So I realized that with Eun Hee gone that things would shift, but I didn’t realize I would suddenly gain leper status. I understand why it happened though. Without a buffer, I went from approachable with translator to that scary English-speaking woman who eats Koreans. Even my co-teacher tends to wave then scuttle away from me. All in all, it was pretty depressing when no one spoke to me all day until LUNCH.
Then the kids came and surrounded me. I love Grade 4 monsters; they’re all such little characters. They chattered at me in a mixture of English and Korean about the food and other random things. Afterwards, several of the girls jumped me and dragged me around until they were yelled at. I’m not sure if they were yelled at for being in the teacher’s building or for playing tug-o-war with me.
After school, of course, went rather badly. I looked away from Grade 1 for a few moments and next thing I know there’s a nasty fight. I broke that up and got them all coloring. Quietly. I don’t even CARE if they were learning English or not. They were quiet and in their seats. Grade 3/4 decided to be hellions until I finally had it and made them put their arms up and hold them there. Then we played hangman and I gave the winner a sticker, which PISSED the rest of them off. But you know what, she was paying attention. I gave the other girl a sticker too because she had been playing I Spy with me. The rest of the class bitched and moaned, but they’re lucky I am nice and didn’t smack them! And I told them that. Grade 5 was perfect. I even got Miss PU to participate.
I guess this is just a lesson that what works with one class may not work with another and the classes might all behave or they might not.
The only shred of light at the end of the tunnel was the teacher’s meeting. I don’t understand a word of it. I go because the principal requested I go. I don’t mind. I get to sit there and recover from class and eat random food objects. Today was cake, donuts, and orange tea. The tea is quite possibly the best tea I’ve ever had. The cake I attacked with toothpicks (seriously). The science teacher asked me if I want more. I said no. Nurse teacher clarified: did I want to take some home? Yes, yes I would. I also found some random… I don’t know what… slipped into my bag.
I just wish they didn’t run from me.
Tuesday I had a smack down with one of the kids. It was Grade 1 again. Now I’m starting to feel a little bit sorry for Shelley, if she had to deal with this in all her classes. But Sir Eyegouger (also known as “USA” by Shelley) was being a general butt and running around picking fights and disrupting everything. He literally gouged a nice chunk of skin off another boy’s cheek. So I tried to grab him and he ran away. I waited until he ran back around, snagged him, and hauled him out of class. I left him outside after saying BAD, TEACHER IS NOT HAPPY, and STAY. Big Sister came back to ask what happened and I said BAD! And all the other kids went chipchipchipchip at her in Korean. Whatever they said wasn’t flattering for the exilee because she went out and chewed him out. Then she left him out there all class and dragged him in at the end to apologize. Hopefully that’s that (although I doubt it).
The other classes were peachy :) We played Simon Says and Boys vs. Girls. And with the older group, I fielded ‘do you like…’ questions and happily got Miss PU to participate. Score for Erin Teacher.
Wednesday was joyful. I did my TEFL class (FMLFMLFML) and finished module 4. Now to see how terrible I did in a few days. I was also offered ‘copy’ by one of the ladies and accepted (LOL, this was the same lady who tried to convince me that I didn’t have to eat the kimchi if I didn’t like it… and I was trying to tell her I wanted to eat it!)
Plus, I presented my list of demands to my coteacher. It’s a pretty short list. I want internet banking, working internet at home, and a toaster oven. Yes, I’m just that easy. So we raced to the bank (and ran to the point where I was afraid my fearless co-teacher was going to dive UNDER the closing metal grill Indiana Jones style), and of course I didn’t have my wallet. So I filled out all the f-ing forms (sign here, sign here), but I’m supposed to go back Thursday with my ARC and find THAT particular banker who has my forms. Rrriiiiigggghhht… my 7 class day… it just meant I’d have to go at lunch.
But since I got off early, I went to the 5 day market. I was walking down there when some of my students called out to me. I stopped to shout back at them (keep in mind I’m on the side of the street here and not moving) when this SUV almost runs me over. They stopped about half a foot shy of smacking me, even as I jumped out of the way. They were giving me the WTF are you doing look, which I returned. I was on the SIDE of the road, not moving. I’m not short. They were the ones not paying attention and taking the turn too fast without using their blinker (yes, I was watching them out of the corner of my eye). And the kicker? The only thing I was worried about was what if one of the kids had run in front of them?!
Then, on the way down, a taxi flagged me down and invited me in. I tried to tell him I was okay, but he insisted (this was the same guy that took my coteacher and I home from the bank 15 minutes earlier). He took me all the way down to the train station (there’s a taxi stand there). I said thank you and tried to pay him. He just shook his head and grinned at me.
The 5 day market, which, I’ve mentioned before, is like a massive farmer’s market. There’s fish, fish, fish, fish, and more fish (live, dried, salted, iced, gutted, whole…), clothing, veggies, fruits, street food, and all sorts of things. I was just ambling along, minding my own business, when someone said my name. Gary and Moriah were also doing some food shopping at the market. It’s so nice to chat with other English speakers.
I come back home and hear this scrabbling noise. WTF? WHOOSH. My immediate thought: the hamster. Sure enough, she had escaped and was running around. I caught her fairly easily by tapping on the floor. I have NO idea why that works (it doesn’t work on carpet), but the hamsters always come when I do that.
Thursday night I had dinner with some other foreigners in Samcheok. It was actually really nice. Great food and great company. Of course, we didn’t have turkey, because turkey is ridiculously expensive here ($90), but the pie, gravy, and cranberry sauce was really nice. And of course the canned corn…
Although what really surprised me about the night is our host had guests… Finnish guests. Okay, random. The Finns were really nice though and they had very good English. I can’t even begin to pronounce or spell their names. So that led to a conversation about Santa and Penis Parks. Such a welcoming bunch—have our Thanksgiving leftovers while we harass you and give you wine (why’d they give the Finns wine? Maybe the S. African drank all the vodka?).
Friday was Friday. I got my internet fixed.
Saturday I went to my new co-teacher’s house. I met her daughters and husbands and had a great time. Although I fretted about what to bring as a gift (you bring a little token when you go to someone’s house). I was fed traditional Korean food, but not spicy versions. I answered a lot of questions about America, Kansas, California, GMO and American beef, and had discussions about my students and books. Plus, the 6 year old beat me up. We were rough housing and she slammed her head into my cheek—OUCH. But I came home and emptied my pockets to find all kinds of random things she stuffed in my clothes (balls of paper, crayons, etc.).
Sunday I went through the joyful tangle of setting up accounts and looking for plane tickets. I eventually gave up and sent off a few emails asking for help. I think I’m going to have to make another visit down to the bank Monday at lunch. Such a PITA to set up.
And the Jehovah’s Witnesses returned and left me literature. It almost feels like I’m back home in America with all this religious solicitation.
No comments:
Post a Comment