Tuesday, March 26, 2013

"I Don't Know About You...But I'm Feelin' Twenty..err Wait, I'm What?!"

24 things I’ve learned in my 24 years....


Just recently had the pleasure of turning 24 and with each passing year, I've come to both appreciate and fear the fact that I’m getting older even though I don’t feel a day over 17, cough cough strawberry wine;) Like they say, “you’re only as old as you feel” and I have yet to feel like I have any clue what the heck is going on! But along these 24 years of living, these are just a few of the things I've learned along the way and try to remember when I find myself besieged. (Basically, it's just been super hot here causing me to fear the sun during certain times of the day and stay inside. So I got bored and decided to write a gif-tatstic blog.)

WARNING: some if these have a hint of cheesy in them but don’t fear the cheese, spread it on a cracker and eat it up:)

1) When life hands you cake, eat it. Take that both literally and figuratively. 



2) When you’re in a good mood, it’s okay to walk around with a smile on your face but it’s also okay to want to punch those people in the face when you’re in a bad mood.


3) It’s completely okay to be envious of others as long as you’re grateful for what you have.

4) Ask mom and dad for their advice. They may not always have the right answer but their support may be all that you need.

image

5) When you step out of your comfort zone, there's always a chance that it will crash and burn but do it anyway. 

No Regret Sparrow

6) Embrace the differences between you and your siblings. Accept the fact that you're not perfect and neither are they. Your weaknesses could be their strengths and vice versa.

7) Pick friends that bring out the best in you and ones you can laugh with and/or at.

                              image

8) It’s okay to have dessert and not feel guilty about it. 
(as long as it’s a quality dessert i.e. Crème Brulee = good Packaged Twinkie = bad) 
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9) Crying can be therapeutic. Embrace it when it happens but if it happens too much, there’s always meds.



10) Learn from your mistakes (cliche I know), even if you make the same ones over and over and over and over again and again and again. Seriously every time learn from them.


11) When it comes to relationships, honestly I have no idea but I am a firm believer that you should always ask yourself WWTSD (What Would Taylor Swift Do?) and then do the EXACT OPPOSITE.

Nope....not kidding...sorrynotsorry
12) A clean, organized room is a great accomplishment.

13) When in doubt, CHOCOLATE.


14) The saying “good things come to those who wait” is absolute BS.

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15) Always be conscious of the faces you're making...because sometimes you can make a mean 
face and totally not even realize you're doing it.

                          

16) Holding grudges will always keep you from moving forward so just forgive those meanies keep on keepin’ on.


17) You will learn more from books than you will from movies or TV (but it’s okay to watch them both because quoting movies and tv shows is really fun).

18) Always say “I love you too” to family when you’re saying goodbye on the phone even if you’re in a hurry.

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19) Laziness isn’t always a bad thing. In fact it can be just the spoonful of sugar you need to make the medicine go down.


20) It’s okay to roll your eyes when someone tells you “life’s not fair” (because it really is annoying to hear that when you’re already down in the dumps about something). Actually just don't ever tell someone that 'life's not fair' and then the whole eye rolling can be avoided completely.


21) Try not to curse…unless you’re telling a joke and it makes it that much funnier…or when you’re just really trying to get a point across…okay just don’t curse in front of your mom my mom.

22) When someone tells you that you’re strange, they’re probably right. Take it as a compliment.


23) Always keep headphones with you so you can listen to your favorite song whenever you want.

[Image: A gif of a white woman with blonde hair listening to headphones coming up behind a man in a suit who has bent over to to tie his shoe. She first comes behind, grabs his rear, spanks him, then when he turns around she forces him to his knees and forces her head to his crotch area to simulate oral sex and then when he turns back around, she grabs his hips, thrusts her hips at his rear to simulate anal penetration, then walks off in a celebratory, dancing-type manner.]
dumbthingswhitepplsay:

masteradept:

bad-dominicana:

that bitch is askin to get shanked.
thats sexual assault. do not care who is doing it.
not funny.

But you know a white woman would get away with this.

I feel like the sexual assault was the entire point, like a PSA to say “this is what y’all dudes do to women, stop that assholes.”


Some research shows that this comes from a show called Knallerfrauen (Pops Women, I think is the translation) and this is comedian Martina Hill during a comedy sketch. 
Sexual assault and interactions between men and women that violate space seems to be a recurring theme in her comedy. You can see from this sketch here on a bus: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQU_ZPJLXMk 
and this one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8NVsZZRAyE&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSKXx2NXM4w
In context, yeah. I think it is commentary and kind of a statement to dudes, “Hey, this shit ain’t funny or cool when we’re just trying to, say, tie our shoes or something”. 
I wish I understood German better so that I could understand some of the interviews she’s given, but I’m inclined to agree with DTWPS, especially given the context. 
Of course, master-adept is also right on the money. Because I think you really couldn’t have this same kind of comedy come across like this unless it was a pretty, conventionally attractive, thin white woman doing it. 
The politics of street harassment and space invasion pretty much define intersectionality. 

