Saturday, March 22, 2008

Two for One

Well I missed a day ...

Its been a busy month, busy week and mostly a busy weekend. My friend James came from Japan to visit me. He is an English Teacher in Ibon and his friend Rachelle came along as well. I didn't get the time off of work, I did not ask for it but I was disappointed that my boss didn't give me anything.
Friday...

Christina cooked a wonderful meal for them. I am so happy. She is a great cook and we had a good time before going to work.
They went downtown Gumi while I went to work. I had my 6 classes and met up with them later after work.

Work: I didnt feel particularly happy about any of my classes. I went through the usual abuse: Your stupid, your ugly, your bad teacher, your whatever. After classes though Christina, I and my friends went and had dinner.

It was a good day!

I went to bed late that night unfortunately and I am catching a cold and so I haven't been able to write as much as I would like.

_______________

Saturday
I worked in the morning from 9 until 1. I had 4 tests and didnt have to teach or do much of anything. I am lucky for that because I was definitely getting worse.

I don't know why but yesterday was so hard for me to communicate. I left work and went to Daegu with James and company. I literally felt sick and tired...sometimes I have a habit of putting my foot in my mouth and it really didn't need to go so far.


Daegu we went to TGIF. It was ok. I probably could have enjoyed under better circumstances but I am just too tired. I went home and immediately fell asleep at 9.

I checked out the March Madness and I think I am going to take it all. I wish I had money riding on this because everything is looking good from what I picked.

I am keeping busy though. Today its Sunday and my friends (who are still sleeping) will be leaving my home at 11.

I need some personal time right now to try to just get myself back on my feet. I hope that this next week can be smooth sailing.

I have a lot of things to do in this upcoming week.

Its the last week of March. Its scary how fast time is flying by. I got many things to do...

Thursday, March 20, 2008

Same Day Service

Just another typical day at Yale Academy. The only difference was that my friend would later be coming that night.

Same Day Service is a slogan from my old job when I was 15-16 years old. I used to work as a Dishwasher and the Restuarant Tiebuckers would make the same food at the same quality every day. Same Day Service.

I taught 4 classes today. I didnt feel particular please with any of them but thats how it goes in the Academy.

I had a nice lunch at the Chinese podunk across the street from work. Its good food and the people are nice. Sometimes I wish I had more time to explore the entire city and find myself the true Food for Thought.

Anyways...
Work not too exciting. My boss was gone though. Its always a bonus. I dont like it when he is there nowadays he makes me feel worthless and if I didnt have a dream of possibility I would leave.


I left work early actually in order to go meet my friends. We went to a Galbei restaurant and enjoyed the food for an hour before touring Hyung-gok dong and retiring around 1.

I am a little sick and tired today but its all worth it. I have busy few days ahead of me and next week should be the same BUSY BUSY BUSY


Until later may the fire that sparks your dream continue to flare.

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Gettting Around the Block

Well its time for a different type of story. I am sure everyone is tired of the Mundane type of life in the world of Nick Palmer... well here is for a little more worldly news for you...
Its the adventures in Hyung-gok dong.

"Getting around the block" to put it simply getting to know or become familiar with the situation/people etc.
So just like almost everyday I wandered to Mcdonalds for yet again an unhealthy meal. I promise that I will get off of this plan someday. I dont like eating unhealthy so when I am not living here anymore I will cook. My dream is to have more fruit and vegetable than I can imagine. I would like to come home aat 5:30 and cook a nice dinner with so many types of food. I will be a good chef and not burn the rice^^

Mcdonalds~ I am well known there. Its not as fun though anymore though because I am the only one who is there. Each week is different I hope to meet more foreigners there just to shoot the breeze.
I walk past this Kim bob place thinking I should either go there instead or just say hello. I dont think I am going to teach privates at all since nothing has really come up.

This neighborhood is pretty simple.

I went to Any24 to buy "Treats" and small things like snacks and the lady is always waiting for me behind the counter. I dont think she goes anywhere the entire shift she is there. I ran out from work around 2:45 to get us a snack. I dont like leaving work but I see no harm in it since Christina and I are the only consistent things there.

Kim bob: Same old place. Its ran by a handful of women who are so down to business and recognize us all the time "sung za nim" the teachers.
Lunchbox: they know everytime I go there I will get fried chicken.
These are the main places around the block from which I live.

Of course at the epicenter is YALE
TOday there was no Mr. Jeong. Its nice because there was no additional stress. When he isn't here I feel like anything is possible. I am not really happy with him right now since he embarassed me on Saturday and insulted me on Monday. I am sure its bound to happen again soon.
The new teacher taught all of his classes today and I am not sure why he is being a dick about everything. I wish that he could make it easier for everyone. I am a foreign teacher who has a hard time with the kids, I guess its making me stronger somehow even though I feel worn out mostly.


6 classes back to back
MB1: I think Rick got sad or mad and maybe caused by me. I was making fun of him and he was laughing but he got sick or something towards the end of class. I love this kid he is so funny and nice. I hope my kid is like him or Molly. Rick is pretty smart too but he jokes around a little too much.

