Monkey Business

Sa Wa Dee Ka! Or Hello !  

It’s been over a month now and we are slowly getting into a groove of things. We have been working at our new job for a week and a half and enjoying every minute of it! The school year will be over, the middle of next week…Just in time for our 2 week vacation! Haha! Talk about timing!

 In the mean time we have been observing other teachers, and for the past couple of days helping recruit at the new school about 45 min away from our current one. Our day basically consists of sitting around for hours waiting for parents to bring their children in for “testing”. We then evaluate their knowledge of English by asking them questions like “What is your name, what animal is this? How many are there? What color is this?” Etc. Very simple, kid stuff… The cool thing about this new school is that it is still in the process of being built. There are a good amount of trees on the property right next to us, and a group of monkeys that greet us every morning. We were told that the workers feed them everyday, probably not the best idea, but hey! When in Thailand.... We decided we would take full advantage of the situation, and bought some peanuts the day before, so we could interact with them too!

 [ Just to be safe we did ask permission, and the director said it was okay! ]

                 

They were pretty funny, and very cautious! But, boy did they love these peanuts!

Look how tiny their little hands are, it was like feeding furry humans. 

         




      Our first actual day of work was Valentines Day,
 and we weren’t sure if we should expect any sort of celebration. But something we are quickly beginning to realize is that Thai’s will use any excuse to celebrate.  The kids took very kindly to us, giving us lots of chocolate and enough stickers to last a lifetime. Every time I turned around “Chur! Sticker!!!" They usually don’t address you by your name,  mostly “Teacher" or "Chur" for short.  By the end of the day, I looked like such a fool with all my stickers, see for yourself..

Nick got a couple of stickers, but the girls thought he was cute, and decided that stickers wouldn't cut it, he left with 6 roses! Quite the stud on campus! ;) 

  

    The school is a very well known private school in Thailand. The campus is tremendous, with over 14 buildings, including a swimming pool, tennis court, track, and any other amenity you could possibly think of! We really lucked out! We get just about 2 months paid vacation, which leaves us plenty of time to plan our holiday or what the rest of the world calls a vacation.  Our salary is way above average for most Thai people. We make twice as much as the Thai teachers do, for half the amount of work. It’s kind of sad, but I didn’t make the rules, I just play by them! ;)  Most cities do make up for it by charging “Farongs” (foreigners) a higher price for most things, at least in Bangkok and other touristy areas! Luckily for us, our school is on the outskirts of the "Jersey side" of the city; not touristy at all, meaning no reason to jack up the prices! If you are a farong and live here you are either a teacher or a Old Fat divorced man, married to a beautiful Thai woman who waits on you hand and foot. The people in this town are very kind, some rarely see a foreigner and walking down the street we get the occasional, point and stare! Especially parents with younger kids, they will literally point at us and bow, kinda like we are celebrities or zoo animals, I can't decide.  Nick and I went to the mall the other day and I am willing to bet we were the only foreigners in the entire place.  It doesn’t really bother me, and for some reason I don’t feel out of place. I usually can’t understand a word that is spoken to me, but body language and context clues really help when you are trying to figure a situation out. And when in doubt, I just like to make up dialogue in my head. 

Since the school year is pretty much over, Nick and I have been shadowing other foreign teachers, and learning the ropes. Being a private school, they have a really good English Program, and over 50 foreigners on staff. The students get taught all subjects in both Thai and English, which I feel really helps them get a good grasp on things. However, teaching in Thailand is not the same as it is in The States. The purpose for teaching is mainly to make money and to look the best. There is no such thing as failing a kid even if they behave badly, or refuse to do the work. You are to pass them to the lowest degree. So kids being kids (and I can't blame them) know that they can’t fail, no matter what. Having no real consequences is something I am going to struggle with but trying to accept ahead of time. Your teaching ability is judged by how well you grade their homework, and how neat and in line your check marks are. (Seriously) We are playing by an entirely different set of rules, and going with the flow is something that is in my best interest to do. On the plus side, you won't get sued or fired for hitting a child.  Most Thai teachers walk a round with a ruler or stick in their hand and are NOT afraid to use them. And when a ruler is out of reach the old Back of the hand works just fine!

