Mr C pouring out some whiskey for Mrs Woo.
Mr C singing "Sweet Caroline"
Christy, Gumi, and EunKyeong
Me doing the obligatory "Ziggy Stardust" cover
Gumi, EunKyeong and Mr Kang.
Monday, February 26, 2007
Welcome party for the new math teacher.
Friday night was a party after work for a new teacher at the Munhwa Math Hagwon.
We went to the usual restaurant, whose name I can not remember... it was fun. Laurien brought a bottle of whiskey that was split among the staff during the dinner, and made for some interesting faces, it being 40% and all, as opposed to 20% soju.
Dinner was great, and it was followed, as usual, by a Norae bang, where the booze was really given a chance to shine. I was in a bit of a metal mood, which was best satisfied with some hard(ish) rock covers. My singing David Bowie, Muse and Radiohead was simultaneously applauded and resulted in the moving of my songbook to the other end of the table. haha.
Here's some pictures!
Here's the handsome and talented Mr Lee, all-round nice guy who runs the ship with Mr Kang.
Here's Mrs Woo! She has a cute chubby baby!
Here's the old new math teacher and the new new math teacher! He's the one the party's for!
These are the two lovely secretaries that I eat my lunch with every day. I just realized that that'll be stopping come Thursday, and I got a little bit sad...
Here's the old-new math teacher and Mr Moon.
We went to the usual restaurant, whose name I can not remember... it was fun. Laurien brought a bottle of whiskey that was split among the staff during the dinner, and made for some interesting faces, it being 40% and all, as opposed to 20% soju.
Dinner was great, and it was followed, as usual, by a Norae bang, where the booze was really given a chance to shine. I was in a bit of a metal mood, which was best satisfied with some hard(ish) rock covers. My singing David Bowie, Muse and Radiohead was simultaneously applauded and resulted in the moving of my songbook to the other end of the table. haha.
Here's some pictures!
Here's the handsome and talented Mr Lee, all-round nice guy who runs the ship with Mr Kang. 
Here's Mrs Woo! She has a cute chubby baby!
Here's the old new math teacher and the new new math teacher! He's the one the party's for!
These are the two lovely secretaries that I eat my lunch with every day. I just realized that that'll be stopping come Thursday, and I got a little bit sad...
Here's the old-new math teacher and Mr Moon.
The wine and cheese!
So, Saturday was the day of my big wine and cheese. I was starting to get nervous, because I was trying to visualize how so many people would fit in my apartment... luckily there was a good combination of furniture rearrangement and people who could not make it.
I hung out with Vanessa for the afternoon, and then came home and started getting everything ready. I was having a few jitters about how it would all turn out.
But I had a good formula: lots of people who are interesting, lots of wine, and good food and music.
Jon and Emily arrived right on time, as did Jeong Hyeon (one of the dudes) and Michael was there already (helped with the set-up), and Ryan followed shortly, but Brooke was absent due to illness. My friend Mallessa came later, and was followed by Lana and Bryce, Stu from Naju, and Laurien. Luckily Brooke let her presence be felt via a veggie tray and dip.
There was a table full of wine and food, and everyone mixed well, or at least I thought so. The reviews have been good so far.
My highlight reel (all things I was involved in, because that's what I remember):
Jeong Hyeon's lethal chinese alcohol that made you drunk before you even drank it. You would seriously just smell the fumes and start to feel dizzy.
My mistakingly thinking that Stu was on a motor bike and accidentally telling him to just "park it down by the trash, there's always room down there", and being told after I got off the phone with him that he was in fact driving a car.
Guitars coming out at around 10:00 or so (details now become fuzzy), moving out into the main room after about half an hour and culminating in a noise complaint from a dishevelled, robed neighbour at 1:30 am.
Wicked flashbacks to Pete's wine and cheese parties in university that also usually ended up with me on guitar and Bryce on a drum.
Stories about church elders at sex museums in Jejudo.
Overhearing "That's why I vote for serial monogamy." come from someone.
Wicked little jams involving Bryce, Stu, Jeong Hyeon, Lana, Mallessa, Laurien and myself involving everything from hand drums to guitars and hand claps.
We shut down the music after the noise complaint, but the party continued until three.
If you read this, and you were there, please add more in the comments section, I'll check and update with your tidbits... I'm too tired to remember any more right now.
Bryce and I.
Bryce, Laurien and Mallessa at the food table.
Lana, Emily and Mallessa.
John, Ryan, Jeong Hyeon and Michael.
Lana and Stu.
More pictures to come in one week's time... they're B&W, and that takes longer to develop, apparently!
I hung out with Vanessa for the afternoon, and then came home and started getting everything ready. I was having a few jitters about how it would all turn out.
But I had a good formula: lots of people who are interesting, lots of wine, and good food and music.
Jon and Emily arrived right on time, as did Jeong Hyeon (one of the dudes) and Michael was there already (helped with the set-up), and Ryan followed shortly, but Brooke was absent due to illness. My friend Mallessa came later, and was followed by Lana and Bryce, Stu from Naju, and Laurien. Luckily Brooke let her presence be felt via a veggie tray and dip.
There was a table full of wine and food, and everyone mixed well, or at least I thought so. The reviews have been good so far.
My highlight reel (all things I was involved in, because that's what I remember):
Jeong Hyeon's lethal chinese alcohol that made you drunk before you even drank it. You would seriously just smell the fumes and start to feel dizzy.
My mistakingly thinking that Stu was on a motor bike and accidentally telling him to just "park it down by the trash, there's always room down there", and being told after I got off the phone with him that he was in fact driving a car.
Guitars coming out at around 10:00 or so (details now become fuzzy), moving out into the main room after about half an hour and culminating in a noise complaint from a dishevelled, robed neighbour at 1:30 am.
Wicked flashbacks to Pete's wine and cheese parties in university that also usually ended up with me on guitar and Bryce on a drum.
Stories about church elders at sex museums in Jejudo.
Overhearing "That's why I vote for serial monogamy." come from someone.
Wicked little jams involving Bryce, Stu, Jeong Hyeon, Lana, Mallessa, Laurien and myself involving everything from hand drums to guitars and hand claps.
We shut down the music after the noise complaint, but the party continued until three.
