GParer

Well folks...I've started a new blog with the most up to date information on my life. It's easier to write daily on this new one rather than this site....so check it out!!! http://travelisknowledge.wordpress.com/... read more

Why do I go abroad? My answer to this loaded question comes down to three basic reasons: 1. Getting away from it all: So many people get stuck in the grind of going to work or school and sometimes lose track of what it means to truly 'live'. Today's society focuses too much on going to school, getting a job, and paying the bills. For me, I wanted to get away from it all and really explore what else is out there in the world before I came to a point in my life where it wasn't possible for me to drop everything and leave. Whenever I talk to people about my experiences studying abroad in Australia and working abroad in Thailand, more times than not they tell me that they wish they would have traveled ... read more

I’m baaaack! This blog is well overdue and I’m sorry for not keeping everyone updated. A lot has happened since I last wrote, but I’ll try and keep it to a mere short story rather than a novel. With regards to teaching, things got a little smoother as the semester progressed. Along with picking up A LOT more Thai, I started to not care so much that the students were being devils because there wasn’t much I could do about it. I'm not sure if I mentioned this in another blog, but I found out that the school I was at is literally one of the worst schools in Ayutthaya. All the students that don't get into the good schools go to Ayutthaya Nusorn (A tuk tuk driver asked where I taught and when I told ... read more

After a grueling 3 week course, it was finally time to travel before the real teaching started. We began by heading back to Kho Phi Phi. My friend Ashlee was unfortunately sick the entire time but luckily we were able to meet up with another group that was there from the course. We decided to do an island boat tour which included snorkling and Maya Beach (where "The Beach" was filmed). Snorkling was great and we saw many cool fish...thankfully no sharks (though one guy claims he saw two reef sharks). The guides were throwing feed into the water for the fish and one of my friends got stuck treading water in a huge school of colorful fish..she was less than happy about it, and I can't blame her. After spending some time on Bamboo Island, ... read more

Sawasdee Kha! Sorry it had taken me so long to get this next blog up! Life has been pretty busy for the last week. Last week was our first week of class. The first two days we were taught by a Thai woman named Pat. Not only did she teach us some Thai but she also taught us about Thai culture and society. She was absolutely hilarious which made the classes really fun. Since she left we are learning about teaching, obviously. It has been really informative and I have learned a lot...so it hasn't been a complete waste! As for the title of this entry: teachers in Thailand are very well respected. We actually come in third of most respected people in Thailand 1. is Buddha/Buddhism, 2. The royal family, and 3. Teachers. So I ... read more