So I’ve made it past the 4 month mark and let me say it hasn’t been as hard as you might imagine. I feel completely adjusted, comfortable, and happy. Of course I miss my friends, of course I miss some things from back home (public trash disposal being one). but... I have met many great people here, who I feel have very welcoming personalities, and a common sense of adventure, but with the recent Christmas holiday there has been a reminder of a not so common thread.
I would say I am in a minority amongst my English speaking friendships when it comes to beliefs. Although many of us share different beliefs, I feel we all have a good sense of community regardless. Some may think my intellect inferior to have a belief that requires ones faith. Some may point out this is how they feel in America “The Christian Nation” as an individual that is un-allied with that shared belief (I would actually beg the differ about that title).
I have heard many personal stories, read many snippets of Facebook blurbs, encountered famous blogs, news sites, and in-directly synthesized information that was presented in some form or fashion via random conversations, that are in direct (funny how indirect and in direct can make such a difference) conflict with something I’ve stood by for a lifetime. A lifetime yes, but not without my own questions or critical analysis of the faith. I would say I was somewhat unquestioning as an adolescent, but found myself very concerned after high school with why I believed in what I believed. If you would like to know why I continued believing, I would be happy to share at another time, but for now I will continue my blurb. Yea I used the word blurb x2.
So I find myself in a position where the majority of the people I am in contact with have somewhat of an understanding of my faith, but in some way seem burned off by it for one reason or another. I ask myself this question, why have I found myself in such welcomed arms of such diverse backgrounds, and why haven’t they experienced it in other circles; dare I say Christian circles? I sometimes find it embarrassing the stories I hear about Christians, and even more so when someone shares a personal story, not just one exploded on the media.
The only way I can explain this in a reasonable analogy is like this. I am an American. I stand behind my country on many things, but sometimes our country makes bad decisions, or something I personally am against. I am sometimes embarrassed by my country, and not all of us share the same ideas in my country. Although some of us disagree on things, we are all united under our common citizenship. I kind of feel like this happens with Christianity. All Christians get lumped into one broad category, but we all don’t view things the same way. In fact I usually am irritated at the amount of arguing that can occur between two believers about such a simple message. I find the human race tends to complicate lots of things.
I also think there are many common misnomers about several belief systems, not just Christianity. There are some extreme sects of people in most religions that seem to steal the limelight with their extreme actions. Islam for example is a peaceful religion if you look at some of their core values/virtues. What is shown to us? The ones that make the loudest noise, that’s who. “Christians” also seem to find themselves making a ruckus; One recent example of Christian extremism is the burning of the Quran day by the Florida pastor. It burns me up with the things that some may associate my religion with. I suppose it’s not as exciting story to tell?
So I open the floor to whoever is willing to share, why is it that you are personally against any said religion, belief, etc, and I will do my best to share with you my personal insight, reason, or what have you. I leave the floor open, but I encourage thought out responses, and mature responses. I’m not here to preach at you, I’m here to listen. Something not done enough.
Monday, December 27, 2010
Monday, December 13, 2010
Winter holibracation
Things are a little different here in the ole SK. The way things are done, the way things flow, the way things… everything.
In my school (And most other schools in SK) we have a winter break just like we do back home. Winter vacation starts December 22nd and goes to January 31st. Sounds nice right? As a native English teacher you’re expected to do what we call English Winter camps. The native English speakers (people like me) are the first to get signed up (of course! that's why we're here). Imagine with me, if you will, when a good time to do these camps would be? Yup during that winter “vacation”. Now I should say, I didn’t expect to get the full time off for the winter vacation, nor am I upset about teaching during it. In fact you make a little extra money, and we signed up for it when we signed our contract. The only thing I dislike about the process is the “unknowing” of it all. I didn’t know when my school camp was, I didn’t know when the MOE (MOE = Ministry of Education) camp was, and I didn’t know where I was going to do it!
