Tokyo

Tokyo was great. Tokyo is a big city that feels like a big city. It's hard to explain. Seoul is huge and has millions of people, but it does not have a big city feel for me. Manhattan is small, but feels like a big city. Tokyo felt more like Manhattan to me. It felt like a big city. Seoul tries, but they are not there yet. Maybe it is the whole first world feeling. Korea is a new first world country, and as such there are still many old ways it does not feel like it. In Tokyo, there is far more culture... you can walk down the street and find restaurants from different countries besides just Japanese food. In a store (convenience or just shopping), there are white and black people working, not just Japanese. Traffic follows traffic laws. Motorcycles do not drive on the sidewalk and make their own traffic laws. Cars do not honk incessantly. Literally, walking back to my apartment in Seoul from the subway (about 100 meters) I heard more honking then the entire time in Japan. In NYC there is a lot of honking. There are also fines for honking. NYC honking is because a cabbie is in a rush or because there are people in the street. In Seoul, there is almost no reason. If a car wants to run a red light, they just honk and drive through. There is honking because nobody obeys traffic laws. There is honking sometimes it seems like they just want to press a button. Also, even small cars and motorcycles use air horns. Rob said that during his Korean license test, they even talk about how good at driving the Japanese are and how they do not have to honk (Korea does not like Japan, so it is insulting to Korea to be told Japan is better). Seoul does have a much better Subway system. Tokyo's is 90 years old. NYC's is 100, and Seoul's is 35. An analogy is that Seoul is like a High School student. Fashion, cliques, keeping up with the Jones, attitude. Tokyo is more of an Adult, their fashion may be crazy, but there is no 'in' for them. In Korea, if you go out running or hiking, you buy the gear... in Tokyo, there were old people running with shorts and a t-shirt. Its very hard to put it on paper....
It just strengthened my resolve to get out of Seoul. I feel that Seoul has been missing something for a long time, and Tokyo helped me see it. If I am in a big city, I want it to have that big city feel. If I stay in Korea, I would love to go to a small town (I love my school and it would be hard to leave them). The boondocks. Really get the Korean culture and have to learn the language. Basically... I have no idea yet what I want to do.
This may come off as hating Seoul or hating Korea. I don't. I am just kind of bored by it right now. I get that feeling if I am anywhere too long.

Day 0
Hello!
So we fly in to Narita Airport, Tokyo, take a bus to Shinjuku, check into our hostel, then walk around the neighborhood. We get in late, so we don't do too much. We grab a few drinks as we explore.

Day 1.
We walk.

We walk from Shinjuku through Yoyogi park, look at Meiji shrine, and walk to Shibuya We walk all over Shibuya. We then walk home. Shower and then go out for the night. We randomly stumble into a small Japanese bar. We were trying to get to a rooftop because that is fun to do. There is a sign that says bar. Mathew opens it and they say come in. Its a little Karaoke bar name Hango Bar  (hangover). We stay and get drinks. A person comes in and sits by us. Lo and behold, it is a Korean. So the three of us sit and talk, exchange contact info. He lives right over by were we live. We invite him to the beach that we are going to the next day. We head to the hostel and sleep. we walk over 10 miles.

Day 2.

Beach Day

We take a train down to Zushi with Kim and another person we met in the hostel Steven (a Korean Canadian). We spend all day at the beach. Very relaxing. It felt very much like a beach. There were buoys to mark the swimming area. In Korea they are about 10 meters from the shore. Here at least 50 meters. People swam. They were not afraid to get sun and were not covered up. There were bikinis ( a rare sight in Korea) and tanned people. Kids were in the water without a life jacket. Tents did not cover the beach, there were not hundreds of inter-tubes in the water.

We got back to Shinjuku, explored, got on a rooftop and enjoyed the city, went to some bars, had fun.

Day 3

Old and new

We took the subway to Shibuya so Matt could buy a wallet he saw there on Sunday (store was closed). We then took the subway to Asakusa. We saw a temple there and a traditional part of Tokyo. We then walked to Akihabara, or the electronics district. Arcarades, lights, shopping, anime, cosplay. Very Japanese. We took the train back to Shinjuku, showered and then went to the Robot Restaurant. Awesome. Some real robots, but most were people dressed as robots. Lights, lasers, music.... intense. I would go back again. Picture stereotypical Japanese craziness... this is it. Walked around, found a rooftop, drank some drinks, in all a very fun time.

Day 4

A bit of everything.

Took the train to Daiba, a manmade island.  Saw the giant Gundam, the statue of liberty, had ramen at the 24th floor of the Fuji TV building. Took the train to the Fish market. It was the afternoon so there was not much action. Then we just walked and walked. We ended up walking to Tokyo station, through a little of Chiyoda and walked to Tokyo tower. When we got there, it was right at the cutoff time for the special observatory (the top). Oh well. We go up. Matt makes the comment he thought we would be higher... we walking around, there is a line for the special observatory to buy tickets. I get him, we get in line. 5 people behind us the close the line. We get to go to the top. It was nighttime, and we had an incredible view of the city. We take the train back to Shinjuku, meet up with a friend we met, and we go to Korea town (just for laughs. We get a drink there. Then we get a drink, and walk around one final time. We have to be checked out of the hostel at 10 the next morning. We walk over 11 miles

Day 5

Goodbye!

