More side benefits

My co-worker is urging me to come up with the list of books worth US$400. It seems they have been waiting for me to spend the money. I got some games with my own money then they said - get the list with amount then they'll buy from some budget. It's funny how "government" works in all those places. Tons of paper work is required but then they are willing to spend an almost ridiculous amount of money.

I threw out some unruly kids yesterday. I felt that it was better that they roam then climb up the windows and fall.

We shall see.

Results are clean

It's been kind of yucky to wait for the biopsy and ultrasound results from my visit earlier in the month. It took 10 days and even though the first visible signs were clean I just wanted to make extra sure. Thank GOD - they came back clean. I seem to have a new lease on life. I celebrated by bringing a large size pizza to aunt's.

Uncle's finally got his Korean citizenship back so that's another long awaited (13 years) endeavor that got finally completed.

I am grateful and look forward to more interesting future without hesitation.

Getting my hands dirty

I decided to do some random testing of the students. It turns out 40% of fifth graders don't know how to write lowercase alphabets. It shocked me to find out that some of these guys have been trained as parrots. It is unthinkable for me to think that they know the alphabet song but have no idea what they are for or don't know "i" from "k".

Some of the kids are so cute they look like they're right out of the Madelaine cartoon. Some first graders actually run towards me when the see me.

Breakthrough with the first graders

I have finally managed to keep the first graders concentrated and quiet. I had them color and cutoff foodstuff pictures - then I called them out to see if they can identify the name and the food. I could hardly believe myself. Thank God for Cindy who gave me the website and the tip to manage them. I am so lucky to have met her. It was so much more enjoyable.

There are some very bright kids and I am now more in the position to hear them cos not everyone is screaming their head off.

I also did some writing test for the 6th graders. I can see that many of them did quite well contrary to what I've been warned.

Completion

After the first full week at teaching, I went to visit grandma and auntie. Friday I went to Lotte mart on Seoul station (cos that's the only one I know where you can buy virtually anything). That place is an amalgamation of Zellers, Pharmaprix, dollar store, and a major supermarket. So I finally got a hat to prevent me from going prune-ish prematurely.

Saturday I put the mosquito net for their window. It is a virtual bee-hive, there since they are going absolutely nuts trying to build one before the monsoon season.

Today - Sunday, I had two visitors at aunt's. Aunt's old friend Juan who is a Catholic brother. He is getting older but got thinner than I remembered. Also the big uncle showed up unexpectedly. Without the presence of his fearful wife the atmosphere was much lighter and the lunch was quite enjoyable.

Brother Juan offered to help me get resources if needed. He tried to get an English school going and failed to get a permit from the district. So he seems to have lots of resources for ESL.

I noticed that I did not resent or blame anyone so far. So that alone must be a factor in having a light atmosphere.

After getting home, I felt home enough to unpack one of Lana's boxes. There was a nice big speaker that I hooked on to my laptop and am enjoying music - so much more than noise from TV.

Slowing down a bit

I am getting used to my routines. I no longer take it personally that kids are climbing up the walls and screaming. I do make corrections. I am growing my territories.
I had a chance to meet other Native(?) English teachers from this city. There are 7 of us and we had a meeting yesterday to set up the 2 week summer camp activity.

I put a question mark because the 6 of us who showed up were Korean natives who finished their studies in the English speaking countries from various backgrounds - Music, arts etc.

I like myself - in the way that my obsession is more about how to make the kids understand and learn more.

I must admit, I miss the night life in Montreal. Can't wait for more social life to start.

Settling and unsettling

Kids are getting restless. I would be too. It's hot and humid and cooped up in the classroom is not the place to be calm and collected. I went to the Native teachers meeting at the Provincial office. We were all of Korean ancestry and spoke in Korean.

Got some tips on how to keep the kids busy. I'm going to check their sites. It may be fun to do the summer camp setup with them. I volunteered to teach dancing and yoga.

Finally connected!

I have the Internet connection as of yesterday afternoon. They are so competitive, I'm getting $100 just for signing up. Got my cell phone hooked as well (they call it hand-phone here).

I got some books at the "What the book" book store at Itaewon. There are more foreigners there than Koreans so I felt "at home".

So far, I am a bit panicky about keeping the young ones' attention but overall, I cannot complain. My coworkers seem to be gentle loving kinds of people and the school is quaint and small (only one home-room per grade).

Kids are all over the place. Some practically fluent and some don't know the alphabets. And a few are "special"kids. Developmentally challenged or deaf.

So far first graders give me the headaches but they're also the cutest.

Some pictures:

Grandma falling asleep while reading the newspaper.

Auntie making cold-noodle soup.

View from my window.

My new appartment.

Day 3 on the job

I had a dream on the evening of the 5th that I was floating over a bridge that looked fantastic. It was over a calm blue water and had the color of light gold on platinum. Grandma says it is a good dream and I believe it also.

On the evening of the memorial day, I was invited to go for dinner with the other English teacher's family. The husband was really paying too much attention so I felt a bit uncomfortable.

On my day 3, I feel less terrified. However, Day 1 with the 1st graders were the toughest day of my life. They were litterally climbing up the walls and opening everything and tripping over all the things.

Day 2 was less threatening and I was somewhat prepared. It looks like I get to create games - completely up to me.

I look forward to mastering the art of teaching English.

Busy busy

I will start working on Tuesday the 5th. In the meantime, on the 31st, I went to get Uncle's documents to be notarized, went to school to meet with the assistant teacher and get a tour, took a look at the appartment - the view is great but it is kinda country. I met with lana who had some huge suitcases. She and I stayed at an Inn in Insadong. The evening was delightful with great company and great places - tea house with an amazing garden and a restaurant with a nice garden as well.

On the 1st, Lana left for Montreal and I met with Uncle to complete his renunciation of Canadian citizenship procedure. Finally all papers were complete and they gave him a certificate saying they have received the payment and the application. It gave me a sense of an accomplishment and took the rest of the day off.

I found out this morning that Lana arrived from Mom. I went shopping for some bedding and started to get overwhelmed by what's ahead. Moving for one and starting a job with no prospect of training period.

But Aunt says all will work well and I trust her and myself.