Hello everyone,
It's almost July already, and I am thrilled to participate in this WYC!
I will indeed try my best untill the last day of the congress,
..In the meantime, good luck everyone!!(and especially all the distinguished journalists )

salut là
Automatically translated into French thanks to WorldLingo
Bonjour à tous,
c'est presque juillet déjà, et je suis fait frémir pour participer à ce WYC !
J'essayerai en effet mon meilleur jusqu'au dernier jour du congrès
. En attendant, bonne chance chacun ! ! (et particulièrement tous journalistes distingués)

hola allí
Automatically translated into Spanish thanks to WorldLingo
¡Hola cada uno,
casi es julio ya, y me emocionan para participar en este WYC!
Intentaré de hecho mi mejor hasta el día pasado del congreso
. ¡Mientras tanto, buena suerte cada uno!! (y especialmente todos los periodistas distinguidos)

ciao là
Automatically translated into Italian thanks to WorldLingo
Ciao tutto,
è già quasi luglio e sono eccitato per partecipare a questo WYC!
Effettivamente proverò il mio la cosa migliore fino all'ultimo giorno del congresso
. Nel frattempo, buona fortuna tutto!! (e particolarmente tutti i giornalisti distinti)

hallo dort
Automatically translated into German thanks to WorldLingo
Hallo jeder,
ist es fast Juli bereits, und ich thrilled, um an diesem WYC teilzunehmen!
Ich versuche in der Tat mein bestes bis den letzten Tag des Kongresses
. Mittlerweile gutes Glück jeder!! (und besonders alle bemerkenswerten Journalisten)

hi lá
Automatically translated into Portuguese thanks to WorldLingo
Hello todos,
é quase julho já, e eu sou excitado para participar neste WYC!
Eu tentarei certamente meu mais melhor até o último dia do congress
. No ínterim, sorte boa todos!! (e especialmente todos os distintos journalists)

hi där
Automatically translated into Swedish thanks to WorldLingo
Hälsningar alla,
är det nästan den Juli redan och I-förmiddagen som hänföras för att delta i denna WYC!
Jag ska sannerligen försök mitt bäst till den sist dagen av kongressen
. I mellantiden bra lycka alla!! (och speciellt alla distingerade journalister)

hi там
Automatically translated into Russian thanks to WorldLingo
Привет всем,
будет почти июлем уже, и я thrilled для того чтобы участвовать в этом WYC!
Я деиствительно не попытаться мое самое лучшее до последнего дня съезда
. Тем временем, хорошее везение каждое!! (и специально все distinguished журналисты)

hallo daar
Automatically translated into Dutch thanks to WorldLingo
Hello is iedereen
, het bijna reeds Juli, en ik ben opgewonden om aan dit WYC deel te nemen!
Ik zal inderdaad mijn beste tot de laatste dag van het congres.
proberen. Ondertussen, goed geluk iedereen!! (en vooral alle voorname journalisten)

مرحبا هناك
Automatically translated into Arabic thanks to WorldLingo
[هلّو فرون],
هو تقريبا يوليو-تمّوز سابقا, وأثرت أنا أن يساهم في هذا [وك]!
أنا حقّا سأحاول ي جيّدة حتّى اليوم متأخّرة من الإجتماع
. [إين ث منتيم], حظ جيّدة كلّ شخص!! (وخصوصا [ألّ ث] صحفيات متميّزة)

salut !

je m'appelle Suah nam.
j'ai 20 ans.

je suis etudiante.

In fact ..
I'm poor at French.

AND I'm poor at English, too.

so ..........
Plz . HELP ME !! T,T

¡encante!!
Automatically translated into Spanish thanks to WorldLingo
¡hola!

me llamo a Suah nam.
tengo 20 años.

soy estudiante.

En fact.
I' m poor at French.

AND I' m poor at English, too.

so ..........
Plz. ¡HELP ME!! T, T

delizia!!
Automatically translated into Italian thanks to WorldLingo
ciao!

chiamo Suah nam.
ho 20 anni.

sono studente.

In fact.
I'm poor at French.

AND I'm poor at English, too.

so ..........
Plz. HELP ME!! T, T

erfreut!!
Automatically translated into German thanks to WorldLingo
Gruß!

ich heiße Suah nam.
ich bin 20 Jahre alt.

ich bin etudiante.

In fact.
I' m poor at French.

