I am not dating this entry, as it will span a few days.

I did heed my mother’s advice (threat?) and had myself some fun and relaxation on Sunday. Being that I did nothing on Saturday, save some grocery shopping and all my lesson plans and quizzes for the next week (brush your shoulder off), I think I deserved a little outing in Songkhla.

There is actually quite a bit of stuff to do in Songkhla. We had already been to the zoo on the hillside. There is also an aquarium that is supposed to be quite nice, a couple of beautiful beaches, things to do on Koh Yo (which I guess wouldn’t technically be Songkhla) as well as Tang Kuan Hill. Also known as Monkey Hill. With good reason. Continue reading →

6.22.12

Oh, Friday…

I only have two classes on Fridays, but, wow.

I had been fighting a sinus infection this week. Mostly, this just meant that my face filled with junk while I was sleeping. Didn’t really effect me during the day. Today, it did.

My first class went smoothly. While I had them practicing with each other, I ‘practiced’ with one of the girls, Amanda. Patricia and I both have her in a class. She had come off a bit cheeky previously. After speaking to her, I realized that she must just be bored out of her mind. She has a much higher level of English than most of my other students in any of my classes. I chatted with her for a bit and she was able to hold an extemporaneous conversation with me. Found out that she lived in Canada for six months. Well, that explains it. I think I will have her visit with me next week so I can find out what might be more interesting for her. Areas that she might actually like to work on.

My second class… Keep in mind this is the class that I had taken over last week from Patricia. Where I had two boys leave class and not come back. I crossed my fingers that they wouldn’t be in class today. No such luck. Continue reading →

6.21.12

Teacher’s Day wasn’t what I was expecting. I never should have read other teachers’ posts. Basically, they took us upstairs and put us in the back row on the side of the room. We sat for 45 minutes while they got all the students to form straight lines. All of HIC’s teachers were wearing custom made gold silk suits or their own nice clothes. Would have been nice to have been told we could dress nicely today instead of looking like we were going to play a round of golf. Sweaty, ugly golf. Continue reading →

6.20.12

By the way, I was wrong about the rainy season having started. It was just a weekend rain storm. Has barely even drizzled since then.

And I found out that the double green striped “wen” is only 28 baht instead of 30 baht. Another 2 baht saved on transportation. Boom!

I have heard that you feel bad for a couple of days after a massage. And that Thai massage is particularly brutal. The areas she focused on the most definitely feel bruised. Neck, lower back on the right side, and right hip. Blah, blah, blah, toxins being released. Blah, blah, blah, not used to it. I will see how I feel in another couple days. I’m game to give it the good old college try and go again, but I’m not giving it too many more chances. Continue reading →

6.19.12

Woke at 3:45am with congestion. I didn’t feel sick. Hoped it was a fluke.

I was really looking forward to my classes today. Second class was my Level 3 Foreign Language class. I’m sure you shouldn’t have favorites, but, well, they are my favorite. However, the real highlight of my classes today was that Mim got up with her group and did her sentences in front of the whole class. So proud!

Attempted again to get sandwiches, but the waitress came outside before we even entered the restaurant and told us again that there was no cook. So bizarre. Went back to the cafeteria. I thought I was ordering fried noodles, but I ended up with soup instead. Hot soup. In 90 degree weather. Continue reading →

6.18.12

Woke up at 2:45am with a sharp pain in my lower right back. Couldn’t get rid of the pain in any position except flat on my stomach with my arms at my sides. I’m surprised I fell back asleep like that.

When I woke for good at 5:45am, I was finally able to get comfortable on my side. Unfortunately, it was pretty much time for me to get out of bed and get ready for work, so… I think I may finally have to cave in and get a Thai massage. Something is out of alignment. There was a tweak in my knee and my hip on the right side, also.

Found out that the new 3^rd teacher, Larry, never showed up. Well, ok. Continue reading →

6.16.12

I actually traveled from Songkhla to Hat Yai by myself. Yes, ladies and gentleman, I took public transport on my own in a foreign country. I am still very proud of myself every time I accomplish this. To some that may seem ridiculous, but I come from a town where public transportation is pretty much non-existent. So, when I get a motorcycle taxi to take me to a mini bus stop (I think I figured out that when they say ‘wen’, they are really mispronouncing ‘van’) and then I get on said mini bus and am able to get myself to the Big C Extra to meet Fon, it really is a notable accomplishment. Continue reading →

6.15.12

Had my first intestinal problems on Friday morning. I was really worried about the drive to school. However, the trouble stopped as soon as I went downstairs. Where I immediately popped some Immodium. Just in case.

I was feeling very tired. Like, barely-able-to-keep-my-head-up tired. My first class went fine. We had fun. My second class was one that I took over from Patricia. They are a level one class. I don’t think it is necessarily based on their level of English, as it is their age. Patricia has all level one classes. Now I know why she is so frazzled at the end of the day. It was a very large, fairly unruly class. I had two trouble-making boys. One of them seemed to be the class clown of sorts. The other was his partner in crime. I separated them. Then the side kick kept moving seats and I had to keep moving him back. Then he was sleeping and just waved me off when I woke him up. The original trouble-maker asked to use the restroom and I told him “One at a time”. Of course he tried to get me to let the two of them go. Not a chance. I think he was actually just out in the hall on his cell phone. Then a little later, his friend just got up and left class without asking. Neither of them returned. I asked the class for their names and made marks on the attendance sheet. I think they understood that I meant business, because I had no trouble with the class after they left. Actually, had a really productive morning with them.

I made sure to report the incidents to Pi Len later. I wouldn’t be at all upset if those two didn’t return to class. Continue reading →

6.14.12

After closer inspection of the baby lotion, I found that it said “Helps double nourish, for smooth and fair skin”. There’s no getting around it.

So, my class schedule is pretty nice. It tapers off as the week goes on. I have three classes on Monday and Tuesday and then only two classes Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. And all my classes are in the mornings. Today I was done by 11:30am.

I decided to just do my lesson plans for Friday and Monday so that I didn’t have to worry about them tonight or over the weekend. I am basically trying to just teach the same thing in all my classes. However, some of the kids I see a couple times a week, so they will actually be a bit further ahead in the book. Had really great class sessions today. I really love my level 3 Foreign Language group. They are a fun bunch of kids. I have them on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

I went downstairs to make some photocopies and there was a large group of boys waiting for the elevator. None of them were my students (I know this because I only have about ten boys total). That didn’t stop them from shouting “Good morning, teacher! I love you! So beautiful!”. Truly, I may never leave Thailand. Continue reading →

6.13.12

Patricia got a text at 11pm on Tuesday night.

Tom’s gotten the sack. Finally. I was wondering how long the school and ABA were going to tolerate his outrageous behavior.

Somehow, the day seemed sunnier… Continue reading →