Korean Job Discussion Forums

[snowysunshine]

As I look forward to some desk warming this simmer, I'm just wondering, do we have to actually stay in the classroom for it? Is it possible to spend the time working out in the gym or other activities that involve being out of the class?

Thanks!!

[lifeinkorea]

During lunch break, maybe. But you are not supposed to be anywhere else during work hours. Bring stuff to your desk, think the other way around (jump rope, exercise mat, etc...)

[ippy]

uuuurgh, i wish. 60 classes for summer camp :/ oh to have a day of sitting at school, hiding in the language lab and playing warcraft whilst being paid for the pleasure!

In answer to your question, start cultivating an aura of absence. Be around teh school, but not where youre supposed to be Sit in language labs, head out into the playing field and do some study. Do things that come the time, people will think "wheres ippy? oh, he must be outside studying or in the gym chatting to students or upstairs in the language lab, or in the toilet, or anywhere but here". That way you can do whatever the hell you like (but make sure youre spotted in those places or even going to them a few tiems lest they think youve just gone home ).

[OculisOrbis]

As long as you remain on school property and your coteacher/vp/p knows where you are, there's no reason to be stuck at your desk during the 'deskwarming' periods.

[Bloopity Bloop]

I guess I'm lucky as I regularly leave school premises to hang out at GS25 and eat ice cream. Wish I had a local cafe where I could read a book or something. My school doesn't care where I am as long as I get in around 9 and leave around 4 and make it to all my classes.

[Seoulio]

[NYC_Gal]

I stay at my desk, but only because I've got the air on in my room and the rest of the school is pretty hot.

I bring Korean study books, stuff to read, catch up on the news, and tweak the lessons that I've been working on. There's always online TV or Dave's, which is a huge time killer.

I WISH my school had a gym. I found a mat for my pilates and yoga this summer during desk warming. I'm contemplating bringing in dumbells and ankle weights.

[ThingsComeAround]

[ippy]

...and when you do leave the staff room make sure youre carrying something that means youre DEFINITELY staying on school property - i recommend a cup of tea

[Bloopity Bloop]

[The Gipkik]

Yes, desk-warming sucks. I can leave the school to do business, but I have to sign out. It's never a problem though. I don't have to sit at my desk as I have the freedom to roam all over the school and the grounds, but it's a pretty small school so there aren't many places to go really. I've got a room on the first floor where I can go to nap and watch tv, but again, it gets old fast. There is some compensation in the fact that my desk is in a small teachers room where I am constantly fed and offered ice coffees, pizza, cheesecake, fried chicken. But this can be dangerous too! I can workout at the school as there is a pushup bar, dip bar, a place for some serious kettlebelling, rope skipping, etc. Sort of breaks the feeling that I'm in a prison.

[Caffeinated]

Deskwarming time means lesson planning and prep time, study time, Facebook/Dave's/internet timewasting time. Don't feel guilty about it at all since the Korean teachers are doing pretty much the same thing. I'd go outside to the signposted "English garden" (a tree-shaded veranda, quite nice actually) but it's starting to get stinking hot walking in the corridors, let alone going outside.

[air76]

[NYC_Gal]

In all fairness, I never had a job back in the states that allowed me to sit at a desk and BS all day for weeks at a time. Sure, it is pointless, but it's not terrible. It sure beats 50-60 hour workweeks plus hour-or-more commutes on a fixed (non-overtime-paying) salary.

I roll my eyes at my coteacher, and she tries to set it up so I can get out an hour or two early during the summer, but I'm not going to cause a big fuss over something that is pretty frigging easy to do. Nobody's here, either, so I can wear thinner clothes than I would when teaching.

[jvalmer]

If you guys only knew how to play the game of work place politics, this would not even be an issue.