The third week dawned into a stuffy morning with a cloudy sky and it felt like a typhoon might soon hit us. The news said that the storm had already passed and is now doing damage in Taiwan.
I got up early today and went to morning exercise with the kids. A quick run and some stretches did wonders for my mood and gave me an energy boost, so I guess it's a good idea to attend morning exercise in future.
The weekend was well spent. We rented bikes yesterday and went for a 2 hour bike ride exploring Jinju's riverbank. It felt great to have all that exercise and I also got a few nice photos of the city.
After we returned our bikes, we bumped into a group of Koreans who were water-skiing on the river. They invited us to join them and have a go on the skis. Well, one of us did and she did a really fine job! I might try next time, but it'd be my first time on water-skis.
In the evening we had pizza and red wine at an Italian place. It's so nice to eat anything that doesn't come from the campus cafeteria.
Early to bed ready for the challenges of the new week.
Sunday 9 August 2009
Friday 7 August 2009
Monday 3 August 2009
Week Two and Counting
The first week of torment by children was surprisingly tolerable, at times it was even fun.
Generally, our students have a positive attitude towards the teachers and studying, so are usually a pleasure to teach. It's the 12 hour work days that are so draining. The other teachers are an interesting and friendly mixed bunch of old Korea hands, mercenaries (like us!) and real career teachers from overseas. Apparently we even have one physicist among us, although this does beg the question, 'why are you here?' This guy talks constantly and loudly about his many skills, including his multilingual ability, his unmatchable teaching and his prowess in science.
Portia and I are roommates and we share a large and quite comfortable dorm apartment. In the first week of camp, at 6.45 every morning, the camp director's voice (accompanied by music) blared a jolly morning greeting out of a loudspeaker embedded in our wall. Considering that work didn't start until 8.30, this was a step too far. Later that week, we disconnected the speaker with a screwdriver and a Leatherman. Ah, peace at last.
At the weekend, when our precious single day off came around, Portia and I went for a mountain hike with some of the other teachers. Korea has some stunningly beautiful natural scenery when you get outside the city. Clean and green, it reminded me of home. Not China home, real home.
Generally, our students have a positive attitude towards the teachers and studying, so are usually a pleasure to teach. It's the 12 hour work days that are so draining. The other teachers are an interesting and friendly mixed bunch of old Korea hands, mercenaries (like us!) and real career teachers from overseas. Apparently we even have one physicist among us, although this does beg the question, 'why are you here?' This guy talks constantly and loudly about his many skills, including his multilingual ability, his unmatchable teaching and his prowess in science.
Portia and I are roommates and we share a large and quite comfortable dorm apartment. In the first week of camp, at 6.45 every morning, the camp director's voice (accompanied by music) blared a jolly morning greeting out of a loudspeaker embedded in our wall. Considering that work didn't start until 8.30, this was a step too far. Later that week, we disconnected the speaker with a screwdriver and a Leatherman. Ah, peace at last.
At the weekend, when our precious single day off came around, Portia and I went for a mountain hike with some of the other teachers. Korea has some stunningly beautiful natural scenery when you get outside the city. Clean and green, it reminded me of home. Not China home, real home.
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