Is it really worth it
Recently my English students and I have decided to get certified for our Vietnamese; however this process has been extremely frustrating...
Last week we had to fire our Vietnamese teacher (and I only had 3 classes with her). The situation was that one the first lesson we were promised that we could take the certification test after completing 60hrs of study.
On the second lesson she came to tell us that there was a new policy and that students had to study a minimum of 120 hours (and at $4 per hour that’s $480 as opposed to $240) and we voiced our opinions and she said that she’ll check again and bring us a price list.
On the third lesson, she waltzed into my student’s house with a smug look on her face and presented the price list to us. She said ‘Here is the list, everything is here…I don’t know anything, I’m only the teacher’
The list showed that we had to study a minimum of 15 hours a week for 6 months (360 hours X $4 = $1440)…for a basic certification and the advanced certification required 15 hours a week for 1½-2 years ($4320 or $5760)... A 4 year bachelor’s course costs $5140…
So I had a discussion with my students and talked about the price saying that it’s ridiculous that a Certificate would cost more than a Degree… My Vietnamese teacher then interrupted ‘But of course…that is normal’
How the hell is it normal that a bloody certificate is more expensive than a bloody degree???
So I calmly told her that we were having a conversation and that it would be better that she not involve herself in it as she had already claimed to ‘not know anything’… so after a few minutes on her part she started yelling ‘you are the worse student I have ever seen’ *note the use of worse and not worst, and seen compared to met* ‘everything was ok until you came’ *referring to yours truly*
I then pointed my finger at her and calmly said ‘Are you shouting at me?’
She yells back, ‘No, I am not!’
‘Then why are you raising your voice at me?’
She kept quiet for a couple of minutes and called her supervisor… The teacher passed the phone to me and the supervisor yelled over the phone ‘I don’t want to hear anything! I don’t want to hear anything! I don’t care… you come down to the office…I don’t want to hear anything’
Anyways after I handed the phone back to the teacher, she started screaming again ‘you are the worse student I have ever seen…’ I got irritated and yelled back ‘Woman… please be professional… If you really are a teacher then you shouldn’t be talking to your students like that… and if I am the worse student you have ever seen then your are the worst teacher I have ever met’
*teacher continues to yell and stuff*
‘Look just go… we are not interested in studying with you and you have been fired… Just go… your voice irritates the hell out of me…’
She stands up and walks towards the door, ‘you are the worse student I have ever seen’ *one would expect more intellectual banter from an educated person…guess I was wrong on the ‘educated’ part*
‘Goodbye forever!’ *dramatically raising her arm in the manner of which a Nazi would when saluting Hitler* ‘I hope I never see you again’
‘Look… you’re out of a job… just go… Oh and you better drive carefully…because if you die, you will NEVER see us again’ Ok that wasn’t the most mature thing to say but man… I was extremely frustrated
Learning Vietnamese
I don’t see why learning the local language is so expensive, it just doesn’t make sense… Many organizations provide affordable language courses with the objective to provide an opportunity for the Vietnamese to make progressive choices to improve their own lives.
English language centers charge anything from US$20-US$70 for a course. The Gothe Institut charges a total of US$300 ( I think) for their complete German course.
These courses are well planned and have a curriculum which students and teachers are required to follow… However when learning Vietnamese…none of the teachers I approached are able to show me the curriculum and lesson plans… They simply assume that 120hours of study will make you proficient in Vietnamese… Absolutely ridiculous…
It seems that profit has priority over education… Shouldn’t a language course in the native country be cheaper than that of a foreign language?...What the hell…
Friday, December 12, 2008
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Friday, March 21, 2008
Wow It's been ages since Ive lat put in an entry....well since im back in vietnam now... i ll try to do it again....let start with this entry....
When I was at my friend's place, he had a wild tabacco plant growing on his front yard.... I thought it was the coolest thing...Ive asked him for the seeds and i suppose I ll get on a later date.... but here are some really cool uses for Tabacco
Tobacco water
Tobacco water is a traditional organic insecticide used in domestic gardening. Tobacco dust can be used similarly.
It is produced by boiling strong tobacco in water, or by steeping the tobacco in water for a longer period. When cooled the mixture can be applied as a spray, or 'painted' on to the leaves of garden plants, where it will prove deadly to insects.
