Tuesday, June 1, 2010
This one goes out to my sister...
Haven't heard this song in such a long time! Ah, Love IT!!!
One of my favorite songs when I was a little girl :)
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
When it rains...
it pours here. People say you can set your watch to it. I do not think we are at that point yet, but we do get the occasional storm every couple days. It's beautiful when it's just lighting storms over the ocean off in the distance. We are dreading riding the motorbike to work in the rain. Ugh.
Speaking of water related subjects... Brian washing clothes in the bathroom...Tsunami Wave!
This past weekend while he was at Dive School, I decided to be Susie Homemaker and do the laundry. He was feeling a bit ill, and I had nothing else to do but plan lessons. I had a nice system - soak in the sink, rinse off in the tub, ring out on the side of the tub, hang on the drying racks out on our balcony. No mess or water all over the place. A long process but easy enough. Your fingers do start to ache. Makes you appreciate washing machines! or Jang downstairs :)
I went into the bathroom today to find my sacred stash of tampons soaked! It was like interviewing one of my kid's at school! He wouldn't confess. I had to use the phrase, "It wasn't like this when I left!" Still didn't confess...
Later he turned on the puppy dog face and uttered, "Babe, don't hate me," that I finally got it out of him. He thought he might have accidentally got it wet yesterday while washing his work pants.
Not 30 minutes after this confession did he proceed to wash another set of clothes. He was cursing about not having enough towels in the apartment, so I walked into the bathroom to help. He was on his hands and knees sopping up water. I dove under the sink to check on my corner of stuff. Sure enough, He took out my waxing kit and medicine kit! Urg that boy... kind of funny though because it totally proved what happened the prior day to my beloved tampons. Caught red handed!
I told him to let me do the laundry from now on! My items are all currently laid out on the table with the fan pointed at them. Fingers crossed.
Speaking of water related subjects... Brian washing clothes in the bathroom...Tsunami Wave!
This past weekend while he was at Dive School, I decided to be Susie Homemaker and do the laundry. He was feeling a bit ill, and I had nothing else to do but plan lessons. I had a nice system - soak in the sink, rinse off in the tub, ring out on the side of the tub, hang on the drying racks out on our balcony. No mess or water all over the place. A long process but easy enough. Your fingers do start to ache. Makes you appreciate washing machines! or Jang downstairs :)
I went into the bathroom today to find my sacred stash of tampons soaked! It was like interviewing one of my kid's at school! He wouldn't confess. I had to use the phrase, "It wasn't like this when I left!" Still didn't confess...
Later he turned on the puppy dog face and uttered, "Babe, don't hate me," that I finally got it out of him. He thought he might have accidentally got it wet yesterday while washing his work pants.
Not 30 minutes after this confession did he proceed to wash another set of clothes. He was cursing about not having enough towels in the apartment, so I walked into the bathroom to help. He was on his hands and knees sopping up water. I dove under the sink to check on my corner of stuff. Sure enough, He took out my waxing kit and medicine kit! Urg that boy... kind of funny though because it totally proved what happened the prior day to my beloved tampons. Caught red handed!
I told him to let me do the laundry from now on! My items are all currently laid out on the table with the fan pointed at them. Fingers crossed.
Aqua Lives!
Don't act like you aren't excited to see their video! Everyone loved BARBIE GIRL haha :) I won't lie, I owned their CD!!!!
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Curfew
So, it got a little messy in Bangkok. They instated a curfew in a few provinces in Thailand. Pattaya was one of them. We are suppose to be in doors by 9 PM. Alot of business closed at 6 PM today. The banks haven't even been open for the last couple days.
But it was friday, and we really wanted to out. We went to Cob's shop in Northern Pattaya.
We ate papaya salad aka Som Tam (Pronounced Tum). Mmmm so good and only 25 Baht. If I go to a Thai resturant in the States it runs almost $8!!! We tried two different types - One with crab and one without. I perferred the one without. It tasted more like the typical papaya salad we are used to in the States. It had peanuts too :) Som Tam is a dish that is meant to be shared with people. For example, you wouldn't traditional just eat it by yourself. It is meant to be eaten over conversation and with company. It is served with sticky rice. You just grab some rice in your hand and dip into the Som Tam. No utensils needed!
We had a delicious pork dish with it and chicken wings. At least one meat is served with Som Tam. Basil and "green beans" were on the table as well. They help take the burning sensation away.
I could have eaten alot more that night, but once I got the heat out of my mouth - I didn't dare start eating again :( I have to build up my tolerance!!!!
We were hoping to call it an early night, but Cob got caught up in one of the Thai drama's. Just like a soap opera, but very poorly produced. Eeeck. Anyway, we ended up leaving well after curfew. On the bright side it was easy getting home with no cars or motorbikes trying to run you over :) We didn't run into any cops... We saw alot of them with check points set up if you were going to enter Pattaya.
