(Actual date 27th May 2007)
Have finally arrived in Bangkok and started settling in. All the PoD group have arrived safe, so we are all currently just learning names and getting orientated. Bangkok is as hot, humid and manic as I'd heard, but everyone is not smiling from ear to ear the whole time, more like trying to sell you things constantly. More on Bangkok later but how, more on how I ended up in Bangkok. Some background to put the blog in context...
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I wasn’t happy. Dublin was wearing me out and I decided to move to Galway. I got a new job, and my mate Pete got a new couch outta the referral dosh. Win-Win. Then 8 months later I got a tap on the shoulder at work…out on me a*** “Ordinary man” style. I looked into doing volunteer work with APSO and even got put “on file”, in a filling cabinet; I’m still there! Eventually I got work and have been gainfully employed for the last 6 years.
Now it time for a change, time to do something different. So I’m of to Thailand to teach 6-12 year olds English (http://www.thepodsite.com/) for a few months. Then 2 months travelling Thailand, Cambodia and Laos (probably). Twill be different alright.
Friends and family, I can’t thank enough for their support and advice. I’ve had more going away dinners and sessions then you can shake a stick at. Probably the best bit of advice I got was from my nephew Callum. He smiles more then the Dali Lama and is better travelled then I was at 21…at the tender age of 10 months. I asked him what life was all about, he just smiled and sat on his Tigger; Tigger said “Wantta bounce…a bouncy, bouncy, bouncey…hoo ow hoo whooo!”. Smart kid.
(The advice I got from the ex-Amdahl boys I'll keep to myself.)
My brother Paul (and girlfriend Grace) are travelling as well, in the US and Canada, so it is a time of upheaval for the family. We both (Paul and me) have strong roots; there will always be a place called home. You can’t buy that. As my older brother Matt explained to my mam when I was leaving "He is only going for a wander!",
Over the past 5 weeks I’ve visited lots of friends, gone a lads “jolly” outing, a retreat in Glendalough, rallying in Mondello and spent time with family; as well as preparing for heading off. I’m busier then when I was working but loving every minute of it.
I have no idea what the teaching will be like. We get a TEFL course in Bangkok before we start, then are thrown in at the deep end. The primary school will be on Koh Phangan in the Gulf of Thailand. I know I can be adequate teacher but hope to be a good one. Most likely I’ll learn more then I teach. If you ever meet a Thai with a Tipp accent, ask him if he knows me.
Keep in touch everyone mikedugganjnr@hotmail.com.
Michael/Mike/Murt/Mick/Mikey Dheas.
“I don’t need to study. I can always get by on my good looks and charm.” Calvin and Hobbes
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2 comments:
Hello Michael,
Well reading your blog is like a white cotton sheet being lifted by wind while dressing a bed on a summers day, refreshing and a new start !
I think alot of people reading this would love to have the courage to do what you are doing, so its great to read you blog and follow your dream. There's a thing called your PAS - Personal Accountability System I'd say you are scoring high on your's. You've had a look at yourself, decided on some adjustments and followed through 10/10 !!! Crikey not everyone has the balls ! A Big Balls award in the DHL post to you!! LOL !!!! LOL !!!!
All the best, have lots of fun and keep us posted on the other poddies !
Martha
Thanks Marzy, you're a sweetheart! I start teaching on Wednesday so I hope my courage holds. I will be in a school with 40 students in a village about the size of Galbally. I hope all the kids aren't as energetic as Johnny! Will publish new post on Wednesday after school!!!
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