Hello everyone! So I just spoke to my brother on G-chat and discovered that Minnesota is apparently expecting some winter weather this week? All I can say to that is a big I'm sorry to hear that, as well as an apology in advance for what I'm about to talk about: the wonderful spring weather in Korea.
I hope you've all had a good week despite the snow, as you're hopefully entering your post-hibernation phase of the year. I can't believe Easter is right around the corner - sadly Korea hasn't jumped on the Easter bandwagon like they have the Christmas one - there are no fake plastic or chocolate bunnies lining the store windows, there isn't a surplus of jellybeans or pastel wrapped chocolate in the grocery stores, nor are there Cadbury eggs for purchase near the registers - it's a sad reality that I'm trying my hardest to accept. Luckily my mom brought me a little caramel chocolate treat for Easter (the Easter bunny doesn't really do transcontintental treks) so at least I have a little piece of home waiting for me this coming Sunday. I'm not sure what my plans are yet for Easter, but they will definitely involve church and chocolate, in no particular order.
Speaking of weekends, let me begin by telling you about last Friday, as it was full of surprises and new experiences. I had about eight million teacher moments on Friday, beginning with my second period class where the second (eighth) graders had to write poems about their feelings in relation to someone or something close to them. My very creative students had a range of subjects they decided to write about, from the odd random food item (one wrote about kimchi: "I feel happy when you are on the table. I feel sad when you are gone") to a pet to an American pop singer (one of them wrote about Flo-Rida: "I feel happy when I listen to your music. I feel sad when you don't sing.) One of them wrote some very sweet things about me ("I feel happy when Gina is in English class. I feel sad when Gina isn't in English class) and yet another one wrote about himself ("I feel happy when you are happy. I feel sad when you are sad.") They were funny to listen to, but the best part was being able to see the kids show off their creativity and (in most cases) wit by using English - something I don't get to see as often since I'm responsible for teaching straight up dialogues and phrases. It was great to see them applying English without following the book or answering my questions.
My next teacher moment came after lunch, when all of a sudden five of my former students walked into the teacher's office. I only got to spend a semester with last year's third (ninth) graders, before they graduated in December and began high school this past February. Apparently on Friday they got back from a field trip early so they had some free time to walk down the road and visit us at school - it was so fun to see them again! They all looked a little taller, most had different hairstyles, and they looked sharp in their new uniforms. I asked them about their new teacher (who happens to be a friend of mine) and got lots of compliments to pass along to her. I thought about how strange it must be for those who have been teaching for a long time to see their former students all grown up and how much I always enjoyed visiting some of my old teachers. Now I know how it feels to be on the flip side.
Aside from my teaching duties on Friday, I also found some time to slip away and walk down the path a little ways to take pictures of the beautiful cherry blossom trees that line the walkway to the school. The trees are so pretty, and they make such a nice addition to the spring weather. I've seen my school in all seasons now, and I think spring and fall are definitely the two prettiest. I've include
d some pictures for you to drool over. Just a few more weeks until you can enjoy spring too, don't worry. Oh, fun fact for you. I've always associated birds with springtime...but in Korea there appears to be a lack of chirps announcing the coming spring. It didn't seem odd to me until I thought ab
out it the other day - I don't ever see or hear birds. I don't remember the last time I saw a squirrel or a chipmunk. Where are all the animals? I must have been spoiled growing up in the Midwest, or else Korea has a strange animal hibernation rotation.
The last teacher moment I'll tell you about was when I was leaving school on Friday (after I received an impromptu Korean lesson from the art teacher...and realized I had been saying the informal version of a verb to people older than me, which is a no no....oops.) I was walking down the street to the bus stop, when I was suddenl
y stopped by a woman who had just gotten out of her car. To my surprise, she asked "Are you Gina?" When I said yes, she introduced herself as the mother of two of my students (whom I had just discovered were brother and sister the day before, actually.) I remembered that the same student (her daughter) had told me her mom was an English teacher a few weeks ago. My next surprise came when the mom said she had been wanting to meet me and she wanted to apologize to me because she thought her daughter was rude to me last year. In truth, her daugher, Sun Yeong, had actually been a bit of a troublemaker for me (not terrible) as an eighth grader last year, but this year I've noticed a great difference in her behavior, such as her newfound participation in class, and her willingness to speak to me outside of class. She has quickly become one of my favorite students, and I was so happy to be able to tell her mother so. I explained that I understand middle school is a difficult time, (hence the bad behavior) and that since last year I've noticed a positive change. I also told her that I really enjoy teaching her daughter, as well as her seventh grade son (both true!) We chatted for a little while longer, then said goodbye as I had to run to the bus.