How it all works out:
During the winter “vacation” most schools have their own personal 1 week English camp. The native teachers teach at their respective schools, and some of the bigger ones may have other native teachers come to their program. I later found out that the 3 week MOE English camp date (that starts Jan 2nd and ends the 22nd) through friends on facebook. Evidently the date never changes. I think my school didn’t tell me because they (like me) didn’t know where I was going to be teaching for it so avoided it altogether (yes I would of at least liked the date, but that’s ok). The catch is your 1 week school camp can be before, or after the MOE camp so you may not find out very soon (let alone anything here). So that leaves a few days open before or after the MOE camp during our winter “vacation”. So the once “long” sounding winter break for both students/native teachers alike is not so "long" or "vacation" like. We have 10 vacation days we can use with the remaining days we don't have winter English camps. It isn’t really that bad. 10days paid vacation is still very awesome. You just need to be FLEXIBLE. It also puts a damper on plan making if your friends know their schedule, and you don’t know yours. O well!
For me part of the problem was something I introduced to my school early on. My brother is getting married jan 7th. See the time conflict? Non-normal vacation days really throw schedules for a loop. Correction, anything that strays from the “normal” really throws everything/one for a loop here. You might think letting my school know this the day I arrived (In August) would be plenty of time to adjust, but it wouldn’t have matter if I told them last year. They have expectations, and do as much as possible to avoid any differences. I am what we may call a “special case”. My time off is right in the middle of the 3 week MOE English camp. This is part of the reason why I didn’t know what MOE camp I was working. Sure…It makes it difficult to plan the rest of my vacation days, but could I really complain? I’m sure I made it difficult for them to plan the rest of their winter camps.
Well I got some good news on Tuesday. I will be working at my school for the full duration of my English camps. I’ll elaborate more at a further date. This is very exciting, and I’m not revealing the complete uniqueness of this situation to avoid future problems. I can only say that this will be one awesome winter break!
In my school (And most other schools in SK) we have a winter break just like we do back home. Winter vacation starts December 22nd and goes to January 31st. Sounds nice right? As a native English teacher you’re expected to do what we call English Winter camps. The native English speakers (people like me) are the first to get signed up (of course! that's why we're here). Imagine with me, if you will, when a good time to do these camps would be? Yup during that winter “vacation”. Now I should say, I didn’t expect to get the full time off for the winter vacation, nor am I upset about teaching during it. In fact you make a little extra money, and we signed up for it when we signed our contract. The only thing I dislike about the process is the “unknowing” of it all. I didn’t know when my school camp was, I didn’t know when the MOE (MOE = Ministry of Education) camp was, and I didn’t know where I was going to do it!
How it all works out:
During the winter “vacation” most schools have their own personal 1 week English camp. The native teachers teach at their respective schools, and some of the bigger ones may have other native teachers come to their program. I later found out that the 3 week MOE English camp date (that starts Jan 2nd and ends the 22nd) through friends on facebook. Evidently the date never changes. I think my school didn’t tell me because they (like me) didn’t know where I was going to be teaching for it so avoided it altogether (yes I would of at least liked the date, but that’s ok). The catch is your 1 week school camp can be before, or after the MOE camp so you may not find out very soon (let alone anything here). So that leaves a few days open before or after the MOE camp during our winter “vacation”. So the once “long” sounding winter break for both students/native teachers alike is not so "long" or "vacation" like. We have 10 vacation days we can use with the remaining days we don't have winter English camps. It isn’t really that bad. 10days paid vacation is still very awesome. You just need to be FLEXIBLE. It also puts a damper on plan making if your friends know their schedule, and you don’t know yours. O well!
For me part of the problem was something I introduced to my school early on. My brother is getting married jan 7th. See the time conflict? Non-normal vacation days really throw schedules for a loop. Correction, anything that strays from the “normal” really throws everything/one for a loop here. You might think letting my school know this the day I arrived (In August) would be plenty of time to adjust, but it wouldn’t have matter if I told them last year. They have expectations, and do as much as possible to avoid any differences. I am what we may call a “special case”. My time off is right in the middle of the 3 week MOE English camp. This is part of the reason why I didn’t know what MOE camp I was working. Sure…It makes it difficult to plan the rest of my vacation days, but could I really complain? I’m sure I made it difficult for them to plan the rest of their winter camps.
