Dear All, 2014 has been a very special year to me in many ways and when I reflected on the past 364 days, here are some of them ka:
1.Change -- so many changes after having retired from my 11-year Fulbright Thailand job ka, many new activities both fun and serious. I finally keep a blog to stay in touch with my previous egroup friends. I stay home more often to enjoy time with my family too.
If I were in the job, it would be time for me to write a personal email message to each of my team members, sharing with them my comments on their past performances. Khun Chatchai, who passed away the year before, was the one so anxious to get it and would literally check his email very often!
2. Memorable Moments -- still feel extremely appreciative of the 'secret party' my former team members, alumni and partners organized! It will energize me to do more in my current capacity for our education circle ka!
3. Choices -- a few things are around for semi-retirees to pick and choose, making me realize there are so many opportunities available for me to enjoy a slower pace. The need out there in our education circle is really high, calling for help on quality systems and internationalization, etc....not so much on cross-cultural communication, though!
Life in 2014 has taught me to love working and retirement this year has led me to continue my passion in education, though much more slowly to appreciate other delights of life too.
I feel blessed for this year's change and I'm sure next year will see more beautiful changes ka.
Sending my wishes for you all to be very blessed in life in 2015 ka.
Porntip
วันอังคารที่ 30 ธันวาคม พ.ศ. 2557
วันอาทิตย์ที่ 14 ธันวาคม พ.ศ. 2557
Sleep
I've been thinking about the 'sleep' issue and believe it or not, it was one of the minor reasons why I thought of retiring a bit earlier too.
I had been getting up at around 5 am. for weekdays for decades to allow me to have more quiet time working at the office starting around 6. During my younger years, it didn't matter as much but life has changed once older and older ka:((!
It wasn't a serious problem though I have some difficulty getting to sleep. What struck me the very first time was when I read a signature of an American lady to learn that she didn't sleep much at all. I then heard from quite a few people and realized that insomnia seems to be a bigger issue than I thought.
Time has an article on it and on LinkedIn recently too. What have I learned?
Normally, it should be around 7 hours....Khun Dhanin, CP said that he had to make sure he had 7 hours of sleep, if not possible...at least 6 hours. A recent survey of Inc. 500 CEOs found that half of them are sleeping less than 6 hours a night (Travis Bradberry, Coauthor Emotional Intelligence 2.0). I think the younger generations even sleep less and could think of compensating it on weekends or on their long leave from work!
Well! It depends so much on the quality of our sleep and our own physical system. For myself, I know I have several sleep interruptions from going to the bathroom, or from waking up to find it difficult to go back to sleep, or simply from thinking of tons of things.
Time pointed out that even when we try to sleep longer hours on weekends, it can't be compensated.
This makes me think of an ajarn who puts it this way ka, 'Sleeping is similar to eating. After being starved, you could just eat as much.’…. while the body has already suffered from lack of enough nutritious food.
I've caused my own brain cells to die without producing many I would need from the lack of quality sleep. Travis Bradberry wrote, “Sleep deprivation is linked to a variety of serious health problems, including heart attack, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and obesity…… has negative health effects that come from the havoc it wreaks on your immune system…” It makes us look older tooL!.
Travis Bradberry gave 10 tips on his article, “Sleep Deprivation Is Killing You and Your Career”, Dec 1, 2014 and let me share them with you ka….in case they could be helpful for you or others in this same boat ka.
The 10 tips are: Stay Away from Sleeping Pills, Stop Drinking Caffeine (at Least after Lunch), Avoid Blue Light at Night (for positive interactions with brain ka!), Wake Up at t he Same Time Every Day, No Binge Sleeping (In) on the Weekend, Learn How Much Sleep You Really Need, Stop Working, Eliminate Interruptions, Learn to Meditate, and When All Else Fails: Take Naps.
I copied from this article to remind myself and hope it helps you too ka.
Hope your work week won’t be too tough and that you’ll have a great sleep tonight and more to follow ka.
วันอาทิตย์ที่ 30 พฤศจิกายน พ.ศ. 2557
efficiency after retirement
After one full month of my (semi) retirement, it seems I've been learning more aspects about work and life ka.
1. Efficiency comes with a slower pace with more quality
While working full time, life was always on the go-go with one thing after another....if not more. During the past month, I recalled what my American friend said about himself. He was telling me that he had to remind himself of not rushing as he had lots more time. He is an efficient guy who's always prompt at acknowledging and answering email. Even when asked to help edit minutes, I could be sure he'd get back to me within an hour....no deadline needed to be proposed ka.
I think what also comes with efficiency is the heightened quality ka. Since I can plan on my own (fast) pace, I can be more thorough, thinking, reading, and writing. Admittedly, I still have the habits of going far too fast for the retirement pace lae ka! Need to tell myself more often to now care even much more about quality dai!
2. Work and life balance is more easily manageable with some little challenges!
Another friend of mine said time is in our hands and it's up to us to manage it. I've been to several get-togethers with students, and friends from school years, the opportunities that I may not have allowed them to be open for my own self before. I then had so many excuses, saying I still had lots to do or I was too tired to socialize, etc.
No longer!
All depend on my own preference! Obviously, I choose to reconnect with some long lost people I love!
My little challenges are the fear of losing my multitasking skills and speed ka! I also think that I need more stimuli to ignite my imagination and creativity! Too much unnecessary fear mai ka?
3. No matter what, never stop learning!
Despite my fear, I've learned a lot through self-reflective activities and socializing with others, especially my students. It's fascinating to see how they lead their lives. One has been running business and taking charge of their little community to do morning exercises and to help monks carry the food every Sunday. His wife quit a very high salary job to follow the community life. Really nice to know ka!
Indra Nooyi, Pepsi CEO , said in Fortune, November 17, 2014 as follows:
1. Efficiency comes with a slower pace with more quality
While working full time, life was always on the go-go with one thing after another....if not more. During the past month, I recalled what my American friend said about himself. He was telling me that he had to remind himself of not rushing as he had lots more time. He is an efficient guy who's always prompt at acknowledging and answering email. Even when asked to help edit minutes, I could be sure he'd get back to me within an hour....no deadline needed to be proposed ka.
I think what also comes with efficiency is the heightened quality ka. Since I can plan on my own (fast) pace, I can be more thorough, thinking, reading, and writing. Admittedly, I still have the habits of going far too fast for the retirement pace lae ka! Need to tell myself more often to now care even much more about quality dai!
2. Work and life balance is more easily manageable with some little challenges!
Another friend of mine said time is in our hands and it's up to us to manage it. I've been to several get-togethers with students, and friends from school years, the opportunities that I may not have allowed them to be open for my own self before. I then had so many excuses, saying I still had lots to do or I was too tired to socialize, etc.
No longer!
All depend on my own preference! Obviously, I choose to reconnect with some long lost people I love!
My little challenges are the fear of losing my multitasking skills and speed ka! I also think that I need more stimuli to ignite my imagination and creativity! Too much unnecessary fear mai ka?
3. No matter what, never stop learning!
Despite my fear, I've learned a lot through self-reflective activities and socializing with others, especially my students. It's fascinating to see how they lead their lives. One has been running business and taking charge of their little community to do morning exercises and to help monks carry the food every Sunday. His wife quit a very high salary job to follow the community life. Really nice to know ka!
Indra Nooyi, Pepsi CEO , said in Fortune, November 17, 2014 as follows:
“Never stop learning. Whether you are an
entry-level employee fresh from college or a CEO (or a retiree!-- my own addition ka!), you
don’t know it all. Admitting this is not a sign of weakness. The strongest leaders are those who are
lifelong students."
4. "Lintegration!"
Looking at the above 3 items, all are closely linked and can be integrated--'lintegrate' jing jing ka! To table them out makes it easier for me to write. Yet, in practice, things are so very much similar. How to live a balanced and meaningful life. Agreed?
Enjoy working and living ka.
วันอังคารที่ 18 พฤศจิกายน พ.ศ. 2557
no big boss here!
I've had some opportunities to be a 'good' alumna and yesterday gave me another one with again a few fine lessons.
One of my basic education schools is Vasudevi (Regina Mundi). It was established by the Ursuline nuns with 4 schools at present (Vasudevi, Mater Dei-- also one of my Alma Mater, Regina Coeli in Chiang Mai, and Piyamat in Payao). The school group has initiated a project for each school to invite awardees to share their thoughts and experiences, using Serviam (I will serve!) in their lives.
My friends and I agreed that it could be regarded something quite distant from younger kids so we decided to talk a bit more about our careers and how we saw this philosophy in ourselves, work, and life.
As one of the volunteers, I offered my ideas how the talk could be set up to attract kids' attention. I myself served also as a moderator and urged that a student join me too...otherwise there would have been three old ladies talking lae ka!
Lessons learned from this activity are:
1. Go along with the group-- be diverse, 'as you like it!'
Three speakers had three preferred styles of talking, one wanted to talk alone for 15 minutes, the second one would answer following her own questions set, and the third one--me, would love to go something lighter like chatting with friends.
After talking with the coordinator and the other two speakers, I told her to go in the diverse styles so the other two would feel easier!
