Debates

Our sophomores in Middle School started their debates today.  Their class is my favorite class simply because it is history.  I know how to teach it and teach it well.  I've had so many compliments from teachers and students that I do well in that class and that I should teach more history classes.  Which is ironic since I was then promptly given more conversation classes.

The debates originated when Teacher Willis and I talked about how do a project where both our classes could be involved together.  Finally we settled on dividing our classes into teams and pitting them against the other class' teams.  We came up with some geography related questions to go with our last chapter - geography.  Then we added a few more relevant questions about governments.  They have researched and prepared for awhile now and today was the start of the rewards for their work.

We set up the classroom that I teach in as it was the most suitable for debates.  We worked on how to set up the tables and where to put the kids.  We put water out for each team and for the judges.  I took pictures and will post them on facebook in the immediate future.  We are all really proud.  Today went well.  A red team (Willis's classes) won one of the debates.  A blue team (my classes are blue classes) won one of the debates. They are set up tournament style.  Teams 3 and 4 will debate next Tuesday.  Then all 4 winning teams will be pitted against each other next Thursday.  I can't express my excitement.

Lunch Manners

Went to lunch today.  Was the first teacher so got my food and sat down.  The other staff slowly came in.  Some guys came in first and sat at another table.  I thought that was weird but understand that sometimes genders sit apart.  Then some females came in, and sat at the opposite end of the table away from me.  Surprised and slightly embarrassed, I ate in silence.  Then a staff member came over and asked why I was by myself.  I explained I was the first here and everyone else sat elsewhere.  He sat with me and explained he wanted to be my friend for meals.

In Korea, you don't eat alone.  It is considered highly embarrassing.  I didn't care before I came here, but now that I am familiar with their culture, I do.

In Korea, if the opposite gender sits with you and it is just the two of you, it is considered a date and that your going out.  He has a family and children.  Very carefully he explained that he wanted to be friends, but to avoid misunderstanding he added just at meal times since that is the only time he sees me.  It was thoughtful of him.  Once I finished, I left and he moved to sit with the others.

Sock bun

So last night I was remembering in high school how a friend would make our hair so pretty.  She used a sock somehow.  Her mom sometimes would stay for the weekend and they enjoyed helping us have a fun time with whatever was at hand.  I decided to look up exactly how it was done on youtube.  When I saw how, I saw there was a link for making curly hair with a sock.  It involved the same technique, only with damp hair and leaving it overnight.  Guess who tried it out.  Me!  And might I say, I like my curly hair.

ThunderStorm

I was sitting in my apartment thinking too much since I have all this free time.  Mostly along the lines of what I would do when I return stateside.  The sky is the limit right?

As I was sitting there, I noticed loud rumblings growing louder and louder.  They were not the fighter jets that I normally here.  They were not the explosions (presumably fireworks) I had heard the previous two nights.  After a few minutes of confusion, I realized that it was thunder.  It is not common here so I had forgotten what it sounded like from inside a building.

3 day weekend

I have a three day weekend.  Monday is off because of Buddha's birthday.  Been chilling at the apartment doing a lot of TV series and thinking.  Maybe too much thinking.  I'm required to stay here until August 2013 by contract.  When I went to the states for a visit earlier this year, the school paid for it on the condition I stayed a second year.  I am wondering, as much as I like it here, if I go back to the states I doubt I will be able to come back here.  Just judging on how I reacted when I came home last time.  I was so grateful to be stateside that I was less than eager to return.  I don't know if I can visit home and have the emotional ability to return here.  Culture shock and missing loved ones is just that strong.

Lunch

I absolutely loved lunch today.  It was curry on rice (amazing!) and my favorite soup with boiled eggs mixed with onions.  There was also sweet potatoe mush and orange slices.  If that wasn't dessert, then the waffles with shipped topping garnished with almonds were.  Loved it!  Times when they serve such yummy food makes me happy.  Even if I never fully adapt to the food here, there are some that I have come to love and enjoy.

Sunshine, Where Are You?

