Similar to yesterday in that I feel like I have an oncoming cold.
Yesterday’s trip to the hospital doesn’t seem to have fixed up Amy’s skin allergy so we’ll go to the city this evening to see her doctor who usually is able to help with issues like this.
Today I’m grateful for:
Amy’s specialist skin doctor who advised exactly what she thought her problem was and prescribed medicines to help. Amy trusts this doctor and was much more upbeat after seeing her.
The best thing about today was:
Finding out which classes I will teach next semester. Some new challenges for me that have got me thinking already.
What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?
When Kru Karn first showed me my new classes I saw that I would teach my two most testing groups of students again. Ah well, I can deal with it, I thought to myself.
As it turned out it wasn’t my classes and I found that I don’t have to teach them at all!
I haven’t exercised for over a week now due to not feeling well and also due to the toxic air. I don’t want to be gulping down big gasps of it, trying to catch my breath whilst exercising.
Something I learned today?
A Boeing employee was giving evidence in court blowing the whistle on the company (for what I’m not exactly sure). Boeing’s lawyers asked him to stay an extra day to add more detail and answer questions. However, the following morning he was dead by supposed suicide! And he had already told colleagues that if he was ever found dead it would definitely not be from suicide. Will corporations in the USA still be allowed to get away with murder?
Review your acts, and then for vile deeds chide yourself, for good be glad. — Discourses 3.10
I messaged David that the new class lists were available so that he could go and get it from school and start preparing for next year too.
My vile deed today was cutting into traffic at the annoying traffic lights near the hospital. Minus a karma point or two.
Pretty flat and tired. Less dizzy than yesterday and my brain seems to be functioning reasonably well but I’m lacking energy and motivation.
Today I’m grateful for:
Two awesome coffees this morning where Nick was manning Utopia in Art and Noey’s absence.
The best thing about today was:
Watching the Swans beat Collingwood at the MCG (played on Friday) cheered me up, followed by watching the highlights of Ipswich beating Sheffield Wednesday 6-0.
As I was watching the AFL and thinking about how long I have followed certain sports teams and seeing how young they are, I was reminded of the time when I was the same age as the players and thinking I could’ve done that and that is 35 years ago now. Players have come and gone but the team maintains. How long will sports last into the future?
What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?
I’m not feeling particularly hungry today so I only ate some snacks but did finish off the chocolate almonds.
Something I learned today?
In the UK, the Tories have let slip their true intentions for Gaza: they want Israel’s genocide to continue for as long as possible and they are worried about peace because the genocide is hurting Labour in the polls.
Review your acts, and then for vile deeds chide yourself, for good be glad. — Discourses 3.10
I did so little today and of no real consequence but I did accidentally trap Tigger’s tail in the door and he was understandably upset. I hope he’s ok. I saw him outside later but wasn’t able to check.
Sick. I already decided that I wouldn’t go to school last night and I slept for 11 hours and woke feeling no better. I grabbed some medicine which did help and when I finally ate that helped a lot too.
I have to go to the dentist tomorrow so I hope to be feeling better by then.
Today I’m grateful for:
Water. Over the last couple of years, I’ve watered the garden less and most things seem to survive from what they get during the rainy season.
Often now though our pump stops working and Amy believes it is because there is not enough ground water to pump up. I don’t think that can be the case though as there was so much rain last year.
Unfortunately, that means that there will likely be something else that is the problem that needs fixing.
At the moment we can just restart the pump and it’s ok again until the next time we want to water the garden.
The best thing about today was:
Watching the first episode of the Chinese adaptation of Three-Body Problem. It was pretty good and the second episode is free to watch online but I’m not sure if I’ll take the time to find and the rest to watch for free.
Something I learned today?
More Children Killed by Israel in Gaza War Than in Four Years of Worldwide Conflicts
More than 12,300 children have been killed in the Gaza Strip between Oct 2023 and the end Feb 2024.
Review your acts, and then for vile deeds chide yourself, for good be glad. — Discourses 3.10
I did some watering whilst Amy was busy with her family organising things for the wedding this weekend.
Exhausted despite a long sleep. I don’t feel good after arguing with Amy last night. Amy also doesn’t remember some of the things we discussed last night but just remembers that she’s upset.