AND I' m poor at English, too.

so ..........
Plz. HELP ME!! T, T

encante!!
Automatically translated into Portuguese thanks to WorldLingo
salvação!

chamo-me Suah nam.
tenho 20 anos.

sou estudante.

Dentro fact.
I' m poor at French.

AND I' m poor at English, too.

so ..........
Plz. HELP ME!! T, T

enchant!!
Automatically translated into English thanks to WorldLingo
hello!

I am called Suah nam.
I am 20 years old.

I am coed.

In fact.
I' m poor At French.

AND I' m poor At English, too.

so ..........
Plz. HELP ME!! T, T

tjusa!!
Automatically translated into Swedish thanks to WorldLingo
hälsningar!

Förmiddag I kallade Suah nam.
Förmiddag I 20 gammala år.

Coed förmiddag I.

I faktum.
Förmiddag som I är fattig på franska.

OCH I-förmiddag som är fattig på engelska, för.

så ..........,
Plz. HJÄLP MIG!! T T

заколдуйте!!
Automatically translated into Russian thanks to WorldLingo
здравствуйте!!

Я вызван nam Suah.
Я 20 лет старых.

Я совместно-обучаем.

В действительности.
Я плох на франчузе.

И я плох на английской языке, слишком.

так ..........
Plz. ПОМОГИТЕ МНЕ!! T, T

verrukt!!
Automatically translated into Dutch thanks to WorldLingo
salut!

ik noem me Suah nam.
ik heb 20 jaar.

ik ben etudiante.

In fact.
I' m poor at French.

AND I' m poor at English, too.

so ..........
Plz. HELP ME!! T, T

سحرت!!
Automatically translated into Arabic thanks to WorldLingo
مرحبا!

أنا دعات [سوه] [نم].
أنا 20 [ير ولد].

أنا [كد].

[إين فكت].
أنا فقيرة في الفرنسيّون.

وأنا فقيرة في اللغة الانجليزية, أيضا.

هكذا ..........
[بلز]. ساعدتني!! [ت], [ت]

Confucianism sits astride Korea and Korean culture like a gigantic iron cage. It informs and affects almost every aspect of Korean life. It is Korea's glorious cultural heritage and It it the poison that infects and corrupts the entire Korean experience. All Koreans live and experience life within the Confucian jail and they will reject, severely criticize and castigate any Korean person who seeks to escape from the jail or refuses to live locked behind it's bars. Confucianism is the root of all evil.
In the interest of full disclosure, i must admit that I am a Taoist......And, like LaoTze and ChuangTze, I find most things Confucian to be deplorable. More to follow......

마닐라에서 보내는 마지막(?) 밤...
이제  오늘... 12시 30분 비행기로 칼린가로 갑니다.
이번은 방문이 아니고 앞으로 쭉. 지내기 위해...
이민가방하나, 캐리어하나, 상자하나, 그리고 배낭과 노트북까지...
그렇게 저와 함께 Tuguegarao행 비행기에 함께 싣고 말이죠...
 
언제 마닐라에 올 수 있을지,
매일 얼굴보며 함께 놀러다녔던 원경이를 언제 볼 수 있을지
알 수 없습니다.
그래서인지 오늘 이렇게 글 쓰고 있는 지금 기분이 묘하네요...
섭섭하고 슬픈 기분이 아니라,
앞으로의 새로운 생활에 대한 기대이리라 마음대로 생각해버리겠습니다.
 
처음 마닐라에 도착해서 칼린가에 대한 이야기를 들으며 걱.......

Walking around Seoul is always an adventure, but not for the reasons you might expect. This is one of the most crowded cities in the world. Korean guys have a bad habit of walking around in public much of the time in a daze, unconcerned about smashing into others. (and then refusing to appologize!). I have had uncountable experiences where Korean guys look at me, with more than enough time to change course but then walk right into me.

Why this happens I have no idea. When i complain about this, many Koreans seem to rationalize their behaviors to no end. "Seoul is so crowded. We are too busy and in too much of a hurry to worry about smashing into people." i think these are poor excuses. But the only reason that it continues to happen is that i believe there are no social reprocussions for behaving like this. Koreans just don't seem to care and don't seem to know any better. My grandma would have killed her grandson if he'd been a korean behaving like this.

Over the past 2 years I have developed a protective strategy of raising my arms reflexively when walking in crowded public areas. Sometimes i will grab the back of my neck with my hand which offers the sharp end of my elbow to the spatially unworried Korean men.