Well I got some good news on Tuesday. I will be working at my school for the full duration of my English camps. I’ll elaborate more at a further date. This is very exciting, and I’m not revealing the complete uniqueness of this situation to avoid future problems. I can only say that this will be one awesome winter break!
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Attitude of misfortune
Tuesday morning started off a bit rough.
“I should preface/foreshadow my audience with the existing facts about my bike at the time. Fact 1 - my seat was broken, and just holding on by a single piece not even attached. Fact 2 – my brakes were never that great even when my bike was brand new. The rear brake has always been too soft, so I have to use the front brake to compensate. My brakes were getting significantly worse. Fact 3 – my derailleur sucks at its job. "Its job is to move my bike chain and shift gears well.”
I start my morning ride on a downhill. The downhill I use is in the neighborhood I live in (Hogye). Imagine small town Mexico. Lots of alleys and lots of random openings. I’m going a good pace due to gravity, and out of nowhere this old man pops out in front of me. I naturally swerve and brake at the same time. Did I mention my brakes were getting worse? (We do that little dance jig when you are trying to pass someone, but you both keep choosing the same direction as the other...you know?) Except I’m on my bike and he’s an old man. I came inches from knocking the bloke over. I luckily escaped a worse scenario, but it wasn’t without a cold cold look. I bowed and said sorry! I continue my journey a bit shaken, and a bit slower paced. I cross the street at the main intersection of my town, and out of nowhere my bike chain pops off. It isn’t the scenario where you hit a bump, do a jump, or have a real reason for your chain popping off. It’s the situation where you’re casually riding along, and wouldn’t (rather SHOULDN’t) expect your chain to come off. Because a non-S!#$ bike wouldn’t have a chain pop off for no apparent reason. As you can imagine this might surprise the rider. This might even cause the rider to lose balance due to the normal resistance provided by chain, pedals, and gears working in perfect harmony. I went from resistance to none, and wasn’t expecting it.
BOOM! Down I go, going no more than 5-7mph. You may think that isn’t to fast. You’re right it isn’t. Pair 5-7mph with being on a bike and getting tangled up in it. Now it seems a little worse right? I hit the cement. I was luckily wearing winter apparel as it is freezing as “hell?” (oh the beauty of irony). I hit my hands first, my chin and arm second, and somewhere in the confusion end up under my bike. My jeans have a giant rip (I later deduce it’s from the main cog; because of the cuts on my knee, and the chain grease that was all over it). Remember I was crossing a main intersection? Ya… Lots of Koreans were watching. A whole bus full were conveniently staring right at me. Due to time constraints of getting to school on time, being a bit embarrassed at crashing in front of many, being a bit prideful, and lastly not wanting to think about it, I picked up my bike waved at the bus and rode on. I didn’t assess my damage, or my bike.
As I rode off I realize my handle bars are cockeyed pointing to the right to ride straight. My seat tore all the way off. My bell that allows me to warn walking pedestrians out of my path was broken, and I was feeling pain. I laughed when it first happened (as this is my normal emotional response. Yes even when I’m hurt). Now I’m a bit irritated. My hand hurt, my leg hurt, and my bike sucked worse. I rode for 3 more mins, and decided not to throw a pity party and moved on.
I arrived at school and still didn’t look at my damage to myself. It wasn’t until I set down at my desk did I really look. I looked at my hand first. Decent wound, but nothing major. I rolled up my pant leg, and I somehow managed to cut the top and bottom of my knee. It didn’t look good. I also had a cut on my chin. It certainly wasn’t the worst situation I’ve been in. I decided to teach the rest of the day without taking care of it. Looking back, I regret this decision. I probably should have cleaned my leg up a bit. It was still an open wound even at 8pm that night 12 hours later.
Why do I say this tale? Perhaps because it was semi epic. Perhaps I want a small portion of pity. Maybe I just want you to share in my ridiculous situation.
The truth is to prepare my audience what I later found out…
I received some awesome awesome news that day. That is another blog for another time. Enjoy the read. I hope it made you laugh.
