Jiraporn's Story

 Chapter 2 - 'Kitchens and Classrooms'

Baan Nong Khra, March 2008.

Jiraporn’s mother was called Sophea, although not by Jiraporn who called her ‘Mae’. This informal title was also used by her own daughter, Tangmo, towards Jiraporn when she wished to gain attention. Tangmo called Sophea ‘Yai’ and both Sophea and Jiraporn called Tangmo ‘Tangee’, the version of her name she had decided she liked most. The time when these verbal exchanges were used most was in the early evening when all three were in the kitchen and just outside in the shaded rear courtyard preparing the evening meal - a time loved by all. Apart from discussing the hugely important matter of creating dinner, they would each also discover what the other two had encountered during their individual days. This wonderful time reflected similar events happening in homes all around the world, with one significant difference - Sophea, Jiraporn and Tangmo conducted their conversation in at least two, and sometimes, three different languages! The level of language varied from the basic correct use of grammar to the confusing employment of some words being used in different contexts which changed their meanings. All three females accepted that age and experience benefited from youthful inquisition, you're never too old to learn, and sentences beginning with words like ‘Why’, ‘How’ and ‘What’ were always welcomed.

The kitchen dialogues had started 20 years ago by design when Jiraporn had become physically large enough to wash a cabbage, Sophea was intent on making the routine of preparing food a time of pleasant, but purposeful interaction. Sophea had recently moved from an area in the North East of Thailand to where they were now - in the central southern district of Prachuap Khiri Khan, and although the language was Thai in both regions, the use and pronunciation of many words were different. Sophea didn’t want to always be regarded as an up-country girl and enrolled her unwitting daughter to help in losing her tell-tale accent. Very quickly Sophea found her daughters daily activities, and her own, provided a framework within which she was not only able to adjust her own speech, but gave both of them an opportunity to communicate without the boundaries many families find developing between generations. Jiraporn was never aware of anything other than the process of making dinner, but over time she did realise that by explaining and discussing things with ‘Mae’, she didn't have a problem recalling them back at school which a lot of her friends had. As Jiraporn progressed in her studies, her teachers knew they had a very bright girl on their hands and pushed her more. By the time it came to moving on to the next class, and eventually the next school, Jiraporn found she had more options and she revelled in them.

There was a local International Academy that was constantly on the lookout for talent and Jiraporn's Headmistress had told them of her abilities. They offered her a scholarship at the age of 10, unusual as she would be in a group a year older than her, but with the influx of foreigners into Hua Hin, they thought that the following year might be more difficult to fit her in. Sophea had been invited to discuss this opportunity with the Headmistress and the Deputy Dean of the Academy. She had met Jiraporn’s Headmistress a few times and always had respect for her total belief in not only Jiraporn’s abilities, but the abilities of all her students. As the Headmistress had said on a number of occasions, each child’s talent just needs an arena to shine, the trick to being a good teacher is to provide an arena for the child, not fit the child into the arena. The Deputy Dean appeared to be on the same page and so Sophea was in no doubt that this was a fabulous opportunity, the only questions she had were about finance. The tuition fees were taken care of, and they were the major element, but the uniform, transport, books and going on any trips were not covered. These would be considerable for Sophea, very considerable and she was not sure of her ability to meet these commitments. She was honest with the other two and said so, their reaction was muted, but not dismissive.

What Sophea was then told by the Deputy Dean offered more than a glimmer of hope, the Academy had both a hardship fund and a scheme of long term loans available to suitable students and their families. The hardship funds, the Deputy Dean felt sure, would cover fixed costs like uniforms, books and transport and any application for a loan towards the cost of any trips would be looked upon favourably. Loans would need to be paid back in full, and they would have modest interest added on, but it was almost guaranteed to be granted. The two teachers were completely understanding of Sophea’s reservations and made sure she had all the documentation regarding these considerations. The Deputy Dean also wanted to make it absolutely clear that any substantial drop off in Jiraporn’s academic performance would result in first a verbal warning to her, and notification of it to Sophea, any second drop in results would mean a written warning to them both and should it happen, a third drop and the scholarship would be withdrawn. 