MB2: Sometimes they can show promise unfortunately I feel sorry for some of them because there is no way they can go to MB1 they are stuck in this class for at least 3 months in my opinion. I dont see any way to Level up.

MC1: ET is going well (ET) ENGLISH TIME book. Today Marc and Peter weren't here among many others so it made teaching easier. I didnt feel like punishing them again for their disrespect last monday.

MC2: It went well. I made the kids laugh for the most part and Hyena who usually looks at me with boredom had written NICK!!!! on her textbook.. Definitely bored but at least happy with me!

MD1: I finished Open House I didnt want to begin MI-2 so I just reviewed and personally it wasn't worth the class period. Some students are gone and I am not sure what to think. I wouldn't be surprised if many were gone by April.

MD2: New textbook going well. I dont like this class right now but Diane was very good today. I hope Molly can catch up to her. I feel bad for that class. Molly's class.


Well thats the Palmer Class Report

I have made it through 3 hard days of work and I only have another 3 to go. I am going to be really busy for this week I already know this.

I want to find a way to get deeper in Yale though. I feel like I could do more. My boss said to me that I couldn't handle more responsibility because of not writing the textbook and page number in the Daily Report: There is no page numbers in my copy and I just follow Korean Teacher. I spent my time making extra for the class, he is just being an ignoramous guy. I can't believe him but I will try more to get even more work done.

Today I didnt get much done. I finished all 4 of me tests and taught 6 classes its just time to wait and see what tomorrow will bring....



I also finished watching a North Korean special about life in North Korea...It makes me really want to continue study Cultura issues.


I am a little OTL because my mission in Korea is to try to figure out how people think over here and I want to find a way to change any mis perceptions people may have about America. Sometimes I hate the word "American" because many people think so negatively about that and I dont sleep well at night knowing that I am hated in a country where all I am trying to do is teach.



I want to find answers to this sometime.

More on this. I am probably reading or talking to myself in my sleep as you are reading this.

In other News I am still looking desperately for a job, with little sucess. MY resume hasn't seemed to give me any result.

I am playing the Ocarina but its a slow process I hope to improve soon.

....I go to bed only thinking of how much I love being with Christina and how much I want to make her world. I am so happy being apart of her world. Being with her makes going around the block feel warm and cozy and like I am already home. Even though time goes fast I am caught in slow motion gravitated towards her Love. Its because of her I am becoming a better teacher, and why I care more about teaching and being with the kids.


Today one of the boys held my hand. They never do this and personally I liked that they are finally opening up to me more and I hope that it will get better in the months to come.

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Office ploy

I woke up today not feeling very good. Maybe it was all due to the chaotic mumble jumbo that happened yesterday that I was all caught up in the mess at work. I got better though once I was I got on my way. I went to the bus stop again... the same place that gave me a headache last night. I get carsick on the bus and it didnt help with the bad mood/feeling I was in last night.

I went to Christina's gym and just relaxed. I think I needed to just rest for a little bit definitely before work.
After work we went to a pasta place and enjoyed good food. Its really healthy and good for us. I think we need to eat there more often because its healthy. Its probably the most healthy I eat unless I eat rice later.

WORK is always interesting nowadays. I know that everyday is different and some days are better than others but I just have to believe that it will get better.
I had 3 classes today
MA1: EASY they listened to me pretty well. I think I am going to lose all the girls in that class.
TC2: Lecture went fast and well today. I wish all of my kids were like this. Rumor say there is at least one kid that will leave this Academy in that class: Sam.
That means I lost Sam, And Sungjin. Kendra wasn't here today I hope that means she will not come later too. I dont care for her. I dont care for kids who blatantly disrespect me.


I am ashamed and astounded at how the kids react to me and also to just education in general. Its a private school so they can do whatever they please.

TD2: Another quick and painless class. I wish Mr. Jeong would drop this class and combine the classes more.

I think he should level up the entire classes in April~ There could be a new time slot for a Ma1 if this isnt a problem. Why? Because I could handle more kids MD3 could be the new TC class and The TD2 could be part TD1 and part Tc2. I am not sure.

ITs always ridiculous to teach 3 kids or less though. 3 kids maybe its ok but I dont understand the class structure.

So what did I do in my 4 and before class breaks?
I finished the books for Mr. Jeong. I hope he likes them because they were a pain to make. I still dont like the quality but I am learning the things about DEADLINES. I dont like to push deadlines and I dont like to do sloppy work but I do give him what he asks for to the best of my ability. I am learning to work harder though however its still painfully slow for me to adapt even after 9 months. I am using the clock to help me get through my classes too much.


I finished a few of my tests to I think. I am trying my best to get ready for April even though I have two weeks of March left. This week I will give 4 tests on Saturday. I hope they go well because its not the best tests and I am just hoping that it will go smoothly and with hardly any problems.

I am just trying to appease to the above. Work is quite dull right now. The new teacher is really nice. (Vicki)
I think the atmosphere has changed quite a bit. Its much more work focused than normal. I dont know why but now its just time to focus on work. I hope its just this week but time is moving so fast and its hard to catch your breathe at work. This month was supposed to be good because of the changes brought on by the level ups and Carrie's departure but so far I am seeing more kinks than making things better. I am hoping that within a week or two it can go back to being on the straight and narrow.

