Monday, September 5, 2011
A Silly Girl's Odyssey Around Town
A few Fridays ago I came into school and I had a few things to ask Jinsook (main Co-T) before the weekend. After an hour of empty office, a few students came in to ask me to look at their writing assignment. Happy for the company, we talked a while. When they got up to leave, "Nice to meet you, teacher."
"Nice to SEEEEE you. Nice to SEE you," I corrected. "See you this afternoon."
"No, teacher. No class today. School ovah."
"Seriously?"
"Yes, teacher."
JF text to main co-T: Hi, sorry to bother you! Are you coming in today?
Jinsook: I don't have classes today. My summer classes are finished. Do you need something?
JF: Well all my students say we don't have class today. Should I stay?
Jinsook: I'm so sorry! I just checked. They are right! It's up to you if you stay :)
One of the most talked about "issues with Korea", in working with Co-Ts specifically, is the ol' "oops I forgot tell you." This story turned out well because the result was a free day off, but some do not; they feel like little paper cuts, and how teachers deal with it can make or break their time here.
"Oops, I forgot tell you there is a trip to Daemyeong today after school." Which turns into a 6 hour trip, complete with a karaoke mic, trivia, and prizes--obviously not the end of the world, but say you had a date. And, three hours in a bus with a bunch of trivia and games and jokes in Korean can only be so fun.
"Oops, I forgot tell you we are hiking today. Those shoes maybe no good." Not to mention the dress I'm wearing?
For people who are naturally laid-back, these kinds of things can slide with no resentment, but for some teachers, this is a big source of frustration. The co-teaching relationships are tricky--this is not something they were trained for, so it all depends on their personalities, when it comes to how much information you will get ahead of time. Some of us get calendars immediately, with all the dates of holidays, test days, vacation days, etc. I have yet to know when my first Open Parents' Day is, where the parents come into my class and observe. "It probably some time in October or September." Paper cut.
I, some might say, am a version of Sally in "When Harry Met Sally." Harry and Sally have this articulate conversation about high-maintenance and low-maintenance women.
Harry Burns: There are two kinds of women: high maintenance and low maintenance.
Sally Albright: Which one am I?
Harry Burns: You're the worst kind; you're high maintenance but you think you're low maintenance.
Sally Albright: I don't see that.
Harry Burns: You don't see that? Waiter, I'll begin with a house salad, but I don't want the regular dressing. I'll have the balsamic vinegar and oil, but on the side. And then the salmon with the mustard sauce, but I want the mustard sauce on the side. "On the side" is a very big thing for you.
Sally Albright: Well, I just want it the way I want it.
Harry Burns: I know; high maintenance.
Others would just say I'm kind of a control freak; which it totally true, but I'm trying like hell to cover it up so I seem like I'm low-maintenance.
Co-workers: "Let's go to lunch today. Sang-mu."
JF: Graciously, I respond, "Absolutely. That sounds great." In my mind, I'm thinking I wish we would've planned this so I wouldn't have eaten 2 bowls of cereal this morning; which was 2.5 hours ago. Now, I'm not hungry and if I say no, then on some weird American diet, or blowing them off. Both rude and inappropriate.
JF: "What will we have?"
Co-T: "That so cute. You always wanta to know stuff. Shabu shabu. Seafoodah shabu shabu."
JF: "Sounds amazing." Sounds delicious--as 8 big bowls of sodium yumminess should, until you're stuffing my face with "takah more" and "try this" and I'm rolling home sweating with 90 degrees and his good friend 100% humidity.
The only (albeit wavering) thing I have going for me here my excuse: it's not because I'm an ignorant and entitled waygook prick, it's because I'm older and experience has made me this way. I used to be an uber-"go with the flow" kind of person (Type B). I was justifiably voted Class Procrastinator my senior year in high school, and always had the house where people showed up unannounced all hours of everyday; and, I was always willing to "do whatever", even if I knew I had a test the next day. Then a year after college, I went back to school for post-bach work; I actually wanted good grades, had to keep a job, "life" things to do--that's when The Move began. I look back now and think, of course living that way was awesome; I just never got anything done.
Graduate school fostered my straying far, far away from my Type B-land. I found a new home, nestled neatly on the corner of Make-Plans Street and To-Do-List Avenue. That way, I could do everything, keep everyone happy--take a full-time class load, do my research assistantship, still see my friends, make it to my little sister's birthday party an hour away, work out, and buy/cook healthy groceries; and in my spare time, plug away at all the literature my peers had read during undergrad, that I missed during Textiles I & II. I actually had 24 usable hours if I just planned it right. And drank enough caffeine.
Post-grad school teaching at a for-profit, private (corporatized) college had me teaching four to five essay-based-grading courses; then there were the meetings, committees, and mentoring other teachers; not to mention they were paying me less than they were advertizing as the minimum salary for their associate's degree graduates. The campus director's unconstructive criticisms basically ran a bull-dozer through any trips to Rejuvenation. I soon I had a double mortgage in the Control Freak neighborhood.
I think my friends would say they were at least a little rewarded by this: it makes me a good party planner--the logisitics manager of our social lives. I always took charge of reservations, times, venues, and planned based on the highest statistic of everyone's happiness, and the lowest chances of failure of someone being left out, unhappy, etc. I brought it on myself, but it became too much.
My former self and present self finally stopped arguing and sat down to a nice dinner and worked it out the best plan of evacuation--step 1: quit job. Step 2: move to Korea.
"Oops, I forgot to tell you the principal and vice-principal want to join your class on Friday. Need detail lesson plan by tomodow."
No matter how appropriate the request is, I have to admit, hearing it extinguishes the happiness from the last "oops" day-off. A salty paper cut. A whiny thing to say? Probably; but it is difficult, truly and genuinely difficult to go back to letting anything and everything roll off your back, once you've had to start "listing", so as to make your life work properly. For some it's a string of battles--they plan lessons that never get used, are drastically changed, or condescendingly dismissed, and swear profusely they'll never re-sign again (but do). Some have two separate schools, a long commute, and drink until they fall asleep waiting for the subway, at the end of a long frustrating week. And put a smile back on the next day. It's just a paper cut after all.
I actually believe that I'm okay with these kinds of "oops" and the world of Unplanners, but that I am just much much more attracted to making plans. Tis true though, that Korea has been integral in my meandering back toward the person I see as the actual Me--hopefully a good mix of AB. I think the sleep and lack of stress has opened the doors. These days, I'm contentedly trying to just be hanging with my homies and some Hite, even if swollen in the blistering sun, on the corner of Relax and Shut the Fuck Up.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
How I Fell in Love with Watermelon
A few weeks before I moved to Korea, I was high-octane everything--work, stress, emotions, food, workouts, weekly panic attacks, muscle-tension, drinks--everything but sleep. And everything was to overcompensate for something else. At the time, the only good thing I had left from my workplace was the insurance (not shockingly, since corporate work = corporate health benefits), which was covering weekly massage therapy appointments to undo the done. They were probably the only things that were getting me by.
I remember very clearly the last girl I had because although I really liked her, she'd kept talking when I wanted to fall into a relaxation coma. I knew it would be the last for a long while.
"Oh, I LOVED Seoul. It's so amazing. So SO so so amazing. I'm so super jealous."
"Yeah, I'm not moving to Seoul, but I've heard nothing but good things. What was your favorite thing?"
"Oh my God, you have to try the jimjilbangs!"
"The what-what-bangs?"
"OMG, it's like this bathhouse/sauna thing. Like seriously 10bucks. Everyone showers and gets massage AND this woman scrubs your dead skin off your whole body. AND you can sleep there. Super cheap. I went like everyday!"
"Yeah, I'll have to try that."
Two planes, three buses, luggage transfers, thick air, no sleep, and a non-stop emotional rollercoaster, a rock solid bed, complete with neck-pain-inducing pillow, I was desperate for a massage; but, I didn't seek one out.
I'm going to say it: I'm just not one of those naked people--you know, those that walk around locker rooms and steam rooms with ease and eloquence, and total disregard for who's watching. And I'm envious. I was mostly raised in a house with a single, Chinese, 22 year-old father--no one should be surprised if I bathed in a swimsuit until I was ten. In addition, I was missing everything I was accustomed to eating; no honeycrisps, no good grapes, no avocado. Just watermelon. However, there's just something about seedy fruit I can't really crush on. So, instead I just went to sleep. For months.
When I finally woke up wanting to explore Korea, I started seeing the jimjilbang on all the Korean "must do" lists. I starting thinking I had to, my body hurt. Plus, a massage and "skin scraping" = extra healthy skin and muscles for like $10? It was at least worth a try. And moving to Korea had to be partially about overcoming my demons, right?
So I asked around the office. There's no Metromix for Gwangju; I can't simply look it up online, find one with a good price, and good user-reviews, and then go to the address located neatly under the photos for my convenience. One of my co-teachers told me to ask Youngju--a.k.a Big Mama--"She's a weekly bather." So, with some gusto and pre-worked-up blushing, I asked her after class one day, worried she would want to take me, not point me in the right direction.
"Could you recommend a good jimjilbang around campus? Some teachers told me that you go often, and while I know you could suggest the one you normally go to, I'd rather you help me find one near campus so I can go whenever." I even tried to tell her I didn't want to "inconvenience her", in hopes that I could do this alone.
"Oh, yes. You like bathhouse? Thel arh many. I show you."
"Ok, thank you! Actually, I've never been. I do want to try."
"OH! Firsta time? Ok ok."
The next week, she stayed after class. I had somewhat forgotten I'd asked her about it. Thought she had too, until she came over and said, "Saturday good? I take you to my place. Pick you up."
Immediately my face turned red. she wants to go together! Great. We picked a time, and two seconds later thoughts of how to get myself out of it rushed in. I could swear hives started to break out.
Panicking slightly, right up until the time I'd be late if I didn't leave, I shook my head repeating must get over this shit, must get over this shit. you have skydived, and bungee jumped. Surely you can do THIS.
I met her at school after her Saturday classes finished. "Hi. Thanks so much for inviting me."
"Ok, ok. Let's go."
"I have a dinner thing at 6pm. Is that ok?"
"Ok, ok. Let's go."
Upon walking the two flights of stairs to the women's section of the place, I could smell the steam, and hear the women's chatter getting louder and louder. The locker room was like I expected--benches, lockers, blow-dryers, and vanity counters with combs, Q-tips, and towels. Only the amenities in this place were better than flying business class: cups for cupping (Asian Therapy), a refrigerator full of complimentary juice and water, large mugs of iced coffee, slippers, a rack of clothing for purchase, and a padded "TV area" that made me feel as comfortable as the "reading corner" in kindergarten. I think I was most impressed by the fact that the lockers had locks on them--none of this "bring your own" bullshit. I timidly undressed, while all the chatting ajummas sat on the benches, doing their locker-room-talk. Wrapped in two mini-towels, I followed Youngju into the bathing-room where she handed me a toothbrush, wash cloth, and towel, then took my locker key and put it in her basket.
Over the next two hours, I was scraped, massaged, and bathed among a dozen Korean women; two of which had brought their daughters, both under the age of 5. Everyone lounged comfortably, moved slowly, caring for their bodies, and un-clenching their minds amidst steamy water and soapy water-cloths. A few were using the cups on one another--an ancient method for promoting blood flow and healing. We moved from the hot bath to the cold bath, and talked about our hopes and dreams. Literally.
All things I find so lacking in the U.S. I am an avid user of gyms and wellness centers and although the idea is promoting healthy bodies, mostly everyone is in a hurried "get in and out" mentality, or on their cardio machines with an individual TV, listening to their ipods intently, or foraging the room for the new US Weekly. Sometimes all of the above. I've been guilty of this myself.
In fact, very guilty. Before I left Chicago for Korea, I had quit smoking completely, was running at least 7 miles a day or seeing a trainer 6, sometimes 7 days per week, doing yoga and pilates too; I was surrounded by loved ones and had access to all the foods I wanted; yet, looking back, I think it was still the unhealthiest I have ever felt.
As I told her these things, she sat contemplatively. She didn't ask why I wasn't married, why I moved so far from my loved ones, nor what I was going to do in the future. She just squinted and smiled. "When I stress, I come hee. I work to 10pm. And Sadahdays. I come hee."
"Yeah, I think Korea's on to something. Thank you for sharing with me." I smiled back.
"What iseh deh hardest ding about being in Kohea?"
"Well, of course I miss my friends and family. And many other small things. I love Korean food, but everyday is a bit much. I've definitely gotten used to it though."
"Oh, yes. I can imagine. Afteh dis, you come to my house for watahmelon."
"Actually, I don't really... Ok. I come to your house for watermelon."
http://www.seoulstyle.com/art_naked.htm
http://www.naturaltherapypages.com.au/natural_medicine/Cupping
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/05/world/asia/05korea.html?pagewanted=2
http://killerstress.stanford.edu/
http://www.lesstress.net/diseases-caused-by-stress.htm
I remember very clearly the last girl I had because although I really liked her, she'd kept talking when I wanted to fall into a relaxation coma. I knew it would be the last for a long while.
