This was written in November regarding a specific incident involving a student. Something common among many of the students I teach is the lack of affection they have received in their short lifetimes, not knowing or understanding that they are missing it. Just a simple hug has made a big difference to many.
Today’s Daily Stoic poem:
Ready And At Home
Put your head on when difficulties knock at your door Your visitor may not be who you were hoping for No one wishes for adversity to be standing there But your virtue makes it much easier to bear
her resistance to learning turns to crackle and hiss.
the problem is not with her ears.
Shared with Reena’s Xploration Challenge #413 and based on an interesting incident this week. The inappropriate title comes from a translation of the subject’s name. The form is the Wayra: This short syllabic verse has 5 lines with a syllable count of 5/7/7/6/8. It is unrhymed and incorporates onomatopoeia within the verse.
Today’s Daily Stoic poem:
Wherever You Go, There Your Choice Is
One day, we’re flying high The next may be lying low Our choice always tells us why We found which way to go
Learning what to ignore Can lead to learning more Is this really news? It may be just for views
Does the banner fright me? Is it true? It might be! You must stand up to defend Cos this could be the end
Any should or would Could be understood What it means to kill It will, it will!
Any headline and byline using modal verbs can safely be ignored as news.
Today I’m feeling:
A bit anxious and overexcited for some reason. I woke up, did exercise and everything, all feeling good but then something compelled me to drive fast to work when it really wasn’t that necessary.
Once at school, I relaxed and enjoyed chatting with the students and my first class was fine. The second, though (grade 8s), was very frustrating with kids playing dumb, sleeping or distracting others.
I gave up and set them a small task and waited for them to complete it so they could go. The kids playing up didn’t bother and rather than getting frustrated, I just let them do what they want.
I shouldn’t stress myself over it.
Health:
Physical: 8 Mental: 7
Today I’m grateful for:
One of the ladies in the office where the photocopier is. I didn’t bring any paper with me and it soon ran out in the machine. I went into the office and asked if they had more, but the first two replies were negative.
I kinda shrugged ‘ok’ and went back in to get my bag, but another lady followed me and pulled out a fresh slab of A4 from a box (so they obviously knew that they had some but didn’t want to supply it). I was grateful for her help.
We are a school that wastes tons of paper printing nonsense every day, yet isn’t keen on its teachers printing out worksheets!
The best thing about today was:
My frustrating morning class made me take some time to write up some new lessons this afternoon in the teacher’s room.
From there, I could see George teaching in the room opposite and I was surprised when the students started leaving, almost 40 minutes early.
I’m not sure whether to be bothered by him not teaching his full-length classes (he always arrives late to class too) or to figure that I should relax myself more in my own classes. I know I should give myself the opportunity to chill about it but also feel an obligation to do my best for my students.
Anyway, the day provided me with some inspiration as I put together some slides and did some printing.
What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?
My mood was a bit up and down again today and I’m thinking to go back to my full dose of sertraline again. It’s not worth feeling like this just to try and stop taking it, really, with the only purpose to see if I can.
I have a half tomorrow and then will go back to a full pill again on Wednesday.
Something I learned today?
As I was going to my first class in the morning, I found Baipad talking with Cake. I didn’t know that they knew each other but they met during the last time they had scout week.
I told Baipad why I thought Cake was the smartest student I’ve had the pleasure of teaching and advised to stay around with her if and when she can.
I took this picture because Cap has secured a new spot, for a while, at least. Could he be a bookshop cat? I don’t think so.
When did the heart harden? Turned to stone, dark and rough Too tough to beg pardon Too much no longer enough
The buzzing bees have built Wide walls to the castle No more red wine spilt The parts no longer a parcel
And so the keep is locked The key swallowed by a raven Flown far from the flocked To maintain the inner haven
Today I’m feeling:
Ok but not wow. Thinking that my drop in mood yesterday may be because of my reducing my sertraline. It was definitely the feeling I used to have when I couldn’t shake off minor slights.
I slept before 9pm last night and slept well but still not quite up to snuff yet. Let’s see how coffee does for me.
In classes and whilst occupied, I was feeling ok. Now that it is time to slow down, I can feel myself fading fast already.
Health:
Physical: 7 Mental: 7
Today I’m grateful for:
My grade 12 student, Men, who gave me information about doing translation for mobile games, which I passed on to Baipad.
The best thing about today was:
The fact that it takes me ages to walk around school these days, as everywhere I go, students stop me to talk to me. Finally, I feel accepted when I’m at school.
Why wasn’t it like this forty-five years ago? I obviously know the answer to this but, well, here we are.
What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?
There were a few disruptions around the building that I was teaching in this afternoon and I had to quickly find a free classroom to move to for my final class. It was a close thing to keep the momentum going for them to study, because if it took too long, we all would’ve been frustrated and just given up for the afternoon!
