Crazy days...!

10:08 a.m.

So I got to school around 8:30 again this morning and had a strawberry bread…destert …thingey for breakfast. Its really healthy, I know. Ok, I had 4…don’t judge - freaking amazing. Pretty filling too!!! Just found out that instead of teaching one class at 11:40 today, I’ll teach from 10:50 til 12:20…2 classes. One 4th grade class and one 6th grade class.

Pardon my spelling/grammar, I turned off all the annoying features of word that tells you ‘you suck at writing’ and underlines every word that you spelled wrong.

…hm, I’m here to teach english and I turned off something that shows me where I messed up, using…english…:-\

Just got a facebook note from the regional supervisor dude for Canadaian Connections here, he said ‘its kinda a go with the flow mentality, you’ve got to keep that in your head, those who don’t – don’t do very well here.’ Haha, I’m glad I developed that over my 23 years of life…He said that one person emailed him, said, “I was so mad that they didn’t tell me I had the day off…blah blah blah.” He goes, dude, you’re mad cause you’ve got the day off?!?!?

Its hard to plan for each day, cause, I have no clue what happs each day. Its fun in a weird way cause it doesn’t allow me to stress out until right before. Which is a good thing I guess…theres no point in worrying about the next day, cause theres (literally) nothing to worry about…I have no clue WHAT to worry about, so, hm…I dunno!

There was a bunch of Korean spoken right before they decided that I teach twice today…

Now apparently instead of teaching twice tomorrow with homeboy, I teach twice with homegirl and twice with homeboy…I really need to learn how to say their names…:-\... By the way, apparently I’m 24 over here…I only lost ONE day, so…hmmmmmmm, does that mean I’m 60 when I get back?

Chris (canadian connections chris) also said that usually the teachers stick with you all year. Chances are that they’ll be around, so I may not have to teach alone…alone alone…while I’m here. Though apparently I take ‘conrol’ of one class on Monday, and that’s the class I teach alone. Just give me a CD and I can do it, its just a matter of getting the CD that I’ve gotta fix.

12:31 p.m.

Just got out of the two classes I teach today, no idea if more are coming but I’m sure I’ll get AT LEAST a 5 minutes heads up…haha. So had a funny moment in class just now, then a funny moment when dude co-teacher was leaving for the day…

So, I go to class I’m teaching, I’m talking, I’m talking VERY slooooowwwaaahhhh. Homie tells me to write on the board, Can you help me please? Then the answers the movie gave… “no problem, of course, and…sure, no problem.” We go through all the phrases then he goes points to the board at ‘no problem’ and says: ‘what else?’ So I wrote down, ‘what else.’ Apparently he meant, what other answers do you give to ‘will you help me please.’ Its kinda hard for me not to use the slang I’d usually use if someone asked me ‘will you help me please?’ Though these kids kinda need to learn less formal english, we need to start with formal…I guess…? So I thought: no worries…yeah whats up?...with what? Stuff like that…so I finally wrote down, sure, what do ya need?

And I wrote ‘you’ as ‘ya’

Didn’t realize it till after class…haha whoooops!

Oh well…then came the funnier moment. I was saying bye to dude co-teacher as I helped him with a few boxes. When I was saying, bye I was doing the wave and walk backwards ‘see ya later’ dance…and this poor OLD (like deathbed old) lady was standing in my ‘see ya later’ dance…I knocked her poor, old, crippled, no spine, punk but down!!! I FELT SO, SO, SO, SO BAD!!!!

She got up leaped a freaking frog, and goes I so sorry! I so sorry! I was like, no no, my fault!!!! She kinda hit my face (in like a italian mafia boss kinda way) and said: no no, my fault!

Then she gave me a ‘thatta boy’

Like the NFL players do…right on the booty. Gave it a few smacks, then a little grab…then one more smack just to feel it again. Mhmmm, got felt up by a lady who can’t even walk. Good for me.

So my goal today is to see if…
a) its cool to run down to the coffee shop, 5 minutes away and grab a coffee after lunch.
b) get my address from lady co-teacher (ive got my theory of what it is written, she can correct it if its wrong…rather than playing cherades on ‘address.’
c) find out when I get paid (should be the 25th or the 14th…no clue (but when do I)

I’ve got 4 hrs and 18 minutes to get these answers…I hope I can pull it off haha. The violin class is playing hot cross buns now…they went from recorders to violins, good times…I’m gonna have to start making up lyrics to that DAMN SONG!!!

Not as bad as…Who is lelia, who is lelia? Shes my friend, shes my friend…OHHHHH SHEEESSSSS MY FRIIIIIIIEEEENNNNNNDDDaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

5th grade song…stuck in my head since last week. One of the other english teachers I met this weekend said the same thing…they’re quite catchy…I’ll admit that.

1:03

So, when can I eat?? Apparently everyone’s got their own lunch time. I don’t wanna go when I’m not supposed to, that’d be bad. Ah crap, its like 1:45…annnnd

I forgot about lunch, I was too busy reading about the redsox.

