My Odyssey

I dont know what happened today... Saturday morning the day I have been looking forward to all week. Working in the mornings is usually a lot of fun. I went to bed feeling excited and happy and then something went wrong. I dont know if its because of my bad dreams I have had running through my mind or what but at any rate I went to work feeling very shaky. I wasn't sure what to feel. I had 4 tests and i felt like I didnt live up to a good standard.

I didnt finish two of the tests and had to change my system in two of the classes. These are my classes and once again I felt like no one talked to me.
Tc2: They took the test and that was that. They didnt say a single word to me.
Tc1: one student: my best actually. He is the only one who may stay for March.
Td2: No one even awknowledged my presence. I felt miserable in that class.
Td1: Same thing way to quiet.

I wanted to tell Christina everything after work about how I couldnt speak because of how I slept last night and how I felt awful for just not being able to do my best today.

I left work feeling unmotivated and just wanting to be somewhere else.

I stayed in my house for 4 hours before I finally went downtown. I met my friend Ryan for some food at Pizza Hut and was able to relax a little.

I think I am too high strung right now. Work pressure is starting to get to me. I remember when I worked in Wisconsin I had a 2 day break from the kids because if I didnt I would have to much exposure to being around kids and i wouldn't be able to do my job as well as I could.

I dont like how I cant say anything other than hi to the kids and I feel invaded because I can't seem to find time to express myself. I feel like I am at work almost 100% of the time.

i feel frusterated about this and I hope that march will change that.


My odyssey or adventure in Korea has lead me to all sort and realms of possibilities. It is my hope to stay on the path and open up the doors that truly excite me.

I just finished a great book called: The Valkeries by Paulo Coehlo. It is a soul searching novel about a man who is looking for his guardian angel and the only guidance he has is through Love. I truly believe this and want to expand myself even more in every way possible.


I have been in Korea for a long time now. Its almost been 9 months. I have learned a lot about myself and have overcame many difficulties.

~I dont know how and I dont know what I can do but I am hoping to find more answers on my Quest. I have many aspirations that i hope to fullfill before I move on too the next job or next place that I go to.
Amist all the problems and all of the chaos I wouldn't change a thing. These are merely difficult obstructions standing in my way. I am content with what I have and I hope that in the end it will become better.


Part 1 ..

Chocolate Luxury

This is the first week where I avoided Mcdonalds and only ended up going once. I am happy about that. I do know that when i get back to America I will hardly ever-never go there. Why? Because there is Food For Thought and other great places.

I stayed in my house and had a healthy morning meal of cereal. I cleaned my house and read my book and waited for lunchtime with Christina.

She cooked the best Bulgogi Bibimbob mix I have had! It was so good delicious I love her cooking so much. It keeps me healthy and whenever she cooks I have more energy throughout the day!

Its a perfect way to spend a Friday morning!


School was interesting as always. Never a Boring Day at Yale Hawgwan.

The announcement for the MArch plan came out today! I am excited for the change. First off, maybe for the first time I will have a break with Christina at least once a week! There is no Ma2 class so that means there will be 1 less class! I have more students and at the moment Christina has a better schedule as well!

The class schedule change will help out a lot and I think I can actually improve my teaching instead of feeling like I am doing "Meatball Teaching"
Today I was able to relax a lot maybe to much. I had 5 classes which is the perfect amount!
MA1: There was no problems it went well actually.
MC3: Still playing Catch up I am not sure how the class is going.
MC1: Fixing my Textbook I am making many mistakes but its a new book and I am trying to put a lot of effort into this project.
MD1: Same thing. I have a new textbook and would like to add as much as I can to it.
MD2: I had fun actually. I think the homework was too little and way to easy but I have an explanation for this to follow.


So I have come to the conclusion that I want to put more work into my teaching before i go to the classroom. Unfortunately I havent been able to find a successful way to put that together just yet. I am going to try a new startegy in March.
I have felt like I have just been picking up the broken pieces and only finding more pieces that are broken instead of being able to fix it.
For example, I have had many kids in my T classes drop since I have arrived here last June. Each month I have been seeing the kids come and go and each month brings its unique situation. I will see some kids drop in March because they dont like the changes or they will find something to complain about.
For example, MA1 class Jake isn't doing as well as Rick even though the two of them have been here the same amount of time. Rick can have basic conversations with me. He is improving really well and I am happy that he is doing well. He will level up two times. One as class, one as a student. Jakes mom will be mad that Jake can't go with him. Jake can barely write I have to write his homework for him and explain it to him at least 5 times and he still has to have Christina or Miss jeong tell him. Why do I feel OTL?

