Tieing Up Loose Ends from Home

This letter is to warn people thinking of coming to Korea, and it could also serve those already here. You see, I have received letters stating I owe the last place I rented, in America, a termination fee.

Now I moved out in April 2008, and before I did I made sure the lease was handed over to the current roommate. I alerted the office I was moving, too. And then I get these letters stating that someone moved out in 2010 earlier than when the lease expires and I have to pay for it.

Since I moved out and have lived in Korea I have gotten rid of all that paperwork, a big mistake. Also I never really checked back with ex-roomie if everything was 100%. Although, I think I did and I have some emails asking her if things were good.

Ex-roomie will not return my calls or emails. This is frustrating because I just want to know her story and understand what happened.

Anyways, I contacted the University and spoke to a secretary about all this. They told me to call "Accounting" and then they told me to call the other guys back. I did and they were out for the day. Since I only get a short window to call, due to time difference, I'm going to have to wait.

So here is my advice to all you folks out there, especially the young College graduate kind. Take care of all your shit before you move, and after you come here check up on it. Otherwise, you might get bitten in the butt like I am here.

Maybe Next Week

Today our school held our usual monthly meeting. On the agenda "contract renewals." When I saw this I got excited and thought something along the lines of, "If you put down 'yes' as your response, then you folks got the job" was going to be announced. Instead, they just announced that people need to make up their minds by Nov. 8th and someone will be coming to you around next week to talk about the contract.

So it wasn't what I wanted to hear, and of course it got me all nervous. After the meeting I approached the homeroom teacher (the one who speaks English well, and throughout the semester helped us) about this. She said I should be okay and that the homeroom teachers got a survey to answer. But then she started to give me input on a few things. For one the Song teacher (the main homeroom teacher) wasn't too pleased with the Drama Festival performances. This was my first news of hearing this since last week so I said, "Really?" And then she went on how it could have been better. I didn't tell her how it was really difficult teaching a group of kids a huge drama production, considering they kept on changing the movements and gestures. Sigh

The other thing she mentioned was that they are really grateful that I have put a lot of work into lesson plans and materials, but that I could be more loving with the students. Now, I'm not a mean teacher in the class but I have strict rules and stand by them. I've given the kids plenty of love, especially in my lesson plans. I do yell a lot and that could go down a little, but the homeroom teachers told us to yell at them.WTF!!

In all of this I am reminded that no where along the road do the homeroom teachers sit me down and we discuss my weakness and strengths. It's been this way at every school I worked at in Korea and I suppose I am use to it. Yet it still baffles me that if you have an employer and you want them to do specific things or change, then you go to that person and address the issues. In the end, there isn't much I can do about what the homeroom teachers think, as I know it is all based upon predispositions.

So now I am at the point of thinking "Plan B", what will I do if I don't get to renew this contract? I didn't send in a request for FBI fingerprints so if I have to find a new job it will have to be a transfer. I really don't want to have to pack up and move again or try to find a suitable job for next year. The whole thought of being rejected by this school really gets me blue. Makes me think maybe I really have failed as a teacher here in Korea.

I was really sick yesterday and feeling somewhat better today. Trying to find some positive light in all of this...trying.

October Field Trip: Dream Forest

For the October field trip the kiddos were taken to the Dream Forest. This was a good idea as it was close to the school, but a sort of bad idea because we walked a lot.

I didn't know the Dream Forest had a little zoo and so was a bit surprised. Mostly the animals were deer, though.

We headed to the art museum where they took in a show of Robot art, some of which I have seen on display at a different park.

Was there a guide to stop the kids and explain the exhibit or engage them in the theme? No, there wasn't. Instead the Korean homeroom teachers took them along and occasionally made remarks.

After the art exhibit the children were led outside to a large circular area.

Here the homeroom teachers engaged the children in some kind of outdoor games. The group I was with played some kind of run-in-a-circle altogether...game.

After which everyone ate lunch and then got free time to play on the playground.

The last field trip of the year is coming up in November, and I wonder where we will go.

Still Waiting

Turns out they won't talk about contract renewals till "sometime" in November. I am hoping that means next week. I had an interview at this school around the third week of November last year, so I am thinking they get things ready by the beginning of the month.

Anyways, I have a strong feeling they will let me renew but of course am still nervous.

In other news, Tom is doing well and has grown a thick winter coat for the cold days ahead. Of course, I will keep him warm inside my house.

My ex dropped off Tom's carrier basket (he borrowed it a few weeks ago) and it was a little hard to see him again. I still feel confused about what happened to us, but nowadays feel it really was for the best.

Today's weather is rainy this morning, which makes me want to put off getting my groceries till tomorrow. I've got a lot of work I want to get done so I can get ahead. Already we are heading towards the end of this semester and report cards and other paperwork are starting to come in. I can't believe 2011 is already on its decline. I guess it's time to start thinking about 2012 and what is to come.

Drama Festival Wrap Up

It went well and all the kids from every group performed to their best. I didn't hear any homeroom teachers complain about it, which is great. Just one snafu, last week one of my boys got scratched by another without my notice. So mom is upset, which makes the homeroom teacher have to deal with this. That leads to said homeroom teacher coming to me and telling me that I should keep my eyes on everyone all the time. Thanks!

So it is the end of October and I believe I should be hearing about my renewal. With this latest snafu I am hoping my ,"Yes, of course I can" attitude keeps everyone happy. But rumors have it that lots of teachers are planning, for various reasons, to move on from this school. So I think they would like to try and keep as many as they can.  I haven't heard anything yet, as the drama festival is still going on for other grades.

Just hope my nervousness, from that meeting with the homeroom teacher today, isn't a sign of bad news to come. hmm

Rearrange

Living in a rectangular prism can get you down sometimes. There is only so much room for you, your cat and your stuff. That is why last night I stayed up thinking about how I could rearrange my furniture. My goal was to make it so that I could access my art supplies easily, and so wouldn't feel the dread of having to set it up every time.

First I thought I needed to buy another table to devote to my art. But then I realized I use my computer often for photo reference and so could just continue to use the desk I have.

Anyways, the following is how things turned out.

I'm hoping the TV doesn't end up on the floor in pieces. It actually survived when Tom went behind it, so maybe this can work!

Let's hope my aspirations of connecting with my art works out. But for now I am enjoying the breath of fresh space in my little home here. I think it helps that I also boxed up things I don't really use and also made a pile of "donation" stuff.

Now if only I could rearrange the stuff in my personal life as easy as it was today!