Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Funny Running Quote

"A genuine penguin, but in my dreams I'm Kenyan."

This really describes me! I am such a slow runner, but always wonder what it is like to be one of those really fast ones who finish in half the time I do! :)

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Let me explain...

Now that I've started this new job, I have tried a few times to explain how it all works without success. Images are sometimes better.

Last night, as I waited for my students to finish their placement test, I snapped a few pictures of my non-traditional classroom. Here is what I see:


On the TV screen, you can see a small box in the upper left-hand corner. That is the image the students see on their TV. Here is my whiteboard (only about 6 feet away from the video camera):


BTW: I hate when kids are made to call me Miss Bonnie--I would prefer them to either call me just plain 'Bonnie' or to be really formal and address me by my family name.

Even though most of my teaching experience is with elementary students, I don't really do the cutesy teacherey things (like, baby talk, naming the paper bear mascot on the board, etc.). I generally feel that kids don't want to be patronized and respond just as well, if not better, to normal speech patterns and vocabulary. Just my opinion.

Finally, here is a close-up of the video camera that figures out all the details of how to make it all work:


Clarification: My students are Koreans in Korea. Their school is really close to where I used to live in Seoul.

Sunday, November 23, 2008

Where are the firecrackers?

This is so frustrating! I can hear the firecrackers outside my window, but I can't SEE THEM!! Aahh! I LOVE fireworks, but HATE when I have to listen to them and can't watch! Grand finale--NO WAY!!--these must be awesome! Now that I am thinking about it, this same thing happened last Sunday night...hmmmm...a pattern. I will have to investigate this matter.

I got called into work tonight--now, I will be teaching four nights a week instead of two! And, the boss called me into his office about "an important issue" tonight. He offered me a full time job starting in a month or two! I know, it sounds funny, but this business school just started about a month ago, and they keep adding more classes. Soon, I will be taking over regular classes, but not until after Christmas, I think.

This is very good news! I really like the job so far, and don't mind the evening hours. I am teaching math, but am figuring out that it isn't as difficult as I have always made it out to be (maybe I inherited some of my mom's mad math skillz after all).

P.S. I got my camera back from Martin, so this week's posts will include a few more visuals. I know you're excited! :)

Friday, November 21, 2008

one more foreign film

Tonight was the final night of the free foreign film festival in Fullerton (how's that for alliteration?). I have to say that the selections have been awesome and now I am going to rent the ones I missed out on!

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We saw The Kite Runner (Afghanistan) tonight. Wow. What a story. I haven't read the book yet (I know, I know...I'm a little behind on my current lit titles), but the movie was really powerful. I don't want to say too much, but, again, this is a must see movie (there are some pretty tough parts in it--it is probably not for kids). Be prepared for some heart-wrenching moments.

By the way, does anyone have a copy of the book I could borrow?

OK. Here is the list of the films I didn't make it to:

Pauline and Paulette (Belgium)
La Vie en Rose (France)
The Way Home (South Korea)

Have you seen any of these titles? Are they hits or misses? I am sure that they are pretty good, but if anyone has any input, I would love to hear it!

Thursday, November 20, 2008

French Night at the Foreign Film Festival

My new city is pretty great. I never expected it to feel so non-city like. There are so many free community events going on all the time, and one of them was tonight.

Tonight was French night at a local community college's film festival. I only was able to stay for one of the movies shown, but I think I saw the best one! The movie is called Les Choristes (The Chorus in English).

http://www.winonlyriders.net/thelostforum/cinema/LesChoristes.jpg

I loved it! If you are a fan of foreign films--you MUST watch this one. Especially if you are a teacher, know a teacher or had a good teacher in school. The movie is about a school of boys with behavior problems and a teacher who works hard to reach them. The teacher begins a choir and helps transform the boys' lives. It is really endearing and the music is beautiful. It made me think of Mr. Holland's Opus in many ways (and who doesn't like that movie?). If you see it or have seen it, let me know what you think!

Yesterday, the festival featured a film from Spain. It was called Todo sobre mi madre (All About My Mother). It was a good movie, too, however, I am not sure I want to recommend it. This movie addresses a range of issues, like prostitution, transgendered individuals, drugs, unplanned pregnancy and death. It is kind of emotionally heavy.

http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/8400/allaboutmymotherrv1.jpg

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Hip-hip-hooray!

I am starting to think that I need to set more big goals for myself. Why is it that we doubt what we can accomplish? What keeps us from pushing our own boundaries a little more?

I wasn't sure I could live in Korea for a year, but it had always been a goal of mine to live abroad, so I tried it. It wasn't so bad...in fact, it turned out to be a good experience. Now, I have set this goal to finish a marathon and I am finding that it really isn't a big deal. Sure it's challenging me physically and mentally, but it is really not too bad!

Today I conquered the Newport boardwalk not only once, but three times! The days I do my long runs (over 6-8 miles) are spent at the beach, but I've never run this far in my whole life! Ready to be blown away by the grand total? OK, here it is:

18 MILES!!! Woohoo!!! :)

It took me three and a half hours to complete my run, and I could hardly walk after I finished, but I did finish. My legs and feet are sore, but I now am realizing that this is a really positive experience for me. I am beginning to think about what things I want to do and see and experience:

1. finish the marathon in February
2. become fluent in Spanish (and, eventually, German)
3. purchase an around-the-world plane ticket

It is my goal to have lots and lots of stories to tell when I am Edna's age! :)

Monday, November 17, 2008

Fractions

Tonight I start my new part-time job. I am going to teach math to 5th-6th graders in Korea over the internet.

