Ted Hong - TP11

6/13/12, Wednesday.

I told them prior to this meeting that this would be an open session to ask any questions they had in terms of social cultural happenings, since we had discussed some historical issues previously. This was a tough one for me. It kind of shifted into a conversational session...

Butsawan asked me what "lady boys" were called here in America. She talked with someone on the bus and was unsure how to address them because it was a little ambiguous. I told her that I don't even know how to address them in first person sometimes, unsure of what would be rude. I told her that some people cross dress, and some could be transvestites. It was a little uncomfortable explaining it only because I don't know how far professionalism extends in terms of tutoring.

In regards to the bus situation, Rose had encountered a situation of discrimination on the bus. She noticed some of the bus drivers would allow some people to pass without paying based on color but would demand payment from her (and Butsawan). It wasn't just an isolated incident as it happened several more times. The best way I could explain that was some people kind of pull favors for others, and it happens everywhere (not strictly the US) and I'm sure they've heard of some instances. I wish that hadn't happen to them, and I wish I could've offered comfort on that subject.

We later jumped onto Asian trends and what was popular among the Asian countries, which happens to be Korean pop culture - television shows, music, movies. They were curious to know why it's not as popular here. Answer almost seemed obvious, but I doubted myself in answering. I told them there are a good number of people that are interested in Korean pop culture, as well as other Asian cultures because the US is a melting pot of cultures. One of my coworkers enjoys Korean Pop and soap operas like crazy.

This lead to them asking about my previous job. I worked as a Vet Tech and and Kennel tech, and I love working with animals. I did vaccinations, training, lab work, and managed for a bit. They asked how I could have done that and be doing this teaching gig and I told them that the places I worked at didn't require certification and they taught on the job and that I would pursue the teaching career more.

This lead to job wages and cost of living here in America and that of Thailand (at least). Butsawan wondered how people survive as her scholarship only barely covers her living costs. She suggested that I go to Thailand to teach and I'd be living very comfortably.