In the USA, when we have old junk that we don't want, we slap price tags on it and have a garage sale. People come from all over and give us money for it, which makes both parties happy. In addition to the financial gain, we also get to enjoy sitting outdoors in a plastic chair and meeting some of our frequently-amusing fellow Americans.
Koreans have a different method for cleaning things out. They just haul them out to the curb and let them sit amongst the special colored trash bags (read an earlier post for the trash bag story). You can find all sorts of treasures, from rabbit cages, to chairs, to bookcases, to full-size sofas, to baskets, to battered books. Normally I am not enticed by the junk amongst the trash, but yesterday was a different matter. Yesterday I went "Korean garage sale-ing."
I noticed that a neighbor had thrown out a perfectly good TV cabinet with only one small dent. Since the price was right (free!) I decided to claim it. It isn't a big cabinet; it's one of the ones that sits under a television set, but boy was that thing a bear to lug up four flights of steps! I thought for sure I was going to drop it at one point. Resisting the urge to practice some of the marvelous swearing I've heard from some of the other foreigners, I took a rest on the third floor and somehow made it to my front door. Getting it in the door was pretty easy.
Then, I learned that there was another problem. There is no way on God's green earth that I can lift my TV and move it from its current dinky cabinet to this nicer cabinet. So, after a few fruitless attempts and the tragic smashing of my left index finger, I decided to stick my new cabinet next to my nightstand and just use it as a storage cabinet. It may look weird, but it'll sure be convenient.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Three Suggestions for Korea
Recently, I've come up with three suggestions for things that I believe Korea needs. These improvements would make Korea an even better place (and for the record, I think it's a pretty terrific place already):
1. Parking lots. It would be just lovely if cars did not have to drive and park on the sidewalks.
2. Street names. Just think how much easier it would be to find things or to give people directions.
3. Standardized spelling. Korea is apparently still in the experimental stage with letters, since many words and place names can be spelled two or more different ways. Most writing is still in Hangeul. That's fine; after all, Hangeul is a very logical system for writing that really isn't too hard to learn, but it would sure be nice if they could stick to just one spelling for place names and words when they take the trouble to use letters.
1. Parking lots. It would be just lovely if cars did not have to drive and park on the sidewalks.
2. Street names. Just think how much easier it would be to find things or to give people directions.
3. Standardized spelling. Korea is apparently still in the experimental stage with letters, since many words and place names can be spelled two or more different ways. Most writing is still in Hangeul. That's fine; after all, Hangeul is a very logical system for writing that really isn't too hard to learn, but it would sure be nice if they could stick to just one spelling for place names and words when they take the trouble to use letters.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Fun with Taxi Drivers
Yesterday (Monday), I took Jasper back to the vet to get his first round of vaccinations and to get another check-up. The vet said his health is better, but the ear mites are still a problem that needs to be dealt with. So, on Thursday we'll be starting a three-week round of treatment that will eradicate them. Then there will be more vaccines, and in about three months, neutering. I'm glad I'm in Korea, where vets are so much cheaper.
On the way to the vet, I rode in a taxi with a very cheerful driver. He chattered away to me in Korean, half of which I somehow understood, and even sang as we drove along! When we got to the vet's office, the driver enjoyed a good laugh about the fate awaiting Jasper. Clearly, this was one of the drivers who gets a kick out of foreigners.
On the way back from the vet, I wasn't so fortunate. The driver appeared to be a nice old man at first. I told him to take me to Hi-Mart, since there's no way I can direct a driver to my house (they don't name roads in Korea, so addresses seem pretty pointless). When we got near Hi-Mart, I directed him to drop me off just before the store, like I always do with drivers. For some reason, this really bothered the driver. He started violently yelling at me in Korean - I actually thought he might hit me! He really wanted to go to Hi-Mart, but I insisted on him stopping, trying to explain that I wasn't going to the store, but to my home. He finally figured out what I meant, but certainly didn't get any friendlier. I paid and got far from that car as quickly as I could!
On the way to the vet, I rode in a taxi with a very cheerful driver. He chattered away to me in Korean, half of which I somehow understood, and even sang as we drove along! When we got to the vet's office, the driver enjoyed a good laugh about the fate awaiting Jasper. Clearly, this was one of the drivers who gets a kick out of foreigners.
