Even as a teacher, I am still a student of life My own students teach me many things Don’t take any learning for granted Enjoy the satisfaction new knowledge brings
I am so happy and grateful for the money I receive for my work. It helps us enjoy nice things when we would like.
Just looking back to this time last year I can see how happy I was with teaching at this school. Of course, it’s nothing to do with the school but to do with the students. They make it all worthwhile.
I saw that I was grateful to George for helping me get this job and it is only since then that I am aware of the differences between us. I rarely see him at school at the moment and haven’t talked to him for weeks, beyond hello and goodbye. I’m thinking I should at least make an effort to thank him again. It will be awkward but doable. It would make me feel good and perhaps do the same for him (not actually sure about that).
I had a really great experience with 2/9 this morning – the same kids I mentioned this time last year. We have been studying the story of the Eagle and the chickens, about the eagle who grows up with chickens and never gets to really achieve his potential, content just to be a chicken.
Many of the students answered the question about the moral of the story being that it is best to accept things and fit in. This took me a little by surprise and I had to explain about the different cultural thoughts around these things. As a teacher, I am still a student. I love that.
I would like to be able to explain to them more clearly about what I feel is the meaning of this story and encourage them to break free and fly higher. Awesome.
I am so happy and grateful for the free money that the government gave us to spend on food and household items. We got spendy and went to the blue shop and pick up lots of goodies.
There are some rumours about having to teach online until the end of July or even til the end of the semester in late September. That’s tough for everyone and making me think about how to make the lessons more engaging, but I’m also feeling extremely lazy about it all too.
It’s not fun to be at school where there has been a case of Covid, and the Thai teachers still won’t wear masks. It’s much easier for me to teach from home, but at school, I have to depend on the student’s own motivation more. It’s just a technological issue, but it’s frustrating that we are not offered a choice. If I was a student, I wouldn’t bother to attend my classes – as some of the students are already choosing.
Ellen is planning more IELTS teaching coming up too. That’s nice and pays well, but I don’t always feel confident doing it and it takes a lot of planning too.
Anyway, the best things about this weekend was coffee at Utopia, getting more posts on my blog, a bit of reading and a bit of watching football. Time goes too fast though – and it’s always hot! I love aircon but real cool air would be perfect from time to time.
I am so happy and grateful to be going to school this week and actually having something to do. When there’s nothing to do everything seems so pointless just to be there. I can feel a normal thinking stress in my body now as I try to work out how to do things – it looks like we have to teach online and I haven’t done that with a big class before.
I am so happy and grateful that I got another two days off school. Only found out in the morning, before leaving. Felt good.
My brain and body are fried. 3 or 4 weeks of constant weed brownies and binging on TV series. It was getting me down.
When I found out a couple of days ago that school starts again today, I got over the initial shock and started to prep myself mentally. Last night, I became very anxious and restless just thinking about it – especially as we would probably be at school for a whole month before any students return – meaning we would likely end up sitting around doing nothing the whole time. My negative brain was kicking in.
So it was with some delight that a message came through this morning that our return was delayed a couple more days until Friday. Now, I’m trying to straighten my brain out a little more and psyche myself up for things.
I remind myself that I was getting lots done when I was in a routine and even if I didn’t enjoy the actual routine of working, I did enjoy all the benefits of some regularity. I’m coming back together.
I am so happy and grateful to be going back to school next week. I was actually dreading finding out when we had to go back because I’ve been enjoying myself at home but when the message came through I actually felt good knowing that I would have to go out and be out of home for a while.
I am so happy and grateful for this to be the last day of school and now I can enjoy 4 weeks away from there. I’ve enjoyed teaching this year and I’m grateful to everyone I have worked with there.
A nice way to end the school year. Reading, drinking coffee, visiting Matt, collecting marijuana which made my car smell fabulous, reading some more, taking Cap to the vet, teaching Maeve, playing guitar and now I’m going inside to watch YouTube and read some Mo Yan and comics. Tired and happy.
At my school I made friends with four university students doing their internships here. They are young and vibrant people and have a youthful idealism that I still seem possess, so it was easy for me to be drawn to them.
Today is their last day with us (unless they decide to stay here and work on the pitiful wages they would receive) and I made them each a special card. Unfortunately I forget to take a picture of each card but the front features the sketches attached. None of them are perfect but they should be recognisable to themselves I hope!
