I finished my online TEFL course today. It only took me 12 days to do the course, that's 2 more than is the minimum number of days. I'm pretty excited about that. I had to write a mini-reseach paper today. I think I did a superb job. As soon as I get my certificate, which should take a week or so, I will be able to get my pay raise.
I'm thinking of gettting my Masters of Arts in EFL. This would allow me to teach at a university and really make quite a bit more money. It also opens the door to more competitive job markets. I'm exploring my options. So far I might do a course through Reading University in Reading, England. There are good universities in the U.S., but they cost a pretty penny ($20,000 and up per year). Now is the information gathering stage.
Next I will do a business English course online. It's always good to keep learning and expanding your training.
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Thanksgiving Weekend
This weekend was by far the best weekend I've had in Korea in the last 7 months. I still can't get over the fact that I made it 7 months. I should have a party just to celebrate that.
Friday night I was invited out by an Australian teacher and her Canadian friend. We went to a bar that served traditional Korean liquor. We had ma-ko-lee, which is made from rice (duh). It's white and creamy, quite nice.
The bar was the tackiest thing I'd ever seen. The word tack-o-rama comes to mind. It was as if Gilligan's Island had thrown up all over the bar. Everything was bamboo and thatch. The "booths" were little bamboo mini rooms with paper screen doors and thatched roofs. The traditional gourd spoons used for serving drinks were replaced with plastic gourd spoons. How tacky is that? Half-way through our night some Korean girls at another table kept telling us to "shut up" because we were speaking English. Well, my friends told them off in Korean. It made them shut up.
The following day, I went to a Thanksgiving dinner/party. One of the teachers here throws it every year for the foreign teachers and Korean friends. Well, I almost didn't go, but decided to attend at the last minute. There were about 40 people at the party, half of them Korean. It was amazing to meet so many new teachers and new people. I made some really good friends that will be hanging out with me quite a bit in the future. The food was great. His school paid for the turkey, renting the restaurant, and all of the food. The dinner was very international with turkey, dressing, potatoes, pumpkin pie, encheladas, chicken dishes, lasagna, etc. A little bit of everything.
After the dinner, we moved on to the Ouzo bar. A nice place just to hang out and talk. It was really wonderful just to talk to some new people. I talked the people into checking out the tacky bar from the night before. Out on the street, I met a gang of Russian workers, and I switched into Russian mode. This blew away my new friends who are still in awe. I thought I was really losing my Russian, but it turns out that I just needed a little practice. The Russians were very impressed and said that they'd never met an American that spoke Russian so well. I was on cloud nine.
After peeking into the tacky-tiki bar we went to a different bar, and spent time talking to the Russians and eachother. Long story short, I didn't get home until 2:30. I bought the Russians a round.
On Sunday I went to Itaewon with Victoria. Bought some new neckties for only $8 each. Good deal. It was nice just to walk around Itaewon at a nice leisurely pace.
So, my weekend of new friends and leisure was wonderful. I didn't manage to do any of my homework for my TEFL course, and I spent hardly any time in my apartment. I think that this could be the beginning of a new chapter in Korea for me (not one of bar hopping and drinking) of new friends and a positive outlook.
Friday night I was invited out by an Australian teacher and her Canadian friend. We went to a bar that served traditional Korean liquor. We had ma-ko-lee, which is made from rice (duh). It's white and creamy, quite nice.
The bar was the tackiest thing I'd ever seen. The word tack-o-rama comes to mind. It was as if Gilligan's Island had thrown up all over the bar. Everything was bamboo and thatch. The "booths" were little bamboo mini rooms with paper screen doors and thatched roofs. The traditional gourd spoons used for serving drinks were replaced with plastic gourd spoons. How tacky is that? Half-way through our night some Korean girls at another table kept telling us to "shut up" because we were speaking English. Well, my friends told them off in Korean. It made them shut up.
