Ok, I will start this one with the "punchline"...mostly because I don't want anyone to go into this worried (which is so sweet, thank you!). I am "fine"...or at the very least don't have thyroid cancer.
On to the story...
Friday, January 29, 2016
Tuesday, January 12, 2016
Getting My Korean On...Chef Style!
It's no secret...I love food. I love everything about it. It's one of the few things that is a full sensory experience. I love reading/watching shows about it...the history and culture of it...I love cooking...and I especially love eating.
I've really been trying to learn Korean recipes so I can take all the wonderful food that I love and share it with friends and family back home. There are a few basic cooking classes for foreigners (like the entire program only offers around 5 menu items total)...and only then you only get basic information about the dishes. However, there is one that is absolutely fantastic!
Food and Culture Academy is just wonderful. I especially like that they offer a well-rounded menu and also give the option to request off-menu items that you want to learn (time and scheduling permitting). The main instructor, Ellie, is fantastic...she's friendly and knowledgeable, generous with her time, and her English is excellent. It's a wonderful facility, clean and easy to find. They also provide a "photo area" so you can take pictures to show off your handiwork...and a dining area so you can enjoy your dishes. They also have hanbok (traditional Korean clothing) you can wear for pictures for an additional cost.
I've really been trying to learn Korean recipes so I can take all the wonderful food that I love and share it with friends and family back home. There are a few basic cooking classes for foreigners (like the entire program only offers around 5 menu items total)...and only then you only get basic information about the dishes. However, there is one that is absolutely fantastic!
 |
| With my fabulous instructor, Ellie! |
Food and Culture Academy is just wonderful. I especially like that they offer a well-rounded menu and also give the option to request off-menu items that you want to learn (time and scheduling permitting). The main instructor, Ellie, is fantastic...she's friendly and knowledgeable, generous with her time, and her English is excellent. It's a wonderful facility, clean and easy to find. They also provide a "photo area" so you can take pictures to show off your handiwork...and a dining area so you can enjoy your dishes. They also have hanbok (traditional Korean clothing) you can wear for pictures for an additional cost.
Sunday, January 10, 2016
Hello Again!
It's been a long time, my dear readers. We have a lot to catch up on.
Just to quickly recap, this fall I was moved out of high school and had to split my time between 3 middle schools. Not just three schools, but 5 grades (and by extension, 5 textbooks)...all of which include a hefty daily commute. Now, I know a lot of Guest English Teachers (GETs) here handle multiple schools and grades and still have plenty of time to kill. However, getting all these lessons planned and prepped takes almost all my available time in the week. Not to mention, I prefer to be ahead of the school calendar by 2 weeks (just to give myself a little wiggle room), so having to start all over at new schools with new textbooks, for the better part of the semester I was barely hanging on. Plus, on top of my curriculum classes I also had a 2-hour after school classes...so on the days I had "after school" I would more or less have an 11 hour day, from the time I caught the bus to school, got through the regular school day, for through after school, and caught the bus home.
To be perfectly frank, I have been fairly miserable on this rotation. My new handler (main co-teacher) is a little pushy and demanding. Also, her English is not so great, so communicating with her is extremely difficult. As such, I try to only talk to her to discuss school business...even still we tend to have the same conversation 3 or 4 times before we get to an understanding. There's a few more frustrations about this situation, but at some point it just starts to sound like me whining and less like a frank discussion.
However, I do really like the other teachers that I actually teach with, and they have been nothing less than warm and supportive. This is particularly important because roughly half of the classes I taught this term couldn't have cared less if I was there or not.
To top off my "bad vibes" I was also extremely tired and around midterm exams, I was starting to have some other health problems. At first, I chalked it up to the stress of my new rotation, but even as the term wound down I was still constantly tired and frustrated. Finally, I decided I need to go see a doctor and it turns out I have thyroid nodule...which may or may not be affecting me (as of this post I haven't gotten the test results back)...and I will blog in more detail about this in a future post.
I feel like at this point you are tired of me whining about my life here and really, it is quite the opposite. I really do enjoy my job and if I didn't I would not spend as much time planning and prepping as I do. It's more like the slow grind of time getting to me. And enough of this "Debbie Downer" business...I will wrap up this post with some positive news.
