So, apparently, they're going to make a sequel to "Top Gun" (http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2010/oct/25/tony-scott-top-gun-sequel), and I, for one, am a nice combination of stoked and skeptical.
I'm SUPER excited because "Top Gun" is one of my very favorite movies EVERRR. I could watch it EVERY-SINGLE-DAY and still be happy. To date, it's my favorite Tom Cruise movie ... with the exception of "A Few Good Men." It's a FANASTIC movie (and if you don't like it ... I don't care ^^).
On the other hand ... the first one was SO great that ... I feel that a second one couldn't possibly live up to my expectations. I mean, I'll see it, of course ... but ... the first one was just SOOOOO good. I kinda fear it'll be like when I saw the second "Pirates of the Caribbean" movie (because I thought the first one was AMAZING) and I was totally let down. But, you know, I'm still pretty-freaking-excited. :)
Today I didn't have to teach - I guess it was their monthly tests or something like that, so I just had to sit in my office all day and plan lessons. Well, okay, I actually spent a good portion of the day working on my TEFL homework. So, I finished and submitted me homework for the 4th lesson, and began the 5th one - and I also completed the Grammar component (and passed a huge, 100 question test, thankyouVERYmuch). So now I have like ... 8 more units and two more components. Yeah, yeah, I'll get on that.
This weekend is Halloween - I have no idea what I'm going to wear. Besides clothes. I figured that out. :) It's kinda sad that I work with HS kids now, because I don't get to see super sweet and stinkin' adorable 5 year olds running around in their costumes. :( Oh well.
This Saturday is the 30th - my dad's 57th birthday. I've had sort of a difficult time coping with that - I don't know why. I guess it's just realizing that there's no more birthdays or any other milestones of that kind. The past couple of weeks, I've been thinking alot about it, wondering what to do for it. I received a message from my Aunt Sally a few days ago - she let me know that the headstone arrived and on Friday (the 29th), she's going to go to Bellingham and they'll inter his ashes and set up his headstone. I know that, before, I said I wasn't prepared for his memorial because it made it seem so FINAL. Now, I feel like this, a headstone, is a new level of finality. I'm sure there will be more levels to come. That doesn't make it any better, but ...
Anyways, we do what we can, right?
I had a lot more to say about this earlier in the week, but I guess I lost it. Maybe it'll come back to me. Maybe not. We'll see. It's really cold out now. It feels like we just completely skipped Autumn, and went straight from Summer to Winter. Hopefully it warms up a teeny bit ... at least, for a little while. The leaves are changing colors, and it's really quite beautiful out. I love when the leaves change colors.
Alright. If you ever find yourself with a few spare minutes, go to YouTube and find Crystal Shawanda's "You Can Let Go" and Keith Urban's "Song for Dad." Right now, I have them on repeat.
Love you much.
Thursday, October 28
Wednesday, October 20
Peanut Butter and Paper Hats
So, here's how you know you have a problem with procrastination:
1.) You are sitting in front of your computer with your work files open.
2.) The documents in question are minimized, and you are typing a new blog.
3.) You are eating peanut butter out of the jar with a plastic spoon.
4.) Steps 1, 2, and 3 are overshadowed by the fact that "Red vs. Blue" is playing on the screen.
5.) You're teaching yourself how to fold a paper hat from a piece of newspaper for your "How To" Speech lessons next week.
"I probably could have saved a lot of time by telling you these things worked by magic."
Yup. My name is Marcie, and I have a problem.
Earlier today, I went to Tongjin with Randy - he's the English teacher from Canada. Tongjin is the very small town near where we live (about five minutes away) and reminicsent of Hogyedong. We went to the post office, got coffee, walked around, ate gamjatang, and then picked up some groceries at the Lotte Supermarket ... hence, where I got the peanut butter (mmm, creamy Skippy).