The kids call mainly about my homework. I have learned enough Korean to understand " NICK TEACHER HOMEWORK I DONT KNOW" -NICK SUNGZANIM SUKJAE MU LIE OH
I just look at them like what the hell you couldnt ask me in class. That's right you had to talk I forgot.


Right now I am just trying to prepare for my classes as best as I can. I am hoping that this last week of February is a lot of fun. Tomorrow I work from 9 am until 1 pm. Unfortunately, It may be a long day after work~

For right now I guess I will just enjoy some chocolate for awhile!

Casting the Die

Life around Yale Academy is definitely interesting and keeps me on my toes. I dont have time for boredom and I am not someone who is going to get tired of the situations that crop up or emerge all the time.

I am enjoying my time here whether its a good day or not. Today I got up early in order to prepare for the day. I have a lot of odds and ends that I wanted to attend to.
The best part of my day is in the morning before work. Everything seems like its at peace before the mad honking begins and its officially noon and the work day is upon us.

I met my darling for a lunch at a Kim bob place a 15 minute jaunt from our workplace. It was good and nice to spend a comfortable lunch together.

Work~ I enjoy my bank coffee and relaxing before the 2:30 rush hour at work. I believe it is necesary to catch any rest you can while working at the Academy. I obviously like most of the kids but they are so hard for me to control. Think about yelling screaming kids that dont speak English WELCOME to my World

Talking to Christina, bank coffee and looking over the daily report logs! what a hagwan Ogee I am. Na noon Sungzanim nay un Waegook Hawgwan day yo.

Todays Class run down

MA2: My second best class of the day: The kids seemed to be fine with me today very little disrespect. I can tolerate most of the crapola that happens in the classes. Kids who only show me a little respect is better than the ones who dont. I ignore them so they stop sooner.
MB3: I made a blunder today my lesson plan was a failure so I had to improvise. Sometimes I think I am just teaching in order to save myself from getting in trouble by Mr. Jeong.

MB2: I yelled at them within the first 3 minutes of class. Luvada looked at me with disgust. I am tired of her attitude. I have been patient for 8 months and I cant handle it all the time anymore. MY nerves are tight and she snapped them. I threw my lesson plan on the desk and raised my voice and intensity and everyone just went dead silent. They almost stayed that way for the whole class. It actually worked and I had to hide my feeling. I was happy that they finally stopped talking. Its a joke if they actually listen to Be Quiet.

TC1 This is where things get interesting. I had 7 students at Christmas now I have 2. I may not have any on Saturday.

The kids in my classes are dropping so fast. I cant believe it. I know March is going to be different but I am justr shocked at how fast these changes are happening.


Work is kind of a strange environment. I will admit I am a little weird myself all of my friends/family can vouch for that but I dont know what to exactly make of these situations.

Carrie has decided to officially quit. Now she is playing a game of deadly crossfire with my boss. My boss has a hard time letting go. He is wanting to keep his Academy running without consequence. He is also hoping to take the cheapest and easiest way of doing it. Carrie hung up the phone on him, and is purposely leaving early in order to avoid him. She comes up to me and says he is a stalker. Now my boss is a weird guy but he isn't a stalker. He doesnt do anything. Carrie is a psycho if you ask me. Its overall just strange for me to watch this unravel. I am going to be happy that MArch will bring about so many changes.

I am worried about it though because I wish I could know more about whats happening at the Academy.

I am putting together some textbooks. I made a lot of new chapters today so I am good for a month at least I think. I am excited just to see the kids level up. Level ups are a lot of fun.

I am also enjoying the progression through the textbooks.

In our Academy the entire classes level up upon the completion of a textbook. In many ways this makes sense but at the same time I wish it were possible to hold some kids back because they dont always remember the previous lectures as well as they could.

This week has gone by in a blurr.

I remember when I was applying to this job in Korea and my Agency asked me if I wanted to go to Gumi twice. The first time I said Yes, I would prefer Seoul but whatever you have found me is good. The Academy needed me right away but even though I was ready the school hadn't released my grades yet. I am so happy that My University kept me from leaving for 1 week~ had that happened I wouldnt have been able to be where I am today.

Where I am today is the best place possible.

