Tag: Baipad

The Common Sense – 27th January 2025

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ 4 Comments

Hold your tongue to acquire
The knowledge you may desire
Make understanding your peer
With the open eye and ear

The spell to be found under
Is the rosy smell of wonder
Practice equals progress
For the taste of sweet success

Found from this point hence
The sense to make some sense
The reason to keep growing
The pursuit of further knowing

16th Jan 2026 – shared with Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 769

Today I’m feeling:

Not bad though still a bit fuzzy. Slept pretty well, skipped exercise. Decided to skip on Monday and Friday as they are busiest teaching days.

The morning zipped by pretty quickly and my last class should be pretty straightforward too.

I look forward to getting home again and maybe playing some guitar.

Health:

Physical: 7
Mental: 7

Today I’m grateful for:

My student Chompoo who quite happily discussed her life with me this afternoon. She really wants to improve her speaking and is now trying hard to do that.

Her boyfriend is Cartoon, who I used to teach in grade 7, 8 and 9. Chompoo was even happy to talk about their getting together and even about sex when I broached the subject. She showed herself to be a smart kid.

The best thing about today was:

Playing guitar straight after getting home. I think I ended up playing for around two hours.

What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?

The weather was weird today. It didn’t get higher than 18 degrees all day and it was very windy this morning even with a little rain.

Today was the first day ever in Thailand that I wore a jacket all day, outside of the classroom. It was still quite warm in a room full of crazy kids.

Something I learned today?

There was a message today that the sub-director’s mother has passed away and details will follow about the funeral. I still don’t get why we would attend this.

Review your acts, Good and bad.

I reminded Baipad to go and get her certificate from the art competition though they only ended up having them for the winners and not for all entries.

Although I couldn’t understand what was being said between Baipad and the teachers in the room I got the distinct impression that the teacher was showing a superior attitude. I don’t like it at all.

Anyway, I also went to Primary and talked with Kru Boe about what the deal is with students wanting to join the school next semester as Baipad’s mum would like to move Namhom there too.

Unfortunately there are no places available right now but it’s possible that that might change during the April break and they will contact me if so.

I took this picture at the art gallery. No new pictures today.

Apocalypse Yoga – 26th January 2025

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ Leave a comment

Landscapes of destruction and hell
Destroyed cityscapes aflame on fire
Devouring armfuls of pink men
Animals pick at flesh on barbed wire

Zerkon on your headphones
Quiet heralds the chaos to come
Settle into the warrior’s posture
Start banging the apocalypse drum

As anxiety rises in your bones
Breath deep the anguish and terror
Convulsing masses of flesh
Prepared for the yogi pallbearer

To six dragon hounds submit
Borborygms burst through the gut
A danse macabre meditation
Steeled the flesh for every cut

Tensions dissolve in exhalation
Stay in posture for nine breaths
Life leaves you little by little
Every nightmare, a series of deaths

Paraphrased and inspired by an absurd newsletter (The Poney Club Letter n°59) from the record label, Dur et Doux.

Today I’m feeling:

Quite groggy and blurry.

I will take Baipad and her sister to the art gallery this morning. Hopefully it gives them some inspiration.

After that, I don’t think that I will be up for much else today.

Health:

Physical: 7
Mental: 5

Today I’m grateful for:

A bowl of strawberries with Lung Chom coconut ice cream sprinkled with black sesame seeds and then Amy found some of old chocolate chips to add too. Delicious.

The best thing about today was:

To be honest most of today my brain was fucked and even taking the kids to the gallery which was fun was still a bit of a blur.

What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?

I had little motivation to do much of anything this afternoon so satisfied myself with comic reading and a nap.

Review your acts, Good and bad.

Baipad and Namhom were happy to be at the art gallery today, especially as there was a cosplay event there.

I took lots of pictures at the gallery and I think this one is my favourite.

The Fool You Find – 12th January 2025

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ 5 Comments

It’s Not You

With the brightest smiles
and feined sincerity
that serves you so well
As the bee flits
from candied purple
to butterfly blue
You’re on your way
keeping all that honey
as stored ammunition

It’s Me

The facade crumbled
the honey on my lips
enlightened by my taste
Poison to my senses
the comfort of your nest
no longer warms
I’m on my way
I’ll make space
for the next fool you find

Shared with dVerse – MTB: New and Old in a Palinode and walking away from a friendship.