This is the only country in the world where i have had to do this.

Well......it looks like the people in Daechuri didn't win a great victory after all.....they all got kicked out. But.....there is still a long time between now and 2012 when the Camp Humphries base expansion is supposed to take place. Oops........

Despite all of the frustrations that I experience at SIT, I am thankful for many things. I am thankful to meet so many amazing people here at SIT. Individuals from different countries, states. Some with different experiences, struggles, hardships, but all with the passion to make this world a better place.

I need to be reminded about this constantly. Seeing the film "Frontiers of Dreams and Fears" made me realize this. Thank you for allowing me to see this film and be reminded about others' stories. I think the longer I am at SIT, I realize that I still want to see more of the world. Yes, I am meeting people, listening to stories about their countries. Instead of having all of my questions answered, and my curiosity finished, I still realize that there is so much that I need to learn, see, and experience.

However, what I am most thankful for is that I can now connect a country, circumstance, to another person and his/her story. Stories and peoples' lives are what keeps me going. It has made my life and experience immensely richer and I hope to continue learning throughout my life.

Thank you for the gift and realization.

It's been a while since I last posted something on this site, but I've been busy. I've been through an emotional rollercoaster for the past two weeks, maybe for the past few months. Since I am turning 24 tomorrow, I feel that this would be the perfect opportunity for me to look within myself and make some changes/vows that I need to keep true. As well, I want to add some things that I want to accomplish in my life.

*I will never sacrifice my soul, energy, emotions, and everything to a person who does not love, like, or respect me
*Referring to the above statement, I want to maintain my integrity in all relationships
*I need to learn how to take things less seriously and less personally, just in general, as well in relationships
*I want to travel around the world, and visit/live/teach/work/learn in as many countries as I can (This can be accomplished by joining the Peace Corps, Peace Boat, and other related activities if necessary!)
*I want to be the best teacher I can be to my students, and learn how to advocate for them and their rights. This can take place either in public schools in America and/or abroad as well.
*I want to live/work/study in NYC or DC at some point (enough said!)
*I want to continue my higher education and either receive a PhD or Ed.D someday
*I want to have at least one fulfilling, satisfying, honest, beautiful relationship with one man at some point in my life
*I want to operate educational programs that promote peace and intercultural understanding among young people and children (Perhaps be like Oprah and open schools--as well as end the public school crisis as well)

Will I be able to accomplish all of these goals? It remains to be seen.

인쇄매체에 나타난 보도사진의 힘
Things As They Are
존재 그대로의 사실 : 세계를 놀라게 한 진실들
 
“새해에도 존재 그대로의 사실이 전해주는 감동의 힘을 느껴보시길 바랍니다”
 
동아일보사는 1955년 네덜란드 왕실의 후원으로 설립된 세계보도사진재단(World Press Photo Foundation)과 함께 지난 2004년부터 세계보도사진전을 한국에 소개하고 있습니다. ‘포토저널리즘의 전문성을 고양하고 자유로운 정보의 공유를 증진한다’는 매년 개최되는 세계보도사진전은 50주년을 넘어 보도사진사의 중요한 한 부분이 되었습니다.
 
이제 우리는 세계의 여러 보도사진들을 통해 지난 반세기에 걸친 그 역사를 존재 .......

My first post for 2007!
Well, I am back at SIT and it is very surreal to be here. I left it in such a negative state of mind with low morale. I was almost scared to come back here. But, after talking with one of my roommates, I am starting to feel better to be back here. Even though I sometimes wonder if SIT/teaching is right for me, I am going to try to make the rest of my time at SIT the best experience for me. I am going to try to start this semester with a clean slate and forget all of the negativity that I experience.

However, there is so much to do in such little time. I have to start asking for letters of recommendation for summer teaching jobs, including for one application that is due next week! Plus, I am starting my teaching practicum in two days, which is scaring and exciting at the same time. Below are some more thoughts and expectations that I want for this semester:

From my teaching practicum: I want to learn from my mentor teacher
-What should Kindergardners learn by the end of the school year, especially related to linguistic abilties?
-How do you integrate ELLs into the mainstream classroom? Do you have to provide lots of scaffolding? Make them work with other instructors? Students?
-Relationship with the ELL coordinator
-How do you communicate with parents, community, other teachers regarding ELL students?
-Classroom management-How do you create activities that are stimulating for these children and make them engaged?

