Random Photos...

that I forgot to put up and/or blog about :)

We had a wine and cheese Party. It was AMAZING. Soooo good!!! 2 bottles of wine. 1 from a couch surfer who came to visit us and 1 from Brian's student (w/ pate). Cheese compliments of Brian's mom along with crackers and sausage. It was like a Superbowl party minus the game :) ... though the Superbowl was on before I went to school at 6 a.m. :)

The Spoils :)

Real Wine!!!

An excited Teacher Emily!!!

Random...

Fail

Too Cool for School :)

WTF

had to get "penciled in" by my own boyfriend to have a conversation with him.

someones working too hard.

not amused.

Getting Older...

This birthday will be remember as the day of transportation and unrest.

After waking up on the floor of our friend's Bangkok apartment, we went to breakfast with the Issan teachers. It was actually really nice because we took the BTS to another stop we have never been too. We found ourselves in another big Bangkok Mall looking for an art gallery. We ate a delicious breakfast overlooking the city and walked around the free exhibits. After our goodbyes, Brian and I headed over to MBK mall to look for some sunglasses.

On BTS

Birthday Breakfast!

Last time Brian was in MBK he didn't buy a pair of sunglasses he really wanted, and this has haunted him for months. He has been dreaming of coming back just to buy them. So, we had to go!

Plus, he had a meeting at 2 p.m. so we had to stick around. As time slipped by, his meeting got canceled. So we left for Pattaya a little after 2 p.m. Usually it only takes a little over an hour to get home, but you can never tell with these mini-vans. For example, this mini-van had enough passengers to detour to Srircha before Pattaya. So we didn't get back to our apartment until 5:30 p.m. (that includes the baht bus we had to hop from downtown Pattaya to Jomtien Beach)

It was a mad rush to get ready for my birthday dinner at Cabbage and Condoms. I really wanted to catch the sunset since the restaurant is on the water, but it was in vain. We ended up arriving at 7 p.m. - well after the sun had set. However, before we left our apartment, Brian and Emily did surprise me with a birthday cake!

Brian put 62 :)

Yum!!!

Dinner was great. The show started at 9 p.m. so around 8 p.m. we left to head downtown. We parked our bikes and hopped a baht bus downtown on the main street. It is really only a 15 minute drive, but for some reason it took an HOUR.

At dinner with Teacher Emily!

First the mini-bus now the baht-bus! 26 was going to be the year of patience!!!

We barely made it in time for the show. In fact, when we sat down there were already performers on stage welcoming everybody. That's how close we made it by! Ugh... sigh of relief FINALLY.

Anyway, the show was fun. Exactly what a Thai produced ladyboy show should be. It had alot of bad songs and lip syncing with over the top costumes and no story line whatsoever. The show was packed full. They even opened an additional show after ours! I think it was then that I realized we must still be in high tourist season. It took another hour to get back to our motorbikes!

Some of the Ladyboys

More lady boys in extravagant costumes!

Me and Brian :)

We didn't go out afterwards to Brian's dismay. I'm glad. At 62 years old, I was tired! Haha.

All in all, it was a very very busy good day.

Magha Puja Day

So we have been planing since our meditation retreat to go back to our temple for Magha Puja day in Pathum Thani just outside of Bangkok. We had the day off at school and it fell on a Friday. Perfect!

Dhammakaya Symbol

The day commemorates the first sermon Buddha preached. Apparently, they all reach enlightenment - I think that's right. I'm sure there is more to the story, but that's the bare basic summery.

Anyway, Brian and I caught a mini bus to Victory Monument around 11a.m. for 100 baht each. Within an hour and a half we were in BKK. SCORE! We wondered around the mall until it was time to meet up with our friends. In this spare time, I took the liberty of getting my nails done! After all, it was my birthday the next day :)

We met our friends eventually at 5 p.m. at Mochit BTS station. I thought the ceremony started at 4, but they thought it started at 6. Trying to coordinate everyone was a nightmare. Needless to say, we were running late. Four of us took a taxi while the other two came a little later. Wouldn't you know the other two actually beat us to the temple. Our taxi driver was lost. ERG! At the time we were all freaking out, but we didn't miss much. More importantly, we didn't miss the actual ceremony. We didn't get our own individual candle for the ceremony because we were in the back :( But that's okay, it was still an amazing experience.