Today I’m feeling:

Ok again. My throat seems a little clearer but I’m still croaky. Otherwise, I slept well, though only 7 hours.

It’s a cold, sunny Sunday and I will pick up Amy and Baew and we’ll go to In Am’s Kitchen for brunch.

It doesn’t look that special but getting into some sourdough after not having had it for a long while was great. There is a new bread shop that opened in the city too but sadly it was closed today.

Health:

Physical: 7
Mental: 7

Today I’m grateful for:

Baew and Mee for bringing Amy home this evening, as she decided to stay on and continue drinking and eating today!

Every day is a holiday for my little Amy!

The best thing about today was:

Listening to lots of music, though only brief listens to new bands that I wanted to check out. One day I have to stop this endless search for new music – there is so much good music being made. I need to enjoy what I already have! Same goes for comics too (and books!)

I’m also halfway through finishing the Barber Dead interview for Suspect Device and enjoyed listening to their EP again. Already good to begin with; it has really got its hooks into me.

What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?

I haven’t been motivated to play guitar for a few days now and it is mostly due to the time factor, as I enjoy other things instead.

Something I learned today?

Don’t buy coffee at In Am’s kitchen. Whilst the food was great and reasonably priced, I’m fussy when it comes to coffee.

Review your acts, Good and bad.

I’ve been chatting with Baipad through TikTok where we seem to be sending each other videos of cute animals. I feel a little as if she is my part-time daughter.

I took this picture because mother and daughter have been reunited and both keep getting off their ties and coming to chill in our garden again.

A Long Hike – 5th January 2025

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ 3 Comments

Take a long hike in nature
Turn your back on the chattering
Sit quietly amongst the ferns
Elevated above the clattering

A few miles above Tintern
In commune with Wordsworth
With our fellow romantics
Witnessing a rebirth

At the camping ground
Pack your boots and fleeces
Phone charged, and caffeinated
Collect all your bits and pieces

Shared amongst the absurd crowds
Authentic insight waits
Snapped up for memories
The hivemind contemplates

Inspired and paraphrased from the second part of Authenticity & Absurdity at Philosophy Now.
Where to go when everyone has run to the same place to relax?

Today I’m feeling:

Tired after being a little restless last night and Tigger wanting to be fed at 7 am.

I came out for coffee and decided to only have one cup today, to see if that helps me sleep better tonight.

I’m ploughing through my grading files this morning and I also have to figure out what lessons I will teach this coming week. Apart from that, I don’t have much else planned. More reading, more guitar.

Oh, and writing some interview questions for Barber Dead and Speech Odd.

(Later) I never got to writing any questions out yet but have been thinking about what to ask.

Health:

Physical: 6
Mental: 7

Today I’m grateful for:

Having an appetite again, though my guts still seem to be adjusting a little bit. I feel like eating and eating!

The best thing about today was:

Getting all my grading completed today. Actually, it is only half completed because that is all that has been asked at this stage. Over the next couple of weeks, I will probably finish it all off as I don’t think there will be many changes in the outcomes for the students in the meantime.

What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?

I got a missed call today and assumed it was from the optometrist, so I went there in the afternoon. The lady said that she had called to tell me that my glasses would arrive tomorrow and that was all that she was calling to tell me. No harm done, it’s less than five minutes ride from my house.

Review your acts, Good and bad.

I took a small sketchbook to Baipad that I bought up in Doi Tung as it had a cartoon picture of Lahu and Akha people on it. She gave it to Namhom as she doesn’t have her own little book like this.

They were home alone but talking with their mum on a video call. I asked where her mum was and they didn’t know! I said, what if something happened and she didn’t come back and the police come and ask where she went and all you can say is ‘I don’t know!’

So we all found out that she is in Bangkok at the same time!

Looking At Stuff – 3rd January 2025

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ Leave a comment

I didn’t see it until I took a look
There was no answer within this book
A revolution waiting with a solution
Let’s write it down so there’s no confusion!

