I'm not speechless but I do find myself with little to say. I've been very busy trying to make the most of my remaining time in Indonesia, I rarely have an evening to myself. I have consolidated the radio show and business class into a single night of back-to-back busy-ness and fill at least three of the other four weeknights with dinners/get togethers.
It's year end at work which means overall reports. If you'd like more information on that please see this blog. I am happy to report that I finished the grade 4 scores a day before they are due and with much less stress and hassle than previously. Its makes sense that I'd have my system down pat about the time I leave.
I've also lined up several upcoming trips. My friend Donna and I will spend Christmas Day winging to Penang, Malaysia to spend a night and then truck up to Phuket, Thailand. We'll travel together for about a week. After she returns to Jakarta, I'll carry on for almost another three weeks.
I have a ridiculous five days of work at the end of January to complete my contract. It's not even a Monday - Friday; it'll be Wednesday-Friday and the following Monday and Tuesday. I'd hoped to squeeze in a trip to Lombok and the Gili Islands in February but that is in serious doubt now. I'll have to wait until then and see if I have any cents left (note the intentional spelling there).
I return to the land of red, white and blue the second week of February with hopes of an interview that week. I'll be at home long enough to unpack and rest before going to Puerto Rico for a wedding of two fantastic people I met in Spain. Lord knows I couldn't pass up the opportunity so I'll be there a week.
That aside, there are a few things in a bigger picture but that picture is a bit fuzzy now and shan't be discussed yet. Hopefully I'll find something adequately inspiring to write you about tomorrow.
Showing posts with label JIKS. Show all posts
Showing posts with label JIKS. Show all posts
Monday, December 12, 2011
Monday, November 28, 2011
AAAAARRRRGGGGGHH
I had a couple new blog posts in mind to write up this week. I didn't get to one yesterday as the day rapidly filled up on me. Today, those plans are being put aside because I'm so pissed off I have to vomit it out onto my blog or it will surely poison me from within.
WARNING: I usually refrain from using much profanity on this blog (has there been any?) as I don't know who my audience is and it's not ordinarily necessary. Today it is. I will be using a few words not appropriate for the tenderhearted. It makes the point that I am as furious as I am. If you don't want to suffer through it, then wait for tomorrow's post.
Now back to my previously initiated RAGE.
My teaching "partner" is an absolute fuckwit. FUCKWIT!! I have had a bit of a whine about him before but I've been pushed the point of no return. A quick bio. He's British, 40ish, looks like an evil rat when he smiles which is rarely, he eats like a starving street dog swallowing food nearly whole and dropping bits around, he's married to a limp, drab Indonesian woman. He's is as fucking lazy as it humanly possible unless it's an activity of his choosing. Conversation with him is always work and he never knows when to stop talking if it's a topic he enjoys. I've wondered if he falls somewhere on the autism spectrum as he is socially inappropriate or oblivious, alternately. He loves looking up crime reports in online newsites, cackles at pictures of rapists and murderers but is generally devoid of an appropriate response for office chatter. To put it in his own language, he's a cunt.
He started working here about a year before I did, and he's several years my senior. This complicated by the fact that I do everything to prepare for grade four and regularly have to ask him to do something. Anything. For example, last week I asked him to prepare three assessments; reading, speaking and listening. It's nearly year's end for us and we've got some time to get extra assessments in. Last week he accomplished nothing towards their completion. I also reminded him twice that he needs to put his scores in the computer so I can start to work on the overall reports. I did them entirely by myself last year after working here only five months. He's either useless on the computer or plays it that ways effectively enough that I know it would take twice as long to do it with his help. This week I asked him again on Monday to update his student scores and make up an assessment. As of 2:15pm on Tuesday I've made an assessment, he's taken a nap. My scores were entered after each test or two. He's got five tests that are missing. It might be nice if I could get started on overall reports early but he's making that impossible.
I've done everything this year and last. I was the one who put together the SOSE book. We get to actually assemble our own science material. It was more work than usual since last years was written by someone else who made the material boring, too difficult and uninteresting. I went through and remade the entire book so now it's mostly activities. Not only did it plan the whole year out in advance, it means we, I mean I, am not making copies every day. I have made or copied sixteen of the seventeen tests we've had so far this year. He made one, and only after I pestered him for a week to do it.
He's looked pretty good on the whole as he's ridden my coattails. He doesn't belong as a primary teacher. Today he was meant to start some water videos as intro to our new unit. I've got a couple by Bill Nye the Science Guy. I walked in to this video:
Watch two minutes and you'll be snoring at your desk. Jump to the 1:55 mark. That's where I walked in. These kids are ten and elven years old. They are also non-native English speakers to boot. Do you think they're going to follow any of it? They were all talking and not paying attention. In contrast this was my video:
I've used Bill Nye before in class. I adore Bill and not just because the show was made in Seattle. He's level correct, there are lots of short segments and pictures to help explain the concept. The kids all sang along with the theme song. I followed it with a couple more clips and then a song by They Might Be Giants with even simpler language about states of matter (solid, liquid, gas).
To boot, he teaches one class less than I do. He only has to deal with this attrocious grade 6 class twice a week for English while I've got them three times a week for science. To give you a basis for how bad this class is, I said two weeks ago I'd rather sit and hit yself in the head with a hammer for 80 minutes than teach them. That bad.
For some reason, he also hasn't been required to do a CA. It's a form of extra-cirricular class for grades 5 and 6, usually athletic. It runs Thursday 12:50-2:20, no little chunk of time there. AND YET I'm doing all the real work. I joked to a sympathetic coworker last week that he still manages to nap three days a week, which is true. On the sofa in the teachers room. This coworker told me he actually naps every day but the other two are when I'm in class and he's not.
He's going to continue to skate through since, being the nice person that I am who's more worried about the kids education than screwing him over in a fit of revenge, I left all the materials on the school database. There may be one little schadenfreude moment in all this at least. It provides small, small comfort. There is another teacher here that has generally been panned by the staff. He's a know-it-all and a dick. He never shuts up and knows more about your own family than you do. Well, he thinks he does. He started here in January. He wants to move up to grade four. He and my current teaching "partner" will kill each other, both get fired or both. Maybe everyone will finally realize what a useless waste of space this asshole is.
WARNING: I usually refrain from using much profanity on this blog (has there been any?) as I don't know who my audience is and it's not ordinarily necessary. Today it is. I will be using a few words not appropriate for the tenderhearted. It makes the point that I am as furious as I am. If you don't want to suffer through it, then wait for tomorrow's post.
Now back to my previously initiated RAGE.
My teaching "partner" is an absolute fuckwit. FUCKWIT!! I have had a bit of a whine about him before but I've been pushed the point of no return. A quick bio. He's British, 40ish, looks like an evil rat when he smiles which is rarely, he eats like a starving street dog swallowing food nearly whole and dropping bits around, he's married to a limp, drab Indonesian woman. He's is as fucking lazy as it humanly possible unless it's an activity of his choosing. Conversation with him is always work and he never knows when to stop talking if it's a topic he enjoys. I've wondered if he falls somewhere on the autism spectrum as he is socially inappropriate or oblivious, alternately. He loves looking up crime reports in online newsites, cackles at pictures of rapists and murderers but is generally devoid of an appropriate response for office chatter. To put it in his own language, he's a cunt.
He started working here about a year before I did, and he's several years my senior. This complicated by the fact that I do everything to prepare for grade four and regularly have to ask him to do something. Anything. For example, last week I asked him to prepare three assessments; reading, speaking and listening. It's nearly year's end for us and we've got some time to get extra assessments in. Last week he accomplished nothing towards their completion. I also reminded him twice that he needs to put his scores in the computer so I can start to work on the overall reports. I did them entirely by myself last year after working here only five months. He's either useless on the computer or plays it that ways effectively enough that I know it would take twice as long to do it with his help. This week I asked him again on Monday to update his student scores and make up an assessment. As of 2:15pm on Tuesday I've made an assessment, he's taken a nap. My scores were entered after each test or two. He's got five tests that are missing. It might be nice if I could get started on overall reports early but he's making that impossible.
I've done everything this year and last. I was the one who put together the SOSE book. We get to actually assemble our own science material. It was more work than usual since last years was written by someone else who made the material boring, too difficult and uninteresting. I went through and remade the entire book so now it's mostly activities. Not only did it plan the whole year out in advance, it means we, I mean I, am not making copies every day. I have made or copied sixteen of the seventeen tests we've had so far this year. He made one, and only after I pestered him for a week to do it.
He's looked pretty good on the whole as he's ridden my coattails. He doesn't belong as a primary teacher. Today he was meant to start some water videos as intro to our new unit. I've got a couple by Bill Nye the Science Guy. I walked in to this video:
Watch two minutes and you'll be snoring at your desk. Jump to the 1:55 mark. That's where I walked in. These kids are ten and elven years old. They are also non-native English speakers to boot. Do you think they're going to follow any of it? They were all talking and not paying attention. In contrast this was my video:
I've used Bill Nye before in class. I adore Bill and not just because the show was made in Seattle. He's level correct, there are lots of short segments and pictures to help explain the concept. The kids all sang along with the theme song. I followed it with a couple more clips and then a song by They Might Be Giants with even simpler language about states of matter (solid, liquid, gas).
To boot, he teaches one class less than I do. He only has to deal with this attrocious grade 6 class twice a week for English while I've got them three times a week for science. To give you a basis for how bad this class is, I said two weeks ago I'd rather sit and hit yself in the head with a hammer for 80 minutes than teach them. That bad.
