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.
Last night I had to leave the temple early as I was very dizzy and a little out of it. Luckily, Amy could get home with Goy. I was early to bed and asleep by 10 pm and even in my dreams, I was feeling dizzy!
Thankfully, when I woke up, I was feeling ok and did some exercise and a dead hang. The dead hangs are really making a difference, I think.
So I felt good when I got to school and bumbled around with students and then did a little administration to help get myself prepared. I talked with Kru Mai about my assigned hours and he advised that six of the hours will be assigned by other teachers for the students to do online. But, he said, I have to be in the classroom! Which essentially means I’m still working those hours!
I couldn’t convince him to remove my one-hour classes, unfortunately. Things may still change, I guess, though.
Health:
Physical: 7 Mental: 8
Today I’m grateful for:
Kru Mai and Kru Tang for helping me today as we discussed my new timetable. I’m not sure what the outcome will be yet, but at least they know about it.
I’m also grateful to Art, who experimented by giving me a double shot coffee of a new blend that he is trying out and it was awesome! I’m just a little sad that I probably won’t have time to pick one up every morning once I start teaching again next week.
The best thing about today was:
The relaxed feeling around school again today. Everyone seemed to be in a good mood and it kept me chipper, too. I had fun with the kids as usual.
What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?
I had to wait at school until the afternoon, as Amy was working out the best plan for us today, as we would attend the temple again today. It was fine for me as I can easily keep myself busy, whether being with the students or sitting in the cafe.
In the end, Amy decided that she would come with Goy to the city and come back with her tonight. I could just drop by the temple and give my best to Nong Oh and then come home and relax a little in the evening.
Something I learned today?
My grade 11 students let slip that some Thai teachers don’t like me because I talk with the students. I’m not sure exactly what they meant but it made me curious and interested.
After some follow-up to try and get some clarity, it seems that they don’t approve of my style and ability to communicate with the students. I think it’s a cultural difference, as the old school Thai teacher just gives information and expects the students to mimic it, to do as they are told and that the teacher is the absolute authority on everything. I’m not like that at all!
I took this picture because our orchids keep coming out at various times throughout the year. I’m happy that they have managed to do well since shoving them in the tree.
I got myself up and running at 6.10 having already woken up a little earlier yet again!
Last night I made a little mistake as we received a message from school with our new timetables and I had a look at mine and was a little frustrated.
Firstly, I have been given 25 hours again, whilst David got 22 and George only 20! Then I noticed that I have two seven-hour days on Monday and Friday! Finally, I have been given 4 separate one-hour classes throughout the week, which annoys me as my planning is usually for 2-hour lessons. With only one hour, it will usually only end up with about 30 minutes teaching time at most.
Funnily enough, one of my students Jee, messaged me saying that she was disappointed that I would only teach her for two hours a week again and I mentioned that I was frustrated too, for the reasons above. She replied, ‘That’s not fair!’ But I said to her, ‘Yeah, but it will likely change anyway,’ and considered that things are not set in stone just yet.
Unfortunately, it couldn’t stop my brain working overtime for a while as I was trying to sleep and I was playing out scenarios about what to do and say.
By morning, though, I had let it all go and just figured to get on with things and accept them. For now, at least.
After a long, happy, hot day, I was starting to feel flaky as I was driving home. I could easily have slept until tomorrow even though it was only 2.30 pm, but I knew that wasn’t going to be possible.
Health:
Physical: 7 Mental: 8
Today I’m grateful for:
Baitoey, an old student of mine who I will teach again this semester, who helped me get things sorted to create a new LINE group for her class. This class has 48 students and is certainly going to be a challenge to keep them all engaged.
Kru Ning also helped me out, as she is the homeroom teacher for them, too. It’s good to have a reasonably competent ally when dealing with a big class like this.
The best thing about today was:
Catching up with all the students again. I got so wrapped up in talking with them that I didn’t even make it to my first coffee until after 10 am!
They all seemed happy to be back at school again and to see their friends. I was certainly happy as kids came to talk and play all throughout the day.
