and the previous single, "Jumping All Over The World"
9 years ago
Monday
Sometimes, I play games in class, that are loosely based on English. Hagwons, especially for younger children, are more like educational babysitting - as long as their learning and enjoying themselves, it's good for business (until they get to middle school, but that is a different story). For a long time, my students have been interested in Hangman, except that I don't draw someone being hanged. I either assign points to a team (when they guess a correct letter, they get points, depending on how many of that letter there is in the word/sentence), or I draw a face. When they guess an incorrect letter, I draw one part of the face. Even though the kids make fun of my drawing skills, my faces are kinda cute :p
Just another random photo of a student that doesn't want their face in a photo, but doesn't mind the actual photo being taken.
After work, I go to a restaurant and get some dinner. Sometimes I go alone, and sometimes students come with me. Every now and then, the boss' kids will come with me. We felt like having pizza, so we went to a local pizza restaurant (of the 3 pizza places in town, one only does delivery, and one is closed on a Monday, which we forgot at the time, so the choice wasn't all that difficult). The pizza wasn't too bad. But in Korea, pizza is expensive. We ordered 2 pizzas, a salad and a 1.5L Pepsi, and it came to 26,000 won (which is about $27 Australian, current exchange rate). This place has the best pizzas in town. The one that I normally order from (the one that only does delivery) is the 2nd best, but is also cheaper.
I called home as I was walking back to my apartment. Family is doing well, which is good to know. My Tim Minchin DVD arrived, and my sister wants to watch it, which is cool, coz I need someone to check to see if it's not faulty. I'll watch it when I get back to Australia.
It's good to know that things are going well. Enjoy it while it lasts.
Just another random photo of a student that doesn't want their face in a photo, but doesn't mind the actual photo being taken.
After work, I go to a restaurant and get some dinner. Sometimes I go alone, and sometimes students come with me. Every now and then, the boss' kids will come with me. We felt like having pizza, so we went to a local pizza restaurant (of the 3 pizza places in town, one only does delivery, and one is closed on a Monday, which we forgot at the time, so the choice wasn't all that difficult). The pizza wasn't too bad. But in Korea, pizza is expensive. We ordered 2 pizzas, a salad and a 1.5L Pepsi, and it came to 26,000 won (which is about $27 Australian, current exchange rate). This place has the best pizzas in town. The one that I normally order from (the one that only does delivery) is the 2nd best, but is also cheaper.
I called home as I was walking back to my apartment. Family is doing well, which is good to know. My Tim Minchin DVD arrived, and my sister wants to watch it, which is cool, coz I need someone to check to see if it's not faulty. I'll watch it when I get back to Australia.
It's good to know that things are going well. Enjoy it while it lasts.
Trains, Friends and Stuff
On Friday, I went to Jangseong to get some train tickets for the weekends (the one just gone, and the next two). In May, there are two long weekends - both Saturday, Sunday and Monday. So, I got myself organised, in anticipation of stuff being busy. Koreans get bugger all holidays, and I know that they like to use them well. Koreans, in general, can be bad at organisation, but when it comes to their holiday time, they're damn organised. So, I thought I'd beat them to the chase, and get my tickets before hand. This weekend... Seoul.More about Seoul later. After buying the tickets, I met BG. He used to live in Jangseong, but moved away for work, but he finished working, so he came back. We met up outside of Jangseong station and then went to Damyang. He insisted that there were no good restaurants in Jangseong (I don't know if that's true, because I've never eaten there before). He knew a good place that has Galbi (갈비) so we ate there, then went to Damyang Resort, a kind of public baths. It was good to go there, and we felt relaxed.
Just a couple of photos from work. Some kids hate having their photo taken, but with the way they act, they do it more for the reaction of the other students. Sometimes, some frogs like to get into the gaps in the window.
So, Saturday, I woke up, and got the local bus to Jangseong, to get the train to Seoul. This train only had 6 carriages, and I was in the 6th, so I took a few photos from the back window. The train attendant kinda looked at me strange when i was walking to the back (since there is nothing there), but when he saw my camera in hand, he got the idea.
I decided to take the Mugunghwa train (무궁화) to get to Seoul. There are three kinds of train to take in Korea: Mugunghwa (the name of Korea's national flower), Saemaeul (새마을 - directly translated "New Village") and KTX (the high speed one). KTX is okay. It gets me to Seoul in 2.5 hours (and 35,000won). But, imagine an airplane's Economy class on a train - no space, and uncomfortable. Saemaeul is a little better. There is space, but the chairs are uncomfortable. They have this massive seat divider between seats (and the shape of it is what makes it uncomfortable). It travels slower than KTX (almost as slow as Mugunghwa), gets me to Seoul in 3.5 hours, and costs 30,000won. Mugunghwa, is the oldest and slowest. It gets me to Seoul in 4 hours, and costs 20,000won. But, it is the most comfortable, with the most space.
