"Wonderland Children"

      My blog has primarily focused on the social dimension of my time here, glazing over the majority of my life which is spent teaching. As I have mentioned, weeks at Wonderland zoom by. I am still fortunate to be able to say that I enjoy the life of a teacher. The classroom feels comfortable and helping youth learn is a joy. I could tell stories about teaching all day.
      Along with all the positive aspects of teaching come many challenges. There are two main challenges that I have been faced with over the course of the past month; remembering that I am teaching little kids (they are only six years old) and providing steady disciple/guidance with interpersonal relationships. The first one is challenging on a sliding scale. There will be numerous days where I am focusing on reading, making sure the students can read at a third grade level while encouraging comprehension. These days become grading. It would be different if I was teaching older students whose development is not as contingent upon social interactions. But these kids need to play, laugh and run. I have found that in the midst of these days, when I spend adequate time preparing for class, providing diverse lesson plans, everyone is a bit happier. This always doesn't help so I am grateful that every week has an activity. These past two weeks we have had Pajama Day, School Pictures, Christmas Decorating, and PB&J for show and tell.
       My favorite was PB&J and Pajama Day. Both events, brought smiles to the kids faces and allowed me an opportunity to relax from the daily class schedule. The looks on the kids faces as they had their first PB&J sandwich (without crusts, of course) was priceless. Some children loved it, a few were unsure, and some simply thought it was gross. My favorite quote of the day was, "my first bite was yummy, my second bite was okay, my next bite was Mmmm, last it was just yucky." The following day was Pajama day. The children came to school in the normal clothes and changed into their PJs after lunch. Since it is "cold, cold," winter in Korea the kids stripped off their top layer, revealing long johns, and put their PJs on top. As Rachel told me, "Mom said it was cold and I had to wear both." These multiple layers of clothes keep the children warm for the short time they are outside on the way to school, but cause them to be sweating all day! It is not uncommon for me to require they take off their coats, ask them to take off a sweatshirt or open a window. Anyways, in their PJs we watched a movie and had a pillow fight. This reinforced how young they really are.
       The second challenge I have been facing is not as easy to overcome. The class of six year olds that I teach are very needy.  They don't share well, struggle to play together nicely, and desire constant individual contact. The nice part is there are only eight students in the class, the hard part is I continue to try new strategies and seem to be running into the same wall. My plan is to keep working with them, taking more time to observe/play with them during play time (my lunch break) and work with my cooperating teachers. Wish me luck. We only have two and a half months to get them ready for elementary school.
      Throughout the school days and weeks I am constantly reminded of all the amazing teachers I had. From my mother, to Patty, those at Sacred Heart, Cathedral, and St. Norbert College. Thinking about people I respect and I admire I have realized that many of them are teachers. They have filled me with a passion to help and love those around me. They have enabled me with tools to be anything I want to be and most importantly they were always my biggest fan. Without these wonderful men and women I would not be where I am today. I hope that someday I can make an impact as much as they have.
      Lastly, I was also wondering that if the majority of adults in my life were in business, doctors, nurses, etc. is that what I would love doing? I do not believe it is a coincidence that my mom, aunts, cousins, and friends parents are teachers. A year ago I called my dad, perplexed I could not remember what I wanted to be when "I grew up." I knew in my later years of elementary school, middle school, and high school I wanted to be a Supreme Court Judge, a nun, and the first women priest, but I could not remember before that. My dad shed light....you wanted to "help the slow learners," which is a combination of my parents professions. Twenty-two years later it has come full circle and my passion to help the slow learners has resurfaced. My love for teaching does not make me regret a degree in economics, rather it fills with me excitement as I dream of the future.

Just Dance

Click here for "Just Dance" video...

      As I may or may not have mentioned, this past Monday started my new career pursuit... a K-pop (Korean Pop) dancer. Actually, I  started to take K-pop dance classes three days a week with Natalie and Irene. It is quite a trip. Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday we attend a real dance class. The class starts with a thirty minute warmup, including walking lessons, and concludes with the dance to  NS Yoon's "Just Dance." I presumed that the class would be difficult but did not think that I would be taking a class where we learned moves to sixteen beats of music every night.  
      Previous to the dance class I was craving a way to exhibit my creativity. Well... this class is sure challenging my creativity. I could blame it on the language barrier, but in all honesty, I am a horrible dancer. My college roommates can attest. My dancing ability does not stop me from enjoying myself. Although I can't laugh during class, academies in Korea are taken very seriously, I am sure I provide comic relief to my fellow dancer. At least at the end I will come away with a few new moves! My friends said they expect a performance or are threatening to come and take videos during class. Who knows maybe you will get a chance to see. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

      Thanksgiving has already come and gone but the sentiments of giving thanks have not left. There are many things that I am truly thankful for this year. Last week, I spent time reviewing the year. What a year it has been; I graduated from college, was fortunate to live with John and Abby while adjusting to the "real world," worked as a personal care assistance for mentally ill adults (I think they taught me the most), lead a transformative Canuck, shared a month of teaching at Sacred Heart with my mother, and lastly moved to Korea. Phew.... a world wind!! Thinking about all of these moments I am filled with gratitude for the people that have accompanied me along the way. Many people have been there through all of the great and not so great moments.
      My Thanksgiving Day was spent at Wonderland. Natalie and I shared Thanksgiving with our co-workers by making individual hand turkeys, and bringing in bread/jam for a morning treat. I also brought Thanksgiving into the classroom. We talked about being thankful and made more hand turkeys. At the end of the day Natalie, Rachel (another co-worker) and I went to a Sushi buffet to share a meal. The buffet was incredible, all you could eat sushi, real salad, cream of broccoli soup and of course some kimchi. It was a delicious dinner with fantastic conversation. It took the edge off the week of work and prepared us for Friday.

       On Saturday we celebrated a tried and true Thanksgiving. Friday evening I made my first trip to the often raved about Costco. It is the "only place" where you can get "real cheese" and other western comforts. The trip quickly taught me that I don't miss western food. I guess my repetitive diet over the past year has made me need a change. On Saturday, Natalie, Judy, Christian, and I went to Gayeon's house. We spent the whole day making our part of the feast; two turkeys, caramelized sweet potatoes, cheese cake, salad and the list goes on. In the evening we gathered with friends at And the Twelve. The evening was great. Everyone brought food to pass, conversation was plentiful and a Thanksgiving episode of "Friends."  I didn't want the evening to end. In two short months I have been welcomed by a very special community. I bottled up Thanksgiving memories to think about as I travel to China for Christmas. I don't think it will be the same!
      Thanksgiving is now over and Sunday welcomed Advent, a period of waiting for the light. On Sunday I started Advent with my friends at Sangdang International Church. Although I find the community welcoming and spiritually involved I have discovered that I am more Catholic than I thought. I guess... I have been involved in the church since I was born, and spent the past 2 years working as a Youth Minister. The calling to attend a Catholic service wouldn't leave so, I went to a Catholic mass in the evening. The church was exactly like any older Catholic Church. A tall brick building, red carpet, Jesus and Mary in place. It felt right. I believe I will continue attending Catholic Mass. The calling for the Eucharistic and unity with the traditions that have become a part of me over the years is very strong.
      As the weekend drew to a close I went to a concert put on by the children from the Jirani Project. It a combination of traditional African music, Christmas Carols and worship music. Here is a poorly cut video from the event.

This is my first global connection since I have been in Korea. My calling towards social justice started my head reeling about all of the opportunities in the future. I must pull myself back to Korea.

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