Bangkok's New Immigration Office

Well, it was a day, on the first month of the year I had to do a couple of errands for my documents and that meant also going to the new  immigration office building in its new location. I finally got my new passport   and I needed to get re-stamps on visa and permit.

The new office is a bit far as stated by some; however I'm thankful that it's easy for me to get there. All I need to do is take No.97 Van from my place and for 30baht I can be at Chaengwattana.

Here are some photos of the new government buildings in Bangkok.

They are of modern designs and I admire personally how they come up with the idea of putting all the offices in one place. The immigration office is at the end building meaning it's not that close to the main road.

The photo above is the entrance to the road heading to the office, it's on the left. That building is the landmark for one as getting off from any public transportation or better say CAT building the safest.

No worries though, I thought it was  a great idea to come up with shuttle buses sending people to the offices and I was happy, too on the ride.

Here's how the   shuttle bus looks like.

Just take a few steps from the intersection and see the white bus park ahead of the motorcycles parking at the entrance.

I have  nothing to complain. Everything is fine with me getting to the new office, perhaps because I'm a bit nearer to the place compared to the old location. Plus, I think it is  beautiful. :)

RIGHT

I’ve realized one thing again and that’s the desire to be right. I can see how students exert effort to get things correct as possible and they get more pleased when the activities be evaluated completed and perfect.

I think we are made to go for those that are correct, regardless of age we have this conquest to believing that we are doing the right thing. The question is how can we authenticate and confirm that we aren’t doing things the wrong way.

I’m not sure, as we get older we tend to think more and see better angles, that also mean more reasons to support what we have been doing regardless of knowing it is oftentimes  not aligned to what we call propriety.

We claim it’s the TRUTH and we conclude we should  stick to anything true but are all TRUTHs right?

It’s getting confusing we tend to bend and becoming more on defending our pride and mistakes instead of making things straight practicing humility and changing for the better and I mean the quest for goodness.

When we were young we acted as we believed those were the right things to do and as we grow older we tend to do things with various reasons sometimes  regardless of morality and search for supports to make them right. Defending we did and doing the right thing, justifying our actions.

Then which is right or wrong then?

First day of 2010 university classes

Hahaha YES, a bit a struggle my first day was, got so tied up in the morning getting a re-stamp  for my new passport to the new immigration office and had to run to work getting rid of being late. Just whew, didn't have any clue that it would take more than an hour  to get the  transaction done.

Anyway, I had a good time in classes and I got to school early hehe. I just see to it I had the "firsts" in the year documented, not all though hehe!

Monday blues aren't in my vocabulary, with these both fun and great students no teacher would ever find Monday a pain.

It's no surprise to have lesser attendance after mid-terms, I don't know well,  perhaps the students give themselves  a break; however, I'm thankful that at least many still showed up. There were still absences  though but not that many.

We had the pair work speaking activities, they just had to add on some details to make the conversation pratices. Due to time constraints, reading was allowed but not entirely in the whole presentation, glances were better encouraged and speaking of "firsts" they did it well!

These show how they prepare for the speaking presentations, yes, including scratching the head loolol!

And I was surprised I got Hersheys from a Thai colleague next to my room, this was a New Year gift. He just went inside so I had to stop discussing and he handed me this. I thought that was being kind and nice. Hersheys summed up my classes, I sat down and took my choc grab before I left the room. Hmm,,of course smiling as I'm pleased how my day went.

The first day was over, I was admittedly exhausted getting into the routine again but yes, I survived! lolol!

BACK to school '10

Well, I always get the same feeling.  It’s back to school on Monday and every time I’m done with my new year/ mid term break I always feel like not liking to go back to school at the same time wanting it. It’s a bit silly to feel this way but I don’t know this is just one of my insanities  and I'm getting used to, oooh duh! lolol!

Anyway, okay, I choose to be excited and I’m bored already not being at school and it willl be good times again with wonderful students. Only there’ll be more mentations to do, lessons to prepare and busy to the busiest times are here again.

I have no complaints, it’s my living hahaha!

I took the photo above by the way getting that message on the board. A few students showed up in the last days of classes last year, and one class as I got into the room surprised me with that note. I wasn't mad, I just assumed it was thoughtful of them to leave that at least by not attending classes.

