We got that attitude! – 5th November 2019

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Gratitude Journal

I am so happy and grateful that I can find good resources online to help myself grow. I feel myself being pulled towards them and away from time wasting.

24th Mar 2021 – This is still relevant though the resources have changed as I have since. Then I was digging deep into Stoicism and philosophy, some of which influence has paid off and continues habitually now. Now I’m looking at more literature summaries and art-related content.

Release the whale that pulled me under – 4th November 2019

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I think I successfully passed my first test. The kids seem to be ok with my style of teaching and the lessons I wrote went ok – I’m still trying to gauge the level of the main class though.

I was also uplifted enough to drop into CRPAO after school and meet some of my old students. It was heartening to know how much they like and miss me. I think I can make good connections with most kids. Let’s see where this job leads.

Gratitude Journal

I am so happy and grateful to have the opportunity to work with Kevin from one of my favourite bands next year. It’s exciting to think I can meet and help them. I love this aspect of my life. It’s a lot of planning ahead but I look forward to doing that.

23rd March 2021 – With a couple of weeks until a tour across Malaysia, Sabah, Singapore and Java was due to start we had to cancel everything because of the Covid pandemic. I still need to get refunded for the flights as I don’t think the tour will happen within the two years the tickets are being held for us. Not quite the ‘journey is better than the destination’, more, the ‘planning was better than the reality.’

We got that attitude! – 3rd November 2019

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Although I turned off my alarm this morning I managed to force myself out of bed and complete a task I’d set for myself – cutting the grass in our driveway. I’ve suffered all day with stinging blisters as a reminder!

I also managed to get a little reading in, a little light exercise, and write my first lessons for this new school – tomorrow I’ll be able to judge how successful they are and make adjustments.

I also managed to record half an episode of the Chiang Rai Alternative Hour – which I’m really enjoying making.

I’m pretty happy with the way the day has gone.

Gratitude Journal

I am so happy and grateful for my ability to handle and accept change.

23rd Mar 2021 – This is an important understanding in my life. Each time I go through a change I will grow. I realised this most obviously when moving from England to Australia in 1994. If I hadn’t made that change I wouldn’t have grown and be where I am now. Sometimes you are in control of changes and other times you are not – but growth will come either way. Some changes may feel like mistakes but eventually, you understand that they are not.

The Chiang Rai Alternative Hour #10 – 2nd November 2019

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Music from Foojitsu, Kleg, Faust, Trumans Water, Devo, Lightning Bolt, Good Boy, Unsane, Bill Laswell, Charming Hostess, Grim Clone Band and Sly and the Revolutionaries.

Gratitude Journal

I am so happy and grateful to meet with Tok at Utopia, who made my first coffees for the day. I am also happy and grateful to meet a couple of teachers at my new school who were helpful towards me on my first day.

We got that attitude! – 1st November 2019

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Gratitude Journal

I am so happy and grateful to meet my new students today. It’s nerve wracking and compelling. Being around kids is very fulfilling. This morning I had some regret about leaving my last class behind but got excited for meeting all these new ones. They are typically friendly and happy, naught and shy…. I am grateful to the teachers I met who were friendly enough to give me advice.

Weight: 83.2kg
Resting heart rate: 51

Steal away the morning light – 31st October 2019

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My main achievement today was to kick off the process of writing lessons again. I’m a little frustrated at knowing exactly what is required but just sitting down and thinking about it all again was good.

I revised my letter to Hayden and will need to tweak it a little more after sending it to his mum to see what she thought.

Tomorrow is back to the grind – I want to make it less of a grind this time. The reward for my effort previously was very motivating but once it got pulled out from under me by the pettiness of Kru Paew it was all the more painful.

I’ve been learning how to better deal with these kinds of situations but I also feel a little self-protective and will try to balance my time investment into what I’m teaching and what other things I want to do. I do tend to fully dive into things and focus a lot on becoming good at something but it often takes the focus away from other important things too.

Gratitude Journal

I am so happy and grateful to have this new opportunity teaching at a new school. I’m a little nervous but also excited.

I sent four letters but none received – 30th October 2019

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This morning I set myself a fairly modest goal to write a letter to Hayden. I wasn’t sure what was going to happen during the day as we were supposed to go to Takky’s new house at midday but anyway I didn’t rush to write the letter and enjoyed the morning learning some Thai and brain games and a little bit of reading.

After lunch and a bit more reading I went to my office and sat down to write the letter. I tried listening to music but found I couldn’t concentrate.

Anyway, an hour and a half later I had all my thoughts down. I will review and revise it tomorrow before sending it to Hayden and his mum.

Somewhat energised I managed to record another music podcast and do a few minutes of exercise. I’m feeling like I can do that more habitually once my new work schedule is settled. I’ll get back into writing here again every day too.

Do unto yourself what you would recommend to others.

– not sure who to cite for this quote!

Gratitude Journal

I am so happy and grateful that Amy’s mum is clear of a liver tumour. She looked so happy yesterday having found out. It also made me think about her dad, who is not so bad in his own way. They have both helped us a lot.