For some reason, he also hasn't been required to do a CA. It's a form of extra-cirricular class for grades 5 and 6, usually athletic. It runs Thursday 12:50-2:20, no little chunk of time there. AND YET I'm doing all the real work. I joked to a sympathetic coworker last week that he still manages to nap three days a week, which is true. On the sofa in the teachers room. This coworker told me he actually naps every day but the other two are when I'm in class and he's not.
He's going to continue to skate through since, being the nice person that I am who's more worried about the kids education than screwing him over in a fit of revenge, I left all the materials on the school database. There may be one little schadenfreude moment in all this at least. It provides small, small comfort. There is another teacher here that has generally been panned by the staff. He's a know-it-all and a dick. He never shuts up and knows more about your own family than you do. Well, he thinks he does. He started here in January. He wants to move up to grade four. He and my current teaching "partner" will kill each other, both get fired or both. Maybe everyone will finally realize what a useless waste of space this asshole is.
Monday, November 21, 2011
Random assortment
Things I saw from the back of my ojek last week:
- Another motorbike with FIVE riders. That's a record and the kids weren't even toddlers!
- There's a lumberyard I pass every morning near school that has a big sign with an elephant walking on what looks like corrugated tin. It says "Elephant Fiber Semen" because of course the Indonesian word for cement is semen.
- In 80 degree weather at 3:45pm, a guy with two big rectangle blocks of ice balanced under his knees on his motorbike.
- A big advertising board on the side of the road announcing "Indonesian Submission Championship". From the picture I gather it's something wrestling-esque, but I don't forgive the name. The time was shown as 9-finished and all I could think was that it would be until everyone gave up.
#1 - Divides the absentee report guidance (embassy cooperative request fact) door overseas today. Distributing entrusting gives in the students. If teacher charge will give when the students will bring the application and the passport copy and [ket] [e], will refer with the administrative thread and staring the plan which will send with the embassy from the administrative thread puts on. Teachers the object person draws up and together under submitting becomes hour cotton. Will respect the minute when the declaration is more necessary and, at extra in each school office to furnish will put. (From the Internet knock-down receiving serviceable) Cooperative entrusting gives (I'd love to know what administrative thread looks like)
#2 - Friday is a temporary schedule. The leggings schedule the charge schedule spring to confirm, to inform. Grateful ~
and
#3 - Democratic criticism as a result of commemorated the conference from, unifying composition saying and thanks in No-GO of teachers the rice cake and the fruit neatly with the intention which prepared. Hold tastefully from each school office. (Thanks in No-GO of teachers? was it something we went to or that we didn't go to then?)
In realizing I don't have a lot of time left here in Jakarta I'm going to try to start compiling the things I'll miss. Today's edition:
Jen and I are really close friends. She's the person in Jakarta who's known me the longest and knows me the best. We suffered through EF together, and escaped at the same time. We've been on holiday today and gone hunting together. When we're out and about we people watch and because we don't know them, we make up code names. In the last three months or so we've used a variety including: Roly-poly, The Hat, The Lion, Dutch, Frankenstein, 12 words, British creeper, Pedo, Diva, Julian (who is another friend but this wasn't him), Teeth, Fish, and Shark. I'm going to miss someone that gets all that and helped create it all.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Fight! Fight! Fight!
We had a fight at school last Friday. Let me set the scene. It must have been between 9:30 and 10am because that's when we have break time and it's the only reason we all would have been in the office. There are 9 bule teachers (eight guys and me), plus four Koreans who teach English and four other grade five teachers in our office. The mood was light as it was Friday and we'd been told we could leave at 12:30 (except John, Lincoln and I who had extra-curriculars). The weather was good, rugby talk in the air.
Here's a map of our office. Blue desks are bule teachers. H.O.D. is the head of department. The red is the "dead zone" from the fight.
The left hand side is all windows, the right hand is cabinets and beyond them a wall, then the hall. What would appear above this on the school layout is the Korean teachers room.
Here's a snippet of the chat I was having online with my mom as it started:
Me: Hang on, there is something happening here. There is shouting in the office.
Me: in English and in Korean
Me: like a reality TV show
Mom: chick fight?
Me: a parent screaming at a teacher, another teacher screaming and translating
Me: the vice principal just came in.
Mom: Built in entertainment at work.
Me: Full on screaming for 3 minutes, thrashing about. Left, came back. Then the bule boys started screaming for them to get out. The parent had to be physically restrained.
Me: I guess. And I've got good blog material today.
Mom: Could you figure out what the parent was yelling about?
Me: Sort of.
The mom, we'll call her Mary, came in from the door and the top and headed towards Scott sitting at his desk. She started in a speaking voice which quickly elevated. As you can see, there's not a lot of room between the desks, about a meter and a half in the middle aisle. As she came in another teacher, we'll call her Jane, made a beline for her. Mary works in the high school and has a daughter in grade four. Jane works here in the elementary and has a son in grade four. I've taught both kids and they're good, smart kids. Mary and Jane are good friends, so Jane took Mary out to the hall to try and assess things and cool her off presumably. They exited through the door closer to my desk.
A minute or two later the door flung open and my name was thrown out. "blah blah blah Miss Melissa . . . blah blah Melissa . . .blah blah" and of course in this case the blah's are Korean. Oh crap. I'd sat through it so far at my desk, literally keeping my head down. What did I do?
Mary then storms back in through the far door at Scott again. She's even more revved up than before. Scott is seated so she's taller (at about five foot) than he is and she's right in his face, arms flying, volume crescendoing. Someone finally gets the vice principal, who we so affectionately call Mr. Dim. He's about six foot six and as big around as a telephone pole-not to mention almost as useful. He arrives looking sufficiently puzzled and stands at the fight site doing nothing. At some point one of the Korean English teachers has gone over and become a human shield in front of Scott, who, before I forget, is about 45, British and about 210 pounds to my estimate. His shield? Late 30's, five-six, 120-130 pounds.
Chris, one of the bule teachers, eventually starts shouting to get her out. That it was enough. Lincoln, Ben and Stephan all join in. I'm still head down, busy with emails. John, the mellowest of the bunch, tries to physically restrain Mary. She had worked herself into an absolute tizzy at this point and was screaming at anyone within two feet of her. She flung john off (he's over six foot tall too) and was finally escorted/dragged out. The fifteen second of silence that followed was deafening. And then we realized Scott was in the corner, crying. (insert surprised face here).
From what I have gathered here were the precipitating events:
Harry, Jane's son, won the grade four spelling bee the day before.
Scott, one of the bule teachers made some joke about it. to two other bule teachers.
Mary heard it or was told about it and she's the one that got upset
She came in screaming.
The bule boys were saying some awful things afterward. Saying she's crazy, she should be fired immediately, she was molested as a child, and also that it didn't matter if she was, that someone like that shouldn't be working with children. I said absolutely nothing. I swear my teaching partner was trying to get me to weigh in and I finally said " I don't know enough about what happened or her to say anything so I won't".
BUT WAIT! THERE'S MORE! She left and Scott was calmed just about the time we all had class. I came back after (40 minutes). Jane asked if I would pay for the pizza her friend (Mary) had ordered since she had class. She gave me the cash and left saying that the pizza was for "white faces, not yellow faces", meaning bules not Koreans. Mary came in, I gave her the money. She said sorry in Indonesian to John and I, as we were the only ones in the office. I opened the food. Two pizzas, two salads, three containers of chicken wings and two liters of coke. I made myself a plate and went to my desk. John did the same. When the bell rang the first six people through the door were Koreans. I sure as hell wasn't going to be the one to tell them the pizza wasn't for them. It wasn't long before the snide comments started, insinuating the pizza was poisoned, that she could've sprung for nicer pizza than Pizza Hut, etc. Mostly saying that pizza diplomacy wasn't enough.
Either way, I could do with a little more pizza and a little less screaming in my life.
Wednesday, October 05, 2011
Mastering the delicate art of the Nap
I'm 29 and ready for preschool. I'm not sure it's regression but I love nap time. Lately I grab a nap at least one day a week, more if I can manage it. Mel's Quick tips:
My favorite day for napping is Wednesday. I can usually grab an hour between school and my business class. It usually perks me up and keeps me going. I used to nap on Thursdays but lately I hit the pillow about 4 or 5 in the afternoon and either don't get up at all, or get up just long enough to eat. I hate waking up starving in the morning.
Friday is also a great day to nap though I haven't managed it much lately. If I know I'm going out drinking and dancing with the girls then a nap from say 4:15-5:30 or 6 will help keep me up and going without the aid of Extra Joss (think red bull but in a powder that effervesces and tastes better).
I occasionally get the change to nap at work. The Korean work ethic here seems to be more about quantity of hours at work than the actual work done. I'm not the only one. Some of the teachers get in a couple naps a week. The Koreans seem to go for the short, daily nap while the bule prefer one a week but a longer nap. This is with the exception of my worthless teaching partner who had three 3+ hour naps last week. I'll rant about him later.
Shortly I'll be off home to nap today. I can tell if going to be a tough one to get up from.
- Don't turn the TV on or you'll get sucked into some inane show you don't really want to be watching anyway.
- Don't sleep sitting up. I know people do, but that's a sure way to wake up with a crick in your neck. Get comfy. Don't share nap space.
- Snack after your nap is a must if you have to go be functional.
- Find a way to remember it's night even though its only 6pm but its dark out. I usually leave something on the table that wouldn't be there for the morning.
- No more than one beer/drink before or you won't get up.
- Specific for naps in tropical countries: pants off, AC on!