This morning I was walking from breakfast to the school.  I looked around confused.  There was something wrong with the sunlight.  I looked back north and noticed that the hills were covered in a gray fog that is probably pollen or yellow dust.  I couldn't even see the normally clear mountains.  That didn't account for the dim light though.  It was as if a thunderstorm was approaching yet we are clear of storms for the entire week.

Learned at worship that there had been an eclipse.  It had covered 80% of the sun.

Catch Up

It happens for every teacher at one point or another.  The day they realize that they got behind in grading.  For one class, it took just over an hour to update the grades for all but the workbooks.  It took another 3 for those workbooks.  Started the next class and realized that I would have to play catch up in the morning.  Good night world and God be with you all.

Tenacity

Today one of the teachers asked me a question about the movie we were all going to watch tonight in front of students.  Those students have been hassling me ever since.  They surrounded me at church asking me repeatedly to buy them chicken and to let them watch a movie too.  They bugged me after church.  They tracked down my phone number and texted me.  They found me outside and asked some more.  I kept repeating no.

They finally figured out a way around it.  They borrowed a USB device and hunted around until they found someone with movies that could be put on it.  In this culture it is not considered rude to keep asking.  With them happy, those of us teachers who wanted got together tonight and set up a movie in a classroom.  Someone pulled out his DVD collection and we watched Blood Diamond.  Historians out there, you would appreciate it.

cute story

Was sitting in church today when two girls from Sabbath school came over.  They each sat on one side or the other.  The first, Daphne, was doing a lot of translating for me.  I am grateful to her for that and hope I can remember her as she asked.  The second, G-Shock, made comments every now and then.  The following is one of them.

G-Shock, "I have seen him."
Me, "Him?  Who?"
G-Shock, "I don't know."

U-Turns and Taxis

Teacher Emma, who was one of my Korean assistants last year, gave me a ride into town today.  We usually meet once a week for supper and to play Monopoly Deal.  When she was done tutoring for the day, she gave me a lift to Gyeongsan.  From there I caught the subway to downtown Daegu.

On the way there, we were driving down a rather wide multi-lane road with no medium dividing it.  It was marvelously clear of traffic and I was rather enjoying the ride.  Ahead of us on the road, a green bus (such as I normally ride) did a perfect u-turn.  Never saw the like in my life, and am glad I was not on board.  Wonder why it turned around?

Coming back, I got a taxi in Jain as is my custom on returning to school.  Had to wait in the taxi office for one to show up.  Finally one pulled up and honked.  I gladly ran out there and headed for the car.  I told him, SahmYook, as he had rolled down the window when I approached.  Usually I need not say anything.  They all know me well.  The fellow in the taxi office followed me out and said something about Namsan as I was getting in.  As I was getting in, I noticed the light on top said Gyeongsan on it.  This wasn't one of the local taxi's and the driver didn't know exactly where SahmYook is located.  The fellow in the office kindly provided directions so that I would not have much trouble.  It feels like the gentlemen of that particular taxi station keep an eye out for me at times.  Am thankful for that.

Cavity

Went to the dentist today to get the first of two cavities filled.  I have decided that I much prefer a root canal.  Not that it was horrible or anything.  It was just... a dentist trip.  The needle, the numbing of mouth, the inability to speak because I'm numbed beyond use, and then the pain when he drills my tooth.  I kept my chin up and did my best regardless.

On the plus side, I got two naps in.  The first when I first got into the dentist chair and was waiting.  (They kinda expect me to fall asleep now and give me an extra ten minutes I think.)  Then after they numbed my mouth I got in another nap while waiting.  It took a bit to relax enough to sleep though because, well, needle.  Need I say more.

Smiled

So, there is a Korean teacher here that I kinda like.  We have never really talked or anything, but for some reason I like him.  Today he smiled at me and I realized that in some ways, I am still very much like a teenager.  I can still become giddy over a simple smile.  Don't know his name.  Dare not tell anyone who I like, because he will find out.  Just pleased over something small.

The thing about Korea is it is very hard to tell if someone is married or not.  They don't wear rings here.  To make it worse, most couples cheat willingly.  So I am nervous about getting into a relationship while over here.  I would truly need to know and trust the individual.  Simply liking them is not enough.  So being friends is a huge big step.  Not just here, but anywhere.

