Good day to all of the my faithful readers. I must say that I am happy to hear (for the sake of all of you) that it is starting to get a little warmer back home. It is no fun having to try and survive 5-6 months of weather that isn't fit for man nor beast.
I am happy to report that I finally signed my new contract for August. My report date for school is July 29th and for the next two years it is nice to have a sense of job security. Although fourth grade will be a challenge, I am looking at it as an exciting challenge that will make me a better educator. I realize many of you are asking yourself the question, "How can you get any better?" Don't worry, I constantly ask myself the same question. Believe it or not, even I can make improvements (I hope everyone is reading this as sarcasm, not arrogance, unless your name rhymes with Matt Harvey).
During the second half of the month of April, my uncle Gary came for one of his visits to this wonderful country. For his birthday we spent three days in Koh Chang and it was a lot of fun. On Satruday we were able to take a boat cruise for an entire day and visit some of the neighboring islands. There were quite a few people on this boat so it made for good people-watching as well. On this boat trip we were graced by the presents of four gentlemen from Italy. Two of the men were ok, but the other two were quite rude to the staff and also very loud. One of the men, I would say, was about 55 and felt that everyone would enjoy seeing him in a speedo. Just to help you paint a mental picture, this man was wearing a WHITE speedo. After observing this man for a short period of time, Gary and I came to the conclusion that he needs to re-think his choice of color when it comes to speedos. There was a top deck to the boat that made for a really great view so we had to go up and take a look. After we had gotten down, "Speedo Sam" decides that it is time for him to head back down as well. As he is coming down the latter, Gary and I noticed that there is a slight color variation in a certain area of his speedo. Remember watching Sesame Street and they played the game, Which of These Is Not Like the Other? Well, the part of the speedo that was not like the other happened to be the brown streak that went straight down the crack of his ass...no kidding...cannot make this up. At first we gave him the benefit of the doubt, thinking that once he gets in the water the "dirt" would wash away. However, this was not the case. I can laugh about it now, but for a good hour I was simply appaled.
The second man we were "lucky" enough to have on board was one of the most disgusting men I have ever seen personally. He boarded the boat with no shirt and had the biggest man-boobs I have ever seen. When we were served the buffet-style lunch, he easilly heaped enough food on his plate that could have ended hunger in Ethiopia for at least a period of 36-48 hours. He then proped the plate on his stomach and started inhailing his meal and breathing like he had just ran a marathon. After the meal was over, trays of pineapple and watermelon were brought out for us to enjoy. This man single handedly ate AT LEAST five boats of pineapple by himself. Then, when one of the staff members was taking away the empty boats, "Little Italy" thought that he was taking away full boats of pineapple. "Meestaa....MEESTAA (Mr. Mr.)! I WILL HAAAVE DAT!" he said to the staff member, in a tone as if someone had taken away his right to a fair trial by jury. Once the nice Thai man was able to explain to him that he was taking away the empty ones and replacing them, John Gatti calmed down a bit.
Once we got off the boat, we had to take a truck-taxi back to our resort. Who do you think we had to share the ride back with? You have three guesses and the first two don't count! For the entire trip back this fat man was talking extremely loud in Italian. Well, Gary and I decided to do our own translation from Italian to English:) So after a few whispers and laughs, the Italian man said something that sounded like "I LIKE POTATO AND TOMATO (tomaato)!" I was happy that shortly after that the four gentlemen got off the taxi because I think they started to figure out they were being mocked.
Well, that is all for now. I have sixth graders that are eagerly awaiting to do Ancient Roman Gladiator simulations. The ASB Gladiator champion receives ice cream courtesy of Mr. Jon, so the competition is fierce!! Until next time, if you ever consider buying a white speedo with the added butt-crack racing stripe......ummmm.....DON'T!
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Monday, April 13, 2009
Why can't we all just get along?
What's up everybody? I hope everyone is doing well. Things have gotten a little interesting to say the least here in Bangkok. I am not sure if everyone has seen anything on the news about what is going on over here, but there is a slight bit of political turmoil.