“I should preface/foreshadow my audience with the existing facts about my bike at the time. Fact 1 - my seat was broken, and just holding on by a single piece not even attached. Fact 2 – my brakes were never that great even when my bike was brand new. The rear brake has always been too soft, so I have to use the front brake to compensate. My brakes were getting significantly worse. Fact 3 – my derailleur sucks at its job. "Its job is to move my bike chain and shift gears well.”
I start my morning ride on a downhill. The downhill I use is in the neighborhood I live in (Hogye). Imagine small town Mexico. Lots of alleys and lots of random openings. I’m going a good pace due to gravity, and out of nowhere this old man pops out in front of me. I naturally swerve and brake at the same time. Did I mention my brakes were getting worse? (We do that little dance jig when you are trying to pass someone, but you both keep choosing the same direction as the other...you know?) Except I’m on my bike and he’s an old man. I came inches from knocking the bloke over. I luckily escaped a worse scenario, but it wasn’t without a cold cold look. I bowed and said sorry! I continue my journey a bit shaken, and a bit slower paced. I cross the street at the main intersection of my town, and out of nowhere my bike chain pops off. It isn’t the scenario where you hit a bump, do a jump, or have a real reason for your chain popping off. It’s the situation where you’re casually riding along, and wouldn’t (rather SHOULDN’t) expect your chain to come off. Because a non-S!#$ bike wouldn’t have a chain pop off for no apparent reason. As you can imagine this might surprise the rider. This might even cause the rider to lose balance due to the normal resistance provided by chain, pedals, and gears working in perfect harmony. I went from resistance to none, and wasn’t expecting it.
BOOM! Down I go, going no more than 5-7mph. You may think that isn’t to fast. You’re right it isn’t. Pair 5-7mph with being on a bike and getting tangled up in it. Now it seems a little worse right? I hit the cement. I was luckily wearing winter apparel as it is freezing as “hell?” (oh the beauty of irony). I hit my hands first, my chin and arm second, and somewhere in the confusion end up under my bike. My jeans have a giant rip (I later deduce it’s from the main cog; because of the cuts on my knee, and the chain grease that was all over it). Remember I was crossing a main intersection? Ya… Lots of Koreans were watching. A whole bus full were conveniently staring right at me. Due to time constraints of getting to school on time, being a bit embarrassed at crashing in front of many, being a bit prideful, and lastly not wanting to think about it, I picked up my bike waved at the bus and rode on. I didn’t assess my damage, or my bike.
As I rode off I realize my handle bars are cockeyed pointing to the right to ride straight. My seat tore all the way off. My bell that allows me to warn walking pedestrians out of my path was broken, and I was feeling pain. I laughed when it first happened (as this is my normal emotional response. Yes even when I’m hurt). Now I’m a bit irritated. My hand hurt, my leg hurt, and my bike sucked worse. I rode for 3 more mins, and decided not to throw a pity party and moved on.
I arrived at school and still didn’t look at my damage to myself. It wasn’t until I set down at my desk did I really look. I looked at my hand first. Decent wound, but nothing major. I rolled up my pant leg, and I somehow managed to cut the top and bottom of my knee. It didn’t look good. I also had a cut on my chin. It certainly wasn’t the worst situation I’ve been in. I decided to teach the rest of the day without taking care of it. Looking back, I regret this decision. I probably should have cleaned my leg up a bit. It was still an open wound even at 8pm that night 12 hours later.
Why do I say this tale? Perhaps because it was semi epic. Perhaps I want a small portion of pity. Maybe I just want you to share in my ridiculous situation.
The truth is to prepare my audience what I later found out…
I received some awesome awesome news that day. That is another blog for another time. Enjoy the read. I hope it made you laugh.
Friday, December 3, 2010
VIP
Today was a special day-
As I mentioned before, our students took major tests yesterday so my 6th graders got to watch movies today. I normally teach English to 6th graders on Friday, but since they were watching a movie I had my first day with 3rd graders. That was a bit redundant.
