Happy March!

Hello all,

Yes, I know...old habits die hard. I have not updated in a while...oh well. Sorry...I've been busy...ok lazy...ok busy AND lazy! Better? Ok...let's go.

Regarding SLP and my year there, I have decided to move on and think of it as a great learning experience (and not dwell on the drama and bore you with all that shit), where I was fortunate enough to have a schedule where I could do many things outside of work. I enjoyed the year...yes there were bumps along the way...but hey...aren't all jobs like that? There were miserable people, immature people, people who didn't care. But you know what? There were also some amazing people who will be a part of my life forever...and THAT'S what counts. I KNOW I was a good teacher and good for the school...regardless of what some psychotic/JEALOUS ex-co-workers said or feel. I was a GOOD role model for the kids, I did my work, I put in my time...and I was successful (in MANY ways...just thinking of my old students and their faces when I came into the room...it completely made my day...and I KNEW then that I was doing "good")...and guess what? The SLP experience led me down here to where I am now, in Gwangju where I can hardly STOP smiling...seriously!

I teach at a well-known Private Kindergarten called Sewoon. It has been around since 1976. I am a foreign english teacher for the ENGLISH Kindergarten. They also have a Korean Kindergarten too. I teach "Stanford" class from 9-12:30...where I then get a delicious lunch, made especially for the teachers. At 1, I teach the Korean Kindergarteners for 40mins. They are usually VERY eager to learn. It also helps that I have a Korean co-teacher in the room with me at all times (during the morning too!). At 1:40, Hagwon (after-school English academy) starts. My supervisor just bought the Hagwon and changed the name from "ABC English Academy" to "Sewoon and Simon"...cute name...hehe. I currently teach two classes on Tue/Thurs, three on Mon/Weds/Fri, and then teach an evening class from 6-7pm 6 days a week...and yes I get paid overtime! The kids are great for the most part. I love my morning kids...they are very eager to learn, and my co-teacher is new, so she is letting my control and lead the class, which is great for me, since I'm new as well...so I get to learn by making those little mistakes and bettering myself all the way. The kids seem to like me, and the mornings seem to go by quickly. The year just started however, so give I'll give everything more time before I say everything is AMAZING...hehe. The organization of practically everything could be better...but honestly, such is Korea. I've dealt with it for 1.5 years, and will continue to, WITHOUT complaining. I get paid much more than last year, and honestly, I do around HALF the work. It's simply crazy. So my new mantra..."shut up and do your work" seems to be working well. I don't complain, and I always am there to help my superiors out. Why? Because I LIKE WORKING. YES...I just said I like working. It makes me feel useful. I feel like I'm worth something when I'm busy teaching a class. It's a great feeling. Plus, me helping out/being around if needed makes me look better/more reliable to the higher-ups...which puts me in great position if I want to extend my contract and want a raise, or simply if I need a favor...like asking for the afternoon off next Tuesday, to see Melody Gardot perform in Seoul/see my Korean family! :)

Life is pretty damn good. I love being in Korea, and really can't complain about much here. I am really looking forward to getting a cat in around 11 days, and going to Japan for a long weekend in April to see James Taylor and Carole King perform in Tokyo! Of course, a day trip to Tokyo Disneyland is a must...come on...do you expect anything else from me??? LOL.

Till I post again (hopefully soon)...happy Spring to all...

Greg :)