swallow

-Night students do my nut-constantly moody, tired and lacking in the slightest hint of urgency or desire to do anything. I asked them at the start of the semester if they wanted to change the time of the class as I felt that starting class at 8.30 was way past my bedtime. Alas, they said no and actually said that starting at 8.40 would be better. so why are they complaining about wanting to go home, as they were today. One student had all his friends waiting outside for him as if that would sway me into letting him go home. He moodily sat back down. Also, other students were suggesting that other teachers let their classes go home early. To be honest, their class already is the shortest of the whole week but at the end of the day, we have things to do and mid-term tests to organise and no amount of Korean style moaning and groaning is going to deflect me. If it continues, then their grades will suffer. Simple.

Stripes

Bill Shankly said that 'Football is not a matter of life and death. It's more important than that'. It seems that these words have been taken alittle too literally recently by certain 'supporters'.

The Italians. Passionate, cool, well dressed but take them to a football stadium and they turn into crazed hooligans. It's quite a transformation. A couple of weeks ago, Scotland played in Milan. It was reported that sets of Italian fans were actually fighting amoungst themselves during the match -isn't it meant to be against a rival set of supoorters?-And then there was the shocking events of the Milan derby... A.C. cruising through to the next round of the Champions League. Inter getting a goal disallowed. Cue missiles and flares. One of which hit the A.C. goalkeeper. The referee took the players off early. The match was then abandoned because of it. Earlier in the season Roma played a couple of games behind closed doors because on of their fans threw a lighter at a referee causing him to need stitches. Volatile springs to mind.

Scotland is largely free of such fighting however the menance of sectarianism is as evident as ever. Generally, it is the realm of Celtic and Rangers. However, during a recent 1 minute silence in memory of the Pope, a section of Hearts fans booed it down resulting in the minute being cut very short. This, infront of a nationwide tv. audience. Not clever. Perhaps the S.F.A. should be criticised for requesting the silence given that religion and football should not be mixed but then are we Scots not big enough to be quiet for a minute regardless of the reason. If you don't agree with it, then fine but booing is not the way to make your feeling known. It's childish. Certainly, it has tarnished the name of the majority of Hearts fans.

However, such sectarianism is a product of the times we live in. It seems that football gives these people the 'acceptable' platform from which to vent their feelings. It's sad. And really, what does a persons religion have to do with footballing matters. Or, as a society as whole, what does religion have to do with anything. Does it make the person next to you a 'bad' person because he doesn't believe or attends the Church of Scotland. Does it b__..._______ks. He or she is the same as you. With the same struggles. The same hopes and fears. The sooner people realise this the better. I read in a book recently...when you are born, you need peope around you. When you are elderly, you need people around. But, heres the secret. You need people around you inbetween times as well. Whats the point in denouncing people because they aren't the 'same' as you.

soar

usually...Cheonan is big enough.

It's big enough to have everything you need without travelling a vast distance to get to wherever you need to get to. Plus, it's big enough that if you don't want to 'bump' into certain individuals, you don't have and if you do it is generally a bit of a fluke. Take, for example my Boss. I see him at University and I rarely see him out of University which is fine. Also, ex-girlfriends or people you don't especially like. It's easy to not see them. However, ex-girlfriends mothers are a different matter. I was sitting in restaurant today, juast chatting and eating - as you do - when I hear a 'Pol' ... I look up to see my old girlfriends mother at the next table. She's a nice lady, no question about it but it's moments like this that you wish that the floor would open up and you could quietly slip away into another dimension.

In normal circumstances, you would have some degree of small talk...but clearly, my Korean isn't quite ready for 'small' talk and her English hasn't quite passed the 'hello' stage. 'Awkward' would be the best way to describe the situation...We just end up smiling at each other for an uncomfortably long time before the waiter interrupts. I could have secretly kissed him at that moment!______and then my old girlfriend then, by complete coincidence calls her mother on the phone. The phone then gets passed to me blahblahblah. time for a sharp exit.

moon

It appears that we are to have a General Election on May 5th. Thankfully, I won't be there to witness the Party Political Broadcasts and the media manipulation employed by the major Parties.

I suspect that this Election will be much closer than the previous 2. I still think that old Tony will get back in but with a much reduced majority. That is probably a consequences of the fact that there really isn't a credable alternative at present. Michael Howard. I think not. Charles Kennedy. Perhaps but the Lib's are unlikely to gain power. It has been suggested that they would be pleased with becoming the largest opposition party.

Also, I wonder how much protest voting will go on. Certainly, Tony made a major cock-up by joining the U.S. in Iraq against the wishes of the general public. That and the complete whitewashes that were the 'Official Inquiries' into both the Intelligence reports prior to the War itself and of course the 'alleged' Sexing up of these reports. Both, in my mind were reason enough for Tony to have been kicked out. However, he is still there, fighting his corner. If he does prevail on May 5th...then it would exactly be a disaster. Not ideal but when have 'ideals' and 'politics' ever worked in tandem?

ohyeAH...And a late 'HAPPY BIRTHDAY' to my Dad...how old is that now?!? ___losing count!

40 ft

Word of the week: 'Test'

Because I need to make them. Not easy. Getting there.

Phrase of the week: 'I download adult movies'

That's not an admission but a phrase uttered by one of my Intermediate Level students in class. We had been talking about the Internet and what benefits it brings ... he then blirts this out. I didn't know where to put my eyes. Instead, we swiftly moved on.

Sight of the week: 'Pain'

Not really a sight as such, more of a really dull, constant thud which lasted almost all of today. That's what I get for drinking. At my age, I should know better. It's not big and it's not clever. Neither is having no real recollection of getting home.

Song of the week: 'Jacqueline' by Franz Ferdinand

A right rollicking little song that sets the tone for a mighty debut record. And for the 'it's always better on holiday'. It is and it's where I want to be...

lift

busybusybusy____itsthattime oftheyearagain.

Test time. not quite but in 2 weeks time. 2 weeks seems like a long way off and i guess it is but when you need to be telling all your classes about the test next week, it makes you alittle nervous. Idon't really have a big probelm actually making the tests up because it's 'just' a case of selecting parts of spoken excerises that we have previously completed in class. However, it seems like all my time has been taken up with all the organisational stuff that comes with it. Things like test times, making prompts cards, 'admin'. All of which needs to be completed now so that when I get to tell the students, they have a clear idea of what the test is, who their partner is and when it is. Essentially, you need to cover every base so that the next 2 weeks run as smoothly as possible which is mighty important given the numbers of student that are needing to be objectively and accurately tested. Actually, I think that the week before the test is more important than the testing week itself, hence the acute sense of panic i'm going through at the moment.

Anywayanywayanyway.looking for a day when i can just do nothing. sleep late.eat.drinkandnot thinkabout teaching.

Leaves

Never mix blogs and religion. Sound advice. However, I will but only alittle. John Paul II had his funeral. A massive event in which billions were witnesses to it along with leaders of some 200 nations. I should be honest and admit that I have no real feeling about it. Of course, the passing of anybody is a tradegy in itself but one which will come to all of us whether we like it or not. As the leader of the Church, he was given a funeral to reflect his status. All pomp and ceremony. I wonder if history will be kind to him. I suspect it might. However, I read an article that suggests that he made some errors in his time but show me some who has never made an error and I will show you a liar.andthats allfor religion. not my specialist subject.