Sunday, May 28, 2006

First week at school.

The ridiculous performers at the 'ge tai' (roadside stage) is screaming to wake the dead at the field across my apartment. I am sitting here and trying to concentrate on writing my BLOG. It's the end of my first week at the school I've been newly posted to.

It's been a hectic week. Most of the bustle is due to work, not so much of anything else. Handling the boys have proven to be smoother than I expected. I guess all the training from growing up in a big family helped, a lot. Of course, the fact that being blessed with a natural flair for timing and dramatics only augmented my skills. One should never belittle the power of the stare combined with the ambiguous poker face.

One parent came to inform me of a boy telling his mum that the new teacher (me) is “very fierce”. Which I promptly replied, “I never touch them, scold them or raised my voice unnecessarily - all I did was stare and wait quietly for them to demonstrate the appropriate behavior”. The parent responded to my reply with a look of amazement on her face.

Better than a threat is the anticipation of an unknown one borne out of an overzealous imagination under duress. But of course, I show them that the choice is really theirs, to choose whether the lesson they are going to have can be fun-filled or boring and straightforward - they choose by their behavior.

Throughout the week, I was really making use of the opportunity of the last week of school to get to know the boys in each class I am taking better. The only lesson I was able to really conduct was music lesson. At the end of the third day, I got a note from one of the boys which read,

“Thank you for teaching us. I like you because you are kind. Love, Sam”


My room at Goodwood

After a two-day session of meet-the-parents, all the teachers went for a school-organized retreat at the Goodwood Park Hotel. It was certainly a fun-filled time of learning and getting-to-know-you time. It was also a good chance for me to soak up and learn about the workplace's culture.

So what have I learnt about the environment and culture? For starters, the colleagues are really warm once you introduce yourself and get to know them. The ones you work closely with are also really supportive. There is this general camaraderie of “I won't let you fall” that seems to prevail unwritten amongst the staff. That somehow sets my heart at ease – less apprehension in coming to a new, unfamiliar working environment.

Things are not a bed of roses of course. I have been assigned to create 2 sets of topical tests – one each for English and Math and another three worksheets for Math. It’s all fine and dandy, except that the head teacher, who had left for her holidays overseas, had not given me a copy of the scheme of work for the syllabus and I am not quite sure what to set the papers on... looks like I’ll have to go and source for the necessary textbooks myself.

I had also received news that I may be taking over a primary 2 SEED class. That means the stuff that I have been learning in NIE can be applied into the classroom environment – MI, differentiated learning, portfolio assessment, creative thinking, etc. I am already excited about the prospects of creating a text and graphic rich environment, learning centers and even a classroom library for my children. Excited? I don’t think that even begins to describe my elation...

Of course, I had not have any classroom experience when it comes to the SEED program. So anyone out there who has pearls of wisdom to share, you know the pearls would be greatly appreciated... (hint, hint).

There is another mission I need to be on of course. It has to do with outfitting myself. Who would’ve known that being a teacher opens up so many opportunities to go shopping? Already on my list, there are several items that I need to add to my sadly barren wardrobe that has been deprived for the past 2 years. The items cover everything from head to toe; some of them include shirts, belts, shoes, socks and even a new organizer. I might even throw in a new Mont Blanc just to pamper myself a bit or perhaps in anticipation of the good results I am expecting to get. Otherwise, it would be a good consolation present, wouldn’t you say?

A new list of life...?

Wednesday, May 17, 2006

The BIG news...

I opened up my posting letter from the HR Department.


According to the letter, Mrs B “wish[es] to inform [me] that [I] will be posted to a particular office with effect from 22 May 2006.”

The information is still very raw. I know nuts about the place. I was never there before although I have a couple of friends who had been.

Dr Wong says I should introduce myself to a Mrs Suzanne, who is an old friend and ex-colleague of hers. I also know a couple of others during my diploma years.

Other than that, I am anxious as hell (if hell ever gets anxious, which they probably do, since kingdom come is coming soon, or so I heard... see I am digressing, a sign of stress...).

