1005 Ho Royal Officetel
69-6 Namcheon 1-Dong
Suyeong-gu, Busan ROK
Thank you.
-Tamara/Tammy/Tamz
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Oy, APB
Please send Old Spice Deodorant!
Thank you.
-Tamara/Tammy/Tamz
Thank you.
-Tamara/Tammy/Tamz
Friday, July 22, 2011
Jeong Hun's reflection on his "The Lady or the Tiger" assignment
So many words in this story but one of the word made a house in my brain is 'barbaric.' Thanks for the semi-barbaric king. When I read this story, what I remember was what is going on the story. After I did rewriting progress, I remembered many thing. People's feeling, why the man loved princess, how the semi-barbaric king made the arena. The more information can make better story ending. I wrote first ending story when I read this book. Now I will rewrite it again. Thanks for the semi-barbaric king again and you. Good luck for the poor man and the princess. I know she is genius because she is a princess of one country.
"And then he felt something waterish." -JH in class, describing an episode of a tv show
Where's the balloon drop?
Just got my summer schedule for next week. And they've finally hit my contractual limit of classes! In fact, one of my 1:1 classes is cancelled next week, so when Jiyeon gets back, they've got to cut a class.
You know, I'm almost proud. That's a good effort on their part, really.
I predict some (more) near-panic attack bathroom cries in the coming weeks. But you know what? Vacation is soon, so I'll manage. And my life otherwise is wonderful. PLUS, while teaching speaking is like trying to get cats to do anything they don't want to do sometimes, it feels a lot more satisfying a lot of the time than my listening classes did.
I'll take it.
You know, I'm almost proud. That's a good effort on their part, really.
I predict some (more) near-panic attack bathroom cries in the coming weeks. But you know what? Vacation is soon, so I'll manage. And my life otherwise is wonderful. PLUS, while teaching speaking is like trying to get cats to do anything they don't want to do sometimes, it feels a lot more satisfying a lot of the time than my listening classes did.
I'll take it.
As long as they don't push for 31 classes or pull any shit with my vacation time (again).
(thanks for this, Stephanie)
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
PRESENT FRUIT
I got next Friday off!!!!! Just by ASKING for it! Thanks to Lizzie for the suggestion (and chutzpah boost)! And thanks to Ran, my savior at work, who asked the department head for me (who declined) and then went over his head and asked the school's director... WHO SAID YES! Oh, sweet, sweet Moses! This is a hagwon miracle AND my director is particularly "salty" (a Korean term that means "cheap").
And go:
I asked "really?!" like 10 times, jumped up and down, asked for witnesses, and then ran out to buy a watermelon after class. In Korea, food is king. And fruit is a pretty good idea, especially, large, notably expensive fruit (it was about $12) that's easy to share . Not only does this tell the "school captain" that I'm grateful, it's also a rather public display, possibly making it harder for him to change his mind. I don't really know if it'll work, but I thought it'd be worth a shot. And I'm glad to share something with the other teachers, too.
So, I'm still going to say this is tentative. And I may have to prep the five classes that I teach before I go (it was going to just be 3 on Friday, but the schedule got all jacked around today...shocker), which is fair, but may be a bit hard to fit in.
And as previously mentioned, Jeong Hun's amazing (unedited) rewrite of the opening to Frank Stockton's "The Lady or the Tiger" with two notes first....1. Dude, check out the original. The vocabulary is HARD. 2. He chose 3 or 4 words from each sentence and then, a few days later, without looking at the original story, rewrote it using his notes.So, I'm still going to say this is tentative. And I may have to prep the five classes that I teach before I go (it was going to just be 3 on Friday, but the schedule got all jacked around today...shocker), which is fair, but may be a bit hard to fit in.
And go:
Long times ago, there was a kingdom with semi-barbaric king. He was a fancy, withal, authority and irresistible king. Nobody couldn't stop what he's doing. But he was bland and genial about domestic moved smoothly. Even it hitched his govern, he was blander and genial still.
Don't forget he is a semi-barbaric king. He wanted to express his feeling of barbarism. So he expressed on the public arena. His arena was a big circle stadium where prisoner chose his luck. When prisoner enter this arena, that means it's time for punish his sin and crime or get virtue rewarded. How is that work? When prisoner stepped out into the amphitheater, he has to open either door what he can see. He has to stepped front of the door which he wanted to open. He can choose which door he will open. The truth is that choice will lead him punish or chance.
A door lead to punishment waiting prisoner with hungry and scary tiger. When he opened this door, a tiger will hunt him and eat his fresh suffer. People in the arena will pray for his death and the doleful iron bell rang everywhere.