"Oh, I LOVED Seoul. It's so amazing. So SO so so amazing. I'm so super jealous."
"Yeah, I'm not moving to Seoul, but I've heard nothing but good things. What was your favorite thing?"
"Oh my God, you have to try the jimjilbangs!"
"The what-what-bangs?"
"OMG, it's like this bathhouse/sauna thing. Like seriously 10bucks. Everyone showers and gets massage AND this woman scrubs your dead skin off your whole body. AND you can sleep there. Super cheap. I went like everyday!"
"Yeah, I'll have to try that."
Two planes, three buses, luggage transfers, thick air, no sleep, and a non-stop emotional rollercoaster, a rock solid bed, complete with neck-pain-inducing pillow, I was desperate for a massage; but, I didn't seek one out.
I'm going to say it: I'm just not one of those naked people--you know, those that walk around locker rooms and steam rooms with ease and eloquence, and total disregard for who's watching. And I'm envious. I was mostly raised in a house with a single, Chinese, 22 year-old father--no one should be surprised if I bathed in a swimsuit until I was ten. In addition, I was missing everything I was accustomed to eating; no honeycrisps, no good grapes, no avocado. Just watermelon. However, there's just something about seedy fruit I can't really crush on. So, instead I just went to sleep. For months.
When I finally woke up wanting to explore Korea, I started seeing the jimjilbang on all the Korean "must do" lists. I starting thinking I had to, my body hurt. Plus, a massage and "skin scraping" = extra healthy skin and muscles for like $10? It was at least worth a try. And moving to Korea had to be partially about overcoming my demons, right?
So I asked around the office. There's no Metromix for Gwangju; I can't simply look it up online, find one with a good price, and good user-reviews, and then go to the address located neatly under the photos for my convenience. One of my co-teachers told me to ask Youngju--a.k.a Big Mama--"She's a weekly bather." So, with some gusto and pre-worked-up blushing, I asked her after class one day, worried she would want to take me, not point me in the right direction.
"Could you recommend a good jimjilbang around campus? Some teachers told me that you go often, and while I know you could suggest the one you normally go to, I'd rather you help me find one near campus so I can go whenever." I even tried to tell her I didn't want to "inconvenience her", in hopes that I could do this alone.
"Oh, yes. You like bathhouse? Thel arh many. I show you."
"Ok, thank you! Actually, I've never been. I do want to try."
"OH! Firsta time? Ok ok."
The next week, she stayed after class. I had somewhat forgotten I'd asked her about it. Thought she had too, until she came over and said, "Saturday good? I take you to my place. Pick you up."
Immediately my face turned red. she wants to go together! Great. We picked a time, and two seconds later thoughts of how to get myself out of it rushed in. I could swear hives started to break out.
Panicking slightly, right up until the time I'd be late if I didn't leave, I shook my head repeating must get over this shit, must get over this shit. you have skydived, and bungee jumped. Surely you can do THIS.
I met her at school after her Saturday classes finished. "Hi. Thanks so much for inviting me."
"Ok, ok. Let's go."
"I have a dinner thing at 6pm. Is that ok?"
"Ok, ok. Let's go."
Upon walking the two flights of stairs to the women's section of the place, I could smell the steam, and hear the women's chatter getting louder and louder. The locker room was like I expected--benches, lockers, blow-dryers, and vanity counters with combs, Q-tips, and towels. Only the amenities in this place were better than flying business class: cups for cupping (Asian Therapy), a refrigerator full of complimentary juice and water, large mugs of iced coffee, slippers, a rack of clothing for purchase, and a padded "TV area" that made me feel as comfortable as the "reading corner" in kindergarten. I think I was most impressed by the fact that the lockers had locks on them--none of this "bring your own" bullshit. I timidly undressed, while all the chatting ajummas sat on the benches, doing their locker-room-talk. Wrapped in two mini-towels, I followed Youngju into the bathing-room where she handed me a toothbrush, wash cloth, and towel, then took my locker key and put it in her basket.
Over the next two hours, I was scraped, massaged, and bathed among a dozen Korean women; two of which had brought their daughters, both under the age of 5. Everyone lounged comfortably, moved slowly, caring for their bodies, and un-clenching their minds amidst steamy water and soapy water-cloths. A few were using the cups on one another--an ancient method for promoting blood flow and healing. We moved from the hot bath to the cold bath, and talked about our hopes and dreams. Literally.
All things I find so lacking in the U.S. I am an avid user of gyms and wellness centers and although the idea is promoting healthy bodies, mostly everyone is in a hurried "get in and out" mentality, or on their cardio machines with an individual TV, listening to their ipods intently, or foraging the room for the new US Weekly. Sometimes all of the above. I've been guilty of this myself.
In fact, very guilty. Before I left Chicago for Korea, I had quit smoking completely, was running at least 7 miles a day or seeing a trainer 6, sometimes 7 days per week, doing yoga and pilates too; I was surrounded by loved ones and had access to all the foods I wanted; yet, looking back, I think it was still the unhealthiest I have ever felt.
As I told her these things, she sat contemplatively. She didn't ask why I wasn't married, why I moved so far from my loved ones, nor what I was going to do in the future. She just squinted and smiled. "When I stress, I come hee. I work to 10pm. And Sadahdays. I come hee."
"Yeah, I think Korea's on to something. Thank you for sharing with me." I smiled back.
"What iseh deh hardest ding about being in Kohea?"
"Well, of course I miss my friends and family. And many other small things. I love Korean food, but everyday is a bit much. I've definitely gotten used to it though."
"Oh, yes. I can imagine. Afteh dis, you come to my house for watahmelon."
"Actually, I don't really... Ok. I come to your house for watermelon."
http://www.seoulstyle.com/art_naked.htm
http://www.naturaltherapypages.com.au/natural_medicine/Cupping
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/05/world/asia/05korea.html?pagewanted=2
http://killerstress.stanford.edu/
http://www.lesstress.net/diseases-caused-by-stress.htm
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
A Different Perspective
One of my summer English camp courses is about helping some 3rd level (seniors) girls prepare for university interviews. Here is one that made me stop and think about how much distance is truly between these students and US students' perspectives:
Q: Give your thoughts on current international or national events.
A: The only country which seperated in two in the the world is the Korea. It is consisted in North Korea and South Korea. South Korea is a democratic country but, North Korea is a communism country. So many country, especially USA pay attention to the North Korea. The main issue about North Korea is denuclearization. I think that issue is not only national but also international. Frequently the North Korea have threaten peace of the world by a nuclear weapon. So staple countries open conferences to negotiate with North Korea. I hope to solve the trouble between North Korea and many other countries quickly by peaceful unification.
Given, I haven't been around too many US high school students in the last couple years, but I feel like these students have a unique perspective. They don't want to graduate and pick the nearest party school, or become rock stars (outside the singing room, of course). 4/6 of the girls want to be diplomats; 2 want to be teachers.
I think there is a lot of really crazy decisions being made over here--the kids go to school 6 days per week, 14 hours per day, and on Sundays they "waked up at 9am and went to the study room until midnight." But one thing is clear: South Korea's priorities are rightly placed on Education.
In the U.S., I feel like the major issue is that no one can agree on the level of importance for the social/political platforms; everyone has such an extreme individual stance, that no one can even agree to be individual or collective. In Korea, the teachers, the parents, the students, the policians ALL believe that education is the priority. They acknowledged a problem: underdevelopment; they collectively chose a solution: extremist-education.
Is it crazy? Hell yes. Korea's students are rated #1 in terms of unhappiness, stress, and even suicide. But, so are their scores. And, they've identified the new problem: too extreme. So, they're making new changes: taking away classes on Saturdays. Still too much, but at least it's something. And I even had one student say, "What will we do with no class on Saturdays anyway?"
Whereas in the U.S., we can't decide on how important education is, so of course there is going to be even more ridiculous argument over how much to pay teachers, how much state/fed money should go to education, which kids get to go to what schools, and so on, and so...fucking...on. I think it's really old and the reason I swayed from the path to teaching public education--hard to fight a fight when we have no idea WHAT the fight actually is.
I feel like our U.S. students are lacking realistic perspective, and I can't blame them--the influences are tainted, leaving them with a mix of impressionist and abstract ideas that don't really result in anything concrete, and subsequently, no where near ready for the harsh realities of the globalist-future.
Korea is BIG on sending their own to study abroad--it's extremely high on everyone's priority list. After reading this article, it gives me hope that we can start seeing it that way too:
http://www.newsweek.com/2011/07/17/american-kids-immersed-in-chinese-asian-education.html
Q: Give your thoughts on current international or national events.
A: The only country which seperated in two in the the world is the Korea. It is consisted in North Korea and South Korea. South Korea is a democratic country but, North Korea is a communism country. So many country, especially USA pay attention to the North Korea. The main issue about North Korea is denuclearization. I think that issue is not only national but also international. Frequently the North Korea have threaten peace of the world by a nuclear weapon. So staple countries open conferences to negotiate with North Korea. I hope to solve the trouble between North Korea and many other countries quickly by peaceful unification.
Given, I haven't been around too many US high school students in the last couple years, but I feel like these students have a unique perspective. They don't want to graduate and pick the nearest party school, or become rock stars (outside the singing room, of course). 4/6 of the girls want to be diplomats; 2 want to be teachers.
I think there is a lot of really crazy decisions being made over here--the kids go to school 6 days per week, 14 hours per day, and on Sundays they "waked up at 9am and went to the study room until midnight." But one thing is clear: South Korea's priorities are rightly placed on Education.
In the U.S., I feel like the major issue is that no one can agree on the level of importance for the social/political platforms; everyone has such an extreme individual stance, that no one can even agree to be individual or collective. In Korea, the teachers, the parents, the students, the policians ALL believe that education is the priority. They acknowledged a problem: underdevelopment; they collectively chose a solution: extremist-education.
Is it crazy? Hell yes. Korea's students are rated #1 in terms of unhappiness, stress, and even suicide. But, so are their scores. And, they've identified the new problem: too extreme. So, they're making new changes: taking away classes on Saturdays. Still too much, but at least it's something. And I even had one student say, "What will we do with no class on Saturdays anyway?"
Whereas in the U.S., we can't decide on how important education is, so of course there is going to be even more ridiculous argument over how much to pay teachers, how much state/fed money should go to education, which kids get to go to what schools, and so on, and so...fucking...on. I think it's really old and the reason I swayed from the path to teaching public education--hard to fight a fight when we have no idea WHAT the fight actually is.
I feel like our U.S. students are lacking realistic perspective, and I can't blame them--the influences are tainted, leaving them with a mix of impressionist and abstract ideas that don't really result in anything concrete, and subsequently, no where near ready for the harsh realities of the globalist-future.
Korea is BIG on sending their own to study abroad--it's extremely high on everyone's priority list. After reading this article, it gives me hope that we can start seeing it that way too:
http://www.newsweek.com/2011/07/17/american-kids-immersed-in-chinese-asian-education.html
Thursday, July 14, 2011
The Stinger Power
I was sitting in class today and Nanla, my co-teacher, walked in looking peaked. Having a relationship with easch of them, she is the older, more maternal co-T who took me to my first acupuncture appointment.
"How are you today?" I asked.
"Not good. Ailments," she relied. "I dizzy this morning when I wake. And pain."
"Oh no, the acupuncture is not working?"
"I bee sting," she says, showing me her leg, and subsequent area with multiple welts.
"You got stung by a bee?! Three times?!"
"Yes, my husband bought. Is therapy."
"Wait, wait, wait. Your husband is stinging you with bees? On purpose?"
"Yes. Is healing. I don't want to take my medication anymore."
"Well, that's a way to go about that. Ouch!"
"Why are you laughing?" she asks, giggling.
"Because you purchased bees and are forcing them to sting you!"
So, I looked it up thinking surely this can't be right. Sure enough.
http://www.chronicfatiguetreatments.com/wordpress/treatments/bee-sting-therapy-for-chronic-pain-and-auto-immune-disorders/
"How are you today?" I asked.
"Not good. Ailments," she relied. "I dizzy this morning when I wake. And pain."
"Oh no, the acupuncture is not working?"
"I bee sting," she says, showing me her leg, and subsequent area with multiple welts.
"You got stung by a bee?! Three times?!"
"Yes, my husband bought. Is therapy."
"Wait, wait, wait. Your husband is stinging you with bees? On purpose?"
"Yes. Is healing. I don't want to take my medication anymore."
"Well, that's a way to go about that. Ouch!"
"Why are you laughing?" she asks, giggling.
"Because you purchased bees and are forcing them to sting you!"