1:54

Seriously, who forgets about lunch. I just got back from a restraunt around the corner, I ran down to the cafeteria and they didn’t have anything still there…but its all gravy. My co-teachers FORCED me to go eay! Haha, oh they’re funny. That meal was good, just noodles and meat. Good stuff though. Hope it wasn’t like…cat or something. Wait, I hate cats, I hope it WAS cat…MWAHAHAHA…I’m KIDDING!!! Calm down…!

What if it was a black cat, that’d be some pretty bad luck…talk about karma

Anyway, I’ll be going down to rose street, which is where a bunch of restaurants are and stuff. My buddy Joe’s gonna meet me there and we’re gonna go to some chinese place. Num nums. Well, that’s all I got, unless something crazy happens within the next 3 hrs, I’m done.

Cheers!

How do you eat rice…with chopsticks?!?

8:43 a.m.

The Kids are FREAKING ADORABLE!!!! Hi, HEY, Hi, whats your name?!?
Seriously the kids crack me up, they’re always yelling HEY, HI, WHAT’S YOUR NAME?!? OHHHHH, FOREIGNER!!! OHHH AMERICA COOL!

One kid yesterday when I showed him a pic of Peyton Manning goes…

“That your brother?!? Haha, I wish!” (ok, not that one)

Wait, that would make ME….Eli Manning…or their older brother who like, broke off his achillies tendon in High School. Ew…(yup, just googled that, cause I don’t know what to do). It would kinda suck being Eli, be honest with ya…)

9:02 a.m.

Ah, sigh….getting to school with NO CLUE what’s going on…gotta love it. I got here around 8:30, saw a whole bunch of teachers sprinting in so I bailed on my coffee and went in. Everyone’s just chilling, home girl co-teacher is typing away (very loudly) and gym teachers are looking at ebay.

Took a cab today that cost around 3 bucks, took me like 10 minutes…got breakfast at Paris Bagggggggggets and it twas amazing!!!! It was this little roll that had some butterscotch stuff inside. Num, freaking nums!!!!

I don’t teach til 11:40 today so apologies if this blog is a bit long, I’ve got nada to do so you may hear (read) a little more than ya wanted. (don’t be dirty)

Seriously, I’m concerned about what to do for 2 hrs. I figure when I pull up a psyche article and type a blog that it LOOKS like I’m being productive. As far as my own agenda, I am being quite the ‘productive pete’ but I have no clue about what the school wants me to do…my co-teacher’s tell me to just relax, so I assume they’re right?

Hmmmmm….wait something very interesting is happening. Who types while they’re listening to someone talking…really, who does that! It is perfect typing though….!

Holy crap that was ACTUALLY perfect typing…aaaanyway

Hm, just found out that I do nothing today…well that from home girl co-teacher. home boy co-teacher is (naturally) no where to be found…Apparently there’s a big test today. Funny conversation that went like this…

Home girl co-teacher: Ohhh, Micharrr, you are here!
Me: Yeah, good to see you (I said that verrrrrrrry slowly)
Home girl co-teacher: are you going to enter these classes (as she points to the schedule)
Me: uh, yeah, I have to teach those
Home girl co-teacher: well, its all decided by your aldskfja; teacher
Me: oh, so, do I teach today?
Home girl co-teacher: alkdsfja;lsdkjf
Gym teacher: alskdfjal;sdkfj
Me: uhhhh….
Home girl co-teacher: Oh, I envy you!!
Me: uhhh…?
Then they go sit down…and get back on ebay

Haha, man…I’m confused!

This is part of what’s so damn cool about this experience!!!

- Never have a clue what’s being said on my behalf…
- Never have a clue what’s going on.
(oh whats going on, I said hey hey hey hey…damnit now that’s gonna be stuck in my head all day)
- Not being able to socialize and/or suck up to the principal
(who’s daughter goes to UT by the way…he calls it Texas University, but I know what he means…hopefully I can get a letter of rec from him and show UT that I have some sort of odd connection)

Hm, really wanna know what’s up. But, I guess if I don’t know ‘whats up’ then there’s no need to worry about it and/or stress about the day?

10:10 a.m.

Grand plan: Come home from Korean in October…go to grad school in January.
Where??? Lets find out, its time to get on the googler.

10:44 a.m.

Why don’t grad school list when they want their applications…? What kind of program it is…? URRR!!! I love how my biggest worry in Korea right now is deadlines for grad schools…sigh. I’m gonan do some more googil-izing

Just found out though, that our Christmas break starts the day before Christmas eve. I had no idea if it was the same ‘eve’ as America. So I made a dumb:
(me): You mean Dec. 24th?
(Homeboy co-teacher): …yeah

11:08 a.m.

