Hoping and praying for a new breakthrough for uncle

I foolishly agreed to have 2 registrations for Landmark Forum this week. Well it felt like a silly thing to do at the time when I promised. Well so far there's Janet who sounds really interested and my (tile) uncle and a teacher from my school who may come to the introduction next Tuesday.

I hope my uncle decides to take the Forum and finally take charge of his own life - let go of blame and shame altogether.

Busy and eventful week

On Thursday evening, I went to the meeting of Landmark Education at a fancy Plastic surgery clinic in Kang-nam (richest neibourhood in Korea). I was glad to meet the Korean and other graduates. I'll be helping out with Registration fulfillment.

I also met Janet - the lady who gave me the courage to come to Korea and teach English. She seemed like the expert and I was quite jealous. But then again I know she wasn't the expert on the day 1 or on day 23.

I met Hae Duck auntie. She came with her daughter and grand daughter. She was very cute.
Her daughter looks like a devoted mother and wife. I remember her from when she was just a little kid.

Mom disappeared for a night and drove me absolutely nuts. Finding her again gave me such a relief.

Here's a cool video: Love is my religion.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=heUVrcYWqOc

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.

Getting over the jet-lag

I am having easier time than ever adjusting to the Korean Time zone. Now I feel a bit sleepy around 6 p.m. I've been told that jet-lag gets adjusted about 1 hour per day. So since I've been here about a week, I've adjusted to the 6 hour difference.

Uncle no.2 is such a different person when he's not drinking. I can almost say he seems confident and relaxed. He doesn't seem bitter, angry and restless. There's a vague resemblance to the favorite uncle I used to know.

Sunday, uncle no. 1's wife and the son came to visit. We had to watch out to see that she doesn't throw out things. She has a tendency to do that without permission of the owners. It is because she thinks she owns them. Much talkative grand mother was silent the whole time. I felt sorry for grandma. Well in fact, I felt sorry for both of them. Both forever regurgitating the past, chewing over same blame game over and over again. I wonder if they're not tired of that stupid game themselves.

The cousin was also very quiet. He's too young and strong for me to feel sorry for him. He doesn't say what he does but says he's very busy. Mystery lives onto the 2nd generation from uncle no. 1.

Lana's three boxes arrived late last evening. I haven't opened it yet.

I need to go see a gynecologist. What a bummer. The doctor I saw prior to leaving has just received some test results that she doesn't like.

Getting acquainted with the public transportation

I'm very jet-lagged. And am getting re-acquainted with the public transit system. I have to say it is very well run considering this is a city of 12 million people. Went for a visit to my medicine woman. Who has been through a very hard time lately with her husband losing his mind after a stroke. I am dealing with broken agreements and upsets of many people and am surprised at my ease with lots of people. I haven't yet been upset.

My uncle #2 is openly resentful and purposedly getting drunk every night. Grandma is continuously talking about the old days and how she suffered. But I noticed that she stops speaking when her ferocious daughter-in-law is present. I feel compassion for all but I will at a drop of a hat, take aunt out of this.

In Korea

All went smoothly at the Incheon airport. The customs officer did not say a peep. The luggage arrived as soon as I got there. The driver from the job agency was right there and took me all the way to aunt's. My uncle 2 was very drunk and could not help with a single luggage but a neighbour lady came and helped me with the last big piece of luggage. She is familiar from my last trip. She was asking what do we need men for and I told her I ask the same question.

Yesterday was Buddha's birthday so it was a national holiday. I had a leisurely day off since I could not go to the ministry of justice to start my residency application. I slept for five hours then took 2 Tylenol and slept all night till almost 6 a.m. I hope this puts an end to my jet-lag.

Took some pictures of the bathroom and kitchen - believe me, this is a total miracle.

San Francisco

The conference was a huge success. I always wondered about how some of us looked really amateurish and still can be public about the promises and intentions. It was all designed that way. The fearless leader says, since nobody really knows how to transform the world in such a way that it will be the one that works for everyone with no one and nothing left out, we need to take a chance, it may be the airhead, or the fool or the logical one but who knows really the one that will provide the tipping point?

So I am peaceful in my decisions and possible mistakes. Another set of good byes with lots of hugs and encouragements was really good medicine.

Totally cool.

Thursday: Jung Nam and I went into town and had the most delicious meal.
Friday: Met with the lady responsible for making the Forum happen in Korea. Made the poster in 5 minutes. The most wonderful play about a Norwegian mother and daughter was a true gem.
Saturday: Delivered the poster presentation and went for a 5 minute visit to Half-Moon bay beach with Jorge, Mark and Gabe.
Sunday: Presentations were fabulous. I wish I could be in all of them.

Going away party and Mother's day

So far, I'm able to handle goodbyes without losing too much salt water. My going away party was a great success with people dropping in at all times. I feel so lucky to have such loving friends. Karaoke was a great fun and I think I have 2 more people hooked on it.

Cards with touching messages and small gifts (out of the consideration for my luggage weight) kept arriving too.

I keep focusing on what needs to be done today and it seems to be working. If I think about all the years before and since coming to Canada and think about what's in store for me in the next few weeks, I could go completely crazy. So I decided to do it in bite size only.

Mother's day was quiet. Mom told me that it's mother's day everyday. Went out to dinner with some close friends. It was at this lovely and quiet place that we all like.

I'll miss many people, things and places. Sniff.

Christmas in May

I had the most wonderful afternoon going through make up bin and selecting most delectable smell, shades and shapes of fabulous products for myself and mom.

I think I don't need to go shopping for cosmetics for 5 years. I am so not the same person I was last year. My community is showing up for me as a total support and love.

My coach acknowledged me in that how my being the straight force to deal with in the soft Doe voices that compells people to be great around me. I'm so spoiled and overjoyed.

More dream

I had an awful dream. I moved into a new place. It was very shoddy. I could see gaps between the bricks and can see through and wondered how it must be in the winter time.

Also mom was cursing because there were long (about 3/4 of an inch) white warms all over the floor and she was saying that they moved from the previous place and cannot tell where they originate from. She scooped them and put them away in the manhole outside. I was wondering out loud if they will find their way back through the pipes up to the sink. What an annoying dream!

Dream

I dreamt this morning of an adventure. I was in company of two other women and we were going for tour. We slightly missed the boat so we had to be on a sled and launched into the air and then land on the big boat that we missed. The boat arrived on a shore and we were at this amazing restaurant. The menu was kind of a mixture - Ribs and Chocolate cake for dessert. But what an amazing floor to ceiling stained glass structure!

I was admiring the stained glass and not quite finishing the rich lunch and dessert. I was glad that I took the risk of launching on to a boat. Unusual, but hey that's life.