We leave the hostel and walk to Shinjuku station. Make reservations for our bus to the airport and drop off our bags. We walk to the Municipal Government Building (which has a free observation deck). We go up, look around, and go back down. We get food, and we get on the bus to the airport.

Tokyo Photos In theory, they are in order of time....

A shakeup

Well, just a little update. Not much has been happening. Work is still work... Its stable... but a shakeup is happening...
My Greece class is losing Ben (family reasons). His last day is Today, Friday the 25th. We have vacation from Saturday to next Thursday. As soon as we get back, that Friday, a new girl starts. Not that I don't like new students, but I was happy at the prospect of having 10. Even numbers are good. 10 is still too many... So, this new girl is supposed to have gone to a hagwon before... So, she is supposed to be have some knowledge of English. Then again Mino went to a hagwon for a year and yet... wow. He is getting better. He almost knows the alphabet. Speaking, writing, listening... well he is still so far behind in everything. He still stays after and Aness and Louise help him. In class it is still so hard because he is so slow and does not get it. It makes class stressful. Hopefully this new girl is not like that. Hopefully she has some English experience... We will see.

Next shakeup... this one is the one I am not happy about. I am getting a new baby class on Tuesday and Thursday. They are 7, not 6, but still very first time learners. When I say new... I mean, literally new. We are using the same book as the 6 year olds.  AHHHHH. I just want 1 class of advanced learners. 1 class of students I am not talking at, but am talking to. One group that can form their own opinions. So still, my smartest an most advanced kids are 7 (western 5 or 6). Camille said its because they like me... Kids like me and moms like me. When Louise was telling me about them, she said they are going to be like my babies. I think it is misunderstood when I say my babies when talking about them.... it is not a term out of love, but a term born of frustration. But... I just... I dont know. I will get out earlier on MWF because they are taking a class from me (book club... not a class per se but mostly just daycare and helping kids write book reports after we watch a movie or bookflix or something). But I will stay later on TR by 40 minutes. I just... I dont want to complain to the school. It just wears on me. I wish I would stay late just for 1 class of upper level students. But I am on the edge of going over hours. I like the kids... but I just want to have someone to talk to. My life is my students and fellow teachers.  For 5 days a week they are all I see. In those 5 days... I am able to talk to my coteachers for pretty much less then an hour. And its pretty much in passing or preparing for class. So what does that leave. My students. Mental stimulation is needed. Kids can have great thoughts and interesting opinions. Just, that my kids, even if they can form them, can not communicate them to me.

I think one of my problems this year is that I really dont have a special relationship with a class or a student. Last year there was always one class that I just 'got' and they 'got' me. Sense of humor, work ethic, and the likes. Similarly there was several students last year that I really feel I had a good teacher student friendship/relationship. This year, I have neither. Denmark class is full of prima donnas and princesses. The one that isn't, is a space cadet. I say that as a term of endearment. She is in her own world so the relationship she has with the others is different. There is still drama, but when she causes it, it isnt out of malice, its just cause she is so awkward.
With Greece, I do have kids that I like. I am still a teacher and they are still students... but there is less of a kinship and more of a me being a spectacle/fun/new experience. Kids that wave and say hi and run up and hug me, but not kids that can talk to me. Part of it is language... part is they are 6 (4/5) and even if we could speak... there is not much to be said.
Then there are my afternoon classes. They are either 3 days a week for one class or 2 days a week for one class. Its just not enough time. That, and they all I teach now are first year learners. My oldest class was given away to make room for my new baby class. I used to complain about their lack of ability to communicate with me... and now I crave even that.
There are some students that I feel I could have that ability to just talk to... but I teach none of them. They talk to me in the hallway or call me into their class during break. Some of them are the students from last year, some are kids I have never taught.

It may sound like I am looking for friendship with kids... Its not friendship... but I look back on my education and there were some teachers that just 'got' me.  Teachers that I can look back on and just remember their passion for teaching and helping me. People that helped shape my life. People that I emulate. Forgive the Star Wars reference, but I want a padawan. Someone that I can pass my knowledge onto, and yet someone that can also teach me. I am just lacking it... and without that... It makes it tough. It takes part of the passion away.

I would love to say something to the school. I just dont want to be that guy. I know this is not a career. I am not making any moves to the top. I am here as a puppet, and I know that. I am here to keep kids coming back, to keep moms happy, and to teach these kids some English. I am good at what I do. I play my part. All being said, my complaints seem great, but in real life... I have it pretty well.

This is my last post before Japan. Matt and I fly out tomorrow night. I'm stoked.

Here are 2 pictures. One of my babies, and one of my Greece class.

 Here are my Babies. 6year old Tuesday Thursday class. We made grabbers for science.

Sophia, Andy, Emma, Chris, Robert, Rachel, David, Sophie, Daniel, Ethan, Amy

Here is my Greece class. We made Raccoons in art.

Jake, Sally, Claire, Andy, Olivia, Sean, Mino, Amber, Ben, SunJoon (Rosie was sick).

Time for another post

July is already coming along real strong... Its amazing we are already 1/3rd done with it.

Not much has been happening with my life..... Sad, but true. Life has gotten into a pattern, a pattern in which I live. It is not a bad pattern, just not incredibly interesting. 

