August is the time for leaving.

Hello internet, how have you been?

Not too much to talk about today, but I will give a small update about the small goingsons around here.

Me and Cynthia

August seems to be the time for contracts to finish, as we said our goodbye's to our coworker and dear friend Cynthia (from California) a week and a half ago, and a new teacher, Rhonda (from Minnesota) is here now. She seems like a good gal, and I'm sure we'll hit it off. It's kind of rough that she started in the middle of intensive, but once it's over she'll feel a lot freer from school. 

Speaking of intensive, we have two more days. Monday and Tuesday our children still come in the morning, but wednesday its all over. It's going to be a good week this week, because by the time wednesday rolls by the bulk of my week will be over. Also, kids are all taking placement tests last week and this coming week, and starting in september we get totally different schedules with all different kids. Since I've been around for a while, I've already taught 90% of the kids, but the change of pace is really nice. 

I wish I could put up some more recent pictures but it's been a long time since I've taken that camera out. When I get my new classes I might bribe them to let me take class photos. ;D

Orla holding up some poo personified

Other than Cynthia, last night we went out in the city to say goodbye to our friend Orla, who taught at our school last year, and came back to a different school this year. She will be missed, and she's really sad about leaving, but it's hard to feel bad for her as she's going to study in Amsterdam for a year.  She's going to have a blast, and I wish I could figure out a way to visit her. 

Speaking of visiting Europe, me and Brendan were talking tentatively about taking a month sometime and doing Europe proper... Italy to France to Germany..etc etc etc, you can get month-long passes for the trains, and it would be a great (if a bit expensive) experience. Though I'm not sure when we would do it, as I definitely need some time home after this contract. I miss trees. 

It was getting irritating not being able to be gotten hold of (great sentence English teacher) so I bought a new phone yesterday. So.. if anyone would like it, and wants to see if it is possible to reach me, (and cares to brave international calling rates, I will write down here what I think is the proper thing to dial to get to me: 011-82-10-2698-2632. My actual phone number (ie the one people use to call me here) is 010-2698-2632, but I'm told you drop the first 0 when calling internationally. Anyway, might be fun if y'all get bored. 

We got paid friday and I went on a small shopping spree. Including the phone I got some really nice (and a touch expensive) headphones for my ipod, and a small stereo for the apartment. Me and Heather split up a while back, and a couple weeks ago I moved back in with Brendan and korean Jeff. It's a lot better a situation for everyone, I think, but the boys apartment is a lot less....well kept... than the girls. Today I'm going out and buying a slew of products and useful items for this house, and then I'm going to keep the rest of my money safely hidden (from me).

And that's it, I'm going to give me ma a call now as it seems about several years since I've talked to her, hopefully shes home. 

Bye for now, 

j