Anyway, I got to Seoul at about 2:30pm, and made my way to City Hall station on the subway. My T-money card only had 1,000 won remaining, so I had to recharge at city hall. I was meeting 2 friends before I was having dinner with other friends, so time was tight. But one friend was late, and the other was on time, so we ended up meeting together. Then I met BG and her younger brother for dinner.
It was good to see BG. Sometimes, when her boyfriend (HM) is busy, I will just meet her, and her friends. But on Saturday, I met her younger brother, OS. He is a cool guy. I was glad that I met him. He kind of reminded me of an animation character, especially with his facial expressions and the way he emotes - almost to the point of cute. haha. (if you've seen the Japanese animation "Love Hina" think of the main character "Keitaro Urashima" ㅋㅋㅋ). We had dinner and then moved to Starbucks for coffee and 얘기. Time went really fast. We talked about a lot of things, and before we knew it, it was 9:30pm, and I had to go to Bucheon to meet HM (BG's boyfriend). So, got the subway out to Bucheon, and met him there. After he met me at the station, we went to a restaurant, where him and his friends were hanging out, then went back to HM's place to continue the party and talking there. Compared to when I met BG and OS earlier, these guys were talking damn fast! haha.
Stayed at HM's house, and woke up in time to have a shower, and get going. I wanted to get to Itaewon to buy some clothes, and then was meeting M and G there for lunch. I f**King hate Itaewon. As weird as this sounds, there are too many foreigners. At night, there are too many drunk foreigners, and too many hookers. As soon as I walked up the steps out of the subway station, I could just smell the "dirtyness". I only go there to buy clothes, since I can't really buy clothes my size anywhere else. There is one shop that I always go to, since I always get good deals there, and the ladies that work there are kind, and speak English well enough (and speak Korean well enough for me to understand - not too fast, and not using difficult words). I bought 3 t-shirts and a pair of shorts... Actually, 2 t-shirts, one was for free, since it was old.
After shopping, I met M and G, and we made our way to an Irish Pub for a meal and a chat. I ordered fish and chips, and it was damn good there, considering that I haven't had fish and chips for 6 months. There were a large group of people next to us, and I was trying to figure out what language they were speaking, but I realised that it was English, with a very strong Irish accent, after some of the guys said "fucking" a few times. haha. I had to leave at 2pm, to get my train back to Jangseong, so I had to leave M and G there.
On the train, to and from Seoul, I was translating my Japanese Traveller's phrase book, that I bought here in Korea. So, its in Korean, then with Japanese, and with the Pronunciation, using Korean letters. I find that easier than using the English/Japanese phrase book I have. Since I heard that Japanese grammar and Korean grammar was similar, I decided to learn some Japanese though Korean, and I was able to notice some patterns in the words and sentence structure. One guy that was sitting next to me on the train was kinda freaked out (in a surprising way), that a foreigner was learning Japanese though Korean, so we had a bit of a chat about that.
The train was on time back to Jangseong, but the local bus back to my town wasn't. Finally got home at 8:30am, washed my new clothes and my worn clothes, and went to bed...
Random Photos
Is it worth an exclamation mark, for the graphical representation of how much ink is remaining?
Spot the mistake. It made me laugh.
Geoje Island Video
Finally got around to putting together a video from Build and my time in Geoje Island.
Another weekend
Had to go to some kind of Hagwon lecture for the area in Damyang. I was told that all Hagwon bosses and foreign teachers had to go. Did I see any other foreign teachers there? Of course not. But, we got out at 11:10 (it was meant to finish at 12pm). The boss had a tennis match to go to, and I had Geomdo practice. Besides, it was as boring as fuck.
The boss dropped me off at the Bamboo Museum in Damyang, since I was meeting my Geomdo teacher there. At the museum, there is a place to buy bamboo for cutting practice. Every year, Damyang has a Bamboo festival, which involves a national cutting competition. It's where I first met my current teacher (he's friends with my previous teacher) and his wife. Anyway, I walked around for a while, checking out the stuff. There's places that sell things make out of bamboo and wood, and a park to walk around (filled with bamboo, obviously).
we stopped for some lunch at an outdoor restaurant that served 국수 (Guksu). It wasn't too bad. I never really eat it (because all it is is noodles with sauce, or noodles with broth) because its a bit boring. But keeping with the Damyang/Bamboo theme, this place has boiled eggs, that are boiled in water with bamboo in it, to give them a different color and flavor. It was alright. We took the scenic route from Damyang to Jeoneup - via Naejang Mountain (내장산).