The following day, I went to a Thanksgiving dinner/party. One of the teachers here throws it every year for the foreign teachers and Korean friends. Well, I almost didn't go, but decided to attend at the last minute. There were about 40 people at the party, half of them Korean. It was amazing to meet so many new teachers and new people. I made some really good friends that will be hanging out with me quite a bit in the future. The food was great. His school paid for the turkey, renting the restaurant, and all of the food. The dinner was very international with turkey, dressing, potatoes, pumpkin pie, encheladas, chicken dishes, lasagna, etc. A little bit of everything.
After the dinner, we moved on to the Ouzo bar. A nice place just to hang out and talk. It was really wonderful just to talk to some new people. I talked the people into checking out the tacky bar from the night before. Out on the street, I met a gang of Russian workers, and I switched into Russian mode. This blew away my new friends who are still in awe. I thought I was really losing my Russian, but it turns out that I just needed a little practice. The Russians were very impressed and said that they'd never met an American that spoke Russian so well. I was on cloud nine.
After peeking into the tacky-tiki bar we went to a different bar, and spent time talking to the Russians and eachother. Long story short, I didn't get home until 2:30. I bought the Russians a round.
On Sunday I went to Itaewon with Victoria. Bought some new neckties for only $8 each. Good deal. It was nice just to walk around Itaewon at a nice leisurely pace.
So, my weekend of new friends and leisure was wonderful. I didn't manage to do any of my homework for my TEFL course, and I spent hardly any time in my apartment. I think that this could be the beginning of a new chapter in Korea for me (not one of bar hopping and drinking) of new friends and a positive outlook.
Friday, November 24, 2006
Happy Thanksgiving
Eventhough it's nothing more than a plain ole' Thursday here, I wanted to wish everyone a happy Thanksgiving. Sad to say that I won't be having turkey or anything traditional for my meager dinner. Oh well, life goes on. I miss all of you.
Monday, November 20, 2006
Anniversary
Hello, my name is Dan... and I'm an English teacher in Korea.
There should be a support group for us. Anyway, today is huge. Today I have been in Korea and teaching for 7 months. I never thought I'd make it this far. God knows there were plenty of times that I was ready to get the hell out of here. Anyway, I think I deserve a 7 month chip from KETA (Korean English Teachers Anonymous).
There should be a support group for us. Anyway, today is huge. Today I have been in Korea and teaching for 7 months. I never thought I'd make it this far. God knows there were plenty of times that I was ready to get the hell out of here. Anyway, I think I deserve a 7 month chip from KETA (Korean English Teachers Anonymous).
Where's A Shrink When You Need One?
Okay, maybe I'm crazy. There's a high probability that I am. You need proof? I'm ACTUALLY considering extending my contract here for another year. Wait, it's not just food poisoning talking... let me explain.
First of all, the school would have to give me the same vacation time as normal teachers. There is no way that my next contract will have me sitting at school all vacation doing nothing. It is pointless and frankly demeaning that I'm not given the same kind of benefits as a normal teacher. The other teachers get huge bonuses ($6000 twice a year). I'm never ever going to see that, but the same amount of vacation time is a requirement.
Second, my school will have to work with me. I need the support of my fellow English teachers and the vice-principal in terms of classroom management and behavior modification. My kids are not well behaved and hate English. I can do my best to change the later, but I need help to change the behavior. I cannot do it alone. I can't be disciplining a class and hear my co-teacher laugh, or hear the excuses that my co-teacher gives for the students. Being poor and having family problems is no excuse for the kind of behavior we get at school.
The reasons that I'm thinking about staying at my school are several. First of all, I know how things work here. I know what is expected of me. I know the students. The devil you know beats the devil you don't. Knowing my teachers and administration should (in theory) make it easier to change things.
It's in my school's best interrest to keep the same English teacher for more than a year. Consistency is a problem. So, I believe that they will be more flexible in regards to contract and things.
My apartment is awesome. I love it. I like my city. I like it's size. I like my proximity to Seoul without living IN Seoul. Moving schools will mean moving all of this.
So, it's all up in the air. Hell, tomorrow a kid could be so bad that I just change my mind. I change my mind every 30 seconds here, but right now I'm thinking of staying. Crazy.
