Doi Suthep

Doi Sutthep, Chiang Mai

My cousin and I journeyed up the mountain to the west and reached Doi Sutthep - the ancient Buddhist temple overlooking the city of Chiang

 Mai.

Kawila Stadium

Very intense and high-energy fight at Kawila Stadium in Chiang Mai; boxers kicking sharply with legs fully extended and then snapping back while the crowds roar.  

The boxers had vicious reflexes yet graceful dancelike movements in rhythm with the mesmerizing music, the tempo accelerating as the fight progressed.

Most of them looked only about 19 yrs. old and weighed only 44-55 kg - very small and compact but muscular and toned, with extreme capabilities of speed, agility, and precision.  

Wat Lampoeng

For Queen Sirikit's birthday, Pon, Fon and I went to Wat Lampoeng in Chiang Mai.  

We gave gifts of candles and incense to the monks and then watered plants in the garden.  

Lanna Music

One of my favorite places in Chiang Mai is Lanna Music School - straight down the alley of Prapakklao Soi 8.

Across from one of the city's many shining temples, it is a small school where I can practice piano in seclusion for as long as I want.

This is Jeab, my piano instructor.  She is an excellent musician, teacher, and a very inspiring person.  She teaches me not only classical piano technique, but also Thai customs, the tonality of Thai language (including Chiang Mai dialect) and various lessons from her life's experience.  Jeab has definitely become one my best friends in Chiang Mai.  

Now we are working on Valse - a Chopin piece in B minor, with a transition to B major in the middle - focusing on the dynamics and phrasing, producing the best tone out of the acoustic instrument.  

Outside of Chiang Mai, Jeab has played music in Bangkok, Phuket, and Hong Kong.  She has performed music for the Thai royal family, and will play for the Queen in December.  

AUA Chiang Mai

I just started a new job teaching at AUA Chiang Mai - a school with curriculums in both English and Thai.  The Chiang Mai branch is located in the heart of the city, and is very integrated into the community.  

It is a respected, high-quality school.  I am very happy to be working here.  The other teachers are from America, the UK, and Canada...they are bright, interesting, and have been extremely supportive.

The students - mostly Mathayom 4-6 (high school age) - are very motivated and fun to be around.  They have cool nicknames like Dream, Earth, Air,  and Noize.  

Occasionally we have students from Korea and other countries as well.   

Two of the American teachers were previously teaching English in Nagasaki, Japan for two consecutive years through the JET program.  A few of the British teachers have been teaching English at AUA Chiang Mai for almost eight years.

Last week two  main directors from AUA Bangkok branch came up to Chiang Mai to give us a seminar about effective  new teaching approaches.  It was a very inspiring and helpful way to begin this new job.  

I am also giving private lessons on the side at Triple E - a small school right down the street run by a charming Thai man named Mr. Chayaphon.

Here are some pictures of AUA Chiang Mai and its surroundings.