I keep neglecting this blog. I know there are several people want to know what has been going on with me. Its been almost 6mos and there this almost nothing on here.
I'm just posting this short note to let everyone know that I'm over my laziness and will be making best effort to post something on at least a weekly basis. There are several things that have happened over the last month that I'll be writing about and they are sure to amuse you.
I'm going to end my message here... I've only had about 2 and 1/2 hrs of sleep and need to go sleep before I collapse.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Friday, December 18, 2009
More Middle school Mayhem...
Okay so things have gotten a bit better at my middle school.
I complained about the way things were going and people listened. Although I think they missed the mark on where the issue truly lies... The end result was that I no longer have to teach 3 classes on Mondays at my middle school. Which is great more time to watch dramas online. *ahem* I mean lesson plan. hahaha
I have to admit I'm developing a love/hate relationship with my third grade students at my middle school. They don't pay attention, talk in class, and most of the time just sleep... but there are some that work hard and participate that make the class worth while.
Some students even come into my office and talk. They don't have all the vocab to say what they want which makes for interesting conversations. One student for about the past month has been coming into my office and asking me about kpop. "Do you know T-ara?" "Do you know Kara?" etc... On one occasion he started to do the dance from the "Mister" music video. So its been a weekly event having him come into my office to dance for me. The dancing isn't all that great but I think he just wants to make me laugh. Dancerboi really makes my day.
Today in class I was doing a lesson on "What do you want?" and they were to practice saying things they want. Well Dancerboi says to me "I want you" . I have to admit I was caught off guard there since the way it was said didn't seem like a joke. I suppose if I spoke Korean, wasn't his teacher, and, was ten years younger something could possibly happen but in this reality... no dice!
For a few weeks now the head teacher has been coming into my office and telling me classes are canceled so I can "take a rest" so I do nothing but twiddle my thumbs waiting to go home. I have been tempted on several occasions to play ninja a leave early.. maybe one day I will... sssshhhhh
I complained about the way things were going and people listened. Although I think they missed the mark on where the issue truly lies... The end result was that I no longer have to teach 3 classes on Mondays at my middle school. Which is great more time to watch dramas online. *ahem* I mean lesson plan. hahaha
I have to admit I'm developing a love/hate relationship with my third grade students at my middle school. They don't pay attention, talk in class, and most of the time just sleep... but there are some that work hard and participate that make the class worth while.
Some students even come into my office and talk. They don't have all the vocab to say what they want which makes for interesting conversations. One student for about the past month has been coming into my office and asking me about kpop. "Do you know T-ara?" "Do you know Kara?" etc... On one occasion he started to do the dance from the "Mister" music video. So its been a weekly event having him come into my office to dance for me. The dancing isn't all that great but I think he just wants to make me laugh. Dancerboi really makes my day.
Today in class I was doing a lesson on "What do you want?" and they were to practice saying things they want. Well Dancerboi says to me "I want you" . I have to admit I was caught off guard there since the way it was said didn't seem like a joke. I suppose if I spoke Korean, wasn't his teacher, and, was ten years younger something could possibly happen but in this reality... no dice!
For a few weeks now the head teacher has been coming into my office and telling me classes are canceled so I can "take a rest" so I do nothing but twiddle my thumbs waiting to go home. I have been tempted on several occasions to play ninja a leave early.. maybe one day I will... sssshhhhh
Sunday, December 13, 2009
I'M ALIIIIIVEEEEEEEE
Okay guys... sorry for not keeping up on the blogging. I have several posts I want to make but for some reason whenever I got ready to write something I got distracted.
Anyway this is just a quick little update.
Teaching has been going fine. Life has been a little hectic because I have been going out a lot lately. Most people here just want to hit a bar or club... but I prefer to roam the streets of Seoul. Insadong is AMAZING~
I have been meeting a lot of great new people and reconnecting with old friends so I haven't been feeling that lonely.
Well I'll end this here... I hope to post up some new entries in a few days~
Anyway this is just a quick little update.
Teaching has been going fine. Life has been a little hectic because I have been going out a lot lately. Most people here just want to hit a bar or club... but I prefer to roam the streets of Seoul. Insadong is AMAZING~
I have been meeting a lot of great new people and reconnecting with old friends so I haven't been feeling that lonely.