Victory Monument

Waiting for the BTS. We hauled those bags around with us for 2 days. Good practice :)

Riding the BTS home AFTER the ceremony. Love the white :)

I think there were over a million people there. It is the biggest gathering in Thailand. The pictures don't really do it justice.

Masses. A complete circle. This is only part of the circle too!!! Each candle represents at least one person. There are way more than one individual around a candle however.

Brian getting the shot! We snuck upstairs so we could have a birds eye view ;)

Why you ask do they have this huge compound? Because just like Buddha they are hoping to enlighten everyone. How you ask? Well, they are trying to get enough monks to reach enlightenment... I think the goal is 1,000? Enough to encompass the UFO shaped thing anyway. So once this magic number is reached, you can throw in 1 million people at a time to meditate with the enlightened monks. Apparently, meditating with enlightened individuals helps the process. Buddha was able to enlighten everyone with his first sermon, so their thought process is sort of the same. Why the UFO shape? I have no idea. I feel like they addressed this at the retreat, but I forget.

Right after the lighting

Of course there was tons of fireworks too!

Some of the many lantern thingys

Close up

The never ending line of fire

Top of the main temple

Its comprised of thousands of gold Buddha statues. Suppose to enhance meditation by merit :)

 These are our glamour shots.

 

After the ceremony we went out to dinner. It was really nice meeting up with everyone from the retreat. Brian and I didn't stay out to party. We were tired. I know technically it was my birthday at midnight, but this granny was tired :) All in all Magha Puja day and my birthday were very busy days filled with traveling, friends, and fun.

Meditation gals.

All of us. 'merica and teachers represent!

<3

Walking the empty grounds to the "spaceship" temple in the center.

Sip'n on some nam (water). Good thing about this temple - Free beverages :)

Another UFO temple at entrance to the Temple grounds. This is the one I went inside after Brian fainted. It is only opened on certain days... the day he fainted being one of them. I had to leave his bedside lol. It's very pretty inside. A beautiful fountain in the middle with a huge circular area around it to meditate on. Very peaceful.

Expats, Facials, and Valentines day

So we went to another expats meeting. It was on negotiating - something Brian could apply to all his current freelance jobs. It really wasn't that informative. The guy actually referred most inquiries to online research or told people to go get a book. Awesome. But we did get some delicious coffee, and we bought our Miss Tiffany tickets since the box office is right behind the expat meeting place. The best 600 baht tickets available! SCORE!!!

Afterwards, I somehow convinced Brian to take me shopping. It was really a ploy to check out a facial place inside the shopping center. They had a 500 Baht facial special today. I had to take full advantage. Brian wasn't too enthusiastic about it, but he did it. I had to throw in the ole' Valentines day thing :)

It was really really good for 500 Baht. I love extractions. I can't say the same thing about Brian. He said he had tears rolling down his face the entire time. Boys. Now, he knows the price of beauty :) Extractions, of course, are little pricks to take out impurities in the skin like blackheads ect... It's really only a pin prick - if that - but Brian's pain threshold is really low to start with... sooo I don't think he will do it again. By Sunday sun day fun day, he was as good as new :)

He doesn't know what hes in store for!!!

