Picture a day August 31

For Nak Suu, we go to a field not far from here in the labyrinth of back streets. There's a small pavilion area where we do the teaching time, and four or five soccer fields, we rent one to use for the rugby time. At the back of the property there are bathrooms, and this house, where the owners live. When it first started going I thought it was pretty strange that they lived there, but I guess it makes sense. They own the property already, there is plenty of space, and there is plumbing for the bathroom and electric for the lights in the field. 

Picture a day August 30

This mini market pops up occasionally in the front of my apartment complex. They have clothes, jewelry, and some food. Always stuff for sale around these parts! 

Snarky Teacher

There is a person who visits my classroom from time to time, I like to call her Snarky Teacher- along the same lines as Pheobe's Smelly Cat, only with two syllables. She usually makes only occasional appearances, mostly within the last six weeks of the school year. Not this year. I'm not entirely sure why Snarky Teacher is so present this year, but I do think it's a sign that burn out is here, or coming. I know it has everything to do with me and nothing to do with the children. Their behavior is no worse than any other year. In fact, it may even be better. It's hard to say, I'm too busy being sarcastic to notice.

On the immediate level, I have now cut out just about every after school activity that involves students. At first I was unsuccessful in trying to quit one of the activities (What's up with that? I'm usually a world class quitter!) but was finally successful at it this morning. I'm hoping this helps solve the problem, especially since I don't have a great long term burn out solution at this point. I mean sure, I could quit my job (I have more practice quitting teaching jobs than most teachers) but unfortunately I don't have another means of feeding myself and quitting seems a bit drastic when it's only the fourth week of school. I am feeling lately like I am due for a weekend in Singapore, so maybe I can find a time soon to get away down there and maybe recover a bit of my mojo. 

Until then, I'll keep encouraging Snarky Teacher to keep her mouth shut, the filter on, and the flame burning. One day at a time.

**It should be noted that most of what Snarky Teacher says is only said in her head... 

Picture a day August 29

One of my groups of 8th graders giving me one of my favorite things: peace and quiet. Confession: I love walking around the room on test days, monitoring, thinking, enjoying the quiet, and answering their questions (most of which are either how to do the problem, which I can't answer, or confirmation that directions printed on the paper are in fact what they are supposed to do- ummmm, yes, duh). What I do not enjoy do much is grading the essay questions on their tests for days afterward! 

Picture a day August 28

Thailand imports America's finest! This pic is from one of our local malls. Next to Baskin Robbins is KFC. Across the hall is Burger King, and ten paces down is Dunkin Donuts. 

Picture a day August 27

Look what was delivered to my classroom today by one of my friends! Beautiful pink roses, a mug of hot tea, and an encouraging card. It came in my day of the week when I don't have a prep period and thus teach 350 minutes of math with a 35 minute break for lunch- every week when this day rolls around I consider calling in sick...

Picture a day August 26

Full size ovens to exist here, but they are rare, even for foreigners who are used to them. I survive off this toaster oven. That would be a veggie quiche baking in a bread pan in there. It's a bit tough because the baking temperature is relative and it drops dramatically every time you have to open the door to say, check if the middle is cooked yet. Arg.