After the customary thirty-one hour door-to-door trip from Dallas, Judy and I arrived again at the VP Tower in BKK. The next night, Doug and Yim, who owned the old hangout, Thee Sud Isaan, threw a party at their house. Half of our friends were there, and we had a great time. The next night, we went to dinner with some other friends. All in all, we got to see nearly everyone. On the third day, we set off to Khon Kaen in a pickup with driver that Doug and Yim had arranged for us. In anticipation of cheap rent for the year and earning money, we treated ourselves to the Sofitel hotel as we set about looking for a place to stay. On to our success later.
Right now, it’s still early on a beautiful Khon Kaen morning–early because Judy got up at 5:30 to get ready for her first day teaching. Since she doesn’t know what to expect, she’s girding herself for just about anything. The textbook chapters that she selected are supposed to be copied by now, bound and ready for delivery into the students’ hands. But has/will that happen? Her schedule calls for two morning classes on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and one early Friday.
My classes didn’t “make” at all. The reason for this is obvious: Chai, who heads the English track, assigned me a course for a grade level that won’t even exist until next year! I don’t believe he intentionally pulled a bait and switch. I think rather that he was playing it loose, expecting something to turn up, given teacher turnover and the like. So things are not quite as pat as they might have seemed.
Nonetheless, Chai has connived a way to employ me enough as a substitute teacher (wink, wink) to get a work permit. That document is necessary for the quarterly process of reentry or registration in Thailand. I may find myself teaching English or goofing off.
There is an incredible amount of fussy administrative work when you’re registering to work here. I just had three exactly 5cm X 6cm pictures made for the work permit application. Judy has a long document to file with the bank today so that her salary can be paid electronically into her account. Who says things aren’t modern here in big T. We’ll set that account up this afternoon, and then head to the Sofitel to join their fitness center. It’s a pretty decent one and has a fabulous pool. It’s time to get back into some regular exercise. So, there’s always some of the routine housekeeping in addition to the sizzle of travel and adventure.
On the med school front, Chaiwit, the Neurosurgery professor, took us to lunch yesterday. An opportunity like making rounds at the hospital may open up once the med school year begins. We’ll see.
Tags: Thailand