Anyway, I've started unpacking. I think one of the best buys in Thailand this time is my box load of local foodstuff. While unpacking from my large, checked-in luggage, I realized that the people (i.e. Phuket? JetStar? Changi?) who handled my luggage (newly bought in Phuket) broke the handle assembly. Now I have to try gluing it back with epoxy. Although I have a good mind to get a spanking new beautiful one from Samsonite (costs about S$200) with the same capacity and features as the one the airport porters broke.

my trip to Phuket this time got me addicted to Thailand's porn...

they broke my beautiful beer glass... sob...

But what is most painful are the irreplacebles they broke - my special edition Phuket souvenir mug from Starbucks and a Weihenstephan 0.5l beer glass (whose draught by the way is delicious - a sparkling beer with a wonderful taste of plums that seems to dance on your tongue). Tsk...

Tuesday, May 16, 2006

8th day - The last day...

Day 8 - 16th May The last day...

9:30 a.m.

Last breakfast at K.

Am having breakfast at the bistro in K-Hotel.

I woke up early today just to make sure that I can make it for breakfast and have a long, leisurely one before I say goodbye this time round.

I wanted to have a nice chat with Lee too. She had made my holiday in Phuket so enjoyable this time round. I would like to come back to this hotel for my next stay. But I do hope they do something about the bed bugs. I was badly bitten by the bugs and Jan got it worst. At first I thought I had hives from the alcoholic cocktails we've been drinking in our room (I am rather sensitive to alcohol). Then when my face had it, I thought it was acne outbreak. But when even my hands started to have tiny bumps, I got suspicious.

I think the chambermaids are aware of the situation. Which was probably why they immediately sprayed the room with insecticide when Jan trapped a bug under an ashtray on the bed. When Jan told Robert, the Chef at the hotel (whom I think is also a partner in the management) the other evening, he became reticent, insisting that they were mosquito bites. Hello... we are from Singapore; we know what mozzie bites are like. We have them here too.

11:30 a.m.

Jan, Lee and I.

We chatted with Lee till 11:15 a.m.

It was time to officially checkout before the people from Hideaway Spa come and pick us up for our appointment. We've booked ourselves an appointment to wrap up our whole journey here for this holiday.

Must take a photo with Lee before I go.

12:05 p.m.

Am at Hideaway now.

I have selected a package treatment of lemongrass and lime leaves sauna, followed by a body wrap and an aromatherapy massage and facial massage.

Oh, gotta go now...

4:00 p.m.

I am positively glowing! My skin is so soft and smooth from head, face to toe! And I feel so completely relaxed with my body gently emanating a soft fragrance of the prai oil used for my massage.

 

However, I think the Spa setting is just a tad too 'rustic' for me. Everything is so open - the salas (verandahs) for private sessions are open, the baths and showers are open - everything is just so freaking open. Even my sheer sarong feels non-existent - it clings to the contours of my privates. I might as well have been walking around nude.

4:15 p.m.

Gosh, I am hungry... Neng's here to bring us to the airport. I hope he brings us to a nice place for lunch... late lunch.

5:00 p.m.

That might as well have been lunch and dinner. 25 baht (about S$1) for a bowl of soup noodle generously littered with barbecued pork, pork balls and other assorted ingredients. I couldn't even see the noodles... worth it!

6:30 p.m.

Jan has been swearing to me by her Oriental Princess range of skincare products. There's a new range that's just come out - Perfection White & Firm, just nice for mum. I've already gotten her a Thai silk handbag for Mothers' Day; this skincare is perfect for her birthday.

9:00 p.m.

On board JetStar flight 3K 538. While taking off, Phuket trailed by in a blazing display of twinkling streetlights and tiny neon signs, like a midsummer's night dream by fairy's glen. Memories of the holiday blazing pass like a fantasy, an illusion of the mind, its reality testified by the cultural artifacts, objet d'arts and other local products I carry back in my luggage. Each item bears witness to a wonderful week of fun in the sun and delights in night.

