Life is mostly awesome! I like that!

On Skype with Sujin this past Tuesday, I was explaining "gifted" and suddenly realized that it's a neat word.

Also, 3-way video chatting with my family at home and my sister at college is THE BEST. But calling Tyler "Alice" just confuses the poor dude. bwahaha.

Also, also, sometimes it's a good idea to remember that I live in a strange little country on the other side of the planet. I should stop expecting things....end of sentence, I think.

Sushi Advert

Puppies: What're they so pleased about all the damn time?

If you're an ESL teacher, you already know that Apples to Apples is a lifesaver in the classroom (as are half a dozen other board/card games...I've just requested the card game Taboo in my next package from home). For this contract in Korea, I brought the family version of the game ( 1 ) because the words used are simpler and include fewer obscure cultural references. ( 2 )

So, in class, you can play these games as they're intended or dismantle them and make up 100 other activities based on the number and level of your students. A few weeks ago, I played the single student ( 3 )  version of Apples to Apples with Chaelin. ( 4 )  I flipped over an adjective card and Chaelin matched as many of her noun cards to it as she could. If she could explain how each card matched by giving an example, she got a point and the next round began. With a time limit and prizes, it's a pretty successful activity.

Favorite Round:
Adjective card = Delicious
Proposed noun card = Sleep

Me: I agree! But tell me why.
C: Because when I eat delicious food, I feel happy. When I sleep, I feel same way.
Me: Perfect! You got the point!

/ (Abrupt)End of Anecdote

DIGRESSION BOX (you're welcome).

1. A recent Google image search revealed that there is, in fact, a Jewish version of the game as well. 

2. Of course us Belden kids sat 'round the table, a brappin' away, and gave the cards the ol' one-two before my departure. Grood times.

3. Single student classes still crack my ass up, by the way. They do present some unique challenges, mostly keeping that one student from getting terrifically bored of you, but it's INFINITELY easier than a monkey scramble of 35 kids.

4. Her name is apparently spelled "Chaerin" in English, I've just learned, but I hate the way those letters look together. It sounds more like an L when it's spoken anyway. Well, it sounds like an ㄹ, really...

Super Ted

Me: Have you ever given money to help someone or something?

TED!: No.

Me: Is there anything you'd like to give money for?

TED!: No.

Me: Why not?

TED!: Because it's mine.

Me: Ok. How about if your friend had cancer and couldn't afford treatment?

TED!: I would go to the bank and get him...uh..."대출"... 머지? (What is it [in English]?)

Polly: A loan

Managed to get excellent footage of Jacob walking across the desks when I was out of the room.

Filming started today. And handing off my camera to a pack of childrens is proceeded by a very thorough series of instructions...

Sweeding Update

I forgot how much 1. group projects, 2. conducted in a second language, and 3. involving students of varying age and levels of fluency are like HERDING ALL THE CATS.

But man, do I feel good.

This week, I love my job. G-d willing, next week I will too. And I'll have the energy to keep trucking for a while after that. Especially with the red days (national holidays) coming up in May! Also, communicating regularly with my coworkers is SUPER helpful. I LIKE THAT.

ok, time for a food, I think.

A surefire way to love your job!

We're [ sweeding ] again!

Yeah!

Last summer:

Oh fine...it's not a hiatus then. It's...posting shorter and less frequent updates.

Koreans love white skin.

I feel like we're lucky the symbol for Buddhism didn't make its way onto this bottle. I also feel like "white power" will eventually (if it's not already) be the name of some whitening product.

GOOD GRAVY.

Dear American Education Services,

No, really. Fuck you.

Overdraft fees to boot? That's lovely. FREE MONEY FOR EVERYONE.

Well played.



......I felt so close to having this all handled, finally, after months of being behind. Thanks for that.....

Hiatus resumed.