Jacqui and Richard Abroad: September 14th

We got back to Thailand on Monday night, September 4th. We spent two days in the air to be on the ground for three days in Canada! It's a 23 hours flight plus time difference - great when you're going home ("5 minute" flight from Seoul to Toronto! - departure at 9h35 and arrival at 9h40), but not so much when you are coming back! However, we weren't home long enough to suffer from any jet lag; we just rolled right back into Thailand time as if we had never left. I also think that it is easier to get adjusted to an 11-12 hour time difference than it is to an 8 or 9 hour time difference, as we felt fine at home. We had a great time at home and it was very nice to spend time with our kids and family. We weren't there long enough to visit with friends, and we sure wish we could have, but that will have to wait until our Christmas break!

Two days after we landed, on Wednesday September 6th, Julie and her friend Michelle arrived in Bangkok. We picked them up at the airport, in our rental car - we ditched the golf cart! - and went back home. They chilled on Thursday, went to Bangkok downtown for a few days and Jacqui met them on Saturday morning to go to Ayutthaya, the old capital of Thailand. It was pretty much the first time for Jacqui to drive the car on the left hand side of the road. With the flashers and wipers being inverted right to left, both of us had at the start the wipers going when you tried to signal left or right. You do get used to it, but it sure is not a reflex; you have to think about it! They all had a nice visit and made it back home safely. While they were touring, I was stuck at school renewing my first aid certification, as I need that to coach volleyball (or any other sport).

Things at school are getting easier for Jacqui. Kids are getting used to the routine and they are lovely kids. I enjoy coaching my volleyball team, with a colleague that is another non-teacher but is the husband of Jacqui's teammate in PreK3. So the ladies work together, and the husbands work together! On Thursday, the 7th, new teachers had to stay back after school to sign documents regarding the process of getting their work visa. Knowing that the ministry people would not be at the school until at least one hour after working hours, the school organised a little get together on the roof of one of the buildings. There was food, drinks, music, ...it was great; another occasion to get people together!

I started doing subsitute teaching on Sept 8th, and have been going everyday since then - booked up to September 20th so far. It is fun and fairly easy; no prep, no marking, no meetings - just show up, teach and go to the gym for practice. The pay is obviously a lot less than regular teachers, but so is the amount of work and amount of stress.