Regarding my position and loner lifestyle in the rural university atmosphere I now inhabit, on one hand, its great to breath the fresh air, cycling daily through the ecologically rich, lush and peaceful campus to/fro the primary school I am contracted Monday through Friday, and, not to mention, interact with and instruct the lively youth that be students; keeping my spirits high interacting with a humorous and outgoing staff, while on the other hand, my pride and professionalism has been tested and stretched, struggling to appease ‘the powers that be,’ whom bestow a particularly high standard of scrutiny on my position teaching Primary Health, Vocabulary Intensive, Art and P.E. for the Bilingual (English) Program. In short, my probation period has been extended for one month, signifying some doubts about the security of stability in this particular phase and place, not only within the company and school that employs me, but within my one year and beyond plan as I approach the start of my final semester at University come mid August.

About a month ago, I had my first formal evaluation which was guided by a formally typed page full of apparent complaints from coworkers, and a few students and parents. The list included concerns regarding things like ‘class time mismanagement’ (taking too much time out of the schedule to play my ukulele to teach songs which were technically outside of the curriculum), straying from the curriculum (not using the text book enough as well as not strictly following the lesson plans), and using Thai language in the classroom (writing definitions of some English vocabulary on the board)–granted it is a Bilingual program, I’m expected to play the part of a Native English language teacher solely promoting  the lingua franca. Finally, there were some concerns brought up about my ‘dress’ not being presentable enough (a few days in my first month, I had worn a fading dress shirt with a few whiteboard marker blemishes not properly ironed–bachelor life does have its drawbacks–and my initial belt was withered over the months); a commonality in Thailand is surface presentation, where visual impression are worth the world–whether you’re a bus driver or a General, image is everything.

Regarding the evaluation and extended probation period, fair enough, development and growth would not be possible without feedback. Scrutiny and Pressure can only be good thing for me in this sense. I aim to at least pass my probation and complete my contract, with the prospect of renewal, but must be prepared for alternative worst case scenarios. There are some other things that raise concern within: Assuming I can make it through the rest of the year, my employer expects me to take a post graduate teachers licensing certification course ASAP–a prerequisite requirement to apply for a teachers’ license–which will require full time weekend study for some 8 months, on top of some 60,000 baht out of my own pocket. Costs and time aside, after taking some 8 years to finally finish my degree in between a handful of jobs to survive and support my family, I’m hesitant to jump right back into the formal classroom full of more homework and tests galore.

If I expect to be  legal teacher in the long run, considering my degree is not teacher specific, the certification will be necessary consideration. However, in the immediate run, a particular delay for me to ensue such post graduate studies is my prime obligation to family which has been partially neglected as to finish my undergrad studies once and for all these past few years; one of my main priorities-plans after completing my Bachelors is to make a long awaited trip back to the homeland, USA–bringing my Thai American son to his second home for the first time in his life as he gets ready to turn 5 years old in 2011, which I plan to do so during the Thai school break, either in April or later by October, estimated 2 to 4 week trip. I, myself haven’t been back to the states since the end of 2003, and in much need of a trip to refresh my roots, even if only for a short breather. In order to do so, I’ll need to save close to a 100,000 baht to cover both our air fairs and some travel expenses. Luckily, I’m not expecting to bring his mom (we are currently separated), who would raise new barriers with immigration, visas, sponsors, funds, etc.

Regarding my immediate studies, I remain one more semester with four subjects which will commence mid August and be completed by December, knock on wood. With my job location being a good hour+ away from Uni campus to match a conflicting midweek schedule (Uni classes scheduled on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday) I anticipate a low turnout for my ninth and final semester at Uni. My employer is aware of the situation and thankfully, there does seem to be some flexibility to allow me necessary - minimal days leave to clear obligations at Uni, though I won’t know exactly which days will be un-excusable until I meet and speak with my professors come August.  As usual, maintaining my job in order to pay monthly debt, bills and child support as well as save for my trip and future in general holds priority. Though, I’ll do whatever it takes to ensure I won’t be delayed from finishing school once and for all (for a shortwhile anyway)

