New Club Class

So after 2 delightful weeks in America, I'm back in Korea for the second half of my grant year.  Leaving home was very bittersweet.  On one hand, I didn't want to say goodbye to my family and friends; but on the other, I'm looking forward to another 6 months of new and exciting adventures.

I admit that I'm quite behind on blogging.  There are many photos from my last week at school and my time in America that I wish to share with you.  Unfortunately, my camera cord broke and I cannot upload the photos to my laptop at this time.  I tried purchasing one but nothing seems to fit my specific camera model or memory card.  I eventually ordered one from Amazon, but it didn't arrive in time.  So now I have been relegated to passively waiting, until it finally arrives and Momma Kim overnights it to me.  While we wait, let me introduce you to my 8 new club class students!

At my school, each club class is only permitted to meet 20 hours in total.  It was rather depressing when my first club class ended during the last week of October.  By then, I had become attached to those 6 students and didn't want to let them go.  Nevertheless, my school held sign-ups for my second advanced English conversation club class.  The response was overwhelming and through an essay writing contest, 8 new students were chosen.  Our first meeting took place during the first week in November. 

The dynamic of this class was quite different than the first.  At the beginning, these new students were much more shy and reserved.  In fact, one student was so nervous during our first class that she began to tear up when I put her on the spot and asked her a question.  My relationship with these students was also slow to develop because of our erratic schedule.  Classes were frequently canceled due to Suneung, other exams, and various school events.  This sporadic schedule made it difficult for them to build rapport with me and each other.

But overtime, these students began to open up and develop their own identities.  Once they became comfortable speaking, their personalities really began to shine.  I already knew that these students were bright and motivated because they all placed into A-level English classes.  Yet, I was amazed by their playful spirit and creative energy.  I was warned that Korean students tend to lack creativity because they are subjected to hours upon hours of rote memorization.  But from my experiences, especially working with my club classes, this couldn't be farther from the truth.  These students are incredibly curious and forthcoming with innovative ideas.

Especially for my club classes, I tend to formulate lessons around open-ended creative projects, rather than strict assignments that place limitations on learning outcomes.  I find that this approach opens the door for a plethora of unique ideas and fosters students' critical thinking skills.  One particularly successful lesson focused on the topic of dating culture.  It proved to be a highly entertaining project.   The proof is below.

First, I led into the topic by showing a hilarious video clip of Mr. Bean on a date and having students discuss the good and bad things that he did.  After that, I showed a PowerPoint dating do's and dont's and had them decide, for example, whether one should or should not offer to pay on the first date.  Next, I presented fake online dating profiles and had students talk about who their ideal partner would be.  Finally, I challenged students to assume the role of a given character, fill out a dating profile on their behalf, and then present their ideas to the class. 

Name: Saeromi Kim (The School Mascot)
Personality: I am very ambitious because I want to be the best in my school and I am so polite and obedient.  Thus I always wear my uniform correctly.
Interests: I like to study in school and always have good grades.  That's why I am the mascot in my school.  Also I'm interested in raising Saeromi Juniors (???).
Ideal Partner: I hope my boyfriend is in Chungnam High School  (The top boys H.S. in Daejeon, aka the counterpart to our school, which is the top girls H.S.) and he is intelligent in there.  He is polite and humorous.

Name: Harry Potter
Personality: I always concentrate one thing that I like.  I have many friends.  I like girls who are good at magic.  Always think about family and friends.
Interests: I'm good at magic and also interested in magic, too.  I'm interested in killing dragons.  I like exercising because I have to do it to do magic and kill.
Ideal Partner: I like a girl who is pretty and really good at magic.  The girl will always love me and don't talk about any boys.  I like Asian girls especially (Haha, Yellow Fever!).  I hope a girl is outgoing and polite.

Name: Kim Taehee (Korean Actress)
Personality: I am outgoing, and like spending time in outdoor.  But I can't do that. :(  Sometimes, I feel lonely.  People cannot understand actors' life.
Interests:  I like watching movies and dramas, and also reading books.  I like baseball.  I had thrown the first pitch for LG Twin (Korean baseball team) fans.  It was very interesting.
Ideal Partner: The most important thing is understanding actors' life.  And make me not feel lonely.  I want smart person who can talk about books or social issues (I concur. This is very important), and who likes baseball.  It is better if he is handsome (Haha, always is).