The Die has been thrown. Kids are leaving, Carrie is leaving, the imminent arrival of a new teach is forthcoming, and my place is by Christina^^

Another day is completed, tomorrow another torrent of husting and bustling will beseech upon me and like a yarn of thread only time will tell what it will weave.

Hot Pursuits

Time goes by so fast here that there is no way to keep up with everything as its happening.

I had a wonderful day!

I got up a little late (almost 9) and immediately began taking care of the day affairs. I am going to put a little bit more work into my house. .let me explain haha


I have begun thinking of ways to improve my living place and work place. As a kid I used to wander around the house trying to fix every little thing I could. I think it would be nice to make this house more livable. Its my hope to improve each room little by little each day.

I am keeping real busy lately and maybe it has to do with how fast the day goes. In the morning its so nice to just relax and play but once lunch hour is at its peak (12 o'clock) worktime.

Work was a good day! I had 6 classes including 5 in a row but I have quit worrying about prep work so much. I have gotten my system down and am just bouncing along with the changes that are spurred upon Christina and I.
I say Christina and I because Carrie has made it blatantly obvious she is quitting at the end of the month I am happy that she is gone. She is not wanting to work and I think her negative attitude is part of the reason why work is often gloomy. When Pearl was here I looked forward to seeing her on MWF just because she was positive and it made work okay! Christina and I will be holding down the fort primarily in March. I dont know when we will get a new teacher.


I had a personal meeting with Mr. Jeong it lasted 10 minutes. I wanted to talk about my classes. I guess many kids are leaving. I also wanted to know why I get so many ridiculous comments. MY boss was in a good mood today with me so I wish I had a favor I needed from him but I didnt have anything.


A nice way to kill prep time before classes is getting coffee at the bank. Its a little sweeter and it only cost a 100 won (10 cents) Its so nice that everything is so cheap.

I have also started budgeting for food. I can eat for less than 10 dollars a day easily! I am hoping to eat healthier and also save more money.
My Darling made a wonderful meal today~ she cooked Dabooki? It is rice cake with stringy pasta. It had a nice sauce mix (marinade)

Class Report!~
MA1: moving along with phonics review
MB1: not bad but some kids are really slow too slow for the class. I know English is their second language but its hard to motivate when they arent even caring.
MC2: My favorite class on Wednesday~ the new girl is really good I wish she was my class(T Class)
MC3: problems are continuing. The class is all girls now and they just talk. One girl has been punished by Christina so many times I am surprised she is still here. She loves to talk (HOPE)

There is no hope for her:(

MD3: I made huge mistake. I got the wrong chapter. I had to review and go slower than I wanted to. They got lucky.
MD1: I am making a Textbook for them but not many appreciate or care about the work I am doing for them. I have 2 girls who dont listen to a work I say. I am starting to get more adament about punishment. I think I mis-understood the intent of punishment. If they are punished maybe they will not do it I am not sure one can only hope


I will wait and see I am trying harder though to crack down on obnoxious immature behavior. I am trying to develop a 0 Tolerance policy in my class and hopefully that will make it better.

My negociating days are over. I am sure that March is going to leave some huge impressions on some kids.

Classes whatever. .....
I am going to try to improve my overall work some more. I would like to believe that I am improving but mistakes are still being made.

We will see what happens though it should be interesting to see how the rest of the week pans out.

Other pursuits....
Happiness is the biggest one by far! I can't tell you how happy I am because of the care and loving attention from my Sweetheart. She has a million things to do but we always have a good time! I am truly a better man because of her....
I can't wait to show everyone I knew how much I have changed. I didnt think it was possible actually and I still have a lot of expansion left to do.

