KIAF 2011

 

You wouldn't know there were so many galleries in Korea until you stepped into the Korean International Art Fair.  Dozens of galleries representing Korean artists were set up at the festival along with many more from other nations. I have been to the KIAF a few times in the past (here and here) and each time it felt like a different experience.

Since I didn't attend last year's I was really looking forward to going. What I expect when I go is to see a variety of art from around Asia, and to have a good time mingling amongst art enthusiasts. 

However, after I entered the exhibition hall for some reason my excitement fell flat. Maybe it was because there were a lot of people already there at 11am (unlike in 2009). Or perhaps I just had a feeling things had changed.

Thankfully, my first reaction started to melt away as I looked through the galleries. Immediately I was impressed at the amount of sculpture within the spaces.

Do forgive me for not providing the artist's names. I know I should have written them down as I photographed them.

Yet, I did try to photograph the name with the object. I found these sculptures particularly enjoyable as the shadows were quite nice.

If you are wondering whether photography was allowed, well everyone was practically doing it and with their iPhones. Some gallery owners would go up to you and request no photos. I kindly deleted the pictures from ones that did this.

Some galleries had wall hangings of famous Asian artists that I recognized like Yayoi Kusama, Yoshitomo Nara and Lee U Fan. I did feel gleeful standing in front of them and examining them close up.

 Video art was presented, although rather scant. The following one was a stop-motion of plastic soldiers messing around near a bed of kimchi.

I always have a fondness for this kind of Japanese painting, mostly because I just love the absurdity of the content.

In the following works it appeared that glass mini-blobs were affixed to the painting. The little pearl of lights that resonated from them were quite appealing. What I noticed too, after standing there a while, was how the movement of people were reflected in these little drops. I wanted to capture it on video but should have brought my monopod.

The whimsical was there to be seen as well, especially in the following sushi-trucks and a large sculptural piece made from go-stop cards.

The following sculpture was quite fun to photograph...

Every year the KIAF hosts a guest country and this time it was Australia. However, as much as I enjoyed stepping into their space and getting a sense for Australian art it didn't have the same vibe as year's past.

I recall when India was being hosted they set them up with one large space and not segmented walls. This time Australia got their own space but things were still segmented. I would have rather enjoyed it put together in a context of some sort.

One Australian gallery had the following sound-art piece. The digital display was a rendering of a wave, while the speakers played real ocean-wave audio. I mostly enjoyed the craftsmanship of this piece, as I have tried sound art in the past.

The following is a sculpture made from mirrors and had a great reflective quality to it.

There are 2 halls at the COEX convention center that housed the KIAF, hall A and B. When I went into Hall B I was greeted by a large section dedicated to some cafes. 

I took a seat at one of the tables at the corner and enjoyed some rest. Although I didn't buy anything I felt safe sitting there. Then a Korean woman sat down at my table with a nod first. A little while later two of her friends came by and she called them over, they did have cafe stuff with them. They engulfed my table like I wasn't even there. I made a sour face and got up, while the original woman said, "Sorry" in quite an insincere way. I huffingly moved myself to another free table, while sitting down and giving them the stink eye.

This experience completely ruined my visit. I didn't have the passion to see the rest of the exhibitions and so left. However, there were personal matters also overshadowing this so maybe that is the main reason.

All together, the festival was a delight and something I might try out again next year. Unfortunately if you folks want to catch it the venue is already over. So I would suggest heading to local galleries and checking this out in 2012.

Warm Outside Cold Inside

If it is one thing I don't want to do it is to constantly talk about my work life. There are so many other aspects of life here in Korea. But really I can't help but pass along these experiences since I know it will be helpful to other expats.

In the springtime at school it is usually warmer outside than it is inside. The school seems to act like a refrigerator. These days they have turned off the heater to the entire school. I don't really mind since they were blasting the heater anyways and it was making the air way too dry.

This week, it seems, was full of ups and downs. On Monday I had succeeded with my open class and felt really positive. But then I came in Tuesday in a moody way. I had PMS symptoms, which made me look moody (seriously if you are a woman and know what I am talking about...). As the others sat around mingling over coffee I barged my way around asking where the dice were. It didn't look good of course. Later before lunch my coteacher Mrs. K asked why I was so wrong to do that. I said sorry of course. Then apologized at lunch time to everyone. Mrs. K then reminded me, "This is your second time, Joy."

I know the mistake I made of bringing my mood onto others and bringing everyone down. But inside I just get a bit tired that they don't get past that and accept I am human. Yet, I am in Korea and being moody in front of others is a taboo. So making sure I don't upset others with moodiness is something I am going to be mindful of.

Then Wednesday came and some little change occurred. Mrs. K told me she will give the 6th graders a listening test outside the classroom, which meant that I will be teaching alone. I wasn't too shocked by the news since giving tests in this manner was familiar to me. However it was going to be my first time at this school teaching by myself and so I knew things needed to be shifted around in my mind.

