Changed our world, hearts and eternity

If I could reach the stars
Pull one down for you
Shine it on my heart
So you could see the truth
That this love I have inside
Is everything it seems
But for now I find
It's only in my dreams

That I can
Change the world
I would be the sunlight in your universe
You would think my love was really something good
Baby, if i could change the world


If I could be king, even for a day
I'd take you as my queen
I'd have it no other way
And our love would rule
this kingdom we have made...


-And then Jesus changed our world...!-

Well, howdy-doody!

Long time no type... I decided I wanted to write something, even if no one reads it (since I do not regularly update this bad boy).

I hadn't been a partaker in "reading for fun" for a long time now, but after being in Korea... I have been reacquainted with the wonderful world of literature.
It all began with a book my mom gave me entitled, The Shack. She gave it to me sometime in 2008 I believe. I finally finished it in August of 2009! WOOOO! What an accomplishment, seriously.

Well, that got the ball rolling, and the next book I had in my possession for an extended amount of time was, A Child Called "It." Once I opened its pages, it was already over a mere 3 days later. Whoa baby! I'm doing good! It was very impelling; although, after doing some research, the story has some debate regarding its authenticity. This book was also finished in August.

The next book I was to read however, was not in my possession. After a 'movie day' and summary activity with my kindergarten class, I was inspired to read J. M. Barrie's Peter and Wendy! That's right...and it was filled with adventurous excitement and imagination! I actually was able to read this book on a tropical island in Thailand - what joy...do you see the relationship here?! It took me about 3 months to finish this one.

My most recent read has been John Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress. It was exceptional. Even though it was filled with words that I was compelled to look up on every page - it was filled with symbolic narrations that one on a pilgrimage of their own can fully appreciate and relate. This took me about 3 months to take in; however, I know I shall surely open its drama-filled pages once again for better comprehension and no-doubt a different experience.

A couple days ago I opened up C.S. Lewis' The Magician's Nephew; the first book in The Chronicles of Narnia series. I'm pretty excited to see what religious tones and symbolism will be brought forth and unveil itself... and of course experience the incredible visual language that will power my imagination!

Another book I'm interested to read in the near future is Daniel Defoe's Robinson Crusoe! The English language has always intrigued me, and with these older books, finding words/phrases that have changed meaning over time, are archaic or are just new to me, both humbles and thrills me!

More to update soon about...??...

1 yr anniversary

That's right. I've now been in Korea for 1 whole year! YAY... that's my blog... maybe more later - I like facebook better!

A new job!

Here's the 411:

I've been looking for a new place of employment for my post-GATE School experience. My contract ends at the end of February, so I applied for the Department of Defense Schools (DODDS). I had all my documents, references and whatnot turned in at the end of January. I was planning on returning home in March/April after touring Europe. However, Jonathan found an opening at his school a couple weeks ago, so I applied there, too. I was thinking I MIGHT not receive an offer with DODDS because I hadn't been teaching for 2 years; a "requirement."

I found out this morning, after an interview on Saturday, that they want me for the teaching job at Jonathan's school. It's a great school he says. It's a private elementary and I'll be teaching 1st or 2nd grade.

It's definitely a step-up from my current job. It's a real school and not an academy (hagwon). It's departmentalized and not a self-contained classroom, so I will be teaching Language/Arts. I'll be teaching from 8:30-2:30, which is also better than 9-5:30. There's also 6 times the amount of paid vacation (oh yeah!). I'll be getting slightly less pay, but it's not enough to care. God is so patient and generous... especially when we are not... yes, me.

So yeah, since I won't be traveling Europe to see some people nor going home, I HOPE to do both during the summer! I will surely keep you updated! Thanks.

Updates-

So in early November, I went to watch the leaves change color in this mountainous region 3 hours from Seoul. It was spectacular. They don't have those color-changing trees in Texas. It's okay, Texas sunsets are still the trump.

I started using the heater in my house for the first time 3 weeks ago. At first I thought it was broken; mainly due to it not heating the floor. (Yeaah... what??) But no, no, no, no.... after at least 4 visits from engineers and the "handy-man" guy at my school, it works, but just not that well. I think there's some type of governor on it. It's max is way less than my co-worker/neighbor across the hall. After about 2 hours, it get's warm. Alas, it's only mid-December and January and February will be colder.

Last week, right after the kids left, I started get a very mild stomach ache. That night, it transformed into the worst stomach pain I've experienced. It rivals the Earache of 2008 and the Headache of 2007. Henceforth, it shall be known as: Abdominal Pain of 2009! So it is written, so it shall be done! (Name that movie!) It really wasn't an aching in my stomach per se)! What are your thoughts on the matter? Stomach ache of 2009? Although it's not technically accurate??? Anywho... It was pretty bad. I used one of my sick days and went to the Ear/Nose/Throat Clinic (only clinic in near proximity). He thought I had appendicitis... which was one of my suspicions. I went to the hospital the next day, and after a blood test, x-ray and another test, it was 90% confirmed that it was not appendicitis, thank God. Seriously, thank You. I prayed so much on that painful night I tell you what...