So there really is no fear of missing this delirious haze of delight that is Phuket. It is real and it is there. I have a feeling there will be more of such a Phuket Ph-antasy that I will experience in the years to come...

Monday, May 15, 2006

7th day - Just chillin'...

Day 7 - 15th May Just chillin'...

10:00 a.m.

“Good morning! Guten morgen!”

“Would you like sarm-singh meure...?”

I am going to miss those phrases when I go back to Singapore. Lee is such a sunburst of morning's fresh air every day when I wake up. She is polite without being distant, casual without contempt. My stay in Phuket has been made all the more enjoyable by her and a few other locals here.

11:00 p.m.

Today is O.T.O.T (own time own target). I am going to get some last minute shopping done.

Need to get a new bag for the extra stuff I've bought since I've been here. It's unbelievable the amount of shopping I've done and the stuffs I've bought over the past few days...

12:00 p.m.

Okay, I've just died and gone to designer heaven. THEY HAVE NINO CERRUTI HERE!!

It's the genuine stuff and they are selling it at a fraction of the prices back home!!

Check this out - Cerruti jeans that average about S$70 each and that is BEFORE the 20% discount! Plus, when you buy 2 pieces, you get the 3rd piece FREE (but without the discount of course...)!!

Gosh, the designer and branded stuff here are not just good buys, they are MUST BUYS!!

2:00 p.m.

...just chillin'...

Okay, had just brought my shopping back to the hotel and am now luxuriating on the beach. A last tanning session before my departure tomorrow... ahhh... just chill.

4:00 p.m.

Eating Subway in Phuket? In Thailand? Class lah... sigh.

Anthony Bourdain mentioned them before, except that he was talking about the Americans. He was referring the American tourists who would go overseas and criticize everything there and get all high and mighty... about the hygiene, standards and quality of everything around them, a sort of 'othering' some might say.

These tourists end up eating MacDonald's, Burger King, etc, etc and never try anything local.

Now meet the Singaporean equivalent. Two of such creatures chose to use the tanning beds next to mine.

If you are familiar with my BLOG, you'd have read about the Singapore girls with the 'Princess Complex'. That girl sure exhibited all the classic symptoms. I wanted to slap her so hard she'd fly right into the next day in Singapore.

The last straw was when she whined her wimpy boyfriend to get her lunch and added a “不要跟那些肮脏肮脏的摊买啊!” (“Don't buy from those dirty, unhygienic stalls!”).

The boyfriend went away for about half an hour to come back with two Subway sandwiches.

I am so ashamed for them...

5:30 p.m.

"Speedboat for you today...?"

The sun has gone behind the clouds. Might as well start packing. Goodbye beach. Goodbye speedboats.

One last look at Patong before I leave this time.

7:00 p.m.

Bumped into Jan along hotel's corridor. She just got back from a day at the bungy-jumping facilities - she's still flushed from the experience. Good for her. I'll wait for my chance when I get to New Zealand. That'll be off the bridge and into the valley!

Or maybe next year when I come back to Phuket...

Anyway, we've decided to join each other for fine dining at the hotel's restaurant - K-Bungalow Restaurant. They serve Austrian cuisines prepared and overseen by an Austrian chef.

10:30 p.m.

I had a wonderful steak dinner (medium rare) served with fried potatoes and salad, complete with French onion soup and a Mai Tai. I think I spent only about S$40. AND IT'S FOR FINE-FREAKIN'-DINING!!

Resolution: I must come back here for holiday again.

Sunday, May 14, 2006

6th day - Whitewater rafting, adventures and a Fantasea.

Day 6 - 14th May It's a day of fun and adventure!

8:00 a.m

Another day trip we signed up as a group.

This time round it's for whitewater rafting. But included in the package are visits to a limestone cave Buddhist temple, an elephant farm and (another) waterfall.