Over all, I am excited for the school year to begin in the end of March. I have no other choice but to take the situation for it is, a well paying job, with great time off to travel and see the world. Which essentially is what we came here to do! We are currently in the process of planning our next trip. The game plan is starting in Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand and then Checking out one of its neighboring countries Laos. I've heard many great things about both and am getting excited about seeing more of Asia! 

 Till next time,

     Cheers!

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   *Question of the Day*

   Im curious what do you think?

Should teachers in the states be aloud to use physical force with problem students or do you think the way The US does it is more ethical?
If you were me, if a student was acting up would you take advantage or play it safe?

Respond in a comment below. {It only requires a Gmail account, So please log in, subscribe and let me know what you think, if you take the time to read, I want to hear your opinion!}

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Who Are We?

Live. Your.  Life.

So I have to preface this entry with a BIG THANK YOU! To one of our friends in our groups mother! She travels a lot for work and generously paid for an evening in The Hilton Millennium with her reward points, one of the nicest hotels in Bangkok. It is right on the river with a spectacular view of the city. So again, Thank you so much!

For the week prior to this Nick and I were residing on Koh San Road, also known as The Backpackers District. It was a very cool, and swanky place but there were way too many Westerners. The only Thai’s we would see were serving us, and that is not what I came to Thailand for.  However, it was the cheapest housing we could find at 590 Baht, which comes out to about 20 American Dollars a night. This got us a room big enough to fit our 5 bags of luggage, 2 twin beds, and air conditioning. The room actually had terrible lighting, and no windows, which drove me crazy! Getting up at a reasonable time is very difficult when you are sleeping in a prison cell that blocks out ALL light!

Never the less, this night get away was much needed and much appreciated.  After we arrived, we sat in the room for a little bit and just stared at our view...

                                           

                                                I mean Can you blame us!?

We then headed straight to what they call “The Beach”. It is basically a infinity pool overlooking the amazing city of Bangkok. Up here they have everything you could need to relax. Hammocks hanging over real sand, an actual “Beach” area with sand and toys for kids to play with a sauna, steam room, lounge chairs, 3 private Jacuzzis with lounging areas as well.

                        Needless to say, It was such a very stressful evening! ;) 

This is the view looking at the building, behind me is the City. 

Here is Nick, workin on his tan..the water was beautiful, the company was even better, I have to give another shout out to the course that I took. I have met some of the most amazing people here, and friends that I will cherish for a life time! { Michelle, Cassandra, Eric, Kyle and Kate }    
                       
 

Another great view of the city, over looking the river... we are on what I like to call the "Jersey" side of Bangkok. lol 

Nick And I enjoying the breathtaking view of the city, and a little R & R. For some reason I felt the need to talk with a snooty accent and refer to everything as "dreadful"... haha it was good fun!

We didn't really get a "Valentines Day" Because we started work the following day, so we just counted this as our celebration! Not to Shabby. We have been having such a memorable time here, and getting along great. I was a little nervous about making this trip together, but only cause I'm a bit of a pessimist when it comes to relationships.[I blame my parents] However, being here has only reconfirmed how great we get along, and how well we work together! So In Honor Of Valentines Day, I must give my man a Shout out, because this trip would be 10 x harder with out him! (Especially when it comes to dragging around our luggage from place to place) 

Wait I lied, we did get to celebrate Valentines Day, at a good ol fashion Sizzler! Hahah, I enjoy Thai food, but sometimes its hard to get a well balanced meal here. You can only eat rice soo many ways! So when we found this in the Shopping mall, we jumped on the opportunitity, and stuffed our faces till we couldn't fit in our pants any more.

<3 Hope you had yourself a great Valentines Day, wish someone special. Even if that someone special was yourself, your mother,father,or a great friend. Its a holiday about spending time with someone you Love <3 

Till Next time,

Cheers! 