Finally, a short update regarding my physical update regarding my injury progress: My arm is still powerless to lift on its own, however my forearm, wrist and hand are still coming along well.  I am practicing the ukulele daily now and can play many of the songs I used to enjoy before my injury. I’ve achieved 50 plus words per minute in typing tests, nearing my previous days of 60 wpm. Though my arm is not able to function on its own, I feel my biceps contracting some and strengthening slowly but surely as I am able to grip onto and move the handle bars on my bicycle, as well as open doors. Tis the slog continues.

Stay tuned…

Even though the 9:00 PM to 5 AM curfew set for a total 24 provinces including the capital for at least three more days doesn’t really affect my situation of budget inability and preexisting low desire to go out at night regardless of crisis, though because of the fact that all potentially marked daytime financial and capitalist institutions including banks and shopping centers in the capital and other provinces under the decree, I’m left without the security of scraping my last remaining savings remnants, and thus opportunity to consume.

Had I only been relying on television, about the only signs to remind me of a civil war are ironically the many songs of peace and unity, with periodically CRES (Center for the Resolution of an Emergency Situation, in Thai ศฮฉ ) updates and announcements, aimed at the masses—mostly confined to their homes to government emergency decree–reinforcing and maintaining of confidence in the government’s management of the situation.

Yet going online to survey the liberally flowing fact and opinion network that is the Internet, it is apparent that much of the country’s capital’s capitalist centers have been cruelly compromised; Acts of Arson in Retaliation in the call of dissatisfied if not desperate fragments of hard core rebels of the Government’s Crackdown, which though has put an official end to the Rallies, has invoked a suppressed cold into a boiling strain apparently emancipating from its previously dormant yet turning state. According the official count, May 2010 Thailand conflict crackdown has seen some 500 injuries and 50 deaths, and certainly billions on billions lost in business incomes, property, assets and operational costs.

Perhaps bored of my very own feeling of helplessness and inaction, I woke up today and decided that rather than sit around helplessly at home reading about and looking on at others’ misfortune, my best itinerary for today would be to go donate blood. And so I went. A short half an hour bike ride detouring the outskirts of Thammasat university campus opposite of the grand Talad Thai Market, just before Nava Nakorn industrial – residential rural-urban city.

After filling out the primary screening application which asked questions like whether I had drank alcohol in the past day, had any known health complications, diseases, been at risk to disease, etc., They confirmed my blood group being O Positive, by extracting blood from my middle right finger, promptly extracting some 450 ccs from my right arm. In the end, they gave me a button, some cookies and an appointment date three months down the road, sending on my way.

Having about a 15 minute minute cycle to get home from there in broad and bright Thai mid-daylight, I would have to pace myself, stopping for lunch on the way. By the time I got home, I was much ready for a long nap. Now Three more days of laying low before hopefully things will return to semi-normal for the state and ultimately me, one entity of it.

It is also the first of the month as the moon begins its wane from peak last Wednesday, the 28th. May ensues.
By tomorrow should I be making decision on which room I will be moving in Rangsit which ought be fully executed by week come next.

Thursday was a semi eventful day. Late morning, I had set off for the grand o suburb known as Rangsit via sawng taew, BTS skytrain and ac minivan, total fee one way: 70.5 baht @ 75 minutes.

The apartments which I had in mind were on the back side of Thammasat University Rangsit campus, which I learned of from previous recon survey led by my new supervisor a week back when I picked up curriculum course materials at the school I will begin teaching come mid month.

Though ideally within comfortable cycling proximity to the primary school located on the larger univerity campus, a peak Thai summer foot survey journey of the target apartments would be have to be avoided.

Having seen many bicycles parked and lying around spots on the campus, I remembered the nature of a previous visit to a the Kasetsart University rural campus where bicycles were communally shared among all free to use as needed.

