Sorry for the slightly graphic title but that, my friends, is the best way to summarize my life recently. With that being said, happy belated Thanksgiving to you all! I hope the day was full of blessings in food form and people form. Of course I missed being home with the fam and all the good eats, but I feel extremely thankful and blessed right where I am. Following my body's ridiculous tradition, I managed to catch a cold a few days before the holiday (wwwhyyy? every year!) and had to be that gross, snotty kid at all the gatherings. Oh well, so it is...sorry friends. What's worse is being that gross, snotty teacher. At least all the kids wear facemasks these days (swine flu paranoia is still going strong). I don't feel as guilty about spreading my germs around then because they are blocked, right? :)
My list of thanks from this year, 2009. I am thankful for...
-Korean friends who became family (Ji, Gon, Ots, Jung Won). Without them my 1st year experience in Korea would have been completely different, not nearly as meaningful or exciting.
-Waeguk friends who became family (Kristen, Kat, Jenny). For the much needed companionship after a rough day or week at school, travel buddies, teacher story swapping, jokes only foreigners can find funny and the hearty laughs that follow.
-finishing my contract at ELC. For the good memories made there; the good co-workers, cute students, crazy director, funds it provided and the appreciation for my new job.
-paying off my student loans! Even with a rough exchange rate for most of the year, I met my goal set upon my departure. And it felt fantastic.
-my Costa Rica trip. For the funds to get there, my host family, great training, fun classmates, excellent teachers, the breathtaking scenery, safety and a slight improvement with my Spanish skills.
-a lovely and lengthy reunion with the family after 13 months of separation.
-old friends who didn't forget about me when I was overseas and wanted to hangout upon my return. For good company while I was in Iowa. I <3 you guys!
-my reunion with my old and bestest friend Kate! For the companionship of her and Chaz in a new and still mostly unfamiliar city, the comfort of company who you know well and know you well, laughter, venting, and continued adventures in this country.
-my new job. For providing the means to which to bring me back to Korea, the much improved working conditions, better hours, less classes, more prep time, friendly students and legit vacation time. For good stories to tell after the end of each day.
-Mrs. Lee who drives me to and from school each day. For her sweet spirit and dissipating shyness towards speaking English. For her all her glorious K-pop knowledge and for giving me Krispy Kreme donuts this morning!
-the helpful and kind moments with my co-teachers. The much appreciated observation week, the slow but steady help with furnishing my apartment, foreigner registration, health check, answers to my million questions, and occasional translation during lunch.
-the frustrating moments with my co-teachers, involving many of the same situations mentioned above. For both parties learning and accepting cultural differences and for the continual learning from each other throughout this year.
-mountains and beaches within 15 minutes walking of my apartment. For living in (I'm convinced) the best part of the city.
-Quizno's and Pizza School within walking distance for the nights when I just want to endulge.
-my afterschool, club and teacher training programs that allow me to teach whatever I want and actually get to know some students (then trick those students into being leaders in the regular classes...ha-HA!) and teachers.
-a subway system that allows me to manuever around the city for a low cost and free of traffic jams.
-a Thanksgiving feast at church with turkey, cassaroles, rolls, pumpkin pie, and the whole works. And new church friends.
-60 degree days this first week of December.
-Skype to remain connected to people back home. Set up Skype dates people!
-And same as I ended last year but certainly more sincere, KIMCHI! My body has officially embraced the taste as of a few weeks ago and now I can truly say I enjoy eating kimchi with my meals.
I could go on but that's it for now. So what are YOU thankful for?
Monday, November 30, 2009
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
A Peppero Story
Storytime! YAAAY! This story is being told to illustrate a few points. First, how kids are hilarious. Second, to show how stinky my co-teacher (Mr. Adjussi) can be. And third, how much I enjoy what I do.
Setting: Peppero Day (11/11), in the 5th grade English classroom, 1st period (8:50 am)
*Bell rings*
Students scurry to their seats. Immediately Mr. Adjussi teacher commands them to put their hands on their heads and close their eyes in order to calm them. The students sit quietly for a few moments as he scans the room. The three (generally) talkative boys who sit in the back are not there...he's probably relieved. I begin by asking the usual questions, "How are you?" FINE/GOOD/SO-SO (shudder)/HAPPY! "What day is it?" WEDNESDAY! "How's the weather?" SUNNY! WINDY! Ending with, "What's the date today?" NOVEMBER 11th, PEPPERO DAY! Yes, that's right, excellent! The kids cheer and giggle about my knowledge of Peppero Day. "HAPPY PEPPERO DAY!" I say. My co-teacher takes over at this point saying, first in English, then in Korean, he doesn't like Peppero day because it's just some company who invented the day to sell their product. Suddenly the three missing boys burst through the door, walk directly to me, each hand me a box of Pepperos (Wooow, thank you!), do not even look at my co-teacher and sit in their chairs. My co-teacher repeats his beef about Peppero Day while sending dagger eyes to the boys in the back. They giggle knowing that he is directing the statement at them.
*Some time passes*
I am going over their vocabulary words. Buy. BUYYY! Very good. What can you buy? CARS. Good. COMPUTERS. Good. PPPEPEROOOOS! (from the boys in the back). YES!!! Pepperos for your teacher, such good boys you are!! They laugh and I can tell they feel proud for getting such a positive, genuine reaction out of me. Next word....watch. WATCHEEE! Noooo, WATCH. WATCH! Good! What can you watch? TV. Good. MOVIES. Good. PPPPPEPROOOOOS! Everyone laughs, including me, except my co-teacher. He scorns. No, actually you can't watch Pepperos, you can eat pepperos. Nice try though. *laughter* And we move on to the next word. Same scenario for the next word. My co-teacher is not having it. STOP SAYING PEPPERO! he says aggressively. *laughter* and whispered pepperos follow after every vocabulary word until we finish.
