Been a While Part 2

I suspect it's harder to right when things aren't fabulous or above normal. At least that's how it seems for me when I realize it's been a few months since I last wrote.  I used to get out more posts.  My goal this year is to get back on track.
Things are not bad or depressing this year.  It's easier in some ways because I'm at the same school in the same grade as last year.  In a few months I will begin job hunting for the next school year.  International schools start hiring much earlier than schools back home. I'm looking forward to the change actually.  My kids this year are great.  Some more challenging than others which is typical.  We had a big blow last week when our new principal abruptly quit a month into the school year.  The interim principal is from our main campus. I'm hoping that they will hire someone more permanent though.

This year I'm looking forward to continuing to sing in the Bangkok Music Society choir.  Planning to audition for a solo for the next concert in a few weeks.  I started taking private voice lessons a few months back and I'm enjoying all that I"m learning. I've also joined a theatre company although I don't know what play I will get to do yet.  But I'm excited because the director has a much higher standard of expectation and pushes his actors to higher levels.  My audition was a challenge and pushed me more than what I was used to in an audition.  But I came out of it excited at how much more I could learn about acting and how much better I could get.
Recently I bought a new scales book because I need to get back into regular piano practice.  I feel like leaving the beach threw me for a loop.  It was like I didn't know how to get back to my normal routine afterwards. I just did something that resembled it.  So I'm slowly getting back into the things I love, making new friends and finding a new routine in Bangkok.  I think for now, this is where I will stay.  Chiang Mai will always be the place I can return to in Bangkok but it's no longer the only place where i can feel at home.

Sunset in CA

Walking up Trinidad Head near my parents house

Wouldn't be a trip to Shenzhen without getting my hair done by my favourite stylists.

This summer I spent 3 weeks in CA and 1 week in China. It's always nice to see friends and family.  Still hoping that more will come to Thailand some day.  It was especially nice to goto China and see kids that I have seen for several years now.  The kids are recognizing me and even though they can't speak English to me, a smile or a hug goes a long way.  For those who don't know, I goto China to visit friends but also to volunteer in the Social Welfare Center(Orphanage) in Bao An and when possible, Dongguan.  Living in Thailand has made it much easier to visit every summer.  I was disappointed when I was unable to visit last summer due to work.  Looking forward to next summer.

Been a While

I realized it's been a really long time since I last blogged.  Not for any particular reason.  The usual busy schedule.  My first year at Singapore Intl School of Bangkok Suvarnabhumi is nearly over.  We are 3 weeks into our last term.  I have one more year on my contract and then I can decide what I want to do next.

One thing I do know is that I really want to return to special ed.  I miss it horribly and worry that no one will hire me in my profession if I don't get back to it.  I never imagined I'd be away from it this long.  I like my little second graders this year but being a regular classroom teacher isn't my passion.  It's just something I did to escape from a horrible job.

My housing contract will also be up next year so I'll be looking for something that allows a cat.  Actually hard to find in Bangkok but not impossible. I'm also opening myself up to the possibility of leaving Thailand but still pondering that one.  I have lots of time to figure out what I'm doing.  Job hunting doesn't start til nearly Dec which is over 6 months away.  But I have considered the possibility of going to Hong Kong or mainland China.  A friend of mine has contacts with schools there.  But still up in the air about all that.

I have settled into Bangkok.  I enjoy singing in the Bangkok Music Society choir.  I was a soloist at Christmas and hope to be a soloist in the next concert.  I'm also hoping to get into the theatre scene.  So far I have only ushered for one of the theatres.  I miss the theatre in Chiang Mai.  I've also made friends here.  So leaving the country means starting over.

So next year will be a transition year.  Even if I stay in Thailand, I will most likely leave my school because they can't guarantee having a special ed position yet.  I think in the future they want one but I don't know how far out in the future that would be.  Bangkok has some really good schools with established special ed depts.


One thing is for sure, living overseas is something I will be doing for a while.