2. Leave the timetable tight only on paper!
Since all the organizers/speakers are retirees with lots of work experiences, several are still used to drawing a very systematic timetable like 5 minutes for the opening, 15 minutes for one speaker and 5 minutes for Q&A, etc. I didn't really request any change when asked, though! Being with kids needs to be in a more relaxing environment but the experienced do have their points. I tend to 'play it by ear' again!
3. Help without asking!
When asked about the stage setup, I advised for some changes and right away, no questions were raised, except some apologetic remarks of troubling those involved. Immediately, everyone started replacing the big armchairs with smaller ones. Not even one complaint or annoyance was heard/seen!
4. Have Trust!
The coordinator was a bit anxious as she didn't hear from me well before the program started. She also said she forgot to ask me about the stage setup. However, she said she had 'trust' that I'd do what I promised, like calling speakers and our young moderator so all knew what to expect. I think it's a big word and it was great to keep her sane despite her very real self of being systematic and efficient.
I got some nice thoughts about alumni activities. In our traditional hierachical culture, it isn't easy to manage when considering some factors especially seniority. For volunteer work, no one could be boss and it will work well when everyone tries to accommodate the requests/needs as far as possible to reach one same goal....success of the activity as planned with favorable results!
We all were happy being volunteers yesterday!
One of my basic education schools is Vasudevi (Regina Mundi). It was established by the Ursuline nuns with 4 schools at present (Vasudevi, Mater Dei-- also one of my Alma Mater, Regina Coeli in Chiang Mai, and Piyamat in Payao). The school group has initiated a project for each school to invite awardees to share their thoughts and experiences, using Serviam (I will serve!) in their lives.
My friends and I agreed that it could be regarded something quite distant from younger kids so we decided to talk a bit more about our careers and how we saw this philosophy in ourselves, work, and life.
As one of the volunteers, I offered my ideas how the talk could be set up to attract kids' attention. I myself served also as a moderator and urged that a student join me too...otherwise there would have been three old ladies talking lae ka!
Lessons learned from this activity are:
1. Go along with the group-- be diverse, 'as you like it!'
Three speakers had three preferred styles of talking, one wanted to talk alone for 15 minutes, the second one would answer following her own questions set, and the third one--me, would love to go something lighter like chatting with friends.
After talking with the coordinator and the other two speakers, I told her to go in the diverse styles so the other two would feel easier!
2. Leave the timetable tight only on paper!
Since all the organizers/speakers are retirees with lots of work experiences, several are still used to drawing a very systematic timetable like 5 minutes for the opening, 15 minutes for one speaker and 5 minutes for Q&A, etc. I didn't really request any change when asked, though! Being with kids needs to be in a more relaxing environment but the experienced do have their points. I tend to 'play it by ear' again!
3. Help without asking!
When asked about the stage setup, I advised for some changes and right away, no questions were raised, except some apologetic remarks of troubling those involved. Immediately, everyone started replacing the big armchairs with smaller ones. Not even one complaint or annoyance was heard/seen!
4. Have Trust!
The coordinator was a bit anxious as she didn't hear from me well before the program started. She also said she forgot to ask me about the stage setup. However, she said she had 'trust' that I'd do what I promised, like calling speakers and our young moderator so all knew what to expect. I think it's a big word and it was great to keep her sane despite her very real self of being systematic and efficient.
I got some nice thoughts about alumni activities. In our traditional hierachical culture, it isn't easy to manage when considering some factors especially seniority. For volunteer work, no one could be boss and it will work well when everyone tries to accommodate the requests/needs as far as possible to reach one same goal....success of the activity as planned with favorable results!
We all were happy being volunteers yesterday!
วันจันทร์ที่ 17 พฤศจิกายน พ.ศ. 2557
handwritten and digital messages
After two weeks of retirement, I still have some stories to share about it ka.
The first is on handwritten messages. A few have sent postcards or cards to express their thanks and wishes for my retirement. It's so funny how special those cards have turned to be in this digital world!
It also led me to think of how difficult it is to actually write with our own handwriting and how penmanship will be more and more valuable in the future!
The second is on a digital message I got which made me teary ....even though I would have to admit that I feel I don't deserve it as much na ka. Let me share it with you ka:
Leaves fall sunset approaches a sense of an ending but all that scatters over the ground becomes its covering enriches the soil makes it fertile again
So you need to be always remember this is not over yet allow your ends to serve as beginnings let buried joys and sorrows embrace your soul and be ready to grow again
(so sorry I don't know where it is from and google didn't help either!)
ใบไม้ร่วงหล่น อาทิตย์อัสดง สำนึกของการสิ้นสุด หากใบไม้ที่กระจัดพลัดพราย ดั่งผ้าห่มปกคลุม อยู่บนพื้น กลายเป็นปุ๋ยคืนสู่ดิน หล่อเลี้ยงชีวิต อีกครั้ง
ฉะนั้น ขอเธอโปรดระลึก ไว้เสมอว่า การจากลาในครานี้ คือปฐมบท การเดินทางครั้งใหม่ ให้สุขและทุกข์ ที่พ้นผ่าน โอบกอดเธอไว้ สร้างกำลังใจ กับก้าวใหม่ ของเธอ
พี่ทิพย์ครับ แม้ตอนนี้พี่ทิพย์จะไม่ได้เป็นไม้ใหญ่ยืนต้นให้ร่มเงาที่ fulbright แล้ว ผมอยากให้พี่ทิพย์รู้ว่าผลพวงของความเหนื่อยของพี่ทิพย์หลายๆ ปีที่ผ่านมาตกลงเป็นใบไม้มากมาย กลายเป็นปุ๋ยสร้างดินดีเพื่อหล่อเลี้ยงชีวิตอื่นๆ ต่อไป ผมคือหนึ่งในใบไม้เหล่านั้นสัญญาว่าจะทำหน้าที่เป็น"ปุ๋ย"ให้ดีที่สุด ทุกครั้งที่พี่ทิพย์มองเห็นใบไม้คลุมดิน ก็ขอให้พี่ทิพย์นึกถึงคุณประโยชน์มากมายในระยะยาวที่พี่ทิพย์สร้างไว้ให้กับสังคมนะครับ
I can't help but feel it's so touching and inspiring for many people and professions, especially teachers ka. I also feel really encouraged to keep sharing my thoughts and experiences!
Cheers!
The first is on handwritten messages. A few have sent postcards or cards to express their thanks and wishes for my retirement. It's so funny how special those cards have turned to be in this digital world!
It also led me to think of how difficult it is to actually write with our own handwriting and how penmanship will be more and more valuable in the future!
The second is on a digital message I got which made me teary ....even though I would have to admit that I feel I don't deserve it as much na ka. Let me share it with you ka:
Leaves fall sunset approaches a sense of an ending but all that scatters over the ground becomes its covering enriches the soil makes it fertile again
So you need to be always remember this is not over yet allow your ends to serve as beginnings let buried joys and sorrows embrace your soul and be ready to grow again
(so sorry I don't know where it is from and google didn't help either!)
ใบไม้ร่วงหล่น อาทิตย์อัสดง สำนึกของการสิ้นสุด หากใบไม้ที่กระจัดพลัดพราย ดั่งผ้าห่มปกคลุม อยู่บนพื้น กลายเป็นปุ๋ยคืนสู่ดิน หล่อเลี้ยงชีวิต อีกครั้ง
ฉะนั้น ขอเธอโปรดระลึก ไว้เสมอว่า การจากลาในครานี้ คือปฐมบท การเดินทางครั้งใหม่ ให้สุขและทุกข์ ที่พ้นผ่าน โอบกอดเธอไว้ สร้างกำลังใจ กับก้าวใหม่ ของเธอ
พี่ทิพย์ครับ แม้ตอนนี้พี่ทิพย์จะไม่ได้เป็นไม้ใหญ่ยืนต้นให้ร่มเงาที่ fulbright แล้ว ผมอยากให้พี่ทิพย์รู้ว่าผลพวงของความเหนื่อยของพี่ทิพย์หลายๆ ปีที่ผ่านมาตกลงเป็นใบไม้มากมาย กลายเป็นปุ๋ยสร้างดินดีเพื่อหล่อเลี้ยงชีวิตอื่นๆ ต่อไป ผมคือหนึ่งในใบไม้เหล่านั้นสัญญาว่าจะทำหน้าที่เป็น"ปุ๋ย"ให้ดีที่สุด ทุกครั้งที่พี่ทิพย์มองเห็นใบไม้คลุมดิน ก็ขอให้พี่ทิพย์นึกถึงคุณประโยชน์มากมายในระยะยาวที่พี่ทิพย์สร้างไว้ให้กับสังคมนะครับ
I can't help but feel it's so touching and inspiring for many people and professions, especially teachers ka. I also feel really encouraged to keep sharing my thoughts and experiences!
Cheers!
วันจันทร์ที่ 3 พฤศจิกายน พ.ศ. 2557
Life and game
Sawasdee from home kaaa!
Today is the first official 'working day' retirement and I'll have to get used to the new routine that has yet to be found ka!
The other day, I just got a new phone. At my level of technolgy literacy even with my best friend's help, I did something wrong and all my favorite games had to be restarted! All the accumulated scores, levels, and gifts I hoarded for the past two years were gone!
I learned some good lessons!
