Compliments

Because I apparently enjoy the feeling of productivity I made the choice to take two summer classes. They are both two week intensives and one started on Monday.

Yes, that's right. After the stressful week of finals, I decided to start up with class again two days later. I also apparently don't enjoy giving myself a break.

However, this class has been absolutely phenomenal.

Seriously.

The instructor is fantastic, my classmates are great, and it is probably the most laid back atmosphere you could ask for.

The class is Groups in Counseling and our instructor, Reggie Moore, does a fantastic job of modeling and facilitating the type of leader one would hope to be. There is structure, yet at the same time it is flexible to allow for movement and a change of pace. In three days I already feel that I've gained a lot of insight.

One of my favorite parts is Reggie's way of confronting others, yet in a way that encourages and empowers others to rise to the occasion.

Today was no different.

He was conversing with one of the men in my class and ended paying him a compliment.

The man said "thank you"

And Reggie came back with " Now you hold on to that. I know in five hours you're going to want to do something that will negate or muddy that compliment, but that still won't take the truth of it away."

ummm. wow.

This hit me. hard. I began to analyze why we tend to mess up or continue to disbelieve when others compliment us. Even if we take the compliment at first, we later find justification for it to not be true.

Is it because we are so afraid of not fully living up to that compliment? We feel the need to prove others wrong?

Do we really see ourselves in such a poor light?

I think for me personally I feel that deep down I don't truly possess the quality that I'm being complimented on and I'm terrified someone might find out how untrue their words are. I think I'm also scared that while their words may be true in the moment what if something happens later that might make them regret giving me those words?

Compliments are a tricky business, but I truly want to get better at accepting them and learn to believe them.

A pretty lofty goal, but one that needs to be accomplished.


How are you at taking compliments? Do you find it easy to accept or do you negate them?

Elementary Days are Over

Thursday was our last day at elementary school. It is just crazy to think that it's over. We're done! And only like 3 more days at Middle School. Where in the heck did the time go!?

All of these are from Jon's school... seriously how cute is this classroom!?

And Jon's co-t is adorable too :) Ahra and her husband are like cartoon characters... so funny, goofy, and  just cutesy. 

Look at those faces :)

Wouldn't be Korea without the peace signs.

I made cookies for all of our students and they LOVED them. I enjoy how excited they get over a simple cookie :) Ahh the simple things in life.

And speaking of the simple things, I got some pretty sweet notes (90% are in Korean)

Some sweet pencil holders

and a creepy clay baby... whose head fell off directly after this picture was taken. Slightly disturbing.

We are going to really miss those kids, and our wonderful co-teachers. Just one more good-bye to add to the list. But we just like to think of how blessed we are to know these kids and adults. The islands will truly always hold a special place in our hearts. *tear*

Korean Conversation

In my school the teachers are like family. They work together, play together, drink together, fight together, and attempt to speak English together. I truly appreciate the fact they do try so hard to speak with me and really try to converse in English. English is an insanely difficult language to learn, and Koreans are shy... so put two and two together and it's like pulling teeth sometimes.

But in all honestly my teachers really try to make me feel part of their "family" so any time they even remotely come close to speaking English I'm there, ready, waiting with a smile and nodding my head like crazy. I'm like an overly excited parent just waiting for my child to speak its first words.


Because English is broken and not alway communicated effectively, and because my co-teacher has been gone for the majority of this week I've had a few odd conversations with the teachers.

I work out quite a bit, and it's hot and humid this time of year so I'm usually working up a dehydrating amount of sweat usually 2 hours a day... so I guzzle water like no other. This is not so common in the world of Korea, you just don't see many Koreans guzzling down the water... beer and soju, yes... water, no.  So I'm up twice every hour. Once to refill the water and the other to unload my overly full and tiny bladder. And this does not go unnoticed.

*source*

Scene 1
Math Teacher: Oh, Sara.... so much water
Me: ummmm, yeah. I like water. *blushing and feeling extremely paranoid about my camel drinking habits*
Secretary: So much water... why?
Me: *note that I'm doing really awkward hand movements and arm movements as I explain* Oh, I sweat a lot. So hot. Need Water.  *yes I get cryptic and have horrible grammar when I talk with them... but it works*
Math Teacher/Secretary: *Looking at me like I'm a freak*
Me: *stammering, and starting to sweat, which of course makes me want to drink more water* ummm water good for you. so hot. *I think at this point in time I must have pointed to my face... maybe? *
Secretary: Oh so much water... face so skinny! And so dirty... lots of sun. good water.
Me: um yeah? *by this point I'm beyond confused. Do they really think that all that water made my face skinny? is that what they think I said?* ( and a side note when you have a tan in korea they tell you your skin is dirty... they like things white here)
Secretary/Math Teacher: OH face so skinny... water so good. *they smile and start using their hands to circle their faces*
Me:* smile, nod, and return to reading my book very aware of every sip I take*
End Scene


I also had an odd conversation in the lunch room...

*source*

Scene 2

* I'm eating rice curry with two of my teachers that I've sat with almost every day for the past 9 months. I happen to be eating with my spoon because the curry is similar to a stew*

Music Teacher: Oh Sara *points to chopsticks* What is it?
Me: Chopsticks
MT: Chopsticks, Chopsticks *she keeps trying out the word* You can use chopsticks??
Me: *staring at her*.......umm..... *continue to stare wondering if it's a joke*
MT: *She says something to the science teacher in Korea, then back to me* You use?
Me: *picking up the chopsticks, using the chopsticks to pick up everything on my plate* yah, I can use them * at this point in time I'm still confused*
MT: Oh so goood!!!!!! Chopsticks so good!! When did learn??? *Now she is the one staring at me like the child that has rolled over for the first time... we are talking estatic*
Me: ummm I learned in the United States. And I've been practicing in Korea?
MT: Oh so good! So good Chopsticks! *she continues eating and is completely proud of me*
Me: *staring at my plate, then at the chopsticks wondering what in the heck they think I've been using for the past 9 months!?*
End Scene

I also taught all of the teachers how to say 'The Netherlands' (it's a world cup thing) and have taught my head teacher my favorite phrase of all... 'Sara, go home please'


It's odd because in some ways they are aware of a lot of my behaviors. Such as, I like running, I like to read, I obviously like water, and I like to take photos.  And then they are completely oblivious to everyday little things like the fact that I can use chopsticks... and have been able to for quite some time. I really do wish my co-teacher would've been there for that last convo though because I would have most definitely asked what in the world they thought I was using for the past 9 months.... probably my dirty tan hands :)

Why I Love being a Teacher

As you all obviously know by now, teaching is not my passion in life. It's difficult for me to feel excited about a lesson. And as much as some of my students drive me up the wall,  there are some students that it will break my heart to never see again.

I know leaving after this contract will be difficult for me, leaving this school, these teachers, these students... it's a struggle for me to think that I'll probably never see them again.

Well, after the corn dog adventure the other day we found out the day after that it was our last day. And we were all a little upset about it. I then had to break the news that they wouldn't be seeing me again after September... it was so sad.. and touching to see how upset they were. They couldn't believe I was going. They then told me if I got bored in the U.S.A. to come back and move to Jaeun... cute... but probably not happenin' :)

Then they gave me these:

And that's an order!!!! :)

(sorry for the blurriness)

I  may not enjoy teaching, but at least with these students I feel that I made a difference and that we all really enjoyed that extra class. Even now as I re-read them my heart just breaks a little and tears come.

Can I just take these kids with me??