If you read this, and you were there, please add more in the comments section, I'll check and update with your tidbits... I'm too tired to remember any more right now.
Bryce and I. 
Bryce, Laurien and Mallessa at the food table. 
Lana, Emily and Mallessa. 
John, Ryan, Jeong Hyeon and Michael. 
Lana and Stu.More pictures to come in one week's time... they're B&W, and that takes longer to develop, apparently!
Made Ee Meecha's day!
So, I just finished telling Ee MeeCha how many foreigners she should expect for the little performance at Cafe Provence on March tenth... she just about jumped out of her skin!
I didn't realize just how many people would be coming until the wine and cheese on Saturday night, when everyone responded in the affirmative that they would be coming. It's starting to look like we might have a crowd or 40 or fifty between Darren and I in this little cafe with a seating capacity of (looking around...) about thirty. So, that'll be fun. She'll have to rearrange some things... but I wanted to let her know, so that she doesn't run out of wine or anything.
She's pretty happy. I think this might be the most people that have ever been in here. haha, awesome.
She's a little bit giddy... when she came over to pick up my cup and dishes she was giggling a little bit. Which makes me really happy. I hope that everyone shows who said that they would!
Here's the ad that's drawing everyone in!
I didn't realize just how many people would be coming until the wine and cheese on Saturday night, when everyone responded in the affirmative that they would be coming. It's starting to look like we might have a crowd or 40 or fifty between Darren and I in this little cafe with a seating capacity of (looking around...) about thirty. So, that'll be fun. She'll have to rearrange some things... but I wanted to let her know, so that she doesn't run out of wine or anything.
She's pretty happy. I think this might be the most people that have ever been in here. haha, awesome.
She's a little bit giddy... when she came over to pick up my cup and dishes she was giggling a little bit. Which makes me really happy. I hope that everyone shows who said that they would!
Here's the ad that's drawing everyone in!
Another test funny.
Oddly enough, this was the sentence used for the word "lock".
Most of Korean husbands hide the money which their wife doesn't know. I also hide money that my parents don't know. Ha Ha Ha :)
Notice that it does not mention "lock" at all.
Most of Korean husbands hide the money which their wife doesn't know. I also hide money that my parents don't know. Ha Ha Ha :)
Notice that it does not mention "lock" at all.
So much is happening!
Hello everyone!
Things are continuing to be great here. I just had another in a long stretch of great weekend, this time in the form of a wine and cheese party that I hosted on Saturday night. Last weekend, Busan... but more on that later. I've just been too busy to properly update.
In the meantime, here's a picture of me in my expensive gift shirt (which I tried to look in the mouth, but I couldn't find it).
Things are continuing to be great here. I just had another in a long stretch of great weekend, this time in the form of a wine and cheese party that I hosted on Saturday night. Last weekend, Busan... but more on that later. I've just been too busy to properly update.
In the meantime, here's a picture of me in my expensive gift shirt (which I tried to look in the mouth, but I couldn't find it).
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
test funnies
"I hate her because she always pretended to be pretty."
"She have stressed very well. because she is depressed."
"The man made me very annoyed. So I hate him but he is my father. I'm frustrated."
"I pretended to cry because my mom will punish my brother."
"She have stressed very well. because she is depressed."
"The man made me very annoyed. So I hate him but he is my father. I'm frustrated."
"I pretended to cry because my mom will punish my brother."
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Sore leg
My leg is killing me. About two days ago, I got a wicked blister on my left foot.
It all started a few weeks ago when both pairs of my good work shoes crapped out on me. I mean CRAPPED OUT. My good black shoes started hurting the tops of my feet, and by brown shoes, which have holes in the bottom for a long time, wore out in a way that I can feel the hole now (they're like cracks, not actual holes). I think that that is where this blister came from.
So, it's like the size of a quarter, and it's right on the ball of my foot. I was stubborn on Monday night and I actually walked home with it, and that proved to be my undoing. I got home, and my leg was just starting to hurt.
It turns out that walking for forty five minutes on the side of your foot is not good for you.
So now, two days later, my whole leg aches, my blister still hurts like hell, and now my other knee is starting to hurt from the way that I walk.
Oh you can tell by the way I use my walk I'm an injured man...
Brooke suggested that I soak my foot in some salt water, so that's what I did last night... for an hour and a half. It didn't seem to do much. I mean, it felt good, once the water cooled below scalding temperature, but it didn't seem to get rid of my blister. I'll try again tonight. It's kind of nice to soak my feet after a long day... or, at least, my foot, since I have no tub and I have to do it in my big pot.
Hey, anyone want to come over for dinner?!
Michael is back now, too. He's a good house-guest, and I think it's good for Sam to have someone around to give her some attention, since I am so busy. She started meowing early again today... I was sleeping in because I have to take a cab because of my leg, but luckily Michael was there to keep her entertained and she didn't wake me up.
Anyways... I have kids writing stories right now. I can't walk around the class, so they have to yell their questions to me, which is turning out to be easy, since they are all listening to eachothers' questions with a lot of interest. So, I'm just sitting here, I figured it was a good time to write some updates for my blog. So look forward to a day of UPDATES GALORE!
Speaking of updates galore:
I got the first three of the grade nine projects today. That's good. They'll lose marks, but at least I have something to assign marks to now.
I've given these guys pictures to write stories about too. I have high hopes for them.
There are a few really good writers in the class.
I yelled at my first class today. One kid was supposed to give his speech today, and he didn't have it, so I asked him how much time he wasted in the month I had him working on it, and he said "30 minutes." I said thirty minutes wasted or thirty minutes of work? and he said "Work".
One good thing about these kids is that they know enough English to understand that I am disappointed, and it actually seems to resonate with them. And they understand the phrase "You should be ashamed." and it seems to have an effect. We'll see how much tomorrow when he has promised to be finished his speech. I hate to say it to them, but it's honestly what I think sometimes. I mean, he had almost a month, and I know that he wasted it. Of course, his progress marks reflect that, and he knows that.
I'm in grade nine right now, or my "apathy class". They don't do anything. Understandable, I guess. I mean, they're leaving this school in a week or so, I would be pretty unmotivated in what they undoubtedly consider to be their least important class too!