Where there used to be bustling streets with loads of street vendors, it was quiet and still. I think the curfew is suppose to be lifted Monday if not sooner.
But it was friday, and we really wanted to out. We went to Cob's shop in Northern Pattaya.
 |
| Cob's mother's market |
 |
| Bun, Cob's brother, in the front with friends |
 |
| Som Tam!! Comes in little bags. |
I could have eaten alot more that night, but once I got the heat out of my mouth - I didn't dare start eating again :( I have to build up my tolerance!!!!
 |
| Snacking |
Where there used to be bustling streets with loads of street vendors, it was quiet and still. I think the curfew is suppose to be lifted Monday if not sooner.
 |
| Spirit House |
Thursday, May 20, 2010
If I had to pick one song...
to summarize Pattaya, it would be "My Humps," By the Black Eyed Peas.
School was slow today. It dragged on. I think I am still jet lagged. I am always tired! I consoled two crying children today (upset for no apparent reason) and yelled the loudest at my class today. My fuse was really short today. It's very important I get my sleep!!! They will fear an un-rested Teacher Misty!! Their little terrified faces looked so taken back that the farang teacher could be mean! Haha... Is it wrong that this made me smile :) Tutoring went better today. Pat likes me. We would have got alot of work accomplished if it wasn't for the other 4 children running wild in the classroom. One more day and then the weekend!
School was slow today. It dragged on. I think I am still jet lagged. I am always tired! I consoled two crying children today (upset for no apparent reason) and yelled the loudest at my class today. My fuse was really short today. It's very important I get my sleep!!! They will fear an un-rested Teacher Misty!! Their little terrified faces looked so taken back that the farang teacher could be mean! Haha... Is it wrong that this made me smile :) Tutoring went better today. Pat likes me. We would have got alot of work accomplished if it wasn't for the other 4 children running wild in the classroom. One more day and then the weekend!
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
The Essentials...
Brian was making a list for the grocery store. We are trying to stretch our money till the end of the month. Live frugally. See if we can do it!
He asked what I needed to pick up at the store. I, of course, said a blanket because we get cold at night. It makes sense. He shouted back at me, "JUST THE ESSENTIALS!"
Ooooookay, well what do you have on the list so far?
His response, "Ketchup and Sausages."
Really, Brian, that's the essentials?
What do you need ketchup for?
His response, "I want to dip everything in Ketchup...actually just those mini hotdog/sausage rolls... I bet it will taste amazing! And all those sausages look so good at the store, I want to try them all."
The sausage kiosk he speaks of is all raw meat. We only have a microwave in our apartment. No hotplates. And to purchase a hotplate is just an extra expenditure. We really wouldn't cook at home enough to justify buying a hotplate. Of course, this justification only occurs to me.
"What are you going to do, microwave the sausages to cook them?"
His response, "Yeah."
Yum.
He asked what I needed to pick up at the store. I, of course, said a blanket because we get cold at night. It makes sense. He shouted back at me, "JUST THE ESSENTIALS!"
Ooooookay, well what do you have on the list so far?
His response, "Ketchup and Sausages."
Really, Brian, that's the essentials?
What do you need ketchup for?
His response, "I want to dip everything in Ketchup...actually just those mini hotdog/sausage rolls... I bet it will taste amazing! And all those sausages look so good at the store, I want to try them all."
The sausage kiosk he speaks of is all raw meat. We only have a microwave in our apartment. No hotplates. And to purchase a hotplate is just an extra expenditure. We really wouldn't cook at home enough to justify buying a hotplate. Of course, this justification only occurs to me.
"What are you going to do, microwave the sausages to cook them?"
His response, "Yeah."
Yum.
First Immigration Raid!
The day was winding down... only 30 minutes until the end of school!!! I was sitting at my desk helping some of my struggling students with their writing... I bribe them with stickers :)
Anyway, I saw one of the other Farang teachers zoom past my window. I saw her look in, but she was in a hurry. No sooner had I looked down at the student's papers did she come hurling into my room.
I just looked blankly at her... "But...." My focus was half on her and half on keeping the children working on their studies. It's hard to get their mind to focus after nap time... I didn't want to spend another 15 minutes trying to get their attention!!!
She turned to leave and knocked into the Thai office manager who was fastly approaching my room... *Smash* right into her cheek... it was definitely going to bruise. The farang teacher vanished.
The Thai office manager kept trying to get me to leave. I was a little bewildered considering I thought I was legal. I scrambled to grab the students papers and put away all the stuff on my desk.
I wasn't objecting now. I followed the Thai office manager out. I was halfway to Brian's building when Ooie stopped us. She said I didn't need to worry. I was okay.
