A day in the life of an English teacher: BKK

I honestly have the most rewarding job as an English kindergarten teacher, and I live in the huge unpredictable city of Bangkok, Thailand. I thought I would share my typical week day in this wonderful place I call home (for now).

Its such a great feeling to wake up in the morning and not have to drag myself out of bed after hitting the snooze alarm 3 times. I splash some cold water on my face, put on my uniform of black pants and a polo shirt (a different colour for every day of the week) and do my hair and make up. In Thailand the way you present yourself is very important in terms of how others see you. Its more about the fact that you look after yourself than pure vanity, so I put a little more effort into my appearance. In the same way, the Thai teachers that I work with are some of the kindest and most genuine people I have ever met, and we are constantly laughing and joking around with each other.

Teacher A and I taking a selfie

Hit the ground running

I had a very successful year last year in terms of reaching my fitness goals, taking part in competitive races and becoming a better runner. How crazy is it that just 3 weeks of holiday can nearly destroy a years progress? Ok that could be slightly dramatic, but I know that I have a lot of catching up to do this year. My new goal is the Maritzburg half marathon in February (soon I know).

A letter to my future child

Dear Charlotte/Hunter/Rome/Saige/Branson/Everleigh/Tanner/Vivienne

Those are my favourite names for non-existent future you, which future me will probably have a good laugh at no doubt. Whatever we decide your name to be, it will become your identity for the rest of your life so no pressure on me or anything!

I think so often of what you will be like one day, whether you will be extroverted or shy, have dark hair or blonde, be good at maths (no thanks to my genes) or artistic, and whether I will see parts of me in your personality . I thought that it would be an opportunity missed if I didn't give you the chance to meet 23 year old me, who is currently writing at her desk in her office in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa.

Lets be kids

In so many ways adults are fixated on being adults. We don't have time for childish endeavors, we don't have the patience to play around or be silly. I shudder to think what a gloomy and depressing world it would be if there were no children! What I have decided is that if you bring certain characteristics of a child into parts of your own life, it will actually bring about positive changes. These are the ways in which adults could benefit from using child-like qualities to remind ourselves how exciting and delightful this world actually is.

Happy times

When my family moved cities, my parents had interviews to find a domestic to assist with the cleaning, washing and general household chores. My parents both had full time jobs and couldn't manage on their own with two young children. When they met Happy amongst other possible candidates, they just knew that she would be the right person for our family.

Confessions of an aupair

I was an aupair to two lovely children (lets call them George and Lucy) for a year while I was a student living in Durban. Aupairing in South Africa is convenient for young women such as myself who need part time jobs that fit in with going to lectures and writing exams. I am in no way complaining about the fact that aupairing exists as a job, but I am confused as to why they are necessary. This is my story.