Tag: gratitude journal

The Chiang Rai Alternative Hour #18 – 28th December 2019

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ Leave a comment

Music from Sebadoh, Hilarity Ensues, Primitive Calculators, Bastro, UK Subs, Mofungo, Paper Mice, Univers Zero, Self Evident, The Bevis Frond, Snakefinger, Tar Babies, Alright the Captain, Matt Black and the Doodlebugs, Khaddash, David Bowie, The Clash, Small Faces, Bad Religion, Big Block 454 and Unstoppable Sweeties Show.

Gratitude Journal

I am so happy and grateful for our beautiful house. I love living here with Amy. When asked if we have any more dreams for our life we don’t have any especially. Things we would like to do but not necessarily dreams to achieve. George said we are living our dream and that’s a nice way to look at it.

We got that attitude! – 27th December 2019

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ Leave a comment

Gratitude Journal

I am so happy and grateful to my son who often surprises need with flashes of inspiration. I know he is a good-hearted person and thoughtful about things. I will give him more positive feedback about this fact.

To-do list

  • Stay invigorated – do not complain.
  • Compliment another teacher – as many as you can.
  • Positive messages for all students.
  • Enjoy the company of your friends.

And see how his face glows – 26th December 2019

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ Leave a comment

Yesterday I was completely lifted by having three good fun lessons which the students and I all enjoyed. Then I went to visit CRPAO again.

The feeling there is still not good (for me, anyway) but my old classes were very happy to see me and I was surprised at Simone’s students who smothered me in hugs and were very affectionate. I made a point to see Funfai – she’s so cute! She said she misses me and it was very lovely. I felt very much appreciated after that.

27th Dec 2023 – I just last week found out that this wasn’t Funfai at all but another student (Funfai and Lydia thought is called) Sugus.

I was still tired when I got home but felt more invigorated. Today is my easy day so everything has come back together nicely. I’m glad I didn’t let that glum feeling get me down at the beginning of the week

Gratitude Journal

I am so happy and grateful to have met the students at CRPAO and was very surprised at the reaction of Simone’s kids, they jumped on me and pulled me to the ground they were so happy to see me.

To-do list

  • No complaints out of your mouth.
  • Finish week 15 lesson – have lots of time.
  • Compliment another teacher.
  • Positive feedback for students.
  • Study next Thai video and more Drops.
  • Think about when can record more TCRAH.
  • Consider what to talk with Hayden and how he is feeling.

Did it list

  • Wrote to-do list in the morning.
  • Deleted all games off phone.
  • Stayed calm all day.
  • Noticed when I complained and stopped myself.
  • Read three chapters of book.
  • Stayed calm when I found out we’d be staying at Rak’s house for dinner even though I had hoped to return home.
  • Even though got home late, went and watched Thai video. Also did Drops today.
  • Rang Hayden and tried to sound positive without being overbearing.
  • Finished week 15 lesson.
  • Told students it was their decision if they want to do homework.

After reading an article I instantly deleted all games off my phone. The article was simple and direct. ‘Don’t play games on your phone. You are an adult.’
I got a message from Bronwyn in the morning saying Hayden was upset by the messages I was sending him, trying to help him and to call for Christmas. This message made me a little mad – why doesn’t he just call me and so what if he’s upset. He should be upset and be motivated to improve his life. I wrote a note to myself to think about later – ‘things I like about Hayden.’ I tried to think about how he was feeling and called him in the afternoon. He sounded fairly upbeat and was talking about becoming a firefighter. I’d like that to happen.

Who needs action when you’ve got words? – 25th December 2019

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ Leave a comment

After a busy and tiring Sunday, I’ve been struggling this week. I’ve just started to get my energy back but not quite there mentally. If I look at the last couple of days properly I can probably realise that everything has been going along as normal. Perhaps I’ve reached a kind of plateau at the moment and the next steps will require perseverance as the improvements in my life will be smaller. Who needs action when you’ve got words?

