A Look at the Students

It fascinates me that no matter where a person goes, the children are always the same. Some are shy, some are outgoing, they all get sad, they all hate homework, some laugh loud, and some laugh low (and they all have a place in God's choir... that's for the Tilikum people).

I discovered that I am teaching a total of 15 different classes. Today, in several of those classes, I unveiled the patented "Ryan's disappearing coin trick", and I quickly achieved hero status. I really love all my kids.

In one of my reading classes, we laughed through half the class. They told me my sideburns looked like a map of Korea, and then we couldn't read for several minutes, because we were recovering from fits of laughter.

This afternoon, Jean (my boss) approached me and asked if I would like to learn Korean. I replied, "Of course." She told me her husband had a new job and needed to work on his English. He would be willing to trade language lessons with me. I was honored that she had approached me. This appears to be an excellent opportunity. An opportunity for what? Well, I don't know, but an opportunity it is none the less. I plan to take full advantage of it.

The following six girls are in my TOEFL class. Its purpose is to prepare them for an English high school entrance exam. During the class, I interview them individually. I assign them questions each day for homework. For the interview, I randomly select one of those questions. After the interviews, we discuss their answers and how they can improve them.

Anyways, enough talk... lets get to what you really want to see... the pictures...

Annie

Joy

Wendy

Jane

Mickey

Helen

The "sideburn" class. As you can see, the girls didn't want their pictures taken. So the boys took advantage of the situation.

Jazz

Daniel

Picture shy Sally

Daniel and Peter studying for a spelling test.

The classic moped. Used primarily by delivery services. If you order take out, they will drive it to your place... The food comes with a full set of silverware, which they come and pick up at a later time.

These machines are constantly in use by kids and adults. They are a version of the "crane arm" games found in many pizza places and stores in the US.

On the sixth floor of this building you will find the hogwan I teach at.

A view from my desk. Of course I had to pull back the shades and hang my camera out the window to get it (hence the crooked, yet artsy look).

Waiting for the bus.

Thoughts on a Bus

So much happens here.
How does one keep track of it all?
How does a person share the little details that bring a smile or raise an eyebrow? How does one convey the tiny nuances that add up to something so grand?

The colors. The sites. The words. The conversations. The people. The food. The smells. The subtle messages that speak so loudly.

While on the bus, I imagined Jesus sitting beside me in the empty seat. He was smiling. And suddenly I was smiling. And I thought to myself "Ryan, your soul is at peace. How many people can say that? You feel so happy about the person God is making you into. And these people around you probably think you're crazy for smiling at an empty seat."

I realized that the people I was with often voiced fears or became scared when a bus swerved or the weather changed. Deep down (or maybe right there on the surface) they feared death. Is it stupidity that gives me such confidence during these times, or is it something deeper?

I have entered a new and strange world. A world in which I am a part, yet separate. Never before have I been in such a position. I go to the bars. I breathe the second hand smoke. I listen to the crude jokes, the words of ridicule, and the deep questions of the heart. Not once have I mentioned that I am a Christian. Not once have I spoken the name of God. It is not because I am ashamed or timid. It is because I have opted to live the life of a Christian rather than talk about the life of a Christian. Despite all of this... people somehow know what I believe. I've been told by others here that I "have a good vibe" and a "good heart".

What could this be but light from the purest source reflecting off my flawed surface? My heart is filled with such joy. Despite my many dark thoughts and deeds, I have been given the ability to call myself a child of God. At the same time, my heart is filled with sadness for those that have ears that don't hear and eyes that don't see.

As a wiseman once said, "Great pain often accompanies great joy."
And another wiseman once said, "Pride comes before the fall."

1st Day Edumacatin'

I have survived my first day of teaching. In all, I taught a total of nine classes over approximately 12 hours. Somehow, I just happened to make it here in time for the "intensive" term. The children in each class were very well behaved (probably because they were afraid of my iron fist of fury). I actually wasn't stressed at all and each successive class got better. Oh yeah, the students stay in the same classroom all day and we teachers rotate around.

Each child goes by an "English" name in the classroom. The children themselves or some teacher in the past have selected the names. In one class there was a girl named Pinky. In another class there is a Dragon and a Raphael. There seem to be hundreds of Kevins, Brians, Lucys, Cindys, and Jennys. It's difficult to remember names when so many are the same. Koreans have trouble saying "r's" so my name has become "Lyan" or "Lion". Some of the goofier kids say "Teecha Lion" and then they make a roaring sound.

Appearance is everything here. I was asked to shave so I would look younger, and I am required to wear dress clothes (like a real job, crazy eh?). I was told by my Korean bosses that I am "pretty" and will bring in lots of new students. Honestly, in a hogwan (private school) they don't care if the students learn anything. It's all about raking in the money and appearing to be very prestigious. It is a very strange experience to be a "poster boy" for this school. To be paraded around anytime there is a prospective student.

Teaching in the classroom is very strict. However, the other teachers have filled me in on a few things not told to me by my Korean boss. I feel like I'm part of some kind of underground rebel force. We are absolutely forbidden to play games with the children (like hangman, or pictionary). The teachers tell me that they covertly play games anyway, but they are careful to instruct the kids not to tell their parents or the Korean teachers or else the games will stop. It's a bit wild. The kids really only learn if we secretly bend the rules a bit and put extra stuff into the program.

Something crazy I learned the other day:

Jean (the head korean teacher) has a little girl, but because Jean works so hard at the school she can't take care of her. Instead, Jean's mother takes care of the baby. Jean sees her little girl two times a month. When I showed her pictures of my sister Jenna, she said it made her sad and that was when she told me about her situation. She would like to own an English academy someday, but that takes a lot of work, which keeps her away from her child.

I continue to read Augustine and Miller (Donald Miller, "Blue Like Jazz") in my free time. Augustine is thick stuff and is slow going, but very interesting. Grace and Peace to you my friends.

Jean (the head teacher/manager)

Hallway of Classrooms (the school is on the 6th floor of a large building)

An average classroom

Teacher's lounge/desks

My desk (right under the heating vent, my papers are always blowing off)

Atom (he is the copy boy. His sole job is making copies.)