Thai Massages

Went for my second Thai massage tonight. First one was a foot massage with my friend Lynne and tonight I had a back and neck massage while my colleague Katie had a foot massage.

In Bangkok you will pay about 300baht for a foot massage whereas in the Rangsit area I paid only 100baht for a 30min back and neck massage.

After much pain and suffering, and being bent like a pretzel every which way, I feel fantastic. My back and neck massage also included a head massage.

When I went for my foot massage about 2 weeks ago they certainly gave me value for money as they not only massaged my feet, but also my legs, hands, arms, shoulders, neck and head. So you can get away with paying for a foot massage, but still get close to a full body massage.

And when your massage is done you will usually get a nice cup of herbal tea for some extra soothing.

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The Cheerleaders

Some matayom students from my team leading the team in cheers.

Each team has a different colour. I am not sure how many teams there are, but I am on the Pink team (how ironic...) along with TA Aom Amm, Sam and Christy are on the yellow team, Katie is on the blue team and TA Amm is on the orange team.
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Thai Basketball

The thai version of basketball. They have 'goal keepers' standing on stools who actually have to try to catch the ball with their basket when one of their teammates try to score a goal.

You can throw the ball or hit it with your open hands. You can also slap the ball away from your opponents and grab it from them, but you are not allowed to bounce it.
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Cooking attempt #2

So I have made my first successful meal (that doesn't consist of noodles with mayo and spices)...

The first attempt last night failed abysmally due to me accidentally adding WAY too much soy sauce.

This second attempt was definitely a winner. It's noodles with chopped beef, mushrooms, egg and banana (and of course an appropriate amount of sauces and spices).

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Tattoo Coverings

Most schools in Thailand prefer not to hire teachers with visible tattoos. This is why teachers with visible tattoos will usually cover them up with plasters or bandages or wear clothing that hides them.

For my first week I have been using plasters (since my tattoos are on my forearms and my uniform has short sleeves), but got fed up with dealing with the itching and the pain of ripped out arm-hairs when you remove them.

So when I went to the mall today I bought some stretchy flesh coloured fabric and matching thread and when I got home I proceeded to sew a pair of forearm sleeves to wear to work while watching a Jimmy Carr show on my laptop.

This pic was the end result. Let me just add at this point that I am terrible at sewing...
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Future Park

One of the many entrances. This happened to be the one that lead me to the garden.
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Future Park Oasis

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How lovely...

So I decided to pay a visit to the local mega mall called Future Park today. It is probably easily the size of Canal Walk, but has about 5 floors.

After getting my fix of McThai (after a week of eating Thai food) I decide to pop out for a smoke and came across this lovely little man-made garden/forrest. There are little concrete benches to sit on and speakers hidden in the trees playing relaxing instrumental music.

A lovely little oasis in the middle of an urban jungle... Will upload a pic shortly.
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Give me roses while I'm living

One of Katie's Thai friends gifted me with a bouquet of roses. They are currently standing on my fridge. I had to cut the top off a Coke bottle to make a vase...
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Fun and Games

The birthday girl and two of her Thai friends. Nice guys. The one on the right pretty much sponsored the whole evening.
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No worries maaaaan...

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The Koh Samui Bench Rasta

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Vodka & OJ

The prettiest vodka & orange juice I've ever been served.
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Relaxing on the deck chairs

Sam was making himself very comfortable.
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Good food and good company

We eventually moved to a big table to eat, drink and be merry. In Thai culture you put your food in the middle of the table and everyone shares in the feast.
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Koh Samui

A restaurant/bar named after the island. We went there last night to celebrate Katie's birthday.
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P4 Conversational

One of my P4 conversational classes. They are wearing their scouts uniforms.
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My other 'pets'

One of the many visiting pets I have here. In Thailand it is considered good luck if a gecko falls on you. If it sits outside your door and makes the clicking sound it's known for, it is seen as a warning that you should not leave the house at that time.
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A makeshift kitchen

Since my apartment doesn't have a kitchen I decided to improvise...
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A battle won

I seem to have won Hedwig's trust. This morning I stuck my hand into his cage and he climbed onto it. He now lets me touch him and pick him up and loves to burrow into my clothes. He also lets me stroke him.
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Hedwig's first bath

At first he just curled up into a ball and wouldn't come out until the water level got too high and he had to swim.
I also got him to climb onto my hand to get out of the water.
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Day 2 at Triumbundhit

Today went well. The students seemed to understand most of the concepts and seemed to like me well enough.