Inspired by Existential Comics #572

Today I’m feeling:

A little tired and hungry but my mood is ok. Last night I threw up, perhaps from too much soda or maybe a little food poisoning, I’m not sure. I felt better as soon as I got it out, though I was a little drained.

I woke up during the night too. I guess that third coffee was really telling me not to be attempted again. My mind was racing between grading students and wishing that I could have grown up in San Diego so that I could have seen Trumans Water playing more often. Weird.

My lack of digested food saw me wake up to be under 80kg this morning for the first time in a while. My energy levels are dictating that I should eat more, though. I’m only half looking forward to early morning exercise again next week.

Health:

Physical: 6
Mental: 7

Today I’m grateful for:

Nut bringing me breadsticks this morning just as my stomach was starting to feel bad again and we were due to go out. Munching on them helped a little bit, along with a bit of a walk and some cool mountain air.

The best thing about today was:

Walking around up at Doi Tung markets was nice despite my dodgy tummy, meaning I couldn’t enjoy much of the food and drink there.

What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?

As we went in Nut and Bruno’s car, I was relinquished of driving duties but also at first I was feeling queasy in the back and then later, in the front, I had to endure Bruno’s speed racing and complaining about slow traffic. I guess my dodgy guts helped take my mind off that a little.

Amy told me that we will never go on holiday with them anywhere, as Bruno is always so hyped up and on the move. It makes it difficult to just relax and enjoy the moment. He operates on a different level than most of us.

Review your acts, Good and bad.

I swapped the mattresses in our bedrooms for Amy as she seems to sleep better on this one. Damn, though, our original mattresses are heavy and it took a lot out of me to move them.

Up until then, I wasn’t feeling too bad but then my body was looking to replace the used-up energy and found nothing there.

I took this picture at Doi Tung and sent it to Baipad, who is half Lahu. All the hill tribes are represented here, but it feels a little contrived.

A Love Letter From Minas Gerais – 21st December 2024

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ Leave a comment

Maturing in the still and humid air
On a steep Brazilian hillside
I deepen red as if blushing
Ready to be plucked and tested

Still sour before the procession
Dried on a dusty rack
Soon signed, sealed and delivered
My final journey nears conclusion

I’m roasted, stirred and blended
Slightly sweet and bitter
Cascading jets of steamy water
Extract my last juices

Remember me this fine morning
As you go about your day
It was my pleasure to serve you
To give you my get up and go

Written for an AllPoetry assignment about personification and returning to a favourite topic of mine!

Today I’m feeling:

Tired but rested after a ten-hour sleep and a weird dream about being in a South American country and almost being shot by a child, and then a pre-pubescent girl who was showing me around with a bunch of other kids got disappeared to be a prostitute. Not sure where all those ideas came from.

I have aches in various places from this week’s exercise. Good aches.

Today I’m grateful for:

A very chill day today, restoring lost energy.

The best thing about today was:

Finishing the chapter Up, Simba by David Foster Wallace. Next is the titular Consider The Lobster.

What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?

Utopia is closed until Wednesday as Art takes his staff for a mini holiday in Chiang Mai. This meant that I had to get coffee at Black Smooth instead this morning.

Something I learned today?

Through an online conversation with Baipad, we both learned that ‘blyat’ in Russian is a bad word.

I took this picture because Art joked that the coffee at Black Smooth would be in a big cup and be too hot and he was right!

The Play – 19th December 2024

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ Leave a comment

Of course, I am the hero
This is my poem after all!
Well-intentioned and rational
Justice must be my call

So you must be the villain
A poet must have a foe!
Conjuring a dastardly plan
Laughing maniacally so

We take action as we believe
Ignorant of a better way
Both deceived by our duty
In this game of life we play

Today I’m feeling:

Good again. I’m enjoying the feeling of being revitalised from my morning exercise. I woke up with a start this morning, though, which was good in that I wasn’t waking before my alarm like earlier this week.

For some reason, I was dreaming about opening a (?) for my student, Fah, and I also had an impression that I had been dreaming about an old workmate, Steve. I’m not sure why they were roaming around in my subconscious.

