The New Heroes | PBS

The New Heroes | PBS
This series on Public Broadcasting is an inspiration. There are some excellent resources on this web site to get practical ideas that will lead to improving peoples lives. Computing skills, the practical application of computing skills and the Internet seems like an opportunity for empowerment.

When I was younger, much younger, I started a group home for young people in Anchorage. It was built on values that I feel are important. The ITS program was built on ideas that were fundamental to me; how people should be treated, providing opportunity, saying yes to diverse talents, bringing out the best in people; people realizing their potential.

Underlying my sabbatical is the question of what do I want to do with the rest of my life? How can I apply my skills and my experiences to make a difference? I have no ideas except to keep an open mind and to watch for open doors.

Richard's Life in Thailand - Hi-lo Society in Thailand

Richard's Life in Thailand - Hi-lo Society in Thailand
I just finished the book, Thailand Fever, it really does help me understand Thailand from another perspective. The comments on this post, in the blog, are interesting. Somehow we relate deference to low self esteem, I do not think that is true, because of my reading, deference is related to being part of the culture and the tradition of Thailand and reflects being a member of the culture and the tradition, being a part of the whole community. Deference is not to the person, individually, but to the role that person has in the community. On the other hand injustice and exploitation can also result from deference, people accepting the unacceptable. It seems though that standing up against what is wrong and deference might be two distinct reactions and they are not necessarily related.

In the United States independence and standing up against authority are deeply felt values, heck look at the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights and Rosa Parks, our societies values are defined by people who do not defer to authority. I think of Bob Marley, "Get Up Stand Up" as an anthem to progress and self-realization. Deference is such a potent experience from a person from the United States, it somehow crystallizes fundamental cultural differences. There is a lot to learn. I guess for a person who is part of the Thai culture that deference does not carry the cultural background that it does from person from the United States. It is hard to imagine not "being independent". It is hard to imagine not being "individual" These values are so deep it is like breathing the air. But cultures are different and my basic assumptions are not universal. In Thailand there are many people who stand up against what is wrong and who make stands for justice in fairness, it just might be from a different set of assumptions.

When people defer to me, it does happen, I feel like a pompous jerk! It makes me feel very uncomfortable. "Who do I think I am?" Anyway there is much to learn. I guess in Thailand respect or deference is to my position or role, not to me individually. This is a hard concept to understand at the "feeling" level.

Some Books!

In preparing for my Sabbatical, and just because of curiosity, I have been reading some books. I would highly recommend the following books that are either about Thailand or Buddhism. I have included the Amazon links to these books. I found these books just by browsing, following other recommendations, noticing reviews, or following Amazon.com recommendations.

The Gods Drink Whiskey : Stumbling Toward Enlightenment in the Land of the Tattered Buddha

The Dream of a Thousand Lives: A Sojourn in Thailand

An End to Suffering : The Buddha in the World

Meeting Faith: The Forest Journals of a Black Buddhist Nun

Culture Shock! Thailand (Culture Shock! Country Guides)

Thailand Fever

Thai Restaurants in Fairbanks Alaska

Fairbanks Thai Restaurants Stephen Cysewski
Click on the link to see photographs of the nine Thai restaurants in Fairbanks.

Fairbanks Alaska is the second largest city in Alaska, the total population in the area is around 80,000. Fairbanks has nine Thai restaurants. The Thai House was the first and the Bahn Thai is the newest. The Bahn Thai summer restaurant has been open for years. So far all the restaurants are successful. It is kind of amazing that Fairbanks can support so many Thai restaurants.

Respectful Ignorance and the purpose of this Blog?

This blog might seem like a hodge podge of different postings. I have three audiences for this blog, people in Thailand who want to know what on earth I do in Alaska, people in Alaska who want to know what in earth I am doing in Thailand, and myself! I looked through a notebook I kept when I went to Thailand in 2002. As I read the postings my memories came back, it brought the experience back to life. I want to do the same thing with this blog. I intend to post pictures as well as observations and experiences. I also want to track and document the purpose of my Sabbatical. When I find places that I want to visit, or information that would be useful I will post it to this blog. I intend to use this blog to document my Sabbatical and to submit the blog, or an edited copy of it, for my Sabbatical report. I also intend for this blog to be subjective and personal, I will describe what I experience not what is true. I am both ignorant and innocent about Thailand and many of my posts will reflect that ignorance. When I lived in a village in Alaska, in 1967, and worked for Indian Education in Anchorage, the one thing that I learned was to not jump to conclusions about culture. Any culture is much deeper then I can comprehend without living in the culture for a long time. Ignorance is not a bad thing, it just means that I do not know. What is bad is not knowing or respecting my own ignorance and to think I know things that I do not. So I hope to approach my experiences with respectful ignorance.