It's frustrating, because their Korean teachers make them memorize, and their foreign teachers actually try to teach them how to speak and create with language, but it's seen as less important, because it doesn't directly link to a TOEFL exam. ugh.
It all started a few weeks ago when both pairs of my good work shoes crapped out on me. I mean CRAPPED OUT. My good black shoes started hurting the tops of my feet, and by brown shoes, which have holes in the bottom for a long time, wore out in a way that I can feel the hole now (they're like cracks, not actual holes). I think that that is where this blister came from.
So, it's like the size of a quarter, and it's right on the ball of my foot. I was stubborn on Monday night and I actually walked home with it, and that proved to be my undoing. I got home, and my leg was just starting to hurt.
It turns out that walking for forty five minutes on the side of your foot is not good for you.
So now, two days later, my whole leg aches, my blister still hurts like hell, and now my other knee is starting to hurt from the way that I walk.
Oh you can tell by the way I use my walk I'm an injured man...
Brooke suggested that I soak my foot in some salt water, so that's what I did last night... for an hour and a half. It didn't seem to do much. I mean, it felt good, once the water cooled below scalding temperature, but it didn't seem to get rid of my blister. I'll try again tonight. It's kind of nice to soak my feet after a long day... or, at least, my foot, since I have no tub and I have to do it in my big pot.
Hey, anyone want to come over for dinner?!
Michael is back now, too. He's a good house-guest, and I think it's good for Sam to have someone around to give her some attention, since I am so busy. She started meowing early again today... I was sleeping in because I have to take a cab because of my leg, but luckily Michael was there to keep her entertained and she didn't wake me up.
Anyways... I have kids writing stories right now. I can't walk around the class, so they have to yell their questions to me, which is turning out to be easy, since they are all listening to eachothers' questions with a lot of interest. So, I'm just sitting here, I figured it was a good time to write some updates for my blog. So look forward to a day of UPDATES GALORE!
Speaking of updates galore:
I got the first three of the grade nine projects today. That's good. They'll lose marks, but at least I have something to assign marks to now.
I've given these guys pictures to write stories about too. I have high hopes for them.
There are a few really good writers in the class.
I yelled at my first class today. One kid was supposed to give his speech today, and he didn't have it, so I asked him how much time he wasted in the month I had him working on it, and he said "30 minutes." I said thirty minutes wasted or thirty minutes of work? and he said "Work".
One good thing about these kids is that they know enough English to understand that I am disappointed, and it actually seems to resonate with them. And they understand the phrase "You should be ashamed." and it seems to have an effect. We'll see how much tomorrow when he has promised to be finished his speech. I hate to say it to them, but it's honestly what I think sometimes. I mean, he had almost a month, and I know that he wasted it. Of course, his progress marks reflect that, and he knows that.
I'm in grade nine right now, or my "apathy class". They don't do anything. Understandable, I guess. I mean, they're leaving this school in a week or so, I would be pretty unmotivated in what they undoubtedly consider to be their least important class too!
It's frustrating, because their Korean teachers make them memorize, and their foreign teachers actually try to teach them how to speak and create with language, but it's seen as less important, because it doesn't directly link to a TOEFL exam. ugh.
No Grade Nines
So, I have no grade nines today... and my grade eight attendance is getting a little spotty.
I have no idea why my grade nines are not here today... they were doing really well with their projects, rough copies were finished or started on time, but they were due yesterday, and I don't have a single one yet. It's really pissing me off...
I bought a mixer this week... it's pretty exciting, because it means that I'll be able to set my levels before I go to a performance. Also, I'll be able to control my looped vocals and my normal vocals separately. Luckily, my looper has three channels, so I'll be able to loop the vocals and mix them separately from the looped guitar...
That may not sound so cool, but trust me, it IS!
I had a good grade eight class today. That was good. We talked about the astronaut who was recently arrested. It was fun, and they seemed to enjoy it.
Michael is coming back tonight, and he's going to stay with me for a while. I'm pretty excited, he's a good guy. He's back a few weeks early before his new contract starts.
Anyways... I'm sleepy. Blog updating time is over.
I have no idea why my grade nines are not here today... they were doing really well with their projects, rough copies were finished or started on time, but they were due yesterday, and I don't have a single one yet. It's really pissing me off...
I bought a mixer this week... it's pretty exciting, because it means that I'll be able to set my levels before I go to a performance. Also, I'll be able to control my looped vocals and my normal vocals separately. Luckily, my looper has three channels, so I'll be able to loop the vocals and mix them separately from the looped guitar...
That may not sound so cool, but trust me, it IS!
I had a good grade eight class today. That was good. We talked about the astronaut who was recently arrested. It was fun, and they seemed to enjoy it.
Michael is coming back tonight, and he's going to stay with me for a while. I'm pretty excited, he's a good guy. He's back a few weeks early before his new contract starts.
Anyways... I'm sleepy. Blog updating time is over.
Posts from February 8
Holy cuteness, Batman!
So I found out what the fight after class was about yesterday.
It is unbelievably cute, actually, I can't believe it.
So, HoHyun apparently pulled aside Puma Man yesterday because he noticed that Puma Man had a big crush on a girl in class. It wasn't a "Back off, she's mine!" type conversation, or anything like that. Apparently Ho Hyun thought that it was important to tell Puma Man that he should back off for the sake of his studies! Puma Man didn't take too kindly to the advice, and that is what started the whole thing.
So then Puma Man writes some insults on Ho Hyun's paper, which, while it wasn't told to me directly, I think were written specifically to show off how funny he could be, because I noticed that his crush spent more time than should be expected...
Anyways, I was told that this was all "very secret", and the story was related to me in hushed tones. So if anyone asks... you don't know anything.
Worn out
I am feeling exceptionally worn out today... and yesterday too. Luckily, I'm in the midst of graduation week, so many kids are having strange schedule mix-ups, and it has meant that today and yesterday I did not have to come to school until 11:10, and tomorrow I don't have to come until 1:40. It's like the random holidays I used to get last year, just on a much much smaller scale!
It's raining today, and only about 7 degrees or so, which is a huge shock to my system after a week of +15 or higher weather with sunshine. I walked to school today, like I do every day, and I arrived feeling terrible. I was cold from the rain, but because of the humidity I had started to sweat... which locked me into this horrible cycle of being cool but sweating anyways... man, it sucked! I felt like a slob when I arrived... but it came after a really awesome morning at home.
