Friday wrap up

What a week!

Involving some highs and lows. In all, I would say that is was sucessful. Here are a few reasons why:

I have a better understanding of why I am here

  I came to Korea for reasons known and unknown, but 1 reason was to teach. And I didn't really get a chance to do this last year. This was for the most part due to a control freak of a Co teacher. But I also recognise that if I had put my foot down from the start then this might not have happened. He obviously didn't see any initiative from me and took this as lack of confidence (which is also true) and therefore did not give me the opportunity to learn or try. 

  This year however it seems that all my whinging and whining last year has come back to bite me on the ass - I am now teaching all classes alone. By alone, I actually have a Korean teacher in the class with me (the homeroom teacher of whatever class it is) but I am the lead teacher and the lesson plans are mine. It is both thrilling and terrifying! I have been able to ease into it this week, as Monday and Tuesday had no classes, and the rest of the week was kinda 50/50 as to which would show. I am yet to take grade 6, but I feel ok about it as I know all the students from last year, and I feel like I got along pretty well with the grade 5 class. 

  With the right co-teacher, I love teaching. I love talking with the kids, and I love the look on their faces when comprehension strikes. I loved that I asked them questions about Wednesday, and they remembered it today. I LOVE my 5-2 class - their homeroom teacher is a new teacher and she is young and nice and speaks pretty good English. And the class is full of my fave kids from last year's gr 4 class. The best part of my entire day was at the end of the class when a heap of the girls came up for a hug at the end of the class. And one of the boys too.

Side note - 

I was told when applying for jobs that you cannot build a proper relationship with students when you teach at a public school (due to the size of the class, co teacher presence etc) this is FALSE. 

  As a bit of a passive aggressive attack on my co teacher I have allowed the kids to use their Korean names in class, provided they can write it in English. I mean, come on, I would be pretty shitty if some foreigner came in and told me to change my name. And their names are nice, and I should learn them more. So I gave them the choice... Some have chosen English names, and others have decided to use their own names. I am so cool with that, and it was actually a really good exercise teaching them to write their names in English. I was blown away by how many kids couldn't do that... One of the first things I learnt to write in Korean was my name. 

  Regardless of what happens for the rest of the year, I really want to remember this week, because it made me happy to be at work. I have decided I love teaching kids.

I am coming to terms with being an outcast at school

  I have been totally ditched by my asshat co teacher. He didn't bother to tell me about the school dinner and therefore I didn't show up. I am sure it was discussed at length, and I don't doubt for a second that he told everyone that yes I was told. Whatever. 

  I don't eat with the teachers or students. As I have been having my retarded Herbalife sake, I really don't want everyone staring at me while I don't eat the school lunch/ Maybe down the track I will start eating with them again but right now I don't want to. I do however make more of an effort to go down to the staffroom and say hello to everyone. What can I do? I now know (thanks to them being in class with me) that many of the teachers speak more English than they let on, so they have chosen to not speak to me all last year. I also understand that I have not tried to speak Korean with them - I am about as shy with my Korean as they are with their English. So I see that I am also to blame. I will continue with my game plan of being friendly and bringing snacks into school. As long as they simply think I am weird and quirky but still nice that is ok. If they think I am a rude bitch, then thats not ok. So I will keep smiling and bowing. And hopefully my presence in the classroom will start to have a positive impact as well. I see this time away from my Co as a blessing in disguise.

I still don't know which battles to pick

  I can't decide if I want to have it out with my Co or not. I think next time we are in the same room I might just ask him if I have offended him in some way. I mean, I don't know how I could have, unless he has been secretly following my blog, but then he should be sorry for making me feel so outcasted. But if he IS following then I don't mean any of this to offend you, but I just find you really unapproachable and kinda scary. And you are not helpful. And I welcome any feedback you have of me too. 

I took myself to the doctor and it was amazing

  I started feeling sick Mondayish... I think I already blogged about it but pretty much by Wednesday I was a a big gooey mess, watery eyes, my head was pounding and I was FREEZING. I had already decided to go to the doctor, so I got some good advice from my wonderful friend Dominique (please don't leave me!) and her co-teacher and prepared to head off. My last experience was not great, Co spoke for me and took me there and everything, and I ended up getting a needle in my arse. Not fun. This time I walked in, they took my insurance number down and I went in to the doctor. He spoke very good English, checked me out, write me a script and sent me on my way. It was 3,500won. I went across the street to the pharmacy and got the script filled - 4000won. Easy. I was in bed asleep around 7:30pm, woke up once or twice but pretty much had the best nights sleep all week. In the morning I felt a million times better. So, not only was the doctor and drugs a million times cheaper here than in Australia, but the DRUGS WORKED OVERNIGHT. Amazing. I was so excited. So next time I won't wait until I am dying I will just go to the doctor. Lesson learnt. 

  So now it is the weekend and I am really excited. Mainly to sleep in, but also because Milky is getting a haircut tomorrow and he will be so cute I might die. Also, I am getting out and about - it seems that as the weather is finally starting to be awesome a few of us will go to Cheonan and climb a mountain and have a picnic. Also excited for that. And then Sunday I will be meeting a new friend, and getting some new plates and stuff for the house (not new-new, but from a friend who is leaving. All I need is a desk lamp and I am set for life). So all up an exciting weekend. 

The biggest downside to this week? 

We missed out on tickets to G Dragon. I am shattered I want to curl up in a ball and cry for days. But, life goes on, and it turns out more tix are being released next weekend. 

Just in case you are unsure of who this amazing guy is here is a pic (or 2):

And yes, he is a boy... Androgyny is live and well on the South Korean pop scene. 

Also for your viewing pleasure, here is an adorable video of Milky being, well, adorable.

Remember guys, adopting a dog/puppy from a shelter is not only doing them a favour, but also yourself. Besides my blender, Milky is the bestest thing I have acquired since coming to Korea and the experience would def not be the same without him. Apologies if its grainy, I havent checked the quality. 

Anyway, i'm gonna jump in the shower and prepare for my evening... Its another friends goodbye night (sadface) and I refuse to miss it. Laterz peeps

xoxoxoxox