As I thought back on my first parent-teacher conversation I was once again so thankful to be at the school I'm at, as it is small enough that I'm able to get to know my students (and learn their names) on a personal level. I was also pretty glad that Sun Yeong's mother is an English teacher. But back to the students: though their names are still such a challenge f
or me, I've just about gotten all of them down, and I love seeing the look of delight on their face when I remember their names. (This accomplished feat is actually due to many hours spent 'studying' students, and I hope to goodness that no one ever reads the Post-It notes I have stuck to my clipboard, as I have all the student's names written in tiny print with little memory triggers such as 'chipmunk face' next to the names. Good thing I have messy handwriting.)
Those were my three big teacher moments last Friday - I left work that week feeling so lucky about my students and my school - I know other teachers have had problems or issues with theirs, but mine seems to be the best combination of every factor. I'm excited that I have an extra year to spend with them still.
After school that day, I headed to the pool for my usual workout...but there was a twist. I know you're on the edges of your seats right now. When I was at lap swim the night before, I was approached by a woman who had introduced herself to me earlier that week. Her
English was okay, so she was somehow able to communicate to me that she was part of a 'club' at the pool, and that this club wants me to join them. She said they meet Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays for an hour. I realized that was what I had observed Monday evening when I saw a group of people in the far lane wearing matching caps, swimming in circles. I said I can't come Wednesdays, but that I could give it a try on Friday. I planned to swim a bit on my own first, and then give the 'club' a try.
Sounds interesting, right? Well, interesting is a good word but fun might be a better one. The club has a 'leader' (whom I wasn't allowed to swim in front of, even though I could have gone ahead of him, and I was really careful to not get t
oo close to his feet) and about 10 other adult swimmers who all get together. We did about 1800 meters, including a warmup swim, a few small sets, and some drills. Though I didn't feel very challenged, I liked the opportunity to try some different drills and sets that I wouldn't normally do on my own, and though the English level was pretty minimal all around, the people were all very nice to me. I had fun.
But. I haven't told you the best part yet, the part which my friends probably won't ever let me live down as long as I'm in Korea. What is the club's name, you might ask? Well, I read the Korean name on everyone's matching caps, and though I was pretty sure I had translated correctly, after double checking with one of the other English speaking swimmers, it was confirmed that the club's name is indeed called...WaterBird (물새) Club. I am a WaterBird. After all my years of swimming I've been a Splash, (I swear, that was our name - check the sweatshirt) a Marlin, a Scarlet, a Manta, and a Phoenix. Now, in the next chapter of my swimming life destiny had called me to be: a WaterBird. And WaterBird I shall be. (I might add that this name generated a variety of jokes among my friends last weekend, the most popular one being 'when are you going to swim with your flock again?')
Unfortunately, Monday I didn't fly south (Sokhom's joke) with the birds due to not feeling that well - the change in the seasons as well as 'yellow dust' from China (true story - the wind blows from the west) tends to create sinus pressure and congestion, so I'm taking it easy this week. I'll flap my wings again tomorrow night.
I hope you all have a wonderful Easter weekend and that you get to enjoy some time at home with your families and friends. I'll be missing mine but at least this year will beat last year's Easter, when I stayed in Green Bay and spent the entire weekend writing a final paper on the 20th century Japanese invasion of Korea. Actually, the year before I did the same thing on Easter weekend...except the paper was about the ancient Roman occupation in Spain. Somehow I associate Easter with history these days - maybe I'll have to go to a museum or something on Sunday just to keep the tradition going. Happy Easter weekend everyone, and remember to think warm spring thoughts to melt all that snow!
