There's a sad sort of clanging...

Well, here I am back in Vancouver. It seems that my time in Thailand has come to an end. Already I miss the life, but I know that it will be okay here too. I will miss so many things, but I have gone away with some incredible memories that will last a lifetime. (and thousands of photos to help). Mostly, I will miss the people. Saying goodbye was really hard. Not something that is easy to do. That I know for certain. I will miss my school, the food, the tuk-tuk's, the craziness, my apartment, Starbucks (haha.. don't really have to miss that) but most of all I will miss the people. Rarely does one have a chance to meet people from all walks of life and develop an everlasting bond with them. I must admit, I have shed a few tears. But it will be okay. This is the start of something new.

And I guess... this marks the end of "Teresa in Thailand."

I was cold this morning...

I hate to admit it.... but as I walked out of my condo this morning... I was chilly and was wishing I had a sweater... granted it was only 6:30am and the sun hadn't been out for long and I quickly warmed up.... but what does this mean. Is part of me becoming Thai? I don't get it. It's hot out. What's with this being cold business? I can't be like the Thais who wear scarves and long sleeves and toques (not that they know what a toque is). I'm hoping it was just because I got up on the wrong side of the bed and tomorrow things will be back to normal.

Normal... that's another thing. I'm sure you have all heard about Thailand in the news. Frankly, you probably know more than I do. As it stands, we are here and not going anywhere fast. Nobody is in a hurry to solve a problem. The airport remains closed. For how long? I don't know - but I, as well as many other staff members, have a flight booked out of Bangkok on December 13th. Here's hoping...

Just what is cricket?

I realise that a cricket is an insect and in my head that was good enough.. but last week we had an inter-school cricket match... and it made me question... is cricket really a sport? I don't understand. I mean, I got the basic gist of it while watching.. and perhaps it's a spectator sport because there seemed to be more action coming from that side than there was from the field. Granted, we were playing cricket with a group of 7-11 year olds. Perhaps it would have been quite different if adults were playing. How did I, growing up in Canada, miss out on what is supposed to be a great sport? I need some answers here. Perhaps some confirmation that my life was completely satisfied playing soccer, basketball, volleyball... this cricket thing seems highly over-rated.

That is my thought of the day. I hesitate to publish this post in case some avid cricket player reads it... but they probably wouldn't know a hockey game if it stared them in the face.

Winter has arrived!

No - I'm not kidding.
No there is no snow.
But it's only 29 degrees today.
The children are freezing.
The parents are questioning how I could possibly be comfortable walking around in a short sleeved shirt.
Bring on the parkas!
It's bizarre. It's as if overnight everything changed. And it is cooler. I promise you that. 29 degrees is much cooler than 35. And there's a breeze. You'd think it was from the arctic.

In other news I did something crazy last week. I went on a class trip for three days and two nights with 30 children. Will I be doing that again anytime soon? No. Was it fun? Yes.
We took the kids, ages 7-12, to a National Park about 3 hours outside of Bangkok. There were deer right up close and monkeys. Gibbons swinging in the trees. Overall a good time. But I would like to say that trying to get 30 excited or hysterical kids to go to sleep is not fun. And it's not fun once they go to sleep either. They like to cry. And they like to get up. And they like to sleep with their parents. Children!

All else is well. The sights and sounds of Christmas are all around Bangkok. We're starting rehearsals for the Christmas play. I'll be in Canada before you know it... and I'll be bringing the Thai weather with me. (I have to work on a means of doing that)

Luxuries

I've just had my hair blow-dried. It's a beautiful thing. Walk in, ask for a blow dry... get a head massage and your hair shampooed and conditioned, and walk out with perfectly straight hair and a hair style that doesn't need to be re-done for three days. And what did this cost me??? about $3. I can't complain... although my Starbucks coffee still costs me a lot. I could complain about that but some would just say stop drinking Starbucks coffee. (but I like it too much). Other luxuries include manicures and pedicures. I don't remember the last time I did my own nails.
I'm sure there are many more.... but I am having thinking troubles right now.