So, I looked it up thinking surely this can't be right. Sure enough.
http://www.chronicfatiguetreatments.com/wordpress/treatments/bee-sting-therapy-for-chronic-pain-and-auto-immune-disorders/
Student Speech--Keywords of My Life
Some of the students entered a "Dream" contest, reflecting on their hypothetical lives at 40. This is one of my Essay Writing student's essay, who asked me for editing help. I just wanted to share...
Keywords Of My Life
- 40 Years Old Me -
(English Script)
Hello, everyone. You are all here today to listen to my speech: key words of my 40-year-old life. Preparing this speech, I worried for quite a long time because I was not sure what subject would reflect my life the most effectively. Since I wanted to let people know just how related one's life is with his interest and ability, especially for teenagers, the keyword would be perfectly simple and easy to understand. Let me start with my wandering adolescence.
Doubt & Wonder
ㆍWill I able to enter good university?
ㆍWhat should I be in the future?
ㆍWhat is my heart telling me to do?
These are all very common questions that teenagers struggle to find answer. Most of my friends whose grades were similar to mine had firm determinations and seemed to be making every effort in order to achieve their dreams. Consequently, I was intimidated. My grades were outstanding, but I felt exhausted when I thought of this question: What am I studying for?
However, every person has at least one thing one loves to do. I was no exception.
This is my first keyword. Can you guess what it is?
Right. My first keyword is: English.
English
ㆍNo rejection
ㆍEnjoyable
ㆍMy representative strength
Many of you may not understand me, but I loved English. I started learning English at the age of seven and seven-year-old me soon found out that English was amazingly interesting. It was whole new and fantastic experience speaking, reading and writing in another language. Naturally, my English skill was steadily developed and I got to be confident with it. I desired to improve my English more and more.
This is how I started learning English for the first time. As you can see, I connected every alphabet with animals or things which are familiar with me. They're quite easy, aren't they? I could learn English easier in this way.
Reading
ㆍGet knowledge
ㆍCan go anywhere in the world
ㆍExperience various situations
ㆍWiden the range of imagination
And, this is my second keyword. My second keyword is Reading. In my childhood days, I spent most of the day reading books instead of going to math or science academy. My mother bought me as many books as she could and encouraged me to read them a lot. I could not see the wall of my house's living room because it was all covered with bookshelves.
As the result, I became good at reading and writing.
I fell in love with books because I could experience everything and anything in them. Some days, I was with an invisible man, and the next day I was exploring jungle. The possibilities were endless.
Yu-na Kim
ㆍ2010 Vancouver Olympic Figure Skating Champion
ㆍOvercome all difficulties
ㆍDonates much
Now, I'll give you my last keyword. You can also try guess this time. My last keyword is: Yu-na Kim.
Some of you might wonder why, but I cannot tell you about my life without mentioning Yu-na Kim. She has been my mentor since I just first saw her skating on the ice.
What I admire most about her is that she got through uncountable difficulties, such as injuries, financial problems, and lack of rinks to practice. Despite all those problems, she kept practicing and as a result, she achieved her lifelong dream: to be an Olympic Champion.
Furthermore, she teaches me the humane way of living. She's an UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, helps children from poor countries, and young Korean figure skaters.
40 years old me
ㆍInterpreter
ㆍTranslator
ㆍCan go almost every ice show I want
Finally, this is the slide for the present. Can you see that all three keywords listed on this slide are quite related with the keywords that I stated you on the front slides? And, accordingly, I'm really satisfied with my life now and enjoying everyday. I love my job and most of all, I love my hobby- watching ice shows. What I hope you is to be the one who can enjoy your life truly and lives doing what you want. Thank you for listening.
Keywords Of My Life
- 40 Years Old Me -
(English Script)
Hello, everyone. You are all here today to listen to my speech: key words of my 40-year-old life. Preparing this speech, I worried for quite a long time because I was not sure what subject would reflect my life the most effectively. Since I wanted to let people know just how related one's life is with his interest and ability, especially for teenagers, the keyword would be perfectly simple and easy to understand. Let me start with my wandering adolescence.
Doubt & Wonder
ㆍWill I able to enter good university?
ㆍWhat should I be in the future?
ㆍWhat is my heart telling me to do?
These are all very common questions that teenagers struggle to find answer. Most of my friends whose grades were similar to mine had firm determinations and seemed to be making every effort in order to achieve their dreams. Consequently, I was intimidated. My grades were outstanding, but I felt exhausted when I thought of this question: What am I studying for?
However, every person has at least one thing one loves to do. I was no exception.
This is my first keyword. Can you guess what it is?
Right. My first keyword is: English.
English
ㆍNo rejection
ㆍEnjoyable
ㆍMy representative strength
Many of you may not understand me, but I loved English. I started learning English at the age of seven and seven-year-old me soon found out that English was amazingly interesting. It was whole new and fantastic experience speaking, reading and writing in another language. Naturally, my English skill was steadily developed and I got to be confident with it. I desired to improve my English more and more.
This is how I started learning English for the first time. As you can see, I connected every alphabet with animals or things which are familiar with me. They're quite easy, aren't they? I could learn English easier in this way.
Reading
ㆍGet knowledge
ㆍCan go anywhere in the world
ㆍExperience various situations
ㆍWiden the range of imagination
And, this is my second keyword. My second keyword is Reading. In my childhood days, I spent most of the day reading books instead of going to math or science academy. My mother bought me as many books as she could and encouraged me to read them a lot. I could not see the wall of my house's living room because it was all covered with bookshelves.
As the result, I became good at reading and writing.
I fell in love with books because I could experience everything and anything in them. Some days, I was with an invisible man, and the next day I was exploring jungle. The possibilities were endless.
Yu-na Kim
ㆍ2010 Vancouver Olympic Figure Skating Champion
ㆍOvercome all difficulties
ㆍDonates much
Now, I'll give you my last keyword. You can also try guess this time. My last keyword is: Yu-na Kim.
Some of you might wonder why, but I cannot tell you about my life without mentioning Yu-na Kim. She has been my mentor since I just first saw her skating on the ice.
What I admire most about her is that she got through uncountable difficulties, such as injuries, financial problems, and lack of rinks to practice. Despite all those problems, she kept practicing and as a result, she achieved her lifelong dream: to be an Olympic Champion.
Furthermore, she teaches me the humane way of living. She's an UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, helps children from poor countries, and young Korean figure skaters.
40 years old me
ㆍInterpreter
ㆍTranslator
ㆍCan go almost every ice show I want
Finally, this is the slide for the present. Can you see that all three keywords listed on this slide are quite related with the keywords that I stated you on the front slides? And, accordingly, I'm really satisfied with my life now and enjoying everyday. I love my job and most of all, I love my hobby- watching ice shows. What I hope you is to be the one who can enjoy your life truly and lives doing what you want. Thank you for listening.
Monday, July 4, 2011
Celebrating July 4, 2011
It's quite weird, being from America, and not celebrating Independence Day. I don't know if I should admit that it has nothing to do with celebrating our independence from Britain, but it really doesn't. I can get down with celebrating freedom, but sometimes that feels shady to me, like I'm buying into the force-fed history books. The bias ones.
Missing this holiday emphasizes missing my friends and family on the weekend I enjoy most in the year--everyone is easily excitable. Even if the weather turns out horribly, the fireworks are cancelled, and the inevitable hangover begins early, even the grumps put out a smile. At least in my experience.
But usually, the sun comes out, and water guns and sprinklers and laughter are abundant. The smell of charcoal, grilled food, and the sulfur from fireworks alone brings extra large, genuine contentment. Family and friends from all over the place have gathered and the children that were toddlers last year have grown into full-fleged water-gun sharpshooters, and can carry on conversations that make you want to quit your job to become a pre-school teacher.
And it has nothing to do with gifting. Nothing. Children are contented by love and happiness and sparklers, instead of discontented by 100 presents that didn't include "the one they really wanted." Adults are contented by a can of beer, some bean bag toss, and a burger, not stressed out by in-laws, Santa Claus, and holiday weight.
This holiday helps me to stop and appreciate the people in my life. Coming to Korea has helped me figure out who those people really are and who I want them to be of course, but it's also helped me acknowledge the freedoms I have because of those who came before me--on this day I don't have to think about the bias history books.
Missing this holiday emphasizes missing my friends and family on the weekend I enjoy most in the year--everyone is easily excitable. Even if the weather turns out horribly, the fireworks are cancelled, and the inevitable hangover begins early, even the grumps put out a smile. At least in my experience.
But usually, the sun comes out, and water guns and sprinklers and laughter are abundant. The smell of charcoal, grilled food, and the sulfur from fireworks alone brings extra large, genuine contentment. Family and friends from all over the place have gathered and the children that were toddlers last year have grown into full-fleged water-gun sharpshooters, and can carry on conversations that make you want to quit your job to become a pre-school teacher.
And it has nothing to do with gifting. Nothing. Children are contented by love and happiness and sparklers, instead of discontented by 100 presents that didn't include "the one they really wanted." Adults are contented by a can of beer, some bean bag toss, and a burger, not stressed out by in-laws, Santa Claus, and holiday weight.
This holiday helps me to stop and appreciate the people in my life. Coming to Korea has helped me figure out who those people really are and who I want them to be of course, but it's also helped me acknowledge the freedoms I have because of those who came before me--on this day I don't have to think about the bias history books.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
The Saddest Thing, Part II
Part of my "duties" at Chonnam is to "teach" 2 teacher training classes for the other 10 English Teachers. I use quotation marks to mark the implication of what it entails--as over the course of the semester it dwindled. In the beginning, we were watching and discussing "Waiting for Superman" twice each Thursday (not all teachers can make it at the same time), or watching the 5minute summary on BBC. It has become 1 teacher, 1 class, 40 minutes, and usually we are talking about her favorite music (complete with pictures of the Korean rock group who "played at Warped Tour" last year) or she's helping me with my Korean homework.
I need not be offended--these women work twice the hours I do, and have families--the last thing they have time for is practicing English really. And a lot of times, it leaves for a good amount of practice for the one who does come. This was one such week.
"I just came from a funeral," she said, sitting down.
"Oh no! I'm sorry, who died?"
"My university professor."
"I'm really sorry."
"He was vedy sick for three years. Something in his brain; I don't know English word. It nice though--his family came back from America for the funeral."
"Oh, there for school. Sad. Were they surprised then?"
"No. Sick for three years."
"Right, but they didn't come back until now?"
"Children married or in graduate school. No come back often. Been there probably ten years with they mother. Professor just send money."
"Really? Like, the mother didn't come back once the children were done with university?"
To help explain (albeit from Wiki):
English education
English is taught as a required subject from the third year of elementary school up to high school, including most universities, with the goal of performing well on the TEPS, TOEIC and TOEFL, which are tests of reading, listening and grammar-based English. For students who achieve high scores, there is also a speaking evaluation.
Because of large class sizes and other factors in public schools, many parents pay to send their children to private English-language schools in the afternoon or evening. Usually different private English-language schools specialize in teaching elementary school students or in middle and high school students. The most ambitious parents send their children to kindergartens that utilize English exclusively in the classroom. Many children also live abroad for anywhere from a few months to several years to learn English. Sometimes, a Korean mother and her children will move to an English-speaking country for an extended period of time to enhance the children's English ability. In these cases, the father left in Korea is known as a gireogi appa (Korean: 기러기 아빠), literally a "goose dad" who must migrate to see his family.[3]
There are more than 100,000 Korean students in the U.S. The increase of 10 percent every year helped Korea remain the top student-sending country in the U.S. for a second year, ahead of India and China. Korean students at Harvard University are the third most after Canadian and Chinese.
Due to recent curriculum changes, the education system in Korea is now placing a greater emphasis on English verbal abilities rather than grammatical skills. Universities require all first year students to take an English conversation class in their first year and some universities require students to take conversational English classes throughout the entirety of their university life.[citation needed] According to a 2003 survey conducted by the Hong Kong-based Political and Economic Risk Consultancy, despite being one of the countries in Asia that spends the most money on English-language education, South Korea ranks the lowest among 12 Asian countries in English ability.
Looking at this subjectively, it can be seen as crazy--as if splitting up the family can possibly be worth the lessons learned. Objectively, it is and isn't. Some parents of Korean students don't like the high stress of the system here (especially the amazingly high level of competition for the top few universities in the country); most just want their children to have the opportunities widened, which comes along with the U.S. stamped university degree. And of course, the English speaking abilities.
Studying abroad comes in many forms from Korea--some send their children at young ages for one or two years (US, Canada, Australia mostly); some send them for a year of high school; most are sent for university; and only sometimes does the mother go.
Is this the right thing? Who is to say? A large percentage of the time, the results culminate in the changing of the childrens' belief systems and lack of desire to ever return to Korea. Even so, many grow into very successful, prosperous adults. The cost however, can sometimes be loss of tradition and culture, depression, and even suicide, or broken families.
