Well, it’s a futuristic modern world – 2nd September 2020

Wake a little early again but enjoyed snoozing. Seven-minute classic exercise coming up – not looking forward to doing but looking forward to the feeling afterwards. First, a good stretch.

Scribble dribble – what’s in my head. Students, class, study, water, cats, coffee – damn, coffee I can taste it already – preparing my taste buds for that first hit. Am I addicted? No coffee after midday today, okay?

Cracking bones in my body – is it too late to repair my body? Let’s see, let’s try. Smelled alcohol last night and made me nauseous – weird to have such a reaction. Haven’t drunk for about a month, I think.

Gratitude Journal

I am so happy and grateful to take a photo by the river with our barista this morning. Manow is very poor at English but somehow we can communicate our needs.

1st Nov 2022 – I saw this picture recently but can’t find it now. Maybe got deleted whilst trying to figure out how the hell iCloud works across multiple devices and then deleting things off my phone. If you are reading this in 100 years I hope you laugh at how old and dumb this technology was.

To-do list

  • Savour something ½
  • Compliments and awards ½
  • No coffee after midday
  • 7-minute morning workout and squats ✅

As I was sat drinking coffee this morning, sat next to the river, nice temperature, I tried to put myself into a savouring state but somehow I just couldn’t manage it. I think it was because I was thinking too much about what to do with my class when I got back. I even checked my heartrate which was unusually high for me and the fitness app told me that I was stressed! I didn’t really feel stressed – just had that class on my mind.

I tried not to drink coffee after midday but broke down at 1.30 and caved in! It’s ok. I’ll try again tomorrow. Maybe get three coffees in before midday – that worked yesterday.

In general, I enjoyed school today and I’m still really happy. I do think about complimenting people but except for people’s appearance, I’m finding it a little difficult to find some things to compliment on. I do compliment the students a lot though. I don’t really count that though as that feels to me like it’s just a part of the job.

I did spend an hour or so talking with George about Lebanon and religion. I enjoyed that and thinking back to it now, there were moments when I was savouring that conversation.

I still need to practice more listening than speaking and also pushing the conversations to new and interesting places. I don’t really need to share my opinion – is it really important that other people know what I think? It’s still possible to drive a deep and meaningful conversation without committing to absolute belief.

Get my kicks, feel alright -1st September 2020

Swipe away the ants.

Woke up early and thinking about school and teaching. Maybe I don’t need to push so hard – I don’t want to be thinking so much about it. But I enjoy it and get a kick out of watching kids grow and learn. Why I didn’t do that for Hayden? Guess I did what I could. Circumstances didn’t always help.

Fatman Report

Weight: 79.1kg
Resting heart rate: 54

Gratitude Journal

I am so happy and grateful for access to YouTube to be able to watch interesting and thought-provoking videos. It’s my own private learning.

Adventures will await you – 31st August 2020

Nice dreams but don’t recall. Sleepy – wake up. Tired, learning time just now. Slow reactions.

Already thinking about class. It’s fine, I’m enjoying it. I’m enjoying everything. Keep going.

Get fit – don’t push it. Healthy body, healthy mind. Enjoy everything – there’s no time – there is lots of time. Full days, things get done. Balance. Washing and reading. Cleaning and music.

You did good. You do good. Chase away the snakes!

Gratitude Journal

I am so happy and grateful to be able to grab coffee at school, even though it is not tasty it does the job and gets me going.

To-do list

  • Compliments and awards ½
  • Savouring
  • Random act of kindness ✅
  • Thank you mantra ½

A good couple of days. I notice that I have been talking a lot – a little bit like I’m on a high and just want to talk about stuff and I’m hoping it’s not a bipolar type high that is followed by a low.

I woke up at around 5 am this morning and couldn’t get back to sleep because I was thinking about classes and students. I really don’t want to get so involved with them that it keeps me awake. I remember what it was like before when I was working in Primary. I’m really happy with all the positive interactions I have with the students – they make me laugh a lot.

We have Monday and Friday off, so another nice long weekend. Tomorrow I really want to take some time to savour something.

The Chiang Rai Alternative Hour #53 – 29th August 2020

NO MORE BABIES!

This week there’s music from Built To Spill, Doo-Dooettes, Tangled Hair, Records, Man Man, Institute, Bob Drake, The Playn Jayn, Sea Monkey See, Godzilla Black, Human Cabbages, Thinking Fellers Union Local 282, Billy Childish and the Black Hands, Seam, Funkadelic, The Who and The Wipers.

Intro and background music by Utotem.

Gratitude Journal

I am so happy and grateful for this beautiful sunny Saturday morning filling me with happiness.

You need some kickin’, not just sittin’ – 28th August 2020

Busy day ahead but ready for it. Slept in the same position most of the night – must be tired out. Slept deep and well though – feel good – full workout this morning, proud of myself.

I do a lot – sometimes too much but the thing is that ‘I do’. Do something.

Gratitude Journal

I’m so happy and grateful for my deep sleep last night. I feel good.

To-do list

  • Keep that positive energy buzzing ✅
  • Full workout in the morning ✅
  • Compliments and awards ½
  • Blog posts and TCRAH recording on Sunday ✅

School on Friday was busy and rewarding. I had to take time out to talk to one student, Aon, because he was disturbing other students. He’s a good kid, pretty smart, but he can’t stop talking. After several warnings, I asked him to leave. He didn’t want to and I told him that’s OK if he’s not interested in my lesson but there are other students who are and he is stopping them from learning.

It was nice to see that everyone picked up on the gravity of this little time out. The rest of the class was fun.

Saturday afternoon Amy and I went to Mae Sai. I could feel that Amy wasn’t quite her usual happy self – but unhappy but a little sharp and direct in her conversation. She was happy again as we arrived at the market and quickly got to shopping and headed off to Chiang Saen for pizza. It was starting to get dark and I had a splitting headache.

At one point I went the wrong way and Amy got a little upset because I stopped and looked at Google Maps because I wanted to understand exactly where we were. She was right and I turned round and went in the right direction. The conversation died as I struggled to see the road but I wasn’t going to let Amy’s bad feelings affect me. I enjoyed listening to music and drove a little slower because I wanted to hear more.

Amy warmed up a little by the time we got home but I think by then we were both worn out and went to bed and to sleep. I was happy with the way I handled the situation and didn’t escalate any bad feelings. After all, it was only a slight issue. I think we understand each other well and we know our own, and each other’s, faults and behaviours very well.

Some might feel that our relationship is boring and stale but I think we are happy and understanding. I love this relationship so much.

Today (Sunday) I was happy to record two podcasts and sort out all sorts of little bits and pieces in my room. I’ll have to sort out those little annoying ants in there soon.

My days feel full but mostly without stress. I have lots of things I want to do but know I could drop dead tomorrow – really there’s no rush. It’s pretty insignificant in the scheme of things. I’m just happy to do what I’m doing whether it is interesting or not. I’m happy with this attitude.

Our actions are all transient and fated – 24th August 2020

Time flies by – things get done, things get forgotten, your laziness takes over.

Fern came to Utopia yesterday and I chatted with her friend Pim, who is a dental student. My teeth hurt all day. Annoying. Neck aches lower back aches. Tired, eating enough?

See what happens.

Gratitude Journal

I am so happy and grateful to have a bed to sleep at night. Even if I don’t sleep well it is a safe place.