Only practiced Bamboo cutting at Geomdo class, which is okay. I still did okay. Okay as in, when I make a mistake, i know why. I got the bus back to Jangseong, and then my apartment, just in time for dinner. Except that when I got home, I broke the handle of the tap that's in my bathroom, so I was unable to turn it off, so water was continuously running. Had to turn the mains off.
Coz of the tap problem, I went to the public baths in my town. Normally, I'm not a fan of it, mainly because of the naked thing, and with Koreans starting at me, basically because I don't look asian (did you notice that too?!). But, after being a few times, I don't give a shit anymore. I'm more comfortable when I go with Korean friends (It seems to be a Korean family/friend bonding thing here). Also, Some public baths have sleeping halls attached (called 찜질방) which are a cheap alternative to motels.
Anyway, got the tap fixed. The boss' brother in law came to fix it, just as I was about to leave to go to Gwangju. I planned on meeting IS for lunch, but had to delay that by an hour. After it was fixed, I got the bus to Gwangju, and met IS. He called me and asked me if one of his friends could join us, and I was okay with that. But, I assumed that it would be a guy. Turned out to be a girl who he studies with. IS's and her major is English Education, so their English was really good. Because I came late, the had already had lunch, so when we met downtown, we went to a bakery, and i just had a sandwich, and they had a drink, and we talked. IS had to go and teach a class at 4pm, so we didn't have much time.
After meeting, I went to Sangmu, to get some stuff at eMart. They didn't have the new Epik High album, so I got everything else that i was after, and bought "Pieces, Part One" at the bus terminal. Also got the Pieces Part One poster as well, when I bought the album.
There was something the boss said to me on Saturday, that made me think about staying longer in Korea, as in 6-8 months more (not a whole year). I get the feeling that he wants to keep me here (because its easier than hiring a new person), but we get along well. It's just an idea. Also, I'm not 100% certain if he wants me here longer, but from what he said, made me think that he wouldn't have a problem with it. If I stay longer, I can save some more cash for when I go home, and the timing will be a lot better for re-starting my teaching career back home.
Still an idea floating around...
The boss dropped me off at the Bamboo Museum in Damyang, since I was meeting my Geomdo teacher there. At the museum, there is a place to buy bamboo for cutting practice. Every year, Damyang has a Bamboo festival, which involves a national cutting competition. It's where I first met my current teacher (he's friends with my previous teacher) and his wife. Anyway, I walked around for a while, checking out the stuff. There's places that sell things make out of bamboo and wood, and a park to walk around (filled with bamboo, obviously).
we stopped for some lunch at an outdoor restaurant that served 국수 (Guksu). It wasn't too bad. I never really eat it (because all it is is noodles with sauce, or noodles with broth) because its a bit boring. But keeping with the Damyang/Bamboo theme, this place has boiled eggs, that are boiled in water with bamboo in it, to give them a different color and flavor. It was alright. We took the scenic route from Damyang to Jeoneup - via Naejang Mountain (내장산).
Only practiced Bamboo cutting at Geomdo class, which is okay. I still did okay. Okay as in, when I make a mistake, i know why. I got the bus back to Jangseong, and then my apartment, just in time for dinner. Except that when I got home, I broke the handle of the tap that's in my bathroom, so I was unable to turn it off, so water was continuously running. Had to turn the mains off.
Coz of the tap problem, I went to the public baths in my town. Normally, I'm not a fan of it, mainly because of the naked thing, and with Koreans starting at me, basically because I don't look asian (did you notice that too?!). But, after being a few times, I don't give a shit anymore. I'm more comfortable when I go with Korean friends (It seems to be a Korean family/friend bonding thing here). Also, Some public baths have sleeping halls attached (called 찜질방) which are a cheap alternative to motels.
Anyway, got the tap fixed. The boss' brother in law came to fix it, just as I was about to leave to go to Gwangju. I planned on meeting IS for lunch, but had to delay that by an hour. After it was fixed, I got the bus to Gwangju, and met IS. He called me and asked me if one of his friends could join us, and I was okay with that. But, I assumed that it would be a guy. Turned out to be a girl who he studies with. IS's and her major is English Education, so their English was really good. Because I came late, the had already had lunch, so when we met downtown, we went to a bakery, and i just had a sandwich, and they had a drink, and we talked. IS had to go and teach a class at 4pm, so we didn't have much time.
