Ah Mah

I've only been here for four and a half days and already, Ah Mah is killing me with her antics. I think that's the only word for it because senility is not quite it. The reason I say this is because she is still as peppy as ever.

Sandy, you'll love this. I really recording this 'cause you'd appreciate it. I'm dying just thinking about this one.

Friday night, we got home from Aunt Winnie's house and we're settling down, unwinding and watching tv. But like always Aunt Amy is calling to see when we got home and how everything is--even though she was there, on the subway with us...

Anyhow, Aunt Iris is talking on the phone and Ah Mah wanted to shower only she thought Aunt Iris was conversing in the bathroom. I stepped in and told her that she wouldn't do that because it's gross to use the bathroom while talking on the phone. But she wouldn't believe. I kept telling her for like 20 minutes only she wouldn't believe me.

Finally after the phone call sounded like it was coming to an end, Aunt Iris emerges from HER ROOM and Ah Mah's like I THOUGHT YOU WERE IN THE BATHROOM! There was a lot of arguing between Ah Mah and Iris over how gross she thought she was and why Ah Mah couldn't hear that she was really talking from her bedroom. I just couldn't stop laughing hahaha

Coffee Prince

Since I've been here, I am catching up on some of my old hobbies...eating non-stop and walking it off down at the gym on the fifth floor...sitting...and sitting until the wee hours watching Korean romantic comedy/dramas. This holiday has been all about the Coffee Prince.

As I watch, I am amazed by how much more I understand the Korean culture. I am really proud of how I have adapted and will most likely continue to love that place. Even though I complain about lack of a lot of what I'm used to...knowing that I am learning and acquiring new life experiences is helping me cope with the fact that professionally, nothing new is happening.

I think I am doing a great job developing that personal growth part of my year...just like Karen says it's important to do--have a professional and personal goal as each new school year approaches.

Personally, I think it's pretty clear. Professionally, I've learned that education is not a business. Enough said.

Anyhoo, back to Coffee Prince...Korean romantic comedies are always hilarious...but it's even more hilarious when you understand what they do and why they do the things that they do. Even all the product placements are friendly reminders of my temporary home. And even though the storylines can be somewhat repetitive with gender roles and class divides...the story reminds truthful to life and romance in Korea. I definitely think you should buy this one Marcie! Check it out with your friend...you two will stay up to watch this for sure...

Until next time...

Hong Kong

Being in Hong Kong brought back a lot of wonderful memories. The smells alone...yeah, well. Here are some photos from last summer:

Christmas present? Hong Kong!!!!

So I am in Hong Kong for Christmas and I am once again in search of words. I keep wanting to utter thank you in Korean and bowing to everyone I meet...even that lady with the mole.

I am thankful that I am not in Korea right now. Here are some reasons.


Ah mah. She supplies me with hilarious stories about my dad. She also keeps calling me by Sandy's name...but that's alright. Sandy stayed here for a long time the last time she was here so she said she got used to saying that name. In my opinion, she can do whatever the hell she wanted and I wouldn't mind that much. She is also eating a lot of snacks. She keeps buying jello for me and then eating it all for herself. It's also pretty funny how she keeps yelling at my aunts for "leaving her behind". All they did was walk three steps faster than she could hahaha

Greetings at the airport. Getting picked up is the best. Immigration also took all of two seconds because of my HK ID card. Way to go duel citizenship!

I don't have to worry about drenching myself at the sink. At home I am constanting worried about that nob being turned the right way, because if it isn't, you get frickin' drenched all over again. On one side. Now, I can just stand there and wash my hands and stay DRYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY. sheesh.

There is a bathtub here. Bubble bath. Enough said.

Warm weather. It was 21C today. SUCKERRRRSSS!!!!

In a few days, this list will most likely accumulate. I miss Korea only a tiny little...not so much bit.

FIRST SNOWFALL IN PYEONGCHON!!!

Here are the new security cameras. They were installed last weekend and probably caught some of our staff members having a snowball fight late last night. I think it also caught them examining it when it was first put up. I'm not sure what I think of this new "security system" aka spy robot, but the birds sure love it as their new perch thingy.

What a surprise! We do get snow here in Anyang haha

When I walked home last night, I never imagined that it would amount to anything...but here it is (and has gone by 9pm)!

Here, they do not shovel snow, they sweep it, hence; all the sweeping mark.

