I can read…
Not a lot of things to really update you guys on; fairly normal school week. So, I thought I would upload my reading list (as it is as of now). I have really been bragging about lately; so, I thought rather than talking about it incessantly, I would go ahead and share it. *sorry guys!* I don’t know why I’m so darn excited about it. I feel like a kid again. It makes me happy. I scrounge for English books at the local library and make do with whatever they have that strikes my fancy at the moment. Their collection is not too bad. My reading list is rather short – I just started it a month ago (February). But hopefully it will soon be a very long list (provided I continue to find the time in btwn work). I am issuing all challenges to people who’d like to offer up their book list. We can have a read-off. Ha ha
Melody’s Literary List of Success
- Old School – Tobias Wolff
- My Uncle Oswald – Roald Dahl
- Howl’s Moving Castle – Diana Wynee Jones
- The Catcher in the Rye – J.D. Salinger
- My Sister’s Keeper – Jodi Picoult
- Confessions of a Shopaholic – Sophie Kinsella
- Ten Sorry Tales – Mick Jackson
- The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks – E. Lockhart
- The Book of Lost Things – John Connolly
- The Man of My Dreams – Curtis Sittenfeld
- Alice in Wonderland – Lewis Carroll
***In the works***
- A Clockwork Orange – Anthony Burgess
- Catch-22 – Joseph Heller
Korea U. & National Museum of Korea
This weekend was a very nice weekend for me despite the cool and gloomy weather. I did not have much stress about school work (for once) because I had a lesson planned out, which meant that I did not pick up the books once. Instead I got out a did a small bit of adventuring. I’ve felt pretty guilty that I had only seen one museum in the Seoul area since my arrival in Korea; so I finally remedied that problem this Sunday by visiting the Nat’l Museum. “The museum in Yongsan, downtown Seoul, is the largest museum in Asia (and sixth largest in the world), in terms of the total size of exhibition spaces and the number of display items” (HiSeoul). Sad to report, however, that it was not my favorite museum. Maybe my lack of close familiarity with Asian history and the large and at times impersonal size of the building and its exhibitions made me a bit biased. But I still enjoyed spotting some of the national treasures and feeling like I checked something-off my cultural-to-do list. I think that a smaller museum is the better choice for me (I enjoyed the ones in Gyeongju) or maybe I would have had a better time if I had went on a tour. The next place I want to visit is an art museum – some place where I can just relax.
I also re-visited Korea University. I still think that the campus is gorgeous and was happy that the weather held out for me that day – because the next day it rained. Walked around campus and had a nice lunch. Then visited a nearby Buddhist temple. Good day. Visiting colleges makes me want to go back to school myself, or reminisce — crazy, right? I just finished my schooling and I am already thinking about what I want to study next and where. The downside of these delusions is the actual work part of college….ha ha papers and tests…I think I that I have pushed these memories/nightmares to the back of my memory. In fact I don’t recall any of those aspects…just the fun with friends and interesting classes. j/k 😛
The New Semester Begins
Acting silly for the camera
The new semester has officially started. We proudly opened our doors to a new set of youngsters. Since we’re a brand, spanking-new school this means we now have two grade levels (freshman and sophomores); another grade will be integrated next year; thus completing the trifecta . It means not only are the number of students in my classes increased from a glorious 16 to ….30, but the number of classes I teach are also increased from roughly 16 a week to ~21. I have also been informed that I will only be teaching freshman (not sophomores–like they’ve been telling me all along). While this is a relief in that the creative juices were/are slowly and painstakingly being sucked out of my brain – and this means a chance to reuse previous material–I will still miss my crazy sophmores (I shall have to talk to them more in the hallways). *special thanks must be given to all of you (you know who you are) who’ve sent me fun ideas for the kids – you’re awesomeness does not go unnoticed* Additionally,b the fourth floor is occupied by my sophomores giving me slightly more comfort in the room & partner change. The calls of “Melody Teacher!!!!!~~…….hi!” and the ‘you’re too cool-for-school’ high five (rarely are those given) given out to a student who was feeling particularly needy, warmed the cockles of my heart. I think they’re also unsettled by the changes and draw some slight comfort in my familiarly foreign face. All I know is that the lunch line today was mind-blowingly long (compared to what it used to be). I said silent prayers of thanks that teachers are privileged enough to have their own food section. I fear that if I am not careful I will be trampled to death by hordes of frantic and hungry teenagers on their way to lunch. Luckily, I am young and spry and thus may be able to survive; but I fear those older and weaker may not be so fortunate. The line extends outside of the cafeteria, literally outside of the school. I hope that things become more efficient, because I feel so guilty when I cut through them on my way to eat, but I am doubtful of significant changes, because the cafeteria is not that big. That’s it – food talk covered, all is good. 😛
Mellow in South Korea 