First of all, the school would have to give me the same vacation time as normal teachers. There is no way that my next contract will have me sitting at school all vacation doing nothing. It is pointless and frankly demeaning that I'm not given the same kind of benefits as a normal teacher. The other teachers get huge bonuses ($6000 twice a year). I'm never ever going to see that, but the same amount of vacation time is a requirement.
Second, my school will have to work with me. I need the support of my fellow English teachers and the vice-principal in terms of classroom management and behavior modification. My kids are not well behaved and hate English. I can do my best to change the later, but I need help to change the behavior. I cannot do it alone. I can't be disciplining a class and hear my co-teacher laugh, or hear the excuses that my co-teacher gives for the students. Being poor and having family problems is no excuse for the kind of behavior we get at school.
The reasons that I'm thinking about staying at my school are several. First of all, I know how things work here. I know what is expected of me. I know the students. The devil you know beats the devil you don't. Knowing my teachers and administration should (in theory) make it easier to change things.
It's in my school's best interrest to keep the same English teacher for more than a year. Consistency is a problem. So, I believe that they will be more flexible in regards to contract and things.
My apartment is awesome. I love it. I like my city. I like it's size. I like my proximity to Seoul without living IN Seoul. Moving schools will mean moving all of this.
So, it's all up in the air. Hell, tomorrow a kid could be so bad that I just change my mind. I change my mind every 30 seconds here, but right now I'm thinking of staying. Crazy.
Sunday, November 19, 2006
And The Lord Created Itaewon... And It Was Good
On thursday, I was blessed with a day off. Victoria also had the day off. Mine was due to students taking the Korean version of the SATs. I have no idea which of my low-scoring students would take these exams, but I guess a couple would. Victoria had the day off to see how she would spend the $2000 that she was given for her winter English camp. I'm apparently only getting $200, and I had to ask for that.
Anyway, Victoria also wanted to go to a used English bookstore in Itaewon. I had never been to Itaewon (EE-tay-won). Now, Itaewon is a section in Seoul that is where all of the foreigners live. It has been a designated foreigner place for hundreds of years. It was amazing! This was the first and only place in Korea where I was not stared at or pointed at. Halleilujah.
I bought some shoes in Itaewon. Since they cater to foreigners, they had shoes in my size. As I was walking down the street, the shop owners were coming out to tell me that they had clothes in my size. I was in the promised land. Finally, a Korea I can live with.
So, now that I've tasted the sweet rewards of Itaewon, I think I will go there more often. It's nice to be surrounded by familiar things and people who don't point at you.
Anyway, Victoria also wanted to go to a used English bookstore in Itaewon. I had never been to Itaewon (EE-tay-won). Now, Itaewon is a section in Seoul that is where all of the foreigners live. It has been a designated foreigner place for hundreds of years. It was amazing! This was the first and only place in Korea where I was not stared at or pointed at. Halleilujah.
I bought some shoes in Itaewon. Since they cater to foreigners, they had shoes in my size. As I was walking down the street, the shop owners were coming out to tell me that they had clothes in my size. I was in the promised land. Finally, a Korea I can live with.
So, now that I've tasted the sweet rewards of Itaewon, I think I will go there more often. It's nice to be surrounded by familiar things and people who don't point at you.
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Things I Haven't Talked About
Ultimately in my blogging, there are things that I forget to talk about or that simply don't fit into my general rants. So, here is a bit of a catch-up blog, mentioning all of the news that wasn't fit to make it in the blog.
- I don't have Min Ji anymore. After a month or so I had to find her a new home. She was really anti-social, barking all of the time, and began going inside of the apartment constantly. My land lady was not happy about the barking. So, she had lots of problems. I tried my best. But, I took her to a humaine society that will not put her down, so I did my part.
- Victoria is leaving her job in December and will be moving to another part of Korea, this makes me very sad. However, her school here is very bad and the new job will pay more and give her what she needs.
- I have become used to Korean foods such as kim-chi (I eat it every day now) and even the pig's feet. I just know now which parts of the pig's feet to avoid.
