GEEKING

OUT

 

 

I tend to prefer the term nerd because in my mind "geek" is associated more with computers and video games, while "nerd" is more associated with books/comic books and movies/television. However, nerding out doesn't sound as nice, so I'll just go with it for now.

 

This is going to be another recommendation, peeps! And I'm once again straying from my norm (books) to recommend an amazing television series. I've loved it ever since it began airing, and I've gone back to rewatch the seasons more than once and it just gets better each time. Most of you will probably have at least heard of it, and if you haven't, here's your introduction!!!

 

I'm going to preface this by stating up front that I will not go into the atrocity that is the movie, but stick to the solid cartoon series (and if the movie was your introduction, I am so so so so sorry). If that didn't clue you in to what I'm talking about I don't know what will...

 

AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER!!!!

DUM, DUM, DUMMMMMMM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

 

Let's all just take a moment to appreciate the sheer brilliance of this show. ..

 

...okay, now that we have all basked in the glory that is Avatar, let's get down to business and let those out there who don't already know about it, know about it.

 

The basic premise of the show is that certain people are born with the ability to "bend" or manipulate one of the four elements (earth, air, fire, or water), though not everyone is born with these abilities. Only one person can bend all four elements and he/she is known as the Avatar. Once the Avatar dies, another is born to replace him/her and he/she must learn to bend all the elements in order to do his/her part to protect and bring balance to the world (which is the job of the Avatar). The story follows Aang, a 12 year-old boy, still adjusting to being the Avatar. We get to follow his journeyings through the different kingdoms as he learns to bend all the elements and as he seeks to bring balance back to a world that has been conquered and oppressed by the Fire Nation.

 

Our main cast of characters include:

 

Our goofy and lovable Avatar, Aang.

 



Aang's sweet, responsible, water-bending friend, Katara.

 

The comic relief and Katara's brother, Sokka (a non-bender)

 



...and our fire-bending antagonist, Zuko

 

Although they are not included in the main cast, we can't forget...

 

Aang's best animal friend and mode of transportation, Appa the sky bison

 

 

Another furry friend, Momo the flying lemur

 

 

Earth-bending prodigy, Toph (though we don't see her until season 2)

Zuko's silly yet wise, tea-loving uncle, Iroh

And last, but certainly not least (especially in her opinion),
Zuko's sister, Azula.

 

The series has three seasons, far too few in my humble opinion. I feel like they could have gone on for another two or three and still keep their audience captivated. I love this show in part because it's a great mix of genres: comedy, action/adventure, mystery, romance, etc. They throw in a little of everything. I also like how they have "rest" episodes where they seemingly throw in a random comedy episode to alleviate the tension from too much drama. Who can forget the cactus juice episode?

 

Another thing I love is how the characters (unlike in many other animated shows) grow and develop over time. Aang starts off as this care-free kid who would love nothing more than to spend his days riding the giant koi fish or penguin sledding. But as the seasons progress, Aang develops a sense of duty and responsibility to the people he is bound to protect. He struggles with real issues and the guilt of feeling inadequate when he fails at something. He is injured emotionally, spiritually, and physically, yet overcomes those challenges in the end and almost never loses his zest for life and living. I love that this show caters to both children and adults. The show opperates on more than one level so everyone watching no matter their age is left not only satisfied, but craving more.

 

Well, if you decide to check the show out after reading this, I am thrilled (for you because you get to experience an awesome show, and me for introducing it to you). And if you are left feeling empty and destitute after finishing season 3, don't worry! Just look into Legend of Korra which introduces us to the Avatar after Aang.

 

 

 



JUST CALL ME
"PROFESSOR"

 

 

 

I've been doing a lot of thinking over the past couple weeks (on a specific subject, not just the random barrage of thoughts that like to assault my brain), brought on in part because of the new year and in part because of my current situation, which I will explain. I knew my school was likely to close at the end of the school year seeing as it was having a lot of financial difficulty (which is a very long, drawn out story that I won't get into), but it wasn't a certainty until just recently. I'd already decided to search for a new school, knowing I wanted somewhere more stable with a more set curriculum than my current school (I've made enough work/activity books over the last year to fill a small library). That being said, I think the reason I'm putting up this post can be attributed to the mixed feelings of excitement, trepidation, and stress I've had over the past week as I've started my search for a new school.