Gratitude Journal

I am so happy and grateful to have friends all around the world. Thankful for technology that makes it easy for us to communicate.

To-do list

  • Go to CRPAO – be courteous if see Kru Paew.
  • Write week 15 lesson.
  • Do not complain!
  • Stay calm.
  • Next Thai video

Did it list

  • Three good fun classes today.
  • Visit CRPAO and meet old students and teachers.
  • 30 squats and 30 weightless shoulder presses.
  • I don’t recall myself complaining today.
  • Complimented some students on good thinking.
  • Only one coffee today.
  • Watched another Thai study video and Drops (study).
  • I think I stayed calm all day today.
  • Joined some online courses.
  • Streamlined my email/web browsing.
  • Read 3 chapters.
  • Went from tired and a little down to happy and enthused.
  • Showed people around Auntie’s house for rent.

In my regular class today we played a team game and people reacted differently when losing – it was a perfect opportunity to introduce kids to the growth mindset. 
I started out today feeling a little tired and flat but thankfully I had three good lessons in a row, with a quick lunch in-between. 
Then going back to CRPAO and getting an overwhelming response from the kids was very gratifying. I’m starting to get a good bonding feeling with the kids at Anuban now though and really enjoying it there. 
Time is getting more precious now and I have to squeeze things in anywhere I can – some non-essential tasks will have to be removed.

Brown paper packages tied up with strings – 24th December 2019

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ Leave a comment

Things I like about Hayden:

– kind-hearted
– caring
– talented at drums and music
– artistic
– generous towards his friends
– focused on his favourite hobby
– keeps himself hydrated
– values justice
– charitable

Gratitude Journal

I am so happy and grateful to the ‘bad’ kids in my classes. The ones who test me, the ones who make it difficult, the ones who push my patience to the limit. They are helping me grow.

To-do list

  • Compliment people.
  • Do not complain!
  • Write week 15 lessons.
  • Write to Pentti – let’s get that dialogue going again.
  • Watch the next Thai video – study Thai.
  • Enjoy dinner with Amy’s family – talk more with Amy’s mum.
  • Play with the kids at lunchtime – it’s good exercise.

Did it list

  • Drops/study Thai
  • Stayed calm but had to leave one class quickly in order to remain calm – they were a real test for me today.
  • Complimented a couple of students on their work and getting questions right.
  • Tried not to complain but that is so hard, bring it into mind more often to succeed.
  • Wrote to Pentti and Lachlan.
  • Talked briefly with Echo – so good to hear her voice again – she is much more confident in English now.
  • Played with the kids at lunchtime.
  • 30 squats, read 4 chapters.

Walk like a zombie – 23rd December 2019

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ Leave a comment

Gratitude Journal

I am so happy and grateful to Mim, Fong, and Cake. They make me my coffee every day when I’m at school.

5th May 2021 – The coffee shop (Wynn) didn’t even have great coffee. Teachers were not allowed to leave school during work hours but this shop is just the other side of the road outside school. It would take 5 minutes to walk there, buy a coffee and walk back which I would do two or three times a day. At the end of the contract, they cited this as the main reason that I wouldn’t be rehired. Needless to say, they had a high turnover of foreign teachers.
There’s a real tug-of-war between Thai administrations and foreign teachers. To me, the Thai request for foreign teachers to assimilate to the Thai way seems to indicate that theirs is the best way, but even I, as a non-professional teacher, could see that it wasn’t the best way, and having come from another country (to use as a comparison) and wanting to do the best job possible for the students – it seems inevitable that not many foreign teachers are happy under this system – unless they just take the easy way out.
Why don’t I take the easy way out? It’s just not in me. I take the path of most resistance. It seems like the system of education here is purposely designed to keep people stupid. Achievements from Thai institutions are meaningless overseas because they know the situation here.
Anyway, talking to the three girls in the coffee shop – even just inane chatter – became my 5 minutes of daily bliss while working at this particular government school.