Now I'm thinking I should have this printed to acknowledge receiving the message. Ok, then I have more reasons to be more inspired! LOL!

Thailand's Traditional Dress

I’ve admired Thailand's variety  in terms of  arts, food and clothing. And speaking of wardrobe, their traditional dresses are gorgeous so when I got the chance to get myself some, I didn’t let it go and here they are.

I guess I had the Thai Jakgree Style.

“This is a 2 piece style with a beaded Yokonnang (folded front) also beading on the bottom. The Top is a one piece rap around and over the left shoulder with the end left long to trail". Is often used as a evening wear or for formal ceremonies.”  Wiki

It took long to prepare for the photo shoot.  I had to be “masked” hehehe with this very thick make up and of course assisted in dressing up. All I needed to do was to raise my hands up and let the girl from there do the dressing. Do I have to mention the accessories? Naaaahh, they're just hefty! LOL!

I got so excited seeing myself wearing another country’s costume and when it was time for me to see the photos, I have to admit I was satisfied. No, not on my face but the WARDROBE lololol!

Of course, next time will be my very own Philippine Traditional Dress. I love our national costume as well only I wish I can get the chance to find studios offering the same service as I got my Thai traditional dress.

Be going home this year and that's surely one of the goals. Hehehe! These are all for now. :)

I'm a Teacher didn't mean to be one and loving it!

I remember when I was young I never  ever intended to become a teacher. I can even still remember clearly that there was a time I told myself not to be a teacher for  reasons that my life would be as a student and that would make life the most boring one could have.

But what I am now? I am a Teacher and it is my choice. How did this change anyway? Oh well, getting a degree in Mass Communications was splendid. I worked in Corporate Communications and did enjoy enjoy in-house advertising works from designing flyers to assisting product presentations and promotions. One of the "bests" of my life until it came to a point that I thought it was fun to have a career change. I became an ESL instructor in a Korean School in Cebu and  sooner one of the Academic Supervisors. That time I was also  taking my Masters in ELT  and later I found myself here in Bangkok as an English Language Instructor.

I love my life, I don't have regular work hours as I'm working for a Language Center. It means, I can work as early as 8.30 in the morning until 9 o'clock in the evening and this varies every semester, depending on the work schedule! My school project is in a university and I got some classes in government schools this time. Been loving my work due to the variety it offers. My weekends aren't free and it's fine to get a day's off a week.  Imagine dealing with  four-year olds to 60-year-old students! It's challenging both emotionally and mentally and I have to prepare different lesson plans for different kinds of learners.

Perhaps this work feeds my  desires, I have more freedom and I'm earning enough I think. Plus the countless lessons I get to learn from the people I deal with.

Yes, I'm a TEACHER, I'm both proud and lovin' it!

Motivational Thoughts

I combined all these thoughts I came across in my readings thought these worth the share. Take your time and read on. :)

Empower Yourself And Others - Live Your Life With Motivation!

Motivating Moments strives to continually offer positive words of encouragement to help give you the self-confidence and self-esteem you need to empower, motivate and inspire yourself and others.

Explore and learn from what others have shared. Insights will help you see that being positive and optimistic about life can bring you abundance. Above all, know that nothing is impossible.

Get Motivated! Believe in Yourself - Believe in Others!



" Individuality speaks the words of the soul; a blueprint specific to one's path in life. It is defined in more ways then just how one dresses and goes far deeper than the unique characteristics of one's superficial self.

Though it is very easy to be persuaded by the thoughts and dreams of someone else, the only outcome in that is losing one's self completely. It is always best to create your own footprints on this world than try to follow and fill the footprints left by others.

There is nothing extraordinary about choosing the path of least resistance; the road is crowded and the outcome is common! Success is never rewarding if you ride the coat tails of another's aspirations.

There is no harm in collective thoughts or a shared dream as long as the journey is an individual one and it is in harmony with your spirit. Commit to staying true to whoever you are, whatever you believe, and wherever you dream of being!"



" Motivation is like the fuel that powers automobiles. An automobile is just a piece of scrap without fuel. Fill it with the correct quantity of fuel, top it up with the right quality of engine oil and you have it working at maximum efficiency.

