An entire homeroom class (about 30 students) were sent home today because the majority of them had high temperatures. H1N1? Doubt it. Then again I don't really want to get sick at all. Of course all of this transpired after I taught half their class.
When they arrived in my class after lunch, 7 students from their class had already been sent home. 1 claimed she was sick and feverish. But she was fairly spry. Still she was gulping down the water. And worst of all her friend next to her was drinking out of her water bottle.
On the devil's advocate side of things....while I was teaching the class slang, they did ask me what the english was for 'leaving class without permission.' 'Ditching class' I told them. Teenagers are very sneaky. You know the old faking sick tricks. Like the put your hands in your armpits to make them clammy via Ferris Bueller. Or the stick your head next to the heater to try to raise your temperature. The girls like to make themselves look a little paler.
But they lucked out anyway and everyone got sent home for the remainder of the week. A 4 day weekend for them! But if any of them are sick their quarantine will continue all next week. Unfortunately, they will have to come to school and be secluded from the other students ALL DAY EVERY DAY for a week. No English class for them. Hopefully, I'll still be teaching the other classes next week and not bed ridden.
That was the bad news for the day. The rest of the day went very smoothly. I asked the other teacher's for advice. My two main co-teachers both gave me advice. And of those two the head English teacher broke out all these laminated lesson plans. She was holding out on me! I gave her a sarcastic comment after she said she forgot. She's the only one who can really appreciate sarcasm. And she can really dish it out, too. I've called it on her a couple times already. Anyway, my lesson plans went smoothly as well.
Even with the smaller class size for the 1st graders I was able to accomplish a lot during their class. I taught them Louis Horn style slang. Like 'So Long!' and 'Ohhh, what a nightmare!' I got all my kids to say 'So Long' as they left the classroom. I, also, mixed in few other slang phrases. I am really trying to get them to stop with the idioms. I really hate idioms. For example, when I ask 'how are you?' they respond 'I AM FINE THANKS. HOW ARE YOU?' That just kills me. It says, 'Hey! Look! I can't speak a lick of English!' I don't want that to be the case. So, I am trying to mix it up and make it fun. So, I am on my Louis style slang stint, right now. Maybe I'll teach them 'OH, THAT IS SO FLUKEY!' when they can grasp it fully.
But slang is really fun to teach. My favorite today being, 'Let's blow this popsicle stand!'
As my main co-teacher, Ms Yoo, left today she looked back...paused....and blurted out, 'I'm blowing this popsicle stand!' I almost died.
I'm outta here!
Notes:
I wrote this while listening to AUTO TUNE THE NEWS, Shawtay! It's addicting as crack. I keep hitting it. I strongly suggest you do the same.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Just one of those days
It was one of those 'hump days' that seemed more like trekking over a mountain than getting over a hump.
It started slow. My first class for the 2nd grade (8th graders) was slow and boring. My lesson plan for their grade this week is pretty much a snore. Then things got interesting....
I have been ad libbing my 1st and 3rd grade lesson all week.
As you all know I don't take criticism well. When it comes to authoritative criticism, I am a hard headed, stubborn man with a serious attitude problem. I sure picked the wrong culture if I am going to continue to have that attitude. Korean women are very blunt. They are not afraid to tell me how I messed up. Solutions on the other hand don't come as easy. But they will critique you. Not because it's their job. Because it is a part of their culture. Even the little girls do it(I'll tell you about that later). So, I put on my best smile and tried to take it like a man.
I know what you're thinking. I'm gonna blow up, right? Believe it or not, I didn't. Now, the smile went away after everyone got into the bashing. But I wrote down their criticisms along with a couple realizations of my own. They, also, commented on my profuse use of facebook and my headphones. The teachers that I share my office hate how absorbed I am in facebook and music. Admittedly, I am guilty as charged. I am on the good book most of my break time because it's my only contact with my friends, family, and other native teachers, most of whom don't have a cell phone. And for those of you who know me really well, the internet is like my I.V. drug. I can't live without it. Anyway, they stated they were too intimidated to talk to me when I was like that. I told them to please interrupt me. I am easy to talk to. Please don't be sensitive about asking me questions. Let's be honest women are the same anywhere you go. No offense ladies. But nagging and being overly sensitive are cross-cultural feminine traits. Men and boys are the same, too. Well minus the fact that Korean boys fondle their friend's hair and hump each other in the hallway. Usually not at the same time. And Korean men drink themselves under the table so fast that they have to carry each other home all the time. Kind of funny.
After my humbling, they asked me if I had any criticisms for them. In a mild, humbled voice I replied, 'No, as you can tell I'm still trying to stabilization myself. I am having so much trouble with my own teaching that I can't focus on yours.' (That comes off a little bitter when you write it huh?). And the conversation abruptly shifted.
Apparently, they want me to find them articles in English to read then discuss with me the following week for half of our Wednesday meetings. No, I am not going to give them sports articles or comedic articles about '5 Great Things You Didn't Know Came from Tragedies' from cracked.com. I am looking for articles in the NY TIMES, Seattle Times, CNN, etc. And they wanted a book list from me. I suggested 'Mice and Men' by Steinbeck and they quickly refused my offer. One of them was claiming it's 'too boring.' If you can't appreciate the simplicity of Steinbeck's characters and symbolism you cannot appreciate American literature. Bold statement about an admittedly pretty basic, short book. Back to the topic, what a role reversal! They quickly went from bluntly criticizing my teaching to wanting to pick my brain and learn from me. I was humbled. But I was ressurected with a new perspective about my job.
I am not teaching these children anything new. I am not here to conduct the sole English course. I am basically an English Conversationalist. I serve little use but to be a talking box. The students come to me to speak and hear me speak. The teachers see me more as a resource for them not as a teacher. So, my job is very simple. Teach the kids how to speak proper English with some slang thrown in. And for my own sanity be fun. Essentially, I Keep It Simple, Stupid (Makes a good tackling technique, too). This is a good thing for me.
Today was rough but a lot of good came out it. My attitude is still lingering. But I am more humble. I realized my place in school. And I got to release my frustration playing basketball at a court not too far from my house or my school. Here's to you Endorphins. I love you. You are my best friend. You always know how to make me smile when I'm sad. I hope we see more of each other soon.
NOTES (THESE ARE ACTUALLY THE BEST PART OF THE LONG-WINDED POST):
Today, one of my kids wrote something very interesting during an exercise. The exercise was making a complaint. The sentence read: 'I dont like _____ because it is _______.' I was going around the classroom sneaking a peek at the girls' papers when one caught my eye.
It read like this:
I don't like (My name in Hangul, Korean writing) because it is very long nose.
Brutal little girl. I laughed loudly. Then I corrected her writing. 'May I correct the English?'
"I don't like JUSTIN because he has a VERY LONG NOSE like Pinocchio." She was shocked mainly because I recognized my own name in Hangul.
When it came time for certain students to read their sentences aloud. I made sure she was one of them. I got a real kick out her sentence. That really made my afternoon more bearable. She is a pretty funny kid.
I am going to be terrible at basketball when I return to the states. I'm like a super speedy godzilla on the court here. Maybe, I'll get better at badminton.
Asian driving? Still sucks. When you ride in a car here it's like OMGOMGOMGOMGOMG!!! then since everyone is an awful driver it all miraculously works out at the last second. LIKE WTF just happened?! No one ever gets pulled over either!
It started slow. My first class for the 2nd grade (8th graders) was slow and boring. My lesson plan for their grade this week is pretty much a snore. Then things got interesting....
