A Summary

From the time I left Bangkok till my flight touch down in KL I barely had time to breath up until now! There were just things happening, one after the other. But now that the water is calm, I can catch up on the many things that I have left stranded.

The academic year at BHS ended on a high note. Many parents came to collect their child's report card and left with a very big smile on their face. Which made all the teachers smile too. Sadly, we also had to say 'goodbye' and 'goodluck' to Teacher Asella and Teacher Mary Anne who has left BHS.

The last day of school also meant that we will find out which age group we are teaching in next year. For the last two weeks of school there were a lot of speculation. We were all very excited and at the same time a little bit apprehensive. When we are familiar with an age group like for instance this year is my second year teaching the 4 year olds. I knew what to expect and what had to be done. I was prepared this time. So we prefer to stick to something familiar so that we can expand, improve and excel in it. At the same time, we would also like to teach a new age group so that we can move forward, increase our experience, improve and take up the challenge to excel.

I was most surprised when I was told that I was to take the playgroup children, means I will be taking the youngest lot - the 3 year olds. Its a daunting task and I was most apprehensive of it. But after 2 days of thinking about it, I felt that I'm ready to take on the challenge and excel in it. I started planning almost immediately on what I would do and also started asking Teacher Lina (the playgroup expert) on what to expect.

A week later, I find out that there might be another change. Instead of the playgroup, I might have to teach the Kindergarten group - 6 year olds. Hmmm!! Definitely an easier bunch to handle but the report writing part is what I'm not looking forward to. Well, its not confirmed yet! I will find out tomorrow morning, I hope.

But come to think of it. It doesn't really matter which age group I teach, because every year its a new bunch of kids and each class will present a different set of challenges for me. So I say to myself tonight : "BRING IT ON!!!!"

Besides work. *sigh*, too much had happened for me to put it down. Basically, when I got back from Bangkok, I was most keen on going back there or any other place to teach. Living and working in Bangkok has given me a very different perspective on my career. I have been teaching for the last 6 years, and it is a job, not wait its not just a job its what I love to do. I love working with kids on a daily basis, I find it most fulfilling. I love the title that comes with my name now - Teacher Stephanie. When parents or any students see me outside of school hours, its Teacher Stephanie and I'm proud to have been these students teacher. I hope I had taught them well.

Now, moving forward, I asked myself what else can I gain from me being a teacher here in BHS. Well, I got my answer recently, there is a lot of possibilities and opportunities that comes with being a teacher at BHS. It's a big school that constantly encourages teacher development and that is what teachers at BHS are looking for.

So my first step towards my career development would be to further my studies in the field of early childhood education. I will be going back to University to gain my next level, but this I can only begin in the next intake sometime in the middle of next year.

For now, its time to celebrate!!! There were a lot of things to celebrate for. Firstly, the teachers celebrated their job well done the day after all report cards were handed out. It didn't start out so well, we were stuck for an hour in the traffic jam, getting into Mid Valley. But once we were in, we just relaxed and enjoyed our time. We were supposed to do Karaoke, but that plan had to change because of the traffic jam. Instead, we went bowling. Hahahahaha!!! We had a jolly good time bowling. It was good to have some fun time and talk about other things besides lesson plans and students.

Then about 4 days later we had the year end class party at BHS and it was filled with food and games.The children and teachers had their fill for the day.

Next, was Mel and Mark's baby shower. Lots of people came bearing lots of nice gifts for the happy expecting couple. Theirs is a Christmas baby!! We are all looking forward to welcoming their newborn. It was also a good time for everyone to catch up with each other. Some whom I hadn't seen in a while, I was glad to see them again. Then there were the little ones for all of us to coo and ahh over. Hehe!! I bet they enjoyed all the attention on them for that night.

Bree to Skye "Your mitts are so nice"

Angie, Bree and I

Bubu

A few days later I met up with some very long, long, long time friends. San, Tati and Mary. We had a good time chatting over drinks and food. Its as if we had never been apart. Hehe!!

Christmas is around the corner, its going to sneak up on me, I just know it. I had better get started on my Christmas gifts for this year!!! *phew*!!!!!

What?? Time to go home!!!

Time has flown by!!

My 6 weeks here in Bangkok is up and I shall be returning tomorrow. I wish I could stay! I've grown to love this   air-noise polluted-yet bright and huge city!! There is still so much more to discover, I imagined doing it all, but alas, it was not to be. My last 2 weeks here has just passed me by with a clip of my fingers (really, it's like being in an action movie and the scenes just flashes pass you).

I had a school trip, a weekend on an island, school concert and staff party all in the last 10 days.


Koh Samed (NOT Koh Samui), is a nice island. It was about 2 1/2 hours drive from school (in Prawet District) to the seaside town of Rayong. From there its another 30 minutes by speedboat to the island. You can opt for the cheaper and longer ride on the ferries. But it was getting dark soon, so we sped off to the island to check in. We headed straight out for dinner after a change of clothes and from then on it was party till early in the morning. It's really fun when the teachers let their hair's down. 

In the morning, I was most surprised that we woke up in time for breakfast. After that, we booked our 'seats' on the deck chair by the sea and planted ourselves there the whole day. You will be amazed at how planted to the deck chairs you can get. Food came to us when it was time to eat, massage ladies came by when it was time for massage and you can even by stuff by just sitting on the deck chairs. 

Then it was time for dinner, so after a quick shower we headed to the other end of the beach to watch the 'Fire show' while having dinner. Dinner was great, they had a wide variety of seafood, meat and vegetables. One of the teachers was a vegetarian. The "Fire show" was very good and we also managed to catch some World Cup matches on the big screen they had set up on the beach. 

I had a great time with the teachers on the beach!!! Then it was back to Bangkok and the last week of school. We had to prepare for the year end performance and party at the end. Here it's done differently. The parent are invited to attend the performance and then the party where the school canteen prepares a BBQ. The children in my class performed a rap version of the '3 Little Bears', they enjoyed and so did the parents. Then awards were given out and also presents to the teachers. I was unprepared for this part and turned tomato red when I was called. After that it was time for the BBQ and some dancing. It was great!! 


Well, I had to say my goodbyes soon after and headed back to my apartment. I had another four days in Bangkok and I wanted to do everything in these four days. My friend SP arrived from KL on that Friday night. Saturday morning we headed out to visit the Temples and Shrines all around Bangkok. It was a hot, hot, hot day, we had to make sure we were constantly drinking water. Then we headed to the shopping mall to cool down, do a bit of shopping and have our dinner. I was quite an expert in getting around Bangkok by now and could explain things to SP. Sunday morning we headed out bright and early to an old part of Bangkok, Khoasan and then from there we went to Chatuchak. SP did a lot of shopping there and was most amazed, the same way I felt when I first walked into that labyrinth. Then we headed home when it got too hot. 


That night we went for dinner at my favourite Thai Restaurant on Rama 4 Road. It's a cheap place to eat at and only the locals know the place. I was introduced to it by my manager who was introduced to this place by a local. Again, it was great food at a good price. That night we stayed up to watch the World Cup Final match in the apartment. 


Monday morning, again we SP and I headed out for some shopping and a bit more sightseeing. We got a massage and a hair cut too. Things in Thailand are really cheap. Then I had to start packing. Oh dear!!! I wasnt looking forward to that part.


On Tuesday morning, SP left early, then I had another 6 hours before I had to leave for the airport. Only that morning I started packing up my things. I had too much to pack. Then it was time to say goodbye to everything in Bangkok!! 


I had a great time when I was there, but I was also looking forward to going home to everything that is familiar. My comfort zone!!