Tefl Cognition

This time last year I was still in Sydney; dragging myself to work to an office that should have been condemned as unfit for habitation; just going through the motions and wondering just where on earth all my passion for my work and just about everything else had gone. Fast forward to today and I am in a little paradise; my chosen work space this morning was Cafe Culture, Koh Tao. A perfect day, lovely cross breeze ,uncluttered serenity of the view and delicious healthy granola and yoghurt and my daily cappuccino. If this isn't heaven its pretty close.

If you fancy yourself as a party animal, there is no better place to be than India. The Hindu's certainly know how to celebrate with a festival for every day of the year and more. Holi , the festival of colours is now celebrated far and wide not just in India. Celebrated in 2018 on 2nd March it signals the end of winter and the start of spring. New beginnings; a time to play, laugh , forget , forgive and love, pray and eat. A time to repair broken relationships. No one escapes; young, old, rich , poor, family, friends and strangers, everyone takes to the street's and joins in the drenching and smearing of colour. Happy , happy Holi.

To do or not to do:ride a motorcycle or motor scooter when in Asia. It really is the main mode of transport for most of the locals. They were born to ride and it seems the most natural thing in the world for them. We visitors may not be as gifted with the natural grace and patience of our hosts but what are we to do.?. To say don't ride seems to deprive us of one the great things about being here in the first place . Asia without scooters is like going to Sydney and not visiting the Opera House. Although there are taxi's and tuk tuks, Songtaew's and Uber ,sometimes to really go on an adventure and discover the real place it will need to be on a scooter or motorbike. Wear a helmet, don't speed and never ever ride intoxicated with anything; it wont end well. As for the road rules, who knows; when I work them out Ill let you know.'
To do or not to do:ride a motorcycle or motor scooter when in Asia. It really is the main mode of transport for most of the locals. They were born to ride and it seems the most natural thing in the world for them. We visitors may not be as gifted with the natural grace and patience of our hosts but what are we to do.?. To say don't ride seems to deprive us of one the great things about being here in the first place . Asia without scooters is like going to Sydney and not visiting the Opera House. Although there are taxi's and tuk tuks, Songtaew's and Uber ,sometimes to really go on an adventure and discover the real place it will need to be on a scooter or motorbike. Wear a helmet, don't speed and never ever ride intoxicated with anything; it wont end well. As for the road rules, who knows; when I work them out Ill let you know.

New Year and a new you. So it doesn't matter if you didn't keep or start on the new years resolutions you made on the eve of 2018 because here is a second chance with Chinese New Year.
The year of the dog is a good time to make lifestyle changes (stop smoking, eat better, exercise more) and a good time for new business ventures. May it bring you all much happiness.

Valentines day and our thoughts turn to love. Good love, bad love, love love and how do people love in other countries and how is love celebrated there. Thailand it seems a lot of our cheesier customs are readily adopted and Valentines day is no exception. Red flowers, stuffed toys and even Ferrero Rocher chocolates can be gifted to your loved one. And if your beloved is far away that's what we have Skype and WhatsAP for. Or maybe your thoughts turn to new country, new love..

There are a lot of expats in Chiang Mai. People teaching English on line to Chinese students, retirees and Digital Nomads are everywhere. Co-working spaces are almost as ubiquitous as the girly bars of Pattaya. Needless to say most national days are celebrated in Thailand. Thanksgiving dinners were on offer all over town as were Aussie BBq's for Australia Day. At the supermarket today the catalogue was promoting its Australian specials. Food here is so great here I wonder how much of it they sell. I admit to keeping a jar of Vegemite though,

Change your life and environment in 4 weeks challenge. Get the skills you need to really make a difference.

Training and teaching prac. Koh Samui , Thailand , November 2017.