Making a difference?

I met one of the parents today. She told me her son, who never showed interest in English now says he's enjoying it. I think it has to do with introducing games - UNO. Simple card game that I forced them to say the color and the value each time they had to put the card down - forced him to participate. I got the idea from one of the very young teachers from the teachers' conference in September. He's slower than others and not very good at remembering. I'm happy to hear that he's enjoying English classes. I hope he will continue.

Busy holiday season

I've been busy - shopping, cleaning etc. I was wisked off to Everland with 1000 other Native English teachers in Kyunggi province. It was fun and walked around a lot. Everland is an attemp to recreate Disneyland in Korea with unrecognizable characters, full of clichés.

My school forbade this site so I'm leaving a short note.

Sleepless in Anyang

I've been catching up on sleep since the weekend. Last weekend was the first Introduction Leaders program in Seoul. Landmark Forum leader Poorani came to town and on her week off a month - she decided to cause the transformation of Korea. It's been an awesome weekend. They took off like a rocket with an introduction that was scheduled 2 hours in preparation. They had 6 guests and 3 registered. Koreans seem to have an aversion to freedom. Maybe it's a side effect of many years of uncertainty, threats and unpredictable changes. They try so hard to be perfect and the perfection is just the bare minimum acceptable stage. So finding freedom, self-expression and standing up for oneself are hardly practiced by the citizens. Since I'm the only graduate of the program, I'm supporting the program by supporting Hyunsu. Hyunsu is the lady who took on transforming Korea. A mother of 4 who is beautiful and vibrant. She leads all the introductions, seminars and translates all the programs.

The Landmark Forum gives a glimmer and a break open to a new possibility of being and is truly remarkable how it works.

I'm jealous how it took off in Hong Kong, Thailand and Singapore. There's a definite intention to have a center in Seoul next year.

On an different subject. I got myself a roll-away piano for Christmas. It's a size of a book and not heavy at all. I downloaded "The first noel" sheet music and realized it's easier to follow my ear than the music sheet. I'm gonna surprise auntie with it.

Recurring dream

I had this dream - which was a continuation from the dream from last Thursday - that the family was finally able to reclaim the things we left at some inn as a hostage. They included furniture, pictures, shoes and mom got some beautiful sweaters back. I got some funky shoes back too. We got there just in time. If we were just a bit late, all of our things would have been auctioned off.

Last time the dream ended when I wondered what were the things we left behind. This may come from the times when my parents were running from debtors and we lived from hotel to hotel but we could not pay so we left everything and ran off at night. So I always wondered when my possession would end.

I felt good about these dreams.

It's snowing!

I heard a loud thunder and lightening, then saw the snow. The principal is going around forbidding everyone not to turn the heat on in the afternoon because - the temperature rises to above zero. So the kids and teachers are all wearing coats in the classroom. I don't know why they don't use the coal heater. I hope at least there will be a long winter vacation.

I had the teacher come to control the class for the 6th graders. They are trying to be cool and troublesome.

My stomach ache yesterday really was quite something. I thought I was going to faint. I am amazed that I feel fine today.

I am studying grammar and realize that I never learnt that stuff!. It turns out that during the time I was being educated, they underplayed the grammar. It probably is due to the fact also, that I went to French high school. Anyways, I'm glad to be learning it -- better late than never.

Having a different cold

I got a flu shot for about 25 bucks. But I guess it's no good for common colds. I think I'm getting a new different kind of cold on top of the one that's going away in andante. I still kinda sound funky. I have this guy who's pretending to be a brit via skype but I can tell that he's from an arab country. His English is awful and he gave me his only son's name. Except that he forgot that he told me one name last week and he gave another one this time. He says he lives in London but in his profile, it says Liverpool. Why does he go through all that hoola-hoop I wonder. So far I was amused by the maskerade. I told him he "sounds" more like an arab guy. I'm beginning to develop an "already always listening" about the arab guys.

Having a cold

It is warmer here than in Canada - however, there hasn't been any heat for the last 2 weeks where the temperature was hovering around 4-10 degrees so it felt as though I was in the fridge all day. Well so with all my turtle necks (I never wear them in Canada until the temperature goes down to about 20 below), I got a cold. My voice is funky and I cannot seem to be as effectively nasty to quiet down the kids.

I have fun with some of them and must admit they are growing on me. For example this girl Kate, she always begs me for English tests. She goes through them like pop corns. She makes funny duck noise. I thinks she's a very bright kid.

There's also this kid who comes to school from an orphanage. Well his parents left him there when they got a divorce. It seems that they re-married and stop coming to visit him. Yet, he's bright and upbeat. He doesn't seem to grow as fast as others. I gave him an alphabet book to encourage him to learn it. I think it may have worked.