After meeting, I went to Sangmu, to get some stuff at eMart. They didn't have the new Epik High album, so I got everything else that i was after, and bought "Pieces, Part One" at the bus terminal. Also got the Pieces Part One poster as well, when I bought the album.
There was something the boss said to me on Saturday, that made me think about staying longer in Korea, as in 6-8 months more (not a whole year). I get the feeling that he wants to keep me here (because its easier than hiring a new person), but we get along well. It's just an idea. Also, I'm not 100% certain if he wants me here longer, but from what he said, made me think that he wouldn't have a problem with it. If I stay longer, I can save some more cash for when I go home, and the timing will be a lot better for re-starting my teaching career back home.
Still an idea floating around...
Vagueness, Randomness and Apple Love
I woke up on time today, to the sound of my alarm at 7:30am. I got up, had some breakfast, and made my way into Gwangju. I got there just after 10am, and walked to Geomho world, a place near the Bus Terminal in Gwangju, that is about 7 floors of heaven for people who want to buy anything electrical, musical, and house-ical. I've got some dust inside my iPod Touch, and wanted to see about getting it removed. But, not gonna happen. Basically, you can't open an iPod Touch. It's a sealed unit. When major "manufacturer defects" happen, they just replace. Dust getting inside isn't a manufacturer defect.
I hadn't been to the Apple store in a while, and I've been wanting to see and play with a Macbook Air, and today I did. It's a nice little mac. Small, light enough, and sexy. Basically, you're paying for the smaller size, with some sacrifices. Minimal ports available (video out, only one USB port and sound out). Had Wifi, Bluetooth, Camera and mic built in. It would be a great computer for someone who is away on business, and would use it when when out of town, and when coming back, sync everything back up to the main computer. Also would be a good computer for someone with some extra cash, who wants a good looking machine, but didn't want to do much, rather than just surf the net, some typing and keeping your occasionally snapped photo from your digital camera on there.Anyway, while I was there, I bought a Time Capsule (English info, Korean info). Basically, its a kick arse Wireless Internet device, and an External hard drive in one. I was contemplating buying a Airport Extreme (English info, no Korean info, not available in Korea), which is the Time Capsule without the built in Hard Drive, but, like I said in the brackets, they're not available in Korea. Also, their power supply's aren't universal. The Time Capsule's is. I bought the 500Gb model, which is big enough. With the exchange rate as it is at the moment, a 500Gb Time Capsule is $60 cheaper for me here, compared to Australia. But, only an extra $100 for a 500Gb Hard Drive to be built in.
Anyway, after buying that (okay, it's my really really last big purchase until I go home!), i stopped to get some coffee at a coffee shop in the terminal, and to use some free Wifi, only to find out it was a bit shit. Wifi was a bit unstable. Stopped by the book store, and bought a "이지 (easy) 여행 일본어" (easy travel Japanese) book, for when I go to Japan.
I got home and installed my Time Capsule, but had a problem with the internet. One hour later, I had it fixed, only because i used Firefox, and not Safari, Apple's own browser. Basically, i had to log in to my ISP's site, so that I could use the internet, but Safari wasn't letting me do it (but I could log into various messenger apps). With that fixed, it was time to go to work.I thought that I would have only 3 classes today. Normally I teach Middle school on Friday, but since they have mid-terms soon, I don't teach them. Normally, when this happens, I'm finished after my elementary classes are done, and nothing was said otherwise. I was meant to finish at 6:10. The boss asks me at 6:12 to do the other two classes that I would regularly do on Monday to Thursday, but with two of the kids missing in the first class (because they didn't know that this change would happen, so they didn't come. It was very last minute). Also, I get told that they have an "English Contest" at school on Wednesday and need to get them ready for that, and that Reading is the most important.
This is how vague and random working in Korea can be, and the regular argument that Foreign English Teachers will receive when they argue last minute changes, and vague ass instructions is "This is Korea. This is how we do things".
So, i just kept my cool, and said "thanks for letting me know so I can get organised.". It was sarcasm, which my boss took as a joke. I had only worked for 3 classes that day, so wasn't really gonna argue. I've been here for 2.5 years, and have just learned that this is how things are done in Korea, vaguely and randomly.
After the two classes, I checked with the boss what time he's coming to meet me tomorrow, because we have to go to some kind of seminar tomorrow. Another pointless waste of time for me and my job. A 2 hour seminal, in which this is the first time that foreign teachers have to attend, with a 2 hour lecture, that is going to be in Korean. The boss also hates going to them too. I would rather be in Jeongeup, doing Geomdo. But, the Geomdo teacher is gonna meet me in Damyang. He wants to buy some bamboo for cutting practice, and Damyang is the place for bamboo. They even had a Bamboo festival there every year.
