Sports Day

I cannot think of a better way to introduce you to "Sports Day," than with a video clip.  I don't think descriptions would do these realities justice.

Clip 1 - Sports Day Commences

Alright time for the cheerleaders.

Clip 2 - Thai Cheerleader Kick-off

Clip 3 - Cheerleader Dancing - so great. For fun lovers only.

Clip 4 - Cheerleader Dancing2 - again, fun lovers only please.

Top: My Thai Teachers and I - Kru Aoff and Kru Jaeb.

Bottom: Music teacher, Thai teacher, parent, Kru Jaeb, gym teacher (I would have never guessed he would dress up), Thai teacher.

 The parents showed up in matching, professional-looking uniforms - white with black leggings. They meant business.

Top photos x2: Thai teachers and parents

Bottom (left): Dancing Thai teachers, aka cheerleaders - yep, they were great

Bottom (right): Kru Nok, about to cut the ribbon. Quite the costume if you ask me. I am a huge fan of the mustache. Of note, she usually is dressed in nice silk skirts and blouses, daily - extremely professional. I love it that she has a fun side.

Lets get chairball started. You know about chairball, right? No? Alright, briefly. Chairball is quite similar to basketball. The differences, there is no dribbling, only pivots and passing (no running or walking with the ball), the hoop is a mobile basket help by an individual on a stool/chair, and there is a defender in a goalie ring near each basket.  From what I observed, the calls are similar to basketball as well, jump balls, traveling, etc.  The defender is more like a soccer goalie as far as mobility; a clear advantage is a tall defender.  The game is timed and only 2 points are awarded per shot. 

Can you name my position? Yep, defender.  I did enjoy it, got a lot of play and action. However, I did have my eye on the offense. Being on the offensive side has its perks with height as well. But the vertically challenged opponents are not to be taken lightly, as they are feisty and know how to use what they have. Of note, in practice that week I experienced modest amounts of hug-holding.

Clip 5 - Chairball Shot, very short clip. I didn't get much on the game as I was playing for a lot of it.

Chairball. Chairball. Chairball.

Women.

Mothers versus Teachers (Thai and farang).

Winner takes a moderate serving of pride.

Pictured

Top (left): Me and my a student's mother (Puy's mother). She has become a favorite Thai of mine. At the start of the year, I thought she was shy and professional. Turns out, when chairball season rolls around. She's not just a friendly Thai smile. Just after the Mother's Day ceremony (previous blog), she had a conversation with her daughter and I.  It went something like this..

She says to Puy..

"Is you teacher beautiful?"

Puy: (nods her head)

"But who is more beautiful?"

Puy: (points to her mother)

"Is your teacher good at chairball?"

Puy: (nods)

"But who's better?"

Puy: "She points to her mom."

Puy's mother just smiles and walks away.

All in innocents, right? 

I think yes.

Anyways, I had a fun game going that afternoon and I had to get a photo with my favorite competitor.

 Thai teachers versus the students' mothers.

  (Clip 6) Tug-O-War. I didn't participate in this one. The Thai teacher's chose the participants carefully, I didn't make the cut. It was fun watching the numerous battles, especially the Thai men - rather competitive.

The concluding sport, football.

Pictured above, Thai men and our farang teachers.

Back: (left to right): James, Phil, Pete, Patrick, Joel, Thai gym teacher, Thai 

Front: Thai gym teacher2, Thai (goalie), Dan, Thai music teacher, Thai

I ended my day, with a friend I didn't know I had. Thank Thank, the quiet student that prefers to watch and listen and shy away from too much excitement. Our time involved some karate punches and me with a pompom wig and a road cone on my head.

Not just another day in the books.