A few stories.
First, I fear I might need to repair my bathroom sink. It's a Korean style faucet, which means there's one handle to control the water flow and temperature, and one knob to direct the flow of water through either the spout or through a rear hose connected to a shower head. Korean bathrooms are wet-style, which means the entire room is supposed to get wet when you bathe.
Anyway, I think the washer inside the water flow knob has failed. I used to only be able to turn it 180* but now it can go a full 360*. I am still able to use it to direct the flow of water, but now I have to push or pull the knob.
- I'm going to Jeju island tomorrow. Be back Saturday. It's part of my contract, this is a business trip.
- Most of the time I hear standard Korean being spoken on the streets. However, my island-born mentor teacher uses the humorous-but-somewhat-whiny South Jeolla accent. I personally find it cute and endearing, lol. Must be a Korean thing.
- My good friends Shane and Alana got married this week (to each other no less!). I'm very happy for them and I know they will be happy too.
- On a similar note, I'm getting a little more...concerned about my future and who it involves. I mean, one by one my friends are settling down and marrying, yet I am alone at the moment. To be honest, I feel a little like the clock is ticking, like I'm almost running out of pages.
- On a less serious note, one of my students coloured a picture of a tiger and gave it blush, lipstick, and eyeshadow. It was hilarious. She even wrote "Yoo hoo~~!" In a speech bubble. "Teechah! So sekshi!" she said.
- Recently, it has become cloudy and rainy, which makes the whole area look like the valley. I miss home!
- I agreed to preach on Sunday. On what? Not sure yet.
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Thursday, May 23, 2013
The Arabian Muslim Man
A very stereotypical Arabian muslim man just got on the bus holding an irregular ticket (most people pay cash on the bus but visitors sometimes buy a ticket from the terminal because they don't know how the system works). Anyway, he asked some Korean folks if this bus goes to the Samseong Homeplus stop ("Samseong Homeplus?"), which it does (when going North it's labeled as "Samseong Homeplus" but when going south it labeled as "Gwangju Byeongwon"--how confusing!) but they really brushed him off. It seemed a little rude...
Anyway, he was looking for the map of the bus route and moved a few seats ahead.
When we were nearing Gwangju, he asked the bus driver a question but I couldn't hear. I could see in the rear view mirror the bus driver tried to explain except he didn't know what to say, so he just ignored the guy.
The Arabian man looked around, so I caught his attention and asked him to come sit with me. Turns out he wanted to go to Shinae (downtown). I replied, "Shinae?" because I know what it is, and I guess everyone else around me was listening in on our conversation because I heard multiple voices start talking about Shinae, lol.
Anyway, he wanted to go to the hospital, so I told him where to get off and showed him that the hospital is behind a row of buildings. He thanked me and asked where I was from, then got off the bus.
Then I got to hear all the old people talking about Shinae and the hospital.
Anyway, he was looking for the map of the bus route and moved a few seats ahead.
When we were nearing Gwangju, he asked the bus driver a question but I couldn't hear. I could see in the rear view mirror the bus driver tried to explain except he didn't know what to say, so he just ignored the guy.
The Arabian man looked around, so I caught his attention and asked him to come sit with me. Turns out he wanted to go to Shinae (downtown). I replied, "Shinae?" because I know what it is, and I guess everyone else around me was listening in on our conversation because I heard multiple voices start talking about Shinae, lol.
Anyway, he wanted to go to the hospital, so I told him where to get off and showed him that the hospital is behind a row of buildings. He thanked me and asked where I was from, then got off the bus.
Then I got to hear all the old people talking about Shinae and the hospital.
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Wednesday Update
Hi Folks,
It's getting hotter all the time here. I can't believe how hot it is and it's only May! T^T (that's a crying face by the way).
Sports Day is coming up at my school, which will be a big deal. All the students have been practicing for it all week. All the parents will be invited and some community dignitaries will be here as well. It's kind of an opening ceremony for the swanky new field we've installed. It's AstroTurf surrounded by a
rubberized, marked, track. The AstroTurf radiates heat like crazy though, I wouldn't want to stay on there for long. I can't imagine what it feels like to fall on it either...
I talked to Nehemiah, my pastor, about Johnny's and my vision for what English service could be. It was a very positive meeting, we really crossed some bridges.
My commercial is finished! I received a digital copy of the full version (it's 5:35). They told me I'm not allowed to upload it to the web quite yet, but I'm allowed to send it via e-mail and show it to others, lol. As egotistical as it sounds, I'm pretty stoked to see it on TV.