Starting Monday the 13th thru the 15th, Songkran is celebrated throughout the contry of Thailand. The Songkran Festival, known as the Festival of Water, is the Thai New Year. During these three days, people pretty much drench everyone with water and then throw white powder on them (there MIGHT be a little beverage consumption involved...just a hunch). I have already been doused a couple times and I will say that it is fun to throw buckets of water onto complete strangers. However, I think one guy that I soaked got a little angry because when I threw water on him he was using his cell phone...oops :)
However, during this year's festival, instead of celebration, we have turmoil. This political situation has been getting worse and worse since about 2005/2006. When the Bangkok airport closed in December, it was the yellow protesters who caused the closing. Now with this protest, it is the red protesters retaliating. School was actually closed on Friday because 20,000 taxi drivers refused to work. There was an Asean Summit meeting in Pattaya scheduled for Monday but had to be cancelled and the leaders of the other countries could only leave via helicopter from the roof. On Friday, I decided to go downtown to run some errands. When I got to Sukumvit Road I saw a group of red protesters in the middle of the street listening to this guy who must have been one of the protest leaders. Some of the people who were listening were sitting on an oil tanker that they overtook and have threatened to blow up. Others were sitting on the tops of busses they took over to use as barricades.
Anyway, I just thought I would give you a taste of what life is like in my neck of the woods. So, to my friends back home, please don't complain about your government too much. I don't remember anyone dying on the 4th of July due to political problems since 1776, just before the George Washington Administration (I am a history teacher, I find these references funny ok!).
I realize that I did not give much detail about what is ACTUALLY going on because I am positing a link below that can explain in much better than I can. Well that is all for now. With all this going on, I think I will head out and go to the beach for a couple days :) Life is tough, right? Hahaha. Until next time, in Thailand we don't have snow days, we have political turmoil days :)
http://www.economist.com/world/asia/displaystory.cfm?story_id=13478816
Starting Monday the 13th thru the 15th, Songkran is celebrated throughout the contry of Thailand. The Songkran Festival, known as the Festival of Water, is the Thai New Year. During these three days, people pretty much drench everyone with water and then throw white powder on them (there MIGHT be a little beverage consumption involved...just a hunch). I have already been doused a couple times and I will say that it is fun to throw buckets of water onto complete strangers. However, I think one guy that I soaked got a little angry because when I threw water on him he was using his cell phone...oops :)
However, during this year's festival, instead of celebration, we have turmoil. This political situation has been getting worse and worse since about 2005/2006. When the Bangkok airport closed in December, it was the yellow protesters who caused the closing. Now with this protest, it is the red protesters retaliating. School was actually closed on Friday because 20,000 taxi drivers refused to work. There was an Asean Summit meeting in Pattaya scheduled for Monday but had to be cancelled and the leaders of the other countries could only leave via helicopter from the roof. On Friday, I decided to go downtown to run some errands. When I got to Sukumvit Road I saw a group of red protesters in the middle of the street listening to this guy who must have been one of the protest leaders. Some of the people who were listening were sitting on an oil tanker that they overtook and have threatened to blow up. Others were sitting on the tops of busses they took over to use as barricades.
Anyway, I just thought I would give you a taste of what life is like in my neck of the woods. So, to my friends back home, please don't complain about your government too much. I don't remember anyone dying on the 4th of July due to political problems since 1776, just before the George Washington Administration (I am a history teacher, I find these references funny ok!).
I realize that I did not give much detail about what is ACTUALLY going on because I am positing a link below that can explain in much better than I can. Well that is all for now. With all this going on, I think I will head out and go to the beach for a couple days :) Life is tough, right? Hahaha. Until next time, in Thailand we don't have snow days, we have political turmoil days :)
http://www.economist.com/world/asia/displaystory.cfm?story_id=13478816
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Not exactly the way I planned it...