She forgot part of our plan this morning for taking Cap to the vet and heading to get the truck first. It was annoying to me as it triggered another argument last night and yet was forgotten by the morning.
I feel dumb even writing this down.
I should be more patient, more forgiving, more understanding. I should be better than this and I don’t know why I behave the way I do sometimes.
As I was drifting off to sleep last night I was reminded of what I told Baipad when she was having problems with her mum, that we ‘save our worst behaviour for the people we love the most.’ I want to change that.
Today I’m grateful for:
My job and this school, today organising a great graduation event (at least after all the boring parts were completed anyway) for grade 9s and 12s, some of whom we won’t be seeing again.
I could feel that the students were in a celebratory mood but also with a slight tinge of sadness as life will change for them all in the next couple of months, whether moving on to university, high school or a job.
The best thing about today was:
Definitely the atmosphere in the school. It was a relaxed party time for everyone.
I had a lot of fun with some of my monkey students and couldn’t believe what time it was when I thought about leaving. A few kids were also keen to introduce me to their parents.
Days like this make the grind worthwhile.
What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?
Only a couple of minor and inconsequential things that were easily dealt with.
Something I learned today?
Starbucks is having to lay off workers as the company is being boycotted for its support of Israel. Good.
Review your acts, and then for vile deeds chide yourself, for good be glad. — Discourses 3.10
I took Amy (and Cap) to pick up her truck and she will take Cap to the vet. Between us, at some point today, one of us needs to pick up her mum from the hospital and take her back home.
If I’m available then I will do it, no problem. However, as today is the M3 and M6 graduation ceremony I don’t know exactly what times I will be able to get out.
What moment from today do I want to remember?
I want to revel in the happiness that my grade 9 students were feeling for completing their first three years of high school.
It hasn’t been easy for them or us as teachers as they were particularly affected by pandemic restrictions and having to study online for much of their first semester together. It took them longer to bond and get into the swing of studying once back in the classroom.
I can still remember them and their immaturity, slowly changing into young men and women, slowly figuring out their places in their world. It’s a fabulous feeling and I really enjoy watching it.
Some photos will help me remember too.
I took this picture because Sarah is the funniest monkey. She was a problem to deal with in grade 7 but she found her way and can still have fun but also learn some things too.
Along the road, we met, orphans of the storm Cursing the life to which we were born Sitting on these steps, desperate and forlorn Soon alone again, an orphan of the storm
Cap woke me up three times during the night, to let him in and out of the bedroom. Another time I needed to pee and then the birds started singing and my alarm zapped me up.
I contemplated snoozing but pushed through and struggled on with my intermediate abs exercises. I felt good about that and the cold shower but then as I was listening to my students doing pairs reading I found myself tired.
Fortunately, they were all called off for the second period to practice for the ceremony on Thursday to wish farewell to the grade 9 and grade 12 kids, giving me an extra hour free today!
Today I’m grateful for:
Max from Ad Interim contacting me again to see if I would like to help with their second album.
I’ll give it a listen first but have no issues working with them again as they paid back their first album loan within six months of receiving their records.
I’m extremely grateful to be asked to help them again.
The best thing about today was:
Nong Freya being the only student who came to my class today and still wanting to be taught.
I guessed that the class were practicing for the ceremony on Thursday and as she is somewhat excluded socially in her class I’m guessing either no one told her to be doing that or that she chose to come to class instead. Either way, if she wants to study then I will teach!
Being just one-on-one makes for a lot of clarity and ideas to be shared. I was able to see how she worked and thought about things (we were just doing a simple gap-fill exercise) and I also got to hear how well she can read, something which I don’t often get a chance to do in normal class time.
What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?
As described here, there were a few surprises thrown at me today and I handled them pretty well.
Something I learned today?
You can hear a blue whale’s heartbeat from over 2 miles away. Their hearts weigh roughly 180kg.
Review your acts, and then for vile deeds chide yourself, for good be glad. — Discourses 3.10
I replaced the light bulbs in the garage and at the front of the house today.
I helped Amy by carrying some ceramic pots to where she wanted them in the garden.