- Give in. If you wake up still tired and you don't have to go somewhere, then stay and sleep some more.
 |
| I don't care what they say, this is not how to nap. She had a coffee, neither of them look comfortable and they'll wake up more tired than when they went to sleep. |
Friday is also a great day to nap though I haven't managed it much lately. If I know I'm going out drinking and dancing with the girls then a nap from say 4:15-5:30 or 6 will help keep me up and going without the aid of Extra Joss (think red bull but in a powder that effervesces and tastes better).
Thursday, September 22, 2011
To Whinge
I use that word now. It is interchangeable with complain. Very British/Australian. I thought I knew what I was going to blog about today, but a thirty second exchange changed my mind.
I had to cover the extracurricular ping pong class today. I'm meant to assist with badminton class but one teacher was out sick today so we had to shuffle around a bit. I wasn't thrilled. The class was five boys from grade five and six, playing ping pong. Aside from hitting the ball back and forth I didn't know what the rules were. How was I going to keep them busy for an hour and a half?
I arrived and explained why I was the teacher today. They all nodded along and introduced themselves and the new student. I introduced myself and a sixth grader very unconsciously and plainly said "Miss, you're very pretty". My smile was reflexive. I got to know him a bit while I officiated and practiced with them. He seems like a really genuine kid. His English is good and he's a great ping pong player who took compliments with a blush.
It made my day. I was dragging around a bit after two nights of short sleep beforehand. Instead I perked up and actually really enjoyed the class. It made me think about whinging. Facebook has just changed their newsfeed/home screen again. The political situation in the US is ridiculous. The economy hasn't improved. I'm still single. BUT someone complimented me. That's what I'm going to remember today. It's not often I have good news from school either.
A friend posted something on facebook a couple days ago about all it took was one unkind comment/email/phone call to ruin a day. I'll repeat what I told her. It's amazing how easy it is to be stung, and remember it after. We have all dwelled on an insult or a sideways comment about our __________ (insert your insecurity here: weight, height, intelligence, skill, family, etc). Yet just as readily we dismiss compliments because they come from a) someone who didn't really mean it, b) family or friends who have to say those kinds of things or c) someone who obvious was blind or retarded. Why not shake off the insult easily and hang on to the compliment?
One of my very unofficial New Year's resolutions was to say more kind things. I often notice and think to myself how nice a friend looks, or how helpful a student is. I'm going to redouble my efforts to say those things aloud. What good is it if I think a compliment but the other person doesn't get the benefit of hearing?
I challenge you all to compliment one person a day for a week. It can be friends, colleagues, family, acquaintances or strangers. Watch them smile and feel it lift your mood as much as theirs.
I'm adding a PS since another compliment just came through on my blackberry. It too made me smile and will take me through tomorrow. You know who you are babe. Thanks.
I had to cover the extracurricular ping pong class today. I'm meant to assist with badminton class but one teacher was out sick today so we had to shuffle around a bit. I wasn't thrilled. The class was five boys from grade five and six, playing ping pong. Aside from hitting the ball back and forth I didn't know what the rules were. How was I going to keep them busy for an hour and a half?
I arrived and explained why I was the teacher today. They all nodded along and introduced themselves and the new student. I introduced myself and a sixth grader very unconsciously and plainly said "Miss, you're very pretty". My smile was reflexive. I got to know him a bit while I officiated and practiced with them. He seems like a really genuine kid. His English is good and he's a great ping pong player who took compliments with a blush.
 |
| We all still want a pat on the head and acknowledgement. |
A friend posted something on facebook a couple days ago about all it took was one unkind comment/email/phone call to ruin a day. I'll repeat what I told her. It's amazing how easy it is to be stung, and remember it after. We have all dwelled on an insult or a sideways comment about our __________ (insert your insecurity here: weight, height, intelligence, skill, family, etc). Yet just as readily we dismiss compliments because they come from a) someone who didn't really mean it, b) family or friends who have to say those kinds of things or c) someone who obvious was blind or retarded. Why not shake off the insult easily and hang on to the compliment?
One of my very unofficial New Year's resolutions was to say more kind things. I often notice and think to myself how nice a friend looks, or how helpful a student is. I'm going to redouble my efforts to say those things aloud. What good is it if I think a compliment but the other person doesn't get the benefit of hearing?
I challenge you all to compliment one person a day for a week. It can be friends, colleagues, family, acquaintances or strangers. Watch them smile and feel it lift your mood as much as theirs.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Decision time approaches
A couple weeks ago my head of department (h.o.d) passed out a simple sheet to each teacher. It had a space for my name and date and two boxes. One said "I want to renew my contract" the other said "I do not want to renew my contract". I looked at it and put it in the filing box on my desk, still in plain view. An hour later she said Melissa? I turned to see her holding up the sheet. I confirmed I had one. She wanted it back with an answer, right then. I'd had a whopping hour to thing about next year. I understand that I am a special case here at JIKS. I am the only female native speaker and the only American. I am the only one who is single and one of only three without kids. I've also been here just over a year. The other eight people in the department have been here 1/2,1 1/2, 2, 8, 6, 12, 15 and 18 years respectively. You can see that most of the group doesn't move on and the other relative newcomers have Indonesian wives so, 'nuff said.
I have no specific obligations that would keep me here or anywhere really. For the entirety of my summer traveling I mulled over my options for next year and beyond. I started weighing pros and cons. I daydreamed and theorized what would happen if I stayed, if I went. And if I went, where would I go? Back to Spain, or elsewhere in Europe? To the US? I loved Vietnam, maybe head there for work? lots of thought for little action thus far.
I pushed back and said there was absolutely no way I could tell her just then. "The end of the day then?" She said hopefully. I just laughed. I literally laughed in her face. "No way." She hemmed and hawed. I reminded her that next year's school year didn't start until February. She said they'd need time to find a suitable replacement if I left. "five months? You need five months to hire one person?" I said incredulously. I took into account that this is a Korean school in Indonesia but that still seems like ridiculous leeway. I was assured they did, even though they'd hired me in three week (an emergency situation she said). I volunteered "If I must make a decision I can tell you by Friday" (it was Tuesday) and she jumped on the suggestion. "Ok, but you have to take it to Mr. Lim (the vice principal) yourself" she added.
Ok, whatever. I spent a good part of my office time the rest of the day ranting to my native teacher coworkers. I know most of them stay year after year but that doesn't mean they can short change me on the time I get to decide. One coworker, Scott, reminded me that the most recent hire, Stephan, is wholly loathed and isn't doing a great job. Maybe that's why they want more time to hire someone. It was also Scott to rationally talked to the h.o.d and convinced her to give me more time to decide. I now have until the end of October to give them a decision.
Now comes the tricky part. Making the decision. Life in Jakarta is easier in a lot of ways than other places I've lived. I have a maid who comes once a week, cooks, cleans, shops. I never drive anything - taxis, buses and ojeks are plentiful. I can get a cremebath and pedicure for less than $20. I can travel a lot because I get sufficient days off work and it's cheap to travel in Asia. I make enough to pay my bills, travel and never really watch what I'm spending for food and drinks. My girlfriends here are amazing. We have a fantastic little community. Work has given me some opportunities - like writing a whole year's curriculum and making the book to go with it. I'd like to see how it grows and works for the students over time.
Jakarta is a lot more frustrating that most places I've lived. The pollution is stifling, literally, as the heat can be. There are many transport options but none of them can really subvert the horrendous traffic jams that occur everywhere. There isn't a park, river, lake or walking/biking trail to be found in Jakarta. All we do is eat and drink as there are few other options. It's more and more difficult to be in Jakarta between trips away. The BS at my school is generally knee deep. The dating options here are worse than slim to none if you aren't into Asian guys, which I'm not for the most part. I can't imagine myself staying here indefinitely, or even still being here in five years. I've maxed out professionally here. I can't move up to a top tier international school without a degree in education.
I'll take insight, advice, observations and general heckling from you, my blogging community. The opinions and information should vary greatly between those who are here in Jakarta/Asia, and those who aren't. Between those who know me in person and those who only know my internet counterpart. Thoughts?
I have no specific obligations that would keep me here or anywhere really. For the entirety of my summer traveling I mulled over my options for next year and beyond. I started weighing pros and cons. I daydreamed and theorized what would happen if I stayed, if I went. And if I went, where would I go? Back to Spain, or elsewhere in Europe? To the US? I loved Vietnam, maybe head there for work? lots of thought for little action thus far.
I pushed back and said there was absolutely no way I could tell her just then. "The end of the day then?" She said hopefully. I just laughed. I literally laughed in her face. "No way." She hemmed and hawed. I reminded her that next year's school year didn't start until February. She said they'd need time to find a suitable replacement if I left. "five months? You need five months to hire one person?" I said incredulously. I took into account that this is a Korean school in Indonesia but that still seems like ridiculous leeway. I was assured they did, even though they'd hired me in three week (an emergency situation she said). I volunteered "If I must make a decision I can tell you by Friday" (it was Tuesday) and she jumped on the suggestion. "Ok, but you have to take it to Mr. Lim (the vice principal) yourself" she added.
Ok, whatever. I spent a good part of my office time the rest of the day ranting to my native teacher coworkers. I know most of them stay year after year but that doesn't mean they can short change me on the time I get to decide. One coworker, Scott, reminded me that the most recent hire, Stephan, is wholly loathed and isn't doing a great job. Maybe that's why they want more time to hire someone. It was also Scott to rationally talked to the h.o.d and convinced her to give me more time to decide. I now have until the end of October to give them a decision.
