Using the words 'job' and 'love' in the same sentence

So yes, I can happily and truthfully report that more than often I find myself driving out of Language Link on my ‘My Little Pony’ (my sexy green motorbike), with a big grin and a satisfaction that only a good day in front of the class can bring.

Of course I would be lying if I said that I still jump out of bed in the morning singing ‘yay work today yay’, no that never happens, in fact that has never happened. That is not the point. What I’m trying to convey to you here is that I just simply still love my job. Love it. How could I not?

I get paid to work with people that laugh at my jokes, or more laugh at me making an idiot of myself and I get to laugh at myself for all those ‘kirk kirk’ moments when they don’t really get my lame jokes. Whether the grammar point always gets across is another story for another time.

At the moment my schedule has been changed around a bit. I used to only teach young adults in the evening during the week and full on kids and teen classes on a Sunday. Now I have a real wonderful weekend with a busier timetable during the week. On Monday, Wednesday and Friday I am as …uhm.. fortunate to have two Starter 2 classes in the afternoons. Starter 2 level is still considered a very low level so most of the kids are around 7 or 8 years old.

Now let me say this, I am not yet broody, however these kids are MOST OF THE TIME so darn cute that I’m tempted to just put them in my bag and take them home. What I love about the kids is that there is just never a dull moment. Easily amused, colourful imaginations and energy levels that should be bottled and sold to us old folk that actually need the energy to be productive.

I still consider my General English classes (everyone from 17 and up) as my favourites, that theory is however tested from time to time. Like Friday when as I was about to leave one of students (the cutest little girl ever) runs up to me saying ‘goodbye pretty teacher Lani’ with love and adoration for a her foreign teacher. It was a be there moment but priceless no less.

I honestly have no idea if I will be renewing my contract come November, or for how long I will want to be an English teacher or live in Hanoi. I think this not knowing adds to my appreciation and most of the time love for my job.

In closing and totally off the topic: Ek het vanaand daai punt bereik waar ek actually vir Nicolis Louw gaan soek het op You Tube sodat ek liedjies soos ‘net die een vir my’ kan luister want in alle eerlikheid mis ek maar my taal en boeremeisie wees. Maybe just a moment of weakness so spare the judgment, ek weet julle almal wat my nou verstaan like it ook om nou dan daai lyfie te rock!!


Go Bafana Bafana! ======<0 ******NOISE*********

The true story of a Bafana Bafana supporter in Hanoi

How about I just avoid the part where I try and explain why I have not posted for more than two months ( o just checked I mean 3 months, my bad). How about that? Just move on and share my heart out as if there is nothing to catch up on.

As I’m writing now I am listening to the ‘Waka Waka’ song, bursting almost of national pride and feeling not just a little homesick. I knew of course that I would be missing out on an epic scale but the reality hit home as I sat watching the first half hour of the opening ceremony at the reception area of my school, trying to explain the concept of a ‘rainbow nation’ to the front desk ladies. All the while fighting the overwhelming feeling that may only be described as ‘Proudly South African’. Unfortunately, I missed the rest of the festivities due to a class, but happily made it in time to see my boys singing the national anthem and make history for the next two hours or so.

To my millions of South African readers I don’t have to explain how we (as in the country) are feeling at the moment. United, proud and ready. O where is a vuvuzela insert icon button when you need it? (blows on vuvuzela). o=======<()
I would almost recommend to my other millions of non-South African readers to view my facebook homepage to see all the spirited updates and profile pictures turned SA flags. I can only imagine how amazing the ‘gees’ back home is now… resulting in good dose of homesickness.

Last night was amazing, the American Club and South African Embassy kindly hosted the opening match and it was packed. Armed with my flag and positive attitude I went hoping to walk away with the kind of story I can tell my kids one day. A draw might not be the most glorious moment in history but I think we showed the rest of the world we belong in the Cup. It was wonderful to see that most people supported South Africa even though many put their money on Mexico. I guess it’s that part in all of us that likes to support the underdog.

So this is the part where I explain why experiencing the World Cup from Vietnam is so cool, because in all truth I still love being here with no certain plans of leaving any time soon.

Firstly because of the sure follow up question from ‘Where are you from?’ is not ‘Why aren’t you black?’, but ‘are you come back to your country for World Cup?’. Which is a refreshing break form the 2 minute history lesson of Southern Africa “Jan van Riebeek to Zuma”. However explaining contract and financial responsibilities is a tad less interesting. Having said that, I was asked at last nights venue if I am really from South Africa… Yes I reply while waving my made in China flag… No I don’t believe says the man, but this time I could just point at the big screen and the 85 000 supporters at Soccer city.

I’m actually having a bit of giggle now, because I’m sitting in my living room and I can hear vuvuzelas from the TV next door as the third World Cup game started a few minutes ago.

I asked all of my students in the past few weeks who they thought would win the opening match, and all of them said Mexico. Fair enough Mexico is ranked 17th in the world and we are ranked 82nd… I’m about to gush again, sorry about that, but I’m just so darn proud of them.

It is hard now to really talk about anything else, as I’m so in World Cup mode, so I will just keep this post to an update about that. I foresee that in the next month there will be a few late nights, not only catching the all important South African games but also the American, Australian and Argentinean games (all A’s not planned).

Well that is all for now, hopefully this is getting me back into the habit of posting these life changing, meaningful, deep updates and I might get around to sharing all the excitement that has been going on the last 3 months.

Go Bafana Bafana, Ke Nako!!!!! Supporting you all the way…
Predictions:
SA 2-0 Uruguay
SA 1-0 France (Sorry to my otherwise lovely French housemate)