A little tired but positive. Snoozed my alarm and skipped exercise this morning otherwise I feel like I will be totally exhausted by tomorrow night.
I’ll see how I feel tomorrow morning but hope to do some exercise again. I can feel my abs holding me together a little better!
Today I’m grateful for:
All the folks that grew the watermelon, picked, cut and packed it and sold it to me in the market this afternoon. Refreshing and cooling.
The best thing about today was:
After school, I did a quick walk around the lake again to see who was around and bumped into my quiet grade 8 students Earn and Nampan who I had also just finished teaching about 15 minutes earlier.
I asked them if they liked studying with me and they both grew big smiles and said yes and when I asked them why they said that the class was fun and that I am funny.
It was nice to hear that and made me feel good.
What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?
The afternoon grew super humid and dealing with a restless class of grade 8s was hard work and made me sweaty. Film came and stood next to me waving a fan saying that I was sweating too much.
When I bumped into some other students they said that I looked tired and I realised that I was feeling it and when I got home I went straight out to pick up some food at the walking street.
I had planned to go and eat with Baipad and her sister later on but couldn’t wait.
Something I learned today?
Teaching my grade 12 class about IELTS today I asked the students what they knew about it, what they wanted to know and at the end of the lesson, what they had learned.
During this lesson, we all learned that the test costs about 7,350 baht here in Thailand.
Review your acts, and then for vile deeds chide yourself, for good be glad. — Discourses 3.10
I sent a message of support to Namsai who cried in class today because others made fun of her not knowing how to spell a word. I got really upset with the rest of the class about it at the time.
Whilst not particularly vile I did cut in traffic on the way to school and upset some ute-driving workers who sped up to force me out.
The last traffic lights before school are a pain in the ass and take too long because of the way they are set up (just one direction can enter the junction at a time). As the turning lane moves the slowest I usually drive down the freer lanes and cut in which is usually easy because the Thais are either so chill or so lacking in attention that they don’t move quickly and leave big gaps to cut into.
Driving to school is probably my least favourite part of the day.
I took this picture last night as our birdy was on her nest. I had to stand in our living room behind the blinds and then zoom in to get this shot without frightening her off.
A local legend Filled with holes An awesome story Forever told Misquoted memory A dramatic twist A Chinese whisper Adds to the list Was he so high He just stayed on? Slept under stars Friends all gone
Inspired by the story of Grant Hart staying on in the town where Husker Du played their final show for several months after. I read this in The Punk Planet Interviews book.
Today I’m feeling:
My body is tired again. Can’t motivate myself much though I’ll hang from my hoops later and try to stretch out some weariness.
Today I’m grateful for:
The old uncle who waved me forward indicating that the way I was going was the way out. This was after I emerged from a Google glitch that had me deeply embedded in jungle vines and old bamboo, shredding my legs. Thanks, Google. Thanks, uncle.
The best thing about today was:
Having an afternoon nap between 10 and 11 am was odd. It was maybe only twenty minutes long and despite having had two coffees it was deep and refreshing. Almost as if I was prescribed a certain amount of sleep and I just needed to finish it off. Anyway, I knew I would have to try and counter an actual afternoon nap by taking myself off somewhere so I hopped on the bike with the intention to ride up to Mae Chan in the opposite direction that Bruno and I came back through a couple of weeks back (avoiding the police check). From there I wanted to travel through some of the villages near the base of the mountains around there. Lots of nice spots with views and funny little paths off here and there that were fun to explore. All the while riding along the almost dry river there. A fun day out. Tiring and refreshing at the same time.
What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?
At Utopia this morning I had a sudden need to use their tiny bathroom. I could see the floor was wet but didn’t realise how much so until I stood up and my pants were soaked through and I looked like I’d peed myself. There was nothing else I could do about it except walk back out into the shop and past all the staff and customers, all the while trying to explain that the floor was wet in the bathroom. Well, what can you do? Best not to be embarrassed and just keep going. I don’t notice much ribbing of each other between kids about things that were embarrassing to me as a kid. It seems a little more forgiving of uncontrollable embarrassment though of course, I could be missing it due to the language barrier.