Kwang also turned up to see her friends before she switched schools. I gave her a hug and told her that I would miss her. She said ‘how much’ and I told her, just a little bit.
What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?
Amy told me in the morning that Nong Oh’s mum passed away today and that she wants to go and help at the temple today and tomorrow. This means there’s little chance of rest for me before we do the three-hour drive to Chiang Mai on Saturday morning.
Our third funeral this month. What can we do? I am grateful to still be alive and healthy to have these problems.
Something I learned today?
I found out that sports day is at the end of November, for a couple of days and for most of the month leading up to it, we will have 50-minute periods instead of our usual one hour.
Review your acts, Good and bad.
Driving Amy and Baew to the temple after school this evening. There’s not much that I can do to help here, so I was quite relieved when Amy suggested I bring a book.
I took this picture because we are not the only ones making a home here.
Connections form between young and old As the tribe gathers at these tables Every nugget may not be gold And truths told as if they are fables
The dining room, like a rush-hour train A gaggle of gossip between gulps of water The old folks never tire to explain Love for their new grandson and daughter
Two hands touch to make a familiar bond Share secrets down the generations Soft in comfort where love belongs And meets all expectations
Shared with WDYS #257 picture prompt and also submitted for an assignment at AllPoetry.com as follows: Write a 12 to 24-line poem in any style that uses simile. Keep the imagery consistent and clear.Make sure that you use two clear examples of simile in your poem using the words ‘as’ or ‘like’ as discussed in the lesson. Try to write in the present tense and incorporate at least one concrete use of the senses in addition to imagery and metaphor, which was covered in the previous assignment.
Today I’m feeling:
Reasonable and positive, fairly relaxed.
I woke up late, allowing myself to get up when I felt ready. I had no real appointments or plans, so it was no big deal.
Health:
Physical: 7 Mental: 7
Today I’m grateful for:
The hairdresser today, who paid particular attention to trimming the hair out of my ears.
I think that as she knows that as I always tip her and my cut is quick and easy for her, perhaps she felt that she owed me a little extra. I usually enjoy pulling the hair out of my ears whilst I’m waiting at traffic lights. I’ll have to wait a few weeks for them to grow back again.
The best thing about today was:
Well, it might not be right to say it was the best thing but the main thing that happened today was going to another funeral.
This one was for a friend of a friend who, whilst riding his pushbike, got hit into a ditch by a drunk driver who sped off, but was later tracked down.
If he hadn’t sped off and stayed to help, there was a chance that it might have saved this guy’s life.
Today was his cremation and I drove us there and followed the proceedings, which is something I’ve grown used to here. There were lots of fireworks today, more than I’ve seen before.
There were also lots of people; the guy was a well-liked coffee shop owner and his wife works at the university. He was only 32.
Despite the heat, the three hours there went quickly and I was inspired to write a few related rhymes while there.
Something I learned today?
Stumbling on a video about Junji Ito alerted me to the fact that he has a lot more work out there than I realised. It was an interesting psychological analysis of his work which gave me a better appreciation of his style of horror.
Review your acts, Good and bad.
At the funeral, Amy asked me to fan her to cool her down, to cool us both down. She said that the other aunties there would be jealous because her man was fanning her, something that most Thai men wouldn’t think about doing.
Indeed, one old uncle was curious and came over to try to chat a little but he didn’t stay for long.
I took this picture to remember another funeral. Today it made me think about growing accustomed to and accepting of another culture despite not understanding it.
I still exist in the sense of space Any glitter will vanish without trace Scrub away at these crusty limbs Below these hollow bones, the sins
Managed to squeeze 12 prompt words (crusty scrub limbs vanish bones exist space glitter still hollow below sense) into 4 lines and still have some semblance of sense! Shared with The Sunday Whirl wordle 674. The title comes by way of X-Ray Spex’s ‘Germ-Free Adolescents’ with the refrain ‘scrub away, scrub away’
oday I’m feeling:
A little bit tired this morning as I forced myself up for a little exercise and on arriving at school, not really having much to do, though I guess I should do some lesson planning.