I have been ad libbing my 1st and 3rd grade lesson all week.
- I lost my flash drive with all my photos and lesson plan extras.
- The copies I requested were completely messed up (The 3rd grade lesson had half the first grade lesson on the back. My co-teacher blames me for not having the sense to check it. I told her 'Yes, I will check it, now, that I know the copy people are idiots. .').
As you all know I don't take criticism well. When it comes to authoritative criticism, I am a hard headed, stubborn man with a serious attitude problem. I sure picked the wrong culture if I am going to continue to have that attitude. Korean women are very blunt. They are not afraid to tell me how I messed up. Solutions on the other hand don't come as easy. But they will critique you. Not because it's their job. Because it is a part of their culture. Even the little girls do it(I'll tell you about that later). So, I put on my best smile and tried to take it like a man.
I know what you're thinking. I'm gonna blow up, right? Believe it or not, I didn't. Now, the smile went away after everyone got into the bashing. But I wrote down their criticisms along with a couple realizations of my own. They, also, commented on my profuse use of facebook and my headphones. The teachers that I share my office hate how absorbed I am in facebook and music. Admittedly, I am guilty as charged. I am on the good book most of my break time because it's my only contact with my friends, family, and other native teachers, most of whom don't have a cell phone. And for those of you who know me really well, the internet is like my I.V. drug. I can't live without it. Anyway, they stated they were too intimidated to talk to me when I was like that. I told them to please interrupt me. I am easy to talk to. Please don't be sensitive about asking me questions. Let's be honest women are the same anywhere you go. No offense ladies. But nagging and being overly sensitive are cross-cultural feminine traits. Men and boys are the same, too. Well minus the fact that Korean boys fondle their friend's hair and hump each other in the hallway. Usually not at the same time. And Korean men drink themselves under the table so fast that they have to carry each other home all the time. Kind of funny.
After my humbling, they asked me if I had any criticisms for them. In a mild, humbled voice I replied, 'No, as you can tell I'm still trying to stabilization myself. I am having so much trouble with my own teaching that I can't focus on yours.' (That comes off a little bitter when you write it huh?). And the conversation abruptly shifted.
Apparently, they want me to find them articles in English to read then discuss with me the following week for half of our Wednesday meetings. No, I am not going to give them sports articles or comedic articles about '5 Great Things You Didn't Know Came from Tragedies' from cracked.com. I am looking for articles in the NY TIMES, Seattle Times, CNN, etc. And they wanted a book list from me. I suggested 'Mice and Men' by Steinbeck and they quickly refused my offer. One of them was claiming it's 'too boring.' If you can't appreciate the simplicity of Steinbeck's characters and symbolism you cannot appreciate American literature. Bold statement about an admittedly pretty basic, short book. Back to the topic, what a role reversal! They quickly went from bluntly criticizing my teaching to wanting to pick my brain and learn from me. I was humbled. But I was ressurected with a new perspective about my job.
I am not teaching these children anything new. I am not here to conduct the sole English course. I am basically an English Conversationalist. I serve little use but to be a talking box. The students come to me to speak and hear me speak. The teachers see me more as a resource for them not as a teacher. So, my job is very simple. Teach the kids how to speak proper English with some slang thrown in. And for my own sanity be fun. Essentially, I Keep It Simple, Stupid (Makes a good tackling technique, too). This is a good thing for me.
Today was rough but a lot of good came out it. My attitude is still lingering. But I am more humble. I realized my place in school. And I got to release my frustration playing basketball at a court not too far from my house or my school. Here's to you Endorphins. I love you. You are my best friend. You always know how to make me smile when I'm sad. I hope we see more of each other soon.
NOTES (THESE ARE ACTUALLY THE BEST PART OF THE LONG-WINDED POST):
Today, one of my kids wrote something very interesting during an exercise. The exercise was making a complaint. The sentence read: 'I dont like _____ because it is _______.' I was going around the classroom sneaking a peek at the girls' papers when one caught my eye.
It read like this:
I don't like (My name in Hangul, Korean writing) because it is very long nose.
Brutal little girl. I laughed loudly. Then I corrected her writing. 'May I correct the English?'
"I don't like JUSTIN because he has a VERY LONG NOSE like Pinocchio." She was shocked mainly because I recognized my own name in Hangul.
When it came time for certain students to read their sentences aloud. I made sure she was one of them. I got a real kick out her sentence. That really made my afternoon more bearable. She is a pretty funny kid.
I am going to be terrible at basketball when I return to the states. I'm like a super speedy godzilla on the court here. Maybe, I'll get better at badminton.
Asian driving? Still sucks. When you ride in a car here it's like OMGOMGOMGOMGOMG!!! then since everyone is an awful driver it all miraculously works out at the last second. LIKE WTF just happened?! No one ever gets pulled over either!
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Ah, the weekend
My Monday morning drenching. Oh, weekend, how I miss ye.
It was one great weekend, too.
I'm gonna warn you straight up. I am writing this post half asleep after a long Monday. So, excuse my lack of sentence structure in some paragraphs.
Friday, I finished my second full week of teaching. I headed straight out to dinner and beers after work with several native teachers. Those kids wear you down like tread running over roadkill. You need a beer or a nap or both after a week with any large group of children. To all those preschool and any teachers reading this CHEERS. This one's for you. I felt bad for teachers before I got here. Now, I really feel sorry for you. For those of you who don't drink more power to ya. To my mom: Now, I know why you are popping open those little sutter house bottles once or twice a week. Plus, you're a tiny lady. If you opened a bottle you might drown in it. :D (A little potshot for ya, Ma)
Saturday morning I had to get up early for English Conversation class at the school. So, I turned in early on Friday night.
I was sour at that time. But they turned out to be a blast.
For waking up early on a sacred Saturday it wasn't all that bad. They are a pretty fun group. I had a pretty good time playing English games with all the advanced students. I played all sorts of games with them from pictionary to a scavenger hunt (yeah, I made them find me) to 'English only questions' Jenga.
The perfect Jenga tower. Not one block left to pull without losing its balance. Too bad I was on the losing end of this one.
A Lesson in Bartering
After work Saturday, my two permanent co-teachers, Ms. Yoo and Mi Sun, took me to eat and shop in Seoul's foreigner district, Itaewan. I picked up some pretty ridiculous shoes and a few pairs of 'real' NBA socks. The shop keeper stated they were real NBA socks. But I've never seen a pair of white NBA socks with a baby blue logo background. Still, for 5000 won I thought they were a steal for me. It's tough enough to find shoes and shirts but socks big enough for me are a rare find. (Soccer socks don't count) The best part about shopping in Itaewan is you can bargain with anyone.
I love suits. Love 'em. I'm always trying to find a good, less expensive suit to add to my closet especially when it's a ridiculous Korean suit that looks like something out of a 70s or 80s Bond flick. This suit shop caught my eye. And when I stepped in two older guys greeted me, "Hi, how are you, sir?'
'I'm well thank you. How are you two today?' I expected some hackneyed response like 'I am fine, sir, thank you.' Instead I got a nice surprise. 'We are both doing alright today. The real question is what kind of suit are you looking for?'
Wait? What? I took a step back. A pair of old Korean swindlers who speak English right before my eyes. 'Well, what do you have in the way of material?'
And we go back and forth. They are showing me all the materials, naming off all the colors, telling me about how excellent these 'hand stitched' suits are. 'You can find these for about 2500 US in New York City. But I'll cut you a deal. How many suits are you looking for?'