This year, I have been offered and accepted a post in Seoul!
I am extremely happy about this news. Even though I will lose a little on my monthly salary, by the time I factor in weekly transportation costs here (roughly 15 dollars a week, so 60 a month) and the costs of traveling to Seoul for doctors, shopping, or just getting out of the countryside (a minimum of 25 dollar per trip, so if I go twice month, which on average I do, we are talking 50-60 dollars, plus the cost of staying over if I miss the last bus home) I will break even, if not come out ahead.
Thats my biggest news, and I have some more posts planned which I will get to in due time. I have quite a bit of desk warming and vacation time coming up, so hopefully I will get everything up here soon.
Until then!
Just to quickly recap, this fall I was moved out of high school and had to split my time between 3 middle schools. Not just three schools, but 5 grades (and by extension, 5 textbooks)...all of which include a hefty daily commute. Now, I know a lot of Guest English Teachers (GETs) here handle multiple schools and grades and still have plenty of time to kill. However, getting all these lessons planned and prepped takes almost all my available time in the week. Not to mention, I prefer to be ahead of the school calendar by 2 weeks (just to give myself a little wiggle room), so having to start all over at new schools with new textbooks, for the better part of the semester I was barely hanging on. Plus, on top of my curriculum classes I also had a 2-hour after school classes...so on the days I had "after school" I would more or less have an 11 hour day, from the time I caught the bus to school, got through the regular school day, for through after school, and caught the bus home.
To be perfectly frank, I have been fairly miserable on this rotation. My new handler (main co-teacher) is a little pushy and demanding. Also, her English is not so great, so communicating with her is extremely difficult. As such, I try to only talk to her to discuss school business...even still we tend to have the same conversation 3 or 4 times before we get to an understanding. There's a few more frustrations about this situation, but at some point it just starts to sound like me whining and less like a frank discussion.
However, I do really like the other teachers that I actually teach with, and they have been nothing less than warm and supportive. This is particularly important because roughly half of the classes I taught this term couldn't have cared less if I was there or not.
To top off my "bad vibes" I was also extremely tired and around midterm exams, I was starting to have some other health problems. At first, I chalked it up to the stress of my new rotation, but even as the term wound down I was still constantly tired and frustrated. Finally, I decided I need to go see a doctor and it turns out I have thyroid nodule...which may or may not be affecting me (as of this post I haven't gotten the test results back)...and I will blog in more detail about this in a future post.
I feel like at this point you are tired of me whining about my life here and really, it is quite the opposite. I really do enjoy my job and if I didn't I would not spend as much time planning and prepping as I do. It's more like the slow grind of time getting to me. And enough of this "Debbie Downer" business...I will wrap up this post with some positive news.
This year, I have been offered and accepted a post in Seoul!
I am extremely happy about this news. Even though I will lose a little on my monthly salary, by the time I factor in weekly transportation costs here (roughly 15 dollars a week, so 60 a month) and the costs of traveling to Seoul for doctors, shopping, or just getting out of the countryside (a minimum of 25 dollar per trip, so if I go twice month, which on average I do, we are talking 50-60 dollars, plus the cost of staying over if I miss the last bus home) I will break even, if not come out ahead.
Thats my biggest news, and I have some more posts planned which I will get to in due time. I have quite a bit of desk warming and vacation time coming up, so hopefully I will get everything up here soon.
Until then!
Tuesday, September 8, 2015
If What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Stronger...
...then I am going to live forever.
I just keep chugging along. I'm exhausted...but I just keep moving forward. Mostly because I'm scared if I stop I will never get going again. ^^
Just in case you haven't been paying attention I got pulled from my high school...which I absolutely loved. In fact, I had more or less decided that as long as I stayed at that school I would be content with my lot here...and would more or less stay indefinitely.
Sadly, it wasn't meant to be.
Instead I got bounced to 3...THREE...middle schools. Two of which I have to take the bus to...one is a heafty walk, but walkable. So, my week looks like this:
Busy girl!
