Bangkok Box Office

I am what you might call a cinema buff, a cinephile, a connoisseur of fine films.  I have a checklist for what makes a good movie and I refer to it often.  These include a respected director, moving cinematography, intelligent script-writing, a talented ensemble cast and thoughtful use of pinwheel hats.

Which is why I have high hopes for this.

With Oscar season just around the corner, I think we might be in for a sweep this year, folks.

The Thai Tom Hanks.

The Experts Are Never Wrong

I have never been one to suffer from allergies.

But if this outfit is any indication of the kind of fun allergy-sufferers are having without me...

Sign me up.

The 38

I ride the city bus home from work everyday.  It is a time to relax, unwind and see funny things.

It is a time when I am confident that I will go home, cook a healthy meal, go the gym and grade all of the papers in my bag - all while simultaneously doing yoga and cleaning my apartment.

It is a time of innocence.

And though it will set you back roughly a quarter, I assure you that this is money well-spent.

From the wooden floors...

To the plethora of fans spinning recycled air, blowing dust off the unwritten mandate that everyone on the bus, regardless of age, must be wearing a uniform of some sort.

This is the 38.

And I respect that checking the rearview mirror is important to my bus driver.

While the absence of a dashboard clearly is not.

Can't hate on the 38.

The Big Knit

Like most women my age*, I love a good knit.  So you can imagine my delight upon discovering a knitting shop here in Bangkok.  Not only does it have a wide variety of yarns and sticks**, but grandmas like me can also enjoy a cup of tea and a chat, all the while plugging away on our latest masterpiece.

Sample masterpiece:

This little slice of geriatric heaven is called the Big Knit.  And it's actually quite a hip spot.  Somewhere along the line, knitting got pretty cool.  It might have been around this time that I took my first stab at it.  Living in Brooklyn.  Feeling the pressure.  

So I learned from my aunt, one summer in Vermont.  And as you can tell, I have pretty much perfected the art form.

I like the Big Knit because there is inspiration everywhere.

Some adorable.

Some downright delightful.

And some uncomfortable.

And perhaps one day I will move on from gifting family and friends with scarves full of holes that they feel obligated to wear - and move on to bigger and better things.

But folks.  If it ever goes too far.  If you ever see me making my way towards you, a mad glint in my eye, trying to present you with this:

Smack me across the face.  

*Eighty years old.
**Official term.

Fairy Tale Ending

Imagine my dismay upon coming across this on a Bangkok sidewalk.

Granted, it's been a good twenty years or so since I have been privy to what the Gingerbread man has been up to.  I guess I just never thought it would end like this.

Like so many other foreign men before him, he came to Bangkok looking for a fresh start. How it all ended, we'll never know.   

One thing is for sure though.

The locals ain't talkin'.

Mord All

Teaching is a rewarding profession.  I get to read books like "There's a Boy in the Girl's Bathroom" and pretend that I chose it for them. 

I get to moderate 9th grade class debates about honesty - and watch it all fall apart as final remarks deteriorate into mudslinging.  Nodding solemnly as closing arguments produce a chilling confession from a team captain - she did lie about liking her teammate's shoes yesterday*.

I get to have arguments with 6th graders about the height of a fictional child dwarf**.

I get to silently judge my 10th grade boys (all basketball stars) when they shoot for the trash can - and always miss.

I enjoy my work. 

I have noticed a few differences, however, between teaching 6th graders and high school.  Dwarves notwithstanding, I just feel like I have a little more control with the older kids.

I mean, check out this bad boy in my high school classroom.

"Rock on, Miss Sarah!" - says a generic cool teen, in my dreams.

Now let's mosey on down to 6th grade, shall we?

Fair enough.

* We all did. 
** It's still too soon to talk about this.

Someone To Watch Over Me

Some people believe that they have guardian angels who watch over them.  Protect them.  Make sure that they are always okay.

I have never been fully sold on the idea until now.

Every time I get off the bus after work and walk back to my apartment, I feel it even more.

This is because I see mine everyday.

He is stoic, strong and tall.  He has everything it takes to get me out of any jam.  But more importantly, he is always there.

I can always count on him to fulfill all of his guardian angel duties*.    

Besides, how can a window display this well-thought out not make you feel like everything is going to be just fine?

*climbing, science experiments, ceremoniously breaking ground at new sites