'Hm, 2 or 3?'
'I'll cut you a deal.' He breaks out the calculator and does the exchange rate math on around 700,000 won. 'I'll give you 2 suits for 580 US.'
'No, that's a little too much for me. Thanks though.'
'Ok, ok. How about 260?'
'Ooo, that's better but I'd really prefer to look around.'
'That's a good deal I'm offering you. These are the best quality of hand stitched suits around. I wouldn't lie. Look at me! I'm an old man. And I've never told a lie in my life.'
Without looking at my teachers I can tell they are smiling with snickered grins.
I'm staring at him. I look away at a suit, 'You never lie? I think you are telling me a lie just by saying that.' I laugh. This old man is swindling me.
'What would it take for you to walk out of here with a suit, today?'
'225 USD.'
'Whoa. That's way too cheap. How about I make you a deal? We sold a suit to a gentleman today for 300,000 won. That's about 250 US. How about I sell you that?'
Now, I'm thinking how low can I go? 'Ok, let me take a look.' He shows me the order form with the material attached. 'Hm, that's tempting. But I can't. I'm sorry but I'm going to have to think about it. I'll come back another time.'
'You say that. But whenever someone says that they never return.'
'Well, you've cut me a decent deal but I'm going to have to look around.' I turn to walk out.
And he caves. 'Ok, 230!'
Now, I'm thinking I've got the guy on the ropes. I know I can get him to go lower than 230 or even my previous low price 225. So, I take off. 'See ya! I'll be back (maybe).' I'm thinking I could get him to go 175 if I buy 3 or 4 tailored suits. But I might be able to get cheaper, possibly better suits at the Suit Exchange in Seattle. But bartering sure is fun. Especially, when it's two old Korean salemen who speak English.
Least to say of all this was that both my co-teachers were shocked. They didn't even know you could do that. Did I cross some cultural boundary? No. I just tapped into standard international business practice. Everyone knows if you're a foreigner in a marketplace you're getting ripped off. I'm a big, white target. I would rip me off, too.
Notes:
I made quite a few U.S. phone calls this weekend after the win. Expect more phone calls as I signed up for unlimited calls in the U.S.
Plus, I was really jealous and tired after watching us beat USC. I hope everyone is savoring this win! I am! I want to go gloat about it in Korea. I can't imagine how good it must feel to be back on the map in Seattle.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Asian driving it is!
Sorry, ma, but we'll do my eating habits another time.
How bad are Korean drivers? On the international scale they are 2nd worst out of 30 OECD participating countries. They are near the top in automobile casualties per population. They are willing to give you a kind nudge when you are on your bike. Basically, if you have any reason whatsoever to cross the road make sure that no one is coming in either direction. Look twice. Even at a crosswalk.
Don't fool yourself into thinking the stereotype Asian drivers are bad in the U.S. Compared to their U.S. stereotyped counterparts Korean drivers are hellhounds out for blood. The meaning of the word restraint is not known by Korean drivers. The lines in the road? What lines? I'm Korean. I pay taxes for the whole road. So, I'll use the whole road. They will run red lights if the don't see anyone walking across the intersection. They are not afraid to swerve around your car leaving millimeters between you as they pass. They will hit bikers.
The previous native teacher, Anne, left behind a bike for me. I thanked her. And I asked her since the sidewalks are so crowded where do you ride your bike? I ride it on the sidewalk and in the road. It's really up to you. I mean I got hit 3 times last year. Twice by taxis. I had to kick one of them off my back tire because he was riding me. There goes my idea of buying a scooter. Because of that response I have been deterred from from riding the bike since I've been here.
I saw a couple pretty close calls when I have ridden in my co-teacher's car. I watched a couple people almost get hit by a taxi. A biker get moved aside. And what about my coteacher's, Ms. Yoo's driving? Oh boy.
Her driving scares me at times. The first time I rode in her car it was like riding into hell on a tricycle with your grandmother peddling. Slow. Deliberate. Meticulous. And I thought my side of the car was going to get scrapped off like a taxi was a cheese grater grating cheese. Luckily, I spend most of my time walking everywhere. So, I get to see more of the marketplaces and side streets.
Korean drivers park wherever they please. No parking here? Not a problem. I'll park here anyway. You know how families protect their parking spots in front of their alleyway houses? They build small, knee-high wooden or metal structures ( they look like these x------x) that are chained to their gate or near their garage to prevent other drivers from stealing their spot.
On my way to school I mainly walk through alleyways or markets. I don't have to cross a busy street but twice. Thanks to the subway system at many intersections there is not a crosswalk. You merely walk under the street through the bazaar and out the other side. Thank God. Because when the light turns red and the green walking symbol pops up I look both ways. Twice. I am cautious. Especially when I see a taxi.
Like any country taxis are menaces. You think MR. Singh is bad behind the wheel in the U.S.? HAH. Kim Jyeong Bi is a maniac behind the wheel of a mobile bomb waiting to explode. Taxis should be defined as cars that care little for human life outside of the car. They inch forward at crosswalks like they are racing. Often taxis will stop with their back bumber in the crosswalk. They don't use gasoline here. They use gas.
When I heard most taxis use Methane gas instead of gasoline I freaked. My teacher described it like this. 'You know taxi? They don't use oil. They use gas. Not like oil. Like poof. Gas.' You mean like hydrogen gas?! 'Yes, like hydrogen. In accident they go boom! Very dangerous.' You should have seen my face. 'Are you serious?! They are ticking time bombs! I will never ride in one!' (Until after a few glasses of soju of course).
Speaking of alcohol..... in Korea 25,000 accidents, that's 1 out of every 10 accidents, is related to drunk driving. That will make me think twice about all the jaywalking I do. Basically, what I'm telling you is Stay off the damn road at night. And day. Just walk under the street. Take the subway. Trust me you're better off.
Notes:
This website has Korea 3rd worst amongst Asian drivers. http://www.articlesbase.com/culture-articles/asias-worst-drivers-1056870.html
I can't argue with India being number 2. They allow monkeys to ride mini-motorcycles in the street.
How bad are Korean drivers? On the international scale they are 2nd worst out of 30 OECD participating countries. They are near the top in automobile casualties per population. They are willing to give you a kind nudge when you are on your bike. Basically, if you have any reason whatsoever to cross the road make sure that no one is coming in either direction. Look twice. Even at a crosswalk.
Don't fool yourself into thinking the stereotype Asian drivers are bad in the U.S. Compared to their U.S. stereotyped counterparts Korean drivers are hellhounds out for blood. The meaning of the word restraint is not known by Korean drivers. The lines in the road? What lines? I'm Korean. I pay taxes for the whole road. So, I'll use the whole road. They will run red lights if the don't see anyone walking across the intersection. They are not afraid to swerve around your car leaving millimeters between you as they pass. They will hit bikers.
The previous native teacher, Anne, left behind a bike for me. I thanked her. And I asked her since the sidewalks are so crowded where do you ride your bike? I ride it on the sidewalk and in the road. It's really up to you. I mean I got hit 3 times last year. Twice by taxis. I had to kick one of them off my back tire because he was riding me. There goes my idea of buying a scooter. Because of that response I have been deterred from from riding the bike since I've been here.
I saw a couple pretty close calls when I have ridden in my co-teacher's car. I watched a couple people almost get hit by a taxi. A biker get moved aside. And what about my coteacher's, Ms. Yoo's driving? Oh boy.
