MBK

Tomorrow I start the CELTA, so my free time should become quite limited. I may try to write a little blurb about the class every day, in the hope that I can help others thinking of taking it. I make no promises, though. Whatever the case, I imagine I will not have time to update the site more than once a week. Less if my site remains inaccessible, which it is now, for some reason.

I was hoping to be at peak capacity for the course, but unfortunately, about as soon as I arrived home, I contracted some kind of deadly super-virus. I lost my voice, had a persistent cough, and major congestion. Two months later, I am still so congested that my hearing is reduced, and I'm constantly blowing my nose on tiny Thai napkins. Taking decongestants helps, but doesn't solve the problem.

It's nice to have free time every day, but I really have to do something productive with my time, so it will be good to be busy. I'm spending my last day at MBK, Bangkok's huge shopping/entertainment complex, and the ultimate time-killer. I'll do internet, pick up some stuff, eat ice cream and read, and go see The Last Samurai.

It happened again. What is it with me randomly running into people I know in Bangkok? It shouldn't have even happened, if I wasn't so forgetful. I was going to go to Central Department Store to buy dress shoes with my 20% of coupon. En route, I stopped at one of those sidewalk restaurants with pans of Thai food on display. It all actually looks pretty disgusting, so I just pick two at random, point, and say kaw an nii ga an nii krap, I want this one and this one. It usually ends up tasting OK. The stuff they cook up fresh is always much better, but you have to ask for what you want by name, and I only know fried rice and noodle soup.

When I finished I realized I had forgotten my coupon, so I had to walk back down the soi to my apartment. I was behind a blond farang guy walking with a Thai woman. The back of his head look suspiciously familiar. I eavesdropped and heard the giveaway: the Irish accent. I was Rourai from my TESOL class. Rourai is gainfully employed now with Siam Computer. Maybe the old TESOL gang will be getting back together.