My first class was fun and straightforward but the two-hour break following it has made me tired and uninspired. I will teach the same lesson again soon to another class of the same grade but I’m doubting it will go as well. I may be doubting myself here rather than the students.

(After) Although the second class was a little more difficult to deal with, everyone at least submitted something to me, whilst some of my first class just left because they couldn’t answer the questions and weren’t interested in asking me for help.

Health:

Physical: 7
Mental: 7

Today I’m grateful for:

My student, Spain, who filled me in on some classroom gossip from his perspective. He’s a year older than everyone else as he has some kind of quirky autism which held him back a year and whilst he struggles to interact in a ‘normal’ manner, he’s fairly bright and knowledgeable and today I discovered that he is particularly observant.

He told me how he sees everything that is going on, who is with who, when they come and go, lots and lots of details. It was interesting to talk with him but also tiring as I struggled to hear him through his face mask and the sudden twists and turns he makes in conversation.

The best thing about today was:

Buying a punnet of strawberries at the walking street and scoffing them all with coconut ice cream, yoghurt and mini-Toblerones in a big bowl. So much for all that exercise and trying to lose weight!

What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?

I was not inspired to write after a provocative (to me) comment was posted on my poem, Christmas In Gaza, that I read this morning.

I’ve left the comment there without response but it essentially boils down to divisions through religion – ie, my god is better than yours. There’s no reasoning with this, so I’ll not engage.

Internally, though, the rage of hypocrisy burns so brightly. I need to let it go. It’s not my business what others choose to believe.

A few minutes after writing this, I started thinking about how things in general these days are about winning and losing and while some folks lose online arguments, others are losing their lives and the winners are rewriting their histories in some form or another. This triggered off a flow of words and I managed to get the bad feeling out.

Something I learned today?

Hong Kong is the only city in the world that uses seawater to flush its toilets.

Review your acts, Good and bad.

This morning, I encouraged Baipad to finish off a drawing she had started and when I messaged her this evening, asking her what the best thing about her day, it was that she had finished it.

Amy sent me this lovely picture of Tigger today.

First Snowy Morning – 15th December 2024

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ 19 Comments

Outside the window, I giggle in delight
The first feel of snow after a silent night
This day of love has already seen me grow
Because this feeling, I thought I’d never know

I found myself once finding my tribe
Along with a love I could only describe
Now felt without any suffocating
All this time patiently waiting

The love was always right under my nose
Because I could cry at heart-wrenching prose
Intoxicated walking along the city street
Even enthralled by the glass and concrete

I will sip this love through a golden straw
And take it home to the Eastern shore
Where the soft dusty snow ignites
A love for this garden of delights

Inspired by this post at Spinning Visions
8th Jan 2026 – Shared with Esther Chilton’s writing prompt #98 – snow
21st Jan 2026 – Shared with dVerse Poetics – snow

Today I’m feeling:

Good and rested, though I did have to rush to the toilet just before sleeping as all the food I ate today decided it required a quick exit. My stomach is still feeling a little off this morning.

Last night it started raining, which was a bit of a surprise, though now that the rainy season is over, any rain is appreciated. It’s also cooler during the day, almost pleasant weather!

(Later) As the rain settled to a steady drizzle, the air stayed chilly and I spent a fair few hours just lying in bed under the doona and reading.

By bedtime, stepping out of the shower felt unbearably cold and I chuckled to myself as it was only last week when I was wondering when it was finally going to cool down. Be careful what you wish for.

Health:

Physical: 7
Mental: 7

Today I’m grateful for:

The old guy fruit seller who always offers me a plastic bag, which I refuse. Today he asked me if I was cold, as I was only wearing shorts and a T-shirt and to be honest, I was cold. He grabbed my arm and told me that I am strong.

The best thing about today was:

Lots of reading, especially enjoying the Aussie comic Platinum Grit.

What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?

I bought a pack of fruit at the market and dropped it around to Baipad along with 40 baht, matching what she saved herself last week.

She was sitting on the salon bench playing an online game on her phone and couldn’t drag herself away from it. I dropped the fruit on her lap and stuffed the 40 baht down the back of her shirt and she didn’t even blink.

Ah well. Kids these days!

Something I learned today?