There was also a really nice old lady that was feeding the birds. She kept waving her hand up and down--kinda like how I psych out the ducks and geese at Toogood Pond--and they flew over to her! And she had rice or something like it to give them! I thought she looked a lot like Cinderella--the aged version haha. Although she did not sing, she certainly captivated the spirit of giving like Cinderella did...

Christmas Maddness

Christmas is a celebratory holiday for my family and I but around here...it's complete maddness. We are currently training our preschoolers to act out and sing to Christmas songs. So far, it's been going well but if we keep going at this rate...I'm afraid to say haha

I hope to get some photos of the Penguins all fancied up in their "Santa is coming to town" outfits...stay tuned.

A first...

I woke up at 6:26am this morning for our run. For those of you that know me, you know three things. One, I do not get up at 6:30 in the morning. Two, I am not coherent/physically coordinated at 6:30am. Three, I do not get up at 6:30 in the morning.

Thanks to Judy and Ellen, I was able to do this run in the morning. There were several things that I think could have done better than usual but considering it was at 6:30 in the morning, I am proud that I woke up. Now that I'm done, I am hungry and really excited for Friday morning because we are going out Friday night.

*We ran this morning also because we are taking the Korean teachers out for dinner for galbi--can't run with stomach full of pork*

More pictures of our scenic run later on...for now look at this:

Birthday dinner with Ruby, Mack, baby, Dean, Hannah, Brain, Angela

I am mocking the photographer, I think.

Hannah and I
Absent: Angela --she had food poisoning

LOOK AT HOW COOL MY CAKE WAS!!!!

Official Huge Announcement for those who care...

I am running the Seoul International Marathon on March 15th, 2009!

The course is as follows...



For a more detailed map, you can visit the site here.

Photo 2, 3 & 4: Weekend with Ruby's in-laws

We spent the weekend at Ruby's in-laws because it was Mack's grandmother's birthday. Here, they are cutting the birthday cake. It was a Black Forest cake with actually cake-like consistency! She reminds me of the grandmas because she dresses like them and sews her own clothes. If you look closely, she stitched her own yellow pocket.

After spending an entire day lounging and sleeping away, Angela and I took a walk with Mack's sister to the nearby fish pond. On the way there, Angela spotted this water tank that was spilling or something. The icicles were pretty cool 'cause it covered up most of the tree branches...something new.

The Dad: For dogs, this guy was pretty shy and scared of people. It loved Mack's father though. His family stays in a dog house next to the house. If I wanted to take care of a dog, this would be the kind I'd like to have...really cute. It reminds me of Ashley's dog...the name I forget.

I spend three hours stalking this girl...waiting for her to do something with the phone. While she never managed to say yubuseyo to anyone, she did pose like this, which resembles a pose that I once held. We both loved phones when we were little...niceh.

Picture 1: Seoraksan

Seoraksan is a magical place. You are surrounded by colours, smells and noises. The most wonderful part about the trip to Seoraksan was how I saw myself and remembered the trips I took with my parents and Sandy.

At the time I didn't realize how splendid leaf watching was, I do appreciate the walks through the forests now. I do appreciate the quality time my family and I had on these trips. I mean, it wasn't all bad. There were only a few or almost all the times that he would get all pouty and mad because we didn't buy something. And how he would fuss about his sunglasses and how they weren't the right ones even though the ones he had on did the job. Mom would be wearing that ridiculous neon pink cap or that other ridiculous neon yellow cap...and Sandy would just sit and wondered the same thought: why the hell do we have to be here?

While I did not appreciate those trips then, I do appreciate them now. Nothing else made me realize that more than this photo of the father and son with the mountains. In our family, it wasn't a son that ran ahead of a dad. It was a daughter...tt wasn't a son that wanted to trip his sister...it was me. It was me that wanted to see how many swift kicks of leaves would bother the crap out of Sandy to the point that she would wail another yell. *sigh* "Those were the days"...sing it high and out of tune like Marge and Homer.

I hope those little boys and girls appreciate time with their parents. Nothing makes me miss my family more than to see other people with their families. And even though they appear to be extremely irritated by one another and look incredibly hideous while doing so--I hope they don't forget but appreciate. Because one day, even though they are surrounded by millions of people, they will feel sad and alone and all they will have are those memories. Only those memories will help sleep through the night...only those memories will help them feel loved even when they are in a crowded room full of people.

Maggie Teacher's Wedding...

...was very different.