Her driving scares me at times. The first time I rode in her car it was like riding into hell on a tricycle with your grandmother peddling. Slow. Deliberate. Meticulous. And I thought my side of the car was going to get scrapped off like a taxi was a cheese grater grating cheese. Luckily, I spend most of my time walking everywhere. So, I get to see more of the marketplaces and side streets.
Korean drivers park wherever they please. No parking here? Not a problem. I'll park here anyway. You know how families protect their parking spots in front of their alleyway houses? They build small, knee-high wooden or metal structures ( they look like these x------x) that are chained to their gate or near their garage to prevent other drivers from stealing their spot.
On my way to school I mainly walk through alleyways or markets. I don't have to cross a busy street but twice. Thanks to the subway system at many intersections there is not a crosswalk. You merely walk under the street through the bazaar and out the other side. Thank God. Because when the light turns red and the green walking symbol pops up I look both ways. Twice. I am cautious. Especially when I see a taxi.
Like any country taxis are menaces. You think MR. Singh is bad behind the wheel in the U.S.? HAH. Kim Jyeong Bi is a maniac behind the wheel of a mobile bomb waiting to explode. Taxis should be defined as cars that care little for human life outside of the car. They inch forward at crosswalks like they are racing. Often taxis will stop with their back bumber in the crosswalk. They don't use gasoline here. They use gas.
When I heard most taxis use Methane gas instead of gasoline I freaked. My teacher described it like this. 'You know taxi? They don't use oil. They use gas. Not like oil. Like poof. Gas.' You mean like hydrogen gas?! 'Yes, like hydrogen. In accident they go boom! Very dangerous.' You should have seen my face. 'Are you serious?! They are ticking time bombs! I will never ride in one!' (Until after a few glasses of soju of course).
Speaking of alcohol..... in Korea 25,000 accidents, that's 1 out of every 10 accidents, is related to drunk driving. That will make me think twice about all the jaywalking I do. Basically, what I'm telling you is Stay off the damn road at night. And day. Just walk under the street. Take the subway. Trust me you're better off.
Notes:
This website has Korea 3rd worst amongst Asian drivers. http://www.articlesbase.com/culture-articles/asias-worst-drivers-1056870.html
I can't argue with India being number 2. They allow monkeys to ride mini-motorcycles in the street.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
I need you to vote
Please vote on the poll to determine what I write about next.
My parents want me to write about what I'm eating because my mom thinks I'm starving over here.
Asian driving is even worse here than in the U.S.
Miscommunications among me, my co-teachers, and students.Picking up on non-verbal communication.
Or I can post whatever I want.
My parents want me to write about what I'm eating because my mom thinks I'm starving over here.
Asian driving is even worse here than in the U.S.
Miscommunications among me, my co-teachers, and students.Picking up on non-verbal communication.
Or I can post whatever I want.
Good news and Bad news
Let's sensationalize my post like a news program and start with the bad news.
One of my first grade (6th grade U.S.) teachers, Kimberly (her English name), went to the E.R. last night! The doctors told her she has a form of Hepatitis. Hep A from what I'm told. I hope she gets better soon. Since that is highly unlikely she is going on leave. And the school is starting to look for a new teacher. (She was a substitute for the year, too).
In the meantime Ms. Yoo and I are going to have to take over her class load. It's more of a pain for Ms. Yoo because she has to double her class load all because I cannot teach alone. I don't know any of the Korean alphabet, Hangul nor can I speak Korean. And the students Kimberly taught were not advanced English students. So, I am going to have to really put my mind to work to learn Korean.
For those of you who don't know, Hep A is generally caused by contaminated drinking water in developing countries. Korea is very technologically updated. But the water
treatment in Korea is behind the times. Only 50 years ago South Korea was a struggling nation. To give you a better example of how this affects me, I boil all the tap water I drink. At work we boil a couple liters for us 4 every morning to drink throughout the day. After lunch at work I even brush my teeth with the boiled water.
I'm a little worried. I had the HEP A vaccination shot around a decade ago for an interesting non-traveling related reason. The vaccine is suppose to prevent cases for about 10 years. So, I'm borderline. But I don't want to jinx it.
Ok, now, the good news.
I am getting ahead in my lesson plans. I have a lot more free time! Perfect to study Korean...
The children still love me. They like my class. They still scream 'HELLO. Justin!' or 'Very handsome!' when they see me. The honeymoon isn't over, yet.
Here's the two best parts.
First, we had a school assembly on the massive dirt sports field (common for most poor Korean schools) to introduce all the new teachers. There are about 8 new teachers including myself. We stood up next to the podium while the principal introduced each of us in Korean. I had no clue what he was saying even the names sound like foreign words to me. Of course, I was the last one. He began to introduce me and the students started screaming 'YAY' 'JUSTIN!' so I bowed and raised my hand high like a second rate dictator. And I started to walk away. One problem. The principal hadn't actually called my name yet. Great. He stopped me. And signaled me back a couple steps to my original spot. Good one. I just made a great impression with my Principal. So, he finally listed off my name. And the girls erupted into loud applause. I can do no wrong with these girls.
My head is already too big.
My favorite part of last weekend.
I went to Costco in Korea. Yeah, Costco. Kirkland signature, more ground beef than you could possibly use. It was packed full of Koreans. And It was huge. It was inside a 5-6 story building. You had to ride the escalators all the way to the bottom 3 floors where Costco is actually located. One floor is dominated by the tire center. The prices range from really cheap to way overpriced. Like the safer short ribs I have seen are not cheap in Korea. They are actually imported from the U.S. Let's cut to the chase. Yeah, they had everything you would expect Costco to have. Muffins, wine, sausage, beef, squid?, beef jerkey (so expensive 15000 won for a pack of Oh Boy Oberto's), and the most important items of all the 2000 WON COSTCO HOT AND DRINK and 1000 won ICE CREAM. They had Caesar Salads, Pizza, Chicken Bakes, and Bulgogi bakes. I really want to send Bulgogi bakes back to you all and get a review.
Costco was a blast. I went with my coteacher and her friend's family. The father told me to call him whenever I want to go to Costco so he can practice his English. English is my best asset. Now, I just need to find a Korean beezy to 'protoss cannon rush.'
Yeah, I just went there.
Notes:
Are these posts way too long? I feel as if I'm writing a book every time I post.
Let me know if you want me to cut it down into more reasonable parts.
One of my first grade (6th grade U.S.) teachers, Kimberly (her English name), went to the E.R. last night! The doctors told her she has a form of Hepatitis. Hep A from what I'm told. I hope she gets better soon. Since that is highly unlikely she is going on leave. And the school is starting to look for a new teacher. (She was a substitute for the year, too).
In the meantime Ms. Yoo and I are going to have to take over her class load. It's more of a pain for Ms. Yoo because she has to double her class load all because I cannot teach alone. I don't know any of the Korean alphabet, Hangul nor can I speak Korean. And the students Kimberly taught were not advanced English students. So, I am going to have to really put my mind to work to learn Korean.
For those of you who don't know, Hep A is generally caused by contaminated drinking water in developing countries. Korea is very technologically updated. But the water
treatment in Korea is behind the times. Only 50 years ago South Korea was a struggling nation. To give you a better example of how this affects me, I boil all the tap water I drink. At work we boil a couple liters for us 4 every morning to drink throughout the day. After lunch at work I even brush my teeth with the boiled water.
I'm a little worried. I had the HEP A vaccination shot around a decade ago for an interesting non-traveling related reason. The vaccine is suppose to prevent cases for about 10 years. So, I'm borderline. But I don't want to jinx it.
