So, I actually have a good reason (sort of) for not updating sooner this time: I got really sick because of a rotten piece of beef, oops, and got some unexpected holiday time after that which I had to quickly make plans for. I'm here now though, so let's begin :)

After Kishigle Kashigle Kooshingle dingle Callum and I were almost immediately whisked away to a very expensive dinner with the headmaster of a private school in Karamay which was a bit annoying - enjoyable, but still annoying - because all we wanted to do was rest. Alas, it was not meant to be, for the great arms of China had once again created an impenetrable wall of fresh faces, communication issues and delicious food which crushed our free time and rest, like a ruthless black shoe destroying a tender, delicate flower which had been desperately trying to blossom amidst an abandoned, dead and dusty garden. Well, I gave that a try. I hope you enjoyed my over the top gothic language, back to normality now.

The headmaster himself, David, was a very strange case as he was only 26 years old, yet he ran an entire private school (a very high paying and well respected position in China). I don't know how he managed this, he obviously works very very hard. Either that, or he knows all the right people (to suck off). Other people there were James, a rich teacher with very little respect for women, Cedric, a rather quite guy from Kazakhstan, Thomas "The Bull", a frighteningly massive teacher who never said a word, and Richard, who is both the most genuine person I have met so far in China as well as the most generous (he gave me a freaking phone! :O). His English is also perfect which made conversation very very easy, as well as enjoyable. After our meal, David and James began to boast about how important they are in Karamay and how easily they can get things done for us, which sounds really ominous and menacing now that I think about it...they also said how they only really wanted to be our friends because we could help improve their English. I would be hurt by this, but to be honest, about 90% of the people Callum and I have become friends with have a similar mindset, so we're used to it. It just seems to be a thing in China though, people often make friends in order to get something for themselves. Of course, this isn't always the case, and it's not even necessarily wrong, it's just a cultural difference I suppose. I can't say I totally understand it, but that's ok, differences between cultures are cool.

So, the next week we were invited by the same people to KTV, I think I've talked about this before, it's basically a massive club where people go to sing karaoke, drink beer and just generally act like big t*** . I am so in my element there, it's amazing! After watching an overconfident man completely bucher some Chinese opera, I tried my hand at singing a bit of Guns 'n' Roses, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Radiohead and Nightwish. I sounded something a bit like a washed up rock star and a dying cat and I didn't care one bit, it was awesome. The reason I mentioned those four bands, by the way, is because this is where I met Will - Richard's second son - who is the single best person in Karamay, if not all of China. It's like he's a composite of Callum and I: He's into the type of music I like and he's an avid supporter of Arsenal. Callum had an hour long conversation about all sorts of football-y stuff which I didn't understand, but it was kind of funny to watch. I'm sure it was funny for Callum when Will and I started gushing about Radiohead as well, so fair play basically. I think that night at KTV could easily have been one of the worst nights so far in China, but Will managed to make it one of the best nights, so if you're reading this now Will, thanks very much.

About a week later, Will invited us to play some football and basketball with his buddy, Vincent. Vincent doesn't speak much English, but he seemed like a sweet guy and he was really good fun to play with. Plus, he's friends with Will, so he has to be a badass boss. The basketball and football made for a very fun day, but it became so much better when we went back to his house. I say 'his' house, but he's still living with his parents and we weren't really supposed to be there, so...sorry Will's parents! We had a bit of dinner, courtesy of Will's Mum, which was so delicious, I think it brought a tear to my eye. I could have kissed Will's Mum at this point, that woman made my taste buds die and go to heaven. I just realised that if I took that sentence out of context, it could become rather seedy very easily. Mmm, Will's Mum. Tasty. We talked with Will for ages after dinner and found out that he's actually an amateur musician who is obsessed with the UK. He wants to make his living making music and living in England, but he's in a bit of a dodgy position right now. He doesn't really have the right contacts or the right amount of money to begin that journey yet, which is a shame. I've heard some of the stuff he's written though and it is good. Like, Oh my freaking God, it is really really good. Some of his songs sound professional. I hope he makes it big because he really deserves it. It would be a shame if he never got anywhere with his music. Oh well, here's hoping Will gets where he wants and here's hoping we stay friends for a long time.

Ooh, that got a bit serious. Hmm.. t*** 'n' ass. Nasty nipples. Getting scared in front of your crush and uncontrollably letting out a scream and a little fart at the same time. There we go, that's better.

I've really learned to appreciate the kids that I teach as well, especially the ones in grade seven. At first I thought it was absolutely crucial to maintain a level of discipline in the class at all times, but I've since learned that if I talk to them on the same level that I'm on (slowly of course, what with the language barrier and all) and make things enjoyable for them while still showing them respect, I don't really have to discipline them. They just do what I want them to...most of the time. There's always the one rogue in the class that just messes around. There's something that's stuck with me regarding one of the rogues as well though; this kid in the bottom class, who named himself Peter Max, just didn't want to learn at all. I felt like I'd tried everything with him, I shouted, I acted calm, I got him involved with activities, I gave him his space, I helped him out the best I could, but nothing seemed to work. He just kept on misbehaving. So one day I sort of lost it with him: I held him back at the end of class, asked the one of the English teachers to translate what I was saying, and exploded. I said how he was a horrendously bad student and how his constant classroom disruption was not only wasting his and my time, but the whole class's time as well. So I gave him a choice, I said that he could either come to my classes and behave himself, listen to what was said the best he could and maybe even have a good time, or he could just take my classes out of his timetable and just stop turning up. No skin off my nose. After I sent him on his way and thanked Linda for translating, I assumed that that was the last I would see of him. The week afterwards, I was shocked to see him still in the class, but I was even more shocked by his behaviour. He sat up straight, he didn't speak out during class, he didn't have a carry on with his friends and he didn't disrupt any other students. He listened and took notes. He was, in short, a model student. I don't know if he just decided to do what I said because he needed to pass English for something, or if he genuinely wanted to try, but either way, I got through to him. I think that is the most amazing and indescribable feeling I've had so far during this project and it makes me so thankful that I decided to take this year out and to go through with all this nonsense.

Yeah, there you go. Cheesy inspirational story of the day. It might sound really corny and even a tad insufferable, but this is my blog and I can post whatever the hell I like. :D That's about it for now though. I'm currently visiting Harrison and Callum (two other volunteers) in Kuytun because I have no lessons this week. It's nice catching up and we're having a lot of fun. Harrison is playing the wife and cooking us some chili con carne whilst putting on an outrageous Irish accent. Things are cool right now. Long may the coolness continue! Right that's it for now, thanks for bearing with me, I know this was quite a long post. Until next time, as always, remember to stay beautiful you cool cats.

P.S I apologise for the picture in this entry being flipped on its side, for some reason this site really doesn't want me to post this picture in portrait. I even tried rotating it and that didn't help, so yeah, sorry. If anyone knows how to fix this, please let me know. :)

P.P.S I think I actually made a semi serious post today. The world must be coming to an end!