God, when was the last time I posted?
It has been a while, but I've been working and under stress.
the bad is that I fear my head teacher is losing it. She really really wants me out. I am not going out without a fight. I have goals, and they are both short-term and long term and I'm not about to let her get in my way. The situation: As you know, I've been scolded for: not circling an attendance sheet correctly, forgetting once -a month ago (and that makes me a lair)- to put a journal prompt on the whiteboard, changing a journal prompt, making photocopies of my students test results (it is wasteful)--it is also easier to read for if and when they do the online homework and the online book quizzes, they should do both-. I should also read the book before doing the workbook, something I usually do, but .. I am a liar again because, get this, I asked my students where we were in the book before reading the next chapters-- I kid you not-- It makes for some serious stress.
Thursday, she asked me to do a debate topic worksheet, she needed feed back. Well, she didn't say when she needed feed back and I have these same students for two different sessions. On the first session I couldn't get to the debate topic worksheet because we didn't get finished with the book work in time (mind the presentation and monthly tests were coming up) so I asked her if she wanted me to do it in the next session or next week. She said - give it to Steve - he will get it done. I said "Fine" Then she gave the worksheet back to me to do for some other class. I asked, photocopies? she said it's ok, I'll just print it from the computer. Ok. I did the debate (which to my mind is about talking not writing) and did the worksheet from the board-- Well, I should have made copies, they weren't supposed to speak, and they should have written sentences. This information would have been nice at the beginning.
Friday: we have a meeting. I am a bad teacher because I am not following her instructions exactly. "I have too much experience, and my experience is not suitable for Reading Town" "My ideas are not good Reading Town ideas" -- etc.
Good news, when I went to headquarters on Saturday, they did like my ideas, and they were pretty sympathetic. I don't know what is going to happen, but the headquarters will be sending me an electronic voice recorder to record my classes. This will, I hope, protect me. I also got to work on some good supplementary materials and working at head office is good because I get to do something completely different. I wish there was a way I could teach two days a week and work in the office three days a week, or vice -versa. I don't know if that would go over in my current school, but maybe another would be up to it next year. I just have to finish this contract.
The good: (and there is a lot more of it than bad)- I met up with a friend of mine and laughed so hard I thought my lungs would burst. We met in Gumi several years ago, and kept in touch, but I haven't seen him since then. He worked for a school that wasn't a good fit, but now is in a good place. I really had a good time, but I missed toastmasters because we were talking and laughing and then, I checked the time, and toastmasters was almost over. I hope toastmasters will forgive me. We ate Vietnamese, and it was really good, thin rice noodles with chicken and vegetables fried in a spicy nutty sauce. Then later we had street vendor food. Chicken in spicy sauce on a stick, rice cakes in spicy sauce, and fried vegetables. Spicy is the popular flavor here.
Sunday night as I was walking home, I met a few Americans who had just arrived about a month ago. They seem nice and one is interested in my Taek kong mu sul class, so I might not be the only adult. It could be fun.
My taek kong mu sul class is going very well. At least for me. Monday night I was doing a circle kick thingie and I slipped and landed flat on my back. I missed the pad too. Then we were doing a low circle kick and let's just say I'm not co-ordinated. Tuesday night we learned some punching kick combinations. I accidentally kicked my teacher. He was ok, it was just practice and I didn't kick properly anyway, but ....I must admit that I was a bit more hesitant after that. He was pretty cool about the whole thing.
The in between: My weekend plans to Deagu have been canceled, so I have a three day weekend with nothing to do. This is a good thing, because I really need to get some things for the apartment, and I need to get a haircut.
And so it goes.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Sigh
Not much exciting is happening. - We took the belt test last night at Taek kong mu sul, and I did very very very badly. The teacher actually banged his head against the desk. I felt a bit sorry for him.
Next week is the monthly test for the students, so we are doing reveiw. The head teacher is in un-mellow phase right now. I'm still sensitive to it, but less so now. I don't think she realizes just how people react. Instead of wanting to do better, or even trying to find out what is wrong, I tend to listen to her less. But on the bright side tomorrow I will work in Seoul-- I really enjoy working there, and I have a list of ideas for the discussion activities. So things are going well there, I think.