These pursuits of mine will become more than Dreams I can gurantee!


~~~~~~~

Coming of the Cattle

Today is one of my best days in the week. I have ample rest time and am able to get extra work done. If everyday was like this it would be good! I think its necessary to have 2 breaks every day.

Today I went to the bookstore and bought myself a new book. At the rate I read nowadays I will undoubtably have this book finished by Sunday and will have to make another sojourn to the Bookstore
WHERE ARE YOU GOING!

I ate lunch at the Lunchbox and looked to the day of teaching with anticipation.
i had my usual Chicken and ate it in my house since I was locked out of work.

MA2: Chris is going to get me in trouble he always hits his brother and they dont listen to me at all. There is nothing I can do. HONESTLY. I say be quiet or say it in Korean and now the kids just copy me. More homework isn't going to do the trick. I have to get Mr. Jeong but he has enough on his plate and I hestitate because I am going to give him some bad news later and he has a "situation" on his hands.

Today I saw him with someone that may be a parent or may be the new candidate for a teacher. I hope the latter.

MB2: They didnt learn from my punishment so another round of punishment. I gave them 4 times the amount of homework and I will do it again on Thursday. Cattle being herded out the doors each day. i dont think they learned a thing.

TC2: nothing noteworthy.
TD2: Hwajin will not be here in March. I am anxious actually about March Teaching.
tD1: Absolutely nothing. They have no interest at all. None of my kids think I am interesting anymore.


I showed Larry my "go to London Socks" I want to move there someday.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
During my break time I could sense the coming of the cattle. There were a few kids taking a test inside Mr. Jeongs office and there were many more parents than usual coming. Next March will be busy. There will be more kids and a change of classes. I really hope my schedule becomes better. I will have to get used to a new teacher/new kids/etc.


I am looking forward to it.
Carrie was a nervous wreck today. She is scared of Mr. Jeong. I dont understand why. I dont understand the Korean obligation to work more after you have decided to quit. After an appropriate 2 weeks it should be ok to quit. Especially when you have found a new job.


There are days like yesterday when I really wouldn't care if I were to quit. Its not always the best. But I think that this is the same everywhere.

Since reading the Secret I have felt that its more important to focus on the positives. Yesterday, was a mistake in many ways. I shouldn't complain as much as I do. I have found that when I complain everything becomes twisted into something more than what it is. Today~ there were some problems of course but I am just Thankful that I have such a great situation.


Mr. Jeongs trouble has to do with Carrie's Departure. It will mean more work for him, Christina and a little more for myself. i will have to teach more classes everyday until he can find a new teacher. I feel bad for Mr. Jeong because he is missing the boat big time. March may end up hurting him instead of being promising.

I really hope he has found a new teacher soon. I heard there is a chance that Carrie will not show up tomorrow.It will remain to be seen.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~````

Things are still pretty busy. I am reading new books, researching for some jobs/personal projects and exploring Korea.

Today I went back to the Orange tent and observed the late night scene in Korea. These tents are just for a quick bite when on one's way home. I ate a lot of food for my main course. As I said keeping busy. Tomorrow I may go downtown I am not really sure yet.

Tomorrow morning as always seems to be promising!
I love the mornings before work, not because I am not at work but rather because of the mystery and calmness surrounding.

....

Regretable happenings

Today I felt slightly rejuvenated by the fact that I had a weekend. I woke up early ready to embrace the business of the day. I have many things I should do or need to do but I was on a mission today to finishing as much as possible.

My life is cut into 2 segments. My personal life and my business Work life. I was headed out the door by 9:30 today to take care of some business downtown. I sent some money home. I am happy to know that I am saving a lot of money and feel like I am still spending too much here. I talked to my brother and had some coffee at a Coffee shop. I also managed to get in some time to shop a little. My new philosophy is to soak up every available thing here in Korea before its time for me to move on.

I went by the method of Bus ~ it saves so much more money and its a good investment. I think I should buy a bus ticket holder. I know this is not the appropriate English name but you get my drift. Like I said I am seriously looking for ways to adjust/change the situations I encounter.


At home I went to the Post Office to mail a slitany of postcards. I will send out some more next week. I want to start writing more. I am going to write emails/stories/cards as often as I can. Its important to me to becoming a good writer. I got back from my jaunt/run from the Post Office at 12:20 just in time to go with Christina to Kim bob. I haven't been there in 2 months. Its right across the street 1 minute away.

WorkTime?!?
I recieved a rude awakening when I got to the office. I put in a lot of time on Saturday to fill out lesson plans and make my work week less hectic. Unfortunately, I missed a critical folder that my boss had. He unfortunately makes me feel very angry because in my opinion he misjudges my position. Truthfully, I am trying to put together a lot for him and do the best I can. I am trying to make some good projects, and at the same time deal with problems the same way he does. Write as my dad would say a "poison pen" letter. I used to write mom these all the time because of our childish arguments I had when I was a kid. I told my boss the problems with the kids and I left it on his lesson plan sheet so hopefully he can deal with it. I am running around trying to put out fires before they get out of control. I take it one month at a time and I think I may start a monthly review section to this blog. At the end of the month I will write a summary of my experience.

