Hugs and Tears

"It is good to have an end to journey toward, but it is the journey that matters in the end."
-Ursula K Le Guin

Our last day in Thailand has been a rollercoaster of emotions. Class this morning was insightful and interesting, and then we spent some time as a class practicing music. We ate at the Canteen for the last time and said goodbye to the Thai students, which was REALLY hard. Getting to know them and hanging out together has been so fun! I will miss them all dearly.

At 3:00 we gathered to return to the College of Music Spirit House and made an offering. It was the perfect full circle ending. We went to the spirit house on our first day, and returned on the last.

Afterwards we took the van to Princess Ajanmam Dusadee's house. The most adorable ninety-one year old woman greeted us at her beautiful home. We sat down for dinner and she asked us many questions about our last few weeks in Thailand and we were able to reminisce on all the wonderful memories we created here. Princess Ajanmam also told us stories, about her life and her teaching career. She greatly appreciates music and also dance.

When we had finished dinner, we gathered to sing for the princess. First, we sang "What a Wonderful World," and Kolby played the guitar. Christine and Jamie signed the song in American Sign Language and Ajanmam was very pleased. Then, I accompanied the group singing "Colors of the Wind." That was my favorite part of the night, because when I was playing the guitar I was able to look Princess Ajanmam in the eyes while singing. She teared up during that song, and you could see the power of the music on her face.

The 12 of us had only prepared the two songs, but she eagerly requested we also sing a Thai song! So, obviously, we went with "Gep Tawan." It didn't sound that great, but when we finished the princess smiled the cutest squintiest smile. Being able to have dinner with her, and just be in her presence and hear her stories was amazing.

Karn helped us get taxis after dinner to go to Vertigo, the roof top bar. We went to the 59th floor, and then climbed up a few flights of stairs in order to get to the beautiful view!

I finally got my virgin Pina Colada 

Late into the night we divided up and took taxis back to Bundit. We got together in the hallway and wrote notes in each others journals and hung out for one last time. Slowly but surely however, people started to go to bed. Since my flight is at 4:00 AM tomorrow this would be the last time I see all these wonderful Kansas people for who knows when. There were lots of hugs and some tears (mostly from Kara). I am going to miss my new friends and our adventures in Thailand. It has been such a blessing to be here and learn together. 

Lost in Bangkok

"One way to get the most out of life is to look upon it as an adventure."   -William Feather

On Saturday we got lost in Bangkok.

At first, Alyssa, Becca, Haley, Lilly and I took a taxi to the BTS, which we then rode to the stop closest to the mysterious crepe place Dr. Register had told us about. We wandered around some pretty sketchy alleyways and got many strange look from some Thais before we found the most adorable French crepe restaurant just in time for brunch!

Afterwards we continued our walk. Haley led us with the map, I provided the compass, and Alyssa herded us all like we were children. Altogether we managed to find Platinum, a huge mall that is really more like a multi story indoor market. The prices were great! We were able to find some extra luggage for the flight back to the states and some cute shoes! Becca bought a huge suitcase, which was able to fit all of the other things we bought that day. It was quite humorous, Becca lugging around a ginormous suitcase in Bangkok. After we finished shopping we went to yet another mall just across the street to see a movie.

I convinced everyone to see Ant Man even though they had no idea what it was about, and we got some seats in the back. The chairs recline A LOT, and are very comfortable. It is definitely a popular date activity here in Thailand. Before the movie started, there was a tribute to the King and everyone stood up, showing their respect. The movie itself was AWESOME, and everyone else was glad they saw it too.

 Ice rink in the mall! 

Bangkok traffic

Next, we tried to find the BTS station from the mall. Five farang running through a huge mall, one with a big suitcase in order to make it to dinner on time must have been quite a sight. We probably asked about twenty people where the BTS station was and each pointed in a direction that we followed until we asked another person. We probably went in a few circles, but the mall is so massive that I don't actually think we did. Eventually, we found the station and forced are way onto the packed skytrain. We got off at the stop closest to the restaurant we were supposed to meet everyone at, and began hailing taxis. No taxi drivers seemed to know where Tawandang German Brewery is, or they didn't know what we were saying, because none would take us until finally a young man said yes. We had written the address down in English, and the taxi driver seemed to have an idea where that was, but our Thai is not great, and he knew little English. Haley struggled to communicate with him while we drove around Bangkok for a while. He started to call friends asking if they knew what we were talking about, and then we suggested he call Hui.

Hui didn't answer her phone.

The driver seemed to think we were looking for a hotel, and didn't know what Tawandang was. We were all getting kind of worried, when Hui called back and was able to give the man directions.

"Oh! Beer!" He said.

That was the one word we had to say in order for him to know where we were trying to go. It was maybe two minutes later and we were at the brewery eating food with all the others who weren't late.

Tawandang German Brewery was a pretty cool place. There were live performances the entire time we were there and the food was delicious. Kind of a unique mixture between German and Thai food.

