Hey Hey Hey. I hope everyone is well and people in the midwest are starting to warm-up a little bit. Once again, I would like to say that things are going well for me here in this wonderful country. This post will not be as long as the others but I coudn't pass up the opportunity to share another story.
During a typical week, I go to school, teach a few classes, come home, exercise, go and grab some take-home dinner on the street and enjoy the rest of the evening. Usually, when leaving my apartment, I take a left and walk down a few blocks where this lady sells really great fish, sticky rice, and other great tasting items to choose from. However, when I was on the bus last week about 4-5 blocks away from my building, I noticed a different area where there were many food vendors and told myself it is time to try something new. So, instead of taking a left, I took a right and walked to the area I noticed earlier in the day. When I got to this area the food choices looked amazing and was very happy that I made this decision. After I had looked at what a few different vendors were selling I stared to notice that the noise level started to go down. So, instead of looking at more dinner possibilities, I just continued to walk and look at what people were doing. Throughout my walk, I noticed that when I went by groups of people in conversation, it would immediately stop and I would be stared at as I walked by. At first I didn't undertand why everyone was staring at me and then I realized that not many farangs enter this area to buy food. When I continued to see for people stop what they were doing and stare at me I couldn't help but smile at the situation. It's as if none of these people have seen a white person before.
I eventually found some great glass noodles with vegetables and some fresh mango with sweet sticky rice. During my purchase I started to laugh out loud and the nice lady I was buying from gave me a look that said, "What is this foreigner laughing at?" To ease the situation, I paid for my food, asked her a couple questions in Thai (which she appreciated), said thank you and couldn't stop laughing as I walked back home.
What was a laughing at you might ask? I was wishing at that moment these people understood English. If they were weirded out by a foreigner just passing through to buy his evening meal, how FREAKED out would they be if all of a sudden I stopped, looked at all the gentlemen, and yelled, "HOW MUCH FOR YOUR WOMEN!!??"
Well, that is all for now. I hope you find my story humorous. If you do not, however, that is too bad because I think it's freakin' hilarious. Until next time, the beauty of any experience is enhanced if you can find within it a touch of humor.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Monday, January 26, 2009
An unexpected meeting...
Hello once again to everyone, I hope all is well with everyone. Things are still going well for me here in "Amazing Thailand", as many people refer to it. Before I begin, I would like to send out a warm Happy Chinese New Year to everyone. I was invited to a party on Sunday to celebrate the New Year and it was held at a restaurant called the "Golden Dragon." I found out that it is the largest in the country and one of the largest in the world. In 1991, it was actually given an award from the Guiness Book of Records for seating capacity, square footage, and people employed (somewhere around 1,200...so Rick, if you are reading this, think about that number the next time you get stressed about employee costs). There were about 25 of us total from all different parts of the globe. If I remember correctly, among us there was a total of 13 different languages within our group and most of us were meeting each other for the first time. It is great to be a part of events like this because I get to learn about more cultures as well as do some networking. One of the coolest events that take place at this dining establishment was watching a Thai waiter fly via cable from one end of the restaurant to the other with a food plate that also contained fire. We got to see perform on four occasions, but the first time I saw this gentleman in action I could not help but say, "Oh my gosh, it's the Asian Peter Pan!" All in all, a great time was had and I cannot wait for the next celebration.
Besides the celebration, I wanted to share with everyone the experience that I had on the way to the party. The unexpected meeting that I am referring to in the title was not meeting so many new people at the restaurant.
I received a call from my co-worker, Alexis, who invited me to the celebration and told me that I need to be there no later than 7pm. Now, I have never taken a cab by myself due to the language barrier but there is a first time for everything right? She told me to send her a text when I was leaving my apartment and she would tell me what information to give "Timmy Taxi." So, I clean up, put on my red colors, and am ready to go. I get out of the building and start writing a text and not paying attention to what is in front of me. All of a sudden, in mid-text, I ran into an object that was quite bigger than me and also had a hair and skin texture that is different from that of a human. I look up, and I see an elephant looking right at me. I couldn't help but smile, and the Thai man stared at me with a look that basically said, "Hey.....stupid foreigner! How do you seriously not notice a GIANT elephant on the sidewalk?" After that, I bought the elephant some bananas and went on my way. Every time I think about it I cannot help but laugh out loud and think of my two best friends, Dylan and Furda, saying to me, "Is today your first day walkin' retard?"