Ooh... the pick up is here.

We'll be traveling with three other Australians.

9:00 a.m.

The temple in the limestone cave...

After almost an hour of journey on the road, splattered with friendly, casual chit-chats, we arrived at the first stop - limestone cave temple.

9:40 p.m.

Finally, off to the rafting camp.

10:10 p.m.

After a briefing from the rafting instructors, we are now setting off on the river. I think they were really waiting for the dam to release the waters from the upflow.

I think the canoeing skills I picked up in secondary school will come in handy...

12:30 p.m.

Woo...! That was fun! It's such a thrill bumping ourselves down the fast flowing river. The heavy rain in the middle of the trip made it all the more fun! Although I think the two captains/guides on the raft must have been sweating with anxiety during the rainstorm.

Too bad no cameras were allowed on the raft (they would have been damaged anyway), but we did get some souvenir shots by the adventure school's photographers - it's 150 baht per shot.

It's a print-photo, I'll post that up later.

Now am having a supposedly 'traditional' Thai lunch - it looks too scrumptious to be traditional. What do you think of rice served with generous servings of deep fried chicken drumstick, fried fish in tomato sauce, chicken soup with winter melon and two dishes of assorted vegetables...? I don't quite think that is the daily fare of the local Thais...

2:30 p.m.

Check it out! This waterfall sure beats the one at Bangpae!

After jumping off a spot on the side of the fall, I swam towards the plunge-point of the fall. Gosh the water is so incredibly cold, the spray from the waterfall is like a peppermint mist!

Brrr...!!

Woo...! That was fun!

How about another!?

2:45 p.m.

Just got back from the falls and on our way to the elephant farm/jungle trekking thing.

It's the last stop for this adventure package.

I hope it's not another tourist trap.

3:40 p.m.

Arrived at the farm after almost an hour's ride.

Looking at the 'jungle ride' they've planned for us on the elephant, it's definitely a tourists' trap... oh well, might as well make the most of it...

Not too shabby a posture...

looking good, looking good...

A short, bumpy elephant ride...

4:00 p.m.

Wahey...! That was fun... (wry grin).

Well, at least I got to ride on the elephant itself, not the saddle, but on the head! Woo hooo (drumming up enthusiasm...)!!

Okay, now for the exciting elephant show... yay! *Thrilled screams...!*

Baby elephant show.

Just before we left, the elephant was given a shower...

5:30 p.m.

Got back to our hotel... now to freshen up, dress up and get ready for Phuket Fantasea!

7:00 p.m.

Ooh, right on time, Neng is here to pick us up and bring us to Phuket Fantasea theme park at Kamala beach.

7:30 p.m.

The Golden Kinnaree Buffet Restaurant.

Oooh... glorious spread of international buffet at the Golden Kinnaree... sorry can't talk now. Must eat.

8:10 p.m.

Goodness me! That was a fabulous spread.

I had Thai curries, Western roast beef, Hakka beef noodles and even Japanese sashimi and sushi.

Now for the desserts.

8:40 p.m.

The Palace of the Elephants.

Am now completely stuffed.

The chocolate cakes and sweets are just too delectable to resist.

Ok, I had some fruits too... now have to get into the theater (aka Palace of the Elephants). Supposedly done up to the last detail in Sukothai style.

8:55 p.m.

There's a disgusting person seated one row behind me. First he drapes he legs over, onto my seat. He retracts it only when I refused to sit down but stared at him. Then he sniggers to his girlfriend without even so much as apologizing!

Stupid ang moh! Methinks he's from the UK judging from his accent.

Who's from the third world now? Well, at least in terms of attitude and behavior anyway.

Darn! Now he's pushing and rocking my chair from behind.

IDIOT!!!

10:40 p.m.

Gosh, that was a good show. Well, it's a bit touristy, but hey, after 2 days of it, I am conditioned I guess.

Especially loved the aerial show of the fluorescent kinnarees. The performance was so graceful and beautiful I was positively tearing by their elegance and expression.

