4 MORE YEARS???

Not really 4 but 1. I have decided to stay here for another year. I observed different teachers classes Wednesday and Thursday, trying to get a feel for what grade I might like to teach next. I love teaching K2, my kids are adorable and I really like the group of teachers that I am with right now. On the other hand, the idea of teaching grade 3, 4, or 5 and having them understand what I'm saying, be able to read and laugh at my niche style of comedy makes me happy. I was DEFINITELY planning on leaving after this school year. I really enjoy it here but not speaking Thai is a struggle to say the least and would like to make more money in another country. 

2013?

BBBUTT (as Teacher Oat would say) our boss sent out an e-mail saying he would like to know by then end of the week what people are thinking about next year and also had his own sales pitch style of trying to get people to stay on. Most people will be moving on because they have been here for about 2 years and that is about the amount of time I want to spend here. It came down to a few things:


1-I love teaching. I dig being around kids, asking me for help and showing them something they didn't know when they walked into MY class in the morning.


2-We get a stupid amount of time off. Will leave it at that.


3-No winter.


4-Thailand is a cool place, good jump off point to other cheap, cheap but good good countries.


5-One year just wasn't enough.
(Side note: If you or someone you know is thinking of teaching English abroad, now is the time to apply, summer camp starts in April and the new year starts in May. http://www.eslcafe.com/search/Jobs/Asia/Thailand/



Home?
I will be back home at the end of April/beginning of May for 10-14-16 days. Not 100% sure when the new term starts but will be home for sure for a portion of a beautiful Ottawa spring. If you would like some Bert time, my calender is free and will likely stay fairly free. Things on the agenda are a Jays game, Canada's Wonderland and eating at Wendy's. Teacher Bert understands people are busy and have jobs so I will be chilling with my mom, eating some chili and going on a walk or two with Old Lady Debbie. 

(Quick story: As you might know, I love suits. So when I was at the big school for 2 days I dressed up all fancy in my suit along with my jacket. 2 interesting comments)


Thai teacher: Ummmm Teacher Bert. You are wearing a jacket......it issss very hot in Thailand. People arrre curious...why you are wearing it?


Small child: Teacher, teacher, you are very handsome, what do you eat??
Teacher Bert: Sorry? 
Small child: Youuu very handsome, what do you eat?
Teacher Bert: Oh, I am from Canada. 
Small child: Ohhhhh Canaanadaaaa.





“Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition.” — Steve Jobs

2012

Well I have some time on my hands, most of the people of Nakhon are wisely not in the flood zone so this leaves me with some spare time before continuing my outstanding work as a nap time monitor.

I'm normally really into making New Year's resolutions. One year I made it the WHOLE year without eating McDonald's. Wasn't as hard as I thought it would be but if I passed one the smell would definitely get you. 3ish years ago I told myself I would learn chess, still haven't done it and am somewhat disappointed in myself about that one. I've been thinking about it a little bit and thought I would put key stroke to monitor and make a few minor resolutions for 2012:

Resolutions: 

1-Teacher Bert is somewhat competitive. I like winning and feel the opposite about losing. A strong part of that comes from my dad who also passed his lack of patience on to his 3rd favorite child. I think I care too much about how good other people are compared to myself and how I might never be better at climbing than Jake or basketball than Seth. I need to let this go. Now. It isn't productive and doesn't make me happier. I need to realize that billions of people are better at billions of other things than I am. And that's ok. As long as I am trying new things, getting better and enjoying myself, I should be alright. Also, just use these people as resources to get better instead of making them my own secrete enemies.

Comparison, a great teacher once told me, is the cardinal sin of modern life. It traps us in a game that we can't win. Once we define ourselves in terms of others, we lose the freedom to shape our own lives. - Jim Collins


2-I would also like 2012 to be lived with a bit more sense of urgency. I would like to live to be 100, I would even settle for 80. However, things don't always go as planned and one day we might end up with less time than we think. If this means talking to a girl you think is cute but usually don't because you have no game, give it a shot. If it means not making the safe choice and living outside of your comfort zone, go for it.

Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. 
If you have 15 minutes watch this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UF8uR6Z6KLc

I have a few other personal Bert ones but those should be manageable goals for 2012. Enjoy your weekend, thank you for checking into my life and don't forget to be happy.



“One day your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it’s worth watching.” –Unknown

Farang.......SSSSSSSPPRRRAYYYYYYY!!

Hope everyone had a super great, fantastic, wonderful Christmas and happy New Year! I had a solid break and because of some floooooding I don't work until Monday. No complaints.




The part of town I live in is fine, the last 2 days have been hot and the water has receded so things are getting better. Once I get back to work I will have had 16 days off, paid. I really enjoy Thailand.


I spent 9 of my 11 Christmas day pre-flood days with Stu and Kait. Went to Koh Lak with them, they were suppose to go on a liveaboard in the Similan Islands but the  weather was too bad so they had to come back. So, I obviously followed them wherever they were going next without asking and we ended up in Koh Sok, same area where the floating bungalows are. Me and Kait went to maybe not the most professional massage place, nothing illegal but nothing to write home about (which is sort of what I'm doing I suppose). Went on a jungle trek:


Spent New Year's on Koh Phangan, went back to the jungle, rave dance party. Definitely see some hippies and strange dude and dudettes but a good scene none the less. Nothing earth shattering happened, really enjoyed the weather, liked sleeping in, doing whatever, getting some sun and drinking some Singha's. Very stress and drama free New Year's which I know is sometimes not the case. Anyway, that's what's up. Started looking into what I want to do after I'm done here, for sure home mid May for Matt's wedding in TO so if you realllllllllllllllllllllllllly want to see teacher Bert, I will be around.