Now comes the tricky part. Making the decision. Life in Jakarta is easier in a lot of ways than other places I've lived. I have a maid who comes once a week, cooks, cleans, shops. I never drive anything - taxis, buses and ojeks are plentiful. I can get a cremebath and pedicure for less than $20. I can travel a lot because I get sufficient days off work and it's cheap to travel in Asia. I make enough to pay my bills, travel and never really watch what I'm spending for food and drinks. My girlfriends here are amazing. We have a fantastic little community. Work has given me some opportunities - like writing a whole year's curriculum and making the book to go with it. I'd like to see how it grows and works for the students over time.
Jakarta is a lot more frustrating that most places I've lived. The pollution is stifling, literally, as the heat can be. There are many transport options but none of them can really subvert the horrendous traffic jams that occur everywhere. There isn't a park, river, lake or walking/biking trail to be found in Jakarta. All we do is eat and drink as there are few other options. It's more and more difficult to be in Jakarta between trips away. The BS at my school is generally knee deep. The dating options here are worse than slim to none if you aren't into Asian guys, which I'm not for the most part. I can't imagine myself staying here indefinitely, or even still being here in five years. I've maxed out professionally here. I can't move up to a top tier international school without a degree in education.
I'll take insight, advice, observations and general heckling from you, my blogging community. The opinions and information should vary greatly between those who are here in Jakarta/Asia, and those who aren't. Between those who know me in person and those who only know my internet counterpart. Thoughts?
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Barefoot in Bali
I am struggling to catch up here. It's been over a year since I started the blog and this is really the first time I'm lacking motivation as I endeavor to begin (again). I don't know if it's that I'm still trying to write about events that happened over a month ago, if it's because I am feeling a bit apathetic about my return to the routine of life or something else entirely. On that note, forgive me if I seem a bit lackadaisical.
Additionally, that catch up is going to take one blog post longer. I went away again. I feel a bit embarrassed in blogging about yet another place I've gone, though this one wasn't outside the confines of the archipelago. I don't mean to be boasting or rubbing it in anyone's face. I accept the fact that we get a heap of holidays from school at a price; namely a reduced salary and no vacation days I can choose. I get so many days via the Indonesian, Korean, religious and school term holidays that I can't put in for any others. My friends working at other international schools get housing stipends, medical insurance, a months bonus at the end of their contract, a flight home. We just get holidays. Would that I could split the difference, but alas, no such luck. Instead I save up and head out at every opportunity.
Monday was Korean Thanksgiving, also known as Chuseok or Harvest Moon festival. Three day weekend! I booked my flight Wednesday for less than a hundred dollars. This also guaranteed that I got sick on Thursday. Friday I managed to make my flight and I arrived in Sanur at about 1030pm. Sanur is much quieter than Kuta, home to half the rowdy Aussies under the age of 30 and more than a few rowdy retirees. Kuta has a great nightlife and a better, but always crowded, beach.
The Big Pineapple, my hostel, was a good place to relax and meet people. Saturday was a solo day taking in Sanur beach. It's nice because it is so quiet. There are boats, bikers, walkers, locals, etc. Lots to sit and watch. The water was cool but not cold. When the tide went out it went way way out. I could've walked over a mile and the water still would only have been to my knees. It was that it was a longer walk to the beach. I stick this in only because by the time I had spent all day there and walked a couple kilometers on the beach the walk back felt like an epic journey. A high note of my day at Sanur was the fresh king prawn dinner accompanied by a drink called an Arak Obama (arak is a local spirit).
Saturday night I met three American boys (Blake, Neil and Tyler) and a Dutchman(Shawn) at my hostel. Minus Tyler, we went out to Kuta for a riotous night. A few big bottles of Bintang kicked the night off. Next was Sky Garden to catch the pre-midnight drink specials. We broke into two groups and lost each other among the eighty-six mini levels in SG. Ok there are really only maybe nine levels but when you're in there and it's packed I dare you not to think there's more. Shots, drinks then onward to Bounty. Anyone who's been knows what a riot that is. Utter ridiculousness is all I can say. After that we blundered upon a bar playing Nirvana. My hopes quickly dissipated when then rock music faded after two songs. A quest for hamburgers ended in a scuffle and we lost Blake. The next hour was spent searching for him before we gave up and found him lounging back at the hostel.
Sunday brought a 12:30p wake up and quest for Kuta beach. I say quest most earnestly. Blake and I spent over an hour on the motorbike to get there. It felt like we drove around the entire island. An hour or so stroll on the beach and then we got lost on the way back to the hostel and that was over an hour too. Tyler, Neil and Shawn were on two other bikes and we lost them almost immediately. They returned after we did having eaten. Blake and I nearly died in a fiery crash. I don't know how he managed to go from 80 km/h to stopped without hitting the guy who cut us off.. We knackered from epic drive. By that point none of us could be asked to go out any farther than a Japanese resto ten minute walk from the hostel.
Monday I had an amazing lunch of Tong seng. Its Chinese influenced Indonesian food. Beef and cabbage in a dark cinnamon/chocolatey broth. Then a lounge about to watch a rugby game from the World Cup (I've seen 2.5 games already and it just started Friday). Off to Kuta beach for a wee shop (only bought four things) and a snooze on the beach. I stayed until sunset and then headed off for dinner at TJ's Mexican. I'd been there last time and it didn't disappoint. I was surprised how much had changed on the main strip in Kuta since I was there a mere eleven months ago.
It's typical of my luck. I got an ojek to the airport. We got a flat on the way. He went the wrong way twice as a road was closed for construction (that's been going on for months) and then he couldn't take me in so I had to walk. Finally the flight was delayed. Siiigh. Oh well. I got my tan touched up and got to some fresher air for the weekend. Now I'm back, slogging away at work. Aduuuu
Additionally, that catch up is going to take one blog post longer. I went away again. I feel a bit embarrassed in blogging about yet another place I've gone, though this one wasn't outside the confines of the archipelago. I don't mean to be boasting or rubbing it in anyone's face. I accept the fact that we get a heap of holidays from school at a price; namely a reduced salary and no vacation days I can choose. I get so many days via the Indonesian, Korean, religious and school term holidays that I can't put in for any others. My friends working at other international schools get housing stipends, medical insurance, a months bonus at the end of their contract, a flight home. We just get holidays. Would that I could split the difference, but alas, no such luck. Instead I save up and head out at every opportunity.
Monday was Korean Thanksgiving, also known as Chuseok or Harvest Moon festival. Three day weekend! I booked my flight Wednesday for less than a hundred dollars. This also guaranteed that I got sick on Thursday. Friday I managed to make my flight and I arrived in Sanur at about 1030pm. Sanur is much quieter than Kuta, home to half the rowdy Aussies under the age of 30 and more than a few rowdy retirees. Kuta has a great nightlife and a better, but always crowded, beach.
The Big Pineapple, my hostel, was a good place to relax and meet people. Saturday was a solo day taking in Sanur beach. It's nice because it is so quiet. There are boats, bikers, walkers, locals, etc. Lots to sit and watch. The water was cool but not cold. When the tide went out it went way way out. I could've walked over a mile and the water still would only have been to my knees. It was that it was a longer walk to the beach. I stick this in only because by the time I had spent all day there and walked a couple kilometers on the beach the walk back felt like an epic journey. A high note of my day at Sanur was the fresh king prawn dinner accompanied by a drink called an Arak Obama (arak is a local spirit).
Saturday night I met three American boys (Blake, Neil and Tyler) and a Dutchman(Shawn) at my hostel. Minus Tyler, we went out to Kuta for a riotous night. A few big bottles of Bintang kicked the night off. Next was Sky Garden to catch the pre-midnight drink specials. We broke into two groups and lost each other among the eighty-six mini levels in SG. Ok there are really only maybe nine levels but when you're in there and it's packed I dare you not to think there's more. Shots, drinks then onward to Bounty. Anyone who's been knows what a riot that is. Utter ridiculousness is all I can say. After that we blundered upon a bar playing Nirvana. My hopes quickly dissipated when then rock music faded after two songs. A quest for hamburgers ended in a scuffle and we lost Blake. The next hour was spent searching for him before we gave up and found him lounging back at the hostel.
Sunday brought a 12:30p wake up and quest for Kuta beach. I say quest most earnestly. Blake and I spent over an hour on the motorbike to get there. It felt like we drove around the entire island. An hour or so stroll on the beach and then we got lost on the way back to the hostel and that was over an hour too. Tyler, Neil and Shawn were on two other bikes and we lost them almost immediately. They returned after we did having eaten. Blake and I nearly died in a fiery crash. I don't know how he managed to go from 80 km/h to stopped without hitting the guy who cut us off.. We knackered from epic drive. By that point none of us could be asked to go out any farther than a Japanese resto ten minute walk from the hostel.
Monday I had an amazing lunch of Tong seng. Its Chinese influenced Indonesian food. Beef and cabbage in a dark cinnamon/chocolatey broth. Then a lounge about to watch a rugby game from the World Cup (I've seen 2.5 games already and it just started Friday). Off to Kuta beach for a wee shop (only bought four things) and a snooze on the beach. I stayed until sunset and then headed off for dinner at TJ's Mexican. I'd been there last time and it didn't disappoint. I was surprised how much had changed on the main strip in Kuta since I was there a mere eleven months ago.
