A Korean Birthday amidst Confusion

Well, yesterday I turned 23. It was my first birthday away from home and in a foreign country.


Since graduating from high school my birthday has just been another day and has also made me realize how old I am getting to be.

I wanted my birthday to be a small event since I am modest. I also prefer to celebrate like its a birthday everyday.

I believe spending time with family/friends is all that' s important.

Unfortunately, my birthday was a little problem. I wasn't wanting anything at work because I am rather shy and dont like attention. Unfortunately I made a mistake though.

After work, I went to dinner with Christina and Miss Jeong. My boss didnt know it was my birthday until after work and he couldnt go out because he had made plans to go to Daegu. I should have told him but because I am modest I preferred not to say anything.

I wish I knew more about Korean culture because at times I appear to no understand much of anything. Most of the time I feel right at home though and dont even realize I am in a different culture.

At work many of the kids made me feel special either saying happy birthday or giving me something nice.
Life continues to roll here and I am determined to make things better.

I talked to a few good friends in the morning before work and ended up going to bed early.



This week seemed to have dragged on forever. On Wednesday i had a teacher's meeting that left me feeling like a wreck. I am sad because I want to become a better teacher here but unsure as to how I can do this.

End all be all...I have a lot of unanswered tangibles lingering the background and I am waitin to see how it all adds up.


I am now 23 I feel so much older though and its just another day's passing. Nothing much more interesting than that. I am recovering from another minor cold germ and its raining heavily outside. I will be working again in 23 hours.

I will be writing more later.

Fried Chicken and Kids

Life here is taking many interesting turns.

To begin with, at work my boss hired a new teacher. Her arrival doesnt make my teaching any easier. In fact or on the contrary, it makes it a lot worse. I know have 31 classes and other than Thursday my days are long and arduous.
My favorite class TD1 was dropped on Thursday in order to accomodate the new teacher. My boss really didnt think this through when he hired a new teacher. She isn't necesary. I dont enjoy most of my classes because the kids dont learn from me as much as I would like.
TD1 is special for so many reasons. My star pupils (Rose and Jully) bring a twinkle to my eye everytime I see them. (I wish they would visit me because they are really special kids to me). I almost cried when I heard that i wouldnt get to teach them on Thursday. They get my jokes and enjoy my stories.

After Thursday at work I went to the Chicken Restaurant and ordered a tub of chicken. I ate 30 pieces and had a beer. It helped a little. It reminded me of the times my friends and I would put away 100 pieces of chicken at WOW Restuarant in paradise otherwise known as Missoula.

My personal life is getting much better. I am finding many things to enjoy in Korea nowadays.

My neighbor and adopted grandmother died a few days ago, I wish that i could have said goodbye properly.
You never know what will happen with the time that you have so its important to find a way to make the best of it and to work hard.


Its time I start thinking about a future with some real sense of direction.


Today at work was a long day. I had 4 classes on Saturday and was all by myself.

I felt really bad about losing my kids so i gave them some chocolate. I feel a little better.


Next week is going to bring some interesting changes yet again. Its going to be interesting to see what will happen next.

Now, its time to relax and enjoy the weekend.

Dropping Like Flies

Its amazing at what my job is becoming.


This is how I am looking at my Teaching profession these days. With how globalization is working and how the desire to make money is imbreded into our way of thinking it comes as no surprise that kids are now the latest money scheme.


I teach at a private institution where the rules are lax. Yesterday, our boss added another class for just 3 students. This means that I now have 18 classes to teach within the week. My total amount of classes are over 30.

It is necessary that I see each class at least 2 times in the week. The philosophy of herding 150 students and spoon feeding them some english lesson doesn't make sense to me. I would rather have 30 students and focus all of my attention on catering to them. Its all about the Benjamins, or money.

Yesterday, my worst class TC2 told me that they Hate me, they dont care if they disrespect me when I am in front of them teaching. One of the girls said I dont like this academy and I am going to quit.

Personally I dont care anymore. What does this mean to me if a spoiled insullent rich kid quits this academy because she has a problem with me, or the academy in general.

I have done everything I can. I tried many persona's in the classroom to no avail. I tried talking to my boss. I tried to tell them to write me a note or write one to Chrisitina about me so I could understand them better. I have been angry at them, sad because of them, tried to be super nice, tried to not care, and now its just a blessing when I am finished with them.
Its amazing how kids or people can make you love or hate your job.

I keep thinking that when they are older they will truly regret how they treated me. Its the dumbest things too. For example, Would you please read this passage? NO, I dont want to.