Davin

Davin was a freshmen in a history class I taught last year.  This year he still continues to be one of my favorite students even if I don't see him as much as I did before.  I know I know, I am not supposed to have favorites.  Indeed I do my best not to.  Yet with him, it is a bit hard to not have high regard for him.  From the first day I came here, he always has a smile on his face (even though the other boys often pick on him) and studies hard in class.  If I ask a question, I know he will always have the answer.  If I give homework assignments or need a volunteer, he has it covered.

My first town trip by myself, I took a bus that the school hired to shuttle kids home.  He sat with me and learned I was heading to E Mart.  He gave me advice and was prepared to make sure I didn't embarrass myself by not knowing some of the culture or customs here.

Today he once again showed his caring side.  We actually are having a thunderstorm.  I can't tell you how happy that makes me as I enjoy listening to thunder.  Especially thunder that comes with no chance of a twister.  I was walking from the office late and was halfway to my place when an umbrella appeared over my head.  Davin stood ready to escort me the rest of the way.  It was only sprinkling but in Korean culture that is considered umbrella weather.  He walked me home and had a smile the whole time.  Kids like him make a teacher's heart happy.

Parents Day

Today was the day when the parents came to visit and watch our showcase made lessons and classes.  I basically reviewed the last chapter.  Might as well.  My social studies class (didn't like calling it culture class) played Jeopardy with the questions being from the last chapter.  They did really well.  Then the freshmen literature class did presentations.  When I started the class, I was nervous with all the parents being there so was speed talking without realizing it.  I've told my students time and again if I ever go to fast, tell me.  They told me today.  Overall it was a good day, so far, and so I am thankful to God for that.

Housekeeper

Out of all the household chores, dishes are the hardest for me to do.  I can think of various reasons why this may be, but the result is the same.  I have a hard time mentally getting myself to accept the inevitable task.  Recently this led to a sink load of dishes that built up and was never done.  If a few are hard to do, a sink load is a nightmare.  I struggled over this for some time when I came upon a solution.

I would find a high school student whose parents were from the less-than-wealthy socio-economic status and trade money for clean dishes.  This way I would have clean dishes and she would have spending money.  (There is a story behind that.  It only costs $4 to go to the doc when you are sick.  I had a student who couldn't go because she didn't have even that much much money.  Not all our kids are rich.)  I approached a high school dean and asked her to find me a truthworthy student who could use some extra money.

That is when I met Yun He.  She is the sweetest girl ever and speaks very good English.  I am guessing she is in one of the higher level High School conversation classes.  The dean told me that she had picked someone who was responsible and would make a good friend for me.  She came over and did my dishes for me.  She was so sweet and nice.  When I paid her, she said she didn't feel right taking it because she wanted to by my friend.  I told her I didn't feel right having her not take it because the dishes were piled up for several weeks.

Today at church, the dean sent her to sit with me and translate.  She had expressed a desire to hang out and I had asked the dean what we could possibly do.  The students just don't have free time.  Yun He suggested that we eat dinner together.  That I could call her when I decide to go over to the cafe.  I don't eat over there on weekends, but perhaps during the week.  I suggested we go see a movie.  She said she would have to ask for permission as those who stay on campus on the weekend study Saturday night and all day Sunday.  I texted her the possible times we could go and I have yet to hear from her.