Hey everybody. I promised myself that I wouldn't take so long between posts this time, so here I am. I was going to wait until my contract is actually signed, but I feel secure enough with my position next year that I will just spit it out. However, instead of just telling the news, I am going to tell the story.
As I told everyone in a previous post, I am working at the American School of Bangkok teaching 6th, 7th, 8th, and two sections of high school social studies. I cannot say enough how much I love every aspect of my job. When I interviewed for this position I was told that if I do well I would be offered a new two-year contract starting in August 2009. Well, since I have been here I have worked my ass off in efforts to be hired on for next year. I have gotten involved, developed a good relationship with the staff as students and done everything I possible could to get that two-year contract. I got this job thanks to someone being bi-polar. The teacher before me was bi-polar and the doctor he was seeing here in Bangkok came up with the BRILLIANT idea he shout be "slowly" taken off his meds. Well, this man eventually had an episode that caused him to leave his apartment otally naked, go to the 7/11, but a Coke and throw 300 baht at the cashier. He was eventually arrested and put into a mental hospital and the school needed to find a quick replacement. I would never wish this mental condition on anybody, but a part of me wants to send a basket of treats to his doctor as a "thank you." However, self-control has gotten the best of me:)
Anyway, about 6 weeks went by and nobody had said anything about whether or not I was going to be hired for next year. I was getting a little nervous when finally the principal came and told me we need to talk. "Jonathan you are doing a great job and are a good teacher, but I wish I had met you before I went to the recruitement fairs." As soon as she said that, I knew the bomb was about to drop. My heart just sank because I knew what was about to be said next. "Unfortunately, I was recruiting when this whole situation happened with the gentleman you replaced. I didn't know what to do, so I paniced and hired someone before I was told that the school had hired a really good replacement. I would love to keep you in the position you are in, but I cannot call up the person I hired and tell him the contract he signed isn't on the table anymore." I told her I understood and I would be interested in teaching anything they needed to be able to stay on board. "If the person you hired for next hear has any questions," I said, "feel free to give him my information and I will be as much of a help as I can." She then gave me a pat on the shoulder and told me she appreciated me and my attitude. Even though it would have done much more harm in the long run for me than good, everyone has been in the situation where they just want to start to cuss. I WAS IN THAT SITUATION. I felt like I was lied to at my interview, I felt like I had been strung along for the last 6 weeks, and felt like I was taken advantage. However, I immediately remembered some words of wisdom that have been given to me over the years; everything happens for a reason. Attitude is everything, so choose a good one. Do not let your heart be troubled.
After telling myself these three things, I felt better an just thought, "If I am supposed to be here, I will be here. If not, it is nice to know I can get another job tomorrow." I kept telling myself that for about the next week until the principal told me she wanted to speak with me again.
"Jonathan," she said, "I have some good news and I have some bad news. I have been trying to figure out a way to keep you here, but I just simply can't, bottom line. I really appreciate your attitude in the last week because I know you want to stay here, have worked very hard to stay here, and the news I gave you last week I am sure was not easy to take. The good news is there is a 4th grade position open on the downtown campus. You would still need to interview for the position, but at least you would have an opportunity to stay. We realize you are not qualified to teach elementary, but when it comes to good teaching qualifications don't mean jack. You either got it, or you don't. Are you interested?" I tried to be funny in my response by saying, "Does a one-legged duck swim in circles?" She didn't get it and I felt like an idiot, but I told her I am very interested.