Well, that is about it for now. I hope you enjoyed the story as much as I enjoyed writing it. I would love to write more, but I actually have to get to work and make final exams. Until next time, remember that spotting the elephant in the room is not always as easy as it seems.
Besides the celebration, I wanted to share with everyone the experience that I had on the way to the party. The unexpected meeting that I am referring to in the title was not meeting so many new people at the restaurant.
I received a call from my co-worker, Alexis, who invited me to the celebration and told me that I need to be there no later than 7pm. Now, I have never taken a cab by myself due to the language barrier but there is a first time for everything right? She told me to send her a text when I was leaving my apartment and she would tell me what information to give "Timmy Taxi." So, I clean up, put on my red colors, and am ready to go. I get out of the building and start writing a text and not paying attention to what is in front of me. All of a sudden, in mid-text, I ran into an object that was quite bigger than me and also had a hair and skin texture that is different from that of a human. I look up, and I see an elephant looking right at me. I couldn't help but smile, and the Thai man stared at me with a look that basically said, "Hey.....stupid foreigner! How do you seriously not notice a GIANT elephant on the sidewalk?" After that, I bought the elephant some bananas and went on my way. Every time I think about it I cannot help but laugh out loud and think of my two best friends, Dylan and Furda, saying to me, "Is today your first day walkin' retard?"
Well, that is about it for now. I hope you enjoyed the story as much as I enjoyed writing it. I would love to write more, but I actually have to get to work and make final exams. Until next time, remember that spotting the elephant in the room is not always as easy as it seems.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
No need for coffee in the morning...
Hello to all once again. I hope that everyone enjoyed Inauguration Day and what I hope is a bright future. From what I have heard, the Inauguration Party was the biggest event since the Emancipation Proclimation:) Anyway, I was happy to hear the party was a hit because the next 4-8 years will be the EXACT OPPOSITE of that. However, now that I have commented on that, Go Obama!
In this post I want to share with all of you the joys of transportation. I feel that people in the U.S.A (as well as other countries) take for granted the enforcement of traffic laws. If this is not understood, let me explain. I wake up each morning at 6:30am and leave my building by 7:20am. I take the #113 bus to the front of the village where my school is located. When people get on and off the bus, it DOESN'T COME TO A COMPLETE STOP! Typically, at this time in the morning, there are never seats available and there are more people standing than sitting. The floors are made of wood that are tough to keep balance on when wearing shoes that could possibly be used for downhill skiing and all there is to hold on to is bars that are as thick as my thumb. This wonderful ride can be all yours for the price of about 10 baht (30 cents).
Once I get off at my stop, I get to take a motorcycle taxi from the front of the village to my school which is about 2-3 miles away. The driver wears a helmet, and the passenger (ME) does not get to wear one. There are quite a bit of traffic during this time because of school transportation, but these men drive like there is nobody else on the road. They dodge vehicles as if they are traffic cones and go over speed bumps as if they are driving MOTORCROSS in the Superdome! I am not quite sure about their lives at home, but a part of me feels as if they wake-up every morning and say, "I hate my job! I cannot stand my wife, and if today is the day it ends, I AM TAKING SOMEONE WITH ME!" They drive as if they have a complete disregard for life. This amazing ride can be all yours for the price of 17 baht (50 cents). The good news for me is that I get to do it all over again when school gets out. There were times I got nervous when Jom would be driving her motorbike, but in her defense, compared to these guys, she drives like she is in a parade.
Well, I believe that is all for now. I hope you enjoy visualizing me going to work every morning and also appreciate the enforcement of traffic laws back home. As you can hopefully understand, I don't need to spend any money on a cup of coffee in the morning:) Until next time, keep on rockin' in the free world!
