Calling the Muses, # 5

 

17JUL25  Hwagok-dong, Gangseo-gu, Seoul-si.  6:33 a.m. (Thursday)

If it weren't for the fact that Fridays are Fridays, Thursdays would be my favorite day of the week at this school.   I get 2 thirty minute prep periods instead of just 1, and I have a whole hour after the regular day ends.   We're at the end of the month, so there is naturally a lot of grading to do.  Plus, the September schedule is due at the end of the first week of August.  PLUS, I'm in charge of the Song Festival.  We're down to 4 days to practice because NEXT WEDNESDAY is the Song Festival.   I also have to memorize my 'host' speech to be given in  between each performance.

I have a LOT to do for school PLUS two of my students are moving to America after the Summer Break, so I have to work on their paintings. Last year, I personally painted each of my  students one of my child-like bird paintings and I want to be able to give one to Chloe and Joshua before they leave, also.  So, as you can prolly read, the next week will be full of stuff to do.  

I also just found out that I'll probably have to teach writing to my two oldest classes next semester, instead of singing.  Especially considering that one of those abovementioned classes is SUNFLOWER, I'm feeling a bit intimidated.  There are 14 kids and each lesson has to be done in 30 minutes.  SIGH. I basically have to turn into a drill sergeant with this class.  But...I LOVE the kids. I just REALLY don't like the way that the 'powers-that-be' think that all this can be done in the time allotted.  It is REALLY too much.  AND knowing which person in my chain of command is choosing the books that I'll be teaching from....I don't have a lot of faith that a book will be chosen that will be reasonably done in the class time.   

Thankfully, I WILL have 9 whole days off of work beginning on the 26th, but it won't be entirely restful.  On the 30th, I have one of those doctor's appointments where they check EVERYTHING.  I'll have some heart tests, a colonoscopy, my normal diabetic check-up, and one or two other things.  SIGH.  Then on Friday, the 1st, I'll have a dental appointment.  That one isn't so bad cos I scheduled it at 11 a.m. and then afterwards, I can go straight to Taco Amigo and have my normal birthday lunch. After that, I'l take a very long subway ride ( 2 hours and 30 minutes (Seoul Metro is huge!!!) Guess I'll have to study my languages!) to the island where Incheon Airport is and stay at a hotel about 350 feet from the beach.  I'm really excited.  

Anyway, that is enough for today.  I love y'all!!