I got to bed at around 11:00 or maybe a bit earlier last night. I set the alarm for 8:30, but of course I was up at 7:15, because Sam was outside my door meowing for her morning pat. I patted her and then tried to go back to bed, but she would not allow it, so I played with her for a while, which was great. I haven't had much time for her lately, because I have been working so much.
I also had my pizza last night, which I have been craving since last week... I ate more than half though, which was too much, and I spent the rest of the night sprawled out going "oooooOOOOooooog."
I bet so much pizza is probably playing a role in my being so worn out today. oh well... it was delicious.
I have four more classes today... I was really cranky in my last one yesterday. My body was screaming at me that I should be at home by that point. It did not want to be teaching. Not that I was doing much... I gave them a creative assignment, so i pretty much only did something when they had a question or when I spotted that they had a problem. There was also some yelling... there's a girl who always plays video games on her cell phone. I caught her again last night. She insisted she was using the dictionary in it, and when I told her that most dictionaries don't show explosions and have sound effects, she insisted that I hadn't seen or heard what I thought that I had. I got really angry, because she would not give me her cell phone, and my usual policy is to keep them until the next class.
So, minus 20. Or at least that's what I said. Truth was that she just got a 2/10 participation mark for the day, because aside from playing the game, I didn't see her do too much for her groups assignment.
anyways... venting.
I should go. I need to be NOT angry when the classes start up again.
Grade sixes
So my class that I can't get to do anything...
I gave them the option of homework to help them study tonight, and they ALL jumped on it. I found it pretty hilarious that when I assign it, I get cursed under their breath, but if I give them an option, they are all over it.
Hilarious.
I even pointed it out to them, and they laughed too.
Maybe I'm making some headway here...
So I found out what the fight after class was about yesterday.
It is unbelievably cute, actually, I can't believe it.
So, HoHyun apparently pulled aside Puma Man yesterday because he noticed that Puma Man had a big crush on a girl in class. It wasn't a "Back off, she's mine!" type conversation, or anything like that. Apparently Ho Hyun thought that it was important to tell Puma Man that he should back off for the sake of his studies! Puma Man didn't take too kindly to the advice, and that is what started the whole thing.
So then Puma Man writes some insults on Ho Hyun's paper, which, while it wasn't told to me directly, I think were written specifically to show off how funny he could be, because I noticed that his crush spent more time than should be expected...
Anyways, I was told that this was all "very secret", and the story was related to me in hushed tones. So if anyone asks... you don't know anything.
Worn out
I am feeling exceptionally worn out today... and yesterday too. Luckily, I'm in the midst of graduation week, so many kids are having strange schedule mix-ups, and it has meant that today and yesterday I did not have to come to school until 11:10, and tomorrow I don't have to come until 1:40. It's like the random holidays I used to get last year, just on a much much smaller scale!
It's raining today, and only about 7 degrees or so, which is a huge shock to my system after a week of +15 or higher weather with sunshine. I walked to school today, like I do every day, and I arrived feeling terrible. I was cold from the rain, but because of the humidity I had started to sweat... which locked me into this horrible cycle of being cool but sweating anyways... man, it sucked! I felt like a slob when I arrived... but it came after a really awesome morning at home.
I got to bed at around 11:00 or maybe a bit earlier last night. I set the alarm for 8:30, but of course I was up at 7:15, because Sam was outside my door meowing for her morning pat. I patted her and then tried to go back to bed, but she would not allow it, so I played with her for a while, which was great. I haven't had much time for her lately, because I have been working so much.
I also had my pizza last night, which I have been craving since last week... I ate more than half though, which was too much, and I spent the rest of the night sprawled out going "oooooOOOOooooog."
I bet so much pizza is probably playing a role in my being so worn out today. oh well... it was delicious.
I have four more classes today... I was really cranky in my last one yesterday. My body was screaming at me that I should be at home by that point. It did not want to be teaching. Not that I was doing much... I gave them a creative assignment, so i pretty much only did something when they had a question or when I spotted that they had a problem. There was also some yelling... there's a girl who always plays video games on her cell phone. I caught her again last night. She insisted she was using the dictionary in it, and when I told her that most dictionaries don't show explosions and have sound effects, she insisted that I hadn't seen or heard what I thought that I had. I got really angry, because she would not give me her cell phone, and my usual policy is to keep them until the next class.
So, minus 20. Or at least that's what I said. Truth was that she just got a 2/10 participation mark for the day, because aside from playing the game, I didn't see her do too much for her groups assignment.
anyways... venting.
I should go. I need to be NOT angry when the classes start up again.
Grade sixes
So my class that I can't get to do anything...
I gave them the option of homework to help them study tonight, and they ALL jumped on it. I found it pretty hilarious that when I assign it, I get cursed under their breath, but if I give them an option, they are all over it.
Hilarious.
I even pointed it out to them, and they laughed too.
Maybe I'm making some headway here...
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
The new set-up
Dude, could this get any more complicated?
I need to get a whole bunch more short cables, because this is a tangled ridiculous mess
I need to get a whole bunch more short cables, because this is a tangled ridiculous mess
Thursday, February 08, 2007
Grade sixes
So my class that I can't get to do anything...
I gave them the option of homework to help them study tonight, and they ALL jumped on it. I found it pretty hilarious that when I assign it, I get cursed under their breath, but if I give them an option, they are all over it.
Hilarious.
I even pointed it out to them, and they laughed too.
Maybe I'm making some headway here...
I gave them the option of homework to help them study tonight, and they ALL jumped on it. I found it pretty hilarious that when I assign it, I get cursed under their breath, but if I give them an option, they are all over it.
Hilarious.
I even pointed it out to them, and they laughed too.
Maybe I'm making some headway here...
Worn out
I am feeling exceptionally worn out today... and yesterday too. Luckily, I'm in the midst of graduation week, so many kids are having strange schedule mix-ups, and it has meant that today and yesterday I did not have to come to school until 11:10, and tomorrow I don't have to come until 1:40. It's like the random holidays I used to get last year, just on a much much smaller scale!
