Never a Dull Moment

Thailand is always surprising me with new things. Yesterday, I ate the strangest thing - actually I had one for breakfast today as well. One of the parents brought this "thai delicacy" in for the staff. It was a green flavoured? tortilla with sesame seeds, and you fill it with what looks and feels like hair... yes... hair that would be on a person's head.... but it tastes like cotton candy. Anyway, you wrap this hair in this tortilla.... and get a mad sugar rush. Strange... and it actually feels like you are eating hair.

I also witnessed yesterday, something absolutely disgusting... so I thought I would share. As I was riding the motorbike (more on that later) we drove past a man who had pulled over to the side of the road... residential street... to go to the bathroom. I relayed this to some friends later who comforted me by saying that is completely normal and I should just get used to it.

I received very funny looks on my motorbike yesterday - but perhaps that was because I opted to take a motorbike to the hospital and it is an odd way to arrive there. (no - there was no knife through my finger, and no blood... just a regular check up). But honestly, I arrived at the hospital in about 5 minutes and it would have taken at least 30 minutes in a regular taxi, thanks to the motorbike who (mom, dad, don't read this part) weaves in and out of traffic to get where you are going at the fastest possible speed.

We had our staff party last night at a German Beer Brewery. This huge place that basically brings a keg to your table and you just keep going. It was all in good fun. There were great performers on stage - including one from a lovely thai man dressed in drag. Quite hilarious.

So... I'm off this weekend to Koh Samet... I need some beach time before going to chilly Canada. And we have a long weekend! Can't think of a better way to spend it.

Legally Able to Work

So, I have been in Thailand for three months - and working for two. Finally, today, I have a work permit, a visa that will allow me to stay in the country for as long as I like without having to leave and come back (hopefully) and a visa that will allow me back in, if and when I decide to take a trip across the border. I must have signed my name to at least fifty sheets of paper, all trying to proove that I am who I say I am. Thailand, as I have heard, is famous for people forging everything from Passports, to high school diplomas, to work contracts. The people at immigration and the labour board are beyond meticulous. Thank goodness I have never had to go alone - always with a Thai staff member. But alas, it is settled. FINALLY!!!

Today was yellow day at school. The entire school had to dress in yellow - even me. I can't remember the last time, if ever, I wore yellow. This was all in honour of the King, whose birthday is on Wednesday. We had a picture taken in the shape of a heart, indicating that we love the King, and we have a book of messages for him, basically saying, Long live the King. We even get a day off, in his honour, apparently to celebrate his birthday. The foreigh staff from our school, are having a pool party.

Christmas is fast approaching - I can't believe how fast. If I hear Frosty the Snowman one more time, I may have to hurt somebody, but I should probably get over that, because tomorrow morning I will be hearing it at least three times.

So, I am taking requests for anything thai... whatever you think that may be - and I am coming home to spend Christmas with my family. Anything anyone wants, please let me know and I will do my best. I wish I could bring a seletion of Thai food with me, but that seems quite impossible.

Signing off..

I haven't written in awhile. Work is taking over. It's ridiculous. I have recently been reminded by more than one person that working isn't my number one priority right now. I need to remember to take some time for myself. It's okay to work hard, but at the end of the day I have to take care of myself before anybody else.

All of that being said, I had a lovely manicure yesterday and while one lady was giving me a manicure, another lady gave me a foot massage. I could get used to living like that. This was all in preparation for a ball that I went to last night. Yes - a ball. You know, like Cinderella, but without the fairy godmother. (or the prince for that matter) Since coming to Bangkok, I haven't seen so many foreigners in one place. The people were from Australia, New Zealand, England, Ireland, Scotland ( I didn't meet any other Canadians). It was so strange. I didn't know so many foreigners lived in Bangkok. It was great fun. There was an amazing dinner, with to die for desserts, wine, beer, music, dancing.. a really good time.

Today is a Thai celebration called Loy Krathong which we celebrated at school yesterday. It was a massive event. Everyone was dressed in Thai costumes (myself included) and there were dozens of activities going on. The children were hyper, the teachers were stressed... One child had a whole entourage of photographers and videographers with him. Kind of ridiculous - but apparently completely normal at our school. The photo is of myself and 3 teachers from our school - all in our Thai costumes. They were absolutely beautiful.