I love yellow flags

Yellow flags. Good things. Amazing things. You'll never guess what they mean. They're everywhere. In the supermarket, on the street... unfortunatley only for a limited time, but.... they mean.... that the vegetarian festival is on in Banngkok - in all of Thailand in fact. So... you want some foood, you see a yellow flag, you can eat it without asking what's in it. It's beautiful.
There's a stand right outside of my school. Haven't seen anything close to home, but I can deal with that. So instead of my typical lunch of milk, or yogurt or something similar, I can have vegetarian food from the cross for less than $1. I realise that I could eat the lunches at the school... there is a vegetarian option.... but I'm protesting for whatever reason. I'm sure there was a good reason at some point and now I just stick with it.

Not much else to share. I've discovered that I have paid a bill late... well, I still haven't paid it. I don't know how to pay it now but they wouldn't let me pay it at the normal location. The last thing I want is for my electricity to be cut off. No A/C.... that would be treacherous.

That's a day in my life. Just a normal Monday.

Time flies

It was recently pointed out to me... thanks Paul... that I have not updated my blog in awhile. And it's true. I've definitely been lacking in the posting bussiness. So... I'm trying to start doing it again. Keep everyone updated about life in the BKK.

So... I have moved, I have started a new job, I haven't been anywhere, but life is good. Teaching year 4 is great. The kids are lovely and I'm settling into the profile of classroom teacher. I'm also teaching music throughout the school at a more intense level than last year. So... everyday is a challenge. Good challenge, but a challenge all the same.

It's rainy season in the lovely country of Thailand. One day I actually walked home in knee deep water. That's when you don't even let your mind think about what could be floating in the flooding waters of Bangkok. I won't even talk about the rat I saw floating by.

My thai is getting better and better and I do try a lot harder than I ever have before. It does make life so difficult, but I try to ask questions just for the sake of asking them, and hope that I can understand the responses.

There was a state of emergency declared in Bangkok a few weeks ago. Stupidly I assumed that mom and dad would have heard about it on the evening news. So, when I called them saying I was okay and nothing to worry about... I naturally started something. It was calm cool and collected. I saw no evidence of this state of emergency, but I also stayed clear of any area that could be problematic. Politics politics politics.

So... there you go.... a mini update and I promise to do a much better job in the future.

What's in a name?

I have been sleeping in my new flat for what will be my fourth night tonight, and I can't help but wonder... are the people who live on floor 12A really convinced that they live on 12A? I mean seriously between 12 and 14 comes 13 no matter which way you look at it. But in my new building, 13 does not exist, but 12A does. Luckily, I do not live on 12A. I live on the 15th floor. No superstitions to be worried about.

So, I have a new flat - all to myself. No flatmates. It's good though. I like it. It feels like home. Moving was a pain, but I am basically done. I will make one final stop tomorrow to pick up the last few things. Photos are to come including the semi-view that the 15th floor provides.

I have been back at school in this past week preparing for children on Monday. The thought sends shivers up my spine. Not ready... but I have to be. Seven children are in my future, plus a school filled with music students and a handful of students with English as an additional language. I'm in for a busy year.

Summer has come to an end all to quickly. 9 weeks of teaching before we get a break. I think we will create a weekend away. Or two... or.. many. Sanity is needed.

Q-Tips

Things I miss about Canada... (note the word 'things'....allow me to be vain and selfish. All you people out there know that I miss you too.)

• John Frieda Shampoo and Conditioner
• Aveda hair straightening serum
• Aveda hair serum for curly hair (don't ask)
• Shoppers Drug Mart
• Peanut Butter M&Ms (thanks mom for helping me with this one)
• Fuzzy Peaches (thank you Amy for your contribution)
• Swedish Berries
• Not having to check labels for chemicals that help whiten your skin
• The Body Shop (they have it here... it's just not very big)
• Vancouver
• Montreal
• Toronto
• Terrace *note... these cities are not necessarily listed in order*
• Chocolate
• Sheet sets that come with a sheet to fit over your mattress and a top sheet
• Clothes Dryers
• The walk left, stand right rule on escalators
• Q-Tips

Now, I'm sure there are many things I have left off this list, but let me tell you about Q-Tips. First of all, nobody knows what Q-Tips are. Apparently they are called "Cotton Buds." I came to Thailand almost exacly one year ago... August 30th I think) and I came with a full box of Q-Tips... and I ran out last week. So I went hunting. What I found will not suffice. I am in mourning over my loss of Q-Tips.