What is one new thing I’d like to try?
Is there anything? There are probably many things but there’s nothing much that I think I would go out of my way to try these days. If something came along then I’d try it. Am I running out of things to try? Is nothing exciting anymore?
I took this picture because this just came out of the blue as I came around a corner. It seemed to be by itself but behind the trees and up the hillside were more temple-type buildings.
Remember, everything is going to be alright Or else you’ll fill yourself up with spite You may either inspire or sometimes bore me Either way, I’m just telling myself a story
Today I’m feeling:
Feeling ok today. Not particularly enthusiastic about anything but not down on anything either.
Today I’m grateful for:
The last serving of Amy’s fake duck with rice from the freezer. I’ve managed to spread out all the meals she left for me for three months. I really love that she did that for me.
The best thing about today was:
Finding out I have another week off before heading back to school. Woohoo! I was sure we would start again on Monday but held out hope that it would be the following Monday and so it is!
What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?
I thought I would be taking Runa to the airport this evening for her flight back to Bangkok and around midday she called and asked if it was ok to come over at around 4 pm when her cousin would drop her off. Sure no problem. I was tired from getting up early again and couldn’t resist an afternoon snooze and when I woke up it was already 5 pm. I tidied up a little (a very little!) and went to do some watering by which time it was 6 pm and Runa called again saying she was still in the city and not to worry about taking her to the airport. Well, ok! This is Thailand and I’m used to this flexibility now and not bothered if it doesn’t really affect me too much. I’ve probably also learned not to put myself in situations where I may be reliant on people who are unreliable therefore avoiding any drama.
Something I learned today?
Amy met Nong May and her boyfriend Jay for dinner as they haven’t met up for 6 months or so. Amy told me they are suing one of their Dodee franchisees because they opened a second store out of contract and tried to hide it by altering the name and the colours of the logo. I can’t imagine getting into something like that. It seems crazy to me. May’s family has gone through more drama than the BBC.
What is something I’d like to do for someone else?
I’m finding this tough to think of something specific and something applicable to right now. Usually, if I feel like doing something for someone it is not particularly planned. Of course, I do like to do things for Amy, my cats and my students but those are standard. It’s like when I track if I have complimented anyone today I always exclude Amy, my students and my baristas – it must be someone I don’t always compliment anyway.
I took this picture because suddenly this cactus sprouted these flowers. I’m not sure if they bloom and open up but I’ll find out in the next day or two.
I am so happy and grateful to have read Oscar Wilde’s Lady Windermere’s Fan yesterday. It was a really well-written dramatic short play and had me hooked to read it through despite tiredness. I love that feeling of being sucked into a good story.
Characters: Donald Trump in the body of a sexy topless non-white siren Rescuer – a full-blooded man with a strong desire for sex with the siren
Scenario: A post-apocalyptic Earth with white people on the run from the rest of the planet’s people. Trump as President was shot and killed but a mind scan backup was quickly made and transferred to the siren by the rescuer. The rescuer chose the siren for obvious reasons. She was just a stupid chick before and now she is a stupid President chick.
28th Dec 2022 – I think the genesis of this idea is taken from stories in the 1994 comic anthology.
Gratitude Journal
I am so happy and grateful to find my clothes washed and ironed each week
To-do list
Get down some notes about that body swap story ✅
Conscious of breathing, conscious in conversation ½
Study the TOEFL templates ✅
More printouts for Khawthang ✅
Finish casing CDs
Unfortunately yesterday I had a minor emotional setback as several things that had been bothering me came to a head. I felt sad and depressed and finding it difficult to overcome. The trigger was talking to Jimmy when he gave me my termination letter. He made pathetic excuses for my termination and it really made me mad.
Talking with George I thought would help me feel better but seemed to make it worse as I compare myself to him (which I know I shouldn’t). I don’t know how he can remain so calm and collected in the face of stupidity. I aspire to be like that too but I’m unable to control my emotions well enough. I feel like a failure, and feeling like that reminds me that I am.
1994ever 