A day in the Life...

Now that I can sleep easy, and breath better about the future of our planet, I can continue to write about life in Korea. I suppose the main focus of my daily actives revolve around going to school and teaching English. When I became a teacher, the only thing I ever thought I could teach, other than art, would be English. In the states, I could picture myself teaching a creative writing class, or a class that was more alternatively focused. Here, my classes are very basic, but they push me in areas that I thought I had solved with my computer spell check option.

I have NEVER been good at spelling, partly due to my slight dyslexia, and partly due to being very left brained. This poses a problem because I have to write everything on the chalk board. Therefore, if I have to write things that I have not planned to, it frequently becomes a guessing game of... "Am I spelling this right?". More often than not, the students or my co-teachers correct me and I play it off like "Oh, I knew that... I was just testing you!", and everyone laughs. Granted I have become better at spelling in my old age... But, it is still a circuit in my brain that doesn't fully connect. I have become grateful for Power Point presentations and worksheets to avoid these mistakes.

The level of English that I teach is very basic. There are one or two advanced students in each class who insist on yelling out the answers. The concept of "raising your hand" does not exist in this school. I had to teach a whole lesson on, "how to raise your hand BEFORE you speak". If the students do not raise their hands, then, only 1-3 students are participating for the whole class.

Another hurtle that I have tried to jump, is the energy level and the pure dis-concern in many classes. The students in my school are very low income and have already decided that they do not need English. Therefore, trying to teach them "straight" lessons turns into side conversations and blatant sleeping on their desks. Therefore, I quickly concluded that each class should have at least one game, movie, or extra sensory activity to get their attention. YouTube has become my best friend. The most important aspect teaching here is to make the lesson fun. These kids hate learning English, and most of them don't know why they have to. So, if I can come in with a simple activity that they understand, and only pushes them a little, they will be more excited to be in the class next time. It seems to be working.

There are some wonderful students who love English, and love learning about me and where I come from. Their eyes get big and you can see a glint of excitement when I speak about a place they have only seen on TV. These are the students who make my day! I even have a theme song: "Jenniper, Jenniper, Jenni poe poe, Jenni-poe poe, Jenni-Poe Poe" No matter how bad my day is going, how many students didn't' care what I just said, as soon as I hear my song being sung behind me, I smile.

Lunch is always a surprise. For the good and the bad, it's only 2,000 won. Which, at this moment is only about a $1.50. Every day I eat some sort of rice and soup. Usually, the rice and soup is good. The soup can be anything from a seaweed based, clear broth ed soup, to Kim chi stew, to a clear broth with thousands of small fishy tasting oysters in the bottom (not just the oysters, but the the shells too). Or, my "favorite" fish bone soup. Fish bone soup, is when they chop up a fish, and put it in broth. No preparation, no taking the skin off... just the fish, some broth and you. mmmmmm... Korean food has little preparation. It's just cooked... or not cooked. For the most part though, it's a good, well rounded, and hardy meal.

Today is testing day for my oldest students. So, that means that I only have 2 classes. I'm just looking forward to my 25 minute, up-hill walk home. It's a great time to think, zone out, and enjoy the beautiful autumn colors. Plus, the bus takes longer to go home than walking... so I get to have a forced workout everyday whether I like it or not.

Goodbye for now,

Things Are Good Again

Things are good again from not only an American perspective, but a worldly perspective. Yesterday, I called in sick, made a good ol' American breakfast and watched attentively, on my computer for the results of the Presidential race. Every state that turned blue, myself, Jared, and a friend from our apartment building cheered. Only 100 more... only 60 more... only 20 more! Then finally! FINALLY! the announcement was made that Barack Husein Obama would be the next president of the United States of America! I made mimosas with cheap champagne, Soju (rice vodka) and orange juice and we celebrated! Damn I wish I was in Chicago still...

As I watched his acceptance speech, like many people around the world, I cried. What a historic day. I stared at the computer screen in a state of euphoric shock. This is really happening! He really did it! Bush is really almost OVER!

It was a shame to be across the world during the wonderful day. There were no masses celebrating here, no celebrations to attend, and only one person to hug with extreme joy. Korea, is considered one of the most nationalistic countries in the world. They pride themselves in taxing American products heavily to promote their own development. Therefore, most Koreans are scared that their economy will suffer more, because Obama wants to make the taxing and trading even on both sides. Right now, products exported from Korea are freely shipped to the US, and on the return are taxed atleast 25%. The new concept is much more fair, but Korea doesn't like it.

Only one person at school today said "Congratulations, we will have world peace again". No one else has mentioned the election at all. In passing, I hear "Obama blah blah blah blah" in words that I can not understand... It is interesting to be in a place, probably one of the only places in this world, at the moment, that is less than thrilled with the news.

I am proud to say I voted, I am proud to say Barack Obama is my new President, and I am proud to travel this world knowing that things will get better.

I wish I could share this wonderful time with you all... we'll have to celebrate when I get back!