Just tried to use skype on my iPod, as there’s not much to do right now. Home skillet co-teacher comes over to me and goes…

Homeboy co-teacher: you have schedule?
Me: Yeah, yeah, here it is
Homeboy co-teacher: 6th grade, change…you, I get you…1:20
(Circles 3 classes on the schedule, draws a line to Saturday’s slot)
Homeboy co-teacher: You, see?
Me: Oh, you want me to teach those on Saturday?
Homeboy co-teacher: No, you, thank you, but you don’t come
Me: I don’t have to come Saturday
Homeboy co-teacher: No, no…

Hmmmmmmmmmmmm…..interesting. I thought NO teaching today…hmmmm

Then I showed him pictures of pookey and I…

Homeboy co-teacher: Oh, haha, awwwwwhhaaaahaha
Me: Yeah…she’s adorable
Homeboy co-teacher: Adora?? Whaaa??
Me: Cute!
Homeboy co-teacher: Oh, adorrr---adorr---adorable…mean…cute?
Me: yeah, yeah!!

Ya’d think the people teaching English would know English…haha

Meh, its all good…its always an adventure when they’ve got to tell me something. They’re pretty good at the ‘teaching part’ of English, not so good at the ‘speaking part’ of English.

So apparently I teach just one class today, then 3 tomorrow…then Thursday 2 classes, then Friday 3??? I assume?? Bahah, ya know how you’re NOT supposed to presume anything, like…ever?

Come to Korea, then talk to me…

Haha, good times…Mk, so between now and lunch (1 hr away) and lunch and class (20 minute break)…and class and 5…(3 hrs)…I’m gonna be reading psyche journals…I guess. Maybe, blog a little more when funny stuff happens. For real, sorry this one’s so long…I just don’t know what to do today!!!

Dwoode, the kids have to come to class Saturday! That sucks!! They had a big huge test today so I guess the administration just wants to…make them work harder?

The high schoolers go from 9 in the a.m. til 10 at night…there are theories that say that is why there is no crime here. Kids are in school all day and they’re too tired to be hooligans!

I guess…Its my theory….?

12:02 p.m.

Jesus Dad, no wonder you’ve been teaching so long. Is this what ya do? Just hang around in your office and wait for your son to scare ya? Then bum money off ya? Then tell ya to clean up your office?

…oh booger

haha, just kidding DAD!!! I know I’m a ‘stinker’

It’s a joke…J slash K

Siiiiiiiiiiiiiiigh,
For real, that was how long my deep breath was…haha, no class today apparently.

Just went for a bit of a stroll cause the weather is AMAZING! (like 65 right now) enjoy the heat!!!. And I saw homeboy co-teacher who said…I teach just one class tomorrow, no classes today…3 Thursday with him (that will most likely change) And uh, no idea Friday.

Just got my health insurance from home girl co-teacher. I can use it at any hospiarrrrr, haha! Sweet! Now when I fall down stairs and break out my teeth, put a big gash in my hand I can have my health insurance. Bahah, JUST KIDDING.

There are not many stairs here…this is a good thing!

man, my teeth really look good...( i mean now ;) )

12:39 p.m.

My GOD! Have you ever said that while you’re eating??? Dude ok, so I go to eat, expecting a fantastic meal as always. And today, it was ‘pizza day at school’ for me!!!!

They had this meal, with cooked beef…corn and cilantro/onions all mixed together in some red sauce. Holy. Crap.

Then you take the meat, put a little asdlkfj sauce on, wrap it in lettuce (like normal size piece of lettuce off a head of lettuce), and eat the whole thing. Oh dear GOD go to a Korean restaurant and try it. THEN!!! There was a sandwich of…egg, jelly and ham. Dude, try it. For real, it twas amazing.

THEN the soup!!! It was fish (bone in) with chopped onions, cilantro in beef broth. Wow. Just. Wow. All the food is fresh…Its caught, then taken to the port (10 minutes away) then to the market (next door) then to the cafeteria (downstairs)…to my mouth (on my face) to my belly (behind my ‘oddly distinct’ 4 pack)

That’s why its so good. Some of the fish is still swimming when it gets here. Which reminds me, when the principal offered me octopus…that was still moving. But, still….aaaaaamazing. GO TO A KOREAN RESTAURANT!!! (watch out for the dog though…I mean that)

Oh my goodness…as for my title, I just picked up a pair of chopsticks and went to TOWN on the rice…its kinda clumpy so pretty easy to eat. Just shovel it in. All the sudden I know how to use chopsticks.

2:06

Just…reading dallascowboys.com….man apparently the cowboys are just…terrible!! I’m glad I’m not watching them right now! Glad I didn’t watch the red sox blow a lead yesterday too. Back to the psychology of “why the cowboys suck.”

2:57

Just got back from the convenient store down the street, grabbed an ‘energy drink’ packed with vitamin c. No idea what I just drank. But I do feel a litttttle more energized. That’s what 6 cups of coffee will do for ya, coffee crash is rough after lunch!

The teacher’s have coffee but its like this mocha stuff ya throw in a shot glass…its like 6 ounces of nothing. Their tea is amazing though, non-caffeinated…Just peed too, isn’t that cool? Haha….and, well…

…I honestly just figured out what the trash can is for in the stalls. Ew.