Motorbike Accident

Before anybody gets worried - it wasn't me who had the motorbike accident, but I did witness one today... and I definitely never want to be in that position. But, it wasn't a motorcycle taxi accident, it was just some bloke driving a little too fast with a girl on the back. The driver was wearing a helmet, the girl was not - and strangely enough - it was the driver who was injured and not the girl... anyway, I took a regular taxi home today... just to be on the safe side.



I've joined a lovely gym called "California WOW" It's incredibly Americanized... all of the yoga and dance classes are in English. It's a little piece of California in the middle of Bangkok. Fancier than any gym I've ever been to. All of this from what is known as a second world country. I had become fed up with not getting much exercise and the streets of Bangkok are not all that welcoming to runners due to the extremely large number of stray dogs, chickens and elephants that swarm the sidewalks. So... I took the plunge - joined a gym and now have a good way to get out all of my frustrations of the day.


The weekend is almost here. Hurray!

Healing

So, I had my stitches taken out... I don't really believe that everything is okay as I get a tingling sensation every time I touch the top of my finger. The doctor seemed to think this was okay - but I may get a second opinion. It hurts more now than it did when the stitches were in... perhaps that is normal... what do I know?

It seems that I have started running a military school as we have discovered that the nursery children (age 2) are only capable of walking in a straight line when Miss Teresa beats a drum... so I walk around the school with a drum and the children walk to it... I look like a twit, but that's okay. It could be worse.

Waiting like crazy for the weekend. A friend of mine from Toronto is in town on business so it will be nice to see him. Myself and some of the teachers have also decided that we are going to find something exciting to do at all of the skytrain stops along one line... who knows what these will be, but I'm sure we will be in for a grand adventure. Many pictures should be taken along on this journey...

If only Friday would come faster

No more coconuts for Teresa

I have learned another valuable lesson. Miss Teresa, coconuts, and knives do not mix, and I am going to have to get over my addiction to coconuts. Since arriving here, I have come to enjoy fresh coconut. Normally, I would buy one that is already opened... but I have come up with my own technique of getting the top off... that was working quite well... until Tuesday. Tuesday night, I arrived home after a lovely few hours doing work at Starbucks, and thought I would enjoy a fresh coconut for dessert. I was attempting to cut off the lid, when the knife slipped and went straight through my finger - in one side and out the other. I don't really remember much after that except for a lot of blood... and a doctor telling me that I was extremely lucky to have not gone through any nerves... I still have total feeling in my finger, but 8 stitches (4 on each side) to show for the trouble. No more coconuts for me. Or, I will spend the extra 10 Baht tops(approx. 30cents) to buy one that is already opened.

That is my story of the week. It did get a lot of sympathy from my students... but mostly I just got them to laugh about it with me.

We have started rehearsals for our Christmas play. I never thought that teaching a group of children to sing Frosty the Snowman would be so hard, but when only 2 of them speak fluent English - it poses a major problem. They also have no concept as to what a snowman is... so... it's interesting to say the least, but it is a lot of fun, and I find that I actually enjoy teaching music.

So... send good wishes to my figner for a speedy recovery...

It's getting cold

It's not really getting cold, but judging by the way the children are dressing, you would think there was a blizzard everyday and some serious driveway shovelling happening every morning. I believe the temperature dropped to about 23 degrees the other day, and half of the children were wearing sweaters and hats and socks. Seriously. The hallways of our school are all outdoors, so the children put on hats and coats to walk from class to class. The stores are crowded with scarves and toques, and thick winter jackets. I'm still wearing skirts and flip flops and don't plan on changing my wardrobe anytime soon. Apparently, as the temperature drops to below 20 degrees (gasp) the children will be in full snowsuits. Luckily, this cold snap, when it comes, will not last for long.