On the way back from the vet, I wasn't so fortunate. The driver appeared to be a nice old man at first. I told him to take me to Hi-Mart, since there's no way I can direct a driver to my house (they don't name roads in Korea, so addresses seem pretty pointless). When we got near Hi-Mart, I directed him to drop me off just before the store, like I always do with drivers. For some reason, this really bothered the driver. He started violently yelling at me in Korean - I actually thought he might hit me! He really wanted to go to Hi-Mart, but I insisted on him stopping, trying to explain that I wasn't going to the store, but to my home. He finally figured out what I meant, but certainly didn't get any friendlier. I paid and got far from that car as quickly as I could!
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Long-Awaited Photos from the River
Sorry, sorry, sorry! I didn't mean to tarry so long on posting the pictures from my rafting trip. Here there are, lovely as ever:
Gotta love the helmet!
Gotta love the helmet!
Guess What I Ate, Dad!
My dad will probably be tempted to vomit when he hears what I ate today!
Cate asked me to go on a picnic today with the kindergartners and their parents (the picnic was today; she asked me last week). We went to a picturesque valley, with a fetching river running through it and glorious tree-covered mountains all around it. The kindies had a ball swimming in the river, even though it was cool today, and I had fun getting to see the parents of these kids that I spend each day with. For our meal, the men barbecued beef strips, which we then ate the delicious Korean way - wrapped in lettuce leaves with chili paste and a bit of kimchi. Obviously, there was also rice. For dessert, we had slices of luscious watermelon.
There also was a rather interesting side dish - seasoned raw beef. Cate offered me some and I decided to go ahead and taste it, despite my initial revulsion. It was delicious, albeit quite creepy. I ate a nice portion of the raw meat, feeling like I should now be a recruit in the Lyconthrop Society!
I also tried white kinchi, which I found tasted a bit better than the type I'm used to. I'm really not a big kimchi fan, since I fail to understand why anyone wants to bury something, wait until it rots, and then dig it up and eat it, but I do usually eat a little when I'm out with Koreans. There's something oddly addicting about the stuff. Plus, it's an important aspect of their culture.
Cate asked me to go on a picnic today with the kindergartners and their parents (the picnic was today; she asked me last week). We went to a picturesque valley, with a fetching river running through it and glorious tree-covered mountains all around it. The kindies had a ball swimming in the river, even though it was cool today, and I had fun getting to see the parents of these kids that I spend each day with. For our meal, the men barbecued beef strips, which we then ate the delicious Korean way - wrapped in lettuce leaves with chili paste and a bit of kimchi. Obviously, there was also rice. For dessert, we had slices of luscious watermelon.
There also was a rather interesting side dish - seasoned raw beef. Cate offered me some and I decided to go ahead and taste it, despite my initial revulsion. It was delicious, albeit quite creepy. I ate a nice portion of the raw meat, feeling like I should now be a recruit in the Lyconthrop Society!
I also tried white kinchi, which I found tasted a bit better than the type I'm used to. I'm really not a big kimchi fan, since I fail to understand why anyone wants to bury something, wait until it rots, and then dig it up and eat it, but I do usually eat a little when I'm out with Koreans. There's something oddly addicting about the stuff. Plus, it's an important aspect of their culture.
Six Months. . . WOW!!!
I can't believe it has been six months since I came to Korea! I was reflecting last night on all that I have seen and experienced in the past six months, and it feels almost like a second lifetime has been crammed into this relatively short space of time. I mean, I've seen more of Korea than many Koreans have, I've been to the Philippines, I've had an exotic illness, I've been on TV three or four times, I've been in a bus accident, I've made incredible new friends from six different continents, I've eaten things that should not be spoken of in polite conversation, I've learned a ton, and I've discovered things about myself that I never knew, and changed in so many ways. To call the past six months an adventure is an understatement. It's been more like an epic.