Lovely!

11:15 p.m.

The prince, his palace and I.

It started to rain a few minutes after we left the theater. I managed to get some shots of the place, the program and highlight DVD of the show though.

Now back to the hotel and off to bed... it's been a long day.

Saturday, May 13, 2006

5th day - Farms, temples and capes, oh my!

Day 5 - 13th May Tourist Trap Day (sigh...)

10:30 a.m

I am beginning to look forward to breakfast at the hotel's restaurant cum bistro. It's such a joy to be greeted by a friendly good morning when Jan and I arrive.

Lee is such a golden glow of sunburst and cheeriness that you can't help but smile and feel happy, positive and hopeful about the day ahead. I love the way she keeps asking us if we want "sarm-singh meure..." for our breakfast. If you are not aware, "sarm-singh meure" is not a Thai breakfast delicacy, although it might be, I am not sure. It's really her way of asking us if we would like something more for our breakfast.

Also, I think I remind the breakfast head-cook of her son or something, or at least I seem to make her feel all maternal-like. It's strange the way she smiles at me while preparing breakfast orders.

On the other hand, the younger ladies (I should say, girls, because they really are that young), just gather in their corner and seem to steal looks at me and giggle... I can't be imagining things can I? It's been happening the past few mornings... unless there's something seriously wrong with my face (gasp, breakouts?)... or hair (unintentional bed head?)...

Speaking of day ahead, Neng, our friend-guide-tuktuk driver (even the Thais are hyphenates...) is picking us up at 11 for a day of promised fun.

11:00 a.m.

Neng is here. He told us the weather don't seem too promising after looking at the sky...

Thunderheads loom above us.

I told him it's okay, I am sure the weather would turn out just fine. I've packed sunshine in my haversack...

12:00 p.m.

View of Patong, Karon and Kata beach...

...with friends.

Arrived at Kata View Point. Supposedly one of the perfect spot to catch the sunset. But drizzles along the way here doesn't bode well for the evening... well, we'll see.

1:30 p.m.

Wow... talk about four seasons in one day! The sun is blazing here at Promtheap Cape! My skin hurts just standing under it. Thank god for sunscreen...

The grand proportion and opulence of the Cape Promtheap Lighthouse...

...its commanding view of the Andaman Sea...

...and the road that leads to it.

360º view of Cape Promtheap.

2:30 p.m.

On our way to Wat Chalong we popped into a snake farm. Neng told us it's a 'funny' place (i.e., funny as in enjoyable) and has a very educational show in store for us.

The show featuring cobras...

...and jumping snakes.

Well, the show was educational, it taught us how to avoid snake attacks and so forth. But at the back of my mind, I keep thinking, how did the farm get all the animals? Is it a farm or a zoo? Or a poachers' front? If it's a snake farm, why are there mongooses, sea eagles, tiger cats and other none serpentine animals in the farm?

We tried to ask the keepers. But apart from saying that the snakes are purely bred for show, they remain reticent.

So it's normal for a snake farm to have snakes...

...but sea-eagles...

...and tiger-cats? What gives...?

Am I thinking too much...? Or is there a vibe at the place that got my Hare/Libra senses working overtime?

3:30 p.m.

Finally at Wat Chalong (赵隆寺).

The severe symmetry of the wat(temple).

The grandiosity of the main stupa.

The serenity of the incense shrine.

I love the tranquility a Buddhist temple proffers its guests.

Quiet, peaceful serene with a gentle waft of jasmine in the air.

Your soul just feels at ease and in peace at once.

Neng asked if I wanted to offer incense and stuff... I don't feel the need... I grew up with Buddha on my side; he's always been my friend, albeit a wiser, more serene one.

I don't offer incense to my friend... just quality time.

For cleansing...

for devotion...

for reflection...

...for wisdom.

4:30 p.m.

It's the weekend night market!

Gosh! It's huge!!

Don't think we can do anything much within an hour...

