February 10, 2004
The children are warm and friendly and very peaceful, much like Thai people in general. These two boys are in 8th grade and have way too much energy!
Kids playing basketball in the evenening after school.
Kids playing soccer in the evening after school. Its usually total chaos!
Teacher Milton from South Africa teaching general science to children in the MEP program.
The program I teach at is called MEP, or Mini English Program. Its an English immersion program where the students are exposed to Native speaking English teachers from all over the world. We teach all subjects. I teach math, biology, computers and English to over 800 students!
At the Nong Chang yearly festival, we foreign teachers were given a multitude of honors, inlcuding being invited to eat a traditional meal in the Buddhist temple with several important politicians. We often find ourselves escorted to the best seats in the house regardless of the event. This is Teacher Daniel from Egypt and myself, posing for a photo with Asst. Prof. Dr. Prasang Mongkonsiri, Member of Parliment, Uthaithani Province.
Ms. Suchada and myself posing with Asst. Prof. Dr. Prasang Mongkonsiri, Member of Parliment, Uthaithani Province. 
Me.
Ms. Suchada, Daniel and myself posing with the monks at the festival. 
Cute kid.
My MEP computer class is total chaos. How in the world can I get these kids to stop playing games?!
This is Teacher Vince from Ohio, USA, He is an ex-Marine, proud and faithful Christian and husband of a local Thai woman. He moved to Bangkok to start a business. He is a very nice man and I am trying my best to replace him at this school, though he is truly irreplaceable. This is him receiving a farewell gift from one of his students at the Farewell Vince/Welcome Tirian luncheon we had.
Teacher Vince and the very intelligent kids from MEP 4 (10th Grade).
This is Teacher Daniel and his adoring MEP 1 class (8th Grade).
Daniel checks on his kids, making sure they are behaving.
These kids from MEP 4 brought tears to my eyes when they sang this song for Teacher Vince. "Wherever you go, whatever you do, I will be right here waiting for you..."
The school Superintendant honors me with a welcome gift.
These next series of pictures depict a much less formal adult farewell party for Vince that took place in the evening. 
Many beers were drank and many words and feelings were expressed. The food was unbelievable!
We sang Karaoke long into the night. Especially this guy.
Many beers lead to long speaches.
Party on!
Everyone has their own style. This is the art teacher/night watchman, a good guitar player and a very giving person. One morning around 2 am my motorcycle ran out of gas while I was picking up Daniel who was stranded in the next town 20 K away. The next day he drove me all over the province, searching for it, and eventually to the police department to retrieve it. Thanks dude!
Me and my kids eating ice cream.
Daniel showing his appreciation for his students who turned in their homework by buying them ice cream.
These are more pictures from the Nong Chang country fair. 
This motocycle drove around inside this wood cylinder like a maniac all the way up to the top.
Then he took his hands off the bars.
...and stood up!
This is Daniel and I at my house.
This is teacher Daniel with our motocycle that we share.
Please help me!
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