It's raining today, and only about 7 degrees or so, which is a huge shock to my system after a week of +15 or higher weather with sunshine. I walked to school today, like I do every day, and I arrived feeling terrible. I was cold from the rain, but because of the humidity I had started to sweat... which locked me into this horrible cycle of being cool but sweating anyways... man, it sucked! I felt like a slob when I arrived... but it came after a really awesome morning at home.
I got to bed at around 11:00 or maybe a bit earlier last night. I set the alarm for 8:30, but of course I was up at 7:15, because Sam was outside my door meowing for her morning pat. I patted her and then tried to go back to bed, but she would not allow it, so I played with her for a while, which was great. I haven't had much time for her lately, because I have been working so much.
I also had my pizza last night, which I have been craving since last week... I ate more than half though, which was too much, and I spent the rest of the night sprawled out going "oooooOOOOooooog."
I bet so much pizza is probably playing a role in my being so worn out today. oh well... it was delicious.
I have four more classes today... I was really cranky in my last one yesterday. My body was screaming at me that I should be at home by that point. It did not want to be teaching. Not that I was doing much... I gave them a creative assignment, so i pretty much only did something when they had a question or when I spotted that they had a problem. There was also some yelling... there's a girl who always plays video games on her cell phone. I caught her again last night. She insisted she was using the dictionary in it, and when I told her that most dictionaries don't show explosions and have sound effects, she insisted that I hadn't seen or heard what I thought that I had. I got really angry, because she would not give me her cell phone, and my usual policy is to keep them until the next class.
So, minus 20. Or at least that's what I said. Truth was that she just got a 2/10 participation mark for the day, because aside from playing the game, I didn't see her do too much for her groups assignment.
anyways... venting.
I should go. I need to be NOT angry when the classes start up again.
It's raining today, and only about 7 degrees or so, which is a huge shock to my system after a week of +15 or higher weather with sunshine. I walked to school today, like I do every day, and I arrived feeling terrible. I was cold from the rain, but because of the humidity I had started to sweat... which locked me into this horrible cycle of being cool but sweating anyways... man, it sucked! I felt like a slob when I arrived... but it came after a really awesome morning at home.
I got to bed at around 11:00 or maybe a bit earlier last night. I set the alarm for 8:30, but of course I was up at 7:15, because Sam was outside my door meowing for her morning pat. I patted her and then tried to go back to bed, but she would not allow it, so I played with her for a while, which was great. I haven't had much time for her lately, because I have been working so much.
I also had my pizza last night, which I have been craving since last week... I ate more than half though, which was too much, and I spent the rest of the night sprawled out going "oooooOOOOooooog."
I bet so much pizza is probably playing a role in my being so worn out today. oh well... it was delicious.
I have four more classes today... I was really cranky in my last one yesterday. My body was screaming at me that I should be at home by that point. It did not want to be teaching. Not that I was doing much... I gave them a creative assignment, so i pretty much only did something when they had a question or when I spotted that they had a problem. There was also some yelling... there's a girl who always plays video games on her cell phone. I caught her again last night. She insisted she was using the dictionary in it, and when I told her that most dictionaries don't show explosions and have sound effects, she insisted that I hadn't seen or heard what I thought that I had. I got really angry, because she would not give me her cell phone, and my usual policy is to keep them until the next class.
So, minus 20. Or at least that's what I said. Truth was that she just got a 2/10 participation mark for the day, because aside from playing the game, I didn't see her do too much for her groups assignment.
anyways... venting.
I should go. I need to be NOT angry when the classes start up again.
The best reason to fight ever.
So I found out what the fight after class was about yesterday.
It is unbelievably cute, actually, I can't believe it.
So, HoHyun apparently pulled aside Puma Man yesterday because he noticed that Puma Man had a big crush on a girl in class. It wasn't a "Back off, she's mine!" type conversation, or anything like that. Apparently Ho Hyun thought that it was important to tell Puma Man that he should back off for the sake of his studies! Puma Man didn't take too kindly to the advice, and that is what started the whole thing.
So then Puma Man writes some insults on Ho Hyun's paper, which, while it wasn't told to me directly, I think were written specifically to show off how funny he could be, because I noticed that his crush spent more time than should be expected...
Anyways, I was told that this was all "very secret", and the story was related to me in hushed tones. So if anyone asks... you don't know anything.
It is unbelievably cute, actually, I can't believe it.
So, HoHyun apparently pulled aside Puma Man yesterday because he noticed that Puma Man had a big crush on a girl in class. It wasn't a "Back off, she's mine!" type conversation, or anything like that. Apparently Ho Hyun thought that it was important to tell Puma Man that he should back off for the sake of his studies! Puma Man didn't take too kindly to the advice, and that is what started the whole thing.
So then Puma Man writes some insults on Ho Hyun's paper, which, while it wasn't told to me directly, I think were written specifically to show off how funny he could be, because I noticed that his crush spent more time than should be expected...
Anyways, I was told that this was all "very secret", and the story was related to me in hushed tones. So if anyone asks... you don't know anything.
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
FIGHTING!
It appears to be "Hostility Day" on the Korean calendar... or something.
I can't explain it, but there seems to be a hostility in the air. and this is all before lunch!
First:
After my first and only class this morning (I got to sleep in until 9!) there was a fight that I had to break up. It started in class. The kids play this word game where you change one syllable or add a syllable to a word to change it to another word (syllable rather than letter, because Korean words are written in syllable blocks). Anyways, the kid I call Puma Man turned another kid, Ho Hyun's, name into "tyrannosaurus" in about four steps. The other words I did not know. Luckily, tyrannosaurus is the same in both languages. I thought it was a fun joke between friends, so I didn't say anything.
Oh, new news... I'm writing this in the staff room on lunch, and Mr Kang just came over to tell me that the words were actually a bunch of nicknames that Puma Man had given Ho Hyun based on his appearance, and also included Monkey. This has been going on for some time, apparently, and Ho Hyun told Mr Kang that finally today he could not take anymore.
So anyways, I laughed it off in class, because I figured it was just a joke, and harmless fun, I had no idea that this was going on for a long time (how could I? I don't understand what they say!). But then as they were leaving class, a plastic milk container bounced into the room, apparently off Puma Man's head!