I got pens for two of my forgetful students this afternoon, whereas normally I would deduct points from them.
25 THINGS ABOUT LIFE I WISH I HAD KNOWN 10 YEARS AGO – 25. Take Action. Don’t just sit there, do something. Without action, there is no outcome.
I have followed this mostly, sometimes out of spite or contrariness, proving that I can do something, either to myself or to others and other times out of a desire to inspire; if I can do it then anyone can.
All the action has amounted to me being here, where I am in the world. Generally happy and satisfied.
I took this picture as a follow-up to yesterday’s picture as the flowers end up falling on my car.
Pretty relaxed and happy. A little tired as Amy kept me up late when she got home last night, tired and emotional, overthinking about family things.
Today I’m grateful for:
The jelly candies that I bought in Mae Sai last month. I’ve been eating them myself because they are delicious but they are also a good candy to give to my students as treats. They mostly prefer them over the fruity Mentos.
The best thing about today was:
Having my students read one-on-one and two-on-one in my classes today. I was happily surprised by a couple of students’ improvement over the last twelve months. I like this time of year for the relaxed attitude towards study.
I’ve thought before that it would be good if it could be like this all the time but when I think deeper it is perhaps because of all the pushing and hard work during the year that they have gotten more comfortable with their study.
What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?
In the morning Amy told me she wanted me to come home between classes to take Cap to the vet. I wasn’t into this idea because I wanted to chill at the cafe, catching up on reading and also because with the change of plans at the weekend it meant driving to the city and back twice instead of once. Her plan for today would’ve meant another two trips in one day.
I suggested it would be better to wait until we got the truck back and then she can take Cap at her leisure. Thankfully she agreed to this idea before I left for school.
Something I learned today?
I saw a headline about a Palestinian mother’s newborn twin babies who were killed in an Israeli airstrike. She had been waiting ten years to conceive.
Zionists sure know how to inspire hatred. This will not end well.
25 THINGS ABOUT LIFE I WISH I HAD KNOWN 10 YEARS AGO – 24. Never Look Back Too Long. Reflecting on the past is only good for one thing: Learning.
I am taking a lot of time looking back these days as I go through putting information into this blog. I am sometimes nostalgic but as the life lesson says, I am using this information for learning.
I’ve almost fully given myself over to my students and Amy these days. I’m less inward-focused in my day-to-day life even though I do do a lot of thinking.
I’m happy where I’m at though not sure where I am going just now.
I took this picture of the flowering tree that I park my car under in the afternoons, in a vague attempt at keeping it cool. The flowers are pretty. I think I took a similar picture last year.
As a depressed teenager I carved LIFE IS PAIN into my arm. It is a constant reminder. I live for the struggle.
Where I now teach, some students were wasting time in class playing a (pretty dumb) video game. I asked them what they got out of it and they said it was fun and they learned that by driving the car faster they earned more points.
I asked them how this was useful in real life and they had no answer. I told them that life is not fun. They looked at me seriously and asked me what it was and I sure told them…. LIFE IS PAIN.
To reiterate the point I twisted their arms behind their backs until it hurt and asked them – WHAT IS LIFE!? PAIN, PAIN – they screamed.
We all laughed (please don’t imagine that I am some sort of ruthless prison guard with my hyperbole) and they went back to their game.
But one day…..they will remember this.
Today I’m feeling:
Positive and happy. With Amy off for the day, I will take some time to catch up on emails and writing.
Today I’m grateful for:
The twenty-baht shop where I bought more light bulbs. The lady there is an attractive and young-looking woman but today I discovered, and couldn’t believe, that she has a daughter who looks about 8 or 9 years old. The daughter was curious about me and when I gave her a wink she broke out a big smile.
The best thing about today was:
It’s been a pretty lazy relaxing afternoon with a bit of reading and watching YouTube. Watering the garden was about as good as it gets. I want to see things grow, grow, grow.
What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?
Although it was in my control I ended up spending about 1000 baht today, buying coffee, light bulbs, soda water and remembering to order the car seat covers on Lazada. No more inessentials for the rest of the month now….
Something I learned today?
