Seems like spring is just around the corner...

The sun is shining (and does it's best to peek between the buildings), the birds are chirping, and the temperature is rising slowly.  While the changing of the seasons is still 22 days away, it feels as though Mother Nature may be cutting us a break.  Feels as though spring is nearly here!

Before moving to Korea, I was extremely frightened by the thought of winter here.  I hate to be cold, don't like gray skies, and wasn't quite sure what I should wear.  I was also worried that my mood would be effected by the lack of sunlight.  I survived!  Maybe it's because I was expecting the worse.  Maybe it's because my parents got me a wickedly warm Eddie Bauer coat and Timberland boots for Christmas.  I'm not sure which, but amazingly I feel like winter wasn't too bad.  Considering this was my number one fear for life in Korea, I now feel better than ever about living here long term.

Today I thought about spring.  I thought about wearing cute sandals.  The really strappy ones in an array of colors.  I thought about my toes being painted instead of covered by leggings, two pairs of socks, and boots.  I started to get really excited.

Then, I thought about spring again.  This time I thought about wearing a summer dress or *gasp* a bikini. I started to get REALLY frightened.  Springtime is gym time!  I think it's about time I bump my two-day per week minimum up to three or four or five.  I think it's about time I start drinking more water and less coffee.  Maybe I can appreciate winter after all...

Spring is nature's way of saying, "Let's party!" ~Robin Williams

Totally Random Tuesday

I found myself walking home tonight with the biggest smile on my face, so I wanted to get back quickly and write a post.  If I could bottle up this feeling and bring it back to share with everyone, I would.  Instead I'll settle with trying to capture it here.

I had already thought about blogging tonight.  Because it was a random Tuesday, which I had spent at work all day, I decided I should probably include some highlights of my day.  Things I'd like to share with you happen EVERY day, but usually never make it to print.  As I was walking, I was penning this post in my head.  It was Robert from Pegasus class (Pre-K) that said something funny today. 

I was asking why another student wasn't there.  Jerry said "He has same as me," and pointed to his dry skin spots.  Robert said "He has energy.  Sometimes I have energies here."  He meant ALLERGIES, but it was still funny nonetheless.  He's also the student who says "tay oh pention" instead of "pay attention."


Despite having some "level tests," which help determine if students should advance to the next level, it was a pretty average Tuesday.  I was pretty proud of my first grade reading comprehension lesson.  We have been discussing fiction and nonfiction stories.  Because today was a review day, I decided to continue with that theme.  First we warmed up by doing a worksheet in which the students were shown two sentences and had to choose which was fiction.  The kids thought the sentences were silly, so it was fun.  The worksheet wasn't my own creation, but to the back of it I copied a blank Venn diagram.  We compared and contrasted fiction/nonfiction as a class and the kids filled in the diagram. 

The creative juices were flowing today and I thought up the last activity on my own.  I wish I had an attachment to show you.  Basically, I made a sheet with room for four books.  The kids had to list the title, circle whether they thought it was fiction or nonfiction, and then list three reasons to support their idea.  As a class, we went to the library.  I told the kids to fill out one book at a time.  As they finished a book, they would show me the sheet.  For each book they correctly identified, they got a sticker.  I'm definitely keeping that one for my teacher file.

Anywho, tonight I had dinner at the little conveyor belt sushi place that is by my local subway station.  I had been in there last week with a coworker friend and really liked it.  The chef speaks decent English and the food is very reasonably priced.  I wasn't exagerating when I said it's little, though.  There is only one counter with room for maybe ten (?) people. 

I'm still not ready to travel the world alone, but I love how Korea has helped me to become more independent.  I didn't feel at all awkward to go eat by myself.  I sat down and grabbed the first plate that looked appealing.  If you've never heard of these places, this is how it works:  1.  the food passes on the conveyor belt.  2.  You grab the plate that looks good.  It usually contains two pieces of sushi or some other small portion of food.  3.  As you eat, stack the plates and keep track of the color of each.  Each color represents a different price.  4.  When you're done, figure your total and pay.

Yummm...bacon!