It's typical of my luck. I got an ojek to the airport. We got a flat on the way. He went the wrong way twice as a road was closed for construction (that's been going on for months) and then he couldn't take me in so I had to walk. Finally the flight was delayed. Siiigh. Oh well. I got my tan touched up and got to some fresher air for the weekend. Now I'm back, slogging away at work. Aduuuu
Monday, July 04, 2011
Korean Translations
Chris, a teacher I work with, has recently given me a new method for hours of entertainment at work. We have an instant message system at work called CoolMessenger. It works as well as a rusty wheelbarrow with a flat. You can limp it along for ten feet, but anything more is just irritatingly painful. Anyway. The English speakers can only send messages to other English speakers but the Koreans can, and do, send messages to everyone, usually in Korean. Chris has found that if you put the Korean messages into Babelfish translator by Yahoo you get back a result that ranges from hilarious to downright gibberish. Please enjoy a few examples. I'll put my best guesses about their meaning, or what they were in regards to. If you can sort it out, please share.
Life is never boring here.
#1 - Principal teacher speech substitution conveys. Attendance checking does with photo shoot.
Something about class photos. I know that only because of the day it was sent.
#2 - Is a research study schedule ticket which will execute tomorrow. The study ends and to depart immediately, wishes. The room assignment will do the atlas under following common knowledge. Only the pair some preparing the cloth with cold relationship, wishes. Piece which is insufficient is many. Is inconvenient and does not hold in mind but understanding entrusting gives with wide mind.
I have no idea. It seems like it was about room assignments but we haven't moved or changed rooms.
#3 - Goodbye does? Is a happy-looking morning. Today [a_lay_wa_kath_i] to guide the teaching staff physical education event condition schedule which will be. Order Time Event order 1 12:00 ~ 12:20 Opening remark and warming-up exercise 2 12:20 ~ 12:40 Female dodge ball (5 minutes, 3Set) 3 12:40 ~ 13:40 Volleyball (man and woman mixture, 3Set) 4 13:40 ~ 14:00 Friendly volleyball (a Korean + circle fisherman, 1Set) 5 14:00 ~ 14:30 Table tennis (man and woman mixture, 1Set) 6 14:30 ~ 15:00 Badminton (man and man and woman mixed doubles) 7 15:00 ~ 16:30 Evaluation meeting (teacher dining room) *1. second medieval times, administrative solid curve lifestyle after finishing the lunch, until 11: 50 Fall in giving to the auditorium, wishes. To 2. game resultant victory teams early rising leaving office circle and karaoke room use circle (hundred full base both sides) come to give.
It was about the Teacher's Sports Day. We can't figure out how we ended up as fishermen though. A few bits of this even border on reasonable.
Something about class photos. I know that only because of the day it was sent.
#2 - Is a research study schedule ticket which will execute tomorrow. The study ends and to depart immediately, wishes. The room assignment will do the atlas under following common knowledge. Only the pair some preparing the cloth with cold relationship, wishes. Piece which is insufficient is many. Is inconvenient and does not hold in mind but understanding entrusting gives with wide mind.
I have no idea. It seems like it was about room assignments but we haven't moved or changed rooms.
#3 - Goodbye does? Is a happy-looking morning. Today [a_lay_wa_kath_i] to guide the teaching staff physical education event condition schedule which will be. Order Time Event order 1 12:00 ~ 12:20 Opening remark and warming-up exercise 2 12:20 ~ 12:40 Female dodge ball (5 minutes, 3Set) 3 12:40 ~ 13:40 Volleyball (man and woman mixture, 3Set) 4 13:40 ~ 14:00 Friendly volleyball (a Korean + circle fisherman, 1Set) 5 14:00 ~ 14:30 Table tennis (man and woman mixture, 1Set) 6 14:30 ~ 15:00 Badminton (man and man and woman mixed doubles) 7 15:00 ~ 16:30 Evaluation meeting (teacher dining room) *1. second medieval times, administrative solid curve lifestyle after finishing the lunch, until 11: 50 Fall in giving to the auditorium, wishes. To 2. game resultant victory teams early rising leaving office circle and karaoke room use circle (hundred full base both sides) come to give.
It was about the Teacher's Sports Day. We can't figure out how we ended up as fishermen though. A few bits of this even border on reasonable.
#4 -Goodbye is? Is a good morning. Supports JIKS, from the enterprise which expenses Provision receives Djakarta one day demonstration schedule information.
Another one beginning with goodbye as a question. As an English teacher, I didn't know that was possible
Another one beginning with goodbye as a question. As an English teacher, I didn't know that was possible
#5 - [The class sliced raw fish new wishes] Is a sign design which will be established in the school school gate. To select the favorite most, to send a number Will send rightly and if staring will thank. Thanks.
Lastly is a message that came in a mere hour ago. My phrase of the day is "sliced raw fish new wishes!"Life is never boring here.
Saturday, July 02, 2011
Snickers
Not the candy bar. The third installment of my delightful series about things in Indonesia that leave me shaking my head.
Jilbob/Jilbabs are the Muslim head covering worn by many women here in Indonesia. I understand that it's part of their beliefs. I intend no offense by this post, but I am slightly confused. If the purpose of the jilbob is modesty then why it is common for women here to wear them with tight, sometimes really tight, clothing. This photo is from the web, not my own, but it's exactly what I see. When their clothes are tighter than mine, that means that I (the westerner) is more modest?
Another note about clothing. I can only think of three options for why 90% of the population here is in clothes that don't fit them properly. 1 - They only sell mirrors like those in amusement park fun houses. 2 - They take cast off clothes from anyone and anywhere they can find them as a part of the dire poverty here. 3 - They all used to be much fatter or thinner and their brains don't register what they actually look like. I don't laugh at those in option two. I realize there is a large part of the population who suffer immense poverty. It's the ones walking around Grand Indonesia mall (one of the malls with Prada and Burberry) in ill fitting clothing that I don't get.
Many Indonesians are very petite, men and women. In the US we would think that they would look good in anything (the women) and would find shopping easily. It's always the size 0s, 2s and 4s that are left on the racks. Not only easy to find, but on sale to boot. Compare that to the bule who can't find anything that fits after visiting twelve shops unless the are foreign shops. So much for cheap clothing in Asia!
One more for today. JIKS is an idiosyncratic place. I rarely know what to expect one week to the next. We are given a calendar for the year but it seems to only hold true about 62% of the time. There are random bursts of generosity though. Today we were told at 11:53 that we could go home early. Yeaaa!! Oh wait, our English department end of semester dinner is tonight and most of us are carpooling to get there. I already cancelled my ojek. We can't take the early leave on Monday instead and of course they couldn't have told us in advance. Hmmm, maybe not so generous. They randomly give gifts too. The school is building a new High school building. They tore the old one down and when they laid the cornerstone for the new building we all got towels. They are silk screened with something in Korean and the JIKS logo. They are a strange size: bigger than a hand towel, smaller than a bath towel. A couple months later for teacher's day we got soap. A box of six big bars of Amway produced white soap. They smell nice but I live alone; what am I going to do with six bars of soap? The highlight of yesterday was that the grade five mothers brought in a big array of food for lunch for us. I'm not a huge fan of most of it, but it silenced my growling stomach and helped the previous class fade away.
Jilbob/Jilbabs are the Muslim head covering worn by many women here in Indonesia. I understand that it's part of their beliefs. I intend no offense by this post, but I am slightly confused. If the purpose of the jilbob is modesty then why it is common for women here to wear them with tight, sometimes really tight, clothing. This photo is from the web, not my own, but it's exactly what I see. When their clothes are tighter than mine, that means that I (the westerner) is more modest?
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| Half are a bit like this |
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| Half are a bit towards this end of the spectrum. |
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| My solution is to print this on all clothing labels! |
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| This exact soap. The bars are about 5"x3"x1" (12.5cm x 7.5 cm x 2.5cm). |
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Winding down
First semester ends in four days. Or after sixteen classes. Or in 34 hours. Or in 2,040 seconds (all assuming we don't get to leave early on the last day). Or not soon enough.
As a kid it never occurred to me that the teachers might be anxious for the break as well. The teachers are probably more ready than the kids, especially Korean kids. Most of them will spend most of their break in extra classes - violin, English, Mandarin, swimming, even math. I wouldn't look forward to break either if that was me. A few will go back to South Korea. There is a small group going to China, to visit another International Korean school, like an exchange program. The vast majority will stay here, in their humdrum routine.
The kids have turned their brains off already. The grade six students are the worst. They had a big semester end test required for Korea - Achievement tests. Everything since then has been a struggle. They know it's the end of term, they won't shut up or focus for even two minutes. I go in to class in a good mood and it's fouled in about two minutes. Coincidence? I think not. We are permitted to show videos (educational or otherwise) but I can't, in good conscientious rationalize five sequential classes of videos. I've shown two to two different classes so far this week and will have a couple next week as well.
I've written before about the number of holidays we get and we had another one on Wednesday. It was nice to break the week up but it meant that Monday and Tuesday we were all awaiting the day off. Today and tomorrow (Friday) we are awaiting the weekend. It really is a pointless time of year. The upside? I'll have four hours free after my classes tomorrow with no correcting and no planning to do. I'll read up on my holiday sites and blog away!
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| It doesn't actually look this bad but sometimes it feels that way! |
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Friday sign off
It is now 1:37 on Friday and my overall reports are complete. I did them by myself (ok, in full disclosure, I did about 99% of the work). Linc taught me well last semester and it only took me two spreadsheets to finish the ridiculous totaling. (for more one those spreadsheets see http://strangelandsstrangelife.blogspot.com/2010/12/stress-of-year-end-at-school.html) Last semester it was down to the wire, full on crunch time. The official deadline for these isn't even until Monday!! I am convinced that Ben will have to add to some of his comments. Mine are excellent and I proofed both of ours. Big sigh of relief. The rumor is that we won't have to do separate individual reports, all the information should be culled from the overall reports and automatically transferred. I'll keep my fingers crossed but I won't hold my breath.