(Math?! *gasp*)

I don't love math, so I am hoping that my teaching skills will kick in and help me explain fractions to these kids! Actually, I have some cool ideas planned in order to make it interesting.

Here is a little warm-up for myself:

1/2 of my day was uneventful
4/10 of the wildfires nearby have been contained
1/4 of the Canadian bacon pizza was eaten by me
5/12 of today was sunny with blue skies
1/8 of tomorrow will be spent running
1/4 of this hour was spent figuring out these stupid fractions and writing this teeny tiny post... (ha ha...I told you that math isn't my favorite subject!)

Anthony

I snagged this idea from a friend's blog. I thought it was pretty random and funny...enjoy!

Here's what to do:
1. Put your iPod or other Mp3 player on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS!


WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY? Meet Virginia (Train)

WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL? Beautiful Mess (Jason Mraz)

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE? Your Heart is an Empty Room (Death Cab for Cutie)

WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO? Bring Em Back Alive (Audioslave) ha ha!

WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU? Relax (Take it Easy) (Mika)

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN? You and Me (Lifehouse)

WHAT IS 2+2? A Marshmallow World (Bing Crosby)

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND? Light Years Away (MoZella)

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE? Blind (Lifehouse)

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY? Beauty of Uncertainty (KT Tunstall) perfect!

WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU? Don’t Know Why (Norah Jones) awesome answer…just awesome

WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING? Vultures (John Mayer)

WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL? Hey There Delilah (Plain White T’s)

WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST? London Bridge (Fergie)

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET? The Truth (Caedman’s Call) Woah! what could that mean?

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS? Sweetest Thing (U2)

WHAT'S THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN? Free Falling (Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers)

HOW WILL YOU DIE? Coconut Skins (Damien Rice)

WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU REGRET? I Can’t Tell You Why (The Eagles)

WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH? Wake Up June (Willie Hereth)

WHAT MAKES YOU CRY? Rock Me Amadeus (Falco) so funny! an 80’s europop song!

WHAT SCARES YOU THE MOST? Summer Skin (Death Cab for Cutie)

DOES ANYONE LIKE YOU? I’m Scared (Duffy)

WHAT HURTS RIGHT NOW? Only the Truth (The Last Shadow Puppets) that is what came up—really! ☺

WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS? Anthony (Nickel Creek)

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Wildfires






Yesterday morning, I geared up for my 6.5 mile jog as the wind whipped around the yard. I got outside and was met with 85+ degree temperatures and strong winds. An hour and a half later, I got home and noticed the sky was kind of gray.

Martin called me and told me about some fires that had started up not too far away from where I live, but I didn't think it was a big deal. After a couple of hours, it turned out to be a VERY big deal! The Santa Ana winds were strong and fueled the fire all day and night. The fire jumped over the highways near where I live, and ash fell from the sky onto Edna's yard like snow (the only kind I predict we will get).

We didn't have to evacuate, but many around us did. Luckily, the winds shifted and headed away from us. Unfortunately, they destroyed many homes. So far, I haven't heard of any fatalities, though. The fires were/are just a few miles from here--it is really eery out.

Update Monday: The skies are blue again and the air is a little cleaner. The fire is still raging out of control, but it has headed in the opposite direction. I am posting some pictures Martin and I took Saturday afternoon.

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Funny Image

Picture this:

A short 94-year-old lady wearing a long-sleeved, teal nightgown with small embroidered roses at the collar...her teeth are soaking in a cup on the kitchen counter...she's got a large can of Raid in one hand, and a big, nasty cockroach trying his best to get away before death showers down on him in the form of a smelly mist.

She chased the roach across the kitchen, folks! Right into the corner where he shriveled up and died!

I sat at the table laughing to myself at the image unfolding before my eyes...I hope I have as much gusto as she does at 94! Heck, I hope I have that much gusto at 70!

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

"You have 'wholesome' written all over your face"


Really? Wholesome? What does that mean, exactly (young, naive, innocent...)?

I went in for an interview yesterday and met with a man and woman about an over-the-internet teaching position. We talked about the job, curriculum and students when the woman interrupted the interview and asked, "you're not from here, are you?" When I said, "no..., why?" she replied, "because you have 'wholesome' written all over your face!"

This isn't the first time someone has pegged me as an out-of-towner based on my appearance. I just assumed it was my down-home fashion ways, but apparently it shows on my face, too! :)

Snow? What's that?


Last week, I did a little more exploring and found an awesome park! Since lakes are limited in quantity, I definitely notice when I pass one. I also want to show my Minnesota readers what the weather is like here: hot, sunny, blue skies... The temperatures this weekend are supposed to be into the 90's. It doesn't feel like fall, but I don't mind the warmth.





Did I mention that I ran a 10K race two weeks ago? I set my personal record at 57 minutes and 55 seconds for the 6.2 mile run! Early in the race, I found a couple of people to pace myself with--a group of three women in some kind of running club, and a small woman running alone with the same shoes as I have. In the fifth mile, I passed every one of them and ran as hard as I could to the finish line. A friend of mine gave me some advice about training for a marathon, she said, "it is tough, but you will feel like you have accomplished something every day!" How true.