The last two weeks of proctoring exams have flown by. It's now 5 PM on Saturday and I don't have to be back in the office for the next 11 days.
Even though the exam week has gone by quickly, it has still be a little stressful. For some reason, tensions were high in the office among the farang staff. I'm not sure how it happened, but I think it was one of those cases of contagious stress. In any case, we are all going on our separate ways for the next two weeks, so things should be much calmer when we all return.
For me, I had to figure out where I would go with all my looming free time. I seriously considered a trip to Sri Lanka and even went as far as making plane reservations and buying a Lonely Planet guide book. It sounded like a very interesting trip, but in the end, I decided not to go.
Why? Well, the main reason was because my "Should I get a PhD?" decision came to a head this week. I received an email from a possible advisor in Australia asking me to apply for the next school year. Should I do it? Am I ready to spend the next three or four years working on a PhD? Can I do it "offshore" while living in Thailand? (Which means I need a visa to stay here.) What about work? How will I pay my bills? How will I find the time to do research? I feel like I am busy as it is now, but I don't think I can afford to just stop working and only go to school.
In addition, in order to apply, I need to write a minimum-1000-word research proposal. When in the world am I going to find time to do that?
In any case, at the end of the week I can say that I think I now have a plan. To make a long story short, it looks like I can get a PhD from Australia, get a reduced teaching load at my school (which gives me a salary and a visa), and I can spend the next two weeks writing a research proposal. The answer seems easy now, but it was quite a process to get to this point.
Now, the only remaining question is: Where am I going to write the proposal? I need a location that has internet connections and is cheap and relaxing and nearby Bangkok.
Looks like the perfect excuse for a week-long trip to my favorite Thai island of Ko Samet...
Whatever you do, wherever you go, enjoy your break. And take some time off for yourself if you can, during all that writing.
Oh, I'm sure I will have some "time off for myself". I'll on a beautiful tropical island, afterall :)
Oh gee .... darn it .... I feel your pain. hahaha!!!
Have a wonderful writing trip!
Love you!!
Wow, best of luck with the PhD, Stuart. And Ko Samet sounds like the perfect place to write a 1000 word research proposal. ;)
Hmm...First of all, I think that if you can start it now, it'll be wonderful for yourself. Getting start is one tought job to do but once you get it on, you'll be glad that you have done it. Secondly, Ko samet...hmmm...beware of the curse of the mermaid, Stuart!!!
here is for fun reading : http://www.tblog.com/templates/index.php?bid=benontheblock&static=70328&search=the%20curse%20of%20the%20mermaid
Thanks for the encouragement on the PhD, y'all!
And Ben, thanks for the warning. I do know for a fact that one of our mutual friends fell victim to the icy stare of the medusa/mermaid. Wish me luck!