P.S. I bet you thought my title was about spring.
I hope you've all had a good week despite the snow, as you're hopefully entering your post-hibernation phase of the year. I can't believe Easter is right around the corner - sadly Korea hasn't jumped on the Easter bandwagon like they have the Christmas one - there are no fake plastic or chocolate bunnies lining the store windows, there isn't a surplus of jellybeans or pastel wrapped chocolate in the grocery stores, nor are there Cadbury eggs for purchase near the registers - it's a sad reality that I'm trying my hardest to accept. Luckily my mom brought me a little caramel chocolate treat for Easter (the Easter bunny doesn't really do transcontintental treks) so at least I have a little piece of home waiting for me this coming Sunday. I'm not sure what my plans are yet for Easter, but they will definitely involve church and chocolate, in no particular order.
Speaking of weekends, let me begin by telling you about last Friday, as it was full of surprises and new experiences. I had about eight million teacher moments on Friday, beginning with my second period class where the second (eighth) graders had to write poems about their feelings in relation to someone or something close to them. My very creative students had a range of subjects they decided to write about, from the odd random food item (one wrote about kimchi: "I feel happy when you are on the table. I feel sad when you are gone") to a pet to an American pop singer (one of them wrote about Flo-Rida: "I feel happy when I listen to your music. I feel sad when you don't sing.) One of them wrote some very sweet things about me ("I feel happy when Gina is in English class. I feel sad when Gina isn't in English class) and yet another one wrote about himself ("I feel happy when you are happy. I feel sad when you are sad.") They were funny to listen to, but the best part was being able to see the kids show off their creativity and (in most cases) wit by using English - something I don't get to see as often since I'm responsible for teaching straight up dialogues and phrases. It was great to see them applying English without following the book or answering my questions.
My next teacher moment came after lunch, when all of a sudden five of my former students walked into the teacher's office. I only got to spend a semester with last year's third (ninth) graders, before they graduated in December and began high school this past February. Apparently on Friday they got back from a field trip early so they had some free time to walk down the road and visit us at school - it was so fun to see them again! They all looked a little taller, most had different hairstyles, and they looked sharp in their new uniforms. I asked them about their new teacher (who happens to be a friend of mine) and got lots of compliments to pass along to her. I thought about how strange it must be for those who have been teaching for a long time to see their former students all grown up and how much I always enjoyed visiting some of my old teachers. Now I know how it feels to be on the flip side.
Aside from my teaching duties on Friday, I also found some time to slip away and walk down the path a little ways to take pictures of the beautiful cherry blossom trees that line the walkway to the school. The trees are so pretty, and they make such a nice addition to the spring weather. I've seen my school in all seasons now, and I think spring and fall are definitely the two prettiest. I've include
d some pictures for you to drool over. Just a few more weeks until you can enjoy spring too, don't worry. Oh, fun fact for you. I've always associated birds with springtime...but in Korea there appears to be a lack of chirps announcing the coming spring. It didn't seem odd to me until I thought ab
out it the other day - I don't ever see or hear birds. I don't remember the last time I saw a squirrel or a chipmunk. Where are all the animals? I must have been spoiled growing up in the Midwest, or else Korea has a strange animal hibernation rotation. The last teacher moment I'll tell you about was when I was leaving school on Friday (after I received an impromptu Korean lesson from the art teacher...and realized I had been saying the informal version of a verb to people older than me, which is a no no....oops.) I was walking down the street to the bus stop, when I was suddenl