The primary conversational classes are not my favourite since it's pretty much just lots of repetition.

The matayom (highschool) classes give me more of an opportunity to teach. They are, however, behind on the curriculum as the teacher I replaced seems to have spent more days being absent than actually teaching.

I taught matayom 5 and 6 today (which is grade 11 and 12). I also did a conversational class for P3 (I would say they are about grade 3ish).

So far my lessons have been planned by my Philipino co-teacher (also our course coordinator), but on Thursday I have to submit my own lesson plans for next week.

The English teachers must also speak at the morning assembly 3 times a week and my turn will be on Friday. Not looking forward to that...
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Dragon fruit

Some Dragon fruit served with the staff lunch. It has the same texture as Kiwi fruit, but doesn't taste the same. The fruit has a bright pink skin.
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The English teachers bust a move

The girls rocking out to Shania Twain and Sam having to be cool for his P6 class...
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Morning assembly

The song of choice for the morning's dance exercise music was Shania Twain...
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Teachers

My fellow farang teachers, Sam (from New Zealand) and Katie (from the UK), and one of the Thai TA's (I don't know what here name is yet).
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A primary class

My colleague Katie teaching one of the primary classes in our classroom/office.
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Hedwig

Here's a close-up. I've now started his training in being handled. I also saw him eat for the first time today so I can at least stop worrying about that.
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First swim

The local public swimmingpool. Saw my first proper sunset in Thailand.
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My first pet in Thailand

My only companion at this time is a tiny little ball of spikes named Hedwig (an extremely timid baby pygmy hedgehog named after the character of the same name from the movie Hedwig And The Angry Inch).
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A balcony without a view

The crappy little balcony of my crappy little apartment. It's at the back of the building so my only view is a wall. Its only use is for the occasional smoke.
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A much needed shopping trip

So after dumping all my stuff at the apartment I take a taxi to the nearest Tesco for some essentials. Getting the taxi driver to understand where I wanna go proves to be a bit of a challenge, but eventually I get to my destination.

At the Tesco I purchase some bedding (a pillow, a comforter and a baby mattress to soften the blow of my concrete slab). I also buy a kettle and some coffee, creamer and sugar (cuz god knows I'm gonna need it in the morning). Then follows 2 glasses and a set with 2 forks, 2 spoons and 2 teaspoons as well as a bowl and some things to clean these items with. A bathroom mat, some TP, some clothes hangers and toothpaste also gets added to the mix.

In the rush to just get it over with I however forget to buy a dustbin and an ashtray (for the balcony)... So currently my dustbin is a plastic bag and my ashtray is an empty Dunhill box.

As luck would have it a lady who just got off work's husband happens to be a taxi driver so he agrees to take me home. And eventually, after a bit of a struggle to find the place, I get back home.

Now for bed as I have to be up at 6am tomorrow for my first day of work.
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Home Sweet Home

A crappy little apartment of my very own. No kitchen, a bed with a mattress as hard as a slab of concrete and no hot water. Showering in the mornings is gonna be fun...
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Coyote Bar

A frozen mocchachino margarita I decided to try. On Thursday nights between 6 and 8pm margaritas are free for the ladies. Mmm... Good thing you don't need to drive home...
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Free food!

Free food at the Aloha's birthday celebration. Some chilli and mash, chicken wings and some Thai varieties of litchi (and a few other dishes I didn't try). We also got a ticket for a prize draw later.
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A local watering hole

The Aloha is celebrating its 5th birthday tonight.
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Monks on trains

Saw this sign on the BTS above the seat next to the door. It reads: Please offer this seat to monks.
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Too little too late...

A few days ago a guy contacted me about a teaching position available at a new school near Bangkok's China Town.  He wanted my phone number and to know when I will be available for interviewing.  I immediately responded with my details and said that I would be available at any time.