It's getting hotter all the time here. I can't believe how hot it is and it's only May! T^T (that's a crying face by the way).
Sports Day is coming up at my school, which will be a big deal. All the students have been practicing for it all week. All the parents will be invited and some community dignitaries will be here as well. It's kind of an opening ceremony for the swanky new field we've installed. It's AstroTurf surrounded by a
rubberized, marked, track. The AstroTurf radiates heat like crazy though, I wouldn't want to stay on there for long. I can't imagine what it feels like to fall on it either...
I talked to Nehemiah, my pastor, about Johnny's and my vision for what English service could be. It was a very positive meeting, we really crossed some bridges.
My commercial is finished! I received a digital copy of the full version (it's 5:35). They told me I'm not allowed to upload it to the web quite yet, but I'm allowed to send it via e-mail and show it to others, lol. As egotistical as it sounds, I'm pretty stoked to see it on TV.
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Buddha's Birthday Long Weekend
Hi everyone,
This past weekend was a long weekend because Buddha's Birthday was on Friday.
Some things:
- I played through Mass Effect 3 this weekend, which is the third and final installment in that series. It has left me with some great things to ponder about the future of mankind.
- The Eurovision Song Contest was held last weekend. For the first time, I'm ahead of the time zone instead of behind! If this were Australia I could watch it on TV, but it would be 5am...Regardless, it was a great show this year and everybody worked hard. I've noticed that dubstep is becoming much more frequently used in the songs, either as the main beat or as the bridge. Interesting to see how the contest evolves with the times over the years.
- This week isn't really anything special, just business as usual. The Great Gatsby was released in theatres last week, so I'd better go see it real quick before they pull it.
That's about it!
This past weekend was a long weekend because Buddha's Birthday was on Friday.
Some things:
- I played through Mass Effect 3 this weekend, which is the third and final installment in that series. It has left me with some great things to ponder about the future of mankind.
- The Eurovision Song Contest was held last weekend. For the first time, I'm ahead of the time zone instead of behind! If this were Australia I could watch it on TV, but it would be 5am...Regardless, it was a great show this year and everybody worked hard. I've noticed that dubstep is becoming much more frequently used in the songs, either as the main beat or as the bridge. Interesting to see how the contest evolves with the times over the years.
- This week isn't really anything special, just business as usual. The Great Gatsby was released in theatres last week, so I'd better go see it real quick before they pull it.
That's about it!
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Nothing Special
Today I found out two of my students were not actually deriding me for the size of my nose, but were expressing their desire for a horn of similar size.
Also, I met up with Irene last night. We had a really nice chat. Then I met Johnny after. Same thing.
It's the weekend! Time to party. I think I may turn off my phone :)
Also, I met up with Irene last night. We had a really nice chat. Then I met Johnny after. Same thing.
It's the weekend! Time to party. I think I may turn off my phone :)
Saturday, May 11, 2013
Visit the DMZ, Plus a Tragic Bus Ride
I visited the DMZ today.
The tour started at 7:00am and Josh lives an hour away :(
We started the tour by going to Camp Boniface, a US military camp just south of the DMZ. There, someone from the military briefed us on the history of the DMZ and the Joint Security Area, and on some of the rules and etiquette we must adhere to while visiting. We also signed a typo-ridden waver that gave up our right to blame the US or South Korean government if we were killed or injured.
We boarded a bus to the JSA. Along the way, we passed by signs and checkpoints, signaling our entrance to the DMZ. The South has a few lines of fortifications that were pointed out to us by our guide. Some minefields here, some tank barriers there--you know, the usual. Actually, it was really interesting looking for the tank barriers. I thought they were just big, strange bridges, but no: if tanks start rolling across, they'll blow the supports and the debris will block the road.
Once at the conference area of the JSA (it's the rows of UN-blue shacks where the South and North Korean soldiers glare at each other), we were led first to see the structures. We weren't allowed to take pictures towards the south (they don't want their cameras photographed), point (the North will photoshop it to look like we're flipping them off), or step off the platform (it might look like we're advancing or trying to defect).
Our guide told us that one of the grey structures belonging to the North was an exercise room, but usually the North Koreans just go inside and leer out the windows, flipping the bird, and drawing a finger across their necks. Thus, the Americans dub it "the Monkey House".
