Work…new co-teacher, food, new teachers, my kids…

So…I was going to update this earlier, but then got side tracked.

Also warning this might be long~

My computer from my room at school was taken to put in another classroom last…Monday so it’s been over a week. I was suppose to get a replacement and nothing yet.

Also, last Wednesday went to a “farewell dinner” with basically the entire staff that still works at the school besides a few people. New guy is gone completely. He’s enlisted in the military now. My co-teacher I said bye to on the 14th. The librarian wasn’t there because her father died. So yeah…

Both of the 6th grade teachers left. The one I didn’t like and Mr. Super Polite (I liked him, he was really nice) were the 6th grade teachers. The fourth grade teacher left. I kind of didn’t like her and kind of did. I don’t know…Oh and a the male third grade teacher left. He was decent.

While waiting on food to come. We went to a BBQ place that I actually been to twice and was happy because I knew I could walk home afterwards. Anyways, one of the fifth grade teachers was sitting across from me. I like her. She started talking about who would be my co-teacher. She wanted to teach English but the principal said no. I felt so sad, she would be great. Like granted her English isn’t perfect but she seems so bored teaching fifth grade. At least she would learn something while teaching English.

This is when I found out the co-teacher I just said goodbye to was….

*cries*

why oh why?

Coming back…..

*drops to knees dramatically* NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO~!

Anything….anyone but her! 

We both sat there sad for a few minutes. *sigh*

So food comes. Everyone decides they want to speak some English. One said she wants to learn more, while others agreed. They are so shy about it. I’m probably going to have to see if I can do something where they can learn basic English to help them out with everyday things and work situations. 

Of course they drink at these dinners. I am not a beer person. Never was and still not. Yet that’s like the first drink they serve up and I can’t refuse. I’m already super quiet. So I swallow my pride and just drink the beer. *sigh* I had like…3 or 4 glasses of the thing and was just sitting there looking at them questioning how they were already basically drunk. Which is pretty hilarious. That’s when they loosen up. 

They looked at me like they are expecting me to be the same way. Nope sorry. First, I don’t get drunk. Never have and don’t plan on it. Second, I was just really sleepy, since I just took allergy medicine maybe an hour or so before and those make me like that. So yeah…If anything I was sitting there quiet in my seat. 

Then the principal came over. You have to do a toast with her. Then that’s when it was official….my ex co-teacher…was coming back. I wanted to cry. She asked if I was happy. I just drunk my beer and nodded. She also asked how everything was going with me and if I have any problems with anything apartment or whatever to let her know and two other chicks that work in the office. She was kind of drunk so her pointing wasn’t too good if you know what I mean. 😛

They fed me so much though~! Like even the walk home barely helped. My stomach felt horrible. All that week everyone was feeding me. Like giving me seconds and stuff. I was like O.o I’m good. Omg my stomach can’t hold all this.

I think it’s because I’ve cut my portions down a lot compared to back home and actually have a serving size of stuff. After a few months of different eating habits, yeah my stomach probably shrunk. So yep… Like I didn’t sleep well that night because my stomach was bothering me. 

Then one day last week, my co-teacher came in. She told me what happened. She told the principal and the vice principal she didn’t want to do it anymore. I remember we talked about this before. She does not really like Yangpyeong that much. She said they called her when she was in the middle of exercising (she’s always working out) and begged her. She actually told them no but they both were begging her. She said she’d come to talk to me and didn’t know if she should cry or not. I found that to be hilarious because I was feeling the same too. Oh…my….god like really~? (yep did that in a valley girl voice)

So we talked. She said she’d only come back if I stay on as the English teacher. Like when my contract ends, she wants me to renew. I told her it’s up to the school. If they ask me to stay more than likely I would stay. It’s guaranteed money, and these GEPIK jobs are getting scarce. If I leave someone would happily fill in my place since we still have funding out here. She was like ok, if I stay then she’d think about coming back. She has to think on it, then later it seemed she made up her mind. If she’s coming then I have to stay. More than likely she talked to the principal and vice principal about this. And since they begged her to come back they probably went “ok”. I would not be surprised.

I look at it this way. When you come up for renewal it tends to be up to the co-teacher since they work with you the most and knows what’s going on. They talk to the vice principal, principal and whoever else. That’s how you secure your job. If I had a new co-teacher…eh…granted they would have 6 months to know me so it wouldn’t be too bad. But this one already has 3 done, another 6 months would be 9 months. Plus I think they like her in general because she’s older. Like 39 years older than me and I’m 24. Did the math? Yep.

