6.12.12

In a surprising turn of events, I arrived home from school today and did not feel the need for an immediate shower. I know, right?

Yesterday, Patricia and I figured out a cheaper way to get home from school. Motorcycle taxi to the clock tower (30 baht each). Then a wen (mini van) to Songkhla (30 baht each). We were told that the ones with the green stripe were the ones going to Songkhla. At least now we know what to look for. We aren’t willing to risk getting to work late in the morning, so we are still taking a private cab (125 baht each) to get to Hat Yai. When the van drops us at Karnjanavanit 1, we take a motorcycle taxi down the street to Soi 18. Yesterday I walked it to see how long it would take. Twelve minutes. Twelve very sweaty minutes. I think the 15 baht for the ride is worth it. Gonna need to invest in a poncho once the rainy season starts.

Side note: wens. It is oddly gratifying that the mini vans are one of the few things that I, as a foreigner, pay the same amount for as a Thai person. They have a posted price of 30 baht. And I watch the Thais put their money in. Sure enough, they pay 30 baht, same as me. It’s the little things…

I also decided to ask the Thai English teachers if they thought I would be able to wear shoes without ankle stockings, even though my tattoos would show. Frista wrinkled her nose and said, “Not a problem.” I made sure to clarify. They confirmed that it wouldn’t be a problem for me to wear my loose jersey crop pants or skirt and have my tattoos show. Yay! This is another reason that I returned home barely sweaty tonight. I love jersey so, so much. I may have to burn those synthetic pants…

I had my first small teaching victory today. I mentioned previously about my super quiet and shy student, Mim. Today was my third class with her. I have her in class twice a week. I decided to play hangman with the class today. Normally, if I ask her a question directly, she looks at the other students to translate or clarify or something, and then I can barely hear her if she does answer. This happened in class just yesterday. Well, today, when I would ask her directly what letter she wanted to pick, she actually answered me without hesitation and loud enough that I didn’t have to stand right in front of her to hear. When the class presented their sentences (What did you do on the weekend?), she still wasn’t comfortable enough to stand in front of the class. However, I stood next to her, asked the question and she answered me audibly. Only three classes. I think I can have her speaking in front of the class by the end of term. At least, I hope so…

I worked on pronunciation with Mim’s class. Specifically, ‘R’ and ‘L’. They tried ‘learry, learry’ hard. It just makes them laugh when I try to show them where their tongue should be in order to form the sounds. But they do try to mimic me in the end. And quite a few of them did very well.

Had great fun playing hangman with my last class of the day. They are a higher level class and their focus is also Foreign Language, so they are less inhibited about speaking and participating. While I was taking role, I kept hearing, “Oh, teacher so beautiful! Teacher, feet tattoos so beautiful!” I need to work on synonyms with my classes. The only compliment they seem to know is ‘beautiful’. Which I don’t mind, by any means. Ladies, if you ever want your ego stroked then dye your hair red, stay out of the sun, and move to Thailand.

When Pat and I were staying at Wangburapa in Hat Yai, they had these puffed prawn crisps in the room. I hadn’t been able to find them in any 7-11 or small grocery since then. I remembered what the packaging looked like and still couldn’t locate them. On my dinner walk tonight to get my pad see ew moo and my pineapple, I stopped in a small corner store to break a 1,000 baht bill. They had my prawn crackers! Huzzah! I grabbed two bags and two orange Fantas. Ordered my pad see ew moo (pork). Bought my pineapple (I got three slices, but she only charged me for two). Walked back to my hotel room. NOW I needed a shower. Got settled writing and working on lesson plans and watched Burn Notice.

Little did I know how wonderful the next morning would be…