That is a 24 class schedule...at three schools...with 5 different textbooks.
I was really quite spoiled at high school.
In all honesty, I really do enjoy two of my school. The students seem at least happy to see me for class, if not thrilled to be learning English. Eh...the third...I am really just wasting my time with them. With precious few exceptions, they just don't care.
It's a long way to winter vacation.
I just keep chugging along. I'm exhausted...but I just keep moving forward. Mostly because I'm scared if I stop I will never get going again. ^^
Just in case you haven't been paying attention I got pulled from my high school...which I absolutely loved. In fact, I had more or less decided that as long as I stayed at that school I would be content with my lot here...and would more or less stay indefinitely.
Sadly, it wasn't meant to be.
Instead I got bounced to 3...THREE...middle schools. Two of which I have to take the bus to...one is a heafty walk, but walkable. So, my week looks like this:
Busy girl!
That is a 24 class schedule...at three schools...with 5 different textbooks.
I was really quite spoiled at high school.
In all honesty, I really do enjoy two of my school. The students seem at least happy to see me for class, if not thrilled to be learning English. Eh...the third...I am really just wasting my time with them. With precious few exceptions, they just don't care.
It's a long way to winter vacation.
Tuesday, August 25, 2015
Rainy Days and Mondays...
It's only 10 AM (and Tuesday, but appropriately, it is raining) and I am already dangerously close to dehydration from non-stop crying for the last 2 days. Out of all of this I am impressed with my ability to be heartbreakingly sad and still laugh. It's strange.
Today is my last day at my current school, Jincheon High School, and starting tomorrow I will be splitting my time between 3 middle schools in the area. This is the big reason for my "blogger's block" lately. For the longest time I knew I HAD to leave and would have to take on multiple schools (and honestly, I am not complaining about the workload), but it was constantly held over my head that I might even be sent out of my current area...which would be ridiculous, since I only have 6 months left on the contract. This has been a huge source of stress for me and I was waiting for the other shoe to drop before I committed to anything else.
And let's be clear: I DON'T want to leave my current school...I feel like I am leaving the job unfinished. I feel like I am leaving right when students (particularly Grade 3 students preparing for university interviews, many which are English only...yep, even in Korea) will need me the most. I am trying to make arrangements to still be available to students who want help interviewing, so we'll have to see how that pans out. I have worked really hard here...objectively harder than a lot of foreign English teachers do (many on the ones here make comments about me making the job harder that I have to). Yes, I could take the easy way out, but there is something special about the students here (and shouldn't all teachers feel that way?) and I feel like I owe them my best to help them become their best.
But mostly my issue with leaving this school is that I didn't get a vote. I feel like I am being forced to leave my home and family. Because more that the desire to not only be "good" at my job, but the "best" at my job (ok, I'm a little competitive), but I have worked really hard to build a life here with these people as friends and (created) family.
None of this is meant to say that I won't love my new schools, co-workers, or students...hopefully I will come to love them just as much. It is simply the fact I (and not even my school) was not given a choice...it was simply decided by the higher ups and I am being sent away....and I borderline resent that. I understand issues about budget and staffing...you come to understand that after a few months in food service...but I just feel like a compromise could have been reached to reasonably satisfy everyone.
As it is, I am getting ready for the next stage in my journey and, with any luck, it will be a good one.
Today is my last day at my current school, Jincheon High School, and starting tomorrow I will be splitting my time between 3 middle schools in the area. This is the big reason for my "blogger's block" lately. For the longest time I knew I HAD to leave and would have to take on multiple schools (and honestly, I am not complaining about the workload), but it was constantly held over my head that I might even be sent out of my current area...which would be ridiculous, since I only have 6 months left on the contract. This has been a huge source of stress for me and I was waiting for the other shoe to drop before I committed to anything else.
And let's be clear: I DON'T want to leave my current school...I feel like I am leaving the job unfinished. I feel like I am leaving right when students (particularly Grade 3 students preparing for university interviews, many which are English only...yep, even in Korea) will need me the most. I am trying to make arrangements to still be available to students who want help interviewing, so we'll have to see how that pans out. I have worked really hard here...objectively harder than a lot of foreign English teachers do (many on the ones here make comments about me making the job harder that I have to). Yes, I could take the easy way out, but there is something special about the students here (and shouldn't all teachers feel that way?) and I feel like I owe them my best to help them become their best.
