Goddamn...sometimes I hate these fucking kids...

the header sums it up...

i definitely won't make the 2nd year in this hell...

if ain't one thing, it's another...

• never getting paid on time any more
• manager never answers texts directly...a week later when i see him he will say he saw it but never an actual timely response...
• yr 4 teachers who do nothing to keep any kind of discipline when i'm trying to teach...they just do their thing or sit there or leave...
• too much douche minutiae in terms of paperwork for teaching Korean 4-7 years old...TONE IT DOWN !!!
• bring back field trips...i'm tired of staying in every Friday with either a lame zoo day or hiking day or whatever...you people should of done a better job of minding the pocket book way back when...

Not a surprise but still packs a punch...

I just found out I'm not getting renewed...

maybe it's for the best, but I just started feeling right and getting "comfortable"...


I hate starting over...

its been a roller coaster of a few weeks...

my mom is going to eventually lose her house...

i found out my contract may not get renewed after all...

new schedule at work so i have to be there 2 hrs earlier...

but on the good end...explored bucheon and area around gangam this weekend. saw "frankie go boom" at a film festival and going back to the fest next weekend...

Being Sick Sucks...

I just got over a cold or something. It involved the worst sore throat I've had in ages. I've also become grossed out by my own snot...I again declare myself old...

I went out with work friends on Children's Day (May 5) here in Korea. We went to this large park. We had some food and beer. My boss is a beer hound. That in itself is not a big deal in Korea. I, on the other hand, don't drink near enough to keep up with anyone in Korea. But this isn't important...

The park was at the tomb of some famous prince of some sort who had been double crossed or something and was buried there. Being it was Saturday and Children's Day, the place was packed. But the park was pretty big so we found a place to plop down. It was cool. I was fine initially, but the wind picked up and made it cold. I was to cool for school and never put on my jacket even thought I brought one...This is what I suspect cause the cold... 

The cold wasn't bad. The sore throat and the cough was the rough part. I couldn't sleep with either some nights. I've been in Korea 7 months and have been sick 3 times already. It's either the kids, the pollution, me not cleaning my apartment enough, or all the above...

I really miss NyQuil...

I also broke down and bought a new printer. I had budgeted 50000 won for it but found on on sale for 35000 won at Emart. I would of preferred the more expensive one but whatever...When I was there I forgot to buy paper so I went back on Sunday to get some. To my amusement, Emart was closed. They have this new law in  South Korea that forces the larger stores to close 2 Sundays a month to promote smaller businesses and yesterday was one of those Sundays...Me, I just wanted printer paper and swiffers...

Things to come...Seoul Racetrack adventure and maybe The Lotus Lantern Festival

So Friday was my birthday...(May 4th)

I'm at a point where my birthday is no longer an event. I've had 41 of them and in recent years it has devolved into getting another 12 pack of socks, underwear or both (these are gifts I actually want...) and previously going out to dinner with my mom. In very recent years we don't even go out as neither my mom or myself want the hassle of getting dressed up after a long day...

But that being said...Thank you to everyone on the birthday wishes...and...

They gave me a surprise party at work. Best part, it was organized by some students and not the other teachers..

I sort of knew a party  was going to happen as clues were popping up during the week, but I thought it would be something like out of Office Space when Lumberg had his birthday.

The kids decorated a classroom with a handmade banner using sheets of paper, there were a ton of balloons, pizza, an awesome cake, a card that a bunch of students signed and even gifts...

Best best part, some students even came back for the party even after they were done for the day...They all usually get up way too early. Then have school until 230 or 3pm. The come to the after school school and then if they are lucky might be home before 7pm...The older kids are here even later and then it's home for dinner, homework and bed....So for some to come back to school was a real big deal in my eyes...

and after all that my boss took me and another teacher out for beers and food...

there some pictures, I'll post them at some point...

"high" points of my day:

(1) a middle school student mimicked farting into her hand and then threw the "mimicked" fart into my face....I wasn't completely mad...It was completely rude, but still sort of funny...

(2) a college-aged student asked my age, I told him. He then asked if I knew I had white hairs popping up. I said I was aware of the present situation with my hair. He then suggested that I dye it. He then followed up with that he thought I was "tired". I don't think he meant in a "it's been a long day" sort of way...

this was such a good idea...