As a celebration, and in the spirit of taking new people to new places, I'll head to EP tonight with Carla and Jo and anyone else we can convince to go. I deserve some free beer and shall procure it forsooth.
A couple of random notes before I launch into my regular weekend radio silence. I arrived at school on Monday to a full scale museum type set up in the hallways of the grade 1/2/4 hallway. Most of the photos are something like this:
But there are a few (not one, a FEW) that look like these:
Those are dead bodies and what appear to be victims of a war/bombing. Appropriate for six year olds?? We need to teach kids about the true and ugly side of war, but in grade two? The opening was a big event, lots of dignitaries, a ribbon cutting, a TV camera and I have no idea what the significance is or why it's here, but as you know, that's the norm here.
I've been teaching as elective after school class twice a week called Reading Assistant. It's a computer based program that reads to the kids then they record themselves reading. The books/poems/songs get progressively more difficult and they get practice listening and speaking-the two tougher skills to work on in a foreign language. John is the co teacher for this. There is on group of 22 students on Monday and Thursday; mostly grade three's with a few ones, two and fours thrown in. The second group is Tuesday and Friday. This group is only eight students. They are a handful as they are all grades one and two. Most are low level and have a very short attention span. I have had moments with both classes when I was ready to bind a few select pupils to their chairs with duct tape. I have also really enjoyed seeing them improve. Their behavior, their attention, their navigation of the program and their English skills. I didn't know any of the grade ones, two or threes before this program and now I'm routinely greeted in the hall by kids I know from RA and from kids. One of the kids left this on the board yesterday.
Misspelled and in bad handwriting, but lovely. 3-2 refers to the students class. Teachers are the biggest baddies until we are big pushovers.
Enjoy the weekend in every way possible!
As a celebration, and in the spirit of taking new people to new places, I'll head to EP tonight with Carla and Jo and anyone else we can convince to go. I deserve some free beer and shall procure it forsooth.
A couple of random notes before I launch into my regular weekend radio silence. I arrived at school on Monday to a full scale museum type set up in the hallways of the grade 1/2/4 hallway. Most of the photos are something like this:
But there are a few (not one, a FEW) that look like these:
I've been teaching as elective after school class twice a week called Reading Assistant. It's a computer based program that reads to the kids then they record themselves reading. The books/poems/songs get progressively more difficult and they get practice listening and speaking-the two tougher skills to work on in a foreign language. John is the co teacher for this. There is on group of 22 students on Monday and Thursday; mostly grade three's with a few ones, two and fours thrown in. The second group is Tuesday and Friday. This group is only eight students. They are a handful as they are all grades one and two. Most are low level and have a very short attention span. I have had moments with both classes when I was ready to bind a few select pupils to their chairs with duct tape. I have also really enjoyed seeing them improve. Their behavior, their attention, their navigation of the program and their English skills. I didn't know any of the grade ones, two or threes before this program and now I'm routinely greeted in the hall by kids I know from RA and from kids. One of the kids left this on the board yesterday.
Enjoy the weekend in every way possible!
Monday, June 20, 2011
Be a Sport!
Here's the detailed account of this years first Teacher's Sports Day!!! Feel the saccharine tone in my voice? That's because I was faking my sweet interest, and poorly at that.
On Friday the students left after fourth period, about 10:30 in the morning. The teachers were to be finished about noon so that we could have TEACHERS SPORTS DAY!!! Da dada daaaaa!! It was a team building exercise involving ALL the teachers at JIKS. Now even though the elementary, middle and high schools are all on the same campus, rarely the twain shall meet. I know a lot of the names of the secondary teachers form mentions about the office. I've seen quite a few of them walking in or out of school but I think I'd only spoken to about two of them since I started last August. This sports day was also going to include all the Korean teachers from the different schools AND the administrative office. It had all the making of a disaster.
This was the notice we got about the days events:
* Sports Day Schedule
Time Events
1 12:00 ~ 12:20 Warm up
2 12:20 ~ 12:40 Dodgeball( Female) (5분씩, 3Set)
3 12:40 ~ 13:40 Volleyball (Female+ Male, 3Set)
4 13:40 ~ 14:00 Volleyball for friendship (KT+Native, 1Set)
5 14:00 ~ 14:30 Table tennis ( F + M, 1Set)
6 14:30 ~ 15:00 Badminton (Male, Male + Female)
7 15:00 ~ 16:30 Dinner( Cafeteria)
1. Please, go to the gym by 11:50.
2.Winners( team) will get the vouchers for leaving early and Karaoke Voucher( equivalent to 1,000,000).
Go! Go!
I went into it in a foul mood. Normally we'd get to leave early that Friday since the kids had testing. I'd thrown a week long fit about the female only dodgeball (what, no bikini mud wrestling?). The other three sports to be included were volleyball, table tennis (henceforth to be referred to as ping pong :P ) and badminton. I can understand volleyball. It's a team sport and they wanted teams of nine. I've been in Asia a year and a half, but I still can't get the fascination with the faux sports of badminton and ping pong.
It kicked off with toe touchy warm up to a pop 80's song. Then lots of standing around waiting. The schedule was almost immediately scrambled in favor of starting with volleyball for friendship. Next came something unexpected. I started out in the Bule vs Korean volleyball match and had a good time. I stayed in for part of the elementary vs secondary matches. It was fun. I was then completely mind boggled by the dodgeball. I may try to use diagrams to explain that soon. When the dodgeball wrapped up and the "non-sports" kicked in, I perked up with a cold Bintang. I was starving when we entered the gym so I had some mildly sweet brown rice balls with raisins which were much nicer than I know they sound, and some watermelon. I talked with three guys from the secondary school and met two others. It was great.
About 2/3 of the bule lot trouped up to the canteen/cafeteria for food. They had quite the spread set out for us. We all agreed it was better than the last school meal out at a Korean restaurant. One big benefit of working at a Korean school is that they eat pork. And the roast pork was excellent. Add in veggies, life giving kimchi, noodles, etc, etc and it was a meal for a king. There were beers around and bottle of soju (think Korean tequila) a plenty. By the time I begged off at 4:30, I had a touch of a beer buzz and a full belly. The conversation was entertaining for the most part and the day wrapped up well.
The last good news of the day? The elementary school won Sports Day. We earned one "early leave day" free pass for the staff, and we used it yesterday! I'm often surprised here at JIKS, but to have a positive surprise hit me double.
On Friday the students left after fourth period, about 10:30 in the morning. The teachers were to be finished about noon so that we could have TEACHERS SPORTS DAY!!! Da dada daaaaa!! It was a team building exercise involving ALL the teachers at JIKS. Now even though the elementary, middle and high schools are all on the same campus, rarely the twain shall meet. I know a lot of the names of the secondary teachers form mentions about the office. I've seen quite a few of them walking in or out of school but I think I'd only spoken to about two of them since I started last August. This sports day was also going to include all the Korean teachers from the different schools AND the administrative office. It had all the making of a disaster.
This was the notice we got about the days events:
* Sports Day Schedule
Time Events
1 12:00 ~ 12:20 Warm up
2 12:20 ~ 12:40 Dodgeball( Female) (5분씩, 3Set)
3 12:40 ~ 13:40 Volleyball (Female+ Male, 3Set)
4 13:40 ~ 14:00 Volleyball for friendship (KT+Native, 1Set)
5 14:00 ~ 14:30 Table tennis ( F + M, 1Set)
6 14:30 ~ 15:00 Badminton (Male, Male + Female)
7 15:00 ~ 16:30 Dinner( Cafeteria)
1. Please, go to the gym by 11:50.
2.Winners( team) will get the vouchers for leaving early and Karaoke Voucher( equivalent to 1,000,000).
Go! Go!
It kicked off with toe touchy warm up to a pop 80's song. Then lots of standing around waiting. The schedule was almost immediately scrambled in favor of starting with volleyball for friendship. Next came something unexpected. I started out in the Bule vs Korean volleyball match and had a good time. I stayed in for part of the elementary vs secondary matches. It was fun. I was then completely mind boggled by the dodgeball. I may try to use diagrams to explain that soon. When the dodgeball wrapped up and the "non-sports" kicked in, I perked up with a cold Bintang. I was starving when we entered the gym so I had some mildly sweet brown rice balls with raisins which were much nicer than I know they sound, and some watermelon. I talked with three guys from the secondary school and met two others. It was great.
About 2/3 of the bule lot trouped up to the canteen/cafeteria for food. They had quite the spread set out for us. We all agreed it was better than the last school meal out at a Korean restaurant. One big benefit of working at a Korean school is that they eat pork. And the roast pork was excellent. Add in veggies, life giving kimchi, noodles, etc, etc and it was a meal for a king. There were beers around and bottle of soju (think Korean tequila) a plenty. By the time I begged off at 4:30, I had a touch of a beer buzz and a full belly. The conversation was entertaining for the most part and the day wrapped up well. The last good news of the day? The elementary school won Sports Day. We earned one "early leave day" free pass for the staff, and we used it yesterday! I'm often surprised here at JIKS, but to have a positive surprise hit me double.
Friday, June 03, 2011
SOSE Day survived
It's 2pm on Friday. I arrived at work at 7am today and have since "taught" one class. I use quotations because it was a blow off class, they had earned movie time and we also didn't want them to get ahead of a class that was losing their regular English class today. Needless to say, it feels ludicrous that I'm here. I've been puttering about on the computer for about three and a half hours. I can go home in another one and a half hours and from where I sit, that might as well be 2015.