But mostly my issue with leaving this school is that I didn't get a vote. I feel like I am being forced to leave my home and family. Because more that the desire to not only be "good" at my job, but the "best" at my job (ok, I'm a little competitive), but I have worked really hard to build a life here with these people as friends and (created) family.
None of this is meant to say that I won't love my new schools, co-workers, or students...hopefully I will come to love them just as much. It is simply the fact I (and not even my school) was not given a choice...it was simply decided by the higher ups and I am being sent away....and I borderline resent that. I understand issues about budget and staffing...you come to understand that after a few months in food service...but I just feel like a compromise could have been reached to reasonably satisfy everyone.
As it is, I am getting ready for the next stage in my journey and, with any luck, it will be a good one.
Monday, August 17, 2015
Perception
This is a long one, so get comfortable.
I haven't exploited my students' work in a long time. Not because they haven't done anything noteworthy (because I really am consistently impressed by their work), but because if I did that would be all I posted.
I just wrapped up summer camp...and this time, we learned about different concepts that effect our worldviews (like privilege and perception). Basically, we were trying out basic cultural relativism. We also tried applying these by watching The Outsiders movie and then taking a different perspective of the story. Teaching some things (like privilege) were like beating my head against the wall, but they took to perception fairly well.
After talking about what perception is, each student has one picture by MC Escher (look him up, if you don't know) and to tell me their perception of the drawing. So, here's what they told me. I am leaving all their words exactly as they told me.
I haven't exploited my students' work in a long time. Not because they haven't done anything noteworthy (because I really am consistently impressed by their work), but because if I did that would be all I posted.
I just wrapped up summer camp...and this time, we learned about different concepts that effect our worldviews (like privilege and perception). Basically, we were trying out basic cultural relativism. We also tried applying these by watching The Outsiders movie and then taking a different perspective of the story. Teaching some things (like privilege) were like beating my head against the wall, but they took to perception fairly well.
After talking about what perception is, each student has one picture by MC Escher (look him up, if you don't know) and to tell me their perception of the drawing. So, here's what they told me. I am leaving all their words exactly as they told me.
Tuesday, July 28, 2015
Long Time, No See...
I really love that phrase...mostly because it is a literal translation here. It's clear and understandable. But, I digress...
Admittedly, I have been terrible at keeping up with things on here. Mostly because there is a lot going on and big changes on the horizon that occupy most of my awake time and brain function. So, until all that is settled, I can't promise any new blogs with any regularity. Deepest apologies.
But I will try to post what I can when I can...I promise. In fact, I have a few posts in progress, that I just haven't gotten around to final edits and adding pictures. If you were wondering, generally, when I am caught up with work I write posts during my free class time but since my personal photos live on my computer at home, I have to wait to add pictures and finalize posts. But lately, by the time I get home and have free time, I feel completely unmotivated. I promise I will try to do better. I will also finally fill everyone in on what is happening once everything has settled and all the dust has cleared.
Until then, please keep checking back...or better yet, sign up for email updates on the right. As always, a comment every now and then wouldn't hurt either. :)
Admittedly, I have been terrible at keeping up with things on here. Mostly because there is a lot going on and big changes on the horizon that occupy most of my awake time and brain function. So, until all that is settled, I can't promise any new blogs with any regularity. Deepest apologies.
But I will try to post what I can when I can...I promise. In fact, I have a few posts in progress, that I just haven't gotten around to final edits and adding pictures. If you were wondering, generally, when I am caught up with work I write posts during my free class time but since my personal photos live on my computer at home, I have to wait to add pictures and finalize posts. But lately, by the time I get home and have free time, I feel completely unmotivated. I promise I will try to do better. I will also finally fill everyone in on what is happening once everything has settled and all the dust has cleared.
Until then, please keep checking back...or better yet, sign up for email updates on the right. As always, a comment every now and then wouldn't hurt either. :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)