In this post I want to share with all of you the joys of transportation. I feel that people in the U.S.A (as well as other countries) take for granted the enforcement of traffic laws. If this is not understood, let me explain. I wake up each morning at 6:30am and leave my building by 7:20am. I take the #113 bus to the front of the village where my school is located. When people get on and off the bus, it DOESN'T COME TO A COMPLETE STOP! Typically, at this time in the morning, there are never seats available and there are more people standing than sitting. The floors are made of wood that are tough to keep balance on when wearing shoes that could possibly be used for downhill skiing and all there is to hold on to is bars that are as thick as my thumb. This wonderful ride can be all yours for the price of about 10 baht (30 cents).
Once I get off at my stop, I get to take a motorcycle taxi from the front of the village to my school which is about 2-3 miles away. The driver wears a helmet, and the passenger (ME) does not get to wear one. There are quite a bit of traffic during this time because of school transportation, but these men drive like there is nobody else on the road. They dodge vehicles as if they are traffic cones and go over speed bumps as if they are driving MOTORCROSS in the Superdome! I am not quite sure about their lives at home, but a part of me feels as if they wake-up every morning and say, "I hate my job! I cannot stand my wife, and if today is the day it ends, I AM TAKING SOMEONE WITH ME!" They drive as if they have a complete disregard for life. This amazing ride can be all yours for the price of 17 baht (50 cents). The good news for me is that I get to do it all over again when school gets out. There were times I got nervous when Jom would be driving her motorbike, but in her defense, compared to these guys, she drives like she is in a parade.
Well, I believe that is all for now. I hope you enjoy visualizing me going to work every morning and also appreciate the enforcement of traffic laws back home. As you can hopefully understand, I don't need to spend any money on a cup of coffee in the morning:) Until next time, keep on rockin' in the free world!
Thursday, January 15, 2009
My First Week...
Hello hello again. Well, I have made it through my first week without any accidents (that sounds funny) even though there we times I thought there would be. In my first week, I taught a total of 11 classes and finally came to the realization that (as my friend Ms. Evers put it) this is teachers heaven. When talking to the other teachers in the English Program, they have all told me that they know I realize it is totally different from what I am used to, but I have to adapt and just enjoy your freedom. "What is the point of complaining when you get paid for teaching 2-3 classes a day? What is the point of complaining when you can leave whenever you are done and still write down that you clock out at 4:30pm? What is the point of complaining when you can slow your lessons down to 1/2 the speed they are done at in America?" Lars asked me (Lars is a social studies teacher from Denmark). I have never complained about the hours, just about the administration not giving me materials I needed to prepare myself (which I commented about in my last post). So, after he talked things over with me, as well as a few other teachers around my age I work with, I have came to the comclusion that this is the sweetest job in the world. I have a sweet schedule, and it gives me the opportunity to go and tutor for a minimum of B500/hour. Now, I can easily live on what I am making at the school, because I don't live really high off the hog. Do not get me wrong, I live well. However, the great thing about Thailand is that someone can live well withough spending much money. Transportation is cheap, GREAT (and healthy) food is cheap, a 2-hour bus trip to the beach at Pattaya is cheap...I think you are getting the picture. But, I am more than happy to teach kids (or adults for that matter) their ABC's 10-20 hours a week and double my income. Plus, it isn't difficult, it is just time. Can you say SAVINGS POTENTIAL?
Ok, I must apologize because I got a little off topic. Overall, the kids here are pretty good, except for M 2/1 class (9th grade). They are not very good at paying attention and they like to talk very much. THAT BOTHERS ME!! I got the pleasure of letting them know, in NO UNCERTAIN terms (as my father likes to say), that I really do not like my time being wasted. The good news is that in a class like this, there are always 2-3 "ring leaders". Luckily enough for me, when I was growing up, I was one of the ring leaders so I can pick them out faster than spotting a terd in a punch bowl:) These are the students who get to be the example. If their "calling" is to be the ring leader, then thier OTHER "calling' is getting to be my disciplinary example. What a lucky group of kids huh?:) With the teachers having Friday off, I only had them once during my first week so I don't have the pleasure of teaching them again until Wednesday. However, in their defense, there are students (in the USA) that I have had who are worse. The only thing that I would like to see more of is student-speaking confidence from all my classes as a whole. When I had them write, I must say I was impressed at how well they wrote (probably better than 50% of the students I had back home). The problem is getting them to speak up in class. The Thai culture is such a "shy" culture that they are afraid to use their voice. It is almost like pulling teeth trying to get a student to talk loud when I call one of them up to read. But, they better get used to it because that is how I operate. They are slowly getting better, but they just lack confidence in their speaking ability. I have told them I don't care if they mess up in pronunciation, or if I ask a question and they get it wrong, I just want them to sound confident when they are speaking.
