Korea Life Blog - Drawing Time Again

Since the kids have been using the same three English books for 2 years, I don't know what I'd do without online handouts. They have been an enormous help. After a brief lesson in which the kids repeat some words, they have the rest of the class to write, draw, color, do puzzles, read their comic books, whatever. Let's see what we've been up to this week:


It's time to learn the months and seasons again. This worksheet is a wonderful activity and has gotten me through the entire week so far. Some kids in the past would, if given this sort of activity, draw something as quickly as possible and then shout "da haseyo!" (I've finished everything) They know now if they do that they will get no talent sticker and that their classmates will have more than them on "Talent Market Day." As you can see, the system works well. This example was drawn by one of my previously terrible students. Not too bad anymore. I especially like Fall. Looks like someone is having some trouble with that rake.



Another cute example. I don't know why these scenes make me feel good. I guess they bring back memories of being a kid myself. I want to make a snowman again and be that happy.



Compared to the boys, my girl students are angels. They're almost always quiet and never complain and they always draw the cutest pictures. Sometimes when I'm sitting there twiddling my thumbs watching them draw and color, I fantasize about having a daughter. There are a couple I've considered kidnapping back to America.



This one cracked me up. I'm not sure what's going on with winter and summer. Is the sun taking a dump? I like the fall scene too. That girl looks cool with her sunglasses and vampire coat. Sure is windy out there.



This is the activity sheet I used last week. They didn't have time to color because the follow-up word search puzzle was a little harder than usual and required more time. Nothing too special about this example, yet I like the watching TV scene. What is she watching? Is that kickboxing or Zombie High School Part 2? Also, they can be so creative when they draw. Look at the overhead shot of the swimmer.



There's always the kid who draws his friend as a horrible monster. It cracks me up because I'd be sure to do the same if I were a kid doing this. Classic example here. The best part is the portrait on the top left.

written by shawn matthews    -|link

Korea Life Blog - Schedule Change Again!

Went into the hagwon again today, prepared for my first class (copying worksheets and puzzles), headed off to the classroom. No students. A Korean teacher is sitting there and tells me once again, "Schedule change! First class cancelled!" They always say it as if by some cosmic force I should have already known. I just smiled and shook my head. It's at least the fifth time this has happened in the last month or two. Oh well, I'm certainly not complaining about one less class.

With the extra time I decide to go back home across the street. Just as I'm leaving, the Korean middle school teacher, Ken, takes me aside. Because midterms are coming up in the public schools, he has to teach the kids each Friday for this month. He tells me this apologetically, as if I'm going to feel bad I don't have to teach them for 4 weeks. "I see," I said, shaking my head as if terribly dissapointed. Inside I was cheering. That leaves just 2 classes on Friday. Having only two classes on Monday, I'm getting close to a 4 day weekend!

Well, time to make lunch and do some exercises. Then I will teach from 3:30-6:00, have an hour for dinner, then listen to Windy and Peter from 7 until 8. Phew, tough day, tough week, tough job. If only I could get this kind of situation in Seoul!

[Update] The joy was short lived. I noticed a bunch of new classes pencilled in on my schedule for Monday, but I'm really not sure what's going on. There are so many crossouts and things pencilled in I finally asked the boss's wife to make me a new one. Hopefully she will.

written by shawn matthews    -|link

Korea Life Blog - Fashion Fraud


Julie and I stopped into Migliore over the weekend. The lastest spring fashions have arrived and they aren't pretty. Plain and simple is out; bright and obnoxiously colorful are in. What is going on this year? Julie couldn't believe it and neither could I. Take a look at this mind boggling collection of women's clothes:


Here we go. I just love that puke green and orange shirt with the purple jeans. Come on, Julie, that'll look great on you.



It's a toss up between the far off green dress and the outfit on the dummy to the right.



I thought these were clothes for old women but judging from the shirt on the right apparently not. Are young people really dressing like this nowadays?











A perfectly matching flowery outfit. Even my grandmother would scowl at something like this and she's been known to dress a little oddly.







Julie just stared at this store, shocked and unable to comprehend who would buy anything here. Not as bad as some of the other shops, I thought, but still bad, sure.



Julie really wanted this outfit but I told her forget it. She was very sad and hurt. She cried the rest of the weekend. Maybe I'll buy it for her birthday later this month...



Still a little weird but I think I've seen a few ajummas wearing these outfits around my town.



Even the shoes are outlandish. Check out that bright yellow pair on the end. Those would go well with the green shirt and red pants that Julie liked.



The kids clothes are even worse. Look at these! Would any kid be caught dead wearing such things to Kindergarten? Actually these are minature hanbok, traditional Korean clothes, for children. Pretty darn cute. There was nothing here in my size unfortunately.

written by shawn matthews    -|link