Finally...the cold season! My favorite time of year. It was 70F one morning, love it! It's much more pleasant to run and I don't sweat as much in general. It also means drier weather. During the rainy season my back patio (made of concrete) is always damp and grows mold and a bit of moss in some spots. The dampness also means lots of mosquitoes. I've spent some time this week cleaning things up a bit and making it more inviting. I always enjoy sitting outside to read in the morning but haven't done that in months.
It's funny how Thais react to the cooler weather. Everyone has a sweater and scarf on. Most of them don't have hot water for showers, that would be unpleasant. I must admit that I've been wearing long sleeves and a scarf. Ironically most places keep the AC on same as usual which makes things even cooler than outside. The sky train is especially frigid. So my scarf stays with me for the day. In a few weeks I'm heading up to Chiang Mai where it's even colder!!!!
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Friday, November 20, 2009
Checking Back In
I checked out for a bit...just got consumed with things going on. It's always a busy time at school with the end of the term coming up. Today was also Sports Day at school. Four years ago we had a Sports Day during summer school. It was such a hit that the school implemented it into the regular school year. I volunteered to organize it and have been in charge each year since then. I enjoy doing it. The teachers run an event for the teams. The teacher assistants take the teams around to the different events and the parents follow along cheering on their kids. Everyone gets really into it. The TAs will put face paint on the kids and bring along drums and tambourines to help with cheering. Some parents even made signs and pom poms. Everyone had a great time.
In three weeks is the Christmas Concert. I rack my brain every year to choose a song that's not about Christmas but relates to snow. I've done every song about snowmen and snow flakes. It's even harder with nursery (2 years old) because they can't really perform. The important thing for them is their costume, they have to look cute and no one will care that they can't perform. So this year I chose a song that doesn't have any words. It's just music and the kids will shake bells. BUT I'm having really cute costumes made. They'll wear a white t-shirt, silver vest and different colored pants. The costume is what will make this years performance.
In three weeks is the Christmas Concert. I rack my brain every year to choose a song that's not about Christmas but relates to snow. I've done every song about snowmen and snow flakes. It's even harder with nursery (2 years old) because they can't really perform. The important thing for them is their costume, they have to look cute and no one will care that they can't perform. So this year I chose a song that doesn't have any words. It's just music and the kids will shake bells. BUT I'm having really cute costumes made. They'll wear a white t-shirt, silver vest and different colored pants. The costume is what will make this years performance.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Face Lift
Not literally, of course. Although I sure live in the right place if I wanted one. Just thought the blog could use a new look.
I was completely lazy in October. Well, maybe just consumed with lots going on. I attended 3 conventions during the month. The final one was the most fun because it was the least amount of work. It was the English DC with all the English speaking expats living in and around Thailand. So there was lots of hanging out...so much so that I think I was on a social buzz. It took me several days to come down, so much fun!!
Now it's back to normal and I'm going to focus on running. Depending on how training goes this month, I might sign up for the 10k rather than the half marathon. We'll see. If you have a good run please share it!!
I was completely lazy in October. Well, maybe just consumed with lots going on. I attended 3 conventions during the month. The final one was the most fun because it was the least amount of work. It was the English DC with all the English speaking expats living in and around Thailand. So there was lots of hanging out...so much so that I think I was on a social buzz. It took me several days to come down, so much fun!!
Now it's back to normal and I'm going to focus on running. Depending on how training goes this month, I might sign up for the 10k rather than the half marathon. We'll see. If you have a good run please share it!!
Monday, October 12, 2009
School
I have 9 students this year. Everyone was settled into school within a few weeks. (Last year there were a few kids who cried every morning for 3 months.) Now we're all very comfortable with each other.
Our class is quite international. We have kids from Russia, Poland, Sweden, Australia, America, Thailand, India and Japan. The kids are starting to say each others names and form friendships which is really cute to watch. There's one little boy who is quite a chatterbox but he mostly speaks in Swedish or Polish, little English. So we never know what he's saying but it's so cute to listen to him. He's now starting to repeat words we use at school. The first word he learned was 'no'.
Our class is quite international. We have kids from Russia, Poland, Sweden, Australia, America, Thailand, India and Japan. The kids are starting to say each others names and form friendships which is really cute to watch. There's one little boy who is quite a chatterbox but he mostly speaks in Swedish or Polish, little English. So we never know what he's saying but it's so cute to listen to him. He's now starting to repeat words we use at school. The first word he learned was 'no'.