As it was, we found one, though the projector didn’t work, so I made it a pretty simple and easy grammar lesson and we still managed to get out early.
Manow took this picture because I was replicating a picture that Fahmai painted of me.
Tired but ok. It was a struggle to get up but not too bad once done.
Health:
Physical: 7 Mental: 6
Today I’m grateful for:
Plenty of parking spaces at the airport this evening. I even managed to park next to the other car here tonight for the family.
The best thing about today was:
In my second class I played along with my naughty students instead of getting upset with them. We were just doing quizzes, so it was quite fun. I wasn’t in the mood for serious work either.
What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?
After a fun first class, I was sitting in the cafe and saw a message from Amy saying that she tried calling two times but the phone hung up on her. I never heard anything so I called her back and she seemed annoyed and distracted with her parents buzzing around in the background.
She asked me questions and then didn’t listen to my answers and so she asked them again.
Anyway, I will meet them at the airport in the early evening.
Then I got messages from Nut asking about Namsai’s phone, which I had taken from her in class and she swore badly at me. Nut’s messages were rude and direct (though I can forgive her, as it may just be her poor English).
These two things together, along with a sudden feeling of exhaustion, put me in a bad mood, though. I’m trying to think myself out of it now.
I got out of it by the time of my second class but when I got home, the tiredness overwhelmed me a little more and then problems with playing guitar made me grumpy again.
Now I just want to sleep and then hope to wake up tomorrow in a better state of mind.
Review your acts, Good and bad.
I messaged Baipad last night about painting rocks and giving them away and this morning we looked around for some and she took three with her. A little later, she sent me photos of her painted rocks and who she gave them to.
I took this picture of my naughty students lazily doing my quizzes because I was going to use it to threaten them that I would show their homeroom teacher. BB, Namfon, Tulip and Baibua behind the chair. Khawhom jumped out of the way when she saw what I was doing. Ironically, they all blame me for being in trouble because their SchoolBright scores are so low but they have no answer when I ask them why I’m always reducing their scores! They do crack me up most of the time, though.
Good once I got moving and going. Exercise and hangs were a bit more difficult today as my arms are tired from doing this more often but hopefully it will settle down to strengthening everything.
With a long day ahead, I’m still feeling positive and on top of things but definitely looking forward to resting up at the weekend.
Health:
Physical: 8 Mental: 8
Today I’m grateful for:
Ploughing through the day and continuing when I got home. Using energy is giving me motivation to draw on my reserves.
The best thing about today was:
A student that I hadn’t met before said, ‘Hi, Teacher Shaun’. I asked her who she was and we talked a little and she said ‘I like Teacher Shaun.’
I asked her why, and she said ‘I’m ใจดี๊’, meaning kind-hearted. As I’d never talked with her before, I assumed that she had heard this from other students.
Either way, it made me feel good.
What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?
In my short break between classes today, I was hoping to enjoy some peace in the cafe but there was some meeting going on and I was relegated to an uncomfortable low table but I got on with a few things anyway. It was a bit rushed but it was good not to drop the energy levels and flake through the afternoon.
Review your acts, Good and bad.
Amy is in a feisty, drunken mood and being a bit loud and dramatic. I’m doing my best to entertain her but the day is catching up with me and I just want to read and relax until I fall asleep.
Our cats were extremely scared and bothered by the fireworks for Loy Kratong last night. Amy let them both into the bedroom, which I knew was a bad idea but didn’t want to say anything.
Cap settled by my head, but Tigger was hiding under the lounge, and I got back to reading. After a while, I saw movement to my right, and Tigger had come out onto Amy’s bed. Unfortunately, he wasn’t sitting but pissing. I quickly got him off and pulled up the doona but it had also gone through to the sheet too.
I got them off the bed and into the washing machine and Amy complained that I wasn’t watching them whilst she got stuff prepared to sleep in the other room.
Art took this picture because the sunlight through the cafe window was giving a beautiful soft morning glow to Piti and me.
What version of me did I show you? Was the impression left in your mind The enigmatic or the sad and sulky? Which one would you prefer to find?
I was hiding, desperately Trying to be anything but myself To slip through a crack in the world Leaving an image of someone else
I cross each bridge as I burn it Wait impatiently for the credits to roll Each day takes a small part of me Once put together defines the whole
Inspired by a few paraphrased quotes within.
Today I’m feeling:
Pretty good after a slightly better sleep last night and waking up with a start to my alarm. Some tough exercise, as eating ice cream for the last three days has increased my weight more than I would like.
It’s weird Wednesday with just one 50-minute class today at 12.40, so lots of sitting around, thinking, reading and writing.
(Later) I let my class catch up with the work that I had asked them to do and started checking those who had finished. In a flash, it was over and done with an exclamation of ‘shit’ when I was told it was time to finish!