We then went inside of one of the conference rooms. Two ROK soldiers were stationed inside. Our guide told us not to touch or go behind them. They were positioned in a Taekwondo-ready stance. The main table in the room was right overtop of the military demarcation line. In other words, right. On. The. Border.
So I went to North Korea today and I returned safely!
After the conference room, we saw some more historical sights like the scene of the ax murder and the Bridge of No Return (site of a big POW release after the ceasefire). That bridge is really quite significant, but US President Bill Clinton traipsed across and back when he was here on a visit. Now the secret service won't let any president go there.
Next we went to Dorasan station, the last train station towards the North. You could buy a platform ticket and walk around on the tracks if you wished.
We then had lunch and went to the Third Tunnel of Aggression. It goes that Kim Il Sung told the people tunnels were 10x as effective as nuclear bombs, so they started secretly digging tunnels south across the DMZ. We visited the third one the South discovered. A defector had told the South about the general location of the tunnel, so the South impaled a bunch of PVC pipes in the ground in that area and filled them with water. When the North used dynamite to blast their tunnel, the pressure from the blast pushed the PVC pipes up a bit and the water drained into the tunnel.
Now, you can go inside the actual tunnel, but you have to walk down a reeeeeeally long, steep entrance tunnel to get there (and back out!!). It's really cramped inside the tunnel, and you can touch the walls to see the coal powder the North painted on the walls, claiming it was a coal mine that previously existed (it's not, the rock is all granite).
After the tour, we returned to Seoul and I met Josh in Itaewon for dinner. We had Indian food.
The next morning, I was taking the early bus back to Gwangju. I wasn't feeling good, but I figured it was because I ate foreign food and I was waking up so early.
I slept for 2 hours on the bus, and then I woke up, 90km from Gwangju. I REALLY wasn't feeling well now, but we had already stopped at the rest stop and weren't stopping again until Gwangju.
I had to sit on that bus. For. 90. Kilometres. That was the most desperate hour of my life! I had excruciating diarrhea and I knew I couldn't do anything about it for 90kms. I don't think I have ever prayed so hard in my life.
Finally, we arrived in Gwangju and I was able to help myself. I happen to run into another TaLK scholar I hadn't seen in a long time, but I leveled with him and he graciously gave me some space.
I didn't do anything else that day. Stupid food poisoning. :'(
The tour started at 7:00am and Josh lives an hour away :(
We started the tour by going to Camp Boniface, a US military camp just south of the DMZ. There, someone from the military briefed us on the history of the DMZ and the Joint Security Area, and on some of the rules and etiquette we must adhere to while visiting. We also signed a typo-ridden waver that gave up our right to blame the US or South Korean government if we were killed or injured.
We boarded a bus to the JSA. Along the way, we passed by signs and checkpoints, signaling our entrance to the DMZ. The South has a few lines of fortifications that were pointed out to us by our guide. Some minefields here, some tank barriers there--you know, the usual. Actually, it was really interesting looking for the tank barriers. I thought they were just big, strange bridges, but no: if tanks start rolling across, they'll blow the supports and the debris will block the road.
Once at the conference area of the JSA (it's the rows of UN-blue shacks where the South and North Korean soldiers glare at each other), we were led first to see the structures. We weren't allowed to take pictures towards the south (they don't want their cameras photographed), point (the North will photoshop it to look like we're flipping them off), or step off the platform (it might look like we're advancing or trying to defect).
Our guide told us that one of the grey structures belonging to the North was an exercise room, but usually the North Koreans just go inside and leer out the windows, flipping the bird, and drawing a finger across their necks. Thus, the Americans dub it "the Monkey House".
We then went inside of one of the conference rooms. Two ROK soldiers were stationed inside. Our guide told us not to touch or go behind them. They were positioned in a Taekwondo-ready stance. The main table in the room was right overtop of the military demarcation line. In other words, right. On. The. Border.
So I went to North Korea today and I returned safely!
After the conference room, we saw some more historical sights like the scene of the ax murder and the Bridge of No Return (site of a big POW release after the ceasefire). That bridge is really quite significant, but US President Bill Clinton traipsed across and back when he was here on a visit. Now the secret service won't let any president go there.
Next we went to Dorasan station, the last train station towards the North. You could buy a platform ticket and walk around on the tracks if you wished.