Ok, now, the good news.
I am getting ahead in my lesson plans. I have a lot more free time! Perfect to study Korean...
The children still love me. They like my class. They still scream 'HELLO. Justin!' or 'Very handsome!' when they see me. The honeymoon isn't over, yet.
Here's the two best parts.
First, we had a school assembly on the massive dirt sports field (common for most poor Korean schools) to introduce all the new teachers. There are about 8 new teachers including myself. We stood up next to the podium while the principal introduced each of us in Korean. I had no clue what he was saying even the names sound like foreign words to me. Of course, I was the last one. He began to introduce me and the students started screaming 'YAY' 'JUSTIN!' so I bowed and raised my hand high like a second rate dictator. And I started to walk away. One problem. The principal hadn't actually called my name yet. Great. He stopped me. And signaled me back a couple steps to my original spot. Good one. I just made a great impression with my Principal. So, he finally listed off my name. And the girls erupted into loud applause. I can do no wrong with these girls.
My head is already too big.
My favorite part of last weekend.
I went to Costco in Korea. Yeah, Costco. Kirkland signature, more ground beef than you could possibly use. It was packed full of Koreans. And It was huge. It was inside a 5-6 story building. You had to ride the escalators all the way to the bottom 3 floors where Costco is actually located. One floor is dominated by the tire center. The prices range from really cheap to way overpriced. Like the safer short ribs I have seen are not cheap in Korea. They are actually imported from the U.S. Let's cut to the chase. Yeah, they had everything you would expect Costco to have. Muffins, wine, sausage, beef, squid?, beef jerkey (so expensive 15000 won for a pack of Oh Boy Oberto's), and the most important items of all the 2000 WON COSTCO HOT AND DRINK and 1000 won ICE CREAM. They had Caesar Salads, Pizza, Chicken Bakes, and Bulgogi bakes. I really want to send Bulgogi bakes back to you all and get a review.
Costco was a blast. I went with my coteacher and her friend's family. The father told me to call him whenever I want to go to Costco so he can practice his English. English is my best asset. Now, I just need to find a Korean beezy to 'protoss cannon rush.'
Yeah, I just went there.
Notes:
Are these posts way too long? I feel as if I'm writing a book every time I post.
Let me know if you want me to cut it down into more reasonable parts.
Friday, September 11, 2009
1 week down 51 to go!
I had a blast this week at school. Nonetheless it's still a job. I am exhausted. Teaching wears you out. Luckily, I got to touch a basketball and shoot around yesterday after school. The downside is that the gym is very narrow (about 35 feet wide). It's, also, located on the third floor of the second wing of my school. It gets very hot up there. So, you have to open up the windows to keep it bearable. That makes things a little difficult. You have to chase your ball down every time you miss because it might bounce out the window. I was sprinting all over this small room. Nevertheless, running around, dribbling, shooting, practicing rejuvenated me! Until the clouds dumped on me last night.
Last night (Friday), I went out with 9 or 10 fellow native English teachers. Since not everyone has a cell phone and I do, I am currently the liaison for the teachers. Because the teachers don't know Incheon specifically Bupyeong, the bar area where I live, I found myself running around leading people to the 'Naori ban.' Unfortunately, during all this the clouds opened up and pissed about 2 inches of rain in a two hour period. My t-shirt, shorts, and socks were all soaked. I ran around in the rain looking like a wet dog. And I was loving it! Until I woke up today feeling like absolutely crap.
At least the Naori Ban was a blast. For those of you who don't know Naori Ban are karaoke bars where you can get a room and pack if full of your not so talented buddies. They don't have a lot of good American music but what they do have sufficed.(Billie Jean (my Korean theme song), Britney Spears and popular rock songs) Sadly, it is illegal for them to serve you beer. They are not supposed to serve you alcohol. BUT OH YES THEY WILL! They serve snacks and beer if you ask. I was eating apple slices, drinking underwhelming Hite, and singing 'Bohemian Rhapsody.'
Now, I just need to make the trip to Costco in Seoul. Maybe they have 1500 won hot dogs and jeans that fit me.
Extras:
Just cause this is hilarious: http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/09/10/wisconsin.sex.assault/index.html?imw=Y&iref=mpstoryemail
Last night (Friday), I went out with 9 or 10 fellow native English teachers. Since not everyone has a cell phone and I do, I am currently the liaison for the teachers. Because the teachers don't know Incheon specifically Bupyeong, the bar area where I live, I found myself running around leading people to the 'Naori ban.' Unfortunately, during all this the clouds opened up and pissed about 2 inches of rain in a two hour period. My t-shirt, shorts, and socks were all soaked. I ran around in the rain looking like a wet dog. And I was loving it! Until I woke up today feeling like absolutely crap.
At least the Naori Ban was a blast. For those of you who don't know Naori Ban are karaoke bars where you can get a room and pack if full of your not so talented buddies. They don't have a lot of good American music but what they do have sufficed.(Billie Jean (my Korean theme song), Britney Spears and popular rock songs) Sadly, it is illegal for them to serve you beer. They are not supposed to serve you alcohol. BUT OH YES THEY WILL! They serve snacks and beer if you ask. I was eating apple slices, drinking underwhelming Hite, and singing 'Bohemian Rhapsody.'
Now, I just need to make the trip to Costco in Seoul. Maybe they have 1500 won hot dogs and jeans that fit me.
Extras:
Just cause this is hilarious: http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/09/10/wisconsin.sex.assault/index.html?imw=Y&iref=mpstoryemail
Thursday, September 10, 2009
You Handsome!
So much has gone on over the past 3 days that I don't know where to begin.
From the moment I walked onto campus at Buil Girls Middle School I have been treated like a rockstar! Girls run out of their way to get a glimpse of my presence. They scream my name! Then giggle as they run away. Whenever I say 'Hi' back to them they scream and runaway. They mob me in the hallway! Before and after class they treat me like a spectacle. The fill the doorways and look in through the windows. A few stand next to me to measure themselves up. A couple measure their feet next to mine. Others come up to my desk just to hear me say goodbye. The most popular question of the week...... DO YOU HAVE A GIRLFRIEND??? I always reply that 'I will not tell' because I can't imagine what they would do if I told them I didn't have a girlfriend. Some of them tell me I am their boyfriend anyhow. (If I write no comment they just ask if she is American or Korean)
Alas, Not everything is gold. From what they told us at the orientation I expected to be observing my co-teachers for the first week. That is not the case. From day one they expected me to be the lead teacher. Thanks to the wild success of their previous native English teacher, Anne, they had very high expectations for me. When the other English teachers saw me teach for the first time, they were greatly disappointed. I quickly dashed those high hopes within the first 2 hours of my first day. On top of the high expectations they wanted me to have my lesson plans for the next 2 weeks ready on Wednesday, my second day of work. Without knowing any of the text books or previous class material that wasn't going to happen. Fortunately for me, the wild rockstar status has bought me time to get my feet under me. I am using this time to create new lesson plans until Honeymoon week is over. Maybe I can make the honeymoon last 2 weeks.
Since breaking all 5 of my co-teachers' hopes and dreams I have been gaining back their faith in me. Every day I am getting better and better. They can see that I am. It doesn't hurt that one of my nicknames is 'The Salt and the Light.' Apparently, the students can't live without me. My co-teachers enjoy all this attention that the English department is receiving. Even if most of it comes in the form of love letters to me. (I received 3 today. Two of them implore 'I LOVE YOU' over 20 times. The other is pretty well written and notifies me that I am 'VERY HANDSOME' I have a picture of that one and I do apologize that my internet is too slow for me to upload the photos to my blog.) With all the in-school publicity that the 'English Only Zone' (my classroom) is getting, the co-teachers hope it will continue. And I quote, 'I hope more students will care about English around here.' Good luck with that. We are talking about teenagers here.
