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 →

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. Continue reading →

6.10.12

A day at the zoo.

We weren’t sure exactly how to get there. It seemed like it should be pretty easy to just grab a tuk-tuk and go. Guess that’s not the case. Walked across the street to Pop’s ice cream shop to ask him for help. Everyone had a different idea about how we should get there. Finally, the lady next door offered to drive us (which really meant her husband would take us) for 200 baht. Sure, why not. We got in the car and, after a quick stop at 7-11 (had to get some chai yen), we started up the mountain to the zoo. Thought it would take a bit of time, with the fuss they were making about getting there and the amount of money we were charged for the ride. I think it took maybe 10 to 15 minutes. Continue reading →

6.9.12

So THAT’S what it’s like to get a full night’s sleep… I had quite forgotten.

The days are starting to run together now. I think it’s Sunday. Yesterday, I had finally had enough and moved out of the unfurnished guesthouse into the Greenview Mansion. Fairly close to where I had been staying. Still in Songkhla. Same place Patricia is staying. I couldn’t spend another weekend not being able to de-stress and decompress. As Patricia told the owner of the hotel “She is at the end of her tether.” Continue reading →