I should preface by saying that I have some 3rd graders in my Seodang (after school) class, but there aren't very many, and it is a totally different element. Today was my first real introduction to the 3rd graders as a whole. To put it into perspective...
It was as if I had returned from a great journey bringing back food that would keep my tribe fed through the winter. It was as if I was Aragorn in Return of the King. It was if I was the only Waygook in the school (I am), and I was the only means (outside tangible means yes) of using their crazy foreign language (English).
The first class I entered I was without my ko-teacher. The students went nuts! I was immediately swarmed by 90% of the class, bombarded with simple English phrases and questions. I was also given "the bird" by one student. I told him I'd break his finger (well I gestured it)If I saw that again. The rest of the classes were just as enthusiastic. It was fantastic.
What can I say? Today felt great. Just the little boost you need sometimes when you are so far away from the little comforts you were surrounded with at home. Today, I was blessed with the positive attitudes and happy hearts that only children seem to possess. Happy Friday
As I mentioned before, our students took major tests yesterday so my 6th graders got to watch movies today. I normally teach English to 6th graders on Friday, but since they were watching a movie I had my first day with 3rd graders. That was a bit redundant.
I should preface by saying that I have some 3rd graders in my Seodang (after school) class, but there aren't very many, and it is a totally different element. Today was my first real introduction to the 3rd graders as a whole. To put it into perspective...
It was as if I had returned from a great journey bringing back food that would keep my tribe fed through the winter. It was as if I was Aragorn in Return of the King. It was if I was the only Waygook in the school (I am), and I was the only means (outside tangible means yes) of using their crazy foreign language (English).
The first class I entered I was without my ko-teacher. The students went nuts! I was immediately swarmed by 90% of the class, bombarded with simple English phrases and questions. I was also given "the bird" by one student. I told him I'd break his finger (well I gestured it)If I saw that again. The rest of the classes were just as enthusiastic. It was fantastic.
What can I say? Today felt great. Just the little boost you need sometimes when you are so far away from the little comforts you were surrounded with at home. Today, I was blessed with the positive attitudes and happy hearts that only children seem to possess. Happy Friday
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Opinions and broken systems
So maybe you read my blog. Maybe you expect updates from your far away friend, or some other expectation that I can’t possibly meet. I’m not here to cater to those, but I offer you my random thoughts. You may have noticed I didn’t post in November. Well then, here is my summary of November. I grew a beard. It once again showed its true ginger color of red. I also had many thoughts and opinions. None of which will be unearthed in full.
I welcome December. Today was testing day, and that means no classes. I will never complain about a free day. Time to catch up on slick youtube vids, facebook happenings, reply to the many messages I am daily behind with, and type a letter or two on the ole bloggy blog.
First things first; I am opinionated, and I have A LOT of opinions.
One thing I’ve learned while living in another country is listening to other people spout off their opinions. I’ve enjoyed some good shared thoughts, and other times a bit shocked at the ignorance. I had a good chat with a friend the other night while having some coffee. It was nice to hear some logical thoughts from someone.
Second things second; I am a.d.d
Where was I going with that? No idea, I probably felt the need to preface it for a greater thought I may later elaborate, or embellish with my oh so ornery attitude.
I learned that my students have tests today. I would equate it with the difficulty of a semester test back home. The difference being they take all subjects in one day. They aren’t spread out, and it significantly impacts their future in school down the road. No, not just getting scores, but these tests could determine where they go to school, and whether or not they make it to college/ or trade school. It doesn’t leave much room for choice.
One thing I have a problem with is broken systems. I won’t be the first to say the US has testing down perfect (in fact I hate the emphasis placed on testing in the US), but this is just nuts! I understand the importance of assessment. I understand that testing is one way, or means of assessing student knowledge, but why for God sakes is it the end all method we use for so many important things?
"Hey little Gregory you scored a 34 on you ACT. Come to my college for free. You clearly deserve it. We saw Jasmine had tons of extracurriculars, but didn’t want her 19 ACT test taking ability diseasing our campus. Sincerely, the majority of US colleges." <--- I'm not sure why this popped in my brain. Just roll with it.
