Whingy

Apparently, surprisingly, thankfully, I'm okay at public speaking. At least, I'm getting better. I've presented thrice in the last few weeks, and received really good responses each time. The sweaty palms and pounding heart are evident only to myself, it seems. Phew.

After presenting about my trip to the senior school assembly on Wednesday, students came rushing up to me afterwards, wanting to show that they could spell Kyrgyzstan, and asking to be put on my mailing list. Maybe I'm imagining it - but now that they know I'm going to a country where there's ethnic violence, where the national game involves a headless goat (as does the national cuisine), and where the government opens fire on its citizens occasionally, they seem to be treating me with a little...tenderness, maybe? As though they're respectful of my decision and fearful for my safety and admiring of my courage (which isn't actually courage at all, but full joy at the prospect of this new thing). I'm not sure how to describe the change in how they're relating to me, but it's really quite lovely. And most likely short-lived.

I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed right now; am thoroughly, unpleasantly tired and sick with a putrid sore throat and chest. Took yesterday off. The examination period has nearly begun, the year twelves are on my mind constantly, parent/teacher interviews are next week, and the pile of papers that need grading never seems to grow less. And on top of a very full work load, I have to raise a gazillion dollars, book a number of flights, get a medical, get insurance, get winter clothing, go on a four-day cultural communication training session, find a way to communicate and catch up with friends before I go, organise storage for my stuff, sell my car; and all in less than ten weeks. The only way it all seems remotely manageable is if I break it down into small tasks: tomorrow, Saturday, is one of those rare days with nothing planned, so I will make the phone calls, book the appointments, construct to-do lists, send off paperwork.

All of which is to say that I would like to be writing more, and maybe shall in the near future!