Tag: students

Cursed – 3rd July 2024

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ 1 Comment

Incarnated into another low form
Cursed again to never feel a real peace
It’s too late now to wish I’d not been born
The struggle to survive will never cease
Next life, please guide me away from the storm
Let me take a turn at a life of ease
Shed this skin before an exchange of breath
A return to life in exchange for death

An Ottavo Rima poem on reincarnation, submitted to FOWC with Fandango — Cursed and Three Things Challenge #M742 – death, wish, peace

Today I’m feeling:

A little tired but happy.  I skipped exercise this morning as I was dead asleep from perhaps 10.30 until my alarm at 6 am. 

My body is definitely feeling the effects of that exercise yesterday morning, so I’m ok to skip today and try it again tomorrow.  It’s a kinda good tired feeling.

Today I’m grateful for:

Mee’s mum getting out of the hospital last night.  I had just randomly messaged Mee to see how she was, and she said that her mum had been suddenly rushed to the hospital.  

Happily, everything was ok.  I didn’t ask anymore about it. 

My guess is that it wasn’t as serious as Mee was making out, but I also know how important it is for her to have her mum back in her everyday life.

The best thing about today was:

Nong Praew told me that she has three dads.  Her dad, her mum and me!  That was nice to hear.  I know she struggles in my class, not just with what I’m teaching but also socially.

I don’t know how much of an effect her medicine has on her, but she can be a little hyper happy sometimes, though she knows who to show it to and who not to show it to.  I can understand why some students are put off by her, but as an adult, I can feel empathy for her.

She told me that she might move to Chiang Mai at some point because she is not happy at this school.  I’m not sure how much that will help her in the long run.

What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?

My most annoying student really pissed me off today as he pulled down his best friends pants whilst he had his hands full, in front of the whole class.  I asked him to leave and have since been talking to his homeroom teacher about what to do with him this time.

No previous warnings or punishments have had any effect and I believe they won’t have this time either.  I will see if I can switch from teaching his class because I’ve had enough of having to deal with him.

Something I learned today?

“Do you want some tea?” Is the new kids code word “Do you want some gossip”.  I found out this morning from JubJib that the gossip is that a group of grade 9 students from my old class are bullying Yurin in various ways.  I think I wrote here a few days ago about it.

Whilst Yurin is unlikely to be blameless in whatever is going on, the others shouldn’t be ganging up on her either.

Review your acts, Good and bad.

Kru NumNim was away from the grade 8 class this morning so I sat in and encouraged them to do their work which was a little tough as kids played and slept instead.  

By the end of the class, about 80% of the students had at least put something together.

This morning Nong Praew gave me some rice crackers as a gift for which I thanked her.  A few minutes later I met Lin and she looked very sad and thoughtful.  

She couldn’t or wouldn’t explain what was wrong, so I just patted her back and handed over the rice crackers for comfort.  I also sent her a message later on.

The Horror – 2nd July 2024

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ Leave a comment

Unrecognised alive
Ash and dust
Swirl around your eyes
As the grim sun starves
Flies start investigating
The first on-scene
To witness the horror

An unrecognised state
Take a breath
Before the bullet
Where revenge rises from the shadows
Books and bodies burned
On the wrong side of the fence
The olive trees have no branches

One day, one day
God’s wrath will flood the earth again

Inspired by Palestinian poet, Noor Hindi.
Submitted to Weekly Prompts -The One-Day Prompt (3)

Today I’m feeling:

Happy, though a bit undecided.  I woke up with a start, enjoying my sleep and a sexy dream (with Amy) and struggled through my first 20-minute video exercise, which made me feel good but also on the edge of over-exertion.

At school, the kids that I regularly visit in the morning were all in pretty good moods, and we chatted and played a little.  Now I’m waiting for the first coffee to kick in before heading back to school early to help Kru Tang again, and then my first class of the day with my grade 8s.

Today I’m grateful for:

Gui for allowing me credit again last month and then for getting paid and being able to pay off the debt.

The best thing about today was:

I felt a bit rushed today but still got a few things done. I got to Kru Tang at 9.30 and whilst waiting for her students to arrive, my grade 11 students were doing an online speaking exercise that instantly gave them a CEFR and IELTS score. 

I tried to help them a little bit and also thought it would be a good test to do with my other students too.

Something I learned today?

