Expect the unexpected. I should have gotten used to it by now. A colleague's father died the other day and a sombre mood permeates the office. Construction dust and dirt spray all over the front of Bldg. 18. That's what we have to endure to get to the cafeteria. The boss seems to be indefinitely enjoying his rising buildings so the topsy-turviness will be a part of our working lives til the last bulldozer goes away. I'm hoping to surprise myself with faves I can spot out of this week. Let me see...1. Making a happy announcement. If there's a part of my job I can call a favorite, it's announcing good exam results and flashing a satisfied smile at students who topped the exams, congratulating them and seeing the expression on their faces. I will never tire of doing it.
2. Opportunity to encourage. I love leading students into taking their exam results as a challenge. Whether high or low, keep on improving, people.
3. A chat with the vice president. There's an issue with him that I decided to resolve with some compromise on my part. Social relations are very important to Thais. Having been here for more than a decade I ought to have learned how to deal with a sticky situation such as this was. I was fuming mad when I found it out last week. Thank goodness for time. It gave me the chance to calm down and revise my approach. There's also the fact that he's my wedding godfather and I just can't throw it away. At the end of the chat, he apologized. Did he really! In a strictly hierarchical society as Thailand, you don't normally expect those in the rung above you to ever say sorry to you; not that the sorry was all that mattered to me. But our relationship did manage to escape big damage because of the word.
4. Meeting Munchies. Ok I may be fond of food a wee bit too much. I love it when extra-cur activities are discussed over food.
5. Couch. I forgot it last week when I was describing our new office. But here it is smelling brand new with the plastic cover practically still clinging to it. Tired bodies could stretch out on it briefly after long lecture hours. It could almost match the feeling of relaxing at home.
Yay, got them all five :-)
~ Visit Susanne @ Living to Tell the Story for more faves ~
Comments
I love new furniture!
Happy Weekend.
I am a retired teacher so I know what you mean about encouraging students to improve and do their very best. It's gratifying. Also staff relations - so important - I'm glad that exchange went so well.
Munchies and a place to relax - lovely!
Happy weekend.
I'm so glad you had the courage to go to your superior and everything worked out. A simple I'm sorry does work wonders.
A job where you can make happy announcements? Priceless! :v)
I'm surprised to hear that your parents chose your major - you do seem to like your career and from your side, you seem good at it!
A COUCH at MY school got me in trouble one time when I was teaching! I layed down for a quick rest during my break period -- and slept through the first 15 minutes of my next class! UGH! Use that couch CAREFULLY!
It's wonderful that you use opportunities to encourage others. Since I have a daughter in college, I know how important it is to have people encouraging students to do their best.
Glad you worked on resolving the issue and saved a relationship! Definitely a big favorite.
I'm so appreciative of the note you left on my blog this morning. It was the perfect timing to receive such sweet words. Blessings to you!
Munchies and a comfortable place to crash are great benefits!
So what is it that you teach? I know you have mentioned a few times your students and exams.
Yes, I love my elephants. I would love to have a pair of colorful ornate elephants from Thailand! Maybe one day.
Oh yes! 1 and 2 are definetly wonderful events. I love the happy faces of students.