What ended up happening was a mistake that I didn't recognize would be so grave. It was second period and the class was being very rowdy and unfocused. Also I had the period mixed up with the next one so I accidentally finished 10 minutes early. As soon as I said, "It's time to say goodbye." The students closed their books, got up and started playing their small games. I lost control of the class and didn't get it back. I just resigned myself to play some English videos. I treated the situation in a casual manner and even considered the incident not that big of a deal. I apologized to my coteacher when she came back in the room to make sure she knew it wasn't the students fault.

Yesterday I went to work thinking all is fit as a fiddle. I worked with my other coteacher Mrs. W and we enjoyed our time in the classroom. Then a few hours after lunch Mrs. K came up to me and told me to come with her to have a talk. I figured she just wanted to talk about our coteaching.

We left the teacher's room and went into the Audio / Visual room. At a desk she sat in front of me. We sat down and she asked me, "Do you know why you are here?" I was honest and said, "Not really." ...."To talk about coteaching?" (With a big grinning smile.)

She shook her head and gave a heavy sigh, and then went into yesterday's events. Apparently it greatly upset and disappointed her. Immediately I explained the mix up with the time and that the students were already not focused. But she grilled me harder about it. She used this event to come to the conclusion that I am not a good teacher. That I am a "cold person" who does not have a warm heart. She told me about how she doesn't like my teaching style at all.

Her complaints were that I am not using a loud voice (truth is my voice is not naturally loud), I am not moving my arms, I am not touching or hugging the students (with 6th graders I draw the line), I am not being active enough, I am not in control of the class (when we are coteaching the class is usual under control and I use a point system and other techniques...just don't yell at them), I use too many powerpoints (maybe 1 or 2 a lesson...so just 2 times a week), I don't keep track of time (not entirely true...just end things quickly), I don't give a review with the class....and so on.

In other cases I have cried and become very emotional when an older Korean woman rips me to shreds. I know a supervisor's role is to check their employee's job but when an older Korean woman does it she hits you over the head so hard with her message that you are left feeling tiny and insignificant. Anyways, this time I didn't cry or have a tantrum. I let her talk and I explained where I was coming from.

Some explanations I gave were that although I have taught at public school before, the teaching situation was a lot different. At Hwasan Elementary we taught basically 50 / 50 and made things up as we went along. Last semester, at my current school with the previous coteachers, I taught probably only 30% while they did most of the work. (It wasn't my choice...they made it that way). So I explained to her that this is my first time given 80 - 90 % of the class. Really it is the first time they have told me, "This is your class you can do what you want." I tried to relay the point that I am new to this concept and working it out. Another explanation I gave her in regards to my class management style is that I like not to be aggressive like the Korean way. I told her that I like to use certain methods and techniques besides the familiar Korean ones of yelling and scaring a child into learning. Her response: You are in Korea and you have to teach the Korean way.

This is where I realized that it probably didn't matter what I said in defense of myself. She had already chosen an image of me and all I could do now was tell her that I would consider everything and make a change.

Throughout this were some pretty oddball things. For example, at first she made me write down "in detail" explaining the event that took place Wednesday. Then she made me write down what I would do next time to make it better. Both pieces, when she read them, she gave another heavy sigh and said that I didn't write what she was looking for. I just wrote things very factual and added stuff like discipline methods and a promise to not make the mistake again. In addition, she had a written letter from a student from that class explaining what happened (it was in Korean...but I put two and two together).

We talked in that room for, I believe, two hours. There were a few times when she tried to finish up the conversation but I kept on talking and trying, in a polite and calm way, defend my position and explain myself.

At one point, towards the end, she mentioned how she will take what I said and share it with the other coteachers and have a discussion and then give me my "result." I asked her what kind of "result" this was and she just said it was a "result." Of course in mind it made me think they were going to fire my ass. That is probably why I kept on talking to her...to give her all the info I could. I also told her that I felt defenseless. I even mentioned how I felt like she is forgetting the cultural differences. But she said that I have to be like a Korean here since I am in Korea. I wanted to argue with her that I agree I should follow the Korean way but it is not something I can't do 100% of the time or expect to get it right. But I knew it was useless and also just generally disappointed she couldn't realize this herself.

We finished and it was already nearly 15 minutes to leaving time. So the day ended on that note. Needless to say last night was spent a crying mess.

On the way home I walked with my coworker (the other foreigner) and burst out in tears about the situation. I told her that I was sorry for any problems I have caused her. She listened to me about the meeting and told me how shocked she was to hear that Mrs. K did that. Her impression is that she is really going after me and not being fair. Not considering the cultural differences.

What was funny was that in the meeting Mrs. K mentioned my coworker. Saying, "P is younger than you...you know?" "You need to look after her because you are her older sister." I nearly burst out laughing at hearing that. Yea my coworker is younger than me but we both consider each other on that same playing field that Westerners do. I told my foreign coworker this and she was a bit surprised.

Well my coworker told me to not let it get to me, but that is what I did last night. I know I screwed up Wednesday but really I am trying my darnedest to get every aspect of this job right. From keeping things happy and charming in the teacher's room and around school, to teaching the kids in a wholesome and fun manner. Yet, it feels that no matter how hard I try and suffer that in the end if someone doesn't like you because of X, Y & Z than you are in the shitter no matter what. Yes I disappointed her with that incident but does she have to go to such extremes with dealing with it? At the meeting she literally crushed my teaching spirit. This morning on the way to work I couldn't see how exactly I was suppose to teach.

