My collection of columns, interesting news pieces and views on anything and everything. I also blog about my adventures as an EFL teacher in South Korea. Thanks for visiting, and please don't leave without leaving a message for me *^^*
I can't log into Blogger from my work computer, so I wrote this as a Facebook note. I've just copied & pasted it here. I'll probably blog about it again. -------------------------------------- Friday, July 17 2009 - 8:40am
I've just arrived at work.
I saw something disturbing a few minutes ago. Walking to work, as I turned a corner I heard a child crying. I didn't expect to see what I did. A girl (maybe 10 years old) was standing naked, holding a paper with a message on it. Who I assume was her mother was standing next to her, arms folded, giving her a death stare. My instant reaction was that I had to take a photo (to ask my Korean friends what the paper read) and - SURELY, what I saw was wrong.
But I couldn't pull out my green neon camera and snap this weeping child - who was standing naked in the street. Naked. Crying.
I walked on, but turned to look back over my shoulder a couple of times. So many people walking towards her were slowing down and mothers walking their children to school had a confusing look on their face.
I arrived at school, and told one of my co-teachers (Mr Oh) what I'd seen. "Maybe she's being punished?" he said. "But isn't that illegal?" I asked. It is.
I just told another friend at school about it, and she told me that she'd heard about it. The paper read:
"I am a liar"
What do you think? I'm really disturbed by this.
Update: 9:45am
I told my other co-teacher about this. She was very upset to hear this. She said that it constitutes as child abuse. And she just shook her head in disappointment saying, "That girl will NEVER forget today for the rest of her life."
I honestly don't know if the girl is one of my student's. I couldn't bear to look at her face. It is very likely that she is a student at our school, since this happened just around the corner from the school. Apparently, no one can question or confront the parent, but if necessary - it can be exposed in the media. I know of other teacher's who walk that route in the morning and will ask them if they saw it.
But - so far no one has reacted as it being 'normal' or acceptable.
* This blog post wasn't written to inform or entertain anyone - merely just for me to write.
It's my blog & I'll blog how I want to. Read it. Don't read it. Your choice :)
This is what my week has been like:
5:50am - Wake up! (to my friendly wake up bell on my phone: "Gooood Mooorning!")
It's nearly 11pm in South Africa (previous day) and my brother has sometimes been online. He's been having late nights practicing for the finals coming up this Saturday. We talk for about 20 minutes. I also check my e-mails, Facebook messages and Twitter updates.
6:30am - Start getting ready for work (shower etc...)
One of the most frustrating things for me is picking out what to wear for the day. I base my decision on various things: What's the weather like? What's my day holding? Am I going out after work? What's my mood like? I'm more likely to dress up in bright colours when I'm cheerful. If I'm feeling dim, the colours I choose reflect that.
7:15am - Mix a protein shake
I don't have a big breakfast. I either have a protein shake or just cereal. If I'm really rushing, I'd buy a gim-bap (rice & veggies rolled in seaweed) on my way to work. I always have the radio on, tuned into EBS - an English Learning Station. Each show is 20 mins long. It works well as I use it as a time marker. I have to be done with XYZ before the next show begins, else I'll run late.
Usually I'd also sit at the table and read a couple of pages of a book I'm into. Otherwise, Tweet a bit from my iPod Touch.
7:35am - Start getting dressed
On some days, my apartment looks like a bomb exploded. If I put something on, and it's just not feeling right, or if *I'm* just not feeling it, I'll quickly have to change into something else. When I'm satisfied, it's time for make-up.
Anyone who wears make-up will know that applying it is somewhat like art. I begin with a spray/cream for blemishes which is like a treatment. Then moisturizer. Next - SUNBLOCK (BB Cream included). Foundation. Setting Powder. Wipe off excess. Shimmering power on the cheeks. If I'm in the mood, a bit of eye-shadow, blending it into the arch of my eyebrow. Then - eyeliner. (I use the screw crayon type). First on the eye-lid, and then under the eye.
I make sure I've taken my tablets for the day before applying lipstick.
My hair doesn't take all that long. I merely clip it up and just "GHD" the fringe. Some days I just clip it back. 2 reasons why I haven't been wearing my hair down these days:
1 - My recent haircut & colour was a disaster story on its own 2 - The heat & humidy will make it stand up like a witch
Am I good to go yet? Nope - have to make sure that my kitchen sink is clean and dishes-free.
"If your sink is clean, the whole kitchen looks clean"
- My mum :)
8:00 / 8:10am - Leave the apartment
Sometimes I have to run a few errands on way to work - stop at the ATM, the store, bakery - whatever.
8:15 / 8:25am - Arrive at school
Once I'm up on the 5th floor in the English class, I open all the windows welcoming the fresh air. I turn the aircon on in the office AND the fan and sit with my face in front of it to ensure that my make-up which isn't even an hour old doesn't stream down my face with the perspiration from walking in the sun.
8:40 - 9:00am - Prepare for class
Sometimes, if I'm already prepared then I'm downstairs in the teachers room talking about nothing in particular.
