It's the Little Things

Just like my old kindergarten students, the grade 7 students always keep me on my toes. They are forever chatting, laughing, screaming, and playfully shoving each other. In order to keep your sanity, as a teacher, it is necessary to pick your battles when running the class. Sometimes I have to look the other way, or pretend I didn't hear the string of swear words coming out of a kid's mouth (whether in English or Thai).
Some days when I think my pubescent students have gone over the edge and entered the dark, attitude ridden world of teenagers, they do things to completely catch me off-guard (and let me breathe a sigh of relief knowing that they still are little, adorable kids). The little things they do helps remind me of why I love my job.

What I found in my classroom after one sick day. They did it during their lunch break, without being forced by a teacher!!

 

A long-neck woman pencil holder from a student.

A Musical Sunday

Taking my first sick day of the school year. Having a cold in +30° weather is not fun. I do think it is better than a cold in -30° which I hear a lot of people at home are currently dealing with!

On Sunday a small group of us had a picnic at Lumphini Park, one of the most popular parks in Bangkok. 

The park is known for its reptile residents, monitor lizards.

Fish food.

Catfish chompin' away.

The reason for our picnic: every Sunday during the "winter months", the Bangkok Symphony Orchestra puts on a free concert in the park. They were simply amazing.

 

 

 

From the South to the North



2013 already hey. I still catch myself writing 2010 on things. Guess I will be extra behind now.

 

Happy New Year!! Andy and I ended off the year with one awesome trip. On December 13th, Andy's Auntie Lisa, Uncle Jim, cousin Jill, and Auntie Gisele came to Thailand! We had the pleasure of traveling with them for two weeks.

 

 

Bangkok...

 

First day in BKK. Checking out some delicious Thai food.

 

Panang curry.

 

7 people to a taxi? Why not!

 

First sky train ride! Going to check out where Andy works.

 

 

Krabi...

Experiencing snow in the Bangkok airport!
We only spent a couple days in Bangkok. The beaches of the south were calling us.

 

Our home for the first 6 days of the trip.

 

The resort we stayed at in Krabi.

 

Complete with 3 pools, a lake, and a path straight to the beach.

Checking out the Andaman Sea for the first time.

Thai pancakes- heavenly.

The beach was a 5 minute walk from our hotel. It is known for the MONKEYS.

Pretty much cousins.



Seafood pizza.

Breakfast with a view.

We checked out Railay Beach a couple times.
I have been there 6 times, and it still blows my mind every time. One of the most beautiful places on Earth and a reminder of why we moved to Thailand.

 

Bride and groom rock climbing.

Food boats.

Taking it easy.

 

Pigs.

 

Shell Beach.

 

Two islands connected with a sand bar.

 

 

 





Sneaky monkey trying to steal Andy's paint brushes. He almost had them for good.



At this point I had enough of the monkeys. They would not leave anyone alone.

Fresh water fighting.

Phuket...

Waiting for our van to take us to Phuket.

One night stopover, and then on to the north.

Fish and chips on our last night in the south.
Goodbye beaches and fresh seafood.

Chiang Mai...

Hello city of shopping (and temples, and elephants, and other things).

 

 

Sunday market.

Fried insects.

 

Brave Jill about to eat a silk worm.

 

The pampered life.
It is hard to turn down $10 massages, facials, manicures, and pedicures.

Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral on Christmas Day.

A view of some ladies, with the city of Chiang Mai in the background.

 

Our Christmas Day celebration- visiting a temple on the top of Doi Suthep mountain.

Monks and hardcore bikers, quite the mix.

Classy at Christmas dinner.

Wat Chedi Luang in the old city of Chiang Mai.

 

 

 

 

Our company is back safe and sound in Canada. Andy went back to work today, and I go back on Monday. Already looking forward to the next batch of guests in March!