Funny

It was April Fools Day this week, and so, there was the obligatory prank to play on my poor, unsuspecting students. I pretended that there was a surprise test: not too original, but still, worthwhile. Of course, only about half of the students understood what was going on. The rest, barely knew what hit them. But for the smiles and laughter from those who actually understood what was going on, it was enough for me to have my fun.

Also fun from the classroom, was a comment from another one of my students. In my afterschool advanced English class (affectionately called 'English Maniacs' by my co-teacher), we were working on the textbook.
'What is your favorite season?' asked one ninth grader to his friend.
'Summer'
Since this was too easy for them, I asked them, 'Why?'
The first student answered for his friend, 'He wants to show off his six-pack!!' Ha ha. It was funny. But, the other student wasn't sure of the joke, and had to get the Korean translation from his friend. Of course, it wasn't funny then. Oh well. At least I could enjoy it.

English Immersian--In Korea?

So, the new president elect, Lee Myung Bak, announced his new plan for English education last week. He proposed that in 2 years,by 2010, all classes in every school nationwide will be taught in English: yes even math, science, and history! Needless to say, the Korean people had a little resistance to that idea.
Lindsey's adult students explained their reaction which was more than restrained. Lindsey asked them, why don't you just go to the Blue House (the president's house, similar to the White House) and protest with signs saying "We hate you! Don't do it!" But they said, "No, we respect the position."
However, on Monday, when I talked to the teachers at my school about it, they told me: "Ahhh!(an expression of pain or disgust) Lee Myung Park! No clue! No brain!" They, being teachers themselves, are much more affected by the plan. It would mean they'd be out of a job. Because none of them can speak English, let alone TEACH in English.
A Korean lady at my church, Soon, who teaches English at a University, also had something to say. While flipping pancakes for our Fat Tuesday pancake dinner, she explained Mr. Lee's reasoning, saying, "He wanted to make it easier on parents who send their kids abroad to learn English." She said, "Instead, they can stay in Korea and learn English." This is true. Many Koreans do send their kids abroad. I had 11 Korean middle school students in my small private Christian school in Portland. It was a tough time for them, missing their family and having to adjust to a new culture. Many of them were sad and depressed during their year.

My friend Nami told me a little joke that Koreans were saying about Mr. Lee. His last name "Lee" is pronounced "E" in Korean which is also the same word for '2'. His other initials are MB. Put together, it is 2MB. So, they were saying he had a 2mb brain. Funny.

Well, in response to public outcry against this ridiculous plan, he and his administration have agreed to push back the plan.

I say, it is a good idea, but on a much smaller scale. How about having just 1 or 2 magnet schools where the classes are in English.

The Koreans are a fiercely proud people. They love their language and especially their written language which is supposed to be the most scientifically accurate. To take it away would be worse than killing them, I think.

Janie-cutest girl on the block

I'm sorry, I've just gotta say: isn't my niece precious in her little pigtails???

세해복많이받으세요! Much Happiness on Lunar New Year!

It is the first day of the Lunar New Year, and I am at home, blogging. Many Koreans, such as my friends Nami and Choi Chang, will be visiting their family today, and bowing to their elders in the traditional way as shown in the video. It is just one of the many ways Koreans show respect for their elders.
When you are a child, even up to university, and you bow to your grandmother/grandfather or uncles/aunts/mother/father they are supposed to give you money. As much as 10 or 20 dollars each time. The more money you get, the more you are loved. But, if they only give you 10 cents...then it's too sad. So, as you can see, as a child, you can look forward to this day. My friend, Jolie, who is American but is married to a Korean, says she always has to give money to her husband's little nephews/nieces.

Korean Class 101

Oh my goodness, you guys! I found the best website ever for learning Korean! It's called, "Koreanclass101.com". The reason it is so good is: for one, it gives me a chance to record my own voice and compare it to a native speakers. Because it's on the website and not a real person, I can press play over and over again, and not have to annoy my real Korean friends, by making them repeat the same line over and over again! Genius!
And for another, it has a variety of levels to fit my needs. So, I can review my skills with the Beginner class, and more than challenge myself with the Intermediate level class.
The Korean culture classes are good, too. And I already love Keith and Seol, the two main teachers, because I've listened to them over and over again all week. And I feel like they're my best friends.

I think you who want to improve your Korean, should definitely check it out. Just click on the banner in the sidebar. And get started.

Christmas in the Northwest

Yes, I got to go home for the Holidays, to the beautiful, snowy, Northwest. Yes, snow. It only happens once every twenty years, I guess, but there was indeed snow on Christmas day. Well, that was great. But even better was the (almost) 4 weeks I had. Spending QT with my family, especially and most notedly, my niece and nephew who've grown up in the time it takes to blink!


