I've gotten skinnier....
And that's bad, really bad.

I look all hollowed out when I'm wearing T-shirts,
my skirts/pants are loose and are in the danger of slipping off,
and even my cheeks look a little thinner than usual.

What's worse is that I don't even know why.

Mum says its stress...but I don't know what is stressing me out.
That worries me becuz there's isn't really much I can do about it is there?
Or maybe stress over not knowing what is stressing me out. - GOOD PLAN

School's kinda started and...I'm kinda excited, but also kinda dreading all the work.
Moving house and I'm excited at the prospect of my own room again, and all the unpacking
Given up on doing work, and a little embarassed at not helping more, but really couldn't be bothered.

- - -

Received several phone calls from prospective students over the past few weeks. And all the parents seem to be like the type of parents I dislike.

To be honest, I don't really care if I don't teach. I mean, with school starting and my studentship coming in, teaching is only a side dish. A well-paid side dish, but only a side-dish. I only taught piano at the beginning becuz my piano teacher requested it. Seeing as she is such a good teacher to me, I would repay her by helping her students out. If it makes my teacher feel better to know that I am coaching them on the side, then so be it, I will help out. As far as I know, the kids find extra lessons a pain and I never really know if they learn something from it.

The parents of students from my teacher tend to be a little better. My piano teacher is such a busy teacher, and becuz she is good, then it is only natural that they tiptoe around her wishes. What's great about these arrangements is that these are only temporary lessons, lasting for a period of 2-3 months, and this frees up when they take their exam. But they're only a little better. In general, parents just annoy the hell outta me.

What freakin annoys me the most is when they cancel lessons at the last minute and request that I schedule another time on another day. For reasons like sleepovers, parties etc. Well guess what, I don't have the time. I make it a rule that I only teach on Saturdays, and currently on Wed afternoons for the summer. I mean, I may be free at other times, but my schedule does not revolve around my students thank you very much. If you feel that it is necessary to cancel lessons, then that's your loss. It's not like I charge you for the cancelled lesson, although technically it is understandable if I do, so guess what, I don't have to make free my own time for your precious and often spoilt child. If its so bloody important that we catch up by scheduling a make-up session, why did you cancel in the first place?

And then there are those parents who request that you teach at their house. Well no, I'm sorry but I can't. If I have to teach like 7 students on a Saturday, does that mean I have to visit each and everyone of their houses? I'm fine with that as long as you pay for my travelling expenses. Which they don't normally want to, seeing as they request that I lower my charges anyway. My charge is equal to/lower than those found at your average Tom Lee/Parsons so if I'm that expensive, you could try to find someone else. If you live in the freakin Mid-levels (and just moved to a better apartment), how cheap are you if you won't pay for my travelling expenses(although I haven't asked) but actually ask me to lower my charges? I live in DB for chrissakes. If it's that important for your kid to learn, then come to my house and I can think of lowering the charge. Glad to say that this fell through because "I can't have XXX (her child) taking lessons on weekdays because she's really tired from school." The school is 20 minutes from your house, your kid is 13, and it's not like they have all that much work to do if they go to an international school is there? I know - I was there! At that age, I had to wake up at 6 every morning and I still had lessons after school and I wasn't complaining. Then sending me a check for the one lesson we had - first it had the wrong amount written, then the date was invalid. Are you really that reluctant to pay for the lesson?

Then there are the parents who request different times during the week for the lessons. I'm sorry, but if I am at school (which I will be starting Sept), I will only return on weekends. And no, I will not teach on Sundays because that is techinically the only day that I have empty for doing whatever I want (like lounging at home all day). I will not travel 3 hrs back home on a weekday and then back to school just for your kid. I'm sorry if their day is full on Saturday with all their other lessons and seeing as all their other lessons are so important and can't be cancelled, it doesn't really matter if they don't learn from me anyway. Which I honestly don't mind. I'll try my best to organize particular timeslots on Saturdays, but I can't help it everyone wants the same times.

No, I will not teach at 8am in the morning, and nor will I teach at 9am in the morning - 9.30 is only for emergency purposes. Your kid may be awake, but I'm not. And your kid will thank me for having the lesson at 10. This reduces the capacity of students on Saturday by 1-2, but I prefer that to having to wake up at 7am in the morning. Luckily enough, Saturdays nights never seem to be a problem because parents often have take the kids out somewhere.

And please if your child is picky about the type of teacher they are attracted to, and you want someone "fun and creative", I pray to God that they will not like me. I am not an entertaining machine, and piano is never initially fun. You have to put in the hours to make it fun, otherwise you'll never get anywhere. If your child doesn't practice and doesn't make much improvement, don't blame me - blame yourself for not keeping an eye on your kid and making sure they practice at home. No one ever said practice will ever be fun and I am definitely not paid to sit there and make sure they practise.

Please please please ask me whether I am qualified and find that I am not. I took my Associate Diploma exam more than 5 years ago, and Grade 8 Theory exam 2 years before that. I have not been learning piano since and I did not major in Piano, or music or anything remotely similar. I am an Anthropology major and starting my MPhil so in no way am I professionally qualified in teaching piano. If that's a problem, please find another teacher!

Your child may not get along with me, and guess what, I might not get along with your child. You may think that teaching is a way that I make my living, but no, it's only a part-time job so that I have more cash to spend. Therefore I do not have to be accomodating to any of your requests and if I am, it is only because I am a nice person. If you let your child get away with not taking lessons because they "don't like" the teacher because piano is hardwork, then I would be highly amused if you can find a teacher that fulfills the criteria of fun and being capable.

Frankly, I don't give a damn whether I teach your precious offspring - just don't bombard me with all these infuriating requests because the world does not revolve around your desire for your child to learn piano you know.
If they don't like it, don't force them - they'll only resent it even more. If they honestly like it, they could persevere in the face of every teacher, whether they are too strict or not. Check out my piano teacher and I still like piano.

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I liked that rant. Nothing new - it's been going on for at least 3 years now, but finally in text, rather than my ranting to my mum. lol