- I'm going to the doctor's now to get a sleep study. I believe I have sleep apnea. I have already been to two docotrs. The third doctor, whom I will see on the 7th will prescribe the sleep study. It may cost me a total of $1000.
- I'm taking a TEFL course online. TEFL = Teaching English as a Foreign Language. The course only costs $295, and it includes a free Business English course. Once I'm finished (it takes about a month) I will be getting a $300/month pay increase. So, this will pay for itself in the first month. And, the extra $1500 I'll make this year will pay for all of my sleep study stuff. Yeah me.
- Dad is doing much better now. His memory is getting more back to normal. It's a long and arduous road to recovery though. He must be getting better though, he keeps telling people "Hey, go easy on me. I have a closed head injury." He has to get a lawyer because the workman's comp. people are pressing for him to return to work ASAP, and the doctors are saying no.
- I'm fighting the temptation to show movies for the rest of the year to several of my useless classes, and only teaching the classes that have some kind of hope of learning something... does that make me a bad person?
- My parents sent me a package with some nice sweaters in it. Thank God. They were going to ship UPS, but UPS wanted $1000 to ship a 12 pound package! Hell, for $200 more you could hand deliver it yourself! They sent it by regular post, and I got it in 7 days and it only cost $80 to ship. What a bargain.
Ok. I think that catches you up.
Demo Lesson Hell
Yesterday was my bi-annual demo lesson. Demo lessons are to evaluate me and to see how my co-teacher and I work together. It's a good idea, if they actually wanted to see a real lesson. However, that is not what happens. What really happens is that you pull out all stops and make an amazing lesson plan (not anything like your real lessons), and you use all of the cutting edge technology that the school has, and your school gets all spit polished and nice. It's completely fake. You rehearse with the class a few times. You pick your very best class. It's a staged event, and everyone is aware of this. Koreans just like to get warm fuzzy fealings from this kind of spectacle (see my previous entry about 'superficiality').
Well, my class was going to present their Superhero projects. All of my classes have been working on this project. First, we watched "The Incredibles." Next, we learned superhero vocabulary. Then we looked at Superman and Spiderman, talking about them, their powers, their lives, who they fight, etc. Then the students worked in groups to create their own superheroes. They had to draw them, and write about their powers, where they live, who they fight, etc. I thought it would be fun.
First of all, my co-teacher did NOTHING to help me. Wait, he made a cover sheet and filled in a table in Korean for me. The rest of my giant important lesson plan I had to make. I spent about 10 hours working on it. He also made me make Power Point presentations, after viewing other demo lessons he decided we needed Power Point. Ok. I'm the Power Point king... no problem. Anyway, I spent a lot of time working on this damned thing.
The class, on the day of the presentation (we had the period right before the demo to practice) was not prepared for the demo. 2 of the 5 groups had not finished their posters. One group was just starting to compose their English!!! On top of this, they had a warm-up that needed to be practiced that they had never ever done before. Ok. We'll be quick about it.
The t.v. doesn't work. What? It worked earlier. The students tried to get the t.v. to work. It is broken. So, no Power Point. Great, that was time well spent.
The room is filthy. Excuse me? They were busy cleaning the room during our one practice session. Oh my God. This is going to suck.
I have one bad student in this class. He was there. Dammit. He was talking, I told him to be quiet. Two minutes later he was playing with a cell phone (his group was not finished). I went up to him and at my witt's end said "give me the damn phone!" I put it in my pocket and told him "NOT TODAY!!"
Okay, we finally got around to practicing the warm-up. One kid would stand in front of the class, I'd write a famous name on the board where he couldn't see, but the class could. He had to ask questions to the class and figure out who they are. It was actually a good game, and worked pretty well.
