Quick Post Before Sleep oh just kidding, I forgot I took a nap.
Hrmm, Lucite Tokki's quite nice! I did like their live performance vids. :D
My god though, MY GAWD. I'm so effing exhausted, it's not even funny. It didn't help that Sam sorta pissed me off after Saturday night (something stupid, so it's not *that* bad), but it's when you've had such a long day screaming at children English questions with your own classes and last minute run downs with little kid classes a body can take... only to have the one person you care about piss you off by accident set the rest of the night off in shambles? Blaaaaagh, yeah, I'm that easy to crumble, and it totally blows. I have to keep moving forward to get through the long weekends, but off the clock, when I just want to chill the hell out, if something pisses me off, THE NIGHT IS RUINED AAAAAAAAAGH MISERY AT ITS FINEST
... yes, I know I need to fix this part of myself. Actually, it's gotten better, but our jobs lately have been stressing us out so I noticed that we're really too tired or have almost no real time to spend together.
I don't know how my job thinks I'm fine like this. I know they're not mind-readers, and they do this to their other employees, but how in the frick do they keep afloat while neglecting that employees are human and need a *real* break from work? Several hours in the morning and afternoon don't count because first world problems! OR something. One of my co-workers (bless her to pieces because I can talk to her comfortably, so I think we're pretty legit friends) admitted to dealing with uptight, overbearing mothers yelling in her face about their children not learning a damned thing. The parents usually put blame of their children's stupidity on the teachers, of all people. O_O She's trying her best after the previous teacher's on maternity leave, but to deal with that nonsense often, man, I dunno how she does it. I know this is just from one person's perspective, but I've already seen several children that just sit there like lumps or just act out and roll on the ground for shits and giggles. Parents have been told of such children's feats, but they end up scratching their heads going, "I... don't even know anymore... Any ideas?" Or they just take the teacher's suggestions on keeping their kids in line, but just falls on dead ears and they don't do squat. Holy Hamburgers on Christmas, I'm at a loss of words, except get yo shit together and parent them kids!
Same teacher I mentioned also announced she'll leave in June, which made me a bit sad because she seems like a cool person. Yet she explained how this job leaves little time to do things she wants, like go on a trip or preparations for her marriage with her fiance this October. And this is insanely true; unless you're attending a close friend's wedding or bed-ridden sick, you *must* go to work. I fear for some of my co-worker's health sometimes because in a few situations, a teacher or 2 would fall ill with even a fever and still must continue work. Even if they went to the clinic for IVs, they still come to work afterwards! Drives me insane just watching that.
Of course, this is my American side shrieking this, but I know I honestly don't have a place in this sort of setting. I wasn't born and raised here, so I don't really have much say in the matter. I do know that the children I've worked with, most of them are too cute and clever to deal with this much craziness and stress over education. Yes, education is everything here, but I've heard on several occasions that it's more rote and focuses on passing exams rather than useful hands-on skills in the future, so you kind of wonder about other country's views and educational systems. I do prefer a bit more strictness and appreciation of the value of education they have and I'll take it back: uniforms are so much cheaper and you don't have to think much on what to wear. xD I also like how the students are kept busy with school subjects than being "bored" enough to be curious about dating and "love" and worrying about what others think about their appearance. However, the other day my co-workers and I did see a 14 yr old with her boyfriend, so they're catching up. o_O;
It's still a small margin compared to back home.
I'm so looking forward to a trip to Dalian, Guangzhou, and maaaaybe Hong Kong or Shanghai if we can help it. Of course I think I have to get a visa for Hong Kong, so blegh. I also received a future invite from a student to visit Mongolia and OOOOOOH!! Sounds awesome! But I heard from a few sources that there's a lot more countryside, but the people are super nice.
I may make friends with my students, but in my case, I'll take it! XD This is one of the things about my job I love, that I can make friends of all ages, because why not?! I know some people consider friendship outside of the workplace, and some people become friends to practice English, but it doesn't have to end there, y'know? I know for some Westerners it can be a total deal-breaker in friendships and let their "so-called" friendship die (I saw it once and it was a huge pity because the student was a cute and tall high school grad... another story later), but I would want to keep it going, y'know? Especially if you know that person is overall kind-hearted. You can talk about common interests and learn about each other in the process, which I always thought was cool. Even the little kids as young as 5 year olds try to talk and play with me despite the language barrier, so this kind of interaction and fun I have with my students is the true fuel that keeps me going through the days. I may be tired and have crappy days at times, but the students help me through more than they know.
