Wii Breakfast...

I think this video is funny, except for the last 20 seconds...those, I take no responsibility for -- easily could've left it out. But the rest is pretty funny!

Yesterday afternoon, I was in the dining hall with my class for "Tea time." Yes, we have tea time. It's all very British. Sometimes, they serve tea to the students, sometimes not. Yesterday, it was hot chocolate, which to me, does not taste like hot chocolate.

Anyway, I was talking to my teammate and I heard smack. I turned around and a girl in my class had her hands up, covering her face and one of my boys was sitting next to her, looking defiant. I asked her what happened and she said he had slapped her across the face. I asked her if she was okay and she said yes, and then he proceeded to defend his horrible act by claiming she was making fun of him. I told him to get his things and he'd be going to the Headmaster.

As I marched him down to the Headmaster, confident that justice would be served, I felt myself get more and more angry. "You never, ever, ever, ever hit a girl! Ever." The Head was in a meeting, but I left the boy outside his office and told the secretary what had happened. On my way back to the dining hall, I came across the acting Deputy Head and asked him if he would take care of the situation. He assured me he would and I once again felt confident that justice would be served: suspension, maybe? I mean, that is what has been announced at assemblies as the consequence for physically touching anyone in the school in such a way.

Guess who is here this morning? That naughty little boy who hit a girl. The way I figure it is if my bosses aren't going to punish him, then I will.

I am so thankful and fortunate that I have never been hit or abused like that from anyone, aside from maybe my brother. And he never actually really hurt me. And I intend on keeping it that way. And I intend on keeping it that way for as many other girls and women as I can. I just feel like if this kid learns at this point that it was no big deal for him to slap this girl, then it could potentially lead him down a very ugly path for his life. And an even uglier path for the girls and women he associates with.

If this was a one-time issue with him, I'd still punish him, but would be more understanding with giving him a warning. However, I have issues with this kid daily. He seems to be one of the most troubled, obnoxious, naughty boys I have ever taught. And he seems to be allowed to do whatever he wants most of the time. He's making me bristle up.

Things will not be so pleasant for this little guy for the next week. I decided he and the girl are not allowed to sit near each other, play together, look at each other, or talk to each other. And I'm going to do it until he cracks and apologizes, since he has yet to actually apologize. He just keeps defending his actions, "But she..."

I'm over it. No more Nice Mrs. Bruce.

Da-da-dummmmm......

Oompa Loompa...

Sorry about my last post. As my title stated, I was losing it. I was in a weak moment and needed to moan about it.

Not that everything's all better. I'll just try not to do that anymore. I don't enjoy listening to people complain about their situation, so I won't do it to you all.

But seriously, have you ever been in a situation where you just felt helpless? I feel this extremely heavy weight on my shoulders and I can't seem to shake it. It is encouraging to know that in 3 months and 14 days, my feet will be on homeland soil again. However, it has also made me impatient. I want to go home now!

Jeez, I sound like Veruca Salt.

And I'm sure that sometimes, Huzz feels like Violet. "Can it, you nit!"

Anyway, I'm really trying to stay focused and keep my head down. My memory verse last week was, "He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge. The fear of the L_rd is the key to this treasure." Isaiah 33:6

He is my foundation and nothing else can compare to that...even home. He is my home. Does that make sense? It makes sense in my mind, at least.

Everybody hop on over to Hannah and wish her a happy 1st birthday! She's so cute. We got her a stroller for her baby, since she's walking now. I hope she likes it!

I'm Losing It...

Have any of you ever just passionately disliked your job?

Like, hate it?

If you have, or do, help me out. Tell me how you keep on going. Tell me how to get up in the morning, without feeling sick to my stomach. Tell me how to write the term reports that are due next week. Tell me how to have patience with my students. Tell me how to discipline without anger and annoyance and attitude. (The 3 A's - hehe) Tell me how to get through until June 12th. No wait, June 13th. We were just told today that the last day of school is actually on Saturday, June 13th because we have to have the awards ceremony for the students! Silly me, I would've thought that was scheduled for the last day of school on Friday. I mean, that is what every other school does.

So, we have been forbidden to fly out on that Saturday because our attendance is mandatory at this thing. That's not it, though. That evening, there is a "Summer Ball" that we are required to attend with the parents.

Seriously.

It's this junk that keeps me from enjoying any part of being here. I just want to leave...yesterday.

Gobble, gobble...

In four weeks, we will be staying here:
It's the Hotel Alp, in Istanbul, Turkey!

We will be enjoying our breakfast and leisure time up on that veranda that overlooks the ships coming in.

And we'll eat at places like this:

And this:

Yep, I'm just a little bit excited!