On to the Demo. 11:20 rolled around, time for class to start. There were no observers yet in the room. Mr. Lee (who hasn't done anything now) starts the show. Eventually 3 people wander in to watch. None of them are native speakers of English (Great, no one will actually read my lesson plan!). Well, Mr. Lee takes over like he is the one who did everything. We plow ahead with the warm-up, it goes ok. Presenting went so bad though. My kids were not really very forthcoming in speaking English. My bad student is talking and playing with an electronic translator. Grrr... The kids aren't asking questions about the superheroes like they're supposed to. Mr. Lee is rushing through things. At the end, we have about 2o minutes extra time. So, I have to pull something together. I review vocabulary, correcting pronunciation. Pointing out the difference between "breathe" and "breath." We did another one of the warm-ups. It was ok.
After the demo, we get together with the principal, v.p., the observers, etc. and they offer their opinions. One of the teachers just talked about the one bad kid distracting him (Grrrrr...), and that he was so thankful that his school students are better behaved and have better English skills. So, I really broke the main rule here. These people saw a more true reflection of what my kids are like. And just think, they saw the best of my dumb kids. That's the best we have to offer!
After the meet and greet, we went to lunch at my favorite barbeque restaurant. I had duck. I got drunk. I went back to school and was suffering from too much soju, too much stress, and a massive stress headache. Now I'm done. I don't care. My report will go on a shelf somewhere never to be heard from again. Thank God.
But, I did look cute for my lesson.
Well, my class was going to present their Superhero projects. All of my classes have been working on this project. First, we watched "The Incredibles." Next, we learned superhero vocabulary. Then we looked at Superman and Spiderman, talking about them, their powers, their lives, who they fight, etc. Then the students worked in groups to create their own superheroes. They had to draw them, and write about their powers, where they live, who they fight, etc. I thought it would be fun.
First of all, my co-teacher did NOTHING to help me. Wait, he made a cover sheet and filled in a table in Korean for me. The rest of my giant important lesson plan I had to make. I spent about 10 hours working on it. He also made me make Power Point presentations, after viewing other demo lessons he decided we needed Power Point. Ok. I'm the Power Point king... no problem. Anyway, I spent a lot of time working on this damned thing.
The class, on the day of the presentation (we had the period right before the demo to practice) was not prepared for the demo. 2 of the 5 groups had not finished their posters. One group was just starting to compose their English!!! On top of this, they had a warm-up that needed to be practiced that they had never ever done before. Ok. We'll be quick about it.
The t.v. doesn't work. What? It worked earlier. The students tried to get the t.v. to work. It is broken. So, no Power Point. Great, that was time well spent.
The room is filthy. Excuse me? They were busy cleaning the room during our one practice session. Oh my God. This is going to suck.
I have one bad student in this class. He was there. Dammit. He was talking, I told him to be quiet. Two minutes later he was playing with a cell phone (his group was not finished). I went up to him and at my witt's end said "give me the damn phone!" I put it in my pocket and told him "NOT TODAY!!"
Okay, we finally got around to practicing the warm-up. One kid would stand in front of the class, I'd write a famous name on the board where he couldn't see, but the class could. He had to ask questions to the class and figure out who they are. It was actually a good game, and worked pretty well.
On to the Demo. 11:20 rolled around, time for class to start. There were no observers yet in the room. Mr. Lee (who hasn't done anything now) starts the show. Eventually 3 people wander in to watch. None of them are native speakers of English (Great, no one will actually read my lesson plan!). Well, Mr. Lee takes over like he is the one who did everything. We plow ahead with the warm-up, it goes ok. Presenting went so bad though. My kids were not really very forthcoming in speaking English. My bad student is talking and playing with an electronic translator. Grrr... The kids aren't asking questions about the superheroes like they're supposed to. Mr. Lee is rushing through things. At the end, we have about 2o minutes extra time. So, I have to pull something together. I review vocabulary, correcting pronunciation. Pointing out the difference between "breathe" and "breath." We did another one of the warm-ups. It was ok.
After the demo, we get together with the principal, v.p., the observers, etc. and they offer their opinions. One of the teachers just talked about the one bad kid distracting him (Grrrrr...), and that he was so thankful that his school students are better behaved and have better English skills. So, I really broke the main rule here. These people saw a more true reflection of what my kids are like. And just think, they saw the best of my dumb kids. That's the best we have to offer!