I have become addicted to shopping. It's horrible really. I've really never been a fan of shopping. Usually I would shop for what I need and then get out of the mall. But, I have found a new love for a mall.... they are huge here and beautiful. A lot of the same stores as we have in Canada, but others as well. And when you convert prices from Baht to the dollar - you can't help but want to buy out the whole store. Luckily, I came to Thailand with very little clothing, so I have every excuse I need to shop until I drop.

Halloween came and went with not even a Boo! No Halloween treats either, much to my dismay. Send chocolate! (*hint hint*) That was subtle. No witches or goblins or princesses. Not even a jack-o-lantern to put me in the spirit. There was a Halloween display at the mall, but it has quickly disappeared in favour of Christmas trees.

This weekend promises to be exciting with a birthday celebration for a friend on Khao San Road. This is the tourist hub of Bangkok (some would even say Asia). It's going to be wild, it's going to be crazy, and I can't wait. More pictures to come.

I'm also learning about the healing power of crystals this weekend. Not sure what to think about that yet, but should be interesting to say the least.

That's it... children call...

I learned many things on my vacation...

1) Don't trip over things when you are weighted down with a backpack. You will fall and nobody will be there to save you

2) Herbal Nuts are not herbal nuts, they are nuts mixed with dried anchovies. (ugh)

3) When crammed into the back of a picup truck going uphill through a winding road, hold on for dear life or you may fall out.

4) Elephants are big. (I suppose I already knew that... but when you are riding one they actually feel big.

5) Elephants are bristly... and any bare skin that touches them will get poked.

To explain why I am in a bikini while riding an elephant - it's simple really. I was in a pool - bathing the lovely animal, when he decided he didn't want to be bathed anymore and he stood up and I was left riding him back to "camp."... no time to put on normal clothing.

The first picture is just a view of the beach from somewhere in the sea... I have many shots like that. I will share more. For those of you on facebook - you should be able to check out many.

Vacation was wonderful despite learning the above lessons (the hard way). It's quite sad actually to be back in the pollution of Bangkok and the life of having a full time job that requires you to get up early in the morning. Tough life - I know!

I also learned new things since returning to Bangkok

1) busses can change their bus stops whenever they please and they won't tell you about it

2) coming to complete stops to let you on or off a bus is optional

3) when motorcycle drivers get to know you, they see this as an option to drive faster.

anyway... back I go to work

Beaches, buckets and bikinis

Island life... that is what I am living.. .and it is wonderful. Days spent lying in the sun or swimming in the sea, nights spent at the bars meeting people from all over the world. Life is good.

We are on an island called Koh Chang. We spent the first 3 days at a really fancy resort on Lonely Beach. The water was a beautiful aqua-marine colour, with a white sandy beach. Our resort was lovely. Walking along the beach you can stop for a massage anytime (which I did) and indulge in a manicure or pedicure (yet to do, but surely going to happen). The bathing suit collection is constantly growing as every store is selling them for cheap - and who wants to be seen in the same bathing suit twice? As our resort was so fancy we went to the backpackers area in the evenings and met a ton of people. England, Canada, Australia, Germany, France, United States... the whole world is represented over here. People are drinking "Samsung bucets" which are sand pails filled with a bottle of Thai Whiskey, Red Bull, and Coke... extremely strong, extremely cheap, and a little much for me. My new favourite is a coconut shake (served in the coconut) with a touch of Baileys. Trying not to indulge too much, but it looks too good to pass up.

We have now moved on to White Sand Beach. Life is basically the same but the town itself is a bit more built up, with more shops, more restaurants, more bars. We found a fantastic vegetarian menu the other night. The restaurant was lovely, but cats and dogs seemed to like to hang around there and they don't seem to be all that toilet trained. Needless to say, although the food was great, we won't be going back.

There are some amazing fire shows on the beach - basically people dancing with fire sticks. They are amazing to watch... and quite funny. Hair catching on fire, shirts catching on fire... but at least the sea is close by.

Anyway, I could go on and on, and perhaps I will with another post. And when I get back to Bangkok, I promise to post some pictures as I have finally been making good use of my camera.

