H rang around 9pm today and asked, did you try to ring me this evening? I replied, nope, but in a cheery way. He sounded slightly deflated, in an amused way, said, oh, I just thought because I haven't spoken to D since day before yesterday, you might have tried to ring... I could feel the slight hurt in his voice, but also that he was taking it lightly.
So I said, well, D has her report tomorrow, so I was going to ring you after that for sure, and H sounded a little reassured.
Told me he had been to w3's house for dinner.
H asked, am I still coming down to you this Saturday then? I replied, are you?
H said, well, I just wanted to make sure I would be welcome, and I replied, yes, you would be welcome.
We started talking about films and H talked about recent ones he had seen and about others he liked. Said that Resevoir Dogs was the best Tarantino film because it was about real things - friendship and betrayal. There is nothing more powerful and real than that, said H. I agreed.
We chatted some more, about films, and D's funny and memorable sayings, and it was a very relaxed and happy convo, with a couple of jokes thrown in. I don't know if it was alcohol that made him so, but anyway. I'll take it over ranting any day!!
After reminiscing about D, H said he really misses D, and I said, I can imagine how you do.
Anyway, we ended the convo with me saying I would definitely ring him tomorrow after D's report.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
The student situation is teaching me something. Students come and go like the revolving doors in an airport. As soon as one student rings to say they can't make it, another person rings to enquire about lessons. As soon as a new student starts, another has to drop out for some reason. (The roller coaster, LOL! )
I am learning to NOT react to these ups and downs any more. I don't get grumpy about it, just smile and say, I hope you sort out your problem/get better soon, or whatever. If you give off negative vibes - resentment, irritation, anger, you sure won't get them back.
I am also working on ways to improve my lesson planning and how to conduct lessons in a more enjoyable way too. I see it as a challenge, not an imposition. If this is the way I spend many hours every day, then I want to make the best of them!
By the way, we were talking about how D's school day is eight hours long, and H said, *I* don't work eight hours myself, so it is a lot for a nine year old.
I am just filing this away. Years ago H said how he could finish enough work in six hours a day, Monday to Friday, to stay afloat.... Then at bomb time it was all about how he was under such a strain, and I (Livnlearn) did nothing!
Livnlearn
"The unexamined life is not worth living" - Socrates
)
