We'll start with Monday. After a wonderful weekend in Daejeon, Seoul, and Pyeongtaek, I crashed into bed on Sunday night, not so much looking forward to my 12 noon start. But class looked up, with my boss agreeing that the 'conversation' book I've been using with the Monsters is a total bust. They hate it more than me (which I never thought was possible). Me being me - that person who talks before thinking - blurted out 'Oh, so you noticed!' but he seemed to understand. I did add an idea I've been harbouring for a while, which I kind of tested out on Friday, which involved the class watching a video of something (Mr. Bean in this case) and then telling me what happened and answering some questions. This actually worked beautifully. He agreed and a movie watching syllabus was put into action! I have a text book and a movie and everything. While I was on such a good roll I thought I would add that the youngest class finished their text book a few weeks ago now, and I'm done reviewing their topics (there's only so many times the kids can focus on the same pages in their book before going mad!) and I couldn't do much more until we got new books, or he decided what he wanted me to teach them! He was fine about it!
I like my boss!
I think I'm pretty lucky about this fact. It seems that so many people have gone through life not getting along with their employers, but I really got lucky, especially in Korea :)
I soon realised why I was getting the extra nice treatment - there are two new teachers arriving this week to replace Ryan and Denice (who are currently stuck in Pohang while they wait for the weather to improve so that the once a day ferry can cross the water to the remote island of Ullengo, where they'll teach for 3 years!). The problem the schools are having is that there is one male teacher and one female teacher, and in Korea that means they cannot live in the same apartment (unless they are married - although I know a few people who are living together sans wedding vows!) so could I kindly let the girl stay with me! Of course I would love to have someone else cramped into the smallest apartment known to man, why not :) Do we know when these wonderful people will arrive, you might be asking? No. But I'm sure they will tell us before they get here...hahaha...welcome to Korea :)
After class I caught up with Denice, then went running early so that we could all go for dinner to say goodbye. I decided to do a different route than my normal school track running. I'm on a new week on Podrunner and I thought it would be ok - how wrong was I!? It hurt so much, and I didn't run the distance I was supposed to. I felt like crying. But I held my own. Later on, when I was chatting to Denice, she mentioned a friend of hers who had a similar problem, and encouraged me to run again on Tuesday so I could get over my hurdle. Hmmm...
Anyway, it was great to catch up with everyone, even under the cloud that was Denice and Ryan's departure.
Tuesday was a good day. Walking into class, my recently graduated 6th graders decided I was going to take them out to lunch, and took me to a quaint place in the middle of the market - the food was so good! I'm really starting to love Korean food :) we had a great time, and chatted away. I had to laugh though, when once we'd finished our food, the girls spent a good 10 minutes looking in the mirror at their reflections, moving one or two stray pieces of hair and checking their teeth.
I decided to take Denice's advice and try the run again. She came and walked round the track while I ran, and do you know what - I didn't die! I kept going. It was hard, and unpleasant at times, but I did it!! I was so happy I jumped up and down for joy! Literally!! I was flying :D
Afterwards we went to our favourite eatery to get some 'western food' of oven spagetti and chicken tenders, chatting for ages and chilling out. It'll be weird not to do that all the time!
Wednesday was pretty uneventful. It was such a nice, sunny day that I was tempted to walk up the mountain, but I didn't (something I regretted all day, and the next two rainy days!!!) Everyone was in a good mood and it was really nice! After class I caught up with Denice and Ryan and helped them move boxes and rubbish and some stuff for the new teachers to help them feel at home :p then later on I popped over to say goodbye!
It was weird to see them go, and it's still not sunk in yet they they don't live just around the corner, but it'll be a new and exciting adventure for all of us :) yay!
As I was laying in bed on Wednesday night though I decided that I might like to give something up for lent - I know it's late, but that's ok :) the one thing I know I'm addicted to is Facebook. Ever since I got it in the 2nd year of uni, I've basically filled every space second with it! It's a very effective way to pass time and be anti-productive!! I thought I'd sleep on it.
With Thursday can rain, and bad moods. The rain came down in torrents and it was all a bit sad really. My classes were moody and bored and we were all happy for school to finish! I decided that it was a good idea to at least attempt to halt my obsession with facebook for a while - so I stopped. It was easier than I thought. And nice not to be on it all the time. I had a few near misses with automatically clicking on my icon, but it was ok in the end :)
I went to help Ann (my bosses daughter) out at a place called Happy Zone. She teachers English there, and asked me to go and play games with the kids as a treat. IT was her last night, so we had snacks and got presents and took some silly pictures. I love the kids there, they are so enthusiastic about learning and having fun, it's almost easy to teach them!!! So I'll be sad not to go any more. Maybe in summer we'll start it all up again :) I was so touched that the directors of the place make such an effort and even gave me a present, it was so kind.
Oh, I also ran. It was the 3rd (and supposedly last) repetition for this week, and running in the rain was pretty good. I managed to finish and felt pretty good for doing it. But I still think I want to do one more before I move up levels....
Today, Friday, has bee gloomy. It's hard to believe that Tuesday and Wednesday were so sunny and spring like. Classes were good though, and in fact my last class was cancelled. I started missing facebook a little, just in the short gaps between classes and such like. But I think I'm going to be ok.
Word on the street is that the new teachers should arrive tonight. No doubt they will arrive either while I'm out at dinner with the Happy Zone kids, or while I'm in my run. Hmm...that'll be interesting. The poor teacher's will run a mile seeing me looking oh so attractive in my running gear, panting for air and looking in pain! Hahaha, poor souls! But it'll be nice to have some new people about.
I'll keep you all informed on my oh so exciting life, lucky souls!
Love xxx
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