Basque angulero fishermen kill immature eels (elvers) in an infusion of tobacco leaves before parboiling them in salty water for transportation to market as angulas, a seasonal delicacy.[11]
Tobacco paste treatment for stinging insects
Topical tobacco paste is sometimes recommended as a treatment for wasp, hornet, fire ant, scorpion, and bee stings.[12] An amount equivalent to the contents of a cigarette is mashed in a cup with about a 0.5 to 1 teaspoon of water to make a paste that is then applied to the affected area. Paste has a diameter of 4 to 5 cm (1.5 to 2 inches) and may need to be moistened in dry weather. If made and applied immediately, complete remission is common within 20–30 minutes, at which point the paste can be removed. The next day there may be a some residual itching, but virtually no swelling or redness. There seems to be no scientific evidence, as yet, that this common home remedy works to relieve pain.[13] For about 2 percent of people, allergic reactions can be life-threatening and require emergency treatment. For more on this, see bee stings.
When I was at my friend's place, he had a wild tabacco plant growing on his front yard.... I thought it was the coolest thing...Ive asked him for the seeds and i suppose I ll get on a later date.... but here are some really cool uses for Tabacco
Tobacco water
Tobacco water is a traditional organic insecticide used in domestic gardening. Tobacco dust can be used similarly.
It is produced by boiling strong tobacco in water, or by steeping the tobacco in water for a longer period. When cooled the mixture can be applied as a spray, or 'painted' on to the leaves of garden plants, where it will prove deadly to insects.
Basque angulero fishermen kill immature eels (elvers) in an infusion of tobacco leaves before parboiling them in salty water for transportation to market as angulas, a seasonal delicacy.[11]
Tobacco paste treatment for stinging insects
Topical tobacco paste is sometimes recommended as a treatment for wasp, hornet, fire ant, scorpion, and bee stings.[12] An amount equivalent to the contents of a cigarette is mashed in a cup with about a 0.5 to 1 teaspoon of water to make a paste that is then applied to the affected area. Paste has a diameter of 4 to 5 cm (1.5 to 2 inches) and may need to be moistened in dry weather. If made and applied immediately, complete remission is common within 20–30 minutes, at which point the paste can be removed. The next day there may be a some residual itching, but virtually no swelling or redness. There seems to be no scientific evidence, as yet, that this common home remedy works to relieve pain.[13] For about 2 percent of people, allergic reactions can be life-threatening and require emergency treatment. For more on this, see bee stings.
Sunday, October 07, 2007
Hey everyone,
Thank you all for your sms's and letters, you guys wouldnt know how encouraging it was for me to hear from you. Its been a really bleak 6 months here in bangkok and with the accident....sigh..... more is to come......But yes your letters have been very encouraging and every word was like a pat on my head telling me that i was going to be alright and a pat on my shoulder encouraging me to go on. Khop Khun Maa Krup, Xin Cam On, Terima Kasih, Naandiri, Gam Siah, Dor Zheah, Xie Xie, and thank you all so much... I miss you all greatly and i hope to meet up with all of you soon...
What did you say?
Its been a month since my accident and i thank you for your prayers. Everything is fine except that the inner ear on the left received a direct blow when i fell and the doctor said that it would take perhaps another 3 months before it is fully healed. My hearing is slightly muffled and pressure always builds up... my balance is good if i keep upright but if i were to tilt my head in any downward direction, i ll start to get dizzy but ive learnt to balance myself pretty well when this happens.
Life for now will be interesting... I was teaching part time at the school and was also writing for the magazine. I quit my job at the school a week ago as I couldnt handle the stress from dealing with the children, previously when i was healthy it wasnt a problem however after the accident I would get really bad headaches if im stressed and the headaches were constantly crippling me. I miss teaching the kids but I just wasnt in any state to carry on.
As for the magazine, it was enjoyable and i was getting along pretty well with my collegues and i liked the work. But on tuesday i was sent home because there was no work, the boss had also told me to no follow the set schedule and that he would call me if there was work. The magazine apparently is in a pretty bad shape as 3 staff have either left or quit and other staff are awaiting their pay check before they go...Everyone was disgruntled but it doesnt really affect me as im only the part timer.....but ive not been paid yet...so that does call for some concern.
Strangely Im not really concerned about the financial situation im in right now... Im not anxious neither am i afraid... its rather liberating actually...
The Investigator, the Insurance Agent and the Student
I do need prayer in a particular area though... on monday the 8th, at 3pm, i will be meeting the police investigator and insurance company which represents the bus company which was involved in my accident... I would like to ask for prayer that there be no corruption or under table money which will be exchanged as the bus company may pay the investigator to have the case put in their favor. its very difficult in a country like this when corruption of the law is a norm.