24) Above all else, I've learned to always keep an open mind and embrace everything that life 
throws at you, both good and bad.




Tootles:)

Anna Marie Waller, age: Twenty....Four, yup 24. It's the new 22!

P.S. No blogging for awhile...heading to Cambodia, Beaches of South Thailand and then to North Thailand for Songkrang festival. Stay cool because I won't be able to...because it's so damn hot here!  

Saturday, March 2, 2013

Last Week of 1st Semester

Currently writing this in my journal, sitting on a bus to Lopburi. It's my 1st solo overnight trip here. My Thai sucks monkey butt and my "farang" status sticks out like a sore thumb so this trip should be an interesting one to say the least. I think traveling by yourself in a foreign country is so important but can still be somewhat nerve racking even if you've been living in the country for almost 4 months.

So at this point in the semester, I'm just totally over school and am counting down the days/hours/minutes til I am free to roam this side of the world for 2 months! I like teaching but I'm definitely in need of a break! The week was relatively boring due to the fact that I was giving finals in all my classes.

 Me last week of semester = f this

In some/most of my classes, no matter how much I iterated that this is a test, NO TALKING, NO COPYING, students still tried to cheat and talk. I swear I gave more death stares than a girl seeing a cheating ex boyfriend for the first time since a breakup. And these kids could still not comprehend! I even motioned a cut throat sign if they copied or talked. They of course would laugh at me. Take note that threatening violence to students probably wouldn't fly in the United States but not here...this is Thailand! So it was a week of testing and grading and trying to figure out how to put grades into a computer system that was all in Thai. Had to be walked through that one more times that I'm willing to admit.

Some highlights include the oral finals I made my upper level classes do. For my M.4.4 class (15/16 year olds), I made each of them have a one-on-one conversation with me for 3 minutes. I told them we could talk about anything they wanted just as long as it was a two-way conversation. Most of these convos consisted of the same subjects: Thailand, final exams, food, traveling, and music(if someone told me they didn't like Gangnam Style, they a received a high five from me and a bonus point for having taste). Overall I'm glad I made that the final because even though it was really time consuming and lots of talking, I could tell each student became more comfortable and confident talking to me. Snaps for Teacher Anna!

 high fives

For my M.1.1 class (12/13 year olds), I made them do a presentation on their favorite music artist just to say a few facts about them, why they like them, and show a picture. The variety of artists included a bunch of Asian ones who I have no idea about and probably never will because well no offense but the music over here is one that is never going to snyc to my itunes. Others included One Direction(as if it was even a question they were going to be among the favs), Justin Biebs, Maroon 5, Lady Gaga, etc. My favorite presentation that I would barely keep a straight face for was by this sweet little girl named Fern. She got up in front of class as cute and sweet as could be and preceded to unveil that her favorite artist was non other than the rapper FLO RIDA! Haha! I nearly choked on my gum when she said his name. I expected the general Biebs, Gaga, Asian artists but not the hip/hop singer from America whose biggest hit was the Apple Bottom Jeans song! These kids continue to surprise me and at times I totally dig it:)

Below are pics of some of the projects:







On Friday, the whole Language Department went out to dinner at this a-maz-ing Chinese/Thai restaurant. My cashew chicken was served in a edible bird's nest!
Sorry but beautifully decorated food is just one of life's little things that brings me joy!
If the restaurant had wifi, you better believe I would have instagramed!
One of the Chinese teachers, Jesse, who had been teaching at Kanchanapisek for 3 years gave such a beautiful goodbye speech. Or at least I think it was beautiful...she said in Thai but she had the other teachers  tearing up. I had no idea what she said but she brought tears to my eyes too!

Now, I'm on a mini 2 week break before Bridget, Eric and I have to come back to teach the non-English teachers English for a couple days...should be fun/interesting/err...I have no idea what to expect. Going to do a little traveling until then through the Northeast of Thailand. Below are pics that I took on my solo trip to Lopburi aka "Planet of the Apes!". No pics of monkeys though...because I hate them and they're awful disgusting creatures.


Side note: So I was walking down the street in Lopburi with a bag of freshly cut juicy mangoes and a random monkey came up behind me and snatched the bag from my hands! I know! The nerve right?! I was so startled and was all, "LEGGO MY MANGO!", but I was scared he/she was going to bite me and I didn't get a rabies shot before I came so I reluctantly backed down. But in the future...no one comes between my mangoes and me...no one! Anyway here are some pics of famous buildings, Wats, museum relics, etc.




Going to BKK this weekend with some loverly ladies to get a tattoo (not me...my friend Liz). However I have always wanted a tattoo. I can just never decide what to get, where to get it, and even talking about stresses me out! But who knows maybe I'll end up getting one too....hehe!

Until then...sincerely yours,

~The Girl With No Tattoo~

Me the next two months =  alive


Thursday, February 28, 2013

K.Prom: "Everbody Dance Now!"