I've got a rough plan of my Winter Camp classes ... but, really? I feel like this is going to be subject to change. Oh well. Next week, I'm going to start doing speeches with the kids. I think it'll be "How-to" speeches ... you know, demonstrations. I spent a prep period typing up a ton of topics ... I'm going to mix 'em up in a box or something and let each kid pick one. They'll have to do a little research, and create a visual aid, and then present to the class. We'll see how that works. I think it'll be great with my 2-2 and 2-4 classes. I think half of 2-3 will dig it. But most of 2-1 and half of 2-3 ... aigooo. Oh well. Five out of eight isn't bad, I guess.
What else have I done? Well, yesterday, I did some of my TEFL homework. Oh, and I watched "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days" and "Lara Croft: Tomb Raider" (and yes, I could FEEL my brain cells dying while watching that). Today, I watched "Pride and Prejudice" - the Keira Knightley one. I looove Matthew Macfadyen as Mr. Darcy.
Oh, so Winter Camp - I want my Winter Camp to be presentation-based. I'm trying to create a lot of two-day lessons (Winter Camp is 2 weeks long, so it's 10 classes), where we introduce the topic on the first day, give the rest of the class period for working, and then present on the second day. That's my intention, at least. So far, I have topics like advertising where we talk about what makes a good advertisement, why people use it, etc ... and then I give them a random object (like a set or chopsticks or a plastic plate) and they have to come up with an original use for it and try to sell the product to the rest of the class ... advertising will kind of segue into movies and promotions like that where they have to create an ad to market a movie (either a real movie or a made up one) ... maybe talk about music, and then they will have to analyze and then perform a song ... what about poetry? They ARE middle school students, after all, but I think they could become interested in poetry, and then write and recite something ... or maybe, act it out. Basically, I want to get them SPEAKING in front of their classmates. That's my goal. Oh, and of course the first day will be getting to know each other, going over classroom expectations, blah blah blah. I'm thinking of having them make their own rules. Oh, and a game day. I dunno. Let me know if you have any suggestions. Maybe I could make them do speeches, too.
I would rather just teach TOEFL for two weeks straight.
Oh well. Again. Any suggestions are more than welcome. :)
Okay. Time for me to go to bed. I promise I'll stop eating the peanut butter from the jar. :) Loves ...
Oh, and PS - my student, Min-Jung, who I mentioned earlier was preparing for an interview? Yeah ... she got it. :)
1.) You are sitting in front of your computer with your work files open.
2.) The documents in question are minimized, and you are typing a new blog.
3.) You are eating peanut butter out of the jar with a plastic spoon.
4.) Steps 1, 2, and 3 are overshadowed by the fact that "Red vs. Blue" is playing on the screen.
"I probably could have saved a lot of time by telling you these things worked by magic."
Yup. My name is Marcie, and I have a problem.
Earlier today, I went to Tongjin with Randy - he's the English teacher from Canada. Tongjin is the very small town near where we live (about five minutes away) and reminicsent of Hogyedong. We went to the post office, got coffee, walked around, ate gamjatang, and then picked up some groceries at the Lotte Supermarket ... hence, where I got the peanut butter (mmm, creamy Skippy).
I've got a rough plan of my Winter Camp classes ... but, really? I feel like this is going to be subject to change. Oh well. Next week, I'm going to start doing speeches with the kids. I think it'll be "How-to" speeches ... you know, demonstrations. I spent a prep period typing up a ton of topics ... I'm going to mix 'em up in a box or something and let each kid pick one. They'll have to do a little research, and create a visual aid, and then present to the class. We'll see how that works. I think it'll be great with my 2-2 and 2-4 classes. I think half of 2-3 will dig it. But most of 2-1 and half of 2-3 ... aigooo. Oh well. Five out of eight isn't bad, I guess.
What else have I done? Well, yesterday, I did some of my TEFL homework. Oh, and I watched "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days" and "Lara Croft: Tomb Raider" (and yes, I could FEEL my brain cells dying while watching that). Today, I watched "Pride and Prejudice" - the Keira Knightley one. I looove Matthew Macfadyen as Mr. Darcy.