Fabulous, I thought. I headed back to my room and re-started the tutoring process.
All I heard for the next 15 minutes was, "Teacher, Teacher why you leave?"
How do you explain illegal immigration to children?
Not five minutes later did another Thai woman come in my class. She asked if I was busy between 3-4pm after school. I knew where this was leading... I did have May's son to tutor at that time. She said, "Oh just one... I will give you NINE." Awesome.
Out of all the farang teachers it was just me, Brian, and Simon (Holland). All the other teachers do not qualify for Work Permits because they do not hold an actual Bachelors Degree. So technically, they are illegal workers. They do their Visa runs every 3-6 months, but that only qualifies them to live in Thailand, not work. We would have to cover all the extra classes from the other teachers who had to flee. The only bright side is getting paid more money. However, I'm not sure that fact wins we over.
I found Pat, May's son, and told him I couldn't tutor him today. I was busy. Surprisingly, he didn't run! He actually listened and shook his head okay having understood every word I said. He is a smart boy... just has some behavioral issues at first. The Chinese teacher was right though, just give Pat some time and he will warm up to you.
Simon gave me some worksheets to do for the 1 hour tutoring session. HA... that didn't really work out so well....
All the children ranged in age from 2-7 years old. It was chaotic. Thank God Brian decided to help me. They asked Brian to tutor from 2-3pm. He said, "No." Smart man that Brian.... granted his real class doesn't finish till 2:30 p.m. anyway.
Once that was done, We were all but too happy to leave the school. On our way home we saw a police man on every street corner. Luckily, we didn't get pulled over because we didn't have 200 Baht bribe money in our wallets.
Apparently raids happen every so often. I am not looking forward to it if it means tutoring that many children again. Ugh!
All I can say is the teachers better show up tomorrow. I don't want to have to teach three K2 classes for the entire day and tutor after school. Shoot me now if that happens!
Anyway, I saw one of the other Farang teachers zoom past my window. I saw her look in, but she was in a hurry. No sooner had I looked down at the student's papers did she come hurling into my room.
"Run. Immigration is here. "
I just looked blankly at her... "But...." My focus was half on her and half on keeping the children working on their studies. It's hard to get their mind to focus after nap time... I didn't want to spend another 15 minutes trying to get their attention!!!
"Never mind that. Leave it. Just leave. Now"
She turned to leave and knocked into the Thai office manager who was fastly approaching my room... *Smash* right into her cheek... it was definitely going to bruise. The farang teacher vanished.
The Thai office manager kept trying to get me to leave. I was a little bewildered considering I thought I was legal. I scrambled to grab the students papers and put away all the stuff on my desk.
"Just leave it. Go. Now"
I wasn't objecting now. I followed the Thai office manager out. I was halfway to Brian's building when Ooie stopped us. She said I didn't need to worry. I was okay.
Fabulous, I thought. I headed back to my room and re-started the tutoring process.
All I heard for the next 15 minutes was, "Teacher, Teacher why you leave?"
How do you explain illegal immigration to children?
Not five minutes later did another Thai woman come in my class. She asked if I was busy between 3-4pm after school. I knew where this was leading... I did have May's son to tutor at that time. She said, "Oh just one... I will give you NINE." Awesome.
Out of all the farang teachers it was just me, Brian, and Simon (Holland). All the other teachers do not qualify for Work Permits because they do not hold an actual Bachelors Degree. So technically, they are illegal workers. They do their Visa runs every 3-6 months, but that only qualifies them to live in Thailand, not work. We would have to cover all the extra classes from the other teachers who had to flee. The only bright side is getting paid more money. However, I'm not sure that fact wins we over.
I found Pat, May's son, and told him I couldn't tutor him today. I was busy. Surprisingly, he didn't run! He actually listened and shook his head okay having understood every word I said. He is a smart boy... just has some behavioral issues at first. The Chinese teacher was right though, just give Pat some time and he will warm up to you.
Simon gave me some worksheets to do for the 1 hour tutoring session. HA... that didn't really work out so well....
All the children ranged in age from 2-7 years old. It was chaotic. Thank God Brian decided to help me. They asked Brian to tutor from 2-3pm. He said, "No." Smart man that Brian.... granted his real class doesn't finish till 2:30 p.m. anyway.
Once that was done, We were all but too happy to leave the school. On our way home we saw a police man on every street corner. Luckily, we didn't get pulled over because we didn't have 200 Baht bribe money in our wallets.
Apparently raids happen every so often. I am not looking forward to it if it means tutoring that many children again. Ugh!
All I can say is the teachers better show up tomorrow. I don't want to have to teach three K2 classes for the entire day and tutor after school. Shoot me now if that happens!