After the meet and greet, we went to lunch at my favorite barbeque restaurant. I had duck. I got drunk. I went back to school and was suffering from too much soju, too much stress, and a massive stress headache. Now I'm done. I don't care. My report will go on a shelf somewhere never to be heard from again. Thank God.
But, I did look cute for my lesson.
Monday, November 13, 2006
Pepero Day
Saturday November 11 (11-11) is the Korean version of sweetest day, called Pepero Day. Now, Pepero is a Korean cookie. It is a long thing stick cookie covered in chocolate. November 11 was chosen because it looks like 4 pepero sticks 1111. Anyway, this is a made-up holiday, that only the kids celebrate. Most people believe that Lotte (pronounced 'low-tay'), the company that makes everything here in Korea, is behind the holiday. The same way that people believe Sweetest Day was invented by Hallmark.
Anyway, some students gave me some pepero cookies on friday. It was quite sweet really. I know that my students like me, that is never an issue. If only they would respect me and parle that into trying to learn English. Oh well. Everyone... happy belated Pepero Day. There is a wikipedia entry about Pepero Day at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pepero_Day.
Anyway, some students gave me some pepero cookies on friday. It was quite sweet really. I know that my students like me, that is never an issue. If only they would respect me and parle that into trying to learn English. Oh well. Everyone... happy belated Pepero Day. There is a wikipedia entry about Pepero Day at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pepero_Day.
Friday, November 10, 2006
Socks!
New socks. Came across a new place to buy fun socks for school. Sure, my toes are numb because they won't turn the heat on until December... but my feet look cool. 
Thursday, November 09, 2006
Such A Dork
Here is the new pen that I bought. I actually picked this out. I looked at all of the pens, and this was my choice. It features a green apple on top. And when you click the pen to use it... a blue worm comes out of the apple. Korea... the land of strange writing utensils.
Oh, and it writes very nicely too. So, it's functional "art."
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
Saved!
Last night, I was invited over to Victoria's. She'd made a delicious chicken rice soup, and knew that I was under the weather. The soup did the trick. It was hot and tasty. She also had some nice garlic herbed baguette from Paris Baguette and even had some apple turnovers with ice cream. What a treat.
After the feast, we watched the movie "Saved!" Have you seen it? It's great. A movie starring Mandy Moore (don't judge me!). It is about a senior in a Christian high school who gets pregnant after having sex with her gay boyfriend to turn him straight (Jesus told her to do it). It's very good. She struggles with her pregnancy and trying to come to some sort of religious epiphany. Plus, it's good for a chuckle. Victoria loved the movie.
Well, that was last night. I'm sitting in school now with my headphones on, listening to my mp3 player. I love these morning when I don't have class until 11:20. This gives me time to do lots of things, or just time to relax, listen to music, chat online, and do some blogging. I'm drinking my earl grey tea, relaxing, and touching up my lesson plan. A good way to start the day.
After the feast, we watched the movie "Saved!" Have you seen it? It's great. A movie starring Mandy Moore (don't judge me!). It is about a senior in a Christian high school who gets pregnant after having sex with her gay boyfriend to turn him straight (Jesus told her to do it). It's very good. She struggles with her pregnancy and trying to come to some sort of religious epiphany. Plus, it's good for a chuckle. Victoria loved the movie.
Well, that was last night. I'm sitting in school now with my headphones on, listening to my mp3 player. I love these morning when I don't have class until 11:20. This gives me time to do lots of things, or just time to relax, listen to music, chat online, and do some blogging. I'm drinking my earl grey tea, relaxing, and touching up my lesson plan. A good way to start the day.
Monday, November 06, 2006
Sorry Everyone
Well, it's been a week or so since my lass post. The truth is that the longer I'm here, there is less and less to write about. But, here is what has been happening.
It is getting colder and colder in Korea. However, the windows in my school are still wide open, letting in more flies than you can imagine. I had to bring in 8 fly swatters the other day, and it has been a killing spree. I've heard from other teachers at other school that the public schools here in Korea often do not turn on their heat until the weather reaches between 3 and 5 belos zero (celsius). I'm quickly realizing that I do not have enough sweaters and things to layer, since I'm sitting in an open unheated building.
