Hide and Seek in Myanmar

Just a short ditty and an fyi - I can't view my blog from Myanmar, only work on it through the edit option, and also therefore can't read anyone's comments or follow anyone else's blog. Boo-hoo!

Home Sweet, Sweet Home - Burma Style

Here it is - the newest and latest home away from home.

My kitchen is huge, which was one of my needs when looking at the apartments and a huge part of the nerves when pulling numbers and choosing with a bunch of other teachers. I wanted a big space to have people over and cook with, much like my China days when we all cut, mashed, and drank wine together while tearing up over onions, laughing at life's jokes that day, or sharing deep stuff that can only be shared over the bonding of cooking.

I have a lot of utensils and a newly added microwave and electric teapot, but am excited about my water container that should be arriving any day now (no plastic bottles = great for the environment) and even more stoked for the eventual purchase of an oven. I have to get my bike first!

I love having so much storage space!

My favorite part about the kitchen is this little window with dark, wood shutters that opens up into the living room, a wonderful peek-a-boo from one room to the other.

My place come sans dining room, so this past weekend I called for another writing desk and two chairs. The table is perfect for one or four and provides two extra drawers to boot!

The living room (dining area on the side you enter in on) is just wonderful. It took me awhile, a week actually, to get this room together. It's a big space and I wasn't sure about the layout. It only came with the small love seat, a chair and the tables, but over the week I saw and snagged unused furniture and then asked for a few other pieces over the weekend. It took a bit to get there, but when I finally came up with this, it just felt right.

On the other side of the room, my computer and desk (where I'm at now putting this post all together).

My apartment is the only thing that is big - my bed is HUGE! A king! At first, to be honest, I was annoyed as I thought, "What do I need all that space for? I'm gonna be lonely." A few nights later, probably needless to say, I changed my mind.

The mirror, lamp, and that whole set up is a new another new addition from over the weekend. There used to be a tele on the top, but it is now in the cabinet.

The curved drawers is new too. Talk about how nice it is to have places to put things!

And then some!

My bathroom is pretty nice. I just love having a bathtub again after years. Wait! I forget that. I love having a toilet and shower that aren't within double duty of each other! And did you notice the mirror? Seriously, not an once of these simple things are being taken for granted.

My favorite part of my apartment, besides the hella cool parquet, runnin' and slidin', great to dance in your socks floor, is my balcony.

As you can see, the trees are still at tilt from the cyclone, only one small example of strong winds that tortured and tore trees, the land, and homes for both animals and people.

The plant boxes were here, but the others were my addition, all of the flowers bringing the outdoors to my outstretched and relaxed feet. The chairs, table, plants, not to mention the sounds and sights throughout the day, combine to make the most peaceful little spot in Yangon that I feel lucky enough to call my own.

Home in Yangon and Already In Love

It happened - as soon as I arrived in Yangon, stepped outside into the muggy air, I was finally excited. The streets were empty and dark as we made our way to the hotel, shops, cafes, and signs illuminating everything within distance of the glow, reminding me of a mix of Ho Chi Minh City, Nairobi, and a little bit of Panzhihua (minus the constant throng of people that can be found at what seemed to be most hours of the night, unless it was past two in the morning).

While checking in and getting my temporary room, I was given a welcome sign in Burmese from Richard, a new teacher and the only person I've kept in touch with from the school, of whom has shared hopes, nervousness, and lists of what to bring with me.

After having strewn things about in search for small and needed items, fresh fruit of the tropical yummyliciousness kind being delivered as a welcome from the hotel, I crawled into bed and fell fast and deep into unconsciousness.

There was a point or two in the middle of the night that I wondered where I was, but it was vague and let go of quick enough to go back to sleep with in seconds of pondering.

When I finally did wake up I scurried to the windows lining the end of my temporary room and threw open the curtains, unveiling my new home and life. I feel in love instantly, my heart beating, excitedness waking me faster than any alarm ever has. I looked out the windows, unable to peal myself or my fascinated eyes away.

Later, Kelli, another new teacher and my new found friend, ventured downstairs for breakfast. Windows housed us as we sat and ate, sharing who we were, sipping coffee and tea while pretending that this was all common and normal. Our smiles gave away everything.

Breakfast finished, Kelli and I headed into town, where every turn provided wow's, pinch me moments, both of us taking turns saying, "I can't believe this!" We walked for hours, till we suddenly tuckered out, and came back to our new home, both to the shaking of our heads in disbelief.