 Rayna being Rayna. 

Our last dinner with Pat and Hui was a great but sad end to the night. I am going to miss those two crazy Thais! 

Buddhist Lent

"You will not be punished for your anger, you will be punished by your anger."   -Buddha

Class was amazing Thursday morning. First we did a workshop of a music therapy session with the Thai students and then was able to talk about the things we learned. We also talked in detail about music therapy with babies in the NICU, which I have always been interested in. Learning from Dr. Register in just the last few weeks has been amazing and I feel like I have grown so much and absorbed a ton of great information and insight! I am definitely going to miss class with her.

After our class we went with Karn to the Buddhist temple where he worships to celebrate the Buddhist version of Lent. The kindest lady, Usa, showed us around and even arranged for us to have a dharma talk with a monk!

The monk was very kind and answered all of our questions. He talked a lot about mediation and focusing on the present. Also, we talked about happiness and how one of the purposes of life is to help others to be happy. So much of these things were relevant to what we just learned in class!

After that we did a walking meditation around the temple, in the rain. Me and Alyssa used her scarf as cover.

After spending plenty of time at the temple we all went to the Central Salaya mall for dinner and shopped for a few things that we wanted to take back to the States. Luckily, we were able to get back to the apartment early to get some sleep!

The Last Day

"There is no such thing as maintenance, only progress."  -Susan Dustin

Wednesday was the end of our clinical experience here in Thailand. And, wow, was it powerful. Even though we had been exhausted from our travels in Chiang Mai, we went to Sirindtorn at 8:00 AM. This time, all 12 us, plus Karn, Note and Dr. Register met in a room with the eccentric Susan Dustin we met previously. Together we planned a session for the older adults in day care combining laughter yoga with music therapy. Dr. Register showed us a great example of working with another therapist to achieve the same goals by collaborating. We combined principles of the laughter yoga with rhythm activities, and then stitched in songs here and there that were relevant.

When the time of the session rolled around, we filed into the room and spread ourselves amongst the elderly Thai people. We began with some breathing exercises, and transitioned into the laughter exercises that Susan is so good at leading. Many of the adults were already engaged in the activity. One gentlemen had no use of his left hand, and so he clapped his right hand with my left instead. Everyone was engaged with a client and we moved around as was necessary to facilitate the session we planned. When singing "Rok Fun Pai," the man who had his break through moment last week said "I am very happy!" Another huge accomplishment for someone who has been labeled as non-verbal. The lady who is partially blind, and has little motor skills was able to shake a shaker with amazing variability. Another client who is normally shy as can be opened up when we all spoke in gibberish (another technique in laughter yoga) because there were no expectations for specific words. There was also an amazing moment when we danced to a Thai song and Note busted out dancing like a pro. The fifteen year old who at the beginning of the trip said very little words is secretly a super star.

At the end of the session, Susan did her "secret" activity, which we knew would happen but not what it would be. She had all the students sit on the floor in the center of the room as the older adults sat in their wheel chairs around us. She told us to laugh like babies do, and then the older adults would be our parents and take care of us. By doing this she completely flipped the situation. Instead of being the therapists caring for the adults who had their freedom taken away, we were now the helpless individuals.

"This is how they feel everyday."

Amazing to experience, just for a slight moment, a new perspective. This room of Thais were once individuals who had freedom and independence. A successful business man now has to have assistance in everything he does. As we sat there dwelling on this idea, the caregivers who were present said that they wanted us to sing a song. Karn accompanied them as they sang us a Thai song about encouragement. Susan translated the words for us, and by the end of the song most of us were in tears. All the older adults who could speak said "I love you" to all the U.S. students, and we wai'd them and thanked them for their time as we left the session.

After the session we were able to process together over the most delicious fried rice I have ever had. Karn was kind enough to arrange for us to have lunch at the hospital with Susan. Immediately after we went to Ban Fung Fa to do a session with children with cerebral palsy.

Crowded inside a physical therapy room the U.S. students along with five Thai students were spread between about forty children. Haley led the session and we sang children songs and did sensory activities. This particular group had a less severe case of CP when compared with the first group we saw. The children laughed and played, and the session ran smoothly. The most adorable boy was extremely amazed by the scarf I gave to him, and then playing peek-a-boo with it made him laugh so hard I thought he might fall over. That session ran for an hour and a half... by the end my throat was sore from singing so much!

After going to Ban Fung Fa the second time, and the session we had in the morning, we were all emotionally drained. Back at the university we were able to have some down time. I am almost grateful that we got kicked off the university wifi, because if we hadn't I probably would have been on the internet instead of hanging out with the Thai students. Some of my favorite moments here in Thailand have been hanging out with the Thai students in the music therapy closet.

First we watched music videos of Link, because he's famous! in 2011 he won the Thai version of the Voice (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0tnPfy6UAo) and now I can say I'm friends with a celebrity! Granted, he was very embarrassed that we were watching these videos. Then we played jenga, our favorite pass time at the music therapy office!

