The Longest Summer Camp Ever

I know somewhere in South Korea, someplace young elementary students at their summer English summer camp are having a good ol' time singing songs, doing arts and crafts, taking field trips to the zoo and local water park -- those kids just aren't at Sang-in Elementary.

Before summer vacation, I was asked to planned for the upcoming summer camp and being the planner that I am, I planned a three week summer camp extravaganza! Tie-dye, nature walks, theatre day, build a camp newspaper, every summer camp activity you could think of I had planned. Well on the last day of school I was sent a late night e-mail explaining "there's no summer camp budget, so no activities"; basically keep it simple.

What was I to do? I was bound for Thailand to enjoy my vacation and once I got back from my break, I was going to need an additional break, I had absolutely no euasthism for summer camp. I follow directions and keep it simple teach the kids grammar, pronunciation and phonics for a few hours and that be it. Right? Wrong?

10 - 12 kids a day who would rather be outside out running and playing. Good luck on attempt to stick to the textbook.

So I tapped into my own pocket, like most teachers do and I footed the bill for most of my activities so the kids could enjoy some bit of camp, at least while they were with me. And I did just that, we made lemonade, painted t-shirts instead of tie dying, we've had movie day with snacks yet payday has come and gone, bills must be paid, and now we're returned back to the basics -- amazingly the kids are enjoying it.

It's true you don't need flashy activities to keep 3rd, 4th, 5th and some 6th graders occupied, it helps, but you don't need them. A stick in a ball worked wonders back in the day, and it still does now.

Today's lesson was all about compound words. I had the kids play a guessing game, we watched some spongebob via youtube.com and pointed out all the compound words, they made a role play using key compound words and phrase and they even drew their own compound words pictures.

It was a good 3 hours worth of compound word fun! Take a look at some of their drawings below.

Peace n blessings.

Derek

The Fourth Tattoo -- Words from Above

To tat or not to tat, that is the question, for some.

For me its never been a real dilemma should I or shouldn't I tat up my body with ink, the question has always been where should I strategically place them.

I've wanted a tattoo since I was 16 years old, that's when I saw my cousin's tattoo, she doesn't know this but it definitely inspired me, I felt she was so aware yet rebellious against all we had been taught thus on my eighteenth birthday I secretly ended up at a raunchy tattoo parlor on the other side of the tracks in my hometown and got my first tattoo. Since then I've acquired two others, and whilst in Thailand I had my fourth one etched into my skin.

Many a year has pasted since this new tattoo because I wanted this one to be meaningful, not that the others weren't, they were more random than anything, but this new tattoo had to have meaning, it had to represent something greater than me, it had to be something that I could proudly display anywhere to anyone. And it had to be words of great importance and wisdom, something that sums up my life philosophy.

So while sitting in Thailand in the coziness of a my nautical themed hotel room, I opened the nightstand drawer and upon my amazement there sat the Holy Bible (new testament only)amazed because Thailand is a nation comprised mostly of Buddhists so why would a Holy Bible be in the nightstand, but it was. And so I opened the book and I flipped the pages to the Book of John, one of my favorite books, and I went to read John 3:16 a well know and one of favorite verses "For God so love the world that he gave his only begotten Son, so that whoever believeth in him shall not perish but have Everlasting life." and I continued to read down to John 3:27 and I read these words "A man can receive nothing, unless it has been given to him from heaven." Instantly it clicked for me, this, and only this could be my fourth tattoo and so I had the tattoo artist place the verse upon my right forearm.

For I whole-heartily believe that all things come from God, without the blessing from Him we are nothing and we are capable of nothing. So praise be to Him for he bestows blessings upon us, even when we are undeserving.

I pray that even at ninety, when my arms are saggy, weak and wrinkled and my tattoo has begun to fade, that I still hold true to these word. Until then, I wear this new tattoo with pride and reverence.

Peace & Blessings Fam!

Derek

Thailand: An Awakening

It been quite sometime since I've penned (well typed) a line or two here at/on my public diary. And for good reason. I was out experiencing the beauty City of Angels and re-awakening my senses in the Land of Smiles. I was in Thailand ya'll and it has/was truly a life defining experience for me.

Like any true romantic, and I dare say I am one, after leaving such a life provoking country such as Thailand I have been completely discombobulated. The life I knew here in SOKO is a distance memory and I'm having such a difficult time just trying to get back in the "swing" of things.

I'm hedonist, always have been always will be. Pleasure is what I enjoy in all shapes, sizes, colors, fragrances and forms, etc., etc. I can't deny it, nor will I try.

And Thailand hit every sensory button imaginable.

The people were quite amazing and attractive. The scenery and beaches were like a bit of heaven here on earth. The food was spicy, yet sweet and salty a spectacular arrangement in every bite and so damn cheap!

I found love and passion, a new awareness of self and with every experience even a bit of sadness. Friendship were tested, some built up and others lost. I'd even go far enough to say that I was enlightened while passing along the reclining Buddha, or maybe it was the sway of the long boat as it glided over the Chayo Phraya river.

whatever it was that happened, I'm glad it did. Thailand was a feast and I can wait to partake once more.

until next time my friends and family.

peace and love

Derek
* click the title for pictures*