The VISA came today!

Great news, just got the mail and my VISA arrived, a six month multiple entry VISA that can be renewed. We now have the tickets ordered and the VISA, now it is just getting ready for the trip. I am doing a lot of reading about Thailand and will start the Rosetta Stone language CD again. Learning Thai, at any level, is intimidating. Not only do I have to learn new sounds, a new culture, and a new alphabet, but learning a language is something that I never felt confident in. Sigh! I think I have to be realistic and to just pick up what language that I can. At least I am trying to learn about Thai culture, Thai religion, and Thai history. Learning the Thai language is going to be the real problem for me. I just need to put in some organized effort and to be happy with what I learn. My goal will be to understand some words in context and maybe to start reading street signs. I hope that when I am in Thailand that I can spend some time in language classes. Jit was teaching a class for some 10 to 12 year olds, I participated, but felt pretty awkward. The students were great about memorizing the alphabet and pronunciation, I was busy writing things down. Oh well---new challenges.

Heading East: How to Travel Well

Heading East: How to Travel Well

Richard's Life in Thailand - Understanding Thai Generosity

Richard's Life in Thailand - Understanding Thai Generosity

Leaving 8/28 9:42

We got our tickets. We will be leaving August 28th at 9:42 PM. We will arrive in Bangkok, by way of Taipei, 8/30 at 12:20 PM. Jit has a return flight for October 2nd, but I do not! I will be on my own. When we arrive in Bangkok we will get orientated at Jit's house and then go to STOU. I think I will be staying at the Conference Center at STOU, especially when Jit is gone. I will not have a shortage of learning opportunities. I am waiting for my VISA from Los Angeles. I sent all the material last week. I hope to get a multi-entry VISA for one year.

Thailand Blogs: Thai Life and Culture

Thailand Blogs: Thai Life and Culture
Track this site with Bloglines! Some of the people who write on this site are honest, candid, funny, and even thoughtful. I especially look forward to the posts by Bow, Richard, and SteveSuphan. I hope to visit Richard's school when I am in Thailand. A compassionate, deep, and interesting web site.

2Bangkok.com - Almost like being there

2Bangkok.com - Almost like being there
2bangkok.com is an awesome web site. New construction in Thailand, the Mega Bridge, history, politics, opinion, odd stuff, even the Alaska railroad are on this site. Seriously, the author of this site is interested in railroads and even had a link to the Alaska Railroad, I did a double take. I found the first picture of Jit's neighborhood here. I found the first information about Google having satellite pictures of Thailand here. Historical photography of Thailand is here. Breaking Thailand news is here, there was in depth coverage of the Tsunami in Thailand before anybody else. 2bangkok.com is what the Internet should be! To me 2bangkok.com is the first web site to learn about Thailand. My other essential site is Thai-Blogs.com. The Bangkok Post site and The Nation are useful, but for fun and understanding 2bangkok.com is the best.

STOU's Sabbatical Expectations

This is the original Sabbatical plan from STOU. I am anxious to meet with the people at STOU so that we can combine the two sabbatical proposals. I hope to find somebody, who speaks Thai, to collaborate with. I hope we can combine both proposals and that I can be of use to the people at STOU.

Dear Stephen,

I am pleased to inform you that our president has received the letter from your chancellor regarding your sabbatical leave during September 2005 � February 2006.

In this regard I would like to inform you of your job details/description and contact person(s) in each office.