As for Valentines day, I did an activity all day in my class. Valentines Day is my favorite "holiday." I'm a Pisces a.k.a a hopeless romantic. So I had to spread the love in my class. We made heart fish Valentines Day cards. Yes, it took all day to make one card! The scissor skills of these children leave a lot to be desired. Poor things. But boy did they love being shown how to cut out a heart by folding a paper in half and cutting on the seam. Granted, the things the cut vaguely resembled a heart - it still worked their hand eye coordination skills :)

Brian and I didn't make alot of plans this V-day. We usually go all out in America. No presents this year. Trying to save every baht for our backpacking trip! But we did go out to dinner. Unfortunately, our restaurant we wanted to go to was booked up. Cabbages and Condoms is right on the water and has an amazing menu and the right prices! I mentioned it a long time ago, but its part of a resort Birds and Bees. To get the full story you but need to Google it. But it was booked. So we just rode around until we found a place. Alot of places were having set dinners which we could not afford or were booked.

However, we did find a really nice place close by. We had an amazing dinner and time :) A good and humble Valentines Day!!!

Brian with his mussel appetizer and wine :)

More importantly I got a new card. You may not be aware, but Brian has been hand making me cards for 6 years now. He takes alot of time to draw and color the cards. I LOVE THEM. I LIVE FOR THEM. I think he should market them.... But this Valentines Day card is by far one of my favorites. I think I posted the past ones on my facebook... I dunno.... But I can't wait to add this one to the pile :) It was a total surprise too. He must have done all the work at school :)

Now this does portray me a bit askew. I look like an attention all eyes on me vain girl which wasn't what he was trying to do. This is our pose we did on Koh Tao vaca. Anyway, he always does bears to represent us. We used to refer to ourselves as Polar Bears when we first started dating and the image of bears has followed ever since.

Anyway, I do ask Brian to take pictures of me alot because if I don't ask then they don't happen. Example A - Look above at the pictures in this post. There are none of me. Why? Because I didn't out right ask. I asked Brian why he didn't take any pictures without my prompting, and he said because he didn't think of it. SOOO with this revelation revealed, I think you can understand the situation :) Brian just took it to an extreme level for the purposes of humor.

Truth be told, I would hand him all the bags and make him take the perfect photograph if circumstances allowed lol :) I love that he put his leg brace on too! He did have to explain to me what a sherpa was. I WISH. Brian is such a hands free non-baggage type of person. He won't even hold my purse in the airport. Seriously. He flat out refuses. But I guess we all have our limits :)

Garbage

Flattery gets you everywhere

My principal approached me yesterday and asked if I was staying another year. Very interesting given the fact we have been up front about just staying the 1 year... but whatever...

I smiled. Truthfully - I'm ready to come back to 'merica! uuuuggghhhh!!!!!

Why she approached with such a question is an explanation I care not to go into detail about... needless to say I BLAME BRIAN! He always gives people false hope because he just can't bare to disappoint them... erg... but she showered me with praises nonetheless. Always nice to hear, right?! This especially delighted my day as I am currently writing my own reference letter and felt even more confident praising myself :)

Today, I had just finished my morning lesson and was starting to review some future employment ventures when I noticed May, the principal, coming toward my room. Given yesterday's exchange, I quickly flipped over the paperwork that boldly stated EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY. She asked if I had any free time and I very leisurely responded, "Surrreee I have 5 minutes Waz up?" She peered around me at my schedule. She needed more than 5 minutes. CRAP. What did I do?

She saw that I had an hour free. That's usually my backpack planning time or Teacher Misty's playdough time at her desk. She wanted to take me to the other school, Hilton, for a tour. I was game. I always wanted to pop over to the other school and see what it was like. I knew I would never otherwise get the opportunity.

A previous conversation between Brian and me.
Me: "Hey Brian, let's go see the other school."
Brian: "What's wrong with you? Why do we want to do that? I don't even know where it is... It's too far... No... I just want to relax!" 

I know this wasn't an invitation given to every teacher at our school. She was trying to recruit me. Why this figured into showing me the other school? I have no idea.

..But I went anyway. I could have said no, but it wasn't the time to really turn down the offer in front of my entire class. Truthfully, I don't even know whey she thinks the offer is on the table... cough... BRIAN! What the hell did he say to this woman?:)

She had the driver, yes a driver, take us to the school. I'm pretty sure if Brian and I would have tried to find it, we would have gotten lost... so point to Brian. It's not terribly far, but it's location is no way as convenient as our schools.