Which city do I live in again?

It's really strange how cities, regardless of the province, country, or even continent... can have pieces that make you feel right at home. You feel like you are going to walk around the corner and see a certain building. Or get on the bus at the end of the day and go for pizza with your friends.

Today I went to Suan Siam. Yes... that probably meansy nothing to anybody reading this, and I failed to take any pictures even though I had my camera. To clarify... I am in Bangkok, but there were moments today where I thought I was in Toronto, or then Vancouver, then even Montreal. (Terrace didn't really make the list) Suan Siam is like Canada's Wonderland, or La Ronde, or Playland. (the travelling carnival that comes to Terrace doesn't hold the same memories) It's amazing though... some of the roller coasters are even the same. And the set up is so familiar. Now... what should have been a cotton candy stand, was selling som tam (papaya salad) and instead of mini donoughts, you had phad thai. But that's to be expected in Thailand.

This evening I went out to the cinema. Only the second time I have been since being in Thailand. I saw the new Batman movie. Really enjoyed it, by the way. That too, was like being anywhere else. No, I take that back. The cinemas here are really clean. And really comfortable. And really cheap. And before the film starts everyone stands to watch a tribute to the King. It's really quite beautiful.

I have never really understood the power the King has in this country. I know that everyone loves the King and everyone from children, to the elderly wear bracelets saying "Long live the King." It was explained to me in some way today. Thai people as a whole believe in past lives - and what you do in your past life leads to what and who you will be in your next life. So being born a King is pretty amazing. He must have been an amazing person to come back as a King. He has been this country's King for 60 years. The King was born on a Monday. Yellow is the colour of Monday. So the streets are flooded with people wearing yellow on Mondays. I think next Monday I'll wear yellow too.

From Another Angle

So... my last couple of posts have had a certain quality to them. Some might call it a negative quality, to others a frustrated quality, and to some perhaps a quality of absolute hate. But, that's completely unfair.

I took a taxi yesterday... even though I vowed that I wouldn't do so. And the taxi driver took me exactly where I wanted to go. We had a lovely conversations in Thai. He dropped me off exactly where I wanted to be dropped off and even offered to wait for me. I declined, but it's the thought that counts.

I also have become addicted to fruit and fruit juice. The fruit is amazing. Dragon Fruit...fresh pineapple, mango, mangosteen, rambutan, chom poo, the list goes on and on. And in my quest to find my favourite juice I have discovered guava juice, white grape juice with aloe vera, pomegranate juice... that list goes on too.

Going to the hairdresser's here is incredible. They wash and blowdry your hair for you, for maybe $5 or less - depending on the place.. and you have two people, each with a blowdryer, working on your hair.

And you meet amazing people. My Thai teacher runs an amazing overseas volunteer program to help orphanages, or to run schools in places that were devastated by the tsunami.

They love me at Starbucks... two Starbucks stores in fact and they know my drink. I woke up at 4:30am today... don't know why, but I made a trip to Starbucks to get started. My barista's name was Cartoon. How can a day go wrong when the first person you talk to is called Cartoon?

More Bangkok Madness!!!

Simple plan... take package to post office... not very far away. Mail it to England. Come home. Sounds easy, right? Apparently not.

First.... Bangkok traffic lights like to stay on red for ages. 5 minutes... sometimes more... and then when it finally hits green it stays green for maybe 10 seconds. My taxi driver today actually reclined his seat and closed his eyes at a traffic light.