Half-Way There

After what seems like hours of traveling, being so tired that I nodded
off at take-off from San Fran, I am now sitting in one of many
terminals in Taipei airport. I've been here for a few hours and have
two more till I take off for Bangkok, then finally make it to my
destination - Burma.

I'm alone and in limbo, exhausted both from the travel and emotionally
from the goodbyes and my want to make all last moments with loved ones
special. Excitement for the journey ahead is out of reach, but I know
before too long it will have me in its firm grasp.

Thanks to everyone for their love, laughs, sentiments, and care.

30 Days

One month till departure and the range of emotions is immense, encapsulating everything from extreme excitement to the despairing sadness of missing. Mostly it is still all rather surreal. It was just a week ago that I started having reminder attacks, similar to the panic kind in on slot, but that of the realization of yet another life change. It will hit out of nowhere and suddenly feel real, like a dream you wake from, knew you had lived another life between hitting the pillow and waking up, then moments later to be left with only feelings, the memory of the dream completely gone.

I mean, I still have moments of "I haven't done this since China," the phrase I used for the umpteenth time yesterday, one of only a handful from the weekend.

I've started preparing despite the disbelief, the purchasing of food items that can't be bought in Burma (Annie's salad dressing, dried refried beans, etc), clothes that are respectful of culture yet allow for me to be cool despite the sweat that I know will roll down my body, and finally sending my visa application only to be called back by the Embassy and told that they don't except personal checks. I knew I had missed something!

And now I will have moments of another kind, "This will be the last time I...," last hugs and laughs, secret jokes and shared smiling eyes of knowing being the most precious.

Babies of Peace - P.C. Friends and Their Little Ones

I would like to introduce to everyone two babies born of people I love, volunteer friendships that started and grew while in China, relationships that I treasure and hold dear, and know that I'll have for the rest of my life. Congratulations, Louisa and John! Congratulations, Anna and Jacob!

Owen Wood, born to John and Louisa Wood, on May 2nd in Shanghai, China.





Isabel Ramirez, born to Anna and Jacob Ramirez, on June 2nd in California, U.S.A.





To little Own and Isabel - you are so lucky and blessed to have the parents that you do.

Voices from Sichuan - Former Students Share News and Thoughts on Their Tragedy

photos sent to me by my former students


The number of people that were killed by the earthquake in Sichuan province has now reached 68,000.

As soon as I heard about the earthquake, faces of all of my family, friends, and all of the students that I had in my two years at Panzhihua, flashed through my head. I sent this e-mail out, wanting to share my thoughts for and of them to let them know that at the very least they were thought of with much care and concern.


Dear students and friends,

Hearing about the earthquake has made me think of all of you and your
families non-stop. I hope that all of you and your loved ones are
alright and have made it through this tragedy. I wish that there was
something I could do...

Please know that I am thinking of you.

Love,
Amanda


The following are just some of the e-mails I recieved from students following my note to them, their names taken out for their privacy. Most of the e-mails left me feeling such relief; a few others, wishing I could hug across Internet lines and do something for them.

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I will never forget these days. No one has ever thought that an earthquake could attack Sichuan, my hometown. When I first heard this news, I could hardly believe. I just take it as a joke. However, after a while, such similar news came to me. I finally realized the seriousness of this event. Immediately, I phoned my family.At the very begining, because too many people were dialing cellphones, the system of phone calling was too busy to be connected. Fortunately, at night I got to know that my family are all ok, and my hometown, Dazhou is in a safe place. Thank Godness.

I hope that more people could be saved, and this disaster can be passed as soon as possible.


Thank you a lot for your letter!
We are quite safe in Panzhihua.Don't worry!
In order to give a hand to those who were attacked by earthquake, we're making every possible effort liking denoting blood, money and nessesary living goods.
From the report, I got a news that a group of American doctors went voluntarily to striken region to offer aid. I feel grateful for American people, thank you!
We believe firmly that we'll get through it!