Work is going okay. We picked up another new kid. This one is a boy. Mino. So, we got Amber adjusted (the new one last month) and class was starting to get normal again... now we have a new kid. 11. 11 kids. Tied for the most at ECC. Okay, whatever.... this kid had 1 year at another English hagwon... so it should be easy right? Nope. He does not know his ABC's, how to speak, listen or write.... or anything else. I am sure he is a sweet kid, but just not a good addition. Yes, my kids started off the same as him, but that was 5 months ago. Now my kids can speak, read, write. They can come up with individual thoughts, express their needs and wants in English... their improvements are awesome and amazing! But now we have a beginner, so the class cannot move at pace. I know some of the other kids are frustrated because it takes him so long. Amber, while slow at some things, since she had some English was able to sync quickly. Mino stays after every day and Aness tries to help him catch up. She was in tears this week. Literal tears because of it.  I understand the frustration. We are under a lot of pressure, and she more than I.... but somethings in life, we cant do anything about so all we can do is smile and do our best. We got given a square peg.... we just have to shape it to fit into the round hole. Besides that, I love that class now. It can still frustrate me and stress me out a bit, but just seeing how much has changed, it makes me smile. It has been only 5 months... but wow.... absolutely amazing.

My Denmark class is the same ole same ole.... Still tough for multiple reasons... but the kids are good.

There was a note that was given to the teachers about letting kids sit on your lap. We were told not to let girls do it. I get it in a sense... but all kids naturally want to climb and sit on your lap... if they were older I get it... but these are kindy kids. the oldest I teach is 6 and the youngest is 4. Kids will run up and hug, some even start to climb me. After that note it was interesting to see how all of us reacted... guys actually. Girls still have free reign. But anytime a kid tries to sit on our lap we have to come up with an excuse or stand up or something. Its kind of sad. For example my Sally from last year france class would sometimes come in the teachers room, crawl on my knee and tell me about her day at school. I taught her from when she was first learning... I dont even see some of these kids as students, I see some of them as my own kids (I know that can be bad because of a work/life disconnect). But now... I am not supposed to let her. With my Denmark class... as soon as I sit down, they all try to sit on my lap or climb on me. Now I cant let them. There is no problem with girl teachers doing any of that... they even poke kids in the ass (its a Korean thing.... poop needle.... dont ask) and thats hunky dory... But God forbid a kid from sitting on my knee telling me about their day. I know a lot of us don't really like it.

Lets see what else... for our long July break, >(the one I was originally going to go home for but that was nixed by the school) is now a trip to Tokyo with Matthew.  He threw out the idea last monday and we made flight reservations that night. 1 week later the fares were already 100 more expensive.  This week we booked a room for 25 per person per night in a good area. So not bad at all. Im pretty stoked. I loved japan last time and im sure this trip will be awesome too!

currently I am headed out to a beach on the east side of Korea. Not sure which one. Taylor and Huddy know and im going with them. We left straight from work.

I dont think I put a pic of me any my new girl up in the last post, so I am here... I still need one with my new boy.

But yup... just a quick update.  Id type a little mote but typing from my phone isnt the easiest.

short update

Soooooo, a lot has been happening. I say that, but at the same time not much is happening. Work and life is somewhat routine.

We had open classes several weeks ago, and they turned out great... except for on parent who walked out because his daughter (rosie) is shy and he did not like to see her like that (though when she is shy, instead of crying, she just stands with a huge smile and mouths the words). I was pissed. It didnt bother me he walked out, but Rosie asked him to come because she likes it and he was not able to support her for 40 minutes. Kind of a crap move, it made me feel horrible for her.

We also have a new kid in my Greece class. That makes it 10. The other 6 year old class has only 6. Parents get to choose which one they want by walking around and observing us. But 10 is tough... its hard to give as much attention to each student and to really help them out. The other class gets to play games more often because it is easier to finish work and check with only 6. That being said, it seems like my class is much more disciplined. I treat them like older students and I expect more out of them. The other class has Christine teacher (whom I shared France with last year, and they seem to be having many of the same problems. My coteacher for Greece is Aness, and while she is sweet, she can be a hard ass. I appreciate it.

The other problems I have had with Greece and really cleared up. They are normally a pretty fun class now days.

My Denmark class, the all girl one.... its good, but I still wish there was a boy sometimes. While there would still be all of the girl drama, I think it would be a little less (or at least shift focus from me to him). They would still want to be the alpha girl, but instead of just showing off to the teacher, they would be trying to impress him, so in my imagination, they would be less complaining about teacher type of things (all of them try to be teacher/teachers pet). Oh well. Thy girls are all sweet.

The schedule has been busy. Hudson was gone for several weeks on his wedding/honeymoon and now Camille is on her vacation. When a teacher leaves we all have to pick up extra classes. Even if it is not too many extra it still takes a toll. Even if it is one class, that is still 12 additional students, and 2 difference coursebooks, and different lesson plans, and a different approach. It just throws off our schedules.
Ive been kind of boring recently. while i love exploring and doing things, ive just been drained. On weekends I love just sitting watching Netflix doing nothing. I feel unproductive... but i just have to recharge my batteries. I think I am turning into an old man. That being said, I did buy a broken Kindle and fixed it (pretty sure at least. it didnt turn on, charge, get recognized by computer, or do anything... so far it does all of those and i even put a book on it.... but im gonna give it some time before the all clear.) Did i need a Kindle? No. I just love tinkering and fixing things. I figured it was small and cheap so I might as well. I wish I had a bigger space and proper tools so I could do more... but oh well.
It looks like I will be paying the states a visit early to mid September, possibly like the 7th through the 21st.
There is probably more to type and say... plus i still will do pictures sometime. but i cant find my keyboard (we had a movie night on our roof, but it started raining so stuff got split between rooms.)

