The First Two Weeks


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December 18th 2011
Published: December 18th 2011
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I can't believe I am sitting here writing an entry having been at work for two weeks already! In some ways it seems to have gone very quickly but in others it still feels like I'm only on my first day.



I thought Thailand in general was laid back, Thai schools take the definition to a whole new level! Classes get cancelled or changed with little or no notice. On one occasion last week, the class I was supposed to have had disappeared and, in the process of trying to find them, I got cornered by the director asking me to listen to some other students read and grade them on it. I still have no idea what happened to my original class but no one seems to mind! The Thai teachers are very friendly and always greet me with a smile and wai (it's the traditional greeting here - palms together, held somewhere between your chest and your forehead depending on the level of respect you want to give and a slight bow of the head. The higher the hands are the greater the respect given.) They don't speak very good English so it's hard to communicate
Lesson TimeLesson TimeLesson Time

Classes in a car park...
with them, but we get by. The other foreign teachers are friendly enough in a social situation but are very disorganised in the workplace. It's going to take some time to get used to it. I tried to find out what I'm supposed to be teaching and got told to ask the students - fine, if they spoke good enough English to tell me!! I teach some lessons in an actual classroom, which is quite a novelty. Others I teach in the dining room or the car park, depending on what's free at the time and it changes from week to week. If I thought I was going to find a routine at work I was massively mistaken!



The social side of life in Thailand is still going strong. Last weekend, despite the fact that Bangkok had its public holiday cancelled by the government, we went to an island only a few hours from here called Ko Si Chang. It's a very quiet island and we did little except lie on the beach and relax, but it was lovely. I think it's where we're planning on spending next weekend, for Christmas. It will be hard not being
Some friendsSome friendsSome friends

Earl and Marc, two of my Filipino colleagues
at home, but made slightly easier by knowing I'll be with my new friends on a beach! The weekend has been quite quiet, by choice. It was my work Christmas dinner on Friday night, we went to a Filipino restaurant and sang Karaoke. It was a fun evening and a nice chance to socialise with colleagues. Other than that I have been pottering around my apartment doing a few chores that needed to be done. I did meet up with Holly last night and went for dinner. I have also managed to go out a few evenings during the week so I haven't been lonely and it's been quite nice to have a chance to catch up with myself.



I doubt I'll write another entry before the weekend so here's wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and hoping that you all enjoy yourselves. Lots of love xxxx

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18th December 2011

Teaching in a car park!
I love these pictures, you look gorgeous and you really do teach in a car park! Also wanted you to know that we do also read your blog, it summarises your e-mails nicely so keep it up xxx
20th December 2011

Thanks Mummy!
Haha of course you think I look gorgeous, I look like you!!!!!! Yes, I really do teach in a car park, not every lesson, just when there's nowhere else to go...love you xxx

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