I always love awkward conversations i.e. riding in a car with your boss. Luckily, I've always been good at filling in the silence with good material. I'm a question freak... so even if the person isn't a conservationist, they can't run from my millions of questions :) Plus, being a teacher now, I can stretch things out!

However, knowing how to gear conversations in the right direction takes talent if I do say so myself i.e. keep it far away from encouraging her that I'm staying another year. Also, knowing the answer before you ask the question so you can show that you care and pay attention AND have the opportunity to follow up with praises such as, "Oh thats amazing," sort of babble is always a nice touch. Again, who doesn't like praise? Some might call this manipulation or conniving. I say unto you, have you met the population currently on this planet?!? Some people are just more gifted than others at exercising this natural ability ;0)  Pisces whaaaaa?!?

May isn't awful to talk to, shes very bubbly and nice. Maybe a little too nice.... fake nice... or real nice... Maybe she just can't help herself in offering things. Maybe given the opportunity to give things away, she at times feels compelled...

So, when I returned from my trip an hour later with a free delicious 4 course Thai meal for Brian, Teacher Emily, and myself - I can't lie. I knew what I was doing. I made the conversation lean that way without being obvious. Politely refused yada yada yada. Was it wrong of me to take advantage of the situation?... um maybe.... Is it wrong we don't get any perks at this job and there are alot of shady things always going on?.... um YEAH... Is it wrong Brian wants to right these wrongs by stealing something of value from the school?.... technically, yes. SO again I say unto you, What I did was at least not illegal. It also helped team morale. Teacher Emily and Brian were ecstatic! I can't explain the blank faces I received staring back at my 1 hour experience.

What didn't help team morale was having every teacher come over to see what we were eating. I mean this never happens. Why today of all days did they decide to pop over?

White lies are good. Why should I say the truth if its only going to spread animosity between teachers? "Yeah got this food (free) from May... why you ask... uhhhhhh..."

Grandmama :)

The teachers already ask me each time a project comes up to lower my standards. I think I have heard the phrase, "Misty please don't _____, your going to make all of us look bad." I don't attempt to make anyone look bad or be the shining star. I just do my job. I don't do anything special. I just do it right and I do it good. Everyone is capable... and this tangent rant is isn't just a Thailand thing. It's been happening since Elementary school. I can't apologize for my work ethic. The world would probably be a better place if people had the same ideals.

So while looking down, I quickly mumbled, "Okay, here's the plan. We all brought in food for today to eat because its Friday and we are celebrating... goes with our reward system... we got it from a market... if they ask what market just say somewhere they would never understand....everyone understand? everyone agree?" Plus, I didn't want to put May in any sort of position of favoritism toward us... it was just better this way....

So even though they, Teacher Emily and Brian, approved of this make shift story I came up with in 5 seconds and they both understand English perfectly even at my fast paced mumbling, they still could not produce a sound when questioned by the other teachers. It was a long awkward silence when the first question was asked. Surely the other two would step up? Teacher Misty spent an hour getting us this delicious food! Nope... so my first response could have been read as weird if the other teachers were the least bit perceptive to human emotions. But their not. The second stream of questions, I didn't even wait for the others to try. I just ran with it. Good thorough explanation. Though, before answering I did hear Brian under his breath whisper, "Misssstyyyy...." As in, Misty why don't you answer that question. Urg... no one else has balls? really??? Go team!!!!! - And I mean that very sarcastically. Still love them... but damn! Help a sistah out!