First, it was funny I linked it with my early retirement (sorry to include 'early'.....to be psychologically happy that I have not yet reached 60 even when I'm almost there!)
As I restarted the new chapter of the 'Line Pop' game, I also began my post-Fulbright life!
The feelings were different, though! For the game, I have to admit that I was upset to have lost all the scores and 'gifts' like 'rubies', and 'special items' that will speed up the scores with more fun'. On retirement, I feel more relaxed and less worried......but know I'll start getting restless, wanting to become a bit busier after 'my honeymoon' period is over ka.
It also made me think that a lot about 'senior government officials' who would feel real loss after retirement, especially those who got addicted to authority and attention.
Second, as I was playing the game as a beginner, the skills and experiences are there for me to level up faster. However, since I was very much used to a few 'helpers' the game had to offer, it wasn't so easy to score as high as I used to do.
Thinking of myself as a recent retiree, I'm blessed to have some hands-on experiences and skills. I can also help with many projects/activities. Yet, without an organization as my base, I can't do much on my own for sure!
Lastly, when the game was deleted, my friend told me it was the right time to quit playing it. When referring to my retirement, is it the right time to quit working altogether?
Well! life isn't a game and each individual has his/her way to look at it ka.
It turns out that I quit neither ka:))! I don't mind going over from level 1 and I'm sure I'm ready for another work adventure.
Both game and life will see me as a different player:
..... a player who thinks she has more choices, in particular to go slower or to speed up;
......a player who should not cherish past achievements too much to become too confident; and
......a player who more or less knows from previous experiences what to expect while being aware that there're new constraints and conditions to go through.
For now, I plan to do more self-reflected activities to see more about the past for more joy in the life-work balance ka....with life as the first priority laew ka!
Cheers.
Today is the first official 'working day' retirement and I'll have to get used to the new routine that has yet to be found ka!
The other day, I just got a new phone. At my level of technolgy literacy even with my best friend's help, I did something wrong and all my favorite games had to be restarted! All the accumulated scores, levels, and gifts I hoarded for the past two years were gone!
I learned some good lessons!
First, it was funny I linked it with my early retirement (sorry to include 'early'.....to be psychologically happy that I have not yet reached 60 even when I'm almost there!)
As I restarted the new chapter of the 'Line Pop' game, I also began my post-Fulbright life!
The feelings were different, though! For the game, I have to admit that I was upset to have lost all the scores and 'gifts' like 'rubies', and 'special items' that will speed up the scores with more fun'. On retirement, I feel more relaxed and less worried......but know I'll start getting restless, wanting to become a bit busier after 'my honeymoon' period is over ka.
It also made me think that a lot about 'senior government officials' who would feel real loss after retirement, especially those who got addicted to authority and attention.
Second, as I was playing the game as a beginner, the skills and experiences are there for me to level up faster. However, since I was very much used to a few 'helpers' the game had to offer, it wasn't so easy to score as high as I used to do.
Thinking of myself as a recent retiree, I'm blessed to have some hands-on experiences and skills. I can also help with many projects/activities. Yet, without an organization as my base, I can't do much on my own for sure!
Lastly, when the game was deleted, my friend told me it was the right time to quit playing it. When referring to my retirement, is it the right time to quit working altogether?
Well! life isn't a game and each individual has his/her way to look at it ka.
It turns out that I quit neither ka:))! I don't mind going over from level 1 and I'm sure I'm ready for another work adventure.
Both game and life will see me as a different player:
..... a player who thinks she has more choices, in particular to go slower or to speed up;
......a player who should not cherish past achievements too much to become too confident; and
......a player who more or less knows from previous experiences what to expect while being aware that there're new constraints and conditions to go through.
For now, I plan to do more self-reflected activities to see more about the past for more joy in the life-work balance ka....with life as the first priority laew ka!
Cheers.
วันพฤหัสบดีที่ 30 ตุลาคม พ.ศ. 2557
from the last day to lasting days!
This is my last day as the Executive Director of Fulbright Thailand and I'm sure I'll continue blogging as much as possible....now that I'll have the luxury of time!
The past days have seen me in my similar routine except turning into the guest of a surprise party my team and alumni have organized!
I was deeply impressed by the extensive details of the party, the collective efforts of all who have helped, and all who attended and a few who got stuck in the traffic or with some prior obligations.
It was the time in my life when I couldn't think of anything much but feeling so 'greng-jai' and 'touched' ka.
Ajarn Bruce said it was the 'labor of love' that made the party possible. Some others told me I was 'well-loved'. I really think I realized the true meanings of the two that very evening ka.....all relate to our Thai context of 'heart' to achieve whatever we do out of our love....and love from the heart is likely to be lasting!
Assistant Professor Benjawan Ubonsri is my successor who will take on this position on her own from tomorrow on, after overlapping with me for 15 days! Please continue to give your kind cooperation ka.
I'll be in the education circle using ptkanj@gmail.com as my regular contact address na ka.
The past days have seen me in my similar routine except turning into the guest of a surprise party my team and alumni have organized!
I was deeply impressed by the extensive details of the party, the collective efforts of all who have helped, and all who attended and a few who got stuck in the traffic or with some prior obligations.
It was the time in my life when I couldn't think of anything much but feeling so 'greng-jai' and 'touched' ka.
Ajarn Bruce said it was the 'labor of love' that made the party possible. Some others told me I was 'well-loved'. I really think I realized the true meanings of the two that very evening ka.....all relate to our Thai context of 'heart' to achieve whatever we do out of our love....and love from the heart is likely to be lasting!
Assistant Professor Benjawan Ubonsri is my successor who will take on this position on her own from tomorrow on, after overlapping with me for 15 days! Please continue to give your kind cooperation ka.
I'll be in the education circle using ptkanj@gmail.com as my regular contact address na ka.
วันอังคารที่ 21 ตุลาคม พ.ศ. 2557
Identifying root cause
Dear All, hope life is beautiful every day ka.
I gave a talk at the First CULI-LITU International conference entitled, "Colorful ELT" late last week. It was a striking topic that made me have the urge to accept the invitation right away, feeling that it must be quite challenging.
It was very challenging once I started thinking seriously of what to share with the audience who are basically teachers of English and language experts. In addition to the nervousness, I didn't feel that safe, coming from the culture of trying not to make mistakes when speaking English! I still make many mistakes all the time but feel much more comfortable ka!
Even after over 3 decades of watching Thai people learn their English, I feel that not much has improved, especially many kids in provinces. We still can't speak or feel far too shy to speak the language. We still stay a bit away from foreigners. We still think Americans are caucasian only.....the list can go on!
My colleagues helped search for several related studies after we decided to focus the talk on our own Thai cultural traditions, what Fulbright Thailand has placed a high important priority all along. We found that the studies pointed out Buddism-related dimensions like respect the more senior and no confrontation; and the notion of 'Kreng-jai' (Negatively -- You do or say something against your true feelings because the person is at the upper hierarchical level or he/she does not want to look bad in others’ eyes. Positively-- You do or say something against your true feelings because you're considerate of the impact you have on others in their daily as well as emotional lives or think of the trouble that someone will go through.)
I was surprised that the studies didn't touch on the notion of 'Mun-sai' what I have personally found is one of the root causes in the Thai life from studies to daily living.
(Man-sai---negatively, one feels jealous, annoyed, irritated because another person behaves pretentiously or ridiculously, or the person shows off that he/she is better at something. Positively, it means teasing a person in a loving way because the person does something so very cute, or the person exaggeratedly says something good about herself/himself that could be found amusing.)
I crafted my talk around the latter plus 'Mun-sai'. My argument was for the Thai teachers to reflect on their own selves, how they have grown up and learned another language in classes amid the'Kreng-jai' and 'Man-sai' feelings.The self-reflective activities will lead them to see how to use the two positively. For me, it'll contribute even better to the Thais to become more professional in the regional and international forums.....as very few can understand why Thai people feel 'man-sai' about everything and everyone easily ka!
Another point that I raised was 'diverstiy' that comes along with understanding about the mobiity and changes in the world while respecting each other's ideas and thoughts regardless of age, race, background, authority, etc.
The points above are our Thai cultural traditions that need to relate to teaching and learning in general as well since they're part of the real root causes.
It's Chulalongkorn Day tomorrow so I think from his reign, Thailand has started to move speedily to become more modernized in many aspects....though English proficiency stays on as our huge challenge until today.
I gave a talk at the First CULI-LITU International conference entitled, "Colorful ELT" late last week. It was a striking topic that made me have the urge to accept the invitation right away, feeling that it must be quite challenging.
It was very challenging once I started thinking seriously of what to share with the audience who are basically teachers of English and language experts. In addition to the nervousness, I didn't feel that safe, coming from the culture of trying not to make mistakes when speaking English! I still make many mistakes all the time but feel much more comfortable ka!
Even after over 3 decades of watching Thai people learn their English, I feel that not much has improved, especially many kids in provinces. We still can't speak or feel far too shy to speak the language. We still stay a bit away from foreigners. We still think Americans are caucasian only.....the list can go on!
