Monday, February 26, 2007
26th February. School day and shopping day.
There may be many things I would wish to write about Thai education but maybe I will leave it until tomorrow because I must let Jamie get to his own computer some time.
Suffice it to say that I perceive long and regimented days. I would not aim to criticise because all cultures evolve different ways of doing things and Jessica is happy and more self controlled than a year ago and the teachers seeemed to be caring.
We dropped Jessica off by quarter past eight and waited until all the junior classes filed down to a hall. They sang the national anthem and said a prayer. Then Mam said it was time to go - she said later that she normally stays for the dancing but feared I would be bored! I was disappointed but there wil be other days.
I was more bored sitting in Leelawaddi (the restaurant) whilst John had some rice soup -I had a little and Mam talked with her friend. Tomorrow I will take a book!
We popped back home and then went shopping. First to Tescos where I bought a black cotton top and we bought some food - but not all the food because Mam feels that meat in the Central supermarket, which is linked to Watrose in the UK (very up market!), is of better quality. Central is the modern shopping mall.
Once in Central there was a chance to eat lunch - at about eleven o'clock. I had an interesting salad of apple in a spicy sauce - with something I have decided to do without in future; I can't much see the point of crunchy dried shrimps, its like grinding down shells in the mouth.
On the way home we called in to Macro - a cheap non air conditioned warehouse selling food in bulk and good cheap greengrocery stuff.
When we got back I played with John whilst Mam unpacked food nd prepared food for the evening. John and I were out in the garden for some time.
It was quarter past four when we went to pick up Jessica - 8 hours after school began. It is true Jamie and Mam have opted for an extra hour's English after school. Classes of all sorts go on until all hours. Teachers were sill on duty - all wearing a uniform. You will see when I get some picures on.
Jessica will be moved to the English education school very soon, but I think it will be more formal and structured than anything we would know and the days will still be long.
Jessica came straight indoors and found food, which she can help herself to and then she sat down to do her homework! Her work can be incredibly boring - she has written out the numbers 51 to 100 in her homework book 3 times in the last couple of weeks - no copying, but from memory. To my mind if she knows how to do it then why waste time doing it again?
When Jamie came home he took Jessica and I for a walk up at the damn, where is is beautiful and peaceful.
Dinner tonight was very good - Massaman curry using the beef from Central, some prawns and stir fried green vegetables and of course the rice which is served at every meal.
Well, I think I shall need my bed quite early tonight - not sure about John for he fell asleep this afternoon t about 4 o'clock for a couple of hours. In fact he has just started to empty put the toy box again!
Jamie has written weather blogs I know, but tonight he will put things on about Sunday on the jjjj blog and I do hope you will have a look.
I will talk to Bill then leave the computer free.
Suffice it to say that I perceive long and regimented days. I would not aim to criticise because all cultures evolve different ways of doing things and Jessica is happy and more self controlled than a year ago and the teachers seeemed to be caring.
We dropped Jessica off by quarter past eight and waited until all the junior classes filed down to a hall. They sang the national anthem and said a prayer. Then Mam said it was time to go - she said later that she normally stays for the dancing but feared I would be bored! I was disappointed but there wil be other days.
I was more bored sitting in Leelawaddi (the restaurant) whilst John had some rice soup -I had a little and Mam talked with her friend. Tomorrow I will take a book!
We popped back home and then went shopping. First to Tescos where I bought a black cotton top and we bought some food - but not all the food because Mam feels that meat in the Central supermarket, which is linked to Watrose in the UK (very up market!), is of better quality. Central is the modern shopping mall.
Once in Central there was a chance to eat lunch - at about eleven o'clock. I had an interesting salad of apple in a spicy sauce - with something I have decided to do without in future; I can't much see the point of crunchy dried shrimps, its like grinding down shells in the mouth.
On the way home we called in to Macro - a cheap non air conditioned warehouse selling food in bulk and good cheap greengrocery stuff.
When we got back I played with John whilst Mam unpacked food nd prepared food for the evening. John and I were out in the garden for some time.
It was quarter past four when we went to pick up Jessica - 8 hours after school began. It is true Jamie and Mam have opted for an extra hour's English after school. Classes of all sorts go on until all hours. Teachers were sill on duty - all wearing a uniform. You will see when I get some picures on.
Jessica will be moved to the English education school very soon, but I think it will be more formal and structured than anything we would know and the days will still be long.
Jessica came straight indoors and found food, which she can help herself to and then she sat down to do her homework! Her work can be incredibly boring - she has written out the numbers 51 to 100 in her homework book 3 times in the last couple of weeks - no copying, but from memory. To my mind if she knows how to do it then why waste time doing it again?
When Jamie came home he took Jessica and I for a walk up at the damn, where is is beautiful and peaceful.
Dinner tonight was very good - Massaman curry using the beef from Central, some prawns and stir fried green vegetables and of course the rice which is served at every meal.
Well, I think I shall need my bed quite early tonight - not sure about John for he fell asleep this afternoon t about 4 o'clock for a couple of hours. In fact he has just started to empty put the toy box again!
Jamie has written weather blogs I know, but tonight he will put things on about Sunday on the jjjj blog and I do hope you will have a look.
I will talk to Bill then leave the computer free.
