Names! Names! Names!

As you can imagine, learning names is essential in the kind of work I'm doing. The kids get so excited when I remember their names and it means a lot to them. If they feel like I'm making an effort to know them and speak Thai  they work harder at learning English and enjoy it more. The difficult part is that I have well over a hundred names to learn (including the village children that I teach at the primary school). I've given a few of the girls English nicknames, but I usually try to use their thai names. Most girls have nicknames, but the hardly ever make sense as a shortened version of their full names. Nicknames are usually one syllable, and much easier to remember. I think I'll start posting pictures of people I mention in my posts to help me practice and so you can get an idea for what people are like. Pastor Sayan and Siriporn told me that it would be a good idea if I had a thai name as well. This would help the girls to remember me once I am gone because I wouldn't be just another american name that has no meaning to them. Thai names always have special meanings so he said the girls would try to pick a name that described me, and I could choose which I liked best.  I told pastor Sayan how at home I prefer to be called by my middle name, Grace. This reminded him of a Thai name with a similar meaning, "Garuna". Garuna means "compassionate person". The girls all voted and I liked it as well, so I am now "Garuna". It's pronounced GAH-ROO-NAH, with the last syllable stressed.