::A Geek in Korea::

Being the only American, there is a bit of work we have to do to bring the joys of Halloween to other cultures. I did my part and wore a costume. I also learned a lesson from last year and made sure my costume didn’t involve my face in any way.

I fired up The GIMP (Graphic Image Manipulation Program) and made a Jack O’ Lantern cutout. Since I didn’t have markers or crayons, this was easier than drawing it, and it kept the sharp lines I needed to make it look like I had carved out something from a pumpkin.

Next, I cut out my pieces, put them on thick cardboard, and secured them. Next, I got an orange sweater I liked to wear and affixed the pieces I just made onto the front. Instant Jack O’ Lantern shirt! I could still teach without it affecting my pronunciation, everyone “got” my costume, and it cost nothing to prepare or to remove. It was not threatening too, so the younger students cold enjoy it. Perfect costume.

We gave out chocolate bars between classes. I gave out for a “Monster Quiz” I did with my students at the end of each period. I only accepted English answers for questions like, “What Monster drinks blood?”  The kids knew the answers, but only a few knew them in English. If they got it from a hint I gave them some candy.

Eventually the teacher’s room were filled with students begging for candy. From time to time I’d get up and kick them all out. It’s like a zombie hoard trying to get brains, only, not so much.

Teaching wise, today was like any other day, except all the students were hyped up on sugar. Make that “Hyped up on MORE sugar.”

I also got disciplined for a comment I made for a student. My director told me using the word “never” in any context would come off too harsh went translated into Korean out of context. I told her that I’m writing ENGLISH comments, and that I’m not going to rewrite an English comment because of how it could potentially be mistranslated in Korean. I clarified my comment by adding a positive sentence at the end, but I refused to change the comment entirely because of a “forbidden” word.

I really hate having my comments moderated because of “potential misinterpretation”. That’s really beyond the realm of reasonable expectation of a teacher. The next time I have a comment on my comments, I’ll suggest she write her own.