TikTok is like crack! Even I’m sucked in now that the suggestions are tuned to what I want to see. The theory of this is disturbing, but oddly, I’m finding that the information provided is far more useful than anywhere else, like YouTube or Instagram.

Here And Now – 10th December 2024

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ 6 Comments

Quiet
contemplation;
“Home is where the heart is,”
yet, I am far away
overlooking
sunsets

Poetry Form :- Badger Hexastich ( 2/4/6/6/4/2 syllables) (thanks kittyverses) – shared with Reena’s Xploration Challenge #359 and What’s Going On – homecoming

Today I’m feeling:

A little slow to go after sleeping well. Waiting for the coffee to kick in.

We have a funeral ceremony to attend in Mae Chan this morning. Baew’s dad’s friend was in a car accident on Sunday and died tragically.

A short trip between their houses, he thought it didn’t require a seat belt, which sadly, may have saved him. It is a reminder to all of us.

A headache came on during the morning, probably from sleeping in a weird position, as my neck is constantly cracking.

At the funeral, I was hungry, tired and dizzy, wondering how many of these are ahead before my own.

Health:

Physical: 7
Mental: 7

Today I’m grateful for:

The new Android device that Amy paid to put into Mum’s old car and which does seem to successfully do mostly what I would like it to do.

The best thing about today was:

Fiddling around in the old car, setting up the audio and discovering other things that can be done, along with making it smell nice.

What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?

I had to lie down for a while and have a bit of a sleep after the funeral. My headache was pretty annoying but thankfully had gone after waking up again.

Something I learned today?

After the funeral today, Amy told me that the wife of the uncle who died felt sure that he crashed his car on purpose after an argument with his spoiled, drug-addicted 40-year-old son.

Crazy if true, but it does explain how it could have happened because camera evidence and the site of the crash didn’t seem to indicate anything untoward.

Review your acts, Good and bad.

At the cafe in the morning, I took back the plates and cups I had used to the counter. I think the staff were a bit surprised.

I dropped a book of mazes to Baipad and Namhom today. Neither of them seemed that impressed, Namhom in particular, as she was glued to an exciting game on her phone.

Screenshot

Held Back – 8th December 2024

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ Leave a comment

The wise sage, somewhat cynical
Knows what to say and when
The optimist, still straight and clinical
Is in trouble with words again

Yet when the time came to inspire
The sage’s words fell short
Because one’s dreams also require
Revision to what has been taught

Maybe the fire inside was unseen
So the sage had to be let go
Not understanding what it would mean
To be held back by what one would know

Inspired by a newsletter from Daivd Elikwu about the dangers of role models and my own experience I am currently revisiting from 2020 with my then role model, George.

2024-12-08

Today I’m feeling:

Positive and happy, though a little tired.

Health:

Physical: 7
Mental: 7

Today I’m grateful for:

Hangie successfully getting Amy home at 2.30 am this morning after a night out in the city.

The best thing about today was:

I got out to my room to play guitar at three different times today and I can see a little improvement. I also fiddled a little with Ableton, trying and failing to get it to do what I wanted. Need to find some tutorials.

What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?

As I’m helping Baipad save up some money to go for a health check, I wanted her to come with me to the hospital to get the information on exactly what she needs, and at the same time, the information I need, as I want to do the same thing too.

This afternoon, I dropped by and though she was reluctant to come because she hates interaction with strangers, I convinced her after she asked if Namhom could come too.

We went around the back way to avoid the highway and they both seemed fairly chirpy.

When we got there, I asked Baipad to ask the security guard for information, but unfortunately, he told us that they are only open Monday to Friday (which surprised me a little).

Oh well, never mind. When we got back, I asked Baipad to find the information online and she duly did.

Even though this was just a little thing today, it is the kind of thing that will boost her confidence in the future.

We were both happy to discover that the price is not as high as we were expecting.

Something I learned today?

I started reading Persepolis this morning and immediately wanted to learn more about the history of Iran.

Review your acts, Good and bad.

I rescued Piti when he dashed out of Utopua this morning.

Noey took this picture because this is her last day working at Utopia. She has exams next weekend before heading off to her internship but I will likely see her on those mornings as she’ll pick up coffee first.