The weather has turned cool finally, and I'm happy about that. I even woke up a bit early. I can't wait for the leaves to turn in my little park.
And so it goes.
Next week is the monthly test for the students, so we are doing reveiw. The head teacher is in un-mellow phase right now. I'm still sensitive to it, but less so now. I don't think she realizes just how people react. Instead of wanting to do better, or even trying to find out what is wrong, I tend to listen to her less. But on the bright side tomorrow I will work in Seoul-- I really enjoy working there, and I have a list of ideas for the discussion activities. So things are going well there, I think.
The weather has turned cool finally, and I'm happy about that. I even woke up a bit early. I can't wait for the leaves to turn in my little park.
And so it goes.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
I guess I could think of a cool title, but I won't
After a fantastic weekend I'm back to the daily grind. Monday was a Monday, but as I love my classes it wasn't too bad. I had JinJu's brother make a note for me, and my Taekong Mu sul teacher forgave me for skipping on Thursday and Friday. Monday class was good, but we were learning the little routines, and unfortunately I'm very clumsy and not very co-ordinated. I felt so sorry for my teacher because he was trying so hard to be patient. Today in class we did self defence and that was way more fun. I'm still clumsy though.
Tuesday's classes were hard today. Bouncy girl couldn't sit still and one of my students didn't do any of the homework, and since the class only has two students it really messed things up.
I do understand my teacher, sometimes it is hard to be patient.
On the bright side, I had my first real Korean lesson with my tutor. I really like her a lot. I was a bit skeptical about doing language exchange ( she teaches me Korean and I help her practice for an interview with an airline in Dubai), but she was pretty good about keeping the Korean lesson all in Korean. Well, not all but mostly.
And so it goes.
Tuesday's classes were hard today. Bouncy girl couldn't sit still and one of my students didn't do any of the homework, and since the class only has two students it really messed things up.
I do understand my teacher, sometimes it is hard to be patient.
On the bright side, I had my first real Korean lesson with my tutor. I really like her a lot. I was a bit skeptical about doing language exchange ( she teaches me Korean and I help her practice for an interview with an airline in Dubai), but she was pretty good about keeping the Korean lesson all in Korean. Well, not all but mostly.
And so it goes.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Seoul
I just got back to Incheon from Seoul. I'm tired, but happy. It was an eventful weekend- and that is good.
Saturday, I worked in RT headquarters. We are still revising the textbooks for a pilot class, that I just found out is already started. So the deadlines are tight. But after this month I will be working on creating new material- yeah! And I really like the people at the head office.
Sunday (today) I went back to Seoul and met JinJu's brother. He is really a kind man. His wife and I looked for a new hand bag, and then we all went to lunch. It was a spicy seafood dish, that had shrimp, crab, scallops, and mollusks. Very delish, but also very hot. My face turned a bit red. Then I met SaeMin and we went to the Toastmaster's meeting. It was fun, and I even volunteered to speak for the table topics. I won!! Yeah I rock sometimes. The people were really cool, the toastmaster was from Malaysia, one man was from California but he was born in Taiwan, and two men were from the States, another guy was from Australia, so it was quite the international shin-dig. They invited me to dinner after, but I went to meet Kristen. We talked and ate Mexican food at "On the Border" a chain that was way more expensive than in the States, but it was fun to eat realish Mexican food -- something new since last I was in Korea.
On the way to the PC room there was some kind of event in the neighborhood. Lots of street vendors. I bought three more plants. Soon I shall have a mini jungle in my room.
And so it goes.
Saturday, I worked in RT headquarters. We are still revising the textbooks for a pilot class, that I just found out is already started. So the deadlines are tight. But after this month I will be working on creating new material- yeah! And I really like the people at the head office.
