Things have finally settled into a rut here, I think. Not a bad rut, just sort of a pattern. Two new teachers arrived a couple weeks ago, and between them they took over 4 of the schools I was previously working at (two schools I disliked, and two schools I liked, so it balanced out). So, I’m now working at only 3 schools, which makes things far more enjoyable. I am finally able to do lesson plans that can have multiple parts, something that was impossible when I was only seeing each class once every 2 weeks. Now I visit two of my schools twice a week, and one of them once a week. One of the schools lets me out after lunch, as I have no afternoon classes, and so that makes a huge difference in how I feel. One of the things I tend to detest is being made to do useless things, and one of my schools makes me sit at my desk until exactly 5 no matter what, even if all the other teachers have gone home. It frustrates me to no end, though I know that they are fully in their rights to do it, as per my contract. In general though, things have greatly improved. For awhile there, I was seriously considering bailing, but due to these recent changes and the plummeting of the US economy, I will be sticking around.
I am also now back in my old apartment building in a vastly improved apartment, now that it has been renovated. I wish they had replaced the kitchen, and the heater doesn’t seem as good at heating my water as at the old place, but I am not about to complain. I visit the dog I have “adopted” a few days a week, and it really does wonders for my mood. I’ve started taking her for walks in the surrounding countryside, which she absolutely loves. She spends her life on a 6 or 7 foot chain, and so being able to run around (her “leash” is about a 25 foot rope I bought) is clearly the highlight of her week.
In the last two or three weeks, the foreigner population of Jindo has risen from 5 to 9, an incredibly high number for somewhere this rural. Sadly, one of them has her last day this Friday, and she was the main social organizer, so it will be interesting to see what happens with that.
I have withdrawn a bit recently, as well. Now that I actually enjoy being in my apartment, I have been spending significantly more time here. I used to go out with folks not only to socialize, but because I couldn’t stand being in my smelly, moldy apartment. Now that it is actually pleasant to be here, I have been sticking around here far more, except to go for my walks and countryside drives. I’m not lonely or anything, I just tend to sometimes go through phases where I don’t really enjoy the company of others, and I think this is just one of them.
I’m a bit sick. Okay, a little more than a bit, but still well enough to work. I could use one of my 6 remaining sick days on Monday, but unless I feel worse, I don’t think I will. I figure that if I go into work when I’m at less than 100%, next time I take a sick day, they might take me a little more seriously. Then again, maybe not.
So, anyway. There will probably be more positive posts around here than there previously have been. I think I have passed the “I hate Korea” stage and entered the “Meh. It’s funny.” stage.
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