My colleagues helped search for several related studies after we decided to focus the talk on our own Thai cultural traditions, what Fulbright Thailand has placed a high important priority all along. We found that the studies pointed out Buddism-related dimensions like respect the more senior and no confrontation; and the notion of 'Kreng-jai' (Negatively -- You do or say something against your true feelings because the person is at the upper hierarchical level or he/she does not want to look bad in others’ eyes. Positively-- You do or say something against your true feelings because you're considerate of the impact you have on others in their daily as well as emotional lives or think of the trouble that someone will go through.)
I was surprised that the studies didn't touch on the notion of 'Mun-sai' what I have personally found is one of the root causes in the Thai life from studies to daily living.
(Man-sai---negatively, one feels jealous, annoyed, irritated because another person behaves pretentiously or ridiculously, or the person shows off that he/she is better at something. Positively, it means teasing a person in a loving way because the person does something so very cute, or the person exaggeratedly says something good about herself/himself that could be found amusing.)
I crafted my talk around the latter plus 'Mun-sai'. My argument was for the Thai teachers to reflect on their own selves, how they have grown up and learned another language in classes amid the'Kreng-jai' and 'Man-sai' feelings.The self-reflective activities will lead them to see how to use the two positively. For me, it'll contribute even better to the Thais to become more professional in the regional and international forums.....as very few can understand why Thai people feel 'man-sai' about everything and everyone easily ka!
Another point that I raised was 'diverstiy' that comes along with understanding about the mobiity and changes in the world while respecting each other's ideas and thoughts regardless of age, race, background, authority, etc.
The points above are our Thai cultural traditions that need to relate to teaching and learning in general as well since they're part of the real root causes.
It's Chulalongkorn Day tomorrow so I think from his reign, Thailand has started to move speedily to become more modernized in many aspects....though English proficiency stays on as our huge challenge until today.
วันพฤหัสบดีที่ 2 ตุลาคม พ.ศ. 2557
my heart sings repeatedly!
Hello all!
My heart has sung a few times the past week ka!
First, it was after I gave my talk at KKU Medical School on EdPEx (Education Criteria for Performance Excellence) last week. It was basically about 'why' to boost more 'how' so I shared with them some of the world trends, opportunities and possibilities lae ka.
During lunch time, one medical ajarn said to me, 'Lots of reference for me to study further!'.
Immediately, my heart sang! I was thrilled because no one has ever mentioned that to me before. Isn't it nice to see at least one in the audience who wishes to read more from the articles cited!
Secondly, I was at Mae Fah Luang University to give a cross-cultural training in English for its support staff (and guests from Myanmar and Indonesia) to get ready for ASEAN . It was really great to see the university invest in its team members, not just students and faculty. It is essential for all in the university community to have a share so the whole team can move on together. This initiative made me feel fantastic! Several were able to express themselves in English quite well and even some others didn't express themselves that much, their eagerness to learn with and from others in the group made my heart sing!
Third, this is the week when a group of our American grantees finished their role as English Teaching Assistantship and we had a farewell for them last night. They came up with a song for us all at the Fulbright office, and two vdo clips about their lives during the year. All of them wrote a one-page thank-you note to us too. Their success in cross-cultural learning and all the tears of joy from their friendship within their own batch and with us were so overwhelming! My heart couldn't help singing again!
Will sure have more opportunities to sing lae ka!
Have a great weekend.
My heart has sung a few times the past week ka!
First, it was after I gave my talk at KKU Medical School on EdPEx (Education Criteria for Performance Excellence) last week. It was basically about 'why' to boost more 'how' so I shared with them some of the world trends, opportunities and possibilities lae ka.
During lunch time, one medical ajarn said to me, 'Lots of reference for me to study further!'.
Immediately, my heart sang! I was thrilled because no one has ever mentioned that to me before. Isn't it nice to see at least one in the audience who wishes to read more from the articles cited!
Secondly, I was at Mae Fah Luang University to give a cross-cultural training in English for its support staff (and guests from Myanmar and Indonesia) to get ready for ASEAN . It was really great to see the university invest in its team members, not just students and faculty. It is essential for all in the university community to have a share so the whole team can move on together. This initiative made me feel fantastic! Several were able to express themselves in English quite well and even some others didn't express themselves that much, their eagerness to learn with and from others in the group made my heart sing!
Third, this is the week when a group of our American grantees finished their role as English Teaching Assistantship and we had a farewell for them last night. They came up with a song for us all at the Fulbright office, and two vdo clips about their lives during the year. All of them wrote a one-page thank-you note to us too. Their success in cross-cultural learning and all the tears of joy from their friendship within their own batch and with us were so overwhelming! My heart couldn't help singing again!
Will sure have more opportunities to sing lae ka!
Have a great weekend.
วันอาทิตย์ที่ 21 กันยายน พ.ศ. 2557
Internationalization-- Policy and Practice
Last week, the US Embassy, Office of the Higher Education Commission and Fulbright Thailand have a series of programs for a guest speaker, Prof. Dr. Susan Sutton, to visit several universities and share with them her long years of working on internationalization (NAFSA uses IZN as the abbreviation so we've started using it laew na ka!). I had a chance to go with her to all the universities and to be a panelist sharing our Fulbright Thailand's views on this very important topic.
All the 5 universities (CMU, KU, MU, PSU, and TU) which offered their IZN development/ideas in some forms, showed clearly how universities have been moving more actively/proactively especially when we're preparing to become the ASEAN Community.
Activities range from increased exchange programs and international programs to learning about our own life and culture as well as self-reflective exercises.
Prof. Susan pointed out how strategic planning is crucial to the IZN development and that it would lead to the efforts of universities to build mutual understanding on the IZN benefits for all, particularly our students. She stressed ethics in everything we do and move too.
She didn't touch much at all on quality indicators but it could well be drawn on the many goals/objectives she has offered.
What I liked best besides 'ethics' is the value of 'fewer but deeper' partnership. She pointed out that it is best to consider only a few with common interest, and to retain the relationship in a longer term.....the issue our universities need to review seriously!
OHEC has shared the survey results on IZN of Thai universities. The questionnaire is adapted from the American Council on Education (ACE), with the assistance of the US Embassy for permission.
It was a great start that could well lead to more macro-pictures of our own development and some benchmarking projects with the US universities. Heard that it will post on the website soon ka.
Abou 30% of the overall higher education institutions responded. It showed that most universities have IZN in their mission statements...though questions about the real implementation and assessment remain. I couldn't help saying that '"the word, 'have' doesn't always mean 'do' and the word 'do' doesn't mean 'do well'"
For Fulbright Thailand, we've been cooperating with OHEC since the very first day it started its IZN policy following the 15-year Long-range Plan on Higher Education (1990-2004). We've made a few suggestions for future directions including consideration of engaging the M generation, the need to promote IZN according to the stages of development and context of respective universities, lintegrate the quality assurance systems with the IZN issues/efforts.
I also wish to share with you what issues we raised and would need further discussion ka:
1. Finding strategic indicators
2. Enhancing English proficiency and cross-culture
3. Encouraging higher education collaboration for mutual benefits
4. Benchmarking
5. Maximizing IZN benefits for the mass
6. Working more on global citizenship
7. Developing a knowledge bank for further learning and training
Again, lots to do even when we say we've achieved quite a great deal! Ajarn Poonpipop from KU kept repeating to us that whatever we do, we need to be reminded of our role as a higher education institution with crucial role and responsibilities for the society!
Happy Monday na ka.
วันศุกร์ที่ 19 กันยายน พ.ศ. 2557
What makes my heart sing!
Lost and found kaaaaa. I'm back!
Have been missing writing as again, there are lots to share ka!
I'm reading a book entitled, 'Talk like TED' and it tells us to talk about our passion and what we love. By being able to determine our passion, we should be able to pursue what we love and increase our ability to deliver our thought more successfully. Then we will be able to 'Speak what makes our heart sing'. I like this expression and it is my subject today ka.
About two weeks ago......see how long I haven't written, we ran a 'Talk Show' with our theme of thinking for the second time and it was held at Prince of Songkla university (PSU). The theme is initiated out of our frustration how much our people need to learn how to think critically.
Our learning:
-- kids wanted to have fun and freedom to express themselves, and with a little more exercises, quizzes, encouragement; they are ready to participate.
-- our final activity after our 'three acts of talk show', we asked them think of the 22 century to link two pictures together. All of the sudden, the room turned very quiet and all the eyes seemed to be on the same focus on the screen, and all the brains seemed to be very activated!
My heart sings!
-- PSU supported us in so many ways as if the event was their regular project and our two teams seemed to be one. They told us that Fulbright Thailand isn't their partner but 'Fulbright Thailand is ญาติ-- third family member!'
My heart sings again!
When I look back to that day, my heart still sings!
Cheers!
Have been missing writing as again, there are lots to share ka!
I'm reading a book entitled, 'Talk like TED' and it tells us to talk about our passion and what we love. By being able to determine our passion, we should be able to pursue what we love and increase our ability to deliver our thought more successfully. Then we will be able to 'Speak what makes our heart sing'. I like this expression and it is my subject today ka.
About two weeks ago......see how long I haven't written, we ran a 'Talk Show' with our theme of thinking for the second time and it was held at Prince of Songkla university (PSU). The theme is initiated out of our frustration how much our people need to learn how to think critically.
Our learning:
-- kids wanted to have fun and freedom to express themselves, and with a little more exercises, quizzes, encouragement; they are ready to participate.