Sunday (today) I went back to Seoul and met JinJu's brother. He is really a kind man. His wife and I looked for a new hand bag, and then we all went to lunch. It was a spicy seafood dish, that had shrimp, crab, scallops, and mollusks. Very delish, but also very hot. My face turned a bit red. Then I met SaeMin and we went to the Toastmaster's meeting. It was fun, and I even volunteered to speak for the table topics. I won!! Yeah I rock sometimes. The people were really cool, the toastmaster was from Malaysia, one man was from California but he was born in Taiwan, and two men were from the States, another guy was from Australia, so it was quite the international shin-dig. They invited me to dinner after, but I went to meet Kristen. We talked and ate Mexican food at "On the Border" a chain that was way more expensive than in the States, but it was fun to eat realish Mexican food -- something new since last I was in Korea.
On the way to the PC room there was some kind of event in the neighborhood. Lots of street vendors. I bought three more plants. Soon I shall have a mini jungle in my room.
And so it goes.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Not much
I am going to Seoul tomorrow- So I'm skipping taek kong mu sul. Plus the fact that I have bruises from learning one of the weapons is not making me eager to go. Actually I really love the class, but I have a lot to do tomorrow.
This week at work went fairly smoothly and this morning I had some of the teachers over for coffee, we chatted about school and life. I'm in search of a yoga school for the new teacher. I know I saw one, but I'm not sure I remember where it is.
Even though I'm tired today, life is pretty good.
And so it goes.
This week at work went fairly smoothly and this morning I had some of the teachers over for coffee, we chatted about school and life. I'm in search of a yoga school for the new teacher. I know I saw one, but I'm not sure I remember where it is.
Even though I'm tired today, life is pretty good.
And so it goes.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Another day.
Not much is new since last reports from the hinterlands of Incheon. Work was good, although a bit strained. At least I didn't get yelled at today. Cindy did come to one of my classes and observed, so I'm a bit nervous. I really don't like this feeling, but since I will be doing some textbook revisions for home office, I think I can endure. And on the plus side I will Taek kong mu sul classes start again today after the long holiday.
Tuesday Thursday classes are always good, because they are our high level classes. Most of my students are pretty good in English. The first class is made up of elementary school kids. There are four girls, Bouncy Girl, who is a bit shyer now that she has classmates, The Tiny One, who still sucks her thumb but argues with the others in English, The Quiet One, who is a bit shy in general, but very sweet, and The Talkative One, who you have to remind that others want a turn to talk. It is a great class and one that is easy to teach. The next class has only two students. A boy and a girl. The boy doesn't read that well out loud, but understands everything and is a good writer, he is also a bit shy. The girl lived in America for two years so she speaks much better. The other two classes are high school students. One class has two boys, Startled Turtle and The Beetle. The girl I call Koala bear, because she looks at me and blinks several times like a koala bear, and she doesn't talk much. When she does talk it is in a whisper. I don't know what I'm going to do with her for the presentation. However her writing is excellent. The other class is also one boy and one girl. The girl is very smart and very good, and always does the homework, writes well, and participates well. The boy is in a class that is about two levels higher than he should be (if you want my opinion) He really struggles with everything and it frustrates me and breaks my heart. He is not a bad kid, it is just that this is much harder for him than for the other kids.
Monday Wednesday Friday classes are lower level and younger. Most of them are in elementary school. I have six classes in a row, with only a five minute break between. By the end of the day I'm a bit tired, but I wouldn't give up a single class.