Here they are: that's Jack and Janie. Jack is almost 4 and Janie is almost 2. From the moment Jack and Janie woke me up in the morning at 8am, my time was full with taking Jack to preschool, story time, trips to the play area at the mall, naptime, etc, etc. But, my sister and I also managed to get away to see the movie, Juno. Yes, it was one busy, never-a-dull moment, whirlwind: hanging out with the Hyatts.

Before going to the Hyatts, however, there was a calm before the storm. I also got to visit my mom in Boise, for a week. My mom, who is the 'home improvement/project' queen, actually didn't have anything for me to do this time. We whiled away the time shopping and going to movies, and eating all the pumpkin pie and squash pie we could handle; finally working it all off with a snowshoeing adventure at Bogus Basin.

Lastly, I made a major decision while home: I've decided it's time to go back to Grad school. I was all set and enrolled two years ago before I came to Korea, at George Fox in the MAT program. But then, I decided I just wasn't ready yet, and so came to teach English here in Korea, instead. Well, June is the last chance for me to start before my application expires, and I'll have to reapply all over again. Soooo, I have to tell my school that I will be leaving a few months earlier than I told them I would. Heartbreaking. I don't want to tell them. But, I must.

Okay, that's all for now.

I am Legend

나는전설니다 The scariest movie I've ever seen. And, I unwittingly went to it by myself! Which wasn't the smartest move. And, then, to top it off, it was 11pm when the movie finished and I had to walk down a dark street all alone to get home.

Well, I will not be doing that again. Last night, after a nice work dinner party to celebrate the end of the year, I found myself alone on a Friday with nothing to do. So, I veered into a movie cineplex on my way home. The only English movie available was "I am Legend". My very girly, conservative friend, Jolie had said she wanted to see that. So, I though it would be safe. Without knowing anything else other than the commando-looking Will Smith on the movie poster, I bought a ticket.
I was in for a real surprise. First of all, I hate scary movies. With the exception of suspense movies like Alfred Hitchcock.
In the opening scene, Will Smith is racing his red mustang(?) down a street in the ghost town of New York City. Really cool. I am hooked. However, what started out as an interesting action/adventure movie quickly turned into my worst nightmare!

The first time he chases a deer into a dark, dank corridor, I knew nothing good could come of it. That's when I almost grabbed onto the complete stranger's arm next to me.

The rest of the movie was more of the same. Freaky looking monsters that vaguely resemble humans only with rabies like symptoms. The only reason I stayed to the end, was because I wanted to make sure everything turned out alright. And it did, but I don't think I will be feeling safe after dark for awhile.

Blogging has definitely taken a back seat to studying Korean and the other activities in my life. I took these pics at school. The Korean I'm with is the school secretary. Her name is Miss Song. She is patient with me and speaks Korean with me slowly and repeats it until I understand. Such a friend. I know so little about her because we can only speak in Korean. She is in her 30's. She lives with her family still because she isn't married. And, she used to attend our school as a middle school student and her teacher was Miss Go, who is now the principal. Often, she stays home on the weekends and doesn't really do anything. I wonder if she had a tragic love affair or something or what is the reason she never married. Hhmm.

Nami is another Korean friend whom I've been spending a lot of time. She is single, and is opening up a piano school in December. She just broke up with her boyfriend because he often criticized her appearance and called her "fat" even though she is a size 4 in American size! She told me that the Korean man's ideal woman is a tiny, wispy girl whom they can boss around. She is so funny, sometimes.

Finally, there's Kyongran. She is a highschool English teacher and she attends our church. She is pregnant with her second baby. And, because she isn't working now, is home all day with her daughter, Soo hyun. And so bored and lonely because her husband works 2 hours away and often won't be home during the week. So, on Wednesdays, we've worked out a deal where she teaches me Korean cooking and Korean language for 2 hours. And then, I watch her daughter while she goes to a Bible Study at church and gets to have more 'adult' conversation. It works out great for both of us, I think.

My Korean is finally starting to improve. I am understanding about 10% of what I hear now. Which is huge. And if the Koreans slow down a bit, even more. Wow! Good job, Cara!

Korean Culture

Only one month into the new contract and already showing signs of wear. But, have made tremendous progress on my anti-Western-bubble campaign. Within the space of a few days of the previous post, I'd met Nami: she was sitting behind me at Starbucks one day and came up to Monica and I with an English question. When she found out I needed a Korean tutor, she quickly volunteered to teach me. What a star. Her English is great: that's how we communicate. As she studied for a year in D.C. Also, talk about insight. This girl is constantly offering me cultural observations.

For example, she tells me that Koreans don't like it when Koreans speak English. Aha! That's why the standoffishness of the other teachers at school. Nami said they feel like that person is a showoff.