In honor of my six month anniversary here in Korea, I've decided to make two top-ten lists: a list of the ten things I miss the most about the USA and a list of the ten things I don't miss the most. I'm not listing people on the list of things I miss, only because it kind of goes without saying that it would be people that I miss the most (and two very special little dogs). I figured my readers would be more interested in the other things I miss. But, obviously, the real top ten list of things I miss has nothing but people on it, with my parents sharing the number one spot. So, without further ado:
Ten Things I Miss Most about Life in the USA (Besides People)
1. Books written in English, which are readily available
2. Turner Classic Movies
3. Quaker Oatmeal Squares
4. Having an oven
5. My old movie collection
6. Canned green beans
7. My rollerblades
8. My assortment of spices and herbs (oh, how I miss cilantro especially!)
9. Old Peninsula (restaurant in Kalamazoo that my best friend and I love)
10. The bathrooms (nice sit-down toilets instead of squaters, people flush the used toilet paper instead of sticking it in the trash, there's almost always toilet paper in the stalls...)
Ten Things I Really Don't Miss about Life in the USA
1. Driving a car
2. The Michigan economy
3. The 2008 Presidential election
4. Doctors' offices (so much nicer and more efficient here)
5. The job I left
6. Stupid people (they're here too, I'm sure, but I can't understand what they're saying)
7. The ridiculous overabundance of choices at stores (the cereal aisle alone used to overwhelm me - it's so much easier when you only have two or three brands to choose from)
8. The yearly ladybug invasion
9. Understanding the commercials on TV (I like imagining what they're saying here)
10. Walmart
In honor of my six month anniversary here in Korea, I've decided to make two top-ten lists: a list of the ten things I miss the most about the USA and a list of the ten things I don't miss the most. I'm not listing people on the list of things I miss, only because it kind of goes without saying that it would be people that I miss the most (and two very special little dogs). I figured my readers would be more interested in the other things I miss. But, obviously, the real top ten list of things I miss has nothing but people on it, with my parents sharing the number one spot. So, without further ado:
Ten Things I Miss Most about Life in the USA (Besides People)
1. Books written in English, which are readily available
2. Turner Classic Movies
3. Quaker Oatmeal Squares
4. Having an oven
5. My old movie collection
6. Canned green beans
7. My rollerblades
8. My assortment of spices and herbs (oh, how I miss cilantro especially!)
9. Old Peninsula (restaurant in Kalamazoo that my best friend and I love)
10. The bathrooms (nice sit-down toilets instead of squaters, people flush the used toilet paper instead of sticking it in the trash, there's almost always toilet paper in the stalls...)
Ten Things I Really Don't Miss about Life in the USA
1. Driving a car
2. The Michigan economy
3. The 2008 Presidential election
4. Doctors' offices (so much nicer and more efficient here)
5. The job I left
6. Stupid people (they're here too, I'm sure, but I can't understand what they're saying)
7. The ridiculous overabundance of choices at stores (the cereal aisle alone used to overwhelm me - it's so much easier when you only have two or three brands to choose from)
8. The yearly ladybug invasion
9. Understanding the commercials on TV (I like imagining what they're saying here)
10. Walmart
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
The Puppy Formerly Known as Zoey
I took my puppy to the vet for a check-up today (poor little thing had a few rounds of mild diarrhea, which, considering what happened to my last puppy, scared the life out of me). This time, I went with a different vet, since I still think the last one misdiagnosed my dog. The new vet is much nicer, speaks passable English, and is actually cheaper.
I thought that I had purchased a perfect little female Shih Tzu. Turns out I bought a MALE Shih Tzu with a slightly weak pelvis and ear mites. He's going to be a bit more work than I planned, but I decided that he's worth it. I love him too much already to trade him for another dog or return him. I've decided that this little guy's new name is Jasper.
The vet said that if I keep blankets and towels down on the floor for him to walk on, my little boy's pelvis will get stronger eventually. As for the ear mites and diarrhea, the puppy-formerly-known-as-Zoey is on medication and had his ears cleaned out today. In addition, I bathed him and thoroughly disinfected his area of the apartment. He's very lively and active, his eyes are clear and alert, and he eats extremely well, so the vet said he should be better in about three days.
I'm actually already seeing an improvement after the treatment he received at the animal hospital. He ate all the food I left for him while I was at work, had a good dinner, and hasn't had any diarrhea since early this morning (about thirteen hours ago). He played a lot for about an hour after I got home (he was happily running around, chasing anything he could find), and is just now settling down for a nap on my foot.
I thought that I had purchased a perfect little female Shih Tzu. Turns out I bought a MALE Shih Tzu with a slightly weak pelvis and ear mites. He's going to be a bit more work than I planned, but I decided that he's worth it. I love him too much already to trade him for another dog or return him. I've decided that this little guy's new name is Jasper.
