So observations are over, the training wheels are off, and I'm a day and a half into my new job. My cool new job. My new job which I -- gasp! -- like. Yeah, didja get that? One more time: I like my job. And you know why? Major reason: for once, I'm proud to tell people what I do. So, please, if you could all bear with me for a second while I introduce myself.
*ahem*
Hi, my name's Niko, and I'm an English teacher.
I'm going to get so ragged on by the other Americans here. It's true, I'm still fresh and starry-eyed and I still love all my students, and I'm sure I'll be jaded and grouchy and hate everything and everyone inside of a few months, 'cause it just ain't cool to like stuff, but for now, fuck cool. Fuck it, man, I'm having a great time, and I'm pretty much exactly where I want to be. This morning, I actually did that thing where you look in the mirror and go "I'm a teacher" and get all pleased with yourself and grin and do a little dance. And then I went to work (!) at the school (!!) where I'm a teacher (!!!).
I have six classes: 10 and 11 in the morning, and 4, 6, 7, and 8 in the evening. It's kind of a wonky schedule, I know, but I just pretend I'm in college (only now I stay sober if I have class in the morning). The age groups are all over the place: I've got college kids in the morning, 4th-graders at four, high school kids at six and seven, and a pair of retired bankers in the evening. And every last one of them is K - U - T - E, kute! 'Struth, kids, Koreans are wicked kute. You talk, and they nod and go "ok" and then it's their turn, and they get all shy and quiet and color up and mutter something brilliant or maybe just something goofy, and your insides just goosh and it's all you can do not to just scoop them all into a sack and take them home and set them on your mantlepiece.
Oh, Koreans. *sigh* They're like kittens, only people.
Inlets
15 years ago
11 comments:
Holy crap Niko I is soooooo happy for you! I just threw up a little bt I'm so happy for you! Niko.Is.A.Teacher. Glad you're all set up with everything you need. Got your cable yet? I bet the shows over there are awesome!
yay! i bet you will be an awesome teacher-don't let cool get you down. oh koreans. so adorable. how's the food?
I'm so happy, I threw up a little bit, too! More soon...
Niko! I finally have your blog address. I'm so very glad that you are enjoying yourself.
Do they have pickled eggs there?
"They're like kittens, only people." is going to grace a million t-shirts some day.
Oh this is the best news ever, well done.
this is awesome. so jealous! I want to visit the kitten people! and you!
Awww! It's, like, all my friends in convenient, low-badwith text format! Seriously, it is heart-freakin-warming to hear from you all. I miss you all so much!
By the way, Rob: so far, I have not seen any pickled eggs, which is odd, because they pickle damn near everything else. They do have -- what is it? 'Crispy snack'? -- only it's big and totally obviously dried fish.
this post makes me really really happy... i wish i could sit and watch you teach the kittens :)
Oh man. See, it's ironic because Koreans don't like cats. Ha ha ha, I kill me.
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