I was disappointed to learn that the norm of suburban rural TU is not likewise, most every bike locked and or gaurded. Fortunately I was able to convince some security gaurds working at the Science and Technology Center let me use a rusty n raggedy bicycle in exchange for only my ID card and assurance I would take full responsibility if anything was damaged.

The pedal pads were missing, as were the handle bars and seat loosely mounted on the 24 inch one speed purple ‘maids’ bike. I would had to make due with caution and care. I wasn’t on the bike for two minutes when the storm came pouring down in full force. Patiently taking semi shelter under a car park tent, I waited out some twenty minutes before continuing with clear skies and echoing thunder.

Most places were fanned rooms, a few aircon studio rooms, cable & internet options, some bare as is, others furnished in mode from 1200 cheapest to 3700 baht a month max. Two month deposit requirement upfront for most.

Long story short, in a few hours time, I had collected enough information to make the optimal decision from among six different tenants-places–all within comfortable budget ranges-requirements n again the ideal factor of being within cycling access to school and other university facilities, i.e. Swimming pool, fitness centers, canteens etc.,

This move will definitely see me purchasing a bicycle ASAP–probably a basic five speed though I been tempted by classic dynamo head light generating styles-models.

As I reach this final sentence of this blog entry all typed out with my thumbs on my recently financed Nokia E 63 smart phone qwerty pad, the last of boring political campaign student presentations is finally concluding, meaning I must conclude this entry and focus attention on the exam review briefing.

Stay tuned…

Initially boarding the taxi this morning at 9.00ish with my friend, I realized I forgot my phone at home, prompting the taxi to turn back and wait. My friend was also in a rush to get documents from Uni for immigration tasks, increasing the pressure on me to hurry.

Since awakening at 7.30ish after perhaps only four hours of sleep, this morning had me in particular rush to render and finalize the audio video presentation, in addition to packing a small bag for my weeklong Phuket trip.

So I get to school and remeber I had to also request an official sealed transcript to be sent to my soon-to-be-new-boss, and after completing the task, realized I was already 20 minutes late to the hour long lecture block, prompting to miss the whole class due to strict punctuality rules. So I finally took a breath for brunch of basil-chili stir fried, egg, and gyoza dumplings.

By 11.40, my group presented and all seemed to go decent. Next, I had to meet with them about our next project for designing a camera brochure. Sigh. An few hours in the canteen and university coffee shop went by without much concrete conclusions formed, and realized  by 2.00 I had better get on the move.

In the taxi, I realized I was without my ukulele and personal planner which had several  important documents, particularly my latest employment contract complete with sensitive personal details, house registration, FBI background check instructions, unofficial transcript. Somewhat panicking in paranoya about possible identy theft, for the second time today, I had the taxi turn around, waisting 80 baht this time.

My ukulele was right where I left it in the coffee shop–luckily there aren’t many ukes in circulation here, making it less ideal theft object. The planner and documents were no where to be found, unseen by any of the cleaners or  food tenants near my last seating place in the canteen, leaving me to the conclusion a student must have accidentally grabbed it in mistake.

I inquired the International College office incase someone decides to return it soon, but can only be peace of mind assuming it is lost–hopefully trashed if not returned. So I continued on to the Southern bus terminal, accepting reality. An hour and 200 baht later, I arrived happy to see fairs are lower than last year. Only 500 baht for bus with toilet. Usually, it’s like 6-700  baht for the toilet bus, though, this isn’t the typical company I am used to taking.

Now sitting in the front left seat of this double decker Phuket bound bus scheduled to leave Bangkok at 16.30, it’s already approaching 17.00, and the bus is only half full, assuming they’re waiting for more passengers. Looking forward to finally getting out of this concrete jungle, particularly with all this civil disorder lately.

I noticed there is what seems to be a big crack in the windshield in front of my seat as if a rock or pellet was aimed at this bus previously. Well, hopefully my trail of misfortune has ended today. I say I’m content to be on the bus and by tomorrow shalll reunite with my boy approaching his 4th birthday this Sunday.

