Yesterday, I had one of those cherished moments here at my school. I was standing in front of the dorm waiting for my Chinese friend to bring the DVD player when somebody behind me called my name. When I turned I saw the girl whom I scolded last week. She looked so sweet and shy. I smiled back. She said, "I'm sorry about last week!" I was so touched. The more I regretted being nasty to her and I also I apologized for my quick temper. She said that it was okay. The more it melted my heart. She went on to say, "I'll not do it again next time." And I said, "Okay, forget it." She bowed and said "thank you."

(By the way, for those haven't read my previous blog please read it for reference on the entry above.)

Did what? Lost my temper!
I have been battling with self-control lately and every time my patience is being challenged. Perfect! Just when I need it!

Today, students were flirting in my classroom (at my back). I was assessing students' conversation skill by twos and one philandering girl was flirting with her boyfriend who didn't belong to the class. I asked him to go out and went on with my assessing. When one group finished, I stood to confront a boy who was participating. Surprisingly, a girl rushed to say "quickly!" and the same couple whom I had separated earlier catapulted from the floor.

A rush of anger gripped me and I shouted: What the hell!! Somehow, those ESOL students who could barely understand basic English lessons understood what I said. Then I went on to scold the girl. (Terrible words I threw at her)
I don't mind if she flirts with her boyfriend. She has the rights to do whatever she wants with her life. I don't mind what they do as long as they don't do it in my territory. And that time since they were doing it in my class I couldn't in any way tolerate it.

It's just exasperating. I went to the laundry service at school and I told the laundry women to iron my clothes inside out as I hate having silver lines along the stitches. When I went to pick up the clothes, she just ironed it without washing! Okay, my Thai is very limited and I don't know how to explain it very well. With signs, gestures, and actions I tried to say "wash and iron" but still she didn't wash. I don't know if it's misunderstanding or just plain laziness on her part. Sigh!

I gave an instruction to my students how to present their skit. The next day they told me they were not ready because they did not understand what to do. I think they just wanted to extend their time but they could not tell me either.

How did we get so many languages? Where did all the many different languages come from? What was the first language?

I wish there was only one language in the world. Everybody understands each other. No need for translators. No need for language teachers. Time spent for learning a new language could be spent for a better undertakings. Money and effort spent for translations or international education could be spent for the improvement of people's lives.

But what language would that be?

Many countries will protest to use that global language if theirs is not chosen. There will be many disadvantages of it as well. Cultures and traditions will be merged with the rest of the world. There will be no more uniqueness. What else? The people who speak that language will feel flambouyant and arrogant that their mother tongue is chosen by the whole world. However, they may not need to learn a new language but it would be a pity to be able to speak only one language. The rest of the world will understand you but you can't comprehend their language.

All problems have solution. But sometimes a solution could have another problem on the other side.

May God give me the courage to accept the things I cannot change.