The first class has my Serious Scholar. She is actually talking a bit more, because two boys are in the class, so she has to say something now. One of the boys I call The Brain. He is very smart, and gets things really quickly. The other boy isn't stupid, but he was pushed up to this class. He doesn't belong and is struggling so he acts out a lot. My next class has the three boys, but they have been invaded by girl cooties. They are all about seven years old. The class after that has three girls and one boy. The boy is very good for homework, but he is understandably shy in class. One girl is very clever, and the other is a bit of a perfectionist. They are fun. The class after that has my Clever girl, my Bright one, The boy who looks like a gangster but is really very sweet, and my little gentleman, and taekwondo girl. The class after that is higher level, middle school students. There is cool guy, who sits slumped in his chair too cool for school, and three girls, one always says "teacher it is too much" but does it anyway, then there is the talkative one, who I have to constantly remind that this is English class, not Korean class, and one new girl that just came last week, so I'm not sure what kind of student she will be. My last class is my favorite, even though teachers shouldn't have favorites. There is the very Quiet one, who never speaks but smiles so beautifully, the Blooming one who was very shy at first but is starting to warm up to me, The Lazy boy who actually can do everything well, but doesn't want to, the Keen boy who is a bit of an overachiever and who is getting Lazy boy to do more homework, The Old woman in a child's body, The dancer, who tells me about her dance classes, the Good girl who wants to do everything perfectly, and we just got three others.
I really love my students.
And so it goes.
Tuesday Thursday classes are always good, because they are our high level classes. Most of my students are pretty good in English. The first class is made up of elementary school kids. There are four girls, Bouncy Girl, who is a bit shyer now that she has classmates, The Tiny One, who still sucks her thumb but argues with the others in English, The Quiet One, who is a bit shy in general, but very sweet, and The Talkative One, who you have to remind that others want a turn to talk. It is a great class and one that is easy to teach. The next class has only two students. A boy and a girl. The boy doesn't read that well out loud, but understands everything and is a good writer, he is also a bit shy. The girl lived in America for two years so she speaks much better. The other two classes are high school students. One class has two boys, Startled Turtle and The Beetle. The girl I call Koala bear, because she looks at me and blinks several times like a koala bear, and she doesn't talk much. When she does talk it is in a whisper. I don't know what I'm going to do with her for the presentation. However her writing is excellent. The other class is also one boy and one girl. The girl is very smart and very good, and always does the homework, writes well, and participates well. The boy is in a class that is about two levels higher than he should be (if you want my opinion) He really struggles with everything and it frustrates me and breaks my heart. He is not a bad kid, it is just that this is much harder for him than for the other kids.
Monday Wednesday Friday classes are lower level and younger. Most of them are in elementary school. I have six classes in a row, with only a five minute break between. By the end of the day I'm a bit tired, but I wouldn't give up a single class.
The first class has my Serious Scholar. She is actually talking a bit more, because two boys are in the class, so she has to say something now. One of the boys I call The Brain. He is very smart, and gets things really quickly. The other boy isn't stupid, but he was pushed up to this class. He doesn't belong and is struggling so he acts out a lot. My next class has the three boys, but they have been invaded by girl cooties. They are all about seven years old. The class after that has three girls and one boy. The boy is very good for homework, but he is understandably shy in class. One girl is very clever, and the other is a bit of a perfectionist. They are fun. The class after that has my Clever girl, my Bright one, The boy who looks like a gangster but is really very sweet, and my little gentleman, and taekwondo girl. The class after that is higher level, middle school students. There is cool guy, who sits slumped in his chair too cool for school, and three girls, one always says "teacher it is too much" but does it anyway, then there is the talkative one, who I have to constantly remind that this is English class, not Korean class, and one new girl that just came last week, so I'm not sure what kind of student she will be. My last class is my favorite, even though teachers shouldn't have favorites. There is the very Quiet one, who never speaks but smiles so beautifully, the Blooming one who was very shy at first but is starting to warm up to me, The Lazy boy who actually can do everything well, but doesn't want to, the Keen boy who is a bit of an overachiever and who is getting Lazy boy to do more homework, The Old woman in a child's body, The dancer, who tells me about her dance classes, the Good girl who wants to do everything perfectly, and we just got three others.
I really love my students.
And so it goes.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Chusok
I just spent a wonderful holiday.
Chusok is very much like our Thanksgiving.
Saturday I had to work in the head office in Seoul. I got to re-write a test and the teacher's guide for one book. I really liked working with Sunny and I talked to her a bit about my problems at work. She said "no problem, it will be easy to find another Reading Town." The only problem is that I really love my students and my neighborhood.
