https://picasaweb.google.com/110803946883202819623/May42012?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCPS8rtqAouCWsgE&feat=directlink
Ahhhh Friday, then end of my first full week here in
Pocheon. It's definitely been an interesting week with ups and downs. The most
frustrating part has revolved around getting my ARC (alien registration card),
without which I cannot purchase a cell phone, get a land line, sign up for
internet/tv, or open a bank account. Luckily I have had spotty bits of internet
access at home via wireless connection and at school I have been able to
chat/Skype/Vent with people so that has been a tremendous help!
This past week was spent mostly getting to know my
surroundings both at school and within my little community. The walk to school
isn't quite as difficult as the walk home as it is much warmer during the peak
heat of the day at 4:30 and I am walking right towards the sun. We had a nice
bit of thunder and lightning storm Thursday with huge amounts of rain. I was
really dreading my walk to school this day. Luckily for me I was standing under
the covered area where my landlord parks his car talking and playing with
"Fuzzy" when my landlord came out. We somehow communicated with one
another, he speaks no English and I have about 7 words mastered (non of which
were helpful in this case), that he wanted to give me a ride to school and
wondered what time I left. What a savior! Not having to walk in a downpour was
heaven.
As I prepared yesterday for my first 3 classes Friday I
became more used to my room. My schedule has me teaching 22 hours a week and
each class is 50 minutes ( which they equate to one hour). The other 15 hours a
week I spend as a desk warmer. Basically what it sounds like, sitting at my
desk surfing the web, preparing for class, etc. I don't really go to the
workshops or meetings as they don't apply to me and are conducted in Korean
only.
Thursday afternoon Annie came racing into my room, no
kidding, in an almost panicked rush telling me that we had to leave, she had
just gotten my "vet check" ie; medical tests back and I passed.
Yippeee! I honestly felt like an animal going through the process as being
spoken to I had no idea what they were telling me to do, sit, stand, breath,
etc. Again Annie to the rescue! Anyway off to another city about 45 mins away
to apply for my ARC card. Pocheon is a large city, probably like Beaverton, and
is quite spread out. I live on the outskirts not close to the more developed
areas. ARC application paid and applied for, now I just have to wait about 17
business days which puts me around the last week in May before I can get
anything.... thus the frustration.
My co-workers have all been very welcoming and friendly as
are most of the students. I will be teaching 18 different classes every week,
so I only see each class once per week.
I had 3 classes today where I basically spent the whole class period
introducing myself and where I come from. Students really like Maggie, they all
giggle and love to say her name whenever a photo of her comes up on the screen.
I think part of the reason for this is because there is a type of fish here
that is called the same thing with a slightly different pronunciation. One of
my students' American name is Amy, she was really excited to know that is my
name.
The students here are a lot like working in a class at home.
There are the shy ones, those who love to get the teachers attention and ask/
answer questions, those who are falling asleep, and those who would rather be
anywhere than in class. Huh, think I can relate to most of those! ;)
I had several students as well as a couple of teachers stop
by my class to get some extra help with their English. Almost everyone knows
"hello", "how are you" and "fine". Not a single
person has said anything other than "fine" when I have asked how they
are doing. They ask me and I usually say fine too but today I was hot and tired
towards the end of the day... but whattya say? I'm fine! (with a smile) :D
Teach them to respond with "awesome sauce" for the question, "how are you doing."
ReplyDelete-Stefanie