From Rise of the Global South Telegram group: Swedish Diplomat Count Folke Bernadotte Personally Saved 31K Jews from Nazi Concentration Camps – He was Shot Dead by Members of the Jewish Stern Gang in Jerusalem in 1948
He was killed at point-blank range in a motorcade ambush after writing a UN report based on the devastated Palestinian villages he personally witnessed.
The go-ahead for the murder came from the future Prime Minister of Israel, Yitzhak Yezernitsky.
Israel knew the names of the men who committed the murder, yet nobody was charged.
Review your acts, and then for vile deeds chide yourself, for good be glad. — Discourses 3.10
I took Amy to the city and the family to the temple for Grandmum’s 100-day prayers. Then, I dropped Mum and Dad home, picked up Aor and dropped her and Amy at Paew’s. My taxi duties done for the day.
25 THINGS ABOUT LIFE I WISH I HAD KNOWN 10 YEARS AGO – 23. Create Something. Not to leave a legacy, you won’t be here to see it anyway, but to be of use. Make music, write a book, build a table, anything. You’ll feel good about yourself, plus you give something back to people to use or enjoy.
Growing up I always seemed to be creating something (apart from a nuisance), from artwork, poetry and lyrics, music (of a sort), then creating or advancing a scene in the Sydney DIY space, producing records and so on.
I’m proud of the things that I have done and consider it my legacy but only for myself to enjoy. It has all made me feel good about myself and I know I have inspired others with some of the things I have created and seen them get enjoyment from them too. Every day I still create something.
I took this picture at temple prayers for Grandmum and while not having any connected belief to this or any faith, I did find this short ceremony quite comforting.
You burned down our house But home is in our head We marvel at the pyres And warm ourselves instead
We are the free ones Wandering and wild Whilst you guard your toys The spoils of the child
For all the sermons High up on the mount You carry more burdens Than anyone can count
The title refers to the Dangerous Girls song ‘Step Out’ that repeats the phrase “demolition”. The first stanza refers to Edison watching his factory burn. ‘Wandering and wild’ refers to Wasted Youth’s album titled “Wild and Wandering”. The burden is a reference to what Israel will carry once they have completely destroyed Palestine. 8th May 2024 – Submitted to dVerse Poetics
Today I’m feeling:
I felt pretty good after getting back from coffee but whilst settling into some reading some felt sleepy and had another three hours rest waking up again at two pm
Today I’m grateful for:
The shop where we sneakily parked our car and decided to get out and walk the rest of the way to the festival.
The best thing about today was:
The atmosphere of fun and pleasure at the festival. Folks were having a good time.
What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?
Taking an hour and a half to get to Singha Park for the balloon festival, stuck in traffic for more than an hour and missing any sunset photo opportunities. At least I could listen to my music whilst in the car.
Review your acts, and then for vile deeds chide yourself, for good be glad. — Discourses 3.10
I remained patient whilst stuck in traffic (and hungry)
I took this picture because we had a nice spot by the lake to watch the balloons being inflated though it was a little windy for them to go up tonight.
Better for all the sleep but my body feels a little like a pharmacy sponge – soaked in medicine. I pushed through a little exercise with a six a.m. wake-up and hope to get back to full exercise again tomorrow.
Today I’m grateful for:
The That Record Got Me High podcast for featuring Cardiacs this week. Their music is so familiar to me now but it’s always exciting to hear it again.
The best thing about today was:
All the students being in a good mood after finishing their scout week. The grade 9s in particular were happy because this was the last time they will ever have to do it. Tomorrow morning the kids celebrate Chinese New Year, another morning free of classes.
What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?
When I got to House this morning the shop was shut. I still went in and played with Tokyo and gave her a snack but no one was around. I grabbed a coffee at Hobby Roasters to keep going and when I went back to House later Gui apologised saying that he had slept in after working every night at his restaurant last week. No big deal as there is other coffee around.
Something I learned today?
Israel is bombing Rafah during the Super Bowl when many North Americans may be occupied. But the other 90% plus of the world is not watching football.
25 THINGS ABOUT LIFE I WISH I HAD KNOWN 10 YEARS AGO – 16. Don’t Judge. Just because people make different choices than you, they are not stupid. Also, you don’t know everything about people, so don’t judge them – help them.