We then had lunch and went to the Third Tunnel of Aggression. It goes that Kim Il Sung told the people tunnels were 10x as effective as nuclear bombs, so they started secretly digging tunnels south across the DMZ. We visited the third one the South discovered. A defector had told the South about the general location of the tunnel, so the South impaled a bunch of PVC pipes in the ground in that area and filled them with water. When the North used dynamite to blast their tunnel, the pressure from the blast pushed the PVC pipes up a bit and the water drained into the tunnel.
Now, you can go inside the actual tunnel, but you have to walk down a reeeeeeally long, steep entrance tunnel to get there (and back out!!). It's really cramped inside the tunnel, and you can touch the walls to see the coal powder the North painted on the walls, claiming it was a coal mine that previously existed (it's not, the rock is all granite).
After the tour, we returned to Seoul and I met Josh in Itaewon for dinner. We had Indian food.
The next morning, I was taking the early bus back to Gwangju. I wasn't feeling good, but I figured it was because I ate foreign food and I was waking up so early.
I slept for 2 hours on the bus, and then I woke up, 90km from Gwangju. I REALLY wasn't feeling well now, but we had already stopped at the rest stop and weren't stopping again until Gwangju.
I had to sit on that bus. For. 90. Kilometres. That was the most desperate hour of my life! I had excruciating diarrhea and I knew I couldn't do anything about it for 90kms. I don't think I have ever prayed so hard in my life.
Finally, we arrived in Gwangju and I was able to help myself. I happen to run into another TaLK scholar I hadn't seen in a long time, but I leveled with him and he graciously gave me some space.
I didn't do anything else that day. Stupid food poisoning. :'(
Friday, May 10, 2013
This is Probably the Happiest Year of my Life
You know what folks, I'm pretty sure everybody has years of happiness and also years of sadness.
This is however, is my year of happiness. What's interesting to philosophize about is whether this year of happiness comes at a cost.
Anyway, let's bring it back to Earth for a sec.
I've had a really intense past few days, but the hard work has paid off.
First, I had 7 classes on Thursday, but they all went well AND we had pork cutlet for lunch.
Second, I had 3 classes today, plus m first official class at the Damyang teachers workshop (I, along with the other TaLK scholars teach the Damyang English teachers). It was fantastic. It's a quite different dynamic teaching adults. To be honest, I'm not used to getting great intellectual responses and idea exchange from my elementary students ("Teacher! What do?"), so it was a breath of fresh air to hear my adult students come up with creative things to say during our lesson.
On a sadder note, I made one of my students cry today.
Context: there's a group of grade 5 students who always do everything together. Today however, one of them, the shyest, most unsure, most reserved one, came in by herself. Her name is Ga Eun.
She was avoiding eye contact (normal--Koreans try not to make eye contact with their superiors much). We got to the part of the lesson with a small worksheet (1/4 of a page really). My co-teacher went to help the boys and I went to help Ga Eun since she was the only girl today. She was pretty quiet and I did most of the talking and doing, but she was getting the answers right.
We were just finishing the last question when Su Min, her smart best friend came in. Ga Eun was having trouble, so I asked Su Min if she knew what the answer was (of course she did, she's great at English).
Ga Eun locked eyes with Su Min and I heard the sound of a tear falling on her paper. I didn't realize how stressful of a situation this was for her.... I quickly told them they were both finished for the day and they could leave. Ga Eun needed to be out of that classroom.
Anyway, that story is a bit of a downer, but these things help one be a better teacher in the future.
To leave you on a good note, I want to tell you a story about my colleagues.
After the workshop, Hyeong Ah generously offered to drive me and Mimi back to our houses in Gwangju. On the car ride there we talked about aaaall sorts of things, like our plans for the weekend, how awesome it is that Hyeong Ah has a compact car because Korea is difficult to drive in, and who our favourite actors and actresses are.
Mimi recently watched a romantic comedy with Cameron Diaz, Jude Law, and Kate Winslet (that sounds like a really romantic movie!) in it. She was practically melting in the front seat, she enjoyed it so much. She said she could "get lost in Cameron Diaz's eyes", and that Jude Law is "so sekshi, but he is getting bald. It's so sad :'(" I asked Hyeong Ah who her favourite actors were and she said Jude Law and the guy from Twilight.
"Not the vampire, the wolf." she said.
"Jacob?" I replied.
"YEEEES!" both Mimi and Hyeong Ah screamed and then started yelling in Korean. "I'M SO EXCITED!!" Hyeong Ah exclaimed!
Lol. I love my co-workers :)
This is however, is my year of happiness. What's interesting to philosophize about is whether this year of happiness comes at a cost.