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How are you? A sever earthquake took place in Wenchuan County， Sichuan Province, where only 92 kilometers away from Chengdu. You know, I am living in Chengdu now, so I witness this sever earthquake. It was reported that this earthquake is of 7.8 magnitudes. So the Chendu City feels strong shocking when the earthquake took place. We live in one seven floor of a building. When the earthquake happened, we were in the apartment and can not escape. We hid under a wooden table, but the house shakes too much. So I found I made a huge mistake that we should run out of the house instead of staying in the apartment. Due to the strong shaking of the building, the walls also almost collapse. At that moment, I was hidden under the table with three other girls. But soon, I realized we should escape from the house, but the apartment is too high, I was afraid of something would fell on us. I decided to let them hidden under the table and waited for the finishing of the earthquake. We were all scared; the earthquake lasted for almost four to five minutes. Fortunately, the walls were not collapsed, and we survived. I am still hope that I would have led them left the apartment. Finally the good news, we are every good.
Thank you for you concern!!!

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Dear Amanda,
There was a big earthquake several days ago,and many people died in this disaster. Over 14,000 people died in seconds and more than 2,000,000 people lost their houses .We did not meet such a big earthquake ,actually this is the biggest one sine the PRC founded. Till now,there are still lots of people did not find their family members,and there are still many students under the ruins. Our government and PLA are saving them .but....
Thank you and thank all people caring us.

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thank you for your caring. we are all right. please do not worry.
Are you ok?


We all miss you very much!

We are safe here, thanks for you consideration! And all of our family members are alright, exept some classmates' houses are destroyed. The earthquake really makes me(us) very sad. I'm sorry for that.I tried my best to help those people.I believe they can come throuth it. And we will. Our China will!!!

Thank you again for staying with us together during this hard time!You are so kind!

Please take care of yourself

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Thank you for your thinking of us, I am alright ,my family are all alright.and my classmates are alright.
But this disaster is terribly horrible, we are all frighten. We feel that we were so close to death for the first time. We can't help to think of the dead people and the people still in and suffered from the tragedy.
We do what we could do and try our best to help them.
I prey for us ,for them, for Sichuang, for China...

Thank you !

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My Dear Teacher and Friend,

I am so glad and moved to hear from you at this special time for your care and kindness. I am really shok this time, as many lives of people who have been living around me passed away. Almost all people are tearing when watching at the pictures on TV. there was a big lost, and it needs much braveness and efforts to recover to bring all the happiness that has been here in our lovely hometown back. But I am confident that we chinese will do our best to reduce the loss to the least with much help gaven by people in other places in china and all friends from international conutries. And here , on be half of all the Sichuan people, I would like to say one world to all the people who are caring and helping us,that is "Thank you, our friends." we believe that everything will be ok!

Best wishes to you,my dear friend and teacher, and also your families!

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Thanks for your warm e-mail。

We are safe in Panzhihua City!!!But we do worried about the people in Chengdu,Mianyang,and many cities in Sichuan.My roomate Linda's home was totally destroid.She can't contact with her mother in Mianyang.The earthquate was really a big disaster in this Olympic year!!!!

Let's pray for the people who were suffered!!

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Thanks for your concern of us .It's lucky that none of us were injured,we were fine .The epicentrum was about 550 km far from Panzhihua city,so the earthquake caused little loss here.But Wenchuan, the epicenter was nearly ruined.I saw on the TV that all the buildings and houses collapsed,people were covered under the ruins,several schools collapsed and a lot of students died,their parents cried to death for loss of their children.Up to14o' clock yesterday afternoon the death toll reached 14,886. Everytime I saw the scene I could not help crying.I feel pity for them.In our school students made a collection for people in disaster area,hoping that they can overcome the disaster.We believed that with the help of soldiers ,doctors and all the kind people in China and over the world ,disaster victims would pull though.

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Thank you for your consideration.It is really a disaster.Thousands of people have been killed. My hometown is near to the core of earthquack so it has been destroied badly. Luckily, my family are all safe but our house has been destroied badly. ______'s home is all right.

All the TV and radio are talking about the disaster area.We can't help crying when we watching the TV.The whole county is fighting with the disaster.We believe that we will conquer this.Thank you again.

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Thanks for your e-mail. My class and I are allright,but I am so sorry to tell you that my family goes into bankruptcy because of the earthquake.My father's factory collapse.So I feel sad these days.

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We were all shocked when the earthquake happened, and we felt our building shaking a little. After a few hours latter,we knew it was a terrible earthquake in our sichuan province.the earthquake did not make heavy damage to our panzhihua, so we are all right now,and we have connected with our family and friends, they are also good. Thank you, and we really miss you!