Do fishes drink?
My dad came to bangkok this week and spent 3 days indulging in life with his friends, I spent 2 evenings with them and it was nice to know that my father was worried when i had drinks through the dinner. He didnt know that i could hold my liquor well...extrememly well...not that i drink all the time though... but it was nice to be able to drink with him and his friends, and it was on the first evening that on our way home, i told him that i was sorry for leaving the restaurant and that it was a misunderstanding as i thought he had fired me... He didnt want to talk about it but i told him that if i didnt do so, who knows if i ll be able to tell him in the future in light of this accident. and so he listened
the following night....(drinks and all....they keep making me drink and it was good to not let my father lose face...hahahahaha....i was really sober dispite the amount i consumed) my dad made me send him back to the hotel and on the cab ride back he kept talking about gangs and stuff... but what really shocked me was that as he left the cab, he gave me a pat on my shoulder and said ' take care my son'......He's always introduced me as his son to his friends...but he has never acknowledged me as his son. This was the first time... I am crying thinking about this but i can only give the honour and glory of this to God... He has made the impossible possible. Amen.
Chainging the climate
Im going to Chaing Mai on the 19th till the 28th of this month... perhaps not the wisest move as i have little finances but guess what.... I bought a free ticket this afternoon...the ticket was free but the taxes and all cost 600bht about S$25.... I might have to buy a train ticket as well which would cost about the same price as the plane ticket... Im going up to minister to an old friend who's really down right now...and yes...God has provided me with the means to get there Amen! Woo Hoo!
Thank you all for your sms's and letters, you guys wouldnt know how encouraging it was for me to hear from you. Its been a really bleak 6 months here in bangkok and with the accident....sigh..... more is to come......But yes your letters have been very encouraging and every word was like a pat on my head telling me that i was going to be alright and a pat on my shoulder encouraging me to go on. Khop Khun Maa Krup, Xin Cam On, Terima Kasih, Naandiri, Gam Siah, Dor Zheah, Xie Xie, and thank you all so much... I miss you all greatly and i hope to meet up with all of you soon...
What did you say?
Its been a month since my accident and i thank you for your prayers. Everything is fine except that the inner ear on the left received a direct blow when i fell and the doctor said that it would take perhaps another 3 months before it is fully healed. My hearing is slightly muffled and pressure always builds up... my balance is good if i keep upright but if i were to tilt my head in any downward direction, i ll start to get dizzy but ive learnt to balance myself pretty well when this happens.
Life for now will be interesting... I was teaching part time at the school and was also writing for the magazine. I quit my job at the school a week ago as I couldnt handle the stress from dealing with the children, previously when i was healthy it wasnt a problem however after the accident I would get really bad headaches if im stressed and the headaches were constantly crippling me. I miss teaching the kids but I just wasnt in any state to carry on.
As for the magazine, it was enjoyable and i was getting along pretty well with my collegues and i liked the work. But on tuesday i was sent home because there was no work, the boss had also told me to no follow the set schedule and that he would call me if there was work. The magazine apparently is in a pretty bad shape as 3 staff have either left or quit and other staff are awaiting their pay check before they go...Everyone was disgruntled but it doesnt really affect me as im only the part timer.....but ive not been paid yet...so that does call for some concern.
Strangely Im not really concerned about the financial situation im in right now... Im not anxious neither am i afraid... its rather liberating actually...
The Investigator, the Insurance Agent and the Student
I do need prayer in a particular area though... on monday the 8th, at 3pm, i will be meeting the police investigator and insurance company which represents the bus company which was involved in my accident... I would like to ask for prayer that there be no corruption or under table money which will be exchanged as the bus company may pay the investigator to have the case put in their favor. its very difficult in a country like this when corruption of the law is a norm.
Do fishes drink?