Must get back to the beach...

thinking

As I was walking home yesterday, I stopped and listened to the world around me. There was a steady stream of honks coming from passing motorists. Some of them wanted to offer me a ride, others just honk for the sake of honking. There is also a steady stream of people saying hello, or shouting, "you, you, you" at me. Or people are so shocked to see me, that they shout out, "farang - good morning." (farang = foreigner, and they always say good morning regardless of the time of day). While all of this was going on around me, I began to wonder... (to quote Carrie Bradshaw) what would happen if I were to wake up tomorrow morning and...



I was 5 inches shorter

I had narrower hips

I had a flatter chest

I was thinner

I had black, straight hair

I had dark brown eyes

I had darker skin

I could speak and understand Thai

I could try on any article of clothing and it would fit me



Basically, how would life be different if I wasn't a foreigner in a foreign land. It is so strange to be the odd one out. It is so strange to be noticed everywhere you go. Sometimes I just want to yell and people and tell them to stop staring - I'm just a human.



How would life in Thailand be different if I was the same as everyone else? I wouldn't get charged extra at the markets just because I have blonde hair and blue eyes. I wouldn't have my thoughts interrupted every 30 seconds as I walked down the street. I would have so many more people to spend time with because there wouldn't be a huge language barrier between us.



But I guess this is a new experience. I've lived for the past 25 years in a world where I blended in with the crowd. Maybe this is how foreigners back home feel. They can't express what they want to express or do what they want to do. Somehow I feel that Canada is more equipped for foreigners, but maybe that's not true. I wonder, what do foreigners in Canada feel like?

Everything is going well - I don't want anyone to worry. Perhaps I am just a little bit homesick. There - I admit it. I'm homesick. But I am happy to be exploring life in Thailand and the life of a teacher. Who knows how long either one will last, but I am learning more about myself and other people everyday. I am truly thankful to be here - but I would love to see a friendly face.

Floods

Another weekend is quickly coming to an end. I can't believe how fast they go. If only the school days went so fast.

I had been told that I was coming to Thailand in time for rainy season leading into Winter (hah - winter, yeah right). There really hasn't been much rain - and mostly at night... except for this past week. Thunder and lightning storms all day and all night. I have never seen so many children terrified of thunder... but the children at my school are terrified. I hate screaming. Really HATE screaming - and was thankful when the thunder had stopped for the day. My entire street has been flooded...calf deep with water. The street in front of my school was flooded as well, making it near impossible to walk to school. (well, I suppose it would be possible..but really) So, I have had more lovely experiences on the back of a motorcycle, riding to school in the rain with water from the roads splashing me the entire way. Last night the water was even deeper, there was thunder and lightning through the night, but oddly enough, I woke up to a dry street. Hot summer day. Now, maybe I imagined the flooding, but that is highly unlikely. I'm just wondering where all the water went so quickly... and why it didn't go somewhere sooner.

Yesterday I sang in a concert... sort of a pre-show to the big concert in November. It was a lot of fun. We sang, and played instruments, and taught all of the conert-goers about meditation. It was a beautiful location - called Garden City. I did take pictures. I just have to learn how to transfer my pictures from my camera onto the computer. I will get to it. For a completely impromptu concert - it went very well and was well received. Hopefully we will sell a lot of tickets for the big show.

Bangkok streets are crowded with street vendors. Tons of food everywhere you go. Only problem is you never really know what it is... and as I mentioned previously... I have seen cockroaches and maggots at some of these vendors. But, luckily for me, October is the Vegetarian Food Festival. If there is a yellow flag - it's vegetarian. Many things still look like meat, but are all made from tofu... or other things. I just don't ask. My friend was eating vegetarian pork rinds yesterday. I chose not to partake in that delicacy... but he seemed to enjoy it. So... if nothing else, I will eat for the month of October and hope that another vegetarian food festival comes up before too long. My cook, the lovely lady downstairs at my building makes lovely food... and knows never to serve me meat. Sometimes I don't know what I want, so she just makes me something. Our conversations are entirely in Thai... I don't speak Thai to save my life... but somehow I end up with a full stomach by the end of the day.