I also saw recent pictures of my youngest nieces and nephews! :D I'm so glad that my aunts update with pictures of their trip; they do this more than my own family! >_< I've asked several times on e-mail to family members to send me pictures, but only 1 person does it and it's once in a while, which is okay. I dunno, maybe I expect too much sometimes. I know most of them have family responsibilities, but some are still free so HEY!! GIMME
Well okay, I just wanted to see my youngest niece's new hair cut and it was too cute. xD A shoulder-length bob without bangs, I think. And she looks cool at a young age! That's how great my niece is. 8D
P-Clay news: Just when I thought I was getting bored with penguins and Cthulus, ZASHIKIBUTA (a pig character from Sanrio) blew in and I made a butt load of piggies this part 1+ week! They're ever cuter than the penguins. I didn't think it was possible, but made nearly 30. See, when I like something enough, it gets a liiiitle out of hand. By my standards, of course. xD I also took a stab at making people dolls, but ugh it's too hard. I need more time and practice. I can see why people stick to cute things; they're waaaaaaaaaay too easy, like in drawing. At least with mine, I have certain details like making a few pigs smaller than my fingernail. XD So that was insane detail attention. I also made a subway train (it broke twice, crap), 2 white dogs (one fell apart! ;_; ), a panda with a pineapple, a fat horse (yay!), and a purple hippo (yay again!). I was also asked "Why don't you do new stuff instead of food and pigs and penguins?!" .... uhh, because I like these in particular?! X( I do what I want!... until I find something else awesome! 8D
THough I almost didn't make clay stuff on Saturday due to my crummy mood, but caved in and shelled out 2 Tuxedo sams in purple and orange. xD
C'mon March, finish already. I know you brought Spring on time for once this year, thank god for that, but you know why I want this finished. lol. Go go go.
Okay already. I'm done for the night/morning. Better crash.
My god though, MY GAWD. I'm so effing exhausted, it's not even funny. It didn't help that Sam sorta pissed me off after Saturday night (something stupid, so it's not *that* bad), but it's when you've had such a long day screaming at children English questions with your own classes and last minute run downs with little kid classes a body can take... only to have the one person you care about piss you off by accident set the rest of the night off in shambles? Blaaaaagh, yeah, I'm that easy to crumble, and it totally blows. I have to keep moving forward to get through the long weekends, but off the clock, when I just want to chill the hell out, if something pisses me off, THE NIGHT IS RUINED AAAAAAAAAGH MISERY AT ITS FINEST
... yes, I know I need to fix this part of myself. Actually, it's gotten better, but our jobs lately have been stressing us out so I noticed that we're really too tired or have almost no real time to spend together.
I don't know how my job thinks I'm fine like this. I know they're not mind-readers, and they do this to their other employees, but how in the frick do they keep afloat while neglecting that employees are human and need a *real* break from work? Several hours in the morning and afternoon don't count because first world problems! OR something. One of my co-workers (bless her to pieces because I can talk to her comfortably, so I think we're pretty legit friends) admitted to dealing with uptight, overbearing mothers yelling in her face about their children not learning a damned thing. The parents usually put blame of their children's stupidity on the teachers, of all people. O_O She's trying her best after the previous teacher's on maternity leave, but to deal with that nonsense often, man, I dunno how she does it. I know this is just from one person's perspective, but I've already seen several children that just sit there like lumps or just act out and roll on the ground for shits and giggles. Parents have been told of such children's feats, but they end up scratching their heads going, "I... don't even know anymore... Any ideas?" Or they just take the teacher's suggestions on keeping their kids in line, but just falls on dead ears and they don't do squat. Holy Hamburgers on Christmas, I'm at a loss of words, except get yo shit together and parent them kids!