From a North American perspective, no one showed her a lot of respect because people were talking during the entire ceremony. They talked during the opening, when the bride walked down, when the bubbles flew out, when they cut the cake, when they kissed--all except when her friend sang a song. When I asked why, someone just said that noraebanging in any form is most respected, hence the silence.

What else...oh yeah. We were also very overdressed. Apparently in Korean culture, you can wear whatever you want to a wedding. I am not sure why the guests don't dress nicely. My only guess is that the wedding party doesn't want to be overshadowed...but really, no one can be overshadowed in a wedding dress! Just look at her!

http://picasaweb.google.com/heidi.hy.luk/MaggieSWedding?authkey=t3DYnBwKp38#5267053096805728242

All in all, that's not how I pictured the wedding would turn out.

And that's the end of that chapter.

H.

New Computer in the 3rd floor office

William fixed up our computer in the 3rd floor office this week, which means that I will be able to update here and now more frequently. So for those of you that prefer to procrastinate and so forth can use this to prolong whatever work you have to finish.

Anyway, this whole week has gone by pretty smoothly with no major disasters from my Penguins class. The girls have their little arguments but what troubles me and the other teachers is that they are constantly manipulating and bullying each other.

I asked Nicole Teacher to place even numbered girls in our classes from now on but we don't place students in classes like that...it's 100 per cent based on test scores. THAT'S RIGHT! Preschoolers are given an exam and interviewed prior to entering the school so the monthly test that we will give to them next week should be easy breezy for my kids.

I always forget that the school negates all exceptionalities because test/exam scores dictates the placement of students. It kills me every time to see a fairly dilligent child suffer in a lower class only because they don't test well. I think back to my Canadian students and it makes me feel like I mothered them too much...but that's just how it's done in Canada--with much consideration of the accommodations and modifications that's needed to help students succeed.

I don't know when it turned out to be a blog about test scores but I'm just thinking about my little kiddies and I don't want them to get stressed out. I've been told to tell them that it's just an independent activity and to not mention the word "test". *sigh*

Tonight is Hannah Teacher's birthday party. She invited some of us to her home. I wonder what it will be like...Last night, we bought her some Anna Sui comestics and the counter girl wrapped it up really nicely. Angela was joking around because she must have had to take a training course in wrapping or something. I'll try to get a few pictures of the party here and there...maybe you can see what other Korean homes look like...we'll see.

It's getting cooler as each day passes and the double comforters are working out well. So far, there is no need to buy a third blanket. I just hope we won't have to bust out the winter coat til the end of November.

Our next trip looks like it will be Seoraksan with a few people we met at our staff retreat. I don't have a lot of pictures from that retreat because of the spa experience...I think Hannah may have one or two of the boss singing...I'll try to get them off of her...

Stay tune for pictures of Maggie's wedding tomorrow...we are all very happy and excited to celebrate with her.


H.

Heather Teacher

Heather Teacher is leaving our third floor office in 12 days.

This is tragic news considering how much we have done together.

To list several:
- told me where the airport shuttle was when I first arrived
- shared the more organized way of planning and reporting
- took us to the new Japanese restaurant around the corner
- shares the same rage for students who do not perform at their optimal level
- gave me her colourful stationery papers so I can write letters to my grade 1 and 2 classes
- giving away her toaster oven to Hannah so she can make toast and other related goodness
- took us to First God, a lunch time hangout...

But regardless of these things, I think the most important and coolest thing about Heather is that she has that rage...you should have seen her that one time after having a successful yelling at her students. It was nice to see that kind of passion because she was just so frustrated over why this kid was not performing to his potential. That's when I told her that she should seriously consider becoming a teacher...not that she isn't already.

It's ashame that I am just talking about her and sharing this with you now, but we've been hanging out and partying...so yeah...stay tune for our going away party for Heather!

Hope you are all doing well in Canada. We've been experiencing warmer than usual weather in Seoul.

Smell ya later!

H.

Han River Cruise

Last weekend, Heather invited us to cruise on the Han River in a ferry boat. We caught the tail end of a huge fireworks display. Apparently, when Korean businessmen want to promote their new condominiums, they invest in thousands of dollars worth of fireworks.

I didn't get a chance to photograph the fireworks...but here is a link to the Han River photos!

October 19th marks 3rd month in Anyang

So it's been three months!!! Horrahhhhh haha

Honest to God, I thought time would go by a lot slower but really...time flies by when you are teaching. Can you believe it's HALLOWEEN?!?! Teachers are still mean right now hahaha...if you missed the teacher not-funny joke, the saying goes, "Be mean 'til Halloween". This is based on the assumption that if you are strict enough and able to keep the kids in a regimented routine until this time...the kids will obey your every word and command. I must say, this is only true for 12 per cent of classes...and that statistics...I made up.