Health:
Physical: 7 Mental: 8
Today I’m grateful for:
The old uncle at the 20 baht shop who let me change over the light bulbs for a different colour and to pay the difference.
He was a bit slow working out the difference to pay, but I let him do it with a calculator and a phone, hoping that he might make a mistake in my favour!
The best thing about today was:
Finishing off the little project of writing 52 mini poems – an idea that I started a couple of months ago.
Though some of them are just little throwaway ideas and ruminations, there are a few that I rate quite highly.
Something I learned today?
It was Mimi’s 16th birthday today. I found out when I entered class and saw a mangled half-eaten cake on the desk! She’s from my new grade 10 class and I haven’t really got to know these new students yet but she seems to be a happy and friendly kid and the work she did today was good.
Review your acts, Good and bad.
I dropped by to see Baipad as she was throwing up yesterday and didn’t come to school. She wasn’t there today either but I felt certain that she was feeling better and just being lazy.
I got her to agree to come to school tomorrow and also continued to try to encourage her to do something nice for the boy that she likes.
I took this picture because it’s a tough life for this fat little cafe cat.
The swagger of the fisherman He’s dreaming big, nets full of fish An ocean filled with his thoughts Trawling towards his deepest wish
Eyes to the astronauts overhead What are they thinking as they fly? Break the big things down to the small Everyone, everywhere, just getting by
Inspired by a David Elikwu newsletter
Today I’m feeling:
Great. This is the first morning in a long, long time that I woke up without any aches! I have a little ache now after exercise but I am still quite amazed at feeling this good this morning.
(Later) The good feeling in my body persisted during the day, which made me pretty happy and motivated.
Health:
Physical: 8! Mental: 8
Today I’m grateful for:
Kru Lucky bringing back snacks from his trip to Japan during the holiday and sharing them with all the teachers. Which reminds me, they’re still in my bag waiting to be eaten.
The best thing about today was:
The general, lazy feeling around school for most students who are not participating in the sports events. It’s relaxing but a little too relaxed. I can’t get my students into the flow of the semester and to knuckle down.
What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?
I still don’t have a new schedule yet, so I’m still down for 7 hours today, though thankfully, our classes are reduced to 50 minutes for the rest of this month, making things a bit easier. It’s always a little jarring transitioning in and out of this change and today I struggled a bit, either with getting things done in time, or erring the other way and not doing enough in the time. Luckily, it’s easy enough to jump onto some quiz sites and do a quick quiz, though.
Anyway, this afternoon I was due for the final three hours to be in building 8 but when I got there, the room was padlocked and only two students had arrived. I got a message saying that the other students were in a meeting for sports day but no indication of how long that would last. A few more students rolled up while I was contemplating whether to find another classroom or not. Of course, the students begged me for free time and eventually I agreed but on the condition that I would set them work to complete before our next class.
I went back to the teachers’ room and figured out a couple of tasks for them to do and in the process ended up making a whole bunch of other lessons that can be done at any time.
I also cancelled the last one-hour class of the day with my grade 12 English students. I know that they will be happy enough with that and doubted that they would attend anyway.
Something I learned today?
Potatoes have more chromosomes than humans — 48 compared to our 46.
I took these pictures of Program hard at work in my class today. I sent them to Kru Karn, his homeroom teacher, and we both laughed later when we remembered how we were saying that he is a little better behaved this semester.
A little better after coffee but this morning I didn’t want to get up and covered my head with a pillow to block the light and noise from Cap scratching at the door to be fed. I was slow to get up and felt like a zombie trudging around the house.
My eyes still ache and there is a weird feeling at the bottom of my throat. Whenever I tilt my head back, I’m automatically forced to cough. I want to feel normal again!
Health:
Physical: 6 Mental: 6
Today I’m grateful for:
A little five-minute ride around the back of our house on the way back from coffee this morning.
Even though I know the roads well enough, they always look different each time I go there. Stuff grows so quickly and at the same time can be removed quickly too.
The best thing about today was:
A documentary about Rhodesia/Zimbabwe gave me some more information about the history there, after reading about it in the Decline and Fall of the British Empire.
The traveller who made the documentary also followed on into South Africa and it was interesting to note that it seemed to be safer in Zimbabwe, which I was a little surprised by.
What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?
I slept for three hours after lunch today. This was better than yesterday at least, when I slept for two hours before lunch.
Something I learned today?
Ipswich have their first point of the season after a one-all draw against Fulham yesterday.
Review your acts, Good and bad.
As I was riding around this morning, Amy called me to pick up some tomatoes. I was nowhere near the market by that time but I went back and spent ten baht!
I took this screenshot from a video sent to me on Friday morning, from three students who were off doing something and couldn’t come to class. All they said in the video was ‘We love you, teacher Shaun!’ Aww. This is Toey and Air.
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