Chumbi and Final Exams
Today I realized that I knew a Korean word. I was in class with Miss Doo having big excitement with some listen and repeat exercises when I heard her say, "chumbi." "Chumbi" I think to myself, I know that word, and I am transported to the days when I was in karate. A vague memory floats back to me of how all the words we used were Korean, and "chumbi" is the only one I still remember. And I'm glad to say that my American karate teachers did not lie to me, and it does mean exactly what they said: ready. (Erica used to be a superstar at chumbi, be sure to ask her to demonstrate next time you see her.)
The school is in a frenzy getting ready for exams next week. This means for me that while everyone else is working really hard and getting stressed, I am sitting around with nothing to do. They don't really test the kids on what I do, I'm just here for entertainment. So when things are serious, like at exam time, I just sit at my desk and play computer Mah Jong. My Thursday and Friday classes have been canceled, since the kids have to prepare for next week's tests, so I'm looking at an empty week before a week half days. I knew I always liked exams. The only bummer is that my desk is right in the main doorway of the main office, so everyone and their brother walks by and checks out what I'm up to (playing Mah Jong, watching "How I Met Your Mother" or something else equally useless, listening to audio books on the iPod, typing up blog entries (which I tell myself looks useful because at least I'm typing something)). (I can put a parenthesis in a parenthesis because my high school English teacher told me that once you learn to write, you can break all the rules, so I like to think that at some point I reached the pinnacle and can now do whatever I want.) And the students seems to think that my space is their space and stick their faces right up to my screen to see what I'm up to. So I've had to stop watching "Dawson's Creek" at school because sometimes it's a little sketchy.
After exams we have about a week and half of school. I asked Ms Park what we do with this time, since the semester is kind of over as the kids will have had their final exams, and she said that we will teach them things, but with a worried look on her face said, "sometimes they are hard to control." "Really?" I say with mock disbelief, and think to myself, my mom has a certain phrase she uses in a situation like this, but I have not progressed enough to use it, and if I did I would get an email from my Dad saying it wasn't appropriate. So I'll just think it to myself and you can wonder on your own about the mystery phrase.
On a side note, the students here a geniuses. They can spell 'hundred.' I couldn't spell hundred until I went to college. And Miss Doo can spell exercise. I didn't learn that one until class today.
Chumbi!
Um... weren't you in Taekwondo? Karate is a Japanese martial art, so if you were learning Korean words that I don't know and getting a head start on me, you were probably studying "The Foot-Fist Way," not "Empty Hand."
At my schools the seniors all take their exams about a month before the others (because they need to get ready for high school), and having taught their classes now that they've finished I can assure you that yes, they will deeply resent you cutting into their movie time. One class is dealing with the after-exam slump by having a Vin Diesel marathon... why learn when you aren't going to be tested?
And of course one of my schools is having me run all of the review sessions, so actually I'm just as busy as the Korean teachers (if not more so). If you had been here longer they would probably be doing the same to you, so be happy now and prepare yourself for next semester's tests!
movies, a great idea
Matthew implied a great idea - rather than cutting into your students' movie time, why not just show movies (or tv shows) in class after exams? There are lots of things you could show them to give them glimpses of American culture, and work on their passive understanding of English, and perhaps even make them feel that you are their favorite teacher ever (if they don't already feel that way).
And Marisa, with all of your free time, you ought to be turning out a children's book at least every other week. And if you sit typing away (and illustrating), and tell them you're writing a book about your experiences in Korea (and that if they're interesting they may end up in it), I'll bet you'll become even more popular (and in demand). :-)
Great idea...
...But tragically difficult to execute, thanks to my schools' attitude towards classroom technology. While all of my classrooms have either a huge wide-screen TV or a nice projector, these systems rarely actually "work." In both of my classrooms at Chungju MS, the sound system is shot, so that the speakers produce noises like a giant stomach attempting to rumble out the words. (In one case, I *know* that it's just a frayed wire going from the computer to the receiver, but no matter what I say or who I ask no one is willing to replace it.) At Tangeum MS about half of the classes have decent TVs, but since I rotate through every class it's impossible for me to determine beforehand whether or not I'll have a working system. Alas, what's important isn't the functionality, it's having the impressive-looking equipment up front. (Even if, as in several cases, that impressive-looking equipment has had huge holes punched through it by the kids.) Right now I'm in the awkward position of teaching a class on movie language that I've specifically designed not to use any movie clips. (It does use candy, which helps a lot.)