My students

It was teachers day this week. So we got presents from the students. I got a lot of good stuff. I have over 300,000 won ($300) in gift certificates plus a lot of starbucks cards and other goodies. I love getting things like that... but honestly, I would be just as happy only getting cards from my kids. A picture that a kid draws, or what they write just melts my heart. When I have felt down before, I can open one up and instantly I am happy.

I wrote thank you notes to each of my students. I did one for each of my kindy kids. I only got a few gifts from my afternoon kids. I wrote them thank you notes too. But with all of my kindy kids (and 1 afternoon kid - Chloe from last year) I took a picture with them, laminated it, and put it in the card. So I am putting those pictures up... these are my kids this year!

Denmark Class (7-3)

 Aileen

 Sophia

 Chloe

 Stella

 Lucy

 Isabelle

 Lucia

Greece Class (6-1)

 Claire

 Sun-Joon

 Rosie

 Ben

 Sean

 Olivia

 Andy

 Sally

 Jake

And last but not least, Chloe... I have not taught her in a long time. I no longer have 1 on 1s with her... but she still gave me a teachers day present.

These (other than Chloe in the bottom picture) are my Kindys this year.

These are pictures I took with Flat Stanley (It is all of my classes except my Tuesday and Thursday afternoon 6 year old class). All of these classes have had changes (additions and subtractions) since the pic was taken. So... I am naming the ones in the pics.... But it is not accurate any more.