I’ll let your imagination run wild on that one. Its really funny to me for some reason when people speak Korean to me, as if I have a clue. I stroll into this store, leather jacket and sunglasses. I’m pale white, do ya think I know Korean?? Haha, well I guess I’m here so I better at least make you think I do. Its really funny too when I watch teachers tell eachother stories, I feel like I can tell whats going on based off their expressions. THANKS CAL LIGHTMAN!!!

(quick test, whos cal lightman?)

At dinner the other night, I taught one of the gym teachers how to ‘pound it’ or ‘dap it.’ Every time he comes into the room, or I come in…or he leaves, or I leave…he puts up his knuckles. Its his way of saying…what up…braaaaaaaaa

So home girl co-teacher lady just gave me something that looks like a walnut, and a bowl of some rice and…chocolate stuff, weird stuff, I dunno. The walnut (not to be confused with ‘wallet’) looking thing you bite right into. Due to my teeth debacle, I cannot bite strait into it! I’ve gotta say, it tastes..uh nutty with a hint of mashed potatoes. Mhm!

Now just had a rice ball, very…rubbery. Not bad though.

4:29

In case you can’t tell, I’ve had nothing to do today. Sorry about the length, you may just be very bored by now and give up! I wouldn’t blame ya…I’ve found ways to entertain myself, shoot…just read a few articles of psychology…quite interesting. But, that’s about all I got, I’m gonna catch a cab home because there’s a bunch of people playing soccer today around my school…so I’ll go show them how to do it…bahaha

Cheers from Mokpo!!!

Dude, that was a hike!

10:30

So, today had no clue what was happening…other than I had to walk to school for the first time. Quite easy, hang a right outside my apartment and walk about a half hour…and I’m there. The only problem was, I had no clue if I was teaching…When I was teaching… and what grades I was teaching…seriously no idea what was going on today…

Well I get to school at like 8:30, see dude-co-teacher at around 10 til 9…he shows me a book (all in Korean) and we walk to class. He says he’ll give me, 10 minutes for my spiel, which I used 5 of…:-\...then we’ll go into the lesson.

First two classes went well, asked the kids: where’s my cap? I’ve got 4 more today…ending the teaching day around 3. Its about quarter til 11 right now and I need to exchange money some how…its not easy telling a cab driver how to get to a bank but that’s why I have co-teachers. They’ll (hopefully) write down ‘I need to go to the bank’, and ‘I need to exchange this money to Korean.’

Honestly, its like a giant game of charades with some of the people here…!

Maybe pictionary? I drew a picture of mountain and pointed to the top of it, when I tried to explain to the cab driver where I wanted to go the other day. They understand “New York Bar” as that’s where all the foreigner’s go…

We’ve got class in like 30 seconds, but my dude-co-teacher’s on ebay…hmmm wonder if we’re gonna go? No idea…ever…they keep me out of the loop. I think his bid is more important…I just found out I don’t teach til 11:40 tomorrow…which means from 9 til almost 12…I’m gonna read or do GRE stuff. Hmmmmmm. 3 (sixth grade) classes tomorrow and I’m done.

1:09

Phew…. just got back from lunch…and yes we did go to that class. Dude seriously, I can’t get over the food…or the people. Just how damn nice they are, the way they’ll go out of their way for ya. My co-teacher just wrote down how to get to the bank (in Korean) and what to show the cab driver. Offered me a ride, and to skip class, but I said NO! I’ll just take a cab!

Man, that food was good. I’ve got two 6th grade classes next…no idea (again) what’s going on…I could ask, but probably to no avail. I heard the 6th graders are a bit nuts

…but that’s where my ‘death stare’ comes in.

...rawr

I’m supposed to be ok to leave work (then come back) to exchange money, or at least that’s what my co-teacher said…no idea if that’s what she was TRYING To say…ugh, seriously, charades! Its fun though, I’ll say that!

Had a great weekend too by the way…Met a whole bunch of foreigners (not that I remember ANYONE’S name) but that’s what facebook is for. There are a bunch of Canadians here, and I met up with a dude named Neil who’s pretty Asian. He looks Asian, walks Asian (not that I know what Asians walk’s looks like, do they call it the ‘funk schwah?) But Neil….knows NOTHING of Korean. Its really funny cause every time we go do anything, the waitresses always talk to him. The people around town look at me, then look back at him…then at me. Like,

….WTF, mate??!?

I’ve got til July 1st apparently to apply to grad school at Florida State…the website didn’t say for which semester that’s for. I’ll be back around Oct next year and well, I don’t wanna start school late and doubt they’ll let me. Haha, oh grad school. How I don’t miss thinking about you. I’m gonna call them in a while, around 9 my time to see what the process would be for applying from over here. Hopefully, I’ll talk to my good friend Patty that I bugged the crap out of last year waaaaaay before I even thought about coming over here.

Band practice has been playing ‘hot cross buns’…all day…on recorders (remember those?!?)

So, 2 minutes til the next class and co-teacher dude said he’d come down to the teacher’s lounge and get me…buuuuuuut…no idea where he’s at. Hm. Oh, there he is…gaw, this is my life…just waiting waiting…then BAM lets go teach

3:44

Holy crap! So just exchanged all the American finances I’ve got and…well, my bank (Nongyop) is closed til 5:30 today…I didn’t know they take siestas here... I exchanged my money, all gravy, put 1300 American bucks into won, as I finally realized that its useless here so…

I’ve got 1.6 million in my backpack right now!!

