OK.
I have received many requests for pictures of Kauai, however, I have exceeded the storage amount for the web album. I am working on upgrading it, without having to pay money. I love free stuff (which there can be plenty of it here in Seoul).
I am trying to manipulate the 'system' and stick it to the man, wish me luck.
When I get this figured out, y'all will be the first 8,000 to know.
I will do the mailbag, here shortly, but first, let's peek in on "Brad Teacher's" Room.
As you know, I was having off in a wonderful land for a week, recently.
I fought the urge to stay and decided it was best for me and my representation of the USA to come back and show how good I can be.
'Good' as in behavior, which can really be a stretch sometimes.
As explained previously, I have a lot of little kids in my classes and I have become attached, they are too cute, especially when two of them approach me and say, "Brad Teacher is a gentleman!!!!"
I mean, what am I supposed to say to that? I have these little girls fooled, but I wasn't about to tell them, it would destroy their whole vision of me!!!
These children make the worst days seem bright and when I am about to implode and snap, they bring me out of it, without even knowing what they've done.
They grab my hand to walk me to class, they smile, they hug me, they sit on my lap, they want to be near me, they make me happy, and the highlight of their day is being picked up by me, seeing the world through someone my height's eyes.
I was apprehensive about the little ones, I wasn't sure how to deal with them, but they soon put my trepidations aside. They are the funnest classes I have, well, except for the one class on M-W-F at 5:00, they are the little demons Shirley Jackson wrote about.
But I digress.
My day starts with my girls and a boy. They are eager to learn and the homework gets completed before it is due.
Are you reading this HIGH SCHOOL, MIDDLE SCHOOL, AND ELEMENTARY STUDENTS?!?!?!?!?!?!
They DO their homework, BEFORE it is due.
You aren't going to let a bunch of six and seven year-olds beat you, are you?
C'mon, FOR THE USA!!!!!
(Which reminds me, I have a class that chants, "USA, USA, USA, USA!!!!!! With me. it's a hoot!!!!)
These children make the day seem shorter and I cannot wait to enter the class to see them smile. It's like Jalapenos, only I don't have to get their parents more chips and salsa!!!! (Nothing meant by that, so don't read into it).
The questions they have, the self-instruction, the helping of others, it makes me really want to stay in teaching---IN THE USA.
They come into my class on days I do not teach them and when my boss approaches them (when I am around), they walk right by him to me!!!!
A kinda 'Rock Star', if you will.
when I see them on the streets, screams of, "HI!!!! Brad Teacher!!" permeate the air.
I was in 'Lotteria', a so-called 'burger joint' (not to bad, actually) and one of my students was there with a birthday party. The next thing I know, there are 20 kids surrounding me, all talking and wanting to hear me talk. They followed me all the way down the street yelling, "Good-Bye!"
If that doesn't make you feel as if you are making a difference, nothing will.
The kids made the return from Kauai, better, not easier, better. I felt missed and when I am greeted by hugs, I knew I made the right choice upon returning.
So, I am back into the full-swing of things, teaching, talking, laughing, and being 'popular' and I wouldn't have it any other way if I am going to be away from home.
NOW.
Questions.
Susie asks:
Is it me or is 'Flat Ben' like a Rock Star?
Not just you, Susie. As you know, we had a blast with him in Hawai'i and it gives excuses to take thousands of pictures. That guy goes EVERYWHERE!!!
What is up with the monkey on the Beer and Whiskey sign?
Monkeys are considered to be outgoing and popular. If you were born in the year of the 'Monkey', like me, it is said people will like you. Tell that to some of the people at Japs who requested NOT to sit in my section. Their loss.
What goes on in the Grass and Field experiencing room? (at the World Cup Stadium)
Preparations. Stretching. Warming up. At least when there's a match, otherwise, kids and people like me run around, screaming, "GOAL, GOAL, GOAL, GOOOOOOOOOOOAL!!!"
What constitutes 'American Sushi'?
Don't know, they probably serve ketchup with it.
It looks cold there, is it? You know where it's not cold? Kauai
It is not as cold here as it is in KC. It's actually in the 50's here (close to the 10's for you Celsius freaks).
And no, it WAS NOT cold on Kauai. It was beautiful and soooo many of you missed it. Too bad, so sad.
Jason's statement:
They all seem to be dressed in pastels to resemble Easter eggs.
Yes, they do. in fact, I have a student I call 'Pink', she is ALWAYS dressed in head-to-toe in pink. Everything is pink. The others wear light blues and purples and other pastels, I haven't quite figured it out.
Veronica, um, asks:
Geez, Louise, Brad, would you like a little bread and cheese with your whine?
Keep it up, Veronica, keep it up. And your knowledge of music will be smaller than it already is.....
Aren't your little students the cutest?
