Students

Was walking around outside after supper when one of my students, Sophia, came up to me.  She is one of my more huggable students.  I can always count on a hug from her.  I had her during winter camp.  Anyrate today she just couldn't get enough.  Hugs, handholding, everything that makes westerners feel uncomfortable but is so natural here.  I wasn't sure what to think but took it for what it's worth... an innocent show of trust.

Tutor

I was approached by a mother today.  She asked if I would be willing to coach her two kids (who evidently are in one of my classes) three nights a week for an hour.  She said she didn't have much money and could only afford to pay me 250,000 won a month.  That is about $225 USD.  I don't know what the normal fare is, but I'll take it!  I now tutor from 7pm to 8pm on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesdays.  If I am going to travel on weekends, I now have a deadline to be back by.

Payday

Been waiting for today for a long time.  So glad it came.  Today started out like any other Friday.  Got up.  Got breakfast... and on Fridays they have cereal!  YES!  Went to staff worship.  Had to explain to the newbies that our assistants also have to go to morning just like us.  Though they changed something this year, our Korean assistant doesn't have to come help with sabbath school or church on Saturday like last year... yet they more than doubled our weekend work load.  Strange.

Anyrate, back to wonderful payday and Friday.  Had fun with my conversation classes.  We played 20 questions.  Then I took the words the students had used and wrote them all on the board.  Put them into groups and told them to create conversations using those words.  Then they presented them to the class.  Next week... mad libs!

For the literature class today, we are starting a new story titled La Bamba.  I love saying that word.  I explained how the author writes his stories, where La Bamba came from, a famous artist who adapted that song into the famous song we all know (or do now) today, and then introduced them to their vocabulary words.  Poor students... one of the words was pantomime.  I created mini stories with the students' names and I had some girls with that word.  They were pulled up front to practice this technique impromptu.  They were so nervous.  We had time, so I let them drag friends up when they were done to mime as well.  We kept going until all of the students had a chance.  They were really good and we guessed what they were trying to tell us easily.  Next time, they can mime sentences.  It can be done... just type "mime" into youtube.

With classes out of the way, I grabbed my umbrella and shoulder bag on my way out the door.  Teacher Geoff lives in Gyeongsan so he gave me a lift to Sinmae station.  Eternally grateful to him as it was out of his way.  And we talked about a lot of stuff so I got advice on some otherwise obscure topics.  So obscure in fact, that I don't remember now what they were.  Oh yeah, living expenses and saving money.  Guess that isn't really obscure.  Basically, get married and pay off student loans.  The first isn't happening anytime soon but the second I can work on.

Went to the bank and wired money to the US to cover my loans this month.  That didn't take long at all so I headed out to find lunch.  Was going to go to McDonalds but detoured to Outback Stakehouse.  Glad I did.  I went up and walked in, the waitress asked how many.  I said just one.  The look of surprise on her face was pretty funny.  In Korea, you don't eat by yourself.  To do so means your unpopular and there is a name for people who are unpopular.  It is so ingrained into their culture that teachers I don't know will wait for me if they see me heading to the cafe by myself.  If I still end up by myself, a student will join me so that I am not alone.  Anyrate, back to lunch.  I sat and thanked the waitress in Korean without thinking about it.  She asked in perfect English if I spoke Korean.  I didn't and said I really just knew two words.  The staff that served me were very polite, prompt, and friendly.  They even waved goodbye instead of bowing.  I can't stress how American that was of them.

In fact, a high five is now foreign to me.  As is a handshake or a hug.  I wave or bow.  Preferably wave, but bowing is also second nature now.  Speaking of second nature, I really prefer chopsticks now.  At least for salads.  Forks and salads don't get along.  I still prefer forks for long pastas... but you don't know what you are missing when your not used to using chopsticks.  Seriously, salads are so easy to eat now.