 England (1st-3rd grade) 1st year English

Jeremy, Jay, Rachel, Sally, Sam, David, Hailey, Ryan, Christina, Rina

Canada (1st-4th grade) 1st year English

Dennis, Olivia, Rachel, Alla, Hannah, Susan, Sam, James, Steven, Shawn, Angela

 Spain Class (2nd-4th grade) 1.5 year English learners

Dana, Alice, Nick, Erin, Aaron, Ash, Brian, Crystal, Alex, Thomas, Amy

Greece Class (6-1- western 4 or 5) 1st year English

Sun-Joon, Sean, Olivia, Sally, Rosie, Jake, Claire, Ben, Andy

 Denmark Class (7-3 - western 5 or 6) 3rd year English

Stella, Isabelle, Lucy, Sophia, Chloe, Aileen, Lucia

Random partial catchup

I started this over a month ago... then stopped.  Then I started updating a week ago... but I dont want to delete it... so I am posting in its entirety. (So when I start off with 'so last week... it's more like a month ago.)
So last week was the best week so far off this school year. Ronnie finally stopped being in and observing my Greece class. Why? Well I was drawing stars on the board and erasing them when the kids did something wrong... Well I started giving stickers in accordance with their stars. Well one day Andy had a little paper cut... Not even a cut but more a scratch. He wanted to go get a band aid. I said no. Andy went to Ronnie. Ronnie was going to take him. I told Andy if he left I would take away a star. Andy thought about it and I think he was not going to go. But Ronnie took him. He came back and I took away a star. Since then, no Ronnie. It finally gave me some power back.
Also baseball started. I watched 2 Nexen heroes games. Great weather.
All of my classes are starting to come into it. I still have some issues with my afternoon 6 year old class. But... They come in 2 times a week and I only see them for 40 minutes. My 6-1 kindy class is improving so quickly! It's amazing to see. We got a new kid. Energetic. But coming a month later makes it difficult. All of the other kids have a rhythm. He is an new chaos factor... It also brings the class count up to 9. That's pretty big for a first year class. The other 6-1 class only has 6. Smaller class sizes are so much better... Easier to do one on one and help each student.
This year is definitely starting to get better. Nothing big has been going.  Soon, hopefully.  Looking to go to Daejon in several weeks.
One of my friends in OK sent me Flat Stanley. There is some story about a flat person that can go all over (or something). So I have it and took it out last weekend to take some pictures.  Ill post them up. Some cool pictures... granted all of them have Stanley...  but oh well....
....
.... okay. That was written a long time ago. So school is going good. Still only complaint is it is all the younger kids and first year learners.  I just wish I had some kids to talk to.  It is just so different from last year. Having conversations with kids and hearing thier unique perspective was a pleasure I took for granted last year. Its still great teaching kindergartners and first year learners. There is just less of an outlet to speak and to listen. Other than the few minutes between classes(when we are rushing around) the most advanced conversation I have is with Korean 7s(western 5 or 6). They are 3rd year learners so they speak very well, just topics and comprehension of different subjects, and themes other than Disney or children's stories are pretty lacking. Other teachers talk about current events; I talk about Frozen.
Other than that.... my 6-1s are doing great.  Still of course there are problems... but their abilities in English are progressing amazingly fast. I can ask simple questions.  They can ask simple questions.  Its amazing how much they have learned in 2 months.
I went to Daejeon to see my friends Lyn and Alex. We hung out,  went to a science museum (it was awesome) and saw a baseball game.  Daejeon was pretty awesome.  I had a fantastic burger (Lyn and Alex said its the best in Korea. Out of all I have had... they are the best (Gonnys is the best in Seoul still).
We went on a field trip to a garden. 1.5 hrs there... the foreign teachers were there for less than an hour,  and we had to come back to do our afternoon classes and cover the classes that our coteachers missed on the field trip. So we spent 3 hours in a bus for taking a class picture and eating some lunch.  The kids got to stay for a long time though,  so that's good.
We had a long break this weekend. Childrens day and Buddha's birthday.  It was a great and long needed escape.
On Saturday I went with taylor and Hudson and two of their friends to the DMZ and the JSA. The DMZ is the area between North and South Korea.  Its the demilitarized zone. The JSA is the Joint Security Area. It houses the un buildings that go across the border where the two countries can talk and negotiate face to face where they are still in their own country. So during the tour we got to go in the building so technically I was in North Korea.  Granted... the door was locked and there were South Korean soldiers in the room. The soldiers look fake. They stand still and do not move at all. Their job is to look intimidating. Everything is very strict about what you can take pictures of, where to stand, and there are even rules about pointing at north Korea (they said if a person makes a gesture NK sometimes photo shops it to look like they are pointing guns for propaganda). We were also able to see the propaganda village (where nobody lives) and different landmarks in NK. The tour also took us to the 3rd tunnel which is one of the tunnels that NK was making to tunnel under the DMZ to make an attak on SK easier. We were not allowed to take pictures in the tunnel (idk why). I only got in trouble a couple of times taking pictures in the wrong places and walking outside of the designated area. The downsides of the tour was the rushed nature of it and that the JSA tour guides are US Military.  Nothing against the military... but they are not the best showmen nor tourguides. But I would go on it again. It is surreal to see it... to see the border of 2 countries at war with each other.
On Sunday,  Monday,  and Tuesday I did a temple stay. It is where you go to a temple and stay and do traditional things that the Buddhist monks do. I really want to do it again... I had a great time... but did not get the full experience.  Tuesday was Buddha's Birthday.  So the days we were there the Monks were all super busy and everything at the temple was chaotic (or as chaotic as monks can be). But it was a discounted temple stay... so I guess they knew what it would be like.
From the beginning I was a hit. I went with every intention to being just one of the participants.  But I radiate.  The first thing we did was a tour of the temple grounds with a volunteer.  An older guy. He instantly loved me and asked me all sorts of questions and used me as an example for all different things (there is a 33m Buddha so he compared me to it, etc).  He was so excited and he commented on how nice and happy I was. So... me being an anonymous person went away. And as it goes when people ask questions Ill raise my hand. So in group I did what I do. I know what its like to be up in front of people too scared to raise their hands....a lot of people commented about how happy I am, smiles, being friendly, kind...
On top of a of this one guy brought his 2 kids. Kids flock to me. The older one especially. But both were enamored by me. The youngest was more enamored with the volunteer that translated for us.  The younger one speaks a lot more korean.  But if he wasn't with him or his dad. He was with me. The older one was by my side just talking up a storm.  When we went on afternoon hikes/walks he always wanted to be my partner.  He said he never thought he would meet someone as kind as me. I think the dad liked that he got a little free time.  Their dad was super nice. He expressed great gratitude for Albert and I. He is a jewelry maker and he gave each of us a handmade bracelet with different stones on it. He messaged ne later and asked if I would come to a surprise party for Kaya on Saturday the 17th. I said yup.
After the temple stay... it seems to have reset my body clock. Im going to bed earlier and waking up earlier.  Im eating healthier and drinking less. I cleaned and rearranged my apart. Even though it was not the complete temlestay experience... it hit me good. I want to do it again. I think part of it was just living with no worries nor responsibility. I also got a nice confidence boost there...
There is much more I want to say... but if I keep putting off posting,  I never will. I might continue these thoughts later or I may start new ones.  Ill also post pictures sometime!

Talent

I need to develop a talent... I think I am talented, but I have nothing I can call my talent.  Some people it is an instrument or writing,  singing or dancing,  telling jokes or growing petunias....
I seem to have spare time,  free time,  or time that I'd rather not be doing what im doing...
I need to find something to be talented in.
Something I can share....

