Working Man

Sawat dee khrap,                                                                                                       Aug 19, 2010

      Tomorrow I start my first job in Thailand.  I'm the academic lab support person.  If a student at ISB has poor grades they are placed on academic probation and required to come to academic lab during their free period or after school.  Some students have learning differences that cause the poor grades but most that come to my class have poor study habits or are choosing not to do the work.  Sounds like a tough position but I'm ready to take it on.  Hate me or love me, they'll work while I have them. 
       I won't make as much money as Kristy but there is no planning or papers to grade.  Just a 7am - 3pm position.  Except Fridays I can leave at a little after 2pm.  It's sort of an unwritten rule that teachers can bug out early.  I'm hooking up with a group that plays golf on Fridays.  I wont play every Friday but it's nice to know I can leave early if I want. 
       The weather has cooled a bit here and I think I'm getting a little used to the heat so the last few days have felt pretty nice.  The air conditioner isn't being used as much in the girls rooms so I think they are getting used to it too.
       Our mae baan (maid) has helped make the transition easy.  She works very hard and is a fabulous cook.  But on the cleaning side of things I've had to reprioritize her energies, she was doing things like ironing T-shirts and pillow cases.  She was cleaning the toilets, sinks, bathtubs, and vacuuming and washing all the floors EVERY DAY.  This in addition to washing the sheets once a week, and bath towels and pool towels any time we don't hang them up. She washes clothes, windows, makes beds, you name it.  I'm afraid to pick my feet up for any length of time for fear she might try washing my heels and toes.  She is scheduled from 9-6, but is here by 8:45 and has already gone to the market to buy fresh fruits and vegetables.  She has a wonderful dinner on the table every night at 5:00 unless we go out.  There is a board next to the little American market a few blocks away that is mostly posted with advertisements for mae baans needing work, so I'm sure she appreciates having a job.  All this for $320 per month.
       Sawat dee khrap is a general phrase for good morning, good bye, good day, good evening, hello, later, see ya, etc.  And for the ladies it would be sawat dee kha

So. . . Sawat dee khrap,

Woods in Thailand