Back to today.  After a wonderful meal, I headed out and realized that I was ahead of schedule.  So I stopped in at Angel-in-us Cafe and ordered a drink.  There were two guys working and the one at the register spoke limited English well enough for me to order without having to point.  The other guy simply glanced sideways at him and smiled.  Both of them seemed amused for some reason and liked serving me.  Strange.  Anyrate, got my drink with a beautiful caramel drizzle across the top and headed upstairs.  Angel-in-us Cafe has seats that resemble either couches or armchairs.  They are super padded and the whole place is set up to relax you.  I often see students studying or groups of two quietly socializing.  I pulled out a book.  It wasn't long before I realized in this lounge that music was playing.  Music I recognized.  Think of the major hits from the 90s in America and that was what was playing.  I teared up.  It was very nostalgic.

Felt restless after awhile and hopped on a bus to head to Gyeongsan's downtown.  Bought some drawing supplies at S dot.  Then walked around the small outdoor market.  It is really small.  Maybe just 3 or 4 block long and possibly 2 blocks wide.  Not sure.  Walked until it was time for my dentist appointment.  By the way, navigating crowded sidewalks when EVERYONE has an umbrella takes talent.  Sometimes you raise your umbrella a little higher and sometimes your slouch.  It is like the game tetris.

Got to the dentist and entered the building.  The office is on the second floor.  Put my umbrella in the bin by the door, switched to black slippers, and sat in the waiting room.  The assistants have learned to say, "Mindy, please come in," when it is my turn to take an empty dentist chair.  The root canal is progressing nicely.  The root is all out.  They did a lot of drilling today and packed it with something hard and more permanent.  I believe the crown is all that is left.  Communicating with their limited English and my understanding of their word choice was fun, but worthwhile.  I think both sides felt accomplishment when we were able to get the message across.

When that was done, I happily went to E Mart.  I was paid remember.  Bought a scale and a badminton set.  Scales are handy for checking luggage weight you know.  I am playing badminton at least once a week now too.  Needed my own racket.  Picked up some groceries.  Took the bus back.  When I first got here, I always wanted to take the taxi as they went straight to the school.  However I am comfortable with buses now and they are a LOT cheaper.

My skills on the bus have improved greatly.  Today I kept my balance well, even when others lost their and fell into me.  I was able to stay up and support their weight too.  The poor boy looked up, saw I was a foreigner, and got the most sad and apologetic look I have ever seen.  I just smiled and knodded.  I didn't know how else to say it was okay.  Saying Kom-saw-me-da (thank you) didn't seem appropriate.  He looked relieved so I guess he understood.

Once back in Jain, I grabbed a taxi for the last leg back.  They are slowly all getting to know me.  In Korea it is rude to leave tips.  However, taxi driver really don't mind.  So I think I am going to have a new policy.  5,000 won straight up for the ride from Jain to my apartment.  It is actually 4,300 to 4,500... but that remaining 500 won is less than 50 cents in American Dollar.  They are going the extra mile to go past the front gate up to my apartment and they are really considerate.  I figure if I return the gesture, that they will like me more.  Taxi drivers are good people to have like you.

Now I am back in my apartment.  The Sabbath hours are here.  I wish I could say they will be restful.  The school keeps changing what they want us to do.  Since my last cold, I haven't gotten my singing voice back yet.  Speaking of my traits... the Korean teachers and students here are baffled at why I don't have a boyfriend.  They honestly think I am super beautiful.  I not skinny with bleached skin... but to them I am a gorgeous person.  They don't know why I don't have a boyfriend.  How to explain...

Girls Night Out

At lunch I was sitting with some Korean teachers.  We got to talking and I learned their names.  Then they invited me to come with them for supper.  We went into Jain and ate at this nice small place.  There was a dish similar to Topoki (sorry for misspelling), an omelet on top of rice and some other yummy things, bulgogi with rice, and a broth soup.  It was yummy.  We worked on teaching me some more Korean.  I didn't get very far.  But I learned that those who are a little older than me are oepa and onee... again I apologize for misspelling those words.  The first means brother and the second means sister.  They encouraged me to call the music teacher oepa next time I saw him.

Turns out he had been at lunch.  They loved asking me how old I thought they were before I was about ten years too young on my guesses.  He is like 50+ but I thought he was 38.  I called him oepa just like they suggested, and he laughed really hard.  He then said his daughter was 25 and she called him daddy.  So I should also call him that, which is alpa.  His wife then asked how old I looked to her and she looks even younger.  So I placed her around 32 and she was thrilled.  She promptly invited me to supper sometime and we arranged it for this weekend.  Making friends is a joy.

