Opsoyo Caroline :(

It's been a big week this week for an old geezer like me. I'm 30 now and i'm looking forward to a well deserved nana nap tomorrow after a week of big high's and big low's. As you can see I came off a great weekend which included: My birthday partie's and farewell doo for Caroline (who sadly left the bleak cold 'ol' Seoul yesterday bound for sunnier climes in New Zealand) and a day out in Itaewon on Sunday.

The week started off well with dinner out on Monday and Tuesday night saying final goodbye's and a bbq and beer guzzleing session at school on Wednesday night in Caroline's honour.
Angela and I helped her to the express bus stop yesterday afternoon and on the down side, unfortunately Seoul hasn't felt the same since...

Monthly reports were also due this week which have made things even busier although thankfully, i've stumbled across a great computer program which virtually does it all for you, which was lucky as I am currently suffering from a severe case of the C.B.F's.
With those completed today I began (under instructions from the boss) lying to all and sundry, including Caroline's class which I have inherited until a replacement can be found regarding Caroline's wherabouts and state of health. Disgusting really the kid's really love her and she wasn't allowed to say goodbye or tell anyone from the school in case parents complained and today I had to say she 'was sick'. What a load of bollocks!

She held a little class party yesterday and was made to say "it was her birthday..." Now writing this i'm wondering why we both took part in this conspirocy and it comes down to one thing. Money... we get paid nearly six weeks down the track and of course she wanted what was owed to her before leaving. Myself, i've got a timeline in mind and frankly don't want the hassle. The management here lie and /or misinform expertly and from time to time expect you to thank them for the privelige.
So... in a nutshell at the moment i'm a bit down, my gal pal's left me and i'm beginning to see things again here for what they really are. That is a business first, ie; looking good for the parents, education second and teachers somewhere in the neccessary evil colum. I knew that was the case from the start but in order to endure the long hours and broken promises i've put it out of my mind however it's front and centre at the moment and i'm thinking next week may be the time to do something about it and move on next month. I'm also definately week as piss lying, generally I don't lie because my memory is not that good and to be a good lier I reckon you always have to remember what you have said previously in order not to contradict yourself and to be honest I usually dont have the time or energy for it. Un fortunately at the moment i'm surrounded by experts!!!

There's plenty of work elsewhere and i'm beginning to think that 6 months here in the job is a reasonable time, not to mention a decent break would be nice!! Regardless, I think next week will be as good as any time to voice some concerns and maybe things could improve, but frankly I doubt it.

That being said, it's now the weekend and due to all the social activity recently I have become better aquainted with some of the foreign locals which is good coming upto Christmas. Also there are a few different things coming up in the pipeline which i'm pretty excited about. We haven't had any snow since my birthday but I'm hopeful of a trip to the snow over Christmas with the fabulous English trio of Jenna, Cat and Emily, plus there is an Australian Embassy party on the 17th which Aussie Deb is organising and Wendy and Rob texted me yesterday saying that they have bought a turkey and Christmas dinner is at their place, so things outside work are on the up and up and I hope they stay that way! :)