I used to judge people who were straight and boring, those who did the expected and followed paths given to them by acceptable standards of modern society. I used to hold animosity towards them. I still do in some way but much more forgiving. So long as no one is pushing their agenda on me then it’s fine.
I no longer try to push an agenda on others. Lots of things that I did that went against the grain have become mainstream now. I was judged harshly at that time. I remember what it was like. My animosity and judgement was a reaction to that. Everyone has a story and sometimes it’s worth listening to.
I took this picture because Amy asked me to. The jacaranda flowers are small and not as plentiful as the species in Australia but it’s nice to have them like this as a reminder.
Ready to go, ready to do, ready to be. Struggled through the new abs exercises but didn’t feel quite as much aching around the sides this time. Back to some arm work tomorrow even though my shoulder isn’t quite yet 100 percent.
Today I’m grateful for:
The dental clinic because I had to change my appointment since I’m now teaching an extra class on Thursday.
The best thing about today was:
Watching my second lot of grade 8s making well-wishing cards and Poppy going out into the playground and giving the card to her crush.
Then after that, Nicha and Tonkla gave each other cards in what could finally see them become closer. Nicha has been crushing on Tonkla for a couple of months already.
What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?
Creme brought two kittens in to school today. They are just two days old and their mum has disappeared. She has to feed them goats milk every two hours.
Is that good for them? I don’t know. I don’t know if they will make it.
Too many cats here and not enough responsible owners. Everyone loves cats but they don’t want to or can’t afford to pay for them properly.
Something I learned today?
Arsenal are out of the FA Cup, Manchester City beat Huddersfield 5-0 and Israel has already spent 60 billion dollars on its genocide of Palestinians.
Review your acts, and then for vile deeds chide yourself, for good be glad. — Discourses 3.10
I sent messages to Nicha and Poppy telling them I was proud of their bravery today.
I encouraged and supported Nut and Namsai when I could see them understanding the work I gave them today.
Are these good deeds? They feel like just the deeds of a teacher. It’s good to note them for myself I guess so that I am reminded of them in the future.
Write about a time when you laughed uncontrollably.
There is a joke, a basic form of which is below, that I used to love to tell when I was maybe 13 or 14 years old. You can see from the text that the joke is not very long but with a bit of practice you can make it last as long as you like.
I don’t know where I originally heard the joke but it got a good laugh when I first told it and then, when others had joined, I was asked to tell it again and soon it became a request and even though everyone knew the punchline, which is hilarious because it isn’t even that funny, the laughter was in the telling.
At some point in one telling of the joke it took so long to tell because everyone was rolling around the room in tears of laughter, including myself. I reckon it took about an hour. I felt that that was the ultimate telling and haven’t thought about that joke for a long time.
As I didn’t remember where I’d heard the joke I wondered if it was even a joke that might be popular and searchable online but sure enough I found it.
I doubt it will draw much laughter now, unless you are 13 or 14 years old perhaps.
Three scientists were one day discussing what would happen if they rammed a cork up an elephant’s backside and force fed it for 2 weeks. But because the experiment had never been documented and the idea was hard to comprehend they decided to have a go. A week after the experiment had started they began to realize WHY the idea had never been tried, they were stuck for someone to pull the cork out.
One of the scientists came up with the bright idea of training a monkey to do the job, so they spent the next week training it to pull out corks once a buzzer had rung, then push it back in for another go. The big day arrived, they set up all the monitoring equipment and set out to a safe distance.
The first scientist went 1 mile away, the second went 2 miles away and the third went 3 miles. When they were all ready the first scientist pushed the button to sound the buzzer.
BBBAAANNNGGG!
The third scientist (3 miles away) was up to his ankles in shit, the second (2 miles away) was up to his knees and the first (1 mile away) was up to his waist. When the others joined the scientist who was 1 mile away they noticed that he was in fits of laughter.
“What the %$*& is so funny?” asked one of the scientists.
“You should have seen the monkey’s face trying to get the cork back in!!!”
I took this picture because Earn was happy and dancing today. Her happiness often depends on the interest of boys and she confided something I didn’t quite follow but included the sentence ‘he’s come back’. I’m trying to encourage her to love herself more.
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