Chiang Mai Life: Events, Networking, Classifieds...
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Chiang Mai Stories
Last Saturday our second Health Event took place at Eco Resort in Chiang Mai to provide CLBS employees, their friends and families with different health suggestions.
We started the event with swimming and chilling at the pool. For lunch CLBS contributed a yummy buffet of healthy vegetarian food to boost their employees after a one hour yoga class for beginners. After we filled our empty stomachs with cooked vegetables, baked eggplant, vegetable soup, fruits, fresh juices and... the best Khao Soi ever, we also got an introduction in hypnosis as a useful instrument for stress management. For most of us, it was a completely new experience to focus our mind on one thing and exclude everything else.
For total relaxation there was also a Lanna Roller Massage Workshop and stretching techniques. We also had a health quiz about topics of the human body, sports, cosmetics, food, drugs and medicine to create health awareness amongst the employees. Did you know that our body takes around 12 hours to digest food completely?
Finally our colleague Stefanie taught us how to prepare some raw food like green squash salad and a cake topped with whipped cream. We couldn't believe how delicious raw food could be and at the end all the prepared food was quickly eaten.
Now we have enough power for the next working days and good advice for a more healthy life ;) A big thank you to the organizers and instructors who made the Health Event as successful as last year.
SABAI MASSAGE by Tha Pae Gate (on McDonald\'s side) - discovered it by chance but proved to be an exceptional place.
There are several well trained staff members, so the massage is really quality and it is adjusted to your individual needs. They have male and female staff, all speaking reasonable English.
The place is a two floors building, large size saloon, exceptionally clean, with relaxing music played all the time. As the treatment finishes you have a chance to sit down with a cup of herbal tea and reflect on your experience.
Compared to many other massage places that I visited, this one stands out in many ways.
Teaching English is currently a popular method of either travelling or living and working in South East Asia, however it is not as easy a ticket into these amazing countries as it may seem. At a glance, particularly for native speakers, such a career may look like easy money, after all, if you speak English, and have been speaking it all your life, shouldn’t you be an expert in the subject? I myself fell into this same category of thinkers; however my time in a TEFL course quickly forced me to reassess this assumption.
The TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certification course is generally a month long intensive instruction in the teaching of the English language, and covers not only the grammar and idiosyncrasies of the language itself, but also past and current language teaching theory and methods and classroom management skills. This, in addition to the fact that it’s a near prerequisite for employment as an English teacher in Thailand—many employers will weigh a TEFL certificate higher than a Bachelor’s degree—makes the TEFL course a necessity for most who aim to teach ESL as a career. In a city like Chiang Mai, where a thriving influx of foreign travelers and aspiring expats determines its niche markets, the result of this has been a variety of institutions offering TEFL certification to choose from. Having attended and recently completed the course at the Language Institute of Chiang Mai University (CMU: Northern Thailand’s largest university), I find myself best equipped to describe my experience of the course as provided by them, however it is worth mentioning that equal degrees of professionalism are evidenced by the instructors of Chiang Mai’s other TEFL courses, most notable among which are the SEE TEFL and UniTEFL programs.
Entering the month long program under the assumption that it would entail a recap of English grammar and a general rundown on teaching etiquette and classroom management, I very soon found the full weight of the word ‘intensive’ come bearing down on me. The initial workload was so much more condensed than I would ever have guessed, and even the forewarning I had received had not prepared me for what would be expected. Aside from the voluminous assimilation of theory, part of the initial struggle was to not only commit what was learned to memory, but to utilize and enact it in actual English lessons, which began in the first week at sessions of 40 minutes, and which by the third week had increased to full hour long classes. Having underestimated the density of the course, I was surprised to find myself often awake and planning out my upcoming lessons into the early hours of the morning. However the diligence pays off, and there is no greater reward at this stage than leading a successful and energetic class. The trainers at the CMU TEFL program provided excellent instruction and breakdown of theory, as well as sharp but valuable critiques of and suggested for improvements for our trial lessons. This mixed approach of theory and practice is a very appropriate one, as in the real world the two necessarily come hand-in-hand and cannot be arbitrarily divorced from each other in the abstracted environment of the classroom. Thus being able to put what was learned into effect aided not only to retain it but also to gauge our own personal improvements and progression through the course.