It's really gotten me thinking about cultural differences--the idea of "home" and sacrificing for the next generation. I don't think I know one person in the western world would see this cost as worth the wavering outcome.
"Oh no. She probably come last year one time," she says, shying away. "Maybe new boyfriend too. They had to have a four day funeral because she couldn't get on right flight."
If further interested, a few things:
http://youtu.be/RS5qQj7UrLU
http://news.ncmonline.com/news/view_article.html?article_id=1585a9d19045a34b8d1de6b0794735fb
I need not be offended--these women work twice the hours I do, and have families--the last thing they have time for is practicing English really. And a lot of times, it leaves for a good amount of practice for the one who does come. This was one such week.
"I just came from a funeral," she said, sitting down.
"Oh no! I'm sorry, who died?"
"My university professor."
"I'm really sorry."
"He was vedy sick for three years. Something in his brain; I don't know English word. It nice though--his family came back from America for the funeral."
"Oh, there for school. Sad. Were they surprised then?"
"No. Sick for three years."
"Right, but they didn't come back until now?"
"Children married or in graduate school. No come back often. Been there probably ten years with they mother. Professor just send money."
"Really? Like, the mother didn't come back once the children were done with university?"
To help explain (albeit from Wiki):
English education
English is taught as a required subject from the third year of elementary school up to high school, including most universities, with the goal of performing well on the TEPS, TOEIC and TOEFL, which are tests of reading, listening and grammar-based English. For students who achieve high scores, there is also a speaking evaluation.
Because of large class sizes and other factors in public schools, many parents pay to send their children to private English-language schools in the afternoon or evening. Usually different private English-language schools specialize in teaching elementary school students or in middle and high school students. The most ambitious parents send their children to kindergartens that utilize English exclusively in the classroom. Many children also live abroad for anywhere from a few months to several years to learn English. Sometimes, a Korean mother and her children will move to an English-speaking country for an extended period of time to enhance the children's English ability. In these cases, the father left in Korea is known as a gireogi appa (Korean: 기러기 아빠), literally a "goose dad" who must migrate to see his family.[3]
There are more than 100,000 Korean students in the U.S. The increase of 10 percent every year helped Korea remain the top student-sending country in the U.S. for a second year, ahead of India and China. Korean students at Harvard University are the third most after Canadian and Chinese.
Due to recent curriculum changes, the education system in Korea is now placing a greater emphasis on English verbal abilities rather than grammatical skills. Universities require all first year students to take an English conversation class in their first year and some universities require students to take conversational English classes throughout the entirety of their university life.[citation needed] According to a 2003 survey conducted by the Hong Kong-based Political and Economic Risk Consultancy, despite being one of the countries in Asia that spends the most money on English-language education, South Korea ranks the lowest among 12 Asian countries in English ability.
Looking at this subjectively, it can be seen as crazy--as if splitting up the family can possibly be worth the lessons learned. Objectively, it is and isn't. Some parents of Korean students don't like the high stress of the system here (especially the amazingly high level of competition for the top few universities in the country); most just want their children to have the opportunities widened, which comes along with the U.S. stamped university degree. And of course, the English speaking abilities.
Studying abroad comes in many forms from Korea--some send their children at young ages for one or two years (US, Canada, Australia mostly); some send them for a year of high school; most are sent for university; and only sometimes does the mother go.
Is this the right thing? Who is to say? A large percentage of the time, the results culminate in the changing of the childrens' belief systems and lack of desire to ever return to Korea. Even so, many grow into very successful, prosperous adults. The cost however, can sometimes be loss of tradition and culture, depression, and even suicide, or broken families.
It's really gotten me thinking about cultural differences--the idea of "home" and sacrificing for the next generation. I don't think I know one person in the western world would see this cost as worth the wavering outcome.
"Oh no. She probably come last year one time," she says, shying away. "Maybe new boyfriend too. They had to have a four day funeral because she couldn't get on right flight."
If further interested, a few things:
http://youtu.be/RS5qQj7UrLU
http://news.ncmonline.com/news/view_article.html?article_id=1585a9d19045a34b8d1de6b0794735fb
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
The Saddest Thing
Having finished 924 students' speaking tests today, I let the students finish watching a movie and sat in the back having a nice talk with Co-Teacher #3, Kim Young-Ju, aka Big Mama--the older mother-figure in the English Department.
Lately she's been sleeping in the back of my class a lot, which is on one hand of course annoying because it's distracting to the students, whose awareness of lack of sleep is perpetual, especially the boys. Usually, I politely tell her she's more than welcome to go to the resting room for class; which she usually politely accepts with an appreciative smile and an apologetic raise of the eyebrow.
On the other hand, it's more than understandable. I have major issues with this humidity, and also fatigue; and this woman probably has twenty years on me. This is in addition to the fact that she is a homeroom teacher, which means she's in school from 7:30am until 10pm during the week, AND on Saturdays. I would be a zombie, a bitch, or crazy; probably all three. If she wants to sleep, so be it.
Today, she had come back to life. I came to the back of the room to commence on our ritual, and she smiled, shaking her head and started a conversation about how I've been seeing an acupuncturist. We talked jimjilbangs (Korean bathhouses), summer plans, and finally set on the class curriculum. I told her of my plans, and she delightedly thanked me again for giving her copies of my powerpoints and talked about how much she learns in my class too.
Then, we turned and looked at the students who were immersed in the American romantic comedy I let them watch to distract them while I gave speaking tests.
"The thing that really gets me about Americans," she says emphatically, "when I see people that really love each other, I wonder why it the culture to leave each other. Everybody always leaving. Even when they don't really want to. Leaving."
"Yeah, well that's the movies for you--they need to get back together to make money."
"No, no. Real people too. That not Korea culture."
"I suppose you're right. We do do that," I replied genuinely.
"I feel saddest, that Korea students love western culture so much that they are doing this too. This Korea generation I see do this too."
It is true--Korean students want to emulate western culture so much, they buy t-shirts with western words on them, strive for the whitest skin possible, and feel genuinely depressed when they feel far from this ideal; they've even surpassed us in the cosmetic surgery department. I guess I have found it disturbing thus far, during my time here--cosmetic ads here, whitening cremes there, and girls AND boys carrying mirrors everyday to class--but, our all too common sad and cynical ideals about relationships and love and security too?
"You're right, that is the saddest thing."
Lately she's been sleeping in the back of my class a lot, which is on one hand of course annoying because it's distracting to the students, whose awareness of lack of sleep is perpetual, especially the boys. Usually, I politely tell her she's more than welcome to go to the resting room for class; which she usually politely accepts with an appreciative smile and an apologetic raise of the eyebrow.
On the other hand, it's more than understandable. I have major issues with this humidity, and also fatigue; and this woman probably has twenty years on me. This is in addition to the fact that she is a homeroom teacher, which means she's in school from 7:30am until 10pm during the week, AND on Saturdays. I would be a zombie, a bitch, or crazy; probably all three. If she wants to sleep, so be it.
Today, she had come back to life. I came to the back of the room to commence on our ritual, and she smiled, shaking her head and started a conversation about how I've been seeing an acupuncturist. We talked jimjilbangs (Korean bathhouses), summer plans, and finally set on the class curriculum. I told her of my plans, and she delightedly thanked me again for giving her copies of my powerpoints and talked about how much she learns in my class too.
Then, we turned and looked at the students who were immersed in the American romantic comedy I let them watch to distract them while I gave speaking tests.
"The thing that really gets me about Americans," she says emphatically, "when I see people that really love each other, I wonder why it the culture to leave each other. Everybody always leaving. Even when they don't really want to. Leaving."
"Yeah, well that's the movies for you--they need to get back together to make money."
"No, no. Real people too. That not Korea culture."
"I suppose you're right. We do do that," I replied genuinely.
"I feel saddest, that Korea students love western culture so much that they are doing this too. This Korea generation I see do this too."
It is true--Korean students want to emulate western culture so much, they buy t-shirts with western words on them, strive for the whitest skin possible, and feel genuinely depressed when they feel far from this ideal; they've even surpassed us in the cosmetic surgery department. I guess I have found it disturbing thus far, during my time here--cosmetic ads here, whitening cremes there, and girls AND boys carrying mirrors everyday to class--but, our all too common sad and cynical ideals about relationships and love and security too?
"You're right, that is the saddest thing."
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
24 Rolls of Toilet Paper
The day I got off the bus in Gwangju to spend a year (or more) living and teaching in Korea, I was greeted by a young, simple and sweet Korean woman who was to be my main co-teacher. It was her job to help me adjust and get the things I needed to settle in to living in a whole new world.
"You need stay for lunch?"
"Whatever you want to do."
"Ok, let's go then."
"Sounds good."
Before we could leave and embark on our day of tedious errands, shopping, and utility hook-ups, we were caught by the Head of the Gwangju Department of Education who requested we stay for the lunch. So we did. At this point I was a week into Korean cafeteria food and post-tiring-bus ride to boot, I wasn't amused. It being a Saturday, in addition to the baby seat I saw in the car when she brought it around, I was betting my money she wasn't either. But we made due. And polite conversation. The most notable thing being her comment about my use of chopsticks. The second, that we were born in the same year. Trying to make a comforting and therefore humorous remark, I was quick to point out that I was a few months older. First case of Silly-American-Fever, forgetting that in Korea, being older than someone determines the relationship forever.
After the ceremonial tea, we hurried off to get my bags and headed straight for the campus residence office. I felt like I was a college freshman all over again. They gave me a passcode, took my fingerprint, and gave me the keys to my new home. Only, I couldn't read the directions for the ethernet, the heat, or the process for paying for them.
The last bullet on our To-Do List for the day was E-Mart, for getting all the things I needed to settle in. Think Wal-Mart on a Sunday, only with carts in which the wheels roll 360 degrees, in a culture where it is unheard of to say "excuse me." Not because they're impolite or don't bump each other. They simply don't.
Towels and sheets. A pot and pan. All that. Trying to explain how my casein allergy isn't a lactose intolerance, and how I don't like white bread as we walked the homogenous isles of bouncy white loaves, even in its severe lack of effort made my brain foggy. I threw a loaf in the cart to end the conversation.
But something malfunctioned when we got to toilet paper. Everything was in bulk--24-48 rolls, so she thew in a 24. I rounded the display 8 times looking for an 8-roll. I had never purchased a 24 pack before and something was preventing me from thinking it was ok. I had already thrown in the 3-pack of humongous bottles of shampoo and conditioner with ease.
"You really don't want to buy that?"
In my head I wanted to blow up, taking my exhaustion and frustration out on this poor woman--single people don't buy bulk; we buy as little as possible. And 24 rolls of toilet paper? That's like telling me I'm going to be here forever.
"Okay, you're right," I said politely, knowing when I got home, my inner drama-queen would still be cursing under her breath.
However, the 24 rolls of toilet paper ran out last weekend (I've been using paper towels for 2 days). I've been in Korea for 4 months. Since then, most importantly, I've slept off most of my stress. I've slept a lot (even on these firm beds). I had forgotten what that was like. Though it's not as glorious as it sounds, mostly because I'm a soft-bed sleeper. When I say the beds here are firm, I don't mean turn the knob on your sleep number mattress to 0; I mean flat board. But it's sleep nonetheless.
Paid off 2.5 credit cards too. One batting cage conquered in the same day as a luxury norebang. One serious relationship with bibimbap and ssamjang sauce. A mutual breakup with most western foods out of sheer logistical problems, but tbc later. Some great friends. Cross-country trains and buses. Live-octopus. Month 1 of Insanity (to counteract the first 2 months of non-stop eating). I'm on to congugating verbs in Korean and I can yell "shut up" at my students (which a co-teacher taught me, thank you very much). Not to mention the feat of getting a taxi driver to my treasure island of a building, without sticking my hands in his line of sight. And another published article in Jealous. Oh, and my first spring with yellow dust and nuclear showers.
I think I was right--sounds like forever to me--subjective opinion notwithstanding. Either way, sounds like Operation Clean-Up-Jen-Fong is on the right track.
Though I feel I must say, the thing that's happened in the U.S. since my departure that has me golf-clapping is this woman running for president:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZxQZMSl-o0&feature=related
Ok, that AND And Justin Bieber's new haircut.
"You need stay for lunch?"
"Whatever you want to do."
"Ok, let's go then."
"Sounds good."
Before we could leave and embark on our day of tedious errands, shopping, and utility hook-ups, we were caught by the Head of the Gwangju Department of Education who requested we stay for the lunch. So we did. At this point I was a week into Korean cafeteria food and post-tiring-bus ride to boot, I wasn't amused. It being a Saturday, in addition to the baby seat I saw in the car when she brought it around, I was betting my money she wasn't either. But we made due. And polite conversation. The most notable thing being her comment about my use of chopsticks. The second, that we were born in the same year. Trying to make a comforting and therefore humorous remark, I was quick to point out that I was a few months older. First case of Silly-American-Fever, forgetting that in Korea, being older than someone determines the relationship forever.