So the white lie was going along fine. Brian got called away for a birthday so that meant we would have birthday cake too! What a wonderful day Friday was becoming.  Praise, tour, food, weekend. When Brian returned, Teacher Gerry showed up to talk with Brian about video cameras. On arriving he commented, "Oh that looks just like the food from alkdjfalkjdkajdf." What? I didn't catch that... It was clearly in Thai. "Oh, you know Eric and Mays restaurant." I was speechless. CAUGHT. What are the odds another teacher actually got take away from the other school?!? However, after taking a breath, I just looked confused and laughed and bobbled my head like an Indian - a move I learned from watching Outsourced, a comedy mini-series about an American working at a call center in India. The Indian head bobble neither says yes or no. He was more interested in talking to Brian anyway. He would never in a million years assume we got it for free of all things... maybe at the least ordered delivery. SAFE.

Later Teacher Emily confessed she knew Teacher Gerry goes over that way to eat with his family. UHHH would have been good to mention. But it worked out to be another classic TV moment that rarely happens in real life that we laugh about now. So I guess white lies can't always be problem solvers. Lesson learned... sorta... cause it still worked :)

While the boys talked, I kept bugging Brian to go get cake. He told me to go get it myself. Great. There's Teacher Misty scavenging another classes cake. It makes sense if it's Brian. It's his classes cake! With Brian chatting away, us girls left for the cafeteria area. Upon arrival I spotted the cake instantly. It was down to the wire. I shot past Emily, bumped my way to the faculty plates, and hightailed it to the cake. I don't think the Thai's were expecting such a fast farang. I swooped in and got two big pieces. After nabbing them, the rest was gone within seconds. Teacher Emily was so grateful for my fast maneuvering. I believe the wording she used today was, "You deserve two gold stars on your reward chart today. I am just in awe of you right now. You have light shooting out of your head." Thanks Teacher Emily :)

I even brought some of the cake to Brian because I'm such a good girlfriend. He didn't get any earlier because a plate wasn't shoved in his hand and he had reservations about taking a slice. Now Brian always says this to me when I go after something, "Ohhh I'm Misty... I"M GONNA GET MINE. mmmhmmm Look out for myself. I'm gonna get mine." I don't agree with this attitude he gives me. But best believe I stand up for myself and am a confident woman. I see an opportunity, I take it. You gotta act fast sometimes. I don't need to wait to be told what to do. I just do it. I think. Thanks dad :) And I don't know why Brian acts like this. Not like HE DOESN'T reap the rewards of my apparent self serving attitude.

More importantly, He sent the dirty plate back to the kitchen later that day via a student. His student brought back a comment via the kitchen staff. CLEAN YOUR OWN PLATE! Hahaha... leave it to Brian... We all know we have to wash our own dishes at school. The Thai's saw my hasty retrieval of cake before, and I hope they don't think that plate was being sent back via me :) Brian is just racking up points for me... awesome. Thanks, babe.

Quickly just to revert back to the hour long tour, the other school is going to be amazing. They are starting an international school. We don't work at an international school. We work at a private school. Big difference. Main difference money. You pay alot more for an International school than for a private school. I ran into Valarie, a fellow wife of a diver with Mermaids I met while the dive shop was having their free monthly bbq. She needed a teaching job and I suggested Phoenix. I only saw her one time since her hiring and it was a matter of seconds. It was nice to see her again. We arranged to meet up next week. I can't wait to hear about her teaching experience so far... whew! haha. Sure to be good!

Back on track... If you are a teacher at an International School you make BIG BUCKS! I make 30,000 Baht a month. International School teachers easily make 50,000 - 80,000 a month. That's alot considering I really only need at the most half my salary to live a very comfortable life in Thailand. Needless to say, it is very difficult to be hired as an International Teacher. You have to usually have a masters or bare minimum a degree in education, and the more work experience the better. A couple years will not cut it. Bringing the point back - working for an international school with my current background is ridiculous to even consider.

So... again... why did she bring me here?