I now want to focus on the school itself. The school consists of seven stories and almost 4,000 students. The school claims that you must score high on the entrance exam in order to be accepted to the school. However, corruption overcomes brain power. As a parent, your child will be accepted if you slip the principal B40,000 ($1,200) or so under the table. If you do not, it doesn't matter how well your child scores on the test. That money is above an beyond tuition fees. Everything is done here to look good on paper, even when it comes to teachers. Teachers are required to be at school between 7:45-8am...period. This is only because teachers need to sign in when we arrive. Take my friday schedule for example, I don't have a class until 12:40pm. But when I come and clock in at 8am, I can leave and go tutor and then come back (without the knowledge of the administration). Also, we teachers ALWAYS clock out at 4:30pm. Even if you leave at 3pm, you still clock out at 4:30. This was told to me by the head of the department. When I asked him why we did that, said it ws so if the principals check the logs, it appears as though we are here until that time. Again, it is fine as long as it looks good on paper. Now, I am not trying to run the school down. Overall, this is a very good school and actually one of the best Thai schools in the country, but the bottom line is M-O-N-E-Y it is quite interesting to learn about how things are really done here.
As far as the staff is concerned, they are wonderful. I came to work at Nawamin School at the right time. The school year for the students ends the last week in February and the staff has to come to school during the month of March, punch in (so it appears as though we are here) and then can leave. On Tuesday the EP staff had a New Year's party (yeah, I know it sounds wierd) at this really nice restaraunt/karoke bar and it was a lot of fun. We all got gifts for being part of the staff and got our picture taken with the principal. All the foreign teachers received towels ("I would like to thank the academy for this award...haha) and a yearly planner and the I have to say the meal was AWESOME! None of the Thai staff was brave enough to start doing karoke so we, the foreign staff, felt it was out duty to get the party going. The group consisted of Lars (from Denmark), Alexis (from Malaysia), Briggs (from the Phillipines), and me. We sang "I Will Survive" and got a score of 97%. We though that since we did so well we should form our own group and now call ourselves "The UN" (United Nations). After we did a few songs, more people started to go with it and it was a lot of fun. I don't remember the last time I laughed as hard as I did when I watched our EP principal (a 60 year-old Thai woman) sing "Country Road" by John Denver. That's right...Mr. Sunshine On My Dang Shoulders JOHN DENVER! Can you believe it...JOHN FRIGGIN' DENVER! Well, I think that story is a good way to end this post since I have written a book. Thanks for the continued comments I am enjoying them very much...even yours Harvey:). Ohh, one more thing, if you are following this blog, can you please do me a favor and ACTUALLY sign up to be a follower? It takes less than five minutes. Thanks, I appreciate it. Until next time, remember that John Denver isn't dead...he just went home:)
Ok, I must apologize because I got a little off topic. Overall, the kids here are pretty good, except for M 2/1 class (9th grade). They are not very good at paying attention and they like to talk very much. THAT BOTHERS ME!! I got the pleasure of letting them know, in NO UNCERTAIN terms (as my father likes to say), that I really do not like my time being wasted. The good news is that in a class like this, there are always 2-3 "ring leaders". Luckily enough for me, when I was growing up, I was one of the ring leaders so I can pick them out faster than spotting a terd in a punch bowl:) These are the students who get to be the example. If their "calling" is to be the ring leader, then thier OTHER "calling' is getting to be my disciplinary example. What a lucky group of kids huh?:) With the teachers having Friday off, I only had them once during my first week so I don't have the pleasure of teaching them again until Wednesday. However, in their defense, there are students (in the USA) that I have had who are worse. The only thing that I would like to see more of is student-speaking confidence from all my classes as a whole. When I had them write, I must say I was impressed at how well they wrote (probably better than 50% of the students I had back home). The problem is getting them to speak up in class. The Thai culture is such a "shy" culture that they are afraid to use their voice. It is almost like pulling teeth trying to get a student to talk loud when I call one of them up to read. But, they better get used to it because that is how I operate. They are slowly getting better, but they just lack confidence in their speaking ability. I have told them I don't care if they mess up in pronunciation, or if I ask a question and they get it wrong, I just want them to sound confident when they are speaking.
