leonah

Last night some local bargirls chipped in to buy me a beer for every game of pool I won so I'm doing okay for someone who's almost destitute.

Now there's a change for the books.

Don't mean to sound so surprised. But we all have our good days, and bad. Nice to see you're being looked after during your "low" times. Don't think they'll be low for long... what with a nice chap like you.

That was my point. Only it seems that this "Big Brother" wants to be "everyones" big brother.

And, as recently demonstraited, if they're wrong (5 Brits returned), there's no "Sorry" etc...

How far is the US going to go to "control" people, including those outside it's jurisdiction?

With "learning" computer systems being implemented, what more is "really" going on?

Countries seem to be suffering through association with the US, so why is Thailand asking for trouble?

I prefer small groups, but as I'm unavailable at the moment, I'll have to just keep in touch online for a while.

I've got one of them!

Where ever you go, there are good and bad apples. But "we" are the ones who make "our" choices.

So choose. But if it's a bad decission, don't complain about it, change it.

Personally I "love" chocolate.

We tried teaching her that, but she always went straight for the glass. Obviously she thought the saucer wasn't full enough.

At least it wasn't the flu?

sorry poor attempt at humour.

I was trained by the Master...

But really... wouldn't you think she was marinated enough...

Guess it was fingure licking...LOL

Was that "attempting to drink 3 Changs a day" or "attempting to drink ONLY 3 Changs a day"

Pass the ice please!

Oh, I love it when you talk dirty.

Did I really say that?

You gat a lammy machine I can use...

my cling wraps too sticky

ok, ok, you've con-vinced me...

I must be fe-mail scum, so I need one.

Can I get it on C.O.D.?

It is the same in Australia, and that is why I encourage ... Learn what you can from them, but most of all develop your own capacity to learn, and ability to seek new information. Don't just swallow what you're told. Prove it! Test it!...

There is so much more out there for "students of life", but that's what's missing in the schooling system. The encouragement of innovation, "stepping outside the box" as you put it.

But we can't throw out the "baby with the bath water", as there are those who have needed and succeeded through the "whole" academic process.

Ultimately I guess, it depends on the direction that the individual wishes to take in their life's learning.

Encouraging the student to test the boundaries, even the "accepted" norms, should be a part of the formula for teaching. How else do we discover that this or that theory, which has been accepted and tested through academic process, was flawed.

All success to those who challenge the boundaries. They will bounce and fail, but ultimately succeed.

I'm currently working in an interesting situation and there are things that I would love to change. Teaching in Korea, there is a meld of eastern and western culture. The Buddhist basis of the society is washed with the influence of 50 years of American Forces established throughout the country. This has impacted the teaching of independent thought processes and teaching by rote. But the burning desire to get the best GPA is the real push. This push for the "best" GPA has increased the student suicide rate phenomenally, now considered the highest in the world according to reports I heard last month.

I can understand Thai students wanting to take additional classes to improve their stills and GPA, but at what cost. If the school training is not to international standards then can anyone blame them. And how does a student choose the "after school", school or tutor? Usually by the record of the number of students that were accepted to one or another of the "best" universities. Doesn't this reflect more on the learning ability of the students that were accepted rather than on the ability of the teaching staff? Food for thought there.

I have seen many institutes that are not interested in the students learning, merely in the almighty dollar/baht. However, that applies to any country where English is the second language.

There is another observation I'd like to make, that of the behavior of the students as highlighted by Max. Thai students are very respectful to their teachers, but I found this more a cultural attitude. In Korea, although teachers are held with the highest esteem, as in Thailand, the students do not have the same respect for foreign teachers.

They don't see foreign teachers as offering anything of benefit or significance, and after working here I can understand why. There are still those who are here as a marketing tool for the schools that employ them rather than as a provider of education for the students.

That being said, there are many who are here for the students and to those I take my hat off. It's hard work trying to teach kids who have no respect for you or your teaching ability, but once you've proven yourself and earned their respect, it's worth every ounce of effort you have put into your students, because that's when you see the students learn and have pride in their new found abilities.

I hope that Thai students don't lose their respect for teachers, but can also find good ones. I love teaching, and especially watching minds open, as students begin to understand and then develop their own independent thought processes.