Dictator or Compassionate Leader?

When foreigners come over to South Korea for the purpose of teaching English, they are hit with a block of culture shock and work assignments.  Adapting is something about 1/3 of the foreigners are unable to do, so they end up leaving.

I also have my fair share of times that are tough.  Wondering if I am not adapting or if those around me are being unreasonable.  Then I remember the times different staff at my school helped me or expressed a desire for my happiness.  Sometimes this place feels like it is run by a dictator bent on his way no matter what others say.  In reality compassion is more of the rule than what you might think.

Korean Words

Today as I was walking to lunch, I was feeling a bit down.  Someone I cared about had passed away and I wasn't very happy about it.  As I was walking to lunch, I ended up catching up with some female high school teachers.  One of them saw me and stepped back so that I wouldn't be walking by myself.  In Korean society, you never eat, drink, or do things by yourself.  For that, today, I am grateful.

We went into the cafe together.  I got what they got except for the mushroom side dish.  I even picked up the red kimchi.  Surprisingly, I am starting to like kimchi just a little bit.  One teacher in particular talked to me in her limited English.  I was coached on how to say the name of the food I was eating.  Don't remember any of them except one.  I really liked the sweet and sour fake chicken that looked like topokie (misspelled).  It was called corn with barely any saying the "n" sound.

She also taught me how to say really good.  Teyba.  I think that was the word.  Unsure now.  There is a lot of emphasis on the first syllable.  I like it and would love to use it.  The meal ended with a smile.  I felt like I belonged.  Meals can be so hard sometimes.

Movie

I had my juniors reading a story titled "Stop the Sun" where a boy deals with his father's Vietnam syndrome.  In order for the students to get an idea of what the Vietnam war was like without actually exposing them to the more gruesome scenes, I played the video Operation Dumbo Drop.  It is a story of American soldiers replacing an elephant that was killed for a village that had helped them.  It is a comedy that Disney created.  Unfortunately, despite being a disney movie, there was some cussing.  The very thing I am trying to keep my students from doing.  It wasn't hardcore or anything, but not something that should be in a Seventh-day Adventist school.  Feeling a bit horrible for not reviewing the movie.  I had only remembered the plotline, the friendships built, and that it showed a little of the culture in Vietnam.  I had forgotten some of the language that was used.  You live and learn.  Won't be showing the movie again.

School Levels

My middle school is quite the confusing building.  The first floor holds offices of the administrative staff and the lounges and such.  Then you go to second floor.  All the classes of the second floor are labeled 3-1, 3-2, and 3-3.  Then you go to the third flour where they are labeled 1-1, 1-2, and 1-3.  Finally on the fourth floor is 2-1,2-2, and 2-3.  I was so confused the first time I went to look for my night class.  Now I know where they are.  I also let them out 5 minutes early so that they can catch their bus.

Subway Friend

Last night when I was coming back from downtown Daegu with Michael P. and Willis, I met someone on the subway.  There was a free spot on the subway and I offered her the place.  She spoke in English saying no thank you.  That surprised me, but I shrugged it off and sat.  Soon another lady left and I again motioned for her to sit and that was when I realized she wasn't Korean.

Jennifer had just gotten to South Korea this semester.  She is actually from Nebraska!  Yay!  A lot younger than me, though she doesn't look it, she is here as both a student and a teacher.  And guess what, she teaches at the elementary school in the village just outside my school.  The awesomeness of running into an English teacher out in the middle of nowhere is amazing.  Michael and I started talking with her.  We kept it up and exchanged information.  I mentioned I was going to go check out a Presbyterian church on Sunday and her eyes lit up.  She isn't that denomination but was looking for a church to go too.  I invited her along.

Today I got a text from Karl, the fellow whose house is where I go for Bible Studies.  He offered to give me a ride since his wife was staying with their youngest child who was sick.  I asked if I could bring my new friend along.  We got to the church and were greeted by the greeting group.  Three ladies at the door was there to welcome everyone in.  They were expecting us thanks to our driver :)  So we made some fast friends and... I was introduced to another person who is from Kansas.