Then... he had this brilliant plan to get me to where I wanted to go. We went through an alley way... a two way street barely wide enough to fit one car down, then add the street vendors, the motorcycles, the stray dogs, the children running around.... I'm surprised we made it through.

On the way home... I gave lovely directions to the taxi driver. In Thai... he understood. It's an easy place to find. But... of course, he missed my street and while I was shouting at him in Thai to turn he ignored me. So... scenic route it was. Then... traffic light problem again. I should have gotten out and walked. Then when we arrived at my place... I gave him ample warning to turn and he ignored me until I shouted STOP! (in English for added effect)

I'm staying away from taxis for awhile.

Get me out of here!!!!

Whistles blowing. Cars honking. Motorcycles zooming. Pedestrians pushing. People begging. Darting in and out of traffic. Opening your window to not so fresh air. Sweating everytime you leave the house. Parts of animals being cooked on the street. Buildings. Skytrains. Subways. Foreign languages. Near death experiences just to get to the 7-11. All I want is water. Thieves. Trust not a soul. Smiles everywhere, but are they sincere? Pay rent here. Pay some more rent here. Pay for someone else to live in your flat. Elephants... seen them... been there, done that.

I need out of Bangkok! There are things to love and things to hate... and right now I'm about to burst. A beach stretching for miles with the sea a few steps away. No noise. Just peace. Just quiet. Just relaxation.

Singer? Teacher? Both?

I know I want to sing. I want to be a performer on the stage. I can see myself doing it. It is what I want more than anything. It's what I want to be when I grow up. Music, unlike anything else I have encountered, has the ability to touch your soul. Music is the same in any language, in any country, in any continent. Musicians are the same too. Musicians are all in it for the love of it.

I saw a fantastic performance of the Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra the other night. Huge orchestra, predominantly Thai, but some farangs. They played, I listened, and it made me smile. It touched a part of me that has been sleeping for a long time. It was incredible.

Yesterday, I had the absolute pleasure of seeing "We Will Rock You" live in Bangkok. It was a touring group - I believe from Australia or New Zealand. But it was a fantastic show. By the end I was in tears. I couldn't cheer for the amazing performances, because I was crying. It was so amazing... but those people are who I want to be.

Sooooo... back to the real world. Two weeks of summer holidays - GONE!! I'm starting to look at planning for the start of a new school year; I'm about to sign a new contract for a new apartment; I'm taking on a voice student (which I hope will lead to more voice students); I'm giving up another year's worth of performance opportunities.

But not all is lost. I am in the crowd with Bangkok Opera. Bangkok Community Theatre is doing a G&S production after Christmas. I will find the opportunites wherever they may be. I will hunt them out.

Music is where it is at. That's where I want to be. I am masquerading as a teacher. But this won't be forever. This won't be all. There will be so much more to add to my resume. I will find a way.

Life begins again

So.... school is over... for 6 weeks anyway... and I am free - at last. The last week flew by... I was $given some lovely gifts including a lovely bottle of red wine and the kids put on a terrific show. Parents were happy, the children were happy, and the director of our school was happy.... so.. it went off without a hitch. I have had to include some images. The kids were adorable. The first picture has the Year Two Class in the background dressed up as dalmations - singing Cruella De Vil. In front of them are the Reception Class. They sang the Bare Necessities. The second pictures features the kindgergarten class (3 year olds) dressed as bugs, and fairies etc... dream like creatures singing "A dream is a wish your heart makes." In the background is the year 3/4 class, singing a song from Grease. It was all fun and games... but it had to end - and then the parties began.

There was a goodbye party that night for one of the teachers who was leaving. The following night we had a goodbye party for the same person, but it included our staff as well as other friends in the city. The next day was a leaving/goodbye brunch for another girl at a posh hotel... where if you don't drink wine - it's not worth it. Last week was basically just a fun week at school which culminated with a lunch for the staff which included a farewell to three teachers. Two of them we weren't allowed to say farewell to before hand for political reasons but they have left as well. They were both good friends.... as was the third who is my best friend in Bangkok. It will be different next year, that's for sure.