As I was falling asleep last night, I was urging myself to try and wake up with the same positive feeling that I had yesterday. I’m not quite there due to tiredness but still fairly positive.
At 10.30, I headed to the temple for Krit’s father’s funeral. A quiet, sombre morning.
Health:
Physical: 7 Mental: 7
Today I’m grateful for:
Not having to be too involved with the lesson planning at school again. Turn up and show my face for a while and it’s all good.
The best thing about today was:
I dropped Amy off at Baew’s, where the girls planned on a few drinks and I went off home, got some snacks and ate a gummy. It was a bit intense for a while and made time disappear way too quickly, like I was really conscious of it going so fast.
Amy video-called me a few times throughout the evening and looked quite drunk, though she was at least switching to water already. I’m glad she was having fun but also glad that I was asleep when she got home, as I don’t know how my stoned mind would have dealt with her!
What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?
On meeting Kru Mai this morning, he surprised me a little by telling me that our classes will change from last semester. This was a little frustrating as I had planned well ahead with my lessons but thankfully, when I got my list, not too much had changed.
Good and positive again. I can feel that I have a better attitude and more energy in the days that I exercise in the morning and that I should also force myself to do this on weekends and holidays as I often just fall into laziness then.
Today I’m grateful for:
The little female (age indefinable) petrol pump assistant who double-checked what I wanted and then, after filling the car, gave me two bottles of water. She tried to explain about the water but I didn’t understand. I just assumed that they were free!
The best thing about today was:
Taking time with a couple of my troublesome students this afternoon and helping them get a better idea of a grammar point. I felt relief and joy when they started getting the answers right by themselves. I even managed to get a smile out of one of them.
What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?
My first class today with grade 8s was a little wearisome. Some days it feels like they just insist on not learning. I stayed relatively calm but inside I feel a little tired and deflated from it.
Something I learned today?
The single most expensive item for the British in the American Civil War was rum.
Review your acts, and then for vile deeds chide yourself, for good be glad. — Discourses 3.10
We went to the temple again for some follow-up Buddhist things for Grandmum. I did as was directed though wasn’t sure about any of what was happening. In the end, we served monks food and everyone (except me) at lunch too.
25 THINGS ABOUT LIFE I WISH I HAD KNOWN 10 YEARS AGO 3. Spend Time with People You Love. That’s your family and best friends. If you don’t have a family, create one. Most people in life are only visitors. Family is for life.
My tribe is my family these days. I’m not particularly close to anyone except for Amy and I’m fine with that. If I ever need to make new relationships they will come naturally from within my tribe.
The internet definitely has made things easier to stay in contact with my tribe, who are scattered all around the world.
Whilst the ease of communication keeps us together, our tribe survives apart.
This space buzzed by mosquitoes A history was being carved out Dusty messes swept into the corners Where cockroaches nested, no doubt
Now an empty room remains A hunger within this home The incense lights the way So we don’t have to be alone
Ghosts are only seen by some A chilly feeling in prickly air Once a room full of new stories Is left in stasis with nothing there
Grandmum’s empty room
Today I’m feeling:
Still a little tired though I slept quite a lot. Not going to push my classes today and going to take it easy myself too.
Today I’m grateful for:
A surprise lunch date with the family at the seafood restaurant Amy and I tried last Sunday. At first I felt a little annoyed as I had wanted to stay at House to read and write after going to apply for the work permit after my first class. That quickly faded though as I’ve grown much more accustomed to sudden changes of plans. The food was also great, which certainly helped too!
The best thing about today was:
Sitting with groups of three students at a time and working on a grammar rule with them. I can usually get a good response out of small groups when there’s an opportunity to do so and we all could laugh and learn together.
What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?
I went to get my work permit and in the process they asked if I want it for two years to which I thought ‘sure!’ It was only then I wondered how much it would cost and I found out it will be 6000 baht which is all the money I have left this month!
Something I learned today?