TODAY, after I had already accepted the job in Rangsit, the guy emails me back to set up an interview for tomorrow... Unprofessional much?  Well too little too late buddy.  He obviously didn't need a teacher that badly if he took 3 days to get back to me with an interview date...

The Uniform

This is the shirt I have to wear for work.
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I got the job!

So I got the job... After being shown the school, and the main branch where I will have to go to collect my salary every month, they made some copies of my paperwork and have started the process of converting my visa (which I will have to pay for myself).  When that is done they will apply for my work permit and when I've received my work permit I will get medical aid as well (these things are included in my contract).  So there is still much admin to be done on the road ahead.

I was given 2 sets of the uniform I will be wearing which is pretty much a light blue and orange golf shirt with which I have to wear dark pants and closed shoes (of my own).  So much for all the "work clothes" I brought with me...

I also went to look at some of the apartments in the area and will receive information on price this evening.  The apartments aren't great, but right now I'm looking at whatever's cheap as I need to move this weekend and have NO IDEA where I'm gonna get money for rent from...

The apartments are small studio apartments with an en-suite bathroom and balcony.  There is no form of kitchen whatsoever and all you get is a bed (no bedding) and a small closet.  On the plus side, at least it has air-con...  So once I get my first paycheck I will be getting some bedding, some form of electric frying pan for cooking and a kettle.  And maybe a bicycle to make traveling in the area easier (although the school is walking distance from the apartment).

The MRT

First time taking the subway (known as the MRT). Had to take the BTS (skytrain) and then take the MRT. Now just waiting to be picked up so I can go look at the school.
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Red Bull

This is what Red Bull (here known as Kratingdaeng) looks like in Thailand. Kinda reminds me of a bottle of cough syrup... As said though, it doesn't taste the same as the western version as it is much sweeter. My friend Lynn was kind enough to introduce me to an energy drink called Shark which is much closer
to the Red Bull that I'm used to.
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Wax Jackie Chan

On display at the Siam Paragon Mall. They have a Madame Tussaud's there which I would still like to visit.

Some guy asked me if I would like him to take my picture with Jackie, but I politely thanked him and declined. Call me paranoid, but there is no way in hell I'm just gonna hand over my Blackberry to some random foreigner...
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Interview results

The interview went well.  I was interviewed by an interesting fellow who introduced himself as "Ant" since his real name is way too long and hard to pronounce.  All sounds very promising.  I will be taking a look at the school tomorrow and if I like what I see I can start on Monday.

The school is on the outskirts of Bangkok in an area called Rangsit, which as I understand it is a university town like Stellenbosch.  Dunno what there is in the way of entertainment, but I will be happy to get out of the city.

This, however, presents a problem as I'll need to move there since the commute from where I stay now is a bit much.  This means getting an apartment as I understand that hotels there are quite expensive... Problem is that, though cheap by South African standards, the cost of renting an apartment isn't exactly in my meager budget at the moment.

It sure will be interesting to see how I manage this one...

Interview

Interview today at 3pm... Wish me luck!
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Some temple

I still want to go see this temple. I look at it every day when I'm sitting on the terrace of my hotel having a smoke.
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1 week in...

Today I have been in Bangkok for exactly a week...

In this past week I have made some new friends (who briefly passed through my hotel), seen a few weird and wonderful things (including, but not limited to pygmy hedgehogs and squirrels being sold as pets) and been job-hunting furiously.

Some of the things I've learned so far:

NEVER leave the hotel without an umbrella (no matter how sunny it looks outside).
Though commonplace some years ago, not all stall-owners are willing to bargain these days.
Land of Smiles my ass... they only smile if they want something.
Most of the food looks/smells pretty terrible, but they have an AMAZING variety of delicious desserts.
Red Bull originally comes from Thailand (but doesn't taste the same here).
The smoking laws are ridiculous.

Other than a brief venture out to the nearby Tesco, I have been absolutely useless today.  Was feeling a bit under the weather this morning and after pounding the streets looking for work yesterday, I just didn't feel like doing anything constructive.