However, my main goal was to help a student out while getting a little help myself.  She refuses to accept anymore money.  She wants to be my friend instead.  In college, I had friends and it was common for one to pay another to help out with stuff such as dishes.  Korean culture is different though.  By paying her, I place myself above her.  I'm already so much higher than her in the social ladder because of my age.  How I do my hair makes me look like a teen to them so that helps I suppose.

~~~

Just got a call from her.  She can't come hang out tomorrow because it would be a bad influence on the other students.  Sad.  Also, I had the wrong number which is why she didn't get my text messages.  Sigh.

Been switching things pretty badly lately.  Turned on the wrong burner.  Instead of heating the small skillet, I heated the big one that was empty.  I moved the smaller one over when I realized my mistake and was wondering what to do with the really hot one.  Saw the ironing board and grinned.

Mindy's Baby?!

Cute story for you. I was sitting at church today watching the baby dedications and also the presentations by and gifts to the children for Children's Day. My translator said I should have a baby. I looked at her shocked wondering if she and I were on the same wave length. She looked at my surprised face and asked, "Do you have a boyfriend?" I said no. She asked, "Does Teacher Willis have a boyfriend?" I said no. She said, "You two should go out together and have a baby." I turned red and said that I wasn't his type.  I figured it wasn't the time or place to go into detail about why else that wasn't a good idea.

Dentist

I am officially done with the root canal.  Very happy about that.  It took about 10 trips to have it completed.  It was worth it though and the last three were free.  As happy as I am to have it out of the way, the dentist pointed out that I am not done.  It appears I have cavities that need fillings.  No thanks to my avoidance of dentists for the last five years or however long it has been.

Korea is an excellent place to be for medical care.  I have found that the people are extremely caring when it comes to helping another's welfare.  This is where foreigners are in a really lucky place.  We are automatically assumed to be in need of care: not getting lost, finding basics like food, being homesick, trapped in culture shock.  These are all things that Koreans worry about for us.

In a Korean's view, America is the ultimate place to be.  They was to be rich and smart with the nice lifestyles we all are sure to enjoy.  Coming from America to teach English must be such a hard thing for us because they are inferior, or so they believe.  My students are envious of American students and wish to study in the US.  I don't blame them.  For all their hard work here, the education really isn't that much better.

There is a darker side to Korean culture.  It is very competitive.  They are not always on their nicest behavior to each other in many respects.  Thankfully their society had a code of conduct that regulates strongly that competitive anger that exists below the surface.  Jealousy is common.  I work hard to infuse into my students the world view of congratulating someone for doing well even if they scored higher than you on a test.  It takes work as usually the top student is picked on instead.

A Time to Say No

I had tutored for a month.  I wasn't even halfway through when I realized I had hit my limits on extra work.  So when this month came, I regretfully told them I was unable to keep tutoring.  It was more than for health reasons.  It is, evidently, illegal for me to be tutoring those kids.  My contract with the school says I will not work anywhere else.  If the school had arranged the tutoring, it would have been okay to accept.  They hadn't though so it was a good thing to back out of.

Post Test Days

My students just had midterms for three days.  Today is the first day after testing.  With the extra time off, I had created some more well-planned lessons.  I happily launched into them each class only to be met by resistance.  Grumbling about being tired and needing rest, my students all adamantly insisted on a free class period.  I declined.  They got to watch movies for over a week before testing, we needed to buckle down and get to work.  Also, time is flying fast.  There is a lot that isn't getting done.

I started projects and taught powerpoint lectures.  The only class that isn't International has been the hardest.  They ended up getting a homework star.  I told them they had a 100 word essay on a famous artist we didn't cover today (they needed to have paid attention to know which ones we talked about) and that it was due next class period (which for that class is next Wednesday.  Today is Thursday.  They have a week.)  They protested and said that they shouldn't have to do so much work because they just had midterms.  Amid their protests I pointed out they brought it on themselves by being disrespectful.

Hitchhiking

Was making my way home last night after doing some shopping in town.  Got on the bus and thought to myself, I have 40 minutes before my stop, I can sleep.  So I just tucked my chin and was trying to get some shut eye, as best as you can on a swerving bus (the bus driver was young so that had a lot to do with it).  We reached Gyeongsan Market and I heard whisperings.  The teacher in me alert went off.  I opened my eyes and there were some students from my school.  They said hi teacher and I greeted them.  They were unsure if I was heading to school and asked.  I said yes and suggested they ride in the taxi with me from Jain to school.  They gratefully accepted.