As we’ve been busy for this last week I haven’t really asked Amy about much of what the latest news is or about all the stuff at the temple. With a couple of wines under her belt she talked for a long while about different people that attended the funeral, all of the costs and stresses for the family and what little she knew about the Buddhist rituals and rules.
Review your acts, and then for vile deeds chide yourself, for good be glad. — Discourses 3.10
I sent supportive messages to three of my students who struggled with situations today.
Nicha took this picture because she snatched my phone out of my pocket whilst I was distracted with another student. I’m quite happy for some students to do this because I can look forward to a surprise batch of photos to check later. Obviously in this shot I had caught up with her to get my phone back.
Thanks for the visit last night Was there a reason to come? I wasn’t really doing anything Perhaps that’s why you came along
And why were you the way you were? Not quite happy it seemed We still couldn’t even share a joke Even in a meeting dreamed
I had to leave quickly I felt like you were perturbed I closed the door behind me And woke up quite disturbed
Typing this one out has given me deja vu. I feel like I may have written something similar about another dream I had. This one though was about the anxiety of meeting an old friend after tens of years and left on bad terms. In this real dream, I had last night, the meeting did not go well
Today I’m feeling:
Tired from a 5.30 am start to start the last day of Grandmum’s funeral. It occurs to me that this (kinda) solemn occasion is a huge stress on the family. There are so many ‘rules’ and traditions that should be followed, to do it the ‘right’ way, that it’s impossible to be perfect.
By the time we got to the crematorium, stress levels were up and it almost felt like forgetting why I was there. That was soon remedied though when the coffin was opened for the family to pour coconut water over the face and body. I turned to see Amy crying and it tore at me as I teared up too as she poured over some water and said goodbye and then I was full of grief again.
At this point though, all the ceremony of the last few days made more sense in my mind.
Today I’m grateful for:
The family again for including me as part of them and not minding too much when I did not know what to do in these circumstances.
The best thing about today was:
The best thing about today will be crawling back into bed and enjoying sleep. Things get back to normal tomorrow but I can’t wait for the weekend already.
What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?
Sadly I lost my streak on my Thai study app as I’ve been too busy running around this week. I’ll not beat myself up about it because it doesn’t change the things I’ve learned already. I’m trying to make the learning a little more difficult again to push myself. I’ll get back to it.
The scheduled quiz I set for my class to do this morning didn’t work, which was a little frustrating. Thankfully there was some free time at the ceremony where I could set it up again
Something I learned today?
Assigning work to a class always teaches me who can be responsible for themselves and who will just take advantage.
Review your acts, and then for vile deeds chide yourself, for good be glad. — Discourses 3.10
Today I was Amy’s little worker and I obediently did what I was told without complaint, even when we did things that seemed odd to me. In the morning I carried a tray of food to another building where we sat for a few minutes and then walked back to where we started. That tray was heavy after a while but I didn’t complain.
Either we went to that place by mistake or there was something about the food being in that space for a few minutes that gave it some kind of blessing that I’m not privy to. There is a lot of symbolism going on that I don’t understand and would scoff at if I did.
I took this picture because this cutie decided to take a rest at the bottom of the temple stairs.
Shacked up with a slacker Who said our gold was in the hills A guitar strapped to his back To sing of other people’s thrills
The words are spat with bitterness The war is raging in his head But anger without direction Is replaced by apathy instead
The party starts at home With our disaffected friends With the battle in our songs Forgotten when it ends
Stirred into one final action When the pipe of peace got broke Understanding that our pain Is only countered by the smoke
So it was, we came and went We conquered nothing at all We disappeared without a trace Into the bottom of the bowl
Nearer heaven we rested heads Too tired to take our chance Extinguished, all those little fires Where we no longer dance
inspired by ‘The Slacker’ in Zachary Mexico’s book China Underground
Today I’m feeling:
A little better again though still not quite right in the sinuses. Exercise got me going and I felt in a good mood for the whole day.
Today I’m grateful for:
The vegetarian food from Oasis and dessert snacks from the snack shop. Hopefully, there are snack boxes left over again tonight.