To-do list

  • Study Thai/Drops.
  • Compliment people.
  • Prepare for your mad Monday.
  • Play with the kids at lunchtime.

Did it list

  • Studied Thai/Drops.
  • Managed to stay calm all day.
  • Calmly changed plans after breaking a tooth and having to go to the dentist.
  • Hugged the kids after punishing them.

After a late night last night and an early start this morning, today has been a bit of a zombie-like feeling. Instead of feeling tired and grumpy though I felt calm and collected. I knew that eventually I would get home and be able to relax and here I am in bed now at 8 pm. I will read a little but sure to fall asleep soon.

When I was young I never wanted toys – 22nd December 2019

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ Leave a comment

Role Model
George
Amy
Henry Rollins
Lachlan
Jochen
Kieran
Chrissie

Anti-role model
Kru Paew
John
Bookshop guy

Ideal qualities
smiling, interested, positive
caring, kind, open-minded
hard-working, focused
thoughtful, open-minded
community-focused, organised
calm, brave, artistic
calm, relaxed, appreciative

Qualities to avoid
gossip, judgemental, unkind
gossip, negative, complainer
judgemental, narrow-minded

Gratitude Journal

I am so happy and grateful for having the chance to sleep in this morning. Now, for the busy day ahead.

To-do list

  • Compliment as many people as you can.
  • Talk to a stranger.
  • Study more Thai.
  • Enjoy the kids party and and music in the evening.
  • Talk more deeply with Aing, Gus and Nu – think about what to talk.
  • Start booking plane tickets for WDS.
  • Get up early and walk to Utopia?
  • Read three chapters. Finish Countdown.

Did it list

  • Busy day! Great kids’ party.
  • Talked to a stranger.
  • Complimented Utopia staff, Nu, Amy, little kids.
  • Studied more Thai – video series.
  • Enjoyed a long evening with the kids and Amy.
  • Read more Anna Karenina.
  • Encouraged Khawthang and Phuli.
  • Updated plans for the WDS tour.

Very busy today with preparing for our students’ party so I feel like I didn’t get so much done. Took the luxury of sleeping until 9.15 am. Showered and vacuumed as Amy continued preparing for the party. 
Went to Utopia and Art introduced me to his friend whom I spent most of the time talking with. He has lived in Perth but is now a pilot in Bangkok. It was good to start the day talking with talking with a stranger. 
Only managed to squeeze in a quick read as we prepared for the kids’ party. I blew up and tied up about 30 balloons. The party was fun and time flew by. A lot of Amy’s effort went into it – many more hours than the event itself. 
The music in the garden was not really my thing but I still enjoyed being there. 
I rested in the car and had wild dreams.

The Chiang Rai Alternative Hour #17 – 21st December 2019

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ Leave a comment

Music from Captain Beefheart, MIA, Danielson, Screaming Maldini, The Crowd, Lovely Little Girls, Bruno Nicholai, GISM, Sajjanu, Mason, Don Cabellero, Caroliner, Thingy, Thinking Fellers Union Local 282, Family Fodder, Teenage PHDs, The Girls, Soul Junk, Naked Raygun, Discharge.

Gratitude Journal

I am so happy and grateful to have developed my friendly personality. I never used to be like this but have practiced hard and now have the self-confidence to talk to people openly.

To-do list

  • Talk to a stranger.
  • Compliment as many people as you can (sincerely).
  • Record new TCRAH.
  • Upload latest TCRAH.
  • Read 3 chapters.
  • Study some more Thai.
  • Sort some more CDs.

Did it list

  • Managed to do everything on my to do list today.
  • Talked with a stranger.
  • Complimented as many people as I could – Fern, Khawthang, Phuli, Sea, Prang, Amy.
  • Recorded new TCRAH.
  • Uploaded and shared latest TCRAH.
  • Read 4 chapters of Anna Karenina.
  • Studied a little more Thai.
  • Sorted CDs and music files.
  • Helped Amy prepare for tomorrow.
  • Got up before 8am.
  • Started looking at old writing etc.

