I’ve been lucky enough to watch you grow And you’ve changed more than you will ever know Now’s come the time for me to watch you go A little sad, but I’m satisfied so.
A reflection on the annual ritual of watching your students move forward with their lives. Written with 2025’s GloProWriMo Day 22 prompt in mind: Write a poem about something you’ve done – whether it’s music lessons, or playing soccer, crocheting, or fishing, or learning how to change a tyre – that gave you a kind of satisfaction, and perhaps still does.
Today’s Daily Stoic poem:
A Trained Mind Is Better Than Any Script
Wishing to be told what to do Is no form of training When pounds to the face come for you Being ready is better than complaining
Yesterday will not come back; very soon tomorrow will take a crack; There is little else to do in the world except care.
And so today I will bring together all the ideas to sing and present them to the whole world to share.
I think I borrowed the first two lines from somewhere but forget where now!
Today I’m feeling:
OK though a little flat because my sleep app alarm didn’t go off (or I didn’t hear it) again and when we normal alarm went off a few minutes later it meant there wasn’t enough time to exercise and so I enjoyed a couple of snoozes instead. The downside of this is not feeling so energised as when I do exercise.
Health:
Physical: 7 Mental: 7
Today I’m grateful for:
Lots of free time today, though I spent most of it doing school stuff rather than being inspired to write.
The best thing about today was:
All my interactions with students, as usual. Otherwise, I felt a bit flat for most of today.
What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?
Before my first class started David told me that classes don’t start until 9.30 today due to the student election. It was quite funny because I’m usually the one telling him about some disruption to our classes.
Despite the disruption, the kids came at nine and today’s lesson was very straightforward so we got it all done in time.
But then, ten minutes before my second class, after a four-hour break, half my students told me that they couldn’t come today because they are preparing for an event tomorrow.
I was slightly annoyed but managed to just do some speaking practice with those who turned up and took it easy. It was quite fun but a little boring and repetitive for me.
And….as we’re in bed this evening, we got a disturbing phone call from one of Amy’s friends about a surprising drama unfolding.
The fallout could affect a close group of friends. I’m a little removed from it but I think Amy will struggle to sleep tonight.
Something I learned today?
Momo talked to me today that one of her classmates wanted to do more speaking practice in my classes and doesn’t understand why I get them to write so much when they don’t understand what they are writing.
It’s tough for me to satisfy everyone in the class and for some of them to understand the benefits of reading and writing in general when i only teach them for two hours a week. They have two hours with a Thai teacher too but that’s it for their English learning each week.
I’ll see what I can do for them though. I think the current lot of lessons I have about emotions will work well for them.
Dreams fuelled the fire Sacrifices made to inspire Hard work satisfies desire A ladder to heaven Ascending to the stars Dreams fuelled the fire No stone remains unturned Sacrifices made to inspire A lesson always learned Hard work satisfies desire Reward is duly earned
My new Sleep app alarm didn’t work as expected this morning, so I woke up a few minutes later with my normal alarm and ran behind schedule a little but I forced myself to exercise and I’m glad that I did. I always feel much better after exercise and have to remember that as encouragement.
Health:
Physical: 7 Mental: 7
Today I’m grateful for:
The two packs of rice crackers that I bought on Monday and ran out of time to eat and were still in my bag today, just when I needed to snack to keep me going.
The best thing about today was:
Doing some one-on-two interviews with my grade 12s really tested them and quite a few students surprised me with their abilities and with their ideas. It was really nice to experience.
What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?
Kru Tongjai seemed to be in a bad mood today and was annoyed that I was using the small teachers’ room to interview students and encourage them to speak in a safe, quiet environment. She told me that I shouldn’t be there and that I should figure out somewhere else to do it.
Champ had already said that it was ok for me to use the room and later said that he thought it was great that I was doing what I was doing to help the students.
Just another day of confusing messages from the staff around me. Never mind.
I seem to end many of these entries with ‘never mind’. Perhaps that’s good.
Something I learned today?
Teacher David is thinking that it is time to move on for him soon. He’s paranoid that he’s being watched closely by other teachers. I don’t see it myself but he has made me more wary of what might be going on.
Another picture after Sarah stole my phone again. Her and KT.