A man that lacks motivation is dry, without the energy to challenge anything. Just like a car cannot move by itself to the filling station, every man needs someone to motivate him. With a good dose of daily motivation, any man is on the right path to unleash the strength within him. Motivate yourself for success.

Mistakes

Been teaching for almost four years here in Thailand for both adult and young learners. I have noticed that kids are remarkably more transparent in terms of responses to dealing with classroom activities. They demonstrate a variety of behaviors, I could say somewhat related to how adults do, just more vivid and easier to grasp for observers.

One distinct characteristic is that everytime kids commit mistakes in the activity, they stop working on it and just stay in the corner feeling sad about the mess. Rather than trying to correct the mistake and do something to make it right, or even doing it again, instead, they halt or even cry and just do nothing. Some are surprisingly very scared to admit that they get the activity wrong and once  it's confirmed, they just simply lose hope.

Relating the observation to our personal dealings as adults; oftentimes; I see that we are IN a mistake yet we don’t really take any correction. Perhaps we are afraid to commit more delusions if we get out of it, or maybe afraid to take risks. Futhermore, we know it isn't right possibly; yet, we are enjoying it somehow and we like the feeling.

Lapses vary. It could be a decision one made in the past whether it is a matter of finance, career, matters of the heart or even words that we have said. Maybe a wrong purchase that drains one’s budget, a company one is serving which doesn’t really provide a career growth or even any advancement, a love that never been shared or maybe shared but in a wrong time or situation and lastly, words that we uttered that we know HURT somebody else especially  those who are supposedly close to us.

Life indeed is of similar occurrences, they just keep on happening over and over yet of different degrees and so of different timing and intensity. The point is how  we manage to stand up and move forward despite of what happened. After all, they say that WE ARE, WHO WE ARE NOW because of our past. No regrets! The challenge will be on how shall we deal on what lies ahead.

Mistakes? They’re part of our existence and thus making living more meaningful, we live with them for us to go on sailing and do better in this journey, and NO, never to stay and REMAIN in there , those should be  STEPS to GO UP……not moving means GOING NOWHERE!

I'm thankful that teaching indeed has taught me a lot in ways that  made me see myself more in life and so how I used to deal with myself  on my negligence or even being extremely afraid of committing one. I was no different from my kids at school. Indeed, even a single fault is a good aid to move forward and be improved, hopefully.

A wise man learns by the mistakes of others, a fool by his own. Latin Proverb

My BED

I thought of rearranging my room, believing the alignment of furniture has something to do with my health. Talking about Feng Shui. Yes, I believe in that. :)



I wanted C-H-A-N-G-E, generally, as I stay here, and guess what? Goodness gracious! It wasn’t that easy moving my BED! It did really come to a point of me just stopping right there and then as it was, again I have to say this, really, really difficult even just pushing the heavy platform!



CHANGE, reminds me or hmmm… maybe at least makes me think that sometimes this just happens without even having a single warning. It could be a good one or the other way. As crises, catastrophes or accidents that are beyond our control or change that makes one’s life more meaningful and an achievement of one’s goal. What else?



The process is complicated, I guess, no, not the change itself but coping up with it, oh well, especially if it’s a bit undesirable. Adjusting to something fresh may not be at all times a simple thing to do, yet, if one has the avidity to get the change one wants, then it is for sure workable with endurance. There may be a point of giving up along the way, I know; nevertheless, it is surely achievable, depending on one’s determination.



This big “C” ( not the supermarket :) ) can be a gentle blessing or a surly curse that we deal in this journey. Some can be seasonal or just repetitive. The issue here is how we do handle it, as no matter what, CHANGE is all over the place and will certainly stir us from time to time.



It’s commendable if we often get the blessing of change; however, if we get the disadvantages more often than, advantages, hmmmm.. I convey, yes, ordeals, then maybe it is more of ventures then. After all, we frequently say that challenges make us strong errr……on second thought….. I mean, I always believe, those do.



Okay, one thing I just realized, my BED served and so molded me to be fervid in a way pointing out the physical, emotional and the mental aspect of my being. Hope this doesn’t sound too (three, four and five) contemplative, it’s precisely an idea for now. :)



It was for real TOUGH! to maneuver it from one direction to the other ( you’ll know if you can see my bed lol! ) but I completed it anyway and I got the CHANGE I wanted. Yeah, I made it!