Victoria put in her 60 day notice to her school. She came to the realization that she does not deserve to be treated the way that her students treat her. She teaches at another substandard school (just like me) but her students are far worse than mine, I think. It's clear to her and I that the only way these schools get native speakers is to get the fresh green ones that don't know any better. The agencies place newbies at these schools, and as soon as they finish out their year they leave to a more sane place. It's quite the scam. So, Victoria's last day will be December 22. She is hoping to find another school between now and then. She will leave and spend Christmas until the beginning of the school year in March in the Philippines with her son. I'll miss her.
I'm battling a new cold. I feel like garbage, and I'm here at school. At least I only have one class today. That's good news.
All of my free time lately has been spent writing my lesson plan for my demo lesson. The great thing is that it is in English, so no one will really read it. It goes in a file somewhere in the department of education and is never heard from again. It's just up to me to make something that looks impressive. The good news is that I learned how to make a table/graph using microsoft word. I've been taking my own computer to school these last few days, since my school computer is in Korean, and I need to understand what is going on. Also, my school computer has started running really poorly (after another teacher borrowed it), so it's just less frustrating to use my own computer.
That's really all the news that is fit to print. Things are boring here. I'm sick. Busy with my lesson plan that no one will read. Oh, and I'm lonely. Hope everyone else is doing better than I am.
It is getting colder and colder in Korea. However, the windows in my school are still wide open, letting in more flies than you can imagine. I had to bring in 8 fly swatters the other day, and it has been a killing spree. I've heard from other teachers at other school that the public schools here in Korea often do not turn on their heat until the weather reaches between 3 and 5 belos zero (celsius). I'm quickly realizing that I do not have enough sweaters and things to layer, since I'm sitting in an open unheated building.
Victoria put in her 60 day notice to her school. She came to the realization that she does not deserve to be treated the way that her students treat her. She teaches at another substandard school (just like me) but her students are far worse than mine, I think. It's clear to her and I that the only way these schools get native speakers is to get the fresh green ones that don't know any better. The agencies place newbies at these schools, and as soon as they finish out their year they leave to a more sane place. It's quite the scam. So, Victoria's last day will be December 22. She is hoping to find another school between now and then. She will leave and spend Christmas until the beginning of the school year in March in the Philippines with her son. I'll miss her.
I'm battling a new cold. I feel like garbage, and I'm here at school. At least I only have one class today. That's good news.
All of my free time lately has been spent writing my lesson plan for my demo lesson. The great thing is that it is in English, so no one will really read it. It goes in a file somewhere in the department of education and is never heard from again. It's just up to me to make something that looks impressive. The good news is that I learned how to make a table/graph using microsoft word. I've been taking my own computer to school these last few days, since my school computer is in Korean, and I need to understand what is going on. Also, my school computer has started running really poorly (after another teacher borrowed it), so it's just less frustrating to use my own computer.
That's really all the news that is fit to print. Things are boring here. I'm sick. Busy with my lesson plan that no one will read. Oh, and I'm lonely. Hope everyone else is doing better than I am.
Thursday, November 02, 2006
Run For Your Lives!
Now that the weather has finally turned cold, something horrible has happened. My apartment has become Club Med for mosquitos. I don't know where they are coming from, but my place is FILLED with those blood sucking ladies (only the females bite us, they need the blood to produce eggs). I have spent the last few evenings killing them. My walls are covered in carnage, small bloody spots, the only remains of these evil gals. All night long I can hear them buzzing close to my ear. My body is covered in mosquito bites. My left hand alone has 17 bites on it.
Today after work I am going to get a bug bomb and bomb the shit out of my place. I think that I've killed most of the mosquitos, but just one missed lady is enough to drive me mad.
Today after work I am going to get a bug bomb and bomb the shit out of my place. I think that I've killed most of the mosquitos, but just one missed lady is enough to drive me mad.
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