*Some time passes*
Students are in pairs writing a short dialogue pretending to call their friend on the phone. "Hello is Peter there?" "Speaking..." and so on. The chatty boys are in the back working away in their notebooks...not distracting the other students. This is rare. The students work for a while and then it's time to present. My co-teacher asks for volunteers. The usual, hard-working students volunteer and present their dialogue. *clap, clap clap* Who's next? The chatty boys' hands shoot up. My co-teacher seems surprised (as am I) and kindly welcomes them to the front, handing them each a microphone. They begin:
A: Hello, is Peppero there? *giggles*
B: Peppero!
A: Peppero?
B: Peppero, peppero, peppero. *giggles*
The students burst into laughter. I can't help it and burst into laughter too, trying to hide my face from my angry co-teacher. Come on...honestly, it's hilarious. Immediately my co-teacher has both giggling boys noses' against the wall and hands above their heads. "These boys are making fun of our lesson," co-teacher announces to the class, as if we don't know what is happening. I nod in agreement even though my eyes are stilll watering from holding back my laughter. Lucky for the boys the bell rings after a minute or two and class is dismissed. They are ordered to clean the floor and straighten the desks before leaving the room and it's done happily without any hint of remorse.
THE END.
Afterword: I don't blame them. Had my co-teacher not been so openly and agressively against Peppero Day and lighten up a little bit when he can see that clearly it's a fun day for the elementary school students, none of this would have happened. During many frustrating conversations with that co-teacher following that day, which usually begin by him saying, "If you knew Korean better, you would be a better teacher..." (GRRRRRRRR), I replay this peppero scenario in my head to bring a smile to my face and have to hold back the urge to say, "Peppero! Peppero? Peppero, peppero, peppero..."
Setting: Peppero Day (11/11), in the 5th grade English classroom, 1st period (8:50 am)
*Bell rings*
Students scurry to their seats. Immediately Mr. Adjussi teacher commands them to put their hands on their heads and close their eyes in order to calm them. The students sit quietly for a few moments as he scans the room. The three (generally) talkative boys who sit in the back are not there...he's probably relieved. I begin by asking the usual questions, "How are you?" FINE/GOOD/SO-SO (shudder)/HAPPY! "What day is it?" WEDNESDAY! "How's the weather?" SUNNY! WINDY! Ending with, "What's the date today?" NOVEMBER 11th, PEPPERO DAY! Yes, that's right, excellent! The kids cheer and giggle about my knowledge of Peppero Day. "HAPPY PEPPERO DAY!" I say. My co-teacher takes over at this point saying, first in English, then in Korean, he doesn't like Peppero day because it's just some company who invented the day to sell their product. Suddenly the three missing boys burst through the door, walk directly to me, each hand me a box of Pepperos (Wooow, thank you!), do not even look at my co-teacher and sit in their chairs. My co-teacher repeats his beef about Peppero Day while sending dagger eyes to the boys in the back. They giggle knowing that he is directing the statement at them.
*Some time passes*
I am going over their vocabulary words. Buy. BUYYY! Very good. What can you buy? CARS. Good. COMPUTERS. Good. PPPEPEROOOOS! (from the boys in the back). YES!!! Pepperos for your teacher, such good boys you are!! They laugh and I can tell they feel proud for getting such a positive, genuine reaction out of me. Next word....watch. WATCHEEE! Noooo, WATCH. WATCH! Good! What can you watch? TV. Good. MOVIES. Good. PPPPPEPROOOOOS! Everyone laughs, including me, except my co-teacher. He scorns. No, actually you can't watch Pepperos, you can eat pepperos. Nice try though. *laughter* And we move on to the next word. Same scenario for the next word. My co-teacher is not having it. STOP SAYING PEPPERO! he says aggressively. *laughter* and whispered pepperos follow after every vocabulary word until we finish.
*Some time passes*
Students are in pairs writing a short dialogue pretending to call their friend on the phone. "Hello is Peter there?" "Speaking..." and so on. The chatty boys are in the back working away in their notebooks...not distracting the other students. This is rare. The students work for a while and then it's time to present. My co-teacher asks for volunteers. The usual, hard-working students volunteer and present their dialogue. *clap, clap clap* Who's next? The chatty boys' hands shoot up. My co-teacher seems surprised (as am I) and kindly welcomes them to the front, handing them each a microphone. They begin:
A: Hello, is Peppero there? *giggles*
B: Peppero!
A: Peppero?
B: Peppero, peppero, peppero. *giggles*
The students burst into laughter. I can't help it and burst into laughter too, trying to hide my face from my angry co-teacher. Come on...honestly, it's hilarious. Immediately my co-teacher has both giggling boys noses' against the wall and hands above their heads. "These boys are making fun of our lesson," co-teacher announces to the class, as if we don't know what is happening. I nod in agreement even though my eyes are stilll watering from holding back my laughter. Lucky for the boys the bell rings after a minute or two and class is dismissed. They are ordered to clean the floor and straighten the desks before leaving the room and it's done happily without any hint of remorse.
THE END.
Afterword: I don't blame them. Had my co-teacher not been so openly and agressively against Peppero Day and lighten up a little bit when he can see that clearly it's a fun day for the elementary school students, none of this would have happened. During many frustrating conversations with that co-teacher following that day, which usually begin by him saying, "If you knew Korean better, you would be a better teacher..." (GRRRRRRRR), I replay this peppero scenario in my head to bring a smile to my face and have to hold back the urge to say, "Peppero! Peppero? Peppero, peppero, peppero..."
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