Ideas, Kimchi Jjigae and Japan

Lately I have been trying to think of ways to make my classes more interesting and less of a routine. As a person who enjoys a certain routine it can be difficult to break that. However, I have come up with 2 ideas that will become routine and also allow the kids to learn and have fun. The first is a word of the day. Simple right? Why didn't I think of that before? I put the word on the board, write a sentence using the word and then give them the definition. If they can correctly use it in a sentence I give them a bonus points. My points are almost as useless as those on "Who's Line is it Anyway," but the kids like the idea of points. The second thing I have come up with is a word puzzle. I remember as a kid that we had the puzzles that used words and their positions to create a saying or something. For example, M1LLION=one in a million. The student who correctly guesses the word puzzle also earns a bonus point. However, this point is actually useful as they can bank them to raise test scores. I am generally a creative person so when my lessons lack sparkle or fun, I feel like I'm not doing a very good job teaching. The problem is the attention and focus on the set curriculum whether the students are understanding or not. Sometimes we might need to take longer and make sure we understand rather than plow through a textbook. However, sometimes we don't have to take as long so it might all pan out in the end. I'm trying to be more creative and have more fun and I have some great ideas and things planned so we'll see.

This evening I had the best dinner ever! I tried kimchi jjigae (김치 찌개) for the first time and it was so delicious. Very spicy, but worth it. I didn't take a picture of my exact jjigae, but here is an idea of what it looks like.

Kimchi jjigae is a stew with kimchi, onion, pork, tofu, sliced ddak (rice cakes) and green onion in it. It is served sizzling hot with a side of rice. I didn't eat the tofu in it, not that I don't like tofu, but before I left the States I was having some allergic reactions to soy and I didn't want to take any chances. All in all, my favorite meal in Korea so far.

I have decided to go to Japan for Christmas. Right now I think I'm leaving early evening of the 25th and returning late evening of the 1st. I will be flying into Osaka and I'll be there the until the afternoon/early evening of the 26th. Then it's off to Kyoto for 2-3 days and then Tokyo for the New Year. I am planning on going with my friend Kristin and also meeting up with a few of my Japanese Cottey girls. It should be an amazing time and although I stressed (and still am stressing a little) about the cost, it's something I would regret not doing. My theory right now is that yes, a savings account with money in it is a good thing. However, experiencing the world is a better idea. I'm in Korea to have new experiences and to explore and learn about the world I live in. All the money in the world can't replace knowledge and living my life. Of course this is only a theory and when my future children ask why they don't have a college fund, I might feel differently.