Also, I know how she works and she knows how I work. I think we can strike a balance. They could have hired someone that I wouldn’t get along with at all. I’ll count my blessings here and not complain. For now. 

Now, moving on…

Yesterday, the staff seemed to want me to join them for lunch. I don’t know why. I never really say anything. Ok besides thank you and that’s ok. Hmm…yeah that’s it. But I went along. Back to the tofu place. I don’t love tofu and I don’t hate it. It’s just there to make me thirsty. I don’t even know why it does that. Though now the more I eat it the more I like it. I swear they are corrupting me. My taste buds are going to be use to Korean food and tastes. Like I’ve eaten so much kimchi recently. I normally don’t eat it too much. Now, it’s like “where’s the kimchi? oh this too? *noms*" 

On that note found out today I can’t eat nutri-grain bars anymore. You know those lovely apple cinnamon ones? Yep finally ate one from the box I bought last week from the mega-mart and the first bite….*sighs* felt like I had instant diabetes or something. The sweetness was too much. Like I was pouring a bag of sugar down my throat and felt a warm sensation in my chest. Messed up right? Yep. I kakaoed Keri and she laughed saying they taste the same as the ones at home. That’s when I knew my taste buds are changed again~! 

Last time I came from over here I couldn’t eat frosted flakes anymore. Now it’s my nutri-grain bars….But I know why. I don’t eat a ton of sweet things here. For instances candy and stuff. When I do it’s not sweet like at home. Like I eat a lot of cake here but the sweetness is way lower than at home. There’s a hint of it and you know it’s cake but not overpowering. I can explain it well in words right now. But the sweetness level I’ve gotten use to is way lower than the one at home. Which may or may not be a good thing…just like salt. I don’t eat a lot of that either. 

Fruits here though. OMG! AWESOME~! Why can’t we have apples and stuff like this at home? huh? Can I send some Korean apples home?

Anyways, back on track to the lunch~

The cleaning lady, ah~ I get a huge smile just thinking about her. She’s lovely and kept filling my dish. One of the ahjusshis that work at the school was like "Eat a lot~” While we were eating more of the staff came in along with new teachers~ I was like Oooooo good thing I came….Some look nice…others eh…We haven’t spoken yet so we’ll see? Maybe? Never know. ^^;

Other than all that I’ve been teaching a Spring Camp for “low income” kids last week and this week. I taught most of them if not all in after school classes before. They are adorable and I enjoy the two hours each day. The teachers in this room are sweet women who also feed me a lot by inviting me to stay for lunch too. I love them too~ Like they will even join in on the lessons to learn some things. 

Today though. One boy, he use to be a trouble maker and didn’t want to be in the after school classes or even normal class (he’s a 3rd…wait now 4th grader). Now? That boy is speaking more English and making the other kids pay attention. Became my little helper. Even singing songs I taught awhile back. which had me laughing so hard I was crying. It was priceless. There’s a 2nd turning 3rd grader (I’ll have him in normal classes~!) who was a trouble maker too. He’s even behaving and helping out. They are cute. Singing the English parts of “Something” by TVXQ and “TaxI” by Lee Minwoo (Shinhwa member) this week. They also sing the songs from Frozen in English instead of Korean. I like seeing kids who seemed to hate English use it more now on their own and want to help. It makes me feel proud.

No matter how tired I get or wonder what I’m doing with my life. Or even wondering what the future holds. When I see these kids and see how excited they get when I walk in the room let’s me know I’m doing my job and more. I can do my job and the kids look like “why did she show up?” or do my job and have them all “HELLO~! *runs and give hugs*” I’d take the latter any day. Seeing kids open up more to speak English. Even trying to teach me Korean means a lot.

Wow I’m getting teary. *sigh*

I love my kids though. Even one of my co-worker’s kid is in there. She use to be really really quiet and shy about saying things in English. Now she’s smiling and trying her best and her mom is so happy about it. Her other daughter was in my winter camp, the one who cried and almost missed lunch. Ever since then she speaks a lot more and smiles too. 

Being able to help is what I’m about. My co-workers noticed I’m really quiet but when it comes to the kids I’ll give my all. Even more voice if needed. Those little ones keep me going. Them and all the crazy stuff they do. When they roll down car windows to say yell out “HI~! AISHA TEACHER~!” and “I LOVE YOU!” Running up to me on the street or in the store pulling their parents along just to give me a hug. Bringing me little snacks or pieces of chocolate.  That…all of it… means a lot. I love them muchikins to pieces.

Gahh…now I’m a water works. Could probably drown someone in these tears. Never expected this. But hey it is what it is.

Now to clean myself up haha.

Until next time~!