This happened Thursday in my K-7 class. We were sitting on the floor to play a game with flashcards, and two of the boys were almost arguing. It ended up that one, Neal, didn't want another one, Ashton to sit beside him. I sat down and tried to explain to Neal that if I wanted to sit by Ashton but he looked at me and made a yucky face and went to the other side of the room, that I would be very sad. Neal is THE most delightful student I teach, and he's very sweet, kind, and sensitive. So he started crying. I pulled him up into my lap, and was comforting him. All the other kids in the class love him as much as I do, so they're all crowded around, trying to pat him on the back and love on him too. So I told him not to cry, that I liked him very much. I then asked each of the kids if they liked him, and they all said, "Yes, I do" (even in a complete sentence, YES!). Then I said to the other students (Neal was hiding his face in his hands and crying), "Do you know how much I like Neal?" They shook their heads. So I stretched out my arms as wide as I could and said, "THIS much!" Then, in the most moving spontaneous act done by children that *I've* ever seen, the students all got up, of their own accord, one grabbed one of my hands, then they all joined hands, and spread out around the entire classroom. They then said something along the lines of "Like Neal THIS..." (not nearly a sentence...but the kindness more than makes up for the bad English).
Then, less than 10 minutes later, when we finally got to playing the game with flashcards, one of the students (Josh is his English name) got a little sad because he didn't have as many flashcards as many of the other students. He said, "Me, no" (which means I'm not playing this game anymore) and looked like he might be about to cry and Neal (kind formerly-crying Neal) went over and made Josh take all of Neal's flashcards so that Josh would feel better. Precious...truly precious.
Monday, December 19, 2005
Sunday, December 18, 2005
My shoes...the long-awaited update
I received a text message on Thursday telling me that my shoes were ready. I was very excited, but because of my work schedule wouldn't be able to get them until Saturday. And so yesterday I made my way over to that part of town to pick them up, really really excited about the whole thing. I got there, and they pulled out these shoes....the good news is that they look nothing like the tennis racquet-like things I feared they might look like. The bad news is...well, they remind me of the Wicked Witch of the West from the Wizard of Oz. I just tried to google her shoes, and maybe they look nothing like hers, but they do look similar to these costume witch's shoes. (Just make the toes square, not pointy, and take off the sparkly thing and you've got my shoes!) The style here is long square-toe shoes. I know nothing about fashion trends in the States, so those reading, please let me know if this horrible idea is popular over there too. It makes sense over here, because Korean women have such tiny feet, maybe with the long square toes it makes the shoes look bigger? Like less of a doll and more of "Don't mess with me or me and my square toe shoes will kick your butt"? I really don't know.
Back to the point...remember the drawing of my foot that they did? I have to wonder WHY they bothered because these shoes are T-I-N-Y. WAY too small for my feet width-wise, and maybe even a size too small length-wise. Not to mention that i has been ages since I've worn anything resembling a heel. So I wore the shoes out of the store (to be nice) and across the street where I bought socks to wear with the shoes I had worn to pick up the new and massively uncomfortable shoes. And in the seven-ish minutes I had the shoes on my feet, they made my heel bleed. I never did explain about the pointy toe thing though, did I? Anyway, given the respectable length of my feet already (a US size 10 for those of you who are wondering), this extra-long square toe thing is just an extremely bad idea.
The good news is that not all is lost. First, I will have to break them in before I can make a decision about them. I don't know when I can do this as I can barely walk in them and my heel is still raw and cut open at the moment. Second, I can take them to a shoe shop and get them stretched a bit, which HAS to help. After both of these steps are done, I think I will be able to wear them. And every female needs black dressy shoes. So it's okay. That is all.
Back to the point...remember the drawing of my foot that they did? I have to wonder WHY they bothered because these shoes are T-I-N-Y. WAY too small for my feet width-wise, and maybe even a size too small length-wise. Not to mention that i has been ages since I've worn anything resembling a heel. So I wore the shoes out of the store (to be nice) and across the street where I bought socks to wear with the shoes I had worn to pick up the new and massively uncomfortable shoes. And in the seven-ish minutes I had the shoes on my feet, they made my heel bleed. I never did explain about the pointy toe thing though, did I? Anyway, given the respectable length of my feet already (a US size 10 for those of you who are wondering), this extra-long square toe thing is just an extremely bad idea.