-- our final activity after our 'three acts of talk show', we asked them think of the 22 century to link two pictures together. All of the sudden, the room turned very quiet and all the eyes seemed to be on the same focus on the screen, and all the brains seemed to be very activated!
My heart sings!
-- PSU supported us in so many ways as if the event was their regular project and our two teams seemed to be one. They told us that Fulbright Thailand isn't their partner but 'Fulbright Thailand is ญาติ-- third family member!'
My heart sings again!
When I look back to that day, my heart still sings!
Cheers!
วันอาทิตย์ที่ 24 สิงหาคม พ.ศ. 2557
"Unbelievable's!"
Happy Monday ka.
There's one story I've had on my mind for almost over a week and it has kept me smiling whenever I think about it! My teaching time which was brief has turned out to have so much influence in my happiness, and my life. (It always makes me think of Ajarn Mor+ Vicharn too as he really loves listening to teacher-student stories.)
A group of Trimitr students invited me to their reunion after over 30 years they graduated and left the school. I never taught this group but was very close to their homeroom teacher so I was delighted to be included and accepted to be with them without hesitation.
A student kindly picked me up from my house and told me to let him know if it started to be boring so he would drive me home. Personally, I didn't feel it could be so because it was so nice just to observe the teacher-student reactions and to see how much fun students themselves had with many of their long lost friends.
Here are what I think "unbelievable's"!
- The group tried to look for their long lost friends. Obviously they searched names from google. When only the same last name popped up, they contacted those people to see if they could be related. When they couldn't track any down, they went to see where their friends used to live in case their friends are still in that neighborhood. I heard that it worked!
- A few called me 'Ajarn Porntip' right away and several could even remember my last name!
One student said to me, 'Whenever I go to your office in the evening, you always eat 'เส้นเล็กใส่น้ำพริกเผา' (thin noodles with chili paste). I had no idea that was my favorite but my senior friend confirmed it too!
Another student told me he could remember me very well because he was at my office to answer my questions he could no longer recall. But he felt very happy I asked him to be there! Immediately, I thought that some little things we did could be far more meaningful to our students than expected ka!
- One student started talking with me when he saw that I was simply observing the people. I told him to sit on the chair as he was kneeling down. He said with teachers, 'I'm always a kid/dek' (aged 50 laew ka!). We talked a lot from his career to family and his impression of the school. He was really touched with teachers at his time who were dedicated and like 'second mom' unlike teachers today.
The next morning, I emailed to thank him for keeping me company. His answered has made me smile. He ended by putting ด.ช. (honorific for younger boys) followed by his name. So very cute and sweet!
The appreciation expressed and the caring shown have made me feel so blessed to be a teacher for at least once in my life!.....in fact, in the Thai tradition, I've never left the profession since 'A teacher is always a teacher!'
There's one story I've had on my mind for almost over a week and it has kept me smiling whenever I think about it! My teaching time which was brief has turned out to have so much influence in my happiness, and my life. (It always makes me think of Ajarn Mor+ Vicharn too as he really loves listening to teacher-student stories.)
A group of Trimitr students invited me to their reunion after over 30 years they graduated and left the school. I never taught this group but was very close to their homeroom teacher so I was delighted to be included and accepted to be with them without hesitation.
A student kindly picked me up from my house and told me to let him know if it started to be boring so he would drive me home. Personally, I didn't feel it could be so because it was so nice just to observe the teacher-student reactions and to see how much fun students themselves had with many of their long lost friends.
Here are what I think "unbelievable's"!
- The group tried to look for their long lost friends. Obviously they searched names from google. When only the same last name popped up, they contacted those people to see if they could be related. When they couldn't track any down, they went to see where their friends used to live in case their friends are still in that neighborhood. I heard that it worked!
- A few called me 'Ajarn Porntip' right away and several could even remember my last name!
One student said to me, 'Whenever I go to your office in the evening, you always eat 'เส้นเล็กใส่น้ำพริกเผา' (thin noodles with chili paste). I had no idea that was my favorite but my senior friend confirmed it too!
Another student told me he could remember me very well because he was at my office to answer my questions he could no longer recall. But he felt very happy I asked him to be there! Immediately, I thought that some little things we did could be far more meaningful to our students than expected ka!
- One student started talking with me when he saw that I was simply observing the people. I told him to sit on the chair as he was kneeling down. He said with teachers, 'I'm always a kid/dek' (aged 50 laew ka!). We talked a lot from his career to family and his impression of the school. He was really touched with teachers at his time who were dedicated and like 'second mom' unlike teachers today.
The next morning, I emailed to thank him for keeping me company. His answered has made me smile. He ended by putting ด.ช. (honorific for younger boys) followed by his name. So very cute and sweet!
The appreciation expressed and the caring shown have made me feel so blessed to be a teacher for at least once in my life!.....in fact, in the Thai tradition, I've never left the profession since 'A teacher is always a teacher!'
วันอังคารที่ 19 สิงหาคม พ.ศ. 2557
School leadership
Good morning everyone ka!
Last week, with the kind cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), we were able to organize a seminar, inviting school directors in our ETA (English Teaching Assistantship program) and the MFA network to learn about several US school instructional approaches and administration and leadership.
High on the list of the school directors who visited the US schools were critical thinking through problem-based learning, priorities on teaching over attention to receive guests, and importance of substance in learning over huge school name signs.
We were also fortunate to have Associate Professor Varakorn Samakoses with us, sharing his deep thoughts what the public expects from school leaders.
He stressed the need for leaders to handle important things themselves, admit the fact that errors can occur, and to be genuinely open to listen attentively with the least prejudice.
With the impacts made by globalization on all the sectors, leaders must be more aware of common issues in this interconnected digital world, like human rights and peace, effects of capitalism, and knowledge revolution.
On public expectations, he pointed out that Thai people
expect leaders to focus on students, providing education of quality. However, the facts remain that 73% of the funding is on education personnel salary and that teachers aren't facilitators in class to enhance active learning.
For directors to be leaders, they need to know how to assign others to achieve mission and ask 'Why?' more often. Effort must be made to nurture trust within the schools.
A few attributes he repeatedly pointed out were ethics, holding up ideals with integrity, and respect.
What he shared might be something familiar, but the session was rich in content and great examples for the participants to realize the links of our country to the outside world, public expectations and the real situations, and the challenges of each leader to learn, to develop their own selves as role models, and to look into the future.
Once in a while, school directors need to be reminded of their roles and responsibilities with some food for thoughts!
All with their open minds and hearts certainly left the seminar, feeling inspired and energized!
วันพุธที่ 6 สิงหาคม พ.ศ. 2557
Sustainable Development
Swasdee ka, everyone....again I was out of the office a lot and will be more in weeks ahead!
I was invited to moderate a session on the topic related to interdisciplinary studies on sustainable development at Kampangpetch Rajabhat University Again, I learned so many amazing things far beyond my own field and it made me feel great to increase my own awareness how much effort is out there in the world!
The organizer was able to get real experts in various fields, even all the five turned out to have solid science background, basically, engineering.
In the conference, we learned about the sub-topics relating to sustainable development leading developed countries have been pursuing, from Professor Dr. Peter Haddawy (A Fulbright alum currently working at the Faculty of ICT, Mahidol University). Even on several areas cited, namely, climate change to forestry and renewable energy, I realize the huge knowledge has been acquired in form of publications and statistics gave us many implications that could ignite lots of discussion and investigation.
Professor Mamoru Shibayama from Kyoto University, Japan is now Director of the ASEAN Center, based in Bangkok. His interest is in Area Informatics...something I feel so very distant from me. The very unique aspect that amazed me was how he linked this specialization with Archeology, especially to determine mobility of the monks in Thailand from ordination until leaving the monkhood, interviewing many and doing the monitoring for over 10 years. We discussed later how it would be so fun to jointly work on 'mobility of students in Thailand and ASEAN', good?
Three other were from Australia (Dr. Leisa Armstrong from Edith Cowan University), Canada (Dr. Patrick Chuankarn), and China (Assistant Professor Jinliang Wang from Changzhou University), sharing about e-agriculture to enhance productivity through increased useful content for farmers, sustainable marketing throughout the supply chain of raw materials to customers, and indoor air quality with its impacts on health, energy and environment.
Here are what I learned from this international conference:
1. Realize better how interconnectedness of our world has increased and how much more is needed for inter/multidisciplinary teams for research studies.
2. Give even more importance to General Education Subjects, especially the sharpening of worldviews, and learning skills.
3. Maximize the use of ICT to increase our understanding about the cross-cutting issues while trying to integrate crucial ones to make strong positive impacts.
4. Synergize efforts at every level from individual to international as sustainable development enhances our well-being and quality of life for us and generations to come. In some contexts and cases, development could mean 'Appropriate Development'....what will harm least and fit best for a country and the impact on its neighbors and the world!
5. See growth in academic conference business as there were almost 1,000 in the audience. Since graduate students are required to present their research, more outlets are needed. I seriously think that if there are several 'social enterprises' that hold international conferences to accommodate this demand, it would raise the quality of research sharing without much need for each university to exhaust too much energy on logistics and ceremonies. More importantly, all the conferences must be based on quality of the selection of themes, panelists, and research theses; not simply to satisfy IQA/EQA criteria or other related standards.
