challenge – Places And Spaces To Be In

Breakfast for one

Sabbath morning.

I forced myself to sleep in some more, even though my body woke me up around 6AM – the usual time I would get up during the week. This time around, my body is sore from the workout I had this past week, especially from yesterday’s workout when my friend helped me pump some steel. I made a promise to myself to care better for myself by exercising, sleeping more, and eating better. Especially breakfast.

On the breakfast menu:

Chicken (simmered in doengjang) sandwich
Coffee
Cucumbers

-A

P.S. Because I live alone, I’m still learning how to cook for one. It’s been a challenge, but a good learning experience. For those living alone too, how do you do it?

#happyarvedays

I’ve accomplished 17 days out of the 100 Happy Days Challenge.

Day 1: Happiness is… smiling big because you’re surrounded by one of your favorite things: flowers.

This challenge was the rage a couple years ago and was begun by the 100happydays foundation. Their goal is to make the world a happier place. The foundation claims that 71% of those participating in this challenge failed to accomplish it, due to time. In a world that is fast-paced and quick to look for the next, up and coming thing, it’s no wonder why such a small percentage were able to accomplish the challenge.

The foundation challenged the internet world with one question:

Can you be happy for 100 days in a row?

Like the 71%, I started to do this challenge about two years ago, and failed on the 46th day.

So, for the past 17 – going on 18 – days, I’ve been challenging myself to find the things and moments that make me happy. It doesn’t matter whether they are big or small, pertaining to one’s self or towards others, as long as it makes you happy in a healthy and positive way. I say healthy because there are many things that could make us happy. However, such happiness is bad especially for our mental, physical, and spiritual health. I seek to find things that invigorate me positively and healthily in those three aspects.

Day 11: Happiness is when you successfully get your students to enjoy the class material you’ve planned.

Day 17: Happiness is having a brother and (future) sister whom I could talk to.

So here’s to restarting the #100happydayschallenge.

-A

P.S. Check out my #happyarvedays on Instagram! I hope it makes you smile!

Teaching Style

Screen Shot 2016-02-08 at 9.59.36 PM I never saw of myself as an educator. I never imagined finding myself teaching English, especially in another country. Luckily, by divine providence and by fate, I’m surrounded by some amazing people whom I am able to learn from. These past two terms (four months) are memorable.

In the institute that I’m currently teaching at, there are four foreign teachers teaching the adult English classes: Chad, Maddy, Patricia, and I. We assist three Korean teachers (Henry, Jessica, and Nina) when it comes to teaching the Juniors (ages 8-14) in the afternoon.

Although I have definitely learned something through my Korean co-teachers, most of the lessons I’ve learned are from my foreign co-teachers:

From left to right: Maddy, Chad, and Bruce – a student and friend

Chad: his teaching style is to be aware of the student’s strengths and weaknesses. His “be a friend” approach is very admirable as it is very intimidating for me. Since many of my students are way older than me (think mom, dad, grandparent status…), I tend to hide behind the Korean respect hierarchy. His approach, from what I’ve noticed, has allowed his students to be comfortable and open around him. I often envy the laughter that comes out of his class.
Patricia: love this lady and her “take it easy” approach. Her constant reminders to relax and not overthink things reminds me that “Hey, I already have the materials to teach, in my hands.” Also, her presence and beginning the day with a word of prayer has helped further established God’s presence in my life and in the workplace. Lastly, her hugs are amazing – especially in this country where hugs are seen as kind of… awkward…
Maddy, probably asking “why”.
Maddy: this girl puts me to shame. She is an educator who doesn’t want to settle. Her favorite question is “Why?”. I’ve adopted that three letter word into my vocabulary – much to the disappointment of many of my students. My students think they’re off the hook after answering my question in a sentence or two? Not so quick… Aside from that, her constant desire to learn and prep-work (which Patricia often teases her for giving herself more work than necessary), encourages me to do the same. With her example, I’m able to find ways to make the learning environment for my students more enjoyable.

I’m truly grateful to have these three people around. Sadly, this is Chad and Patricia’s last term in Sangmu Gwangju branch. I’ve gotten quite fond of them and wish they’d stay longer, but they have their own things to do and places to explore. With them leaving, I’m even more grateful that Maddy and I are placed in the same institute. At least there is one constant person, ya know?

But with new faces about to come to the Institute, at least it will encourage me to learn some more and not settle.

Of Challenges

Days ’til graduation: 34.

A couple weeks ago, I learned of a job opportunity that I found interesting. The position is a guest service and coordinator for a local business. Although school is nearly ending, I felt that I was pretty stagnant and wanted to learn something new. So, I called that local business and went in for an interview. Towards the end of my interview, my interviewer gave me a challenge: draft a one year marketing plan.

Marketing is not my emphasis. And although all my classes do touch base on some level of marketing (like class presentations), I have not been formally trained in it in any my business classes. The closest thing I could possibly think of to a marketing plan were business plans and social media plans (from one of the Communication classes I took). So although I was at a disadvantage when my interviewer asked me to write a marketing plan, I took up the challenge nonetheless.

Writing it up took me a couple of days. I was lucky that my mentor is the VP of PR and Marketing here at school, so she gave me some great pointers. After putting it all together, I finally sent it in.

Although my mentor said that the plan looked good, I don’t think I’ll be getting the job at all. However, it still was a great learning experience.