Good Morning Class

After the previous blog, I figured you are in dyer need for some wholesome-ness! And don't you fear, even if my writing is horrible the pictures should make up for it all! 

Just to catch you up on our journey so far, the certification course I am taking is a month long process. It started in Phnom Phenn Cambodia for 2 weeks, then we came to Pattaya Beach (Thailand) Where we completed 2 weeks of classroom training, Thai language training, and Culture awareness course. Needless to say the past 2 weeks were jam packed with lesson planning, tests, and tedious paper work necessary to receive our certification. (http://www.languagecorps.com/) They take it very seriously which I appreciate, our certification actually goes through  a University in England so its really legit and highly respected around the world! 

So teaching started a little something like this. 

I was placed to teach at a school about an hour out of town, 3 Kindergarten classes ranging from 3- 5 year olds every day from 9-12. Nick got placed at a school 15 min. away with 3 of our other classmates. He had a range of classes, they changed each day. By the end he had observed/ taught 8th, 5th, 2nd, and 1 kindergarten class.  This is my "classroom, with out the kids in it of course" Very colorful and out doors, which wasent as hot as I thought it would be! 

The first day was for observations, or so we were told. So going in Monday morning I prepared a semi lesson/game just in case they asked me to teach, but was told I should only be observing. Well was I surprised when I walked in to 30 Kindergartners (3yr olds) and a Thai teacher who basically said, "Okay, you teach". 

My first thought? Holy Sh*t! 

What am going to do! Haha, the last time I was in a Kindergarten class room.. I was in Kindergarten! And most of our training was for adults! But being thrown to the wolves I had no other choice but to roll with it and make the best of it! So I went with my little lesson plan, and basically tried to evaluate where they were academically.  They were actually pretty smart. They could count to 20, knew most of their colors, all of their ABC's and true to form messed up the part when it came to "L-M-N-O-P".  The day was finally over and some how I survived my first day as a "teacher"! I made my hour long trek home, and tried not to fall asleep on the driver who spoke 0 English! That night I went home and made a detailed lesson plan so there would be no dull moment the next day. 

The next couple of days went by well, half way through the week my principal informed me that we had a big sports day coming up the following Friday, and tomorrow we would be going to the outdoor gym to start practicing and get a leg up on the 6 other schools we would be competing against! I thought, Hell yeah, a day off from teaching. But JUST IN CASE, ill try to have a few games  planned. The next day we got to the gym and the teacher once again said okay , "You Teach". This time I was prepared, I somewhat put together a little work out routine and taught them new words in English as we acted them out. IE: Jump High, Jump Low, Kick, Ball, Jumping Jacks, Hula Hoop... went pretty well! Especially considering the fact that I had all 3 classes at once! Except when i tried to teach them "Duck Duck Goose" Which i had to change to 1,2,3, Go! Because in Asia the head is the most holy part of the body and touching heads is a big no no! But Duck Duck Goose, basically turned into, chase teacher around in a big circle... Fail! hahah At least they had fun!? 

Here I am with all my little ones in preparation of sports day

This is Bum. He has autism, and is By Far the best hula hooper ever. He could hula hoop for hours, on one leg, with two hoops, probably even eating a sandwich! (The following day I had him show off his skills in front of the entire class as a review of the new words we had learned, he loved it, and at the end of the week he even told my principal that "teacher was beautiful". )

These are some of the older girls! 

I mean could you just eat him!?!?!?!?!? The boy on the left is "Tartar" He was the most adorable little boy ever! And very smart! 

Hahah Picking your nose is socially acceptable in Thailand, and here's proof! 

This  boys name is Nine, with some of the other girls... He came in very handy when I was reviewing counting 1-10! hahah

This is one of the cutest things ive encountered here. To get the children to be quiet they tell them to "Swallow a lemon" So they puff up their cheeks like the have a lemon in their mouth and put their fingers over their lips! These are my two favorite boys... the one on the right is Earth, pronounced (Eart) 

This is my K-2 Class Ages 3-4, making silly faces and completely being hams for the camera! 

