Typical Khon Kaen-Isaan meal of grilled chicken, somtam (papaya salad), and sticky rice in bamboo containers. The silver bowls—filled with ice water—were not for rinsing greasy fingers, but for drinking out of. Famous last words. In our initial conversation, when I had booked my flight to Khon Kaen, the recruiter insisted on picking me up

–

“sa-rang-hae 사랑해— I love you”, artwork on student’s desk The New Puppies Term 2 began like the previous term: short-handed since we lost two teachers, scarfing lunch in less than an hour, and sprinting through periods 1-10. By the end of the first week, I was exhausted. However, the adrenaline of meeting new students powered me

–

“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.

–

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

–