Since we are going to catch the sunset at 6:30, we need to head for Promtheap at 5:40. We'll just browse through the merchandise and decide on what to get when we come back after...

5:40 p.m.

Ok, here's my shopping list...

Aromatherapy lamp.

Incense cones and burner.

Army surplus messenger bag.

And I've gotten my coke bottle - one liter glass bottle with Thai inscriptions. Heh... now off to catch the sunset.

6:20 p.m.

Gold...

It adorns the entire Andaman sea.

6:40 p.m.

Looking at the sun setting over the horizon, I felt a primitive fear. It's a kind of hopelessness, uncertainty... what if it never rises again...?

Of course, I am aware that it will rise again, but deep inside, there is an innate fear... and I begin to empathize with the ancients' need to worship, sacrifice to and create stories about that golden orb that arcs across the land each day to die, fizzled by the seawater.

Watching the sunset over the horizon...

It's easier to understand the ancient fear...

of losing the day

to the unknown horizon.

Partly self assurance, partly explanation. A heady mix.

7:30 p.m.

Night market again! This time to REALLY shop!

7:32 p.m.

Note to self:

Stay calm amidst all the merchandise.

No matter how cheap it may seem to be, ALWAYS claim that it is TOO EXPENSIVE and bargain.

"Paenhg" (expensive) is a good word, use it often.

8:15 p.m.

Oh my god... shoppers' other paradise... I think I must make this place part of my annual pilgrimage.

Gracious! Food!

8:30 p.m.

Finally found my canumbeung (ke-num-be-uhng). A sweet dessert of thin crispy crust topped with sweet cornflour cream and desiccated coconut. I stood at the stall and ate 12 at one go... and cost me only 12 baht.

Also bought fried oyster omelet, braised duck and pork's leg, crab cakes and water apples (aka air jambu, cashew apples) for dinner at hotel room. Can't believe water apples cost 45 baht/kg. Back home, it's S$2 for 4 pieces. Sigh...

11:00 p.m.

I spent the day sitting in front with Neng, our hyphenated guide. While traveling, I like to talk with the locals and find out how the life is really like away from the glitz and glamour of tourism.

Behind the thin veneer of all the beauty you see as a tourist, is sometimes a reality more harshly beautiful than you wish to discover.

I'll leave this reflection for later... when I return home.

Friday, May 12, 2006

4th day - Day trip to Phi Phi, Maya and Khai Nai.

Day 4 - 12th May

11:00 p.m. (Thailand time)

click on pic to enlarge
Finally got back from a day trip to Phi Phi and its cluster of islands. I think the resilience of the islanders, bouncing back from the 'boxing day' tsunami two years ago is admirable... makes them all the more beautiful, adding to the magnificence of the already stunning islands. It takes beauty to the fourth dimension.

I think I will just let the pictures and video clips do the talking; everything is just too breathtakingly beautiful for words...

Waiting at the port...

On our way to the islands...

Setting off on a four-engine speedboat...

One of Phi Phi's many beautiful bays. Its warm, clear waters are excellent for diving, snorkelling or just plain swimming...

Another of Phi Phi's beautiful bays. Just too many of them...

On our way to Phi Phi, we passed by this cave where swallows and men dwell alike. It a harvest cave for birds' nest. The traditional to harvest the valuable regurgitation of the birds is still the only way - it is also the dangerous way. The harvesters have to scale the slippery and jagged walls of the caves using ropes and bamboo scaffolds to reach the nests glued to the ceiling of the dimly lit caves.

Taking the scenic to our lunch... it was the only loooooong route available...

...relaxing at Khai Nai beach after a scrumptuous lunch...

...amongst other beach dwellers.

As the sun begins to set after a long day of fun...

...an ice-cream is always a delicious treat to cool off. Just forget about your hips... you're on holiday!

Leaving Khai Nai Island heading off home... or in our case, the hotel.

At the end of the day, wave goodbye to the fishes in the sea, for another time to play and be.