Things Students Say...1

I think I am going to try and post once or twice a week about things students say.  Obviously because English is their second language, some things come out funny or they use words incorrectly and it is funny.  I do the same thing (in English, Korean, and French) all the time.  It happens but it is funny.  I hear some really great stuff and I want to share.  This is hopefully the first post of many!

Wednesday my school had a soccer game against another school.  They lost.  After school I was talking with some of my students and this is what happened.

Student 1:  Teacher, we had a soccer game today.
Me:  I know.
Student 2:  We lost, teacher!
Me:  I know.  I am sorry.
Student 3:  Teacher, why weren't you there watching us play?
Student 1:  We lost because you weren't there cheering for us!
Students 2 and 3:  Yeah, we lost because of you!
Me:  Awww!  I had class though, how was I supposed to go to the game?!
Student 1:  You come next time or else!

This next one happened before a class during my free talking time.  I have been doing the first year speaking exams for the last two weeks and had on the whiteboard "No Korean".  Well one of my students decided to change the sign to say "No borean".  The following happened:

Me:  What the heck is borean?  That isn't even a word!
Student:  It is a new element.
Me:  Like on the periodic table?
Student:  Yeah.
Me:  Cool.  Did you discover it?  What is it?
Student:  Of course, it is Young Bin (another student).  He is borean!

With my advanced students I have been doing a travel lecture.  They had to pick a location to travel to, make some sort of creation and present it to the class.  They were all very good but the one about Space was super cute.  The thing is, the girls had a special little drawing on their paper about "Queen Kara" and "every aliens ideal girl, Kara", with a picture of me.  They also had a picture of themselves and the words "common girl" above them.  It made me laugh for a good minute, during class.

The weirdness of student haircuts:

Me:  Oh, you cut your hair!

Student:  NO! Teacher, don't look!

Me:  Aww, why not?

Student:  It is bad.

Me:  I still think you are cute.  Why did you cut it?

Student:  He cut my hair and this happened!

Me:  Why did you let him cut your hair?!

Student:  I didn't let him.

Me: O_O

North Korea...

As all of you know South Korea has a cousin up north called North Korea (DPRK).  Well they are upset about something again.  No surprise really from this regime but it is kind of interesting why they are upset.

Seth Rogan and James Franco have a new movie coming out in October called "the Interview" and it is about North Korea and reporters.  The basic premise of the movie is two reporters are to interview Kim Jung-Un but get drafted by the CIA to assassinate him instead of interview him.  It is supposed to be a comedy and make fun of North Korea and their 'leader'.  The thing is, many are crying propaganda and terrorism, including North Korea.  Many people I have talked to and seen discussing this have stated that the movie seems like propaganda.  They have also stated that the movie is done in poor taste.  It isn't funny.  Obviously, nobody has seen the movie yet but it has definitely angered and upset many.

I am not so concerned with the idea of propaganda or terrorism claims but the issues and tension this movie could create in South Korea.  North Korea is extremely upset and angry about the idea of their 'leader' being assassinated, even in fictional form.  They have stated that if this movie premiers, that it is an act of war by the US and North Korea will retaliate.  Yes, they have said this quite a number of times and it is probably just them blowing off steam but it is still freaky.  I also wonder if it will come to South Korea.  Will South Koreans allow this movie to premier here because of the potential for issues here?

I guess we will have to see what happens when it is released in October.

http://edition.cnn.com/2014/06/25/world/asia/north-korea-the-interview-reaction/

http://www.newsweek.com/franco-rogan-comedy-about-killing-kim-jong-un-riles-north-korea-256210

Job Update

In late March my former head co-teacher (it is a new teacher this year) came up to me and asked me if I have thought about staying at Nongo for another year.  I have definitely thought about it and it was a huge YES.  I told her that I had and that I wanted to stay on if the school would keep me.  She said that it wasn't even a question I should be concerned about because obviously the school wanted me to stay.  So, I went and talked with my head co-teacher about it.

Well after putting in the paper-work, I will be staying here for an additional 6 months.  (Everyone was super happy I decided to stay)  The only reason the contract is not for an additional year is because of the new GEPIK contract and GEPIK trying to get all the schools on the same hiring time (end of February).  Although I only got a 6 month contract extension, my co-teachers said that I would definitely get another year if I wanted to stay.  The principal has also stated that if I want the job, it is mine.  Basically, I have a job if I want it.  