I had an incredibly busy day on Saturday which forced me to ride around on a motorcycle. Weaving in and out of traffic... cars surrounding me... grazing side view mirrors as we drove along. (sorry dad, I should have warned you not to read this). I got everywhere safely though. That's the most imporant part. Saturday night, as a leaving present to my flatmate, and very good friend we went for dinner at a restaurant on the 61st floor of a hotel. It has an amazing view and despite some intense wind, which came with complimentary hair ties, we had a lovely time. The first photo is a view of one side of Bangkok... and the second is of a "complimentary" fireworks show in the distance.

So... today was my first day of not getting up on a Monday morning for school. What a lovely feeling. I started the day off with a swim in our pool and relaxed reading books, watching movies... I plan on being more active in the days to come.

I must say that I see pictures of places like Hawaii (thanks Dawn) and Vancouver (thanks Louis) and I do get jeaouls. Even though I am in a beautiful country with beautiful people with amazing things to do, I still miss what seems ordinary. Okay, maybe Hawaii isn't ordinary, but...

I do miss home - and if all goes according to plan, I should be in Vancouver on December 14th or thereabouts. Not sure exactly.

I'll keep you all updated over the summer. Enjoy your summer wherever you may be.

One year almost done...

I can't believe I have almost lived here for a whole year. Well... 10 months but as we have just a week left of school... it feels like an end - only to start all over again 6 weeks later. Doesn't look like Canada is in the cards for the summer... but c'est la vie. ( I should learn how to say that in Thai)

I had a wonderful trip to the North of Thailand a few weeks ago. Went bamboo rafting...sat in some hot springs took a foot reflexology course, and a thai cooking course. All so much fun and all things I have been wanting to do since coming to Thailand. Well, the bamboo rafting wasn't exactly something I had been dying to do... but when opportunity comes your way... why not take it. And well, in 35 degree heat, who really wants to sit in a hot spring. But I did... it was hot. Not what one would call refreshing. Before anybody gets too excited... no that is not a tattoo on my arm... just the remnants of a night out at the Ting Tong bar. And I included the second picture because I thought everyone should take notice at how beautiful my carrots are.

So... a week left of school including a production tomorrow night. Stress Stress Stress... but that will soon be over. I haven't made any plans for the summer, but I am considering taking some diving lessons. Could be a lot of fun.

Anyway... that is life on this side of the globe. I will try to post more frequently, and with the exception of bragging about how cute the kids are going to be in their production... my next few posts will have nothing to do with school/teaching/children as I plan to think nothing of it for 6 weeks.

This is my life

Twinkle twinkle traffic light
On the corner shining bright.
Red means stop.
Grean means go
Amber means go very slow
Twinkle twinkle traffic light
On the corner shining bright.

Decisions, decision...

There is nothing like having to walk by the head teacher of your school several times in one day, whilst trying to avert her gaze in order to avoid making a decision. That was me until last week. The decision... to stay or not to stay? Pros, cons... lists were made. Many lists were made. I thought about every possible scenario. But how does one really make a decision to stay in a foreign land for a full year? Then again, I did it once, why not do it again. It's not so bad.
So... with much trepidation, fear and anxiety, I approached my head teacher and announced that, yes... I would stay on teaching for another year. It felt like the weight of the world had been lifted off of my shoulders. So... I made a decision and although I haven't signed my name to any piece of paper yet, it looks like I will be here for another year. Sure, I miss home. Who wouldn't? But, there is something about this place that has been good for me. I know that home is only a plane ride away. Not a big deal. Life in Thailand will be good. I will be teaching, brace yourselves now, Year 4, (grade 3) EAL, (what I am currently teaching) and music. Sounds like a lot, I know; but I made sure it wouldn't be too much. I will do what it takes. I hope to finally start a choir in the school. Something I had hoped to do this year, but it didn't seem to work out. Things are moving along. I am learning a lot. I work with a great staff who will all help me in this crazy year ahead.

I hope to be home in the summer. By home I could mean several things. I would like to go to Terrace, Vancouver, Toronto, maybe even Montreal. Toronto and Montreal may be difficult, but we shall see.

