Mid-week, but feels like Friday!

I punished one of my favourite students today. His name is Ahn Song-bin. I hated doing it.

In my after school class, we were playing Bingo. And he was being plain naughty by messing everyone's Bingo cards so that I could start over. Also, he wouldn't listen to me when I told him to stop rocking on his chair. I can absolutely *scream* when the kids rock their chairs... cause they're going to fall and hurt themselves (it's happened)

I think it was a bad day for Song-bin, because when I went to his homeroom class this morning, his teacher was punishing him as well - made him kneel on the floor and hold a chair above his head (Korean-style punishment).

So when he misbehaved in my class, I was about to end the game and give all the students worksheets. But I figured the others shouldn't suffer cause of him. So I gave him a long text to write out.

He sulked. I felt bad and my heart sank having to punish him like that, but what should I do if he's being downright naughty? Sigh... Anyways.

I was marking the Grade 5 & 6 Classroom English tests that I gave them. I have 5 more classes to mark. Probably going to have to go to work a bit earlier tomorrow to finish them. Went to gym after work (3 days in a row now) hahaha ...

Tomorrow I have to go to a conference something-something for the foreign teachers in my city. It's about learning to adapt to Korean culture. It sounds like it's for new teachers, but my manager says I have to go. I'm going, but if I had a choice, I'd have stayed at school to work.

Also, on Friday I have to go to another open class of a foreign teacher at another school. So time is precious these days :)

Gym...AM vs PM

I renewed my gym contract on Monday, June 1. I've also been one to gym in the morning before work (6am) but these days I'm so tired that the extra 30 or 40minutes sleep make a big difference - my friends tease me and say I'm getting old :)

For the past three days, I've been going to the gym after work. As tired as I am, I literally force myself to go. By the time I reach there, hear the pumping music and see other people working out, I get motivated.

But I guess there's pros and cons for morning and evening gym. In my case, I like to focus on what I'm doing and don't really like talking *GASP* and *SHOCK*, right?! But when I'm on the treadmill sweating like a pig, I don't want someone talking to me. But the trainer at my gym who is really sweet and might I add, very well-built (!!!) keeps wanting to talk to me~!

So... Gym ---> Morning or Evening?

MORNING

* Pros
It's over and done with

Mother Nature's outburst today...

After lunchtime today, the sky suddenly became very grey. It started raining and then it was thundering. I don't like it when the sky becomes this colour. When I was young we used to say it looks like it's the 'end of the world' :) But within an hour skies were clear again. I guess Mother Nature was just trying to make a point about something.

Teacher is angry...

For the past 10 weeks I've been teaching my Grade 5's and 6's "Classroom English" (everyday expressions used in class". I've given them handouts with illustrations and everything. So it was time for a test (given yesterday & today). Many were not even shy to admit that they didn't study.

I put my forefingers to my head to look like little horns and said, "Teacher is angry" - this is Korean style to express when someone is angry. Some of their faces dropped and just said, "Sorry teacher..."

Even though they're just kids, homework is still homework. And what I'm concerned about is that if they do poorly, it's a reflection on me as a teacher. Of course, some students are very diligent, but the majority of them don't take English as seriously as they do other subjects. I hate having to force them study something they didn't want to, but I had to do it too when I was at school... so?

The Dolls are comin' to town!

I'm not a huge fan of Pussycat Dolls, but have enjoyed some of their chart-topping hits, including the latest Jai Ho! (You are my destiny) from Slumdog Millionaire. The Dolls are currently on a world tour which began in January this year. They're heading to South Korea and are having a concert in Seoul on Saturday, June 6 2009 @ 8pm.

...and I'm going!!!

In November 2007 I went to the Beyonce Concert in Seoul, and in June last year I went to the Big Bang (Korean group) concert. They were both mind blowing and I'm pretty sure the Dolls won't disappoint~!

Mummy made me cut hair~!

Monday, June 1 2009

I noticed that SO many guys at school (teachers & students) had haircuts over the week-end. When my 6-7 class came in, there were about 5 boys who had haircuts. One in particular was Min-hyeok (my favourite since he was in Grade 4). I don't know why, but he reminds me of my brother when he was young - maybe it's the hair.

Me: Min-hyeok...you cut your hair!
(Min-hyeok giggles)
MH: Mummy say 'come let's go' I say 'no no' (giggle)
Me: Mummy want you to cut your hair?
MH: Yeff (that's Min-hyeok's way of saying YES)

Another boy who also had his hair cut chirped in and said - "Mummy strong!" (trying to tell me that their mum's forced them to have their haircut) The power of (Korean) mum's eh?!

It's June already...

Monday, June 1 2009

My morning started off a bit stressed ~ trying to get the tests ready for my Grade 6 classes. I was a bit angry with some classes who actually admitted that they didn't study for the test that I told them about. Kids will be kids, I know...but!

Also, since I returned from South Africa, I hadn't been to the gym. After being ill with Enteritis (and NOT swine flu) it took some time before I hit the gym again.

So with it being June 1, I was determined to re-new my gym contract. I usually go in the mornings, but I was way too tired, so I went after work. It was great and I felt so refreshed afterwards (after the shower!) Met my friend, Angelina for dinner in the evening - spontaneous outing, and ended up coming home after 10pm. Still had to work, and after catching up with my brother, only got to sleep at 2am~