Ok, its won, but I still felt like a hard arse when the lady had to go get more cash from the back. Mwahahaha. Yeah, we’re gonna take a cab home as

a) I’m beat from teaching all day
b) I’m lazy (as ya know)
c) well, I’ve got a lot of cash on me that needs to go to the bank!

Anyway, today was long but apparently tomorrow’s gonna be longer with the next group of 6th graders. Usually when kids are messing around (like any kid does) I just go stand by them and they knock it off. With these 12, 13 year olds it’s a bit different. They’re little wankers! Well, that’s not a quote from me, from this British dude earlier this weekend. They are…wankers. They, wank my patience. (don’t go there, that’s dirty!)

Ew. But naw dude, they’re crazy. A bunch of them are excited to use their English, the others are so intimidated about being around someone who is fluent. Same with the teachers here, the gym teacher (the same one that they’re trying to hook me up with) just said hello, how was class?

…I’m like dude, checklist is getting lower!

If she CAN speak English, brother gonna give her a chance. But, shes like 6’2”…soooooooo I gotta bail on her. Sorry lady. My lady co-teacher is a very loud typer…I’m not sure what the teachers ‘actually’ do from the end of their teaching time (round 1) til 5:00…I’m just kinda following the lead and flipping through papers every once in a while. Usually I read a psyche journal or two (cause I’m a nerd) but today has been too crazy to do that. I’ve got 3 hrs before I have to teach tomorrow, so I’m gonna read a lot tomorrow…prolly Wednesday and Thursday too.

Anyway, I'm off to a staff meeting...where I hear Korean for like a half hour...good times. then 30 minute walk home...

cheers from mokpo!

Wowza, first week is DONE!

Its about 12:30 right now and we gotta run to lunch, then I’ve completed my first week of school. I’ve taught 3 classes today from 10 ish til now, its pretty crazy. All my 3rd graders were hounding me about singing autographs, so, of course I singed them.

…I mean really…I felt like tony romo or something, it was crazy!!! Well someone who plays well....ohhhh snap!

These kids are freaking adorable, they’re so…3rd or 5th grade….haha i dunno, they’re just kids but they’re insane! I walk down the hallway and get SCREAMED at: HELLO!!! (Hi)….HELLO!!! (hey!!) Its actually a good thing, I can teach them that ‘hey’ means the same thing as hello…well, sometimes

They’re pretty well behaved, I mean I’ve got to smack the board a few times to say pay the hell attention to this! But by far my favorite moment came in my second class today…(dude my lady co-teacher just asked me if I have any plans to marry, shes talking to two other teachers who don’t speak English, one’s the gym teacher…the other I think is an adminstrator)

…moving on

More about the dinner with all the teachers...

I went to dinner with all the teachers night before last. We had, fresh FRESH FREAKING BRAND NEW STILL SWIMMING sushi. In case ya can’t tell, I was a bit stoked. They had 3 or 4 bottles of soju at the table and…well, it wasn’t bad stuff. It was kinda weird, as the principal kept handing me shot glasses to pour him a shot. Then he shoots it and after I poured him a shot (hold the shot glass with 2 hands) he pours me a shot. It tasted, like, it had no alcohol in it. For real…

At dinner, there were about 17 plates (ok I counted) at each table, 3 of us at each table and you just eat whatever you want…without your own plate. Grab the chopsticks and go. The men and women sat at different tables, then socialized after dinner. I was handed a glass and this other teacher goes:

Korean teacher man: Mike I want to pour you a beer….
Me: (thought) …dude why arnt you teaching English, homeboy can’t even put that sentence together!
Me: Thank you!!
Korean teacher man: you like Korea? The food?
Me: Yes, ye—
Korean Teacher man: you think she pretty? (points to a girl next to me)
Me: Yes ye---
Korean Teacher man: I do too!!!

Then he walks over to her…hahaha, it was like he wanted my approval!

Anywhooooo…..

This morning/last night was fun…I called JB and Sandy’s radio morning show the other week to ask for good “juju.” Like good luck…and I wanted to call in, let them know that I survived the flight and the juju worked…it turned into a bit of a conversation and they…well ya can’t mess up around them.

In class today we were taking questions from the kids about America…She would interpret for me what the kids were asking…remember, 3rd graders. Went something like this…hahah

Little kid: 패밀리 사이트
Co-teacher lady: how you say, f*ck you in America (she puts up the middle finger)
Me: Hahah, that’s probably not appropriate…:-\

Little kid, same one: 한국국제교류재단, 국제협력단
Co-teacher lady: who is the president of America?
Me: Barack Obama!
Little kids: AHAHAHAHAHAHA OBAMA, HAHAHAHA, OBAMA!!!!

