Category: happiness

Happy Loy Krathong!

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So I will admit. I am beyond excited that I get to experience one of the most colourful and picturesque festivals celebrated within Thailand! Loy Krathong! For those of you who may not know, Loy Krathong is an annual festival that falls on the night of the twelfth lunar month. During this time people gather around lakes, rivers and canals to pay their respects to the goddess of water. In doing so, stunning flower type rafts that are decorated with candles and incense (known as Krathongs) are then released into the water. I have only seen pictures of this festival and it looks absolutely magical.

In preparation for today’s/tonight’s festivities, my students showed up to school in their beautiful Thai outfits, put on a cute dance performance and each brought a Krathong of their very own. The best part about work today is that I even got to make one! Cannot wait to see what tonight has in store.

xo Chaylavie

 

New Term New Memories

Teaching
Sink or Float?
Sink or Float?
Sink or Float?
Sink or Float?
Sink or Float?
Flashcard Game
Flashcard Game
Flashcard Game
Recess
Assembly
Recess
Recess
Recess

 

The second term of the year started for  many/most Thai students this week. As a result, this week in particular, for myself, has been interesting to say the least. Right away I have had to jump into lesson planning and a lot of organization just to get back into the grove of things (which is a little hard when you have been off for a month, just saying). The kiddies are way too adorable and all showed up to class with new haircuts and looking and totally refreshed! Haha man do I love them. This is going to be my first whole semester working in Thailand so I am quite excited to see what it brings me. For now, here are some cute pictures of this week. 🙂

xoxoChaylavie

Is Teaching Abroad Code for Vacation?

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I kind of have the feeling that many people back home think that I am in Thailand living the life of luxury, not learning anything important and spending my time doing nothing but traveling/vacationing in paradise with not a care in the world other than what fancy tropical drink I should order next. Furthermore, many parents in specific are not supportive of their children making such a life changing decision because my job is “not a real one.” However, I can assure you that couldn’t be further from the truth and I think it’s time to defend myself and other English teachers out here because of it! Here is the truth about TESOL in Thailand and ultimately whether or not you are up for the challenge!

Teaching English is one of the hardest things I have ever done in my life and there is a reason we get paid a crap ton more than our Thai co-workers (to be honest the inequality really bothers me). This is because people from English speaking countries wouldn’t be as willing to pack up their comfortable lives at home just to live and work in a country where they suddenly join the poverty line. As a result, schools have to offer a better salary to attract teachers like myself. However, even with a much higher salary the turnover rate is immense (because people don’t realize how challenging it can be) and this causes a big problem for Thai people who want and need to receive a proper and reliable form of English education.

So now that we know the basics let’s start with the work itself. My work conditions are insanity as I teach in a class room with no air conditioning everyday from Monday – Friday. The sweat literally drips down my face all day and usually burns the crap out of my eyes. Imagine working in the scorching heat where the average temperature is in the mid to high 30s with a humidity percentage of about 70% and to top it off you’re in a hot stuffy classroom with no air circulation. In addition to the immense heat picture yourself not only having to teach your lessons while sweating your butt off but having to manage those students, trying to keep them interested, well behaved and active at all times while knowing they barely understand a single word you say. This includes a shit ton of physical activities which require me to dance, run and jump around as much as possible, all whilst dying in the unbearable heat. It is exhausting and us teachers on this side of the world work just as hard (if not more) than anyone else.

In addition to the tiresome work with our kiddies, we have to figure out just about everything ourselves. Sure, I have co-workers and a school director who try to help out with any questions or concerns I may have but the unfortunate truth is that most of the time no one can really understand me. So in order to explain myself I engage in a game of charades trying to get a message across that usually ends in giggles and awkwardness. If you are not a patient person you will definitely become one with a job like this lol.

Another thing that many may not be aware of is dress code. The dress code for teachers on this side of the world is generally more strict and conservative in comparison to back home. As a result, you must make sure you are nicely groomed and wear appropriate attire, whether that be a uniform provided by your school or for woman a typical professional just below the knees skirt paired with either a collared button up shirt or a blouse of some sort and closed toe shoes (flats become your best friend) and for men dress pants and a dress shirt.

