Tik Aces her IELTS Practice Test July 21, 2006
Posted by Martin in : Education , add a commentWe all know how clever Tik is but as her fiance I’m allowed to brag about it.
Tik took a mock IELTS test about a month ago. IELTS is an internationally recognized English qualification which Tik will need when we apply to emigrate to Australia. This was a free test to give her an idea what she should expect. She got her results yesterday and came top out of every student in her listening exam and came second in her reading exam.
Her real test is tomorrow where she will also be assessed on her speaking skills (no problem there) and her writing skills. Tik completed a 1-month writing class in June so I’m certain she’ll do great. Results will be back early in August.
Some More Thai Lessons with A June 11, 2006
Posted by Martin in : Education, Thailand , add a commentI had another lot of 10 x 3 hour Thai lessons with A this month.
The problem with studying so intensively is that I don’t get the opportunity to memorize everything. I was more interested in putting the time in and knowing that despite being overwhelmed with vocabulary I’d at least have the chance to practice having converstations a little more.
A taught me a lot of phrases I really need to learn. I was extremely proud of myself when visiting Suan Lum Night market on my own and being able to discuss exporting various products with the Thai traders. I’ve also taken a faulty headset to get repaired and had a long conversation only in Thai about the problems and solutions.
As Tik’s studying hard for her IELTS English examination we have been communicating entirely in Engliagh for a month so I’m glad to have the opportunity to refresh my Thai skills again.
Stupidly though I organized all the hundreds of necessary Thai phrases onto index cards, and lost them all. I just found them today, so there’ll be no more excuses. I’m determined to be at a strong enough level for our wedding (potentially April or August 2007) that i can charm all the Thai guests and present my wedding speech in both languages.
More Plans for 2006 April 8, 2006
Posted by Martin in : Education, Health & Sport, Thailand, travel , add a commentOnce Lisa returns to the UK my new life starts again. Tik is now living permanently with me and we have an exciting year planned. For the three weeks between May and August Tik and I will study in the mornings. I will continue my gemology diploma and Tik will take some IELTS English classes to improve her writing skills and her chances of working or studying overseas. Our afternoons will be spent exercising at the gym, playing squash, swimming, playing badminton and I will return to Aikido. I am also likely to continue with learning Thai and starting private Brazilian Ju-Jitsu classes.
The End of my First Gemology Module March 28, 2006
Posted by Martin in : Education, Thailand , add a commentToday I finally completed my first three months of my Gemology Diploma at AIGS. The course comprises of 4 modules, the first one ‘Classification of Gemstones’ has just finished and I am extremely relieved.
I’ve really enjoyed the course although it was no walk in the park. I’d signed up last November anticipating a very simple 6-month course. Although there is a strong implication that the course is between 9am until 12pm weekdays the course took up much more of my life than I’d really anticipated. There was a lot of unschedules practice required to get familiar with all the different stones available.
Another Thai Language Warning February 21, 2006
Posted by Martin in : Education, Thailand , add a commentSadly another Thai language lesson I’ve discovered from experience.
The phrase “add more milk” and “shake your boobs” are deceptively similar.
“Sai nom”  = Pour in some milk
“Saai nom” = Shake your boobs
… fortunately Tik was with me to persuade the waitress my intentions were honorable.
Class 101 Classification of Gemstones January 8, 2006
Posted by Martin in : Education, Thailand , 2commentsWednesday was my first day as a trainee Gemologist. I got up early full of enthusiam at the prospects of actually doing something constructive oncemore and perhaps naturally a little apprehensive as to who I’d be meeting and how tough the course would be.
Moving into 2006 January 2, 2006
Posted by Martin in : Education, Thailand , add a commentLast year was, (as I am proud to reiterate) my best ever year. This year is going to be far better now that I’ve freed up nearly all of my time. New years are a natural benchmark for most people, but seeing as my move into central Bangkok is preceding my new study it’s a nice coincidence that my life restarts itself right now too.