The vet said that if I keep blankets and towels down on the floor for him to walk on, my little boy's pelvis will get stronger eventually. As for the ear mites and diarrhea, the puppy-formerly-known-as-Zoey is on medication and had his ears cleaned out today. In addition, I bathed him and thoroughly disinfected his area of the apartment. He's very lively and active, his eyes are clear and alert, and he eats extremely well, so the vet said he should be better in about three days.
I'm actually already seeing an improvement after the treatment he received at the animal hospital. He ate all the food I left for him while I was at work, had a good dinner, and hasn't had any diarrhea since early this morning (about thirteen hours ago). He played a lot for about an hour after I got home (he was happily running around, chasing anything he could find), and is just now settling down for a nap on my foot.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
A Splendid Sunday in Busan
Since today was Sunday, I headed to Busan for church, which required taking a bus. I was surprisingly nervous, owing to the accident I was in on Friday, but the ride was blissfully uneventful. Accompanying me were my friends Diane and Beau. Owing to my inability to catch a taxi in time, we ended up taking a later bus than we had planned, so we got to church about five minutes late (it takes us an hour by bus to get to Nopo-dong station in Busan, then another hour by subway to get to the church).
The sermon was fantastic, as it usually is. Esther Berg is a great missionary pastor. I really enjoy my church here, despite the distance, because it is so awesome to worship God with such a diverse group. There are people there from the USA, Canada, South Africa, England, Australia, New Zealand, Nepal, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nigeria, and, of course, Korea. It really is a special, powerful experience every time I am able to go.
After church, Diane, Beau, and I, along with our friend Rebecca, went out to dinner at T.G.I. Fridays (we were all craving some good Western food). It was ridiculously expensive, but so worth it. Then we stopped by a grocery store where I was delighted to find such rare treats as oatmeal, maraschino cherries, feta, and chocolate pancake mix. After that, it was back on the Subway, and then onto a bus for Gyeongju. I love riding on buses here - they are clean and comfortable, and it's a great time for napping, reading, or conversing with friends.
Tomorrow should be nearly as fantastic as today. Some friends and I started a cell group last week and are meeting for the second time tomorrow. The way we have things set up, each week someone different will host the group, and the host will be in charge of either preparing a devotional or moderating a discussion on the topic of their choice. Last week's meeting was stimulating and refreshing, so I am looking forward to more of the same.
The sermon was fantastic, as it usually is. Esther Berg is a great missionary pastor. I really enjoy my church here, despite the distance, because it is so awesome to worship God with such a diverse group. There are people there from the USA, Canada, South Africa, England, Australia, New Zealand, Nepal, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nigeria, and, of course, Korea. It really is a special, powerful experience every time I am able to go.
After church, Diane, Beau, and I, along with our friend Rebecca, went out to dinner at T.G.I. Fridays (we were all craving some good Western food). It was ridiculously expensive, but so worth it. Then we stopped by a grocery store where I was delighted to find such rare treats as oatmeal, maraschino cherries, feta, and chocolate pancake mix. After that, it was back on the Subway, and then onto a bus for Gyeongju. I love riding on buses here - they are clean and comfortable, and it's a great time for napping, reading, or conversing with friends.
Tomorrow should be nearly as fantastic as today. Some friends and I started a cell group last week and are meeting for the second time tomorrow. The way we have things set up, each week someone different will host the group, and the host will be in charge of either preparing a devotional or moderating a discussion on the topic of their choice. Last week's meeting was stimulating and refreshing, so I am looking forward to more of the same.
The Hazards of Not Speaking Korean
Those who know me well know that I have a bit of a germ phobia. I'm no Adrian Monk, but I don't touch bathroom doors or elevator buttons, I hate using coin money, and I dislike shaking hands. I probably wash my hands about fifty times a day at least. Since all that washing chaps my skin, I like to use hand sanitizer or wet wipes to keep my skin relatively soft. So, earlier last week I went to Lotte and bought what I assumed was a package of wet wipes. It was in the baby aisle, so it seemed a reasonable guess.
On Thursday of last week, I decided to open my package of wet wipes and use one after a class. When I opened the package, however, I soon discovered that what I had purchased was clearly not wet wipes. Thoroughly perplexed, I handed the package to Jackie, one of the Korean teachers, and asked her what on earth I had purchased. Jackie laughed, and announced to me that my "wet wipes" were actually white clay!!
