We had one-on-one tutorials with one of our instructors today. He said that I was "above standard," and that I might be able to get a good grade. Passing with an A or B would be nice, but, that doesn't really do anything for you, so I am going to try to not worry about it. I'll just keep on trying to do as well as I can.

We spent the rest of the morning working with our peers to plan the next two weeks of lessons. Now that I'm comfortable with our intermediate students, we will be switching to a new group of elementary students. I like the intermediates, because they understand a lot of what you say. I still have to be careful giving directions, though. I imagine it will be even more difficult getting directions across with elemetries.

I taught a 40 minute reading lesson that afternoon. Despite my positive assessment, it didn't go so well. One of my strengths is my detailed planning, but that actually got in the way, and I was more focused on following my directions that connecting with the students. One student was dominating, and I was not even aware of it. That's an easy trap to fall into. I was also trying to reduce redundant language, but overcompensated, and came across as too abrupt.

I was tired and frustrated, so treated myself to mediocre Western food at Steak Hunter, and ice cream at Baskin Robbins. This is only the second time I've been to a Baskin Robbins in Thailand, and did not realize that you are supposed to sit down, and let the waitress give you a menu, and not go up to the counter and tell them what you want. Then I went to bed early.

Some unrelated tidbits.

Crisis at Seven-11

I discovered a mysterious green beverage at Seven-11 I like. I put it in the Super Big Gulp cup a few times. The cashiers always seemed perturbed, and had to call for backup, who would decide it cost saam sip (30) baht. Then the cashier would look pissed off and ring me up. One time I got the medium size, and the exact same thing happened. In broken Thai, I tried to explain that large was 30 baht, and this was medium. So the back up guy took my medium cup away, and poured it into a special small cup. So remember, next time you are in Thailand, and want to drink mysterious green liquids at Seven-11, you have to use the special cup.

Thai waitresses are incompetent

I'm sorry, but too many incidents have occurred in the past 3 weeks for it to be chance. They keep bringing me other peoples' orders. This alone isn't a big deal, but it's always after I have my order, they will come by, try to ask me something in Thai, and then put a huge amount of food on my table. They seem to think there's nothing strange about a person coming in alone, and ordering food for three. The first time it happened I was confused, and took a bite of the extra soup. It was disgusting, so I left it alone. Eventually the waitress took it, and gave it directly to a Thai woman at the next table. So if you're in Thailand, and you're wondering why you order is taking so long, it's probably because it's making the rounds.

The spiciest thing I've ever eaten

I ate something even more painful than tom yum goong. Som tam, or papaya salad, is interesting, but I am still trying to decide if I like it or not. At my favorite Isaan restaurant, there were five varieties on the menu, so I asked the waitress if I could have pet nitnoi, or a little spicy. Daai, daai (can, can), she said, and recommended one. After a few bites, it became apparent that this would be a test of endurance. Halfway through, I bit into something that was too painful to bear. My mouth burned, my nose ran, and my eyes watered. I was defeated by the som tam. However, the minced catfish, even though it looked like cat food, was delicious.