Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Happy Chuseok!

The 3rd one's the charm. The flight to Tokyo leaves in less than an hour and we're set to tackle the land of the rising sun. Incheon Airport thrummed with activity this morning, but we cleared check in and customs quickly. The officials know how to keep the lines moving.


Edit

The seats are red and black...good colors.

Enjoy the holidays, everyone!

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

12 years ago today / 9-11

I became an English teacher because it allowed for discussing literature as well as history. History education is wonderful, but it's English education that helps us reads the texts the world runs on. Similarly, as an ESL teacher in Korea, I'm in a unique position to blend literature, conversation, culture with history together. All of those things aligned today. Thanks to being on other side of International Date Line, Korea got to September 11 before the USA did. I came to school today with heavy memories of the day. They're heavier now than they were before Korea. Funny how that works. The musician Henry Rollins once wrote that "You're not an American until you leave America," and after two years over he had it right. I never had to fully consider what it means to be American until arriving in Korea, but it came hard and fast when the 10th anniversary of 9-11 came in 2011.

Lest anyone wonder, my high school kids know the significance of the World Trade Centers. I didn't talk too much about the event, but I did show a picture that had the burning towers and the Statue of Liberty in it before beginning the lesson. The idea was to note why the day is important to Americans. Others can talk about it in more detail. Let's take a moment to remember that black day in history. Let's remember the souls caught in the blaze and those who came to their aid.

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Here's Woody Guthrie and "This Land Is Your Land."

And CCR with "Don't Look Now"


Carry on, everyone. I'm off to Pyeongchang tomorrow for a Gangwon coordinator's meeting. It should go well.

Make it a great day.

Fall 2013, Week 3-5 pictures


The last couple of weeks have been busy.  Updates are on the way. 
Until then, here are some pictures. 
Enjoy!

Picture explanations:

The high school had a fire safety demo. A couple of the 2 grade girls go to use the fire extinguishers.

Coffee Mama is Wasu's newest cafe. The students say the green tea lattes and shakes taste good.

A view of the Wasu Stream.

A view of Sincheorwon, taken from a bridge in the town.



4
 of the HS 2nd graders rocking out at the school's festival.

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

To the new EPIK teachers in Gangwon-do and elsewhere

Welcome fall arrivals! By now, you've entered your second week in your town. Perhaps you have begun teaching classes, been to a teachers dinner or two, wandered your neighborhood or town, or journeyed around the province.

Here are a few posts you may find of interest:

Life in general / Being an expat / Living abroad / Stuff you'll see here



Teaching / The teaching life



Student life

This should be enough to get you started. Enjoy!

Remembering those leaving Cheorwon (Fall 2013)

Like I did the previous semester, the end of the term means that some of us have moved on from Cheorwon. Let's take a moment to salute the three who've left Cheorwon:

Gracie always had a smile for everyone. Her warmth must've bowled her youngsters over.

Ramsey could hold court with the best of them. He always had a funny story or anecdote for us.

Alexis has a great sense of humor and could hold her own at the teachers dinners.

Rock on, everyone!