When the bus emptied enough that they could sit down with me, they did.  The one who spoke the most English explained that going to Jain they took the bus.  However, going to town they hitchhiked.  I assumed that their definition of the word and mine were different, but that was soon blown out of the water.  These little girls indeed hitchhiked to town.  Two nice men gave those little girls rides.  The first had a small car and they all crammed in.  The second had a truck that they rose on the back of.  A police officer evidently pulled them over and said not to ride on the back like that.  Police don't give many tickets here, unless it appears you don't respect them or are a foreigner not following the laws.  I looked at those little girls and decided that I rather find a way to get them more safely to and from school but it is really out of my hands.

We reached Jain.  The five of them crammed into the backseat and I took the front seat of the Taxi.  The driver was really nervous.  He said that if anything happened, it would cost us a lot of money.  I have never been in such a slow, safe taxi in my life.  Next time I will pay for two taxis to drive us to school if such a situation ever arises again.  Out of 9 months, that was the second time.  The first time I was lucky enough to get a bus going all the way to Namsan.  This time... not so much.

Rain and Yellow-something

It has been raining here for two days or so.  It is forecasted to rain until the weekend.  I don't mind as I find it very pleasant.  It brought with it cool, fresh air.  Then today between some of the drizzle bursts, as the road got semi dry, I noticed something.

You know how in winter, you put stuff on the roads to help avoid or remove ice.  As the ground dries out, it leaves behind a white residue.  Same thing is happening here, only it is yellow.  The rain cleansed the air of the yellow dust that had been barely visible.  I'm happy about that.

Gyeongju

Tuesday morning dawned with gray clouds and a cool breeze.  The foreign teachers all jumped into two cars and with prayer headed north to the "Museum without Wall."  Gyeongju is a tourists dream and a historian's paradise.  Since I was playing the part of both, I had the time of my life.

We stopped by the store on our way up to pick up snacks.  The Vice Principle was, as is tradition, the one taking us and paying the expenses.  Then we continued driving north.  It was gorgeous scenery.  We were for a time in the valleys with beautiful mountains on all sides.  Then we entered the hills that are a part of those majestic mountains.  We soon reached Gyeongju and drove to our first location.

We first went to the Bulguska Temple.  It was a large temple complex with four courtyard inside and a large open area outside.  Very pretty to see.  There were many statues, prayers, and architecture to see.  Thoroughly enjoyed seeing this place.  It was a spiritual center during the Silla Dynasty and the complex has many symbolic references to the spiritual journey.

From here we got lunch.  A soup with a rice-filled whole chicken.  That was new.  Loved the broth that came with it.

After that we headed towards our next location.  We stopped at a supermarket to get the famous bread that is made only there.  They were behind though so it was going to take an hour.  I was out walking around snapping pictures when I turned and saw one of the two vehicles we came in had been in an accident.  In fact, it was the front passenger side of the vehicle, where I would have been if not out taking pictures.  Another car had backed up into our car while ours wasn't moving.  Nothing damaged, just a small dent.  However, I am glad I wasn't in it.  The owner of the other vehicle was apologetic and gave his info over so that if the driver of our car wished, he could call later for money for injury or repairs.  Thankfully our driver is Christian and caring. He noticed the other driver's wife appears to have cancer and decided no harm was really done.  He won't be calling to collect.

We went from there to the five kings tombs.  Huge mounds that house ancient kings.  We parked in a much larger parking lot, and went into the walled in area.  Imagine a nice American nature park with sidewalks and trees.  That was very much what it was like.  Enjoyable too.  Then there were the large mounds.  The was a museum in the side of one so you could see how they were made.  A burial chamber created with a wooden structure makes up the basic center.  Then that is covered in a huge mound of rocks.  Then some dirt is thrown on top.  Old ladies with small scissors clip the grass so that it stays nice looking.

After that we walked around and saw a nearby old observatory.  That was really nice.  The vice principle found a four leaf clover and gave it to me.  Good luck!  Then we walked around and looked at some horse statues and saw a horse pulling a buggy with a sound speaker on the back.  The sound speaker was making fake neighing sounds.  That was annoying.

Then we went and picked up the nice, warm bread.  It was yummy.

Finally we went to Seokguram Grotto.  A man-made cave that houses a big Buddha.  A beauty considered to be a world treasure.  No pictures were allowed, though I would have tried if there weren't cameras.  It was so beautiful.  It required a bit of walking, though thankfully we got to drive to the top of the mountain.  It was quite a sight.

We got a lot of walking in.  Also were able to get many pictures and learn more about each other.