On Thursday of last week, I decided to open my package of wet wipes and use one after a class. When I opened the package, however, I soon discovered that what I had purchased was clearly not wet wipes. Thoroughly perplexed, I handed the package to Jackie, one of the Korean teachers, and asked her what on earth I had purchased. Jackie laughed, and announced to me that my "wet wipes" were actually white clay!!
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Excitement on a Friday
Yesterday I was in a bus accident. Relax, Mom and Dad, obviously I'm okay if I'm writing a blog entry. I had the day off because August 15th is Korea's Independence Day (independence from Japan), so I went to Busan to get a new puppy. I found an adorable little Shih Tzu who immediately won my heart, and it seemed like my Friday was turning out to be pretty terrific. I navigated the Busan subway with no problems, and was thrilled to get a window seat on the bus (in Korea, they usually assign seats on buses, on trains, at movie theaters, etc.).
It started to rain quite hard as we pulled out of the Busan bus terminal. My puppy was happily snuggled down for a nap in her carrier, so I got out my book and enjoyed some pleasant reading. After awhile I decided to nap for a bit. I was awakened from my restful slumber by a loud BOOM and a sudden lurching forward of the bus, which sent me toppling to the floor (and a few other people as well). I thought at first that we had run over something with the back tires, since it felt like the back of the bus was briefly airborne. It turned out that a semi had smacked into the back of the bus.
The bus and the semi pulled over to the side of the road, where we waited for the police to arrive. They came surprisingly quickly; whether this was owing to Korean efficiency or just being in the area at the time, I don't know. While the police looked everything over, the driver reassured everyone in Korean (from the looks on their faces, I gathered that everything was okay). When the driver went to start the bus again, however, he couldn't get it to start. So, we sat for another several minutes, then he tried again. No luck. More minutes ticked away, the puppy got restless, and I noticed that I was getting a head and neck ache. Finally, the bus started and we made it back to Gyeongju.
By this time, the rain was even stronger, so I bought an overpriced umbrella from an adjuma at the bus terminal and headed out to hail a taxi. I got one pretty quickly, but still managed to get soaked. I had originally planned to buy groceries after I got back, but having just survived a bus accident, I decided to take the puppy home and stay in for the night watching episodes of "Monk." What a Friday!
It started to rain quite hard as we pulled out of the Busan bus terminal. My puppy was happily snuggled down for a nap in her carrier, so I got out my book and enjoyed some pleasant reading. After awhile I decided to nap for a bit. I was awakened from my restful slumber by a loud BOOM and a sudden lurching forward of the bus, which sent me toppling to the floor (and a few other people as well). I thought at first that we had run over something with the back tires, since it felt like the back of the bus was briefly airborne. It turned out that a semi had smacked into the back of the bus.
The bus and the semi pulled over to the side of the road, where we waited for the police to arrive. They came surprisingly quickly; whether this was owing to Korean efficiency or just being in the area at the time, I don't know. While the police looked everything over, the driver reassured everyone in Korean (from the looks on their faces, I gathered that everything was okay). When the driver went to start the bus again, however, he couldn't get it to start. So, we sat for another several minutes, then he tried again. No luck. More minutes ticked away, the puppy got restless, and I noticed that I was getting a head and neck ache. Finally, the bus started and we made it back to Gyeongju.
By this time, the rain was even stronger, so I bought an overpriced umbrella from an adjuma at the bus terminal and headed out to hail a taxi. I got one pretty quickly, but still managed to get soaked. I had originally planned to buy groceries after I got back, but having just survived a bus accident, I decided to take the puppy home and stay in for the night watching episodes of "Monk." What a Friday!
Thursday, August 14, 2008
The Olympics in a Different Light
It's a very unique experience watching the Olympics while living in a foreign country. Yesterday, Cate decided to let the kindergartners watch for awhile, so we went into the TV room at school to see some swimming. I'm not used to cheering for one country while everyone else is cheering on another! Our splendid Michael Phelps was in top form, but the Korean swimmer was also excellent, so it was an exciting race. My little kindies were jumping up and down, screaming for their athlete! They were about as much fun to watch as the race was! I tried not to brag too much when the USA took gold (and bronze).