Yet as I got closer and closer to the school I told myself, "It's Friday" and I imagined one of my 4th grader's smile. (He has the cutest and funniest smile.) This pepped me up enough to get through the day.

Oh yea, I also brought with me one of those spongecakes from Paris Baguette to grease the wheel with everyone today.

Of course, at work, Mrs. K showed no signs of disgust towards me during the day. And I never got that "result"....not that I was expecting to. We went to our classes and she sat in the back giving the listening test.

But I did my darndest to rock up the class and talk with excitement, move my arms and laugh...whatever it took to show I gave a shit. I don't want to amp up my classes to please her but do it for the kids. Of course I agree with her teaching philosophy but you know you can't insult someone thoroughly and then tell them to go teach classes with a positive chipper attitude. Yet that is what I did today. Playing the insane fool was kind of fun.

I know Mrs. K is freaking out and taking things too far. I also know that I will never really be able to please her. But I am going to keep on teaching until they fire me or my contract ends, and then we will see what comes next. By the way, Mrs. K is only at my school for one semester and then the Teacher dude comes back.

One last thing... I also feel somewhat shocked by all this. For a while there I was really getting along with Mrs. K, talking to her, laughing, sharing about my boyfriend and American life. One afternoon I knew JH was coming to my house so I invited her to swing by and meet him. I honestly thought all was well on this front. I guess she just snapped when I made the mistake on Wednesday. I want her to forgive me but I want her to know that she needs to be forgiven as well.

Well there you have it another post about the casualties of teaching life here in Korea. Last night I seriously thought to myself maybe it is time to pack up and leave. Go back to my poor life in San Francisco, maybe go back to school and get a Masters in something. Shop at thrift stores and only spend my money on groceries. Oh the good old days.

Of course I talk about these troubles with JH, even cry deeply over it with him on the phone. He is comforting but there is a cultural line that he struggles to cross. Yet as long as he is willing to understand and help lift my spirits I will take that.

To anyone else struggling with these issues here in Korea or ever experience your supervisor telling you that you are not a good teacher. Just take it in one ear and don't let it go up to your brain.  The point I am trying to make is that do what you can, and don't give up.

Public Service Announcement

Saturday I visited my friend in the hospital, in Seoul. Why? Because she got hit by a taxi a few weeks ago. Therefore I want to take a little time here to give a public announcement and that is to try your best not to get hit by a car here in Korea.

Of course my friend didn't mean to get hit and was just crossing the crosswalk as usual that day. But, as you know, Korean drivers (most of them) don't really mind pedestrians. Unfortunately, the taxi did not stop and ran off. The consequences of this means that she wasn't able to work for a few weeks. This lead to her private school to give her excuses as to why they are letting her go. Again I would like to make another announcement:

If you work for a large franchise private school and they give you the speech "Give us notice if you are sick...at least three days before hand" don't be surprised if they try to apply the same thing towards accidental injuries such as getting hit by a taxi. They told her the same thing and even said it to her colleagues at a meeting during the time of her incident. Only one person at her school had the guts to counteract the schools logic...that it doesn't make sense to give notice when it is impossible to know when you will have an accident.

Anyways, she is doing well and found work at a new school. Her story is just one of probably many that occur here in Korea where our employer breaks labor laws all in the name of "saving" the company.

She has been a great trooper throughout this and shows no hard feelings towards Korea itself.  So I wish her the best of luck at her new job and I hope it is better and more enriching than the last one.

24 Hours

The last 24 hours of my life have been quite a ride. As you well know by now I struggle with the one thing Korean coteachers despise, and that is talking back and expressing a bold opinion. Last Friday I had one of these moments. It happened about an hour before work hours were finished and so I didn't really leave with a "sorry". What occurred was that I argued over being asked to write in 12 more topics for the extra class I am to teach. I made the point that since it doesn't really matter (we are going to do whatever and the topics are just for show) that they should write in anything and not ask me. I made a big deal about it and somehow embarrassed the youngest coteacher. (She is "beautiful" and has a princess complex.) I agree, though, that my big mouth should of been kept shut or that I should of just gone along with it. However, as you know I am still struggling with these areas.

Anyways they (my 3 coteachers) worked on Saturday and must of come up with some plan to deal with this. However, on Monday I didn't really know that it was such a big deal and when the youngest coteacher announced we were going to have a meeting later in the day I was surprised to find what it was about. She just said it was going to be about "school policy."

It turned out it was about me.

The youngest coteacher's English is poor and somehow (maybe with some help) she wrote down in her notebook a speech to give to everyone at the meeting. I was shocked at what I heard and how it was delivered. Her message was to me and how I embarrassed her and hurt her feelings. What she read clearly stated my name and what I did that she disliked. Keep in mind I have another foreign coworker, who was sitting at the meeting too.

I understand that they wanted to address my attitude and disobedience but honestly I would have never imagined that they would have solve this issue by confronting me at a meeting in front of everyone.

On top of being sick (headache & sore throat) I became so embarrassed and ashamed of myself that I couldn't come up with sincere answers to their questions.

