Mcdonalds has become my lifestyle for the Month of September-October. This isnt very good. Its my new Food For Thought. I dont think I should do this but its the only place I know which gives me coffee.
The cofee is too strong though for me nowadays. What would Gommy Say?
Anyways, I saw a few foreigners. Its so strange for me to say and even admit this but I can't see Foreigners in the same light that I did before I came here. I dont interact much because my influence is limited to a small area.
Its always a shock to me to see foreigners because I dont see many people. They all know my place though~ oh, Kat's old job I get you. I dont throw any wild parties though unlike Kat.
My house is completely different. Apparently other parties can take place though even though I want to enjoy the weekend.
Well I am discovering I have a crazy habit of always wanting to write. I shouldn't write so much because I need to focus on other things and do as people have said and try to "soak up this Korean experience" I have a huge problem. I am addicted to the infamous Arch M. Every morning I fraternize myself with the people at Mcdonalds and eat a hearty meal of Egg Mcmuffin. I swore an oath I would never sell myself to a Corporate and now I have. Its becoming my new Food For Thought. Its quite a shame actually. I get free food though sometimes. Mcdonalds girl is really nice to me. Koreans either really like me, strongly dislike me or are indifferent. Unfortunately in my experience the hate is stronger. I have resolved myself not to eat at Mcdonalds in November as much anyways. I need to expand my horizons and seek out new places. My attitude has taken a new adjustment as well. I am not to fond of Gumi. It is too small and its too conservative for me. People are entitled to thier beliefs about how they feel about a foreigner. However, I am changing to accept this for what it is. I am believing that I have only looked at the negatives and I am not realizing that there is much more that I am capable of doing or can do later. I am here to teach Korea English and I am wanting to take away as much from Korea as they take from me. Teaching is a giving and taking relationship. I am not seeing that much. This weekend I am having a Halloween party at my house. Its not my idea. Its for work. The truth of the matter was that I wasn't even asked about it and its just a business scam. My boss will post pictures in the newsletter in order to promote the Academy. "If I cover the blood soaked walls, does that mean the blood is gone?" When will people think about people first and money second. I have seen so many kids come and go from this Hagwan or school that its a joke. I want to teach the kids not spoon feed them. I have to get ready for work now. Its my easy day and I am going to finish and have my special dinner of Chicken "all you can eat" and some beer for a party of 1...or I guess I will do that tomorrow...
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Pumpkin Carver
Well, its Halloween week and therefore I believe work is actually a little easier than normal. I wish every week could be like this.
Some customs and traditions here are a little stranger than what I was used to back home. For example, kids play with toy weapons and those are banned in America. Relationships are much more personal than I am used to. Unfortunately, even though I am working and around everyone the entire time at work I am still an outsider.
I envy Christina's ability and knack for the kids. They bond with her quite simply. I also wish I had her teaching skill and/or the things that she taught. I like explaining concepts and meanings but I can't get my message across.
Mr. jeong wanted me to teach the kids about Halloween. Even though I grew up on this wacky tradition I never found it really interesting. Its amazing how much Vocabulary I can expound in 45 minutes.
Jack-o-lantern
pumplin
trick or treat
Dracula
Vampire
Ghost
Things of that nature.
Anyways for the main event I was given a knife and told to carve a pumpkin. I made two of them. Dracula Smile with fangs and A Smiley pumpkin. Both of them have a special meaning in my heart but I wont say here.
So, this weekend there will be a party here in my house for 2 hours. I am not really excited about this. Welcome to the real world I guess. I am not able to enjoy the weekend or Saturday anyways because my house is invaded by everyone. What am I to do?
Well maybe I shouldnt be writing this here but I am ready to try anything. In my mind I have always been able to think of some good excuses. I dont lie but I stretch the truth a little. Every where I go I am confronted with these split second decisions~ one day it will get me killed. When you play with fire you get burned. bottom line, is that I want to escape to somewhere else.
Sunday there is supposedly a hike with the Teachers/bus driver. I only want to have some R/R time to what I want to do. This ain't going to fly with me. Not this time.
Anyways back to the pumpkin Carving. I was shocked that I could be allowed to do this. Having a knife in America is big trouble. I am becoming a softy maybe. Carrying a knife around not exactly the best idea. Crazy things have been known to happen.
The kids liked my art display and butchering the pumpkin ended up being easier than I thought. It killed 45 minutes too so I was happy I dont like it when I have to entertain the kids. I need to find a way to become more effective. I can't wait until November!
More later.