Oh, so Winter Camp - I want my Winter Camp to be presentation-based. I'm trying to create a lot of two-day lessons (Winter Camp is 2 weeks long, so it's 10 classes), where we introduce the topic on the first day, give the rest of the class period for working, and then present on the second day. That's my intention, at least. So far, I have topics like advertising where we talk about what makes a good advertisement, why people use it, etc ... and then I give them a random object (like a set or chopsticks or a plastic plate) and they have to come up with an original use for it and try to sell the product to the rest of the class ... advertising will kind of segue into movies and promotions like that where they have to create an ad to market a movie (either a real movie or a made up one) ... maybe talk about music, and then they will have to analyze and then perform a song ... what about poetry? They ARE middle school students, after all, but I think they could become interested in poetry, and then write and recite something ... or maybe, act it out. Basically, I want to get them SPEAKING in front of their classmates. That's my goal. Oh, and of course the first day will be getting to know each other, going over classroom expectations, blah blah blah. I'm thinking of having them make their own rules. Oh, and a game day. I dunno. Let me know if you have any suggestions. Maybe I could make them do speeches, too.
I would rather just teach TOEFL for two weeks straight.
Oh well. Again. Any suggestions are more than welcome. :)
Okay. Time for me to go to bed. I promise I'll stop eating the peanut butter from the jar. :) Loves ...
Oh, and PS - my student, Min-Jung, who I mentioned earlier was preparing for an interview? Yeah ... she got it. :)
Friday, October 15
No work? Hmm ...
I only taught one day this week.
Now, before you start cursing me for that, the one day I DID have to teach was Thursday. Thursday means I have to teach my least motivated class (two sections of 2-1) and my class with the biggest attitude (2-3). That makes it one of the hardest days ... tied with Monday (the day that I ONLY teach the unmotivated ones). So, that was not-so-fun.
Today was Friday - I spent two hours earlier tonight, helping a student prepare for an interview she has on Sunday. She's applying for a leadership position within the upcoming Model UN Conference. She's one of the top 16 - and from those 16, they will choose 10 leaders. I think she's got a really good shot at it - I can't wait to hear how it goes. She's only spent 4 months living abroad, and yet, she's one of the more articulate students in her class, even compared to students who have spent a longer time in English speaking countries. Anyways, I hope she does well.
We might start offering a TOEFL class again - if you have any suggestions of course material or things to focus on, let me know. Nothing's set in stone yet, but it may happen.
That's pretty much all that's new with work. Next week, there's no classes because of the students' field trip (Japan, China, Malaysia/Singapore), but I do have to prepare my lessons for the Winter Camp in January (January 17 - January 28, if you know of any middle school students looking for an English camp to attend). Any and all ideas for that will be welcome, as well. :)
Other news ... hmm ... last weekend, a group of us went to Oido on Saturday to eat copious amounts of fresh seafood. So fresh that ... it may or may not have still been alive. :) There was a good group of us - maybe 16 or so? - and it had been organized by 진규, who is 성돈's basketball buddy. It was a lot of fun! The sunset off the coast was AMAZING. Afterwards, most of us came back to Beomgye and went to Bar 10, and the night ended in Central Park. It was a pretty nice night - the weather was pleasant, the the food was good, and the company was fantastic. All-in-all, it was a good weekend.
OH! Last Tuesday, a group of us went to the soccer game - Korea versus Japan. Both teams didn't perform that well, but it was only a friendly match and nothing was at stake (except, perhaps, a little pride). PARK Ji-Sung didn't play at all - my students later informed me that he has an injury. CHA Du-Ri wasn't put in 'til the end, so I was a little sad about that. HOWEVER, Japan's captain, Makoto Hasebe, played the entire match ... 1 out of 3 isn't that bad. Also, I got to watch Japan's Keisuke Honda, who is pretty fantastic. AND I got to spend time with Judy, Seong-Don, Steve, Rob, Veena, Mi-Hee, and Hannah ... and that made it all worthwhile. :) The stadium was PACKED, though, which was really stinkin' cool.