 After a while into the meeting one of the other coteachers spilled the beans on all the things I did that upset her. I asked her, "Why didn't you tell me then that it upset you?" And she was insulted that I asked her that.

I tried to keep my cool and also represent my side of the story, that I have a tendency to voice my opinion passionately but know Korean people find this rude. That I am trying my hardest to understand the Korean system and work well with everyone.

I felt like I was on trial. But in this case I didn't even know I was going to be prosecuted. I told them that confronting me like this made me feel frightened and that they should of considered coming to me personally, instead of so publicly. Yet, they turned it around and said they couldn't believe that I was surprised.

Needless to say Monday was a mess.  I have to say that my other foreign coworker, although she tried at first, ended up throwing me under the bus in the end. Agreeing with my coteachers on things and not really showing any compassion for my being assaulted like the way I was.

The meeting finally ended when I couldn't take it anymore and burst out into loud tears. I went home Monday feeling betrayed by another foreigner and mentally annihilated by my coteachers.

As I walked home it was snowing heavily and there was not a person around me to hear me sob. After awhile I looked around and heard that sweet silence that accompanies snowfall. I couldn't help but think about my life. I wanted to pack my things and fly back to America. But I couldn't, because I need health insurance. "What would I do back home?" "How would I survive?" I thought. Then I considered my future. "What if they fire me?" "What if they don't renew my contract for another year and refuse to give me a good recommendation letter?"

My mind was spiraling down hill. It seriously felt like I couldn't go back to America and couldn't take another step back at work. I wanted to disappear.

I told JH what had happened and my feelings. Then later he showed up here at my home. He told me to no longer cry and gave me good advice on how to continue on. He said that no matter what happens he will be there for me.

With his expression of love and caring I was able to calm down and see what needed to be done.

On my way to work this morning I was scared and broken-hearted. What they did was really unfair and just messy in trying to get me to shape up. But I knew that they didn't see it that way and I would likely never get an apology from them or alternatively something in the ballpark of thinking they were wrong.

Yet as I walked the long path back to school I couldn't help but think of the children and that is why I was still carrying on this job. I like teaching them and seeing them laugh and have fun because I created a good lesson plan and executed it well. But I realized that the Korean public school system favors good relationships over the amount of work you do for the kids. Meaning I could probably be a lousy teacher but great at making everyone feel good and never argue, while at the same time never once be reprimanded for my poor teaching skills. It's a bitter medicine to swallow. But not impossible and I am not acting up all the time.

After careful thought I understood what I had done wrong but also realized that the young coteacher took it too personally. This is likely due to that I broke many Korean relationship taboos (saving face, don't talk back...etc) in front of everyone.

Despite all these feelings inside me I went through my day today pretty well. Of course there was no mention of what happened. However, when I had the chance I apologized to the coteacher I teach the most with and let her know how sincere I was. I will call her Mrs. K, and she has been good to me. I also have been good back to her by praising our coteaching and her ideas.

But still the other two coteachers remain in that grey area, where you never really know what they think of you. And you have to somehow redeem yourself and never make mistakes again. So today I talked politely and positively trying to show that I do care about my demeanor.

All in all, I want to obey the Korean way of things and also enjoy a fun and relaxed atmosphere with everyone. I guess the first step is letting go of how they handled that situation and getting a grip on my big loud mouth.

Your Problems Solved

Kimchi Icecream made a post that highlights all the major issues one faces at the work environment here in Korea.


When I went through the list I couldn't help but see how much I have failed. Since I have tendencies to make most of these mistakes I fear I will never get it right. What I learned, however, is to grow a golden rule within myself. That is to keep my coteachers happy and don't pass judgment on them.

14. Failing to be patient with the bureaucratic school culture paperwork and how Koreans get tasks done that are directly related to your work and living situations.
. 

11.  Getting visibly and openly upset/angry/negative about something in the teacher’s office (or anywhere in the school where faculty and/or students can hear and see you).

10.  Open confrontation and being assertive.

9.  Asking “Why?” when a higher rank teacher, office admin manager, vice-principal, or principal (pretty much anyone who is Korean and older) tells you to do something.

4.  Getting upset about ‘last second notice’ aka ‘last minute notices’ about schedule changes.

Sigh~

Fate of Mr. Billy the Bug

Poor Mr. Billy the Bug crawled his way onto my desk this afternoon and thus started what would be the last hour of his life.


Mr. Billy the Bug crawled around my desk until finally he fell to the floor. From there he went in circles trying to climb the wall and heater. But oh dear his little legs weren't adapted to climbing sheer cliffs such as the smooth surface of my office wall.


If you got too close to Mr. Billy he would jump and do back flips, one time landing on my head. So one had to be cautious when approaching temperamental Mr. Billy the Bug. But I knew that he was after getting out of my office and wanted to be free.

So I propped up a cardboard box for Mr. Billy to crawl on, and once inside I picked the box up and put it against the window so he could crawl out.



Yet I am a believer of evolution and letting Mother Nature do what she should so I didn't help much further. I watched as Mr. Billy the Bug crawled along the windowsill getting nowhere by going back and forth several times.

