Awkward in Korea

DH: *mumbles something*..why is it an alligator?

Me: What are you talking about?

DH: See you later, alligator.

Me: Oh, it rhymes. Later. Alligator.

DH: Good night, alligator.

Me: No! See you later, alligator!

DH: Why can't it be good night, alligator?

These exchanges all happen in Korean which is why I barely speak in any of them

FIL: have you lost weight? (I start to say yes but he cuts me off) you have! I can tell! Wow, you've lost a lot of weight! I can tell. What happened? You got sick? Stressed?

Me: no I've been on a diet..

FIL, acting like I've just insulted him: why?! You don't need to diet!!

Me: f-for h-health reasons..

FIL: AH YES! Health! You must take good care of your health.

FIL: look! She lost a lot of weight! Did you notice? Wow it's really a lot! You can see it in her face. Wow! She's much prettier! (this sounds rude but I am 98% sure he doesn't mean it that way)

FIL: I want to ask you something. How long have you been in Korea now? Five years?

Me: six-

FIL: Six years. You know. This is Korea right? If I went to America I would have to speak English everywhere. I have to study. Right? Or wrong? Right, huh? This is Korea. If you studied Korean it would be much better when you visit.

He goes in circles on this for about ten minutes while I'm trying and failing to think of a way to say "studying isn't the problem, I understand everything you say, it's my crippling social anxiety that makes me second guess everything I say and by the time I convince myself it's the right thing to say I've missed my window and you've started talking again AND I do not in any way go around Korea expecting people to speak English to me, most people give me a chance to get a word out here and there" so instead, I just sit there nodding.

FIL: Danielle wow since you lost weight you got much prettier-

MIL: you can't just say that to a girl

FIL: ah. I'm sorry. Me - Korean style. You - American style. I forgot.

SIL: is that even Korean style though?

This was in my asks for a very long time and you might not be around anymore but: thank you, first of all

And second I'm sorry the helpful info didn't last long into my time in Korea. I'd be happy to answer any questions people have though. I kind of forget what's interesting anymore because I'm just comfortable.

He says, "Because [girl] kissed [girl]!" So I look in the direction of the two girls and the one who supposedly kissed the other one is smiling this huge ridiculous grin. All the kids start reacting now, as kids do upon hearing the word "kiss".

So the girl feels the need to defend/explain, "It's okay for a girl to kiss a girl. Just not a boy." Like it was the plainest fact in the universe. Keep in mind, this is my last class of the day on a Friday afternoon. I just said, "I have an equal opportunity NO KISSING policy for my class, girl or boy."

They seemed satisfied enough by that answer. Later though, I saw them holding hands.

So it’s been six years, and I’m about to start my seventh year teaching in Korea. It’s been interesting and fun and crazy while at the same time sometimes just being boring and normal. 

I’ve now made the decision to finally move home in March 2020. It’s a year off, so I have time to make some final memories, get my finances back in shape, and prepare for a massive trip home with a husband and two cats I didn’t have when I came here. I’m very glad he supports me in my decision to leave, as this was very much a “me” decision rather than “we” - but he reacted very well. 

A while back, my brother came to visit me here in Korea. By a while back, I mean he got here at the end of January, just left this week.

While he was here, we sang in a choir concert together and did 9 performances of the Wizard of Oz (I stage managed, he played drums in the orchestra). We went to Japan for a four day weekend and nearly walked our feet off with all the stuff we got done. During the time he was here, I was basically go-go-go-go-go without much time to sit down or stop or rest. 

He left on Tuesday and I wish I could say I was enjoying all this free time my life suddenly gave me, but I can feel one of my down swings coming in hard. Wednesday was a holiday and I don’t think I left my bed more than two or three times. Everything I do just feels empty, like I want to be excited to have time for Netflix again but it just feels like a time filler.

Your lighting is spot on for making products look great and I’m sure the mirrors everywhere serve some purpose in making the space look cleaner and whatnot

KT: Is she in time out?

Me: No, she’s sick but she doesn’t want to go to the nurse. Her head is really warm.

Anyone who has read my posts over the past several years might remember some posts about my struggles with skincare. I went from “I use this crappy scrub and that’s my only skincare” to “DESTROY ALL THE BLEMISHES” to eventually finally having a respectable routine. I actually read ingredient lists and have an idea of what ingredients to stay away from. I moisturize, I use sunscreen. I never skip morning or nighttime routines. I love my skincare routine and I love the results I get from taking such good care of my skin.

BUT there’s only so much you can put on your face when the problems come from inside (hormones). So finally after all this frustration my face just said “I’m done” and gave up on life, meanwhile I’m left sad and clueless. So I had a week off from work, happened to be out and about with DH, and told him I wanted to see a dermatologist. 

It’s interesting how something that is 1) so inaccessible and 2) so expensive back home is neither of those things here. That’s actually what kept me away for so long. I didn’t want the fuss. But it really was as simple for me as just walking into the first clinic I saw (with Korean husband), telling them what I wanted, and walking back out with a prescription. 

For telling me about the airshow before I was caught unawares in front of 14 kids and forced to attempt a poker face

“what do you mean pale this is what I always look like guys! oh those? Just airplanes kicking it in formation right outside our window nbd”

I’m telling you this because it is painful when the principal asks to borrow my students, and I stand by and watch some unsuspecting teacher come in and tank. Don’t let that be you.

1. Know that this happens and may happen to you. The principal of the school may not tell you this in advance and you might end up in this awkward situation of getting thrown in front of a bunch of students and asked to teach them something. 

2. You might not be asked to demo at all. I’ve never been asked to do one, but my school does ask potential teachers to do it often.

3. There may or may not be actual children there. Many people I know have been asked to teach a demo class in front of a group of managers.

4. Prepare just in case. You’ll probably be able to reuse the lesson later on, so don’t think of it as a waste of time.

For the actual class.. The person observing you wants to see, among other things:

You are able to control the class. If the students are young, I would think of a way to get their attention and incorporate teaching it into your lesson. For example, in my music classes I sing, “Who’s sitting, who’s sitting nicely?” and they sing back, “I’m sitting, I’m sitting nicely.” They do not want to see you having to raise your voice to regain control. They are looking to see if you can remain calm and together if the class gets a little noisy.

The students can understand you. You should be talking in a manner that is appropriate for the age and level of the students that you’re teaching. Facial expressions and body language are important, as is the speed and tone of your voice, how many pauses you take, etc. 

Your teaching style is energetic and exciting. I don’t always sound like a cartoon character when I teach, but the more energy I put into teaching, the more focus and attention I have from the students.