My Idea of What's Going On: silly

Sometimes, as I'm sure you're all aware, things just don't go right. Today was one of those days. The days where everything goes wrong - where one bad something falls right after the previous bad thing.

I began my day on the hunt for money. ATMs get really crazy at the end of the month and just causes me migraines that last all day. I was hoping to beat the crowds and I did! But! I also got behind one of those people who have multiple ATM cards. To make matters worse, the ATM was only giving out 1 manat bills at 20 manat increments. So, after waiting behind one person for over 20 minutes, I had to leave to go to work. Fail.

I strolled onward to work unable to pay my phone, water and gas bills because my lack of money as it all remained in my bank account. Minding my own business and hiding behind my sunglasses, I tried to breathe and let go of the too typical ATM challenge. Then, out of no where, pops in my old counterpart/director from my first Host Organization. I had quite a few issues with this guy and I always like to tell myself he doesn't exist outside of those horrible stories I tell of him. But there he was. Existing. And yelling my name. I shouted out that I was on my way to work and moved on. Fail.

I arrive at the lyceum and heard

the loud children upstairs from outside. 'Oh, geez,' I thought. After my Tuesday experience, I was not excited to step in that room. I get into a classroom and I try to be happy and positive, I really do. But the kids!

They yell and don't listen and I either have to talk over them, yelling to be heard, or just sit there miserable while all of them yell. Not fun. The director at that school wants me to tach them English songs, so I went with 'Twinkle, Twinkle' and 'BINGO.' The problem with this class is that I have no place being in that room. They speak very little to no English. Not to sound exclusive, but since I've come to Mingechevir I've worked with Intermediate skills at the lowest. I'm not trained to be a TEFL and not having an Azeri teacher with me makes for a very rambunctious classroom with more disciplining than teaching. I end up kicking a couple kids out, not letting really late ones in, semi teaching some songs, and playing a disastrous game of 'Simon Says'. Fail.

I had a Skype date with a friend, too. So, I thought, this will make up for my bad day. I go over to the fancy hotel and wireless doesn't work. Fail.

So, I walk home breathing in the Fall air, looking around at the plants that still live and the colors of it all. I glance at the fountains and the sunset trying to fill my mind with positive things and focus on the good as opposed to the full blown migraine and day's frustrations. With some Fall-type tunes in my head, I stopped at a different ATM and successfully got money, stopped by the store with the nice cheese lady and, though they didn't have my chocolate milk (I didn't let it bother me), got some banana juice instead and yogurt. I finished my walk home to rest a little when I get a call. I didn't know the number. I don't usually answer when I don't know the number, but with new trainees in country, I decided to, just in case. And, I'm glad I did. It was Nazim! He is one of my best students and only real male Azerbaijani friend! He's in the Army right now (as it's mandatory for all males here). It was nice to chat with him and see how he's faring where he is (a not very safe region). I immediately updated Lale that I heard from him. Finally, something good.

Now, something very good is about to happen. Step Up and brownie night with Sitemates Laura and Alexis. It might sound a little lame watching Step Up again this month (once in my film club), but nothing's wrong with dance parties, cute guys, and a bit of chocolate overload. My migraine is already subsiding...

Thank goodness for the simple things.