“Everything that needs to be said has already been said. But, since no one was listening, everything must be said again.” – Andre Gide
Gratitude Journal
The best part of today was being able to snooze my alarm and then when I did get up I sat with my coffee on the terrace, calm and relaxed. I’m so happy and grateful to have these opportunities.
What is your dream life?
I think I’m living it, almost! I don’t worry so much about money, though I know Amy does. I would prefer not to have to be working so hard even though I do enjoy it. I really could stay home in our beautiful house, read books, listen to music, play games and watch TV. Sounds like it might be boring but I can dig those things. And if I did get bored I could motivate myself to do something more.
Gratitude Journal
I spoke with a young guy in Iraq who was learning English. He was a very motivated person, to improve his life. I am so happy and grateful to have this opportunity to meet people from all around the world.
18th Mar 2021 – I joined an online teaching platform called Cambly and gave it a go for a couple of days. Some people teach there full time and can make reasonable money but you can also just make yourself available for conversations with people rather than teach actual lessons. I enjoyed it for the time I did it and contemplated doing it more but eventually just left it as an option for the future.
The first weekend of the holiday brings some mental relief.
What would you do if you knew you couldn’t fail?
I would start a tour organisation business for bands to play shows throughout Asia. I would use my existing contacts to have pre-planned routes through the area. I don’t know any way to monetise this but it would certainly bring me great joy to travel and work within a musical environment.
20th Jun 2022 – I was more seriously preparing to do this more frequently starting with the World’s Dirtiest Sport tour that was planned for Feb 2020 but the Covid pandemic knocked all those plans out. Things are getting more back to normal now but some new regulations that have been implemented in certain countries would make things much more difficult than before. The whole situation kinda knocked the wind out of my sails too.
Gratitude Journal
I am so happy and grateful for all the opportunities ahead of me because they give me a chance to explore and develop myself. The hardships I have faced and sometimes not been able to deal with well have all helped me to grow and learn.
Gratitude Journal
I am so happy and grateful to live in a beautiful house where I can enjoy breakfast looking across our garden, watching our cats chase each other and contemplating the day ahead.
Gratitude Journal
I am so happy and grateful to have met Kru Tang. She has all the qualities of a good person and has helped me a lot.
Music from Faun Fables, Ruins, Unrest, Minibeast, The Deviants, Deerhoof, The Clarendonians, The Mekons, Radio Thailand, The Solid State, NoHayBandaTrio, Joe Strummer, The Jesus Lizard, Martin Cure and the Peeps and Iowa Beef Experience.
Woke up with the sun and again I’m already mentally preparing for my classes next semester. It’s good but could probably turn it down a bit!
It’s only 7am and I already achieved a small thing for today. I went for an early morning walk around the village. A lot of aunties around already selling their veggies and meats. They were all happily curious, as was I. I should try some conversation next time.
Today I will try to remember that life is brief and can be taken away at any time.
I love watching my cats around the house and garden. How lucky we are to be here together.
Gratitude Journal
I am so happy and grateful to watch the sunrise as I walked around the village this morning. Smiling monks, curious aunties, playful dogs, foggy fields.
Cats don’t judge. A cat is just a cat.
My last day of school. How do I feel? A little sad and disappointed to leave my students behind but hopeful and positive for the next school. I can visualise myself in class, prepared. Happy.
Gratitude Journal
I am so happy and grateful to the students who made me goodbye cards. I could feel how much I had affected them and what a good influence I had been. They really touched my heart.
Poisonous people are a lesson waiting to be learned. It’s a tough test and it feels like suffering. Must remain calm and clear.
In my dream, many friends appeared. They were not ones I readily recognise but I knew they were my friends.
In Sydney I felt like everyone I knew or was acquainted with in the music scene was someone I could trust. Quite naive but the feeling was real. Our scene is built on mutual respect and understanding.
Got upset and angry yesterday at someone’s behaviour – that I perceived as a message towards me. I was oversensitive and reactive. I took myself away from the situation and sat by the river. I imagined the debris in the river were my hurt, anger and frustrations and watched them pass by and disappear.
I felt better.
It’s tough though.
Picture was taken a few months later when I went back for a visit.
Yesterday I told my class I was leaving. It was a little emotional – two of the students got teary. It was sad to see – those kids can’t go a whole semester with the same teacher. It did make me realise the impression I can make on students though. I hope I can work in the high school so I will still have the opportunity to see them sometimes. I know I can work in another school ok but I’m also dreading it a little.
Gratitude Journal
I am so happy and grateful to Amy for helping me through all the tough situations since we met. Many things I can deal with and help her with but there have been times when she had been so wonderful and supportive. I know she gets frustrated with me sometimes too but at the end of the day, she is always there for me. I love her so much.
Weight: 83.1kg
Resting heart rate: 50
1994ever 