The first plate I took was a unique sushi-like mound of rice topped with bacon, onions, and white sauce.  After that, the waitress brought a cup of miso soup.  I ate a little and read my book.  The chef came over to say hello and brought a "service" (free) plate of fruit.  He said "You're by yourself?"  I nodded.  "Why are you by yourself?" 

If that would have happened state-side last year, I probably would have cried into my soup whilst singing "All by Myself" a la Celine Dion.  Ok not REALLY, but I would have been bummed.  In Korea, I'm pretty used to these questions.  One of my Korean coworkers asked me "When will you marry?''  O_o  How exactly is one supposed to answer that question?!  "Ummmm, hopefully before pigs fly..."

I took another plate.  This time it was salmon topped with onions.  The chef came and took my soup cup.  He refilled it and told me "Slowly, eat slowly...Mmmmm."  haha  Anyone who as ever eaten with me knows that I'm always eating "slowly."  I read some of my book, so I could pause between plates.  He came back to give me another free plate.  I thought he was saying something in Korean, but turns out he was trying to tell me his name.  I repeated it back and told him mine.  I have a feeling that I may become a regular at that little shop.

After selecting and eating another salmon set, I decided to leave.  My total for two cups of soup, 8 pieces of sushi, two small skewers of chicken, and a plate with strawberries and pineapple came to a whopping $4.50.  Yes, I really do adore this town.

After my meal, I headed two doors down to the Baskin Robbins to get a pint of ice cream.  As it is right outside the station, I usually stop in every other Sunday night.  I buy a pint with three flavors of ice cream.  That way, when I'm craving sweets (most nights) I can eat a few (or ten!) bites.

I walked home in the blissfully warm weather.  Hold on, let me check the temp...3C.  I never thought that 37F would feel warm!  It's nice not to need a hat or gloves, though.  I don't know, maybe it's in the air pollution, but there's just something about this place that makes me unusually happy.  Don't get me wrong, I have bad days, too.  For the most part though, I'm loving it!  How was your Tuesday?

Happiness often sneaks in through a door you didn't know you left open. ~John Barrymore

Blogging about blogging

So I finally decided to write another post.  I was inspired by seeing others' posts and realizing I needed to jump back on this wagon.  At least I'll get in a couple ideas before January is over O_O.

I was looking at a friend's blog link on FB.  At the top of the Blogger site you can click on a link that says "Next Blog>>"  See it??  So because I was procrastinating writing my own blog/uploading pictures/washing dishes/sending an e-mail/and half a dozen other things, I clicked the dang link. 

I immediately fell upon a page that looked pretty awesome and artsy.  The girl's most recent post was about this really cool website right hur.  I especially liked this picture among others:

Credit:  Silhouette Masterpiece Theatre- Wilhelm Staehle

I returned to the girl's blog and was just scrolling down quickly while browsing.  She had a bunch of magazine-like clothing/accessory collages.  All of it was pretty trendy.  I stopped dead in my tracks when I saw this post: 

"I'm turning 15 today.

Nine of my friends are coming over at 6pm and seven are staying the night.

Can't wait!"

Record-stopping screech sound...what the hill?!  This girl is fifteen and her blog is FAR cooler than mine.  I really need to step my game up.

I've decided to do a 365 Project/ 365 Day Photo Challenge.  I started it on Facebook, but will also post weekly on my blog.  On days that I don't forget to take a picture, it can be hard to narrow it down to 1 picture.  I think I might post a couple per day here.  So there goes, now you can see a weekly photo montage of my life.  I figure that way even if I don't write a ton, everyone can still get an update.  Interestingly enough, the same gal that made me think to write tonight, is the one I got the photo challenge idea from.  If by chance you're reading, thanks Emily!

I went back to check out the collages the young girl had built.  You can make them on this fabulously fun site:  Polyvore.  Here's my first attempt:

dreamin' of warmer weather by streetsalefashion featuring black booties

Ok, this is enough for one night.  I might have to add those photo challenge pictures later...