February the month of ....
whatever...

I lost my motivation today and this is the first thing I did that's regretable. The second was just how upset I felt. I accidently ripped the sheet and I dont yell but I talk in a raspy voice and my heart is going 365 mph (miles per hour) My head was throbbing it felt like my veins were molten lava and I was going to squirt blood out of my skull. I honestly couldnt breathe properly and felt like crying. It reminded me of E-tae's feelings last week. I regret this because I dont like making Christina worry/bothered. Its not good to lose control. Ironically I have still left it inside where I hope it doesnt show its true ugly head and run a muck of things. I dont want to be angry. My boss just has a way of making me feel like Shit. Christina made me feel better. She is sick right now. I think we both have been too busy lately and could use a rest. I hope that after this week things can look better in March.

Classes were so so today~
I somehow found some strength to teach effectively or at least adequately.
MB3: there wasn't anything special. We reviewed and finished right on time
MB1: The kids were more subdued then usual. I was fine with them today.
MC1: Refused to say a single word to me. I felt awful they are usually funny and talkative but they didnt say anything to me at all. Not hi or nothing. I couldnt change them.
MC2: My best class. We were able to joke a little and talk. They were still too quiet but at least they weren't loud. Angel is a fun girl to have in class. I hope she doesnt drop. The good ones always drop though
MD2: 4 kids. Fun time practice and review chapter.
MD3: Finish a little early I will have plenty of time on Wednesday for new lesson

After work: I had to ask Miss Jeong for my change back. I paid her 10,000 won and she owd me 1,200. Unfortunately she was careless with the money and lost it. I dont understand her organizational skills. When people pay their bills usually you get your change back on time. I waited for her the entire day and had to ask her. She is a weird woman. I avoid her simply because I dont like misunderstandings and since after 8 months I hear from Christina everything Miss Jeong wants to tell me. Its not that hard. It's like she doesnt trust me or want to even try to understand me.
She walked into the Teaching office saw that I was the only one and left. She had some Korean snack to give to Christina I felt shocked because she didnt offer me any and she also looked at me with oops, its just Nick and made her way out the door. Thanks for making me feel good. I have been here for a long time. I dont know how many times I have given her snacks that I buy. I did try but its easier to ignore and not care.

I dont know where I went wrong.

Maybe I am thinking too much but I am just trying to look at the wonderful things in my life and build on that.

After 8 months I do know what I want here in Korea and also in life in general. My problem is just as Peter, Sam and Steve would say I overthink. Its been 9 months since I last saw them I can't believe.

SO Now I will outline some of my goals for this week.
I truly do want to be an effective teacher. My job is a challenge at times but I believe I can overcome these problems and find a viable solution. I would like to say I usually dont feel bad about the problems of work. I still have yet to find a proper balance.

I told Christina you have to love what you do. I am a Teacher I am happy to have this job as a Teacher, I just wish there were more ways I could be a better teacher. When I have a bad day it feels like everything is going to stop. When I have a good day and I can walk away from the job I feel ok.

tomorrow is Tuesday~ and all I know is that I want to have a successful day. I want to have fun with the kids and do as much work as possible. There is always something that could be done but I am not sure all the time. I look for a good hope...

Walking with A VIP

What day is this? All I know is that its Sunday the best day of the week. Depending on what calendar you want to use, it is also my Sweethearts birthday!

Time flies so fast here but no as fast as it does on a Sunday afternoon. I ate so much food at VIPS and could honestly have eaten some more. VIPS is a place I think we need to go at least once a month! Anytime We feel like a VIP day.

After spending a few hours in VIPS we went shopping. I should've bought the Polham jeans but decided to wait awhile longer. Christina found some nice shirts that I am looking forward to seeing on her tomorrow!

As I said time ends all to quickly and before I knew it, it was 5:30 in Downtown Gumi yok.

I walked the way home it only took me thirty minutes to cover the entire area of Gumi. Sunday's are truly the best and it makes preparing for a busy work week a little sad. As I write this I know that this week will present many challenges of which only time will tell what will the result be .


I have decided to try to do everything I can in Korea before I leave. I want to try something new each day. This week I need to look for home improvement.

My home is very large and therefore it is unfortunately too cold and not inviting. I wish I lived somewhere else but maybe I just need to find some ways to put some life in this abode.


I am almost finished with Deception Point which will mean another run to the bookstore maybe on Tuesday or Wednesday after work.

At the end of this night I am going to sleep happy knowing that I truly have found the VIP in Gumi and as good as the restuarant is, there is no comparison. It was a wonderful day spent downtown.


more to follow...