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  1. #1
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    Simon43's Avatar
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    Too much of this is sending me blind!

    You know, I do it so much every day. I really enjoy it, I literally spend hours every day using both hands in this activity. People always say that too much will send you blind. Well, that's the problem. I was so concerned about my 'addiction' to this activity that I went to see the doctor. Well he told me to immediately cut down on doing this, or I would definitely go blind!


    So there it is. With immediate effect, I have to reduce ..... my online teaching computer use!!


    For the past couple of years, I have used my computer about 8 hours every day, 7 days a week, to teach online. It's too much for my old eyes, and wanking would damage my eyes at a much slower rate...


    So I've decided to reduce my online teaching to just a couple of hours each day. But if I teach online, where does my income come from?


    The answer is simple, go back to teach in the classroom. You might think that at 63 years old, the idea of teaching KG and lower primary kids would fill me with dread. Not at all, and especially considering where I will be working.


    Yep, 3 years ago, I moved from teaching in-class in Myanmar to online in Laos, then online in Turkey, then online in Mauritius, then online in Thailand, then.... back to Myanmar in the next couple of weeks.


    The Thai doctor who checked me over today and confirmed that I was 'alive' told me that I must be mad to consider going back to Myanmar, considering the current and worsening civil war over there. Well, having made the decision to teach again in-class, it was a no-brainer for me to choose Myanmar. Firstly, Thai schools will not employ me - I'm too old. Secondly, I check the daily news on irrawaddy.com about the violence in Myanmar, and the terrible cost it is having on the general population, and especially the disruption to education. I read about villages in Shan State where I used to visit with school supplies for the orphanages. Now, those same villages are unreachable by me, and their houses bombed and burnt


    With many expat teachers leaving Myanmar, it was an opportune moment for 'old' me to get a very well-paid teaching job in Yangon (the school must be desperate lol!). Being on the ground, so to speak, it will be possible to purchase school supplies and get them sent by the long-distance bus services to remote locations in Myanmar.


    Anyway, in a few weeks, I'm leaving the delights of Pattaya for the risky delights of Myanmar. Now where's my tin hat?
    Groping women when you're old is fine - everyone thinks you're senile

  2. #2
    Thailand Expat tomcat's Avatar
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    ...this is what happens when financial planning remains an abstract notion...

  3. #3
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    Simon43's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by tomcat View Post
    ...this is what happens when financial planning remains an abstract notion...
    Nope, financial planning is very difficult when you get shafted by 3 ex-wives! Besides, I never have any intention of retiring. I have nightmares thinking about golf, bridge etc.

  4. #4
    Thailand Expat VocalNeal's Avatar
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    It helps to stare into the distance/infinity. Every 20 minutes take 20 seconds and stare at something more than 20 feet away.
    Last edited by VocalNeal; 15-08-2022 at 05:18 PM.

  5. #5
    Thailand Expat DrWilly's Avatar
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    Myanmar will be glad. All the best, Simon.

  6. #6
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    Simon43's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by VocalNeal View Post
    It helps to stare into the distance/infinity. Every 20 minutes take 20 seconds and stare at something more than 20 feet away.
    Ah OK! And that stops you getting nightmares about golf and bridge right?

  7. #7
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    By the sounds of it, you might end up doing both.

    Good luck with it whatever you decide. Hopefully with some good karma based on your past work there.

  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by Switch View Post
    By the sounds of it, you might end up doing both.

    Good luck with it whatever you decide. Hopefully with some good karma based on your past work there.
    Thanks. I never worry about the future. Things always seem to work out ok for me. I'm looking forward to getting actively involved again in Myanmar, but motorbike rides in Shan State are off the menu for now....

  9. #9
    Thailand Expat tomcat's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Simon43 View Post
    financial planning is very difficult when you get shafted by 3 ex-wives
    Quote Originally Posted by Simon43 View Post
    Things always seem to work out ok for me
    ...*cough*...

  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by Simon43 View Post
    Firstly, Thai schools will not employ me - I'm too old.
    That's patently untrue. I'm guessing with your qualifications you could get a real nice, very well paid teaching job in Thailand. I had friends working in Thai schools well into their 60's. You might not get insurance though, but that's about it.

  11. #11
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    Good luck Simon, I look forward to hearing of your next adventure.