There is a Korean lady who lived in Kansas for quite awhile when her husband was attending K-State.  We talked because I worked for the last 7 summers at a camp nearby.  Going to miss the camp, the routine, the praise program, and the horses over there :(  Anyrate, it was great to talk to her.  Also saw a lady from the study group there :)

Then afterwards we made another friend.  She was really nice and it was great talking to her.  While we were talking to her, I saw Keith from the Bible Study and introduced him to the friend I brought.  Then Eric (also from the Bible Study) came over.  My friend said hi to him by name and I was like, you know each other?  He had lead out in orienteering for her program when she first came.  Then another friend, Christiansen, from the study group came over and I realized I had friends.  Christian friends.

And they all know Michael P.  They were wondering how I knew him and so I retold that story.  I am planning on going back.  Being in a Christian atmosphere where I can worship God is so important to me.  And I understand the language because the songs, sermon, announcements, etc are all in English!  It means a lot more to me.

Christianity

South Korea is truly a protected place.

When Christianity reached South Korea, it blossomed.  Never has Christianity spread in a place so quickly.  Christians here are very true to their beliefs.  They follow their faith.  It hasn't become corroded like it has in the west.  In the US, you have people who are Christians cussing up a storm and throwing temper tantrums at every person who walks past their place.  Here, the principles of how to live your life as a Christian for the most part is a part of their culture.

Geographically, South Korea is protected.  There are mountains everywhere creating valleys for most major cities and the small towns and villages.  Within these valleys are hills above the valley floor.  That is the type of location I am at.  We don't have twisters or thunderstorms.  They just don't exist here.  No one here has felt an earthquake, or at least no one I have met has.  There are no volcanoes.  Tsunamis can't reach beyond the coast (thank you mountains and high elevation).  Flooding doesn't really occur often, just during the rainy season.  Even then not often nor in many places.

There are some Koreans who are Christians who believe that God has special plans for this place.  A fellow foreigner Christian pointed out this week that we are about as far east as you can go.  In the Bible it says Jesus' second return would be in the east.  I know, I know... you can go east all year and never reach the end.  The Bible also says when He returns, everyone will see Him.  So starting at one point seems a bit off, but still.  This place seems special and protected by God at times.

Watch out for the quiet ones...

One of my sweetest, kindest, hardworking students is also really shy and quiet.  So shy and quiet that I worry that the wind will blow her away.  I have learned something most interesting today.  She has won a gold metal at 7 different kung fu competitions.

Coffee

I was raised understanding that caffeine is not very healthy for the body.  I agree that moderation is needed if it is used.  This week has been pretty intense.  We are picking up our full duties and to keep going is at times difficult.  Waking up every morning tired and in want of more sleep, I found myself breaking my own rule of limited caffeine intake.  I have been having several cups of coffee everyday.

Much to my surprise, my emotions have stabilized.  The unmotivated girl that was drifting along suddenly is feeling happy.  All the time.  I went to staff worship one morning feeling both super happy and really tired.  I let the happy side directed my actions.  When a Korean asked how I was doing, I responded that I was doing really well.  She then said I looked tired.  So even though now I have a smile on my face, the tiredness still gets through.

At least I am smiling.  I read an article shortly afterwards when I was wondering about the coffee and my new tendency to be happier.  The article said that coffee helps regulated moods in women and that it reduces the likelihood of depression by 15%.  That is pretty impressive.  So though I won't drink it if I can help it on none school days, it is true that my moods have become more regulated and I am better able to maintain a positive mindset despite the stresses faced daily.

Dorm Worship

Tonight was my first night holding dorm worship.  Well, it is a mixture of casual conversation and then worship.  I sat down with the 8 freshmen that are staying in the girls English dorm and we talked.  We talked about anything that came to mind.  I actually managed to remember all 8 of the girls' names.  Whether that was because I memorized who sat where or them time will tell.  I tried to look at their faces to remember them by.  It might be hard though.  I still am having trouble remembering faces and names.  It is the same problem I encountered in student teaching.  Smaller groups seem to be a preference at this point.  Will wait and see as time goes by how God leads me on that.