After work, I met up with Kristen from my old neighborhood in KC, then got the last KTX ticket to Deagu. (I am truly one of the luckiest people in the world) Kristen and I had a smoothie, talked about our jobs, then made plans for the dinner next week. I got on the train, and one of the other passengers gave me a coffee. She had the cutest baby. He kept laughing at me, so I couldn't help but laugh for most of the ride.
When I got to Deagu Jin Ju picked me up, and we all piled into the car. She had her nephews with her. I really like her family a lot. I should have gone to bed, but we stayed up and talked. Then Sunday morning we had breakfast with her in-laws, and went to her church. I got to meet her older brother who lives in Seoul, and her sister in-law. They were both very cool people.
After church we went to eat lunch, then took a nap. I couldn't sleep we watched CSI on TV.
Then we went to JinJu's mother's house. We ate some more, and played a game called yute. Yute is a game with four sticks, each one has a round side and a flat side. You throw the sticks and the goal is to get all four sticks to land with the flat side up. That is Yute. If you only get one flat side up it is do, two is gae (dog) and three is girl. I gotYute four times. I am champion. If you lose you have to pay 1,000 won (about one dollar). The winnings were used to buy pizza.
By Monday I was seriously relaxed and happy. We went shopping downtown, and then I took the bus home. JinJu packed some serious food for me, kim'chi (her mother's is the best!) fish, soup. I don't know what to do with it all.
Now I have to go back to work today, but it is some of my favorite students so that is good.
And so it goes.
Chusok is very much like our Thanksgiving.
Saturday I had to work in the head office in Seoul. I got to re-write a test and the teacher's guide for one book. I really liked working with Sunny and I talked to her a bit about my problems at work. She said "no problem, it will be easy to find another Reading Town." The only problem is that I really love my students and my neighborhood.
After work, I met up with Kristen from my old neighborhood in KC, then got the last KTX ticket to Deagu. (I am truly one of the luckiest people in the world) Kristen and I had a smoothie, talked about our jobs, then made plans for the dinner next week. I got on the train, and one of the other passengers gave me a coffee. She had the cutest baby. He kept laughing at me, so I couldn't help but laugh for most of the ride.
When I got to Deagu Jin Ju picked me up, and we all piled into the car. She had her nephews with her. I really like her family a lot. I should have gone to bed, but we stayed up and talked. Then Sunday morning we had breakfast with her in-laws, and went to her church. I got to meet her older brother who lives in Seoul, and her sister in-law. They were both very cool people.
After church we went to eat lunch, then took a nap. I couldn't sleep we watched CSI on TV.
Then we went to JinJu's mother's house. We ate some more, and played a game called yute. Yute is a game with four sticks, each one has a round side and a flat side. You throw the sticks and the goal is to get all four sticks to land with the flat side up. That is Yute. If you only get one flat side up it is do, two is gae (dog) and three is girl. I gotYute four times. I am champion. If you lose you have to pay 1,000 won (about one dollar). The winnings were used to buy pizza.
By Monday I was seriously relaxed and happy. We went shopping downtown, and then I took the bus home. JinJu packed some serious food for me, kim'chi (her mother's is the best!) fish, soup. I don't know what to do with it all.
Now I have to go back to work today, but it is some of my favorite students so that is good.
And so it goes.
Friday, September 12, 2008
good news/bad news
Well.
First the bad news. Cindy my head teacher has not mellowed out. She did for one day, but then she found out that headquarters wants me to do some editing. Now I'm making mistakes. I'm doing a bad job etc.etc.etc. (these include forgetting to write the journal prompts on the teacher's guide, and having a student not do his journal) They are very petty things. I think I will make sure the boss and headquarters doesn't give me any praise or let her know I'm doing them a favor.
The good news is that I'm not the only one. Apparently Fiona teacher and Anna teacher have both had to deal with this thing too, and they are both pretty fed up. The other good news is that we have a new Korean teacher and she has lasted almost a whole week. I think she will stay. I hope so. The other good news is that headquarters wants me to do some editing. This is really good because my goal is to go there after my contract is up and do writing and editing. And.
