|
Sunday, September, 2004
I have decided to leave Mapo for a job that it easier and closer too my friends in Jamsil! I enjoyed my time at Wonderland. I
wish all the people I met good luck. I will miss my students. They were some of the best students I have ever had. My goal
now is to find a good job back in Jamsil.
| Trip to the Universe Exhibition |
|
|
| August 2004 |
Sunday, August 8, 2004
Wow what a busy week! After a busy three days at Wonderland the teachers all went out to Itaewon on Friday. It was good,
but I had too much to drink so I came back home early (2am). On Saturday I had English Club with Katy and Jim in Cheonho.
First we ate ice cream and then we played pocket ball. Jim proved himself to be a good pocket ball player!
Monday, 2 August, 2004
Wow! I have been so busy and with no computer I have had little time to make any changes. But now I am on holiday! life
is good and more importantly, my trip to Jeju was amazing! I did so many cool things and I am going to upload many cool pictures
once I get more time!
I feel I am finally doing well in the school. I know all my students names and we have fun. However, the parents want
me to talk more like an American though.
But damn Wonderland is hard work!
August has been great though. We managed to have two English club meetings and I often spent time in Jamsil with my old
friends. I also went to a BBQ restaraunt and a night club with most of m co-workers. Come to think of it, there have few few
days where I haven't done something.
Anyway, the first month at my new school has passed. I hope to make more diary entries!
Monday, 12 July, 2004
Wow! I have been so busy! I have had little time to update this site since moving to Mapo and starting my new job at
Wonderland.Honestly speaking the work is harder that at Calvin School, but there are many resoruces for teaching. The workers
seem friendly too. Just as important as the school is the new English Club. Katy, Sean and I were the first members to meet, but as were are all good friends we had a really good time. We met at Olympic
park and walked around for over an hour. When then went to an outsite galbi restaraunt and ate delicious beef and drank wine
and soju mixed together. After that we played pool. What a great day!
| First English Club Meeting - Sean and Katy |
|
|
| July 2004 |
Monday, 5 July, 2004
Got my Visa in Osaka Japan! At first I though it would suck, but I met two cool Canadian guys - Shaun and Scott. We managed to work together to find the embassy. We even had time for shopping, Japanese food and some beer.!
Sunday, 27 June, 2004
Today was a good day. I slept all morning then I met Katy for a Korean class at 2.30. She is a good teacher and helped
me learn some new sentences. Thanks!
Friday, June 25, 2004
Wow, what a crazy and emotional week. Yesterday I went out with some of my students to wa-bar. Tonight it was teachers
night to go out. We at vietnam noodles then drank some beer at wa-bar again!
So the school is closing and many people are down. However, the English Club will be starting the second week of July. Katy has made a nice site for the English Club so check it out!
Saturday, June 19, 2004
Tonight I met three of my friends at Hongnik. As part of a promotion, we went to a Jazz Bar and Dance club.
The Jazz band that played were excellent. However, there was a storm in Seoul over the weekend and it rained heavily.
Friday, June 18, 2004
Tonight I took my co-workers out to dinner and one of them gave me some advice that made me down. She said "You are a
good person, but could be a better person if I was less negative". It is true and I have made mistakes and will keep making
mistakes. But the point is I must be more positive! With this in mind I would like to reflect on why I am sometimes negative:
Sometimes living in Korea is hard, because your friends (who are often Korean) treat you as you are Korean. The truth
is it is hard living away from home and it's easy to feel stressed. If you have a few friends that call you up and
make an effort to be your friend it makes a world of difference.
A lot of my stress comes from the way business is done in Korea and not from my friends. From my experience and
from talking with many business students, people don't like to confront problems at work (and sometimes in life). This
gives me stress, but it's just normal business in Korea.
Despite this, I have done my job and have tried to do the best in every situation I have been in. At the end of
the day it has cost me some time and money, but they are not the important things to me! The important thing is honesty.
And this is how I see the problem - Honesty in Korea is often mistaken for negativity and critisism. The
way foward, in a crisis situation, is as follows - be honest and humble at the same time, while being positive and diverting
the problem at hand towards a solution where both parties don't loose face. You should also avoid any other minor situation
by saying nothing and pretending to be happy.
Finally, although I am going to be more postitive this is what I believe:
John 17:
17Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.
Tuesday, June 15, 2004
I had a job interview with Wonderland in Mapo today. From Jamisil it took one hour by subway. The people were friendly
and the school seemed really nice - so tomorrow I will accept the position. I felt a little down today though. I have made
many good friends in Jamsil. They probably don't know quite know how much I respect them and enjoy their company...
Saturday, 12 June, 2004
Today was a good day. I went to the baseball with Katy, Michelle. It is the firs time I have ever been to baseball.
Aftet that Michelle, Katy and I drank beer outside at the Family Mart.
| Baseball Game at Jamsil Baseball Stadium |
|
|
| Saturday 12, June, 2004 |
Friday, June 11, 2004
This is my first entry for my diary! Wow making an online diary isn't easy! But I am glad I have started. Today I ate
dinner with John. We went to Papa Joes. The weather is starting to get warmer in Korea and I enjoyed biking to work. Below
is a picture of my Cort Guitar. It is my pride and joy! Anyway, that's all for now!
|