After that we had worship.  We attempted to sing two songs.  First verse is okay, but after that we all needed practice.  I told them a Bible text I had picked out for them.  Deut 31:6 talks about trusting in God to always take care of you.  I told them what it meant to me.  Then they told me what it meant to them.  Then we closed with prayer.

I learned something tonight, again.  It never ceases to amaze me their focus on their studies.  They are counting down with trepidation towards midterms... which is in 43 days.  Yep.  They started a countdown.  I will keep an eye on them and be sure to not overload them in the classes I teach.  I know that their other classes are a bit more important when it comes to their welfare and ensuring that they do not bring ill health to themselves.

Description

Today after my freshmen literature class finished reading "Priscilla and the Wimps," I had them do some activities that help with critical thinking skills.  One of the activities was to look at a certain paragraph that describes how Monk Klutter dresses and if that is how you imagine a bully dressing.  The students asked what the word "description" meant.

I explained that describing something was explaining what it looked like, smelled like, sounded like, tasted like, and felt like.

For example, how would you describe me?  I'm tall, brown hair, classes, slacks, layered shirt.  They knodded in understanding.  Then I took it the next step.  Would you describe me as looking like a teacher.  Their answer?  "No teacher.  You look like student.  Your very young."  - !!!WHAT!!!

Okay.  Would you say Monk is dressed like a bully?  "No teacher.  He dressed like rich person."  Sigh.

American culture versus Korean culture.

In America, I would assume the fellow in school dressed like that was a bully.  In Korea though, that is a guy with good fashion sense.

I evidently need to find ways to look more professional.  Will do something with my hair tomorrow.  Probably french braid it.  Then wear a jacket... not the kind for warmth either.  Maybe research how to appear older as that is the key factor.

Dreams of the World

Dreams are really important to me.  It lets me know what I am really afraid of.  It lets me know how I really view people.  I can't lie to myself when I am asleep.  Sometimes when I dream, I remember a phrase or a scene that came while I was sleeping.

Last night I remember someone saying in a dream that if I made Korea my life.  If I gave my all.  This place, this world, would be a smaller place.  The idea that things are not so different or far apart was amusing.

Then today I went to town.  I was walking down the sidewalk and the sun was shining clearer and brighter than it has in a long time.  I felt at home among the tall buildings.  The signs, multitudes of people, and colors were not strange or overwhelming.  In fact it didn't feel like a lot of people at all.  I looked down the street and saw the mountains.  They didn't seem so far away.  I rode on the bus with friendly people.  Suddenly Daegu doesn't seem like a metropolis anymore.  Places don't seem so far away.  The culture does not seem so alien.

Sitting there and feeling that everything was good, I remembered that phrase, "The world would be a smaller place."  I realized that this in fact was true.  The world is a lot smaller that it had seemed.  At least as it had seemed when I first heard I was coming to Korea.  When I first arrived.  When I first missed home and those I care about.  No one and no place seems so far away, at least at this moment.  Today.

This is when I realized that God was working in me.  Building me up and helping me to grow.

I know the analogy of God being a potter who breaks us so that He can make us better is very common.  However, I want to propose a new analogy.  God is a gardener, who plants a perfect seed.  This seed sprouts and starts to grow.  Harsh weather comes along and tried to drown the small seedling.  Animals come along and step over the seedling.  However the Gardner is still there, protecting and encouraging the seedling to grow.  Soon the seedling is a young tree, beautiful and full of promise.  It is possible strong winds may twist or warp the young tree.  Bugs and other harmful things try to infect and disfigure us.  However the Gardner is there to gently encourage and nourish the tree until its roots are deep and its trunk is strong.  Then when we are ready, He shows us what miracles He can work through us.  And while we do His will, He continues to help us grow yet even more.  Till not even the California Redwoods tower above us.

I prefer this analogy, of a gentle and caring God who wants the best for us and is there every step of the way to show us how to keep going on no matter what the Devil throws in our path.

New Changes

Learning to be flexible and able to take on new challenges is what being in South Korea is all about.

We had a meeting this morning to discuss the first week and any last minute changes the school wanted to have.  One of them being adding to my schedule a night class.  I now teach 8 preps as well as English Sabbath School, dorm worship, and helping with the English Newspaper Club.  That part of the contract that says "and do anything else the school requires..." was applied here.