I am taking Thai lessons... trying like mad to learn. I have to do parent/teacher interviews next week and many of the parents don't speak english. I've opted for a translator as I highly doubt I will be struck with the ability to speak Thai in the next few days.

6 more sleeps until vacation... can't wait. I'll try to post picurues soon

Inside the mind of a motorcycle taxi

So... let me preface this by saying that I did get where I needed to go safe and sound with only minimal moments of sheer terror.

As far as means of transportation go, motorcycle taxi is the fastest, and if you aren't going very far, it is also the cheapest. Now, it's not fast because they drive too fast (well, they do, but so does everyone else) but fast because they weave in and out of cars who are at a standstill on the busy streets. Today as I rode a taxi, we were doing just that. Weaving in and out of traffic. At one point my knees grazed the bus we were passing. Oh, did I mention that I sit with both legs on one side of the motorcycle? Yes... well, this is the lady like thing to do. Then, much to my amusement, my taxi driver received a phone call on his mobile. So, he proceeded to take off his helmet and take the phone call with me clinging on for dear life behind him. Then you come to a stop light. Stop lights here seem to last a life time. But why stop at a stop light when you can ride on the sidewalk? So... we rode along the sidewalk for awhile, ducking under trees, and street signs. We then scooted in front of a bus to get back on the main road. It was also starting to rain at the time and I had a bunch of bags with me. I'm pretty sure I held my breath for the majority of the trip. I think in the future, I will stay clear of certain motorcycles. The ones by my apartment are lovely, but the ones who drive like maniacs through main intersections are a bit too much for me. Maybe one day.

cockroaches, maggots, and grasshoppers

So, I saw my first deep fried cocroaches, maggots and grasshoppers the other day. I even took pictures, but I don't have my camera right now. and no, I did not try any. That would be the day. I almost vomitted on the spot. I've heard that these things exist, but hoped I would never have to see them for myself.

Another horrible thing happend: I was sitting with some friends and said, " I need to go buy some trousers." As soon as it happened, I screamed and covered my mouth and prayed that it would never happen again. I actually used the word trousers in a sentence.

I have been going to some of the local markets finding things for my apartment. You barter for everything, which is quite a challenge cosidering the language barrier, but you can usually get them down at least 100 Baht. It's quite hilarious actually. They always want to sell to the blonde girl... I get followed by merchants all the time. Don't worry.. they aren't trying to hurt me.

I went to immigration last week, trying to get a work permit. Apparently that was only one in a series of trips that must take place. I may not have a work permit for another 6 weeks... hopefully i get paid anyway.

I'm teaching piano lessons starting next week. My first student is am autistic Thai child, so it will be a challenge. The money I make doing that is going towards Thai lessons from one of our office staff. I'm determined to learn the language... as challenging as it may be.

Happy Thanksgiving to you all... I sure wish I had a long weekend too, but maybe I will find some people to have thanksgiving dinner with.

Word of the Day: Jump

If anybody out there is planning on having a word of the day - don't make it jump. I have learned after spening 45 minutes jumping around my classroom, that I don't like jumping and hopefully I will never have to do it again. Unfortunately, when you learn new words, you have to review previously learned words the next day - I didn't think this through very well.

These children are lovely, and I am thoroughly enjoying being a teacher. Perhaps I will have a different opinion on that tomorrow, but today I am happy (minus the jumping).

Heading into the tourist part of the city tonight. Wish me luck! I will likely get lost.

Finally, post number 2

Well, I have been in Thailand a month. Gradually getting used to things, but as soon as I think I have figured something out, like a simple bus route, it seems to get changed on me. I think I have figured out how to tell the taxi driver where I live in Thai, but my taxi driver yesterday got lost, and I was of no help. Always an adventure. I just keep telling myself that. I haven't had to use the philosophy that if all else fails, just cry. I hope to not have to use it anytime soon.