Little kid (the same one): 동포, 재외동포; 자료실
Co-teacher lady: what happens, if, you say f*ck you to the Obama?
Me: He’ll say it back…haha

Little girl: how old?
Me: 74

Little boy: how old are you?
Me: 55

Little girl: When’s your birthday?
Me: oh, I’ll write it on the board in the Korean way…86, 6, 6
Thought: wait, math…crap! Write it on the board: 74-6-6 (bahah!!)

Whenever I walk around the halls after class, the kids seem to congregate around me…I’m in the middle and like 30 of them are just walking with me. I feel like saying,

…follow my little Asians (as I put my arms up)

We were doing a song today that went: “1,2,3,4 I have 4 Pigs!” It was really hard for me not to say….1,2,3,4 get your woman on the floor, gotta gotta get up to get down, gotta gotta get up to get down!!!!

No worries mother, it’s a song...

Lunch was something interesting today, I went with all the male teachers and I guess I didn’t realize that the sexes eat at separate tables then move around after the meal. I’ve been eating with lady co-teacher all week…and telling everyone when they ask if I’m married: “oh GOD no!!!”

…I hope they don’t think I’m gay. (As I uncross my legs)

Bah, they know I’m not gay…the teachers are trying to hook me up with the gym teacher. Granted, not bad to look at, yet…I have quite a list of attributes needed to be fulfilled before I even consider a ‘relationship’ …. The big “R” word. One of them is to speak English...and she’s not even close. The other girl they want me to date speaks NO English either, and she thinks I’m close to age 30…wowza

Anyway, I was supposed to meet up with some Canadians today but that fell through. I’m gonna meet up, possibly, with some other Canadians today…if I can find them on facebook…as that’s the only way to meet people (haha, SO KIDDING)

I met a Canadian (like ya do when in Korea) last night at a bar called New York bar…apparently a hardcore foreigner bar. Its apparently not hard to meet foreigners, I’ve already met a few just around town…theres a gas station/convenient store called Orange 24 that has foreigners sitting outside of it…hanging out…all the time. I haven’t found it yet…

…but I hope to meet my long lost Australian love there (yum)

Anyway, here’s a bunch of pics from my school:

3rd graders: Got left hanging by an 8 year-old Korean boy

10:43 a.m: 20 minute break

Haha, today I taught my first two of 4 classes today, with 3rd graders! They love high-fives and so I must constantly keep my hand up to keep from getting sccccch-mackedahhhh These kids are, well, nuts. They’re fun, they’re all about seeing a foreigner, but still a little nuts.

Based on what the kids thought I would either do my 5 minute or 10 minute spiel with my license plate, hat, ESPN magazine and cowboy thingey that I’ve named ‘Woody.’
We learned that monkeys are small, and bears are big. We were singing and singing and my co-teacher forced me to do an accapella version of the song we were doing so I did my best to rap it out.

Dude seriously Cori/Addie, the songs you hear on Dora everyday got NOTHING on these. I have to start bringing my iPod to just kill the song that’s stuck in my head.

Bear bear its so big, bear bear its so big. Its so big, its so big, oh, its so big!
Monkey monkey its so small, monkey monkey its so small, its so small, its so small, oh its so small!

We’ve got another class in about 5 minutes, and I think its 3rd graders all day today. Good times, their energy rivals Claire after espresso cake.

It was REALLY funny when my co-teacher was going over ‘bedrooms’ with the 5th graders, she goes…

Lady co-teacher: You’re in puberty now, you need own room!!
Little girl in front row: no!!! (disgusted look on face)

I’m just chilling right now in the ‘rest room’ ( yes I think bathroom as well but it’s the teacher lounge ) and all the kids are outside getting a lecture from the vice principal over the intercom. I think, THINK, that the principal does most of the administrative work and the vice principal does most of the interactions with the kids. My dude-co-teacher just walked in, haven’t seen him in here before, EVER. Apparently next week I start teaching with him all week, then switch off with lady-co-teacher. I call them that, because, I have NO CLUE WHAT THEIR NAMES ARE!!!! Well, not a clue on how to pronounce them.

11:31 a.m:

Just got done teaching a 5th grade class, my teacher does this thing where she kinda throws me to the wolves, and doesn’t tell me what we’re going over. I just have to go with it and prononce stuff when she asks.

…or sing/rap some song

I just got informed that there is a teacher meeting out at a restaurant today, well, re-informed as she told me on Monday. So, we’ll see how that goes…should be fun, and good food! My lady-co-teacher told me that she was envious of the popularity I have here, all the kids hanging on me and what not, she’s jealous. Its funny to me cause all I am, am American. I’ve got all this time to fill between the next (and final) class and lunch, after lunch then dinner (like 5 hrs between of whatever I can do), then I must do my best to give a good impression.

12:53 p.m:
Damn, they took my PC and my mac can’t connect online. I’m gonna try to get the co-teacher (either of the sexes) to grab the IT guy to help a brudder out.

So, I’ve got til 4, in which they want me to play volleyball and I forgot my stuff to play! Ah crap I told the co-teacher and she didn’t know what ‘crap’ meant. I also taught her ‘no worries, mate’ and ‘right on.’ She, haha, in her Korean accent was in class today and goes…you guys ready for next lesson?? …right on (sounded just like JR). So freaking funny.