Bye+ bye ka!
I was invited to moderate a session on the topic related to interdisciplinary studies on sustainable development at Kampangpetch Rajabhat University Again, I learned so many amazing things far beyond my own field and it made me feel great to increase my own awareness how much effort is out there in the world!
The organizer was able to get real experts in various fields, even all the five turned out to have solid science background, basically, engineering.
In the conference, we learned about the sub-topics relating to sustainable development leading developed countries have been pursuing, from Professor Dr. Peter Haddawy (A Fulbright alum currently working at the Faculty of ICT, Mahidol University). Even on several areas cited, namely, climate change to forestry and renewable energy, I realize the huge knowledge has been acquired in form of publications and statistics gave us many implications that could ignite lots of discussion and investigation.
Professor Mamoru Shibayama from Kyoto University, Japan is now Director of the ASEAN Center, based in Bangkok. His interest is in Area Informatics...something I feel so very distant from me. The very unique aspect that amazed me was how he linked this specialization with Archeology, especially to determine mobility of the monks in Thailand from ordination until leaving the monkhood, interviewing many and doing the monitoring for over 10 years. We discussed later how it would be so fun to jointly work on 'mobility of students in Thailand and ASEAN', good?
Three other were from Australia (Dr. Leisa Armstrong from Edith Cowan University), Canada (Dr. Patrick Chuankarn), and China (Assistant Professor Jinliang Wang from Changzhou University), sharing about e-agriculture to enhance productivity through increased useful content for farmers, sustainable marketing throughout the supply chain of raw materials to customers, and indoor air quality with its impacts on health, energy and environment.
Here are what I learned from this international conference:
1. Realize better how interconnectedness of our world has increased and how much more is needed for inter/multidisciplinary teams for research studies.
2. Give even more importance to General Education Subjects, especially the sharpening of worldviews, and learning skills.
3. Maximize the use of ICT to increase our understanding about the cross-cutting issues while trying to integrate crucial ones to make strong positive impacts.
4. Synergize efforts at every level from individual to international as sustainable development enhances our well-being and quality of life for us and generations to come. In some contexts and cases, development could mean 'Appropriate Development'....what will harm least and fit best for a country and the impact on its neighbors and the world!
5. See growth in academic conference business as there were almost 1,000 in the audience. Since graduate students are required to present their research, more outlets are needed. I seriously think that if there are several 'social enterprises' that hold international conferences to accommodate this demand, it would raise the quality of research sharing without much need for each university to exhaust too much energy on logistics and ceremonies. More importantly, all the conferences must be based on quality of the selection of themes, panelists, and research theses; not simply to satisfy IQA/EQA criteria or other related standards.
Bye+ bye ka!
วันอาทิตย์ที่ 27 กรกฎาคม พ.ศ. 2557
retirement and death
Happy Monday kaaaaaa!
The other day I had a chance to talk with a retiring
senior police officer about retirement and death. I enjoyed it thoroughly and here are
what I got out of the discussion ka:
1. Slow down to care more for your health, what he's started
for a few years now.
On exercise, I grade myself a 'C' ka!
2. He's been through many ups and downs, getting
challenging posts or being demoted depending on who the bosses were! He's
seen many sub-ordinates who changed sides all of the sudden and then could
turn to him again when he became in an active post. So those situations
help him adjust much better after he's retired as he wouldn't expect much from
his subordinates at all.
He said he learned a lot about people and for those who tend to change abruptly to please new bosses, he could only help as seen needed. That was the best he wished to do.
I've seen some similar situations but I haven't been through them directly so I'm not so 'อึ้ง' (Speechlessly stunned!) with the people around as much ka. As I'm out of the government service with much less 'หัวโขน' (the feeling of being in charge with many around ready to listen and serve!.....Um! this term can't be explained briefly as it can trigger too many arguments lae ka!) , I grade myself 'B'
3. He observed other senior people how they spent their days
and found that he himself should be able to spend time with contentment, doing gardening and daily exercises, reading and meditation.
My grade is......'D'! I do much less of all but sure hope to do more reading and exercise ka.
4. He plans to travel more often until the age of 65 since
he's seen many who are no longer mobile beyond that age.
My grade is 'B'. Have already planned some trips and hope to do more beyond 65 ka!
5. His will is written and he's taking care of other related things in case of passing! He feels comfortable to talk about death too as he's learned about life.
My grade is 'C+'. I've prepared some and will get to do more to complete it ka.
I was calmer after talking with him and glad to have another person I can talk with about death in particular ka. And I guess I've made the right decision to retire a bit earlier
na ka!
Happy work week ka!
วันจันทร์ที่ 14 กรกฎาคม พ.ศ. 2557
Eulogy
Dear All, It was a short long weekend for me as I feel time flew so fast ka.....lazzzzy muung ka!
However, it turned out to be one of the best weekends with a few fun things and several occasions to listen to some good stories I'd like to share ka.
Let me tell you about 'eulogy'. A senior ajarn and I were talking about it as at his age, people have asked him quite often to write about the deceased. Both of us agreed that it need to be someone who we not only know well but have fond memories of. The title and position of the person writing a piece didn't really show much na ka.
Here is how the story goes ka:
The person began by stating 'Prime Minister Who Had a Special Place in My Heart!'
A very high level officer promised his daughter that he would attend her Olympics Swimming Competition in Canada, as it was an extraordinary event for both. However, it so happened that the Prime Minister had decided to head a delegation to London for an important round of negotiation.
Being responsible, this senior leader had to go with the Prime Minister even he regretted not being able to attend the event as promised.
At the airport on the departure date, he met with the Prime Minister who said to him, 'You don't need to go with me to London.' The PM then handed him return airtickets to Canada for him to leave several hours later. He learned that the PM asked everyone to keep it a secret to make it a surprise.
After I heard the story, I told this senior ajarn that such a story made the eulogy so meaningful for the family of the deceased, not any generic piece of writing!
Some more learning was drawn from the story too.....how this PM's leadership could 'buy' people's hearts as it showed his caring and generosity, how senior government officials may have sacrificed their personal family priorities to work, and how dedication to work could possibly increase, etc.
Happy Tuesday ka.
However, it turned out to be one of the best weekends with a few fun things and several occasions to listen to some good stories I'd like to share ka.
Let me tell you about 'eulogy'. A senior ajarn and I were talking about it as at his age, people have asked him quite often to write about the deceased. Both of us agreed that it need to be someone who we not only know well but have fond memories of. The title and position of the person writing a piece didn't really show much na ka.
Here is how the story goes ka:
The person began by stating 'Prime Minister Who Had a Special Place in My Heart!'
A very high level officer promised his daughter that he would attend her Olympics Swimming Competition in Canada, as it was an extraordinary event for both. However, it so happened that the Prime Minister had decided to head a delegation to London for an important round of negotiation.
Being responsible, this senior leader had to go with the Prime Minister even he regretted not being able to attend the event as promised.
At the airport on the departure date, he met with the Prime Minister who said to him, 'You don't need to go with me to London.' The PM then handed him return airtickets to Canada for him to leave several hours later. He learned that the PM asked everyone to keep it a secret to make it a surprise.
After I heard the story, I told this senior ajarn that such a story made the eulogy so meaningful for the family of the deceased, not any generic piece of writing!
Some more learning was drawn from the story too.....how this PM's leadership could 'buy' people's hearts as it showed his caring and generosity, how senior government officials may have sacrificed their personal family priorities to work, and how dedication to work could possibly increase, etc.
Happy Tuesday ka.
วันพุธที่ 2 กรกฎาคม พ.ศ. 2557
Life is What You Make It
Hello again ka!
The past weekend, I enjoyed reading a translated version (by ประเวศ หงส์จรรยา) of the book, 'Life is What You Make It' by Peter Buffett, and have been thinking a lot about it.
After I read it, I bought an e-copy loei as there are many in the book I'd love to quote....but have yet to read the English version lae ka:))!
Some of the things that I've got are:
1. The author was talking about identity and values, feeling he was given a privileged life and trying to find the meaning out of his own potentials and interests to be truly proud.
2. I admire the ways his parents brought him up. Both Warren Buffett and his wife taught him well. Both are very modest and their children have seen how they've been living their lives, from when the family wasn't wealthy until when they are today! The author's mother taught him to respect all religious faiths and to learn from the teaching. She inculcated in him the respect of diversity and for me in particular, this diversity issue has been the highlight I gain from reading it....religions, races, social and economic background, etc.
3. He stressed his parents' teaching about learning that everyone has stories to share and they too can teach, not just those highly educated.
4. Ability to link and apply what we learn across fields and issues is crucial for us to see and do more.
5. Teamwork is highly successful when maximizing the uniqueness and real talents in each of the members to the fullest.
6. True success shouldn't be linked far too closely with 'money earned' since it could be beyond our control. It needs to 'come from within', from the substance that we've made possible from 'the mysterious chemistry of our abilities and passion and hard work and commitment.'
Want to pick up a copy to read mai ka?
The past weekend, I enjoyed reading a translated version (by ประเวศ หงส์จรรยา) of the book, 'Life is What You Make It' by Peter Buffett, and have been thinking a lot about it.
