I've been attempting to learn Thai by using a beginners book and a little help from friends. My vocabulary is slowly growing and I'm able to put together a few simple sentences now. This can be very dangerous. When I try to communicate with Thais using full sentences and relevant words they immediately think I know a lot more than I actually do.
Example:
Tony: Sawat di krap, phom cheu Tony. (Hello, my name is Tony)
Thai Person: Sawat di krap, vsddnjkvhfdsuivcxlidsvbckx. (Hello, I have no idea what they say next.
Tony: Uhhhhh, Phom pen kruu. (I am a teacher.)
Thai person: Kruu, cddnisvfcxnvkjfdnsvioxnv. (Teacher, wah wah wah wah wah wah wah wah.)
Tony: Um, Thewpaingarm. (this is the name of my school, I assume they asked where I teach)
Thai(nods in approval): cvdnjkcvuixnvkjxnjkvhdbvbcxj (No idea but I think I answered the right question earlier)
Tony: Phom yuu thinii. (I live here)
After that it goes downhill quickly. The good news is that I know a bit of Thai and I'm adding to my vocabulary quickly. I'm learning naughty words and swear words by saying English words in class and noticing snickers from the students. Apparently yet and quasar sound like bad Thai words. I have since learned what those words mean, but I'll keep that secret for people who come to visit me. I try to add one new word a day.
It's strange being a teacher. When I first started in Korea I would often get flustered and confused in front of class. Now it's like I blackout during class and some awesome teaching robot takes over. I think a teaching job is like a sales job in that everyone should have one at some point in their lives. If not for the personal rewards than for the empathy you can feel for the teachers you harassed or the sales people you ignore and despise for doing their job. There are a lot of good skills that come from the experience. Public speaking and group activities become second nature.
Food of the day is . . . . Khao Mok Gai. Curry rice with crispy shallots and chicken. Really gooooooood.
I am a total chess nerd. I've been playing online at chess.com. I usually have about 3 e-mail correspondence games going at once. It's the ultimate strategy game. Every other strategy game is basically a glorified, graphics-laden version of chess.
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5 comments:
You crack me up. Sort of like taking one semester of Italian and going to Italy. I was thankful for that pocket dictionary. Stephen posted some good fb pics of Bullards Bar. you should come home next summer and celebrate your bd at the Ranch! High School tennis started last week, we have about 20 kids, only 8 of which are really Varsity level. It'll be an interesting season. We'll attempt to defend our Regional title. Well, the wildfire smoke shifted direction, but we've gotten extremely chilly weather in its place. No real complaints, at least I can breathe again. Off to a meeting. Love ya, Auntie G
Hey bro! Happy belated bday!
We miss you over here. :D
Nice video btw....
When are we gonna get some pics of the new gal? What's her name again? Sorry, I forgot.
I have dance camp coming up... which is a fun and intimidating concept in and of itself. I've calculated how much dancing I'm going to be doing within the next 2 1/2 weeks of dance camp and it ends up I'm going to be dancing 170 hours! (which is crazy... it actually comes to 168 whatever.)
Casey will be starting flag football soon and Cori's select soccer season is going awesome. They just placed first in one of their tournaments last week.
GUESS WHAT!? You know how my mom has always been so against having a cell phone? Dad FINALLY laid down the law and got her one so that she wont be borrowing other people's anymore! lol No more going into strange people's houses at garage sales!! :D
Love ya,
Eilee and fam
Hahahahaha. Great update Eilee.
hi Tony!!
this is your littlest sister :) Happy bday !! kae mo gee (???) sounds GOOD. Grandma took us on another 2weekroadtrip this summer... we sat on our behinds on a fishing boat for a day straight... wopee!!(don't think i spelled that right) (sucks 4 me) we won our last soccer tourney as eilee filled you in on. so far I am the winner of the "worst spill/fall of year" award!
@ the fair GUESS WHAT... you won't be able 2.. I, me, went on the roller coaster thingy that goes up, and up, and up, and up, and then POW! itdrops!! went on it twice!! Of coarse, i WAS closing my eyes the whole time (it still counts, right?
ROFL bout your conversation w/ thai people... you r doing sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo well! but you r still the best big bro ever! Eilee cant put her head on mine anymore i tell her instead of my head, she'll be resting her head on my shoulder (just to make her mad)
love ya miss ya
(fill me in on your next date with... your girl)
Cori*
Your sarcasm comes through beautifully, even in print Cori.
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