Thaiworld
First day of school today. I taught the word "favorite" by comparing football teams (Manchester United vs Chelsea). I don't watch football, I don't follow it period. But for some reason the Thais LOVE English football teams, and so I think I got it through to them. I might try and teach them how to play baseball, and make them diehard Red Sox fans. We'll see.
I'm teaching Mattayom 1, which is the equivalent of 7th grade, and they've grown up with English being taught to them constantly, but I got so many blank stares today that I had to backtrack a lot and start with basics ("MY NAME IS A-MY. WHAT IS YOUR NAME?" etc), and of course there's no air conditioning and I have to wear button downs, so by the time I'm done, even my sweat is sweating. Teaching is hard. But the kids are so cute.
So Thailand is hot. And Bangkok is pretty much a warzone. I didn't see any action when I was there, because the dissident general was shot the day I went to Kanchanaburi province, and when I came back to BKK I was only there for about five hours before I had to catch a bus to Chiang Rai. I think I'm more likely to experience spillovers from unrest in Burma than I am from anything in Bangkok now, since Burma is 30 miles north, and Bangkok is about 600 south.
Whew. And it's the hottest summer that a lot of people can remember...joy. Not that it really matters to me. 95 and muggy is the same thing as 106 and muggy--fucking hot. I'm getting really good at walking on the side of the street with the most shade.
My neighbors have five cows, a dog that hates me, numerous chickens, and two roosters. Cute. But the roosters decided to make their rooster noises at 2am this morning, and it was constant until six. I wanted to deep fry them so badly...
Other than that, things are good. Still don't have internet at my house, and I'm the only one living there, so I feel a bit isolated. The girl who lived in my house before I did left me the number of another ex-pat called Felix who was teaching here, and I called him last night. We went out for drinks with some random backpacker who was hardcore into Hinduism--it was cool. Riding on the back of a motorbike through a crowded city (and they drive on the left-hand side, too!) is the most exhilirating feeling. My mother would kill me if she knew.
Lalala, I think that's about it. I have another class at 2:50, so I gots to prep n shit. I miss you all. Esp. Sam and Ethan (since you'z all graduated and shit!!) and Michelle (cuz you'z hot).
I'm teaching Mattayom 1, which is the equivalent of 7th grade, and they've grown up with English being taught to them constantly, but I got so many blank stares today that I had to backtrack a lot and start with basics ("MY NAME IS A-MY. WHAT IS YOUR NAME?" etc), and of course there's no air conditioning and I have to wear button downs, so by the time I'm done, even my sweat is sweating. Teaching is hard. But the kids are so cute.
So Thailand is hot. And Bangkok is pretty much a warzone. I didn't see any action when I was there, because the dissident general was shot the day I went to Kanchanaburi province, and when I came back to BKK I was only there for about five hours before I had to catch a bus to Chiang Rai. I think I'm more likely to experience spillovers from unrest in Burma than I am from anything in Bangkok now, since Burma is 30 miles north, and Bangkok is about 600 south.
Whew. And it's the hottest summer that a lot of people can remember...joy. Not that it really matters to me. 95 and muggy is the same thing as 106 and muggy--fucking hot. I'm getting really good at walking on the side of the street with the most shade.
My neighbors have five cows, a dog that hates me, numerous chickens, and two roosters. Cute. But the roosters decided to make their rooster noises at 2am this morning, and it was constant until six. I wanted to deep fry them so badly...
Other than that, things are good. Still don't have internet at my house, and I'm the only one living there, so I feel a bit isolated. The girl who lived in my house before I did left me the number of another ex-pat called Felix who was teaching here, and I called him last night. We went out for drinks with some random backpacker who was hardcore into Hinduism--it was cool. Riding on the back of a motorbike through a crowded city (and they drive on the left-hand side, too!) is the most exhilirating feeling. My mother would kill me if she knew.
Lalala, I think that's about it. I have another class at 2:50, so I gots to prep n shit. I miss you all. Esp. Sam and Ethan (since you'z all graduated and shit!!) and Michelle (cuz you'z hot).