By midway through the second week of the course, the learning curve begins to flatten out. No longer frantically scribbling notes on our peers’ performance, successes and failures during their practice lessons—as well as what successful elements to steal—or battling palpitations in the fifteen minute lead in to our lessons, we instead found ourselves working on our own upcoming lessons and much more comfortable and confident in front of our Thai students. This transformation was evidence of our empowerment via the instruction of the course, and that the theory learned armed us to succeed in our planning and teaching.
The second half of the course focused mostly on the use of listening, reading, or writing tasks in the classroom, and how to adopt these equally important features of language—the final being speaking—into the currently predominant model of communicative language studies—which emphasizes talking time in the studied language among students, and aims to limit the teacher’s own speaking role to a facilitator of learning, rather than a lecturer—and ended with preparation for seeking employment, including CV writing, tips on etiquette and presentation for employees in Thailand, and lists of schools in the city. Although there was no additional employment assistance—as is offered at some of the rival TEFL courses—the information given was nonetheless thorough and detailed, and left me feeling sufficiently prepared to seek out work in Chiang Mai.
On the whole, the CMU TEFL program is one which deserves hearty recommendation, for the clarity and diligence of its instructors, the reliability and quality of its resources and facilities—free access to multiple computers, printers, photocopiers, drinking fountains and a coffee shop as well as an air conditioned staff dining room/kitchen—and of course for its location on the beautiful CMU campus, around which there are myriad food stalls for low budget meals. Chiang Mai University is an institution which holds its merits in high esteem, and which takes great pride in its status as one of the North’s top schools. The staff at the Language Institute and the CMU TEFL course demonstrate the same degree of professionalism and personal commitment to education, and do the university proud.
Born and raised in Montreal Canada, I am a Registered Holistic Nutritionist who graduated from both Bauman College and the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition (CSNN) who moved to Thailand in 2011. I am offering one on-one nutrition consultations from her home in Chiang Mai. My focuses on the whole person and all the factors that affect your health.
Why choose holistic nutrition?
1. Bio-individualized food plans based on your taste, food tolerances, allergies, and lifestyle.
2. I serve as a supportive food coach that can help motivate and guide you toward a healthier life.
3. Learn about nutrition. Food education is essential for adopting a healthier diet.
4. Focus on what healthy foods to eat as oppose to what not to eat.
5. Consideration of your whole life including physical activity, stress levels, and sleep health in order to achieve optimal health and wellness.
If this sounds like something that is for you, book a complimentary 15 minutes phone consult for further information.
Complimentary 15-minute phone introduction: In order to assess whether holistic nutrition is right for you, I offer a free 15-minute phone conversation where we can introduce ourselves and I can answer any questions you may have.
Initial Consultation: The initial visit is approximately 1 to 1.5 hours long.
Case taking: In-depth diet and lifestyle evaluation, health history, and family health history.
We will establish short and long-term health and wellness goals including weight management
You will leave with an individualized food and lifestyle plan.
Food diary will be assigned to monitor changes, observe eating habits, and isolate potential food intolerance.
Follow-up appointment/s: The 1-hour long follow up appointment is scheduled two weeks after the initial consult, to allow enough time to adjust to the diet plan.
Other Services:
Food-shopping tours,
Fridge and pantry makeovers,
Menu plans with shopping lists and recipes.
Nutrition is essential to your overall health and wellbeing.
Increase your energy and invest in your health for the long-term.
Manage your weight and discover the joy of eating and living well.
E-mail: daniellelevynutrition@gmail.com
Phone: 090-118-9645
Address: SD Condominium, Suan Dok Road Soi 3
It’s a very exciting month for us here at S.E.A Backpacker Magazine as we see the grand opening of our brand new office in Chiang Mai! Now you can see South East Asia Backpacker Magazine in action and find out what we get up to every day of the week… are you sure you want to know?
Let’s forget the word ‘office’ for a minute, as there’ll be no suits, photocopiers and miserable secretaries here. Just like the magazine is a ‘travel diary’ for everyone, we want to open up the doors and invite everyone to join in creating a meeting place and travel hub for all backpackers in South East Asia. A place where you can share ideas, get advice for your trip and most importantly be inspired!