As I was leaving school yesterday, a car drove by and a shout came, ‘Hey, Teacher Shaun’.  I looked around and waved back to see ShinChan driving an old car.  This morning I saw him and asked him how old he is, to which he replied, 15!

He told me that he lives with his dad and they have a motorbike and a car.  Sometimes his dad will take the motorbike, so he has to take the car to get himself to school.

He has a motorbike license, but I don’t think he can get a car license until he is 18.  He knows to be careful, but could get caught out if someone crashes into him.

It’s good that he has taken some responsibility at an early age, and I have to chuckle a little at the way things work here.

Review your acts, Good and bad.

I caught up with Anchan briefly this morning and found out that her mum should be home in a couple of weeks’ time. That’s great news for her if it happens.

Sitting with Baipad and Fahmai this morning, Fahmai said that Baipad is smart and beautiful. I told him that Baipad doesn’t think that she is and asked him why he thought that might be. He said he couldn’t understand that, and she quickly stated, ‘I’m not confident’. Hopefully, these kind words her friends say about her are remembered and will accumulate to bring her confidence in the future. Fahmai said that he is smart and beautiful, demonstrating his confidence.

Later on I was chatting online with both of them and I asked them about whether they did anything kind today which they both found something to say about each other. Well, that’s a start.

Kids playing together, July 2024. Earn, Dena, Namthip, Nicha and Fah, my old students, now grade 9.

Woke Up Wet – 27th June 2024

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ 7 Comments

I dreamt of many unknown friends
Their benefits, my dividends
Satisfying emotional needs
Together, mind and body succeeds

When the pieces of the puzzle fit
Combined along with opposite
A touch is more real than money
Pay the piper for a pot of honey

A delicate and delicious dance
From sultry look to seditious glance
So on this mental canvas paint
A horse to ride without restraint

Sat in saddle; sound, secure
Found the fun worth looking for
Before the ride, one last check
From tippy toes up to the neck

The rhythms of night relish to move
From furious and fast to slow and smooth
On the corner, shouts “I’m coming home!”
Imagination ensures I’m never alone

Always welcome in this house to stay
The dream, the wish to forever play
Able to ignore all consequences
Maintain in my own confidences

The dreams of which I’ll never tell
Are memories where I often dwell

Submitted to Moonwashed Weekly Prompt (sultry dreams), MLMM Monday Wordle #378 and Writer’s Workshop Prompts (ignore)

Today I’m feeling:

Despite spending a total of four hours at House today and constantly thinking there was something that I should do, then remembering and immediately forgetting, so it was I forgot to write anything here until now, in the evening.

All was smooth and good today with my first two hours freed up now.  On arriving for my first class my students begged me that they wanted to go and watch their classmates in a dance competition at Kotchasarn.  As there were 4 of the class involved there and about another ten also missing, preparing for the Teachers Day tomorrow, I decided it would be best to acquiesce on the condition that they do the writing work that I had planned before our class next week.

And so I went over and watched the competition for a little while by myself, as dance groups from various local schools competed for the chance to go on to the Provincial level competition.

It was a good atmosphere and I met August and we chatted about the competition and also whether we had anything like this when I was in school, which we didn’t.  I guess in many ways the school I teach in is more progressive than the one I studied in.

In the end, I really only had to worry about my final class of grade 8s today and they are familiar with my requirements now as we do the same practical exercise twice a week just with different texts.  It being the last hours of the day they know that the sooner they get down and finish my work then the sooner they can leave.

Today I’m grateful for:

Word of mouth.  That’s how I found out that Teacher’s Day is happening tomorrow.  It’s only now, in the evening, that Kru Mai has confirmed all the details for me and I will have another free two hours tomorrow morning.  Hooray.

The best thing about today was:

Enjoying the atmosphere at the dance competition and then bailing after an hour, before my students had even performed, so I asked another student to send me a video later and I would give them points in class.

A little later the video came through and they performed really well and I sent them a message of congratulations.

What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?

I did get out into my room and played guitar for the first time this week.  Unfortunately, it was for less than ten minutes though as I was busy sorting out other things.

Something I learned today?

Baipad sent me a picture of a fennec fox from her visit to Chiang Mai night safari.  It looks like a kitten or puppy that hasn’t grown into its adult ears.  

She was a little disappointed that she didn’t get to see any red foxes which are her favourite.