From the ELL coordinator:
-Advocacy, Advocacy, Advocacy!
-Issues related to ESL in the public schools
-Relationship with students, teachers, parents, and community
-Techniques that are beneficial for the students

From SIT:
-More practical experience
-Want to hear and learn more from others, including my fellow peers
-Issues of diversity/ESL in education
-Outside speakers and other opportunities

I hope that most of my wants/needs will come to fruition. We'll just wait and see...

2006 Year in Review

January-Still in Poland, visiting friends and family. Flight back to Ohio was rather interesting because my mother unfortunately sprained her ankle the last day we were there, while we were visiting my grandfather's grave. Once I returned to Poland, I found out that I was accepted to MIIS' TESOL program. Was interviewed by one of the faculty members of SIT. For awhile, I was not sure if I was going to be accepted or not by SIT, but eventually, received the great news. Started tutoring ESL adult students at a local Adult Education Center.

February-Lots of job applications for summer jobs; thought I was going to teach in Chicago over the summer, but it didn't work out.

March-Visited SIT; fell in love with the campus; unconsciously made a decision to go there. Sent application for teaching internship position at Putney.

April-Visited MIIS; confirmed my decision to attend SIT.

May-Almost accepted summer teaching job at another adult education center, but was offered the Putney teaching position at the last minute. Decided to go to Putney because I wanted to work with teenagers and it was nearby SIT.

June/July-Started my teaching position at Putney. Experienced life at a boarding school, leading camping trips, coaching volleyball, teaching theater improvisation, and working with the wonderful PIE students. Dealt with homesick campers and attitude adjustments. Learned a lot about myself and my teaching capabilities; had a lot of teaching/leadership opportunities!

August-Went back home to Ohio for one month; my two friends from Poland were there and I showed them around Cleveland, Ohio, and Canada. Switched from Internationalist track to public school track @SIT because I want to work with young people.

September-Started my experience at SIT. Met the most amazing people there--former Peace Corps volunteers, human rights workers, leaders from other countries. Fell in love with my classes and my work. For the first time in a long time, I was happy to go to class. Tried things that I have never done before. Unforutunately, sprained my ankle, which took a while to recover. Despite that, September was the best month of the year!

October-Started PACE with my fellow peers, joined other organizations, such as Immigrant Rights Group. Started to feel overwhelmed with the task of public school teaching as we visited different public school sites--where should I teach? Should I only focus on poorer areas or should I be open to teach anywhere? I want to teach where I am needed and wanted, to help any student who needs my help. So much tension during that time.

November-Democrats took control! Became really ill during the beginning of the month; took awhile for me to recover. Missed local conference, even though I paid money for it. Went home for Thanksgiving. Reconnected with friends that I haven't talked to since the beginning of the semester. Found out my practicum placement--Fort River Elementary School, working with Kindergardeners!

December-Feelings of exhaustion and overwhelmed. Felt I am too idealistic for teaching and concerns if I can do it. Had a blast performing for my Spanish class. Controversy surrounding our program, as students are leaving and no one is explaining why. Relieved to go home to recharge my batteries and determined to face the new year with confidence.

2006 was a great, challenging year. I hope and I pray that I will have the necessary strength to get through 2007.

I am all packed--ready to return to Vermont to start the new year!

Sometimes I worry and wonder if I can be a good teacher. I just finished reading Herbert Kohl's "The Discipline of Hope" and he is so awe-inspiring as a teacher, so committed to his students. I care deeply about teaching and about my students, but I worry if I can advocate for them, if I can be a good teacher. I know that this is a common fear for all teachers, but I really want to be the best teacher I can be for my students. I want to be that person that they can turn to, I want to be that teacher that inspires my students to learn and to carry that joy of learning wherever they go. I want to teach well and advocate for my students. Can I do it? Am I too shy/passive for this job?

Sometimes it seems that teaching is such an awesome, overwhelming responsibility...there are so many problems in the world, so many issues/traumas that my students will bring into the classroom. Can I address it? Can I help my students overcome those difficulties, to be the people I know they can be? Or will I become those stifling teachers that everyone hates? I hope and I pray that I won't be like those teachers, but I constantly worry that I will wake up one day and realize that I am a horrible teacher and I can't reach my students.

Only time can tell I suppose...