It matters not so much where we are, but in what direction we are moving - Oliver Wendell Holmes

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas everyone! Hope everyone has a great Christmas and gets to spend time with the people they love. Quick update on my end, in Khao Lak for Christmas with Stu and Kait. Did a little Christmas exchange this morning, went swimming, 28-30 degrees here right now. Have 11 days off, meeting up with Jake and Emma at some point then going to Koh Phangan for an above average New Year's party. Skype my family this morning which was good and happy everyone is together and having fun. Went to Koh Mook the other weekend. Was such a beautiful place and would recommend anyone go there if they have the opportunity. Went on a long tail boat that took us to a few different places to eat and go snorkeling. Then took us to the emerald cave where you can either kayak or swim into but need a torch because it goes pitch black. Then you enter this:  http://www.virtualsweden.se/panorama/koh-mook-emerald-cave


Had our school Christmas Show on Friday. Went really well, everyone's shows were great and we did a Christmas exchange and I received gift certificates to get my long hair washed. Getting my hair washed by someone else might be my favorite thing in the world to do right now. Does anyone really not like that feeling?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqmwA7rd9EE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xxi6mq9S2U&feature=related

"This too shall pass"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XQIxr4gRQM

"Only my opinion teacher"

This post isn’t funny. If you are looking for a laugh watch this

.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avAVmfutod4&feature=related or this:      

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7_0SOTQLIQ

 If not, read away.

My first real person I don’t really mind hanging around with after school in Nakhon is leaving. We could go as far to say a friend/rival blogger. For basically everyone here, this is an extremely normal occurrence, one that happens monthly, sometimes weekly. I think people that have been here a few years are good at being able to maybe not get too close or always have in the back of their minds that the person they are becoming friends with will eventually move on. I suppose you can take it one of two ways. The way Bert is programmed to function and probably most people is to be sad and not enjoy the change. Even if this change makes someone else happy and will probably improve their life and future. The other side of the coin, the more experienced person would say, you got to meet this/these incredible people that made your life better, will have memories and can visit this person on their next travel destination. When I talk to people about how they deal with new people coming and going all the time and friends leaving them for a different life, a main theme that comes up is, it isn’t goodbye and you have a place to stay wherever they may end up. And vice versa. Imagining what it would be like spending time with a person I have made good friends with in this small Thai town while not in Thailand is very fascinating to me and interested to see who stays in touch with and who you really are saying goodbye to forever.

 Around Halloween there was a bit of an influx of people coming into Nakhon/the group. And honestly, didn’t like it at first. I felt and feel like we have a good, diverse group of people that fit relatively well together in this setting. Having new guys and to lesser extent girls into the group has the potential for unwanted change, conflict and just less fun. Change. I had to talk to like 5-6 different people to understand how they approach new people and how to maximize the results. The best advice I think I received was just cherry pick the people you think you will get along with the best because you can’t and don’t want to be great friends with everyone. So, my theory from then on to now and beyond is to get to know everyone a little, seek out those with potential and maximize their fun level.

            I know I say to embrace change, and I think I do. The change I like most is the change that is my decision. I don’t love change being forced upon me. So if you are faced with a choice, embrace it because fighting it probably won’t make it any better. 

37 minutes PASSED my bed time. wow.

Great weekend. My life and most other in Nakhon's lives are much improved and enhanced because of Berret and Maew. This is the second trip that they have organized that I have been to and they are just unreal and places that I would never, ever have gone to without their help so thank you to both of them. They are great. Before the weekend started, we had a Father's Day celebration and that is why we had Monday off/King's birthday. And in case you are curious, I taught my kids a song that has been stuck in my head for a decent amount of time: Thanks, Thanks, Thank you Dad, Thanks for loving me; Hugs and kisses, Hugs and kisses; come to you from me!!!. Very cute. Here are some pictures from that and a video that may or may not work.

Floating bungalows were about 5ish hours maybe from Nahkon, definitively worth the trip. Had a huge bus, bought a tube to float in (great purchase) but for some reason didn't take any action shots with it. If you are in the market for a camera, I recommend a water proof camera. They take the same pictures out of water but much higher quality pictures underwater than say an un-waterproof camera that would surely break underwater. 

Cave guide

Great food, good people, good books, excellent podcasts, fun cave, decent weather, no complaints. On the Bert scale of 1-12 it scored a 10.5/11. Those are the main points I wanted to make and pictures. Have more, might add tomorrow. Another even bigger weekend coming up, another Monday off. Started teaching my kids about winter and Christmas. Did you know that you can YouTube the entire original Rudolph Christmas story? Might have watched 12 minutes of it with my class while "working" today. MIGHT watch another 12 tomorrow...IF they are quiet, which is a real 50/50 chance.Enjoy your week, enjoy your weekend, enjoy the holiday season. 

Oh and remember how killing sharks is bad? Making some progress in the world. Don't kill sharks. 

http://www.smh.com.au/environment/conservation/hong-kongs-shark-fin-traders-feel-pressure-20111127-1o16m.html