I took this picture of five of the dancers today. I recognise Neung but not sure if the others are in my class or not. The girls especially look almost unrecognisable when they dress up.  Even Sarah, who I joke and play with every day made herself up and got some hair extensions and I wasn’t sure who she was when she started talking to me!

Sunset Over Hawaii – 26th June 2024

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ 7 Comments

This
Island
Under night
Skies a-blazing
Rows and rows of homes
Turning to ash and dust
Maui, Hawaii – on fire
No rescue until it’s too late
There’s money to be made rebuilding
This island under night skies a-blazing

Destruction and death
Build back better, U.S.A.
Casino waiting

A Dectina Refrain submitted to Living Poetry Monday Poetry Prompt

AllPoetry homework:

The Country of the Blind. – Stanzas 1 and 4 by C.S. Lewis

Hard light bathed them and a
whole nation of eyeless men
dark bi-pedals, not aware
of how they were maimed
A long process, clearly a slow curse
drained through centuries
Left them thus

If a man, one that had eyes
a poor misfit, spoke of
the grey dawn, or the stars
or green sloped sea waves
Or admired how warm tints
changed in a lady’s cheek
None complained he had used
words from an alien tongue
None questioned.
It was worse. All would agree
“Of course.” Came their answer
“We’ve all felt like that.”
They were wrong.

………………
1. What is Lewis saying?
2. Here he compares the poet to the masses who believe they have experienced the same feelings. Why does Lewis say they are wrong? Look at the first stanza.
3. What are your feelings in comparing the poem to society, today?

This has taken me a while to get to as I prefer to spend my time writing over analysing. Slowly I am starting to appreciate analysis though so as to better understand what a poet might be saying.

So, today I finally came back to this and interestingly I read this quote this morning which seems along similar lines:

That showed me in an instant that not by wisdom do poets write poetry, but by a sort of genius and inspiration; they are like diviners or soothsayers who also say many fine things, but do not understand the meaning of them.

– Socrates, The Apology


To attempt to answer the questions….
2. Lewis says that they are wrong because society as a whole blindly accepts what it may be told. (Does this connect with the phrase ‘the one-eyed man is the king of the blind?).
3. In comparing the poem to society, I can see the parallels but as a poet, I prefer to consider myself with the man with eyes. But then, maybe individually, we all do that. And thus we end up with society. Individually thinking and believing different things and collectively believing the same things.

And I think that answers question 1.

Today I’m feeling:

Pretty good again. I forgot to write anything this morning as instead of spending the first six hours of the day at the cafe I decided to sit with my old class and help some of them with their work though I also took advantage of this time to make some future lessons.

Sitting in that class made me look at the kids a little differently. I could see that they were more attentive to the Thai teacher and understood more (obviously).  They still struggled when it came to answering questions and their comprehension but it made me feel a little more sympathetic with them.

The work Kru NumNim has been giving them is from the British Council and I decided to take it and reuse it for my reading classes with them.  I’m hoping that they at least remember some of it and can draw on their learning in this class when it comes to doing it again in mine.

At House, I sat, read and wrote as usual and now felt that 4 hours was an ok amount of time to spend doing that, instead of the six hours of the previous couple of weeks.

Today I’m grateful for:

All the folks who ensured that my records arrived safely from Hong Kong.

The best thing about today was:

Everything again.  It was consistently good from morning alarm, exercise, breakfast and driving to school to getting home, sitting back and watching videos.  

I’m also feeling a little relief at having fewer hours to teach tomorrow than before too as another two hours got passed on to another teacher.

What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?

The parcel of Bennu The Heron records arrived yesterday but I had to go and pick them up from the main post office and pay 700 baht tax on them which is just about the end of my money for the month.

Still, it was better than paying what Amy originally thought was 4000 baht.  If it had been that much then I would have sent them back.

Something I learned today?

I found Yurin sitting by herself today and she looked up at me sadly and said ‘No friends’.  I talked with her for a little while and she said that she was quarrelling with Dena and Earn though I’m not sure about what.  I told her not to worry and maybe it will all blow over.

Later I caught up with Dena and she said that Yurin was always causing drama and everyone was sick of it.  Actually, I’m not surprised at this as Yurin was always causing problems in the first semester of grade 7 when she was hanging out with Hyper, who eventually got taken out of school by her parents.  Somewhere inside, Yurin has some conscience, though sadly, I don’t think the future holds much positive for her.

