It an't no secret now is it, that yours truly hates (and never does) working a “job” or “for someone else” for that matter 

And I don't think it's a secret either that I dislike dancing monkey jobs in general more than any other “job” out there!

Case in point being ESL in China.

English as a second language and first “indulgence” (which is basically what it is for the coddled brats (both adult or not)) learning the language.

“Grandmother” Ashley being one of those. I believe I mentioned her walking out of the class in a fit once upon a good ole time because I wouldn't turn the AC “down” in the middle of blazing summer (while she pranced around in a blue mini skirt of all things).

Now don't get me wrong.

She was a good “gal” (or lady, or whatever you choose to call it). Or parent. But with yours truly she had history, and that was affecting her more than it should. Hehe.

Anyway ... she tried to get me fired. Probably did. And I walked very happily, much to the consternation of those (unwillingly – there was no reason to do it!) firing their best teacher because he wouldn't sit in the heat.

Ah, life in China!

Anyway, she was probably a good parent too.

And that brings me to THIS.

Hanlin school in Dongguan, a place that I Still have nightmares about working in, despite my supervisor Alan (now thats a great guy right there! One of the best!) doing all he could to keep things professional and stick to schedules etc as agreed upon.

And I was teaching primary there I believe. First grade, I believe they called it, or something. I can't remember.

Let's just say first grade.

And the highlight of my crazy time there (a few months all in all after which I very happily bailed on my own terms) was during “PE” class.

Of course.

Hehe.

What do I mean?

Well, they had me teaching a bunch of classes – all mostly boring for the most part. The archetypical “dancing monkey” BS

But (oh, and that reminds me – Gabriel – another great guy, and another one of my indirect supervisors there – very helpful man indeed!) ... PE class was anothe rdeal altogether.

Due to the craziness with schedules etc, I'd often have to go in at the last moment to teach (though Alan did all he could to avoid this, but it still happened).

And during PE class, we were supposed to make the kids “move”.

But that was it.

And after some routine football/basketball games, I did what I do best.

I got the kids doing pushups.

But I didnt tell them to do.

I was doing them as part of my own workout out there on the school lawn!

Indeed, I'd often do pushups and pull-ups at the school – even in the evenings when I arrived early for class.

Those evening workouts were known only to me and a few high schoolers who were out there at that point.

But the morning PE workouts – well – the kids joined in as soon as they saw me. 

And I soon got them doing pull-ups as well – so much so that my “el groucho” cranky ass was actually photographed doing pull-ups with the kids and GETTING them to do them – and that photo was displayed very prominently on the school's marketing bulletin board outside class.

Along with a ... gasp. Yes. A smiling yours truly.

On occasion, I do crack a huge smile!

And the contrast between those two pictures is like day and night.

Well, not really. I believe I was smiling in the first set of pics too. Hehe.

But really, point is this, and it holds especially true today.

Kids are overburdened with way too much these days , my friend - -and a good exercise regimen is the best thing you can do for 'em.

Unfortunately, the Seargant General approach won't work.

You gotta DO yourself, and the little monkeys will follow along, hehe, and they'll have a whale of a time, and won't even know it!

And they will be building them Shoulders like Boulders from a very young age like my daughter is – or vice like grips like some of the heftier students at “Hanlin” were bulding! Hehe.

Last, but not least, proof? Well, I've got those pictures stashed away somewhere I believe, and I'll probably post them on social media or what not down the line.

I'd do it now, but three computer crashes later (all this year!) I've lost pretty much everything I had on my hard disk, so I can't do it righ tnow. But it's verymuch there! :)

Anyway, get 'em started young – and early!

And thats the message for this one. Back soon! 

Best,

Rahul Mookerjee

PS – DO pick up Kiddie Fitness for your kids, especially i fyou're stuck at home with kids during the lockdown. Its far better than giving them a steady diet of the dumbphone for one. Trust me. Yes, the course ain't “cheap”, but it's something that will pay off in spades – an investment as it were. Grab this NOW for your kids my friend.

PS #2 – And as for some early Thanksgiving or Christmas shopping – well – good news – pandemic or not – e-products are always open – and HERE is where you can delve into some of OURS!