Well I'll end this here... I hope to post up some new entries in a few days~
Sunday, November 8, 2009
[10 Random Things] #1
okay I haven't had time to post in a while so when I'm short on time I'll post "10 random things"
10. Most of the department store/supermarkets are referred to as “marts”. Example “E-Mart, Lotte Mart, Grand Mart….etc” . Actually found a place called “BS Mart” … that’s an unfortunate name >_>… Unless they market themselves like; “BS Mart… good food low prices and NO BS!”
9. Middle school and High school girls don’t fear the cold. These girls are hardcore wearing their uniform pencil skirts to school every morning. Personally if it was me I would wear pants to school then change later. I really don’t know how they do it.
8. Middle and High school students always seem to have their uniform on. It’s like they never take the thing off. When I was in High school my uniform was the first thing to go once the bell rang. Even 11pm at night you can see kids still in uniform.
7. Middle and High school students are always in some sort of a school. Most of them don’t finish classes until 11:30pm at night. I don’t know how they survive especially when have to wake up early the next day.
6. Samsung, LG and Lotte seem to rule the country. I’m pretty sure these companies employ more than half the populous. I’m pretty sure I work for Samsung but don’t even know it.
5. 42% of Koreans admit to never making contact with a foreigner before.
4. Traffic signals are mere suggestions and are to be taken lightly.
3. Most of the coffee shops here are nothing like Tim Horton’s or Coffee Time. Coffee shops here are cafés. These places are more akin to Starbucks. Prices can be pretty steep the cheapest thing on the menu are between 3,800 ~ 4,000won ($4~ish CDN) and that just for the small size.
2. Koreans like their skin care products. There are several store chains that supply skin care products. My favourites so far are Skin Food, The Face Shop, and, Tony Moly,
1. When they say don’t feed the bears.. man, you’d better not feed the bears!. LOL No one gets my Simpsons references here… There are other native English teachers that I know but some don’t watch the show or if they do they may not know exactly what I’m talking about. TT_TT I miss you Kik!
10. Most of the department store/supermarkets are referred to as “marts”. Example “E-Mart, Lotte Mart, Grand Mart….etc” . Actually found a place called “BS Mart” … that’s an unfortunate name >_>… Unless they market themselves like; “BS Mart… good food low prices and NO BS!”
9. Middle school and High school girls don’t fear the cold. These girls are hardcore wearing their uniform pencil skirts to school every morning. Personally if it was me I would wear pants to school then change later. I really don’t know how they do it.
8. Middle and High school students always seem to have their uniform on. It’s like they never take the thing off. When I was in High school my uniform was the first thing to go once the bell rang. Even 11pm at night you can see kids still in uniform.
7. Middle and High school students are always in some sort of a school. Most of them don’t finish classes until 11:30pm at night. I don’t know how they survive especially when have to wake up early the next day.
6. Samsung, LG and Lotte seem to rule the country. I’m pretty sure these companies employ more than half the populous. I’m pretty sure I work for Samsung but don’t even know it.
5. 42% of Koreans admit to never making contact with a foreigner before.
4. Traffic signals are mere suggestions and are to be taken lightly.
3. Most of the coffee shops here are nothing like Tim Horton’s or Coffee Time. Coffee shops here are cafés. These places are more akin to Starbucks. Prices can be pretty steep the cheapest thing on the menu are between 3,800 ~ 4,000won ($4~ish CDN) and that just for the small size.
2. Koreans like their skin care products. There are several store chains that supply skin care products. My favourites so far are Skin Food, The Face Shop, and, Tony Moly,
1. When they say don’t feed the bears.. man, you’d better not feed the bears!. LOL No one gets my Simpsons references here… There are other native English teachers that I know but some don’t watch the show or if they do they may not know exactly what I’m talking about. TT_TT I miss you Kik!
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
[Korean Music] G Dragon
Okay I have to admit I was a little put of by G Dragon in the beginning. When I first heard the song "Heartbreaker" I thought it was the Korean remix of Flo Rida "Right Round". There are a lot of people that are calling plagiarism on GD but there isn't anything official saying that he did. In any case Flo Rida sampled that song from someone else.
Anyway, as I have been listening to more tracks on GD's album I'm really liking the sound. The really play well off each other and seem to tell a story. I think GD put A LOT of thought into the production of the album.
When I get the chance I think I'm going to get the album. Have a listen to these tracks. :) Lemme know what you think.
Anyway, as I have been listening to more tracks on GD's album I'm really liking the sound. The really play well off each other and seem to tell a story. I think GD put A LOT of thought into the production of the album.
When I get the chance I think I'm going to get the album. Have a listen to these tracks. :) Lemme know what you think.
