What’s goin on?

despite the “nm” answer i give on quick IM chats when asked what’s going on, a lot has been going on. too much, actually. some good. some not so good.

to start with something super good~
there’s a test for 6th graders on a couple subjects. it’s like the ISAT for korea. and it is a HUGE DEAL! it decides on the funding for the following school year, the curriculum, and all that school stuffz. my school is unfortunately not located in the richest of neighborhoods where all the students have the luxury of attending the after school hagwons. so English levels are low and in general our school is not the brightest crayon in the box. i love my students. love my school. but we’re not all academically inclined….which i totally understand from personal experience! (ha) so we studied hard! lemme tell you folks. we went into after after school mode. where our 6th grade teachers were spending the entire day class after class, small groups of students who were under national average. we worked our butts off. it was a high stress time with no time to breath. English wise, we could only have 2-3 students per class go below the national avg. for our school to pass. this- as much as i wanted it – was seen as impossible. we easily had 5-6 students per class who could not seem to grasp anything even with hours of extra time spent after school.
finally, we got our results last week.
AND….

DRUM ROLL PLEASE…..

2 students out of the WHOLE GRADE were below. THE WHOLE GRADE! i thought i was being punked. cause this was not possible! i had 1 class who had 6-7 students who were predicted to go below.

i have not had a prouder moment for my students. thing is my co-teacher worked 38493284239x harder than me. but nonetheless, i had some part, right??  i couldnt believe it. and in all the tests we only had a 1-2 students go below in the WHOLE CLASS! we passed every subject!!! WHOOOOOO~~

moving on.
went on a short mini-vacay with my uncle, aunt, and cousin. and it felt surprising homey. i was never THAT close with my extended family, and the feeling of family is something really hard to come across in korea. but this was a perfect weekend get-a-way.

I dont exactly remember where this was, but i think it was called “A Walk in the Clouds”? something like that?

and you know it’s funny…when parents try to give you advice it just sounds like “blahh blahh blahhh” 잔 소리. but when other people give you advice, you are like “yea…i totally agree! that is so smart! you’re so wise!” is that just me? i love my parents. don’t get me wrong. and i really respect them. but just something about them being parents. and telling you to do stuff….hmm.

next.
i started taking Korean classes! at 연세 (Yonsei) University! Yea, that’s right!! who’s smart enough to go to Yonsei now! i know it’s really shallow of me, but i love telling people im taking a class there cause then they’re all “OooOs and AhhHhs” for those of you who don’t know yet, Yonsei is the #2 university in Korea. It’s like a Yale, after Harvard. (i don’t care about real statistics that’s how people remember the prestigiousness order of these schools.) And to tell you the truth, i think everyone is accepted into this Korean program. but i think i forget to leave that part out of conversations~ hehhe i had to take a placement test and have successfully finished my first class. 1st reaction. Wae-Gooks (foreigners) are good at korean!! 2nd- crap. i’m freakn korean! i can’t be worse than these foreigners! but i guess i have to remember that i am too indeed a foreigner. it’s hard to get into the groove of studying again. and the idea of having tests instead of being the one giving them. but i’m excited to be busy! and feel productive! and can’t wait till i can fully understand Korean and don’t just have to nod along with a smile on my face. (i’ve gotten so good at pulling that off)

a recent not-so-great.
i will be spending too much money on the dentist in the coming months. this is what i get for not going to the dentist for so long. not looking forward to the hours of open mouth procedures that i will have to endure for multiple saturdays. BIG FROWN! this is gonna make me cut back on the new fall wardrobe i was thinking of. BIGGER FROWN!!

back to happy thoughts.
i think i forgot how much i enjoyed  reading. but after having too much time over a 3 day chuseok break i started reading The Girl with a Dragon Tattoo that is a worthwhile book! loved it so much that i am now working through the 2nd in the series The Girl Who Played with Fire also intense and a good read!

started at a new church. week 2: i am the praise band drummer. honestly thought i would never pull the drummer card again. but here i am. while i play up there (which has only been 1 week..i’ve only been there 3 times) reminds me of the great chick band days. that’s right. i was in a chick band. man, i’m sucha rocker! ^^ i rock those Christian beats! whoo~ hopefully a more intimate relationship with God and friendships soon to come.

have i covered all the big points?

some more pics ^^

 

me and cousin at beach.  pretty sunset~

한식- rice and endless side dishes.

조개구이- grilled clams. LOVE <3 <3

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