Choo Suk

The long weekend is coming up. The school is buzzing with activity. I got this "Dried Fish" gift box, the size of a computer from parents association. I have no clue how to prepare them. I hope my aunt does. One of the mother who had a leading role in the play also gave me 2 tickets for a movie. I wonder who I'll go with. Maybe I'll go by myself twice. I'm so glad the 6 Landmark leaders came back from Bankok safely. I don't feel so overwhelmed with the responsibility. They are bouncing off the walls. It's so cool to hang around them. When all looks so dark and dim, having a conversation shifts everything around.

September events

So far I have had a very eventful month. The school started on September 3rd. OK it would have been the Labor day in Korea but I get 4 days off at the end of the month - ChooSuk long weekend (I get 6 days off with the weekend). Besides I was at this training for the new teachers for the whole week at this fancy resort. I met some interesting people from the English speaking countries - U.S., U.K., Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Ireland and South Africa. 40 of them came from University of London, Ontario, right out of school. It must be that the biggest employer in London, Ontario of the fresh graduates must be the Gyung-gi province in Korea.

On the September 14th, my students who prepared for the English theater/arts festival performed.

I was holding the "leadership role" while all the main leaders went for the training in Bangkok for the Landmark Forum team in Korea.

My grandma - another dozing off moment is hilarious. My polite Aunt was returning her "bow".

New opportunity

I am presented with a new opportunity to work at a Recruiting firm for English teachers. The more I think about it more I feel excited. Although It may be a bit more of a risk, I think it is worth taking the chance. Mom and Aunt both agree that I should jump at this. It will also be the office of the Landmark Education (evening office) so I won't have to go far to assist. I think it will be exciting.

Eventful month

Since Granma's birthday, I've been mostly working at the English camps. There's one provided by the school and the other one provided by the city. I was not happy to find out that I am one of the ones who's not treated as well. It turns out the other teachers did not get to have such a long camp period and if they had, they could take off for the afternoon.

I've also been busy with the budding Landmark Education work in Seoul. I'm very impressed with the people participating here. It's so inspiring to see the transformation of some one's life in front of your eyes and to be on the team to make that happen.

Grandma's tenant from hell set up a doggy soup restaurant - without consulting the landlord, nor the licence from the city government nor from the national park office. So the tigress auntie complained to the officials and they tore it down. He had the usual drunken fit. He was threatening to set fire to the whole place and ended up in the police station with uncle (Thank god for uncle this time). After the long night at the police station, he was set free with a warning. The next night his best friend had the drunken fit and we told him to take his friend with him if he's so precious to him. He was also escorted by police to his home.

So far, they are quiet after 2 nights of rowdiness. This made me mad. I'm madder because I can't seem to do anything effective. I want to just kick them out and tear down his room. But then, I don't know if that won't provoke more stupid actions from them. So, here I thought I was kinda smart but so totally useless.

The impossible hot weather is not helping. What a gal to do???

Granma's birthday

It was a busy day. Granma seemed happy with her 3 sons and a grandson, a daughter in law. She worked all day cleaning and washing. She did not complain a single time. The eldest daughter in law did not show up - which made it not as stressful to the rest of us. I went to get a cake and some beer. I thought someone would show up with a cake so I did not get one. There was a pouring rain and started thunder and lightening. It turns out later that there were 4 people who died - hit by the lightening. Well the menu wasn't impressive - we ordered chinese but I guess it was eventful enough day.

Most of all, the day passed in peace.

Piece of cake

The work schedule is light for the summer. I work basically in the morning. Have the total of 14 students - 8 in the first hour, 3 the next and 3 and I get them all for games before lunch.

It is a real breeze. I am not complaining as long as they pay me to do it.

Last day of the semester

I was walking around taking some pictures of the munchkins and co-workers. I was dreading the summer camp because - I will be all alone to tackle the munchkins. It turns out there are altogether 13 kids so I am feeling rather soothed. I think I can handle 13 of them.

Here are some pictures. I think I found a Korean Madeline.

Field trip

All members of the primary school employees went for a field trip - supposedly a training weekend but mostly about eating and drinking. It was really fun - except for the drinking part. The guys drank fast then got sick fast. Some women drank until there wasn't any alcool left. And they were wide awake to clean up before going to bed.

Got a DVD player and installed at Aunts. I got the one for $100 and I felt complete.
Granma never stops talking about food, making food, food she tasted when she was 15, 20, 30,.... on and on and on. I told her no more! But then she stopped then continued about 5 minutes later. She really forgets way too often. She asks what is this dish and we had to answer 12 times and if I hadn't told her no more, she would have asked 12 more times. What an annoying lady sometimes.

Cool rainy morning

It's so nice to get breeze and cool air. The evening at the introduction was very good. HyunSu was very good in presenting the Landmark Forum in Korean. I was really impressed. My uncle participated quite a bit. He wants to come again without me in 2 weeks. I'm glad at least he seems to be interested.

My co-worker came with her 4 year old and thank goodness he behaved quite nicely. She seemed interested too. I am not going to push anything. I'll leave it up to them.

Today one of the girls who really did not respond to anything was all enthusiastic about doing a mime game. I'm so intrigued at how some of the kids are totally unresponsive to one method and so turned on by other methods. They blow my mind.

Hoping for a miracle

I'm wondering if Uncle #2 who decided to come to the introduction to Landmark Forum will indeed register and then have huge breakthroughs. I can see that I am planning to be disappointed and I decided to stop it.

But the fact that he has agreed to come to the introduction is kind of a miracle.

Dream

I had a very busy and strange dream. I was in an elevator - shaky one and this is a recurring theme. I am wanting to get to the top and having a difficult time. I had a cool idea about something and I mentioned it and the stressed boss almost bit my head off - saying he will put me in charge when the problem became visible. Also I had a dream that I saw Celine Dion, pregnent and naked. I could feel her baby squirming inside.

I wonder if all this has to do with the carpenter acting up. Since uncle got his Korean citizenship back, he - the carpenter - must have felt threatened.

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.