Ok ok ok ok okkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk

This one is for Michele, because apparently I need to?

It's really hard to keep updating since A: I'm not a showoff and don't feel the need to talk about myself endlessly to random people online. B: I live a daily life in Korea and Facebook pretty much keeps me connected and updated in such a way that blogging sometimes feels redundant.

My initial contract is over. I haven't posted since...um...April? Post Jeju island. So quickly:

The last week of classes I went to the Boryeong Mud Festival with friends and got muddy, then spent the next day on the beach. We waited in line for almost an hour to get painted with colored mud. BUT it was a lot of fun. Being on the beach with the Yellow Sea was surreal because it looked and felt like being in Lake Michigan. Then I would dive in and find that my lips were salty and be confused for a moment.



After classes were over I spent 5 days in the Philippines with some friends in Manila. We saw the old fortress there, explored the shopping, ate a LOT of cheap amazing food, and went to a spa. The spas in the Philippines are amazing. I got a mani/pedi and full body massage for less than $20.

We also went diving in a giant aquarium, which was very cool. I kept having the urge to launch off the bottom and swim, but then the helmet would fall off. Then the instructor wouldn't be happy with me. So I resisted and bounced my way around.

 



















I spent most of August 'deskwarming'. This is a truly Korean phenomenon. Even though there is no work to be done since the students are on vacation, the school wants me to come in for the hours I would usually work so I can get paid. In the USA they would usually pay me anyway, since I really am salary, but here they want you to come in even if there is nothing to do. It's very strange and VERY boring.

Luckily the new batch of  TaLK teachers arrived this week and classes are starting up tomorrow. I have a ton of lessons ready for my students thanks to my deskwarming and a new semester should be a great start. It will be nice to have a routine again.

In the meantime, my third grade girls made up a song about Goldlilocks last semester. Enjoy.


8:54 AM | Category: | 0 comments

Jeju Island

Jeju Island was a lot of fun, though far too short. I would definatly want to go back given the chance. There are some beaches and tidepools I would like to spend all day soaking my feet in and enjoying some sea air.

We visited a number of places, including Loveland, a volcanic crater, Teddy Bear Museum, Botanical Gardens, waterfalls...almost all that in one day. It was exhausting.

Even though I am tremendously out of shape, I think my favorite part was the mountain climbing and climbing on the volcanic rocks on the coast.

7:00 AM | Category: | 0 comments

Happy Easter & Spring
Cherry Blossoms at Eumpa Park

^ You should click me so I'm bigger and prettier. ^

Easter means spring. In Korea, spring seems to mean the start of holidays. The past two weeks have been the Cherry Blossom Festival in Eumpa Park. Over the weekend
some of us went and walked the park to look at the flowers. I think I am in love with Eumpa park...I would love to live closer to it if it weren't so far from my school! However, if I walk there, it takes a
bout 30 minutes; which is good exercise.

We have been trying to meet up to go to some of the events at the park, but, since none of us know Korean, it was kind of hard to read the sign with all the events listed on them. About the best anyone could do was recognize the park name so we knew something would be there. We did catch the end of a B-Boy Group Wednesday night, but they were hard to see in the crowd.

A Traditional Dance at the festival.


Hoehyeon School Picnic in Buyeo

I don't know why they're doing this, but it was super cute.

Today was a school picnic that was less picnic-y than I anticipated because of the rain. The whole school was loaded onto three buses and driven almost 90 minutes to a place called Buyeo. It is some kind of fortress that was the capital city of one of the dynasties before Korea was unified.


We started to hike up the mountain but before we even got halfway it started to sprinkle. Koreans were already worried about acid rain from China, there is a myth that if you stand in it too long you will go bald. With what has been happening in Japan, they are now worried about 'nuclear rain' and think that they will get sick. So it was a mad rush back down to the buses to wait for the rain to stop. My mentor teacher clung to my arm the whole way down under my umbrella with me. I think it's kind of cute the way she does this.

