Schooled

The following is the compilation of a couple days thoughts, a way for me to process through things and in no way reflects my current state of being...I'm sooo incredibly happy here and in the teaching field. I just need to process through some things.

So much has been running through my poor little head.

I've really been yearning to have time in this place. This blog. Another blog. A Journal. My bed.

I just want to understand what's going on around me.

My 'catch phrase' in Korea has become:

Living here is easy, it's working here that's tough.

Cultural norms are a lot more noticeable in our work environments

Education is a field that is loaded with it's own cultural norms

Nearly everything I believe regarding education is challenged here.

Discipline is viewed differently

Assessing and testing is viewed differently

Challenging students is viewed differently

Purpose of teaching is viewed differently

Equality and Justice are viewed differently

And one more thing, Obama has NO idea what he's talking about when he says America should look to Korea's education system for inspiration. That's a load of crap. From my vantage point anyway. (Just needed to get that off my chest).

I miss working in a school environment where every teacher was devoted to offering the best education possible for each individual student. I miss having co-workers who trusted me, my ideas and things I wanted to try with students. I miss students who were free to show the full range of their emotions, to struggle with learning, to succeed in small things and receive huge celebrations.

I don't miss restraining students. I don't miss being hit, kicked or bitten. I don't miss understanding the hierarchy and pompous personnel's attitude's about my position and abilities.

As I work in education and pursue a Master's Degree in Education, I realize two things:

I'm passionate about this work.

This work will never be all that I dream it could be, it will disappoint.

I'm just learning to be ok with that.

To understand my drive and my passion in context of the world. In context of other drives and passions. Because here's the thing, maybe I could make education everything I want it to be in my educational situation, but then I couldn't have a marriage I'm amazed by, look forward to having children to serve and live life with, be intentional in friendships, cook and bake as I desire (and need), etc.

I'm okay with these passions of mine and I'm learning to be okay with the limits the world puts on those passions coming to full fruition.

I have a long way to go. But having this place to let it out, it's comforting in a way. A way to better understand what's going on in my head and my heart.

(Typed while...drinking nothing? Not during the second go around anyway and frankly, I don't remember the first go at things)

Book: Curry ~ A Tale of Cooks and Conquerors

Curry: A Tale of Cooks and Conquerors by Lizzie Collingham

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Were every history told in context of food and food culture/progression, I believe I'd know a lot more about world history. If any part of you has a love or interest in: history, India, or Indian food, you will find this an interesting and insightful read. In addition, when choosing to purchase this book, you not only receive a history as told through cuisine, but a dozen or so recipes to fit each stage of that food history.

View all my reviews

In addiiton to this review, a few passages which were of particular interest to me:

"Eating local-grown rice fills the villagers with the nature of their home and binds them to their community. Before setting out on a journey a traveler is required to eat large amounts of village grown rice, to fill him with the essence of home." (pg. 4)

"Psycohologically tea breeds contentment. It is so bound up with fellowship and the home and pleasant memories that its results are also magic." (pg. 199)

"The neutrality of tea makes it easier to share with impunity with members of a caste normally rejected as eating or drinking partners." (pg. 201 - in context of Ayurvedic principles and tea's entrance into India's societal 'norms')

Obviously, the chapter regarding Chai Tea was my favorite, for soo many reasons including tea's ability to break down barriers and the chai tea recipes included at the back of the book.

(Typed while drinking *gasp* Coffee Mix from a small mug  which showcases sweet little homes, trees and clouds with the words 'My Happy Life' at the top...if only I had a good chai...)

About a Dog

A few things I love about having this dog:

• Morning walks in the cool, fresh air on a plot of 'unspoilt' city soil where birds are happy to sing and grass and trees are eager to grow.
• Visible excitement expressed in pawing, twirling, running and pleading with her eyes offered at meal times and upon our return home.
• The Spin and Sit.
• A personality which shines and glimmers, one that says "I'm yours" and "Even though I'm yours, I'm not doing that" (i.e. Wearing Rainboots)
• Her eagerness to be near us; held, pet and enjoyed
• Her willingness to let us go about daily affairs and tasks without being a nusance.
• The way she fits our life and our season better than I would have ever imagined was possible.

A few things that have been 'shake-my-head-in-frustration' moments due to this lovely face:

• Her desire to chow-down on my hair in the middle of the night like a crazy-person and with such determination it was slightly terrifying (completely unsure what product the hairdresser used...)
• Upon returning home last night, discovering 2 pair of my not-so-abundant-supply of undies chewed to shreds! Followed by trash strewn through the bedroom.

(Typed having recently finished two-mini-sized paper cups of coffee mix: instant coffee, creamer and sugar - a little shaky.)