Praew told me that she won’t be in school tomorrow as she has to go to hospital and when I asked her why, she explained that she has to get new medicine for depression.

I asked her how she felt after taking the medicine and she said that she felt better but it also made her more anxious.  I noticed before that she has shaky hands.  She’s a bright and funny girl and I wouldn’t have guessed that she was taking medicine for depression.

Review your acts, Good and bad.

I told Praew that she could talk to me anytime if she wanted.

For the last couple of days, I’ve been trying to encourage Baipad to do something kind for her friends.  Yesterday she offered up that she lent her lip balm to her friend.

But then I asked her to do something intentionally kind today and she was stuck.

When I saw her in the morning she and all her friends were all just sitting playing games on their phones, with barely any interaction between them.

She told me that she will go to Chiang Mai tomorrow so I reminded her that she could buy a nice gift for a friend or something like that.  Let’s see if she does!

I took this picture because Jin demanded it. Ueang and Jin, busy avoiding study.

More Ice Cream – 20th June 2024

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ 1 Comment

Can you be persuaded away
By the carrot on the stick?
Caught in the thought of ice cream
And eating until you’re sick
– Surely you need a jumbo serve
– To teach you what you deserve

Submitted to FOWC with Fandango – persuade and RDP Monday – jumbo

Today I’m feeling:

Pretty good again.  The morning has whizzed by thanks to all my students being incredibly well-behaved and attentive today.  I’m a little surprised!  I wish every day was like this.  I actually felt like I was teaching rather than attending.

Today I’m grateful for:

The kids I asked not to come and disrupt my afternoon class today.  I appreciated that though maybe my students didn’t understand so much but it got them more focused and we got enough done.

The best thing about today was:

Those early classes setting up the day for me so that I’m not so tired.  I’m perhaps also getting used to this schedule too.

What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?

Amy suddenly changed plans this morning as she didn’t sleep well but it was nothing that caused any real problem or made me change my plans too much.

Something I learned today?

It’s a possibility that Chad Warner could be lured from Sydney Swans to Freo, as he is from the West Coast originally.  He’s already touted as the best player in the competition.  He’s only 22 or 23 years old.  I hope he doesn’t leave though.

Review your acts, Good and bad.

I sent encouraging messages to KanomBang and BB after they paid more attention in class and asked me for help.

I’ve also been sending Anchan encouragement every now and then.  She went to a speaking competition last weekend and was disappointed to come ninth.

I found iPhone, Fahmai and another girl practising dancing and they told me that there will be a competition next week so I wished them luck and hope that I can see them.

Whisper In The Dark – 19th June 2024

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ 2 Comments

Stumble in darkness clear of you
A restful cave, I start to think
Repeat the mantras I wrote for you
To amuse, gather together what I have
To pass this quiet time

Thrust into light, away from you
A forgotten face is all I have
Understood by both, no means no
Repeat the mantras I have for time

“You think you have time, you have no time”

Ghosts by nomeansno

A golden shovel inspired by nomeansno and submitted to FOWC with Fandango – faceless and MLMM Wordle #377 – clear, restful, repeat, amuse, pass, thrust

Today I’m feeling:

Pretty good.  I was so tired last night that I couldn’t even read in bed.  My eyes were hurting, probably from too much screen time, and may get even worse today with my six-hour break before class!

Anyway, my alarm woke me up from a deep sleep but I felt good from it and exercised and got going.

Today I’m grateful for:

The folks at the post office who helped me get the parcel sorted to send it to Singapore. It was freaking expensive and meant getting credit at House again until I get paid but had to be done.

The best thing about today was:

I knocked up a good lesson plan in my spare time today and I enjoyed thinking about it and putting it together.

What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?

Man, this six-hour break is killing me!  It’s too long.  I think next week I will go and sit in with my old class.  Let Kru NumNim teach and help out some of the poorer students.

Something I learned today?

I got back in touch with Nevin and he wrote back today that he will be moving to HK to study in a couple of months. Hopefully I might be able to catch up with him there sometime. 

Review your acts, Good and bad.

In my one and only class of the day there were 4 or 5 female students who weren’t supposed to be there, come to hang out with the younger girls that they fancy. I let it go for today, as I actually didn’t spot them until later in the lesson!

I don’t usually mind if other students come but they seemed to be disturbing the kids that need to study the most.