We had lunch in a pavilion at Beyeo. The students were all going crazy for all the kitschy little stands set up around the parking lot. I think they all bought at least one silly toy. One of the third graders gave me a glow-in-the-dark cross and insisted I wear it. It was a very sweet gesture. I picked up a handkerchief with a map of the area on it and some decks of cards because they were cheap there.

With 4th Grade. My Mentor Teacher Mrs Lee is sitting next to me. She is their teacher.

Afterward we went to a Korean National Museum to look at a lot of ancient relics. It was a typical museum, not too exciting. It had English displays though, so I wasn't entirely lost. Their prize item is called the Gilt-Bronze Incense Burner of Baekje, which is very pretty. It's a 25 inch tall bronze egg-shaped burner with holes in it for the smoke to come out. I thought it was pretty and unique enough I picked up a keychain at the giftshop for myself.





Tomorrow the Provincial Office of Education is taking the TaLK scholars to Jeju Island for our 'cultural experience' trip. Teachers in the other provinces are going to the DMZ it sounds like...but I think we're all pretty happy to get to go to Jeju instead. I expect there will be a lot of pictures taken while I'm there...and I have to remember to get out the video camera.
10:42 AM | Category: | 0 comments

Your regular two week updates will continue..um..today?


I am clearly not very good about getting myself to post in a blog. Truthfully I have the attention span of a goldfish and the last thing I think about when I have downtime is what I've been doing. I spend more time thinking about what I'm GOING to be doing tomorrow.

It actually doesn't feel like it's been two weeks since my last post. Since then I had a great birthday party with my friends who came out from Jeonju. It was so good to see everyone again. We went to dinner a CGV which was supposed to be sushi, but we saw that the sushi place was soooo packed we decided to go try the Chinese place next door instead. According to Chenney, it was pretty authentic, so I can't complain.

We then went out to Naundong to meet people at The Rok then headed over to a noraebang. I do love me some noraebang and I wish we could go more often. It's a lot of fun even if you're in there for just an hour. We were there for two. Afterward back up to The Rok to meet some of the regular foreigners and as things wore down it was time to go home. It was a great time and I was very honored how many people came out to Gunsan for my birthday.

I don't know what we were singing but obviously it was sway-worthy.

Teaching has come with a lot of ups and downs. I wouldn't say my kids are out of control, but they are certainly not in control enough that I feel like I accomplish much with them. Talking too much is defiantly something that they have a problem with. Sometimes I cannot even hear what a student is answering because the rest of them are talking. I have tried a number of different methods but after talking with some people and getting advice from people back home who are teachers I'm hoping taking a different approach/reward system will help them to understand what I expect from them.

However, I have found what activities my problem classes do enjoy. It feels like it took me too long to discover, for example, that my 4th grade students like to draw instead of doing
worksheets. At least I know now, so we can have an easier time in the future.

Early this week I was not feeling
particularily fantastic because everything that was going wrong was happening all at once. Again, not dying here, but after a while things build up and it's hard to deal with. I try to go out and visit my friends as much as possible. Also I got myself a fish and a plant to liven up my apartment a little in the hopes it will make me a little cheery. At the very least I can talk to them both. The fish responds, I swear! =P

Today, though, there was no school because it is their anniversary since opening. Unexpectedly, my mentor teacher called me this afternoon to ask if I wanted to go out with her. We went to Eumpa Park and walked a little and had lunch. It was nice because I have actually not done anything with her because she is so busy. Now I feel like that is kinda true, because she sounds like she wants to try to do things with me like this in the future. Also she tells me all the time that she thinks my fashion is good, which is flattering, because I don't really do a ton to look good.