Put Food In Me
Within the first few days of being in S.Korea I knew Koreans were crazy about food. On just about every street corner there are restaurants that serve just about every kind of food in the Korean cuisine repertoire. There is Kimbap (sushi), fried & bbq chicken, kalbi (ribs), etc etc
Most of the food places serve meals that are for at least two people. Back home I could wonder into just about any restaurant and be able to order something small for myself. But in this country food is an experience that you share with other people.
Today at school I didn't eat lunch. The Main Co-teacher was so up in arms about it I thought she was going to call in National Security or something. The music teacher also asked me why I didn't eat at lunch. I gave them both the same answer. "I wasn't hungry". No matter how many times I said it, The Main Co-teacher kept trying to feed me. Even when I do eat she STILL tries to feed me. "You didn't eat much at lunch, eat more.." "Oh you are getting skinny, eat this.."
I find people try to feed me a lot here. My co-workers, students, people at church etc.. They don't even ask if I will like it or not. They just give me the food and expect that I will eat it. In the time that I have been here I have eaten things that I wouldn't even touch with a 10 ft clown pole. I suppose its a humbling experience that I can learn from but... a part of me just wants to say "EEEEWWWW YUCKY!" :P
Getting back to the reason why I didn't eat lunch. Today I took one look at the lunch and decided I wasn't going to eat it. It didn't look appealing at all. I really want to opt out of eating the lunch provided by the school. I have to pay 50, 000 won/month ($48 CDN) for lunch for 4 days. Lately I haven't eaten much of what they provide so I was thinking of bringing my own food. Apparently if I do that people will lose face and all heck will break loose. Until I figure something I will just pretend to eat.
Most of the food places serve meals that are for at least two people. Back home I could wonder into just about any restaurant and be able to order something small for myself. But in this country food is an experience that you share with other people.
Today at school I didn't eat lunch. The Main Co-teacher was so up in arms about it I thought she was going to call in National Security or something. The music teacher also asked me why I didn't eat at lunch. I gave them both the same answer. "I wasn't hungry". No matter how many times I said it, The Main Co-teacher kept trying to feed me. Even when I do eat she STILL tries to feed me. "You didn't eat much at lunch, eat more.." "Oh you are getting skinny, eat this.."
I find people try to feed me a lot here. My co-workers, students, people at church etc.. They don't even ask if I will like it or not. They just give me the food and expect that I will eat it. In the time that I have been here I have eaten things that I wouldn't even touch with a 10 ft clown pole. I suppose its a humbling experience that I can learn from but... a part of me just wants to say "EEEEWWWW YUCKY!" :P
Getting back to the reason why I didn't eat lunch. Today I took one look at the lunch and decided I wasn't going to eat it. It didn't look appealing at all. I really want to opt out of eating the lunch provided by the school. I have to pay 50, 000 won/month ($48 CDN) for lunch for 4 days. Lately I haven't eaten much of what they provide so I was thinking of bringing my own food. Apparently if I do that people will lose face and all heck will break loose. Until I figure something I will just pretend to eat.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Middle School Mayhem
The entire week she has been dreading Friday. For most people Friday is a day of joy because they become emancipated from the onerous duties of work and can enjoy time off. Not for this English teacher. This English teacher doesn’t get filled with the same feelings of joy and optimism rather she is filled with dread and despondency.
Why do you ask? Three simple words. Middle school Classes. Yes, middle school. This English teacher has to teach in two separate schools. Teaching a two schools isn’t so bad for most English teachers just means more running around and more names to remember. For this English teacher it’s a little bit of suffering twice a week for several hours.
Office space: a small corner desk. (Where she might consider pitching a tent in order to avoid the tidal wave of children that come in only talk to the other teachers.) A computer that constantly looses the internet connection and doesn’t hook up to the giant printer beside her. On special days she gets locked outside her office.
1-1, 1-2, & 1-3: not so bad this English teacher thinks. They are still fresh faced and still innocent from elementary school therefore haven’t been fully corrupted as of yet.
2-1, 2-2, & 2-3: There are good days and bad days. Mostly there are frustrating days because the co-teacher for this class is an absentee co-teacher. Pretty much nowhere to be found outside or inside of class. Co-teacher of Grade 2 provides no materials very little support. This English teacher thinks the co teacher is avoiding her.
3-1 & 3-2: here any class that the English teacher can walk away from is considered a good class. These classes have bullies, fist fights and all that other stuff teachers cry about at night.
So anyway to explain what happened today….