Once you live in Thailand you come to the frustrating conclusion that most if not all of your daily tasks at work are completely fluid, meaning there is no one right way to do something and everything is constantly changing. In addition to that you may never know if you are doing something right because Thai people are so kind and non confrontational they will almost never tell you. Also, random things will and do happen… all the time…and usually you will never be informed of it. Some days you may show up to class with a perfect lesson plan only to find out your classes are cancelled because of a field trip or some school event that requires all of the students on the field dancing…This has happened. Sure, some may say this is exciting because you can do whatever you want (e.g. “WORKPLACE FREEDOM! I’m basically an executive”)…No. Just no. Let me tell you, us North Americans are used to organization when it comes to work and all of a sudden not having a solid foundation to base your teaching on becomes extremely confusing. You find yourself in a constant whirlwind of mistakes, self doubt and towering last minute tasks due to last minute expectations from higher-ups. This in itself is both overwhelming and tiring.

Now that I have expressed why teaching in Thailand is no vacation I do have to admit that this is what makes Thailand exciting. Sure the majority of us came here because we all share the love of travel. However, dig a little deeper and you’ll realize it takes a lot more than the love of travel to make someone want to just pack up their things and leave their friends and family for x amount of time to make another country their home. Curiosity, adventure, self discovery and most importantly wanting to make a difference in this world are more than enough reasons why we are doing what we do. This job actually makes me feel like I am doing something that is having a positive impact on the lives of the people who live in my new home town. There is no better feeling than teaching a lesson and seeing your students finally understand what you are saying. It’s amazing. Moments like those sometimes make you want to cry. For these kids English is the doorway to their future. This is what they need to help them gain a good job in such a competitive world.

Contradictory to everything I’m saying about the hardships, I absolutely love it here even with the complications. Sure teaching has not been a walk in the park and it comes with a lot of uncertainty, confusion and frustration but I wouldn’t change it for anything. You are not babied here. No one holds your hand and gives you instructions on what you need to do and for that reason I have learned so many valuable lessons. For one I have learned that you don’t always need words to communicate with people. As a result, I have met a lot of beautiful people here that I wouldn’t have otherwise back in Canada and I truly feel so blessed to experience it all. I love the fact that I can smile at any Thai person especially at work and know that I will always be greeted with an even bigger smile. A job like this molds you into a completely different person. Working in Thailand is a character builder and has not given me anything less than a whole new outlook on life. I have gained so much patience, acceptance, compassion, creativity, self-confidence, knowledge about myself and most impotantly have learned to work independently with little direction. What excites me most about these characteristics is that they are transferable and I know that I have so much more to offer my future employer when I do return back home and the confidence to go for what I want.

I think this is important information for people who are curious about taking the leap into TESOL specifically for Thailand. The very first thing I was taught in my my certificate program was that “if you are here for a vacation you are here for the wrong reason and may need to reconsider your purpose here.” This is 100% the truth. This is a job just like any other. However, with living and working in Thailand you are blessed with the beauty of its physical geography and as a teacher you will have more than enough time to explore it. Thailand has to be one of the most beautiful places I have ever been to in this world with the kindest people.

Next time you are ready to judge us about our decision to teach abroad think to yourself “could I do this?” On the flip side, if you are serious about taking the big jump, buying that one-way plane ticket and want to make a difference this is an amazing way to do it. Just do your research and know what you are getting yourself into. Teaching abroad is not all luxury but I can promise you that if you greet the opportunity with an open mind you will not regret it and will be on the ride of a lifetime.

Xoxo Chaylavie

Quote

“Work, save, travel, repeat.”

Story of my life.

Thought of the day

“I don’t want to wait until I’m ‘established’ to be able to live my life. Instead, I’m thinking that these kind of moments are exactly what will shape me as a person and point me in the right direction to become more than just established. I want to live my life knowing that I did exactly that. I lived.”