But yeah, back to the point.

We are already planning for Halloween and the decor in the front foyer is superb. I will have more photos up shortly. I meant to take photos of the walls and things hanging from the ceilings but my kids were dancing and singing to Mamma Mia and well...here I go again...

OKAY...the video upload is not working.
If you know why it's taking so long to upload, let me know okay?

Anyway...when I figure out why it's not working, you are supposed to see Jun and Thomas sing their little hearts out to Mamma Mia! Thomas is saying as he finishes his Phonics workbook and tries to help Jun complete his page during the dance sequence when there's no singing...

Thomas is one of my favourite kids. When I told him that his mommy was happy about his report card, he looks down at me (because I'm squatting next to him) and he just plants a kiss on my face. He's smart and adorable...he's mine!

Jun was a problem but after a conversation with Angela about his autistic tendencies...let's just say his behaviour has changed after some modifications and accommodations. I am so proud of Jun...I wish I could talk to his mother in Korean. *Sigh*

Not being able to talk to the parents was not something that I thought I would miss. In Canada, I nearly had a heart attack when I saw the phone light flash red. Here, I only wish I could tell them not to worry so much about their writing and reading...but to worry about their social abilities and emotional health. All they seem to worry about here are test scores and class placements...it's definitely one huge cultural difference. So our professors were right afterall...learning is a culture and pedagogies reflect the differences...okay, back to more news...

As for my third month anniversary, I celebrated with everyone from work. It wasn't anything official but it was a nice way to remember and celebrate how long I've been able to live on this peninsula...

The bosses treated us to a weekend retreat near Ocean Castle Resort. We went to the spa & sauna and had a great time. This visit to Ocean Castle was definitely one of those been there, done that items because I don't think I can take all the nakedness anymore.

Angela, Hannah and I were complete morons in bathing suits while everyone else was eating, walking, talking and socializing in the nude. In fact, we got stares for not being naked. We looked unsanitary...not eating in the nude. Not that we could eat anyway...

After the spa, we went back to the house to have a cookout. Jamie, a guy that used to work with Justin, cooked up something with other admin. staff and provided us with delicious pork. We had Korean bbq with lots of soju. I went shot for shot with Michael (the boss) for about six drinks and then I had to invent ways of disposing the shots. Needless to say, we had a great time.

More to come...Maggie Teacher's wedding. She invited all the teachers from the school to attend her wedding this coming Saturday. It will be the last time we get very fancied up with Heather, a teacher that we met earlier. More pictures to come following this event.

Hope everyone is doing well and recovering from any sicknesses...I just had a cold and had to use one of four sick days. How I miss calling in sick...but one thing we don't have to do is write supply plans. Our plans are already written out for us!

Hope to have more time to write again soon...

H.

Hong-do & Husan-do for Foundation Day: One fish too many...

Did I show you guys the photos from Hong-do?

If you missed them, here they are: Hong-do

It's been awhile...

I didn't realize how long it's been but when I started getting a few emails going, "uh...are you okay?" I realized that maybe the novelty of being in Seoul or keeping this blog has somewhat worn off and getting to be....work.

But yeah, work continues to be hectic but free of planning at night. That's nice especially since I've taken up running every other night. The weather has been beautiful for running...I hope all of you runners are getting your miles/kilometres here and there. I would take photos as I jog around but I don't want to drop my camera on the ground like I did with my ipod. Thank goodness for that case I bought at Best Buy! But yeah, the streets are lined with ginko trees and some stinky bushes...it's gorgeous!

At the moment, my students are writing their monthly tests. Ben is slaving away...Tony is erasing most of what he wrote because he forgot to plan out his story like I insisted throughout all of last week. Nonetheless, it's amazing to think that these are students in grade 2. Just like week, I thought them how to write a report using our non-fiction reading strategies. They got it after I modeled it once. ONCE! Do you know how many tries it takes in Canada?! At least three times, which only means I have to write three or more reports haha But yeah, I'll see how well I thought them depending on their tests this month. It's very nerve wrecking....

What else...this week will be easy breezy because today and Tuesday will be test days which leaves only Wednesday and Thursday classes. On Friday, we get a day off because of Foundation Day. Someone found Seoul in 19??. So hurrahhhhh!