The other door stay with lady. When he opened this door, a beautiful lady waited for him. They became a couple and get a marridge. Everybody in the arena celebrated for their marridge and happy brass bell rang around the arena. Bands are came in to the amphitheater and the party is start. When this celebrity, the couple went to the peaceful land.
Who's Christian Side?
Some school news:
1. Adjusting to new curriculum is hard. This week is a bit of a shit show. Hopefully, next week will be better. It'll also be the beginning of the summer time schedule, so in at 10am and out at 6pm (I think). I'm excited to SWITCH IT UP. And my vacation time is sooon. Some days off will be LOVELY.
2. NTS: Post part 1 of Jeong-Hun's BRILLIANT rewrite of "The Lady or the Tiger"
3. I now have a 9-year-old student who lived in America for the past 2 or 3 years and speaks more English than Korean. He has GIANT eyes and he looks JUST LIKE NOAH (but Korean). He talks like him and he wants to tell stories about how playing with boys is better than playing with girls and ALL I WANTED TO DO WAS HUG HIM IN CLASS.
This is gonna be stuck in my head all day. It'll probably meld with "Friday" and "Sleazy" to form some horrendous abomination that makes my brain explode OR that gives me super powers, possibly something akin to Alex Mack (oooooh, girl! That takes me BACK).
BWAHAHAHA.
3. Also, one of my paintings is going really well and is about 80% finished. Pictures soon.
the end!
1. Adjusting to new curriculum is hard. This week is a bit of a shit show. Hopefully, next week will be better. It'll also be the beginning of the summer time schedule, so in at 10am and out at 6pm (I think). I'm excited to SWITCH IT UP. And my vacation time is sooon. Some days off will be LOVELY.
2. NTS: Post part 1 of Jeong-Hun's BRILLIANT rewrite of "The Lady or the Tiger"
3. I now have a 9-year-old student who lived in America for the past 2 or 3 years and speaks more English than Korean. He has GIANT eyes and he looks JUST LIKE NOAH (but Korean). He talks like him and he wants to tell stories about how playing with boys is better than playing with girls and ALL I WANTED TO DO WAS HUG HIM IN CLASS.
At the moment, he's in class with a girl who's JUST learning how to read. Yesterday's lesson was "It looks like a (shape)." It looks like a circle! It looks like a triangle!
Dong-woo (the little boy): Actually, this one looks like a sphere.
Jenny: ????
Me: Uh oh.
Oh, Korea.
I want to play with this kid SO MUCH. I tried to get a 1:1 class with him (which would mean more work and less planning time), but I was voted down (come on! I'm asking to do more work!). Instead, I'll be teaching two different lessons simultaneously to both students. Oy.
Some life news:
1. Gonna learn myself how to get dual-citizenship again so that living/working/schooling in Europe is easier. That's next after Korea, methinks. Also, I just realized last night that I'm over halfway finished with my ESL-in-Korea career. THANK G-D. It's silly and I learn a lot, but I'm ready for something new.
2. I think that's pretty much it for right now, but I may have written this post (almost) entirely as an excuse to post this video:
This is gonna be stuck in my head all day. It'll probably meld with "Friday" and "Sleazy" to form some horrendous abomination that makes my brain explode OR that gives me super powers, possibly something akin to Alex Mack (oooooh, girl! That takes me BACK).
BWAHAHAHA.
3. Also, one of my paintings is going really well and is about 80% finished. Pictures soon.
the end!
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
a moment of calm before the storm of teaching 7 classes
Lots to post about life and school, but gotta hustle my shit at work for serious. Finally switched over to writing/speaking classes and there's some running to be done.
(note: some lyrics may offend your sensibilities if you're of the persuasion to have offendable suches)
Here's a jam for funzies:
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Monday, July 11, 2011
Just had another wonderful weekend. Bought some girl clothes and some boy clothes, played The Game of Life with Lizzie, Lacey, and Jen, and splashed around in the stream near Beomosa (temple) with Lizzie. I like that.
I was VERY unhappy about my job last week. Now I'm ok with it. And to boot, because of aforementioned loveliness, I'm pretty calm about it.
When I got back to my place this morning, I was bopping around, unpacking from the weekend and getting ready to work on one of my paintings. Suddenly, I noticed that some of the cardboard next to my drawing table was damp and had some mold growing on it. I started moving things and found water had been leaking out of my air conditioner, behind the first layer of wallpaper, and onto the floor. I hadn't noticed the giant patch of green mold because of the protective wallpaper I had sticky tacked to the wall so I could hang up references and scribble everywhere without worrying about hurting the original wallpaper. I hadn't noticed the water on the floor because of the protective mat I had laid down so I woouldn't have to worry about dripping paint..
