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!
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Monday, October 20, 2008
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...
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.
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?
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.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Monday, September 29, 2008
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.
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.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Let me gush...
Olivia and EmilyIt'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....
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