He was a cautious bug, testing out corners several times before attempting to climb them. Seeing the world outside the window he tried to do many back- flip- jumps to get out, but they failed him. Finally, he started to climb up the side of the window and I thought he was home free.

But he fell back on to the ground and so had to start from back at square one. I propped up the box for him to climb in again but he took off in the other direction.

I grew tired of watching him go in circles and resumed my time on the computer. When suddenly some 5th grade boys came in. These weren't your ordinary pack of budding 12 year old boys. For they were the "tough" boys, and especially one of them was the meanest of the group. I have deemed him the "scary boy" because he sports a menacing face. But in reality he just has an attitude problem.

Unfortunately, for Mr. Billy the Bug having Scary Boy come into the room meant his fate was sealed. Of course, I am guilty myself too for having pointed out the defenseless Mr. Billy. Without hesitation Mr. Billy felt his fate under the crushing power of Scary Boy's rubber soled shoe.

I screamed, "No!" in astonishment that Scary Boy had quickly and without a second thought crushed Mr. Billy the Bug. Sorry

R.I.P. Mr. Billy the Bug.
Forgive Me

Not On The List

So I made my way to Bundang and got on the shuttle bus to the Orientation Center. On the way meeting some new people and mingling.

Got in a long line for registration. They looked and looked over the list and my name was not on it.

"Please stand over here while we figure this out."

But things were busy for them so they told me to wait at the office. No one was there and I wondered why my name was not on the list.

But as I thought I realized what may be the problem.

Last week I pleaded with my coteacher that I don't have time to go to the Orientation. That I am swamped with planning the advanced class and the addition of the teacher's English class.

So she called the coordinator's office to plead for me to not go. But Friday passed and we never got an answer from them. So we assumed that I should go anyways, and that is what I did.

I finally found the coordinator and she checked again but of course my name wasn't there. I told her about what had happened last week with the no phone-call business and we went to another office to speak with another coordinator.

This other gal, as soon as she heard my name, told me she was the one who crossed me off the list last week. So I told her we never got a response and I assumed to come to the Orientation.

There wasn't room for me at the Orientation since they were packed with the teacher's who didn't screw it up. Therefore, I was told to go home.

Getting home was a little tricky as I had to make my way down the mountain and to a rural area with a few city like buildings. But a few nice men were at the bottom of the hill and helped me flag down a taxi.

Ah but did I get to go home and relax?! Nope Principal called in and said I should head to work. So here I am frazzled and tired from all the bus riding. But there are only 2 hrs left of work. I guess though I should do some of that planning I was so worried about.

Through the Grapevine

There are times in life when ignorance is bliss. I had a moment like this on Wednesday when I had dinner with my new coteacher and old coteacher.

We went to Ashley's, which is a salad bar / steak kind of restaurant in my area. We were all speaking English due to that we all had the ability. The two of them got to talking about our Principal and how he isn't the most enlightened man. They told me a story about him from last year, that I wish I could live the rest of my life not knowing.

It turns out our Principal is a bit of naughty man. At a party last year with teachers and parents the Principal, after doing some drinking, managed to touch one of the parents' breast. Sexual Harassment!! The parent's were shocked. But they didn't come to get their apology till the next day, and he did apologize.

At lunch time the teacher's, who do not eat with the children, all meet for lunch in one room. As English teachers we meet with these people and the Principal. The Principal likes to talk during our lunch hour break. Of course I don't really know what he is talking about.

My coteachers tell me his stories aren't exactly ... clean. They involve sexual innuendo and such stuff. They said that during dinner parties with everyone and after he has drunken soju that these kinds of stories flow more.

So it is that I have to see this man at lunch and around the school, and try not to think of the guy he really is underneath his smile.

I am somewhat nervous knowing there is a guy like this at my workplace, especially because there are children.

But I don't see him doing anything over the edge, like that breast incident, again. However, I bet he hasn't learned to censor his words or stories. So it is the Korean teachers and colleagues who suffer most.

Ah well, I just want the guy to give me extra vacation days and uh, I guess not touch anyone.

Good or Bad Image?

This video describes a popular video on youtube of a woman in Hong Kong airport going crazy over missing her flight.

It caught my attention because I feel it is going to add on more stereotypes of older Asian woman. They don't bother to check what it is she is yelling or a statement from her as to why she grew hysteric, besides missing her flight.

Plus I think missing a flight from one foreign country to the next is something to go crazy for, because taking international flights is a daunting task in itself.

Laundry Etiquette

Maybe you don't have this memory but I do. As a child, living in South Florida on 1 acre of land, I hung fresh laundry on a line. Although a chore, it was one of my favorite ones because I enjoyed trying to get everything on the line without anything overlapping. After everything was dry it was time to collect it in a wicker basket. And so it was that I learned how to take care of laundry at an early age.

Then comes the time when you leave your family's house and have to do all the steps by yourself. Living in dormitories during college is a great starter for learning the social etiquette that comes along with communal washing machines.

When sharing laundry facilities often times you run across some drama:

• What to do when there is washed laundry in the machine you need to use?
• If you move that person's laundry where do you put it?
• Is the timer right?
• How many machines can one use at once? Is using all the machines greedy?
  