After I read it, I bought an e-copy loei as there are many in the book I'd love to quote....but have yet to read the English version lae ka:))!
Some of the things that I've got are:
1. The author was talking about identity and values, feeling he was given a privileged life and trying to find the meaning out of his own potentials and interests to be truly proud.
2. I admire the ways his parents brought him up. Both Warren Buffett and his wife taught him well. Both are very modest and their children have seen how they've been living their lives, from when the family wasn't wealthy until when they are today! The author's mother taught him to respect all religious faiths and to learn from the teaching. She inculcated in him the respect of diversity and for me in particular, this diversity issue has been the highlight I gain from reading it....religions, races, social and economic background, etc.
3. He stressed his parents' teaching about learning that everyone has stories to share and they too can teach, not just those highly educated.
4. Ability to link and apply what we learn across fields and issues is crucial for us to see and do more.
5. Teamwork is highly successful when maximizing the uniqueness and real talents in each of the members to the fullest.
6. True success shouldn't be linked far too closely with 'money earned' since it could be beyond our control. It needs to 'come from within', from the substance that we've made possible from 'the mysterious chemistry of our abilities and passion and hard work and commitment.'
Want to pick up a copy to read mai ka?
วันอังคารที่ 24 มิถุนายน พ.ศ. 2557
'life' and life of medical doctors/ajarns
Last week, I had a chance to visit a Med School and as always, I enjoyed talking with medical doctors/administrators/
1. I asked one medical doctor/lecturer if he was sick of repeating all the steps on Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). His answer was 'yes' right away but he would continue doing it because it means 'life' of patients!
A little bit later, he said the faculty will introduce 'training for trainers' to increase the numbers of qualified people to teach/repeat!
I was struck with his passion being a medical doctor/lecturer whose concerns about the quality were obvious plus the drive to lessen the boredom in an effective way.
2. Whenever I meet doctors in medical schools, I feel inspired to work harder, knowing that they not only work real real hard, but they also need deep concentration to save lives.
Another medical ajarn hurried to have an operation. When asked if he was sleepy, his answer was, 'I can't!' Seems he has no 'right' to feel sleepy lae ka. He then said he had to operate the nervous system of the brain.
His patients are very fortunate ka.
3. In every institution, there're lots of achievements that may not be recalled right away. External assessors could help them take more time to think of those successes and record them systematically for effectively repeated processes.
I now will go back to work harder yet smarter ka!
1. I asked one medical doctor/lecturer if he was sick of repeating all the steps on Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). His answer was 'yes' right away but he would continue doing it because it means 'life' of patients!
A little bit later, he said the faculty will introduce 'training for trainers' to increase the numbers of qualified people to teach/repeat!
I was struck with his passion being a medical doctor/lecturer whose concerns about the quality were obvious plus the drive to lessen the boredom in an effective way.
2. Whenever I meet doctors in medical schools, I feel inspired to work harder, knowing that they not only work real real hard, but they also need deep concentration to save lives.
Another medical ajarn hurried to have an operation. When asked if he was sleepy, his answer was, 'I can't!' Seems he has no 'right' to feel sleepy lae ka. He then said he had to operate the nervous system of the brain.
His patients are very fortunate ka.
3. In every institution, there're lots of achievements that may not be recalled right away. External assessors could help them take more time to think of those successes and record them systematically for effectively repeated processes.
I now will go back to work harder yet smarter ka!
วันอาทิตย์ที่ 15 มิถุนายน พ.ศ. 2557
Inspired by Amb. Kasit
Dear All, We were extremely busy with our annual event last week to prepare Thai Fulbright grantees before their departure....exhausted ka!
In between the busy time, we learned a lot. I personally enjoyed listening to Ambassador Kasit Piromya, who was invited to be our keynote speaker, inspiring our grantees to become more contributive across cultures while being great life-long learners.
I picked up 3 issues from his talk ka.
1. Thailand has its own ideology, covering our Nation, Religion, and Monarch. Because of the three, it's our responsibility to protect them all. He noted that there've been internal reforms of the three pillars as years go by too.
2. We could look at Singapore to see how it has achieved its targeted goals. Singapore is small and highly successful. So if Thailand can become successful, even when we are much bigger, wouldn't it be a greater achievement for us to enjoy? I like his positive thinking and the way he puts it as I heard so many people mentioning about the size of Singapore, which doesn't mean much to our development efforts if we're very serious to move forward na ka.
3. When asked about the US's perspectives about the most recent coup, he said we need to understand where the US is from. Its democracy has matured for over a century after many struggles, e.g. from discrimination, civil war, etc. Thailand is growing and will become more mature eventually and definitely in different ways. I saw an article of his interview on this very issue in the Krungtep Turakit paper this morning too.
He also touched upon other matters when he assumed the
position of the Minister of Foreign Affairs. It was real impressive to see how straightforward he was to the
ASEAN group when no one dared to speak up much. We do need our own Thai
representatives to dare to speak the truth at the right time to the right group
some time, not just far too diplomatic style all the time ka.
Several grantees said to me that they started thinking more of the world
beyond their own fields.......this made me feel very happy and
I know that our bright Fulbright grantees have been inspired to research and
learn further on their own ka.
วันอาทิตย์ที่ 8 มิถุนายน พ.ศ. 2557
health seminar
A very good Monday morning to you all ka!
Yesterday, my friend and I attended a seminar about chronic neck and back pain to learn more about it as we both suffer a bit ka.
Being an event organizer in a way, I've noted the following ka:
1. Expectations of doctors are even higher as years go by, especially communication skills. The doctor giving us a talk was a great communicator ka. He compared symptoms to some simple things close to our lives, like our small wounds, saving drown people, or flat tires --I couldn't relate the latter as much as those who have cars lae ka:))! It makes me think harder when I address different groups of people jing jing.
2. Many events now outsource organizers who may find it a struggle to find qualified people to work for them, particularly announcer/moderator.
Yesterday, I felt sort of sorry for the MC who didn't seem to go through that much training ka. She wasn't that nervous at all (better than me mak mak!) but she didn't know the sequences of the program that well...which could be from many factors, plus she was asked to moderate a panel. It wasn't so smooth though I don't think people tended to it much ka. I was tempted to go and ask for her address so I could send her a booklet or tell her some tips......now I regret not talking with her laew ka. She has good potential and with some guidance, she would do much better.
3. Real stories, sharing successful cases, turned out to be more interesting than I thought ka. I enjoyed listening to different experiences plus their ways of thinking about life, and of sharing experiences. The only thing was that all the previous patients were male.....55+ up! I asked the doctor if those cases occurred with many female patients. His answer was, 'Yes! the ratio is 1:1 and with all ages...now that the smart phones have caused us to use our neck looking down!'
4. The doctor's direct experience as a patient with severe back pain that had to go through an operation became the best story in my view. His 'torturous' pain and operation made him feel he wanted to seek some new ways to help similar cases. His understanding of the pain is definitely heightened with more realistic advice to offer ka.
5. The keyword to pay attention to is still 'exercise' ka!
Well! lots to learn from such a session....more on the overall logistics too!
Yesterday, my friend and I attended a seminar about chronic neck and back pain to learn more about it as we both suffer a bit ka.
Being an event organizer in a way, I've noted the following ka:
1. Expectations of doctors are even higher as years go by, especially communication skills. The doctor giving us a talk was a great communicator ka. He compared symptoms to some simple things close to our lives, like our small wounds, saving drown people, or flat tires --I couldn't relate the latter as much as those who have cars lae ka:))! It makes me think harder when I address different groups of people jing jing.
2. Many events now outsource organizers who may find it a struggle to find qualified people to work for them, particularly announcer/moderator.
Yesterday, I felt sort of sorry for the MC who didn't seem to go through that much training ka. She wasn't that nervous at all (better than me mak mak!) but she didn't know the sequences of the program that well...which could be from many factors, plus she was asked to moderate a panel. It wasn't so smooth though I don't think people tended to it much ka. I was tempted to go and ask for her address so I could send her a booklet or tell her some tips......now I regret not talking with her laew ka. She has good potential and with some guidance, she would do much better.
3. Real stories, sharing successful cases, turned out to be more interesting than I thought ka. I enjoyed listening to different experiences plus their ways of thinking about life, and of sharing experiences. The only thing was that all the previous patients were male.....55+ up! I asked the doctor if those cases occurred with many female patients. His answer was, 'Yes! the ratio is 1:1 and with all ages...now that the smart phones have caused us to use our neck looking down!'
4. The doctor's direct experience as a patient with severe back pain that had to go through an operation became the best story in my view. His 'torturous' pain and operation made him feel he wanted to seek some new ways to help similar cases. His understanding of the pain is definitely heightened with more realistic advice to offer ka.
5. The keyword to pay attention to is still 'exercise' ka!
Well! lots to learn from such a session....more on the overall logistics too!
วันอังคารที่ 3 มิถุนายน พ.ศ. 2557
from heart to heart
A very good morning to you ka!
Life has been on the busy end and in between, it's been so rewarding!
As a few of our Thai grantees in the US just graduated, some have returned home and so these days, we are happily busy welcoming them back.