After the ceremonial tea, we hurried off to get my bags and headed straight for the campus residence office. I felt like I was a college freshman all over again. They gave me a passcode, took my fingerprint, and gave me the keys to my new home. Only, I couldn't read the directions for the ethernet, the heat, or the process for paying for them.
The last bullet on our To-Do List for the day was E-Mart, for getting all the things I needed to settle in. Think Wal-Mart on a Sunday, only with carts in which the wheels roll 360 degrees, in a culture where it is unheard of to say "excuse me." Not because they're impolite or don't bump each other. They simply don't.
Towels and sheets. A pot and pan. All that. Trying to explain how my casein allergy isn't a lactose intolerance, and how I don't like white bread as we walked the homogenous isles of bouncy white loaves, even in its severe lack of effort made my brain foggy. I threw a loaf in the cart to end the conversation.
But something malfunctioned when we got to toilet paper. Everything was in bulk--24-48 rolls, so she thew in a 24. I rounded the display 8 times looking for an 8-roll. I had never purchased a 24 pack before and something was preventing me from thinking it was ok. I had already thrown in the 3-pack of humongous bottles of shampoo and conditioner with ease.
"You really don't want to buy that?"
In my head I wanted to blow up, taking my exhaustion and frustration out on this poor woman--single people don't buy bulk; we buy as little as possible. And 24 rolls of toilet paper? That's like telling me I'm going to be here forever.
"Okay, you're right," I said politely, knowing when I got home, my inner drama-queen would still be cursing under her breath.
However, the 24 rolls of toilet paper ran out last weekend (I've been using paper towels for 2 days). I've been in Korea for 4 months. Since then, most importantly, I've slept off most of my stress. I've slept a lot (even on these firm beds). I had forgotten what that was like. Though it's not as glorious as it sounds, mostly because I'm a soft-bed sleeper. When I say the beds here are firm, I don't mean turn the knob on your sleep number mattress to 0; I mean flat board. But it's sleep nonetheless.
Paid off 2.5 credit cards too. One batting cage conquered in the same day as a luxury norebang. One serious relationship with bibimbap and ssamjang sauce. A mutual breakup with most western foods out of sheer logistical problems, but tbc later. Some great friends. Cross-country trains and buses. Live-octopus. Month 1 of Insanity (to counteract the first 2 months of non-stop eating). I'm on to congugating verbs in Korean and I can yell "shut up" at my students (which a co-teacher taught me, thank you very much). Not to mention the feat of getting a taxi driver to my treasure island of a building, without sticking my hands in his line of sight. And another published article in Jealous. Oh, and my first spring with yellow dust and nuclear showers.
I think I was right--sounds like forever to me--subjective opinion notwithstanding. Either way, sounds like Operation Clean-Up-Jen-Fong is on the right track.
Though I feel I must say, the thing that's happened in the U.S. since my departure that has me golf-clapping is this woman running for president:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZxQZMSl-o0&feature=related
Ok, that AND And Justin Bieber's new haircut.
Monday, June 13, 2011
Silly Things Students Say #1
I thought I would start this as one of the major labels for the blog (so I'll do it often) because it is probably the most entertaining--"The silly things students say" is usually some form of language mis-interpretation. Although, sometimes this is not necessarily the case, it's always interesting to hear things that students wouldn't say in the U.S. Such as today:
Cleaning boys: "Hello teacher!!"
JF: "Hi! How are you guys today?"
CB in unison as if they've never said anything else: "I'm fine, thank you. And you?"
JF: "I'm tired today."
CB #1 walking up to my desk: "Hello teacher."
JF: "And how was your weekend?"
CB#1: "Huh?"
JF: "Weekend. What did you do?"
CB#1: "um...."
JF: "Study? As usual?"
CB#1: "No study. Thinking."
JF: "You were thinking all weekend?"
CB#1: "Thinking. Maddiage. You."
JF: "What?"
CB: "Meddy. You."
JF: "OH. You thought about marrying me all weekend?"
CB: "I love you teacher."
JF walking out: "Ha. Here's your candy."
Cleaning boys: "Hello teacher!!"
JF: "Hi! How are you guys today?"
CB in unison as if they've never said anything else: "I'm fine, thank you. And you?"
JF: "I'm tired today."
CB #1 walking up to my desk: "Hello teacher."
JF: "And how was your weekend?"
CB#1: "Huh?"
JF: "Weekend. What did you do?"
CB#1: "um...."
JF: "Study? As usual?"
CB#1: "No study. Thinking."
JF: "You were thinking all weekend?"
CB#1: "Thinking. Maddiage. You."
JF: "What?"
CB: "Meddy. You."
JF: "OH. You thought about marrying me all weekend?"
CB: "I love you teacher."
JF walking out: "Ha. Here's your candy."
Sunday, June 12, 2011
From Gwangju to Seoul
I live in Gwangju, which to anyone outside of Korea simply means I don't live in Seoul. I live about 3 hours southwest of Seoul, on the opposite side from Busan. It's the 5th largest city in Korea (a bit smaller than Chicago), but let's put it this way, in contrast to Seoul, we have 1 subway line and Seoul has 16. Sixteen majorly intense, yet ridiculously efficient subway lines. Oh and clean as hell.
We have one Nepalese restaurant, a pub, one "Mexican" restaurant/bar, I think 4 E-marts, and allegedly a couple Vietnamese restaurants, to Seoul's entire neighborhoods full of Western conveniences and indulgences. I think there are over 10 million people now, a cool 3 million more than NYC. But it works.
Don't get me wrong, I love Gwangju's "smallness". Much in the same way I've grown up in love with both the U.P. and Chicago, needing both the small town, and the big city. I can see the mountains from my patio, it only takes me 15 minutes to meet my friends for dinner, and I generally don't have to spend $50 to go out for the evening. However, it's always worth it in Seoul--I have had several of the best Korean meals EVER, there (food and company).
Here's a great way to explain Seoul...
http://www.cnngo.com/seoul/life/50-reasons-why-seoul-worlds-greatest-city-534720
I can't lie, my favorite thing about Gwangju is that it's simple and what I needed this year. It takes me 5.5 minutes to walk to school. Everyday I can get amazing bibimbap for $3 for lunch or on my way home. The university campus I live on is quiet and pretty, and although it's tricky for all of my friends to find my building, it's quite convenient to anything I need. Much in the way I love the U.P. Sure, we don't have all the indulgences, but I guess when I applied, that's why I strayed from Seoul. The temptation to not embrace the assimilation I suppose, especially the language.
Now that I've spent time there, and have met people I love there, am I a bit regretful I didn't choose Seoul? Sure, especially when I want goat cheese and salt and pepper chips from Costco, but not in any way that counts. Ok, it hurt a bit more when Toro y Moi was playing on a Thursday night and I couldn't get there, but for the little day trips with co-teachers, funny celebrity sighting, "family dinners", which, all encompass a more intimate community, I'm perfectly happy in my U.P. across the world. And now that I've met a neighbor who's from the U.P. too, it just made it feel even more fated.
So I've fallen in love both. Sue me.
We have one Nepalese restaurant, a pub, one "Mexican" restaurant/bar, I think 4 E-marts, and allegedly a couple Vietnamese restaurants, to Seoul's entire neighborhoods full of Western conveniences and indulgences. I think there are over 10 million people now, a cool 3 million more than NYC. But it works.
Don't get me wrong, I love Gwangju's "smallness". Much in the same way I've grown up in love with both the U.P. and Chicago, needing both the small town, and the big city. I can see the mountains from my patio, it only takes me 15 minutes to meet my friends for dinner, and I generally don't have to spend $50 to go out for the evening. However, it's always worth it in Seoul--I have had several of the best Korean meals EVER, there (food and company).
Here's a great way to explain Seoul...
http://www.cnngo.com/seoul/life/50-reasons-why-seoul-worlds-greatest-city-534720
I can't lie, my favorite thing about Gwangju is that it's simple and what I needed this year. It takes me 5.5 minutes to walk to school. Everyday I can get amazing bibimbap for $3 for lunch or on my way home. The university campus I live on is quiet and pretty, and although it's tricky for all of my friends to find my building, it's quite convenient to anything I need. Much in the way I love the U.P. Sure, we don't have all the indulgences, but I guess when I applied, that's why I strayed from Seoul. The temptation to not embrace the assimilation I suppose, especially the language.
Now that I've spent time there, and have met people I love there, am I a bit regretful I didn't choose Seoul? Sure, especially when I want goat cheese and salt and pepper chips from Costco, but not in any way that counts. Ok, it hurt a bit more when Toro y Moi was playing on a Thursday night and I couldn't get there, but for the little day trips with co-teachers, funny celebrity sighting, "family dinners", which, all encompass a more intimate community, I'm perfectly happy in my U.P. across the world. And now that I've met a neighbor who's from the U.P. too, it just made it feel even more fated.
So I've fallen in love both. Sue me.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
#2
On a list of 10 things I want to do in Korea, #2 is "pay off all debt outside student loans." And I will admit, I have a lot. Whether that be because I wasn't taught very well, I was an irresponsible twenty-something, or just simply doing what I had to to get through school is sort of irrelevant at this point (though a fashion design's fabric, sewing machines, art supplies, and 10 bridesmaid's dresses and showers, and a propensity for vehicles that need stuff, get expensive for a student).
A lot of factors added up in the end--Chicago's expensive, Rasmussen was overworking and underpaying, I bought a "newer, but dependable" car that turned out to need even more money, and my second job had to lay off some teachers. Regardless, when you find yourself with a master's degree, in the middle of the city, doing what you need to do to pay rent and your car payment, insurance, and produce all in the same month, shit gets bad. I can complain about our societal values, and priorities in terms of putting young Americans through college, or I can deal. After a prolonged "it's not fair" tantrum, I chose to deal. And along with many other waygooks, moved to Korea.
Many of us choose this route because it enables us to both do something we can be passionate (some of us like the teaching a lot) about, and still make enough money to live and pay off debt--something that seems impossible in the US. Most of us (I find) did this because working for the high-stress-low-reward mantra wasn't worth it. We leave our friends and family behind for money, lack of options, adventure, etc. Sometimes it doesn't seem worth it--missing out when someone who is close to you gets really sick, or dies, or gets married, or has their first baby...
But today. Today I paid off 2 credit cards I've had for over a decade. A DECADE. I danced around in my underwear this morning to some really terribly fun music and smiling from ear to ear.
Today, I got to feel proud of myself. That reminded me why.
*For those concerned about banking and transferring money (very meticulous to set up but super easy after) home, email me. I'm happy to help.
A lot of factors added up in the end--Chicago's expensive, Rasmussen was overworking and underpaying, I bought a "newer, but dependable" car that turned out to need even more money, and my second job had to lay off some teachers. Regardless, when you find yourself with a master's degree, in the middle of the city, doing what you need to do to pay rent and your car payment, insurance, and produce all in the same month, shit gets bad. I can complain about our societal values, and priorities in terms of putting young Americans through college, or I can deal. After a prolonged "it's not fair" tantrum, I chose to deal. And along with many other waygooks, moved to Korea.
Many of us choose this route because it enables us to both do something we can be passionate (some of us like the teaching a lot) about, and still make enough money to live and pay off debt--something that seems impossible in the US. Most of us (I find) did this because working for the high-stress-low-reward mantra wasn't worth it. We leave our friends and family behind for money, lack of options, adventure, etc. Sometimes it doesn't seem worth it--missing out when someone who is close to you gets really sick, or dies, or gets married, or has their first baby...
But today. Today I paid off 2 credit cards I've had for over a decade. A DECADE. I danced around in my underwear this morning to some really terribly fun music and smiling from ear to ear.
Today, I got to feel proud of myself. That reminded me why.
*For those concerned about banking and transferring money (very meticulous to set up but super easy after) home, email me. I'm happy to help.
Friday, April 22, 2011
It's the Simple Things
When spring did it's thang and finally came around in Korea, I was so delighted to walk around campus with its cherry blossom trees. Their aesthetic doesn't leave anything to be desired. But, I genuinely felt pain thinking about how much I missed the spring's lilacs--something about the crisp, sweet smell that literally brings a smile to my face, every time.
I liken it to the fact that there were a bunch outside my grandparents' house where I grew up playing kick the can and running through the sprinklers. I had a rainbow bathing-suit, yellow jelly shoes, and bangs of course, and loved hiding between the lilacs and the old rail-wheel.
And in graduate school, my last was the smallest bedroom I've ever been in, but had 2 VIP windows cornering my bed; and there were lilacs all over the backyard, making my favorite pastime napping. One who knows me would say my memory is less than stellar, but I will always remember spectacular napping.