Moving to Korea means that you may face these same questions, but with the language barrier you have a whole new problem.

For the lucky ones out there who have their laundry machine neatly tucked inside their office-tel, then these Korean Laundry Etiquette tips won't be much use for you.

For the rest of us who live in accommodations that are less fortunate, where we have to share the laundry facilities with other, then please take in these words of wisdom.

Incidents:
I am going to start off with two incidents that occurred while I was doing laundry in my building.

1. Using both machines / Taboo:
Since it has been winter I have a lot of sweaters that I wash. After finding my clothes full of fuzzies I decided that it was best to separate my sweaters from my regular batch of clothes. This means I need to use two machines (or one machine...one at a time). But I'm American, and I want to use two machines! haha

I took my clothes over to the machines and filled them both up. But before I was able to close the lids and press the buttons a guy came over. He had about 3 shirts in his hand and maybe some towels. After noticing I had filled up both machines he started speaking to me and gesturing. I did not know what he was saying, but I figured it had to do with my use of two machines. So I said "Gwen chan ai yo" or "okay, okay" and took out the sweaters and put them in the other machine.

He seemed pleased and loaded up the machine. But the tone of his voice and attitude when he talked to me was very unpleasant. I know I was being selfish and using two machines, but you don't have to freak out about it. In the end, I couldn't really say much back to him because of my lack of Korean. So it was that I learned to look out for other people when I want to use both machines.


2. Mixing with somebody else's clothing/ You might as well have signed a pact with the Devil!
When I came home from Winter Camp last month, I was really tired. But I needed to do some laundry. So I gathered my clothes and brought them to the machines. Without really looking I put my stuff inside, added soap and pressed the buttons.

After the time was up I came out of my room to see an Ahjumma (40-50'ish woman) standing over the laundry machine.

At first I thought she wanted to use the machine and so was taking my clothes out. So I rushed over. But then I realized the expression on her face read more like something must have pissed her off.

It turned out I had put my clothes in on top of hers, without checking first. She was really upset! And was doing the usual Ahjumma yelling at me. I was surprised and felt very ashamed. I said "Mian ham ni da..." (sorry) many times. But she just did that typical Ahjumma clicking of her tongue.

She figured that I didn't speak Korean and finally gave up yelling at me. And so she fished through the laundry pulling out her stuff and scoffing at the fact that I had jeans in my wash. Then she put her stuff in the other machine and washed them for a 3rd time. No wai-guk germs for her !!! haha

I wasn't mad at her for yelling at me, although I wish she wouldn't have freaked out.

I learned a valuable lesson: Check the bottom of the machine before putting laundry inside.

So here are some valuable etiquette rules I have found out:

• If you are going to use all or most of the machines, make sure no one is around.
  
• Check to make sure it is empty before putting your stuff in.
• Be quick to unload, or someone will come and do it for you without care.
• People in your building, when walking by, will give you 2nd or 3rd glances at the sight of a wai-guk doing laundry. Pay no-mind and continue on.

How to Use the Washing Machine:
Let me remind you that there are no dryers, that is done on an elaborate drying rack. Also everything on the machine is in Korean. So you gotta be careful when pressing those buttons, or you could wash your clothes on a destructive cycle.

At first site it looks pretty daunting and complicated. Also you ask yourself why there are so many choices?

To make life easier for you I made a little diagram in Photoshop. Also, I didn't use BK to translate the buttons, I used the dictionary on my cell phone.
Guide to using a Korean Washing Machine:
Review of the Buttons: Use the picture to understand my references

A Button: This turns on the other buttons. It does not make the machine run. That is a separate button. I would say it is like the on switch to your computer.

B Button: This does start the machine to wash your clothes. PRESSED after you make your choices.

C Button: These are your cycle options. Going from top to bottom these are your choices...

1. Regular Cycle (I use this to wash everything but my sweaters, takes about 48-58 min depending on your load size.)
2. Unsure (My translator comes up with something very worn. So I guess this would be a super-cleaning cycle?, All I know is that I don't use it.)
3. Scour cycle (Hmmm .... scour doesn't sound pleasant... I don't use this one)
4. Wool (Used for sweaters and delicates, it only uses cold water.)
5. Bedding (Cycle choice for washing quilts and bedding. I don't know if it uses hot or cold water.)

D Button: Within each kind of cycle are certain washes. This button highlights which ones will happen in the cycle you chose. It is a progressive thing, for example from top to between it goes from rinsing to washing to rinse and then drain. You don't really need to mess with this after you pressed the C button, since it presets itself.

E Button: This button has pictures of measuring cups next to it. I don't mess with this button either and just leave it alone. I don't really know what its function is.

F Button: Hot or Cold? I usually always leave it on Cold. I think if you want hot you have to change the hose connected to the machine.

G Button: The timer. Do I really need to explain? One thing though is check it often, because it seems to take longer than you think.

Washing Whites: If separating is your thing, then I would press the on button and leave it at the regular cycle.
Washing Colors: Same for whites, I guess just double check hot water is not going into the machine.
Sweaters / Delicates: Turn on and select the Wool setting using the C button, don't touch anything else and turn on.