 

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I don't want to wait until I'm "established" to be able to live my life. Instead, I'm thinking that these kind of moments are exactly what will shape me as a person and point me in the right direction to become more than just established. I want to live my life knowing that I did exactly that. I lived. 😍🙌👌🐳🐋🐡🐚🐙🐠🌞🌍❤💚💜💛😊🌴✌😎😀 __________________________________________ #chayadventures#wanderlusting #wanderlust #traveling #travel #travelbug #findyourself #travelbug #travelblog #instagood #instatravel #amazingplaces #beautifuldestinations #beachbum #southeastasia #asia #kohphiphi #mayabay #bambooisland #qotd #quote #greenhearttravel #traveladdict #travelgram #travellust #traveler #wander #iglobal_photographers

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Did You Know?

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“Did you know, you can quit your job, you can leave university? You aren’t legally required to have a degree, it’s a social pressure and expectation, not the law, and no one is holding a gun to your head. You can sell your house, you can give up your apartment, you can even sell your vehicle, and your things that are mostly unnecessary. You can see the world on a minimum wage salary, despite the persisting myth, you do not need a high paying job. You can leave your friends (if they’re true friends they’ll forgive you, and you’ll still be friends) and make new ones on the road. You can leave your family.

You can depart from your hometown, your country, your culture, and everything you know. You can sacrifice. You can give up your $5.00 a cup morning coffee, you can give up air conditioning, frequent consumption of new products. You can give up eating out at restaurants and prepare affordable meals at home, and eat the leftovers too, instead of throwing them away. You can give up cable TV, Internet even. This list is endless.

You can sacrifice climbing up in the hierarchy of careers. You can buck tradition and others’ expectations of you. You can triumph over your fears, by conquering your mind. You can take risks. And most of all, you can travel. You just don’t want it enough. You want a degree or a well-paying job or to stay in your comfort zone more.

This is fine, if it’s what your heart desires most, but please don’t envy me and tell me you can’t travel. You’re not in a famine, in a desert, in a third world country, with five malnourished children to feed. You probably live in a first world country. You have a roof over your head, and food on your plate. You probably own luxuries like a cellphone and a computer. You can afford the $3.00 a night guest houses of India, the $0.10 fresh baked breakfasts of Morocco, because if you can afford to live in a first world country, you can certainly afford to travel in third world countries, you can probably even afford to travel in a first world country.

So please say to me, “I want to travel, but other things are more important to me and I’m putting them first”, not, “I’m dying to travel, but I can’t”, because I have yet to have someone say they can’t, who truly can’t.

You can, however, only live once, and for me, the enrichment of the soul that comes from seeing the world is worth more than a degree that could bring me in a bigger paycheck, or material wealth, or pleasing society.

Of course, you must choose for yourself, follow your heart’s truest desires, but know that you can travel, you’re only making excuses for why you can’t.

And if it makes any difference, I have never met anyone who has quit their job, left school, given up their life at home, to see the world, and regretted it. None. Only people who have grown old and regretted never traveling, who have regretted focusing too much on money and superficial success, who have realized too late that there is so much more to living than this”

– Wunderkammer, Did you know?

3 Reasons You should Find Yourself, By Yourself

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I am part of an online English teacher community. It is basically a Facebook group where all of us soon to be/current teachers are able to help out one another by answering any questions that many of us may have. The other day one girl asked whether or not anyone else was leaving a significant other behind to go teach in Thailand. As soon as I saw this I smiled because many months ago I was wondering the exact same question. Last November I made a huge and final decision that I was going to pursue my dream of temporarily moving to Thailand and teach English as a second language. It was the best and most effortless decision I could have made. I was at a point in my life where my wanderlust was growing immensely, I had graduated University, I was ready to move on to a different career and I was completely single! However, fast forward to the New Year I had started dating a very special man. I promised myself that since I would be moving I would not under any circumstances date anyone! Uh oh. Guess I failed at that lol. Anyways, It was the scariest thing to think that if I started to date this person I would soon be leaving for almost an entire year. However, although my mind urged me not to go on with the idea my heart screamed at me to do otherwise. So, just like most, I listened to my heart. Our dating quickly led to one of the best decisions I could have ever made. For the very first time I found someone who truly makes me happy and has made me realize how a healthy relationship should be. But I don’t want to carry on and make you all throw up with the mushy, gushy love details, so I won’t go much more into my relationship. However, I do want to touch up on a topic that has been weighing heavy on my heart and is totally related. Independence.