Amy took this picture of the mum and dad. Happy family.

Chimera – 14th June 2024

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ Leave a comment

A fiction in fact
Feigned and fabricated
A figment intact
An invention stated

Imagined free will
A prayer to the sky
Blessed to kill
And martyred to die

A daydream nation
A fancy illusion
Fabled creation
Another final solution

A lie is a lie

Submitted to dVerse’s Quadrille – figment

Today I’m feeling:

Contented and happy.  It’s the end of the day now, and it feels like it’s been a big, long week.  I think it may only be the second full five-day week of teaching I’ve done in the first 7 weeks of this semester so far!

But, it was a day with three different but interesting classes that I enjoyed a lot.  The first was with grade 11s, where they are putting together presentations, and I taught them about using grammar checkers and ChatGPT to spice up their content (and hopefully, they don’t get smart enough to use it to write their presentations in full!)  I was actually surprised no one in the class knew how to use it already.

They all went through their presentations again, and though they are mostly still ranging from awful to average (with a couple of very good ones) we are going through it slowly and adding, improving and practicing and I’m hoping that they can feel that they are slowly improving over the course of the semester.

After that, I did the Thai Ghosts lesson with the Hospitality/Japanese grade 11s, and they were all quite interested and keen on it, though I was happy to acquiesce to their demand to finish off the work as homework so that we could all get out for lunch a little earlier.  I had to go to the bank, too and could sneak in an extra coffee at House whilst out.

So, after the morning disappeared in a flash, it was on to my grade 8s, where all they had to do was a 30-question online quiz based on the 6 texts they’d written and previously answered comprehension questions on.  I told them that they couldn’t finish until they got more than 75%.

I can remember writing about this last year and the fact that the lazy kids who forget their books are going to get caught out as they won’t have what they need to refer to.

This year, the class did much better, and it was really enjoyable helping those that are struggling with the English and showing them how to find the answers.  I could feel them getting all serious as it was starting to dawn on them that when they’ve just been copying answers before, they haven’t developed the skills to find them for themselves.

I directed them through their books, giving them clues on where and how to find the answers, and they were all quite proud of themselves by the end.  It made us all happy.

Once home, I’ve just sat in front of the TV trying to unwind.  I’m tired but not sleepy yet.  As I’m writing this, though, I’m reminded of just what a good day it has been.

Today I’m grateful for:

Finding old videos of Ipswich Town from the 70s and 80s on YouTube and feeling all nostalgic about those days of watching football on TV with a picture quality worse than 360p.  

It’s interesting to read some of the comments of others who were around at that time too and how much respect Ipswich got for their achievements, even from fans of other teams.

The best thing about today was:

Pretty much as written above.  Very enjoyable.

What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?

In my last class my student Ten has finally fallen out of favour with almost everyone after his closest friends have deserted himself, realising that he just treats them like shit.  They talked with me about him today, and they are struggling with it because they try to help him and encourage him, but Ten gives nothing back.

I can see clearly that he is compensating for his lack of ability to learn and develop social skills, and I can also see that my behaviour at times would have been similar.

He sulked around the classroom, not really attempting the work, and I decided to let him stay that way while I was helping others.  I asked him a few times to get started, but he just slouched off elsewhere until I found him again staring into space.

Finally, I translated for him, ‘Pick yourself up.  Look at how hard students like Nut and Namsai are trying to understand.  You can do this too.’

After about 80% of the students had finished and I started letting them go, I found Ten in the next classroom with Ploy, KanomBang and Namsai helping him, showing him what I had just shown them.  I joined in, and we all encouraged him, and by the en,d he managed to pass and felt a little better about himself.

He’s learning some big lessons right now, and it will take him a while to recover.  It will be interesting to watch.

Something I learned today?

Kru David told me that Thailand ranks something like 140th in the world for education.  I joked that there are not many more than 140 countries!  It’s sad for these kids but good for me.  I’m trying my best, and I have my own expectations, but in general, the expectations of the school won’t be that high.

Review your acts, Good and bad.

As last week, I dropped into Kru David’s least favourite class to teach (but with some of my favourite kids) and helped Nicha and Fah to try to get to grips with what was trying to be taught, which was alliteration in poetry.  They both looked perplexed and wanted to give up but were happy to let me try and explain to them so that they could at least get something from it.