I now want to focus on the school itself. The school consists of seven stories and almost 4,000 students. The school claims that you must score high on the entrance exam in order to be accepted to the school. However, corruption overcomes brain power. As a parent, your child will be accepted if you slip the principal B40,000 ($1,200) or so under the table. If you do not, it doesn't matter how well your child scores on the test. That money is above an beyond tuition fees. Everything is done here to look good on paper, even when it comes to teachers. Teachers are required to be at school between 7:45-8am...period. This is only because teachers need to sign in when we arrive. Take my friday schedule for example, I don't have a class until 12:40pm. But when I come and clock in at 8am, I can leave and go tutor and then come back (without the knowledge of the administration). Also, we teachers ALWAYS clock out at 4:30pm. Even if you leave at 3pm, you still clock out at 4:30. This was told to me by the head of the department. When I asked him why we did that, said it ws so if the principals check the logs, it appears as though we are here until that time. Again, it is fine as long as it looks good on paper. Now, I am not trying to run the school down. Overall, this is a very good school and actually one of the best Thai schools in the country, but the bottom line is M-O-N-E-Y it is quite interesting to learn about how things are really done here.
As far as the staff is concerned, they are wonderful. I came to work at Nawamin School at the right time. The school year for the students ends the last week in February and the staff has to come to school during the month of March, punch in (so it appears as though we are here) and then can leave. On Tuesday the EP staff had a New Year's party (yeah, I know it sounds wierd) at this really nice restaraunt/karoke bar and it was a lot of fun. We all got gifts for being part of the staff and got our picture taken with the principal. All the foreign teachers received towels ("I would like to thank the academy for this award...haha) and a yearly planner and the I have to say the meal was AWESOME! None of the Thai staff was brave enough to start doing karoke so we, the foreign staff, felt it was out duty to get the party going. The group consisted of Lars (from Denmark), Alexis (from Malaysia), Briggs (from the Phillipines), and me. We sang "I Will Survive" and got a score of 97%. We though that since we did so well we should form our own group and now call ourselves "The UN" (United Nations). After we did a few songs, more people started to go with it and it was a lot of fun. I don't remember the last time I laughed as hard as I did when I watched our EP principal (a 60 year-old Thai woman) sing "Country Road" by John Denver. That's right...Mr. Sunshine On My Dang Shoulders JOHN DENVER! Can you believe it...JOHN FRIGGIN' DENVER! Well, I think that story is a good way to end this post since I have written a book. Thanks for the continued comments I am enjoying them very much...even yours Harvey:). Ohh, one more thing, if you are following this blog, can you please do me a favor and ACTUALLY sign up to be a follower? It takes less than five minutes. Thanks, I appreciate it. Until next time, remember that John Denver isn't dead...he just went home:)
Monday, January 12, 2009
My Job...
Hello to everyone once again. I am sad to report that my vacation is officially over and I now begin the experience of my first ever teaching job (in which I actually receive a paycheck that is), let alone a teaching job in another country. I am teaching at a school called Nawamin School. The full name is actually much longer, but if I cannot pronounce it, I am not going to type. I started on Monday and had to be in by no later than 7:45am (I arrived at 7:44 - holla atchaya boy!!) and have to stay until 3:30 pm. When I was told about the contract hours I assumed that I would have a schedule like I would if I were teaching in an International school or a school back in the good ol' U.S. of A. There are eight periods of 50 minutes and I would teach five or six periods a day and have two or three prep periods. Well, I was totally mistaken because I have the EXACT OPPOSITE of that! Yesterday and today, for example, I taught two English classes and have the rest of the day to "prepare". I called to my Thai friend Till after my first day was over and told him that I got really bored because I only had two classes. "Jon-a-tin," he said, "this is the way it is in Thailand, you don't teach many crass (class)." I was eating with some of he EP (English Proficiency) staff and one of the teachers is from Denmark and has been teaching social studies for over a year. He told me that at this job you will see that you have a lot of freedom to do other things. "They tell you that you need to stay until 3:30, but this is a seven-story school with almost 4,000 students. There are offices very close to the school that are always looking for tutors. Visit these places after school, tell them your schedule, and when you have a block of periods when you don't teach, go tutor, make some money and come back before your next class starts. Nobody will even know that you are gone." After hearing this, I started to wonder why I got so nervous on my first day.
