The Latest from SK

For a while, I didn't feel like writing anything on our blog since it's hard to judge if anyone actually reads the thing. But, the other day, I was reminded that people do happen upon it every once and a while, so here's to you, our faithful/sometimes faithful and curious readers.

As the weather changed from warm and extremely humid (June) to hot and extremely humid and rainy (July) to hot, rainy, and fairly humid (August), to sunny, hot, not too humid (early September) to clear, warm, sunny (now), I want to give it up to the One who makes and changes weather. If cooler days were not on the upcoming forecast, I might quit my job. Luckily for my wallet and school, the days have been changing. That, my friends, is your weather report for the summer in Seoul. Some people appreciate and are fascinated by weather updates, like my dad. Others, like my mom, would rather get kicked in the shin. So, it was a toss-up whether or not to include this paragraph.

Do read on...

What can I tell you about our lives here that could be interesting? Teaching is becoming quite routine, with good days, fun classes, and the very opposite of that half of the time. We are beginning to understand and see the real expense of Korean academic rigor on these kids' and teenagers' lives. It's not as noticeable in our youngest classes, which consist of studying from a fun, multi-colored and well written English learning book, with plenty of games and competitive screaming and hanging off the foreign teachers. But as the day progresses, and we teach students that have already been in public school most of the day, and are in their 2nd or 3rd hour of "Academy" (the type of private afternoon school where we teach), you wonder how long a 13-year old should have to study, bent over in a small desk-chair. I start wanting to let my students sleep instead of shaking them and asking them to answer a question. Here's your tests, students, I say, inwardly wishing we could all just play outside and that I never had to give them tests. Sometimes, though, the compassionate side of me wanes as the I'm-getting-paid-to-teach-you and your-parents-will-be-mad-at-you- if-you-get-bad-grades side of me wakes up for a little while. In these moments, it's hard for me to face a class of 14-year-olds who stare at me blankly while I ask about their weekend, or if they did their homework, or if they could answer the question I've repeated 5 times. It's also a bit discouraging when you hand out a small, "fun" speaking exercise and your student groans very loudly as he reluctantly accepts the slip of paper (with both hands, of course - Korean etiquette).

Usually, something comical happens during even the worst classes and it's enough to keep Dan and I liking our job and admiring that Koreans are extremely hard workers, and even if they generally push their kids too hard (according to North American standards, anyway), it's apparent why the Korean economy has been growing and succeeding despite so many obstacles during the last few decades. Hard work equals success, and Koreans take that motto very, very seriously.

What you also might want to know about Korea: We get about 3-5 English channels (some change to Korean sometimes) on T.V. In the last 2 weeks, the movie "The Devil Wears Prada" has been on at least 4 times that I have seen. "The Rock" is on quite a lot, as are the Terminator movies, Die Hard 2, True Lies, lots of movies with Keanu Reeves, and Jurassic Park (according to our friend who has caught it a couple of times). There is just so much anticipation when you wake up in the morning. What movie will be playing today? How about at 3 am when you still can't sleep? Oh yes! The Matrix is on, AGAIN! (usually not my reaction).

That's all I've got for now... it's time to get ready for work. Thanks for reading... we miss you all... Bring on the weekend!