09:00 - 12:00pm - Teaching
4 classes. 10 minute break in between. During these breaks, I run to the office to cool off and check any important messages from the school messenger.
12:10pm - Lunch Time
I don't always go down for lunch. If I do, I eat quickly and have to get back to the class in case I'm tutoring a student during the lunch hour. If I don't go down, I have my MP3 player on (this week I've been listening to PITBULL and my brother's mix - DJ DAMAGE) while I catch up on paper work or lesson planning.
1:00 - 2:30pm - Teaching
After the last class, I've had about 5-10 minutes to get ready for my after school class.
2:50pm - After School Class
I really like the group of kids I'm teaching this term. There are only 10 of them (6 boys & 4 girls). The boys are not shy and have such cool characters. 2 5th grade boys are slower than the others so they stay MUCH longer. I've been finishing the after school class at 4pm!
4:00pm - Head to the air-conned office
I have to mark student's work and do any other paper work that my co-teacher/manager has asked me to do.
4:40pm - Home Time
This means nothing to me, really. If I need to still work, I'll stay and finish. Otherwise, I'm outta there. To get home, I have to walk through the bustling market place, greeting vendors and shopkeepers standing outside their stores. Occasionally - actually, very often - I see some of my students and they want to walk me home. Maybe I'd stop to pick up some groceries if I have to. Nothing exciting.
5:15pm - Arrive Home
I've been good with gym, except for this week (with good reason. The first thing I do when I arrive home is turn the aircon and radio on. This week since I've not been to gym, I can't wait to get out of my work clothes and wash the day off my body. I'd either make something to eat or get maybe I've picked up something on my way home from work.
6:00pm - Eat
I'm usually watching something when eating (these days it's THE COSBY SHOW). Also, whatever I've eaten has been something pretty light. I zip through e-mails and settle down to relax. For the past few days I've been falling asleep around 7:00pm. I've just been way too tired to keep my eyes open.
8:00pm - Oprah
I wait for the Queen of Talk to come on. If it's an interesting topic, I'd watch. If not, I read or fall asleep. After Oprah, maybe I'd watch TYRA. Otherwise, I've been catching up with my family in SA.
1:30am - Time to disconnect.
I log off and watch another episode of The Cosby Show.
2:00am
Fall asleep for 4 hours and then it's back to it all again.
I've been behind on my e-mails for the past few weeks. E-mails to family have gone down to one liners and sometimes even just talking through keywords.
Also, I'm talking less. Observing more. It's just the way it is at the moment. End.
At the end of my last class before lunch today, one of my 6th grade students came to my office and gave me a little white box and said, "Teacher - this is for you". Sweet, right?! My students are always giving me candy, so that's what I thought it was. Till I opened it and found a necklace inside (pic above).
Now remember I teach over 1,000 students per week! Yeah, I know some of their names, but I usually have to double check with their homeroom teachers if I forget. Anyways, I couldn't remember her name. I quickly scanned some photo's I've taken at school and FOUND the girl in a pic I'd taken at Sports Day! I circled her face and sent the pic to her homeroom teacher.
She is Yoo, Se-yeon - one of the more quieter students I teach. I was touched :)
A few weeks ago on my way home, I stopped at a hair shop (hair salon) to have my fringe trimmed. I never have to wait, and I quite like how the lady cuts it. It costs just 2,000 Won - approximately R14.
The last time I visited a hairdresser was in April when I was in South Africa. I've already blogged about what a disaster that was. I went into a mild/mini depression for the following 3 days (my family may argue that it was longer). Why was I so unhappy? It wasn't the cut I'd asked for, and I was given golden streaks - something I still shudder about when I think back to it. I had another dark colour over it to cover it up, but by now it's nearly all washed out and my hair is looking pretty light in colour. Light hair against my skin tone is not a look I like at all.
When I asked the lady to just trim my fringe like she always does, she pulled her face and asked where I'd cut my hair. I wanted to get out of there as quickly as I could. In my broken Korean I told her I'd had it cut when I was in South Africa. She said I should go back to her after it had grown out a bit. Little did she know that I am counting the days till I get home to have it treated, trimmed to a decent length and something that *I* approve of!
As I've blogged before, it's monsoon season here in Korea. The humidity is disgustingly sticky. And as always, under such weather conditions, my hair doesn't know how to behave! It's really easy and convenient for me to just tie / clip it up everyday. I hate having hair dangling in my eyes - nothing is more annoying.
The drama of my hair continues... till further notice!
Beyonce's "Single Ladies" was hot over Christmas 2008.
This is a pic from a big screen somewhere in Singapore
A few months ago I was in Myeong-dong, my favourite area in Seoul. While walking to the subway station there was a lot of activity in front of one of the department stores. They often have amateur groups performing to pop music (Korean & English). The day that I was there, they were dancing to Beyonce's "Single Ladies".
One of my favourite writer's (Barbara Hollands) interviewed my favourite DJ (DJ Damage). The article ran in The Weekend Post ~
It just so happens that this DJ is also my brother :) By now, y'all know that I'm probably his biggest fan. And while I may be biased, I can confidently say - damn ... this guy can make anyone jump up and move! He's almost on his way to Gauteng where he will take part in the final round of the national DJ competition, THE NEXT BIG THING. He'll be representing the Eastern Cape ~!! Wooohooo!