Well, Christmas is over and as much as I detest snow, I was still hoping for a "White Christmas". Unfortunately, I was fairly disappointed--however, if I was in Denver, I would have gotten the snow I needed.

On Christmas Day, we traveled to Canada to visit my relatives. It was great to see everyone there--for the first time in a long time, all of my cousins who are in the same age group as me were all there. It was nice to spend time together, sharing with each other what we're doing, as well as teasing each other. My family and I spent the night there and the next day, we visited Niagara Falls and had lunch at a nearby restaurant. Although I have had the privilege of visiting Niagara Falls since I was a young girl, I am still in awe whenever I visit the Falls. Such a majestic view of nature (yet currently surrounded by Casinos and other touristy gimmicks).

However, for me, one of the greatest things that happened on Christmas Day was playing the piano for one of my older cousins. She is more than 90 years old, but she has a great memory about everything. I played for her traditional Polish songs, which she and my mother sang with great spirit. Playing the piano made me realize how much I missed having music throughout my life, and it has also made me become even more homesick for Poland. There are plans for me to go there in the summer, but I wish that I was more proficient in the language and my communication abilities. Although my plans are to teach in US public schools for awhile, maybe I will return to Poland as a teacher again.

In a few days, I will be returning to Vermont. My teaching practicum starts soon, and I am excited and nervous about it as well. We'll see how it'll all work out. I hope that I can be the best teacher for my students. Trying to find teaching clothes have been challenging for me (especially regarding pants and the fact that I have gained weight since starting SIT), but luckily, I found some nice ones yesterday. I am keeping my fingers crossed that everything will work out for the upcoming new year.

Merry Christmas 2006!
Christmas Eve is here and finally, another update on this blog. So much has happened since I last updated this blog. I successfully finished one semester at SIT and I really don't know how I should feel. On the one hand, I am happy there. I have met so many interesting people there--so many people there that I admire! On the other hand, I feel...I don't know how I feel. I worry constantly if I am too idealistic to be a teacher. My future students do not need another idealist preaching to them--they need someone to teach them, to guide them. I still worry that I cannot be an effective teacher, but once my practicum starts in a week, hopefully I will gain more of the necessary skills needed.

I am back home in Ohio again until the beginning of January. Today is Christmas Eve, a very special time with my family. It's the best time of the year, but also very stressful. I am sick of hearing all of the silly Christmas carols, but I love listening to the Polish Koledy! I feel happy, yet sad at the same time. It's hard to be happy to receive gifts when there is so much suffering in the world. Plus, every year, my mother is giving me more responsibilities (cooking, etc.) I know that I have to learn those skills, but I am still a horrible cook! I fear the day when my mother will turn to me and say, ok, it's your turn to prepare everything!

I shouldn't gripe about this, but I have gained weight since being at SIT. I need to cut back on all those yummy desserts and try to exercise more (Don't I remember waking up early in the morning and doing yoga and aerobics exercises? BLAH!). i am so busy, but I need to take care of myself, put my needs first in front of everyone. (Perhaps that's why my sister gave me a calendar entitled "For those women who are too busy for everything".

Tomorrow, off to Canada to spend Christmas Day with my relatives.

I need to work on updating this more often--talking about my experiences at SIT, but we'll see if my plans will work or not (similar to my experiences at Putney and in Poland--who has time to update when you are busy experiencing life?)

Happy Holidays! May there be peace in the world (and I truly mean it!)

Do you remember last spring when i went on that protest march in Korea against the expansion of a US military base???
photos here
http://www.booksellersunion.org/korea2006/daechuri/

Well, the Korean government has delayed the expansion of the base until 2011 - with the US whining that they want it done by 2009. Here's the story from the Korea Herald

http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/SITE/data/html_dir/2006/12/15/200612150037.asp

What the article does not explain is how this is a unexpected, gigantic and almost total victory for those koreans oposing the base expansion. I was preparing myself for the whole village of Daechuri being destroyed just in time for Christmas.

Instead it looks like the plan for builing new military golf courses at Daechuri has been ROUTED. I know the plan says delay to 2009-2011 but i can tell you right now that 2 more years (at least) to organize against the expansion means that the plans are DOOMED. Ha!!!! DOOMED I SAY !!!! (Bwaa Haaa Haaa Haa Haa ~manic laughter, singing, merriment and dacing in the background)

Cheers and happy holidays!