The English teacher woke up extra early to finish up a lesson on “Hobbies” she thought the students might like. In class 2-1 students didn’t take to the group work as well as they could. They just kept talking, talking, and talking when it was time to listen to the other groups. No matter how times she said to BE QUIET. The students did their own thing. Girls fussed with their bangs and stared at themselves in their mirrors. The boys punched and stabbed each other with pens. The co-teacher half paid attention to the lesson, the other half was spent beating the students and offering some English -> Korean translation. This continued until the English teacher couldn’t take anymore. “YO!!” The English teacher yelled. The students and co-teacher jumped and all were surprised. For you see this is the first time the English teacher had ever raised her voice. Class continued and finished without incident
Class 2-3, The English teacher had sometime to calm down a bit. She arrived to class early and set up her laptop (there are no computers in any of the classrooms). She began her lesson. The students go into groups and she presented the day’s topic. Again the students did everything but the actual task set before them. One student constantly just talking and goofing off since the beginning of the class was driving the English teacher crazy. The English teacher basically said to the student “If you don’t like English class then leave. I don’t care that you don’t understand what I’m saying. Just leave” and of course she has no clue what the English teacher just said. The English teacher tried to continue on with the lesson. The students continued on doing their own thing. So the English teacher lost it. “YOOOO!! WHAT THE HELL MAN?!... I can’t take this anymore week after week it’s the same crap! I’m sick of it! I’m DONE!... I don’t care if you can’t understand me I’m pissed!” The English teacher used every bit of her remaining self-control to stop herself from storming out of the class and out of the school entirely. The English teacher composed herself and handed out an article then told her students to read quietly. The class worked on the assignment and was completely silent.
Why do you ask? Three simple words. Middle school Classes. Yes, middle school. This English teacher has to teach in two separate schools. Teaching a two schools isn’t so bad for most English teachers just means more running around and more names to remember. For this English teacher it’s a little bit of suffering twice a week for several hours.
Office space: a small corner desk. (Where she might consider pitching a tent in order to avoid the tidal wave of children that come in only talk to the other teachers.) A computer that constantly looses the internet connection and doesn’t hook up to the giant printer beside her. On special days she gets locked outside her office.
1-1, 1-2, & 1-3: not so bad this English teacher thinks. They are still fresh faced and still innocent from elementary school therefore haven’t been fully corrupted as of yet.
2-1, 2-2, & 2-3: There are good days and bad days. Mostly there are frustrating days because the co-teacher for this class is an absentee co-teacher. Pretty much nowhere to be found outside or inside of class. Co-teacher of Grade 2 provides no materials very little support. This English teacher thinks the co teacher is avoiding her.
3-1 & 3-2: here any class that the English teacher can walk away from is considered a good class. These classes have bullies, fist fights and all that other stuff teachers cry about at night.
So anyway to explain what happened today….
The English teacher woke up extra early to finish up a lesson on “Hobbies” she thought the students might like. In class 2-1 students didn’t take to the group work as well as they could. They just kept talking, talking, and talking when it was time to listen to the other groups. No matter how times she said to BE QUIET. The students did their own thing. Girls fussed with their bangs and stared at themselves in their mirrors. The boys punched and stabbed each other with pens. The co-teacher half paid attention to the lesson, the other half was spent beating the students and offering some English -> Korean translation. This continued until the English teacher couldn’t take anymore. “YO!!” The English teacher yelled. The students and co-teacher jumped and all were surprised. For you see this is the first time the English teacher had ever raised her voice. Class continued and finished without incident
Class 2-3, The English teacher had sometime to calm down a bit. She arrived to class early and set up her laptop (there are no computers in any of the classrooms). She began her lesson. The students go into groups and she presented the day’s topic. Again the students did everything but the actual task set before them. One student constantly just talking and goofing off since the beginning of the class was driving the English teacher crazy. The English teacher basically said to the student “If you don’t like English class then leave. I don’t care that you don’t understand what I’m saying. Just leave” and of course she has no clue what the English teacher just said. The English teacher tried to continue on with the lesson. The students continued on doing their own thing. So the English teacher lost it. “YOOOO!! WHAT THE HELL MAN?!... I can’t take this anymore week after week it’s the same crap! I’m sick of it! I’m DONE!... I don’t care if you can’t understand me I’m pissed!” The English teacher used every bit of her remaining self-control to stop herself from storming out of the class and out of the school entirely. The English teacher composed herself and handed out an article then told her students to read quietly. The class worked on the assignment and was completely silent.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)