I am *so* proud of how far he's come. I know how much this means to him and if anyone knows the passion he has about this, trust me ... it's ME!
The Grand Finale will be LIVE on Saturday, July 18 2009 @ 10pm on Channel O & SABC 1
*Viewers and fans will be able to text their vote that night*
Damage beats his way to stardom 2009/07/14 Barbara Hollands EAST LONDON CORRESPONDENT
HANDS ON DECK: East London‘s Darmesh Makhan, also known as DJ Damage, is the only Eastern Cape contestant to make it into the finals of television talent contest The Next Big Thing.
A YOUNG Eastern Cape man with a passion for mixing music has been chosen to represent the province in a national DJ competition which will be televised live next Saturday night.
Darmesh Makhan, 22, who goes by the name DJ Damage, is the only Eastern Cape entrant to reach the finals of The Next Big Thing, an annual competition run by Channel O and SABC1.
Describing the competition as an “Idols for DJs”, Makhan said his unique music mixes were a hit with viewers who voted him into the final stage of the competition.
“I think I‘m different from the other four finalists who are from Gauteng, the Western Cape and KZN because they play mostly house music and I play everything from old-school stuff like Greased Lightning to the latest hip-hop.
Makhan matriculated at Selborne College before joining his father‘s media company where he works as a layout artist.
His interest in DJ-ing was aroused when he saw hot South African DJ Ready D on television‘s Phat Joe Show.
“I was just 16 but when I saw Ready D and what he was doing to the crowd, I knew that was what I wanted to do. I started building up my music collection. My school friends nicknamed me DJ Damage and I decided to roll with that name.”
On his eighteenth birthday, his parents gave him his first pair of decks and the young DJ started teaching himself the skills of mixing music from his Braelyn home.
Now DJ Damage, who regularly amps up the atmosphere at Numbers Dance Club and corporate gigs around East London, is becoming a household name nationally. He often sends mixes to the Fresh Drive on 5fm, which are played on the Ultimix at 6 and also has residency on the Friday Night Fix on the same station on most Friday nights.
Last year his father encouraged him to enter The Next Big Thing competition, but he only made it to the semi-finals. This time around, DJ Damage is hell-bent on winning.
“I just had to try again, so I sent a 12-minute mix and when I made the semi-finals they flew me to Jo‘burg and we were televised live. It was nerve-racking, especially when they told me just before that a million people were watching, but after a while I just ignored the cameras.”
He was “speechless” when he was called live on air to be told he was one of five DJs through to the finals and is now busy mixing an earth-shattering 14-minute set for the finals next week which will be broadcast at 10pm.
If he wins, he will enjoy a seven-day working cruise to the Seychelles where he will play at a variety of nightclubs, a recording contract and a state-of-the-art DJ rig.
“I want to bring this home to the Eastern Cape to show there is talent in small cities.
“People ask me if I‘m not intimidated by the Jo‘burg and Cape Town guys, but I tell them they are the ones who should be scared of the small town guys.”
Today it poured. When I walked to work, it wasn't raining very hard but I still got wet. It rained throughout the day. And then I thought - sh*t - I left my window SLIGHTLY open this morning, but had the net blind pulled down. Was I going to go home in 5 hours time to a windowsill-turned mini river? A few days ago, this happened and when I got home, the rain was so hard it came and wet everything near my window - including a copy of the Bhagawad Gita that I brought back from my trip to South Africa in April. The copy had expanded double its size because of the dampness. I felt awful :(
There were even messages on the school system to take care and watch out for leaks in the classrooms. The vice-principal also walked around the school checking for any damages etc... some of the windows outside the English classroom (in the corridor) were a bit open and the floors were wet.
I needed to do some shopping on my way home, but didn't - was not in the mood to carry rain in my grocery packets! It can wait till tomorrow.
Anyways, I was so relieved to come home and find that the rain hadn't come in through the SMALL opening of my window / net blinds. Around 7pm, the rain was still beating against my window - love this weather, but only when I'm at home and dry. My heart goes out to those without shelter during weather conditions like today :(
I'm getting back into my writing, and very often I am inspired to write when I'm out and about or while traveling. My iPod Touch is too small to type long entries, and of course my laptop is far too bulky too lug around anywhere. So I decided to invest in a little netbook. Y'all know how I love gadgets, and when I asked around about this, and spoke to a friend in the US (Vish - who has one), I was convinced that it was just what I needed.
I decided on an Asus model, who were the first to actually come up with the concept of netbooks. The 1008Ha is the latest model and comes in black, white and pink. Every single review complained that the glossy black was prone to fingerprint stains. I couldn't think of having a pink cover, so I settle for the white - which makes it look like a Mac, right?
The design is said to be inspired by nature, and so the 1008Ha is also known as the Seashell as the machine's shape is similar to it. It is said to have a 6+hour battery life - which is perfect for me. It arrived on Friday, and I was so excited! I love getting new electronics :-)
I really like the design and feel of it. It's lightweight and fairly easy to type on. I'm currently using Windows XP (Korean) on it, but am going to have my IT guy install the English version for me tomorrow, along with MS Office and an Anti-virus program as it's not included.