I will update more frequently but with less "beef". Speaking of beef...I haven't had any in two months. I craved meat last week and bought at least 70,000 won worth of meat at Costco. That should last about two months in my freezer hehe Here, Costco = meat.

Anyhoo, let me know what else you're doing...you can always write me via email if you don't feel comfortable leaving me a mesage on this blog...

Hope to hear from you soon...
H.

Let me gush...

Olivia and Emily


It's very hard for me to talk about what's going on with my new job without first discussing my preschoolers. They are my pride and joy...but sometimes pains in the butt.

So first, I will gush about these two lovely ladies because they remind me so much of Hannah haha


Olivia is the most girliest baby I have ever met in my life. She never comes to class uncoodinated and is always sporting new head bands (very Hannah).


Anyway, when Justin came in to supply for me, he commented on how Olivia was beginning in English and that she was shy. Well, I will back her up because when needed, Olivia goes on tangents in English. One minute she will be fussing about her shoes not fitting properly and hurting her feet (uh duh, sweetie pie...you are wearing heels...) and the next she is gushhe ing about how her dress is so "flowy". She is amazingly smart and witty. But, if you piss her off, she can also give you the nastiest look...I have yet to get that on camera...


I think one of the main reasons why Olivia has become so outgoing is because of Emily. Emily is the sweetest girl in our class. And yes, she does have an ugly side, but who doesn't!? Just thinking about Emily now makes me happy because she embodies the kindness that I want for all students in my Canadian class. She reminds me a lot of Celine actually because she goes out of her way to help Jun, who is a little hell raiser. When Jun came back from the Philliphines, he was really behind on reading so during our down time, Emily whispered the words to him just before he read them aloud, pretending that he knew and could say them by himself. For this reason alone, I tend to give her first dibs on picking e-Poly songs.


And even though I don't believe that preschoolers should sit for five hours, she seems to be able to do it with such grace...I love her haha But yeah, these two girls are so lovely...it's hard for me to talk about them without wanting to keep them.


As the new school year starts, I am also thinking about the ex-4A's. I hope they are okay and ready to begin a new year with their new teachers...I miss them a lot....

Home cookin'...

...can be as close as down the street when Justin offers to cook for us. On our second dinner get together, we had sausages on French buns. Now, in Canada, you may not think anything of it...but in Korea, non-sugary breads are extremely difficult to come by.

Check it out!
*Note the night's cooking is out of sequence so yeah....*










Justin was also teaching us new cooking skills. And before I continue to talk about him, Justin is the guy that I spoke to over the phone and "interviewed" me for Poly School. He is the go-to person at the school and he makes sures that everyone is settling in Korea nicely and comfortably.

Anyway, to go back to the cooking...Justin used to be the lead waiter in Boston and that's why he knows all the tricks. He was teaching Brian to dice and cut onions, red peppers and green onions properly because Brian isn't too skilled in the cooking...neither was/am I. So we were learning to cook and prepare foods from Justin.

And I'm not sure if you've noticed...but Justin is GIGANTIC. He reminds me of the beanstalk every time he wears that shirt. He is six feet and two inches tall. When you are that tall and in Korea, you tend to stand out.

*Aside* While we were shopping in Myeongdong, we saw this guy that was TALLERRR than Justin. He was probably six feet and seven inches tall...

I am also starting to like red wine more...Angela and Hannah like that better than beer and beer seems to make people fat around here. Wine should be better because it comes from grapes rather than barley/yeast right? Not sure...but yeah, wine requires some getting used to.

When I bike or rollerskate...I'll wear my safety gear!

The title is a song that we sing often in preschool and tonight, I should have been advised by the lyrics.

I went night running and Angela, but we were separated and when I tried to look for her, I ran right into a metal chain! I fall forward, hit my chin and heavily scraped my knee. I would also show the scar except my ego was badly hurt and the blood was scaring me a little bit.

I have a hard time walking but good thing, Justin came over with some knee bandages! He didn't have polysporin or he brought me some lotion samples instead haha that did make me feel better

So now, instead of going out with Angela and them...not that I was going to go anyway....I am at home watching the Simpsons and catching up on some much needed sleep. Maybe I will show the scars a little later when they are less gross and fleshy.

Until then, please run with helmets, elbow pads and knee guards!

At the end of this blog, I can straighten my legs! Yayyyyyy

More photos of my sweetie pies aka My Penguins Class

When you let preschoolers hold the camera...
...and now Louie's turn...

AH! Jun looks so pretty!