So apparently I was supposed to bring my contract today, and I don’t know why. I’m thinking the principal needs to look it over but, well, I never know whats going on.

1:33 p.m:
Well that was weird, I just filled out something in Korean with my teacher pointing out whats what. I’ve got this alien registration card that is like my new drivers license, and we walked down to an office and I gave them my registration card and my contract. Then they walked around the corner, I heard some Korean yelling (or talking very loud) then the principal came out and gave me my contract. I guess, uh, well, no idea!! Haha I love the little, uh…what? Dude there is nothing to do except write blogs / emails that I pound into bloger or gmail later. I’ve read the entire ESPN magazine and apparently the tech guy is supposed to be coming around.

2:50

Just got out of a meeting, annnnnnnd I just heard it again….
에 애들 나도 내 자동차 번호판, ( Mike, Caverly )모자, 의 잡지와 카우보이 그 '우디의 이름이있어 내 5 분 또는 10 분 미사 여구는 그만 할 것이라고 무슨 생각을 바탕으로.
우리는 작은 원숭이 배운, 그리고 곰 큰있습니다. 우리는 노래를했고 노래와 내 동료 교사 그래서 난 내 최선을 다해 랩 그런거 우리가 뭘하고 있었나 노래 버전 내게 강요.

Bahhhh!!! Why’s the principal do that to me?!?! Apparently there’s a big volleyball game today that they want me to go watch!

4:44
Anyway, I just got back from scoring volleyball, for 2 hours. I forgot all my stuff to play so I was stuck scoring. Tomorrow I’ll bring everything for sure, my damn foot is killing me for some reason, I think it’s the slippers I wear for 8 hrs a day.

Usually we’re gone by now but today there’s some sort of a dinner that is going on, so we’re gonna run to that and then I assume, be done. I keep getting asked if I like sushi or soju, never had soju, we’ll see I guess.

…cheers?

Haha, dinner was much fun, the principal kept pouring me soju shots and telling me that it’s the “korean whiskey.” It was pretty easy to drink, and didn’t seem to have much alcohol in it, though the Korean’s thought so.

Apparently there’s a custom that you invite someone to take a soju with you, which means they pour it for you, then you shoot it…then you turn around and pour it for them. Its pretty interesting. I didn’t have a lot, but the teachers sure did. They poured me a bunch of half-full shots, it was fun…and the food was amazing. My co-teacher gave me a lift and I was dead (not from the soju, from the day) by the time I got home.

Annnnnnyway, I'm about to bail to a place called New York Bar...cheers!!!

Holy Rockstar Batman: FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

HOLY CRAP!

I was amazed by the kids energy, but then again…they are kids. I taught 5th and 6th graders today and they were bouncing off the walls about hearing a foreigner speak! It was slightly humorous to me how excited they are to see me, its as if I’m a 'rockstar' (hence the title, mmmm) of some sort. I read about that in the catalog that Canadian Connections had given me, but didn’t believe it. The kids love to see foreigners!

1:15 p.m

I’m in the teacher’s rest room right now that consists of 5 teachers, one of them my co-teacher the other co-teacher is no where to be found. The music teacher a few desks away is a really nice guy, he speaks a little English and just graduated from college. Its right next to the band room and its 6th grade band practice right now. Some girl’s bustin out on a violin, much better than the 3rd grade band practice…for obvious reasons. Think: cats used on a violin, the teacher SCREAMING the notes and the rythym…BAHHHH BA BA BAHHHH BADA BAHHHH….haha wow, can I give it a shot…nevermind

I taught from 9 to 12:30 with 10 minute breaks in-between and a 20 minute break between 10:50 class and the 11:10 class. The computer they gave me is all in Korean so I’m going to have to use my laptop all the time, oh darn, cause my laptop is a mac, annnnnd I hate PCs.

Anyway, the class structure was interesting as there are four parts to a lesson. A song, a game, an activity and then the review.

The song was: ra ra ra, boom boom boom, what’s he doing, what’s he doing? He’s playing soccer, he’s playing soccer. (seriously still have it stuck in my head)

The game was: what’s he doing. 5 groups of 6 students (yes around 30 per class) were given 2 sheets with 7 characters doing something, for instance: ann’s running, and the other sheet she was jumping. The students were SUPPOSED to write down what each character was doing, some did, some had trouble, but that’s why there is a Texan here. Bahaha

The activity was: a word search, then writing numbers to the video that showed someone doing something like playing soccer or basketball, then writing down what it was.

The review: just basically go over everything.

My co-teacher handled most of it, I jumped in where I could but didn’t want to step on her toes. She had me explain the game, so I showed and example and they started, I don’t think they understood exactly what I was saying but they got the jist, not bad for a 5th grader!

The co-teacher and I haven’t seen each other since Thursday and I didn’t even know if she was coming by this morning to pick me up, as she said she would last week. I called my recruiting director finally. I asked him if I should catch a cab or just wait for her and literally before he could respond, the door bell rang. Ahh so convenient. After apologizing greatly, I ran to the door and we bolted.