I went out into the hall, just in time to see a roundhouse kick from Ho Hyun to Puma Man's torso! It was brutal! I stepped in between them. Puma Man had no interest in fighting, because I think that he knew that Ho Hyun would kick the shit out of him. haha. Anyways, I was trying to break them apart, which was pretty easy, because Puma Man was backing off, when Ho Hyun came up and gave him a stiff-handed slap across the face!
So I marched them both up to the office and told them to explain the situation to Mr Kang after I told him what I knew... anyways, I was shaking. I haven't had to deal with anything that intense since I was a don.
SECOND:
Harley and I were talking about the schedule changes at the start of lunch when we saw a fight come so close to happening out at the intersection in front of the school. Not much detail there, just weirdness from a distance.
Third:
I went to the little business lunch place where we get free food during intensives, and as I was eating, a group of businessmen came in, and one guy was SERIOUSLY distressed by my presence, and he made that pretty clear by glaring at me and standing with his arms crossed across from me. Like he expected me to leave or something! I've been yelled at by random men here before, and it seemed like was pretty close to going on a tirade about something to do with foreigners... or teachers... or Americans. I love the anti-American rants that get directed at me. Such fun!
Anyways... I'll be hiding in the cafe all afternoon, so hopefully I don't have any more hostility to deal with. Except of course, from students who will get back bad tests today. haha.
I can't explain it, but there seems to be a hostility in the air. and this is all before lunch!
First:
After my first and only class this morning (I got to sleep in until 9!) there was a fight that I had to break up. It started in class. The kids play this word game where you change one syllable or add a syllable to a word to change it to another word (syllable rather than letter, because Korean words are written in syllable blocks). Anyways, the kid I call Puma Man turned another kid, Ho Hyun's, name into "tyrannosaurus" in about four steps. The other words I did not know. Luckily, tyrannosaurus is the same in both languages. I thought it was a fun joke between friends, so I didn't say anything.
Oh, new news... I'm writing this in the staff room on lunch, and Mr Kang just came over to tell me that the words were actually a bunch of nicknames that Puma Man had given Ho Hyun based on his appearance, and also included Monkey. This has been going on for some time, apparently, and Ho Hyun told Mr Kang that finally today he could not take anymore.
So anyways, I laughed it off in class, because I figured it was just a joke, and harmless fun, I had no idea that this was going on for a long time (how could I? I don't understand what they say!). But then as they were leaving class, a plastic milk container bounced into the room, apparently off Puma Man's head!
I went out into the hall, just in time to see a roundhouse kick from Ho Hyun to Puma Man's torso! It was brutal! I stepped in between them. Puma Man had no interest in fighting, because I think that he knew that Ho Hyun would kick the shit out of him. haha. Anyways, I was trying to break them apart, which was pretty easy, because Puma Man was backing off, when Ho Hyun came up and gave him a stiff-handed slap across the face!
So I marched them both up to the office and told them to explain the situation to Mr Kang after I told him what I knew... anyways, I was shaking. I haven't had to deal with anything that intense since I was a don.
SECOND:
Harley and I were talking about the schedule changes at the start of lunch when we saw a fight come so close to happening out at the intersection in front of the school. Not much detail there, just weirdness from a distance.
Third:
I went to the little business lunch place where we get free food during intensives, and as I was eating, a group of businessmen came in, and one guy was SERIOUSLY distressed by my presence, and he made that pretty clear by glaring at me and standing with his arms crossed across from me. Like he expected me to leave or something! I've been yelled at by random men here before, and it seemed like was pretty close to going on a tirade about something to do with foreigners... or teachers... or Americans. I love the anti-American rants that get directed at me. Such fun!
Anyways... I'll be hiding in the cafe all afternoon, so hopefully I don't have any more hostility to deal with. Except of course, from students who will get back bad tests today. haha.
Saturday, February 03, 2007
It's the weekend, Sam.
Every morning in the week I get up at 7:15.
Sam has become accustomed to that schedule.
So when I want to sleep in on the weekend, she's very confused, and she voices this confusion by meowing very loudly outside my door.
You know, because a cat doesn't understand that I was out drinking.
Sleep is very important.
so yeah, I guess three and a half hours is enough for a cat...
I'm sleepy.
Sam has become accustomed to that schedule.
So when I want to sleep in on the weekend, she's very confused, and she voices this confusion by meowing very loudly outside my door.
You know, because a cat doesn't understand that I was out drinking.
Sleep is very important.
so yeah, I guess three and a half hours is enough for a cat...
I'm sleepy.
Cafe Provence
So, I'm sitting in Cafe Provence right now. I think that this place will really save my sanity during this intensive period.
I just finished marking some stories. I have some planning to do, but I still have another hour before I have to go back to school, so I have lots to time to relax too.
Lee MiCha is playing one of the CDs that I gave her right now. I signed up for this online newspaper... I don't really enjoy it's politics too much, but the arts section is really good. They reviewed this guy, gave him top marks, I watched his video. He's an Irish folk musician. He's quite good. Anyways, it's just really cool that she likes it enough to play it in her shop. Not just for me either, I've come in at other times and heard it playing, times when she would not have been expecting me!
Anyways, a really cool thing happened the other day. She was asking me the other day what authors I liked, and since I haven't been reading much, I was stumped. I didn't feel like saying "Dan Brown", but I really just not been reading much else since my Dan Brown marathon last year.
Anyways... I searched, and I hoped to say something that she would have heard of so maybe we could chat about it. Anyways, I said "Leonard Cohen", because it seemed to fit with the place and her tastes that I knew (I read a book of his poems a few years ago) and, with no word of lie or exaggeration, reached behind her, grabbed the needle on her record player and began to play "The Best of Leonard Cohen", which was already on there.
Anyways... the coffee is good too, thank God! And if you order wine, you get free salami and cheese (and ritz sandwiches, which I am less excited about. haha).
Well, back to the grind... I've got some Friday games to make! Maybe a pizza after work... mmm... Bacon Cheddar Cheese... with garlic dipping sauce!
I just finished marking some stories. I have some planning to do, but I still have another hour before I have to go back to school, so I have lots to time to relax too.