The best thing about today was:
Teaching my grade 10 class again. It’s a good feeling to have more mature students who try and want to understand more.
It did get me feeling a little like asking to spread out the classes between the foreign teachers so that not all the juniors are dumped on me and David. I know asking this is going to upset George though as he refuses to teach the younger ones, but it feels a little unfair not to split them more evenly.
I would be less tired at the end of the week and David is always talking of quitting because of the stress of his junior classes. I love those kids but I also value my health.
What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?
Another day of going with the flow mostly.
Something I learned today?
As I teach my grade 10s about relationships I’m learning a little about each of them and their personalities. Toon told me she is a people pleaser whilst Milk doesn’t care if a boy is interested in her. They joked that between them they make a balanced human being.
Review your acts, and then for vile deeds chide yourself, for good be glad. — Discourses 3.10
I gave some leftover snacks from last night’s ceremony to some students this morning.
I drove Amy and me home and back to the city to pick up snack boxes and food for tonight’s ceremony.
I took this picture because Tokyo was pretty relaxed. I still have to be very careful with her though. She can bite really quickly and with no apparent provocation.
At the flick of the switch There’s no transformation Remaining an ape or beast Change requires dedication No more time to waste If you wish the click to clack When you look at the sun It’s impossible to put it back
Reflecting on our animal nature A broken machine needing self-repair Once burdened by distraction Soon found themselves made it there Feed the mind with thought That keeps on the light Keep quiet and count the days When everything became quite right
Today I’m feeling:
A bit more relaxed after an extra hour’s sleep. Today is teachers’ day (apparently) and a day off from school though we are busy again at the temple. At least I got two Utopian coffees to kick off this morning.
I didn’t feel too hot after lunch and though feeling sleepy couldn’t get into a deep nap state.
Today I’m grateful for:
Whoever made the Thai snack boxes for the funeral ceremony tonight. There were enough left over for me to take some home.
The best thing about today was:
Mostly devoting my time to other people, though at the temple I’m not really doing much because I don’t know the etiquette or what is required but as soon as I’m asked I will do what is needed.
What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?
At Utopia this morning I couldn’t stop sneezing! I sneezed about fifty times and Nick and Art were worried about me!
Something I learned today?
The top five wealthiest people in the world doubled their wealth last year! Just in one year. I’m guessing that for many others in the world, they halved their wealth. The miracle of trickle-up economics, or should I say flooding-up?
Review your acts, and then for vile deeds chide yourself, for good be glad. — Discourses 3.10
I’ve been a good boy again, doing as I’m told at the temple. I kneeled to the boy monk as I handed him pizza for lunch! Good luck boy monk. Stay off your phone.
Driving twice in and out of the city again despite feeling not 100%. Tired by the afternoon and my sinuses feel uncomfortable.
List 3 good things you have now that you didn’t have five years ago.
I thought that this would be difficult as I haven’t really acquired ‘things’ that much but five years is a long time and I acquired one of the biggest things in people’s lives and that is a home.
This time five years ago our house was built but it hadn’t quite been turned into a home, at least as I feel about it now.
I feel comfortable and safe around our house and neighbourhood and inside is Amy’s playground for decorating. If I thought about it more and knew where to buy things easily and cheaply perhaps I would make a home environment that suits me too but I’m also a little lazy to do that. Mine and Amy’s ideas are not that compatible and I’m happy to defer to her in this instance. Actually, I’m happy to defer to her most of the time.
Five years ago I didn’t have a guitar and that cheap instrument has brought me a lot of pleasure since purchase. I don’t think that a better quality guitar will improve my playing that much so I’m happy with what I’ve got.
The last thing I have is a deeper love. My love and connection with my students has grown so much in this time and it fills me with joy. I wonder where all our futures will take us.
As I was messaging with Baipad, who is in her grandmum’s village for ดำหัวผู้ใหญ่, she told me that her mum told her to send me this picture of them in their traditional Lahu dress. Fatman report
1994ever 