As you can see, the keys are pretty flat looking, and one has to get used to the Pg Up/Pg Dn key on the bottom right of the keyboard. If working on a surface, it's best to use a mouse (included in the package), as browsing and using the mousepad can be a bit trickey. Web pages can be enlarged or shrunk by either 'stretching' or 'pinching' the mousepad (as seen in the pic below).
In the left corner, there's also a button to turn on / off WiFi. The power button is simply in the top right hand corner. There are two USB Ports (external hard-drive/mouse)? One of the common features of this model is that it has a power-saving mode. Also included in the box is a micro-fibre cleaning cloth.
I'm ever so thankful that I have a reliable IT guy in my life over here. Trust me, if I were him, I'd block all calls from ME~! But he never fails to deliver and helps me out with virtually anything I need. He's just awesome!
This is my 5th Grade student, Ahn Seong-mi. She's in my after school English class. She's started writing daily journals and asks me to read it through and correct it for her. Last week, she wrote about me... :)
On Thursday, July 9 - when it was raining so heavily, I had to have a double after school English class. Thursdays are my most tiring days (cause of Kindergarten), and I knew that my 10 students were going to tell me they were hungry. So ... I ordered pizza and Cola for them. We were in the middle of the chapter when the delivery guy dropped the pizza off, and I told the kids it was for the other English teachers.
The smell was driving them crazy and they were singing "Pizza Pizza Pizza" to the tune of "Mama Mia"'s "Money Money Money"! Needless to say, they were super happy and co-operated well when we had to move on to the next chapter :)
This is Joo-hyeon. The pic on the left is from last year when she was in Grade 2. The one on the right is a recent pic of her in Grade 3. She's cute...! But green hair? I don't know....
Meet one of my favourite 6th Graders, Jin-hyeok. The rest of the kids call him Potato Head. He's really good at English and understands a LOT of what I say to him. I told him the other day that I'm going to request to his homeroom teacher not to allow him to graduate and go to middle school next year, cause I'm going to miss him too much!
Seong-min is in 5th Grade. He is SO sweet, but battles to grasp content quickly. He writes soooo slowly! I've asked him to come to the English office during the lunch hour so I can help him catch up with the rest of the after school class students. What I love about him is that he never gives up, and is so polite. Good kid!
I've often said that Thursdays are to ME what Mondays are to the rest of the world - why? I teacher Kindergarten at 2pm. OMG - they suck all known energy out of every single pore of my body. However, one student who I LOVE and wish I can keep as a souvenir is this little girl. How precious is she?!
It's monsoon season here in Korea. It's terribly humid :( On Thursday, July 9 2009 it rained SO hard. I was so bleak because both my umbrella's were at work. I had one that was half broken at home. I got pretty wet walking to walk - rain water in shoes? Strange sensation!
On Tuesday, July 7 2009 I went to see Mama Mia! (The Musical) I went with Joo-hyeon & Gi-han. We left after school, and trekked to Insa-dong. I had to stop there first to return some things I'd bought a few days before. We had something to eat at Subway, and took a cab to the theater.
The Theater
We had great seats. The show started with a medley of the show's songs.
I haven't seen the English musical, just the movie - but the storyline was basically the same. Of course, the film was an adaption of the broadway musical. Joo-hyeon and I both agreed that the star of the show was the actress who played the role of Donna (played by Meryl Streep in the film). She was so charming and elegant and was arguably the best singer from the cast.
Scene from "Money, Money, Money!"
For me, the climax of the show was the track, "Voulez-Vous". Of course, I don't understand Korean fluently, but from what I do understand, the songs were a direct translation of the English versions. It was a bit amusing, however - to hear only Korean singing and then suddenly in the chorus, they'd break into English for some words like, "Honey, Honey", "Money, Money, Money", "Mama Mia!", "Chiquitita", "Super Trouper" and "Gimme, Gimme, Gimme"
Scene from "Honey, Honey!"
The actors were all fantastic - I think the audience appreciated a bit of skin-showing of Sky's character on the scene with him & Sophie on the beach. There were also a few saucy kissing scenes, which was surprising for a Korean version - who one assumes may be a bit conservative in that regard.
Scene from "Lay all your love on me"
The costumes were glitzy and tied in well with the racy tracks and awesome dancing. When the show was over, I left the theater feeling so fuelled up by the performance.
What an amazing show - I'm so pleased I can say that I've seen one of the most famous musicals (in Korean!)
On Saturday, July 4 I was on the subway to Insa-dong to meet Amy. Suddenly, it started pouring with rain. It was coming down hard! When I left home just 45 minutes before, the sun was scorching, with no indication of rain. So I didn't have my umbrella with me. I was a few stops away from Seoul Station. I thought I had 2 options:
1) Get off at Seoul Station and take a cab to Insa-dong (get wet walking from station to cab)
2) Go straight to Insa-dong (get wet walking from station to meeting place)
When I ride the subway, I almost never sit - unless it's late at night and my feet are sore (and there are enough available seats - which is very rare). I usually stand at the door, so I can get a few seconds of fresh air at each stop.