Now let me talk more about the school. Here there are no breaks between classes. The first class starts at 8:30 and goes until 9:20. The second class starts at 9:20 and goes until 10:10...etc. Teachers do not take role. There is no set curriculum, so every teacher pretty much flies by the seat of their pants. Students are required to be at school by 7:45 for the morning flag ceramony followed by a 20 minute prayer session. It is cool to see a multitude of 4,000 students all at once. I am not taking any religious affiliation in this regaurd, but I am talking about the physical sight of it. Simply amazing. EVERY MORNING. FIVE DAYS A WEEK.
On my first day of teaching, as stated earlier, I was very nervous. I have wanted to do this for so long and the day is FINALLY here! I was at school on time, I looked sharp, and I was ready to teach. Oh wait...I don't have a single text book, or a schedule, or where the students left off in the text book. Excited nervousness soon turned to feelings of, "I am here to teach, but what do you expect me to teach them when I have been given nothing?!" I wanted to pull my hair out. If anyone knows me, and I mean ACTUALLY knows me, they will tell you that I am basically a fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants type of guy...EXCEPT when it comes to teaching students. When it comes to education, you MUST have a plan and for me, that means very detailed and drawn out (Thanks Dad:)) or your students will sense weakness and walk all over you (it is as if they are trained by Jedi to sense teacher weakness...Mr. Shaw, I am sure, knows what I mean by this). How am I supposed to have a plan when I have been given nothing?
About 10 minutes before my first class, I was given textbooks for my 7-12th graders and made it through my first day. I am happy that I was given the gift of a powerful voice because that is what I needed to control my students on this day. Overall, kids are kids. They are good kids if you smile at them and let them know you are a human just like them. Anyway, that is all for now. I will write again later what I did on my first day...I think I will have some time:) Until next time, always stay classy!
Now let me talk more about the school. Here there are no breaks between classes. The first class starts at 8:30 and goes until 9:20. The second class starts at 9:20 and goes until 10:10...etc. Teachers do not take role. There is no set curriculum, so every teacher pretty much flies by the seat of their pants. Students are required to be at school by 7:45 for the morning flag ceramony followed by a 20 minute prayer session. It is cool to see a multitude of 4,000 students all at once. I am not taking any religious affiliation in this regaurd, but I am talking about the physical sight of it. Simply amazing. EVERY MORNING. FIVE DAYS A WEEK.
On my first day of teaching, as stated earlier, I was very nervous. I have wanted to do this for so long and the day is FINALLY here! I was at school on time, I looked sharp, and I was ready to teach. Oh wait...I don't have a single text book, or a schedule, or where the students left off in the text book. Excited nervousness soon turned to feelings of, "I am here to teach, but what do you expect me to teach them when I have been given nothing?!" I wanted to pull my hair out. If anyone knows me, and I mean ACTUALLY knows me, they will tell you that I am basically a fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants type of guy...EXCEPT when it comes to teaching students. When it comes to education, you MUST have a plan and for me, that means very detailed and drawn out (Thanks Dad:)) or your students will sense weakness and walk all over you (it is as if they are trained by Jedi to sense teacher weakness...Mr. Shaw, I am sure, knows what I mean by this). How am I supposed to have a plan when I have been given nothing?
About 10 minutes before my first class, I was given textbooks for my 7-12th graders and made it through my first day. I am happy that I was given the gift of a powerful voice because that is what I needed to control my students on this day. Overall, kids are kids. They are good kids if you smile at them and let them know you are a human just like them. Anyway, that is all for now. I will write again later what I did on my first day...I think I will have some time:) Until next time, always stay classy!