While the mold is gross and wallpapering in an air conditioning unit is stupid, I was pretty calm about that and just set about moving everything, cleaning, and taking all of the stuff off my walls. I'm used to drawings and paintings and writing everywhere but it would certainly startle the Koreans who would come in to fix things up, infinitely complicating the situation. And I dismantled my cardboard and duct tape shelves for the same reason. Once I normal some more things up tonight, then I'll tell my school about it tomorrow. And not use my air conditioner, which should be easy enough as I've never had one before anyway.
And now I'm back at work. The grand, sweeping curriculum changes have been delayed another week. Hanna quit last Tuesday and they seem to have replaced her already PLUS it looks like fluent-in-English-secretary is going to teach too, so we're FINALLY back up to 5 teachers (which hasn't happened since....mid/late January?). Just three classes today. I can deal. And they gots to pay me. And something fun might even sneak in the work day. If it's going to sneak in anyone's job, it's more likely mine that most, which is good to remember.
Life is good. I like that.
I was VERY unhappy about my job last week. Now I'm ok with it. And to boot, because of aforementioned loveliness, I'm pretty calm about it.
When I got back to my place this morning, I was bopping around, unpacking from the weekend and getting ready to work on one of my paintings. Suddenly, I noticed that some of the cardboard next to my drawing table was damp and had some mold growing on it. I started moving things and found water had been leaking out of my air conditioner, behind the first layer of wallpaper, and onto the floor. I hadn't noticed the giant patch of green mold because of the protective wallpaper I had sticky tacked to the wall so I could hang up references and scribble everywhere without worrying about hurting the original wallpaper. I hadn't noticed the water on the floor because of the protective mat I had laid down so I woouldn't have to worry about dripping paint..
While the mold is gross and wallpapering in an air conditioning unit is stupid, I was pretty calm about that and just set about moving everything, cleaning, and taking all of the stuff off my walls. I'm used to drawings and paintings and writing everywhere but it would certainly startle the Koreans who would come in to fix things up, infinitely complicating the situation. And I dismantled my cardboard and duct tape shelves for the same reason. Once I normal some more things up tonight, then I'll tell my school about it tomorrow. And not use my air conditioner, which should be easy enough as I've never had one before anyway.
And now I'm back at work. The grand, sweeping curriculum changes have been delayed another week. Hanna quit last Tuesday and they seem to have replaced her already PLUS it looks like fluent-in-English-secretary is going to teach too, so we're FINALLY back up to 5 teachers (which hasn't happened since....mid/late January?). Just three classes today. I can deal. And they gots to pay me. And something fun might even sneak in the work day. If it's going to sneak in anyone's job, it's more likely mine that most, which is good to remember.
Life is good. I like that.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
What the what?!
I've got a vacation that exists at all!!!!
I have a 5-DAY WEEKEND at the end of the month! THANK G-D!
It doesn't line up with Lizzie's vacation, which would have been nice, but on the other hand IT ACTUALLY EXISTS. And maybe we go visit Gwangju/Naju together!
I have a 5-DAY WEEKEND at the end of the month! THANK G-D!
It doesn't line up with Lizzie's vacation, which would have been nice, but on the other hand IT ACTUALLY EXISTS. And maybe we go visit Gwangju/Naju together!
Us guys on a boat in Ulsan. Photoshopped by Lizzie.
Jeolla Province ain't EVEN ready.
Jeolla Province ain't EVEN ready.
Monday, July 4, 2011
(mostly) Work (a touch) Blahrg(y)
Note: Doing a Google image search for "baby koala" when you're feeling cranky is a really, really good idea.
Back at work again, after a particularly wonderful weekend.
I've got a new desk at work...apart from the rest of the English department and across the room. I'm sat between two Korean teachers who don't speak English (which is fine....the English teachers can and that's what counts). The woman to my left teaches math and the woman to my right teaches...language arts? social studies? Translating her book titles with my phone dictionary was not particularly enlightening. Now, the women do talk about around me a bit, but it would have been funnier if they both taught the same subject. A real opportunity for comedy was lost here.
It's been made quite clear that any relationship whatsoever with my co-workers in the English department is not only not necessary, but it just ain't happenin'. It'd be nice to have more people to talk to in the place where I spend 1/5 of my life every week, but I've got Ran in reception and no relationships in the teachers' room is better than having negative ones. I wish there were other expats here sometimes, but at least I'm used to it.
And I'm quite glad that they've FINALLY hired back a 5th English teacher (she's getting my old desk).
I know that I'm hitting my 6-month-slump at work. I'm pretty lucky to be in a field where I can move on after a year if I don't want to re-sign. Korea is good for my lack of attention span at the moment. Maybe I'll grow out of that.
The week is starting off fairly light, which I'm grateful for. However, I've got a good old fashioned Thursday with 8 classes in a row, something I victoriously proclaimed would never happen again after June 2nd. A lesson to be learned here is Don't Ever Say "Never Again. " I finally learned to not say that about working at McDonald's after being wrong about that TWICE.