So that's the scoop from my part of the world. I am heading on vacation tonight to the north of Thailand. Then there are about 4 weeks left of school... and then 6 weeks of summer. Counting down the days.

International Day

How does one share the best of Canada with children ages 3-11 in 30 minutes? It's impossible really. I don't believe one can truly experience all that Canada has to offer without a roadtrip through the rockies, or a drive through the Prairies, or a day in the bustling cities of Toronto or Montreal, or through an adventure in the Maritimes. Canada has so much to offer. How does one choose a single part of it to teach a group of children from a variety of backgrounds about? The answer: nearly impossible.

My answer, considering the time constraints, the ages being dealt with, and my lack of desire to delve too far into something I wouldn't be able to get out of, was simple. With my younger children, ages 7 and under, we learned how to say Bonjour (language: Canadian) and we made hats (thanks Dawn) with the maple leaf as the outstanding feature. Most kids calld it the Canada leaf. That was good enough for me. I wore red and white.... and the classroom was decorated in red and white. This is a picture of the Reception Class (age 4-5) with a mixture of Thai, Norwegian, Indian, Chinese, Malaysian, Laotian, and Sri Lankan. Clearly we are not in our normal school uniforms on this day, as children were allowed to dress in costumes from their individual cultures if they so desired.

With Key Stage Two, years 3 through 6, we played some rousing games of ball hockey. Minor injuries occured, but there was no "Bertuzzi" incident... and any injury seemed to be settled with an offer of an ice pack and the promise of a yummy maple candy at the end. (thanks Marg). Really, I had nothing to do with the injuries. I played full on - but was sure to stay clear of injuring any childrenn in the process. They took care of that aspect of the game themselves. This class is a mix of Thai, Japanese, Korean, Swiss, Austrailian and Philipino... many of whom were in traditional dress. It was quite the thing to play hockey, especially with the girls, but they enjoyed it.

Anyway, it was all in good fun. We sang (well, I sang) the national anthem to begin the hockey game and we were off. And I left a messy classroom which is always a sign of good fun. And I had children asking me for more maple candies today. (again - thanks Marg).

The children had a wonderful day of visiting, Australian, the Netherlands, New Zealand, England, Japan, France, Canada, and Thailand.... with passports to go with it. The

Canadian passport stamp was the beaver. How appropriate!

What a strange country!!

Well, I have been living in this country for coming up to 9 months. It never ceases to amaze me what strange things can happen.

The other day... a newspaper article stating that it is now illegal to use a cellphone while driving. (this in a country that doesn't where helmets on motorcycles or seatbelts in cars). Hands free is okay, but no holding a cellphone to your ear. If you are caught doing this... you will be fined 400 Baht. No big deal. But then the article goes on to say that if you attempt to bribe the police, indicating that bribing the police occurs frequently, you will be fined 400 Baht. But when you talk to people who have actually been pulled over, they say you have to bribe the police. It always works in your favour. Maybe I should try that upon my return to Canada. Well...

There are moments when I wish I had a camera. There are hilarious signs in this country. Some that make no sense. Some that specifically say: "Foreigners, use other door" But we came across a funny sticker-sign in a taxi the other day. A picture of a man sitting down. Coming out of his rear-end was a "puff" of smoke and then "rays" coming out of that puff of smoke. We came up with only one conclusion as to what this sign could mean. No farting in the taxi. It brought us great amusement for the ride home from work.

I have been doing double duty this week at work. Teaching ESL but also teaching Year One. It has actually been quite the pleasure having a whole class to teach all day. It has been stressful, mind you considering that I have been doing two jobs, but enjoyable nonetheless.

A great decision lies before me: I think I need a sign telling me what to do. What do I do next? I am coming to the end of my contract, but the head teacher (principal) really wants me to stay and has offered me a new position, better position, better pay. I could also return to Canada. Toronto? Vancouver? maybe even London?

It is amazing seeing the world and amazing living in new societies.

Anyone with any advice - please reply.