You are your own curator What does your archive say? Your most valued selections Will predict the game you play
May I copy to my scroll That to which you adhere? My library is starting bare And I need a new idea
Cross-reference the index Let’s build up our research Combine all our best thoughts And share for all to search
You are your own curator Garbage in makes garbage out Information overload Fills everything with doubt
Inspired by a David Elikwu newsletter 18th Apr 2025 – Shared with Poets and Storytellers United – this poem is tangentially connected with the theme of ‘youth has no age’.
Today I’m feeling:
Good except my croaky sore throat. My body feels great otherwise after playing volleyball yesterday. I skipped exercise this morning, though.
Health:
Physical: 7 Mental: 8
Today I’m grateful for:
The lady selling candy outside school. She has some weird and unusual candy selections and I can throw a few down for a little sugar bump at the end of the day before driving home.
The best thing about today was:
Talking with Poppy as she wants to apply to go to Japan with the school and she was very excited about it. She told me that she wants to talk with me every day to improve her English to prepare for the interview.
What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?
Today we were asked to attend a meeting at 4 pm and then five minutes before it started, we were told that it might last for two hours!
Thankfully, it was less than an hour, no idea what any of it was about but I spent the whole time studying Thai, so at least it wasn’t wasted.
Also, by the end of the day, I had almost lost my voice, so I decided that it is probably best not to go to school tomorrow but to go back to see the ENT specialist in the city again.
Something I learned today?
Some students were telling me that they were worried about the school because we will get a new director soon. First I’ve heard about it!
Ang Pao took this picture because yesterday I discovered that she had a pierced tongue and this morning she wanted to post this picture of us online.
A varied melancholy, pulsating darkness Even though full and flourished Despite outward appearance and circumstances Darkness wills to be nourished
Untended beds, fallow of seed Indisposition of the spirit The lack of meaning we all need Only if willing to hear it
Acknowledge the ineffable, under cover Unmeasurable, outside the rational Keep the devils at bay, from taking over Connect the universal truths eternal
Pretty good and relaxed. I still have the education system in my mind and sometimes the frustration overwhelms my thoughts. At times when I woke up last night, I had these thoughts, but thankfully I was able to get back to sleep okay.
I’ve been waking up before my alarm for a couple of weeks now, though I can’t tell how long before. It’s probably only five or ten minutes, maybe thirty at the most.
Health:
Physical: 7 Mental: 8
Today I’m grateful for:
Kru Mai for giving me some information to try to help Anchan.
The best thing about today was:
My final class of the day had just four students, so I just let it go, but I took the opportunity to chat with Milk, who really needs to practice speaking more English.
Also with Toon, who was enthusiastic to try and talk about the future with me and the differences between Thai culture and Western culture when it comes to teenage kids.
What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?
I stayed until 4.30 pm today as I was being a good little boy and clocking out when I’m supposed to but I was struggling a bit as I was pretty hungry, hot and tired.
Traffic sucked on the way home, too. I’m wondering if it’s worth losing some money each month so that I can leave early!
Something I learned today?
Amy’s mum will buy a new car next week and pass her old one on to us. Amy has it earmarked for me but I told her it must have a new stereo first so that I can listen to podcasts. The car itself is fine; I don’t really care about what car I drive. I kinda like old junk cars better than new ones.
Yesterday, they also made a plan for us all to take a trip to Japan in April. Ok then!
I was shocked to see George in his morning class on time today. I’m guessing that my little chat with Kru Tang had got back to him in one way or another.
Review your acts, Good and bad.
Anchan is struggling again. I’m trying to help her but I really don’t know what more I can do. I got some helpful information from Jee and Kru Mai.
Another of my struggling students, Praew, has finally quit our school and will start somewhere else. I hope she has a better time there but I’m guessing she will still have problems there at some point. She’s a lovely kid but it seems that something is misfiring in her brain. She would treat me as a father but still behave like a primary student.
Pretty good, though my sleep was disturbed by the noise of heavy rain all through the night. By the time of my alarm going off, the rain had me deciding not to go to school in case what happened on Tuesday happened again.
Our soi is still looking passable but there doesn’t seem to be any break in the rain. Even the mountains aren’t visible.