The only problem with the interview was that it was the next day. I could help but make myself nervous because I was going to sit in an interview room with a locked door, with three people (the principal who is very good, his wife who has taught 4th grade for about 20 years, and Jen, who teaches 1st grade, but has a stare that rivals that of my mother when she is not a happy camper). I kept asking God for favor because it was all I could think to do. Now, I don't get intimidated by situations much, but in this case, I have no problem saying, I WAS FRIGGIN' INTIMIDATED. I was being throw questions left and right about elementary principles that I have never learned. Thank God for Damon again who educated me with some basics so I knew a little bit of what they were asking. It was the toughest interview I have ever had. The entire interview only took about 30 minutes but I felt like it was three hours. It also didn't help that Martin, the counselor at the downtown campus whom I play basketball with gave me a big confidence booster right before I went in (I hope you are picking up my sarcasm at this point). "Jon, what are you doing here?" he said. "I am actually interviewing for the 4th grade job, so we will see how that goes," I replied. "You are 7-12 certified right?" he asked me. "Yes, and I have never taught 4th before so I am quite nervous for this." I shyly told him. "Hahaha, wow! You aren't qualified to teach the grade AND you have no experience. AND you have huge shoes to fill Good luck man!" he stated with a grin, and a slight roll of the eyes. When I saw him roll his eyes, I heard my father's voice whisper in my ear, "Tell him that if he rolls his eyes again you are going to knock him into next week!" I remember hearing that from my dad ONE time, and believe me when I say I never rolled my eyes again:) So, all in all, Martin's little comments didn't help in the matter. I always make sure to tell him thank you when we see each other.
After the interview was over, I walked out and told myself that I couldn't have done any better. If someone else gets the job I will not blame myself because I just got beat out for the job. I was told that I would find out the next day what their decision was. Well, at about 3pm the next day I got a call from Mr. Simon the principal. He told me that they saw a couple of concern areas in my interview and explained what they were. I told him I understood that I am not educated enough in these areas. "However," he stated, "we feel that this can be solved by doing some research and homework, observing classes, and spending some time with it before August. Also, even though we are have some concerns, we feel you have a great attitude, and my wife really liked how eager you were even though we knew you were shitting your pants. Good teachers are good teachers no matter what level. With this being said, we would like to offer you the job." I think you can figure out by now that I have taken the job. With the job, I get to be on the new salary scale and am signed on for two years. So, we will see how 4th grade treats me.
Well, that is all I have for you this time. Songkran is next week so I am sure I will have some funny stories of being doused with water and then convered in white powerder for three days. It will be pretty fun, and I am looking forward to it. Until next time, attitude is everything so choose a good one (right Gary?!)!
As I told everyone in a previous post, I am working at the American School of Bangkok teaching 6th, 7th, 8th, and two sections of high school social studies. I cannot say enough how much I love every aspect of my job. When I interviewed for this position I was told that if I do well I would be offered a new two-year contract starting in August 2009. Well, since I have been here I have worked my ass off in efforts to be hired on for next year. I have gotten involved, developed a good relationship with the staff as students and done everything I possible could to get that two-year contract. I got this job thanks to someone being bi-polar. The teacher before me was bi-polar and the doctor he was seeing here in Bangkok came up with the BRILLIANT idea he shout be "slowly" taken off his meds. Well, this man eventually had an episode that caused him to leave his apartment otally naked, go to the 7/11, but a Coke and throw 300 baht at the cashier. He was eventually arrested and put into a mental hospital and the school needed to find a quick replacement. I would never wish this mental condition on anybody, but a part of me wants to send a basket of treats to his doctor as a "thank you." However, self-control has gotten the best of me:)
Anyway, about 6 weeks went by and nobody had said anything about whether or not I was going to be hired for next year. I was getting a little nervous when finally the principal came and told me we need to talk. "Jonathan you are doing a great job and are a good teacher, but I wish I had met you before I went to the recruitement fairs." As soon as she said that, I knew the bomb was about to drop. My heart just sank because I knew what was about to be said next. "Unfortunately, I was recruiting when this whole situation happened with the gentleman you replaced. I didn't know what to do, so I paniced and hired someone before I was told that the school had hired a really good replacement. I would love to keep you in the position you are in, but I cannot call up the person I hired and tell him the contract he signed isn't on the table anymore." I told her I understood and I would be interested in teaching anything they needed to be able to stay on board. "If the person you hired for next hear has any questions," I said, "feel free to give him my information and I will be as much of a help as I can." She then gave me a pat on the shoulder and told me she appreciated me and my attitude. Even though it would have done much more harm in the long run for me than good, everyone has been in the situation where they just want to start to cuss. I WAS IN THAT SITUATION. I felt like I was lied to at my interview, I felt like I had been strung along for the last 6 weeks, and felt like I was taken advantage. However, I immediately remembered some words of wisdom that have been given to me over the years; everything happens for a reason. Attitude is everything, so choose a good one. Do not let your heart be troubled.