Name: Spiderman 
Personality: I'm a superhero in USA because I'm very generous, kind, and strong.  I'm very handsome romantic person and I have just had only one girlfriend before.  So I'm not good at treating girls.  I will do my best if you will be my girlfriend.  I'm a really good guy.
Interests:  Jump up above the tall buildings, playing with insects, saving people in danger, and costume play like jumping red spiders (Sounds kinky).

Ideal Partner: Kind and sweet girl and who play hero costume play with me (Definitely kinky).  And pretty, small girl who always in danger (Quite accurate).

Name: Yuna Kim (Olympic Figure Skater)
Personality: I'm athletic and like to dance and sing.  I make a lot of money.  I'm in good shape.  I'm an outgoing person.
Interests:  I like handsome entertainers.  I'm interested at getting gold medal in Olympic.  I took many CFs (advertising contracts).

Ideal Partner: Someone who has lots of money.  I like man who can take care of household because I don't want to (Amen, Sister!).  I want a man who is handsome, humorous, and athletic like I am.

Name: Ji-Sung Park (Soccer Player for Man Utd.)
Personality: I am very kind and a little timid.  I didn't have great love yet.  So I don't have any skill about dating.  But if I meet my real love, I will love only her (Awww).
Interests:  I am very good at soccer.  Nobody can beat me in Korea.  And nobody hates me.  And I have some CF about shave.  I like some games about soccer.  And I am also good at speaking English.
Ideal Partner: I want a pretty woman for my children's face (It's a running joke in Korea that he's ugly).  And she have to be very kind and like activity like soccer.  I hope she is younger than me and cook Korean food very well (The key to a man's heart).

Name: Lady Gaga 
Personality: I am outgoing.  I like bright colors.  I like making clothes, shoes, and many accessories.
Interests: I want my life is special.  I am interested in beat music (Dance music?).  I like dancing all day.  I enjoy people looking at me surprisingly (Hahahaha!)

Ideal Partner: Crazy man like me (Hahahaha!).  Humorous man, creative man.  I want the person who enjoys my music with me.

Name: Kim Jong-Il (The Late North Korean Dictator) 
Personality: Arrogant, crazy, love violence (Sad, but true).  I think I'm very humorous person.  I hope everyone will love me.
Interests: Girls, South Korea, my lovely son Kim Jong-Un (Foreshadowing, perhaps), eating, my belly (Hahaha!), fashion (Oh, the sarcasm)

Ideal Partner: Cute, lovely, love me forever, love Jong-Un, hate South Korea, love my fashion, like sunglasses, taller than me, don't be mad whether you would be abandoned or expelled by me.  And plus, your kid might be killed because of my lovely Jong-Un (OMG, talk about social commentary! Please refer to my blog's disclaimer!)

For another lesson, I had students design their own social networking sites and pitch them as the "new and improved Facebook."  It'd take me ages to try to recall and type all the nuanced details of their websites.  But just admire the detail and creativity that went into this project.

The first website has a realistic school theme that allows students to connect with those in their homerooms.  The second website seems like a combination of the Sims computer game and a Tamagochi, in which the user lives in a home and owns a farm that they must diligently tend.  In return, their trees bear prizes in the form of various fruits.  The third website has an underwater theme and one's user profile resembles a personal aquarium.

In conclusion, I love my club classes.  Can you blame me?!

Teachers' Retreat

Things were really crazy for me at the end of the semester.  So let me catch you up what happened during my last week in Korea (for 2011, that is).  I got back to Daejeon from Mokpo around dinnertime on Thursday, December 15th.  When I got home, I unpacked my bag and immediately packed again for my school's annual retreat for teachers.  Frankly, I didn't know what to expect from this trip.  It felt good to be included, but I was worried that it'd be terribly awkward.  I mean, two days out in the boonies with folks that I only interact with on a professional level.  Nevertheless, I agreed to go for the experience and the opportunity to form a closer relationship with my school.