The Academy Deputy Dean had spoken quietly and slowly of these things as he wanted no misunderstanding, he had also been looking directly at Sophea all the time he had been speaking. What surprised him was that Sophea had been looking back directly at him throughout as well. “Do you need me to clarify anything I have said? - I hope my frankness has not caused you to think I don’t want Jiraporn to come to us, I do very much, but I think being clear about responsibilities is very important”. For the second time, Sophea surprised him. Sophea didn’t waiver in looking at him, but she did start to smile. “You have made the situation very clear and I would like to thank you for that. I’d much rather listen to someone telling me about what happens when things go wrong than to listen to someone who is promising the world without a concern that there may be difficulties. I am in no doubt that my daughter would benefit from attending your Academy and although this will not be easy, it is manageable and so I have no hesitation in saying it is a something I wish to happen. But I need 24 hours before I can sign the formalities. Is that okay?”. The Deputy Dean smiled in return. “Of course, that will be fine. But as a matter of interest, what is stopping you signing now?”. It was Sophea’s turn to be surprised, “It is simply that I am not the one who will be enrolling, it will be Jiraporn, and I would never commit her to anything that she was not fully committed to herself - I need to ask her if she wants to go to your Academy and discuss with her the consequences that this might entail”.

The following afternoon, Sophea and Jiraporn returned to the same office and met with the two teachers. Jiraporn and her mother both making the traditional Thai ‘Wai’ on entering, the two academics replying with the same. “It’s good to see you here, is there anything you want to ask?” said the Deputy Dean, looking at Sophea. A smaller voice from her left sounded absolutely clear “Are there classes at weekends?” - it was Jiraporn who had asked, a big beaming smile on her face. The Deputy found it impossible not to smile back and replied “Sometimes, mainly for the students who live on campus or live very close, but occasionally there are also ‘camps’ when the staff and students go on project work, would that be a problem for you?”. “No, no problem, it sounds fun” said Jiraporn, “And probably expensive” said Sophea, glancing down at her daughter with a slight frown. “Actually, a lot of the camps are included in the tuition fees, so maybe not so much of a problem for us”, this was the Deputy again, but his use of the pronoun ‘us’ gave Sophea a better feeling, one that had her thinking that he was as aware of the situation as she was. “Well”, said Sophea “I think we are ready to sign the agreement, both Jiraporn and I went through all the documentation last night and spoke for a long time about it. We are both very excited about your Academy”. “Thank you for your kind words, I am convinced that Jiraporn’s attendance will benefit all involved. What is it you are looking forward to most, Jiraporn?”. Jiraporn did not hesitate for a second “Learning English”, she said and somehow her smile got even bigger.

Sophea glanced at Tangmo and smiled, there were times, a lot of times, when she couldn't help have a feeling of Deja Vu. Her granddaughter and her daughter were definitely two totally different people with contrasting characteristics and personalities, but sometimes it was like looking at different versions of the same person. Being in the same house and watching as these two had grown just compounded this feeling. How much, she wondered, am I like them? Sophea's home when she was a 6 year old was quite a lot larger and had staff to prepare the food, but that all changed very quickly when she was a little older. Everything had changed, the world had collapsed and even simple conversations could end up in a body floating down a river. A shiver ran down her back, it wasn't something she allowed herself to think about often, but it was always there. Jiraporn's phone rang and she answered, walking towards the courtyard as she did, 'Hello' ... 'Yes, it is' ...

Sophea turned to Tangmo, 'Tangee, do you want to help me with these pieces of pork? - I need you to tell me how big, or small, I should cut them'. 'Okay, Yai - have we got many?' and the process of counting, shaping, working out how many people were eating, how many pieces each will get etc. started again - Deja Vu! 

Jiraporn walked back into the kitchen, looking at her phone as she disconnected the call. Her face looked pale and Sophea knew something was wrong - 'What's happened?'. 'You know the Englishman I work with, Nick? - he's had an accident on his bike and he's in hospital. That was a policeman and he asked if I could meet him at the hospital. I have to go'. 'Of course' said Sophea, 'But before you do, take a couple of minutes to catch your breath and focus. How much gas is in the car?, Do you want me to drive?' Jiraporn knew her mother was being wise to get her to clear her mind of the things that were starting to swirl around in it and appreciated her calmness. 'The tanks almost full, it's only 20 to 25 minutes drive to the hospital. The policeman said Nick was still unconscious, but could come round anytime. I have no idea how long I will be, but I have some cash if I need it. And I'm okay to drive, thanks.' 

With that, Jiraporn went to her room and quickly changed her top and skirt and put a quick brush through her hair, she also went to a seldom used drawer and from a small bag under some rarely worn clothes, took from it a purse. See opened the purse, saw what was inside and closed it, putting it into her handbag. Returning to the kitchen she found Tangmo waiting, in her hands were two bags of snacks. 'These are for you and the Englishman - he might be hungry' she said to her mother. This was one of those times when Tangmo totally astounded the people around her, including Jiraporn, and all she could do was to thank her daughter, saying that was a good and kind idea. Sophea said to take care and to phone with any news and Jiraporn went out to the car. As she pulled out onto the dual carriageway, she felt her eyes moisten, 'Oh Nick, what have you done?'.