Well, it is now June and life is good. I booked my flight for my two-week home leave this last weekend and am really looking forward to a short break from Korea. Also, the week before I head home, Andrew and I will be in Tokyo! Can't beat that, really!
Lately, I've been busy. We're in a new school year, so last year's 6th graders are gone and I've got new 3rd graders. Also, I have a new Sarangbang class (at an appealing new time- 4-6p.m., rather than 6-8p.m.), and we're building a new English room in our school. The Office of Education has given every school a lump of money to construct "English Zones". They basically end up being pimped out areas of the school with a small English library, fancy white boards, and cool desks. I'll be taking pictures of the process, as they just knocked out a wall for it yesterday.
One of the best parts of building the new English room is that I get to be mostly in charge of stocking the English library! Seona has told me to make a list of any books that I think should be purchased for the library, so I have been mentally reviewing all of my favorite childhood books. It's been quite fun!
As far as my new Sarangbang class goes, it's been a bit more challenging. This year's 6th graders are dating machines, and all of the playas are in my SB class! So, whenever I read the English diaries that they have to write each week, I get about 17 pages of who is dating whom and who is breaking up with whom. Also, this adds a certain element of craziness to the class because they are really preoccupied with who they're sitting next to and who is looking at them. Suffice to say, I have become a master of making seating arrangements.
Also, I have been doing a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) course. It's all online, and it's pretty time consuming, but it's interesting and I will be getting a raise next year for completing it. I've got a better grip on grammar concepts and have been able to read about some practical teaching methods for EFL students.
As for other news, there isn't much of it. It's amazing how accustomed I have become to having Korea as my daily reality. Life here no longer feels like 'living in Korea', it just feels like living.
I'm looking forward to my time at home, and I hope all of you are well and content.
kb
