I've been a little bummed out all day. No specific reason (though yesterday's meeting didn't help). I'm just feeling homesick and generally down. Also, I still feel vaguely ill. I hate that feeling, I wish my immune system would make a decision one way or the other.
It was really windy this morning. Dust blew off the children's field out our window, our apartment hallway howled and parts of the track were wind tunnels when we ran this morning. It almost looked like a storm was going to roll in, but it didn't. I read online that there is a typhoon (Melor) just off of Japan. It's supposed to hit land early tomorrow. I wonder if that had any affect on our weather. Japan blocks Korea from most of the extreme "ocean" weather, but I'm sure that some gets through to us.
I got to work a few minutes late today because the bus was behind and traffic was bad. Just as I went to my desk to put my stuff away, "Hank" told me that it was coffee time. So, I went and had coffee with the other teachers, Chun wha and "Hank." I really tried to be smiley and talkative, but my mood must have shown through because everyone told me I looked tired and asked me if I was sick. I told them that I didn't think so. They even looked up the translation for "chest congestion" on the internet. Again, I told them "Not really." Then "Hank" suddenly disappeared. When he came back he had a bunch of little health drinks and vitamins. He gave all of us one of each and we took them. They told me "Cheer up." It was a pretty strange experience, but I truly appreciate their thoughts. Though I feel a little ill, I have a feeling that they know that I'm not really sick and that this was their way of being emotionally supportive. Koreans don't seem to deal with emotions very well. Or at all, really.
When I got done with classes today "Hank" and Chun wha greeted me with Baskin Robbins ice cream. They packaged some up for me to take home for Ian and I. Now that's a medicine I won't question.
Now for the lighter side... My favorite moment of the day: "Hank" was leaving the academy to go back to home or work (I'm not sure), he said goodbye to me and then he and Chun wha high-fived. It was awesome. Korean's don't publicly show affection to a member of the opposite sex (though little things like holding hands has become acceptable), so their little show of couple-ness struck me as uber cute.
I need more things to write about on these average days, so please give me suggestions. Asking specific questions would be great! Try to convince Ian to write, too!
Ooo, how was the ice cream?
ReplyDeleteYeah, there is definitely something lacking in the emotional outlet area from what I read. I'm always reading about how Asian celebrities are mocked in the press for such and such and instead of powering through or ignoring it like in the states, they commit suicide.
Oh! I thought of something that you could try in your classroom: I had a second grade teacher who loved to incorporate art into everything we did. So to practice spelling she would have us draw pictures that included all the words we needed to learn. Mine usually included rainbows and unicorns. You've said these kids love to draw, maybe figuring out a way to combine it with learning more often could help keep them interested?
Teaching is hard. I know. But you are doing an amazing job, I can tell.
Hope the Ice Cream was awesome. Baskin Robbins in Korea, who new.
ReplyDeleteYou are doing a great job of blogging on your average days. Taking us through your day may not seem interesting but it is. You seem to always have at least a couple of stand out moments in your day. Keep up the great work.
One thing I would like to hear about is the street food vendors and what they are peddling. Are they only in certain areas, or are they everywhere? Any way just a thought.
Also, hearing the backgrounds on your kids is always interesting.
Hi Casey!
ReplyDeleteAbout your bummed out and down feeling...It's all the normal process of living outside of your home country....for that matter, any new living situation! We all went through it when we lived overseas. The newness and excitement of being in another country is wearing off. It sounds like you have a supportive group to draw from there...they really tried to make you feel better! Thats so wonderful.
Just hang in there and your home sickness feeling will begin to wane. Soon, Korea will feel like your second home! I promise!