My dad came to bangkok this week and spent 3 days indulging in life with his friends, I spent 2 evenings with them and it was nice to know that my father was worried when i had drinks through the dinner. He didnt know that i could hold my liquor well...extrememly well...not that i drink all the time though... but it was nice to be able to drink with him and his friends, and it was on the first evening that on our way home, i told him that i was sorry for leaving the restaurant and that it was a misunderstanding as i thought he had fired me... He didnt want to talk about it but i told him that if i didnt do so, who knows if i ll be able to tell him in the future in light of this accident. and so he listened
the following night....(drinks and all....they keep making me drink and it was good to not let my father lose face...hahahahaha....i was really sober dispite the amount i consumed) my dad made me send him back to the hotel and on the cab ride back he kept talking about gangs and stuff... but what really shocked me was that as he left the cab, he gave me a pat on my shoulder and said ' take care my son'......He's always introduced me as his son to his friends...but he has never acknowledged me as his son. This was the first time... I am crying thinking about this but i can only give the honour and glory of this to God... He has made the impossible possible. Amen.
Chainging the climate
Im going to Chaing Mai on the 19th till the 28th of this month... perhaps not the wisest move as i have little finances but guess what.... I bought a free ticket this afternoon...the ticket was free but the taxes and all cost 600bht about S$25.... I might have to buy a train ticket as well which would cost about the same price as the plane ticket... Im going up to minister to an old friend who's really down right now...and yes...God has provided me with the means to get there Amen! Woo Hoo!
Hello all,
Thank you for your prayers and sms's. I'm fine now and Im back at the university and class will start in 1/2 hour.
Being Bashed By Buses
I was on my way to uni as usual and i got onto a rickety green thai bus. The thing is, here in thailand...and in vietnam....the buses dont actually stop, they slow down and a swarm of people have to get off and on at the same time.
So I got on the bus....as i have been doing for the past 4 months and the thing was, my laptop bag was caught at the door (which didnt close for some strange reason) and as i took a step up onto the standing platform, I was yanked back by my laptop bag and was sent tumbling out of the bus... I blacked out....
KluayNamThai (banana water thai) Hospital
The name of the hospital isnt translated very well, but its the best i can do with my limited thai... I awoke with the nurses and doctors inserting a urine bag into my body... I was surprised as i had no idea how this procedure was conducted....it was better that I had not known....a tube was inserted into the erm... the erm...organic tube where urine's suppose to come out from....it was this pain which woke me up.....
I was then sent for a CAT scan and a couple of x-rays, then I was observed in the ICU for a day. I sustained a concusion to the back of my skull and i was bleeding from my left ear. The doctors suspected that i had fractured the base of my skull and would be the reason to the bleeding form the ear. But after all the tests, it was shown the the bleeding was caused by an injury sustained by my left jaw (which is now slightly misaligned, and i cant really close my mouth or chew very well). I have a really large bumb on the back of my head and my balance is really wonky, but things are getting better.
Miracles
During the 'black out', i was told by my boss that i continually called her telling her that i was bleeding from my ear and that i was really tired....
This was extremly surprising as my phone was smashed and half of the screen could not be read...I thank God for allowing me to contact someone during this dire situation dispite not having any recollection of this or the consiciousness to make these decisions.
The doctors and nurses were extremely surprised at the minor injuries i had sustained...i suppose they expected more serious injuries from situations as this.... God really protected me... as no other buses, car or motorbikes hit me after i fell...it was rush hour...
My laptop, phone and MP3 player is totally smushed....everything is gone, but i thank God for allowing me to save all my photos a week prior to the accident.
I was robbed while i was unconcious, i had 9000bhat in my bag and i pray that the person who took the money would use it as God had intended...
A police officer was there at the scene of the accident and the bus company was held responsible for the entire situation...my hospital bills were fully covered by them.
My father and brother came to visit me
well lecture is starting... i ll send photos soon
Agape
Toby
PS
I miss all of you
Thank you for your prayers and sms's. I'm fine now and Im back at the university and class will start in 1/2 hour.
Being Bashed By Buses
I was on my way to uni as usual and i got onto a rickety green thai bus. The thing is, here in thailand...and in vietnam....the buses dont actually stop, they slow down and a swarm of people have to get off and on at the same time.
So I got on the bus....as i have been doing for the past 4 months and the thing was, my laptop bag was caught at the door (which didnt close for some strange reason) and as i took a step up onto the standing platform, I was yanked back by my laptop bag and was sent tumbling out of the bus... I blacked out....
KluayNamThai (banana water thai) Hospital
The name of the hospital isnt translated very well, but its the best i can do with my limited thai... I awoke with the nurses and doctors inserting a urine bag into my body... I was surprised as i had no idea how this procedure was conducted....it was better that I had not known....a tube was inserted into the erm... the erm...organic tube where urine's suppose to come out from....it was this pain which woke me up.....
