To the FutureMay 30, 2003
May 22, 2003
Restaurant Management
We went to Million Coins restaurant today because Joey, a student who went to school with me at Purdue, Fort Wayne, is here in Burma visiting his parents. It was surprising to see how Million Coins operates. They have about 15 waiters for about 30 tables. The labor is cheap here and they can afford to have so many waiters. I noticed that they have no waitresses. What a strange thing!
Million Coins Restaurant
May 20, 2003
Teaching entrepreneurship to third year students was really fun. They were asking me all sorts of questions after the class about how it was to be a student in the States. I think we were able to put them in the mood to do self-study. I was happy to be able to accomplish one of our objectives. These students are so fixed in their spoon-fed education system through high school and it's been hard to encourage them to do self-study through reading. Oh, it's going to take time to change the mentality of a life-long teaching. I guess we have to be patient.
Neil, Lwin Moe and BARS seniors
Neil, Lwin Moe and BARS juniors
May 19, 2003
I have been enjoying teaching lately. It's been a busy week fixing computers at the Myanmar Institute of Theology Library and teaching a lot of classes.
BaganNet finally has a toll free number for its users. We can call free of charge to log into the server. Otherwise, it's 15 Kyats a minute from one of my uncle's house or 15 cents a minute from the other uncle. MPT is ripping us off, I guess. The toll free number that the BaganNet gave us is 146. I have no idea what the long term plan is but sooner or later, that number will be jammed. It's a very smart solution they provide. Otherwise, nobody will be able to go online because of the phone charges from MPT. I wish I could go into the communication business here.
May 11, 2003
I started teaching last week. It was fun with all these kids. I feel my life is useful here. Diana and I teach English at Mon Baptist Church and it's so satisfying to learn that the kids all appreciate it. BARS students are all excited to be back to school. Some of them went on internship trips to several parts of the country and it's so exciting to learn about their experiences. I hope that they all have some interesting experiences. It's been very hot these days. But lucky enough, the place where Neil, Diana and I live has air-conditioning. So it helps.
I went to Nyaung Ywa today and learned about the poor living conditions of those people there. I wish I could help them one way or another. Oh, today is Mother's day and I wish Happy Mother's day to all mothers of the world!!!!!
Rural life in Nyaung Ywa village, Hmawbi, Yangon, Burma
For comparison, here is a gated-community in Yangon (Rangoon)
May 10, 2003
May 04, 2003
A beautiful evening in Rangoon (Yangon), Burma.
Fort Wayne folks talking and relaxing at Say Plah's house. Left-right: Say Plah, Neil Sowards, Diana Sowards, Jim, and Lwin Moe
May 01, 2003
I wasn't quite happy with Myanmar Posts and Telecommunications (MPT). I got the bill for February and it cost me U.S $ 260 for 1732 minutes. That means 15 cents a minute. I don't think I am going to survive here long with these expenses and my modest income. And I can't do much without communications. There are a lot of limits on what I can do without any good communication system with my friends around the world. The proof is that despite all the foreign graduates we have here, we see little progress in our education system and society because they neither have any authority on issues such as contributing back to the society nor have enough resources to communicate with the outside world. Those who have resources are taking advantage of those who don't have. Information is everything and those who have access to it are abusing it and taking advantage of other people.
I moved in to the Jubilee Hall at Myanmar Institute of Theology (MIT) yesterday with Neil and Diana, my host parents from America. They are going to be here for about 4 months. Neil will be teaching business classes at MIT to BARS (Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies) students. Diana will be helping with English classes at Dr. Chit Maung library. I feel like I am in America with them being here. It was a bit exciting.
Neil, Diana and me
Nice cars and beautiful apartments which I can't afford to buy :-)