Anyway, I got the best night of sleep I've gotten since I got to Korea last night. Window open, breeze coming through, and...
I liken it to the fact that there were a bunch outside my grandparents' house where I grew up playing kick the can and running through the sprinklers. I had a rainbow bathing-suit, yellow jelly shoes, and bangs of course, and loved hiding between the lilacs and the old rail-wheel.
And in graduate school, my last was the smallest bedroom I've ever been in, but had 2 VIP windows cornering my bed; and there were lilacs all over the backyard, making my favorite pastime napping. One who knows me would say my memory is less than stellar, but I will always remember spectacular napping.
Anyway, I got the best night of sleep I've gotten since I got to Korea last night. Window open, breeze coming through, and...
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Fongcut
After Korean class this morning I stopped off in the bathroom and realized that my hair was stuck in my pants. It was literally long enough to be slightly tucked into my pants. I meant to get it cut before I left Chicago, but I "meant" to do many things that didn't get done before I left. Many. But I was a bit regretful, since Kang forewarned me, "Fong, I'm worried about you and those hairdressers. They do what they want." Though I'm known to sometimes just cut it myself, which is not a smart move, I still lacked the courage to jump into a salon and be like, "Aight, go to town. I know you don't understand me, so just do whatever."
Anyway, as I was walking through downtown, I ended up by Bubble Bar, and walked by Michael's Hairsalon International. I'm a skeptic at heart--of the $90 cuts AND the $30 ones, and even with a couple good recommendations from other girls I've met. I looked up and thought, "What the hell? It's hair." Until he started cutting...
I have to admit, I was panicking on the inside when took my hair out of the pony and started cutting, straight across my chest, like a 10 year old would think to do. After a while, I was like, whatev, cheers to a quick 10 inches cut off?
Then he finished and put me in the hands of this lovely Nepalese girl who was obviously a student (for she was watching diligently), for shampooing. The second this girl got her hands on my head I couldn't have cared if a 10 year old really had cut it. She massaged my scalp and temples for forever...it was grand.
After unwrapping the tightly tucked towels, I had two people blow-drying at the same time, which if you know me, is a blessing. He had cut way more than I asked for, and although he did it all fru-fruey, I was happy. And if I can't shave it yet...
The BEST part:
19,oooW (like $17) for a cut, and the best shampoo + scalp/neck massage ever. Shit, I'm going back every week for a shampoo.
facebook.com/hair.gwangju1
Anyway, as I was walking through downtown, I ended up by Bubble Bar, and walked by Michael's Hairsalon International. I'm a skeptic at heart--of the $90 cuts AND the $30 ones, and even with a couple good recommendations from other girls I've met. I looked up and thought, "What the hell? It's hair." Until he started cutting...
I have to admit, I was panicking on the inside when took my hair out of the pony and started cutting, straight across my chest, like a 10 year old would think to do. After a while, I was like, whatev, cheers to a quick 10 inches cut off?
Then he finished and put me in the hands of this lovely Nepalese girl who was obviously a student (for she was watching diligently), for shampooing. The second this girl got her hands on my head I couldn't have cared if a 10 year old really had cut it. She massaged my scalp and temples for forever...it was grand.
After unwrapping the tightly tucked towels, I had two people blow-drying at the same time, which if you know me, is a blessing. He had cut way more than I asked for, and although he did it all fru-fruey, I was happy. And if I can't shave it yet...
The BEST part:
19,oooW (like $17) for a cut, and the best shampoo + scalp/neck massage ever. Shit, I'm going back every week for a shampoo.
facebook.com/hair.gwangju1
Friday, April 15, 2011
My New Grub Club
My office sits 5 of us--a math teacher (the mama), an ethics teacher (the one male), two of my co-teachers (both close to my age--one single, one is married with a 2 year old), and me.
The office is cute. Small, but good, because in the big offices, you obviously get way more teachers.
It's pretty great. We have rituals. Boombox playing either sountrack to "Miss Saigon" or "pop classics" in which Koreans have remade their versions of American adult contemporary "classics". Think Chicago. Someone always buys apples or oranges, cucumbers, and carrots, and little drinks with plenty of vitamin-C (they're always stuffing the C down my throat) and little crackers. Jin-Sook also has this magical little egg-steamer that hard-boils eggs in 8 minutes.
Since the weather turned sunny, we've been doing a weekly lunch together on the days we all have 5th period off--one where we don't go to the cafeteria. We huddle next to the windows, eat our cut fruits and veggies, then walk arm-in-arm for coffee on campus. And then Jeong-Eun helps me with my Korean homework.
Or we go off-campus, all piled into one tiny car with a baby-seat. One time, Chinese. This week we went for spaghetti. I had this amazingly light spaghetti with bulgogi and clams; there was a spicy risotto, and a soupy spaghetti they claim "cures the soju hangover." We talk over (what I call) the auto-appetizer--Korean restaurants bring food automatically, when you sit down--which at this restaurant happens to be colored marshmallows with a burner to "warm it up" and I tell them, while they listen intently, about the magic of s'mores.
It's not my Chicago Grub Club, but we are focusing on other ethnic foods. And, I am missing my Jews and the Jew-sian jokes, and of course the food, but I think I can handle our little office parties for a while.
The office is cute. Small, but good, because in the big offices, you obviously get way more teachers.
It's pretty great. We have rituals. Boombox playing either sountrack to "Miss Saigon" or "pop classics" in which Koreans have remade their versions of American adult contemporary "classics". Think Chicago. Someone always buys apples or oranges, cucumbers, and carrots, and little drinks with plenty of vitamin-C (they're always stuffing the C down my throat) and little crackers. Jin-Sook also has this magical little egg-steamer that hard-boils eggs in 8 minutes.
Since the weather turned sunny, we've been doing a weekly lunch together on the days we all have 5th period off--one where we don't go to the cafeteria. We huddle next to the windows, eat our cut fruits and veggies, then walk arm-in-arm for coffee on campus. And then Jeong-Eun helps me with my Korean homework.
Or we go off-campus, all piled into one tiny car with a baby-seat. One time, Chinese. This week we went for spaghetti. I had this amazingly light spaghetti with bulgogi and clams; there was a spicy risotto, and a soupy spaghetti they claim "cures the soju hangover." We talk over (what I call) the auto-appetizer--Korean restaurants bring food automatically, when you sit down--which at this restaurant happens to be colored marshmallows with a burner to "warm it up" and I tell them, while they listen intently, about the magic of s'mores.
It's not my Chicago Grub Club, but we are focusing on other ethnic foods. And, I am missing my Jews and the Jew-sian jokes, and of course the food, but I think I can handle our little office parties for a while.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
A Day in the Life
Each day, I'm sure my 11 year old sister goes to school and comes home, like typical Americans do, complaining of any amount of homework they have been given--unhappy little complainers in the making--never giving a second thought about what it might be like to go to school in a foreign country.
Most EPIK teachers I know have elementary schools. They have students who barely understand anything, especially directions; BUT they have sports day, picnic day, English camp week, field trips, songs day, and more. All the teachers (including Koreans) leave at the same time and have dinners together. And so on. But many of them also aren't really finding the teaching rewarding--or rather that they won't/aren't making a difference.
My students go to school from 8:30 (some start earlier with private tutors) and go until 10pm (some go longer). They have lunch and dinner at school; at break they are running to the snack shop on campus to grab some sugar to stay awake for the next 50 minutes of class, which ends up being about 12 minutes, when they literally cannot keep their eyes open. All in the name of standardized college entrance exams. Here is a great video (thanks Matt) to paint a portrait.
I would consider this the biggest challenge of teaching in a high school in Korea.
I have a fairly large range of English skills--results of the widely-varied amount of English they've had before, during, and after school before high school. I have 17 classes of either all boys or all girls classes; each with 35-46 students.** It's all different--one class is a nightmare (for every teacher in the school), and yet another is the most diligent, motivated, excitable bunch I've ever had the pleasure of teaching.
The problem is, I can't blame them one bit for wanting to sleep through my class. I mean, flirting with the teacher, slapping the classmates you are with for 15 hours a day/6 days a week is going to get OLD. I do what I can to include as many real life situations and videos as possible, but some just can't do it. Some of them I can even tell they WANT to. But...just...can't...keep...eyes...open! One of my co-teachers commented today,"you must go through a lot of money for candy." For some of them, it's the only thing that keeps their eyes (and the energy of the whole room) on the prize.
In the afternoon, they get a 20 minute break. One that is spent cleaning the school. I've come to love my little 3rd grade (american equivalent to seniors) boys.
"Hello teacher!" Everyday. They're so happy to have gotten "stuck" with my room. I give them candy and help them practice for their (very intense, repetitive, vocabulary tests); though lately, they've been helping me with my vocabulary more.
"Hello students! How are you today?"
"Oh, veddy tired. Veddy tired." "So, so." "Fine thank you. And how are you?"
Each Friday, we all do the whole "TGIF" shpeel, and then they start talking about class until 6pm on Saturday. Monday we talk about how they studied on Sunday. Even on the first 72 degrees day! Yet, each day, they leave my room, "thank you teacher. I love you. See you tomorrow!" I really love them too. That's heart.
Knowing the levels of stress that I had in graduate school, working at Rasmussen, etc., it all sucked. Ulcer sucked. Wrinkly, dried up, and bitchy sucked. But I was post-25. They are 15-17. I've read about the suicide rates being high here among their age group, but I found this (and used it for my essay writing class too) interesting:
http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2011/01/04/2011010400291.html
All in all, I don't pretend to have answers (and we all know America's system is jacked too, at least they play much fairer here, student to student). I just feel icky about it sometimes. The Korean teachers are grossed out by it as well. The system is spending a massive amount of money to bring native English speaking teachers in and I hear (office gossip) that they are talking about trying to cut the hours slightly (an idea some of the parents are rejecting). I understand the justifications for why they're doing it. I would just be so interested to have a conversation with some of the people who have this discourse, and run the show. Or shit, even just a fly on the wall.
In the meantime, the least I can do is buy some candy, and help them with their vocabulary tests on break.
**But I also have 2 Teacher Trainings classes (for the 9 other Korean English teachers) and 2 Essay Writing courses that I'll talk about later.
Most EPIK teachers I know have elementary schools. They have students who barely understand anything, especially directions; BUT they have sports day, picnic day, English camp week, field trips, songs day, and more. All the teachers (including Koreans) leave at the same time and have dinners together. And so on. But many of them also aren't really finding the teaching rewarding--or rather that they won't/aren't making a difference.
My students go to school from 8:30 (some start earlier with private tutors) and go until 10pm (some go longer). They have lunch and dinner at school; at break they are running to the snack shop on campus to grab some sugar to stay awake for the next 50 minutes of class, which ends up being about 12 minutes, when they literally cannot keep their eyes open. All in the name of standardized college entrance exams. Here is a great video (thanks Matt) to paint a portrait.
I would consider this the biggest challenge of teaching in a high school in Korea.
I have a fairly large range of English skills--results of the widely-varied amount of English they've had before, during, and after school before high school. I have 17 classes of either all boys or all girls classes; each with 35-46 students.** It's all different--one class is a nightmare (for every teacher in the school), and yet another is the most diligent, motivated, excitable bunch I've ever had the pleasure of teaching.
The problem is, I can't blame them one bit for wanting to sleep through my class. I mean, flirting with the teacher, slapping the classmates you are with for 15 hours a day/6 days a week is going to get OLD. I do what I can to include as many real life situations and videos as possible, but some just can't do it. Some of them I can even tell they WANT to. But...just...can't...keep...eyes...open! One of my co-teachers commented today,"you must go through a lot of money for candy." For some of them, it's the only thing that keeps their eyes (and the energy of the whole room) on the prize.
In the afternoon, they get a 20 minute break. One that is spent cleaning the school. I've come to love my little 3rd grade (american equivalent to seniors) boys.
"Hello teacher!" Everyday. They're so happy to have gotten "stuck" with my room. I give them candy and help them practice for their (very intense, repetitive, vocabulary tests); though lately, they've been helping me with my vocabulary more.
"Hello students! How are you today?"
"Oh, veddy tired. Veddy tired." "So, so." "Fine thank you. And how are you?"
Each Friday, we all do the whole "TGIF" shpeel, and then they start talking about class until 6pm on Saturday. Monday we talk about how they studied on Sunday. Even on the first 72 degrees day! Yet, each day, they leave my room, "thank you teacher. I love you. See you tomorrow!" I really love them too. That's heart.