World is going the right way

I have been feeling outside the loop, not making a headway, feeling guilty, etc... about making this world a better place. It seems however, that there are leaps and bounds :
For example, the Microcredt movement - Alliance of Students Against Poverty - http://www.asap2025.org/. This fundraising mechanism aims to have 2 million people give $1 a day till 2025 to fund micro finance organizations and then in turn eradicate poverty by 2025.

The one laptop per child has started to produce so it is now (as of November 2007) available to buy by the general public at $400 a piece - one will go to you (or your child) and another will go to another poor child in a poor country.

So I just gathered evidence towards my promise - without actually doing much. Loving it.

Uncle#2 post Landmark Forum

My uncle before the Landmark Forum: would drink periodically. Sometimes until he's in a stupor and will have a reall downer moments for several days. It drove everyone absolutely crazy, especially my 96 year old grandmother who still feels guilty sending him to his uncle to be his son - a common custom in Korea at the time.

My uncle after the Landmark Forum: Still drinks periodically, but manages to be pleasant drunk. He still blames his mom but doesn't seem to harbor that dark resentment/blame towards her anymore. His mood is light and seems more receptive to suggestions - especially that makes hime work around the house. He also seems to enjoy participating with the seminar.

In one word: transformation - ok it did not fix him completely in 3 days as I hoped. But it's impressive so far.


At work, it's getting chilly and the school hasn't started heating yet. So it feels like I'm in a fridge all day. There was a 6 year old hiding out in the bathroom because he missed the bus to go to the day care and could not go back home. He didn't have his mom's phone number but said his sister comes to this school. He didn't remember what grade he was in. Finally the school administrator found the sister's name and called the mother to come and pick him up. It was an event ful day on Thursday.

I don't know why the kids insist on screaming their head off. Especially 1st and 4th graders. For the 4th grader, I kept talking quieter and quieter and that drove them absoloutely nuts.

More people in the Facebook

I am so happy 2 more friends decided to join the Facebook. It is so easy to keep track of birthdays, share favorite movies, music and etc. Today I dressed up and put on more make up to take pictures. It is provided by the school for the graduation album for the 6th graders. It was fun to see all the dressed up teachers. I understood why people dressed up and put on make up. The kids just stared at my face for a long time, followed me around - those kids who never before paid attention to me- especially little boys. I had to laugh.

Drama

The Landmark Forum started with 45 people. It took a lot to make that happen and I was excited to see my uncle and my co-teacher in it. There were some uninvited dramas but so far it is a breakthrough for human beings for all. I am so proud of all the participants.

www.landmarkeducation.com

Life is amazing.

Got some shopping done

I found a nice store - was a bit on the expensive side but Thank goodness because, if it wasn't for the sweater I got yesterday, I would be freezing to death right now. Since there's no heat yet at school, It feels quite chilly in the corridors where all the windows are still wide open.

I now have a 4th grader who's kind of following me everywhere. She's cute. What a smart cookie. Some first graders are funny too.

The trick to have the kids who are trouble makers kiss the wall for a while seems to work. I like it because it's cruel but not violent. I don't need to be super angry or loud to control the classroom.

I got a lead from Janet about a job where they're looking for someone who speaks English and French. I'll check it out.

Was I wrong?

I thought the Koreans were the most sexually repressive people in the world but my visit to my Dad's province is making me wonder. The traditional lovestory is all about the love between a prostitute's daughter and an aristocrat's son. The whole setting about the celestial theme park and the later Choon Hyang's theme park both are very romantic and artsy. I prefer the old style one. It was lovely. It seems I prefer the old looking buildings - even though they are newly built. I learned so much about the culture and education system. The food was just amazing in the south west province where my father came from. It somewhat explains why my dad was so courageous to go after my mom - the impossible became possible. It's kind of sweet.

http://travel.webshots.com/album/561065189kGZbBi

http://travel.webshots.com/album/561063956tRAllL

Just some thoughts

I am interested in what makes something manifest your desires. I have had experiences where I had a very simple desire and thought - wouldn't it be nice if I had that and have if come through very easily. One was my toe shoes. I have no use for it but I wised I had them. The very next day my ballet teacher showed up with a pair that would only fit me. It was gorgeous ping pair with Swede toes, she got them in Italy that she could not wear because they were too small.

I also had this simple wish to visit my Dad's hometown. My employer - the City of Uiwang is sending me to that part of the country so that I can learn more Korean culture and become better English teacher.

Now I ponder, what can I imagine in life that would be so delicious that I have no resistance imagining it and having it?

Choosuk and more

The choosuk holiday was productive. I got a bookcase and a dresser and went through every single dusty book and cleaned up. It was very satisfying but exhausting. We had a tense day Choosuk. I participated in the ceremony. I thought about my mom and dad and missed them a lot. It was nice to be around cousins I don't see very often. Grandma seemed happy with all of her offsprings around.

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.