As I write this, I am sitting in the teachers' office at my school. I was not allowed to teach the first two classes of the day. The Korean government has expanded their English education program this year, to include 24 hours per week of English education. However, my contract stipulates I can teach a maximum of 22 hours, or else I must be paid time and a half. As with every other school in the world, mine has a budget deficit. They cannot afford to pay me more money, so for 2 hours per week I must just entertain myself on the school grounds somewhere, and appear to be working. Well, I have been working for these past two hours... Working on my novel, that is ;) and on drinking this delicious Korean coffee the research teacher brought me. You know, being here has its definite hardships - no doubt about it. But overall, I must realize how blessed I am to be here. I will never again have this opportunity (or this kind of work schedule haha). 194 days until I am home. I am very near the half way point. It's time to look back, recognize my triumphs and failures in being here, and make this next (last half) the very best it can be.