2009.09.10

Teacher Dinner Party
After school today all the teachers and some staff went out for their monthly dinner gathering, but this one was for the new teachers at the school, myself and 3 others. We had some duck stew with rice, kimchi, duck stirfry and it was alright. I eat anything. Sitting their, i figured out why i get alot of gas lately. Not from the milk, but from kimchi. Yes, kimchi gives you gas. Why? Its probably because its pickled and vinegar is a acid, and acid gives off gas. I eat ALOT of kimchi, but i mean the various kinds like potato, onion, garlic, radish etc. I dont know if will lay off the kimchi because its so good, it does help me digest food but i might rip a big one infront of all the lady teachers one day... is it worth the risk? Good food or embarrassment... I choose the good food.

Teaching
Haven't started teaching yet, still visitng class. As I predicted, there was more change today, I have to teach kindergarten, but i think it will be fun. Its just ABC, Family, Numbers and stuff... it would be their initial exposure to the English language and it would be a privilege for me to be their first English teacher. Another challenge but i love it. Kids under grade 4 are cute, the are always happy and curious. I finished creating my original curriculum/lesson plans for grades 3 and 4, its all i have to do. But I will obviously need to format the school and other teachers curriculum to fit my teaching style in English. Still, its not alot of work compared to everyone else, especially JS. She is like a teacher, secretary, and my personal translator (gets paid less than me and has more personal expenses which the school doesnt cover for, unlike for me they do). But i take her out to eat and hang out with her, teach her english, actually its mutual. We're good friends now.
Orientation week isnt what i thought it was. I have a REAL orientation by the Gyeonggi province on the 23rd to the 25th... so i dont work and have another accommodation to stay at for training... i dont know if i need it by now but oh well, i get paid and i have to go. It will be good because i get to meet other foreign teachers.

Influenza
She is sick and i feel bad, she blames it on me but im strong as an ox still, i clearly do not have influenza. Thats just their precaution because they currently believe, and its true, that Korean's who visit outside countries get influenza, so foreigners are to blame, true. I got my Tetanus shot and was already sick a few months ago, and i friggin eat, sleep and exercise well everyday so she is weak...but stressed from her work and life (now with me in her life, no wonder she is sick, i will stress anybody's life till you get sick and die muahaha hehe). Hong Eui Joo got sick too, not my fault, but they blame me because its funny? I said that's 'Pabo' (stupid), bullshit.

As a Foreigner
So often times i hear JS say she envies me, I shrug not fully understanding. Today the Vice Prez and the secretary say they envy me. I realize they envy us foreigners because as a TESOL instructor, i have all the luck, privilege, opportunity and good things coming to me, just because i can teach abroad and i am a foreigner. Its all true, in their observation i am truly fortunate to be doing what i am, been given what i got and freedom to do what i want. They can't. I feel bad now. But it makes me appreciate them more, and everything in life up to this point because i really get to do what i want, therefore, if i ever complain, smack me. I keep getting lucky, people are soo nice to me, always feeding me, approaching me openly and the kindness doesnt stop. What can i do to return he favor? I will figure it out.

That was my day... I'm planning a trip to Jeju Island, Itaewon, Japan, Korean Folk Town, trying to find the Hot Springs, Visit the mountain, go shopping, go to Seoul... buying a cell phone, moped/scooter/motorbike... so much to do!