Knowing the levels of stress that I had in graduate school, working at Rasmussen, etc., it all sucked. Ulcer sucked. Wrinkly, dried up, and bitchy sucked. But I was post-25. They are 15-17. I've read about the suicide rates being high here among their age group, but I found this (and used it for my essay writing class too) interesting:
http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2011/01/04/2011010400291.html
All in all, I don't pretend to have answers (and we all know America's system is jacked too, at least they play much fairer here, student to student). I just feel icky about it sometimes. The Korean teachers are grossed out by it as well. The system is spending a massive amount of money to bring native English speaking teachers in and I hear (office gossip) that they are talking about trying to cut the hours slightly (an idea some of the parents are rejecting). I understand the justifications for why they're doing it. I would just be so interested to have a conversation with some of the people who have this discourse, and run the show. Or shit, even just a fly on the wall.
In the meantime, the least I can do is buy some candy, and help them with their vocabulary tests on break.
**But I also have 2 Teacher Trainings classes (for the 9 other Korean English teachers) and 2 Essay Writing courses that I'll talk about later.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Up Yours, Cameras
A few things have hindered my posting frequency--forgot the goods for old camera, lost the new camera in a week, which of course led to a decent amount of self-loathing. That and, I've been sleeping a lot. In the best way possible. I had forgotten what sleep was like. Guilt-free sleep--no "8 more essays to grade tonight", or "birthday parties-turn-too-good-a-time", or appointments to keep, instead of sleep. Sleep. That and, I've probably been lazy. But for now, I'll blame the guy that took my camera from Bubble Bar (Happy Christmas, guy!), and say that it was worth the wait, for I return with a photo of my favorite thing I've seen so far.
And there it is: the bum washer. Sure enough--you have the wash, rinse, and dry functions. Oh, and did I mention, the seat is heated? Gotta love it, you get the squatter, or the queen bee of toilets. Makes me feel like I'm going 1.21 gigawatts in a DeLorean.
And there it is: the bum washer. Sure enough--you have the wash, rinse, and dry functions. Oh, and did I mention, the seat is heated? Gotta love it, you get the squatter, or the queen bee of toilets. Makes me feel like I'm going 1.21 gigawatts in a DeLorean.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Chicken Soup for the Cynic's Soul
Working in the public schools (EPIK) versus the hagwons (private language schools), the major difference is that we have to have co-teachers. It's illegal for us to teach in a classroom on our own, so we must have a Korean certified teacher. It can be a great and helpful thing or a terrible thing. Some get 1, some get 15; some get passive ones, some get aggressive ones. Number 1 thing we learned at orientation: your co-teachers will make or break your year.
In terms of showing respect, age is a very very big deal--it's very common to ask how old someone is upon meeting them. Knowing this, and the fact that most of my peers at orientation were college grads or mid-twenty-somethings (though of course, there were older folks too), being 31 I asked, "what if we are older than our co-teacher?"
This is coming from a place where I'm empathetic with their plight--foreign teacher, probably gets paid just as much, for much much less work (some teachers have to stay at school until 11pm). Add me and my needs into the mix, and I'd be a little annoyed, too. Have me be older than her too? Ugh...I didn't want it; and, with Koreans graduating a bit younger than westerners, fresh teachers were absolutely a possibility.
"Obviously, you won't have to worry about that, really," he said, more than slightly dismissive and moved on to the next question.
A few days later at our lunch meet-n-greet, I met my main co-teacher, JinSook Yang--she is one of 5. As with everything in Korea, she's cute--soft spoken, nice, helpful, and easy going. After 5 minutes of "what we should do today" stuff, she politely commented, "We were born in the same year. Actually, your birthday is before mine, a couple months." We both smiled and proceeded eating through the awkwardness.
Twenty-seven hours into our relationship--met the English department, the principal, my office and classroom, house fully stocked with gas, water and goodies from E-mart, internet--she's still smiling. My to-do list was a mile long, all of which of course needed communicative help, but I did (and still doing) my part to not overwhelm her. I would only tell her 2 things at a time, and they always came with a disclaimer, "Just point me in the right direction, and I'll try. I don't want you to go out of your way, just tell me what to do."
Sitting for a few moments, "Thank you. I really appreciate that." The next day she helped me get my medical exam and ARC card. The next, a gym membership. My address in English, next (which was tricky knowing where to actually send the package on campus). Then, she sent an email confronting the other co-teachers about classroom management (esp for the boys' teachers). Yesterday, she helped me with alphabet on my Korean homework. Tomorrow, online banking. AND, she gives me oranges. Everyday.
I covered the phrase "to go out of one's way" in class this week.
SCORE: Hagwon-0 vs EPIK-10
In terms of showing respect, age is a very very big deal--it's very common to ask how old someone is upon meeting them. Knowing this, and the fact that most of my peers at orientation were college grads or mid-twenty-somethings (though of course, there were older folks too), being 31 I asked, "what if we are older than our co-teacher?"
This is coming from a place where I'm empathetic with their plight--foreign teacher, probably gets paid just as much, for much much less work (some teachers have to stay at school until 11pm). Add me and my needs into the mix, and I'd be a little annoyed, too. Have me be older than her too? Ugh...I didn't want it; and, with Koreans graduating a bit younger than westerners, fresh teachers were absolutely a possibility.
"Obviously, you won't have to worry about that, really," he said, more than slightly dismissive and moved on to the next question.
A few days later at our lunch meet-n-greet, I met my main co-teacher, JinSook Yang--she is one of 5. As with everything in Korea, she's cute--soft spoken, nice, helpful, and easy going. After 5 minutes of "what we should do today" stuff, she politely commented, "We were born in the same year. Actually, your birthday is before mine, a couple months." We both smiled and proceeded eating through the awkwardness.
Twenty-seven hours into our relationship--met the English department, the principal, my office and classroom, house fully stocked with gas, water and goodies from E-mart, internet--she's still smiling. My to-do list was a mile long, all of which of course needed communicative help, but I did (and still doing) my part to not overwhelm her. I would only tell her 2 things at a time, and they always came with a disclaimer, "Just point me in the right direction, and I'll try. I don't want you to go out of your way, just tell me what to do."
Sitting for a few moments, "Thank you. I really appreciate that." The next day she helped me get my medical exam and ARC card. The next, a gym membership. My address in English, next (which was tricky knowing where to actually send the package on campus). Then, she sent an email confronting the other co-teachers about classroom management (esp for the boys' teachers). Yesterday, she helped me with alphabet on my Korean homework. Tomorrow, online banking. AND, she gives me oranges. Everyday.
I covered the phrase "to go out of one's way" in class this week.
SCORE: Hagwon-0 vs EPIK-10
Monday, March 14, 2011
Come On Over
The housing situation for English teachers can range, but this we are promised at EPIK (Hagwon is similar arrangement)--single (or married) housing, furnished with bed, desk, and dresser, laundry, all within walking distance of our schools.
I teach at CNU's High School, so I was given campus housing. My building has at least a dozen foreign professors, and University Language Center teachers. I got lucky. We're promised single housing, so I got a double housing set up for just me.
While during the application process, we listed our top 5 destination cities, and chose preferences for rural or urban. Many people are far from their ideal.
EPIK also distinguished between Seoul applicants and everywhere else. I wanted less of that big city, super intense, experience--I wanted Busan (water and weather), but I think everyone else does too; and it's first come first serve. My reluctance with the initial "what if" questions held me back. I didn't get Busan, but I got exactly what I needed--something like Chicago's "everything a big city has to offer, with more of a neighborhood vibe."
This is the bathroom that almost ended me in the shower last night. I noticed one of the tiles popping out, and of course, I had to push on in, resulting in an onslaught of tiles falling to the ceramic floor and shattering at my feet. I had a full on nightmare that I was going to have to run across the hall, or drag myself, all soaked. "Hi neighbor, nice to meet you for the very first time. You think you could call an ambulance?" Maintenance is coming tomorrow.
My favorite part is that I have an office. I get to come in, take my coat off, open the window, and read, write, and work, while looking a a wall full of people, who mean the world to me. The cards, the posters, the finger-puppets, the baby-unicorn book with all the inscriptions I got when I left...well, they reminds me how lucky I am.
And...the view. You can see the mountains clearer usually...
And this is it kids, we are in the future. And it's ridiculous; I have to not only put in a 4-digit code, but also, my finger print. Bam.
I teach at CNU's High School, so I was given campus housing. My building has at least a dozen foreign professors, and University Language Center teachers. I got lucky. We're promised single housing, so I got a double housing set up for just me.
While during the application process, we listed our top 5 destination cities, and chose preferences for rural or urban. Many people are far from their ideal.
EPIK also distinguished between Seoul applicants and everywhere else. I wanted less of that big city, super intense, experience--I wanted Busan (water and weather), but I think everyone else does too; and it's first come first serve. My reluctance with the initial "what if" questions held me back. I didn't get Busan, but I got exactly what I needed--something like Chicago's "everything a big city has to offer, with more of a neighborhood vibe."
This is the bathroom that almost ended me in the shower last night. I noticed one of the tiles popping out, and of course, I had to push on in, resulting in an onslaught of tiles falling to the ceramic floor and shattering at my feet. I had a full on nightmare that I was going to have to run across the hall, or drag myself, all soaked. "Hi neighbor, nice to meet you for the very first time. You think you could call an ambulance?" Maintenance is coming tomorrow.
My favorite part is that I have an office. I get to come in, take my coat off, open the window, and read, write, and work, while looking a a wall full of people, who mean the world to me. The cards, the posters, the finger-puppets, the baby-unicorn book with all the inscriptions I got when I left...well, they reminds me how lucky I am.
And...the view. You can see the mountains clearer usually...
And this is it kids, we are in the future. And it's ridiculous; I have to not only put in a 4-digit code, but also, my finger print. Bam.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Pictures and The Pixies
I live on Chonnam National University's campus. It's one of 3 major universities in the City, so it has a lot of conveniences and is very lively! I'm surrounded immediately by scenery and other familiar sounds and sights of academia, so I feel very comforted by that. And safe.
Running is great because it's a little hilly, pushing the glutes a little harder. Hee Hee.
I love seeing the mountains. They're not huge, but still beautiful. I was surprised to find out how mountainous South Korea is.
It's fun to walk by the fields--people are constantly on the fields, walking the track, shooting hoops...
or playing tennis--even when I'm walking home at midnight...
There's a sweet little pond next to the museum:
...and sometimes I catch a couple older gentlemen playing guitar and singing quietly. It's a fantastically quiet place surrounded by really intense energy and light and sound. Kind of like my new Shire.
I've never win on things like lotto tickets (truly, my mom considers herself an eternal optimist for continuing to put them in my stocking, each Christmas). In this case, I definitely feel like I won something.
Running is great because it's a little hilly, pushing the glutes a little harder. Hee Hee.
I love seeing the mountains. They're not huge, but still beautiful. I was surprised to find out how mountainous South Korea is.
It's fun to walk by the fields--people are constantly on the fields, walking the track, shooting hoops...
or playing tennis--even when I'm walking home at midnight...
There's a sweet little pond next to the museum:
...and sometimes I catch a couple older gentlemen playing guitar and singing quietly. It's a fantastically quiet place surrounded by really intense energy and light and sound. Kind of like my new Shire.
I've never win on things like lotto tickets (truly, my mom considers herself an eternal optimist for continuing to put them in my stocking, each Christmas). In this case, I definitely feel like I won something.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Chopsticks and Spoons
In terms of fitting in, having spent 5 weeks in China, one thing I thought I was totally covered with was my use of chopsticks. I will be fine without forks, I'd laugh.
When I got to my first lunch (rice, fried chicken patty, kimchi, soup, and strawberries) because it included soup, of course I grabbed what was offered for utensils--chopsticks and a spoon. The next day, same thing. And the next (even when I went to E-mart to finally buy household things, the cheap packs were for 2 sets of chopsticks and 2 spoons, the expensive pack held 1 knife, 1, spoon, and 1 fork). But, soup or no soup, spoons were included. No one who tries to fit in does something uncommon, so I would take one and leave it unused. It just seemed like the odd guy out.
Finally, yesterday several teachers were eating around me began commenting to Jin-sook (main co-T). Used to this, I wait for them to stop and watched for her 1 of 2 faces: the quizzical(they have a question)look, or her extra large smile (they've paid me a nice compliment). "They say, you use chopsticks, ah veddy good. Better than us," she says smiling.
As I watched, it became clear that the chopsticks were mostly like a (well-mannered) person in the US would use a knife to aid the fork--they pushed things onto the spoon.
So, I either look like a poor-mannered migook, or the spinster who's eaten too much Chinese take-out. Of course, no one showed a snazzy prezi on that.
When I got to my first lunch (rice, fried chicken patty, kimchi, soup, and strawberries) because it included soup, of course I grabbed what was offered for utensils--chopsticks and a spoon. The next day, same thing. And the next (even when I went to E-mart to finally buy household things, the cheap packs were for 2 sets of chopsticks and 2 spoons, the expensive pack held 1 knife, 1, spoon, and 1 fork). But, soup or no soup, spoons were included. No one who tries to fit in does something uncommon, so I would take one and leave it unused. It just seemed like the odd guy out.
