| "If you're not brown and Catholic, I don't care about you." |
[Jan. 5th, 2010|09:41 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| |  optimistic | ] |
The title of this entry is a quote from Andrew, EV's hardworking scheduler and sole Hispanic resident, who used it as a retort to an equally politically incorrect comment that I made. It's always nice to get in a verbal sparring match with someone who exercises as much discretion as I do.
2010 is officially upon us, and I hope that all of my dear readers had a fabulous time ringing it in. I spent New Year's Eve in Ilsan with several of my coworkers, with whom I enjoyed dinner, drinks, dancing and a 3D roller coaster ride. I had to be at work at 9:00 the following morning, so I caught an early cab back to EV and was back in my apartment sleeping off my buzz by 1:30.
I'd originally planned on doing some shopping and socializing over the weekend, but I only left EV to watch Sherlock Holmes with Kyle on Friday night/Saturday morning. We could have gone to a 4 AM showing of Avatar, but we decided we didn't want to stay out until 7:00 in the morning. Neither of us was disappointed with Sherlock Holmes and its rich plot, impressive action sequences, judicious use of humor, and fine cinematography, so we agreed that our time and money were well-spent.
The dawn of a new year always fills me with a sense of introspection, and I had plenty to reflect on at the end of 2009. I formed new friendships and ended old ones, assumed the first leadership position I've ever held at a job, added some nice new credentials to my resume, acquired a vast amount of knowledge about curriculum design and business management, and became involved in the longest-lasting and most emotionally healthy relationship I've had to date. Throughout all of this, I learned a great deal about myself, the world, and my relationship with it on a broader scale, and picked up (or was reminded of) several tidbits of wisdom. Among them were the following:
-The only constant in life is change.
-The older I get, the more liberal I become.
-The older I get, the more adventurous I become.
-Charisma is valuable, but it's certainly not everything.
-There are some people out there who really care about the world.
-Not everyone can be rich and famous, and there's no shame in that.
-The power of denial is one of the greatest powers possessed by man.
-One key element of wisdom is knowing which battles are worth fighting.
-Being a good leader means being willing to listen to the people around you.
-If you try to live your life well, other people will eventually take notice.
-We just can't stay friends with some people, and sometimes it's better that way.
-The most important thing I was missing before I came to Korea was self-confidence.
-People who only look at the numbers have no business being involved in curriculum design.
-All of us are surrounded by opportunities. The trick lies in deciding which ones to seize.
-If you believe that you're worth getting to know better, other people will believe it as well.
-In the great struggle between economics and everything else, economics wins entirely too often.
-In spite of the conflicts I've had with them in the past, I really do love and care about my family.
-I am capable of writing things that people want to read, and I need to use this ability to its fullest.
-People who can fit their feet in their mouths and their heads in their asses at the same time impress me in one of the worst ways possible.
-There's a lot to be said for being in a relationship with someone who's kind, thoughtful, open-minded, socially well-adjusted, and not batshit insane...especially when the last criterion is the only one on which you refuse to compromise.
In spite of the occasional rough patches, 2009 was an extremely educational year that treated me well on both a personal and a professional level. I'm hoping that 2010 will tie or even break that record, and I have plenty of reasons to believe that it will. |
|
|
| The most wonderful time of the year |
[Dec. 26th, 2009|03:40 am] |
| [ | mood |
| |  energetic | ] |
Earlier this week, I got two care packages from my parents. They contained my PS3 and most of my games, and I feel obligated to type at least one more blog entry before I hook up my lovely console and drop off the face of the planet. If anyone opens the door to my apartment a few weeks from now and finds a dessicated corpse with a vice grip on a controller, know that there is only one way I would rather have died.
This week's students were from an all-female school in Bucheon. This was the second time in two months that students from this school graced EV with their presence, and I say that without a hint of sarcasm or hyperbole. The first girls who came were respectful, hardworking, and attentive in class, and this week's group was no less well-behaved. They had great senses of humor, as well, and three of my favorite exchanges can be seen below.
Student 1: Teacher, what is the dinner menu?
Me: Rice and kimchi. Every day.
Student & Friends: Really?!
Me: (Keeping a straight face as I look around the table.) Yes, really.
Student 2: You're pulling my leg!
(I take my coat off dramatically as I prepare to show the students how to play Charades.)
Student 1: More! More!
Student 2: Take it all off!
(While trying to help the students guess which state I come from, I write the word "Ohio" on the board.)
Student: ...gozaimasu! I am Japanese.
The others would be far less humorous without accompanying visuals, but it should go without saying that having students urge me to do a striptease was one of the most hilariously awkward moments of my EV career. There were a few sources of unnecessary stress this week, but between the amazing students, the care packages, getting a new pair of socks from my fellow CAL Caroline, and having dinner and a pleasant conversation with Gabriel and Mina yesterday evening, I'm imminently satisfied with how it turned out. I'm now looking forward to enjoying a weekend free of responsibility, during which I hope to find time to watch Avatar.
Whatever holiday you celebrate at this time of year, dear readers, I hope that your days are just as full of wonder and joy as mine. |
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