On Friday, the 16th, I arrived at school by 11:00am and had a lunchbox of kimbap (Korea's answer to sushi) waiting for me at my desk.  We ate quickly and then divided ourselves among the 3 charter buses stationed in the parking lot.  In total, a whopping 106 teachers signed up for the trip.  Yup, I told you - my school's gigantic.  From there, we headed straight south for 2.5 hours.  I tried making small talk for a while and then, passed out, as I usually do on long car rides.  I was about an hour into my beauty sleep when I was suddenly awoken to the sounds of high-pitched wailing coming from the back of the bus.  Groggily, I opened my eyes and realized that the bus had turned into a 노래방 (norebang) on wheels.

Norebangs are little karaoke rooms where people can pick songs and sing/dance their little hearts out like their favorite K-pop idols.  Being that it's Korea, people fully commit to their performances.  I have yet to run into a native Korean who can't hold a tune.  So midway through our drive, someone popped a norebang DVD into the television and we began drawing names out of a hat to see who would sing next.  Midway through the entertainment, my name was, of course, chosen.  Lucky me!  I quickly looked through the big book of song titles and realized that nearly all the English songs available were from my parents' generation.  Cue panic... Fortunately, I stumbled upon the Ricky Martin classic, "Livin' La Vida Loca" and decided on the spot that it'd haaaave to do.

I put on a brave face and managed to muster up a seemingly respectable performance.  I'd do whatever it takes to win the approval and respect of my fellow teachers.  For my efforts, I was rewarded with a lottery ticket.  Talk about an all-around classy and memorable bus ride.  Two and a half hours later, we arrived at our first stop, Baekryonsa, also known as the White Lotus Temple.  Baekryonsa is a major temple that produced 8 National Teachers during the late Goryeo Dynasty and had 8 Great Masters as its main teachers during the Joseon Dynasty.  Not sure what this means, but apparently it's a pretty big deal.  Secluded and peaceful, the temple grounds were absolutely beautiful.

Located in the unassuming town of Gangjin, Baekryonsa is famous for its camellia tree forest.  Within the 16 acres of temple grounds, one can see more than 3,000 camellia trees, which are about 300 years old.  This forest, itself, is registered as another Korean national treasure.  During the late Joseon Dynasty, a great scholar in practical science named Jeong Yagyong was exiled to Gangjin for his religious beliefs.  Having formerly lived in a village named Dasan, he assumed the pen-name of his hometown.  While he lived in this forest, Dasan wrote as many as 600 important works.  The tour guide was super engaging and knowledgeable, but it was bitter cold and after 90 minutes of walking through the forest, I just wanted to get indoors.

Fortunately, dinner was next on the agenda.  Jeollanamdo province, which is where Gangjin is located, is known for its delicious cuisine.  My jaw dropped to the ground when I walked into the restaurant and saw dozens of the little plates of food waiting for us.  Unlike America where everyone orders their own entree, Koreans treat eating as a communal event, in which small portions of food are shared with all adjacent diners.  During a meal, it is not uncommon for people to just reach across you to grab a bite of some dish.  There were many exquisite types of seafood served, which the other teachers seemed to thoroughly enjoy.  But don't worry, there was plenty of other food options for me to eat.

Throughout dinner, the male teachers sat together and pounded back innumerable shots of traditional Korean liquor, soju.  It seemed like harmless fun to me.  But the older female teachers kept trying to keep it hidden from view and protect me, like I was a helpless baby gazelle being targeted by ravenous lions.  Sometimes, the other teachers treat me like I'm a naive child.  I know it's because they care about me.  Yet, I wish there was some way to overcome the cultural barrier and express that I'm very much aware of the darker nuances of Korean culture and do not need to be sheltered from it. 

Anyway, things got incredibly entertaining when one older female teacher took wayyyy too many shots of soju (I lost count after 12!) and began dancing around the room.  She was hooting and hollering down the long aisle between the two tables.  It was absolutely hilarious and we got a good laugh out of it.  After everyone ate their fill (and then some), we all piled back onto the bus and made our way to the hotel, located in the small township of Gunseo, not too far from Mokpo, where I was only 1 day earlier.  I was assigned to a room with 2 other teachers, whose desks are in the same office as mine at school.  Everyone checked into their rooms, dropped off their bags and made their way to a conference room for nightly festivities.

