9/13/95

Friday the 13th. Although in Colombia, it's Tuesday the 13th that's s'posed to be bad. Yeah, whatever.

We did our "amigo secreto" thing today. I got a pipe and a lighter. Pretty cool, but not the kind of gift I wanna show everyone. Johana was my secret friend. More in a while.

9/11/95

In my 10-12 class right now. Kind of not in a real good mood righ tnow. What else is new? Just invited my class to go drinking this afternoon. Will it happen?

9/6/95

Well, the show last night was a bust. We only saw ourselves because we knew where we were. What a waste of a day that whole thing was. Oh well, at least it was still an experience.

In class right now (6-8) so don't have a lot of time. Went into the resource library this morning to see how Alex was feeling. She greeted me with "Yo miraba anoche y tu no saliste" Sounds silly, but it made me feel good that she looked, or took the time to try and find us. Alex is cool. Time to act like a teacher.

9/5/95

Taken a lot longer for me to get back to this book. At Paco's in Cedritos getting his shit packed up. Moving to the new apartment tonight. i dont' think Allura will be moving in until this weekend. Real close to work. Look like it may be very cool.

Tat is starting to itch now. Parts of the scab must be coming off by now. Need to put some lotion on it.

Paco and My episode of "Suenos y Espejos" is supposed to be on tonight. Might not be able to make it in time. Hope it gets taped. I'd really hate to miss it.

Doing this "amigo secreto" thing at work. The Colombian version of Valentine's Day is a week from sAturday, so this is in connection with that, I esuppose. Anyway, I picked Cecile's name -- but I don't exactly know her. After pleading w/Rosa to pick again, I got Marina. Too funny. Rosa told me I better get her a good present. Cute. That's cool, Marina's a great person. At least it can halfway mean something, now.

Wonder who got me. Alex would be cool. She was kind of flirting with me on Friday. Gave me a hug, too. Felt real good. That will always endear Alex to me. The right thing at the right time.

One student had been flirting with me too, Xiomara. She's pretty -- nice, too. shouldn't take it all too seriously.

Just alked to Genevieve -- looks like we're gonna watch the show at her pad. Cool.

Football season started this past weekend. Made me miss my friends back in the States. Beer. Wings. Sounds reather silly, actually.

Feeling lonely again. Maye that's why Alex's hug felt so good at the time. I should get her something on "amigo secreto" day, too. She's a way wonderful person, too. Most of the Colombo employees ("The Uniforms") are incredibly nice and sweet. Patty apparently said one day, "If you aren't nice, you won't last around here." I believe it.

I think we're finishing this. Maybe I'll write more later. Won't be shocked if I didn't.

9/1/95

5:40 PM - On a buseta going home. Hard to write. So this'll be quick. Made a return visit to Dany Tatoo and had Chiqui ink Pooh on my ankle. Finished about an hour ago. More later.

8/31/95

My students are idiots. Still can't conjugate "to be." Still can't form questions. Not clear on adjectives. We're in the middle of the cycle, and they are clueless. It's not me, 'cause my other Course 1 is doing well. I refuse to spoon feed them.

The TV thing was beat. We had to leave after nine hours, and my speaking part was cut. All we did was hang outside for a wedding scene and film for two minutes. Phony people. Lots of cellulars. Actors snorting coke. At least it was an experience. Got class now -- maybe more later.

In my 10-12 class now. These students are much cooler. I like this class much more.

Oh yeah, if I get paid for the TV thing, I'll be very surprised.

Class is doing the famous person guessing game. This is usually a good day -- don't know why my 8-10 Course 1 bombed so badly. These guys are much cooler. Beautiful students, too. Good-looking bunch o'people.

But, it's weird. There's one kid in here yesterday who didn't know who the President of Colombia was. No lie, I was shocked. Charlie was in here observing, and he said if he didn't see it, he wouldn't have believed it. Unreal. The President has only been all over the news for the past few months (he may have accepted narco-dollars for his campaign last year. Bad stuff.), and the kid has no idea who he is. That is an example of a person who is only into smoking dope and nothing else. No lie.

I think we finish the recording English thing on Friday or Saturday. Getting tired of it, to be honest, but the $$ is good. I can't believe tomorrow is the first day of September. This year is flying.