I was glad to get out of work, and to get to a restaurant for dinner. I didn't have anything to eat since the coffee and cheesecake at 11:20am. Also, today is payday, so I sent a bit extra home to cancel out my "purchase" today. This month is gonna be tight, but i think it'll be okay. I'll be saving money for Japan this month and next month, and then after that, just saving money for being back in Australia.
46 days until Japan, 184-ish days until Australia
Surprises
Lately, the weather had been all sunny, except for a few rainy spots. Today was a nice cloudy day, with a bit of sunshine.
Going to Fukuoka is not going to happen on the days off. Getting there on the 11th is no problem, but getting back on the 12th is a bit difficult. When I say a bit difficult, i mean, there are no seats available on the ferry back to Busan, and I'm not a good swimmer. Will go another time.
I got a nice parcel in the mail today. Some late Easter chocolate, a few bags of lollies and two bottles of deodorant. It was a nice surprise. I shared some of the chocolate and lollies with the students. The Racing cars were a big hit. But, the bag of Chicos had a "free songs at the iTunes store", so I sorted that out when I got home. Nothing wrong with a free track from iTunes.
Speaking of Music, one class of mine were up to the "chant" section of the book. And for some reason, with the structure of it, it got me thinking about how cool it would sound if it was done in the style of the B-52's, with the girls chanting "Socks! Socks!" and the guy doing the other part. Maybe its because I have been listening to the latest B-52's album, and their single "Funplex".Also found this in my search, which was kinda cool:
Toxic Love Shack: The B-52's vs Britney
Here is an example of some of the English study that Korean Middle School students do. Notice at how FUN it is!
Long Weekends, Work
I was talking to one of my friends, who lives in Seoul, on Monday about the two long weekends coming up next month here in Korea (3rd ~ 5th of May and 10th ~ 12th of May), and she suggested to go to Fukuoka by Ferry for a day or two. Now, that idea has been playing on my mind since she suggested it.
Finally got a new photocopier at work. Well, it looks 2nd hand, but a bit improvement on the first one.
It's good that this week has gone by fast already. Normally, after awesome weekends, coming back to the usual crap at work is a big downer.
Finally got a new photocopier at work. Well, it looks 2nd hand, but a bit improvement on the first one.
It's good that this week has gone by fast already. Normally, after awesome weekends, coming back to the usual crap at work is a big downer.
Geoje Island
Build came along, and got me at the roundabout, and we headed off to Geoje Island. We were talking so much, that we ignored the computer navigation a few times, and it took a bit longer than it should to get there, but it was okay. We stopped at a service area to get some petrol, and to have a break.When we got to Geoje, we found the Jjimjilbang (찜질방) we were staying at, had a shower and get ready to attempt to sleep. Basically, Jjimjilbangs are public baths (segregated) and then a large communal sleeping room. So, in otherwords, with the way some Koreans are (basically, rude and selfish), didn't get to sleep until about 1:30am. There was a young couple near by, which were talking until about 1am. It would seem that, even though they are annoying other people and being noisy, no-one told them to shut up, so I didn't wanna be the grumpy foreigner. Just do what I do in Korea, ignore the shit that pisses me off. lol
Got about 5-ish hours sleep. Build woke me up at just after 7, and we got showered and went to a close by restaurant for some breakfast, and made our way to catch the ferry to Oedo (외도).
Basically, Oedo is a Garden of Eden. Just check out the photos:
After our time at Oedo, we got the ferry back to Geoje, and went to Mongdol Beach. Mongdol beach is kinda famous in the area, because it is a pebble beach, not a sand beach.
We had lunch there, and relaxed on the beach.
We went back to Geoje city, and checked out the POW Camp/Museum.
Time was getting on, so we made our way back to Jinju, via Tongyeong, a coastal city. Kind of reminded me of Mokpo and the seafood market at Nampodong in Busan, with all the boats. My bus was at 7pm, and it arrived just in time for me to get the bus back to Sachang. Good timing.Thanks for the awesome weekend, Build. Hope to see you soon.
Jinju
I woke up on time to eat breakfast, have a shower, sync my ipod and get the series of buses to make it to Jinju at about 1pm. Having stuff ready the night before was good.
After arriving at Jinju, I made my way to Jinju Fortress (진주성). My lonely planet book didn't have a full make of Jinju, so I had to make a few guesses here and there, but was able to find where I was going, so no problems.