Maybe that’s a stretch, maybe there isn’t another way to determine why someone should go to a school and another shouldn’t. Maybe I should offer a solution myself if I’m going to complain about the current systems in place.
That is wherein I believe is the problem. When you try to standardize assessing intelligence, or knowledge known, things tend to get complicated. As much as we try to put systems in place for standardization and equalization, the student problems are immediate and pressing. No matter what, test questions are always going to have some sort of bias, some sort of assumed background knowledge that the test taker may or may not have. Some students may need more time reading questions, or even just the physicality of the test. I ask myself this question, “Does this truly measure the knowledge of the question being asked?” I wonder to myself if everyone who has taken tests has always had a perfect morning, well fed, a good night’s sleep, perfect attention, no physical limits, and NO distractions. It may sound like I was a poor test taker from my rant on the subject. In fact quite the opposite. I didn’t really study for tests until college. I just have a problem with broken systems.
There is still the dilemma of how a college should accept someone. How does one prove himself worthy of going to said college? Perhaps testing isn’t a terrible option, but the current emphasis on test scores is mind boggling, and absurd.
My final question is this, What are our desired goals of assessment? If it is to display student knowledge does our current system match this goal. I don't believe so.
I welcome December. Today was testing day, and that means no classes. I will never complain about a free day. Time to catch up on slick youtube vids, facebook happenings, reply to the many messages I am daily behind with, and type a letter or two on the ole bloggy blog.
First things first; I am opinionated, and I have A LOT of opinions.
One thing I’ve learned while living in another country is listening to other people spout off their opinions. I’ve enjoyed some good shared thoughts, and other times a bit shocked at the ignorance. I had a good chat with a friend the other night while having some coffee. It was nice to hear some logical thoughts from someone.
Second things second; I am a.d.d
Where was I going with that? No idea, I probably felt the need to preface it for a greater thought I may later elaborate, or embellish with my oh so ornery attitude.
I learned that my students have tests today. I would equate it with the difficulty of a semester test back home. The difference being they take all subjects in one day. They aren’t spread out, and it significantly impacts their future in school down the road. No, not just getting scores, but these tests could determine where they go to school, and whether or not they make it to college/ or trade school. It doesn’t leave much room for choice.
One thing I have a problem with is broken systems. I won’t be the first to say the US has testing down perfect (in fact I hate the emphasis placed on testing in the US), but this is just nuts! I understand the importance of assessment. I understand that testing is one way, or means of assessing student knowledge, but why for God sakes is it the end all method we use for so many important things?
"Hey little Gregory you scored a 34 on you ACT. Come to my college for free. You clearly deserve it. We saw Jasmine had tons of extracurriculars, but didn’t want her 19 ACT test taking ability diseasing our campus. Sincerely, the majority of US colleges." <--- I'm not sure why this popped in my brain. Just roll with it.
Maybe that’s a stretch, maybe there isn’t another way to determine why someone should go to a school and another shouldn’t. Maybe I should offer a solution myself if I’m going to complain about the current systems in place.
That is wherein I believe is the problem. When you try to standardize assessing intelligence, or knowledge known, things tend to get complicated. As much as we try to put systems in place for standardization and equalization, the student problems are immediate and pressing. No matter what, test questions are always going to have some sort of bias, some sort of assumed background knowledge that the test taker may or may not have. Some students may need more time reading questions, or even just the physicality of the test. I ask myself this question, “Does this truly measure the knowledge of the question being asked?” I wonder to myself if everyone who has taken tests has always had a perfect morning, well fed, a good night’s sleep, perfect attention, no physical limits, and NO distractions. It may sound like I was a poor test taker from my rant on the subject. In fact quite the opposite. I didn’t really study for tests until college. I just have a problem with broken systems.
There is still the dilemma of how a college should accept someone. How does one prove himself worthy of going to said college? Perhaps testing isn’t a terrible option, but the current emphasis on test scores is mind boggling, and absurd.
My final question is this, What are our desired goals of assessment? If it is to display student knowledge does our current system match this goal. I don't believe so.
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