By about 9 am, the rain had gone and looking at the weather app, it seemed like it wasn’t going to get any worse, so I decided to head into school and I made sure folks knew that I was around, then went and sat in Le Paradis, where I did some reading and writing but no school-related work!
I would’ve done it if I had stayed longer but by lunch time, it didn’t seem to matter if I stayed around or not, so I headed back home again.
Health:
Physical: 7 Mental: 7
Today I’m grateful for:
The cookies at Le Paradis. They are the only snack or cake there that tastes good and they go well with the bad-tasting, cheap coffee. Balance.
I had two awesome coffees at Utopia again early this morning anyway, so all was good.
The best thing about today was:
Listening to my new ‘Classic’ playlist that I set up on my old iMac in my room, which I now leave playing all the time, so that when I turn on the stereo, it’s as if I’m listening to the radio.
Something I learned today?
As we were quietly sitting in our living room this afternoon, the village PA echoed announcements across the rice fields that said that if we presented photographic evidence, we could get some money from the government to cover any costs from the flooding.
The roof in Kim’s old room was been water damaged and also out in the driveway next to the road, there is a big, dangerous pot hole that we should get filled too.
Maybe worth our time and get a little bit of cash to cover fixing those things.
Review your acts, Good and bad.
I got two free bottles of water when I filled up the car with petrol this morning and when I got to school, I gave them to my two favourite school gardeners.
I messaged a few students (Freya, Paen, Funfai) to see how they were doing. Also Porpieng and Baitong, whom I wished well in their exams that they are doing this week.
But I was already prepared Bags packed and stacked
Taking all my lovers with me Contained on the pages Where there is every poem I’ve ever written
Submitted to WDYS #253 (attached picture prompt) and the form and idea were inspired after reading this poem at The Skeptic’s Kaddish.
Today I’m feeling:
A little tired still, as I woke up in the night, as Amy was restless and worried about the flooding. Thankfully, all seems ok at her parents’ so far but water levels are still increasing in certain areas.
Her stupid brother booked himself a flight from Bangkok and despite everyone telling him to stay there, he insists on coming. This morning, the airport road is flooded and the flight is delayed and he’s thinking to fly to Chiang Mai! Why!?
Amy asked him why he wants to come when he couldn’t even get to the family home and he just replied that he misses home. Something is not right in his brain!
This is the underpass at the airport. Thankfully, the water isn’t too high on the road but still, the airport soon closed this morning.
Health:
Physical: 7 Mental: 7
Today I’m grateful for:
The one pharmacy today that had the Tiger Balm that Amy wanted. The four I tried yesterday all had a different type.
It seems she has gotten herself a bruised rib from slipping over at the weekend when we were cleaning the house. One of those injuries that hurts more after a few days.
She’s taking a bit easy and I am her little slave boy when required.
The best thing about today was:
Getting some flow whilst sitting at Utopia and putting together a couple of lessons. Once I get into that state, I just want to keep going but it was already lunchtime.
Review your acts, Good and bad.
I sent a message to all my students asking if they are all doing ok. Most are but some are telling me that they are about to be flooded. It’s weird because at my house it has already stopped raining and the sun is out!
I found this picture on Instagram. This is the road and entrance to my school.
A lizard onlooker shouts for both sides The winners and losers, just along for the rides The best place to hide is out in the open There are no promises that cannot be broken
There is no yin and yang or balance The race is run purely by marketing talents They’re all donkeys dressed up as horses Rides into the sunset as democracy endorses
Submitted to Bad Jonny’s competition at AllPoetry.com “Why have we only got 2 lunatics to choose from?” concerning the USA election this year.
Today I’m feeling:
Tired still and my sore throat, whilst not as painful, feels weird and is making me think that I have some form of Covid.
Last night I tried to sleep at around 9.30 but it took a while as I had a bad headache and eyeache.
I also had a weird dream about finding snakes under the bed in my old Forest Cottage bedroom and mum came in and just picked them up and threw them out of the window, no fear!
Today I’m grateful for:
It being my low-pressure day today, giving me chance to relax a bit and catch up on some reading and writing.
The best thing about today was:
The challenge of getting my poorly skilled grade 8 students motivated and awake this afternoon. A few of them are sick too. Somehow, I feel like I kind of managed it and everyone was reasonably happy.
Something I learned today?