It was a bit overcast, and slightly humid, but walking around Jinju Fortress was nice. Had the occasional kids and an adult approach me (with the usual 미국사람 - American person thing), but normally when I go away for a short holiday, I'm normally in the mood to correct them and tell them that I'm from Australia (저는 미국사람 아니거든요, 호주사람이에요), in which it can get giggles, surprises people (coz I'm speaking Korean) or can start up a conversation (in either English or Korean, depending on the other person). Sure, it can get annoying at times, but generally, people are just curious. Definitely have to be in the mood for it though.
After walking around there for about 2 hours, found my way to the Central Market, and checked out some things. Like many other markets in Korea, you can buy anything from Fresh meat, fish and seafood (still alive in the buckets of water and fishtanks), fresh fruit and vegetables. clothes and accessories, underwear, and anything else you can think of. I picked up a couple of pairs of boxer shorts, with a 화투 (Korean flower cards) pattern for 5,000won each.
On one side of 중앙로 (Central Road) in Jinju, was the Market, on the other side was "downtown". No photos there, because it basically looks the same as all other Korean downtowns that I've been to. Restaurant, shops, and everything else that downtown has. I needed to rest from all the walking, so I found a PC bang, and then met SJ for some dinner. She studies in Jinju, and didn't go home this weekend, so it was good to see her, talk and enjoy a meal together.
Called Build Seo just after 8pm, and he was on his way to get me, so that we can go to Geoje island (거제도).
So, here I am, at 중안로, at a roundabout that isn't a roundabout... waiting...
After arriving at Jinju, I made my way to Jinju Fortress (진주성). My lonely planet book didn't have a full make of Jinju, so I had to make a few guesses here and there, but was able to find where I was going, so no problems.
It was a bit overcast, and slightly humid, but walking around Jinju Fortress was nice. Had the occasional kids and an adult approach me (with the usual 미국사람 - American person thing), but normally when I go away for a short holiday, I'm normally in the mood to correct them and tell them that I'm from Australia (저는 미국사람 아니거든요, 호주사람이에요), in which it can get giggles, surprises people (coz I'm speaking Korean) or can start up a conversation (in either English or Korean, depending on the other person). Sure, it can get annoying at times, but generally, people are just curious. Definitely have to be in the mood for it though.
After walking around there for about 2 hours, found my way to the Central Market, and checked out some things. Like many other markets in Korea, you can buy anything from Fresh meat, fish and seafood (still alive in the buckets of water and fishtanks), fresh fruit and vegetables. clothes and accessories, underwear, and anything else you can think of. I picked up a couple of pairs of boxer shorts, with a 화투 (Korean flower cards) pattern for 5,000won each.
On one side of 중앙로 (Central Road) in Jinju, was the Market, on the other side was "downtown". No photos there, because it basically looks the same as all other Korean downtowns that I've been to. Restaurant, shops, and everything else that downtown has. I needed to rest from all the walking, so I found a PC bang, and then met SJ for some dinner. She studies in Jinju, and didn't go home this weekend, so it was good to see her, talk and enjoy a meal together.
Called Build Seo just after 8pm, and he was on his way to get me, so that we can go to Geoje island (거제도).
So, here I am, at 중안로, at a roundabout that isn't a roundabout... waiting...
Crazy Friday
For 3 days of this week (Tuesday, Thursday and Today), I've gone hiking, using the mountains behind my apartment. The weather has been nice, and the gym is to damn boring, not to mention stuffy. At least when I'm outside, I get some sunshine and fresh air.
Since I start work late on Fridays, I was able to sleep in a bit, and also start the hiking later. Tuesday, I hiked for 1 hour, Thursday for 1 hour 20 minutes, and 1 hour 40 minutes today. I think, it would take about 3 to 4 hours to take the whole course. Which I might try one day, if I'm really bored, or if one/some of my friends come to meet me here, who are interested in hiking.
Work was a bit of a write off, especially with middle school. There is one class, middle school grade 2, which is a waste of my time, and they don't get the idea that if everyone studies, or tries, they'll be rewarded with a game. They always ask for a game, but don't deserve it. Today was no different. There are a few students that I feel sorry for, because they actually make the effort, but the majority gossip, talk and don't study. They've been like that for a long time, so when it comes to exam time, they don't do well, and their parents pretty much blame everyone else except for their little angels. The bosses of Hagwons (the study/baby-sitting that parents force their kids to go to after school) don't tell the parents of the kids with shit behaviour, coz the parents would change hagwons. So, in other words, no behavioural management. Hagwons, when children are involved, aren't really there are real teaching anyway.