The good news is that not all is lost. First, I will have to break them in before I can make a decision about them. I don't know when I can do this as I can barely walk in them and my heel is still raw and cut open at the moment. Second, I can take them to a shoe shop and get them stretched a bit, which HAS to help. After both of these steps are done, I think I will be able to wear them. And every female needs black dressy shoes. So it's okay. That is all.
Tuesday, December 13, 2005
Highlights of my weekend:
- Job interview went quite well - charmed and impressed. However, they called one of my references (Korean teacher from current school) while she was actually at my current school working. She talked to them normally, but then our boss walked in and she couldn't. That might cause problems.
- I thankfully did not freeze off my toes and/or feet in the sock-less not warm shoes I was wearing.
- I did MAJOR shopping after the interview:
- Got my hair cut by a guy that speaks English perfectly (that's a first for me since I've been here)
- Bought a new scarf and mitts, as it was below freezing all day. Learned how to put on said scarf from the old delightful grandma lady I bought it from (being from Florida has rendered scarf-putting-on an impossible to master task for me. I think I got it now though.)
- Bought an Ella Fitzgerald CD
- Bought Christmas presents for Donovan, a friend from church, Daive, and Claude
- Bought more pop-tarts and *gasp* a bag of cool ranch doritoes (and yes, they were everything I hoped they would be and more)
- Here's the big 'un - I went shoe shopping because I didn't want to repeat the open-toed black shoe fiasco again, and for this very reason, went to the most foreigner-friendly part of town. Again, I got laughed out of every shop. So my friend who was with me said we should check about getting a pair of shoes made for me. I agreed to check into it, but didn't think I'd do it, as I expected it to cost WAY more than I was willing to spend. Long story short, it cost 85 dollars (which is 10 dollars less than the pair of shoes I kinda liked that didn't come in my size) and the guy measured and traced my feet. I'm excited, but I'm also kinda scared, cause my feet really are monstrous and the shoes might just look like freaky tennis racquets or something. I'll have them in a week, and I'm rather looking forward to it.
- When I went to the vet near my house to buy cat litter and kitten food, I also bought Christmas presents for the animals. I told the vet that's what I was doing. Before I left, he came up and put in a bag of dog treats and a bag of cat food and said it was his Christmas present to Daive and Claude respectively...absolutely adorable.
More about the pennies
Update on the "pennies" boys:
Necessary background: Today in class one of them came in and said without any hint of mischief or evil, "Teacher, is asshole bad?" Eek. Not that this was the first time I've been caught off guard by questions about profanity, but still...they just say it so off-hand. I told him it was, that there were only a handful of English bad words, and that if that was on the list, they should not ever say it. He explained that he had heard it on a video game (Grand Theft Auto 3, for you that care). Then another boy said, "What about motherf*#$%#?" Ummm...yeah, that's REALLY bad. Don't say it.
A little later, they start saying something I know isn't English (sounds like "gus"). I also know it's bad from the way they're acting when they say it. So I went downstairs and got one of the teachers to come up and tell them that profanity, in any language, is not appropriate for class. Unfortunately, the Korean teacher that helped me didn't really understand my point, so they kept on saying the questionable (but unknown) Korean word. After class finished, I passed them on my way home downstairs. The Korean teacher was down there and I asked him what it meant. He said it was just a name. I knew it wasn't...but whatever. So I started walking home, when one of the boys comes running down the street yelling my name. I thought I had dropped something. He runs up and SHOUTS: "Gus means PENNIES!!!!" So I turned and kept on walking. He followed me shouting this, and I was just shaking my head. So perhaps I've just taught you all creative Korean slang for male private parts. At this point I'm still not really sure. But I am quite sure he wasn't talking about the small bronze coin with Abraham Lincoln on it.
Necessary background: Today in class one of them came in and said without any hint of mischief or evil, "Teacher, is asshole bad?" Eek. Not that this was the first time I've been caught off guard by questions about profanity, but still...they just say it so off-hand. I told him it was, that there were only a handful of English bad words, and that if that was on the list, they should not ever say it. He explained that he had heard it on a video game (Grand Theft Auto 3, for you that care). Then another boy said, "What about motherf*#$%#?" Ummm...yeah, that's REALLY bad. Don't say it.
