Monday, July 19, 2010

What we are

One day at Tokyo Narita International I had a chat with a friend who is smarter than me and she really nailed the expirence in Korea for me personally and for her from the way she was speaking. Basically she said that us, as the Native English Teacher, are pretty easily the least integrated into affairs of anyone at school with regards to everyday life. Many of us don't have the Korean language ability to slide right in and things to be peachy.

On the flip side, some of us when we come over don't exactly land in spots where there are a bunch of other teachers around, also we spend 40 hours at school and at many schools the we don't know about other teachers who can speak English there until some freak occurrence. Like I know my VP can speak English but there are probably 10-15 other teachers at my school who are Home Room teachers with really solid English skills. At the same time these people who we cannot or don't talk to are part of this very important net that we have. We want to be a part of the community, personally thats what I crave, the kids are great but you know I would like to chat with some co-workers. So we have no connection but need and want all the connection that we can get. Anyway I think it's interesting, the relationship between Native English Teachers and our Korean counterparts should be studued by someone. Not me I'm busy trying to learn Korean

I'm back (but not really)

Hello Four months later. I'm sitting in my bedroom in my Moms house in grandold Charlotte, NC no my vacation. I've been home since this past Tuesday after a remarkable da of travel and I will be here until the 27th when I get on a plane to return and do Summer Camp.

So what happens when I return? More Summer Camp as I said and then my contract is up, that's pretty much it. Also I'm renewing for another at the same school with the same great kids and co-teachers. Also I've got exciting news. I work harder, teach way more and better I think (and according to my coteachers if they aren't just flattering me) and things are just better. Funner a little easier. I really think that I've fought through tough times had a really great conversation about who we are and what we are trying to accomplish in Narita in Tokyo with a friend during a layover and I want to keep going cause I think that this year I can make a serious push towards a more stable future. You can catch all the excitement with at least 3 posts a week and with more pictures maybe. We'll see. bye-bye!