Wow lookign at my writing all this slang is just buzzing away and flowing off of my tongue like none other...oops maybe I should stop free writing.

I am thinking that work is never worth getting stressed out about. I didnt appreciate being called stupid, and I dont like feeling my efforts are in vain but I have come to the conclusion that I am willing to work hard because its important to have security later. I am also just happy knowing that I have my darling and side by side we can face everything.

After work I finished some house projects and got ready for yet another busy day tomorrow. I am watching some interesting videos right now that my friend sent me about North Korea.

I am interested in learning more about Korean culture. I think its hard for me to do with working 6 days a week but I am hoping to divulge myself into some cultural studies.

I am going to add a new section to this blog if I can and write two or three stories soon!

Part 1
MY day/life in Korea

Part 2
Cultural Attibutes
A-Z

Monday, March 17, 2008

Twisted Fate

I feel so much shame right now.

I had a wonderful morning~ I went shopping and I had lunch with Christina downtown. I got my exercises by walking all the way to the station. A good 30 minute walk.

Work was a new story. I don't get it. I have been here for nearly 10 months and I am still treated with kid gloves.

I hate talking about work. I am 24 years old I am here to try to teach English to students who don't care at all and to just do my best. I come to work on time and always working hard from start to finish.

I am not lazy but I would rather do less work that is good than more work that's not good. My boss called me stupid without saying it. I can read between the lines. He said I need to be more organized and to just use the copy he gave me. He runs a pretty helter skelter academy so its hard to put together something for him. I have been using it as each lesson comes up. I am the first teacher to use this book and my parts are the Foreign Supplementary work. I feel like its just a cheap textbook because there isn't anything in it. Its hard to make. My boss angers me so much and made me not want to work there much longer. I have been saying this for 6 or 7 months. I wish I could find a way to enjoy work there.

There is a new teacher today. She is practicing so she is getting to sit in the classes and just observe. This was something I wasn't able to do at all when I arrived here. I was immediately thrown into the teaching.
She is really nice but my boss made me not feel like talking. I listen to everything he says and have spent much time trying to make his academy well but I never hear a kind word out of him. I don't like it..

I hope the new teacher isn't in for a bad fate.

She sat in my class today and the kids were their genuine selves. We don't care about English or Nick teacher at all so we are going to be disrespectful. They didn't listen to Classroom rules, they didn't listen to me at all, and this was the best day they had actually.
They answered 90% of my questions. They embarrassed me and they made me feel shameful about my teaching and I ended up punishing the entire class for not listening like it will do any good. I told everyone you can translate 4 times instead of just two. The new teacher "Vicki" had to explain to them.

I ended up going for a long bus ride after work. I really felt like crying and I don't know if I can take anymore personally. This job is killing me. I am feeling sick and amazingly I haven't yet been sick in Korea. My legs are numb and I am tired. I wish I knew an answer.

Am I doing something wrong? I don't even care about the work side of my life right now I am just wanting to put Pangaea together. Pangaea is the world and my world is centered around something bigger than the sun, moon and stars. I am just trying borderline desperately to put together everything.

Sunday, March 16, 2008

Laments of the Soul




I went to bed last night with a writhing headache. I dont know why it happened all I know is that either I am eating unhealthy and really need to stop. I should start going to the Kim Bob restaurant for awhile for breakfast, or its due to unnecessary stress.

At any rate I had bad dreams and woke up feeling slightly better
albeit still worried with feelings I shouldn't have.


I did some housekeeping work today. I went to the grocery store twice. Read a book for awhile. I am trying to finish all of Paulo Coehlo's books by April.

Last night I shouldnt have went to the Waegook but I think I need to go there to learn some more information about Korea sometime.

I am looking for new work and I am still uncertain about where I will go after this. I am thinking I will try to go into the Czech school for a month and see what happens.

I am worried about that though.

Today I played with Sungjin and Jack a couple ex students of mine. We went to see a movie.. We saw 10,000 BC. I liked the movie they did too I hope it was ok.

WE had Buchimgae for lunch. Kimchee pizza not really pizza but it was good. I also made sandwhiches and played ping pong for awhile.

I want to play more Ping Pong. I am getting so much things to do that I dont have time for boredom or anything else.



Today was a great way to spend Sunday and I am hoping that this week is wondeful and not stressful at work. I dont even want to care about that. I am trying not to care at all about that. I only do because I am shocked that we can feel so bad by him when we are trying to help him out.


I was able to spend sometime with my baby girl too. ^^ I bought a shirt and ran home from downtown I am hoping that this will cure my heart and make me get some excercise as well.


Its such a beautiful time of the year right now. The weather is nice for the most part. Its nice to finally see the sun again and nice warm weather.


Today I feel rejuvenated where I can face another week here. Time is going by so fast. Sometimes I want it to end faster and sometimes I want it to slow down. I just hope that when I am happy in the moment I can find a way to make that stay regardless of how fast time goes.

More later