My school had a Musical Night. Our kids were forced to memorize 10 songs with motions and a script play. These songs weren't kindergarten songs, either. Some were extremely fast, over their head, or just not appropriate. Their motions were advanced, too. Their poor little motor skills were not yet ready to take on these moves. They had 5 weeks to memorize all of this. We tried to talk some sense into the people in charge, but having sense is not their strong point. Core classes were canceled leading up to the big day (sometimes, letting us know the day of). ... I could keep going, but I think for what was set for my little Onyx students, they did a fantastic job during their musical premiere! It was sure tough, but they seemed to have fun and I (and I hope they) didn't take it too seriously.

3 more days till vacation!!!!
I'm going to Thailand on the night of the 23rd! I have work the day of...

I'm hoping to find employment with an international school (great pay, more similar education philosophies, more vacation), and school doesn't start 'till August; thus, I would have a few months to travel and visit home.

Keep ya posted... Until then

sofk,
Brandon

updating...ALL Hallow's Eve

Ok, so Halloween was fun! I dressed up as The Scarecrow and actually made me own hat! It was a good time!
REWIND to 10ishpm<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< At the station, we rent lockers to put our change of clothes in (including my cell phone and house key).
FAST FORWARD to 2:30am>>>>>>>>>>> Sadly we're callin' it a night as we go down the stairs to the station to retrieve our clothes. The station is locked. It does not open again until 5:30 am. Since my keys are locked up I have a couple options:
1) go to Jonathan's apt and come allll the way back here IN MY COSTUME in the morning... I don't think so.
2) Sleep at a nearby Jimjilbong, which is a public sauna that also has mats to sleep on. YES. I check in wearing my costume, well actually REWIND<<<<<< I go back to the club and see if anyone interesting is there, but no... so back to the Jimjilbong... I sleep for a couple hours and leave at 5:30. I walk down to the station and find out that I need a friggin' password to open the locker!! Now, who has this password - other peeps, not me. But can I contact them?... NoOooOo. Now trying to communicate to a Korean worker at 5:30am that you don't know the password to a locker is hard enough... doing it while wearing being a Scarecrow is something else. He probably thought I was another totally out of it.
Finally, after much waiting and gesturing, he retrieves the password and I am able to change out of those clothes. I get home at 7:30am. Yay Halloween!

More updates soon to come...

...CONTINUED...

Anyway, in a polite and professional manner, I address the issue regarding this mom's concerns about my correcting/teaching/philosophy. I then go on about how I am teaching as best as I am able with the knowledge and skills I was given and acquired over the last few years. The mommy had a mask of disbelief written all over her face -- like "how can this be happening?!" I did not use any "you" statements or put any blame or anything of the sort on her... used all "I" statements. :) Well, towards the end it looked like she was looking pretty fragile. Our conversation lasted about 3 minutes. Well, I later found out that she went to the principal's office in tears - which I felt bad, that was certainly not the intention I meant for it to have; or the response for that matter. The mommy accrued a couple more visits after the "incident." I wasn't worried... I said what needed to be said... what others could not do. The day after the fact, the principal told me she needed to talk with me, but wasn't ready to do so. It sure sounded fishy, but I knew I did nothing wrong. Finally, I asked her if she was ready to talk, so we talked.
((To summarize: "In Korea, teachers do not talk with the parents directly & vice-versa. Instead, they (parents) bring their concerns to the supervisors and then relay the message to the teachers." Well, here's a thought... let's cut out the middle man and get down and dirty! Let's be real... let's get honest! Also, "these parents have lots of money and they should be held higher (than you and I)... because they went to THIS school and grew up in THIS neighborhood... and are Korean." I told her that I wasn't down with that philosophy and actually guide the children in the complete opposite mentality. I told my principal that she hired an American, so you will get an American's point of view. She hired a certified teacher... same applies. She hired a man from Texas, I'll be more honest and I have my methods and strategies. Anyway, she asked me in not so many words to write an apology letter to which I declined to do so.)) BUT, to ease tensions... on both sides, I wrote an "I regret" letter instead. It was pure sweetness. To the untrained English eye & mind, it appeared to be an apology of some sort, but for us, ha, we know better. I got to "stick it" to someone in a respectful way and get over this ridiculous nonsense at the same time. Good stuff!

Things are better now! Keep it right, keep it tight!