Finally, yesterday several teachers were eating around me began commenting to Jin-sook (main co-T). Used to this, I wait for them to stop and watched for her 1 of 2 faces: the quizzical(they have a question)look, or her extra large smile (they've paid me a nice compliment). "They say, you use chopsticks, ah veddy good. Better than us," she says smiling.
As I watched, it became clear that the chopsticks were mostly like a (well-mannered) person in the US would use a knife to aid the fork--they pushed things onto the spoon.
So, I either look like a poor-mannered migook, or the spinster who's eaten too much Chinese take-out. Of course, no one showed a snazzy prezi on that.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Ahhh, Lunch
I'm allowed to leave campus for lunch--some walk around--but, because I've become partial to staying in my classroom instead of the office on my off hours, I've decided I would commit to eating lunch with the teachers everyday, even though my apt is 5 minutes away and I mostly feel like I'm their new science experiment.
I figure it's likely I'll either get skinny because I like my kimchi warm, not cold, or I'll get fat (gained 12lbs in 5 weeks in China) from eating rice to overcompensate for cold kimchi. Either way, I think it's respectful (even though, I'm sure at some times, my co-teacher will like to NOT have to make conversation) and at least I can try to bond a little with these fellow teachers, because ultimately, We're all intimidated by each other. That is obvious.
The cafeteria feels a little bit like when I was eating in my old elementary school when I was substitute teaching--familiar, but unfamiliar; the boys on one side, girls on the other, and teachers in a corner and everyone has their "usual" people they eat with. Also, every table has at least a few minutes of conversation at my expense, though to their credit, always take turns smiling and nodding. I smile back, but I'm thinking, Yep, I'm the new, foreign girl who looks a bit like I should know what to say, but you're puzzled because you couldn't understand a word I said in the meeting when they introduced me yesterday. Except "an nyoung hae sayo", of course. Because I practice that 50 times a day, so it's got verve. And I said "ne hao" when the Chinese teacher introduced himself, but couldn't remember "thank you". Yep, that's me, the migook.
I "usually" eat with 2 of my co-teachers (also English teachers) and the Ethics teacher (raise your hand if Ethics was taught in your HS, what?). Because we all share an office. Ethics-T is pretty quiet and doesn't speak any English (9 days, no words), so usually after class, I wait for the others to walk down through the sea of orange blazers and into the cafeteria. But suddenly, yesterday he got up from his desk, very smiley and animated, and waved toward the lunch room. Having just come from a "SURPRISE-you-have-a-class-right-now-SORRY" hour of 1st grade (HS) boys, I admit, I was startled. "Ok, sure...??"
The language barrier on this walk up 1 flight of stairs, around a corner, and through to another wing of the school, isn't so much uncomfortable as it is humorous--2 adults, no articulation; both on the verge of laughing (this is not totally unlike the 3 week fling in Spain where we both spoke like 1st graders to one another. you know how mid-twenty-somethings hate inarticulate). I was thinking, there has to be something...
"I'm REALLY hungry," I say patting my stomach.
"ME aaah too." Communication badge, EARNED! Turns out, Ethics-T's wife is an English teacher and she told him this is a perfect opportunity to learn English.
I always leave the office saying, "Have a good day." Today he said, "Thank you beddy much."
Fongie loves it.
I figure it's likely I'll either get skinny because I like my kimchi warm, not cold, or I'll get fat (gained 12lbs in 5 weeks in China) from eating rice to overcompensate for cold kimchi. Either way, I think it's respectful (even though, I'm sure at some times, my co-teacher will like to NOT have to make conversation) and at least I can try to bond a little with these fellow teachers, because ultimately, We're all intimidated by each other. That is obvious.
The cafeteria feels a little bit like when I was eating in my old elementary school when I was substitute teaching--familiar, but unfamiliar; the boys on one side, girls on the other, and teachers in a corner and everyone has their "usual" people they eat with. Also, every table has at least a few minutes of conversation at my expense, though to their credit, always take turns smiling and nodding. I smile back, but I'm thinking, Yep, I'm the new, foreign girl who looks a bit like I should know what to say, but you're puzzled because you couldn't understand a word I said in the meeting when they introduced me yesterday. Except "an nyoung hae sayo", of course. Because I practice that 50 times a day, so it's got verve. And I said "ne hao" when the Chinese teacher introduced himself, but couldn't remember "thank you". Yep, that's me, the migook.
I "usually" eat with 2 of my co-teachers (also English teachers) and the Ethics teacher (raise your hand if Ethics was taught in your HS, what?). Because we all share an office. Ethics-T is pretty quiet and doesn't speak any English (9 days, no words), so usually after class, I wait for the others to walk down through the sea of orange blazers and into the cafeteria. But suddenly, yesterday he got up from his desk, very smiley and animated, and waved toward the lunch room. Having just come from a "SURPRISE-you-have-a-class-right-now-SORRY" hour of 1st grade (HS) boys, I admit, I was startled. "Ok, sure...??"
The language barrier on this walk up 1 flight of stairs, around a corner, and through to another wing of the school, isn't so much uncomfortable as it is humorous--2 adults, no articulation; both on the verge of laughing (this is not totally unlike the 3 week fling in Spain where we both spoke like 1st graders to one another. you know how mid-twenty-somethings hate inarticulate). I was thinking, there has to be something...
"I'm REALLY hungry," I say patting my stomach.
"ME aaah too." Communication badge, EARNED! Turns out, Ethics-T's wife is an English teacher and she told him this is a perfect opportunity to learn English.
I always leave the office saying, "Have a good day." Today he said, "Thank you beddy much."
Fongie loves it.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Decisions.
So, this weekend a bunch of us gathered and traded stories of our first weeks at school. One guy hadn't even taught yet; he's going to have 12 students max, per class, 1 co-teacher, and endless resources. Another played sports all day. Another sat in the back of the room while their co-teacher took on the dictator role.
I was thrown in. Day 1, class one, "No no, I don't need to say nothing. You do what you think," said one of my 5 co-teachers sweetly. 4 classes on day 1: 3 of boys, 1 of girls. I called it Introduction Day--I show them images of Chicago, my life, my family, etc.; then, I have each of them go around the room (so I can see how well each can speak, so I can plan accordingly), saying 3 things:
1. My name is...
2. I am in second (this designates 2nd grade, high school) grade.
3. I like...(football, k-pop, dancing, computers, etc.).
This is a great exercise for the entire day, until I forget I'm dealing with puberty, hormones, and that teenage-male-need to humor his peers.
"My name isa Park Hiyeun Moon. I am insa secondeh gradeh. And, I like...a aYOU."
Does the class start laughing uncontrollably? Of course. Am I afraid to look at my co-teacher for fear she is forever going to think I can't handle my class? Yes. But I do anyway; we lock eyes for a minute, then suddenly, we are laughing out loud too.
"Well, thank you. Very nice to meet you too."
I was thrown in. Day 1, class one, "No no, I don't need to say nothing. You do what you think," said one of my 5 co-teachers sweetly. 4 classes on day 1: 3 of boys, 1 of girls. I called it Introduction Day--I show them images of Chicago, my life, my family, etc.; then, I have each of them go around the room (so I can see how well each can speak, so I can plan accordingly), saying 3 things:
1. My name is...
2. I am in second (this designates 2nd grade, high school) grade.
3. I like...(football, k-pop, dancing, computers, etc.).
This is a great exercise for the entire day, until I forget I'm dealing with puberty, hormones, and that teenage-male-need to humor his peers.
"My name isa Park Hiyeun Moon. I am insa secondeh gradeh. And, I like...a aYOU."
Does the class start laughing uncontrollably? Of course. Am I afraid to look at my co-teacher for fear she is forever going to think I can't handle my class? Yes. But I do anyway; we lock eyes for a minute, then suddenly, we are laughing out loud too.
"Well, thank you. Very nice to meet you too."
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Sal Sal Hae Yo
Orientation lasted a little over a week. A few hundred foreigners from South Africa, US, Canada, England, Ireland, Scotland, Australia, and New Zealand gathered at a very intense, but very organized and beneficial orientation at the Jeonju University Campus, in Jeonju, a few hours southwest from Seoul (raise your hand if you think there are two categories in SK: Seoul, and everything else). We were organized into about a dozen different classes, determined by the region we were place into. This is CLASS 5--so we have all been placed within a couple hours of one another.
A few of us were lucky enough to be placed in the same city, which makes moving to a country where you know little to none, of the language (you'd be surprised to feel what it is like to be totally illiterate while trying to read street signs and shop), so much easier...being scared together is more exciting, so frustration doesn't so much get the best of you.
Many of us have stayed in touch from the orientation. We have all been placed in a wide range of accommodations and teaching situations, and are having a great time sharing stories. I have a feeling it's going to be a really great year of hosting each other's visits. So far, that has been the most amazing part--becoming a part of this brilliantly large community of ex-pats/teachers/adventurers. I will safely assume it is a big reason why "no one ever stays, just one year."
One week at orientation and you leave with friends, teaching resources, a bank card, everything you need for your ARC card...well, one hopes, a hate or appreciation for soju, and even mentors (a big thank you to Han and SoonHee!). Maybe you'll leave with a catch phrase such as "sal sal hae yo" (Easy Tiger) as one of the only 3 things you can say in Korean like I did.
But after 2 weeks here, the 1 piece of advice? Be patient. I'm definitely trying. To the point of personal growth? Ha...be patient!
A Simple Hello...
"An nyoung hae sayo"(which is "hello" in Korean), took me a week to be able to say properly--could have been a mix of the 1st-11hr flight, the 2nd-4hr flight, 3.5hr bus ride, exhaustion from the move, trouble with the visa, hangover from the going-away party, puffy eyes from saying a year's worth of "goodbye" to my nearest and dearest. Could have been any of that. I think it's more so that Korean culture, life, and mostly language is the perfect 180 to American, especially pronunciation.
In this introduction-to-my-blog, I'm not necessarily hoping to self-promote my writing, nor do I think that my words or experience is so special that it sets me apart from the loads of other people out there who are doing this very same thing, and also blogging about it. I merely would like to do mainly these few things:
*Share my experiences and photos with said nearest and dearest, or anyone who needs a little distraction from Facebook and/or work.
*Share my experience and provide helpful advice and useful resources--those who are researching because they are thinking about teaching English in South Korea--so someone may benefit from my trials and tribulations with the process, itself.
*To think out loud (and hopefully start discussions) about the Teaching World.
So, my posts will be varied, but feel free to ask questions or contact me, or simply suggest things, and so on. After all, contrary to popular belief, I hate being the only one talking.
So, on that note, let me introduce myself--I'm Jen. I just moved to Gwangju, South Korea to teach English as a second/foreign language through a program called EPIK. I recently quit teaching full-time at Rasmussen College (for-profit, private), at one of their campuses near Chicago. I was there for about 2.5 years teaching Composition and Intro to Literature mostly--residentially, and online.
A lot of different reasons have fueled my move, mainly debt; hopefully, if you're reading this, you'll stick around and find out about the rest--under the umbrella of personal and professional growth--and maybe you can laugh and cry with me a little.
**I'm having issues with my camera. Mainly, I bought a new computer that doesn't have a card reader, and packed away my usb cord. Kinks such as these will be ironed out in the next 2 weeks. Subsequently, I'll post several photos I've gotten from others until then. After that, there will be many more.
In this introduction-to-my-blog, I'm not necessarily hoping to self-promote my writing, nor do I think that my words or experience is so special that it sets me apart from the loads of other people out there who are doing this very same thing, and also blogging about it. I merely would like to do mainly these few things:
*Share my experiences and photos with said nearest and dearest, or anyone who needs a little distraction from Facebook and/or work.
*Share my experience and provide helpful advice and useful resources--those who are researching because they are thinking about teaching English in South Korea--so someone may benefit from my trials and tribulations with the process, itself.
*To think out loud (and hopefully start discussions) about the Teaching World.
So, my posts will be varied, but feel free to ask questions or contact me, or simply suggest things, and so on. After all, contrary to popular belief, I hate being the only one talking.
So, on that note, let me introduce myself--I'm Jen. I just moved to Gwangju, South Korea to teach English as a second/foreign language through a program called EPIK. I recently quit teaching full-time at Rasmussen College (for-profit, private), at one of their campuses near Chicago. I was there for about 2.5 years teaching Composition and Intro to Literature mostly--residentially, and online.
A lot of different reasons have fueled my move, mainly debt; hopefully, if you're reading this, you'll stick around and find out about the rest--under the umbrella of personal and professional growth--and maybe you can laugh and cry with me a little.
**I'm having issues with my camera. Mainly, I bought a new computer that doesn't have a card reader, and packed away my usb cord. Kinks such as these will be ironed out in the next 2 weeks. Subsequently, I'll post several photos I've gotten from others until then. After that, there will be many more.
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