Oh Prom...the word prom brings back such a feeling of nostalgia. Sigh....If only I could remember my prom ...just kidding! So a couple of weeks ago, Kanchanapisek M. 6 students (17 and 18 year olds) had a school dance. I don't know what they called it so I'm calling it K.Prom.

So K."Prom" here is totally different from the proms that I went to...

First off, It was during the day. From like 10 am to 2 pm. Kids came to school with garment hanger bags and full blown hear and makeup AND OH DEAR GOD THE MAKEUP! (more on that later). Sorry my pics are super bad quality...

Everybody say "Prom!"
Sweet Nay! Love her!
The punch! I made Bridget taste it to make sure it wasn't spiked!
All good just loads of sugar!
There were dancing competitions. Not like Grease "hand jive" dance contest, full on ball room salsa, fox trot, rumba dancing. Like Dancing with the Stars kind of stuff. I was supposed to help the other teachers judge but I was too memorized by the glitz and glamour I was exposed to.



M.6 were Bridget's students but she could barely recognize any of them because all the girls were wearing an entire MAC store on their face! Don't get me wrong they looked beautiful but damn did they make up for every other day of school that they're not allowed to wear make-up.

Hairstyles at K.Prom were insane! I mean I remember getting pretty excited getting my hair all "did" up for prom but these styles make me feel like I was at a world wide hair convention. I LOVED IT!  Case in point below:

I call this one the "Jackie-Ooooh girl"
Braids on braids on braids!
This picture does not begin to show how amazing this girl's hair was!
The hair was like a classy Ludacris do circa 2002.
 Her glasses were the bomb digity too. 
And if cross dressing were allowed at my prom, it would have been a hell of a lot more fun! Girls can dress like boys and boys can dress like girls (doing an stellar job at it too) and the best part...NOBODY CARES! America should take note!
Loved this girl's outfit!
The one on the right is a boy(I know right!?) and he/she looks gorg!
It was really cool witnessing a school dance in another country. The kids even got Bridget and I to dance with them. And even though it was Thai pop/rock music playing (I'm sorry but I can't come to terms with the music scene here) we still busted some mad moves on the dance floor. And by "mad moves", I'm talking shopping cart, pepper shaker, shoulder bouncing/duck face moves. I gots skillz:)

Me: "I"m not like a *regular * chaperon,  I'm a *cool* chaperon. 
Right Bridget?"
Bridget: "Please stop talking" 
(Yes that is another derived quote from Mean Girls)


So here's to Prom 2013!
"Let's dance in style let's dance for a while, heaven can wait we're only watching the skies...Forever young, I want to be forever young" Yup, went there.

Thursday, January 17, 2013

"I promise to eat KFC": Funny Student New Years Resolutions

So New Years was a lot of fun in Hua Hin, but I am not going to write a blog about it because I'd rather use this blog to share some of my favorite resolutions that my students provided me with during our New Years lesson....(as much as I tried to explain what a resolution was, some of them could still not quite comprehend what makes a good resolution)

Keep in mind that the kid's ages are 12/13 year olds and 15/16 year olds.

Below are the exact words the children wrote on their paper.

When I asked my students to finish this sentence: In 2013, I will/promise to....
  1. "I promise to eat KFC" (way to start the new year in a healthy way)
  2. "I promise to contemplate" (and I promise to stop contemplating)
  3. "I will sleep at night"
  4. "I will drink a little coco-cola"
  5. "I will no eat fast food"
  6. "I will grow up" (me too)
  7. "I will be jocking" (This means exercise in English Thai student talk)
  8. "I will be tall" (umm not to be buzzkill but...nope not gonna go there)
  9. "I promise to eat cake" (you and me both kid) 
  10. "I promise to diligent"
  11. "I will not eat alcohol" (I cannot say the same)  
When I asked the students to write down the best thing that happened in 2012...
  1. "I ate a Macaroon" (the day I too discovered the macaroon was probably one of the best days of my year as well)
  2. "My mom give me the duck doll" (um...great)
  3. "Eat food on my birthday" (It's always a great birthday when you get to eat)
  4. "I got iPhone" (these children are borderline obsessive with their apple products) 
When I asked students to write down the worst thing that happened in 2012...these don't even need a response from me, they're just hilarious.
  1. "My love car be rotten"
  2. "Somebody in my room don't like me"
  3. "I'm lazy"
  4. "Fall from 2nd floor"
  5. "The mobile phone fail"
  6. "My beloved artist 'Whitney Houston' died"
  7. "Nothing. Good life:)"
When I asked my students to write down this year's hopes...
  1. "I hope everybody happiness"
  2. "I hope Thai people are harmony and love"
  3. "I hope my father don't smoke"
  4. "I hope to get a ukulele"
  5. "I hope to play party "
I also asked my students to draw a picture of themselves on New Years Eve. Below are some of my favorite pictures. I must say my students are quite the artists.









My favorite...I love the creeper and the freaked out girl on the left. 
Here is a link to my friend Liz's hilarious LOTR blog post on an adventurous day during our New Years vacay...p.s. She's a fan of Lord of the Rings