I really enjoyed the process of putting the cards together and having to come up with ideas for me, somewhat inspired by Austin Kleon’s artistic trials.
Gratitude Journal
I am so happy and grateful for all the movies I downloaded over the years. I can watch almost anything that I ever found of interest whenever I want. I can remember when the only option was to wait for the Friday night special of the Saturday horror double bills. That made movies more special but now I can find movies that I choose from anywhere in the world.
I usually do my drawings at House where the coffee is particularly addictive. I can taste it now – almost 6 hours since my last cup. In the mornings, I can’t wait to get there and take that first sip.
Anyway, Mei, who is a pretty lady who works there has seen me drawing every day and today she sidled up to me and in her best English, her vocabulary quite limited, asked if I could draw a picture of her. At first, I was a little surprised and then a little delighted – my first commission! I told her though, that she mustn’t be upset if she doesn’t like what I produce!
Subsequently, she added me in LINE and sent me a picture for me to use – I’m only at the stage of copying from pictures.
Doing all these face drawings has been an interesting challenge and I’m kinda excited to know that I will move onto other things to draw in the future and try to improve my skills all round.
I had another good online teaching lesson and I’m at home alone as Amy has gone with Takky for the weekend for a housewarming event. With no one else around I feel a lack of tension. I don’t need to think about any verbal communication unless I want to tell the cats something. Either Xbox, YouTube or comics in bed beckon.
Tomorrow I’ll be up at a reasonable time to take Dylan up to a hill tribe village for a morning walk. Good exercise.
I am so happy and grateful for all the apps I use in the morning. Home Workout, Samsung Health, Yoga and Smiling Mind. How easy is it now to find and follow information for health benefits? We used to have to go to a GP who would just tell you you need to exercise more. I am so lucky to have these tools available to help my life.
Two weeks into March already and I haven’t been back here to write. Have I been busy? Obviously – but with what, it’s difficult to say.
Dylan and Champ asked me how my weekend was this morning and what did I do? I told them that I played with a dog, looked at the sky and watched a tree. They chuckled but I was semi-serious.
Of course, I could’ve told them we took the cats to the vet and had lunch with my in-laws but really that mundane stuff says nothing. When I mentioned watching a tree it sparked thoughts and minor conversation as to its purpose. I said trees are important, to which all agreed but, to watch one?
To be honest, I don’t believe I did watch a tree though I did look at quite a few – some nice gum trees at the cafe where we had lunch. But now I’ve mentioned it I think I will watch a tree and see what I can figure out from it.
The best thing that happened today was talking to some grade 8 students in the canteen and getting them to stop being scared to try to speak English. I also talked with Alice and Kam about next semester’s classes and it was interesting to see how more confident they are since I was teaching them a year and a half ago.
It’s very relaxing at school at the moment as this is the final week for students and no one is seriously teaching. Both students and teachers are very relaxed and happy.
I’ve been sketching. Slowly improving I think. Testing myself with faces and fingers…..ugh! These are all taken from pictures of my students (school and university). It’s a fun challenge.
Every raw material at hand Remember all the things you said you’d do?
Learn How by Mission of Burma
12th Mar 2023 – I haven’t done much sketching since this post but I still carry a small notebook with me just in case I get the urge. I enjoyed the process, but not so much the results. I console myself in the fact that I was trying things and still seeking inspiration anywhere I could. I seem to have settled on writing here as my main outlet for creativity but I should start adding some variety again.
Gratitude Journal
I am so happy and grateful for the students in M1/9 – some of them are capable of carrying out complex conversations and able to discuss thoughts and feelings clearly. Sometimes I can feel that my effort to help teach them has been worthwhile.
For the end of term celebration dinner I thought it a nice idea to write a haiku for each of the teachers I work with – an artistic test for myself. I printed them on A4, laminated, cut, hole-punched and cut and tied ribbons on each. I enjoyed the whole process.
Kru Fluke
UNO champ, waiting Watching the new Thai drama Quiet achiever
For a while, at the end of the working day, teachers would gather to play UNO before heading home. Fluke would sit in quietly, watching some Thai drama series or other on her iPad at the same time. With a sweet and lovely smile she was a vicious backstabber when it came to the game and often won. It was best not to sit next to her round the table!
Kru JJ
Lipstick, mascara You make it work, you go girl Swing those hips wildly
All the male teachers in our building (and in most of the school) are gay and love getting dressed up for special events. They can be so spectacular and outrageous that it’s difficult not to get swept up in the occasion. JJ is, of course, one of them. A smart young guy who should’ve been born a girl.
