One month later

I have absolutely no complaints in life. I have a beautiful girlfriend named Tonya (remember Tonya?), I love my job more than ever, I just sent money home (yay savings account), and I'm going snowboarding this Saturday.

Tonya and I have been together for about two months now, and she's the first girl I've dated that isn't needy and dependent. She doesn't like talking on the phone unless it's planning something, she doesn't mind at all when I go out with the boys (and she DOESN'T awkwardly ask to come with us, score), and while I compliment her on her shopping purchases, she is really warming to my spontaneity and bizarre whims. She is amazing and I hadn't planned on being in a relationship while I was here, but she was honestly just too fun and sweet and doesn't mind how weird I am that I had to snatch her up.

I believe that I was becoming a bit jaded with a few of my students. My attitude was getting really sour, and I could see that some of them were having less fun. I had been really trying to crack the whip and make them study as relentlessly as possible, and most people would just call that "paying attention for 10 minutes." But I was forgetting that these kids are 10 years old, and trying to focus on a foreign language solidly for 10 minutes is impossible. So now I try and pick out the ones that have the hardest time and work with them solo for a few minutes. It's hit or miss, but when they come through and say that whole line without faltering, it feels fantastic. And the best part is that I know they feel good, too.

Sending $425 home feels awesome. Next month, another round! After I buy my motorcycle, that is...Oh yes...it's on its way.

No real amazing stories. I refuse to see Avatar because I think it's the thinnest veil I've ever seen Cameron place over a real-life situation. He just made the people blue...it's still a pathetic metaphor for the Iraq War. Please don't say James Cameron is turning into the Action movie-version of Michael Moore.