Then in all honesty why are you here?

of course i dont ask that.


I dont mind hard work and I dont mind long hours but i have a distinction between WORK and Free Time. I will not think more for kids who dont care about me.

My Soul Yearns For Seoul

Well September continues to be Wonderful. I went to Seoul finally.

I saw two of my best friends: Hyung Jin and Min young. I stayed at their house and had a great breakfast that Hyung Jin's parents made. They made me feel so special and I can't wait until I can see them again.

I was a little naseated from the bus rides but other than that everything was ok.

The next day I went to Church tried something new with them. It was a service in English. I have only been to church a few times in my life and all 3 times its been Korean church and with them.

My friends were in Sewon.

They were impressed with how many Korean phrases I knew and in their opinion I was doing much better than Missoula so I am glad.

Seoul is so modern. Its also much cleaner and more friendly. I think that its more acccepting too.

Seoul made me feel good and had such a good vibe. I prefer Seoul much more than Gumi.

I will write another story just about Gumi sometime but for now I will just focus on the adventure.

I met another friend of mine too. All of us had a one thing in common. We had all been to Missoula. My other friend is a Korean English Teacher.

We had a good time walking around the busy streets of Seoul. I saw many interesting things but the time went by way to fast.

I took the Train to Seoul and back to Gumi. It takes 3 hours each way. Now I have been everywhere in Korea at least North to South in Korea. I still have a lot of exploration left to do but for now I am happy to have just gone to Seoul.

I can't wait until I return there and hope its soon. I could honestly see myself working more there.

I learned a lot from my friends and am looking forward to trying out some new way of thinking back here in Gumi.

Well more on this later this is part 1.

When September Comes

September is here finally!
I have been looking forward to September for a long time. September is supposed to be the perfect month,
Nice weather, A long holiday, a new start. I can maybe become a better teacher but here at Yale its going to be interesting to see how I can become a more efficient teacher.

I am trying to become a more driven person and am relying on my life training from Cross Country and Manito-wish.


Work is changing again. My boss hired a new teacher. She has been here for two days and its already kicking up a stir. Insinuating problems, creating a fuss, not good. What ever hogwash you want to get out of this mumble jumble you can.

Sometimes I am starting to think I like to play with language. more on that later.


She was only here for less than a day and she already complained about my friend Pearl's work, and Christina doesn't like her because she is already judgemental about the kids. She is nice to me but I dont think I will like her much just because she has already created stress for Christina and Pearl.


Last night I realized just how ridiculous work is most of the time. I have 31 classes in a week. I have 4 classes that are my own. I am supposed to give them a report card, a test, a syllabus and cover 1 or 2 chapters each month. But I am having problems communicating to the kids and following the lesson plans just for my classes let alone the 25 other classes I Suppliment during the week. I am supposed to draw up my own lesson plans but in all honesty I havent so far. They dont understand the lessons that they are presented. Sometimes they do but most of the time in my experience I dont feel that they truly understand.

WE just do what we can.



September is going to be challenging though especially since I need to find new books, new lessons, and try to find new materials. I am also getting new kids by the day. I dont even know when I am getting new kids I just see new kids show up in my class.

For example, I had to give this girl a report card and she has only been here for 2 days. And of course I gave her all As.

Sometimes I dont think that the kids learn anything and the A simply means "STAY here and dont leave my academy because I need your money"

I got in trouble once because I told my least favorite class I dont care about the test your grade isn't important I just want you to understand what you did wrong. They got very upset at me and when I told my boss he understood the kids point of view. The philosophy of the academy isn't concerned with the learning of the kids but more with keeping the kids happy.


Anyways, I am headed to work filled with promise about the future with Work, Personal, etc.

Its time to develop stronger goals!

The Sincerity of Life

I had an interesting night last night with my boss.

Amist all of the problems that I have been having lately with my boss, and work etc. I had a good night with him.

I went to bed feeling a better understanding of him.

I still have no idea what my future may dictate but at least I know I can be comfortable talking to my boss again.

I have always believed that I need to do the best in everything that I feel is important. Its not worth doing if you aren't going to do it well.

I am trying to prepare myself for September in order to do the best I can and succeed. I am reaffirming myself that I can find self improvement in everything.


You must be Sincere in what you put your mind to or else it isnt worth doing.


I am looking at things with a practical mindset, and reality.

If we aren't bettering ourselves, or the world in which we live in then whats the point.