The Olympics have been a great teaching aid for me. I've played Olympic-themed games in classes, and been able to have numerous conversations with the kids about the games. Even the kids that aren't into sports get excited about the Olympics.
The Olympics have been a great teaching aid for me. I've played Olympic-themed games in classes, and been able to have numerous conversations with the kids about the games. Even the kids that aren't into sports get excited about the Olympics.
Monday, August 11, 2008
The Rafting Trip
On Sunday, I went rafting up north with my boss Cate, her husband Mark, her daughter Rosie, and my co-worker Matt. We left Gyeongju at 7:30 AM and got back at about 11:00 PM. It was a full, exhausting, fun day.
The river was about a three-hour bus ride from here, which wasn't at all unpleasant (even though that sounds like it should be). Cate and I chatted quite a bit, I had a chance to enjoy reading a book, and we watched a little of the Olympics on the television at the front of the bus. You should have seen the way that entire bus erupted into cheers as the Korean swimmer earned his gold medal! I've never seen such an enthusiastic crowd! I got rather caught up in it myself.
The actual rafting took about three hours. It was loads of fun, since we not only went through rapids, but also had the opportunity to swim in the beautiful, cool river (in our clothes, of course, since this is Korea). I never imagined that I would one day have the kind of boss that one rafts with and swims in a river with!
On the way back, I had a chance to talk with my co-worker and get to know him better, which was nice. We don't hang out outside of work, so even though I see him every day, I barely know the guy. By the time we got back, I was exhausted! I had left my bicycle at the library, so I had to walk back there to get it, and then ride home. I almost fell asleep while riding!
I took some great pictures (Cate loaned me a waterproof bag to carry my camera in), so I will try to get them posted by tomorrow.
The river was about a three-hour bus ride from here, which wasn't at all unpleasant (even though that sounds like it should be). Cate and I chatted quite a bit, I had a chance to enjoy reading a book, and we watched a little of the Olympics on the television at the front of the bus. You should have seen the way that entire bus erupted into cheers as the Korean swimmer earned his gold medal! I've never seen such an enthusiastic crowd! I got rather caught up in it myself.
The actual rafting took about three hours. It was loads of fun, since we not only went through rapids, but also had the opportunity to swim in the beautiful, cool river (in our clothes, of course, since this is Korea). I never imagined that I would one day have the kind of boss that one rafts with and swims in a river with!
On the way back, I had a chance to talk with my co-worker and get to know him better, which was nice. We don't hang out outside of work, so even though I see him every day, I barely know the guy. By the time we got back, I was exhausted! I had left my bicycle at the library, so I had to walk back there to get it, and then ride home. I almost fell asleep while riding!
I took some great pictures (Cate loaned me a waterproof bag to carry my camera in), so I will try to get them posted by tomorrow.
Friday, August 8, 2008
Kiddie Quotes from this Week
Apparently, the week off recharged the random funniness of my students. Here are a few of my favorite things I've heard from them this week:
Me: "What is your dream for the future?"
Anne: "I want to be Angelina Jolie!"
Patrick: "I want to be Steven Spielberg!"
Amy: "Harry, be quiet!"
Me: "Thank you, Amy."
Amy: "You are most welcome, Teacher."
(Amy is a four-year-old kindergartner)
Me: "What do you never eat?"
Steve: "I never eat onions, cheese, or Ray!"
Me: "So what do you think is scary?"
Lucy: "Teacher, elephant is scary. You sleeping and elephant sit and ouch!"
Me: "Do you think a dragon is scary?"
Kevin: "No, teacher."
Me: "What about a fire-dragon?"
Kevin: (considering it) "No....I throw water."
Me: "What is your hobby, Minnie?"
Minnie: "My hobby is hitting my sister."
Patrick: "Teacher, what is 'special talent'?
Me: "A talent is something you are good at, like maybe dancing, or singing, or playing soccer. They want to know what you can do best."
Angie: "Jamie's special talent is making Stephanie-Teacher say 'Jamie, sit down!'"
Me: "How are you today?"
Jamie: "I am extremely sizzling today!"
(I had E3-C write new lyrics to one of their songs - one of my best ideas, as the kids were practicing grammer and vocab, but having a blast at the same time.)
Me: "Okay, so what does she always do?"