I love Nongo and everyone at this school.  It has been a great experience and I will hopefully be here for a little longer.  It feels good knowing that the school wants me to stay and are willing to work with me.  Got to love it.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and My First Years

This year the English teachers for the first years are having them read Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.  The first semester they read the first half and the second semester they read the second half.  Easy stuff.  At the end of the semester they get tested on the book and what they have learned.  One of the tests is a speaking exam and I am the one in charge of that.  So, I ask the students two or three questions about the book and assess their English speaking ability.

Because my school is a trade school, the students English abilities are lower than average high school students, so I wasn't sure what to expect in the way of answers from my students.  They have amazed me.  Yes, some of them have no idea what they are talking about or what I am saying but most have understood in some way or another.  It has been wonderful.

Today was a huge surprise however.  My 1-4 class rocked their interviews.  They came in and did extremely well.  With most of the students getting high marks.  This has been the best class I have had and it really surprised me because some of the students who I thought would do poorly ended up doing really well.  Who knew they had it in them.  My co-teacher said that they have been working extremely hard and studying whenever they could for the exam.  It definitely paid off!  I am a happy and proud teacher!

Nothingness

This weekend was glorious and not because I did anything super exciting or different.  In fact, quite the opposite.  I did absolutely nothing.  I stayed in Yeoju all weekend and didn't go anywhere or do anything.  Saturday, I stayed in my pajamas all day and watched television.  Sunday, I was a little more productive by cleaning my apartment but I still stayed in my pajamas all day.

The thing is, I haven't been home in so long.  I have been going here or there and have had little time to myself or with Trixie.  When I left last weekend, Trixie was whining.  She was obviously upset by the month or so of weekends that I had not been home.  So, I decided to stay home and do nothing.  Strange as it sounds, it was wonderful.  Sometimes doing nothing is just as good as doing something.  This weekend was a much needed break from the crazy hectic life I have been leading lately.

Hiking Bukhansan

Saturday I went to Bukhansan National Park and went on a hike up Bukhansan.  The course was about 1.9 km long and took about an hour and half to reach the top.  

(http://english.knps.or.kr/Knp/Bukhansan/Intro/Introduction.aspx?MenuNum=1&Submenu=Npp) 

Bukhansan is in the middle of Seoul but once on the hiking trail you forget you are in a huge metropolitan city.  It was beautiful at the peak but I did not enjoy the hike at all.  I am not an outdoorsy person but I was convinced to do this hike.  I am proud of myself for doing it but I do not see myself doing another mountain in the near future.  My body still hurts and it is MONDAY!  

Me before I started the hike.

This is at the very top of our trail.

Walking up some stairs.  Most of the time it was rocks but there was this section of stairs.  The stairs were the worst part.  Go figure.

Almost to the top but it was refreshing and cool.

This is one of my favorite pictures from the hike.  I am utterly exhausted from the hike up but there is only a short distance to the top.  Which I am dreading, btw.

We all know I make weird faces and this is one of them.  But I made it to the top!!!

Coming down.  The sneakers (which I was told would be fine) wore were not good for hiking.  Way too slippery, which freaked me out a bit.

Samgyupsal and makgoli after the 3 hour hike.  Utterly exhausted!

Seoul Arts Center

This weekend was a busy one for me but I enjoyed it.  On Friday I went to the Seoul Arts Center (http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=268071) and saw an exhibit by Kusama Yayoi.  It was really cool.

This room is called the Obliteration Room.  What you do is put different size circles all around the room and on random everyday objects.  The room started off white but is now covered in random dots.  It was really fun.

This room was in black lights, with dots of course.  It was built to resemble a home.  Kind of neat.

These things were creepy.  They remind me of Beetlejuice but that is kind of cool at the same time.

These dogs were kind of cute.

This is the poem the artist made about pumpkins (which was one of the main exhibits).  Apparently the artist loves pumpkins.

The pumpkins...

These giant balls light up.

Overall, it was a really enjoyable trip.  I will definitely be going back to see other exhibits and hopefully a ballet soon!

Random Photos Around Korea

Here are some random photos that I have taken around Korea.  Enjoy!