One of my favorite Quotes:

To put the world right in order, we must first put the nation in order; to put the nation in order, we must first put the family in order; to put the family in order, we must first cultivate our personal life; we must first set our hearts right.Wheresoever you go, go with all your heart. -Confucious


I conclude this story by saying simply: What is truly right and what is truly the most important thing one must do.

The answer is unknown. But in order to be successful and to come out ahead ONE must take a chance and not question the unknown. Every problem must be met or faced with true conviction that one may make it better.

Truly believe that this can happen or else we are all doomed to forever repeat our errors and be lost for all of eternity.

WHERE THERE IS A WILL THERE IS A WAY

Developments in Korea

To any one who reads my blog.
Its been awhile so let me update you on my situation.


To begin with, I studied Cultural Geography in College and one of the Lessons Talked about a thing called the W Curve.
The W Curve is something how people handle Cultural Shock.
I still haven’t any idea what Cultural Shock is because I just don’t feel Shock. This is supposedly the Model: THE W Curve

Honeymoon In Sync Back to Normal

W


In Shock Reverse Cultural Shock Return Trip

Let’s discuss my Job. I work 6 days a week. I teach 30 classes each week and have at least 8 hours of prep work. In other words, my free time is from 8:30 pm until 1 pm the following day. I can stay up late and sleep in if I wanted too.
My lesson plans are scant and the kids don’t truly understand what I am saying. It’s a honorary babysitting service. The kids in my opinion don’t learn they memorize what I want to hear and only answer if they feel like they have something to gain from this.
My boss says I need to give more homework but I give to much and I go to fast. Some of the kids lie to me and always seem to pretend what I am talking about even when they don’t. I don’t know how I can go slower. I ended up teaching one chapter 6 times in one month. (chapters are only a page). The kids don’t listen to me well enough to understand what I want. They know when I am angry and this doesn’t seem to help).
I am stuck in a job that isn’t rewarding as far as teaching is concerned. I have 2 classes where I feel happy about what we accomplish and the rest of them are a complete waste of time. Currently, I have a girl who doesn’t talk to me anymore and won’t let me check her homework. There is absolutely no point. My boss is too busy with 3 jobs so trying to talk to him is a waste of time. When I do talk to him I am criticized. The kids tell my boss that they don’t understand my teaching style. I am adaptable but some kids have driven me up the wall. I speak in the simplest terms possible and ask them if they understand and they don’t. They are the third highest class (TC1) in the academy but some of my younger classes understand better than they do. There are 6 girls and a boy in the class. The girls gossip and complain and the boy is too quiet. It’s a headache for me to get through this class, and when I happen to look at the window and my boss is staring in the window he makes it worse. He is a controlling uncle who can’t put himself into anyone else’s shoes in order to understand a situation. Kids mean money that’s all.

The best part of the work day is from 1 until 2:30 and 8:30 until I leave. During this time I have lunch and “prepare for my lecture” there isn’t much to prepare and so I spend most of my time just relaxing and waiting for the inevitable the coming of the kids. I have only yelled at the kids one time in the office.
Some kids were discussing my private life and also asking for candy and then yelling at Christina when they couldn’t understand what I was saying. I exploded and told them all to get out of the office.

What did I come to Korea for?
When I left America I thought I could clear my mind. I thought that I could be putting things into perspective and find some new things to build on. Maybe I could fix strange relationships.
I could fulfill promises of visiting my old friends.

Since Coming to Korea my views have changed quite a lot again.
I have become more open minded and continue to believe that anything is possible. I also know feel like I want to find a way to create a positive change. The only way I can do this is by being a teacher. More on that later.


My Daily Life… Habits
On a regular basis I now go to McDonalds mainly for breakfast. I go every Tuesday in order to meet some friends who speak Japanese. World Languages are important to me because it’s a gap that divides people. I don’t like that division. I want to work on a way to end this. Language is a reason why people have hatred.

Paris Baquette is another place I go to frequently. This is the local bakery and two minute walk from my house.
For dinner, Gim BoB is a great place. The food is cheap and there is always a lot of food. I often go there for a lunch with Christina before work. The other favorite place is the Lunchbox, which is also very cheap.

The Seraf around the corner is the local version of Albertsons and my new grocery store. Sometimes I miss the type of food I ate in America like tacos, and a good steak dinner but most of the time I don’t even realize what I am missing.

I go to Seraf usually once or twice a week. E-mart is the equivalent of Walmart.
I just got back from there today. I bought some coffee and milk and hopefully I won’t be going back for a few days. I am spending so much money these days.

So this is some but definitely not all of whats going on in Korea.