New school year

So much has been happening. I have been uber stressed, but not in a bad way... just there is and has been so much on my plate.
Moving. I moved. Moving is stressful. Very stressful. I was not in my old apartment for a year, and I acquired a ton of stuff. I love stuff. A lot of the stuff I have I am perfectly content leaving in Korea when I eventually leave. For the present though... its a lot. I was going to move one week. The day I was set to move, they moved it to the next week, and the day I was supposed to move the next day, the changed days again. I was more or less living out of suitcases... I decided to start moving some stuff over myself. I wanted to unpack a little. Get to a normal life. So i did. Then, one day Ronnie and Stephen moved the rest of my stuff over. So I got moved into my new apartment. It is awesome. It is the first time I have actually had a decent apartment. Its still a studio... but it is bigger, and it has a good layout. I like it.
Went on a ski trip where I went snowboarding.  I was horrible at it. I improved.  I fell often. I think I broke my tailbone.  If I go again I will try skiing. One of the biggest problems with snowboarding is standing up. With skis they come off your feet. A snowboard does not. You have to life yourself up without moving your feet... all the while trying to do it on a slippery slope. I do not have the strength nor the build for it.
I finished my first year.  Exciting and sad. I loved my classes.  I loved my kids.  Most of them came back for 1st grade. Fred and Julie from France and Eric and Shawn from Denmark did not come back. Julie is moving to the US and Shawn is moving to another part of Seoul.  Freds parents are sending him to a math school and there were no classes at ecc forgot his level when he was free. Erics mom did not think he was advancing as much as he should so she is sending him to a different academy.  I agree. Some students are not made for ECCs style of teaching.  He was one of them.
I still get to see most of them nearly every day. I will have to go to the ECC website and get some final pictures of my kids.
I was asked to mc the graduation.  I have heard horror stories about it. Well I prepared and I caught some major mistakes. It went well. Next year even if I don't host I know what I can do to make the program better.
I am coming to the end of my first week of the new year... it is great but stressful.   My kindy schedule... I have a 6-1 class. 6 years old first year at a school.  Almost no English at all. Some know most of the alphabet.  One of them was ostensibly supposed to be a 5-1, but mommy wanted him in the 6 year class. He threw a temper tantrum. I literally and to carry him around class like a baby. He just literally turned 4 and he is dropped in class not knowing what is going on being forced to speak English.  All of the other kids are good... he is the youngest.  I understand his stress. He threw a tantrum when he got in, and as soon as he calmed down, he was brought to my class and became my responsibility. I normally hate babying kids... but it was between picking him up and getting my shoulder all snotted up or having a baby yelling to high heaven damaging my ears.
Granted all of the kids are having their moments.  Since I don't speak much Korean and the kids don't speak English... its tough.  They tell me what seem like well thought out sentences in Korean... but I have no idea what they are saying.  they are adjusting to a new schedule and not being able to get food or go to sleep when they want... but I am optimistic.
I teach a 7-3 class. 7 years old 3rd at ecc. They are smart. It is a girls club. All of the students are girls and their other teachers are all girls. Im the only boy.  They are adorable.  My first day they decorated the board saying I love you....It melted my heart. So far they are adjusting to my new teaching style.  They seem to be getting it and loving it. Its kind of hard. The parents are demanding.  I was put in that class because I am a fun and good teacher. I show results and keep kids happy. There are some teachers that are fun but cant teach and others that teach but the kids find boring.  parents and students both love me (most of the time).
On mwf I picked up one new class in the afternoon.  2nd and 3rd graders mostly but really low level students. I kept 2 of my classes. My first years (1st-4th grade) from USA class and my students starting their second from England class.
On T/r I picked up a new 6 year old class. Equivalent to a 6-1.... but these kids come 80 mins on Tuesday and 80 on Thursday.  I teach the 40 of each 80. The kindy kids come 5 hours a day... These get less than 4 hours a week.  They may be the most challenging.  I teach 1st each day. It's tough cause they know no English.  They do not even know their English names.  Many challenges.  I am scheduled to help the Korean teacher for the time she is with them.  She has never taught kids. I wish I had a korean teacher to help me when I am with them. I help her keep them in their seats and paying attention.  but I have to do all of that plus teach by my self all the while not knowing what they say. ...

Update from when i originally wrote this. I decorated my classes with pictures of the countries (Denmark and Greece). Andy in my Greece class is still tough. Ronnie sits in on my class sitting next to Andy.  I hate it. Having your boss sit in on class and micro manage it is horrible. I loathe going into work because of it. I used to look forward to going everyday.  Now... not so much. I can't do what I need to do in class. The other 7 kids are improving quickly.  Andy is not. Keeping on babying him not only hurts him but it hurts my class.
My 6-1 on Tuesday and Thursday is not great either.  I would not have a problem but me being with all young kids slays me. I just dont have the energy to do that class...
I miss older kids. I miss having kids that I can talk to and have a conversation with. It used to be good with kindy in the morning and advanced elementary in the afternoon.  My elementary in the afternoon are all low level.
Last week one of the foreign teachers missed his afternoon class... my old class. I got to cover. I loved it. The kids loved it.
So needless to say, this year is not as awesome as last year. My boss sitting in during my first classes and no classes I can talk to. Its not bad... but it is just so much more draining. Teaching all low level uses so much more mental energy.  I have to be 100% on and entertaining and a giant character.  Older learners I was still on but more of an educator role. Older kids used more brains.  Still mental but a different type.

I was sick half of last week and this weekend. Not really sick, just a cold (and partially from exhaustion).  I slept a ton. It was needed.

All of this typed from my phone.  Please excuse errors. 

Pics from my New Denmark Class 7-3

Pic from on top of new apartment

Skiing

Pics from last years classes

Julie from France (not coming back, moving to Texas)

Kevin and Nick from my upper level T/R Denmark Class (4th Grade)

Jenna, Sarah, Amy from my upper level T/R Denmark Class (4th Grade)

Edward, Tomy, Barbie, Amy, Diana, Annie, Jenny from my MWF Mid level Greece class (2nd and 3rd grade)

Its been a long time...