Besides his 'caring' experiences, actively helping offer food to the disadvantaged, this new alum came back with a great attitude about 'failure'. He now feels failing is fine especially for the startups and that it's also fine to fail more than once to learn more ka! How he wishes our country would allow failure to be part of our culture ka!
We also have several Thai alumni who wrote or visited. One wrote how her Fulbright/Humphrey experiences led her to initiate a project with her Humphrey friend to set up a student affairs section at Soutsaka College, nurturing spirit of volunteerism in Laotian students.
Another Thai alum came to our office after years staying in the US. She was with her two little kids, one 8-month old and the other around 3. I couldn't imagine how she handled the two while on board the plane especially the long flight (her husband said she is very capable lae ka!) I was touched that she managed to visit us too. The effort to see us was really meaningful to our hearts.
Tomorrow, an American alum will be back to his second home here in Thailand. His love of teaching, his kind heart, and his gentle manner are so precious that all, himself, we here, his Thai friends and students, will find it a wonderful delight to welcome him back but another difficult bittersweet goodbye ka.
Have a very beautiful day na ka.....after all, friendship from people-to-people contacts stays on to for heart-to-heart happiness ka.
Life has been on the busy end and in between, it's been so rewarding!
As a few of our Thai grantees in the US just graduated, some have returned home and so these days, we are happily busy welcoming them back.
Besides his 'caring' experiences, actively helping offer food to the disadvantaged, this new alum came back with a great attitude about 'failure'. He now feels failing is fine especially for the startups and that it's also fine to fail more than once to learn more ka! How he wishes our country would allow failure to be part of our culture ka!
We also have several Thai alumni who wrote or visited. One wrote how her Fulbright/Humphrey experiences led her to initiate a project with her Humphrey friend to set up a student affairs section at Soutsaka College, nurturing spirit of volunteerism in Laotian students.
Another Thai alum came to our office after years staying in the US. She was with her two little kids, one 8-month old and the other around 3. I couldn't imagine how she handled the two while on board the plane especially the long flight (her husband said she is very capable lae ka!) I was touched that she managed to visit us too. The effort to see us was really meaningful to our hearts.
Tomorrow, an American alum will be back to his second home here in Thailand. His love of teaching, his kind heart, and his gentle manner are so precious that all, himself, we here, his Thai friends and students, will find it a wonderful delight to welcome him back but another difficult bittersweet goodbye ka.
Have a very beautiful day na ka.....after all, friendship from people-to-people contacts stays on to for heart-to-heart happiness ka.
วันจันทร์ที่ 26 พฤษภาคม พ.ศ. 2557
collaboration for student learning
Dear All, It's been two weeks since I last wrote with many happening at Fulbright, universities, and Thailand, of course!
I'd like to
share with you the following ka:
1. When
you're asked about your ideas what is needed for collaboration to enhance
student learning, what will be your key issue for discussion ka, collaboration
or student learning?
I was at an
international conference when we were asked to do some group discussion on the
above question. Right away, the group discussed student learning and it
was so fun to see how many ideas were given ka. Some of them were:
-
Meaningful learning needs to be from semi-structured socialization and
exchanges at majors/departmental levels. Some grants required diverse
groups of students to maximize diversity.
-
Student engagement was stressed to involve them in decision making processes,
to know gen M for their different needs and requirements, and to encourage
them to teach their peers.
-
Teachers offer concepts as basics for students to do their own
independent studies via ICT.
2. I attended
a policy dialogue session, which discussed how to promote research
collaboration. Thai universities have many foreign partners and if
they seriously partner within our country, it could be so helpful for
our own learning and for synergy to cooperate with others, especially our
neighbors.
It has again
proved to be true that one full day meeting doesn’t really work when the
afternoon is set aside to be a policy level meeting as a handful of
invited guests stayed on for the session.
3. I enjoyed reading ‘เมื่อโลกไม่ได้หมุนรอบอเมริกา--The Post American World’ by Fareed
Zakaria. What I think
we could learn is how the US has become advantageous….being ‘The Land of the
Free’, the private sector has lesser business restrictions from the
Government. Its diversity with immigrants has turned to be highly
positive, socially and culturally. Each State has its own local management
authority as well.
It could sound simple
but when thinking of Thailand, many things popped up on my mind, mainly about
the quality of our education and people to become more international to successfully
mix and work in multicultural environments.
It’s a very good book I’d
recommend if you haven’t read it ka.
4. For UNDP’s
Thailand Human Development Report 2014, when comparing the 8 component
indices (health, education, employment, income, family and community life,
participation, transport and communication, and housing and living environment;
education is the least developed aspect.
Lots of
challenges in thinking and working for our education circle ka!
Have a nice
week ka.
วันจันทร์ที่ 5 พฤษภาคม พ.ศ. 2557
My 'Nong Ma+'??
A light story to share for you to start your first day at work ka!
I was going to a restroom at a community mall when a doggie followed me to the place without any wish to leave. Even I talked with her??? that she wouldn't be allowed to go in.
In any case, she did and the toilet cleaner saw it.
While I was in the restroom, I heard the cleaning lady say to others, 'This doggie is so smart. She is following her owner here.' Then, she said, ' Don't leave yet! wait until your owner come out of the restroom.'
I was hesitant to come out loei lae ka but thought it was very kind of the lady to say so:))!
That dog walked out with me and left me there!
Happy Tuesday na ka.
I was going to a restroom at a community mall when a doggie followed me to the place without any wish to leave. Even I talked with her??? that she wouldn't be allowed to go in.
In any case, she did and the toilet cleaner saw it.
While I was in the restroom, I heard the cleaning lady say to others, 'This doggie is so smart. She is following her owner here.' Then, she said, ' Don't leave yet! wait until your owner come out of the restroom.'
I was hesitant to come out loei lae ka but thought it was very kind of the lady to say so:))!
That dog walked out with me and left me there!
Happy Tuesday na ka.
วันจันทร์ที่ 28 เมษายน พ.ศ. 2557
Critical Competencies in the 21st Century
Dear All, Just want to share with you what I presented when speaking to an audience of teachers of English plus several foreign experts who came to give their talks as the post RELC (Regional Language Center under the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization) seminar in Singapore.
I found it sort of strategic the way I was talked into accepting the invitation. Here is why ka:
The CULI director called to invite me to be the closing keynote speaker. Having had quite a lot on my plate, I would tend to say no.....though those who know me well realize how easy I can accept an invitation. In any case, before I could say anything, she said to me, 'Khun Porntip, you listen to the topic first. I was told that if you know what the topic is, you will say yes!'
It turned out to be true.....I liked it and found it challenging to talk about it when so many books and sessions are on this topic already. My thinking then was how to effectively convey my own messages in English to teachers/lecturers of English (didn't have much on my mind then, though!).
With contribution from my colleague and an alum, I had my slides for the talk, which were improved like a dozen times! Tough to talk with teachers....and they teach English kaaaa!
My key communication was to start from the lecturers/teachers who need to be more skills in cross-cultures, storytelling, writing, ICT, lintegration, and the most important one....need to make it happen. I was mentioning how they should link what they and their students are familiar with to make the lessons both enjoyable and thought-provoking. They should pick and choose what is available in the market to respond well with their specific contexts. Learning how to use ICT properly would go beyond the access of the needed tools to consider the learning styles of students and how to create appropriate applications, getting away from using the tools in the traditional term. By the way, my attempt to end with part of a song to inspire them didn't work....can never trust IT jing jing:))!
Again, I briefly touched on the Thai cultural habits that have hindered our learning, especially 'muunsai' (not making oneself in the center of attention by showing off or talking big or acting smart.....etc.)
Seems that I've talked about all they've heard and known ka but one more talk to urge them to take actual actions was sure needed na ka.
Regards,
Porntip
I found it sort of strategic the way I was talked into accepting the invitation. Here is why ka:
The CULI director called to invite me to be the closing keynote speaker. Having had quite a lot on my plate, I would tend to say no.....though those who know me well realize how easy I can accept an invitation. In any case, before I could say anything, she said to me, 'Khun Porntip, you listen to the topic first. I was told that if you know what the topic is, you will say yes!'
It turned out to be true.....I liked it and found it challenging to talk about it when so many books and sessions are on this topic already. My thinking then was how to effectively convey my own messages in English to teachers/lecturers of English (didn't have much on my mind then, though!).
With contribution from my colleague and an alum, I had my slides for the talk, which were improved like a dozen times! Tough to talk with teachers....and they teach English kaaaa!
My key communication was to start from the lecturers/teachers who need to be more skills in cross-cultures, storytelling, writing, ICT, lintegration, and the most important one....need to make it happen. I was mentioning how they should link what they and their students are familiar with to make the lessons both enjoyable and thought-provoking. They should pick and choose what is available in the market to respond well with their specific contexts. Learning how to use ICT properly would go beyond the access of the needed tools to consider the learning styles of students and how to create appropriate applications, getting away from using the tools in the traditional term. By the way, my attempt to end with part of a song to inspire them didn't work....can never trust IT jing jing:))!
Again, I briefly touched on the Thai cultural habits that have hindered our learning, especially 'muunsai' (not making oneself in the center of attention by showing off or talking big or acting smart.....etc.)
Seems that I've talked about all they've heard and known ka but one more talk to urge them to take actual actions was sure needed na ka.
Regards,
Porntip
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