I'm so hard I get whip blisters

I am in high spirits today, after waking up before my alarm and doing the morning work in light snow - meaning not-too-cold temperatures - and then having a good workout with the camels and some great work on another horse that I previously disliked.

The camels were much more energetic today, and while I thought I'd have to really push them along and stress my voice, they reacted quite well and were frollicking up and down the paddock for quite a while. And if you've never seen a camel frollick... well, just like everything else they do, it's extremely funny. Half the time I'm laughing too much to sound authoritarian enuf to get them to move. G said they would have also been getting more used to me so would be more inclined to do what I said.

The horse I rode afterwards, Gnom, was the first horse I rode here and I did not enjoy him. He is shit with mustering camels and walks too fast so I always had to rein him in. Today, however, after a warning from G that his energy would give me a good "adventure", he was a little angel and we actually worked quite well in the paddock with his head down and a nice working trot. My very elementary dressage skills got a good ol' dust-off and I actually felt like I was riding WELL. That's a change.

Was meant to go shopping with G's sister today but she cancelled.. Then G heard and got all angry at her. There is such a weird chemistry with this family unit, I just can't work it out. So I try to avoid it all. The less I say, the less I step on toes. Other than that they're lovely people.

Oh, and today while I was crackin the whip I managed to give myself a blister on the bottom of my thumb. Talk about AWKWARD! Grr... Anyway at least I have something to show for my efforts.

Third week aint so weak

I know I have been slack and I apologise. Well, not exactly slack - WORKING - but still I am deeply sorry you havent been kept abreast of all my activities. Turns out working with kids is more time consuming than I thought.

This week has probably been the easiest, I have felt more comfortable and in control especially since we had to be, given my Boss E was sick and not teaching this week. He came today and no doubt we will be having a few bevos this eve, but basically me and N are rockin this shit.

The kids are generally nice, the younger ones a little more - well, a lot more - energetic so we just basically play bloody games with them. The slightly older and more experienced English speakers, in my class, are a little harder to entertain although still do make the effort which I appreciate.

On Monday, the teachers asked if they could pop their heads in and see us in action so of course they decided to do so just after the most... special... of the students fell over and got a big bump on her head. Shiezer. But it was all ok... kinda.

Me and N have spent the week jamming on his guitar, practising a song for the kids at the end of the week, and organising the presentation etc. I must say I am even impressed with our organisation. I know big boss man is!

Anyway, time to jet, final evening festivities to get to!!!