The reason for this disjointed week is another JIKS special event, SOSE Day!! Que the trumpets please! Any regular reader of this blog will know that JIKS has no shortage of special days between the Indonesian holidays, the Korean holidays and the special school days. SOSE (Study of Society and Environment) is a relatively new program here. It's a social and physical science class taught by the native English speaking teachers to increase the amount of English instruction the kids get. I enjoy it more than the English classes. They are interactive and interesting. I feel like the kids are getting more new information. The downside is that because it's a new program we have to continue to sell the parents on it. Hence SOSE Day. Last year there was one SOSE Day and it went so well, we were told, that they wanted two SOSE days this year. If we'd know that we might have worked a little harder to flub up.
SOSE Day is a special lesson created to showcase the students abilities. Most group do something involving speaking and posters, as we did in grade four. In grade six we put on mini plays, or dramas, based on Indonesian stories we had studied. On the set day the parents (in actuality we saw one dad, the other 90 odd grade four parents were moms) can come in and watch this special class. We had a big turn our of about twenty parents per class. It is by no means a regular class or any sort of representation of an actual SOSE lesson.
While in theory I see the value, in reality it's a mess. The teachers all have to disrupt their curriculum for at least a week. In grade four we spend five of our total six classes working on the projects. That's a normal three classes of English and three of SOSE all converted to project time. Not to mention the prep day on Monday and Tuesday. Everything else had to be put on hold. How much of unit six English do you think they remember now since we're been away from it for over a week? Not to mention the SOSE until that we're not quite half way into.
I was proud of my classes for the most part. I haven't seen the parent feedback sheets yet; they have to be translated from Korean. Classes 4-1 and 4-3 surpassed my expectations. A lot of public speaking here tends to turn into hushed tones as the kids are afraid of talking in front of their parents. They can be hit at home for an inadequate showing. Both 4-1 and 4-3 were louder and clearer than when we'd practiced. Class 4-2 fell off a bit but was still ok. I'm relieved it's done and some of the moms cracked a smile. Last year it was like performing for Stepford wives - no response, no reaction. This was a bit startling as it's usually class 4-3 that can't get their act in gear.
After SOSE Day on Tuesday and Wednesday we got a respite on Thursday. It was a holiday: Jesus Christ's Ascension. Not to worry. June 29th is Mohammed's Ascension so things remain even. We were all delighted to have the day off, but now here I am, on Friday afternoon, struggling to stay awake and be
productive.
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| Courtesy of toonpool.com |
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| Courtesy of wireandtwine.com. A SPECIAL DAY! |
While in theory I see the value, in reality it's a mess. The teachers all have to disrupt their curriculum for at least a week. In grade four we spend five of our total six classes working on the projects. That's a normal three classes of English and three of SOSE all converted to project time. Not to mention the prep day on Monday and Tuesday. Everything else had to be put on hold. How much of unit six English do you think they remember now since we're been away from it for over a week? Not to mention the SOSE until that we're not quite half way into.
I was proud of my classes for the most part. I haven't seen the parent feedback sheets yet; they have to be translated from Korean. Classes 4-1 and 4-3 surpassed my expectations. A lot of public speaking here tends to turn into hushed tones as the kids are afraid of talking in front of their parents. They can be hit at home for an inadequate showing. Both 4-1 and 4-3 were louder and clearer than when we'd practiced. Class 4-2 fell off a bit but was still ok. I'm relieved it's done and some of the moms cracked a smile. Last year it was like performing for Stepford wives - no response, no reaction. This was a bit startling as it's usually class 4-3 that can't get their act in gear.
After SOSE Day on Tuesday and Wednesday we got a respite on Thursday. It was a holiday: Jesus Christ's Ascension. Not to worry. June 29th is Mohammed's Ascension so things remain even. We were all delighted to have the day off, but now here I am, on Friday afternoon, struggling to stay awake and be
productive.
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| Courtesy of mmorpg.com. . . . TO GO HOME!!! |
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Oh boy!
I had the best of intentions to blog yesterday. . . and then it was sunny. Yesterday was a holiday, Waisak day. It's a celebration of the birth of Buddha. It was also a school free day. Some folks got Monday as well, but I won't complain since some didn't even get Tuesday off. I could really whine about the fact that in Spain it would have turned into a puente with both Monday and Tuesday off for everyone, but I'll show some self restraint.
I spent part of the morning out in the sun being stared at by all the Indonesians. Yes, I know it's a Muslim country but if you can wear micro mini skirts in public and at restaurants then I can wear a bikini at my apartments. A "quick run" to Ranch market resulted in a massive bill for a single bag of goodies. I did, however, find cool ranch doritos, chorizo, salami, blue cheese and chevre. The dinner of olive oil, pan fried eggplant, portobellos, asparagus with cheese bits and sea salt was divine. After shopping but before dinner I managed a swim and had a great long chat with Carla. Not a bad day! Capped off with a dvd and then an unfortunately horrendous night sleep. Ugh, so much for being rested after a day off.
When a holiday day breaks up the week it always feels like there's an extra Monday. Today felt like Monday. I'm glad it wasn't. I'm really glad that in reality I only have to survive two more days (plus business class tonight) to get to a weekend. If the week were any longer, there might be bloodshed.
One of my classes has decided to see if they can drive Ms. Melissa off the sanity cliff by semester break. They are a difficult class for many reasons but namely that of fourteen kids, only four are girls. With ten boys in the class, I've run out of room to separate the naughty ones. There are about five boys that talk, sing, yell, get out of their seats, throw things, you name it. A couple of those boys can be neutralized when there is distance between him and his mates. Short of installing seat belts on the chairs or moving some of the chairs to the ceiling, I'm outta space.
A second class is evenly split between girls and boys. This is the highest functioning class. I don't know if its because of the class, if the homeroom teacher got them in line or if that class just randomly got the best kids. Their scores are the highest, they are the least likely to turn in work late and they listen the best in class.
My third class is in the middle but usually leaning towards the better class. This group is nine girls and six boys. They can get rowdy but I can control them for the most part. There are a couple of really smart kids and they work together pretty well. Even the lower level kids work hard.
It's just that first class. They are lazy, perpetually turning things in late, shouting, screaming and goofing off class. Siiiigh.
My two pronged approach of rewards (stickers that can be traded for rewards of game time, erasers, etc) and punishments (lines, homework) has worked as well as I'd hope, EXCEPT with this one stupid class! Add that to the fact that my school computer is loused up once again, and it's been a long day. You'd think that with the frequency of trips the computer guys make to our teachers room they'd learn to just fix it the first time. But no, this is Indonesia. I figure his incompetence is planned because it keeps him employed. Unfortunately they won't get someone who actually knows what he's doing. Instead they keep these guys on and permit them to do a piss poor job.Of course I assume he could plan and plot to be incompetent when in actuality he's not and that's a big leap.
All that will make this weekend even better as there is dinner with D on Friday, softball tournament on Saturday and lounging on Sunday on the books!
I spent part of the morning out in the sun being stared at by all the Indonesians. Yes, I know it's a Muslim country but if you can wear micro mini skirts in public and at restaurants then I can wear a bikini at my apartments. A "quick run" to Ranch market resulted in a massive bill for a single bag of goodies. I did, however, find cool ranch doritos, chorizo, salami, blue cheese and chevre. The dinner of olive oil, pan fried eggplant, portobellos, asparagus with cheese bits and sea salt was divine. After shopping but before dinner I managed a swim and had a great long chat with Carla. Not a bad day! Capped off with a dvd and then an unfortunately horrendous night sleep. Ugh, so much for being rested after a day off.
When a holiday day breaks up the week it always feels like there's an extra Monday. Today felt like Monday. I'm glad it wasn't. I'm really glad that in reality I only have to survive two more days (plus business class tonight) to get to a weekend. If the week were any longer, there might be bloodshed.
One of my classes has decided to see if they can drive Ms. Melissa off the sanity cliff by semester break. They are a difficult class for many reasons but namely that of fourteen kids, only four are girls. With ten boys in the class, I've run out of room to separate the naughty ones. There are about five boys that talk, sing, yell, get out of their seats, throw things, you name it. A couple of those boys can be neutralized when there is distance between him and his mates. Short of installing seat belts on the chairs or moving some of the chairs to the ceiling, I'm outta space.
A second class is evenly split between girls and boys. This is the highest functioning class. I don't know if its because of the class, if the homeroom teacher got them in line or if that class just randomly got the best kids. Their scores are the highest, they are the least likely to turn in work late and they listen the best in class.
My third class is in the middle but usually leaning towards the better class. This group is nine girls and six boys. They can get rowdy but I can control them for the most part. There are a couple of really smart kids and they work together pretty well. Even the lower level kids work hard.
It's just that first class. They are lazy, perpetually turning things in late, shouting, screaming and goofing off class. Siiiigh.
My two pronged approach of rewards (stickers that can be traded for rewards of game time, erasers, etc) and punishments (lines, homework) has worked as well as I'd hope, EXCEPT with this one stupid class! Add that to the fact that my school computer is loused up once again, and it's been a long day. You'd think that with the frequency of trips the computer guys make to our teachers room they'd learn to just fix it the first time. But no, this is Indonesia. I figure his incompetence is planned because it keeps him employed. Unfortunately they won't get someone who actually knows what he's doing. Instead they keep these guys on and permit them to do a piss poor job.Of course I assume he could plan and plot to be incompetent when in actuality he's not and that's a big leap.
