Crap! It’s already Wednesday, which means that this week is flying by. What this post will lack in cohesion (or is it coherence?), it makes up for in variety.
On Students: Most of the time, teaching ESL is awesome because the students really value me as an instructor. They are appreciative and see me as a veritable font of English knowledge. However, sometimes, we get students that we refer to as “malcontents.” Today, a student rolled his eyes are me, refused to make a name tag, and yelled at me about the ever-touchy issue of Taiwan’s sovereignty. For the record, I teach a class about pronunciation, and I was giving examples of how to say “My name is ____. I’m from (City, Country).”
On the Ukulele: This is seriously one of the best decisions I have ever made. It is so fun and cute and kind of like a guitar. Somehow, because it is small, I find it easier to practice and play. Strumming during commercials? I’m all about that.
On Rejection: I didn’t mention this on the blog, but for the second year in a row, I have been rejected in the first round from a (US) Government Scholarship to study Korean this coming summer. Rejection sucks, and I always get sore about the amount of time I put into my essays and assembling my application materials. Even worse, both years, the rejection letter states that due to the high volume of applicants, the committee is unable to give me any feedback about my rejection.
On Perseverence: Yesterday, I decided to apply for another scholarship, this time through the University, to study Korean abroad this summer as well as to receive funding to study it next year in grad school.
On Deadlines: Oops. The deadline for the scholarship was TODAY. Good thing I raced around like a chicken with my head cut off and got all my materials in on time. Statement of Purpose banged out in three hours? I got this! Also, there is a special spot in the afterlife waiting for my Korean teacher and two professors who agreed to furnish letters of reference on such short notice. This week, I’ll be writing some thank you notes.
On Life, Post-School: I have made the boyfriend promise me that he will not let me enroll in ANY MORE school after this. Well, I could potentially go back to school, but I have to take a break and work outside of the Ivory Tower for awhile.
**Important: To any and all readers of this blog, remind me that I want to live abroad, preferably in my 20′s before I strap myself with a mortgage and other such obligations. Even though I will try to convince myself that I really want to settle somewhere, get a 9-5 job, and decorate a condo, what I really want to do is take advantage of my freedom and live overseas.**
On Korean : I’m 99% sure that I’m going to go to Korea this summer to study, whether or not I get this second scholarship (which would subsidize my trip). While it will be costly to travel, study, and live abroad, this is pretty much the only time in my life that I will have such a large chunk of time to devote to studying. Certainly, I won’t be able to take eight weeks vacation from an office job. And as Jessica pointed out, I can write off the cost as professional development.
On Bodger: He farted.
Related posts:
You have my support! As long as you send me a postcard.
The world is so very wide- go explore!
Go for it! This is the summer to do it! I guess the 16 mil mansion in Beantown is out!
I’ll send back the ceramic garden benches I ordered for the conservatory!
Please! It was $18million. I’m not livin’ in a $16 million gulag!
Sorry about the scholarship. Rejection sucks. I hope this next one works out. The Korea plan sounds awesome. I’m jealous.
How rude of that student to yell at you!!! I hope you find legitimate ways to fail him… Also, what’s wrong with making name tags? I used to long for those days later in the semester during my Italian classes -> time spent making a name tag = time not being called on.
Come live with me in India!!! (Definitely getting slightly panicked that I leave England TOMORROW – crap crap crap. Nice massive list of errands to run today. Oops. At least I have a month in Rome to finalize all the India stuff.) Wish I could come visit you in Korea this summer!! But I think by the time I finish in India, you’ll be back in the States
I think you would be a great person to live abroad – such a nice, intelligent representation of America! Any idea about where? Korea? France?
I’m sorry you didn’t get that scholarship, I can’t imagine anyone being more passionate or academically qualified than you. But, good for you for immediately jumping back in! I’m so behind on things for India because of all the packing/moving things to York last week and then the organizing things at Nick’s this week. Sigh, I have too much stuff! I gave away half my wardrobe this year but its still a lot. Annoying.
I am bummed you did not get the study abroad again! And that they cannot give you feedback. I hope you get the second scholarship. And yes! Live abroad! Especially before you have a real job with a lame vacation policy.
I will miss you if you live abroad
Who will bake with me and understand my misguided JUDGMENTS about people?
Judgments, much like our friendship, span continents. It’s okay!