Once everyone gathered together, we were split into 3 different teams and adorned with little colored stickers on our cheeks to indicate our respective teams.  For the next few hours, we played a bunch of fun games.  The highlight of the night was one of the last games, 윷노리 (Yut-nori, called Yut, for short), which I've played many times before with my family.  In this game, players throw sticks in the air and move around the game board, depending on how many upturned sticks they get.  It gets really exciting when you land on the same spot as another team because you get to "eat" their game piece and roll again.

Not to brag, but I have a natural talent for Yut.  During this specific game, I seemed to roll the exact numbers that my team was hoping for.  The other teachers were both amazed and frustrated that I kept getting so lucky.  This was especially true for the aforementioned drunk teacher, who coincidentally was sitting right next to me.  Every time I rolled a good number, she proceeded to smack my arm out of sheer frustration.  It got so bad that one of the larger male teachers had to intervene and separate us.  The other teachers were horrified, but I found the whole situation enormously amusing.  In the end, my team won by a landslide and I, as the MVP, was awarded with a prize of nourishing facial masks, body wash, bath salts, and a big package of dried seaweed.

Throughout the night, there was no shortage of beer and soju.  Yet much to my surprise, it was a tame and mild evening.  Having heard some crazy stories about other teachers' retreats, I was expecting a night of utter debauchery.  But aside from that one out-of-control teacher, it was a pretty classy affair.  After a few more games, we all retreated to our rooms, as we had an early morning ahead of us. 

The next day, we had to wake-up at the crack of dawn to make it to breakfast, which was served promptly at 7am.  It took every ounce of will-power for me to put a smile on her face and not be cranky.  Following breakfast, we hopped on the buses again and began heading north back to Daejeon.  Along the way, we stopped at 2 neat tourist spots; the first being Daeheungsa temple.

Located on the slopes of the Duryun mountains in Haenam, Daeheungsa was the main temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism.  This temple received little attention in Korea until 1592, when legendary warrior monk Seosan Daesa organized and trained a guerrilla army of 5000 monks at the temple, to help protect the Korean people from the Imjin invasions (1592—1598).  Although Buddhism was violently oppressed by the government, Seosan Daesa decided that he could turn his back on the countless sentient beings who needed help.

Along with General Yi Sun Shin, the monks of Daeheungsa played an important role in ending the fighting and invasions.  Long before the invasions, Seosan Daesa was a respected teacher, who traveled around the country, teaching in monasteries. He had over 1000 disciples, many of whom became prominent monks in their lifetimes.  While studying scriptures remained an important part of his practice, he considered meditation to be the primary path to enlightenment.  This sense of tranquility and peace is still evident at Daeheungsa today.

Next, we headed around to the other side of the mountains.  There, we took a cable car (formerly Korea's longest) up to Mt. Duryun.  The night before, it had snowed a bit.  This unexpected surprise made for an even more beautiful cable car ride, as all the trees were lighted coated with flurries. 

The cable car brought us maybe two-thirds of the way up the mountain.  To get to the top, we then had to climb approximately 500 steps.  The snow looked beautiful but it made for a very slippery and treacherous climb.  Slowly but surely, we started the trek up the icy stairs.  As we were climbing, I frequently looked back to admire the incredible view.  Here are some shots that I took along the way.

Despite the bitter cold, everyone eventually made it to the top of Mt. Duryun.  From there, we had the most spectacular 360 degree view of the entire mountain range and neighboring towns in Jeollanamdo province.  It was a sight that I surely won't ever forget.  After everyone had a chance to admire the view and snap a couple hundred photos, we took the cable car back down and ate lunch a nearby restaurant.  Then, we hopped on the bus one last time for the 3-hour trek back to Daejeon.

We arrived back at our school around dinnertime on Saturday.  I was exhausted from all the traveling, but really happy that I went on the trip.  Up until this point, I had struggled to form relationships with the other teachers at my school (mostly because they're super busy and much older than I am).  From 638m above sea-level, we began to find common ground and I learned to relate to them on a deeper level. 

It hasn't been a drastic change, but since the trip, I can tell that some of the other teachers are reaching out to me and trying to get to know me better.  I appreciate the effort and I'm looking forward to fostering these relationships next semester.  With every day that passes, I feel like I'm no longer being viewed as a "guest teacher," but rather an integral member of the school community.