end of first half term

Okay, so body odor. Or, according to my British spell checker, odour. I’m not an absolute freak about it, no one likes it, but it is part of being human, right? I do have my limits though.


I share my room on Wednesdays with another teacher. During my planning period, she has her class in here. Well, I walked back in and nearly fell over. This isn’t your basic, I’m-sweaty-and-need-to-use-more-deodorant kind of stink, this was enough to peel paint. It’s been pretty cold outside the past few days, but that didn’t keep me from opening all the windows. I’d rather freeze than try to teach in a room with that stench. I don’t know how to describe it; something like the way vinegar assaults your tongue was the way this smell assaulted my nose. No way to get around it, and it made my eyes water.

I’ve smelled this same rankness on the bus. Twice now. The other night it was as if it had permeated the seat I chose. Again, I couldn’t get away from it. It’s not a dirt-like or earthy smell, it’s not mildew, or wet wool, it’s just pure hideousness for one’s nose.

Enough. Beginning of half-term here. That means a week off. Thank goodness for that, although I will have plenty to do. I’ve not yet started a bank account here, and that limits some of the choices I have. Here they use a chip and pin number when you use a credit card, and so at times, I’m not able to use my card from the states. I also have no credit history here, so that’s one of the reasons it was so hard to get internet service.

Oh, how’s it going, you ask? Well, they sent me a router, and a set-up CD, but my little netbook doesn’t have a CD reader on it. Right. So, I’ve copied the CD to my flashdrive, and I’m hoping that works. If not, it’s another call to Virgin Media. Joy of joys. I’ve also had my Skype account hacked, and two different phone line subscriptions charged to me. They can’t actually get my money, and my bank is aware there may be a problem (so far my account at home is fine), but I’m out 50 bucks so far, and I’m getting phone calls from businesses that sell credit card machines. Shady stuff. I’ve also been informed that Skype will not refund my money because it’s up to me to make sure my computer is safe. Shit. This is because I’ve been using unsecured internet for two months now. Bad. Who would’ve thought that Skype would be hacked?

They’ve still not cancelled the two phone lines either. Even if I don’t get my money back, I sure don’t want those phone lines. Skype is great until you want customer service. Then forget it.

Going to a show tonight with a couple other English teachers; then to dinner afterwards. Should be a nice way to end a pretty rough week. Then… a week of no responsibilities. Maybe even more postings?

You never know...