Yes, they are. And they're all mine!!!!!
What is 'MONKEY VOMIT'?
An old family recipe, my dad named it, because it looks like 'Monkey Vomit', but it is OH so delicious. However, it rips up your stomach and I can really only eat it once a year. During The Super Bowl.
Jennifer and Ken inquire:
You said you teach adults, too. Where are their pictures?
They don't like to ham it up for the camera as readily. I'll get pictures and post them someday.
The classroom doesn't look much bigger than your apartment. Is your classroom really that small? And cold? All of the kids seem to be in their winter coats.
It's not too big, but it works. YES, it IS cold. I have a portable gas heater (with an open flame--try THAT in the States) and it does a good job of heating the room up. The kids wear their coats all of the time. I wear mine sometimes, too.
How cold does it get there? Probably not as cold as it does here lately(KC)?
Chilly, not shaking in your boots chilly, but I wear long underwear all of the time. Good thing I have lost some weight, my jeans are loose.
What was X-Mas like? Is it celebrated there like it is in the States?
They celebrate it, but not with the vigor of the 'Country Club Christians' in the USA. However, there is a place, Myong-Dong, where at ten minutes to midnight, they turn off the lights and it's called, "Kissing Time", the lights are out and those who have a partner, make out for ten minutes and when the lights are turned back on, everybody cheers. I didn't make it.
Bergs noticed:
After looking at the stadium I was wondering what recreational sport do you see being played the most. You know I remember my old stomping grounds in stl and you would see street hockey and fuzz ball, soccer and maybe a little "kill the man with the ball". What do these kids play?
They play soccer up at the park near my house.
BUT.
They usually stay inside and play 'Computer Games' all of the time. when asked if any of them want to come to the USA, they reply, "NO. Your internet is too slow."
There is baseball and other stuff like that, but it is relegated to parks, which you don't always see. But mostly, the little buggers play computer games.
Sue asks:
Are all of your students girls?
A majority of them are, there are a few boys, but in MY classes, I have a lot of girls and they seem to be better behaved. For the most part. There are instances when they 'Chew' one another out, it's a funny thing. Like I have said, I don't know WHAT they are saying, but i know WHAT they are saying. Their eyes give it away and when one of them starts to cry, I know EXACTLY what was said. The kids here like to cry at the weirdest things and all I can do is try to make them stop, usually by putting them on my lap and talking softly to them, it sometimes works, but not all of the time. Then. There are the times I just let them cry it out. I had once instance where 'Pink' started to cry (she's kind of spoiled) and the rest of the class ignored her. I became concerned, until I saw her peeking over her arm and realized it was all for attention, she has the fake cry down pat, but the rest of my girls called her out and told her to quit it, THAT made her really cry. I hated to laugh, but I did.
Ya gotta love the kids!!!!
Now.
I have questions.
Did Jalapenos close?
Is Papa Kenos open at Gregory and Rockhill yet?
Is everyone stoked about the Royals as I am? Except you, Bergs.
Anybody, besides Gramma Pat, going to see The Dead Sea Scrolls?
Anybody been to the new museum at Liberty Memorial?
How's Downtown looking?
The Sprint Center?
Has the 75th Street Brewery run out of Brown Ale, again?
NHL or NBA?
Rocks or Frozen?
Sour Cream or Guac, or Both?
Anyone know of teaching positions (preferably in Social Studies or English or ESL or any others, besides Science) for a tall, good looking, smart, outgoing man who was born in the "Year of the Monkey"?
Anything I else I should know about?
New restaurants?
New places in Waldo?
Brookside?
The Plaza?
Anywhere in KC?
Okay.
I have bored all of you enough, but don't get used to the constant updates, they ain't gonna happen this frequently.
I hope this finds all of you freezing your tails off, it beautiful here today!!!!
Good Day and Good Luck.
I have received many requests for pictures of Kauai, however, I have exceeded the storage amount for the web album. I am working on upgrading it, without having to pay money. I love free stuff (which there can be plenty of it here in Seoul).
I am trying to manipulate the 'system' and stick it to the man, wish me luck.
When I get this figured out, y'all will be the first 8,000 to know.
I will do the mailbag, here shortly, but first, let's peek in on "Brad Teacher's" Room.
As you know, I was having off in a wonderful land for a week, recently.
I fought the urge to stay and decided it was best for me and my representation of the USA to come back and show how good I can be.
'Good' as in behavior, which can really be a stretch sometimes.
As explained previously, I have a lot of little kids in my classes and I have become attached, they are too cute, especially when two of them approach me and say, "Brad Teacher is a gentleman!!!!"
I mean, what am I supposed to say to that? I have these little girls fooled, but I wasn't about to tell them, it would destroy their whole vision of me!!!