The first thing that many people asked me before I left was “what are you and Mike going to do?” At first, this seemed like a completely rational question. I mean sure, I was getting ready to move to the other side of the world. At the time, it made sense to even ask myself this question. After all, many relationships cannot last when two people live only 10 minutes from each other. Therefore, my long distance relationship couldn’t possibly stand a chance! However, since moving and being away for almost two whole months I’ve had a lot of alone time to process this question and have come to many realizations.

  1. Society can be lame, real lame.

We are too caught up with society’s idea of how a relationship should function. One guy answered the above mentioned girls question by stating “I feel like I am in Ellen’s audience. All will be okay-it’s just a job and if he loves you, he will make the effort to support you. If he doesn’t, then the answer is…” This guy hit the nail on the head! If you’re with someone they should support your decisions and vice versa! Obviously moving far away is a decision that should be seriously discussed among one another. However, I feel that so many people are quick to avoid perusing their dreams because they don’t want to risk putting strain on their relationship, maybe because their significant other is unwilling to let them do it or they are just too needy and cannot do anything without them. But how unfair and selfish does that sound? I feel like this applies to many scenarios, not just moving far away but the smallest of things such as hobbies or interests one might have but is discouraged to do so. I’ve seen this happen in many relationships (even my own) and this paves one of the biggest roads to resentment that I’ve seen yet.

  1. Many of us are afraid to be alone.

Why? Why are so many of us so terrified to be alone? I feel like my generation lacks independence. I am always confronted with people who are not comfortable with alone time or being single. So many constantly feel they “need” to be with someone and hop from one relationship to the next or stay in their current shitty one because they can’t fathom to be alone. Many may think that I do not have a place to comment on this particular point because I have only ever been in long term-relationships. However, since dating Mike and making my decision to leave home for a while I have been confronted for the first time with having to learn some real independence. Although I am an only child and have always liked my space the thought and act of leaving him absolutely broke my heart. However, my recent adventure has really made me realize the importance and beauty of being alone altogether. Being alone opened up a lot of new opportunities for me. For the first time, in a long time, I accepted a lot of new experiences with open arms because I had no choice but to. I have always been very open about the fact that I struggle with social anxiety. Luckily, my anxiety has never got to the point where I am unable to attend social gatherings altogether, but I have not had the easiest time with it either. I always have mini freak outs in my head about meeting new people, small talk, being socially awkward and just coming off as straight up weird! I over analyze everything in my head to the point of exhaustion and sometimes wish that I was as outgoing as everyone believes me to be. Since being all alone, I kind of feel like Jim Carrey in the movie Yes Man, where he plays a super negative man who is stuck in a rut until he discovers the power of saying “yes” and trying new things. Well I guess that is pretty much what I have been doing. My independence has pushed me to say yes, regardless of my fears of social anxiety. I’ve meet so many wonderful people that I wouldn’t have otherwise because of it and have already had so many life changing experiences.

  1. Love fully but more importantly love yourself.

The most important thing I have realized is that you learn to become your own best friend. There have been many times in my life that I haven’t had self-confidence or have considered myself nothing but dumb. Being alone has pushed me out of my comfort zone and made me realize there is so much I am capable of. You learn to trust and love yourself and it is a pretty good damn feeling. I have always said that if you cannot learn to love yourself how could you possibly love anyone else?

Self-discovery is a beautiful thing and I truly believe that one can only accomplish that alone. Only you can discover who you are and what you want from life. Many amazing people come into our lives to help us grow but if you do not give yourself some alone time you hinder your ability to grow as an independent person. Ultimately everyone deserves to feel confident alone. I feel that my time away will not weaken my relationship but only make it stronger. It gives both of us a chance to grow independently without many of the constraints that most relationships have today. But one thing I know for sure is that I cannot wait for the moment I get to see him again, for me, close to a year is long enough.

xoChaylavie