I know I have not been updating... I try to get back into it...
My January schedule is wearing me down. My MWF, the classes slay me... then after gym... I have no energy. Tuesdays and Thursdays are easy... But when I get home at night, I have been doing school work. We are doing evaluations of all of the 7 year olds (I have 3 classes of them). So it is a bit of work. On top of that I am moving from my apartment to a different apartment, so I have to be packing and cleaning...
Needless to say life is buys. I will share something that I shared on Facebook on Friday.

Gallery....

• 

  Eric Martin Today, one of my 3rd graders, one that I really like, got it. She was able to say gallery right!. A lot of native Koreans have a lot of trouble with the L and R sounds. R's sound like L's and L's sound like R's. In Hangul there is the ㄹ which is a mix of both. Sometimes it favors r and sometimes l. Diana is the student. She is very visual. Seeing what the sound looks like with my mouth and tongue, she is able to mimic it. [She actually helped me with Korean by applying the same methods (her saying words/sounds, and I could see how her mouth and tongue did it)]. Usually she favors the r sound over the l sound in words. On Wednesday I spent a bit of time with her on it (I think she would benefit with a 1 on 1- she is really smart, the smartest in the class, but just that extra bump would help her exponentially). We were doing the word Gallery. She was going garrely... I worked with her (and the whole class). Went over words. Ribbon almost all of my students can say with an r sound. I had them repeat that. Then I did a la la la la exercise (like oh happy day from sister act 2). Then I had them do La-ribbon... and say that several times. Then laribbon. If they said laribbon first, it would be lalibbon or raribbon. Putting the space between la and ribbon, then speeding it up made the difference. It is all about the muscle memory in the tongue and mouth.
  Today, when I went over it. I went to Diana first, and I said gallery for her to repeat. She did. I said 'perfect' and she got so excited. I know sometimes she gets frustrated (I understand). But the reaction she got when I said perfect made me, and I know her, so happy.

  Yesterday at 1:00am · Like · 1
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  Eric Martin I know there are a lot of our Korean co-teachers that sometimes have a hard time with the l and r, and several other Englishisms.... Its tough. I respect them for always giving it their best. Though sometimes, when teaching English... the phonics which is soooooo important... should be taught by a native English speaker. Our school uses a lot of the Korean teachers to teach phonics and native English teachers to teach other subjects... it is systematically broken. Learning how to accurately say the sounds, imho, is half of the battle. I can spend 15 minutes of a class going over l and r.... time which I do not actually have, but still make a difference and see changes... when my co-teachers, whom go over it, do not make as much of an impact.

  Yesterday at 1:09am · Like
• 

  Eric Martin Since I am learning Korean, I can see, hear, and experience how small details in word pronunciations makes a difference. I only want native Korean speakers teaching me that.... they actually know it. Same way that native English speakers should teach certain things. I would much rather a native Korean speaker help me practice the sounds that are not in existence in English.

  Yesterday at 1:14am · Like
• 

  Eric Martin Phonics is complicated... extremely complicated. English especially. While a second language speaker can teach the rule.... the pronunciation and listening is lost (most of the time). As sad as I am to say, English is an art. And when my phonics teachers teach the kids ga-nat for gnat, or do not correct them when they say yerrow instead of yellow, or when they say 'the Sam' instead of 'Sam' (yes, I know not phonics, but still annoying)... I feel obligated to use my class time to teach the correct things, as well as the lesson I am supposed to teach.

  Yesterday at 1:20am · Like
• 

  Eric Martin I know I am here to do a job... and I want to do my job better than I think I can. But sometimes there are so many obstacles....
  
  Anyway... back to the comment, I am so proud of Diana saying gallery correctly. It was amazing!

There are a ton of these victories, Some more major than others... but this one made me very happy.

I also have that new class on MWF. They are all first year learners ranging from 1st grade to 4th. It is tough with such a variance in ages. It is an adventure teaching them. It reminds me of France class a little, at the very beginning. All of them have a great attitude. I am able to take my past experience with France and apply it to these kids.

I may try to start doing just a weekly update (unless there is anything major) or if I have some time and energy....

Here are the last daily ones I wrote....

I'll post a few pictures soon... but, yup... my life has been pretty same old same old...

Friday December 20th.
Field trip day!
We went to a science museum. It was actually pretty awesome. I did not know know what anything said but I was able to get the general idea of it all. There were 3 floors (only 2 of which we explored). The 3rd floor was science. The second floor was kids getting to play (playing with water, bubbles, blocks, etc.) Both were hands on. The 3rd floor was for people a little above kindergarten, the 2nd floor was okay for kindergarten kids (no principals discussed, but the kids got to experiment and play on their own.
Being here, it is really cementing what I want to do after I am done teaching over here. I know I have talked about it before. I really want to work at a science museum. I did so at the Omniplex in OK when I was younger. For me... it really is my cup of tea. It combines teaching with inspiring and science... I just love it. When people ask me the age old question of what would I like to do if I was rich, my number one answer is build a science museum. I would love to build something like the Exploratorium in San Fran of the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago. Even if I cannot build something like that, being able to be a part of one... well I would be happy. The more I think of it, the more it calls to me.
I got to teach 1/2 a period of Kindy today with Denmark. It was okay. We are so far behind, it is not funny.
My afternoon classes were okay. England was good. My Greece, I felt really good about. We did not get to do everything I was supposed to... but it was a good day.
After school, instead of the gym, I helped Christina paint the pictures for the story book. She was stressing because she had to paint 2 classes. I helped.  For me, I had to write and draw with 3 classes. But the painting was actually so enjoyable for me. I put on some classical music and just did it. It was very zenlike and relaxing for me. I could have painted for hours.
Rob, Yuri, Hudson, Taylor and I all got sushi for dinner. It was delicious.
I went home and watched Sister Act.

