손준호 (Son Junho)

Since the very beginning of the new semester (back in March) I have been having a hard time dealing with Junho, one of the students in my kindergarten homeroom class. He's a very spirited kid who not only loves to be the center of attention, but when he's not, tantrums ensue. In a way, he's a bit like me as a child. However, Junho has a hard time listening to the teacher, he's constantly out of his chair and he tries (and succeeds) to get a rise out of all the other students in our class. Every day is a huge challenge and while I try not to make a big deal out of it and send a note home to his parents on a daily basis, sometimes I break and must send said notes. Normally, Junho's mother (whom I also not so fond of) writes me a message back apologizing for Junho's behavior and blaming it partly on the fact that he's a young boy. He's also an only child and this is clearly evident in Junho's behavior (I do have 2 other only children in my class and you'd never know it). Part of me, the I know all there is to know about children part (please sense the sarcasm in that statement), believes that Junho is highly babied at home and probably gets exactly what he wants when he wants. In my opinion, and the part of me that knows everything there is to know about parenting (again, sarcasm), Junho's parents are just as much as fault with his behavior as Junho is. He's used to getting everything he wants and in a class of eight and with me as a teacher, he doesn't get anything he wants and this is extremely difficult for Junho.

The point of this entry is to say that on Friday, I wrote this to his parents: Junho has been having a really hard time listening in class lately. He is constantly out of his chair, worried about the other students, rushing through his work and not focusing on what he should be doing. I know Junho is a very spirited child, but he would benefit from a bit of focus. Of course, this is not exactly what I would have written given a choice and a lack of professionalism. Today, when I walked into Universe class Junho informed me that he had a present for me. He proceeded to pull out a tin of cookies and a letter. He suggested that I share the cookies with the class (good idea as I easily could have eaten the whole tin) and that I read the note out loud to the class. I did both. Junho's letter was sincere (as sincere as a 5 year old can be) and was decorated with a very nice picture. He apologized for his behavior. Later, I was handed a note from Junho's father that also apologized for Junho's behavior and said that the note and cookies were entirely Junho's idea, that he and his wife had not told Junho to apologize but he did it on his own. This, to me, makes up for all of Junho's past behavior. It takes a socially aware child to realize that they must apologize. For Junho to apologize, he undid his only child-ness, he became selfless and apologetic. Something new for 손준호 and I only hope he will continue to grow.

Work Frustrations

I think I'll start things with my favorite pastime...a countdown, or three. 17 days of teaching left, 24 days until Thailand and a mere 34 days until I touch down in America. I can't believe how fast time has flown by and how much I feel like I have accomplished, but also how much I have yet to accomplish. It's been crazy at work lately and while I didn't intend for this to be such a (probably) spiteful blog, it will almost certainly turn into that.

Let me start off by saying that overall my experience at BIS has been fabulous. I get paid on time, I live in a highly coveted location, I have a very nice apartment and I have an amazing boss who will do anything for me (and my co-workers). My students, for the most part are great and they have come a long way in the time I've taught them and I don't mind my working hours. So, what's the problem? Report cards. Seemingly pointless schedule/class changes. "Changing" the way I'm supposed to teach a certain class. Workload overload.

1. Report Cards- Yes, as a teacher in the States (which is what I aspire to be) I will have to do report cards so why am I complaining? It's the way we have to do the report cards, when I first arrived I was responsible for 5-7 classes (45 students) worth of report cards, just general commenting on their ability and possible a recap of the term. Now, I have to write report cards for 14 classes (roughly 100 students).

2. Seemingly pointless schedule/class changes-The schedule was changed due to some sort of scheduling conflict with the kids. Justified. However, what I find pointless is having us teach 6 classes in a row on Tuesday and Thursday while only having 4-5 on Monday, Wednesday, Friday when one of the T/TR classes has three yes, THREE students in it. Why couldn't they be added to one of the other T/TR classes of the same grade level? It's to challenge the students, while they aren't the same level, they are close enough and the class I teach (the same for both sections) is taught the same. Same material, same homework, same everything. I challenge both classes in the same way and I get the same results regardless of class. If this class of THREE were to be consolidated into the class of FIVE it would be a nice, well-rounded class with plenty of challenging material AND an extra break for teachers who already teach 34-35 classes a week...again, probably close to what I'd be teaching in the States, but a lot of English teachers in Korea teach anywhere from 15-25 classes and earn as much or more than I do.

3. "Changing" the way I'm supposed to teach Trophies-Trophies is a reading class with stories, vocabulary, corresponding questions and a workbook. Since I started at BIS I have conducted my Trophies classes in a manner similar to this: 2 weeks on a story (2-4 classes depending on the grade level), day 1-introduce the reading and vocab, read story in class, assign workbook pages. day 2-talk about reading, read story in class, assign workbook pages and write vocabulary sentences. day 3-spelling test on vocabulary words, story map w/ summary (to identify important parts of the story), go over Think & Respond (questions in the book) assign reading and Think & Respond questions. day 4-workbook test and assign next reading. So, today my boss came in and told me that I need to "change" my approach to Trophies because "the students will learn better Engrishee if you change the Trophies teaching." How am I supposed to change it you ask? Well, apparently I'm supposed to spend 2 weeks on a story, assign vocab sentences, give a spelling test, assign summaries, assign reading and Think & Respond questions. I suppose I can change.