With March behind, I can also say goodbye to the clouds of insecurity which the year’s third month brought, regarding my immediate future, particularly employment status for the rest of the year. With the eleven (ten and a half) month teaching contract at the inner city Catholic school having expired on March 19, I was coerced back into the job hunt yet again to secure a new teaching gig for the next Thai school term beginning in May.

Using the usual internet channels with my finetuned CV and email introduction, I was fortunate to get one particular call back for a bilingual program position in the northern Bangkok suburb, Rangsit in Pathumthani province.
Earlier last month, I went to an initial interview one Saturday, meeting the fellow American, bilingual Program administrator/manager .

The main attraction of this new position is that being a bilingual program as opposed to ‘English only’ program, my bilingual skills will prove to be useful and asset for the job, as opposed to suppressed and me forced to front that I’m only an American English speaking farang.

Second, the Administration is completely aware of my student situation which will have me studying my last semester at University in August through December, flexible to have me take off some days to clear things with professors at Uni so that I can assure degree completion by the end of the year.

Finally, being that everything at this company / school seems to be on the books, legit as far as legalities and formalities, there will be much pressure and room for clear cut professional development, i.e. after I have finally gotten my B.A. , incentive will be offered for acquiring a legit education graduate certificate / teachers license.

Satisfied with the potential position details, I was enthusastic when contacted back for  a second interview to meet other associates and teachers in the program, last Friday. At that point, it was in all in the air as there was still one other candidate I was competing with, though was told I had the upper hand. All I could do was try to remain positive and hope for the best, trying not to get too confident in case I were to lose out and had to continue the hunt elsewhere.

From what I could tell from that last meeting, all seemed to go smooth, and come last Monday, I was finally offered a full year contract, dictating that I’ll have to relocate to Rangsit in the next month or so to be ready for the job beginning mid May.

Today, I’ll head up there to submit some of my documents and finalize the contract details, also aiming to find out specific details to start preparing for the new position, which should see me teaching Science, Health, English, and even Physical Ed at the primary level.

The task that occupied us was how to extract all the natural treasures from the bottom. For some reason it just wasn’t practical to pick all the small pieces up by hand, we needed another method. After some contemplation, a creative idea arose. Somehow, I had acquired a plastic kettle that had a pump suction mechanism. The idea was to connect a pipe and start to pump out the water, much like a syringe extracts liquid.

Soon the water was pumped and moved elsewhere, leaving all the grains of colorful rocks, shells, and stones for sweeping. The next instant my friend, whom struggles with alcoholism showed up with a bottle of whiskey, asking me to hold on to. I immediately threw the bottle down shattering into many pieces.

Not really sure if extracting of gems from water is connected with my the last gesture. With dreams, I found that often the subconscious mind symbolizes and foreshadows actual events in our lives. As far as my friend’s alcoholism, I have tried to encourage him reduce to regain control of his own life, so perhaps I must continue to exercise my influence in a positive manner.

In my real life, I’m not sure what exactly the ‘gems’ I seek are supposed to be–perhaps my goals of prosperity, hapiness, health and even wealth. I can see them and almost touch them at the bottom of the blurry pool of everyday life. To achieve or extract them in whole though, it will require some creative contemplation and execution backed with necessary patience to remove the large amount of water separating them from me.  Time shall do what it is guaranteed to do revealing truth and clarity.

Bout that time to start interviewing for potential new sources of income; on Saturday, ventured up to Rangsit to interview for what seems like a promising opportunity that would require me to move up to the Northern Bangkok suburb, though will not jinx myself just yet with details until confirmation is concrete.

Saturday afternoon, on the venture back into town, took a stroll through the local public park / Chinese cemetery which gives the neighborhood its creepy and peculiar character. I’m not sure whether I’ll miss it a

Come Saturday evening, SW would embark to Hualamphong (Bangkok Central) Station to catch a train to Lopburi to visit relatives.