These children make the worst days seem bright and when I am about to implode and snap, they bring me out of it, without even knowing what they've done.
They grab my hand to walk me to class, they smile, they hug me, they sit on my lap, they want to be near me, they make me happy, and the highlight of their day is being picked up by me, seeing the world through someone my height's eyes.
I was apprehensive about the little ones, I wasn't sure how to deal with them, but they soon put my trepidations aside. They are the funnest classes I have, well, except for the one class on M-W-F at 5:00, they are the little demons Shirley Jackson wrote about.
But I digress.
My day starts with my girls and a boy. They are eager to learn and the homework gets completed before it is due.
Are you reading this HIGH SCHOOL, MIDDLE SCHOOL, AND ELEMENTARY STUDENTS?!?!?!?!?!?!
They DO their homework, BEFORE it is due.
You aren't going to let a bunch of six and seven year-olds beat you, are you?
C'mon, FOR THE USA!!!!!
(Which reminds me, I have a class that chants, "USA, USA, USA, USA!!!!!! With me. it's a hoot!!!!)
These children make the day seem shorter and I cannot wait to enter the class to see them smile. It's like Jalapenos, only I don't have to get their parents more chips and salsa!!!! (Nothing meant by that, so don't read into it).
The questions they have, the self-instruction, the helping of others, it makes me really want to stay in teaching---IN THE USA.
They come into my class on days I do not teach them and when my boss approaches them (when I am around), they walk right by him to me!!!!
A kinda 'Rock Star', if you will.
when I see them on the streets, screams of, "HI!!!! Brad Teacher!!" permeate the air.
I was in 'Lotteria', a so-called 'burger joint' (not to bad, actually) and one of my students was there with a birthday party. The next thing I know, there are 20 kids surrounding me, all talking and wanting to hear me talk. They followed me all the way down the street yelling, "Good-Bye!"
If that doesn't make you feel as if you are making a difference, nothing will.
The kids made the return from Kauai, better, not easier, better. I felt missed and when I am greeted by hugs, I knew I made the right choice upon returning.
So, I am back into the full-swing of things, teaching, talking, laughing, and being 'popular' and I wouldn't have it any other way if I am going to be away from home.
NOW.
Questions.
Susie asks:
Is it me or is 'Flat Ben' like a Rock Star?
Not just you, Susie. As you know, we had a blast with him in Hawai'i and it gives excuses to take thousands of pictures. That guy goes EVERYWHERE!!!
What is up with the monkey on the Beer and Whiskey sign?
Monkeys are considered to be outgoing and popular. If you were born in the year of the 'Monkey', like me, it is said people will like you. Tell that to some of the people at Japs who requested NOT to sit in my section. Their loss.
What goes on in the Grass and Field experiencing room? (at the World Cup Stadium)
Preparations. Stretching. Warming up. At least when there's a match, otherwise, kids and people like me run around, screaming, "GOAL, GOAL, GOAL, GOOOOOOOOOOOAL!!!"
What constitutes 'American Sushi'?
Don't know, they probably serve ketchup with it.
It looks cold there, is it? You know where it's not cold? Kauai
It is not as cold here as it is in KC. It's actually in the 50's here (close to the 10's for you Celsius freaks).
And no, it WAS NOT cold on Kauai. It was beautiful and soooo many of you missed it. Too bad, so sad.
Jason's statement:
They all seem to be dressed in pastels to resemble Easter eggs.
Yes, they do. in fact, I have a student I call 'Pink', she is ALWAYS dressed in head-to-toe in pink. Everything is pink. The others wear light blues and purples and other pastels, I haven't quite figured it out.
Veronica, um, asks:
Geez, Louise, Brad, would you like a little bread and cheese with your whine?
Keep it up, Veronica, keep it up. And your knowledge of music will be smaller than it already is.....
Aren't your little students the cutest?
Yes, they are. And they're all mine!!!!!
What is 'MONKEY VOMIT'?
An old family recipe, my dad named it, because it looks like 'Monkey Vomit', but it is OH so delicious. However, it rips up your stomach and I can really only eat it once a year. During The Super Bowl.
Jennifer and Ken inquire:
You said you teach adults, too. Where are their pictures?
They don't like to ham it up for the camera as readily. I'll get pictures and post them someday.
The classroom doesn't look much bigger than your apartment. Is your classroom really that small? And cold? All of the kids seem to be in their winter coats.
It's not too big, but it works. YES, it IS cold. I have a portable gas heater (with an open flame--try THAT in the States) and it does a good job of heating the room up. The kids wear their coats all of the time. I wear mine sometimes, too.
How cold does it get there? Probably not as cold as it does here lately(KC)?
Chilly, not shaking in your boots chilly, but I wear long underwear all of the time. Good thing I have lost some weight, my jeans are loose.