I had a conversation with a good middle school student the other day, which was interesting. The government of the province I live in, has changed the middle school attendance time from 8:10am to 3:30pm, to the following: Monday, Tuesday and Friday: 8:10pm to 5pm; Wednedsay: 8:10am to 3:30pm and Thursday: 8:10am to 4:30pm. Why? So that middle school students don't spend as much times as hagwons. Basically, from the students experience, he studies from 8am to 3:30pm every day, and then goes to various hagwons to study from 5pm to 8pm. So, that's about 10 to 11 hours study, 5 times a week. Not to mention the 8:10am to 12pm every second Saturday. But what have the hagwons done? Just delayed their classes by about 2 hours, so they are still studying the same amount at hagwons, plus the bonus time at school.
Let me just recap. Middle school students at school for 8.5 hours a day, then at hagwons for 3 hours. 11.5 hours of potential study, 5 times a week (57.5 hours), and every second Saturday for 4 hours (that brings it over 60 hours). And then the provincial government says: you have to study an extra 5.5 hours a week, so that you don't have to go to hagwons. Now they're at a total of 67 hours of potential study time at school and hagwons. 67 fucking hours!
Now, if students, the equivalent of Grades 7 though to 9 in Australia, are forced to study a total of 67 hours a week, no wonder they're tired and wanna talk in my class. In their defence, fair enough. I can see why they don't wanna study, coz they're brains are about to explode and wanna tell the "man" to shove their study up their ass. I don't blame them.
But, on the other hand, what are the parents thinking? What is the government thinking?
And, lets face it. Korea is absolutely crazy about tests. Basically, modern Korean life for students is down to weather they got 100 or 99 in a test, and getting 99 is not a good thing. Students are expected to pass everything, and to do everything well. But, the way they study, and the way they are tested, is not very practical. Well, for Korea it is, when only a score is important.
I've said a few times, that I can speak Korean way better than almost all of my students. Why? Because I learn from experience, and I am free to study what I need/want, when I need/want to. Korean students have so much crap shoved down their throat and are expected to regurgitate it on cue when they're being tested or quizzed.
A great example is English. Students are taught about grammar (with explanations in Korean), vocabulary (words and their meanings and their usage) and other aspects of the English language. It's like buying a game for a child, and then telling them, you have to study the rules, so when you play, you know what's going on. The only problem with that, like language, is that the reality of playing the game, is so different from what the rules say. You've got interaction with other places, things being left to random, and depending on the other places for input/cause and effect, and other things like that. You need totally different thinking styles and skills to do both.
But, teaching everyone the rules in English though Korean, is way easier for Korean teachers to do. Plus, they don't have to worry about speaking, and being shy when they make mistakes.
Bottom line: Language is for communication of concepts. That is how I use Korean, no matter how many mistakes I make, as long as the other person I'm talking to gets it, that's the idea.
Not only do I have to deal with that crap all the time, but on occasion, classes are changed for various reasons. The boss' wife will change things without telling me or the Boss. The boss will change things without telling his wife or me. Today was like that with the two remaining middle school classes. The wife changed them around, but didn't tell anyone. So, I had to get the last classes stuff ready (which was only half ready, coz I have 5 mins between those classes), and then teach it. But then the boss comes in, and asks why I have that class, and gets them to go to their original class, and 5 mins later, they're back in.
The foreigner's classes don't matter.
I go to "work". I do what is expected. I get paid.
I'm surprised that I have survived 2.5 years of it. Only 6 months to go.
Since I start work late on Fridays, I was able to sleep in a bit, and also start the hiking later. Tuesday, I hiked for 1 hour, Thursday for 1 hour 20 minutes, and 1 hour 40 minutes today. I think, it would take about 3 to 4 hours to take the whole course. Which I might try one day, if I'm really bored, or if one/some of my friends come to meet me here, who are interested in hiking.
Work was a bit of a write off, especially with middle school. There is one class, middle school grade 2, which is a waste of my time, and they don't get the idea that if everyone studies, or tries, they'll be rewarded with a game. They always ask for a game, but don't deserve it. Today was no different. There are a few students that I feel sorry for, because they actually make the effort, but the majority gossip, talk and don't study. They've been like that for a long time, so when it comes to exam time, they don't do well, and their parents pretty much blame everyone else except for their little angels. The bosses of Hagwons (the study/baby-sitting that parents force their kids to go to after school) don't tell the parents of the kids with shit behaviour, coz the parents would change hagwons. So, in other words, no behavioural management. Hagwons, when children are involved, aren't really there are real teaching anyway.