A couple of stops before Seoul Station, 2 guys walked in from the door where I was standing. One was Asian, the other - white. [I mention this because I later find out that one is a Korean-American] They stood near me, and were talking about trivial things. I always mind my own business on the subway, either lost in my thoughts or whatever song is blasting in my ear through my MP3 player.
I honestly don't know what made me turn around and ask them: "Are you teachers?" The one guy (Asian) said they were and asked if I was too. The other guy asked where I was headed and I said that I was still trying to decide which stop to jump off at - to avoid the rain. He made some silly comment saying that I could have another shower if I got stuck in the rain, and that I should follow him to go to where I wanted to. He made a few weak attempts of really silly small talk.
Thankfully, he was getting off at Seoul Station. I decided not to.
The other guy was getting off at the next stop - in about 1.5 minutes. Within the approximate 90 seconds, we had a quick conversation asking questions that most foreigners ask each other when meeting for the first time.
He lives in Siheung. That's where I live! (No one really knows about this city, even Koreans themselves!) He works in Bucheon. That's where I hang out! When I asked where in Siheung he lives, I was amazed that he lives in the same area as me! He's Korean-American - he was born in Siheung, but was brought up in the States. Just before he got off at his stop, we quickly exchanged numbers.
We agreed to meet for a drink or something - after all, it's rare meeting English-speaking people in my area.
Anyways... Fast forward 5 hours.
I was on the subway headed home after spending time with Amy & Anne.
As usual, I was standing at the door watching Seoul's skyline whizz past me while I was listening to my MP3. Without thinking, I just glanced over my shoulder and looked straight into the face of the guy I'd met earlier (the one who got off at Seoul Station).
What are the chances of being on the SAME train as someone you'd randomly met earlier that day?
"Did you have a good day?" he asked me. He looked like one of those people who don't blink, and who have a permanent non-movable smile pasted on their face. Hmmmm..
"Yeah...thanks" I tried to turn around again. There were a few people standing between us and he had raised his voice to speak to me.
I felt obliged to ask him the same thing.
"Did you?" I was hoping he wouldn't want to strike up a conversation - for various reasons. He had these beady eyes and something in my gut told me this isn't someone I'd strike up any kind of relationship with.
He pushed through the people between us and came to stand next to me. So there was no need to speak loudly, but he did. He went on to talk about what he did during the afternoon, playing tennis with his friends. I just nodded politely.
"Where are you from, again?" he asked.
"South Africa"
Obliged to reciprocate the question... "And you?" I asked.
"Iowa" he said, as if it's a country on it's own. (Note: the other guy I met earlier said "I'm from the States - New Jersey" Why Americans bother to say where they're from by just telling me their State is really beyond me. As IF America is the WORLD.
He didn't stop talking.
"Oh! Are you going home for the Olympics next year?"
"Olympics?" "Yeah"
"You mean the soccer World Cup?" "Same thing, right?"
OhMyGod.
A few seconds silence. Ok, maybe he got the hint that I don't really wanna talk. By this time he'd attracted a few stares from Koreans near us. Also, there was another foreigner on the same train - he looked very sunburned - the kind of red that is painful!
The guy trying to talk to me blurted out, "Woah - "someone's" really burned" - rolling his eyes over to the other man. Couldn't he at least lower his voice? Couldn't I move? How many stops till I get off?
He went on to tell me that he was meeting a friend later that evening. A Filipino woman - a factory worker he'd met online. He went on to talk about some things unique to Korea. And I don't know HOW, but there was a mention of "Love Motels" - basically the name is self-explanatory.Couples (married/unmarried) go to these motels for well...you-know-what.
All the while I was just nodding, and avoiding eye contact, occasionally glancing at the map above the door - why did my stop seem so far away?!
So he made a mention of "Love Motel" (I can't remember in what context), but I just said "Yeah, I know". The man turned his head to the side, looked at me from the corner of his eyes, flashed this cheesy grin at me, and touched my leg with his tennis raquet and said, "Eyyyy - How do YOU know about Love Motels?"
*Puke*
Ok I was one stop away from where I was getting off.
Finally, we arrived and I said, "Ok - have a good evening ... good bye!"
Last week, I met 2 friends (Amy & Anne) who were in Korea for the weekend from Japan. Anne & I were at high school together, and Amy & I studied Journalism & Anthropology together. They've been in Japan for the past couple of years and I was really looking forward to their visit, as I hadn't seen them for about 3 years.
I missioned out to Seoul on Saturday afternoon and met Amy and some of her friends in Insa-dong. We had lunch together, and then the two of us went to Seoul Station where we were going to meet Anne - who had just arrived from Japan. The three of us spent a short time catching up at Dunkin' Donuts at Seoul Station. It was really good to see 'old' faces again :0)
Back in 2007, other friends from university who were living in Japan (Verge and Taryn) also came to Korea. We met and spent an afternoon together in Myeong-dong. How small the world has become that we can meet old friends virtually anywhere in the world!