She told me that the first 5 to 10 minutes are all me as she introduced me as (this is verbatim so stay with me here): we have new comer, he is very handsome (in which I posed), he is from America, this is Micharrrr. (L and R confusion, tee hee).

I walked up and said hello and started my thing: I told them I was from Texas and I showed them this cowboy statue thingey I picked up from a gas station on my way to Houston last week. I said: what is this?? Cowboy, the kids responded well to it and laughed. Then I pulled out my license plate and said this is “Texas license plate, off my old, broken, car” (it was from my Geo). I showed the Astroturf I got from the Dallas Cowboys stadium when I was like 10. I showed them an ESPN magazine with Peyton Manning on it, a really funny picture of 2 NFL players…one’s stiff arming the other guy’s helmet off…and a sprinter with the blurs flying by him. I asked them if they knew what the sprinter was doing (running, kinda goes with the lesson) and what sport they NFL players are playng.

I showed them my red sox hat and asked them what it was, they said it was a baseball cap, “I said yes, cap or hat.” Then I explained the turf a little, as best ya can explain Astroturf to little kids…who are Korean.

ok he's a man, but...thats a funny picutre of the expression my vice prinicpal would have looked like had i told him...anything...he gives me this look when i talk to him

...confused are we???

2:40

Just came back from lunch. It TWAS AMAZING, I ate kimchi (didn’t know it) it was REALLY spicey, I think my keyboard is bitching cause some of the residue is still on my hands.

I don’t teach again until tomorrow. I don’t know with who or what grade, I’ll inquire before I leave, probably to no strait answer, but its worth a shot. I just walked to the bathroom and a bunch of girls, around 6th graders, stopped me and laughed and laughed. They said, hello!!! Hello!!! It was pretty standard treatment the students here give me. Funny kids though, I’ll say that for sure. Dude I’m loving this 7 hour battery, I left with 80% and its been on since 6:30 a.m and its 1:30 now, still at 50%...hell yeah.

My co-teacher asked me if I’m a computer freak cause I know how to use iPhoto and Photo Booth, showing her the pics of Claire and I (see facebook, cutest kid ever) and my England trip (no teeth pics yet, haha, we’ll get there. I just got my “English Time Table” from my co-teacher, looks like I’ll be done at 12:20 everyday except for Tuesday as I’ll be done at 11:30. I go from 9-5 but teach half the day, that’s kinda weird. My co-teacher wants me to alternate weeks with her and the dude co-teacher so each week I work with a new teacher. I assume he teachers the lower grades, or something, no idea.

Shes so damn helpful, she just brought me a cup of coffee as she knows I love the stuff. She picked me up today, she just…like before that coffee just…let me know that today at 4 we’re going to the auditorium to introduce me. Nothing more I love (as you know) than a packed house excited to see me. Shoot last time that happened, it was…uh….on xbox.

Anyway, so far a good day, its only 1:45 and I’ve got plenty of time to kill as I can’t leave til 5. I don’t know why, it’s a 9-5…just gotta stay. Its gonna give me ample time to work on my GREs, once I order the book and get motivated. So I’m thinking I’ll start next April. Haha, naw theres a testing center at a Seoul college and they offer it on Oct. 24th and July 10th. Obviously I can’t make it in a few weeks cause of this teaching gig, but by July I’ll be ready.

4:10 p.m.

Just left a meeting from 3:30 til 4, then was invited to play volleyball in…khakis and a nice shirt/tie. Bring it. Only problem is all I had was sandals so it was impossible for me to play, according to the principal so I just let go of my competition instinct.

Just left the school and grabbed directions on the way home, its going to be quite a hike to school everyday but theres an E-Mart right next to the school so the cabbies know where it is. That way I can just hop down the street. Not hop, walk. Anyway, its been an eventful day. I think I’m going to go to Yudalsan mountain in a bit to check it out, I hear good things.

I have no idea what the plan is tomorrow, then again I had no idea what the plan was today. So we’ll just see. I can be here as early as 8:30, so I’ll prolly catch a cab around 8:15 every morning and just hang out til 9 as that’s when my first class is. Apparently that first class meets once every 2 weeks and it’s the class I’ll be flying solo in. At least so far. That’s how this whole thing is, I have no idea until it happens. Good for those of you who like to plan, but I didn’t apply for this until April last year…so planner? Nay.

Remember Dover?

Holy CRAP: Remember Dover? Dude I flew up this mountain as the sun was setting so I could grab some kick ass pictures and make sure you guys can see the water. My co-teacher (the male) at first told me that it was Mokpo on one side, Ocean on the other…he wasn’t kidding. The Indian Ocean was on my left, Mokpo City was to my right. Pretty freaking bad ass. The pictures speak for themselves, but I’ll explain as I go. My iPod wouldn't let me play playlists for some reason...but this song came on: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQfGn1t63jA

...some korean dude just grabbed my camera and took this picture,
great pic buuut kinda weird...!

...ever have a 'holy shit' moment?