, since I’ve got back here; I’ve been missing him so much and been crying hard every night. Sometimes, I cried at school especially if I was not teaching and sitting alone at the teachers’ room. God knows how much I miss my earthly father. I thought I was able to talk and hug him before he left but I wasn’t.

I told to my family back home, that they’re so blessed because they’re not alone. They could gather together every night for devotional and they could play with my little nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews as well. I even told them that I’ve been feeling so alone here especially at night, and been crying even though I’ve been trying to be strong but I always ended up crying.

I thought of myself that I’m a very strong woman, but I am very wrong. I am weak as a rotten fish. I know this time that only God could fill in everything. But just let me cry LORD!

I remember something: Yesterday, one of my national colleagues asked me, “Litlit, why your face is looks sad?” Just smiled a bit and my tears fell down. I never explained the whole thing.

In spite, I smiled every person that I’ve met at school but still what’s in my heart still reveals….crying..crying..crying….

Grades Submission

Yesterday, before the flag ceremony, I asked my national colleague when we were going to submit the grades of the grade six students. I was very astonished, when I heard her saying,…”today, we have to submit the grades to the principal office.” …. And I asked her what time we should submit the grades and she said at 1 pm. Wow! I was away for almost a month….and I haven’t seen the result of their final exam yet.

So, after the flag ceremony, I browsed the final exam of the grade six students, I calculated and recorded their points and they all passed their final exam, which was given by a person who substituted me. Good enough that Ate MM gave their final exam…To you, Ate MM, thank you so much and God blesses your heart.

To make the long story short, before 1 pm yesterday, I’ve done making the grades of the grade six students. And submitted their grades on time. PTL!

Married For 48 Years

Tree days before we brought our father to the place where his body lies. We rushed our mother to the hospital because she collapsed and no strength at all. We stayed at the hospital for two nights; supposedly the doctor didn’t allow my mother to go out from the hospital on the third day because she was not completely recovered yet. But she begged that she wanted to see my father for the last time. So the doctor allowed her to go home.

The cardiologist advised me what to do with my mother before we brought our father to the cemetery. Since her heart condition was not really okay, so the cardiologist prescribed medicine for my mother to calm down her heart as well as her feeling. So, an hour before we left for the cemetery, I gave my mother a medicine, so when we arrived at the cemetery, she was very relaxed and very sleepy. Besides, many were praying for my mother’s situation and I truly believe God used the medicine through prayers as well, because without prayers the medicine would never be that effective. Truly, prayer changes things.

Since, my father was gone, the strength of my mother never returned to normal yet. So, we’re all being very careful to look after my mother. Every time and then, my sister –in-law always monitored my mother’s blood pressure and my younger sister faithfully gave my mother’s medicine.

But, last Monday, February 22 in the evening, we rushed our mother to the hospital again because she couldn’t talk properly and she became very weak. At this time, she was diagnosed well, and the finding was, she had a mild stroke and her left brain was shrank, this was found after a ctscan of her brain.

A night before I flew back to Thailand she was discharged from the hospital. Now, she has been recovering well. It’s very difficult for her to accept the truth that my father was gone. They’ve been married for 48 years and they never quarreled at all. But of course, they had misunderstanding but it never stayed longer.

My prayers, that my mother’s health will be restored and she will be able to accept the truth. Please join with me in prayers.

The Last Breathe

A couple hours after I arrived home, my siblings shared to me, what had happened before my father breathes his last breathe.

It was February 4 at 10 a.m, my father called my sisters and my auntie. My mother was asleep at this time. So they came closer to my father because his voice was very slow and deep. My father told them, “they’re here to pick me up and I am very tired so I wanted to go with them. They asked,” Where are they?” my father replied; “they’re here, the angels” then my auntie and sisters prayed for my father. And they told my father to go with them happily because God is preparing a nice place for him. Then my sister next to me, told to my father just to sleep happily and trust God. Then my father said, “yes, I will sleep and rest” and he closes his eyes and breathe his last breathe. My siblings related this to me.

While listening to my siblings, I was happily thanking God for taking care of my father. My father graduated from the severed pained that he suffered for almost 3 months. Now, he’s resting wonderfully and peacefully in the mighty hands of the Almighty. For me to live is in Christ to die is gain….

Every night during the vigil, there were many people staying until morning just to be with us, and every night also, there were pastors assigned to preach the message of the gospel and many accepted the LORD.

I thank God for meeting our needs amazingly. The supplies were overflowing; some of our neighbors brought goods, sacks of rice, etc. The officials in our barangay and city contributed some amounts for the funeral. And also friends for giving generously. God is so amazing, at this time, God’s great faithfulness has been proven in the life of my family members. God knows that without HIM... we are absolutely nothing. God is great and indeed HE is worthy to be praised.

Before I Arrived Home

Before I left Satun, I phoned my family and I spoke and prayed for my father, and I told to my father, “papa, I love you and you just sleep because I’ll be home tomorrow” then I put the phone down and I travelled to the city. While I was traveling to the city, I’ve missed my father so much and my heart was so heavy but I could feel the unspeakable peace depth inside my heart.

While, I was on the plane to Bangkok, I was sitting and crying and telling God…” LORD, I WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO REACH MY FATHER AND TALK TO HIM IN PERSON” the feeling and the conviction were very strong, but I tried to convince myself that I would be able to reach and hug my father.

I arrived in Manila on time and I texted my sister and telling her that I was in Manila and I even told her to tell our father that I would be home in a couple hours, but no replied at all. So, I just hang on and thinking that she doesn’t have load on her cellphone.

I arrived Cagayan and my family friend was there waiting for me and sent me straight to the bus station. I left CDO quite early, so I was very anxious to reach home. I never stopped texting my family but none of them replied to my text. When I arrived Malaybalay City, (an hour before my city) I phoned my younger sister and I asked her how my father is. She didn’t answer my question immediately, instead she said, “Where you are now at, ate?” I said; I’m in Malaybalay City. Then, she said, “ Ate, just be strong” and I said, “Yes, I am strong and I know it happens and I am ready for it and I know he is waiting for me” Then she put the phone down. But I was wondering so I phoned her again, so I phoned her again, then I forced her to tell me the truth….Yes, she told me that, my father passed away, three hours after I spoke to him on the phone before I left Satun. Then, I cried a lot inside the bus….. and I don’t know what to say to my sister…I hang up the phone and cried.

When I arrived my town, my younger brother picked me up, I didn’t go with him immediately, I just let him brought my bag and I stayed in the city for awhile to calm down my feeling because I was very concern of my mother. I tried to gain more strength from God first before I would face the body of my father and to hug my mother and the members of my family.

Well, I was ready to face, I called my brother to pick me up. When I arrived home, my sister next to me ran to me and hugged me and she cried and I told her not to cry a lot because of our mother. After she hugged me, I went straight to my father where he was lying inside his small coffin, and when I saw him, his face was smiling and I could see that he left peacefully and I even commented loudly…” Wow, my papa is very handsome and he’s smiling”. When I turned around, I saw my mother lying down on our bamboo sofa with my younger sister, and I went to her and hugged her so tightly and I tried my best not to cry. I just let cried on my shoulders. I wanted to cry but because of a very delicate situation of my mother, I tried not to cry and besides, before my father passed away, he told to my siblings not to cry if he passed away. Huh….that’s very impossible not to cry…if someone losses….but we all cried secretly due to my mother’s health.