THIS weekend ... hmmm. I'm heading down to Beomgye tomorrow morning, and everything's kinda up in the air at that point. :) Definitely need to invest in some skin products and new running shoes while I'm there, though. Sunday, after church, I'm planning on meeting Nick for dinner in Yeongtong ... and then I think on Monday we are planning on meeting (sorta halfway) in Itaewon. :) It'll be fun! Plus, it gives me an excuse to go to What the Book AGAIN ... :)
Anyways, that's my update. Your turn?? :)
PS - new songs ...
"God Made Woman" - Keith Urban
"Dance" - Caedmon's Call
Now, before you start cursing me for that, the one day I DID have to teach was Thursday. Thursday means I have to teach my least motivated class (two sections of 2-1) and my class with the biggest attitude (2-3). That makes it one of the hardest days ... tied with Monday (the day that I ONLY teach the unmotivated ones). So, that was not-so-fun.
Today was Friday - I spent two hours earlier tonight, helping a student prepare for an interview she has on Sunday. She's applying for a leadership position within the upcoming Model UN Conference. She's one of the top 16 - and from those 16, they will choose 10 leaders. I think she's got a really good shot at it - I can't wait to hear how it goes. She's only spent 4 months living abroad, and yet, she's one of the more articulate students in her class, even compared to students who have spent a longer time in English speaking countries. Anyways, I hope she does well.
We might start offering a TOEFL class again - if you have any suggestions of course material or things to focus on, let me know. Nothing's set in stone yet, but it may happen.
That's pretty much all that's new with work. Next week, there's no classes because of the students' field trip (Japan, China, Malaysia/Singapore), but I do have to prepare my lessons for the Winter Camp in January (January 17 - January 28, if you know of any middle school students looking for an English camp to attend). Any and all ideas for that will be welcome, as well. :)
Other news ... hmm ... last weekend, a group of us went to Oido on Saturday to eat copious amounts of fresh seafood. So fresh that ... it may or may not have still been alive. :) There was a good group of us - maybe 16 or so? - and it had been organized by 진규, who is 성돈's basketball buddy. It was a lot of fun! The sunset off the coast was AMAZING. Afterwards, most of us came back to Beomgye and went to Bar 10, and the night ended in Central Park. It was a pretty nice night - the weather was pleasant, the the food was good, and the company was fantastic. All-in-all, it was a good weekend.
OH! Last Tuesday, a group of us went to the soccer game - Korea versus Japan. Both teams didn't perform that well, but it was only a friendly match and nothing was at stake (except, perhaps, a little pride). PARK Ji-Sung didn't play at all - my students later informed me that he has an injury. CHA Du-Ri wasn't put in 'til the end, so I was a little sad about that. HOWEVER, Japan's captain, Makoto Hasebe, played the entire match ... 1 out of 3 isn't that bad. Also, I got to watch Japan's Keisuke Honda, who is pretty fantastic. AND I got to spend time with Judy, Seong-Don, Steve, Rob, Veena, Mi-Hee, and Hannah ... and that made it all worthwhile. :) The stadium was PACKED, though, which was really stinkin' cool.
THIS weekend ... hmmm. I'm heading down to Beomgye tomorrow morning, and everything's kinda up in the air at that point. :) Definitely need to invest in some skin products and new running shoes while I'm there, though. Sunday, after church, I'm planning on meeting Nick for dinner in Yeongtong ... and then I think on Monday we are planning on meeting (sorta halfway) in Itaewon. :) It'll be fun! Plus, it gives me an excuse to go to What the Book AGAIN ... :)
Anyways, that's my update. Your turn?? :)
PS - new songs ...
"God Made Woman" - Keith Urban
"Dance" - Caedmon's Call
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