Well, that should do it for the tutorial on how to use a Korean washing machine. Again remember every one's machine may not be like mine.

Finally, when doing your laundry and interacting with other people in your building try to remember that they more than likely have the upper hand. So get along with your neighbors, despite that they may act unfriendly.

Goodluck~!

Bonus!~
A video of the music the machine plays when done washing:

Realization

Maybe this was slow of me, which could come from a congested head.

But I have realized that I really need to stop thinking it is all my fault.

Jay had responsibility here, not just me.

As the teacher supervisor / manager, she had a situation on her hands.

One of her teachers was very sick, and asked to go get rest.

Her response was to neglect the needs of her teacher.

She could had offered to teach my first one or two classes until I had rested and felt better. But no she didn't.

Anyways, the bottom line is I really can't go in there tomorrow and give this kind of fight.
They don't have to give me the release letter and documents.

If they don't that will make it difficult to confirm to immigration that I should start at the new school.

But if they ask me what I think or if I have anything to say, I will try to say something along the lines of that I thought Jay didn't handle the situation properly.

Anyways, usually I freak out about something and it turns out to be ok.

But thanks Gomushin Girl!! I think just having had Jay teach all my classes on Friday was karmic revenge enough!

Nervous and Can't Stand It

Why I am so nervous?

Tomorrow is Monday, a work day. The day my supervisor said we should talk about what I did on Friday. (Trying to rest in class and not being "adult" enough to say "No" and go home.)

Hypothetical situation tomorrow at the meeting:

Big Boss: Why did you do that? What made you think you can write a message on the board saying, do you work and then you can play? Why do you think it was okay to put your head down and rest in class and have the kids play around?

(Yes this is true. I wrote a message on the board saying I was sick, do your work and then you can play. Honestly, I didn't know what to do. Yes, I put my head down. I could hardly keep it up. So when my supervisor saw this walking by the classroom, it is no wonder why she got mad)

Me: On Friday, I was too sick to make any kind of good judgment or have the ability to be strong enough to say No. I tried to ask to go home, but Jay told me "No." She said that everyone is sick and isn't fair that I go home. That we all have to work...it is a small office and no one can cover me.

I would have tried harder to say "No" but I found Jay too intimidating, and I understand her situation that she couldn't cover me because she had evaluate the new Korean teacher. So I couldn't say "No"

Instead I said I would work but don't expect the best teaching job.

Jay: You could have tried to say "No", but you just cried in front of me and became angry. I don't understand you. I was just doing my job, I had no choice but to say you couldn't go home.

(Yes I cried because I was so shaken by my situation, I knew I needed to be in a bed, but the odds were against me. But when I started to cry she immediately said "Don't Cry." She has a lot of spite towards me)

Me: I know and I understand, that is why I had a hard time being strong enough to say No. We already have a bad relationship and I didn't expect that if I fought to go home you would have allowed it, so really I had no hope.

Big boss: Ok, well it would have been better if you were a big person and said I have to go home. But still your actions in the classroom are unbelievable. You keep forgetting that a child could complain and make a mother upset. .....blah blah

Me: Yes I know now that my actions weren't in the best interest of the school. But it is like I said I was not able to make the best decisions that day.

After I decided to stay, I took my medicine and rested. But all I could think about was how I was going to get through the day. My mind hurt so much and it hurt to talk, so I didn't know how I was going to teach. So I decided that for the first class I would write a message on the board and try to take a rest. So that by the next class I would have more strength to teach and hopefully the medicine would have kicked in.

Big Boss: Still what you did was wrong gave a poor impression to the children.

Me: All I can say that I was incapable of making the right decisions, all I could think about was my survival and how I was going to get through the day.

Big Boss: Well, blah blah blah

*And hopefully she won't say something like:
"I see is that you are really not cut out to be a teacher and I am not going to give you any release documents, because I think it is in your best interest to go back to your country and work there."

But I told my recruiter this dilemma and she seems to think that it will be ok. Also I told Bo Kwan and he thinks it will be ok.

Maybe they just want to talk about it and get their final say in all the crap I caused at their school. Also I might imagine that they will deduct pay from this fiasco, which I don't really care about.

I really just want to get through it because, in the end it will be a situation where they won't really hear what I have to say. Instead their goal will be to chew me out and make their case that I am worthless.

I know I am a good teacher. I chose a hagwon that is small and managed with fear tactics. I have one week left before I pack up and leave. I am still going to teach and get it all done right.

*So my warning:*
If ya wanna work at a hagwon check the size of it. Number of teachers and students, because the smaller the numbers means you can't have someone cover for you.

Postponed

The meeting with my supervisors was postponed.

As soon as I noticed my head supervisor running around the office like a crazed chicken, I knew it may have meant our meeting wasn't going to happen.

So I went up to my head supervisor and asked her if we were going to meet. She said ...no. It turned out she was very busy with paperwork and calling people at the head office that she didn't have time for me. That we would have to speak next week.

Now, you could imagine my feeling. I hadn't slept well last night because I was so darn anxious for our meeting today. Also next week (on Tuesday) is my birthday and I wanted to have this shit cleared up before then so to feel a sense of relief.