Afterwards, we had a dance party in the office and jammed out to American pop music. Yoshi also has some crazy dance moves, but really Note takes the cake. Karn had to come tell us to stop dancing so we could go out to dinner. We gathered at Mamma Mia, an Italian restaurant close to the University. The dinner was absolutely delicious, and the company even better!

After a crazy last day of clinicals it was nice to relax and enjoy some food that was close to home. I have loved getting to know all these awesome people!

Music Therapy in Chiang Mai

"We are all students."  -Dr. Register

One of the most amazing experiences about traveling to Chiang Mai was being able to see the great things that are happening in the health care systems there. Music therapy is growing!

First, we visited the Rajanagarindra Institute of Child Development that was recently built. One of the coolest things about the center was the toy closet. Every child that goes to the center has the opportunity to choose from a large assortment of toys that will target specific goals that will improve their development. The parents are then taught how to play with their child so they can get the optimum use out of the toy and bond with them.

 Dr. Register explaining a specific toy. 

 Traditional Thai toys as well as Western. 

 Inside the lobby of the center is a giant panda playing the violin. Inside the eyes of the panda is actually an office. 

 A corner of the center is designated for the music therapy program that is starting there. 

 Each room has a piano! 

The center not only has a music therapy program, but also speech therapy, art therapy, physical therapy, and drama therapy. The entire facility is cute and welcoming. The best part though is that the building is shaped like a piano! 

The next day we visited the hospital that is part of Chiang Mai University. Dr. Register has been in contact with a Doctor that started a music therapy program and we went to check it out! A wonderful presentation was given, and then Dr. Register gave a spiel about what we do, in Thailand and in the states. Then we were invited to see a music therapy session with stroke patients. All 19 of us filed into an elevator when the max capacity being 15 (this is very common in Thai culture). The elevator made it so close to our destination, but right before stopped suddenly. We broke the elevator. 

We were all pretty close together, and those who suffer from claustrophobia were not having as great of a time as the five us were. 

Luckily, we had several Thai speakers on the elevator with us that were able to call for help and after only 20 minutes we were on the second floor, watching a music therapy session. The session was similar to something you would see in the states. Many of the patients were playing shakers and doing movements by following a leader at the front. The songs were all familiar/popular Thai songs with actions. The only major difference is that all the music was recorded, as opposed to live. It was wonderful to see such an amazing response from the patients and the love from the music therapy staff. 

After the session was over Dr. Sagri (the one who started the MT program) showed us a room that had all the supplies they use for music therapy. The room was huge. There were at least four keyboards, a drum set, several guitars, cabinets filled with hand held instruments, amps and microphones. Immediately my head started firing off ideas. There are so many possibilities with the equipment they have, and so much could be done with the clients there! 

I would absolutely LOVE to return to Chiang Mai and help the program there progress. Maybe one day! 

The 14 of us with Dr. Sagri! 

Touring Chiang Mai

"Not all who wander are lost."

Before leaving Chiang Rai, we were able to visit the white temple. The artist who create the black house had the same teacher as the artist who created this white temple. Though the two are quite different (especially in choice of color) there are many similarities.

There were many demons, grotesque scenes, and social commentary. 

 This is actually the bathroom. 

After going to the White temple we drove to Chiang Mai, which is about three hours. On our way we stopped at a DELICIOUS pie shop! 

First stop in Chiang Mai was at the umbrella factory where we got items painted!

 Me and Kara's hotel room! 

Our view of Chiang Mai from our hotel room! 

The next morning we woke up early to go up to the mountains! The road was very windy, but we made it to the highest point in Thailand. It was actually kind of cold too. Since the entire mountain is basically in a cloud, we were rained on the whole time. 

 Becca and Hui! 

 The mountain was BEAUITFUL. 

Hot chocolate at the Top of the Mountain because we aren't accustomed to 60 degree weather anymore! 

This is our view from lunch! 

 Then we saw a waterfall! 

After seeing the waterfall and having an amazing lunch we went to the Ganesha museum which was very interesting. 

For dinner we went to a Thai show! It was a play with lots of what seems to us like interpretive dancing. 

 The story got pretty intense. 

Thai drumming! 

The next day in Chiang Mai we traveled up to Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep Rajvoravihara, a Buddhist temple high in the mountains. The clouds made the place look very majestic! There we were able to receive fortunes, and ask the elephant a question! 

 Karn's make shift umbrella out of a poncho. 

 Ohm's bowl Buddha 

 Looking down at the Naga steps from the front of the temple. 

 Looking up the steps, from the bottom. Crazy how you can't see the temple at the top! 

After seeing the temple we went to a Hill Tribe Village and walked around a beautiful garden. Of course it was raining, but it was so pretty to see. 

After going to the garden it was off to the airport and back to Bangkok!