Apprehension is always hell. But unless somehow or other something off-the-wall comes flying out of the woodwork, I think I landed my first stateside teaching gig. Subbing, mind you, but that's where I'm at at the moment. And more is to come, I think, once again, unless I manage to come off so badly that nothing else ever happens, but we won't even go there. Get me to the first day, most of all, and from there, I should be able to handle myself. Follow the rules, that's about all they seem to be asking. That, of course, and know what I'm talkin' about. No real question to that, I haven't heard of a high school class teaching quantum physics. Brings to mind, though, that my eight-year-old is working on the concept of square roots. Yikes. I had my problems dealing with those in high school. Given that mentality, by high school it could very well be quantum physics. Double yikes. What the HR rep. said at the sub orientation meeting this morning, as I've been told, speaks for much in that she made the point that you're not allowed to lay a hand on the students in any way, shape or form. You can snatch a cell phone as long as you promise to give it back after class. Never had an issue with that, even in cell-phone crazed Korea. Given the presence of metal detectors, and tighter control over students, there should be no issues with guns, toy or real. As I said before, it's stunning that in a country like Korea, where guns are outlawed, unless you're police or military, the kids all play with toy guns. And the four-pointed boomerang toys so popular among the younger kids, the impalement-risk items. The Consumer Products Safety Commission would be on those babies in a heartbeat if they ever made it over here. Emotionally, though, a bite like this is a huge relief; I can stop worrying about what's going to become of me, and get back to living. Thank you, Lord Jesus, I needed this. More, as you might imagine, to come.