With all this pressure to become their ideal teacher, I have been racking my brain like crazy for lesson plans. And I found that these lessons don't have to be difficult. They just need to be easy enough for them to do but interesting enough to keep their attention. These are 7th, 8th, and 9th graders I'm teaching. So, you can expect me to invoke a lot of cooking (HOW TO MAKE A PIZZA! WEEK 2!), shopping, and lots of Angenlina Jolie and Brad Pitt. (Although they know Tom Cruise better than Brad Pitt. Obviously, They don't know squat about acting.)
Notes:
Most native teachers have 1 maybe 2 co-teachers that they work with. I have 5.
Singing is huge for these girls. Naori ban/Karaoke is big here. They keep asking me to sing. But I only sing if they sing first. After I sing they think I have a good voice. I think it's because I'm the only one who can put together enough English words in a row to make a vocal melody.
Would you believe I have already sang Billie Jean more than once to my students? Yeah, that's right I have sung a song about infidelity and alimony lawsuits to my children already. Michael Jackson is the only artist they know whose songs I know and who isn't completely mainstream jargon. Britney Spears, Tons of K-POP i.e. 2 PM, 2 NE 1, Big Bang. But Rain is tight. Check him out on the Colbert show dance off on youtube.
A couple kids knew the Beatles. I love those children already.
LET IT BE! LET IT BE!!! There will be an answer! LET IT BE!
Prophetic. I hope.
For Kevin: The USD translates well but not great. 10000 won = approx. 8.17 USD or 1 USD = 1226 won. For example beer is expensive (22000 won for 6 54 oz (or 27 beers) coors light style beers at the store) when compared to SOJU (one pint is 1000 won!). I could get drunk off soju for 2 dollars. But Soju, a strong rice liquor 20 to 45%, is a beast when it comes to hangovers. I'll talk about this more in a future post sometime.
I can find a good meal for about 8 bucks. Since I live next to popeye's I go there and grab a two piece meal for about 5500 won or close to 3.50 usd. And today for 4200 won I found little Bulgogi slider style burgers (4 in total) at the LOTTE Mart (There version of Wal Mart). They are money. That is my new happy hour-after school dinner.
I'll go over all this in later posts when things settle down and I have time to clear my thoughts.
From the moment I walked onto campus at Buil Girls Middle School I have been treated like a rockstar! Girls run out of their way to get a glimpse of my presence. They scream my name! Then giggle as they run away. Whenever I say 'Hi' back to them they scream and runaway. They mob me in the hallway! Before and after class they treat me like a spectacle. The fill the doorways and look in through the windows. A few stand next to me to measure themselves up. A couple measure their feet next to mine. Others come up to my desk just to hear me say goodbye. The most popular question of the week...... DO YOU HAVE A GIRLFRIEND??? I always reply that 'I will not tell' because I can't imagine what they would do if I told them I didn't have a girlfriend. Some of them tell me I am their boyfriend anyhow. (If I write no comment they just ask if she is American or Korean)
Alas, Not everything is gold. From what they told us at the orientation I expected to be observing my co-teachers for the first week. That is not the case. From day one they expected me to be the lead teacher. Thanks to the wild success of their previous native English teacher, Anne, they had very high expectations for me. When the other English teachers saw me teach for the first time, they were greatly disappointed. I quickly dashed those high hopes within the first 2 hours of my first day. On top of the high expectations they wanted me to have my lesson plans for the next 2 weeks ready on Wednesday, my second day of work. Without knowing any of the text books or previous class material that wasn't going to happen. Fortunately for me, the wild rockstar status has bought me time to get my feet under me. I am using this time to create new lesson plans until Honeymoon week is over. Maybe I can make the honeymoon last 2 weeks.
Since breaking all 5 of my co-teachers' hopes and dreams I have been gaining back their faith in me. Every day I am getting better and better. They can see that I am. It doesn't hurt that one of my nicknames is 'The Salt and the Light.' Apparently, the students can't live without me. My co-teachers enjoy all this attention that the English department is receiving. Even if most of it comes in the form of love letters to me. (I received 3 today. Two of them implore 'I LOVE YOU' over 20 times. The other is pretty well written and notifies me that I am 'VERY HANDSOME' I have a picture of that one and I do apologize that my internet is too slow for me to upload the photos to my blog.) With all the in-school publicity that the 'English Only Zone' (my classroom) is getting, the co-teachers hope it will continue. And I quote, 'I hope more students will care about English around here.' Good luck with that. We are talking about teenagers here.
With all this pressure to become their ideal teacher, I have been racking my brain like crazy for lesson plans. And I found that these lessons don't have to be difficult. They just need to be easy enough for them to do but interesting enough to keep their attention. These are 7th, 8th, and 9th graders I'm teaching. So, you can expect me to invoke a lot of cooking (HOW TO MAKE A PIZZA! WEEK 2!), shopping, and lots of Angenlina Jolie and Brad Pitt. (Although they know Tom Cruise better than Brad Pitt. Obviously, They don't know squat about acting.)
Notes:
Most native teachers have 1 maybe 2 co-teachers that they work with. I have 5.
Singing is huge for these girls. Naori ban/Karaoke is big here. They keep asking me to sing. But I only sing if they sing first. After I sing they think I have a good voice. I think it's because I'm the only one who can put together enough English words in a row to make a vocal melody.
Would you believe I have already sang Billie Jean more than once to my students? Yeah, that's right I have sung a song about infidelity and alimony lawsuits to my children already. Michael Jackson is the only artist they know whose songs I know and who isn't completely mainstream jargon. Britney Spears, Tons of K-POP i.e. 2 PM, 2 NE 1, Big Bang. But Rain is tight. Check him out on the Colbert show dance off on youtube.
A couple kids knew the Beatles. I love those children already.
LET IT BE! LET IT BE!!! There will be an answer! LET IT BE!
Prophetic. I hope.
For Kevin: The USD translates well but not great. 10000 won = approx. 8.17 USD or 1 USD = 1226 won. For example beer is expensive (22000 won for 6 54 oz (or 27 beers) coors light style beers at the store) when compared to SOJU (one pint is 1000 won!). I could get drunk off soju for 2 dollars. But Soju, a strong rice liquor 20 to 45%, is a beast when it comes to hangovers. I'll talk about this more in a future post sometime.
I can find a good meal for about 8 bucks. Since I live next to popeye's I go there and grab a two piece meal for about 5500 won or close to 3.50 usd. And today for 4200 won I found little Bulgogi slider style burgers (4 in total) at the LOTTE Mart (There version of Wal Mart). They are money. That is my new happy hour-after school dinner.
I'll go over all this in later posts when things settle down and I have time to clear my thoughts.
Monday, September 7, 2009
First Day Tomorrow but first.....
It's been a couple days since my last post. Despite the spotty internet I think it's time for an update.
I told you a little about my co-teacher Claire. But I didn't mention her in detail. She is 53. Yes, 53. I would never guess by looking at her. She didn't travel abroad until she was 40. When I told her my age she responded by saying she is probably older than my parents. Sorry Mom but I laughed and told her my parents age. She was shocked. Anyway, Claire is not a typical co-teacher. She is older than the other co-teachers I met. She is not married. She lives at home with her mother and brother. And she commutes from an hour away in Seoul. But she is extremely helpful, very kind, and knowledgeable. Not to mention her English is fairly good. I foresee a good working relationship between the two of us.
