Apparently I am no fun. "No tiene gracia," said Ernesto (using the formal conjugation of the verb for me, I suppose because I am a stranger and way older). Ernesto is three. He already can read in Spanish and quite a lot in English, though I believe a lot of that is memorized. He keeps his toys, puzzles and books astoundingly organised, of his own accord.

Yesterday when Ana called me and said it was a niño of three years, I thought, "Good Lord, can they even speak?" Evidently I am not very experienced with kids. I was terrified to go meet Ana for an "interview", but she really didn't quiz me or anything. I spent a long time yesterday looking up all sorts of children's learning activities, but she says I will not need to prepare anything. He enjoys reading or being read to, and drawing a bit.

Anyways, kids don't lie. If he says I am boring, well, I guess that's what I am.

I have walked far and wide looking for a straightedge and finally found one in a sewing store with excellent, high quality products and sewing machines, right next to home. I am 100% confident that I can make a stretchy blouse with ruffles around the neck, custom fit to my friend (given time enough to correct any mistakes and try over). This does not frighten me. Trying to "teach English" to a three year old does. Learning to speak Chinese does not intimidate me in the least, nor does taking up the violin. Pretending I am an expert in teaching English to businessmen and having to put on clothes that will be suitable enough for an office, and invent activities and lessons for them, does (the hard part of it is that I don't enjoy orchestrating groups of people to do some kind of activity of imagined or indirect importance. It takes a heck of a lot of confidence - or bull-headedness - to drag along others on a hoop jumping expedition and actually believe in what you are doing. Perhaps businessmen who need English will be different.) Anyways, it is time to hide in my own little space with the heater and music on and do what I want.

Oh and by the way bulerias suck too. I haven't got the slightest clue about anything and I've been studying it for a while.