Funny thing about working in Korea is that the contract you sign is actually worthless.  In American it is a big deal to hold to the contract.  In Korea, it is signed simply because the government requires it.  My contract says that I have two weekends free.  At the beginning of this school year, we were told they were changing the program so that we worked three weekends a month.  We could have the first weekend off.  This month we worked the first weekend as well.  As you can see, things are a bit different here than in America.

Hence the age old advice for foreign teachers: Be Flexible.

Parked Cars... or unparked.

Tonight I learned another interesting aspect of Korean culture.  If the parking lot at the apartment has all the spots taken, just park your car parallel style in front of some spots and leave it.  Of course you leave the parking brake off to so if need be then your car can be rolled out of the way.  I didn't realize cars were that easy to push.

I suppose cars are harder to push if they are stuck in snow.

Bible Studies

In one of my earliest posts, I explained the importance of finding things to fill the extra space that you have or to replace activities you left behind.  For me replacing the worship experiences I had while attending college have been pretty hard.  Also finding people to hang out with was a challenge as well.  Since getting here, I've begun to have my own daily devotions instead of depending on others.  The praise music can be called up online with K Love.  Bible studies with a group came true tonight.  It was a real blessing to be able to be with others and learning what my Heavenly Father has to say.  Also I now know a little a few more people whom I am hoping will become friends.

To Teach

I am a teacher.  In Korea if your white and a teacher, then you can teach anything.  It doesn't matter what you majored in.  So I am teaching conversation classes and grasping to figure out how.  I am sitting here looking at the resources they gave me for the class.  This is material my students will be tested over.  So I want to help them learn it well.

The only problem is that even though the problems are in English, the instructions are in Korean.  Also it is so basic and general that I have no idea how to get one lesson to last a week much less ten minutes.  This is going to be interesting.

In situations like this, you go to the older and wiser teachers that are dripping with experience and ideas.  Ask them for to brainstorm with you and if they have any fabulous ideas ready to be put into action.  Then learn and adapt.

Day Out

Today was a very interesting day.  Simon says... oh wait, Simon changed his mind... haha.

Conversation classes.  There are three sets of classes in the middle school, one for each grade.  The sets are composed of levels depending on how well as student understands English.  There are four Freshmen conversation classes.  Four sophomore conversation classes.  And there was three, but then I got the fourth, junior conversation class.

The funny thing was, we spend a good many minutes running between classrooms trying to find out classes.  Or standing in our classrooms while the kids ran back and fourth trying to find their classes.  The conversation classes were a mess at the beginning of each class.  I found it oddly relaxing and enjoyable.  I wasn't held to perfection and obviously no one else was on top either.  I enjoyed sitting back and watching things unfold and become solved.  Then I taught class.

The juniors were the hardest to get organized since they created a fourth class and pulled students from the other three.  This was an attempt to lower the amount of students in one class.  I swear some International students are in these conversation classes.  Anyrate, a group of my students that I had last year found out I was teaching them.  They all but screamed and joyfully raced to the room we were assigned.  I didn't have the heart to tell them I was going to be more strict this year.  I picked up my stick (yes, I carry one with me though it is more for show since I won't hit a student) and followed.

Then scared them spitless when I rapped my podium with the stick.  The stick speaks loudly.  International students I can handle without a hitch.  Conversation students... can't fail the class no matter what the teacher thinks so it is a bit harder to control them.  So... stick's influence a good thing!

At the end of the day, one of the teacher's gave me a lift to Gyeongsan where I caught a subway to downtown Daegu.  Went to the theater.  Watched a movie in English.  So nice.  The theater may not be where a person should spend a lot of time, however being in an English setting that is so familiar in many ways to back home puts me at ease.  It is my mini vacation.

Flowers and Wax

Today we went to chapel.  It was crowded with the whole student body there.  So we sat along the back wall and wondered where the students who would translate would sit.  That didn't turn out to be an option.  We were ushered to the side room beside the stage.  Looking professional, but inside full of questions, we walked onto stage and sat.  Then stood to receive flowers.  I have a lovely red, pink, and purple bundle of amazingness.  Then we sat and clapped absentmindly as different teachers stood, said something, students came up, got a gift, and then on to the next student.  After that they had a candle service.

