After a not-too-bad week at school (thanks to Louise's arrival my schedule is a little nicer and I also seem to be getting a more relaxed in the classroom), on Saturday I had a new-student S1 demo lesson.

Unlike the kind of stressful demo lesson where parents come to wonder at their offspring's lack of progress at the end of a semester, a new student demo is simply a class of kids that are new to Jordans, whereby you fill 90 minutes with fun stuff, 'What's your name?' and A-H games (and in yesterday's case, ass-shaking to music). The parents meanwhile are packed into a side observation room.

Luckily, many of the kids already knew some of the basics, and they were all responsive and happy, so I thought the demo went well (i.e. I enjoyed it, which usually is a good sign).

The boss's wife will never give feedback unless prodded (ideally by a bison-strength cattle controller), which I was about to get around to, but her husband found me first. He said that Emma reported the demo as superb, and as classroom assistant she hardly had to do anything. The last such good report was apparently two foreign teachers ago, when Aileen (the girl I replaced) was still here in Huwei.

I'm not boasting here, I'm just telling it like it happened. I'm actually still in shock that Alan referred to me as a good teacher. I guess he's that much in need of new students that one successful demo is blinding him to my numerous abysmal lessons of the past.

Anyway, this positive feedback led him to ask about my plans for next year. Ever the diplomat, I stalled and spluttered about having a list of options that I'm looking into (which is true... Canada, Oz, England, bit of travel etc.). He then went on to detail how things were going to improve still further at school (they have too recently, due to more teachers, refurbishment, more AC units etc.). Apparently the pay will be increased (a nice thought), the end of second year bonus is 400 pounds (compared to a measly 100 quid for this year), plus he's willing to pay for a flight (though if I'm already here I don't know how that would work).

Behind my exhausted, don't-give-anything-away poker expression, my greedy brain started whirring. I then sped home after hometime to track down my calculator. With a bit of budgeting, if I survived another year I'd be able to amass between 8 and 9 grand pure profit. My first thought was... GREAT! Half of that could go into my house deposit fund and half could be used to go around the world with. If I don't do this when I'm young, then when will I have the chance? And would I regret not doing it? These are the questions now in my mind. But that said, another year, teaching, in Taiwan. Is that a realistic possibility? I'd not consider it seriously without every other Saturday off, like Gareth's school gives them. That way I'd be able to properly relax and get away once a fortnight...

But come on Matt... I can hear you thinking... I've read your miserable entries bemoaning the job... is this seriously an option? Well, I've added it to my list.