This month I completed my work term in Chiang Mai to start the next chapter in my life. Yes indeed, recently I was formally offered a job at an international school in the 'city of angels' – and no I don’t mean Los Angeles but Bangkok!
So how did this chapter even get started? Well, while I was in Bangkok for a job fair last March I contacted a local Christian school called International Community School (ICS) in Bangkok for an interview, a school I've had my eye on for a couple years now. As it turned out, they were interested in visiting with me and I was eventually invited to work with them after a number of weeks of deliberation.
It’s been a long haul to get to this point but I feel confident this next move is right in line with what I need/want to do and in line with God’s purposes for me. Somehow I knew God was leading me to ICS in Bangkok this past while but didn't know how it could happen since ICS didn't have an advertised job for me. Long story short, the headmaster there recognized what I could offer their school and custom-created a job for me as Dean of Students. I couldn't have asked for anything more and now understand why God closed the door with the other employment opportunities/offers this past half-year. Needless to say, I'm glad to be near-done the Masters of Education with Counseling degree and settled in at a school.
I started at ICS by helping them finish the 2011-2012 school year while also ramping up for 2012-2013. My head was spinning a bit because I came to Thailand thinking I would only be here a few months as volunteer in Chiang Mai and am now starting a full-time job in Bangkok. I will still head back to Ontario for the summer (back in early June till end of July) but it's great to be able to start this job now and get settled before the next school year starts.
How great it is that I will also be able to spend time with an old friend Dean who I got to know in Denver back in the 90s who now lives in Bangkok. I’m sure I will get to know and become friends with many staff at ICS but it certainly is interesting to watch old and new worlds intersect!
May 28, 2012
May 22, 2012
Didn't He Get the Memo?
OK, this is one of those "I can't believe my eyes" moments that I want to share with you while I have some time. I just witnessed this about 20 minutes ago but, really, it happens all the time here on the streets of Bangkok throughout the year.
As a bit of a background on my day: boxes of personal belongings just arrived that have been packed away at my last place of residence in Korea. Good friends of mine agreed to keep these boxes with them and ship them whenever and wherever I landed my next job. So the school day ended and I decided to carry these boxes from the main office to my apartment on the 4th floor. Unfortunately there is no elevator in my apartment building but I'm OK with that, convincing myself that 'doing stairs' is now part of my daily workout. Actually, the stairs really aren't an issue but add the heat factor and it can get a little uncomfortable.
The feels-like temperature outside right now is 111.2 degrees F (44 C). Admittedly, this is one of the hottest seasons in Bangkok so we're getting these temps on a regular basis. Not much changes throughout the year, though, for the data shows the coolest month in Bangkok has an average high of near 90 F (32 C) and low of 70 F (21 C). Needless to say, regardless of the month or season, I take every chance I can to wear shorts and other loose 'summer wear' to keep cool.
So I just finished unpacking these boxes and look out of my kitchen window to an office building across the street where I see a delivery guy loading boxes on his motorbike. Here I am doing my best to cool down in an air conditioned apartment while this guy is working in full gear -- helmet, LONG pants, LONG shirt with jacket! Somebody needs to tell this guy it's over 110 degrees outside! I can't imagine having moved my boxes for a half hour in those clothes let alone spend an entire day at work in them!
Now I know his choice of attire isn't necessarily because he's driving a motorcycle and wants to stay protected in case of an accident. No, I see Asian people all the time walking down the street or riding in songtaews or even construction workers in similar garb. Apparently the main reason for many is wanting to avoid the sun that would darken their skin... but what about the heat???
Countless times this past while I've thought, "I can't believe they are wearing all that and not sweating... in fact they look comfortable!" It actually makes me a bit jealous that so many don't get hot, or at least they don't show it. I have to do everything in my power to stay hydrated and cool and wearing a jacket, long pants and socks is furthest from my mind!
The feels-like temperature outside right now is 111.2 degrees F (44 C). Admittedly, this is one of the hottest seasons in Bangkok so we're getting these temps on a regular basis. Not much changes throughout the year, though, for the data shows the coolest month in Bangkok has an average high of near 90 F (32 C) and low of 70 F (21 C). Needless to say, regardless of the month or season, I take every chance I can to wear shorts and other loose 'summer wear' to keep cool.
Now I know his choice of attire isn't necessarily because he's driving a motorcycle and wants to stay protected in case of an accident. No, I see Asian people all the time walking down the street or riding in songtaews or even construction workers in similar garb. Apparently the main reason for many is wanting to avoid the sun that would darken their skin... but what about the heat???
Countless times this past while I've thought, "I can't believe they are wearing all that and not sweating... in fact they look comfortable!" It actually makes me a bit jealous that so many don't get hot, or at least they don't show it. I have to do everything in my power to stay hydrated and cool and wearing a jacket, long pants and socks is furthest from my mind!
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