Did you know as the max builds, you can watch your pulse as the candle moves in time with the rythmn of your heart.  Praying that they would end soon, I was grateful as they prayed and dismissed us.  I gently blew out the candle and whispered in the quiet of my mind to cool.  Then I started to turn and the wax slipped down.  It was hot.  I gasped through my teeth and pulled myself into a stoic mindset, telling myself not to drop the candle or shake my hand wildly.  The heat and pain would pass.  We filled off stage and I gladly through the candle away.

At the start of the aisle, there were students lining the walkway in addition to those standing at their seats.  We walked up through cheering and happy students.  I was reminded what makes this job from simply a job to amazing.  The students.  They are worth everything.  The smiles, banter, hugs, encouragement, and daily life with the students make this job truly enjoyable.

Though the school occasionally giving gifts, expensive flowers, and helping me with appointments like say the dentist sure go a long way too.  Seeing that they are trying to help me have a good school year makes a lot of things better.  It is easy to get upset, discouraged, or think that life is unfair.  Yet when I think about what a job in the states would be like compared to here, I am reminded that this is a good place and the problems I face would be similar in the states.

Hour Early

It is bound to happen to us eventually.  I checked my schedule and went to class, ready to start teaching my sweet little Freshmen.  As I wrote the seating chart on the board, a Korean teacher came in and was wondering where her class was.  I tried to help her while teaching my kids, and was wondering how the school could have miscommunication between their own when they speak the same language.

Ten minutes later she and another teacher figured out what had happened.  I was an hour early.  *sigh*  Told the kids to hold onto their papers and disappeared into my office.  Teachers in Korea are supposed to know everything and never mess up.  I just did in front of them.  Oh boy.

E Mart Surprises

Today when I went to E Mart, I was just getting a cart when a Korean girl came happily up to me saying "Teacher Teacher."  I'm sure she is in high school now because she was a student last year and no longer in my class.  She asked if I was still at the school and I said yes.  We talked happily for a few minutes, then she ran to catch up with her mom.  They looked so happy together, talking like best of friends.

I ambled down towards the food section (just went to the dentist, how else should I relax but attempt not to stress eat) and looked over the bakery items.  I found I wasn't interested in the cookies or donuts, particularly those with chocolate.  That baffled me.  I picked up some filled donuts... raspberry filling I think.  Moved on to the meat section.  They had warm and ready to eat packaged chicken... but I wasn't sure how long until I got back home and didn't want the meat to cool... food poisoning isn't fun.  So passed until I got to the pizza.  Ordered a pizza slice and it is still sitting beside me wanting to be eaten.  I took a bite, and it is okay.  Slightly on the cool side but okay.

E Mart and Rain

Korea is very efficient and accommodating in many ways.  After going to the dentist, I realized I was extremely tense and needed to calm down.  So Teacher Oh dropped me off at E Mart so I could walk it off  before getting on a bus.

By the way, it has been raining for two days.  Nothing heavy, but nothing light either.

I get to the door and see people leaving.  As they come out, they are taking plastic off of their umbrellas and putting them in a container situated outside.  Beside that is a tubular container full of similar plastic bags.  I walk up to it, close my umbrella, look at the tubular device, look up at a high school Korean girl, and display "deer-in-headlights" face.  She explains in rather decent English how to use it and I gladly went inside with my wet umbrella unable to make a mess.

Dentist Trip

I have to say... I love the dentist I went to.

Well your probably wondering what going to the dentist is like in Korea.  It is different.  Same in many ways, but different.

Teacher Oh drove me to the dentist office.  Turns out to be right there by the Gyeongsan market, so I probably could just take the bus in.  Definitely took the bus back in consideration of Teacher Oh.

We walked to the building, went up the stairs, and inside.  At the entry way you take off your shoes and put on slippers (flipflops on steroids for Americans).  Then you fill out a little bit of paperwork and sit down.  They then take you into a small room (it couldn't possibly get smaller, no joke) where you stand with your face in a machine.  They take an xray... no protection like the vests you wear in America.  Then you go sit in a chair.  There is a TV in front of you if you wish to watch.  There are cups, a water filter, and a basin with a drain for you.  One armrest, and I made use of that.