Monday, October 5, 2009
DC in the South
I wanted to write last week but I was having internet problems for a few days and then left for the south Wed on the night train. I just got back this morning, took the night train back. Not sure if anyone saw the news about a train wreck outside Hua Hin that happened early this morning. There were 4 of us who left on the 6:30 train. There were 11 on the train that crashed, many who work at Bethel. Fortunately only 2 of them were injured but ok. The branch sent a van down to pick them up. I must say I'm quite shaken by it. But I'm sure a good nights sleep will help.
The DC itself was really good. All the new releases were also released in Thai. I had my doubts about the new book, seems like it'd be the biggest job. But we have it! There were about 360 people in attendance. There are 5 circuits in Thailand (South, North, Northeast and 2 in Bkk). Each has it's own DC except for Bkk which combines the 2. The South is the smallest but too far from anywhere else to combine. I'm really impressed at the effort everyone puts into having the DC. Most speakers had 2-4 talks in addition to demos. So much work!
In sign, our highest number of deaf was 6. But 4 of them that came are progressive students and regular meeting attenders. That makes all the effort worth it. It was also nice to see about 30 others who sat in the sign language section wanting to learn sign.
I also interpreted talks for the first time. I usually just help out with interviews and demos. So I was really nervous about being able to understand Thai clearly. Things went ok. I was able to prepare well and listen to talks someone recorded from DCs in the states. So I knew the info well enough to understand what the speaker was saying. It's not over though, I have some more interpreting at the DC in Bkk in 2 weeks.
The DC itself was really good. All the new releases were also released in Thai. I had my doubts about the new book, seems like it'd be the biggest job. But we have it! There were about 360 people in attendance. There are 5 circuits in Thailand (South, North, Northeast and 2 in Bkk). Each has it's own DC except for Bkk which combines the 2. The South is the smallest but too far from anywhere else to combine. I'm really impressed at the effort everyone puts into having the DC. Most speakers had 2-4 talks in addition to demos. So much work!
In sign, our highest number of deaf was 6. But 4 of them that came are progressive students and regular meeting attenders. That makes all the effort worth it. It was also nice to see about 30 others who sat in the sign language section wanting to learn sign.
I also interpreted talks for the first time. I usually just help out with interviews and demos. So I was really nervous about being able to understand Thai clearly. Things went ok. I was able to prepare well and listen to talks someone recorded from DCs in the states. So I knew the info well enough to understand what the speaker was saying. It's not over though, I have some more interpreting at the DC in Bkk in 2 weeks.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
True Fitness
I joined a gym for a month called True Fitness. (I actually bought three one-month passes.) It has some classes I was really interested in: Pilates, Body Pump (strength training), Gym Ball, etc. I really loved the Pilates classes. I also enjoyed the Body Pump class. I've never done much strength training with weights so I'm glad to have the increased knowledge about the different methods used. I will say though, that going to the gym wasn't the most mentally healthy thing for me, messed with my self-image a bit. I swear they rigged the mirrors! Seriously, think of what that could do for business if everyone is always looking at themselves thinking they have more to lose than they thought. And always being around all the skinny Thai girls wasn't exactly motivating, made me want to hide.
I really did enjoy the classes so I'll recover my self-image before I use the other two months. And this time I know what to expect (it took me several weeks before I noticed how it was affecting me). So I'll go into it with a sturdier self-image. For now, though, I'm going to focus on running. I have two weeks until my official half-marathon training begins.
I really did enjoy the classes so I'll recover my self-image before I use the other two months. And this time I know what to expect (it took me several weeks before I noticed how it was affecting me). So I'll go into it with a sturdier self-image. For now, though, I'm going to focus on running. I have two weeks until my official half-marathon training begins.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Hair Hassle
It's something we all feel frustrated about at times...right? I've certainly had my own share lately. After having long hair for several years I decided to cut it all off while I was home back in May. I liked it, although I did kinda miss my long hair. It is more compatible with hot weather though.