I had a conversation with a good middle school student the other day, which was interesting. The government of the province I live in, has changed the middle school attendance time from 8:10am to 3:30pm, to the following: Monday, Tuesday and Friday: 8:10pm to 5pm; Wednedsay: 8:10am to 3:30pm and Thursday: 8:10am to 4:30pm. Why? So that middle school students don't spend as much times as hagwons. Basically, from the students experience, he studies from 8am to 3:30pm every day, and then goes to various hagwons to study from 5pm to 8pm. So, that's about 10 to 11 hours study, 5 times a week. Not to mention the 8:10am to 12pm every second Saturday. But what have the hagwons done? Just delayed their classes by about 2 hours, so they are still studying the same amount at hagwons, plus the bonus time at school.
Let me just recap. Middle school students at school for 8.5 hours a day, then at hagwons for 3 hours. 11.5 hours of potential study, 5 times a week (57.5 hours), and every second Saturday for 4 hours (that brings it over 60 hours). And then the provincial government says: you have to study an extra 5.5 hours a week, so that you don't have to go to hagwons. Now they're at a total of 67 hours of potential study time at school and hagwons. 67 fucking hours!
Now, if students, the equivalent of Grades 7 though to 9 in Australia, are forced to study a total of 67 hours a week, no wonder they're tired and wanna talk in my class. In their defence, fair enough. I can see why they don't wanna study, coz they're brains are about to explode and wanna tell the "man" to shove their study up their ass. I don't blame them.
But, on the other hand, what are the parents thinking? What is the government thinking?
And, lets face it. Korea is absolutely crazy about tests. Basically, modern Korean life for students is down to weather they got 100 or 99 in a test, and getting 99 is not a good thing. Students are expected to pass everything, and to do everything well. But, the way they study, and the way they are tested, is not very practical. Well, for Korea it is, when only a score is important.
I've said a few times, that I can speak Korean way better than almost all of my students. Why? Because I learn from experience, and I am free to study what I need/want, when I need/want to. Korean students have so much crap shoved down their throat and are expected to regurgitate it on cue when they're being tested or quizzed.
A great example is English. Students are taught about grammar (with explanations in Korean), vocabulary (words and their meanings and their usage) and other aspects of the English language. It's like buying a game for a child, and then telling them, you have to study the rules, so when you play, you know what's going on. The only problem with that, like language, is that the reality of playing the game, is so different from what the rules say. You've got interaction with other places, things being left to random, and depending on the other places for input/cause and effect, and other things like that. You need totally different thinking styles and skills to do both.
But, teaching everyone the rules in English though Korean, is way easier for Korean teachers to do. Plus, they don't have to worry about speaking, and being shy when they make mistakes.
Bottom line: Language is for communication of concepts. That is how I use Korean, no matter how many mistakes I make, as long as the other person I'm talking to gets it, that's the idea.
Not only do I have to deal with that crap all the time, but on occasion, classes are changed for various reasons. The boss' wife will change things without telling me or the Boss. The boss will change things without telling his wife or me. Today was like that with the two remaining middle school classes. The wife changed them around, but didn't tell anyone. So, I had to get the last classes stuff ready (which was only half ready, coz I have 5 mins between those classes), and then teach it. But then the boss comes in, and asks why I have that class, and gets them to go to their original class, and 5 mins later, they're back in.
The foreigner's classes don't matter.
I go to "work". I do what is expected. I get paid.
I'm surprised that I have survived 2.5 years of it. Only 6 months to go.
Tim Minchin
An Australian Comedian/Musician with some awesomely funny and cool songs:
Darkside
If You Really Loved Me
Not Perfect
Inflatable You
Adam Hill Song
Alan Brough Song
Enjoy! I did *^^*
If You Really Loved Me
Not Perfect
Inflatable You
Adam Hill Song
Alan Brough Song
Enjoy! I did *^^*
Spring is finally here
The past few weeks, Spring has been a bit iffy. Rainy days, and cold weather, with the occasional sunny day poking through. But, the weather has finally settling down, and getting some frequent nice weather. Like today.With my cold almost gone, I decided to do some exercise today. I've also decided not to go to the gym, since I wanna save money, and the gym is as boring as hell. If I had someone to go with, it would be a lot better.
It's been a while since I walked up these series of mountains, so it was cool that they've changed a few things around. The major thing that they've changed is installing maps along the way. In the times that I have walked up and down these mountains, I had only gotten as far as the 1.5km text between 대무븡삼거리 and 대무동재. Today I walked from the apartments, to 대무동재, and then back and to 팔고지전망대, and then back to the apartment. It was a decent 1 hour of exercise. Will try to get back there tomorrow.
It's a day off tomorrow. Koreans get the day off for voting. I'm gonna meet IS in Downtown Gwangju for lunch and coffee. I haven't seen him since the 대한검도 demonstration. Will be good to see him again.
Still totally looking forward to my weekend *^^*
Here are some more pics from the mountain walking today.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
