It's week two and 336pm on a Tuesday afternoon. I keep forgetting that I leave my job at 430, and not 330. seven minutes ago I was all geared up to go, read with my bag when i remembered... And here is why; and not that I should be complaining; because well, I'm bored. I just spent an hour watching gossip girl on surfthechannel, and this morning I watched the presidential Live debate via myspace forum. The thing is that At Kids' College, they worked us waygooks ragged. Arriving at 10am and starting work, a 10 min break every 40 or so mins, and an hour break for Lunch. even those breaks were really just time to get your papers, grading, reports, filing and organizing done. this would leave just a few seconds if any for a zone-out mo' or a few puffs on a cigarette if you smoke 'em. sometimes I'd wish I smoked, just to have an excuse to have a real break. I remember toward the end of my last contract being so tired and so busy, that I wouldn't even sit down between classes. I got to the point where I just used my class time to slow down and break.
Public school is shaping up to be much different. I still have to be here for my designated 40 hours, but only 22 of that is teaching hours--if even that, as each 'hour' is actually a 40 min class session. all the classes are in the mornings, and to round out my hours I have special classes i will be teaching, but they haven't started yet. So in The morning right now, I am watching the same lesson over and over again. "Is this your pencil case?"
"Yes, it looks expensive"
"What color is it?"
"Mine is green"
I'm excited to actually start so I'll have something to do, make the time pass faster, rather than just sitting here and watching.

This year has seen also a change in my living style. As I am the only foreign teacher here at my school, I don't go out afterwards on a regular basis. I don't see my peers every day. In fact, I rarely see them. Last year I would crave some alone time, always seeming to find a reason to go out after work. whereas this year, I am unfamiliar with the language and culture of the teachers with whom I work, and the other foreigners are hidden away and their designated locations. I can see, that this year I will find it more necessary for me to seek out social arenas in which I can employ adult, native conversation, to relax and let go.

Last night Laura came over to my new cozy apartment. I cooked dinner and we sat and talked over raviolis and Columbia valley Pinot noir. I couldn't have asked for a better evening. I miss home. I miss the familiarity of it sometimes and I miss the mountains and the awesome cold damp rains of the fall, but I am content where I am. sometimes I am lonely, and right now I am definitely so bored, but -and this is especially after viewing the debate today in which the two candidates pretty much slammed each other and talked about an economic crisis- where can a girl like me find a better job in a time like this? And honestly, the jobs they're willing to offer me make me feel a little sad and depressed at my position, and have me--as I am here and looking at the present on into my personal and professional future--considering my priorities, needs and desires for myself.
I'm taking a TEFL course specifically designed for teaching young kids--and getting my school to pay for it, as it is geared to make me an even more (if that's even possible) desirable asset to their institution.
I have no clever way of ending this, I'm just done.
This has been a brief insight into the momentarily dulled-out streaming thought bubble of an american ex-pat, once again, making necessary adjustment and just trying to figure out, how i want to fit into this world; and how I want to stick out.
Peace out, yall.