SMILE

Well it is midweek so I guess time for some info on this week. I have adjusted to being a teacher of younger ESL students. I see "addel" and read 'apple' and I read "hunb" and see 'hand.' The only thing is this way of thinking is causing my already less than stellar spelling to deteriorate. I feel very accomplished because I have graded over 500 papers, have lesson plans for next week, and even developed some projects and lessons for next semester. I have a rough idea of events for this weekend and October as well. There is only next week and then the week after is finals followed by BREAK. I have a visa run to do this weekend, so seeing my friends again and this time I will remember my passport. I also might get to meet some new farang in Lampang this weekend. I feel like there is a network of farang here lol.

I have found that my eldest boys have figured out how to beat teacher. I can silence them with a look or simply by standing near them or acting like I am about to walk over to them. But now they just all grin ridiculously at me even when I am not looking at them, but I can still see them in my periphery. It is like a game of chicken. I managed to keep from busting out laughing but it was very close a few times. I mean just imagine you are teaching a large class of teenagers and a group of 10 boys are clumped together in the back just grinning at you like a clown. For an hour. That class loves to make me laugh. They act like it is a novelty when I do. Geez guys it is not that rare!! In fact if you would just behave more I would laugh more.

I have gotten very comfy in my life and it is rare for me to have the "wow I am in Thailand!" moments anymore. I work, I relax, I enjoy my time with my friends and I always, always get surprised. My surprise today was my boys and their ridiculous grinning and then how much I have gotten accomplished in only three days. And tonight I get a salad (with lettuce) from Smile and some friend time. I actually dreamt about salad last night. Not sure how I feel about this....55.