Why Am I Awake?!

Who knows...

It's approximately 4am here in Quito land. I couldn't sleep this evening, so I decided to travel the road of productivity. It is a road less traveled and it is SO rewarding! I have shot off some lengthy emails, finished some paperwork and now I'm blogging! I'm just glad that tomorrow/today is Exam Day in classes. All I have to do is sit there and watch my teenage students like a hawk. I tell them this before every exam, but I'm not entirely sure they've ever learned the word 'hawk' which makes my simile somewhat ineffective. I think they catch my drift, though, when I do that universally understood motion of pointing to your eyes and then pointing at their eyes. You know the maneuver I'm talking about, the one made famous by that classic film Meet the Fockers.

Last Wendsthurserday... was Teacher's Day. This is a special day in Ecuador. At my institution, they were handing out chocolate, pens and a 10% raise! Unfortunately I was running a bit late and all I got was some attitude from my teenage pupils. Apparently the choice between giving me a cell phone or leaving my class is quite the mare's nest. The student finally opted for participation. At the end of class, I returned her cell phone and even threw in a nice chat. I'm sure my point was well-received as I kept it simple, without words like 'hawk', and explained that removal from my class is a very real and viable option for misbehaving children.

This past Sunday I spent a good six hours in the ever-trendy independent movie theatre here in Quito. I love this venue. I think it's safe to say that some of my happiest Ecuadorian moments have taken place there. Between Rocky Horror Picture Show and the currently running Alfred Hitchcock marathon, I have been well pleased. From 3pm-9pm, I watched Psycho, Rear Window, and Vertigo. One achey butt and sufficiently blown state of mind later, I left Ocho Y Medio. Next binge film venture? Why, the Mars Attacks/Edward Scissorhands double feature, of course!

In other news, my return flight to the U.S. of A. has been booked. Mark your calendars, folks. This girl will be rocking the US soil on Tuesday, August 24th. Not sure I'm ready to talk about that, though. It's going to be weird. But if you do have any suggestions for what my life should be like on such a day as August 24th, I'd love to hear 'em. I am now taking applications... of your applications... for getting me a job? Or just a future? Hmm...

Are those birds chirping? Oh no. I'm wearing headphones.

4:36am and I am signing off.