Lee MiCha is playing one of the CDs that I gave her right now. I signed up for this online newspaper... I don't really enjoy it's politics too much, but the arts section is really good. They reviewed this guy, gave him top marks, I watched his video. He's an Irish folk musician. He's quite good. Anyways, it's just really cool that she likes it enough to play it in her shop. Not just for me either, I've come in at other times and heard it playing, times when she would not have been expecting me!
Anyways, a really cool thing happened the other day. She was asking me the other day what authors I liked, and since I haven't been reading much, I was stumped. I didn't feel like saying "Dan Brown", but I really just not been reading much else since my Dan Brown marathon last year.
Anyways... I searched, and I hoped to say something that she would have heard of so maybe we could chat about it. Anyways, I said "Leonard Cohen", because it seemed to fit with the place and her tastes that I knew (I read a book of his poems a few years ago) and, with no word of lie or exaggeration, reached behind her, grabbed the needle on her record player and began to play "The Best of Leonard Cohen", which was already on there.
Anyways... the coffee is good too, thank God! And if you order wine, you get free salami and cheese (and ritz sandwiches, which I am less excited about. haha).
Well, back to the grind... I've got some Friday games to make! Maybe a pizza after work... mmm... Bacon Cheddar Cheese... with garlic dipping sauce!
weddings, movies, work work work
So, last weekend. Pretty chilled out. Friday, I just relaxed. Literally. Just. I came home, sat around, the cat fell asleep on my belly, and I just vegged out. Teaching eight classes a day is hard work! And it does take it's toll. Finally stumbled into bed.
Saturday I cleaned up. I had planned to go shopping for a wedding present for Gumi with Laurien and Brooke, but when Brooke backed out to do some cleaning (eight classes plus a cold was hitting her too. haha!) I looked around at my apartment, the growing stack of marking, and backed out too. Money is a good gift for newlyweds too!
At five I went downtown to meet a girl that I met at the murder mystery party weeks back. We ran into each other again at the UNESCO Christmas dinner, and got to talking about the film festival and volunteer projects... she seemed cool so we met up for some dinner and chatting. I had been under the impression for weeks that her name was Skippy, because of a novelty name tag that she wore at the Murder Mystery Party. Turns out that it is Mellessa, which I have probably spelled incorrectly. Dinner and hanging out confirmed my earlier suspicions that she was in fact pretty neat.
Anyways, went out for spicy pork and to the dog cafe, and met up with Brooke and Ryan later at my new favourite place in the world "Cafe Provence". We had coffee and wine, and then Mellessa had to leave to catch a bus back to Gwangju. Ryan, Brooke and I stuck around for a while, finished our wine, then went out and found another little wine bar that I had spotted walking downtown earlier.
It was a nice place, but the colour scheme left a lot to be desired. It was like the Easter Bunny's fortress of solitude. All pastels and tiny dioramas of farmhouse rooms... very weird. But, good old jazz was playing and the wine was good. The "party" finished at my place with further libations. It was a great day, just hanging out and gabbing, loving life. haha.
Sunday was Gumi's wedding, which was very interesting. Oh, I forgot! When I was getting ready, Jessie called, and we had a great chat, which was nice. We hadn't talked in a long time. Anyways, the wedding.
I really enjoyed it. It was definitely not a wedding like I would have, but it was definitely an experience to see! When we arrived, Gumi was in a little room with an arched door. In the room, everyone would pass through to take pictures with her in her gown. Her whole family was outside of it, which was really neat. Gumi was beautiful, and it was nice to meet the families of the Korean teachers and see them outside of work. The ceremony was a full of pomp and circumstance. There was a soundtrack to everyone walking down the aisle. Like "INTRODUCING: THE FATHER!!!" and then a huge horn interlude as he walks to the altar area. "INTRODUCING: THE MOTHERS!!!" and then the mothers walk down the aisle in the hanbok. Then "INTRODUCING: THE BRIDE!!!" and then Gumi walks down, with the wedding march playing, and for some reason, bird song.
OH! I forgot the best part! During the processions, the parties are accompanied by these two girls wearing marching band uniforms and carrying swords. Then as Gumi walks down the aisle, they stand at attention half way and slowly cut an arc with their swords that starts when she starts and is completed as she reaches the altar.
I obviously did not understand much of the ceremony, but I was quite entertained by Ms Woo's son sitting in front of me, who has these unbelievably chubby cheeks and was fascinated with my camera, which I was more than happy to entertain him with.
The ceremony ended with a ton of photos with the wedding party, friends and family (and coworkers). Another highlight was constantly trying to snap a photo of my student Hyeong Deok who was apparently in Gumi's family. He's pretty shy, but it was fun. He looks like kids I have seen in old photos of my dad and his childhood friends, so I knew right away that he would be trouble.
After that I just chilled out for a while, and then went out to the movies at this cool theatre that I found. Actually, I was told about it. This is a really old theater that only plays independent and foreign and art films. So, a very cool discovery. I met up with Brooke and Ryan, and we saw that movie "The Science of Sleep", which I have wanted to see ever since I saw previews for it in Canada in the fall. I was super happy when I discovered that it not only played in Korea, but that there was an art film theater!
Anyways, it was a good time, and then we went out for shabu shabu, the perfect ending for pretty much any day. I also shopped for a black sweater, which I have come to require for two important reasons.
1) I have no black sweater. How have I been living?!
2) I've come to realize that a lot of my clothes have retained their pear shape even as I am losing it. It's kind of fun, because I can see my gut in the form of my clothes! hahaha. Anyways, not to make myself sound like an Adonis or anything. Far from it. But I'm feeling pretty good!
This week has been more of the same at work. I'm still frustrated about the projects in most of the classes. They just don't seem to get that when I say they need three pages, that I want three pages! I mean, they've had a month, and I've even cut it down to two pages typed or three pages written, both double spaced! The other class, the one that I cut down to just speeches, not only is not even close to finished, but since I threw down some deadlines, they've just BEGUN! They wrote things every day, I checked! But then they would apparently just throw it out! It's the whole "appearance of work" thing that seems to be everywhere here.