I haven't blogged for a while for a various reasons. I've been incredibly busy at work. It's the end of the term and I've been loaded with doing speaking tests with ALL the students - Grade 3, 4, 5, and 6. There are approximately 6 to 8 classes in each grade with about 36 students in each class - you do the math! It has been tiring, frustrating and stressful - trying to get all students tested within the 40 minute class period.
On Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays after school, low-level students come to the English class to work from special workbooks that my co-teachers compiled. Basic things like writing the alphabet to learning easy vocabulary. This can take up to 2 hours because there are students wanting me from all directions - "Seon-sang-nim...i-ge boy-yo?" ("Teacher, What's this?") After that's done, it's nearly home time and I can't wait to rush home, change for gym and work out for an hour after that.
I get home, showered and comfortable around 7:30pm. By this time I'm usually lying on my bed channel-surfing or reading. The last thing I want to do is be sitting at my desk in front of my laptop. But I have a new toy that allows me to blog from anywhere now - more on that in a later post!
Yesterday morning, (Saturday, June 27 2009) my friend Angelina invited me to a baseball game. I wasn't really in the mood to go, so I declined. But I thought about it, and I hadn't been out to have fun in quite some time. My days have just been work - gym - home, and on week-ends I catch up on sleep. So I called her back and said I'd go.
It was my first time to go to a baseball game. Even though I didn't know the rules of the game, it was awesome being there caught up in the excitement and action. I've never been to live sports, and don't really follow anything in particular, but I had such a good time at the baseball game, that I think I'll definitely do it again some time~!
The electrician came over to the English office on Friday afternoon (June 26), and this is his little daughter. She was so cute. She gave me 2 of her candies (which I gave back to her) and I gave her one from my bag.
She ran into the office to where her dad was and started to cry ... and cry...and HOWL!
She didn't stop. I felt so bad, that I thougth maybe I should leave!
But her dad took her outside, and she was fine after about 10 minutes. OMG...!
This is the THIRD week I'll be doing speaking tests with my students. As you can imagine, my patience is wearing out. Yours would too, if you taught Grade 3, 4, 5 and 6 (and Kindergarten). That's just over 1000 students a week!
Anyways, these two kids (3rd Graders) are really cute - dontcha think?!
The students have a Step & Jump (Gyeonggi English Program) speaking test this coming week. In preparation for it, I did this for them.
I had to make (cut/paste/white out/print), copy, staple & punch holes into 260 worksheets for the 6th Graders on Friday, June 26 - while I was doing speaking tests with the 4th Graders. Did it all before lunch time :) Phew...
I was multi-tasking like crazy on Friday, but got it all done. Now - the question is ... when I see them tomorrow morning (Monday), will they have done the homework? They better have, or ELSE!
What a sad day indeed. Hollywood actress, Farah Fawcett also lost her life after battling with anal cancer. Won't post any news stories on here as it's all over the 'net anyway.
Michael Jackson is no more - a sad day for the world
Pic taken from Google Images
When I woke up this morning at 6am, the media and online community were in a complete frenzy. Michael Jackson - who needs no introduction whatsoever, went into cardiac arrest and was taken to hospital.
I was checking the news every few minutes for updates on the situation. While I was getting ready for work, I read that MJ was reportedly dead. ("Reportedly"?) The next update was that the superstar was just in a coma. Ok. Brief sigh of relief.
Till the next update -
Michael Jackson dead at 50
I wasn't a die-hard fan of MJ, but the man definitely was the King of Pop. Sure, he faced an enormous amount of grief during his life, but underneath all that - he was legendary. No one can dispute that.
Throughout the day, I was reading news snippets and messages of condolences from fans all around the world. I felt heartsore reading it. And I thought that's it's truly amazing how ONE person can affect the entire world. How amazing it is that we all feel connected to him in some way or another.
As 5FM radio personality, Sasha Martinengo said, "Perhaps I now understand how people felt when Elvis Presley died." I completely agree.
I think back to other icons who lost their lives during my lifetime - Princess Diana / Mother Teresa. The world literally came to a standstill. Sadly, to this day Princess Di is still being hounded by the press about her death and events leading up to it.
I didn't expect to feel so affected like this. But I am. I was really occupied at work today, but I wasn't myself and felt hazy.
I'm at home now, and didn't go to the gym. I know that if I go, my mind wouldn't be focused on my exercise.
Also, there's no one around me here who will be able to empathize. Last month the former president of South Korea committed suicide. The entire country was in mourning. Of course, I couldn't really understand the deapth of sadness that my Korean colleagues felt. The same can be said for the feelings of today.
Anyways, I won't bother posting news stories on my blog. Every single news site is headlining MJ's death as breaking news. If he wasn't considered as one of the best selling artists on the PLANET, would his death be "breaking news"?
Naturally, the Jackson family will be zoomed in by the entire world. Apart from being a top entertainer with a career spanning 4 decades, he is/was just a human being - with parents and siblings. And if anything, we should respect their privacy and allow them to grieve in peace.
