I had a really difficult time focusing on work today. To start with, in the morning I was feeling so exhausted that I ended up taking a long nap, so I got a late start on my work. Since I am rarely able to sleep during the day, my body must have needed it; probably a delayed reaction to the heavy workload last weekend. It's worth a late start if it keeps me from getting sick again.
Got the lesson plans and talked about the upcoming promos with our head teacher, that helped relieve some of the anxiety I was having about them. Came back to my apartment, and started some rice and dumplings steaming, as I hadn't felt like eating in the morning. I also threw my sneakers in the washing machine.
Now, think back to my earlier entries... remember that sewage smell? I had put bowls over all the drains to try to keep the smell out. Well, today the inevitable finally happened... I forgot to take the cover off the washing machine drain and stick the tube in it this time. The spin cycle went on when I was in the kitchen, so by the time I returned to the bedroom, the washroom and part of the bedroom were flooded.
I quickly shut off the machine, uncovered the drain, and grabbed the mop to start scooting water down the drain as fast as I could. I hope that I got it quickly enough that it didn't ruin the ceiling for whoever lives downstairs. Ended up having to move the bed to get all the water up. More excitement than I wanted today.
After all that, finally ate my lunch and settled down to get some work done on my lesson plans. I think I got enough done that I will still be able to stay on track for the weekend despite all the extra classes. It looks like the promo classes will taper off gradually in the next 3 weeks, so the change in workload is not permanent. Please wish me luck!
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Monday, April 5, 2010
work work work
Survived the extra long weekend.
Yesterday after classes I went shopping with a colleague, and we found a movie theater playing Alice in Wonderland in 3D, so we went to see that. The movie was great, and the 3D was interesting. My eyes got really tired, though, and the fast moving sequences were blurry, so I don't think I will ever be a great fan of 3D.
Had a nice afternoon, then came home to an email that adds ten 30-minute promotional classes to my schedule this week. Have been feeling extremely anxious since finding this out, as I don't have materials for some of the promo classes I'm scheduled to teach. It also means NO full day off this week, as I will need to make lesson plans all day today because I'll be teaching on the days I usually do them. One thing I've discovered about myself here is that I do not handle sudden change well; something to think about when looking for the next position.
I still have a lingering cough, but am feeling physically quite a bit better. Still taking the herbal stuff to loosen the cough.
It may be a while before I can write again.
Yesterday after classes I went shopping with a colleague, and we found a movie theater playing Alice in Wonderland in 3D, so we went to see that. The movie was great, and the 3D was interesting. My eyes got really tired, though, and the fast moving sequences were blurry, so I don't think I will ever be a great fan of 3D.
Had a nice afternoon, then came home to an email that adds ten 30-minute promotional classes to my schedule this week. Have been feeling extremely anxious since finding this out, as I don't have materials for some of the promo classes I'm scheduled to teach. It also means NO full day off this week, as I will need to make lesson plans all day today because I'll be teaching on the days I usually do them. One thing I've discovered about myself here is that I do not handle sudden change well; something to think about when looking for the next position.
I still have a lingering cough, but am feeling physically quite a bit better. Still taking the herbal stuff to loosen the cough.
It may be a while before I can write again.
Friday, April 2, 2010
Friday night
Still recovering from the bronchitis. Taught on Wednesday and Thursday evenings without much difficulty, but that's just one hour per day. I hope I've rested enough to survive the next 3 days, as this weekend will be even more intense than usual, with the addition of the school Easter party and working on Monday. 9 hours on Saturday, 8 hours on Sunday, and 3 hours on Monday. Then I'll come home and sleep until Tuesday night...
I pulled a muscle in my back yesterday, and now it wants to spasm. Can't find anything resembling an ice pack here; frozen goods are not packaged the same as they are at home. The pharmacy sells these sort of giant sticky bandages infused with Tiger Balm, it helps a bit and gee, I sure smell interesting.
I got all my lessons done by 7pm tonight, I'm getting them done a bit earlier each week, which feels really good.
Spring is coming here. The trees have the buds of leaves and flowers on them. I am hoping that when things leaf out, Jinan will be much more beautiful. As a Californian, arriving here at the end of winter probably gave me the worst possible impression, with all the trees looking dead. Will have to look for some houseplants one of these days.
I pulled a muscle in my back yesterday, and now it wants to spasm. Can't find anything resembling an ice pack here; frozen goods are not packaged the same as they are at home. The pharmacy sells these sort of giant sticky bandages infused with Tiger Balm, it helps a bit and gee, I sure smell interesting.
I got all my lessons done by 7pm tonight, I'm getting them done a bit earlier each week, which feels really good.
Spring is coming here. The trees have the buds of leaves and flowers on them. I am hoping that when things leaf out, Jinan will be much more beautiful. As a Californian, arriving here at the end of winter probably gave me the worst possible impression, with all the trees looking dead. Will have to look for some houseplants one of these days.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)