All that will make this weekend even better as there is dinner with D on Friday, softball tournament on Saturday and lounging on Sunday on the books!
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
More JIKS hijinx
There's never a shortage of ridiculousness at JIKS. I have for the most part ceased to be surprised by the goings on here. Instead I have adopted a policy of shaking my head, sighing and occasionally chuckling. Here's a list, in no particular order the happenings, or mishaps of the last two weeks.
* Last Thursday was Children's Day. I suppose it makes sense. We celebrate Mother's Day, Father's Day and (to a lesser extent) Grandparent's Day in the United States. Korea instead has a Parent's Day and a Children's Day. The school has a policy of celebrating this day. This year each grade went to a different location for a picnic. Grade four went to Cibodas, a big park south and west of the school. Wednesday it was sunny. In fact it hadn't rained in a week. What happened Thursday? It poured relentlessly all day. Not the fault of JIKS, but we all know there is no surer way to make it rain than to schedule a picnic, or wash your car. The park had a very small covered area to accommodate lunching. The ride took approximately two and a half hours each way, which left us an hour to sit and eat. The (chuckle) bonuses of the day? The teachers had their own van and didn't have to ride with screaming children, that teacher's van stopped at Starbucks on the way, the rain meant we didn't do anything other than walk around and say hello, the Korean moms fed us (it was all cold Korean food, but hey! a free lunch is a free lunch) and we got a bit of overtime pay, though none of us can figure out why and we didn't ask.
* Last Tuesday was English Game Time. I don't know what idiot though this was a fun idea, but it wasn't me. Rumor has it that it's a mutation of English Carnival was a highly effective fundraiser and enjoyable. This rumor adds that the Korean teachers were threatened and thought it's resounding popularity made them look bad, hence the change to English Game Time. Each English teacher set up a "booth" in the gym. The kids were divided into groups of ten to fourteen and rotated around in ten minute increments. Periods two and three were for grades one and two, then periods five and six were for grades three and four and finally periods seven and eight were for grades five and six. Still following me? Period one was set up time, so we effectively taught all day. No off periods, no planning, nothing. No overtime for this day either (scratching my head). I explained my game twenty-five times minimum. The teacher next to me had a microphone and speaker, plus I was in the center in the gym at the eye of the noise hurricane. I had to shout to be heard and lost my voice yet again. The bonus that wasn't: we got free pizza provided by the school but I was still on my doctor enforced carbohydrate prohibition. I mentally applied the overtime pay to Tuesday to be less spiteful about it.
* The Friday before English Game Time was "Creativity Festival 2011". We were thrown off my this one because it wasn't on the calendar and was only announced on Monday. No one could quite make out exactly what the point was. Regular classes were cancelled. There was an assembly in the morning where several local Korean community members made speeches and music was played painfully loudly. Next, each child affixed a post it note with their dreams/hopes to a helium filled balloon and let it go. I don't know what the children were supposed to get out of it. A coworker and I laughed at the people who let them go too early, and then cringed at the environmental impact. After the assembly, the kids went and worked on "projects" though I can't tell what, if any, was the uniting theme. They made things ranging from plastic bottle CD racks to pipe cleaner flowers.
* This Friday we will, allegedly, be celebrating Teacher's Day, which falls on the following Sunday officially. Two weeks ago we were told we'd all be going to Cibodas for a hike. I whined a bit since that was were grade four was going for Children's Day, but then with the rain we didn't get to see it. As of Monday this week, the hike was off but something else was pending. Today I've heard two versions of contention. One: the principal is unhappy that several primary teachers have complained about him, though no one had since his arrival in August. He's cancelled everything. Version two: There's no money in the coffers for transportation or lunch. Either way, today's rendition of plans is that there will be an assembly Friday morning and then we can go home. It's a waste of everyone's time and money to have to come in at all, but at least we get to go home early (theoretically, I won't believe it until it happens).
* Last Thursday was Children's Day. I suppose it makes sense. We celebrate Mother's Day, Father's Day and (to a lesser extent) Grandparent's Day in the United States. Korea instead has a Parent's Day and a Children's Day. The school has a policy of celebrating this day. This year each grade went to a different location for a picnic. Grade four went to Cibodas, a big park south and west of the school. Wednesday it was sunny. In fact it hadn't rained in a week. What happened Thursday? It poured relentlessly all day. Not the fault of JIKS, but we all know there is no surer way to make it rain than to schedule a picnic, or wash your car. The park had a very small covered area to accommodate lunching. The ride took approximately two and a half hours each way, which left us an hour to sit and eat. The (chuckle) bonuses of the day? The teachers had their own van and didn't have to ride with screaming children, that teacher's van stopped at Starbucks on the way, the rain meant we didn't do anything other than walk around and say hello, the Korean moms fed us (it was all cold Korean food, but hey! a free lunch is a free lunch) and we got a bit of overtime pay, though none of us can figure out why and we didn't ask.
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| courtesy of simonsdinner.blogspot.com. |
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| Courtesy of miamicountysertoma.org. Kind of like this but more booths and a smaller gym. |
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| Courtesy of last.fm |
Wednesday, April 06, 2011
Korean Observations
I've been working in Jakarta at a Korean school for 8 months (minus six weeks of Christmas holidays). Here are a few observations that make me laugh, wonder or just shake my head.
* There is always music on in the toilets. Its generally classical or opera of the vein that makes me think of the Looney Tunes cartoons that are synchronized to the music, like the Barber of Seville with Bugs Bunny and Elmer Fudd. I don't know if they are convinced that the music covers the sound of peeing but it doesn't.
* The bells for class breaks are teeth rattlingly loud, as are all PA announcements. This morning to ease us in to the announcement they played a bit of classical music. It's always the same ten seconds of the same song. The real treat today was that the volume was being controlled by a first grader. It went up, it went down, it went back up slowly, paused and then faded off all together. The announcements can be so loud as to make one wince.
* The students have a penchant for screaming. Long, loud screams, screeches and squeals that would be the delight of a horror film director. They scream in delight, in disgust, in excitement, in disappointment. It's, well I was going to say mind numbing, but then I'll be able to tune it out and it wouldn't give me headaches. They run down the halls screaming. They sit in the class screaming. I think I'll rewrite Green Eggs and Ham with lines like "He will always scream on a train, He'll definitely scream in a plane". My real disappointment is that they never get tired of it.
* The people are also very loud. This year the foreigners/native English teacher departments teacher room has been combined with the secondary Korean teachers room. One room now includes nine bule, four Koreans who teach English, a Korean PE teacher, a Korean Mandarin teacher, a Korean grade five teacher and up until yesterday the Indonesian teacher. They sit about chattering like twittering birds, in high octaves at high decibels having tea time throughout the day. Someone brings in a snack and it's time for a chat and giggle and eat on the sofa. It's coffee time and they are at it again. I have no idea what they talk about only that its done loudly and often. Its a cacophony and they are oblivious to the fact that it's highly disruptive and irritating.
* The staff there is constantly handing out notices or sending instant messages for important, pertinent things except they send them out only in Korean. Then they seem frustrated when we (not just me) have to ask about it BECAUSE IT'S IN KOREAN!! I came in from class today to a document that needed a response. The only thing I could read was 4 something 7, 4 something 8 and the names of the bule teachers. I asked, to a round of sighs, what I was supposed to do with it. This is a message I got last week:
* They don't seem to realize there are many other very delicious types of food in the world. The cafeteria, the small supply shop and the hot snack bar all serve Korean food. There are a few other choices, namely Oreos, Cheetos and milk, but as you can see they are very few. I don't mind Korean food though it's not my favorite. What I can't fathom is eating the same thing every day. Kimchi, chicken katsu, rice, blah, blah, blah.
* There is always music on in the toilets. Its generally classical or opera of the vein that makes me think of the Looney Tunes cartoons that are synchronized to the music, like the Barber of Seville with Bugs Bunny and Elmer Fudd. I don't know if they are convinced that the music covers the sound of peeing but it doesn't.
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| Courtesy of 100-looneytunes.blogspot.com. |
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| Courtesy of iphone.wareseeker.com |
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| Courtesy of alphadominance.com. This is how I feel. |
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| Courtesy of goodqueenbess.blogspot.com. This is what I want to do. |
* The people are also very loud. This year the foreigners/native English teacher departments teacher room has been combined with the secondary Korean teachers room. One room now includes nine bule, four Koreans who teach English, a Korean PE teacher, a Korean Mandarin teacher, a Korean grade five teacher and up until yesterday the Indonesian teacher. They sit about chattering like twittering birds, in high octaves at high decibels having tea time throughout the day. Someone brings in a snack and it's time for a chat and giggle and eat on the sofa. It's coffee time and they are at it again. I have no idea what they talk about only that its done loudly and often. Its a cacophony and they are oblivious to the fact that it's highly disruptive and irritating.
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| Courtesy of infomotions.com |
* They don't seem to realize there are many other very delicious types of food in the world. The cafeteria, the small supply shop and the hot snack bar all serve Korean food. There are a few other choices, namely Oreos, Cheetos and milk, but as you can see they are very few. I don't mind Korean food though it's not my favorite. What I can't fathom is eating the same thing every day. Kimchi, chicken katsu, rice, blah, blah, blah.
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| Courtesy of iheartkimchi.wordpress.com. I have had my share of kimchi since I started, as well as kimchi soup (hot and cold) and kimchi pizza. It's good but not a daily necessity for me. |
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| Courtesy of singaporeshortstories.blogspot.com. Even the ice cream is Korean. |
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