This Post is Dedicated to Kong Changok

I would like to dedicate this post to my co-teacher Kong Changok.

Here's why:
This teacher, despite my best efforts (at the beginning I didn't like her and I thought she was pushy), has looked around, made room I didn't know was there and plopped herself a place in my heart. If I had one person who I can count on, one person I look to as a sort of "Korean Mom" she is that person!

Now, let me tell you a little story! Yesterday, we only had a half day of school because of finals. I asked Kong Changok if she would help me at the post office and then we planned to go out to lunch together. So, the lady drives me to my apartment to pick up my packages, drives me back to the post office, helps me figure out what to do at the post office (actually, she did everything while I stood around and looked dumb) and then takes me out to lunch. I actually paid for lunch, which I had to do by stealing the bill and running up to the cash register before she could get there! THEN, she takes me out to a coffee shop and then to a movie! Wow!

I love this woman! She and I really connected last night and it felt like I was hanging out with my aunt or something like that.

Then, today we had an English teachers meeting. UGH!! Now, there are 8 English teachers, including me. And, I have talked to all of them and feel fairly comfortable with all of them. But, I think that a few of them are afraid of me. I sat with Kong Changok, Yu Mikyung and Han Jeongah for lunch. Those women seem to like me and don't seem to be too afraid of me... so lunch was nice.

BUT THEN... we went for coffee. And, we had a meeting. I had a lot to say, I have strong opinions and ideas about what I want. Unfortunately for me, the meeting was held in Korean! SO FRUSTRATING!

It's interesting. Even though I didn't understand a word of what was said, I knew what was going on. I could sense it. It makes me wonder how much of communcation is language, how much feeling connected to someone has to do with language.... but anyways. The teachers had to decide who was going to teach what grade. Now, if the teacher is going to be a 7th grade teacher, then they are going to be my co-teacher. So, the teachers need to really consider if they want to teach with me, if they are prepared to give up half of their classes for me to teach, if they are willing to work with my ideas and communicate with me about class and school and everything else that should go into co-teaching! I knew, even before going to this meeting, that Kim Seonhee and Lee Kyeonhee teacher would want to teach 7th grade. However, these two are the worst candidates among all of the Korean English teachers because... Kim Seonhee doesn't speak much English and Lee Kyeonhee... doesn't do much at all!

I could feel Kong Changok and Yu Mikyung fighting for me. They tried. Kong Changok told me afterwords that she told the other English teachers that whoever taught with me needed to be people that could communicate well with me... they didn't take the hint. It's ok. I like Kim Seonhee's co-teaching style. She's a good co-teacher. And, I'm used to Lee. I also gained a new co-teacher, Kim Heeyeong. I'm really excited to work with her. She's so sweet and a hard worker. But, my classes won't be leveled, and I'm not sure how much I'll be working with each teacher. I hope it's at least the same amount with each teacher...

But, the thing that really has me worried... the thing that I'm really disappointed about is that I'm no longer connected to Yu Mikyung or Kong Changok in any concrete way! Before, because they were my co-teachers, I had a great excuse to talk with them and seek them out. Now, I don't! And, on top of that, Kong Changok's desk will move next year! If she moves to the other building, I seriously think I'm going to cry! I kept telling her tonight after the meeting that I didn't want her to go. I wanted her to stay near me. I was trying to express my dependancy on her without sounding too pathetic, but I don't know if I succeeded... I think she just knows now that I look at her like my Korean Mom! *Sigh* I'm such a baby!

Ok, well, this is a long post! I hope you're all well! Love you, miss you, praying for you!

Hil