Thai trains have three social classes, each respective class jumping 300 % in fares–a 50 baht trip in third class first come-first seat (often seating is not guaranteed for people who board midway) will cost 150 baht on second class assigned seat. Only the long eight hour plus trains (e.g. overnight sleepers) offer first class coaches.

Second Class assigned seating above and third class first come seating basis below.

Destination Lopburi:  fifteen-twenty minute drive from Lopburi city center is Ahng Sup Lek อ่างซับเหล็ก a large reservoir popular among local weekenders for waterside dining, drinking, fishing, and swimming.

When day is done, the sun’s setting off yonder to the west signals the approach to a Bangkok return.

When all else proves inconvenient, impracticle, and outright unhealthy, a 30 baht (about 1 usd) can of Tuna in brine, soy oil, or some other generic flavored sauce is always a sure and  rich source of protien

Blooming Morning dawns of the sun contrasted with the Pink Blossom of a Rock Rose กุหลาบหิน

Sun rises at dawn

Yet another peculiar solar coincidence of recent times is the first waning moon beginning the first day of March. Recall that the last day of 2009 was a full moon, seeing both January and February ending on full moons. So what does all this mean? Only time will tell.
In Thailand and other Buddhist observing countries, the full moon of the fourth month is Makha Bucha day, which regularly falls on the full moon of the third Thai-Brahmin calendar, except in the years like this which have thirteen moons-lunar months. See this explanation about the reason and celebration of Makha Bucha.

All these years in the country have jaded me much to be bothered with embarking on a  journey to partake in such traditions, particularly since I have no one to share it with at the time being. Perhaps even more and especially due to the continued threat of political turmoil which threaten the well being of potential pedestrians e.g. random bombs going off around town, my long weekend could be summarized as one of those ‘H’ weekends, as in hedonistic happenings of a hermit hiding in the hole of home.

Relieved to have completed midterm examinations for my four classes in the second to last term at University, my immediate concerns are trying to harness the harmony and find the focus as to maintain, upgrade, and update web projects and overall internal organization and peace of mind, anticipating and occupied with the present and future of professional and financial obligations, prospects, and quotas. The teaching job I’ve been fortunate to have had the past year’s contract is due to expire towards the second half of March—dictating it time to begin exploring and pursuing channels for the next source of material and ultimately, spiritual existence .

For the past three months, I’d been living with a Pakistani roommate, a friend I knew through a friend at University. He was a Marketing student and finishing his delayed completion of a B.B.A.. In order to expediate an already overtimed stay of study, he had taken his final required course at a different University which offered it sooner than our Uni would.

Last Tuesday, he went to take his final exam, and all I can say is something unexpected went wrong leaving me without a roommate for about a week already. I’m not sure if/when I’ll be permitted to talk to/see him again, but I should be in contact with the guy’s older brother soon I suppose.

Clearly at a new phase of the year, it’s precisely time to contemplate the move to a smaller and cheaper room. I’ve looked at a few options I will pursue in the next week, and though I’ll downgrade my view, I’ll also downgrade my expenses, and get a fresh perspective, evading the demons that linger in proximity to room 1113.  Stay tuned.

Today was a lax and lazy day off of eating, napping, interneting and some reading in preparation for the first midterm in Political Marketing and Campaigning come Tuesday. Had to take all of Friday off from school for Seminar course at Uni which we were hosting a guest speaker’s lecture about rhetorical approaches, followed by the final pre midterm lecture for Mass Media Law and Ethics. Saturday was no cakewalk, getting the first major presentation-paper out of the way for Political Mkt. and Cam. Plann which was contrasting Thai – US media in high profile elections.

And solemn are these Sunday nights, especially on this supposed day of love, and excitement for billions of Asians, where I am without the intimacy intended. Har, har has these hedonistic helpings of history happening! There was some fireworks visible through the late evening from the balcony, and now it has passed calling for bedtime. The school term teaching is soon to wrap up coming on the final normal academic week. Exams be the demand in both the academic lands I hand.