I did speaking tests all day with the 3rd Graders today. Taught Kindergarten at the end of the day. OMG! The kids are *really* naughty.
Had to stay a bit after work ended to prepare some worksheets. Walking home, I met one of my 6th grade students. I stopped to buy a snack and bought for her as well. The lady behind the counter asked if I was her mother! LOL.
Anyways I'm falling asleep typing this. Have to hit the sack.
The gym is a noisy place - with the music blaring and the TV volume really high. I don't even both concentrating on anything on TV when I'm on the treadmill, cause you can barely hear it anyway. I usually just get lost in my own music - with my MP3 player.
But yesterday I did something I wish I did a long time ago - connect my earphones to the TV in front of my treadmill! I had the Discovery Channel on and watched a documentary about Dubai. Time passed really quickly ~!
Today was a bit boring though, a few people trying to survive in harsh conditions in Alaska - almost like a Survivor. Why would they risk their lives like that?
Jin-young & I worked together in 2007. We both started at the school around the same time. We became good friends, but in 2008 she became a 2nd Grade homeroom teacher and I saw much less of her. Jin got married on Saturday, June 6 2009. I couldn't attend the wedding, but she sent me these photographs ~!
I had to pull this from my archives. Back in 2007 (July 14), Mafikizolo made an appearance in lil' ol' East London. I had my old Canon camera back then, so pic quality isn't good, and neither is the video (and pretty short clip, too). BUT - just to say that I've seen them live :0) Woooo!
It's getting warmer everyday, but luckily I'm at school during the day so don't feel the extreme heat outside. Only when I'm out walking to & from school.
I had speaking tests with 5th Graders today. It was also the last day for my after school class. The new class will begin next week - new students.
Spent an extra 30mins @ the gym today. (Pushed 20 mins with cycling today!)
Don't really feel like being online right now. So going to bed. Maybe read... Good night xxx
I don't often say this, but today I'm missing South Africa. I was looking through some photo's of the gorgeous landscape and beaches - wow!
For the past few days, I've been listening to Mafikizolo (love their music). Perhaps I'm feeling this way since last week when I saw Ladysmith Black Mambazo in concert in Seoul. It was really awesome feeling the SA vibe for the night.
Back to Mafikizolo...Of course, I don't understand the lyrics, but they say music is an international language. And I'm loving watching the music video's... their moves are so smooth :)
When people ask me what my favourite genre of music is, I don't know what to say. I like everything from classical to kwaito, hip hop to house to Bollywood to K-Pop (Korean).
Logging onto SA news websites can be real depressing, reading headlines that are only about murder, strikes, corruption and so on.
Since living in Korea, I haven't missed having to watch over my shoulder or making sure that gates and doors are locked. But I have missed the colours and energy of the country. Something that is unique and Proudly South African. And certainly, something I don't think my Korean counterparts will be able to relate to or appreciate.
My first class this morning was 6-5. They were so quiet and seemed lethargic. They told me that they don't like Monday mornings.
So I tried psyching them up by saying that I love Mondays cause then I get to see them.
Started the new chapter - 'What will you do this summer?'
Nothing too eventful happening at school except that some teachers shoes have gone missing from the shoe closet ... In Korea we have special shoes that we wear inside the school building. The latest victim is the school principal.
Hit the gym after work and came home and relaxed.
Busy reading ''Marrying Anita" by Anita Jain at the moment.
Posted by Sheetal ::
8:57 PM ::
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The w'end came and went. It was rainy. I was lazy. I tried reading (Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert) but kept falling asleep. Not because it was boring, but because it was hot and I felt tired.
I was quite chuffed with myself on Friday night. Met a friend for a light dinner/snack and got home at 8:30pm. For some strange & unknown reason, I felt like working out. So I did :) My gym closes at 00:00 on week-days and at 20:00 on Saturdays.
I have learnt that when you feel like working out, DO IT!!!
Saturday afternoon, it was raining and I hit the gym again. Felt great :)
I wanted to blog and write a few articles, but just couldn't get to it. However, the creative juices only started flowing on Sunday night @ 10pm. About to call it a night now, though...
On Wednesday evening (June 16), I was sitting at the LG Arts Centre in the heart of Seoul. But I wasn't really there! For about two hours, I was in South Africa. How did I get there? By the amazing vocals of Ladysmith Black Mambazo.
Performing for the first time in South Korea, this male choral group blew the audience away from the moment they appeared on stage.
Ladysmith Black Mambazo is a South African music group which was formed by Joseph Shabalala in the 1960’s in Ladysmith, KwaZulu-Natal. At the time, Shabalala hoped to give a new meaning to traditional Zulu music. Since their inception, the group has represented the traditional culture of South Africa and are said to be the country’s cultural ambassadors the world over.
The name of the group is quite interesting, but what does it mean? Shabalala chose the name Ladysmith (the name of the Zulu farming village where he lived), Black (to represent the black oxen that are regarded as the strongest oxen on the farm) and Mambazo (from the Zulu word for “axe” to symbolize the group’s ability to cut down the competition).