Whilst I was writing something to help Nicha, she was playful and brought her eyeball up to mine and then her nose to mine and laughed and said to Fah something along the lines of ‘I almost kissed the teacher!’  I ignored it and brought her back to the writing, but it was a little weird, I guess.

I have no problem being mildly affectionate with my students in a fatherly way and Nicha could still pass for a primary student as she is so small, skinny and still a little immature in her behaviour.  But afterwards, I was thinking how I would react if she had pecked me on the lips!

I know some of these kids are testing things with me because they feel comfortable and safe to do so, but there is also a line that has to be drawn.

Anyway, Nicha and Fah went to Kru David with the bare amount of understanding but at least now had the confidence to do so, instead of running out of the class as they had been doing in past weeks.

Day 7

Spawn – 7th June 2024

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ 6 Comments

A serial killer, an oil driller
Hardened by wooden toys
A road rager, black death plaguer
Once were blue-eyed boys

A nasty bitch, the spiteful witch
Waving a demonic wand
A dirty washup, a wicked gossip
Once were fair and blond

Even the spawn of Satan
Was once a lovely child
Depending on the road that’s taken
Arrives either mild or wild

Submitted to WDYS #241, this picture is way too cute not to take a completely opposite run at it. That’s just the way my brain works sometimes!

Today I’m feeling:

Pretty energised and happy, coffeed up, I enjoyed talking, teaching and playing with my students (and other random ones, too).

I talked with Baipad and a couple of her classmates about the gory videos they were shown in class and told Baipad that this was a great opportunity for her to stand up for herself and make her opinion known.  I tried to convince them that their opinions are valid and whilst they may not be listened to, they have the right to be expressed.

I could see from her face that she knew this but wasn’t able to steel herself to do it.  Still, it’s early steps in showing support and one day, hopefully, she will be brave enough to stand up for herself.

The first two classes were grade 11, so they were pretty well behaved (though still have to put my foot down every now and then) and after a quick break, onto the grade 8 scoundrels who were entertaining, and, with gently prodding, made fairly valiant attempts at their reading.

As I was on my way out, I ducked into Kru David’s class and helped some of the bored and dejected students who were struggling with being asked to write a very simple poem.

As I had no pressure, I had time to explain to a couple of students what the idea was about and how to complete it, and they seemed to get the gist.  Of course, when you are the only teacher in the room, it’s difficult to get around to all those strugglers and walk them through things more simply so that they can understand.

Today I’m grateful for:

A Facebook message from my students Baitoey and Piano saying that they missed me.  I was happy to receive it, though not sure exactly why they sent it as I bump into them around school almost every day.

The best thing about today was:

A positive feeling through most of the day without any exceptional highs or best thing that stands out.

What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?

While teaching in the new building and in the room where Kru Pooky sits whilst I’m teaching, I got a bit annoyed that she kept asking various students to go and run errands for her.

When we were about to start an online quiz, I asked her where my student was and told her that he needed to be here in my class.  I didn’t push it any further than that, but hopefully, she understood my intention.  This is the Thai way to try to deal with Thais doing things in a Thai way!

Something I learned today?

Duolingo, which I make all my students use for 5 minutes a day, has introduced what looks like a reasonably good AI chat component to its teaching practice.  Hopefully, some of my students can benefit from this.

And whilst looking at the app to see if they’ve added Thai (which they haven’t, yet they have Klingon) I found that they have added music and math, so I’m looking into the music one just for fun.

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

I offered Aida a friendly ear if she needed to talk to someone over the weekend.

Two Silver Obols – 6th June 2024

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ 18 Comments

Haunted by the diminished
Sapped of all resolve
A painting left unfinished
Starting to peel and dissolve

Find the strength, one last push
A viral life-infected
Hope unseen in the burning bush
Smouldering and neglected

A final thought to deliver
No more liaisons, just goodbyes
Taken back unto the river
With pennies placed on the eyes

Submitted to Writer’s Workshop Prompts – strength and Shay’s Word Garden – haunted, neglected, liaisons, pennies

Today I’m feeling:

Up early again and feeling a little brighter and more positive after yesterday’s relative successes.

My first class went well as they had been suitably chastised by their homeroom teacher so they were quietly obedient for the first 30 minutes or so. As they got more comfortable though they soon fell back into their playful selves. At least I was a little more relaxed about it this time.