K-3 Ages 4-5

After the first week, I was finally getting the hang of things! Lesson planning was getting a bit easier, and the kids and I had a good rapport going... and half way through the week my assistant principal informed me that she was going to teach me how to cook a Thai dish, and I wouldnt have to teach for the day. SCORE!!!  

I got to school on Wednesday, and hopped on her moto bike, and we drove to the market! Picked up the necessary ingredients. 

Chicken

Tomatoes

Limes

Green Onions

Galanga root (which is similar to ginger)

Garlic

Mushrooms

Fresh Coconut Milk

Lemon Grass (my favorite new herb)

a few chilies 

and green onions. 

Made our way back to the school where we with no hesitation started preparing the meal at one of the picnic tables. Here we threw all sanitation rules that I have grown accustom in the state out the window. IE: Washing your hands, Using a separate cutting board for chicken and veggies, WASHING YOUR HANDS!  The minute she turned her back I decided it would be in my best interest to pop an Imodium, Just in case! So we started hacking at the chicken (bones and all) chopped it up in small pieces and put it in a plate. Oh yeah, she washed the chicken off first, In this little sink that all the kids wash their hands in. (eek)  Chicken cutting, was followed by veggie cutting. On the same board. With the same knife. 

With out even as much as a quick run under the water. Although the min. she left the room for some more plates I took the cutting board, and knife and scraped it in the sink as much as possible! 

We then mixed all the ingredients together added some water and brought it all to a boil. (Which made me feel a little bit better about the contamination) 

It was actually a very tasty dish, and now when I go to a restaurant I can order "Tom Kai Gui" with pride knowing what I will get!  

That Friday was sports day, which unknown to me was a really big event because it fell on the Chinese New year! The kids practiced a parade the day before which i had no idea was for sports day, I just thought they were doing some sort of ritual! lol 

This is C, he loves getting his pic taken... with the Flag of Thailand! 

The following day I showed up for the parade, they had so kindly given me a uniform that said on the back "Kindergarten Teacher, and Long Live the King!" It was basically a Green polo, and sports pants. I looked like a lesbian soft ball coach. But they did not fool around, the kids were dressed to the nines! Carrying pictures of the King, full blown make up and dresses... Here, See for yourself! 

Carrying The King

All suited up leading the group. 

I don't really know what this is, but had to take a pic!  Of course when I got there I was the only Farong (what the Asians call Foreigners) And my Principal so nicely informed me that I would be leading the parade. Basically to show off that they had a Foreign teacher at their school. I was like a walking billboard! But hey, if me walking around with a smile on my face can help get students at the school, I didn't mind playing that roll. 

Here are some more pictures from through out the day: 

Having fun, and being kids <3 

Me with some of my kiddies! :)

I told you they were Hams!  ;) 

This little girl was amazing, and really reminded myself of me in a way. (And I mean this in the least conceded way possible) She was the smallest girl in the class, and quiet. Until it came time for me to teach them cheers, and for her to lead the group in the dances.. She never stopped smiling, was nice and loud, sometimes bossy, but looked adorable doing it. She was tiny, but it didn't stop her from kicking butt! 

All in all my time teaching at Attidan, was an experience I wont forget. I was dreading teaching such little kids, but figured out a way to do it. I was very sad when my time with them was over, and took away memories for a life time! 

So now on to the more stressful part of the trip. The move to Bangkok, where we will be on our own. Time to find a job, and a place to live, which has already been a task in itself. We don't want to get an apartment until we figure out where we will be teaching so we can be close, but we don't know where we will be teaching so for the next couple of days we shall be hanging out in Backpackers district known as Kao San road. It is full of Westerners which is a bummer but has some really great trendy restaurants with great music! If you ever make your way to Thailand it is definitely a place I will take you to. 

Hope this hold you over Till Next time.... 

Miss You.

Cheers!