Anyway, I have been meeting up with Ryan, my roommate at the hotel, and Raccine, a South African teacher I met during quarantine. Ryan is from the same group, Footprints, as me. He is from Portland. He is a little younger than me by a few years. If I was to compare him to anyone it would be Brad. Brad no offense. You are much funnier and more intelligent than this guy. But the two of you share a lot of similarities. Construction, the way you talk to your girlfriends, etc. But the one that stands out the most is how mono-cultural you two are. When he first arrived here he had never held chopsticks. He is better at using them than me now. (I blame my long, alien fingers mixed with these small Asian, metal chopsticks. Does Yao Ming have bigger chopsticks???) But Ryan is very timid to try new things. But he has been forced to do so and he loves it. Especially BBQ Pork. Although the spicy fish soup we had last night was not the best meal we have had. But he ate some of it. He didn't like it. But he ate it. He is really settling in. And so am I.
Since the moment I arrived I have found my biggest ally is confidence to try new things. For example, when we are at a meal I confidently say 'Juseyo' (Please) to any questions they ask us. By doing so I get to see what happens. Trial and Error. Lots of errors. But a lot of good. During the spicy fish soup dinner last night I ate snail meat. The moment I loaded it into my mouth it exploded. All that remained was a rock hard muscle. Gross. But I smiled politely through the whole matter in order to encourage everyone else to do the same. But I laughed after it happened. During the day, I go out alone. I walk around. I ride the subway. And I stay away from the many, many blackened window barber shops. They aren't barber shops. Get it? Got it? Yeah, I'm still curious, too. So much to learn and do around here. Without talking your ear off anymore you will have to wait until I can come up with better stories.
Two more quick things of note:
I blew out my only Transformer today. I smoked it straight black. Sparks jumped out of the transformer onto the floor leaving a black mark behind. I am just glad I shut it off before it burst into flames. Care package!
My dad added me on facebook today. I did the only thing a youth like me could do. Reject the friend request. Sorry Dad. You're not facebook friend material. haha
*Long winded below* For those of you who will travel extended periods abroad and my brother *JAMES*
Today, I set up a bank account. 2 actually. If anyone of you ever do something like this I know you are wondering how you can wire money back to the states. I asked questions and saw the remittance (wire) form at the bank. So, I asked a few questions. I found out KEB, my Korean bank, is partners with Bank of America. I worked for Bank of America and I had no clue. What makes this especially nice is that KEB has a bank account called an 'Easy One Remittance Account.' Whenever you transfer money to that account it automatically draws the account back to ZERO and sends the money to your bank account wherever it may be. Because I am with BOA it will be in my account in 1-2 business days. Nifty little thing to know, eh James?
I told you a little about my co-teacher Claire. But I didn't mention her in detail. She is 53. Yes, 53. I would never guess by looking at her. She didn't travel abroad until she was 40. When I told her my age she responded by saying she is probably older than my parents. Sorry Mom but I laughed and told her my parents age. She was shocked. Anyway, Claire is not a typical co-teacher. She is older than the other co-teachers I met. She is not married. She lives at home with her mother and brother. And she commutes from an hour away in Seoul. But she is extremely helpful, very kind, and knowledgeable. Not to mention her English is fairly good. I foresee a good working relationship between the two of us.
Anyway, I have been meeting up with Ryan, my roommate at the hotel, and Raccine, a South African teacher I met during quarantine. Ryan is from the same group, Footprints, as me. He is from Portland. He is a little younger than me by a few years. If I was to compare him to anyone it would be Brad. Brad no offense. You are much funnier and more intelligent than this guy. But the two of you share a lot of similarities. Construction, the way you talk to your girlfriends, etc. But the one that stands out the most is how mono-cultural you two are. When he first arrived here he had never held chopsticks. He is better at using them than me now. (I blame my long, alien fingers mixed with these small Asian, metal chopsticks. Does Yao Ming have bigger chopsticks???) But Ryan is very timid to try new things. But he has been forced to do so and he loves it. Especially BBQ Pork. Although the spicy fish soup we had last night was not the best meal we have had. But he ate some of it. He didn't like it. But he ate it. He is really settling in. And so am I.
Since the moment I arrived I have found my biggest ally is confidence to try new things. For example, when we are at a meal I confidently say 'Juseyo' (Please) to any questions they ask us. By doing so I get to see what happens. Trial and Error. Lots of errors. But a lot of good. During the spicy fish soup dinner last night I ate snail meat. The moment I loaded it into my mouth it exploded. All that remained was a rock hard muscle. Gross. But I smiled politely through the whole matter in order to encourage everyone else to do the same. But I laughed after it happened. During the day, I go out alone. I walk around. I ride the subway. And I stay away from the many, many blackened window barber shops. They aren't barber shops. Get it? Got it? Yeah, I'm still curious, too. So much to learn and do around here. Without talking your ear off anymore you will have to wait until I can come up with better stories.
Two more quick things of note:
I blew out my only Transformer today. I smoked it straight black. Sparks jumped out of the transformer onto the floor leaving a black mark behind. I am just glad I shut it off before it burst into flames. Care package!
My dad added me on facebook today. I did the only thing a youth like me could do. Reject the friend request. Sorry Dad. You're not facebook friend material. haha
*Long winded below* For those of you who will travel extended periods abroad and my brother *JAMES*
Today, I set up a bank account. 2 actually. If anyone of you ever do something like this I know you are wondering how you can wire money back to the states. I asked questions and saw the remittance (wire) form at the bank. So, I asked a few questions. I found out KEB, my Korean bank, is partners with Bank of America. I worked for Bank of America and I had no clue. What makes this especially nice is that KEB has a bank account called an 'Easy One Remittance Account.' Whenever you transfer money to that account it automatically draws the account back to ZERO and sends the money to your bank account wherever it may be. Because I am with BOA it will be in my account in 1-2 business days. Nifty little thing to know, eh James?
Saturday, September 5, 2009
out of the hotel!!!!!!
I am back in the real world. Albeit South Korea. But they finally let us out of the hotel.
First, I met my Korean co-teacher when I was hungover. She knew I was hungover, too. (Soju=bad hangover) But Yoo, Eun Sook (or Claire) is extremely sweet. She helped get me settled in. Claire took me to my middle school. I got to see my office, classroom and the one male bathroom. She got me settled into my new apartment, which I can show you the whole tour with a turn of the webcam.
Finally, she took me into Bupyeong Market. I am in the heart of the shopping and bar district. Like all I have to do is leave my building and I'm in the market. She got me a prepaid cell phone. Cha ching. She stuck me in a photo opp behind a sheet with some random Korean photographer. He knew how to say 'Handsome.' That's about it. He made me pose in all these random Asian poses. You know, like the turn your back and look over your shoulder up to the sky. I was not ready for that.
Then her and my other fellow teacher at the school Misun took me to dinner at an Indian restaurant. We got along pretty well. So, I am glad for that. They just laughed it off when I mispronounced Misun's name. They are very polite and Claire doesn't like formalities she prefers informal situations (that's good for me). But in Korean culture they don't like to complain outright. She wouldn't speak up if she didn't like me. But what's not to like? Don't answer that.