Teacher Dylan
Sleepy ginger boy Wake up; the world wants you now So, wake the fuck up
Dylan is from Northern Ireland and is here in Chiang Rai along with his many brothers, cousins and other relatives I’m sure. The brothers look so alike that they find it difficult to meet girls that other members of the family have not already met, Chiang Rai being a pretty small town to start with. Anyway, Dylan arrives at school each day well before he has actually woken up and being young he attracts the most attention from the other similarly aged female teachers.
Kru KT
Silky voice, smooth tune Loud and proud; but wait, what’s this Big boy is sleeping
KT, or Kate, is another male teacher, though not quite as outrageous, he loves to sing loudly and play fight with the female teachers. He is a big (and big hearted) guy and because of this he has a problem where he stops breathing in his sleep so wakes up all through the night. This affects him at work as he often nods off, sometimes mid song. There are many pictures and videos of him snoring away.
Kru Champ
Stress, happiness, stress Working hard for the future Your reward will come
Champ is our hard working coordinator who gets a ton of (nonsensical) work dumped on him whilst also trying to implement things in a better way, hence his ever-swinging between stress and happiness. If efforts were truly rewarded in this world, he will achieve a lot. Lives with his boyfriend and supports the many LGBTQ+ kids in the school.
Kru Amp
Dance under the moon The wolf is crazy; no sleep Sleep when you are dead
Amp, along with First, JJ and Tee, was one of the student teachers from the local university. She taught Chinese and her English was the best when it came to speaking but her understanding was very good. So good that she could play along well with jokes and she loved having a fun time, especially dancing.
Kru First
Face reflects the moon A laugh and smile; gone too soon No more UNO now
First had a face that reminded me of a childhood story-book moon. A genuine personality and diligent worker it was sad to see her leave at the end of the term.
Kru Gratae
Love is in your heart Impatient; where is the one? Wait, don’t try so hard
Gratae is a loud, funny and self deprecating girl always looking for love advice from anyone. She is not so pretty on the outside but once you get to know her there is a sad vulnerability hidden there and when she is not hiding herself behind her defenses is a very nice person.
Kru Tee
Soft and gentle girl Turns out tough; always goes hard Life of the party
Tee introduced herself as ‘Tee, as in PART-TEE!’ She is a chubby happy girl that I believe hides her abilities and real personality. Very likable, I’m glad she has stayed on here as a teacher.
Kru Mai
Purposeful, thoughtful Watch the students dance with joy Always going forth
Mai has a striking looking feminine posture with a mushroom haircut. If you see him you will wonder what he is about. As far as I can tell he is a well respected teacher among the students, particularly as he will often play music and encourage dancing in his classes. Obviously he coordinates a lot of the stage show events the schools here seem to love. Mai is always the most outrageous cross dresser in the school. He is unrecognisable in a blonde wig and tight black dress.
Kru Aomsin
No accident stops Her from happiness and play Another round, yes?
Aomsin recently had a motorbike accident that smashed one of her front teeth but that didn’t get her down. She will always be the first to want to play UNO.
Kru China
Tag team with Gratae Keep fighting, fighting today Who talks the loudest?
China (pronounced Sheena) and Gratae appear to be best friends and once they are in a room together the volume is cranked to 11. This can be funny most times, but others, when trying to concentrate, becomes very distracting. One of China’s favourite phrases is to keep fighting.
Kru Feung Fah
A secret boyfriend The sporty type? Shy? Humble? Liaisons out of our sight
Feung Fah is a skinny, sporty girl that seeks to deny the fact she has a boyfriend for some reason. Her English is not the best but I can feel she has a good personality.
Teacher George
Good morning teacher Big smile, warm welcome, let’s go Seven-eleven
George greets everyone happily each morning, showing his face to let them know that he is here at school before quickly sneaking off to get coffee at his favourite cafe. Going out of school is not always accepted unless it is to the 7-11. So, whatever it is that needs to be done outside school, going to 7-11 is the default answer.
Gratitude Journal
I am so happy and grateful for my creativity and ideas – they pushed me forward and I realise I can still do these things – even if I’m not very happy with them – I feel a little bit of that artistic streak again. It’s good. I’ve been writing a lot so I can combine that with presentation and push myself in new directions.
1994ever 