I started teaching last week. I wasn't supposed to start until today, but they were really stuck so I agreed to come in. It made for an incredibly tiring and overwhelming three days. Who knew that small children could be so tiring? Well, I'm sure a lot of people reading this could have told me that, but that is besides the point. The course I am teaching is English as an Additional Language. Most of my students are Thai, but there are also a couple of Koreans. I teach all of the students in our school who are struggling with the English language. Some have absolutley no English, and others are a little more advanced. I am hoping to start some music and a choir in the next couple of weeks, but the school's priority is English. To all of you teachers out there: thank you. I never knew what a job this could be. I love it and I hate it all at the same time. I'm just hoping to keep my head above water. Trying not to stress out too much and leaving some time for relaxation.

I've met quite a few people since starting teaching. Our school is one of four of the same name in the city, so there is quite a large group of teachers around. Most are from Britain, but there are also a number from Australia. There is one other Canadian, but she is at another school. I'm finding myself using British words and trying hard not to copy the accents I hear. Even a lot of the students tend to add a bit of a British or Australian accent when they speak.

I am planning a beach vacation in three weeks time with a group of the teachers. It is our half term break and we get a week off! I'm quite excited for that as it will be nice to get away from the crazy city that is Bangkok.

I really need to get out and see some sights of the city, but my first month flew by and now I am busy with other things. It will force me to have exciting adventures every weekend.

This past weekend I did a Reiki course. I also spent a lot of time hearing stories about all of the haunted places in Thailand. Apparently one of our schools is also haunted. Spooky stuff - not exactly sure what I want to believe at this point.

Anyway, that was an un-exciting post. I will try to do better in the future. My apologies. I hope everyone will keep reading...

Three weeks in Thailand and I am finally getting around to posting my first blog. No idea really what to say, but here I go...

Thailand is absolutely beautiful. The people I have met have big welcoming hearts. Even with the language barrier, they have made me feel at home. People are so alive with spirituality and I feel blessed that I am here to experience it.

I am lucky in that I have been staying with a "local" since I got here. I haven't had to be much of a tourist, and the language hasn't been much of a problem. Tomorrow, I embark upon the next stage of my journey. I move into my own apartment. It's cute, quiet, and less than $100/month. No fridge, but that's okay. The restaurant downstairs will prepare meals for me and even bring them to my door - all for under a dollar. Hunting for the apartment was an experience. A motorcyle taxi drove my friend and I around from apartment to apartment for a couple of hours. Yes... three people to a motorcycle, riding the streets of Bangkok... and I wouldn't even ride around Terrace with my dad on his motorcycle!

I am scheduled to start work on the 1st of October. I've had a tour of the school where I will be teaching English to 4-11 year olds. I will also be teaching a few music classes and starting a choir.

I hadn't expected to get to use my musical abilities as soon as I got here, but not only will I be teaching music, but I am singing in a series of concerts with a natural healing centre with proceeds going to HIV research. It's a huge musical event that they had been planning for a long time, but were ecstatic when they found out I was a singer. The centre is an amazing place of healing. I've also been able to practice Reiki therapy there and will continue with further courses in Reiki as my stay here continues. The manager of the centre had never heard my name before, but automatically gave me a Thai name... so I now answer to Resa among other things. My landlord calls me Miss Resa, or Kun Resa.

Last week I went on a ten-day, silent meditation retreat. What an experience. There were 11 of us participating in the retreat, learning meditation from a Canadian monk who practices in the Burmese tradition in Thailand. Wrap your head around that one. The whole event started with me wandering around a bus terminal with every other person telling me a different place to go. Then a Thai man came up to me with the name of the meditation centre written on a piece of paper, took my bag, and got me to sit on the back of his motorcycle as he drove me through the boonies of Thailand. Helmet? I think not. Again.. I wouldn't even ride around Terrace with my dad. So yes, I went ten days without talking, except to the monk, and except for that period of time when I discovered that my wallet had been stolen. Sort of put a damper on the retreat, but I persevered. Everything will work out. What's done is done. It's a little hard getting around without a bank card, but I have been able to borrow money for the time being. Anyway, I would recommend meditation to anybody after spending ten days doing nothing but - however ten days is a long time. I must admit that I was slightly relieved when the whole thing was over.

So, I have rambled on and on... I should take better notes and start taking more pictures. I will - I promise. I do miss everyone back home, but now everyone has an excuse to travel. Until next time.