After that, my grade 12’s were a breeze and they surprised me a little with their capabilities. I’m guiding them slowly through IELTS speaking practice and whilst their speaking skills aren’t in place yet, I’m happy to see that their thinking skills are. Much as I am with Thai, they can understand more than they can speak, so I will let them build on this slowly.

I ducked out to House and managed to pen a couple of poems that I’m proud of and I think that my skills in this regard are improving too, so that was a good break for me – though not long enough!

Back into it for the last class of the day, which is always a struggle. I made sure the kids knew that I wasn’t messing around and when they finally got in line, they listened, helped each other and were able to finish. I rewarded them by letting them go early.

At home, things are quiet, though slowly returning to normal (I think!). With my lack of money, I can’t do some things that I had hoped to surprise Amy with to try to help things along. I’ll have to use my imagination.

Today I’m grateful for:

Meeting Nay at House this afternoon. She was there with friends when I arrived and I jokingly asked her if she could make my coffee, to which she laughed and declined.

The best thing about today was:

Probably the delicious curry that Amy made for me when I got home. My day was pretty good all round. I felt not too tired and quite upbeat.

I wasn’t particularly hungry but knew that I soon would be and I scoffed the lot. Actually, I’m not a scoffer, I take my time over food, but I did eat every last scrap.

What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?

After the struggle of my first class (grade 8s), the pleasure of my second class (grade 12s) I was both delighted and frustrated to see Kru David’s class of grade 7s all diligently listening and paying attention.

Maybe they will start acting up the more comfortable they get, but good for David, as he has struggled with the grade 8 and 9s that I constantly battle with but love so much.

Something I learned today?

UK paratroopers recreating the D-Day landings for the anniversary were forced to immediately go through French Passport Control since the UK is no longer part of the EU. All of this was captured on video.

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

Baipad messaged me this evening that her Thai teacher for the subject of health education starting showing gory videos at the end of their class. She wrote “He says something positive and then opens a video where the man got eaten by a bear and says don’t think too positive” WTF!

I can understand the message that he wants to teach but surely not the best way to go about it!

Baipad said she had to look away as he played more and that other students felt traumatised by it.

I told her that she should tell her homeroom teacher in the morning but that I will talk with her and the other students first to see if they want to make an issue of it or not. It’s very typical Thai style to not stand up for yourself though.

Journey Of Joy – 2nd June 2024

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ 5 Comments

If you’re going to fight the universe
Learn to become wise first
Else you’ll spend time sulking in corners
Where thoughts become the worst

Joys are formed deep within
Even on the path of most resistance
Prepare well for the journey ahead
Is the teacher’s eternal insistence

Inspired by a Sadhguru quote and a student who loves to battle with me in class (and obviously reminds me much of myself at that age)
19th Oct 2024 – Shared with Weekly Prompts Weekend Challenge – Ahead

Today I’m feeling:

Tired and slow which is surprising to me as I did next to nothing yesterday and should feel refreshed. Is my body telling me that I need to rest more or that I need to be doing more?

During the workweek, I’m switched on and ready to go and can usually get up at 6 am without any problem. I’m enthusiastic and inspired.  But with nothing planned to wake up for in the morning, it’s like I’ve died!

Yesterday I didn’t write and didn’t get to play guitar despite having hours of free time.

Today I’m grateful for:

Amy’s safe return and wanting to go straight from the airport to Makro to buy ingredients and cook.  

Even though only gone a few days and knowing I’m able to take care of feeding myself, I was struggling to be bothered a little yesterday so I’m glad to have my personal chef back at home!

The best thing about today was:

Nothing in particular.  I ran out of energy soon after picking up Amy.  She even thought that I was hungover and I kinda felt like that.  

I napped for a little while in the late afternoon and have recovered some energy from that but also ready for an early night and long sleep, with another day off tomorrow.

What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?

Amy was talkative whilst we were eating but my brain still wasn’t working properly. She was, fairly slowly, drinking small glasses of wine but seemed to me to be getting louder. I could feel some tension within me because of that but I knew it was my problem and not hers.

After eating I went to the bedroom and read until I couldn’t keep my eyes open any longer.

Something I learned today?

You can buy some highly discounted items on the Bath and Body Works website, so I stocked up the cart and will purchase once I get paid!

19th Feb 2025 – Money ran short so that I never bought anything in the end.