This term I don't have a single student I would give up. I really like them all.
Taek kong mu sul class will be cancelled until Wednesday. It is Chusok holiday and everyone is going home to eat good food and be with their family. I will go to Deagu on Saturday night or Sunday morning. I will have to stand the entire trip, but I will get to see JinJu at the end, and her mother is a great cook. I can't wait. It is very much like our Thanksgiving, and I feel really happy that my friend invited me to her home.
At least I have much more good news than bad.
And so it goes.
First the bad news. Cindy my head teacher has not mellowed out. She did for one day, but then she found out that headquarters wants me to do some editing. Now I'm making mistakes. I'm doing a bad job etc.etc.etc. (these include forgetting to write the journal prompts on the teacher's guide, and having a student not do his journal) They are very petty things. I think I will make sure the boss and headquarters doesn't give me any praise or let her know I'm doing them a favor.
The good news is that I'm not the only one. Apparently Fiona teacher and Anna teacher have both had to deal with this thing too, and they are both pretty fed up. The other good news is that we have a new Korean teacher and she has lasted almost a whole week. I think she will stay. I hope so. The other good news is that headquarters wants me to do some editing. This is really good because my goal is to go there after my contract is up and do writing and editing. And.
This term I don't have a single student I would give up. I really like them all.
Taek kong mu sul class will be cancelled until Wednesday. It is Chusok holiday and everyone is going home to eat good food and be with their family. I will go to Deagu on Saturday night or Sunday morning. I will have to stand the entire trip, but I will get to see JinJu at the end, and her mother is a great cook. I can't wait. It is very much like our Thanksgiving, and I feel really happy that my friend invited me to her home.
At least I have much more good news than bad.
And so it goes.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Did you know?
Did you know you needed your butt muscles to walk. I don't usually think about my butt muscles, mostly because they aren't really muscles. But. Last night at Taek Kong Mu Sul, we did throws and falls. This morning I realized that you do indeed need your butt muscles to walk. I finally got dressed but walking to the coffee pot was quite the ordeal. My teacher laughed tonight when I told him. We did sparring again today, and I did pretty good. I got a few kicks in. My class is pretty cool. There are three high school boys, cool dude, funny guy and the bear. At least that is how I call them in my mind. There is also a middle school girl, I think of her as cheeky girl.
Classes are going well in my school, but my head teacher is giving me a lot of stress. For some reason she doesn't like me. She got on me for not circling the names correctly on the attendance sheet ( I am not kidding) She literally scolded me for 5 minutes about how I got it wrong. Today she scolded me because one of my students complained he didn't understand the homework (this is a boy she knows is a bit lazy and has complained about him before. All the other students got the homework assignment ok) I really don't know what to do. On the plus side, the head office teacher wants me to work on one of the writing books this week.
So I'm sure in the end everything will work out well.
And so it goes.
Classes are going well in my school, but my head teacher is giving me a lot of stress. For some reason she doesn't like me. She got on me for not circling the names correctly on the attendance sheet ( I am not kidding) She literally scolded me for 5 minutes about how I got it wrong. Today she scolded me because one of my students complained he didn't understand the homework (this is a boy she knows is a bit lazy and has complained about him before. All the other students got the homework assignment ok) I really don't know what to do. On the plus side, the head office teacher wants me to work on one of the writing books this week.
So I'm sure in the end everything will work out well.
And so it goes.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
not much
Not much happened this weekend. Friday night at Taek kong mu sul, the boys wrestled. I declined participating but I did enjoy watching. Saturday I had to work, I got some of the worksheets finished to send to Sunny, I want to make sure I'm on the same page with her, and several of my students are now on the right path for their summaries. I felt pretty good if a bit tired.
Sunday I went for a walk, and found the school for the Korean lessons. The only problem is I might not have the money this month. If I have to pay for the lessons now, in September, then I might not get to start until January. It might be for the best, although a little disappointing.