The doctor asks plainly, "What's wrong with you?"  I told him I had a hole in my tooth.  He looked at it, told me it had severe decay, and that I needed a root canal procedure.  Oh Lord, give me strength.  Another nightmare alert.  With that said, he said they were going to give me a pain blocker.  They pulled out a needle, used it, and I felt relief that it was nicer done than experienced stateside.

Then after a few minutes (less time than in the states) he was working on that tooth, or what was left of it I suppose.  Packed it with something so that it would be okay until next time.  Over the next three or four weeks they will be doing the root canal.  I will be going in twice a week.

Here is the neat part.  30-40 dollars for the whole procedure.  I love my health insurance.  Now the crown, if I wish to have it, is considered beauty instead of necessary... so I pay the full thing for it.  Another $400 and I am good to go.

From the time they called me in the waiting room to the moment they let me out of that chair... about 15 minutes.  A lot faster than the hour long, painful, tiring, and oftened incorrect visits done previously in America.  I do think this dentist is going to be alright.  Maybe, just maybe, I'll get through a trip without some screw up or something.  Kinda looking forward to this... the better experience, not another root canal.

Can't figure out why my teeth are more fragile than most others.  Probably the amount of sweets, sugar, and junk food I eat.  Did you know that cavemen didn't really have many cavities?  It wasn't until Europe started indulging in sweets in the later Medieval ages that cavities became a problem.  So... frail teeth or sweet tooth... take your pick.

It's a Girl!

I was sitting at Vespers last night with my translator.  We were talking and he said when he had kids, he wanted a girl.  I asked why and he responded, "I'm afraid if I have a son, he will turn out just like me."

Dentistry

Well folks.  The inevitable has happened.  I am in need of medical services in Korea.  A filling came out of a tooth leaving a gaping hole.  My fear and distrust of dentists made me hesitant to seek help.  Now a week later (and my paycheck is here too) that same tooth chipped.  A side of it fell off.  So now the hole is one with the lack of a side on my tooth.  Going to have to go to the dentist on Monday.  You don't make appointments here. You can just walk on in.  So even if I am dragged into the office by my toe nails, I will go simply because my fear of a broken tooth is bigger than my fear of dentists.  Besides, Korean dentists aren't out for money like in America.  I hear that they are actually more skilled and that their fillings don't fall out.  So, prayer for me!

Guitar Fun

The Koreans I have seen use the guitar have been pretty good.  I love music and wish that there was some way to express myself musically since my voice doesn't like to cooperate.  Since picking up the guitar, I have found my new love and challenge.  I have always relaxed to the sound of a guitar whether is was acoustic or electric.  Now I am learning to play and though it is a challenge, it is going to be worth it.

Return Frustrations

I am so glad I went home for a vacation.  However upon return I had a rude awakening.  I am having to learn to listen to Koreans speak all over again.  Normally, even though I don't know the language, I can understand the general idea of what a Korean is saying to me.  Now I wonder how much of that was a lucky guess and on some occasions how much of that was Linda's help when we went shopping in the markets.  Eager to become better at understanding their language.

Also eager to become better understanding their mannerisms.  In a taxi cab, we would motion forward if we wanted the driver to go straight.  That motion means stop here.

On the curb if a bus is coming, and you start to wave or flag them down... well, they keep going.  You just hold out your hand... don't wave it.

Flexible

I was told to work here, you must be flexible.  Here is an example.

Classes in Korea start on the 2nd, which is a Friday.  English teachers at my school do not have classes on Friday.  So our classes start this coming Monday.  That gives me Friday and Sunday to finish planning classes.

We were told that we have the first weekend free and that we work the other weekends.

Tonight I was informed that I actually have class in the morning (Friday) and I of course am not prepared.  Sure I know what I am doing, but the powerpoint isn't ready.  So late night for me.

Tonight I was also informed that I don't have this weekend off, and will be singing special music up front.  So I had to cancel my plans to go to church with a friend in Daegu, as well as cancel meeting for playing guitars later.

Number one advice to anyone coming over here... be flexible.