check it out!

here is me on stage. we all got coats!


here is a pic of Mildred, Jane and Sally from my class at Everland yesterday.


http://ihufscamp.hufs.ac.kr/
there is a video of my class on the internet.
go to this page,http://ihufscamp.hufs.ac.kr/ click the 6th link at the top (2nd from last) and then the select the 2nd option, then there are videos you can watch if you go to page 3 of the videos and click on BJ4 you can see a 30 second video of my class.

under control!

Now that I've been teaching for a few days I'm far more laid back about things. The first 2 days I was totally stressing out. Now that another teacher arrived to take over half my class I only have 13 kids and it's perfect. I have too many boys but it's ok. 10 boys and 3 girls.

I'm not sure if the new teacher will be staying though. He never got his work visa before leaving Canada. He came here on a tourist visa since he'd already bought his flight himself. He didn't know he couldn't get a visa. Turns out he can't get a work visa because he was convicted of possessing drugs (marjuana years ago or so he claims) so Korea doesn't want him teaching kids. He'll probably get kicked out of here soon. We are supposed to be showing our passports and visas to the administration today so that they can arrange our pay. If he leaves I totally don't want his class to come back and join mine. They were all a year older and much larger. The classes don't mesh that well. They are also more advanced. I was also madness.

Yesterday and today Sean and I joined the classes up together anyways and took them outside to play games. We had my class vs his class yesterday and his big kids beat up mine. I had two kids crying. Today we divided up teams better. No more BJ2 vs. BJ4.

I'm starting to enjoy this teacher thing. It's kinda cool. Little asian kids are so cute. Korea is also really interesting. The kids picked themselves interesting English names. I have 3 "Jack's" in my class. A Walter, Arnold, Mildred, Sally....

Last night I went out with 3 other teachers for drinks. We ordered a pitcher of Lemon Soju. I've finally tried Soju. It was really good but so lethal. It tasted like lemonade. We couldn't even finish it. I was feeling it after a couple of really small glasses. The whole thing costed $10. $2.50 each. Drinks are really cheap here.

I will take a picture of my class soon and post it up here. Friday we are going to Everland. There is a snow park and a pool, Caribean land etc. It's going to be fun

quiet time???

It's craziness here! Holy smokes. This is one of my first breaks in like 2 days. I've got the kids watching Men In Black in English right now. It's almost 8pm and Im not sure how much longer I will be having to watch them until.

I have no idea if they are understanding any of this movie but I can tell they are enjoying it except for a few of the girls. Some of the teachers that were supposed to come here haven't so I have had two classes for the last two days. A teacher arrived today and he'll be taking half of my class tomorrow. Too funny. Instead of letting him rest at the dorms they took him straight to my classroom with his luggage! He had only just gotten to Korea that day. I'd be freakin out if I was him but he seems rather relaxed.

I thought I'd get to leave the classroom building after dinner and have my TA look after the class but it seems I am responsible for evening activities too (that wasn't on the contract I signed but what am I going to do about it?).
Today has been sooooo long but at the same time it has still gone by so fast. I just need some time to myself and some more sleep (not going to happen for the rest of the m0nth).

I think I forgot to mention that all the teachers and I went to Seoul for New Years. It was alright. We ended up at a very English bar full of US Army guys instead of the park where all the koreans go to celebrate. The place had a creepy vibe but none of our group was interested in leaving and searching for somewhere better. Korea is not as cheap as I thought it was going to be. Actually, prices for things except food are comparable to back in Canada. I might have this Sunday off. If so I'll be going skiing. I think having Sunday off means I have to get my TA to take the kids out without me. I feel bad doing that (even though it's not what I signed on for) so I'll leave it up to the other teachers to complain to the director.

school starts!

crap! there was just an annoucement that breakfast isn't being served in the girls dorms. Now it's in the classroom building cafeteria. I thought I could spend some time on the internet before going. I need to get some fun ESL games to do with the kids. I am literally spending all day with them today! AWWW! I'm still tired from yesterday. I have two classes (26 kids in total) until the other teacher arrives , if she is arriving I will be so greatful. There are 6 girls and the rest are boys. All 13 years old. Ok. I better go. I'll write more later when I have time. If I ever get any free time. I crashed at 11pm last night and woke up at 7am to the sound of music on the intercom.