Like a skimming stone searching for the shore
Scared of immersion, drowning in life’s maw
Turn and face it, walk towards this escape
Where magic is revealed ready to take shape

Attention paid to break the challenge’s grip
Unveils the awe-inspiring depth of this trip
Suffering settles deeper in a comfy bed
Yet rising shapes the world wonderful instead

Based on a quote by psychiatrist and author, Anna Lembke, on facing life’s challenges head-on.

---

Today I’m feeling:

Cold but not too bad otherwise. Today seems to be the coldest morning of the winter and from here it looks like it’s just going to get warmer.

I woke up with my new alarm from the sleep app, though I should say Tigger heard it first from the other room and it was him that woke me up!

Despite my phlegm-filled throat, I did some exercise, though my energy is still a little depleted or perhaps I couldn’t get enough oxygen into my lungs. I persevered though and just hope that I don’t fall off due to exhaustion but can just sleep well again tonight.

By the end of my first class, my voice was disappearing again and so in my second class I told the kids that I couldn’t speak and then pretended to cheer. They were pretty good, considering.

Health:

Physical: 7
Mental: 7

Today I’m grateful for:

Nong Gam and her friend Cha Cha. I don’t teach either of them – Gam is a friend of my old student Noey, but they appeared as I was about to leave and so I chatted with them for a while. As they speak very little English, I found myself talking to them in Thai as much as I could.

I’m not sure why they suddenly appeared or if they were on their way somewhere else but I was glad to be able to practice some Thai with them anyway.

The best thing about today was:

My voice (kinda) making it through the six hours of classes today and still having enough energy to play some guitar.

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

I didn’t get a chance to stop to read or write today, as all the TLC teachers had to attend a meeting to cosy up with the director and take photos as if we are one big happy family. Never mind.

Review your acts, Good and bad.

AngPao had a picture on Instagram that showed that she had been cutting her arm. I asked her about it this morning and she told me that she has depression. She was a little shocked when I told her ‘me too’. I told her that she can talk to me anytime she wants.

My grade 11 student Chompoo was in a bad mood today and when I talked with her quietly later she told me that something had happened that made her feel sad. I showed her that I understood and sent her a message in the evening to see if she was ok.

Miyor was sick after my class and looked very sad for herself when I passed her by at the end of the day. I gave her a hug and hoped she would get well soon.