A little later, they start saying something I know isn't English (sounds like "gus"). I also know it's bad from the way they're acting when they say it. So I went downstairs and got one of the teachers to come up and tell them that profanity, in any language, is not appropriate for class. Unfortunately, the Korean teacher that helped me didn't really understand my point, so they kept on saying the questionable (but unknown) Korean word. After class finished, I passed them on my way home downstairs. The Korean teacher was down there and I asked him what it meant. He said it was just a name. I knew it wasn't...but whatever. So I started walking home, when one of the boys comes running down the street yelling my name. I thought I had dropped something. He runs up and SHOUTS: "Gus means PENNIES!!!!" So I turned and kept on walking. He followed me shouting this, and I was just shaking my head. So perhaps I've just taught you all creative Korean slang for male private parts. At this point I'm still not really sure. But I am quite sure he wasn't talking about the small bronze coin with Abraham Lincoln on it.
Saturday, December 10, 2005
It's been a busy and hectic week. Here are some highlights:
- One of my first graders (who, in his defense, does have a very new baby brother) turned to me in class when we were all sitting on the floor reading, pointed at my chest, made a sucking noise, and said, "Milk, please!" I was dumbfounded.
- Same day as the breast milk request, I was in my last class of the day (my sixth grade class) and one of the boys was trying to explain that his toy had hit him in his private parts. However, this was how he said it, "It hit me in the pennies." (Pronounced "pennies" like the small coins.) This struck me as rather funny, especially since they were trying to shock me. Obviously, this is one word I'm going to correct them on their pronunciation. I had to cover up my face with a book for a few seconds while I regained my composure, and then went on with class.
- Someone finally said something to me at work about quitting...in the form of a question, "Why February?" I said it was because I haven't seen my family in over a year. He (my boss) asked me if I had a job in the States. Then, in a fit of what could only have been a supernatural shot of intestinal fortitude, I said, "Oh no. I'm coming back to Korea....just not to this school." This was in the middle of the office, too. Eyes bulged, jaws dropped. But, because of the Korean anti-conflict thing, he just kept the conversation light and superficial, but no one has talked to me since then. (That'll teach them, huh?)
- I have a job interview tomorrow at a really good school. It specializes in SAT and Western-College prep courses. It sounds like it would be a really challenging job, it pays well, and it is in the richest neighborhood in Seoul. That last thing is actually a minus about it...we'll see how it goes.
That's about it. FYI, I'll be wearing open-toed black shoes to the interview tomorrow because I own no other black shoes and I got laughed out of every shoe store today. It's not been above freezing this week (or at least not enough above freezing to melt the snow and ice), so it should be a fairly unpleasant experience.
- One of my first graders (who, in his defense, does have a very new baby brother) turned to me in class when we were all sitting on the floor reading, pointed at my chest, made a sucking noise, and said, "Milk, please!" I was dumbfounded.
- Same day as the breast milk request, I was in my last class of the day (my sixth grade class) and one of the boys was trying to explain that his toy had hit him in his private parts. However, this was how he said it, "It hit me in the pennies." (Pronounced "pennies" like the small coins.) This struck me as rather funny, especially since they were trying to shock me. Obviously, this is one word I'm going to correct them on their pronunciation. I had to cover up my face with a book for a few seconds while I regained my composure, and then went on with class.
- Someone finally said something to me at work about quitting...in the form of a question, "Why February?" I said it was because I haven't seen my family in over a year. He (my boss) asked me if I had a job in the States. Then, in a fit of what could only have been a supernatural shot of intestinal fortitude, I said, "Oh no. I'm coming back to Korea....just not to this school." This was in the middle of the office, too. Eyes bulged, jaws dropped. But, because of the Korean anti-conflict thing, he just kept the conversation light and superficial, but no one has talked to me since then. (That'll teach them, huh?)
- I have a job interview tomorrow at a really good school. It specializes in SAT and Western-College prep courses. It sounds like it would be a really challenging job, it pays well, and it is in the richest neighborhood in Seoul. That last thing is actually a minus about it...we'll see how it goes.
That's about it. FYI, I'll be wearing open-toed black shoes to the interview tomorrow because I own no other black shoes and I got laughed out of every shoe store today. It's not been above freezing this week (or at least not enough above freezing to melt the snow and ice), so it should be a fairly unpleasant experience.
Sunday, December 4, 2005
It's snowing!!!