Friday, January 9, 2009
Chiang Mai
Sawadee Kah everyone (that means hello in Thai). I hope since my last post everyone is doing well. I recently spent six days in Chiang Mai (very northern part of the country) and had an absolute blast, minus the arguments I had with Jonny Walker and Diablo Tequila. I figured out why they named it "Diablo" because until the next day it gives you a devil of a good time. Anyway, Chiang Mai is almost the complete opposite of Bangkok. I have been there before, but didn't really try and look for similarities and differences until my recent trip. It is a city of about 150,00 but the Chiang Mai Province is about 1,000,000. It is the second largest city in the country and a large tourist attraction to "farangs" (westerners) who want to get away from the hustle and bustle of Bangkok city. However, there is still plenty to do, the nightlife is amazing, and it is quite a bit cheaper than Bangkok. Chiang Mai is a place where I could see myself living no matter what age. The schools are very good, the people are friendly, there isn't that much humidity, and the ladies are nice to look at as well. I mean, smart, very smart individuals who have amazing minds:) I think I almost got myself into trouble there. Chiang Mai is a city that I would recommend any farang to visit because it is a place that someone can really live like a commoner. I really get annoyed when people tell me they went to Thailand and stay in the "Enormo Hotel" or whatever it is called. If you are going to come to visit here, you cannot say that you experience anything when you eat Western food and stay in places that cost more than $100 a night. I am sorry, I just had to quickly get that out of my system.
One of the days here Jom and I went to the lake and it was beautiful. With mountains all around, the weather perfect, and learning how to drive a scooter (I know you might think it is lame, but I get nervous riding a bicycle so this was a big step for me), I couldn't have asked for a better day. When we sat down to eat, Jom ordered something in Thai and then told the waiter what I wanted. Soon after the man brough this sugar bowl with a top on it and some spicy sauce for dipping. I had no idea what it was and when I opened it, about four "things" started to jump and I almost felt like I had dropped a load in my pants. I have never seen two Thai people laugh so hard in their lives. It turns out that she ordered live shrimp which most Thai people like to eat and then asked if I wanted to try one. The last time I remember being that freaked out over a creature was when I was three and my uncles tossed a dead bird at me and I actually DID drop one in my shorts. I think it is easy to see that I didn't try the live shrimp and still shake my head in amazement watching her enjoy them.
Well, that is my latest good story and I hope you enjoy reading it. I will be writing again in the next couple of days and telling about my new job. Until next time, beware of sugar bowls!
One of the days here Jom and I went to the lake and it was beautiful. With mountains all around, the weather perfect, and learning how to drive a scooter (I know you might think it is lame, but I get nervous riding a bicycle so this was a big step for me), I couldn't have asked for a better day. When we sat down to eat, Jom ordered something in Thai and then told the waiter what I wanted. Soon after the man brough this sugar bowl with a top on it and some spicy sauce for dipping. I had no idea what it was and when I opened it, about four "things" started to jump and I almost felt like I had dropped a load in my pants. I have never seen two Thai people laugh so hard in their lives. It turns out that she ordered live shrimp which most Thai people like to eat and then asked if I wanted to try one. The last time I remember being that freaked out over a creature was when I was three and my uncles tossed a dead bird at me and I actually DID drop one in my shorts. I think it is easy to see that I didn't try the live shrimp and still shake my head in amazement watching her enjoy them.
Well, that is my latest good story and I hope you enjoy reading it. I will be writing again in the next couple of days and telling about my new job. Until next time, beware of sugar bowls!
Saturday, January 3, 2009
What a start to 2009...
Hello all. Happy New Year to everyone. I hope everyone enjoyed the celebration, because I know that I did. It is strange that I got to see 2009 before everyone else back home. On New Year's eve, Till threw a party on top of the roof of his apartment building which is a sweet setup. I can say that I now have a total hatred for scotch, but a great time was had by all. There ended up being about 20 of us on the roof, and thank GOD I met with some other teachers that live in the building. Two were from the U.S., one from Canada, and two were from the UK. It was nice to be able to talk with people in my own language because at times I don't think the Thai people understand that I don't READ, WRITE, or SPEAK THAI! They will rattle off something in Thai and then look at me with this "you know what I am saying" look and all I can do is laugh. Anyway, it is quite the learning experience and I am enjoying every minute of it.