I didn’t think I’d completed my to do list today but realised I did talk to a stranger, JaJa. She was sitting with her cat outside the copy shop. 
I complimented a few people today but realise I could compliment even more. It was good that it was in my mind though. 
Recording TCRAH felt a little rushed today because we are quite busy with other things – this meant that I didn’t get to experiment as much as I would’ve liked. 
Studying Thai at my own pace seems to suit me a little – if I can form that habit continually it will make me feel good.

Just desserts – 20th December 2019

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ Leave a comment

Today I found one of the students guiltily copying work of another student. He puts a lot of effort into avoiding working and running around finding someone to copy. That effort could just go into thinking.

When I told the teacher who was teaching them they just shrugged it off as if it didn’t matter and I noticed this made me feel a little miffed and I’m considering why.

I have something against this student due to his laziness and maybe I just wanted him to be punished. On the other hand, maybe the teacher has the right attitude. If the student can only learn to copy then he will discover the appropriate reward in his future.

Gratitude Journal

I am so happy and grateful for the things that made me smile this week. Mostly it was the students, sometimes the cats, always Amy and sometimes myself. I smiled because of the simple things in my life that make me happy.

To-do list

  • Compliment a teacher and the students
  • Clear more emails and tabs!
  • Do something nice for someone.
  • Write to Jochen – same idea as with Aaron.
  • Study some more Thai.
  • Can you meditate today?

Did it list

  • Positive encouragement for students.
  • Stayed calm – only raised voice to be heard.
  • 10,000 steps without realising.
  • Under 81kg today.
  • 30 squats and 30 weightless shoulder presses.
  • Tried to be positive when talking with Boyan.
  • Took time to play with students.
  • Wrote to Jochen.
  • Called and encouraged Ellen.
  • Tried to call Echo.
  • Wrote some more relevant thoughts to Lachlan.
  • Read more online, closed some tabs but opened many more!
  • Cleared many emails.
  • Finished watching Happy!
  • Sorted new music files.
  • Studied a little Thai.

Today I tried really hard to be mindful of the things that I wanted to do. I wasn’t able to achieve all these things but having them in the front of my mind was a good exercise and something I will continue to practice. I gave quite a few students verbal compliments and confidence boosters and it was nice to get some positive feedback from them too. 
I might have to consider streamlining some email lists I’m on as I’m starting to get a little overwhelmed with so many things that I would like to explore.

Blank slates – 19th December 2019

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ Leave a comment

Gratitude Journal

I am so happy and grateful to be around my students. They are almost blank slates, learning as they go, testing things trying things, growing their brains. It’s great to watch, and inspirational to observe as I can learn to have my mind as open as theirs again. The teacher must always be a student in order to teach.

To-do list

  • Compliment one of the other teachers (I have trouble with this one!).
  • Be prepared for difficult IEC class where students have to work in groups on a mini project.
  • Go out and play with kids at lunchtime.
  • Talk to Mohan about looking at the grade 6 books and consider if you can do that job happily.

Did it list

  • Complimented Jimmy on his shirt.
  • Today’s lessons went well – the kids had a bit more freedom and they respected that. I was worried about this yesterday so this was a nice surprise. About 90% of the students got themselves fully involved. I’ll try and incorporate more work like this in future.
  • Played soccer with some of the students.
  • Read a bit online, cleared emails and tabs.
  • Wrote to Lachlan – his article made me think a lot.
  • Talked to Mohan about getting grade 6 books.
  • Supported some students with positive feedback. Maybe I do this normally and don’t notice it too much but I feel like I need to do it more – to offer more encouragement. It’s difficult to do in a class situation as there are so many students and noise and the same with one-on-one!
  • Many interactions with many students. I enjoy engaging with all students – not just the ones in my classes. I feel like the students appreciate that.
  • Stayed off Facebook until I got home.