As well as endless copies of the magazine on offer, there’ll be travel guidebooks, trinkets from every corner of South East Asia, maps, scrapbooks of photos and tales of adventures, indie travel film nights, travel writing workshops, backpacker speed dating events (we’re only half joking)… AND we’re just getting started with the ideas!
So stop by and have a fruit shake with us, chat about your travels, share some stories and have a strum on the office guitar… we want inspiration from you just as much as you want inspiration from us. Every person who comes through the door will have their photo taken for our wall of fame.
My name is Nikki by the way (I’ll be the one sat at the back battling with writers block) and I’m quite friendly when I’m not hungover or tired or both.
Address: S.E.A Backpacker Co., Ltd, 23/1/1 Rajvithi, Soi 2, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand
Spend a day with award-winning travel and social documentary photographer, Alan McArthur.
The focus is on street life photography and portraiture, understanding your camera better, and importantly what makes a great image.
The day starts at 8 am when we meet at the Buddhist teaching temple, Wat Phra Singh, for the morning spectacle of the young novice monks gathering for assembly. Then it’s on to a local fresh produce market. Afterwards, we head to the unique forest temple of Wat Umong, and its strange cemetery of abandoned Buddha statues. 12.30 pm Lunch. There is a choice of delicious places to eat.
In the afternoon, from 1.30 the focus is on portraiture. We visit a man who trains fighting cocks, then head to Wat Pa Pao temple for a punk and lady boy photo shoot. 6pm is time for dinner, and a roundup of the day’s photography.
Alan McArthur’s images and travel blog can be seen at www.cambridgeimages.com, and on Facebook at Chiang Mai Photography (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Chiang-Mai-A-Day-of-Photography/238107059577423). Contact telephone number: 0866 646 033
JAZZAMATAZZ is a weekly radio show broadcast nationally and internationally every Sunday from the Helping Hand Studios of Radio Thailand on FM 93.25 from 19:30 to 20:15 Thai Local Time. The JAZZAMATAZZ radio host is Sydney Moss.
This radio broadcast has extended itself to the JAZZAMATAZZ Bar & Lounge located at The Playhouse Entertainment Complex off Chang Puak Road just past Mercure Hotel and TOPS Supermarket.
The venue itself is very unique in its layout which is an open-air atmosphere complete with trees, plants and grass patches too. These weekly Sunday parties start from 19:00 and have a modest 100THB cover charge that goes towards supporting the excellent live Jazz bands that begin playing at 21:00 soon as Sydney hits the venue after the radio show.
These parties are rapidly gaining a loyal following of very interesting people both Thai and Foreigners who all mix well together while they enjoy themselves till the early hours of Monday morning.
There are plenty of pictures and past radio shows with tons of information at: http://www.blackmoss.org/htm/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=21&Itemid=122
Sydney and his wife Leona own two main projects and operate both based in Chiang Mai. The first project is BlackMoss Productions and is located at www.blackmoss.org. Here they focus on discovering, promoting, supporting and producing music related contests and events for school children, the local Chiang Mai community and musicians who deserve exposure because of just how talented they are.
BlackMoss Productions has successfully produced four annual inter-school talent competitions that have become somewhat of a tradition here in Chiang Mai. They are currently working on CHIANG MAI HAS TALENT which is an initiative to showcase the talent hidden among those from within our community who might normally never have an opportunity to perform on the big stage.
BlackMoss Productions is also involved with providing and organizing live entertainment for many local public events.
Read all about these and many other projects when you visit: www.blackmoss.org
The second project is located at: www.azura-zenter.org which offers very affordable holistic self-healing workshops and seminars based on the concepts of Russian Spiritual Scientists Grigori Grabavoi and Arcady Petrov.
These simple and easy-to-use 'processes and tools' are visual by nature which makes them extremely easy to grasp and implement immediately. Learn how to re-awaken your sense of self-empowerment and take back control of your own circumstance, health, well-being and improve your overall quality of life. Visit their website for in depth details and workshop schedule.
This is Leona and Sydney's personal contribution to the community that is now 'home' and has been since 2002.
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