After the countdown we watched some fireworks and it is funny to see how crazy Thai people get when they see fireworks. Then a couple of the other teachers and I went to this club called "Barbie" and watched this band play songs that we cannot understand and finally made it home at about 4am. While at the club, I was using the bathroom and right before I started to pee these two gentlemen started giving me and my friend massages while we are trying to pee. I could only laugh because I have never felt more uncomfortable than I did being massaged by a complete strange while "rope-in-hand." Then while washing my hands I got my back and my neck cracked and figured that for the entertainment it was worth giving the two men 20 baht (about 60 cents) and they then bowed as if I had given them the gift of life.
On the 2nd of January I flew to Chiang Mai to visit a friend until the 8th and we are having a great time. However, she picked me and my giant suitcase up from the airport on her scooter and basic physics told me that there is no way this is going to work. However, we pulled it off, and although we make it safe and sound to any destination that we travel, I am always a little worried because she drives like a bat out of Hades. On my first ight here we met up with some of her friends and they said they would talk to some people they know that hire teachers if I was ever interested in teaching in Chiang Mai. I am so thankful for the connections I have made in my short time here. One of them is actually from France so I really had to change my opinion about them (at least this one) overall (I kinda always though of them to be a*******). Although the time has been fun, Jom is another one that thinks I have the ability to read and speak Thai as she told me to go to the Internet cafe as she continued to get ready. Let me just say that I ended up walking around for about 45 minutes before I got a call from here wondering how I was able to get lost. I have no idea. Again, maybe it is because I do not READ, WRITE, or SPEAK Thai:) Anwyay, I thought you would like these stories even though I have written a lot. I continue to have a lot of fun and am enjoying the experience. However, at all the clubs I have been taken to, if I have to hear about apple bottom jeans, boots with the fur, baggy sweat pants, reeboks with straps and some "dude" named Flo Rida givin' a big bootie a smack, I am just gonna snap! Hahaha, but seriously. Well, that is about it. I appreciate all of the comments from people. I am really enjoying this blog so far so please keep it up. Until next time, keep livin' the dream.
After the countdown we watched some fireworks and it is funny to see how crazy Thai people get when they see fireworks. Then a couple of the other teachers and I went to this club called "Barbie" and watched this band play songs that we cannot understand and finally made it home at about 4am. While at the club, I was using the bathroom and right before I started to pee these two gentlemen started giving me and my friend massages while we are trying to pee. I could only laugh because I have never felt more uncomfortable than I did being massaged by a complete strange while "rope-in-hand." Then while washing my hands I got my back and my neck cracked and figured that for the entertainment it was worth giving the two men 20 baht (about 60 cents) and they then bowed as if I had given them the gift of life.
On the 2nd of January I flew to Chiang Mai to visit a friend until the 8th and we are having a great time. However, she picked me and my giant suitcase up from the airport on her scooter and basic physics told me that there is no way this is going to work. However, we pulled it off, and although we make it safe and sound to any destination that we travel, I am always a little worried because she drives like a bat out of Hades. On my first ight here we met up with some of her friends and they said they would talk to some people they know that hire teachers if I was ever interested in teaching in Chiang Mai. I am so thankful for the connections I have made in my short time here. One of them is actually from France so I really had to change my opinion about them (at least this one) overall (I kinda always though of them to be a*******). Although the time has been fun, Jom is another one that thinks I have the ability to read and speak Thai as she told me to go to the Internet cafe as she continued to get ready. Let me just say that I ended up walking around for about 45 minutes before I got a call from here wondering how I was able to get lost. I have no idea. Again, maybe it is because I do not READ, WRITE, or SPEAK Thai:) Anwyay, I thought you would like these stories even though I have written a lot. I continue to have a lot of fun and am enjoying the experience. However, at all the clubs I have been taken to, if I have to hear about apple bottom jeans, boots with the fur, baggy sweat pants, reeboks with straps and some "dude" named Flo Rida givin' a big bootie a smack, I am just gonna snap! Hahaha, but seriously. Well, that is about it. I appreciate all of the comments from people. I am really enjoying this blog so far so please keep it up. Until next time, keep livin' the dream.
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