The latest (on Sunday) news was that the Lower Primary students would return to our school for on-site learning today, Monday the 14th so I got up bright and early. The daily COVID-19 case numbers had yet to be publicized when I began the 15-minute walk to work at 6:30. It was eerily quiet, quieter … Continue reading Daily Phuket #106: 14 February 2022 – Eerily Quiet!
Daily Phuket
Daily Phuket #105: 26 December 2021 – Caught by the Rain
I ventured out to the Sunday evening Walking Street (local name: Lard Yai) on Thanon Thalang for the first time in months tonight. In fact, I first circled the Old Town area snapping photos of the always lovely Kasikorn Bank building and historic On-On Hotel on Thanon Phang Nga and a few festive buildings along … Continue reading Daily Phuket #105: 26 December 2021 – Caught by the Rain
Daily Phuket #104: 24 December 2021 – Chopper Santa (And Santy, Too!)
This morning, my new school put on one of the most elaborate Christmas presentations that I have experienced in a Thai government school. I took many photos throughout the day and will save most for my "Christmas In Thailand, Part Three" blog which I will post sometime tomorrow (Christmas Day!). The highlight of the festivities … Continue reading Daily Phuket #104: 24 December 2021 – Chopper Santa (And Santy, Too!)
Daily Phuket #103: 23 December 2021 – New School, New Office
Things change very quickly in Thailand as there is often very little pre-planning and you need to become accustomed to last-minute announcements accompanied by few, if any, details. Yesterday, I arrived at my agency's offices shortly after 2pm at which time I was informed that my full-time school would start today and I was to … Continue reading Daily Phuket #103: 23 December 2021 – New School, New Office
Daily Phuket #102: 22 December 2021 – Thai Style Pizza Truck
A recent change to my local market has been the addition of several food trucks. The Cook is a restaurant on Th. Phang Nga in Old Town which specializes in Thai-fusion comfort food and their pizzas are quite popular. I first tried their Masaman pizza around 10 or 11 years ago but the last time … Continue reading Daily Phuket #102: 22 December 2021 – Thai Style Pizza Truck
Daily Phuket #101: 21 December 2021 – A Bone In A Cone
I spent the latter part of last week and the start of this week substitute teaching at one of the largest schools in Phuket Town. My schedule consisted of Phonics lessons in six levels of Intensive English Programme (IEP) classes. Today, I was going over /-ose/ and /-one/ endings with my P4 students and they … Continue reading Daily Phuket #101: 21 December 2021 – A Bone In A Cone
Daily Phuket #100: 20 December 2021 – The Worst Mexican in Phuket?!
Quite a few Mexican restaurants have opened in Phuket in recent years. The few that I have eaten at have been, in my opinion, fairly mediocre at best. I was born in Texas and spent a number of years living in New Mexico as well as sampling regional varieties from the northern Mexican states. I … Continue reading Daily Phuket #100: 20 December 2021 – The Worst Mexican in Phuket?!
Daily Phuket #99: 17 December 2021 – Morning Marking
Unfortunately, I have seen many of our fill-in teachers who seem to think that they are just "warm bodies" occupying a classroom when the regular teacher is absent. Those teachers spend the periods playing Hangman with the kids and rarely follow a lesson plan (even if one is available). I always make sure that I … Continue reading Daily Phuket #99: 17 December 2021 – Morning Marking
Daily Phuket #98: 16 December 2021 – Real Live Cover
While I am still waiting for my full-time school to reopen (the latest word is "maybe" on 22 December), I have been keeping my ear to the grindstone trying to pick up lessons when and where I can. Monday's one-day "workshop" was the first and I began a week-long series of cover lessons this morning. … Continue reading Daily Phuket #98: 16 December 2021 – Real Live Cover
Daily Phuket #97: 15 December 2021 – Students Spelling
In preparation for their weekly spelling test, the girls reviewed their words and had to draw a picture of each one. It is students such as this trio that make these hour-long classes a real joy. They are always enthusiastic and love to learn. I wish all of my students were this well-behaved. I look … Continue reading Daily Phuket #97: 15 December 2021 – Students Spelling
Mark Joseph Jochim 