Thanks to my BED, it reminds me of lots of things I’m dealing with, I get effete sometimes; nonetheless, I’m thankful at any rate I do manage to work with the challenges I meet every now and then. Moreover, still huuurrrmmm…I’m fiiiiinnneeee!!! lolololololol! Seriously, I AM JUST FINE. Probably, even BETTER….and STRONGER.



By the way, what time is it?


Oopss! It’s BEDdy-bye time. Nyt nyt everyone!

LIFEBOOK 2010

I've always admired the net. It made a huge breakthrough in human communication. The net keeps us informed and improves our knowledge in different aspects. And so inspires us in some way. Just when the new year started I got this forwarded email from a former colleague and a "remained" friend. These made me and thought of sharing to others thinking these can do the same.

LIFEBOOK 2010

Health:

1. Drink plenty of water

2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar

3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants, and eat less food that is manufactured in plants

4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy

5. Make time for prayer

6. Play more games

7. Read more books than you did in 2009

8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day

9. Sleep for 7 hours

10. Take a 10-30 minutes walk every day ---- and while you walk, smile

Personality:

11. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

12. Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment

13. Don't over do ; keep your limits

14. Don't take yourself so seriously ; no one else does

15. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip

16. Dream more while you are awake

17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need..

18. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with his/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.

19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.

20. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present

21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you

22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.

23. Smile and laugh more

24. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

Community:

25. Call your family often

26. Each day give something good to others

27. Forgive everyone for everything

28. Spend time with people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6

29. Try to make at least three people smile each day

30. What other people think of you is none of your business

31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your family and friends will. Stay in touch.

Life:

32. Do the right things

33. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful

34. GOD heals everything

35. However good or bad a situation is, it will change

36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up

37. The best is yet to come

38. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it

39. Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy.

Have the greatest year!

Behold the GIFTS of...

We all want to heed start our days right. At least, that’s a desire and maybe an expectation for us to make our everydays. One thing that fuels me up are quotations or inspiring thoughts. I’m sure you out there can agree, here are some of my collections:

Be Grateful

How many times do you say the words “thank you, in a day? How many times do you hear these same words? If you are doing the first thing, saying the “thank you, the latter will naturally happen. Learn to be grateful and you will be open to receive an abundance of joy and happiness.

The GIFTS

THE GIFT OF A COMPLIMENT…..
A simple and sincere, “You look great in red,”“You did a super job” or“That was a wonderful meal”can make someones day.

THE GIFT OF SOLITUDE…
There are times when we want nothing better than to be left alone.Be sensitive to those times and give the gift of solitude to others.

THE GIFT OF A CHEERFUL DISPOSITION….
The easiest way to feel good is to extend a kind word to someone,really it’s not that hard to say, “Hello” or “Thank You”.

THE GIFT OF LISTENING…
But you must REALLY listen. No interrupting, no daydreaming,no planning your response. Just listening.

THE GIFT OF AFFECTION…
Be generous with appropriate hugs, kisses,pats on the back and handholds. Let these small actions demonstrate the loveyou have for family and friends.

THE GIFT OF LAUGHTER…
Clip cartoons. Share articles and funny stories.Your gift will say, “I love to laugh with you.”

THE GIFT OF A WRITTEN NOTE….
It can be a simple “Thanks for the help” note or a full sonnet.A brief, handwritten note may be rememberedfor a lifetime, and may even change a life.

THE GIFT OF A FAVOR…
Every day, go out of your way to do something kind.

The happiest people are those who think the most interesting thoughts. Those who decide to use leisure as a means of mental development, who love good music, good books, good pictures, good company, good conversation, are the happiest people in the world. And they are not only happy in themselves, they are the cause of happiness in others.~Author : William Lyon Phelps Famous inspiring phrases

Dedicate some of your life to others. Your dedication will not be a sacrifice. It will be an exhilarating experience because it is an intense effort applied toward a meaningful end.~Author : Dr Thomas Dooley Inspirational Sayings


No rehearsal in life,each day is a new show,no repeat, no rewind,so give your best shot in all your worthy acts,as the show goes on and on!


Enjoy and be inspired….hmmm..hopefully!