Really Wanted – 2nd January 2024

If you really wanted to do it,
you would have done it already;
If you’d really thought through it
your ship may have sailed steady

Yet here you are with swollen eyes
begging help from the lovely skies;
You’ve got a blessing in disguise,
it should have come as no surprise,
the things you really wanted
you didn’t want at all.


Today I’m feeling:

A little stiff and aching from the last four days of slovenliness but in a good mood, especially to see my students again.  I’ve worked out a fairly easy plan for this week to ease us all back into study gently.

Today I’m grateful for:

Having 196 baht left in the bank so that I could still get out 100 baht from the ATM and buy a 12 baht pack of gum today.  I hope to get paid soon because I don’t have enough money for petrol which will run out tomorrow!

The best thing about today was:

Despite getting distracted with making new lessons whilst at House enjoying coffee, I still had time to catch up on some reading and writing and went back to school for afternoon classes feeling good.

Something I learned today?

In the process of my students making cards I checked the messages they were writing just to make sure their English was ok but couldn’t help noticing some of the nice sentiments that they were showing to their friends, family, crushes or partners.  It was quite heartwarming and endearing.

Review your acts, and then for vile deeds chide yourself, for good be glad. — Discourses 3.10

I let my classes relax into the new year by making cards and didn’t stress too much about them being late or playing on their phones.

I offered myself to teach an extra class now that Kru Wave has left.  I got in quickly before anyone else, both to show willingness and also to be able to choose the time that suited me best.

What, if anything, is too serious to be joked about?

Nothing is too serious to be joked about depending entirely on the environment and circumstances.  No one should ever be upset with anything a comedian says on stage.  One can either find it funny or not.  Nothing is taboo in this case.  But to repeat the same jokes in an inappropriate situation would not be smart.

Gam took this picture because today I had my classes make cards to give to people offering them best wishes and Goya (pictured) and a couple of others made them for me. Goya wanted photographic evidence of presenting it to me so here it is. She’s grimacing because I was poking her in the ribs so that she would smile instead of pulling faces like she was doing before. Her card was funny because she thanked me for teaching her and asked forgiveness for being stubborn and not paying attention in class. 

*Thanks – 10th October 1998

Email with TLJ:

T; hi, it’s me again babe – just wanted to say thank you sooo much for having me over last night and taking me home. I hope you’re not all worn out for tonight!
anyway, babe, i really appreciate it – you make me feel real special. love you heaps.
About this glenn guy who’s getting married – people keep writing to congratulate him – but hardly any of us know him. his fiance’s called maggie i think. Another girl wrote congrats – she’s engaged to a guy called chris who’s also in my year doing com sci! her name’s deanna/e and i heard she’s really beautiful. apparently, this gives chris a big head – he’s a pretty hefty bloke.
i’m so glad we got each other baby, love tlj.

S: Thank you too sweetheart. It was so nice to have you over and to hear you clicking away on the keyboard while I was dozing (and to be able to occasionally run my hands up and down your back when you hopped into bed for a cuddle! I’m glad we have each other too babe.
I’d be happy for you to introduce me to any beautiful girls!! (Have no fear because I’ve already met the most beautiful girl – you!)
See me tonight? Please.

T: i love you , i love you, i love you!

S: Warm fuzzies……

T: i’m sorry i was naughty last night and didn’t finish my work – because i couldn’t keep my hands off you. well, actually, i’m not sorry.

S: Well, that’s just not good enough naughty lady. You gotta finish yr work!

T: i have a bit of work to do tonight, but i’m giving you my time tonight babe.

S: Hey, I just have to be near you. If you have to work that’s cool. Maybe I’ll cook while you work or something….

T: anyway, just cleaning out my inbox – those jokes were sick – i accidentally saved them cause they had your name on them, but i was meaning to get rid of them.

S: Yeah I know – did you laugh though?

T: keep the emails coming babe.

S: OK

T: can’t wait to see you tonight – getting all excited already.

S: Me too. I’m not too tired (yet). Hope you have a good day – you’re sure to have a better one than me. Don’t fall asleep during lectures OK. ‘K (Drugs are bad – ‘K?)

T: love ya sweets, tlj

S:iloveyouiloveyouiloveyouiloveyouiloveyouiloveyouiloveyouiloveyouiloveyouiloveyouiloveyouiloveyouiloveyouiloveyouiloveyouiloveyouiloveyouiloveyouiloveyouiloveyoutoo!