“On matters of style, swim with the current, on matters of principle, stand like a rock.” ~Thomas Jefferson

The Best Fieldtrip Ever (80 photos)

I'd like to share my Snapfish photos with you.
Click here to view photos

Unusually Awkward Encounter

Some people wonder what it's like living in Korea.  What happened to me 10 minutes ago is the perfect example:

Let me start by saying, I went out with coworkers last night until the wee hours of the morning.  I slept in nice and late, discussed tonight's plans with friends, and decided to check Facebook.  I was still in my pajamas when the doorbell rang.

My "apartment bill" was around $30 higher this month.  I asked my boss why and she said it was the heating bill.  I explained that I have not touched my heater.  She said that she would send the apartment man (ajoshi) to check something under my sink?  When the doorbell rang, I closed the bedroom door and ran to answer the door.  An ajumma, complete with visor, was just starting to walk away.  She came back and tried to talk to me.  I told her "Hangul ope-so." (I don't have Korean/I don't speak Korean.)  She had one of those touch screen devices in her hand and was saying "gas-uh," so I figured she wanted to check the gas.

I invited her in (gesturing) and she tried to speak some more Korean to me.  She said "gas-uh" and again I gestured for her to follow me.  Something she said or did made me wonder if she wanted to know if the gas was working.  I went to the kitchen and checked the gas.  It worked.  While I was in there she's still speaking Korean.  She's coming towards the kitchen at this point, but she's on her hands and knees.  "Is she feeling for the ondol?  I wonder." 

I point to the lit burner, to show her that the gas is in fact working.  She's halfway standing up now.  She tries to ask me something else in Korea, and I finally think to call a friend.  She says "ani, ani" (no, no.)  At this point, she starts to head back for the door CRAWLING AGAIN.  Only then do I realize she is crawling so as not to walk on my (not very clean) floor.  OMG. 

Korean tradition mandates that one remove ones shoes when entering someone's home, some restaurants, and I'm sure occasional other buildings.  Every other visitor I've had, removed their shoes and either walked in socks or slipped on the plastic sandals I keep by the door for that purpose (they've been here since I moved in.)  I personally wear my brown Old Navy flipflops around the house.  Not this lady, though.  She chose to CRAWL on her hands and knees all the way down the hallway. 

I felt so bad and was trying to tell her to stand up.  When she finally gets done crawling across my in-desperate-need-of-a-sweep floor, she stands and does the most unusual thing.  She tells me (gestures and Korean) that I have a nice face!  Ugh the horror. 

"Hey lady, thanks for coming to my country without speaking the language, inviting me into your messy home in your pajamas, and allowing me to crawl across your apartment to TRY to explain something you should probably already know, but you've got a pretty face."

I. LOVE. KOREA. 

They may have some unusual customs, but how can you fault that which makes you laugh?  I bowed and said "kamsamnida" and saw her out the door.  I still don't even know why she was here.  Well, on that note, I'm off to sweep the floor before I have any more visitors!

“Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.” ~Mother Teresa

Angel vs Devil

Back and forth they battle, perched high upon each shoulder.  At times, it appears to be a clear victory for one side, at others, the lines are blurred.  The devil's nicknames are stress, fear, frustration, or paranoia.  The angel's are hope, inspiration, love, and power.

As tensions grow at work, as rumors seep from room to room, and as pressure drowns out creativity, it is easy to succumb to the horned beast.  Tonight I followed a breadcrumb trail of internet links to some very inspiring videos.  First, by recommendation, I watched this video:



Sir Ken Robinson is very entertaining and makes several valid points on the faults and future of the modern education system.  I appreciated the video so much that I watched another of his that appears first in the sidebar of the TED Talks website.  This is the second time in two weeks that I have been intrigued by a TED Talk (but that is a whole other post!)

I find my chosen profession to be very constraining at times.  Some of my fellow university students, past mentors, and current colleagues have been successful at bending or even breaking down the walls that I feel held captive by.  I feel that I am an OK teacher at times.  I know that I am still new at this, but someday I want to be better.  I want to do MORE.

I am reminded of a fantastic movie I watched in an education class in college.  I did a quick Google search on what I thought the title might be, but it was made much before the digital age.  I think I will e-mail my professor in order to get the info.  Anyway, the video discussed creativity killers.  It sought to identify ways that teachers knowingly, or many times unknowingly stamp out the creativity of their young students.