As my work frustrations mount, my excitement for Thailand and home also increase. I am sooooo thankful to have this job and I didn't want to complain because as I said, it's not a bad job, but I'm burned out and that's the source of the frustration. I need a vacation. Not having a decent break since the end of December can really wear a person out. I'm sure I'll look back on this blog entry in 4 months and think, "Hey, it wasn't that bad...and you miss it."

Thoughts

For quite awhile now I have been thinking my experience in Korea is more like a study abroad trip than the start of a career. Somehow, I still can't shake this feeling. While I am completely comfortable in front of a classroom and have embraced Seoul as my home, I keep waiting for a report card to show up. I spend the weekends like I would if I were in college. Usually this means going out to a bar or a club or it may entail hanging out at COEX. I'm still confused as to what all of this means.

The more I think about the time I've had in Korea, the experiences, the people I've met, the more I can see how I have grown. While I've always considered myself independent and mature, it is now more prevalent. I've gone to Japan all by myself, wandered around the metropolis that is Seoul and relied on myself to make friends (this in contrast to the "Laura Factor" at Ole Miss...she introduced me to pretty much everyone I hung out with). I don't even know where to begin start when I think back on the past 8 months (yes, it has been 8 months). I still feel like I got off the plane and while I say this over and over again, I truly discover something new everyday. Today, for example, I discovered that vegetable fried rice really doesn't contain many vegetables (meaningless discovery at best, but still).

I am thankful I have kept this blog because I think I'd forget the things that make Korea MY Korea. The little things that seem pointless in the moment, but they all combine into something wonderful. Snipets of what my students say, poorly written English signs, strange smells from the gutters and constant progress. Korea is evolving as quickly and as tirelessly as I am. One of my favorite things to do is to ride the subway at night and cross the river. The bright lights reflecting off the murky water of the Han River remind me of Christmas lights in the window and this somehow comforts me. Every time I cross the river, in the bright florescent lights of the subway car, I am home. I never thought I'd be at home in such a large city, but now I can't imagine not being around the culture, the hustle and bustle and the never ending options Seoul has to offer.

Subway Thoughts

From November 28, 2008
Today is the first day it felt like fall. The leaves had already changed, but they hadn't dropped. Today as I walked to the subway, the fallen leaves whirling in the brisk wind solidified the season. As winter surely approaches, the leaves make way for snow dusted limbs. The air is crisp now and the familiar smell of decaying leaves brings comfort. Soon it will be time for the renewing capabilities of snow.

From December 7, 2008
3:30pm
The less than magical snow awakened my awareness that I am in a place unlike home. The tteokbokki stand's blue tarp stood out among the gentle snowfall. Pools of fluffy white gathered in the folds as steam rose from the myriad of foods on offer. Last night the stands lined the street and offered a semi warm have for the drunk and weary. Green bottles of soju, half full, illuminated by the soft yellow lights inside the tent. Plastic lined plates overflowing with the spicy, chewy comfort of tteokbokki. Various fried vegetables and dumplings. The savory smell of chicken and pork skewers and the repulsive, yet familiar smell of sundae.

10:09pm
Seoul never ceases to amaze me. As we walked from the subway to The Eight: Reindeer Monologues, which we couldn't see due to a reservation error, the snow started to fall. Unlike the lackluster flurried of the morning, this snow had the renewing capabilities I so desire in snow. Large flakes falling effortlessly from the sky. The walk back proved magical. Life renewed somehow and I forgot I was in Seoul. I was at home with pink snow pants and a half finished snowman. Mom waiting with Swiss Miss. Since we couldn't see the show we decided to head to Itaewon and go to The Bungalow. A tropical themed bar with sand floors and swings. The four of us shared a bottle of red wine and soaked in the smoky smell of the fireplace and the tinsel slung above the tiki bar. Again I was transported to another place. Home. In front of the fireplace, sipping on a glass of wine, waiting for a cat to jump on my lap.

For the first time in my life I got the movie moment I have always desired. Snow still falling and illuminated by the Christmas lights, a fire blazing and good company. These are the moments I have always wanted in life. The hours that last for days, the realizing that I can stay in Seoul for a long time. I find something new and inspiring every week. This week it was the Bulgarian restaurant we went to for dinner. The food was amazing. I had a simple chicken dish with a spicy tomato sauce on top and steamed vegetables (carrot, broccoli and potato). Loren had a wonderful stuffed pork loin. It had cheese, onion, some other stuff and pickles. The pickles added a great flavor. Houston had a pork and vegetable stew that was by far my favorite dish of the evening. I love living in a big city, the possibilities are truly endless.