1. September � December 2005
- Provide advice and recommendations on e-learning
- Using templates on Web
- Database management: Access & SQL
- Excel to Web
- Working with Web graphics
- Multimedia
Place of work: Office of Computer Services
Contact persons: Ms. Nongluck (Took): cscamnon@stou.ac.th
Ms. Sasithorn (Poo): cssassas@stou.ac.th

2. January � February 2006
- Provide advice and recommendations on e-training
- Using templates on Web
- Working with Web graphics design
- Program Macromedia Dreamweaver, Flash, Java Scrip
- Database management: Access, Excel & SQL
- Excel to Web
Place of work: Office of Continuing Education
Contact person: Mr. Hasanai Riyaphun: riyaphun@hotmail.com

If you need any further information concerning your job description, please feel free to contact the above persons directly.

Best regards and we all look forward to meeting you in September.

Sukanya

===================================================
STOU International Affairs
SUKHOTHAI THAMMATHIRAT OPEN UNIVERSITY
Bangpood, Pakkred, Nonthaburi 11120
Thailand

Our house in Fairbanks Alaska. February 2005
Stephen Cysewski

Tech and Photography Links: Stephen Cysewski

Tech and Photography Links: Stephen Cysewski

I use this web page to keep track of Photography and Technology news and trends. I also subscribe to RSS feeds through Bloglines.

The purpose of my sabbatical (subject to revision and experience!)

This is my original sabbatical statement.

During my sabbatical I want to learn the following things:

· What can I learn from Thailand’s People PC initiative and what assistance can I provide from my experience in the creation of the Information Technology Specialist program?

· How are IT training needs being met in Thailand? How is IT training resulting in practical skills that meet real personal and specific needs?

· I want to see how the UAF/ITS program, and curriculum apply in an international context. Have we created a useful set of curriculum and competencies? Will my skills and experience be useful in Thailand?

· I want to know if there are things we can learn from Thailand’s efforts to bridge the digital divide? Are there specific techniques and methods that can improve the ITS program? Are there things we can learn from Thailand to improve the delivery of IT training in Alaska?

· Many of the goals, the technology methods and the strategies that Sukhothai Thammathirta Open University has developed in Thailand are similar to the challenges of CRA and CDE. I want to learn from the similarities and differences between the two contexts.

· I want to apply the experience that I have in Alaska to a different context. I want to expand my perspective and to see new techniques. I want to learn new ways to meet the needs of adult students in acquiring and applying computer skills.

· I want to see how computer support, security, and virus protection is being provided in Thailand, especially in rural areas and in areas of poverty.

· I want to see new uses of technology including the integration of cell phone technology with computer applications. The cell phone in Thailand is a revolution.

· I want to see how the Linux and Microsoft Windows operating systems are competing in Thailand.

Since I wrote this, a year ago, my intent has changed slightly. I am especially interested in how adults are learning basic computer skills and how are they applying computer skills to their daily lives. I am interested in both applications and in the use of the Internet. By adults I mean people 30 years and older. This is a tentative idea, but it will be my initial focus for my sabbatical.

I just finished the book "A History of Thailand" by Chris Baker and Pasuk Phongpaichit. I wanted to get a context for my Thailand experiences and some recognition of the names and events that I hear about. I found myself comparing time frames, the 1890's, the 1950's, etc and also the pace of change. In the United States we had a union movement and government violence against students. We had a cycle of special interests and corruption and then reform, and then more corruption. Maybe some of these cycles are a reflection of our human nature and the dynamics of government. I think the most amazing idea is the growth of Bangkok, how in 100 years the city has grown and developed.

Sabbatical Resources Stephen Cysewski

Sabbatical Resources Stephen Cysewski
I have updated my sabbatical web site. Most of my posts will be using the web log, but the web site will have some essential links about my sabbatical. Please refer to the web site for my original sabbatical applicaiton and also for my Curriculum Vita.

Richard's Life in Thailand - Floating Market in Samut Prakan

Richard's Life in Thailand - Floating Market in Samut Prakan
Jit's family lives adjoining Sri Nakhon Khuankun Park. The house that her family is building looks out directly on the park.

TKPARK.OR.TH

TKPARK.OR.TH
This might be an interesting place to visit. I am interested in how the center approaches the learning of technology.

Virtual Hilltribe Museum @ www.hilltribe.org

Virtual Hilltribe Museum @ www.hilltribe.org
I want to visit this location. It might seem odd, but there seems to be come similarity between the hill tribes and Alaska Native people. In Alaska we have seven distinct cultures with seven different languages. I think it would be valuable to visit and to establish and to compare ideas and solutions.