 

I've found a few good possibilities, but it has yet to be determined whether one of these schools will take me on as a teacher (prayers, please?). While I was scrolling through eslcafe.com (an absolutely amazing site for anyone planning on teaching English in Korea), I found quite a few listings of job openings at universities. Even before coming to Korea, I'd heard of these coveted positions. Let me tell you about it a little, shall I? Just keep in mind this is general information and it will vary slightly depending on the university.

 

The first thing that might shock some is that as a foreigner teaching English at a university, you will be paid roughly the same as an English teacher at a hagwon (or a private English academy for 5-7 year old children who will often have classes for elementary, middle, and/or high school students in the afternoon). To put this in perspective, the hagwon jobs (on the whole) are the bottom rung on the ladder, the least wanted jobs because of limited vacation days (usually 6-10 paid vacation plus national holidays) and the fact that many hagwons are unstable (like the one I work for) and a variety of other problems. These private academies are not the fancy ones you might expect of a private academy in America. They are a dime a dozen. The next rung on the ladder are the public school jobs. You have better vacation days (I can't remember the exact number of vacation days, but it's something like two weeks in the winter and two weeks in the summer plus all the national holidays), less work (more desk warming--but who could complain about that when you could do something productive with it like writing blog posts or learning Korean or reading a good book), and on average better pay. However, they generally want teachers with TEFL certification or who have their bachelors in teaching. And the highest rung on the ladder are the university teaching positions. Depending on the university, you will have anywhere from 2-4 months paid vacation (can you say WOW?!), only 12-25 teaching hours each week (25 was the highest listed teaching hours I saw listed, and to put it in perspective, right now I have about 32 teaching hours a week) plus a couple required office hours, and let's not forget the title of professor (you now have permission to boast to all your friends and family). The yearly pay equals out to slightly less or equal to that of the average pay of a hagwon. However, I've also heard that you can teach more credit hours and receive overtime pay which can significantly boost your yearly income. In addition, all three of these jobs (hagwon, public school, and university) usually either offer free housing or a housing allowance they pay you each month if you want to find your own place to stay for those who are more picky about their living quarters.

 

So I think you now have an idea why university teaching postitions are so sought after. However, there is a catch. Most universities require minimum masters degree plus a couple years university level teaching experience. I don't currently have a masters degree nor university teaching experience. But notice the key word: MOST. Smaller universities will often hire English professors without masters degrees and university level teaching experience.

 

And that brings us to my plans for this and next year. Though I'd thought about it previously, I hadn't yet committed to the idea of preparing to teach at a university. It was just some vague wish for the future. This year I plan on making it a reality. There are a few things I'll need to do to make this even remotely possible. First, I'll need to beef up my resume a little more. Getting on with a well-known and reputable hagwon or public school teaching experience would help. I'm also planning on taking an online TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) course which will open up a lot more opportunities in this field including public school teaching. The next is to research so I can learn to plan and teach university level courses. I'd also want to work a lot more on my Korean because more than likely IF I get a university job, it will be in a lesser populated area which tend not to be as English friendly as the big cities like Seoul, Incheon, and Busan. Then, of course, there's the dreaded interview I'd need to prepare for.

 

At the university level, there are three stages for application. The first is sending in your resume, cover letter, and the paperwork for your visa (make sure to get this a few months in advance so you're ready). If they find you to be a suitable candidate, you move on to the second round: interview. Pass that and you are on to the final stage, which is the demo lesson (depending on the university, the last two stages might be switched). The demo lesson is what will make or break your chances of getting the job. This is where someone with a bachelor's degree might be chosen over someone with a masters. If you can put together and execute an amazing demo lesson, you're practically guaranteed the job no matter your qualification or lack thereof (except that you MUST have a bachelor's degree at bare minimum).

 

So, there you have it, folks! I have so much to do, but hopefully I can keep myself motivated so I can achieve this goal (even if it does take me more than a year to do). Like I mentioned before, teaching at university level is something I would absolutely LOVE to do. I like teaching, but I've found teaching children may not be my calling. There are parts about teaching kids that I love and will probably miss, but there are many things I will not miss at all.

 

Well, wish me luck, everyone!!! I've got my work cut out for me.