Hey did you guys ever realise that Wine Gums aren't wine flavoured? They also aren't gum. A very simple gift to one of my Korean friends proved more confusing than I had anticipated. And required a lot more explaining than I would have liked.
On the other hand the Pineapple Lumps went down a treat. They also caused instant addiction in a few cases, with "Oh, my God! Can I get these here in Korea?!" (or similar) being exclaimed in a few cases.
Yes, I'm back in Bucheon. I had a lovely New Zealand "vacation". One of many "new" words I have had to get used to since living here. T and J's wedding was awesome. The bride was beautiful. The bridesmaids too. The forecasted nasty weather was a no-show. The sun came out and did its thing. I didn't lose the rings and my wobbly speech after dinner didn't ruin the festivities.
Actually on a side note - I was kinda looking forward to NOT being stared at for a day or two while I was back in NZ ... Then I was included in a Bridal photo shoot in Albert Park on a sunny weekend day ... wearing a top hat and tails. But at least I wasn't alone in this, and more people were checking out the stunning bride and groom anyways of course. I actually had a lot of fun. I think it was a great day for everyone - especially the happy couple.
Then I went on to spend a coupla days in Taupo and squeezed in a few computer lessons with my poor mum. I also spent a few hours on the phone with IRD. Yay. Soaked up some sun with a beer in hand while I was at it.
I managed to catch up with a few friends in Auckland too. As long as they were in my immediate vicinity and could spare the time. I eve
n bumped into a few by accident which was awesome.
It wasn't long before I was hopping off a plane into the familiar neon glow (and unusual wet) of a Korean evening. I'm not sure why, but I managed to score a business class seat from Tokyo to Incheon. It's the only time I have ever managed to catch a couple of Zs on a plane!
It's noticably less wintery now I'm back. I'm kinda sad about this as I was hoping for a little more snow. The Korean spring promises to be very beautiful though.
This new school year will be busier for me than last year. Added to my usual classes of 4th, 5th, and 6th graders are 3rd graders, and some of the teachers. Yes, I will begin teaching the teachers English. I have also been signed up for some childcare classes. I am going to be teaching art, in English, to what I suspect are real little kiddies. I dunno how difficult this is going to be. These classes don't start until April, so I have time to brace myself. But on the plus side, gone are the Wednesday afternoon classes which just about killed me last year. The kids hated 'em. I hated 'em. Good riddance. Actually now I teach later every day except Wednesday...
All this means I get more money! I get overtime if I teach for more than 22 hours a week and my hours now go up to 26ish hours! That'll be nice. It's strange that all this extra work won't affect me too much. I still have to spend 40 hours at school each week. I'll just be teaching for more of it.
My first lessons with students I haven't taught before are always quite fun. I feel like a freak and a star at the same time. Some of them are pretty stunned by me. Others reach out and touch my jeans and my hands as I walk past (actually I wonder what they expect will happen when they do this? That I will feel as different as I look? That a little of my fairness will sprinkle down like magic dandruff and make them taller?
Sometimes it's a little heart-breaking too. Often the kids who are most enamored with me tend to be the worst at English, and they are afraid to show me their work and put their little hands over their books and their faces when I come to check it. I have to be extra kind and patient (which is easy so early on, and so soon after a nice holiday).
It's quite freaky, but some students (boys) have permed and streaked/dyed hair at the age of 8! I couldn't make this startling fact fit in with any of the other text so it can just stand alone.
I'm not always the golden god I make myself out to be above. Many students attend English academies after school (Hakwons), so as well as speaking pretty good English, they've encountered foreigners before, undoubtedly more attractive ones than myself.
One new student asked me today why I spoke so slowly, then refused to believe me when I told him it was deliberate. I was happily shocked. Definitely a first. Usually I'm being told to slow down.
Also some student nicked my earmuffs this week. I will miss the muffs. But I guess the urgency for them has passed. Hopefully they've gone to a better home.
Product Placement - dancer in the subway.
It's in English!
Approaching Incheon
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3 year old nephew, drunk on coke, gets his hands on uncle's camera.
This wee gem is from the manual for my comfy new work chair... no further comment.
ake new years resolutions (as that would be making plans - see above). However, this year I made one! I vowed to make more of a name for myself as an artist. How am I getting on with that resolution? I took a few paintings into one gallery. They were certain that my work would sell and basically wanted to take the paintings I had on me (I couldn't part with them, so declined). I emailed two (sort of) randomly selected Auckland galleries, including several jpegs of my paintings, to see if they would be interested. I never heard back from either. I'll give it another crack soon, but I need to do some legwork first. It would be good to know some places that would display my work and find out the most acceptable way of approaching galleries etc.
I get on.