It's just a beginning, but don't lose heart Max. Keep your respect for your teachers. Learn what you can from them, but most of all develop your own capacity to learn, and ability to seek new information. Don't just swallow what you're told. Prove it! Test it! And make a success of your lifes' studies. In all successes there are failures. It's not that you fail, it's that you learn from the failures and turn them into greater success.

Many students in Korea don't understand this and choose suicide over the possibility of failure. And these students are usually the best academically.

Nat, I love your taste in men...

And you're all right. I'd even join in with the score cards myself.

Thanks Bob,

That's the reality I expected to hear, and the way things work here, in Korea and also in Japan, though I hadn't heard of agencies for Thailand going through Australia yet.

Will keep my eyes open.

Thanks again.

Thanks for the information. Nice to know there is real money around, for teachers, in Thailand.

What happened here.

Does noone have anything nice to say about their partners? I thought this was to encourage those with partners to enjoy, stick with it and above all live life.

For those selfish enough to be able to trash the "older one" for 2x20's, wait until you're older... don't think they're going to be hanging around changing your nappies and hand feeding you when the time comes. Or are they already doing that every morning after the night before.

Most of us, I am assuming ,are intelligent and like this place, like the people, and like our partners. Why the ###### else would we be here. It really doesn't matter whether your partner is Thai or Farang it's that your experienceing these life experiences together and building memories to grow old with. Or aren't you planning on growing old here.

For the rest of us, knowing what treasures we have, I wish you all the wonders of exciting new experiences "together" this year. Best Wishes.

Anyone looking for an English teacher in Chiang Mai? I'm currently teaching in South Korea for a Private Language Collage teaching Grades from Kindy (7 year old) to Elementry (16 year old). Am also teaching intense English Language Conversation Courses to Government Officials at the Korean Governments Language Institute. Will be finished both contracts in July. Any serious interested bodies can contact me via email.

Hi Webby,

Approximately 20 outside Chiang Mai Province is home and loving it. Currently working externally, but planning to be back home by mid year. Plans are for a longer stay this time.

Know there are many others around, but we're they're rather reclusive like myself.

See ya.

Hi Tuky,

Wonderful to see all those pics... even got a call from my "softy" husband after holding your little treasure. Congratulations!!!

Have been trying all sorts of Korean food, but still dart off to the Thai Orchid in Itaewon for something more familiar, from time to time. I'm in Gwacheon, about 30 min south of Seoul on the subway (If it's not peak hour), but am touring around from time to time getting into what culture I can while I'm here. It's been fun but I will be very glad to go home.

Happy New Year to you and your family.

Once tested positive... do you really want to take the chance of 'not' getting the right medication on time at the time. The reason our son has survived as long as he has, is that his medication was started, as soon as diagnosed. The reason that one of our friends, a Thai, died so soon after diagnosis, was that medication was not administered as soon as diagnosed. Another friend, a Thai woman, lived a healthy painless life for 10 years with limited suffering until her last few months. She always wished she had started the medication when she was diagnosed, rather than later, when her bood count was too low to give her a real fighting chance.

Do you really want to take a chance?

Go see the doctors and get medical advice, then talk to those who have been through it, or are going through it.

It's your life. It's her life. Don't take the attitude that you're doomed or shes doomed. Your not, she's not. Have a Great Life, and live it!

What keeps my husband and I going is the evidence before us, our sons alive and well after 6.5 years. And we're looking forward to many, many more years with him.

For those of you who know me, sorry for venting in this forum.

For a "Developing Country" to make such a leap would mean that the status of ALL peoples was also at that level..."Not yet my dears" in fact from where I stand, not even close.

Hi again, and congratulations to tukyleith and family.

Although alone, I wasn't lonely for christmas. I spent 3 wonderful hours in an internet cafe talking with my Husband and sons. Isn't technology wonderful. To see the happy smiling faces of the ones you love and chatter as though they were right there with you. I felt the love and warmth, although there were thousands of mile between us.

I'm looking forward to coming home, and glad to be a part of this wonderful forum.

Thank you all.

Have a wonderful new year too.