Let me digress for a moment to mention why I had let my hair get so long. It's hard enough to explain how I want my hair cut in English . To do this in Thai could easily lead to a bad cut. It was just easier not to get it cut. So I've never had my hair cut in Thailand. I'd always wait until I visited Ohio so J, who I trust implicitly, could cut it.
Now with shorter hair I decided to get over it and get it cut somewhere. So I went to get it trimmed at a place recommended to me. The lady did a great job and I was really happy with it. Such relief to know you can trust someone. So just before I went to the convention in Malaysia I wanted to get it trimmed again. I went back to the same lady. I told her to do the same as last time. After having it washed she started blow drying it straight. I thought it was odd that she was going to cut it dry but she's the professional not me so I didn't say anything. Then when it's all dry she says it's finished. She hadn't understood that I wanted it cut. Sigh. So I tell her I want it CUT the same as last time. So she cuts it dry. But it wasn't the same as last time. I had to tell her to cut more from a few places. I was a bit disheartened. She did such a good job the first time and now my confidence in her was dropping. I left frustrated and my hair not quite right. I didn't realize how bad it was until the next day when I washed it and let it do it's natural wave that my hair was now triangular shaped. Sigh!! And I was leaving for Malaysia the following day. I kept telling myself to let it go, it's not important.
But it really bothered me. So I went to the salon at the hotel in Malaysia and asked the guy to fix it explaining, clearly I thought, how I wanted it. I had specifically said I want the front longer than the back. I lost my breath as he cut the front SHORTER than the back. Argh!!!!! I surrendered to having bad hair for the convention. There was nothing else I could do. So I focused on the program and tried to be as comfortably social as I could. (I hate that feeling of not being comfortable in your own skin.) I also tried not to be so dramatic about the whole thing. I just had to let it go.
That's been over a month now and my hair is a bit better. It was starting to get triangular again so I cut it myself a bit (I know I don't have your approval on that, J. Sorry.) It's improved and I'm grateful to feel somewhat normal again.
I know I shouldn't give up completely on getting my hair cut here. But I'll wait until it's completely necessary and I'll be very specific and tell them to stop if I see them about to cut something I don't want them to.
Oh, and no, I don't have a photo!
Let me digress for a moment to mention why I had let my hair get so long. It's hard enough to explain how I want my hair cut in English . To do this in Thai could easily lead to a bad cut. It was just easier not to get it cut. So I've never had my hair cut in Thailand. I'd always wait until I visited Ohio so J, who I trust implicitly, could cut it.
Now with shorter hair I decided to get over it and get it cut somewhere. So I went to get it trimmed at a place recommended to me. The lady did a great job and I was really happy with it. Such relief to know you can trust someone. So just before I went to the convention in Malaysia I wanted to get it trimmed again. I went back to the same lady. I told her to do the same as last time. After having it washed she started blow drying it straight. I thought it was odd that she was going to cut it dry but she's the professional not me so I didn't say anything. Then when it's all dry she says it's finished. She hadn't understood that I wanted it cut. Sigh. So I tell her I want it CUT the same as last time. So she cuts it dry. But it wasn't the same as last time. I had to tell her to cut more from a few places. I was a bit disheartened. She did such a good job the first time and now my confidence in her was dropping. I left frustrated and my hair not quite right. I didn't realize how bad it was until the next day when I washed it and let it do it's natural wave that my hair was now triangular shaped. Sigh!! And I was leaving for Malaysia the following day. I kept telling myself to let it go, it's not important.
But it really bothered me. So I went to the salon at the hotel in Malaysia and asked the guy to fix it explaining, clearly I thought, how I wanted it. I had specifically said I want the front longer than the back. I lost my breath as he cut the front SHORTER than the back. Argh!!!!! I surrendered to having bad hair for the convention. There was nothing else I could do. So I focused on the program and tried to be as comfortably social as I could. (I hate that feeling of not being comfortable in your own skin.) I also tried not to be so dramatic about the whole thing. I just had to let it go.
That's been over a month now and my hair is a bit better. It was starting to get triangular again so I cut it myself a bit (I know I don't have your approval on that, J. Sorry.) It's improved and I'm grateful to feel somewhat normal again.
I know I shouldn't give up completely on getting my hair cut here. But I'll wait until it's completely necessary and I'll be very specific and tell them to stop if I see them about to cut something I don't want them to.
Oh, and no, I don't have a photo!
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