Some customs and traditions here are a little stranger than what I was used to back home. For example, kids play with toy weapons and those are banned in America. Relationships are much more personal than I am used to. Unfortunately, even though I am working and around everyone the entire time at work I am still an outsider.
I envy Christina's ability and knack for the kids. They bond with her quite simply. I also wish I had her teaching skill and/or the things that she taught. I like explaining concepts and meanings but I can't get my message across.
Mr. jeong wanted me to teach the kids about Halloween. Even though I grew up on this wacky tradition I never found it really interesting. Its amazing how much Vocabulary I can expound in 45 minutes.
Jack-o-lantern
pumplin
trick or treat
Dracula
Vampire
Ghost
Things of that nature.
Anyways for the main event I was given a knife and told to carve a pumpkin. I made two of them. Dracula Smile with fangs and A Smiley pumpkin. Both of them have a special meaning in my heart but I wont say here.
So, this weekend there will be a party here in my house for 2 hours. I am not really excited about this. Welcome to the real world I guess. I am not able to enjoy the weekend or Saturday anyways because my house is invaded by everyone. What am I to do?
Well maybe I shouldnt be writing this here but I am ready to try anything. In my mind I have always been able to think of some good excuses. I dont lie but I stretch the truth a little. Every where I go I am confronted with these split second decisions~ one day it will get me killed. When you play with fire you get burned. bottom line, is that I want to escape to somewhere else.
Sunday there is supposedly a hike with the Teachers/bus driver. I only want to have some R/R time to what I want to do. This ain't going to fly with me. Not this time.
Anyways back to the pumpkin Carving. I was shocked that I could be allowed to do this. Having a knife in America is big trouble. I am becoming a softy maybe. Carrying a knife around not exactly the best idea. Crazy things have been known to happen.
The kids liked my art display and butchering the pumpkin ended up being easier than I thought. It killed 45 minutes too so I was happy I dont like it when I have to entertain the kids. I need to find a way to become more effective. I can't wait until November!
More later.
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Weekend Happenings!
I had an experience this weekend that gave me a little inspiration for work as well as just focus in general.
Growing up I never was able to bond well with kids. Ironically I always found jobs though that made me interact with kids. Nowadays kids are my strong as well as week point. I feel like I am getting worn out by them but at the same time thier youth and innocence compels me to keep trying.
After work on Saturday I ended up helping to decorate the Academy for Halloween. I played with some kids there too. There is this young girl who was afraid of me because I am different and tall. By the end of the time at the Academy that night she wanted me to sit next to her and share dinner with me.
I have many girlfriends at the Academy. haha
I want the kids to truly open themselves up to me and learn from me.
When I went shopping this weekend I ended up talking to random kids because I am the only foreigner amongst a crowded Korean version of Walmart. "LOTTE MART" Taxi drivers still can't hear my Korean correctly even though Lotte Mart is written in English. I have been here for 4 months and a week and I am still hesitant about taking a taxi simply because the drivers are so strange to me. Sometimes, I have a good driver.
Sunday, it was so cold I bought myself a nice fleece in order to stay warm. My weekend is going to end in a few hours and before it does I just want to relax and enjoy the last few moments of freedom.
Its a new week, new hope new goals. Anything is possible and I am going to make the best of it.
I want to continue trying and learning anything that is possible.
More later
Growing up I never was able to bond well with kids. Ironically I always found jobs though that made me interact with kids. Nowadays kids are my strong as well as week point. I feel like I am getting worn out by them but at the same time thier youth and innocence compels me to keep trying.
After work on Saturday I ended up helping to decorate the Academy for Halloween. I played with some kids there too. There is this young girl who was afraid of me because I am different and tall. By the end of the time at the Academy that night she wanted me to sit next to her and share dinner with me.
I have many girlfriends at the Academy. haha
I want the kids to truly open themselves up to me and learn from me.
When I went shopping this weekend I ended up talking to random kids because I am the only foreigner amongst a crowded Korean version of Walmart. "LOTTE MART" Taxi drivers still can't hear my Korean correctly even though Lotte Mart is written in English. I have been here for 4 months and a week and I am still hesitant about taking a taxi simply because the drivers are so strange to me. Sometimes, I have a good driver.
Sunday, it was so cold I bought myself a nice fleece in order to stay warm. My weekend is going to end in a few hours and before it does I just want to relax and enjoy the last few moments of freedom.
Its a new week, new hope new goals. Anything is possible and I am going to make the best of it.
I want to continue trying and learning anything that is possible.
More later
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