What was X-Mas like? Is it celebrated there like it is in the States?
They celebrate it, but not with the vigor of the 'Country Club Christians' in the USA. However, there is a place, Myong-Dong, where at ten minutes to midnight, they turn off the lights and it's called, "Kissing Time", the lights are out and those who have a partner, make out for ten minutes and when the lights are turned back on, everybody cheers. I didn't make it.
Bergs noticed:
After looking at the stadium I was wondering what recreational sport do you see being played the most. You know I remember my old stomping grounds in stl and you would see street hockey and fuzz ball, soccer and maybe a little "kill the man with the ball". What do these kids play?
They play soccer up at the park near my house.
BUT.
They usually stay inside and play 'Computer Games' all of the time. when asked if any of them want to come to the USA, they reply, "NO. Your internet is too slow."
There is baseball and other stuff like that, but it is relegated to parks, which you don't always see. But mostly, the little buggers play computer games.
Sue asks:
Are all of your students girls?
A majority of them are, there are a few boys, but in MY classes, I have a lot of girls and they seem to be better behaved. For the most part. There are instances when they 'Chew' one another out, it's a funny thing. Like I have said, I don't know WHAT they are saying, but i know WHAT they are saying. Their eyes give it away and when one of them starts to cry, I know EXACTLY what was said. The kids here like to cry at the weirdest things and all I can do is try to make them stop, usually by putting them on my lap and talking softly to them, it sometimes works, but not all of the time. Then. There are the times I just let them cry it out. I had once instance where 'Pink' started to cry (she's kind of spoiled) and the rest of the class ignored her. I became concerned, until I saw her peeking over her arm and realized it was all for attention, she has the fake cry down pat, but the rest of my girls called her out and told her to quit it, THAT made her really cry. I hated to laugh, but I did.
Ya gotta love the kids!!!!
Now.
I have questions.
Did Jalapenos close?
Is Papa Kenos open at Gregory and Rockhill yet?
Is everyone stoked about the Royals as I am? Except you, Bergs.
Anybody, besides Gramma Pat, going to see The Dead Sea Scrolls?
Anybody been to the new museum at Liberty Memorial?
How's Downtown looking?
The Sprint Center?
Has the 75th Street Brewery run out of Brown Ale, again?
NHL or NBA?
Rocks or Frozen?
Sour Cream or Guac, or Both?
Anyone know of teaching positions (preferably in Social Studies or English or ESL or any others, besides Science) for a tall, good looking, smart, outgoing man who was born in the "Year of the Monkey"?
Anything I else I should know about?
New restaurants?
New places in Waldo?
Brookside?
The Plaza?
Anywhere in KC?
Okay.
I have bored all of you enough, but don't get used to the constant updates, they ain't gonna happen this frequently.
I hope this finds all of you freezing your tails off, it beautiful here today!!!!
Good Day and Good Luck.
Labels: Mail Bag
posted by Axton & friends | 2/06/2007 10:42:00 AM
3 Comments:
Ha! I just KNEW posting a comment like the one about the whine and cheese would get me mentioned in your blog!! :-)
I'm not really "into" kids that much, but you really make them sound fun, and I'm kind of sorry I didn't finish my degree in education and that I went in to music performance instead (like that really worked out ...). Keep 'em coming! You really know how to make us feel like we're right there with you. Thanks!
Papa Keno's at Rockhill and Gregory? OH! Is THAT what they're putting in there? It's still an empty building as yet. Japs is still open, by the way, and they have a new menu -- did you know? Lots of fish. The shrimp tacos are the BEST. Mark and I have them every single time we go (2, 3 times a week or more). I'm going to see the Dead Sea Scrolls, too, I'm just not sure when. What else can I update you on? I hate my job so much -- I'm ready to come join you there!
Hey Bradley, love you, love your blog.
Coupla things for the record:
1. Monkey vomit is wrong. Wrong. Wrong. Wrong.
2. Our Kayaking guide, Aaron, was very nice and yummy, too. Debby would agree with that, as I think he made her list as well as mine.
3. When was the year of the monkey? Was it: fire, wheel, monkey, hand tools? (you know I have to give you grief over being slightly older than I am - it is a joy in my life)
4. Guac and sour cream, please.
5. No Papa Kenos, yet. They haven't even filled in the sides of that building yet. Maybe they will be constructing it by the time you return.
As for the rest, it was really wonderful to see you. You look great and fit and happy. I look forward to the day we can all sit on the porch of Burns Manor and have a soju shot and laugh about your year abroad and how fast it really went.
I also look forward to making our Hawaiian family/journey an annual event. There are 6 more weeks in the wing for us when we're ready to use them - FACE, you hear that? No excuses next time! - and use them, we will.
Keep up the verbosity... you know we all love it!
Missing you, loving you
Your other mother
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