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.