Don't jinx your shit.
Next week starts the new schedule where I'm teaching writing and/or speaking rather than listening. I don't know what this new schedule will look like and it'll have loads more prep (at least at the outset). I better not get too cocky, thinking there won't be days with 8 classes.
I could have a maximum of 30 classes per week.
I could have 3 days each week with 8 classes.
WHAT'S MORE, my contract could technically say in Korean that I could have a maximum of 30 teaching HOURS per week, which comes out to 10 or 11 additional classes.
I could have 8 classes EVERY DAY.
They gots to pay me.
OH! I rode my bike from Lizzie's to mine SUCCESSFULLY today! I hugged the coast and it was just brilliant. Not everyone gets to ride their bike by the sea! Who knew that I'd get to? I was so proud of myself and the exercise felt really good. It only took about an hour to boot.
And a love box from my family arrived last week! SO GOOD.They sent me a watch and a video of Tyler in the school's musical, stuff to make s'mores, Taboo (the card game), a baseball card of Noah, Frank's Red Hot, and the checks that I had ordered. YEAH! I roasted marshmallows over my stove with a chopstick (mom's idea) to make (supervised) s'mores on Skype.
I really do love almost all of my life. And that's pretty good. I'll take it!
-10 minutes later-
Holy shit! No classes today! The kids are testing!
Ok, time for a triangle of rice, tuna salad, and seaweed paper (samgap chamchi kimbap) and then doing some planning! THAT'LL ENERGIZE YA! ('til some surprise attack of made up "free talking" classes happens, ㅋㅋㅋ)
WHAT IS THIS POST?
PREOW!
Back at work again, after a particularly wonderful weekend.
I've got a new desk at work...apart from the rest of the English department and across the room. I'm sat between two Korean teachers who don't speak English (which is fine....the English teachers can and that's what counts). The woman to my left teaches math and the woman to my right teaches...language arts? social studies? Translating her book titles with my phone dictionary was not particularly enlightening. Now, the women do talk about around me a bit, but it would have been funnier if they both taught the same subject. A real opportunity for comedy was lost here.
It's been made quite clear that any relationship whatsoever with my co-workers in the English department is not only not necessary, but it just ain't happenin'. It'd be nice to have more people to talk to in the place where I spend 1/5 of my life every week, but I've got Ran in reception and no relationships in the teachers' room is better than having negative ones. I wish there were other expats here sometimes, but at least I'm used to it.
And I'm quite glad that they've FINALLY hired back a 5th English teacher (she's getting my old desk).
I know that I'm hitting my 6-month-slump at work. I'm pretty lucky to be in a field where I can move on after a year if I don't want to re-sign. Korea is good for my lack of attention span at the moment. Maybe I'll grow out of that.
The week is starting off fairly light, which I'm grateful for. However, I've got a good old fashioned Thursday with 8 classes in a row, something I victoriously proclaimed would never happen again after June 2nd. A lesson to be learned here is Don't Ever Say "Never Again. " I finally learned to not say that about working at McDonald's after being wrong about that TWICE.
Don't jinx your shit.
Next week starts the new schedule where I'm teaching writing and/or speaking rather than listening. I don't know what this new schedule will look like and it'll have loads more prep (at least at the outset). I better not get too cocky, thinking there won't be days with 8 classes.
I could have a maximum of 30 classes per week.
I could have 3 days each week with 8 classes.
WHAT'S MORE, my contract could technically say in Korean that I could have a maximum of 30 teaching HOURS per week, which comes out to 10 or 11 additional classes.
I could have 8 classes EVERY DAY.
They gots to pay me.
OH! I rode my bike from Lizzie's to mine SUCCESSFULLY today! I hugged the coast and it was just brilliant. Not everyone gets to ride their bike by the sea! Who knew that I'd get to? I was so proud of myself and the exercise felt really good. It only took about an hour to boot.
And a love box from my family arrived last week! SO GOOD.They sent me a watch and a video of Tyler in the school's musical, stuff to make s'mores, Taboo (the card game), a baseball card of Noah, Frank's Red Hot, and the checks that I had ordered. YEAH! I roasted marshmallows over my stove with a chopstick (mom's idea) to make (supervised) s'mores on Skype.
I really do love almost all of my life. And that's pretty good. I'll take it!
-10 minutes later-
Holy shit! No classes today! The kids are testing!
Ok, time for a triangle of rice, tuna salad, and seaweed paper (samgap chamchi kimbap) and then doing some planning! THAT'LL ENERGIZE YA! ('til some surprise attack of made up "free talking" classes happens, ㅋㅋㅋ)
WHAT IS THIS POST?
PREOW!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)