The world got to know about the group from their 1986 collaboration with American singer-songwriter, Paul Simon on his Grammy Award-winning album, Graceland. This was one of the best-selling albums of the 1980s. In 1987, Ladysmith Black Mambazo won a Grammy in the Best Traditional Folk Recording Category for the album, Shaka Zulu.
Ladysmith Black Mambazo is influenced by Zulu and Christian choral traditions. The clicking sounds, ululations and foot stamping gave me goose bumps. It all felt so familiar to me. I was born in South Africa and grew up listening to a variety of music. As I’ve grown older, I’ve come to appreciate more traditional and harmonic tunes as opposed to the ‘doof doof, boom boom’ noise we are bombarded with these days.
The member’s gave a brief introduction of their songs before singing, and I was curious if Joo-hyeon, my Korean friend sitting next to me understood their thick South African accent. While the group was taking a breather backstage, one of the singers was entertaining the audience with banter and jokes. He jokingly invited the audience to South Africa next year for the Soccer World Cup, saying that everyone could stay at his house, but on one condition: that everyone brings their own sleeping bags and prepares their own meals!
At one point, he also tried teaching part of a song to the audience. I had to double check with Joo-hyeon that she understood when he said “Let’s lenn the wedds!” in a South African accent. Translation? “Let’s learn the words!”
Those with background knowledge of South Africa will be familiar with the hardship and segregation that my country has experienced in the past. Many of the groups’ songs emanate from tales of racism and freedom. One of their more popular tracks, “Homeless” is haunting and gives the listener a perfect mental image of being homeless and sleeping under the moonlight.
Their dance style is also impressive and very rhythmical. Their moves are smooth and relaxed, yet fast-paced. At one point, it almost made one wonder if they had some Tae-Kwon-Do training before their performance? Just kidding…
Ladysmith Black Mambazo is constantly traveling and performing on stages all over the world. No wonder they look so comfortable under the spotlight. It is evident that they sing with passion and love. There’s a lovely expression, “Words that come from the heart enter the heart”, and I suppose the same can be said for artists and the songs they sing.
“I feel like I’m in a forest somewhere in Africa, with animals around me,” whispered Joo-hyeon in my ear. I answered her by saying, “That’s the beauty of their music!” Their gentle voices allow the lyrics to transport audiences to different locations – whether it be on a mountaintop or in a township somewhere in Johannesburg.
There was a row of African people about three rows behind us (I am not sure if they were South African), but they were ululating. I felt happy hearing these familiar sounds as I knew it indicated their appreciation for the performance. Joo-hyeon, on the other hand thought it was a bit creepy and she told me that it reminded her of a Korean funeral!
The group has recorded with a number of international artists besides Paul Simon, including Stevie Wonder, Josh Groban, Dolly Parton and The Coors. They continue to travel the world and are currently on tour wowing audiences from Asia to Europe to America.
I didn’t expect to feel the way I felt when listening to the sounds of my country, South Africa. For the past two years, I’ve succumbed to listening to the likes of Big Bang and other K-Pop groups. But for one night, it felt like ‘home’ was here right in Korea. It felt warm, comforting and magical. To be honest I doubt I’d have made an effort to attend a local concert if I was in South Africa. But to know how popular this group is and how they’ve spread the colourful cultures of South Africa around the world makes me beam with pride.
I had speaking tests with 3rd graders today. My co-teacher thinks I must be very tired, but *secretly* I'm so happy that I'M doing the tests. I had such a stressful few days with my 2 in 1 day demo classes.
Teaching is physically tiring, but with the speaking tests, the students come to me individually in the office, I show them a few sentences in Korean and they have to say the English of it. Not too bad at all... :)
Tomorrow I'm testing 4th graders. Kindergarten class today was a headache as always. OMG... when the bell rings, I can't *wait* to escape~!
Felt so sleepy during my after school class. Don't know how I dragged myself home. I stopped at the hairdresser to trim my fringe (AKA "front hair" by Koreans), and she looked at my hair with a very questionable look and asked me who cut my hair. Clearly it's not good.
I simply can't wait for my hair to grow so that I can have it cut into a PROPER style and not some 'style' that makes me feel like a guinea pig of an experiment gone wrong. During the week I am really busy, so I have no time to fancy my hair up. So usually I just have it tied or pinned up (best thing to do in this heat).
I forced myself to go to the gym. Had a good workout and came home feeling energized and refreshed.
* I shared the elevator with someone on my floor - sometimes we leave for work at the same time in the mornings, but we only just greet e'other. Today I started talking to her - she can speak little English, so our convo was short and sweet. She lives a few doors down from me and she's a furniture designer.
Tomorrow - 5 classes of Grade 4's, then have to go out to another school to observe an open / demo class at another school. Good night, y'all xxx
Just got home from a night out on the town (mid-week!) Traveled to Seoul to see Ladysmith Black Mambazo in concert. Will blog more tomorrow about it, but they were fantastic ;)
Also happy cause my 2nd online order arrived today..my MP3 player. More on that tomorrow. Now I have to get some shut eye.
Week is going really well. Haven't been physically teaching (except for 5th graders). Been having speaking tests with 6th, 3rd & 4th graders all week.
Sheetal Makhan
