Life Lessons in Learning English
By Talen on Aug 24, 2009 in Commentary, Nakhon Phanom
I had totally forgotten about this little English school in Nakhon Phanom until I ran across some pictures while I was editing. The day I took this picture I was just wandering through town enjoying it’s beauty, and if nothing else Nakhon Phanom is very beautiful. When I saw this school I thought about opening the door as I passed and saying hello which is something I would have never done back home or even thought about doing.
So, I did it. The funny thing is that I didn’t get a chance to say hello before the children all screamed hello at me. I think they spotted me earlier and were planning a hello attack of their own. Everyone laughed and it really made my day. I think it made their day as well.
seeing all their excited faces as they explore a new language made me think about myself as I explore a new language and a new land. It’s easy to get lost in our day to day lives and reminders like this bring me back to the realization that there is much more to life than the hustle and bustle of our daily lives.
I hope those kids keep that sense of excitement about their learning as much as I hope I never lose my sense of excitement about exploring the world around me.
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!
Blog Post RSS
‘I hope I never lose my sense of excitement about exploring the world around me’
Ditto. Although, I have noticed a difference in how I respond now, compared to how I responded just several years back.
Visible excitement + bargaining = higher prices
Catherine´s last blog ..What Makes the Thai Language Easy to Learn?
lol ..I can imagine the merchants loved you a few years ago.
Talen can’t fault you on that one, life is to short to not open the door of opportunity when you pass by.
Mike´s last blog ..Life in Thailand: A Wing and a Prayer.
Talen , your post made me think of this song , when I meet Ciejay and i was driving my car to see her and had not dated for 4 years and was ready to give up on women in general, this song came on the radio, changed my life and I apply it to almost everything I do now and listen to it often.hope you enjoy the lyrics:
I Hope You Dance
I hope you never lose your sense of wonder.
You get your fill to eat ,but always keep that hunger.
May you never take one single breath for granted.
God forbid love ever leaves you empty handed
I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the Ocean.
Whenever one door closes ,I hope one more opens.
Promise me that you’ll give faith a fighting chance.
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance .
I HOPE YOU DANCE
for the rest of the lyrics and to listen to the song google Faith Hill –I hope you dance
Thanks for you post, and the reminder , that the world is full of wonders and awe. Even in small things as a school room full of kids, excited to see and say HELLO to a Farang. Malcolm
Malcolm´s last blog ..YOKO RIVER KWAI RESORT AND SPA
Some very good lyrics there Malcolm…Something to live by.
I tried counting the shoes outside the door but gave up, there’s too many. That must have been one big loud hello followed by many a flashing smile and giggle.The simple, free things in life are often the best.
Martyn´s last blog ..The Road is Wrong With Many a Lisp and Burn
It was a very loud hello. Here I thought I was going to surprise them and they ambush me. But it was a pleasant ambush that still brings a smile to my face.
Cat said: “Ditto. Although, I have noticed a difference in how I respond now, compared to how I responded just several years back.”
My “several years” back go to the pre-Thailand era, when I would never think of opening that door here in the west. There’s a travel agent on soi 19 Sukhumvit that I used to use for two or three years. The two girls working there were very generous with their help about flights, visas and Bangkok features. All done without earning any fees. Now, every time I walk by I stop, open the door and say hello. The returned smiles are worth it and they do remember me. It’s nice to be remembered, but I had to travel halfway around the world to experience and appreciate it. And I’m happy to reply in kind.