But as we pass through life not all that passes by us is sweet and generous.

Because I didn't want to wait till next week, I got a few words in anyways:

ME: "I wanted to let you know that I don't want to wait till the end of Jan. or Feb., that I would rather leave sooner than later. Say end of Oct or Nov."

Head Supervisor: "Oh, really?"

ME: "Yes. Since you want me to go sooner I agree with you and don't mind going at the end of Oct. or Nov."

HS: "Ahh, okay...I will tell our hiring manager then that is what you want."

ME: "Yes, please. And I am really stressed out because I don't know my exact end date right now."

HS: "When we find the new person we are able to let you know. Until we find new teacher we don't know."

ME: "Okay. I would still like to meet with you about this issue, can we meet next week?"

HS: "Why?"

ME: "Because, there are still some things about this process I need to talk about."

HS: "Oh, really? Like what?"

ME: "I thought you wanted me sign some kind of agreement?"

HS: "Ah yes, well we need to wait till we have a new teacher."

ME: "I see, I understand, you want to make sure you have someone to replace me before I sign anything?"

HS: "Yes. So on Monday I will talk to the hiring manager, but I have to go to a meeting Monday so we can't meet. We could meet on your birthday after you are done or on Wednesday."

ME: "Okay, I will let you know Monday what works best."



Ah conversations with the boss, a favorite past time (sarcasm).

Anyways, why the heck she didn't get her butt into gear and contact the hiring manager this week, is unknown. Maybe she was too darn busy. Or perhaps she thought I would stick it out longer.

It is no easy task knowing I have to wait longer till I am sitting in a room again with her and talking more about the details.

I really want to secure with her that I will receive a letter of release. But she said last week she can give this to me.

All that I can conclude right now is that she knows I don't want to stay there very long. That I am willing to work with her on this and be patient. And that we will meet next week.

All in all, they said they would give me 30 days and October is approaching fast. So either they give me the 30 days at the start of the Oct. session or I am thinking if not they would have more into November. AH HELL!!! So ambiguous. I think it will become my duty to inquire more often with these people for sanity sake.

But for serenity sake:

I still have a roof over my head (that is free) and at least one more paycheck. And ramyeon in my belly~

Been Given the Boot

I have to say I honestly didn't expect that it would have come to this.

In essence I have been fired.

Here is what happened:
I was brought in again to talk with my supervisors. The main discussion was my request to terminate early from the job at the end of January. Their issue was that they could not find a good teacher for the company at that time, due to many reasons...such as no teacher wants to work in their location..etc. They said that for them it gives the school a really bad situation at that time.

So they are going to start looking for a new teacher starting next month.

Also came upon this were that I received yet again more parent complaints. These complaints are: I did not make copies of the pages for students who did not have the book and things like that.

Supervisor: "I am disappointed and depressed."

Instead of having a fit and crying this time, I went about this conversation sanely. I kept my head up and tried to listen to their side. While at the same time I resigned within myself and realized that things are just not working, no matter what I try.

This is because I did try to improve myself, my attitude and my work habits. But I made (in my opinion) tiny mistakes, that however have a big affect on the school due to the nature of the business. During our discussion I did tell them that I have seen my own achievements at the school, however they moved past it and pointed out all the wrong.

In conclusion:
Your little foreigner here may become repatriated back in America. I am not saying I am giving up and going back to the states. I have a passion here, one to be with BK and two ...to find my purpose here. And of course to do a job well done.

I have come to the understanding that me and this school do not mix. I am really hurt that although I feel I work hard I am criticized for so many things.

I am sorry for all of those out there that are eager to come here and rely on the stories of us expat bloggers. I don't mean to paint an ugly picture of the people or the jobs here. This is my experience and could be similar to many others out here. I made the choice to work at this private school. Now I must face my next choices.

What could be next?
There are of course many options now. But realize my conditions... I will be given 30 day notice when they find someone. That means I could be on the street (I would stay at BK's) in Nov, Dec or Jan. So that leaves me with less time now to find a proper job. Either way here is the outlook:

• Move to another Hagwon... can choose specific area of Seoul due to that there are a plethora of them. (negative = another hagwon)
• Find a public school that is hiring...preferably in Seoul
• Figure out how and get a visa extension that would last till Feb ... so to have more time and get what I wanted in the first place: public school job near BK...or just nice place.
• Last resort: buy a plane ticket home. I would in the meantime reapply for a public school job and fly back in January...start in February.
  

Although all of them present themselves as viable possibilities, they all mean change and uncertainty.

Except for the last one... it isn't hard to go home and find a job from there, get the paperwork, and get flown out.

Of course I don't know exactly what I will do. All of the choices are dependent on getting my documents in order, which takes some time.

I know though that I feel this is now what I have to do, that I will face the possibility of anything.

My only hope is that BK and I don't lose each other in this mess. He is busy with applying for jobs which requires his full attention. I don't blame him for having to be distracted with his own future plans. I will find a way to survive and I know he is there for me in certain ways.

I must keep positive.

I must see this an opportunity for the better.

I hope I haven't failed any of you~

~I think I need to sleep.