I bought two more plants, and now I have to find some planters to transplant them. I know what I want, I just don't know where to find them.
And so it goes.
Sunday I went for a walk, and found the school for the Korean lessons. The only problem is I might not have the money this month. If I have to pay for the lessons now, in September, then I might not get to start until January. It might be for the best, although a little disappointing.
I bought two more plants, and now I have to find some planters to transplant them. I know what I want, I just don't know where to find them.
And so it goes.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Nobody died
I called my friend Jinju, explained the mess with the arm protectors, and asked her to translate for me. She did, but my teacher wasn't very angry. Actually everyone laughed. I think that was almost worse. That night we learned tumbling. I had to do cartwheels. I don't think I'm very good at cartwheels. The next morning I felt like my ribs would implode. Well, at least I get a good workout every night. I really love my class. Every night is a bit different, and I like that. Last night we did kicks mostly. I really am too clumsy and ut of shape for this, but they gave me a yellow belt anyway.
And now I know you can't put foam in the dryer.
At work there is a lot of stress. We had a new Korean teacher for all of two days. Longer than the last one, but still. I know what is wrong, but I can't really say it out loud because of office politics. I'm trying to keep the atmosphere in the office good, but it is getting more and more difficult.
And the speech contest is only one month away. Guess who will not have a free Saturday for the month of September? Go on, just try to guess. It isn't really a contest in the usual sense of the word. It is more of a way to show off our school, and unfortunately many of our students are not quite ready for prime time. But don't worry, I'll get them to at least not make fools of themselves.
And so it goes
And now I know you can't put foam in the dryer.
At work there is a lot of stress. We had a new Korean teacher for all of two days. Longer than the last one, but still. I know what is wrong, but I can't really say it out loud because of office politics. I'm trying to keep the atmosphere in the office good, but it is getting more and more difficult.
And the speech contest is only one month away. Guess who will not have a free Saturday for the month of September? Go on, just try to guess. It isn't really a contest in the usual sense of the word. It is more of a way to show off our school, and unfortunately many of our students are not quite ready for prime time. But don't worry, I'll get them to at least not make fools of themselves.
And so it goes
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Oh, I'm in big trouble
So, in Teak kong mu sul, we spar a lot. At first I didn't like it, but now it is kind of fun. But. The arm protectors are very dirty and well, gross. So I offered to wash them. That is when I made a mistake. I didn't know they couldn't be dried (my washing machine is also a dryer)
And now they are very similar to long rocks. They are totally ruined. My teacher is going to be so mad at me. I don't blame him, but .... Oh I felt so bad I didn't sleep at all. I tried to google supply stores in Incheon, but I only found US mail order.
I am in so much trouble. Plus it is going to be so hard to explain since he doesn't speak any English, and I don't speak much Korean yet. I really love the class. I hope he will forgive me.
I also have to go in to work early for the next two weeks because I have to get the worksheets for Level one writing to Sunny. I'm very excited because this moves me in the direction I want to go for my life. I don't know when I'll be able to go and get the arm guards.
I feel like such an idiot.
And so it goes
And now they are very similar to long rocks. They are totally ruined. My teacher is going to be so mad at me. I don't blame him, but .... Oh I felt so bad I didn't sleep at all. I tried to google supply stores in Incheon, but I only found US mail order.
I am in so much trouble. Plus it is going to be so hard to explain since he doesn't speak any English, and I don't speak much Korean yet. I really love the class. I hope he will forgive me.
I also have to go in to work early for the next two weeks because I have to get the worksheets for Level one writing to Sunny. I'm very excited because this moves me in the direction I want to go for my life. I don't know when I'll be able to go and get the arm guards.
I feel like such an idiot.
And so it goes
Monday, September 1, 2008
blogging from work
I'm at work now, I have to forward some rubrics to Sunny at the head office, and write some worksheets for one of my writing classes. I also have to work with Cindy on the speech contest and writing contest -- so I'm going to be very busy the next few days.
Whew!
I love it
And so it goes
Whew!
I love it
And so it goes
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