I'm going to start this blog by putting a theory out there, do you think that I'm jinxed? I mean right now, I think that news across the globe is dominated with two things, the first being the terrorism in Mumbai and the second being the mess in Bangkok. I'm thinking that when I decide to move on I need to send advance warning to my new country of choice so they can bolster their secruity before I arrive! Anyway, thought I'd do a blog, to say that all is well in Lopburi, no signs at all of any of the [View Full Entry]

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OK, so once again, I'm starting a blog entry apologising for how long it's been since I last wrote anything. No excuses, just life flying by scarily quickly! We only have two school terms here, and the first one is already finished. I can't believe it, that means I'm half way through my year already. In many ways it only feels like five minutes since I started, but then again, when I think how much I've learnt and acheived since I arrived, I guess it feels like I've been here quite a while. The last few weeks of term saw me [View Full Entry]

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I cannot believe that I've been in Thailand for over four months now. Each week seems to fly by at lightening pace. Next week is my fifteenth teaching week, and the Fun Language course is 30 weeks long, so by Friday, I'll be half way through my first year, scary!! The good thing about being half way through the year, is that the end of the first term is also in sight, and with that, comes a HOLIDAY!!! YAY! I am absolutely loving being in the classroom, more than I ever dared dream I would, but, it is really exhausting work, [View Full Entry]

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I bought a sexy new pink (or 'see champoo' in Thai, I love that word!) camera the other week, after my last one died a death in Bangkok. So, I've tried to take a few pics over the last couple of weeks to share with you. Attempted getting the monkeys today. But, everytime i got my camara out when I was close to them was scared they'd pounce! SO, all you have is a couple of naff distance shots for now, ha ha! Will do a proper written catch up real soon, but for now, enjoy the piccies! xxx [View Full Entry]

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Well, I survived my first week! Although, not getting too excited, as this was only a 'practice' week, if I can say the same this time next week, I'll be very happy!! We are still erm, very short on the native speaking teachers front, so this week we instead of starting our proper lessons we did an introduction with each of the Prathom classes (like our primary, from 6-11ish). We took the students in their whole class groups, between 40-50 and gave them an introduction to Fun Langauge, how we will teach them, about the games, songs and rewards we use. [View Full Entry]

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Note to my lovely readers!!! I have written this blog over a number of days, so the time references are slightly all over the place!! Happy reading :o) I have now been here for three weeks. I can't make my mind up if it feels like more or less than that!! One thing I do know is that I am starting to feel settled, getting my head around this little town, and the fact that its where I'll be living for the next year. The pictures in this blog are all actually from my friend's camara and all from her brother's [View Full Entry]

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Just wanted to share some more pics that haven't made it onto here before..... Some of when my Mum and Dad, Charlene, Laura, Dave and Barnaby were out here. Barnaby is Charlene's furry friend ha ha!! Nah, honestly he is a reception class project, the travelling bear, he goes on holiday and then writes a diary to share with the students when he gets home, it was great having him around, meant we got so many more photos!! Some also of The Pirate Party at The Mango House, which was my last day at the charity, for now, anyway!! Also, I [View Full Entry]

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........ and I am so so so happy to tell you all that first impressions of my new country, job, town, colleagues, school, boss, home, EVERYTHING, is really really good!! I arrived here after a trouble free flight. Was so nice getting to Thailand in three hours!! Got my bags and changed some money, bought some water and then it was time to go meet my lift. I slept most of the way from Bangkok to Lopburi, as even though my flight was short, with the timing of it and the time difference, I missed a nights sleep, so it was [View Full Entry]

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Tonight I fly out of Delhi and onto Thailand, ready to start the next chapter of my adventure. My main aim for today is to hide from the immense heat outside, as well as the Kashmiri sellers, beggars and everyone else on the crazy street that is Main Bazaar, Paharganj, New Delhi!! My taxi to the airport is booked for 9.30pm with my flight at 1.05am, and after a late one watching the Champions League last night, I plan on going and having a snooze this afternoon, but first, a catch up :o) April 23rd 2008 - Two Weddings & The [View Full Entry]

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Well, what a difference a year makes…….. 12 months ago, I was preparing for my final exams in Newcastle, with no real clue what the future would hold. I had (finally!) given myself a good talking to, and decided that I would put in some serious effort, and library sessions, and do my best to leave what had been a rollercoaster of four years at uni with a decent degree. I had signed up to do three months in the summer working with street children in Goa, even though I hadn’t got the vaguest interested in children. I knew I didn’t [View Full Entry]

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