The other classes are all great. I had an awesome surprise yesterday when the schedule changed. I was expecting a new grade six class, and when I opened the door, my favourite grade four class poured in, and they all looked so happy to be back with me! I'm glad they're back too. I couldn't stop smiling, and I almost burst out laughing a few times because I was so happy!
I also headed back to the cafe yesterday for the first time this week... I've just been too busy! Her son was there, and I had my laptop, so we watched some of "The Incredibles" with Korean subtitles before I headed back to work.
Unfortunately... Sam is being terribly neglected in all of this. I've been making a concerted effort to give her a solid half hour of playing every day, on top of the other times I just sit with her. She's so highstrung because she's lonely... I'm going to be happy when the schedule returns to normal, and I think that she will be too!
But, Life is good. I have no complaints right now about my life.
Badabapbah bah! I'm loving it. I can't believe I typed it, but I'll leave it, because it's a good indicator of mood.
Saturday I cleaned up. I had planned to go shopping for a wedding present for Gumi with Laurien and Brooke, but when Brooke backed out to do some cleaning (eight classes plus a cold was hitting her too. haha!) I looked around at my apartment, the growing stack of marking, and backed out too. Money is a good gift for newlyweds too!
At five I went downtown to meet a girl that I met at the murder mystery party weeks back. We ran into each other again at the UNESCO Christmas dinner, and got to talking about the film festival and volunteer projects... she seemed cool so we met up for some dinner and chatting. I had been under the impression for weeks that her name was Skippy, because of a novelty name tag that she wore at the Murder Mystery Party. Turns out that it is Mellessa, which I have probably spelled incorrectly. Dinner and hanging out confirmed my earlier suspicions that she was in fact pretty neat.
Anyways, went out for spicy pork and to the dog cafe, and met up with Brooke and Ryan later at my new favourite place in the world "Cafe Provence". We had coffee and wine, and then Mellessa had to leave to catch a bus back to Gwangju. Ryan, Brooke and I stuck around for a while, finished our wine, then went out and found another little wine bar that I had spotted walking downtown earlier.
It was a nice place, but the colour scheme left a lot to be desired. It was like the Easter Bunny's fortress of solitude. All pastels and tiny dioramas of farmhouse rooms... very weird. But, good old jazz was playing and the wine was good. The "party" finished at my place with further libations. It was a great day, just hanging out and gabbing, loving life. haha.
Sunday was Gumi's wedding, which was very interesting. Oh, I forgot! When I was getting ready, Jessie called, and we had a great chat, which was nice. We hadn't talked in a long time. Anyways, the wedding.
I really enjoyed it. It was definitely not a wedding like I would have, but it was definitely an experience to see! When we arrived, Gumi was in a little room with an arched door. In the room, everyone would pass through to take pictures with her in her gown. Her whole family was outside of it, which was really neat. Gumi was beautiful, and it was nice to meet the families of the Korean teachers and see them outside of work. The ceremony was a full of pomp and circumstance. There was a soundtrack to everyone walking down the aisle. Like "INTRODUCING: THE FATHER!!!" and then a huge horn interlude as he walks to the altar area. "INTRODUCING: THE MOTHERS!!!" and then the mothers walk down the aisle in the hanbok. Then "INTRODUCING: THE BRIDE!!!" and then Gumi walks down, with the wedding march playing, and for some reason, bird song.
OH! I forgot the best part! During the processions, the parties are accompanied by these two girls wearing marching band uniforms and carrying swords. Then as Gumi walks down the aisle, they stand at attention half way and slowly cut an arc with their swords that starts when she starts and is completed as she reaches the altar.
I obviously did not understand much of the ceremony, but I was quite entertained by Ms Woo's son sitting in front of me, who has these unbelievably chubby cheeks and was fascinated with my camera, which I was more than happy to entertain him with.
The ceremony ended with a ton of photos with the wedding party, friends and family (and coworkers). Another highlight was constantly trying to snap a photo of my student Hyeong Deok who was apparently in Gumi's family. He's pretty shy, but it was fun. He looks like kids I have seen in old photos of my dad and his childhood friends, so I knew right away that he would be trouble.
After that I just chilled out for a while, and then went out to the movies at this cool theatre that I found. Actually, I was told about it. This is a really old theater that only plays independent and foreign and art films. So, a very cool discovery. I met up with Brooke and Ryan, and we saw that movie "The Science of Sleep", which I have wanted to see ever since I saw previews for it in Canada in the fall. I was super happy when I discovered that it not only played in Korea, but that there was an art film theater!
Anyways, it was a good time, and then we went out for shabu shabu, the perfect ending for pretty much any day. I also shopped for a black sweater, which I have come to require for two important reasons.
1) I have no black sweater. How have I been living?!
2) I've come to realize that a lot of my clothes have retained their pear shape even as I am losing it. It's kind of fun, because I can see my gut in the form of my clothes! hahaha. Anyways, not to make myself sound like an Adonis or anything. Far from it. But I'm feeling pretty good!
This week has been more of the same at work. I'm still frustrated about the projects in most of the classes. They just don't seem to get that when I say they need three pages, that I want three pages! I mean, they've had a month, and I've even cut it down to two pages typed or three pages written, both double spaced! The other class, the one that I cut down to just speeches, not only is not even close to finished, but since I threw down some deadlines, they've just BEGUN! They wrote things every day, I checked! But then they would apparently just throw it out! It's the whole "appearance of work" thing that seems to be everywhere here.
The other classes are all great. I had an awesome surprise yesterday when the schedule changed. I was expecting a new grade six class, and when I opened the door, my favourite grade four class poured in, and they all looked so happy to be back with me! I'm glad they're back too. I couldn't stop smiling, and I almost burst out laughing a few times because I was so happy!
I also headed back to the cafe yesterday for the first time this week... I've just been too busy! Her son was there, and I had my laptop, so we watched some of "The Incredibles" with Korean subtitles before I headed back to work.
Unfortunately... Sam is being terribly neglected in all of this. I've been making a concerted effort to give her a solid half hour of playing every day, on top of the other times I just sit with her. She's so highstrung because she's lonely... I'm going to be happy when the schedule returns to normal, and I think that she will be too!
But, Life is good. I have no complaints right now about my life.
Badabapbah bah! I'm loving it. I can't believe I typed it, but I'll leave it, because it's a good indicator of mood.
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