Right now, I am sweating up a rainstorm in my new apartment because I can't figure out how to get the A/C working. I need to learn some Korean. The internet I am stealing sucks. Luckily, the girl who lived here before left a dvd player behind so I am about to pop in a movie. (Unfortunately she left a bunch of other junk and a few useful things behind. She shed a lot) So, I'm just gonna lay back in my bed with the Canadian flag hanging above it. Oh, home sweet Canada....?
Anyway, all in all it was a good day.
Honestly, I am really homesick right now. I want to be at the game today so BADLY. I miss everyone. But I'll get over you. LATER!
First, I met my Korean co-teacher when I was hungover. She knew I was hungover, too. (Soju=bad hangover) But Yoo, Eun Sook (or Claire) is extremely sweet. She helped get me settled in. Claire took me to my middle school. I got to see my office, classroom and the one male bathroom. She got me settled into my new apartment, which I can show you the whole tour with a turn of the webcam.
Finally, she took me into Bupyeong Market. I am in the heart of the shopping and bar district. Like all I have to do is leave my building and I'm in the market. She got me a prepaid cell phone. Cha ching. She stuck me in a photo opp behind a sheet with some random Korean photographer. He knew how to say 'Handsome.' That's about it. He made me pose in all these random Asian poses. You know, like the turn your back and look over your shoulder up to the sky. I was not ready for that.
Then her and my other fellow teacher at the school Misun took me to dinner at an Indian restaurant. We got along pretty well. So, I am glad for that. They just laughed it off when I mispronounced Misun's name. They are very polite and Claire doesn't like formalities she prefers informal situations (that's good for me). But in Korean culture they don't like to complain outright. She wouldn't speak up if she didn't like me. But what's not to like? Don't answer that.
Right now, I am sweating up a rainstorm in my new apartment because I can't figure out how to get the A/C working. I need to learn some Korean. The internet I am stealing sucks. Luckily, the girl who lived here before left a dvd player behind so I am about to pop in a movie. (Unfortunately she left a bunch of other junk and a few useful things behind. She shed a lot) So, I'm just gonna lay back in my bed with the Canadian flag hanging above it. Oh, home sweet Canada....?
Anyway, all in all it was a good day.
Honestly, I am really homesick right now. I want to be at the game today so BADLY. I miss everyone. But I'll get over you. LATER!
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Fair Retribution
I just got back from my physical. We were x-ray'd. I peed into a paper cup without a top. They drew a pint of blood for tests. They told me I have a cavity. (When I told him I knew I had the cavity he was shocked. 'You know?!') Pretty extensive physical. Thankfully, I didn't have to 'turn and cough.' I'm a little woozy right now. I haven't had this much blood taken before. But this break before lunch has given me some time to blog.
Even with the extra free time we are still under quarantine so there still isn't anything exciting to blog about. Even so, one funny thing did occur to me. A very fitting thing indeed. I received my teaching placement. I am going to be around the Bupyeong district teaching at an ALL GIRLS middle school. Yes, you read that right. The Buil Girls Middle School.
After growing up in a male dominated household, going to an all guys high school, and the wide majority of my friends being male I am going to be teaching ALL GIRLS. Somewhere my mom is laughing. It is really very fitting that I should be both culturally and feminine immersed at the same time.
I can already see the giggling little girls as I enter the room. 'OHHH! hehehehe!' I am going to have nightmares about these evil little girls.
On the bright side my district is supposedly in the downtown shopping and bar district. Bring on the soju!
Even with the extra free time we are still under quarantine so there still isn't anything exciting to blog about. Even so, one funny thing did occur to me. A very fitting thing indeed. I received my teaching placement. I am going to be around the Bupyeong district teaching at an ALL GIRLS middle school. Yes, you read that right. The Buil Girls Middle School.
After growing up in a male dominated household, going to an all guys high school, and the wide majority of my friends being male I am going to be teaching ALL GIRLS. Somewhere my mom is laughing. It is really very fitting that I should be both culturally and feminine immersed at the same time.
I can already see the giggling little girls as I enter the room. 'OHHH! hehehehe!' I am going to have nightmares about these evil little girls.
On the bright side my district is supposedly in the downtown shopping and bar district. Bring on the soju!
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Quarantined
I made it to Incheon, South Korea. But, since, I landed I have been under suspicion of H1N1. They have you fill out a H1N1 sheet with your passport info and test your temperature the moment you get off the plane. After we checked into our rooms, they had us get H1N1 checked again. Now, they are monitoring our symptoms and temperature twice daily (before and after the daily seminar) while we are prohibited from leaving the Paradise Hotel during the day or night.
It's understandable considering our future contact with children and equally important it's a liability issue for them. By importing teachers from across the globe they stand to lose their ability to do us if anyone of us is Patient ZERO. And, I don't want to be patient zero who kills off South Korea.
Sadly, this is the first year they have done this! They used to take you out on field trips. Essentially they would get you drunk and let you go out at night. Alas, that is no more. Now, 90 of us sit in a conference room staring out the windows overlooking the city like caged animals. Everyone is craving a beer and soju! And they put a limit on beers at the bar to 1!!!! INSANE!! (but hangovers could be mistaken for legitmate sickness) Luckily, I made a duty free purchase 1L of Jameson. Life saver.
I will say that I am very jet lagged. Last night when we got back I went straight to bed after dinner. I slept for about 10 hours (I didn't sleep on the flight)
Oh, so, I almost forgot my first experience in Korea. (When we were at the airport unaware of the upcoming quarantine) We were waiting with our greeter for the shuttle to arrive. When all the sudden what I thought was a little Korean girl jumped over our bags and squirmed in between us. I quickly reached for my bag with my money in it. She was followed calmly by a security guard who moved past me and grabbed her by the arm. Two other security guards came over and tried to subdue this 30 year old woman who looked 15 from first glance. She squirmed her way away. And they calmly chased her down a couple more times. The one security guard was texting during the apprehension. Apparently, she had 'found' a wad of missing money on the ground. Or that's her side of the story. We didn't wait around for the resolution. I really wish I had my camera on me for that moment.
It's understandable considering our future contact with children and equally important it's a liability issue for them. By importing teachers from across the globe they stand to lose their ability to do us if anyone of us is Patient ZERO. And, I don't want to be patient zero who kills off South Korea.
Sadly, this is the first year they have done this! They used to take you out on field trips. Essentially they would get you drunk and let you go out at night. Alas, that is no more. Now, 90 of us sit in a conference room staring out the windows overlooking the city like caged animals. Everyone is craving a beer and soju! And they put a limit on beers at the bar to 1!!!! INSANE!! (but hangovers could be mistaken for legitmate sickness) Luckily, I made a duty free purchase 1L of Jameson. Life saver.
I will say that I am very jet lagged. Last night when we got back I went straight to bed after dinner. I slept for about 10 hours (I didn't sleep on the flight)
Oh, so, I almost forgot my first experience in Korea. (When we were at the airport unaware of the upcoming quarantine) We were waiting with our greeter for the shuttle to arrive. When all the sudden what I thought was a little Korean girl jumped over our bags and squirmed in between us. I quickly reached for my bag with my money in it. She was followed calmly by a security guard who moved past me and grabbed her by the arm. Two other security guards came over and tried to subdue this 30 year old woman who looked 15 from first glance. She squirmed her way away. And they calmly chased her down a couple more times. The one security guard was texting during the apprehension. Apparently, she had 'found' a wad of missing money on the ground. Or that's her side of the story. We didn't wait around for the resolution. I really wish I had my camera on me for that moment.
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