Monday is the day from hell.

Monday is officially the day from hell. Morning classes with the 3-6yr olds who have a concentration span as short as a goldfish's memory, and 2 classes who are fired up with who knows what and possibly all have a rocket up their asses which has exploded. Bloody hell, who knew a 7yr old could scream so loudly, ball their eyes out and 2 seconds later sulk and physically not move. And then go back to screaming again. We couldn't get her on the bus, she had her head down, sobbing so one of the teachers had to give her a talking too as the soft touch got none of us anywhere.. And two boys... Oh, I won't get started on them.

Director back from his restaurant opening in Seoul. He asked me how I was finding the living situation. I told him exactly what I thought. I can't buy my own food because the fridge and cupboards are stuffed, whenever I try and cook my own thing and the housekeeper is there, she won't let me. I have to eat when she's ready to eat. I don't appreciate people walking in out of my room whenever they please, especially not first thing in the morning and I am trying to sleep, and don't particularly want to start locking my room in a place i'm supposed to call home for a year. I hate smoking and smoking in a closed space, ESPECIALLY the bathrooom, its pretty gross. There is a balcony - use it. Shower doesn't work and I get woken up by screaming kids every morning. His response.... Ah, but Korean people live with their parents - it's a cultural thing... hence why not a single other person I know is living with a family?!!!! Huh?!! Cigarettes are only smoked because they get headaches (still does not change the fact that there is smoke everywhere!), and I don't have to pay for food.. Fine, but I quite like cooking and choosing what I eat and I really don't mind paying for it!!! Of course it has its ups, but unfortunately the idea of having any privacy just is not understood. Lots of thinking to do about how to get around this.

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Hmmmm, I wrote most of that earlier when I was in a really foul mood. But i've just got back from badminton so feeling a LOT better. I went with Mrs Chae (the mother - I found out what her name is!!) and she dropped me off with a friend and the two of us went together. Walked in and had ALL eyes on me. People stopped playing for a bit to eye me out then thankfully carried on! Don't think they are used to foreigners at their club! They are pretty serious about their badminton. Most of them are in their late 30s and 40s and like Mrs Chae, play every day... So, felt a litte nervous about it but got stuck in nonetheless! Had a warm up for about 15mins with the woman I was with and then a bloke (probably late 40s) came and gave me a few pointers on my smash and we rallied for 45mins. I haven't been so out of breath in AGES!!! Lol! It was brilliant! It's all done on half court to fit everyone in (6 courts, 4 people on each) and then more waiting on the side to play. Had a much needed break and had an attempted chit chat with Mrs Chae (she had turned up by then) and her friend. The man I was playing with is the club captain so I felt a lot better about the fact I was exhausted and he looked like he hadn't played for 5mins!! Then played for another half hour before calling it a day.

Mrs Chae had disappeared by the time I had finished but her friend dropped me off at her mother's house. So met the kids grandparents and they are all a really lovely family. Her son is a bit mental though!! Mrs Chae and I really get on which is nice - that is one of the ups about living with her :)