Anyway, let's bring it back to Earth for a sec.
I've had a really intense past few days, but the hard work has paid off.
First, I had 7 classes on Thursday, but they all went well AND we had pork cutlet for lunch.
Second, I had 3 classes today, plus m first official class at the Damyang teachers workshop (I, along with the other TaLK scholars teach the Damyang English teachers). It was fantastic. It's a quite different dynamic teaching adults. To be honest, I'm not used to getting great intellectual responses and idea exchange from my elementary students ("Teacher! What do?"), so it was a breath of fresh air to hear my adult students come up with creative things to say during our lesson.
On a sadder note, I made one of my students cry today.
Context: there's a group of grade 5 students who always do everything together. Today however, one of them, the shyest, most unsure, most reserved one, came in by herself. Her name is Ga Eun.
She was avoiding eye contact (normal--Koreans try not to make eye contact with their superiors much). We got to the part of the lesson with a small worksheet (1/4 of a page really). My co-teacher went to help the boys and I went to help Ga Eun since she was the only girl today. She was pretty quiet and I did most of the talking and doing, but she was getting the answers right.
We were just finishing the last question when Su Min, her smart best friend came in. Ga Eun was having trouble, so I asked Su Min if she knew what the answer was (of course she did, she's great at English).
Ga Eun locked eyes with Su Min and I heard the sound of a tear falling on her paper. I didn't realize how stressful of a situation this was for her.... I quickly told them they were both finished for the day and they could leave. Ga Eun needed to be out of that classroom.
Anyway, that story is a bit of a downer, but these things help one be a better teacher in the future.
To leave you on a good note, I want to tell you a story about my colleagues.
After the workshop, Hyeong Ah generously offered to drive me and Mimi back to our houses in Gwangju. On the car ride there we talked about aaaall sorts of things, like our plans for the weekend, how awesome it is that Hyeong Ah has a compact car because Korea is difficult to drive in, and who our favourite actors and actresses are.
Mimi recently watched a romantic comedy with Cameron Diaz, Jude Law, and Kate Winslet (that sounds like a really romantic movie!) in it. She was practically melting in the front seat, she enjoyed it so much. She said she could "get lost in Cameron Diaz's eyes", and that Jude Law is "so sekshi, but he is getting bald. It's so sad :'(" I asked Hyeong Ah who her favourite actors were and she said Jude Law and the guy from Twilight.
"Not the vampire, the wolf." she said.
"Jacob?" I replied.
"YEEEES!" both Mimi and Hyeong Ah screamed and then started yelling in Korean. "I'M SO EXCITED!!" Hyeong Ah exclaimed!
Lol. I love my co-workers :)
Thursday, May 9, 2013
I've Started Teaching Better
Yesterday it was suuuuuper hot... My kids were antsy and I could tell the other teachers were tired and hot too. Not the best situation to teach in--you can't learn if you're too uncomfortable.
Anyway, I've started teaching from an Azar grammar book that I have, and so far it's going well. I've started writing my objectives on the board too, which I think helps my students follow along with my lessons (they always groan when I write "Study time").
Maybe it'll rain today. That should provide some relief.
In travel news, I'm planning to do a DMZ tour on Saturday. I hope NK doesn't do something stupid before then >:(
Now I have something very wonderful I'd like to share with you.
A few weeks ago, I fielded the idea to Johnny that we start a Bible study together. He had also been thinking the same thing, but we didn't actually start studying the Bible until this week FOL.
Anyway, through the course of our discussion, we realized that we were quite similarly aligned in terms of what we want our church (the English service) to be. We both want an authentic, small, intimate community where everyone participates and lives and learns together. For my shame, I had been previously been approaching our English service as church--a place to come and learn, then leave. In, out, done, as parents of small children know.
But now we have a vision. A vision of how our community of believers can effect change in our city and care for the people, like us, who are on the margins of this society.
I'm limited to what I can say in terms of a non-disclosure agreement I have with Johnny, but I can tell you that Johnny has held a vision like this for awhile, but it has so far gone unsupported by people who could have endorsed it. :(
Anyway, the point is this: we're on the cusp of something that could make a difference in the lives of people here and now.
Take care!
--------
As a quick update since I wrote the last post, today went really well and I really enjoyed my students' company. We even had pork cutlet for lunch! I even earned the coveted "good job" from Hyeong Ah. Sitting on top of the world.