The Canadian (Kylie) happens to mention this off-hand as she's sitting and talking to me in my apartment. Being the Florida girl that I am, I shout some sort of exclamation, and run to the tiny window in my apartment (as a strand of Christmas lights is perched rather precariously on the large windows) to see if perhaps she is fibbing. Miracle of miracles, she's telling the truth! She's unimpressed by the whole thing (after all, she is from Canada) but as soon as she leaves Daive and I put on our coats and rush downstairs. Unfortunately it's not powdery snow that sticks. It's just falling ice...the ground is wet, and after standing in the street looking awe-struck (and stupid, I'm sure) Daive and I are also rather wet. So we came upstairs....a little disappointed. But I know it'll snow again. It has snowed since I've been here...but only once that I was actually out while it was happening. Most of the time I would wake up and there'd be a bit of snow on the ground. It's thrilling!
Today I went and bought a cell phone with an English menu. As it was used, and therefore much cheaper, I opted to go with one that had a camera on it. The quality of the pictures is horrible, but it's entertained me rather well today, I must say. I also bought more Christmas decorations today, a new purse, some yarn, and a crochet hook. It's been a remarkably productive day. Oh yes, and some strawberry pop-tarts. Yet another box of $5.00 pop-tarts. I also bought a $4.00 bag of Combos...funny the things I miss. However, I resisted the urge to buy the $10.00 bag of doritoes. Not sure how long my will power can last though. The market where I bought the Christmas decorations also had a small import section, where I purchased two bottles of Italian dressing and a package of Dayquil (at a whopping $7.00 for 12 capsules...but luckily I've forgotten how much that costs at home, so I'll say it's not too bad). I'm really tired though, as I had to get up at 7:30 for a seminar. That's a story for another day though. I'm beat. Night all.
Today I went and bought a cell phone with an English menu. As it was used, and therefore much cheaper, I opted to go with one that had a camera on it. The quality of the pictures is horrible, but it's entertained me rather well today, I must say. I also bought more Christmas decorations today, a new purse, some yarn, and a crochet hook. It's been a remarkably productive day. Oh yes, and some strawberry pop-tarts. Yet another box of $5.00 pop-tarts. I also bought a $4.00 bag of Combos...funny the things I miss. However, I resisted the urge to buy the $10.00 bag of doritoes. Not sure how long my will power can last though. The market where I bought the Christmas decorations also had a small import section, where I purchased two bottles of Italian dressing and a package of Dayquil (at a whopping $7.00 for 12 capsules...but luckily I've forgotten how much that costs at home, so I'll say it's not too bad). I'm really tired though, as I had to get up at 7:30 for a seminar. That's a story for another day though. I'm beat. Night all.
Thursday, December 1, 2005
In the past two weeks I have been to the doctor four times, have had chest x-rays taken twice, have been given five different prescriptions, and at least three diagnoses. First, it was stress. Second, it was asthma related. Third, it's either asthma related WITH a lung infection or it's pneumonia. Only time will tell. I did tell the doctor about the most unusual symptom, which is a bizarre and disturbing crackling noise that happens when I breathe out, and he said that is associated with pneumonia. When he prescribed me the latest round of antibiotics, his words were, "If these don't do the trick, you've got something else." It made me laugh, but it made a lot more sense in the context of our discussion than it does when I just typed it here.
In other news, I won't be coming home for Christmas. The issue with my reservation being nullified with the airline changing some sort of date line of theirs is to blame. Well, that and now the cheapest ticket I can find is about $2200 (US dollars) rather than $1300. Either way, it's a freakin LOT of money. The plan (I will say tenative plan, because I have learned Prov. 16:9 is quite true) is to stop working at my current school mid-February, go to the States for 2 weeks, and then come back and start at a new school in March. Again, we'll see. I'm going to sleep now. Night all.
In other news, I won't be coming home for Christmas. The issue with my reservation being nullified with the airline changing some sort of date line of theirs is to blame. Well, that and now the cheapest ticket I can find is about $2200 (US dollars) rather than $1300. Either way, it's a freakin LOT of money. The plan (I will say tenative plan, because I have learned Prov. 16:9 is quite true) is to stop working at my current school mid-February, go to the States for 2 weeks, and then come back and start at a new school in March. Again, we'll see. I'm going to sleep now. Night all.
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