I was then sent for a CAT scan and a couple of x-rays, then I was observed in the ICU for a day. I sustained a concusion to the back of my skull and i was bleeding from my left ear. The doctors suspected that i had fractured the base of my skull and would be the reason to the bleeding form the ear. But after all the tests, it was shown the the bleeding was caused by an injury sustained by my left jaw (which is now slightly misaligned, and i cant really close my mouth or chew very well). I have a really large bumb on the back of my head and my balance is really wonky, but things are getting better.
Miracles
During the 'black out', i was told by my boss that i continually called her telling her that i was bleeding from my ear and that i was really tired....
This was extremly surprising as my phone was smashed and half of the screen could not be read...I thank God for allowing me to contact someone during this dire situation dispite not having any recollection of this or the consiciousness to make these decisions.
The doctors and nurses were extremely surprised at the minor injuries i had sustained...i suppose they expected more serious injuries from situations as this.... God really protected me... as no other buses, car or motorbikes hit me after i fell...it was rush hour...
My laptop, phone and MP3 player is totally smushed....everything is gone, but i thank God for allowing me to save all my photos a week prior to the accident.
I was robbed while i was unconcious, i had 9000bhat in my bag and i pray that the person who took the money would use it as God had intended...
A police officer was there at the scene of the accident and the bus company was held responsible for the entire situation...my hospital bills were fully covered by them.
My father and brother came to visit me
well lecture is starting... i ll send photos soon
Agape
Toby
PS
I miss all of you
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Evan Almighty
I had just reluctantly watched the movie and here's what i need to say... In the scene where Evan's wife abandoned him, she was having a breakfast at a diner and everyone there were laughing at how foolish Evan was building the ark. She then talks to Morgan Freeman who plays God and here was their conversation.
If they pray for courage does God give them courage or does he give them opportunities to be courages?
If someone prayed for the family to be closer? Do you think God zaps them with warm fuzzy feelings? Or does he give them opprotunities to love each other?
I had never (neither did I intend to) watch the movie thinking it was absolutely stupid....it was actually...but this is God's truth...it was his character to have said what was reflected in the conversation above.This is the simple truth we tend to misundestand...all the time... we totally limit God with the way we think he can work and answer our prayers...
Today, Im in thailand, a missionary working among the thais, and a student at the university. These three prayers made 5 years ago were fufilled 5 months ago... God is good, all the time... Now for my family...
I had just reluctantly watched the movie and here's what i need to say... In the scene where Evan's wife abandoned him, she was having a breakfast at a diner and everyone there were laughing at how foolish Evan was building the ark. She then talks to Morgan Freeman who plays God and here was their conversation.
Wife:
But my husband says God told him to do it. W-what do you do with that?God:
Sounds like an opportunity... Let me ask you something... If someone prays for patience, you think God will give'em patience? Or does he give them the opportunity to be patient?If they pray for courage does God give them courage or does he give them opportunities to be courages?
If someone prayed for the family to be closer? Do you think God zaps them with warm fuzzy feelings? Or does he give them opprotunities to love each other?
Wife:
(grunts in disbelief of the wisdom)God:
well I gotta run, got alot of people to serve enjoyI had never (neither did I intend to) watch the movie thinking it was absolutely stupid....it was actually...but this is God's truth...it was his character to have said what was reflected in the conversation above.This is the simple truth we tend to misundestand...all the time... we totally limit God with the way we think he can work and answer our prayers...
Today, Im in thailand, a missionary working among the thais, and a student at the university. These three prayers made 5 years ago were fufilled 5 months ago... God is good, all the time... Now for my family...
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
I ll write about this soon, just needed to put the site on my blog first
http://yah.blogis.sg/shisha/
http://yah.blogis.sg/shisha/
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Falling Snow?
I was reading xiaxue's blog...sigh...its gotten so trashy...poor girl... she probably has nothing to talk about anymore and she's now taking cheap shots at maids and prostitutes... That is totally classless...anyways i shant eloborate... im pretty disturbed at how someone can be so naive about life... perhaps ive gotten older then i should.... good night...
I was reading xiaxue's blog...sigh...its gotten so trashy...poor girl... she probably has nothing to talk about anymore and she's now taking cheap shots at maids and prostitutes... That is totally classless...anyways i shant eloborate... im pretty disturbed at how someone can be so naive about life... perhaps ive gotten older then i should.... good night...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)