I hope and pray that I am not, and will not become, that very teacher.  I know what it takes to be fantastic.  It's just that it is so easy to get tired, to succumb to the stress, to settle with mediocrity in my lessons.  These are all merely excuses.  I feel that I am ripping off a touching quote, but I honestly can't remember where I heard "Are students learning because of, or inspite of me?"  Ahhhh it just kills me!  I don't want to be the "inspite of" teacher.

Wowzers this post is getting loooong.  Anywho, the third video I watched was this one:



Jane Goodall has fascinated me since I was very young.  I honestly remember researching and wanting to go to Central Washington University so that I could participate in primate studies in this program.  I thought I would teach sign language to them haha!  (There was also a time when Frank Lloyd Wright inspired me to be an architect.) I was very pleased to see that Jane is still alive and well.  She is still working to understand and improve upon our planet for future generations. 

In the video, Jane discusses her Roots and Shoots program.  I have not looked at the website yet, but the way she talked about it made me want to get involved.  Some of her efforts remind me of Kiva.  It is a global microfinance program that "enables enterprising workers to start a business to achieve financial independence."  The loans are established with a mere $25!  I have already made it a personal goal to complete five of these loans in less than three years.  I am also now interested in looking into the Roots and Shoots program.

There is a constant battle waging.  From watching tonights' TED videos, to hearing about my cousin Lucinda's upcoming 11 month mission trip, the devil's shouts are temporarily being drowned out by the angel's song.  I believe that if I continue to spend time seeking out inspiration, find ways that I can help others, and start putting some of these ideas into action, I will become the teacher and person that I desire to be.

I hope that you had time to check out some of the link-tastic-ness in this post.  Maybe in the future, each of these topics that is near and dear to my heart, can become it's own post.

While I was writing, I thought of this song:



Like the rest of this post, this might be a pretty cheesy.  It was one of the songs that my sister and I used to belt out when we were younger, and will always hold a special place in my heart.  I love you Cassey!

It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.  ~Frederick Douglass

Things my students say...

I love singing songs in my pre-K phonics class.  This is what happened today after we finished our workbook pages:

Me:  Ok, I'm going to try to find us a long "i" song.  (turning on computer)

Class:  Yay! Long "i"!!! 

Me:  I'm going to TRY.  I'm not sure that I'll be able to find one.

Vitus:  Teacher you don't have to try.  You're a GOOD teacher.

Me:  Aww thank you, Vitus!

With all of the pressure from the parents, bosses, or myself, it is easy to feel stressed.  I need to remember that the kids are the ones that count and obviously I'm making a positive impact on them.  And on a related note:

Me:  (computer turned on typing in google.com)

Dennis:  (raising hand)

Me:  Yes, Dennis?

Dennis:  Teacher, yesterday I google.

Me:  (astonished) Oh really Dennis??

Dennis:  Yes. (smiles enormously)

Oh goodness...I know that I am addicted to Google.  I use it as a verb for Pete's sake.  When I had an iPhone, I would look up anything and everything on the spot.  Whenever someone asks me a question, my reply is "I don't know, but did you try Google?"  I seriously can't remember what I did before it came around.  Now, my impressionable pre-K students are using it too.  I'm not sure if this is a good or bad thing.

Pictures of the two little guys:



Vitus from Scorpio class.  No, this is not how he dresses everyday!  This outfit is traditional Korean dress or hanbok.  He was wearing this for Chuseok.  Vitus likes playing soccer and baseball, and is also fiercely competitive.





Dennis from Scorpio class (on "hospital play" day)  One of the best things about Dennis is his cheesy grin, but he rarely shows his teeth in pictures.  He is very smart and wants to be a dentist when he grows up!



PS-  Hooked on Phonics has some awesome fun songs that you can find on youtube.com (via google.com of course!)  Here is Scorpio classes's favorite song.  I put motions to all of the lyrics so we get to dance along:

The "Big Pig Song" is great for reinforcing the short "i" sound.

A teacher affects eternity:  he can never tell where his influence stops.  ~Henry Adams