After telling myself these three things, I felt better an just thought, "If I am supposed to be here, I will be here. If not, it is nice to know I can get another job tomorrow." I kept telling myself that for about the next week until the principal told me she wanted to speak with me again.
"Jonathan," she said, "I have some good news and I have some bad news. I have been trying to figure out a way to keep you here, but I just simply can't, bottom line. I really appreciate your attitude in the last week because I know you want to stay here, have worked very hard to stay here, and the news I gave you last week I am sure was not easy to take. The good news is there is a 4th grade position open on the downtown campus. You would still need to interview for the position, but at least you would have an opportunity to stay. We realize you are not qualified to teach elementary, but when it comes to good teaching qualifications don't mean jack. You either got it, or you don't. Are you interested?" I tried to be funny in my response by saying, "Does a one-legged duck swim in circles?" She didn't get it and I felt like an idiot, but I told her I am very interested.
The only problem with the interview was that it was the next day. I could help but make myself nervous because I was going to sit in an interview room with a locked door, with three people (the principal who is very good, his wife who has taught 4th grade for about 20 years, and Jen, who teaches 1st grade, but has a stare that rivals that of my mother when she is not a happy camper). I kept asking God for favor because it was all I could think to do. Now, I don't get intimidated by situations much, but in this case, I have no problem saying, I WAS FRIGGIN' INTIMIDATED. I was being throw questions left and right about elementary principles that I have never learned. Thank God for Damon again who educated me with some basics so I knew a little bit of what they were asking. It was the toughest interview I have ever had. The entire interview only took about 30 minutes but I felt like it was three hours. It also didn't help that Martin, the counselor at the downtown campus whom I play basketball with gave me a big confidence booster right before I went in (I hope you are picking up my sarcasm at this point). "Jon, what are you doing here?" he said. "I am actually interviewing for the 4th grade job, so we will see how that goes," I replied. "You are 7-12 certified right?" he asked me. "Yes, and I have never taught 4th before so I am quite nervous for this." I shyly told him. "Hahaha, wow! You aren't qualified to teach the grade AND you have no experience. AND you have huge shoes to fill Good luck man!" he stated with a grin, and a slight roll of the eyes. When I saw him roll his eyes, I heard my father's voice whisper in my ear, "Tell him that if he rolls his eyes again you are going to knock him into next week!" I remember hearing that from my dad ONE time, and believe me when I say I never rolled my eyes again:) So, all in all, Martin's little comments didn't help in the matter. I always make sure to tell him thank you when we see each other.
After the interview was over, I walked out and told myself that I couldn't have done any better. If someone else gets the job I will not blame myself because I just got beat out for the job. I was told that I would find out the next day what their decision was. Well, at about 3pm the next day I got a call from Mr. Simon the principal. He told me that they saw a couple of concern areas in my interview and explained what they were. I told him I understood that I am not educated enough in these areas. "However," he stated, "we feel that this can be solved by doing some research and homework, observing classes, and spending some time with it before August. Also, even though we are have some concerns, we feel you have a great attitude, and my wife really liked how eager you were even though we knew you were shitting your pants. Good teachers are good teachers no matter what level. With this being said, we would like to offer you the job." I think you can figure out by now that I have taken the job. With the job, I get to be on the new salary scale and am signed on for two years. So, we will see how 4th grade treats me.
Well, that is all I have for you this time. Songkran is next week so I am sure I will have some funny stories of being doused with water and then convered in white powerder for three days. It will be pretty fun, and I am looking forward to it. Until next time, attitude is everything so choose a good one (right Gary?!)!
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