y stopped by a woman who had just gotten out of her car. To my surprise, she asked "Are you Gina?" When I said yes, she introduced herself as the mother of two of my students (whom I had just discovered were brother and sister the day before, actually.) I remembered that the same student (her daughter) had told me her mom was an English teacher a few weeks ago. My next surprise came when the mom said she had been wanting to meet me and she wanted to apologize to me because she thought her daughter was rude to me last year. In truth, her daugher, Sun Yeong, had actually been a bit of a troublemaker for me (not terrible) as an eighth grader last year, but this year I've noticed a great difference in her behavior, such as her newfound participation in class, and her willingness to speak to me outside of class. She has quickly become one of my favorite students, and I was so happy to be able to tell her mother so. I explained that I understand middle school is a difficult time, (hence the bad behavior) and that since last year I've noticed a positive change. I also told her that I really enjoy teaching her daughter, as well as her seventh grade son (both true!) We chatted for a little while longer, then said goodbye as I had to run to the bus.As I thought back on my first parent-teacher conversation I was once again so thankful to be at the school I'm at, as it is small enough that I'm able to get to know my students (and learn their names) on a personal level. I was also pretty glad that Sun Yeong's mother is an English teacher. But back to the students: though their names are still such a challenge f
or me, I've just about gotten all of them down, and I love seeing the look of delight on their face when I remember their names. (This accomplished feat is actually due to many hours spent 'studying' students, and I hope to goodness that no one ever reads the Post-It notes I have stuck to my clipboard, as I have all the student's names written in tiny print with little memory triggers such as 'chipmunk face' next to the names. Good thing I have messy handwriting.) Those were my three big teacher moments last Friday - I left work that week feeling so lucky about my students and my school - I know other teachers have had problems or issues with theirs, but mine seems to be the best combination of every factor. I'm excited that I have an extra year to spend with them still.
After school that day, I headed to the pool for my usual workout...but there was a twist. I know you're on the edges of your seats right now. When I was at lap swim the night before, I was approached by a woman who had introduced herself to me earlier that week. Her
English was okay, so she was somehow able to communicate to me that she was part of a 'club' at the pool, and that this club wants me to join them. She said they meet Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays for an hour. I realized that was what I had observed Monday evening when I saw a group of people in the far lane wearing matching caps, swimming in circles. I said I can't come Wednesdays, but that I could give it a try on Friday. I planned to swim a bit on my own first, and then give the 'club' a try. Sounds interesting, right? Well, interesting is a good word but fun might be a better one. The club has a 'leader' (whom I wasn't allowed to swim in front of, even though I could have gone ahead of him, and I was really careful to not get t
oo close to his feet) and about 10 other adult swimmers who all get together. We did about 1800 meters, including a warmup swim, a few small sets, and some drills. Though I didn't feel very challenged, I liked the opportunity to try some different drills and sets that I wouldn't normally do on my own, and though the English level was pretty minimal all around, the people were all very nice to me. I had fun. But. I haven't told you the best part yet, the part which my friends probably won't ever let me live down as long as I'm in Korea. What is the club's name, you might ask? Well, I read the Korean name on everyone's matching caps, and though I was pretty sure I had translated correctly, after double checking with one of the other English speaking swimmers, it was confirmed that the club's name is indeed called...WaterBird (물새) Club. I am a WaterBird. After all my years of swimming I've been a Splash, (I swear, that was our name - check the sweatshirt) a Marlin, a Scarlet, a Manta, and a Phoenix. Now, in the next chapter of my swimming life destiny had called me to be: a WaterBird. And WaterBird I shall be. (I might add that this name generated a variety of jokes among my friends last weekend, the most popular one being 'when are you going to swim with your flock again?')
Unfortunately, Monday I didn't fly south (Sokhom's joke) with the birds due to not feeling that well - the change in the seasons as well as 'yellow dust' from China (true story - the wind blows from the west) tends to create sinus pressure and congestion, so I'm taking it easy this week. I'll flap my wings again tomorrow night.
I hope you all have a wonderful Easter weekend and that you get to enjoy some time at home with your families and friends. I'll be missing mine but at least this year will beat last year's Easter, when I stayed in Green Bay and spent the entire weekend writing a final paper on the 20th century Japanese invasion of Korea. Actually, the year before I did the same thing on Easter weekend...except the paper was about the ancient Roman occupation in Spain. Somehow I associate Easter with history these days - maybe I'll have to go to a museum or something on Sunday just to keep the tradition going. Happy Easter weekend everyone, and remember to think warm spring thoughts to melt all that snow!
P.S. I bet you thought my title was about spring.
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