Children

When are children ever a good idea? Or not annoying? Or not worrying?

From pregnancy you are automatically limited. Some may call the small growth a handbrake. You can't eat this, you can't drink that, you shouldn't do this and you definitely shouldn't be acting like that. What a downer.

From it's birth up until at least 12 months, I'm presently pretty determined to not touch the small bundle of wrinkles and pinkness. I shake way to much and the possibility of me dropping the baby is therefore higher than anyone else. So not only am I horribly scared of dropping the baby, I'm sure we all acquainted with the saying "Never shake a baby". Unfair! I'm already at a disadvantage.

And from the word go, to at least the age of 3, it appears (to the untrained eye) that they just cry at whim. And it's so noisy. And they don't just.. be quiet.

Then they learn to walk and run. And they just go and 'do stuff'. They run under tables, they hid under things, they go this way and that way, they go places that they aren't meant to go to. Like out of the parents reach, beyond their ability to quickly reel them back into restraint. And they do all of this while being noisy and loud.

If I have kids they will be super quiet. Silent even.

And then they reach about the age of 7 and they start to grow. And they grow ugly. And they start to develop attitudes, and realise whether they are cool or whether they need to be friends with the cool ones. The mean streak develops.

Then they hit puberty. God, they are so boring during puberty. And lame. And moody. And giggly. And angry. And lazy. And unproductive. And still unattractive. And yeah, boring.

Then they come out of puberty, hit a good age. One would be naive enough to suggest that they may have developed somewhat of a decent personality. But, as a parent still apt enough to cause further inconveniences.

I'm all for piercings and tattoos, indulging, drinking, travelling, holidays and fun times. But I still think I'm rather conservative. God forbid having kids that are way out there.

And all of what I've just said is without even mentioning the trouble that friends and boyfriends or girlfriends can add to the situation.

I think teaching is turning me into a cynic.

The dream is over

Sunday night and work tomorrow. Kiri Teacher will be returning. And I'm so god damn nervous it's horrible.

In my month holiday I have completely forgotten, and lost, the headspace of teaching. I'm hoping 'cool' and 'fun' Kiri Teacher will return quickly this week.

Unfortunately I'm not working the afternoon hours I thought I was for the first month, instead doing 9.30am till 1.30pm. So I don't even have tomorrow morning to 'psyhc up' for the teaching. It's just wake up, get there and straight into it.

The kids will like me though. I bought lots of lollies (candy) on the way back from dinner tonight. I will bribe them. Oh, they will like me. Even if they do end up fat.

Being back is all a little surreal to be honest. Feels strangely normal, but somewhat out of place at the same time. It is awesome to see everyone though, and it has been fun catching up with everyone and with all of their news.

It is somewhat great to be back. There are some great things about Seoul that I forgot. Namely how cheap this place is. Been out for dinner each night I've been back and I seriously forgot just how cheap it can be. And how good the food is.

Would love to say that I've been out drinking and partying, but no, not really. First night back I caught up with Ali and Browna, had some drinks and visited the Anyang local, Psycho, but that's been the extent of it. It appears my tummy is up to its usual Seoul tricks and rejecting most things. I'm just hoping it isn't going to be the same ordeal as last year when I got here. Anyhows...

First day back at work tomorrow. Nothing seems to scream "HOLIDAYS OVER" more than the prospect of work. Mind you I washed my hair for the first time in 2 weeks... that kind of gave me a small indication I had to get more serious about things.

Yeah, my hair's clean, my fringe is back... my holiday's over.