4 days of speaking Thai … and counting December 28, 2005
Posted by Martin in : Education, Thailand , add a commentOn the recommendation of Jim, an impressively competent Thai speaker I declared last Wednesday as a Thai-only day. This meant that Tik and I would communicate exclusively in Thai.
We spend much of the day in Tik’s colleagues car driving to Udon Thani where Tik has some work to complete.
I was very proud of myself that I managed to survive the entire day without any major problems. In fact Tik found the experience far more difficult than me, as she is so used to speaking with me in English.
Adapting to an Apple Mac December 18, 2005
Posted by Martin in : Computers, Education , add a commentI’ve been getting familair with my new 15” Powerbook G4 for the last few weeks.
I was encouraged to switch over from my hard-working and long-serving Windows PC to improve my efficiency. Twelve months ago I was frustrated that my work was slowed by my stupidly slothful internet connection and got myself an ADSL line as soon as it became available. More recently I’d been moaning to friends that much of my time was being spent having to use the task manager to close down unresponsive programs, and I was in need of a change.
Day 4: Two Perfect Dives November 14, 2005
Posted by Martin in : Education, Health & Sport, Thailand , add a comment
The effort of being up, bright and early by 7:30 was outweighed by the perfecticity of the water. It was so calm at times that it looked like some industrious bastard might have just paved over it. Zigor – our instructor was delighted that water visibility was at 30 metres and that in the past 4 years he’s only experienced such clarity half a dozen times.
Day 3: Diving Exam & Our First Two Dives November 13, 2005
Posted by Martin in : Education, Health & Sport, Thailand , add a commentOur morning class comprised of seven of us. As Priya and Jennifer were a day behind us, our class was merged with another. There were two Irish girls, and two Irish guys, all about the same age as us. We spent a lot of the time working from a quite complex dive table which determined how much nitrogen we would absorb, how deep we could go, for how long and also how long we needed to de-pressurize and rest between dives. It was the most demanding part of the theory course although we could work together and in all honesty we won’t be planning our own dives for some time anyway.
Day 2: Into the Sea November 12, 2005
Posted by Martin in : Education, Thailand , add a comment
I began my day at Caf� Del Sol. One of the many places to eat on Koh Tao. I like Koh Tao right now. It is very similar to Khao San Road in that there are bars, cafes, souvenir shops, internet cafes a plenty but at this time of year it was also relaxed and quiet. (more…)
Day 1: Introduction to Diving November 11, 2005
Posted by Martin in : Education, Health & Sport, Thailand , add a comment
My bungalow was an adequate fan-cooled double room with a clean bathroom and shower. I was booked into the Beach Club Resort, at the far end of the island’s hub.
I spent much of my day reading my books on a rock. I rented a PADI Diver’s Manual and decided to spend a few hours pre-learning everything that the course would cover.
Learning to Dive in Koh Tao November 10, 2005
Posted by Martin in : Education, Health & Sport, Thailand , 2commentsI don’t have any virtues, but if I did, patience would certainly not be one of them. I hate waiting for things to happen. A week before I see Tik again, 10 days before we go to Taiwan, Two weeks before I get paid, 20 days before I get my new computer and catch up with my friend Jim, three weeks before I move apartment, two months before I begin my gemology course.
I drove myself crazy between Monday and Wednesday. I had nothing to do. I couldn’t find one book I hadn’t read, Tik was working in Khon Kaen and it was too soon to begin organizing my move out of Sammakorn.
I’d spoken to my friend Eli about going diving. Sadly we didn’t share enough time to go together so I booked the same package as he’d done and left on my own last Thursday.
How to Buy a Mansion in Hell October 19, 2005
Posted by Martin in : Creative / Humour, Education , 5commentsGemology + Marketing = Fast Track to Hell
I am not ashamed to admit that the notion of heaven scares me. Would I be obliged to pray every day should I go there? Would I be forced to keep company with priests, monks and nuns? What happens if I’ve been widowed and remarried? How would I share my time with my first and my second wife? Would it be ok to sleep in between them both? Would I be able to replace my inflatable dolls? Would I end up with too much free time because my internet worked properly and Windows never crashed?