Just by chance, I was in the teacher’s room with Kru Mai and I started talking about the Integrated Program for next year and that I thought that I could probably do it with the type of lessons that I have already. Kru Mai was grateful for this information and then let slip that the school is not happy with George as he didn’t talk with them about not wanting to teach Integrated this year, instead, going to Nancy and having her ‘fix’ it for him. He also said that students are not happy with seeing one teacher so much of the time (as George only teaches grades 11 and 12).
I told Kru Mai that both David and I are exhausted by the weekend, having to deal with the grade 7, 8 and 9s all the time too.
I asked if students had raised any issues about my classes and he said no, everything seemed to be fine, which was nice to hear. He seemed to be happy with both me and David.
Also, I can’t remember if I wrote about it here before but last week there was a message from the head of our department that parents had made complaints about the quality of teaching in our classes, as their children had reported back that other students would be sleeping, playing on their phones or doing their make-up instead of paying attention.
Complaints were made in person to the director so our department was warned that we would be checked up on this week. I hadn’t noticed any real changes or effort on the part of the teachers but I also haven’t been around much either.
With the exchange students being here, it has also made things a little more chaotic with teachers being pulled here and there at random times, too.
At the weekend, I showed Bruno and Amy the warning from the head and we talked about it a little bit. Today, Kru Mai mentioned it to me too, telling me that it was a grade 7 student who had complained and it was particularly about Kru Ren’s class.
I could’ve guessed as much but didn’t think much else about it until I got home and Amy said that it was actually her friend Goy’s sister-in-law who complained to the director and her daughter, who is a smart student and is attentive and wants to learn is being bullied by the other students for being a goodie-two-shoes and to give them her work so that they can all copy it!
Chiang Rai is so small that everyone is at about three degrees of separation rather than the stereotypical six.
Anyway, the kid seems smart and I want to meet her.
I took this picture because these colourful flowers stood out in the dull grey-green of the day as I made my way through the garden at House.
So many tombstones for the hydra-headed The many heads must be better than one The hallucinations are so deeply embedded This anarchy and madness has just begun
A choice of two to become King Wizard Let’s fantasise that all men are born equal A legacy of dunces believes that a lizard Was born to be the hero of this sequel
Lazy and tired. I set my alarm for 7 am though woke up before that but slept another hour after turning the alarm off.
As I was brushing my teeth, I wondered why I had stayed up past midnight reading last night. My eyes are aching and having trouble focusing.
I have to get myself going and hopefully these two coffees will do the trick.
Today I’m grateful for:
Struggling through today (see below) and forcing myself out on my bike, to ride all the back roads to Makro to get the last two tubs of yoghurt. Sold out in two days! Why don’t they order more?
The best thing about today was:
Getting little bits of everything done. It doesn’t feel like a productive day, not that they all have to be, but there’s nothing that stands out either.
What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?
By the time of visiting the hospital and seeing the doctor (after an hour of waiting) I was starting to feel a little down. With the long wait it meant missing my afternoon class too.
I messaged Kru Tang to see if she could fix how to put leave into the system. She couldn’t help fix it but also said that I should assign work to the students to do in the class time. I argued that if I have to take leave then I’m not going to assign work that I have to follow up on. I might as well be there.
I told her I would ask the class to use the opportunity to catch up on other class work and she seemed ok with that. But still it added to me feeling a bit grumpy and down.
Thankfully, the trip on the motorbike had a positive effect on my mood.
Review your acts, Good and bad.
After getting back from Makro at around 6pm I went over to Baipad’s, taking a syringe and a food stick, to see if she could feed Snow with it. When I got there, though, Baipad looked totally dejected and became teary.
I asked to see Snow and we went upstairs to where she was. She looked back to the state that she was in on Sunday, unfortunately and I didn’t see much hope. Baipad was sobbing by this time.
I hate seeing cats suffer, any animals. I squeezed a little water into her mouth and rubbed her throat. She gave a little squeak of recognition but soon dropped her head back down. I told Baipad to give her a little water every hour or so and give her love and strokes.
Then I came home and fed our two precious boys.
Around 8pm Baipad messaged me that Snow had passed.
I took this picture because this little fella decided to join me on my ride back from Utopia this morning. It has a clear shell that looks like plastic. I’ve never seen anything like it before.
