Author: pinkbuddha.org
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I Like…YOU! Teaching English in Thailand
“I LOVE TEACHER” Photo of my whiteboard (with a pink filter) Congratulations to me for surviving my first proper first-term gig during which the only consistency was inconsistency. Constantly changing schedules, welcoming new teachers, saying goodbye to other teachers, swapping classes, filling in for other classes, and falling in love with all of my students.
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“I’m Here for 69”: Teaching English in Thailand
It was my third day on the job. I stood outside my door waiting to meet my students. The first boy approached me and said, “I’m here for 69.” Pause. “I mean, 6/9.” Like a flight attendant introducing passengers to the friendly skies, I said, “Welcome,” and gestured to the classroom. Thus began my initiation into teaching
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Two Hospitals, Two Ferries, Two Showers
“Are you looking at my bootie?” This cutie chillin’ on the sidewalk in my neighborhood in Chiang Mai. What an amazing hip-opening pose. Appreciating sunlight streaming through these local trees. Covid-19 effects: Chiang Mai looks pretty grim. Many businesses permanently closed down with loss of tourists. Good news, bad news I was offered a job
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America’s Last Nerve
How I survived Covid-19 Not by flying back to the US, per the urging of the US Embassy in Bangkok. Not by following a myriad of strange “Covid-19 cures”, such as: Priests in the Philippines spritzing holy water and alcohol on people. Buddhist monks in Myanmar advising people to eat limes with three palm seeds.
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The True Vow
This stand set up in front of 7-11 says: “Screening point Cold Temperature” Then the paper below instructs: “Gel alcohol Wash your hands” Literally, that’s the advice from 7-11: To inquire within yourself whether you have a cold or temperature, and whether you do or not, Come on in! Just wash your hands with gel first. They
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Choking in Chiang Mai, Covid-19, Pig’s Head and Liquor
Time to bring out the big guns With infections of Covid-19 rising on a daily basis, the Thai government strongly advised people to stay at home. Like many other countries, non-essential businesses have closed. People are panicking—buying toilet paper and praying—or… Offering an entire pig’s head and a bottle of liquor at the local spirit
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Pick Your Poison
Q: Do you want Covid-19 (Corona Virus), or the worst air pollution in the world? A: Uh, yes please Ahh, burning season in Chiang Mai again. Aside from stinging eyes, chronic sore throat, and choking down toxic air, there’s the global pandemic going on—Covid-19. So how has life been impacted? Washing Eggs I buy my
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Going Incognito
Trying to go incognito. The day after New Year’s, I entered a neighborhood pharmacy. Since I live in a Thai neighborhood far away from the tourist sector, the chances that the staff spoke English were low-to-zero. Therefore, I had already programmed my phone to translate my issue into Thai. Although I am studying Thai, I’m
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Monsoon and Mary Christmas
Photo essay Monsoon going out with a bang—literally pounding the roof of the car for three hours. Dinosaur donuts hit the spot on a rainy afternoon. Kayaking on the Ping River. Welcome Cold Season! Doggie duly outfitted in a fleece vest. Pretty café. I sit all afternoon in a library filled with books of art,
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Warm Heart, Charred Lungs
“I can’t breathe. I can’t stop coughing. I have to get out of here asap.” That was 7:00pm. I had phoned Evelind while wearing my pajamas and facemask. The next day, Evelind and Michael drove me to Chiang Mai. I had to leave Warm Heart. My cough for the past month suddenly got worse. Months