Steve: "She always plays computer games in the ghost-house!"
Toby: "She always eats small rabbits!"
Me: "How do you feel today, Robin?"
Robin: "I am crazy muggy today, Teacher."
Me: "What is your dream for the future?"
Anne: "I want to be Angelina Jolie!"
Patrick: "I want to be Steven Spielberg!"
Amy: "Harry, be quiet!"
Me: "Thank you, Amy."
Amy: "You are most welcome, Teacher."
(Amy is a four-year-old kindergartner)
Me: "What do you never eat?"
Steve: "I never eat onions, cheese, or Ray!"
Me: "So what do you think is scary?"
Lucy: "Teacher, elephant is scary. You sleeping and elephant sit and ouch!"
Me: "Do you think a dragon is scary?"
Kevin: "No, teacher."
Me: "What about a fire-dragon?"
Kevin: (considering it) "No....I throw water."
Me: "What is your hobby, Minnie?"
Minnie: "My hobby is hitting my sister."
Patrick: "Teacher, what is 'special talent'?
Me: "A talent is something you are good at, like maybe dancing, or singing, or playing soccer. They want to know what you can do best."
Angie: "Jamie's special talent is making Stephanie-Teacher say 'Jamie, sit down!'"
Me: "How are you today?"
Jamie: "I am extremely sizzling today!"
(I had E3-C write new lyrics to one of their songs - one of my best ideas, as the kids were practicing grammer and vocab, but having a blast at the same time.)
Me: "Okay, so what does she always do?"
Steve: "She always plays computer games in the ghost-house!"
Toby: "She always eats small rabbits!"
Me: "How do you feel today, Robin?"
Robin: "I am crazy muggy today, Teacher."
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Something to Remember the Philippines by
It turns out I brought back more than I thought with me when I returned from the Philippines. I picked up some nice bacillary dysentery among my souvenirs. I'm still pretty weak from it, but at least I managed to eat actual food today (I've been living on popsicles and juice since Sunday).
One of the really lousy things about dysentery is that it apparently causes and worsens lactose intolerance, so right now I can't have any dairy products. I tried some before the "popsicle diet" and it made for a pretty ugly evening. I have next to no energy, so I'm really having to push myself when I'm with my students. By the end of each day, I'm so worn out that I come home, take a nap, and then have my liquid dinner while watching "Monk" (one of my favorite TV shows, and one of the few things I can enjoy right now).
Tip for people planning to travel to the Philippines: DON'T DRINK THE WATER!!!! I can't believe that I'm such an idiot to have forgotten that cardinal rule of travel. I know better than to drink the water here in Korea, yet I was stupid enough to drink it in Manila.
Aside from trying to get over dysentery, not much else is going on this week, which is a good thing. Cate decided to change my schedule, so now I start classes an hour later and get a two-hour gap instead of a three-hour gap in the afternoon. I'm delighted, since I now have the most agreeable working hours ever. I love having that extra hour in the morning. Also, one of my "behavior-problem" students is going to be on a trip with his mother for another three weeks, so my most rambunctious class is now behaving a lot better. I appreciate that now more than ever, considering my significant drop in energy.
One of the really lousy things about dysentery is that it apparently causes and worsens lactose intolerance, so right now I can't have any dairy products. I tried some before the "popsicle diet" and it made for a pretty ugly evening. I have next to no energy, so I'm really having to push myself when I'm with my students. By the end of each day, I'm so worn out that I come home, take a nap, and then have my liquid dinner while watching "Monk" (one of my favorite TV shows, and one of the few things I can enjoy right now).
Tip for people planning to travel to the Philippines: DON'T DRINK THE WATER!!!! I can't believe that I'm such an idiot to have forgotten that cardinal rule of travel. I know better than to drink the water here in Korea, yet I was stupid enough to drink it in Manila.
Aside from trying to get over dysentery, not much else is going on this week, which is a good thing. Cate decided to change my schedule, so now I start classes an hour later and get a two-hour gap instead of a three-hour gap in the afternoon. I'm delighted, since I now have the most agreeable working hours ever. I love having that extra hour in the morning. Also, one of my "behavior-problem" students is going to be on a trip with his mother for another three weeks, so my most rambunctious class is now behaving a lot better. I appreciate that now more than ever, considering my significant drop in energy.
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