Anyway, I've started teaching from an Azar grammar book that I have, and so far it's going well. I've started writing my objectives on the board too, which I think helps my students follow along with my lessons (they always groan when I write "Study time").
Maybe it'll rain today. That should provide some relief.
In travel news, I'm planning to do a DMZ tour on Saturday. I hope NK doesn't do something stupid before then >:(
Now I have something very wonderful I'd like to share with you.
A few weeks ago, I fielded the idea to Johnny that we start a Bible study together. He had also been thinking the same thing, but we didn't actually start studying the Bible until this week FOL.
Anyway, through the course of our discussion, we realized that we were quite similarly aligned in terms of what we want our church (the English service) to be. We both want an authentic, small, intimate community where everyone participates and lives and learns together. For my shame, I had been previously been approaching our English service as church--a place to come and learn, then leave. In, out, done, as parents of small children know.
But now we have a vision. A vision of how our community of believers can effect change in our city and care for the people, like us, who are on the margins of this society.
I'm limited to what I can say in terms of a non-disclosure agreement I have with Johnny, but I can tell you that Johnny has held a vision like this for awhile, but it has so far gone unsupported by people who could have endorsed it. :(
Anyway, the point is this: we're on the cusp of something that could make a difference in the lives of people here and now.
Take care!
--------
As a quick update since I wrote the last post, today went really well and I really enjoyed my students' company. We even had pork cutlet for lunch! I even earned the coveted "good job" from Hyeong Ah. Sitting on top of the world.
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Your Grace? Mr. Ambassador?
Hi folks,
Today I have the opportunity to go hear the Canadian ambassador give a speech while he is in Gwangju. I was thinking--how do I address him? His name is David Chatterson in case y'all interested.
So I've hit a dry patch/rough spell in terms of creativity for lessons and things like that. It's really frustrating to be seemingly out of ideas, especially when I haven't planned things far in advance. However, I took a look at some Azar books I have (they're pretty canonical in the TESL world) so I think I can use them. In fact, I'm pretty excited about today's lessons.
I've also been reading a lot of posts on the Waygook.org website, which is a popular e-hangout/resource brain for English teachers here in the Korea. Some people have some really good advice about this biz, which comes from experience. The point is, I'm going to try and simplify my lessons, make them a little easier. I guess grandiose ideas for after school lessons don't really work.
Ugh...I'm blogging on the bus and somebody reeks of cigarette smoke.
In health news, the exercise regimen I'm undertaking is having a bit of a setback. Context: when one goes abroad, one tends to consume an excess of one's own culture's food, especially comfort food. This of course has led to a lot of weight gain with myself. I am also lacking sufficient muscle strength in my hips, core, and lower back, all of which have come to haunt me after I exercised hard on Friday. My back has been very uncomfortable for a few days now, and since my body is injured, it has raised its core temperature, which means I'm always hot, sweaty, in pain, and thoroughly agitated. Blech.
But today it was showing some signs of relief. I found some stretches online that are showing some promise.
Today I have the opportunity to go hear the Canadian ambassador give a speech while he is in Gwangju. I was thinking--how do I address him? His name is David Chatterson in case y'all interested.
So I've hit a dry patch/rough spell in terms of creativity for lessons and things like that. It's really frustrating to be seemingly out of ideas, especially when I haven't planned things far in advance. However, I took a look at some Azar books I have (they're pretty canonical in the TESL world) so I think I can use them. In fact, I'm pretty excited about today's lessons.
I've also been reading a lot of posts on the Waygook.org website, which is a popular e-hangout/resource brain for English teachers here in the Korea. Some people have some really good advice about this biz, which comes from experience. The point is, I'm going to try and simplify my lessons, make them a little easier. I guess grandiose ideas for after school lessons don't really work.
Ugh...I'm blogging on the bus and somebody reeks of cigarette smoke.
In health news, the exercise regimen I'm undertaking is having a bit of a setback. Context: when one goes abroad, one tends to consume an excess of one's own culture's food, especially comfort food. This of course has led to a lot of weight gain with myself. I am also lacking sufficient muscle strength in my hips, core, and lower back, all of which have come to haunt me after I exercised hard on Friday. My back has been very uncomfortable for a few days now, and since my body is injured, it has raised its core temperature, which means I'm always hot, sweaty, in pain, and thoroughly agitated. Blech.
But today it was showing some signs of relief. I found some stretches online that are showing some promise.
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