  12. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by Topper View Post
    That's patently untrue. I'm guessing with your qualifications you could get a real nice, very well paid teaching job in Thailand. I had friends working in Thai schools well into their 60's. You might not get insurance though, but that's about it.
    Topper, the problem is that I have neither a B.Ed degree or MA.Ed, nor a PGCE or PGCEi, nor QTS. I came via the 'industry' route, with a First Class Hons science degree and MSc degree from London University, plus numerous CPD certificates in Phonics, Montessori, Speech Therapy, TEFL etc etc. International schools in Thailand won't touch me with a bargepole (I've tried, no QTS = no job, no B.Ed = no job, no PCGE = no job!). All I am offered in Thailand is $1,000 for teaching in a Thai government or language school, as opposed to the $4,000+ (after tax) that I will receive from [my new job in Myanmar+some online teaching of my current online students at the weekend/evenings].

    It's a no-brainer

  13. #13
    Thailand Expat tomcat's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Simon43 View Post
    It's a no-brainer
    ...except for the Myanmar part...

  14. #14
    Thailand Expat YourDaddy's Avatar
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    I like working at Walmart

  15. #15
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    Quote Originally Posted by tomcat View Post
    ...except for the Myanmar part...
    That's was what I was thinking as well. I hope you transfer your salary out of the country as quick as you can, Simon. Sometimes, it ain't about the money, you know?

  16. #16
    Thailand Expat
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    Quote Originally Posted by Topper View Post
    That's was what I was thinking as well. I hope you transfer your salary out of the country as quick as you can, Simon. Sometimes, it ain't about the money, you know?
    It's not about the money this time either, (even though I will pull in a good income). But you can buy a lot of school books for a few hundred $ each month...

    Oh, I get paid outside Myanmar in USD (both from my existing online teaching and from the Myanmar school).

  17. #17
    Thailand Expat russellsimpson's Avatar
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    Good luck in your next major adventure Simon.

    May the winds of fortune ever be in your favour.

    You are pretty much a spring chicken at 63. Cheers

  18. #18
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    Rangoon it is then. Good luck with it. The pay isn't to be sneezed at either.

  19. #19
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    Good luck, Simon. I always see many jobs in that country. I've been offered a good job in Bangkok, but I don't think i'll go for it!
    You should talk to Mandy! He was there for awhile.

    P.S - You should have been a writer, Simon !

  20. #20
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    Quote Originally Posted by MarilynMonroe View Post
    Good luck, Simon. I always see many jobs in that country. I've been offered a good job in Bangkok, but I don't think i'll go for it!
    You should talk to Mandy! He was there for awhile.

    P.S - You should have been a writer, Simon !
    I had breakfast with Mandy last week in Jomtien! Actually, I think I have been in Myanmar longer than Seb (I taught in Yangoon in 2012, then in Mandalay and finally in Naypyitaw). As for being a writer, do a Google search for 'simon43 my crazy life stickmanbangkok' I posted about 8 chapters of my truly crazy life on stickman a few years ago, and plan to add more chapters when I find time to write these.

  21. #21
    Hangin' Around cyrille's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Topper View Post
    I'm guessing with your qualifications you could get a real nice, very well paid teaching job in Thailand.
    No offence intended, but I'm guessing your idea of 'very well paid' differs from that of, say, tc.

  22. #22
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    Quote Originally Posted by Simon43 View Post
    I had breakfast with Mandy last week in Jomtien!
    That's fantastic! How's Seb doing?



    Quote Originally Posted by Simon43 View Post
    I think I have been in Myanmar longer than Seb (I taught in Yangoon in 2012, then in Mandalay and finally in Naypyitaw)
    That is interesting. I'm sure you had a lot to talk about! Your experience living in Myanmar will help you then.
    Quote Originally Posted by Simon43 View Post
    do a Google search for 'simon43 my crazy life stickmanbangkok' I posted about 8 chapters of my truly crazy life on stickman a few years ago, and plan to add more chapters when I find time to write these.
    I believe I have read these awhile ago. An interesting life you have led. And I thought my life was interesting..haha!

  23. #23
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    Quote Originally Posted by Simon43 View Post
    International schools in Thailand won't touch me with a bargepole (I've tried, no QTS = no job, no B.Ed = no job, no PCGE = no job!)
    Correct! And the big salary Topper is talking about is probably about 30,000-40,000 baht a month for you.

  24. #24
    Thailand Expat DrWilly's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by MarilynMonroe View Post
    Correct! And the big salary Topper is talking about is probably about 30,000-40,000 baht a month for you.
    In 2022?

  25. #25
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    Quote Originally Posted by MarilynMonroe View Post
    Correct! And the big salary Topper is talking about is probably about 30,000-40,000 baht a month for you.
    Just like the SK retirement thread. You have no idea what you are talking about. Just throwing facts and figures out in the wind.

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