Last weekend the Cherry Blossom festivals all started. They are not in full bloom but hopefully this week they will come out. I hope I will get to go with some people and experience them. It sounds like some will come next weekend, but as much as I like going out with big groups, I like going out of one or two people as well. We will see what will happen. But, I'm sure it will be good.
1:44 AM | Category: | 1 comments

Korean Birthday
What's funny is that the party is tomorrow...

Today I woke up to a slew of warm wishes from new and old friends around the world. I did not expect much to happen today, mostly just relax and be ready to go out tomorrow night. My mentor teacher defiantly told the third grade students today is my birthday because they came running into lunch all dancing with "teacher! happy birthday to you!". The news spread quickly and before I knew it students I don't even have in my classes were saying 'congratulations' to me in the hall.

Both first & second and third grade sang to me. One of my favorite little firecrackers from first grade, YuKahn, drew me a picture before class and most of the girls gave me little hugs saying 'teacher I love you!'

Third grade came in excitedly telling me 'teacher water!' I said 'okay go ahead', but then she pulled me out of my seat and RAN me down the hall to sit me on a couch outside the nurse's room. After a little while she RAN me back down to the English room, where, in the dark, the kids attempted a quick surprise party by turning on the lights and singing happy birthday. They all gave me drawings of birthday cake.

In between classes, the administrator in charge of the roll books came in to switch the papers to April and gave me some green tea.

The other English teacher, Jiyoung, whom I ride home with every day, even gave me a present. It's a pretty little brooch, which, even though I do like it she said I could exchange it if I wanted to at Mango (a store). I get the feeling this is not something rude for them, so I might go and see if there is something more my colors.

My evening was relaxing, like I wanted. I took a long nap, then went to Lotte Mart for dinner at the cafeteria and even ran into one of my students there as well. As suggested by Chenney, I picked up some of the tights to see if they will fit me (they do, miracle) and treated myself to some sushi.

I decided to see about getting my 'professional' glasses fixed since the lens had started to crack on the top of one. 60k won and 15 minutes, I have new lenses in my glasses. They even re-checked my eyes. For free. I told the man "this, very fast. In USA, two weeks." He said "wow oh my god," in that way only Koreans do. I love it.

I love Korea
6:50 AM | Category: | 1 comments

Classroom Managment 101
May contain some strong language.

Lesson 1: Separate Friends

When you can't get your class to be quiet because a few groups of kids just start talking again as soon as your eyes move off them, it's time for a seating chart. With mine, no amount of pay attention actions (clapping, chants, etc), yelling, or stares will earn their respect. Yesterday, fifth grade got a seating chart. Suddenly, the noise level of my room went from 11 to 3. It's really hard to talk in a normal voice to your friends when they're all the way across the room from you.

Lesson 2: Don't Be Afraid to be a Bitch

I didn't want to be that mean teacher, but seriously, the kids didn't get it. With my co-teacher in today, I warned her as soon as the class came in and talked and goofed around the whole time I was trying to call role that I was going to have to be strict. She faithfully translated my lecture. If the students don't get what it means for someone to come to Korea to teach them English, then they should now. It not easy, putting your life on hold, leaving people and pets behind, and coming to a country where you don't speak the language. A little guilt never hurt a petulant child.

Lesson 3: Enforce that "be quiet, no talking" means SHUT YOUR MOUTH.

My kids did not understand that be quiet means I want them to stop talking. I would tell them to be quiet and they would stop until their friends walked in the room and then start talking again immediately. As soon as I move back to the task I was on, they continue their conversation. This is difficult with the older students because, well, they're teenagers. Luckily, I'm young enough and have a brother young enough to remember what teens are like...and it's not pretty. It's fun to talk behind teacher's back, like a game. Even more so I'm sure when your teacher doesn't speak your language. However there are some lines that I think I wouldn't cross in the USA, but here not only have I given up on trying to be a "PC" teacher I've realized that if my students understood every word that came out of my mouth, it probably wouldn't get like this in the first place.