Oh... Oh...oh...She wants to hire me as a teacher at her new International School. Don't worry - I'm not considering it. However, I am very flattered. I can't tell you how much applaud the woman gave me that hour. Truth be told, I'm glad at least someone was paying attention! I do work hard. I have never been a slacker in my life. It was a great booster. Always nice to have your boss gush over you... even if some of it is at an attempt to reel me back in. I always tried to end sentences with, "This would be a great way to advertise to other teachers on-line." May's no fool. She knows how this works. I can't be hate'n on her for it given my previous confession. Don't hate the player, hate the game. And I am one competitive game player at that ;0)

In all my questions to fill the hour we had together, I asked about our current teachers at Phoenix...
Me: "Well, won't all the teachers at Phoenix want to become teachers at the International school?" (It is more money after all)
May: "Ummmm..... uhhhh.... (more pause).... There is no one at Phoenix that I want to extend this offer to. Only you. We like you. Your teaching style is great... you can do things independently... your a problem solver... you don't complain you just do it and figure out a way....Blah blah blah. "

Truthfully can't remember all of it because I was stunned. What about Teacher Tom? He rocks as a teacher and plus HE LOVES IT! What about Teacher Lokki? He lives for every minute of teaching. I might be able to see her reasoning with the others... but still?!?

I was humbled.

Again, It's nice to know someone is paying attention and appreciates your work.

In retelling this story over our delicious meal, Brian's only comment was, "What about me?" (And he says I'm Misty "I'm gonna get mine"????? YEAH RIGHT!). No congratulations or you deserve it babe... you work hard or that's really awesome. None. But to answer his question, honestly I don't know. I think we would be at different schools. Or get this concept -- He would be at the international school only if he convinced me to stay. It's like Sugar Bowl all over again LOL. See he reaps benefits.

I am not trying to ring my own bell. I just needed to convey this day into writing just as it happened. The timing, coincidences, weirdness just can't be made up!

I conclude this blog with our conversation upstairs to our apartment after school...
Me: "Aww that was nice today. I was flattered..." Thinking this might be the time for Brian to say something nice.
Brian: *Silence*
Me in my head: Damn a good job or something would be the right thing to say about now. I know Brian hates giving me props but really?!?
Brian: ... after much silence "You are such an overachiever!!!! erg... you should just learn how to do the Stock Markets and make us some money."
Me: *Silence* - did not expect that comment.
Me: "Uhhh... I don't think that would work out so good...." :)

I really don't think it would.

Goodbye weird hectic Friday. Hello weekend.

Chinese New Year!

It's pretty big in Thailand. Thailand goes all out for all 3 New Years! They can't turn down a party :) I thought I missed Chinese New Year, when the day before, we woke up to firecrackers going off at 6 a.m. Apparently, this is typical. At first I thought it was a massive downpour that stopped suddenly lol. On our ride to work, there were so many tables with vast amounts of foods and whole pigs sitting out with incense. Unfortunately, I didn't have my camera that day to document... and they only really do the offerings its seems on New Years Eve because I saw no such tables out and about today like yesterday.

Unfortunate, we didn't have the day off... BUT it was an activity day at school which means - NO TEACHING! And since we are seen as soooo foreign to understand this day, we were assigned no tasks!!!! YES... just sit back or rather stand back and watch the minutes slip by.....

Year of the Rabbit

Yes, they actually had money in them! One from the principal and one from the office ladies!

 They had different activities set up around for the kids to do. There was a beauty contest... they just can't get enough of that here... painting, coloring, food making, and games. Good day!!!

Some of the teachers with Khun Goon/Gun (far left) - Boss lady #2

Sea of Red and Pink - The good luck colors for Chinese New Years.

Someone didn't get the memo :)

Us with Chinese Teacher Lua

Chinese Teacher Chan

Teacher Brian and Teacher Tony... he's a giant folks :)

My class all dressed up!

Some of my girls shaking it!

This is some Thai dessert - Not Chinese. They were suppose to make dumplings, but that was probably too expensive joked the Chinese teachers. This is some pink dough stuff served with simple syrup. No nutritional value, but plenty of sugar!

This is the Chinese teachers trying to figure out what this stuff is hahaha

Brian and his class. The school made a nice facade :)

B with the dragon :)

Us... Happy New Year Everyone