Saturday December 21st.
I woke up and went to ECC. Christina talked about painting on Saturday. I said I would help. I did. I loved it. I really like the painting. I could have stayed home and done nothing... but the painting was me doing something and relaxing. win.
I then walked around Mokdong, went to emart and homeplus. Just walked.
I came home and took a nap.
I woke up.
We were going to go out to dinner with Ama. We went to Jongno instead of Hongdae. I liked Jongro.... When push comes to shove, most neighborhoods in Seoul are the same... but it was still good to get off the beaten path.

Sunday December 22nd.
Another do nothing day. Sleeping. Eating. Watching some movies. I went to Itaewon with Hudson and Taylor. We went to some foreign food markets to buy some food for the Christmas Dinner they were having. We also went to a restaurant called Rye Post. They are known for Philly Cheesesteaks. I understand why. They were fantastic!
I went to Suwon to pick up a heater. Turns out, the guy selling was not in Suwon, but in Seoul (mis-communication). I went back to Seoul to get it. Well worth the time and money.... 50 bucks and my room is no longer cold.

Monday December 23rd.
Classes went okay... Except for the fact I did not get to teach Australia. Monday was Market Day. Basically they kids got money for completing assignments. Then the classes got to go to different stores to buy stuff. It was supposed to help them with speaking and asking how much things cost... it was a cluster. I was in charge of the toy store... it was pretty cool.  The toys were all used toys that the parents donated. It was fun... but it was another day of not teaching.
I went to a store and got some presents for the older kids. It was a review day.
Went to the gym after school.

Tuesday December 24th.
Christmas Eve/Christmas celebration. Fun, but another day when I did not get to teach Australia. Santa came.... The different ECCs do a Santa exchange. The Santa we got was pretty lame. He did not interact with the kids that much and was not very jolly.
Taylor and Hudson had a Christmas dinner. It was delicious. Bacon wrapped pork loin, Ham and cheese sandwiches, mac and cheese, green beans. Our new teacher also got in today, and he came over to celebrate with us. We played dirty santa. It was a nice little get together. It is amazing how much like a family we are. I really appreciate it. It is a very special feeling, one that I do not know how to put words to.

Wednesday December 25th
Christmas day! Merry Christmas!
Today I did nothing. I slept, I watched movies. I did get out of my apartment and walked about 10 miles (2 5 mile sessions) just exploring and walking around. I really love walking around. No matter where I go, there is always something new to be seen.

Thursday December 26th.
Gym Day. I only got 1 class with Denmark and 1 with France... But I finally got to actually teach 2 Australia classes!  I know there are some teachers at my school that like the times when they do not teach, but I really like teaching. I am not saying the curriculum is amazing, but when you see a kid understand something... well it is a great feeling!
My afternoon class went okay. We did vocab. This is the last time I am teaching them vocab! Yay! They are giving vocab to a Korean teacher (so she can give the Korean word to go with the English word). I think it is much better that way. I know we are English Only... but for the older kids that already have a strong Korean vocabulary, I think helping them draw a connection between the English word and Korean is a good thing. Especially since we are talking more abstract words. If I see an airplane, I think of it as an airplane, or if I am speaking Korean as a 비행기. But going to something where you are talking what a 'law' is. Without the concept of what a law is, it is much more difficult for it to flow in a dual language setting.  We have been telling what a law is in English, thus using other descriptive words the students may not understand. But if they know that law is 법, they instantly are able to know what law is.
After work, we went to dinner with Matthew, our new teacher. We went to one of the all you can eat meat bars, then a hof and drank a bit. Fun night, but not good for my diet.

Friday December 27th.

Saturday December 28th
I wanted to do something Saturday. I did not do anything. I pretty much spend the day cleaning... actually cleaning... though only until I got distracted. I really dislike cleaning. I think my biggest problem is lack of space. I have a quasi dresser and quasi wardrobe. All of my clothes do not fit. I have no closets and no storage... What I am supposed to do with my stuff. It is frustrating. I wish I could be clean.  I know if there is a will there is a way... but my will isnt that strong. I would like to say if I had a bigger place, I would be cleaner. While I want that to be true, I do not think it is. I would just get more stuff. But I would love a closet and a full sized dresser. One of the biggest messes I have is all of my clothing... stacked up and piled.
Taylor Hudson and I went to Samurai for dinner. I love that food. It is 갈매기살 (galmaegisal) which is marinated pork... but it is often confused with beef because of texture and flavor (and how it looks when cooked)

Sunday December 29th
I went to Sinsa with Karen. We had lunch, coffee and snacks, and just walked around that area. I have never really explored it before. She has been super bored because she has been applying for PhD programs. She left after coffee. Then I walked around more. Then I headed to Jongno and Gwanghwamun, and just wandered about.