More School Ranting

Another second dinner... why my school can't let me know when I leave that they will be calling me in a couple hours to go for dinner is beyond me. So sure enough I came home, had a sandwich and was contemplating an early night when my phone rings around 9:30...sure enough it was my boss asking me to come down so we could all go to dinner together.

I had wanted to be angry with my bosses and coworkers (but I am the worst at being angry, especially to bosses and coworkers and therefore failed miserably) because I got word that my hours are changing. That's right folks, now I will work until 930 three nights a week starting February. This is not good. I am angry. Very angry. Although I can't say anything because my boss hasn't officially told me, the teacher with the best English was sent to tell me, and I certainly couldn't take it out on her. This is all due to the Philippino teacher who has been doing nothing but complaining the past two months about how hard her job is and how easy mine is...which is a totally crock.

I was left confused at the end of the night because because during dinner I was told that they think I am a very "funny teacher", usually when they use funny they mean fun... but I'll take either. Then they told me that they think I have a lot of energy and the keep the kids very interested in class. Basically they raved about what a good job I am doing, in their own Korean way, and the Philippino teacher sat steaming beside me.

At the end of the night the three Korean teachers left and went to the subway and my bosses and I walked back to our homes. On the walk I had the following conversation with my boss...

Boss: How do you like our academy after 3 months? Me: Good. But sometimes it's difficult to think of new ideas because I have no resources Boss: Hmmm. I know. I know. Hey, why don't you borrow a text book from your friend and use that? Me: uhhh.... what? Boss: Your friend. Your friend in Korea. Your English teacher friend. Ask to borrow text book Me:...................................uh................ he works at a public middle school 
Boss: oh... 

What? Really? That's your answer? I'm sure he meant for me to borrow a book from Jon because he knows that I have a friend that works at a hagwon in Seoul, but I responded with my friend that works at a Middle School in Incheon to show him how absurd his response was.

But my boss wasn't done there, then he went on to tell me that when I get angry with students I need to endure. Again...what? I rarely, if ever, get angry with students... what is he talking about now? So I left the night confused with what had just happened.

Basically I can say that I am doing a good job and because I am not a whiner and complainer I am getting screwed and will have to be working more hours. It also works against me that I don't speak Korean, or know the proper way to whine (for real, there is one apparently, and Korean women have it down pat).

And thus ends my school ranting.