Apologies for the rant, but it is fairly frustrating to me that one of the easiest and most enjoyable ways to improve my students' English and foster discussion is effectively unavailable to me. I really hope that you have more luck in your classrooms, Marisa.
Ready!
Marisa, you will not believe this...
I am signed up for Karate next semester! I already think I will be a star with the Chumbi pose. I do recall a thing or two.
Just thought I'd let you know, so you can live through me a bit.
Also, exercise really is a tough word. I struggle with it every time I have to spell it.
Karate, Computers, and Rest
It was definitely called karate and they definitely taught us Korean. How this came about I don't know. I don't advertise the fact here that I was once in karate, because I figure it was some bastardized American version of something.
And most of the computers/giant tv screens work in our school. A few don't, that's how I ended up reciting Michael Jackson lyrics. I'm thinking the only teacher who might make me try and do something useful in class is Ms Park, and I might misunderstand her and play Bingo instead. Unless I can think of a quality TV show to play.
And I don't think they'll ever make me work really hard because my coteachers seem to think the most important thing for me to do is "take a rest." They are always telling me to "take a rest." They must be worried that I will get overworked or something.
Strange
That is definitely weird... there's lots of variations on mixed martial arts, but I've never heard of calling Taekwondo "Karate." If Koreans heard of it they'd definitely be extremely indignant. Of course, both nations' martial arts were heavily influenced by Chinese forms, but they're definitely different. Was the focus on kicking with a bit of punching (which would mean it really was Taekwondo) or on striking with the hands (which would mean karate, bizarrely taught in Korean)?
I think that my teachers also told me to "take a rest" many times during my first month, but now they offer me chances to "get involved."
I will definitely watch out
I will definitely watch out for this "get involved." Although I have been here over a month at this point and they are still telling me to "take a rest."
In my karate class we seemed to do both punching and kicking. We also did things with really long sticks we called bows, or boe, or bo. I don't know.
Ah-hah!
You were definitely taking a very mixed martial arts class; "bō" is a Japanese word, but one would never use a bō in karate because karate is explicitly a weaponless martial art. You were learning at least taekwondo and bōjutsu, and maybe you were getting some actual karate as well. Remind me never to attempt to fight you. ;-)
Exams, Chumbi, and Cut the Cheese...
Marisa, you have such an interesting voice. I agree with Doug that you should be thinking of writing a book, either for children or adults.
I'm pleased that you have chosen to let mom's phrase stay with mom. I'm sure you will come up with your own unique "mock belief" statement fitting a civilized person such as yourself.
I'm also pleased that the $ spent at "National Karate" was not wasted. You remembered a word. I'm a proud father.
And finally, leave it to Erica to find the source of the phrase "cut the cheese." I'm surprised she needed to use Google.
Marisa, I just have to say
Marisa, I just have to say how happy I am that you've converted to a HIMYM fan. I'm sure that Danielle will be happy to hear too.
And in skimming comments, I noticed a few ppl mentioning things for Marisa to do in her spare time. I just have to say that after living with Marisa for 4 years, I can say that she ALWAYS has spare time. Finals week for her was the most relaxing time of the semester (and I see that hasn't changed). Don't ask me how that works. :D
Don't Be Too Scared
I wouldn't worry too much about getting into a fight with me, Matthew. I don't know if I should mention it, but the whole reason I was in karate to begin with was because I let my younger sister beat me up all the time and never once in the two years I took karate did I ever beat someone while sparring (or for that matter enjoy myself).
I think a much more notable achievement in my martial arts history was when I took ki-aikido lessons in Bolivia and managed to fell giant Marines by twisting their fingers. (I must look out for these classes that teach you to channel your ki, or chi, or however you want to spell it, as they seem the most useful to females in distress.)
AIIIIIII-YAH!
Kiai are awesome. Extremely overused in anime, but still awesome.