Today was my Saturday.

The last of the red tape has been completed.  I have my residency permit, and provided a copy of it to the police today.  I'm good until mid-January 2014.  I'm not sure why a one-year residency permit is valid for 10 months and I am not going to ask why.  Just like the time I asked about why there is no 14th floor in office buildings (for those who haven't read my earlier post:  # 4 is unlucky here), yet there's still a 4th floor, I am not going to understand the answer anyway.  And ... it's not my problem.  My employer covers all expenses related to my visa/residency permits for the remainder of my time here, no matter how many years I decide to stay.

I'm still teaching 2 days a week.  I'm not sure when that will change.  The weekend will always be the busiest time, since kids are our biggest (and littlest :)) clients.  As of April 6, I'll have 4 classes on Saturday: 3 preschool classes, and a class with elementary school-aged kids.  Each class is 90 minutes. I'll be pretty pooped in Saturday night, but it's all good.  So far, I have just 2 classes on Sunday, though I am sure that will change soon.  Even then, to have half of my work week completed in 2 days is pretty good.

I had a really good weekend.  The kids are learning more and more all the time, and are warming up to me, and I to them.  Our "crier" didn't cry this time; turns out granny had been letting him nap, and would not give him enough time to wake up before dropping him off at the lesson.  I'd probably cry too if that happened to me.  I happen to think 5 years old is too old for a nap at 1PM, but maybe granny needs the rest.

Teaching kids is so exhausting.  The more lively, silly, and goofy I am, the better they learn, pay attention, and become engaged in the activities and the material.  "Coasting" and "killing time" is not an option, nor is having a "bad day".  If they see that I'm stressed out, it affects them, and they act up.  So, I have to act happy and energetic even when I am not.  I'm so grateful for my TA.  She helps me keep them rounded up, looks after the naughty ones, and handles the kids who need extra help, not to mention grading the homework and preparing the classroom.  I plan the lessons, and teach them.  That's it; though that's enough.

I'd still rather teach snotty, sticky, germ-infested kids than have to deal with a bunch of backstabbers in suits any day of the week.

I've started another album of photos.  I'll add more eventually, but for now I've posted a few from the grocery store :)  http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10101702276616092.1073741828.28108784&type=1&l=64083a39cb