Lesson 4: Remind Them There are Consequences

After school class, of course, makes students think free time; but they signed up for or were told to sign up for my class. Just because they don't want to be there, skip, come in late, or act up, does not mean no one will hear about it. I reminded them that I take role every day because the office wants me to. They look at it everyday, and keep record of who doesn't show up or who is late. This means that the administration and their parents are aware of their attendance in the class. Just because there is no grade does not mean that the school doesn't care if you show up.

Lesson 5: Use Your Resources

Google Translate was a blessing this week. It might not be a perfect translation, but to help my fourth grade students understand that if they didn't start behaving well we would no longer play games and start writing sentences...well it was enough to get the point across.

We were told not to go over someone's head in the chain of command, as it were, within the school, but I think pulling a student out of class to go to the principal is something I can get away with. Especially since the principal is a few doors down, while all the teachers are on another floor.
11:51 PM | Category: | 0 comments

school, meetings, slippers, and coffee
The last few weeks have been up and down. Trying to get into a routine with my students has been difficult because most of the time they just don't want to listen to what I say. Talking too much and not staying in their seats has been an issue. So far I have discovered two things that work really well: 1) Google translate to help me bring home what I am threatening them with (like writing sentences instead of games) and 2) Shouting YOGIBA! when they aren't looking at me.

I have a tendancy to forget to update this blog because the community is so tightknit on Facebook it's been easy to keep in touch with almost everyone in Korea and abroad. However, taking the time to reflect is important, especially collecting my thoughts in more than a few short status updates.

My apartment is finally a home. I was taken out to get a few necessities last week and was able to stow my luggage away for good. I can cook here too. You would be amazed what life without as much as a frying pan will do to you. I myself have settled into quite the routine, get late morning, check online things, clean up, eat breakfast while watching a show online, then get ready for school, lesson planning if necessary. Morning and late evening are usually the best times to catch people on the other side, so I try to check and see who's around.

Today was a good day, even if I did come home exhausted as usual. When I got to school as I was signing in the secretary handed me a package. I practically cheered 'thank you!' because I knew it was the box my parents had sent me last week. The letter they sent me two weeks ago is still a no-show. It would seem my carefully crafted Korean-written and English-written address for my school was far more effective than relying on the Korean post to translate an English addressed letter. I got my replacement Kindle, case for it, a pair of slippers mom made me, and a birthday card. Mom included instructions for the cute little slippers and I've already started a pair.

Things were a bit confusing today class-wise because there was a parent meeting and the school introduced all the teachers. Unbeknown-st to me, that meant that my first class was canceled (and I was really looking forward to seeing my 1s and 2s too...). It also meant I was late for 3rd grade. They came in early, before the meeting, and the girls in that class are super cute as well as super energetic. They came in excitedly telling me 'TEACHER TEACHER FASHION GOOD' then a little pose with some V fingers. They liked my shirt (Michele, remember that one you got me with the high collar and b&w circles? it's a hit). I set them up with a coloring worksheet with food and went to the meeting so they could introduce me to the parents.

The whole thing threw me off a little, so that when I got back to class it was hard to get myself on task, let alone the students. I'm trying to do food with them, so after I went over a little vocab I gave up and played the bomb game with them. They did the worksheet...something got accomplished.

Since I started classes and I met the other after-school English teacher she drives me home after school because she lives in the same area. Today we talked for quite a while and went for coffee. I like her a lot and I'm really glad the school decided to hire a private teacher to supplement their classes because it's nice to have a Korean English teacher that I see every day. Especially since I only see my co-teacher on Fridays.

This weekend I am going to Seoul and I'm really excited. Tomorrow is payday (finally!!) and I fully intend on gettig a more comfortable pair of sneakers (I keep tripping on my sketchers shape-ups...the sidewalks in Korea are perilous), a haircut, and hopefully a trip to the bank to get some money into my US account.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to watch an episode of Secret Garden and work on some slippers.

6:20 AM | Category: | 0 comments