Same teacher I mentioned also announced she'll leave in June, which made me a bit sad because she seems like a cool person. Yet she explained how this job leaves little time to do things she wants, like go on a trip or preparations for her marriage with her fiance this October. And this is insanely true; unless you're attending a close friend's wedding or bed-ridden sick, you *must* go to work. I fear for some of my co-worker's health sometimes because in a few situations, a teacher or 2 would fall ill with even a fever and still must continue work. Even if they went to the clinic for IVs, they still come to work afterwards! Drives me insane just watching that.
Of course, this is my American side shrieking this, but I know I honestly don't have a place in this sort of setting. I wasn't born and raised here, so I don't really have much say in the matter. I do know that the children I've worked with, most of them are too cute and clever to deal with this much craziness and stress over education. Yes, education is everything here, but I've heard on several occasions that it's more rote and focuses on passing exams rather than useful hands-on skills in the future, so you kind of wonder about other country's views and educational systems. I do prefer a bit more strictness and appreciation of the value of education they have and I'll take it back: uniforms are so much cheaper and you don't have to think much on what to wear. xD I also like how the students are kept busy with school subjects than being "bored" enough to be curious about dating and "love" and worrying about what others think about their appearance. However, the other day my co-workers and I did see a 14 yr old with her boyfriend, so they're catching up. o_O;
It's still a small margin compared to back home.
I'm so looking forward to a trip to Dalian, Guangzhou, and maaaaybe Hong Kong or Shanghai if we can help it. Of course I think I have to get a visa for Hong Kong, so blegh. I also received a future invite from a student to visit Mongolia and OOOOOOH!! Sounds awesome! But I heard from a few sources that there's a lot more countryside, but the people are super nice.
I may make friends with my students, but in my case, I'll take it! XD This is one of the things about my job I love, that I can make friends of all ages, because why not?! I know some people consider friendship outside of the workplace, and some people become friends to practice English, but it doesn't have to end there, y'know? I know for some Westerners it can be a total deal-breaker in friendships and let their "so-called" friendship die (I saw it once and it was a huge pity because the student was a cute and tall high school grad... another story later), but I would want to keep it going, y'know? Especially if you know that person is overall kind-hearted. You can talk about common interests and learn about each other in the process, which I always thought was cool. Even the little kids as young as 5 year olds try to talk and play with me despite the language barrier, so this kind of interaction and fun I have with my students is the true fuel that keeps me going through the days. I may be tired and have crappy days at times, but the students help me through more than they know.
I also saw recent pictures of my youngest nieces and nephews! :D I'm so glad that my aunts update with pictures of their trip; they do this more than my own family! >_< I've asked several times on e-mail to family members to send me pictures, but only 1 person does it and it's once in a while, which is okay. I dunno, maybe I expect too much sometimes. I know most of them have family responsibilities, but some are still free so HEY!! GIMME
Well okay, I just wanted to see my youngest niece's new hair cut and it was too cute. xD A shoulder-length bob without bangs, I think. And she looks cool at a young age! That's how great my niece is. 8D
P-Clay news: Just when I thought I was getting bored with penguins and Cthulus, ZASHIKIBUTA (a pig character from Sanrio) blew in and I made a butt load of piggies this part 1+ week! They're ever cuter than the penguins. I didn't think it was possible, but made nearly 30. See, when I like something enough, it gets a liiiitle out of hand. By my standards, of course. xD I also took a stab at making people dolls, but ugh it's too hard. I need more time and practice. I can see why people stick to cute things; they're waaaaaaaaaay too easy, like in drawing. At least with mine, I have certain details like making a few pigs smaller than my fingernail. XD So that was insane detail attention. I also made a subway train (it broke twice, crap), 2 white dogs (one fell apart! ;_; ), a panda with a pineapple, a fat horse (yay!), and a purple hippo (yay again!). I was also asked "Why don't you do new stuff instead of food and pigs and penguins?!" .... uhh, because I like these in particular?! X( I do what I want!... until I find something else awesome! 8D
THough I almost didn't make clay stuff on Saturday due to my crummy mood, but caved in and shelled out 2 Tuxedo sams in purple and orange. xD
C'mon March, finish already. I know you brought Spring on time for once this year, thank god for that, but you know why I want this finished. lol. Go go go.
Okay already. I'm done for the night/morning. Better crash.