Korean Job Discussion Forums

[alpope23]

Some of you may have noticed the other morning, that it was (insert appropriate swear word for very cold indeed)cold. I was waiting on the bus and it was 34 degrees with a 40 mile an hour wind. I have a nice, warm leather coat but lacked a winter cap, gloves and a scarf. "Screw this!" I thought, so payday found me in a taxi to good old Home Plus (giant department store like a super walmart). I get my cart and walk in past the anti- shoplifting lady and I hear "Jeff-uh" screamed by one of my former elementary students. (Jeff-uh is the Korean pronunciation of Jeff. it sounds like saying Jepp and the uh sound is a cross between the I don't know the answer uh sound and the getting punched in the belly uh sound!") She intercepted me about 3 meters into the store. Her 2 best friends came running, drawn by her shrieks! They were killing time at Home Plus after school and they all remembered me and I remembered them!


Sweet, nice little girls!



They are 7th graders now, cool middle schoolers! They asked "Jeff-uh, here why?" so I explained "Cold! Buying a hat, scarf, gloves and shoes."

That was all it took!

Jeff-uh's angels took over from there! I didn't even have to push my own cart! One ran ahead scouting the best path, removing obstacles and watching for dangers! One pushed my cart and the last took my hand and gave me directions (I could detect the influence of my old "where is Namdemun" lesson!) "go straight here" "let's turn right" and "We are here!"

At the gloves I was asked "color?" "Black".

3 pairs were presented and one chosen.

Scarfs and hats were a little more challenging. The first aisle turned out to be a "Girls yes, boys no no no." area. So the next aisle over I tried on about 3,000 different hats. Meanwhile, the scout had found a "boys yes" part in the girls hat and scarf aisle and after a brief 3 way consultation, we went back to that aisle and a hat and scarf were chosen.

Shoes were a problem at Home Plus. I take a 12 Wide in American size which in Korean size equals about 10 mm bigger than what Home Plus carries. After this was realized, They each suggested "Nike Shoe!"

After this we went downstairs to the grocery store where I bought my crew a tooth rotting candy (snickers and peppero) and soda (welches grape) feast before setting off for home.

These girls, these little Angels, my former students touched my heart yesterday! Every time I feel homesick or miss my friends too much, something like this happens. I can be across town on a saturday afternoon walking down the street and I'll either see a young face light up walking towards me and hear "Oma, songsangnim Jeff-uh" or hear "Jeff-uh!" hollered out and wait to get charged! These kids are so sweet, just chatting on the bus, or saying hello at the PC room or grocery store, they are so friendly! Every time this happens, my schedule goes on hold and I make some time for the student, wether it be a few words, or cutting up a little or even sharing some pizza and pepsi!

[img][/img]

[RACETRAITOR]

Yeah, that's a good story.

[Jarome_Turner]

Nice story. I too am a Jeff. I find the kids (and koreans in general) seem to pronounce it more "Ja-Puh" than "Jeff-uh". Probably comes from the Korean spelling of 제푸 and the fact that they don't have an "f" sound.

[ilovebdt]

What a lovely story.

It always cheers me up when students old or new stop for a chat.

ilovebdt

[laogaiguk]

I nearly killed one of my kids yesterday. First time I ever had to throw a kid out of the classroom (and let's just say everyone was very shocked). He came in today, gave me a big hug and said he was very sorry for yesterday

His name is Yu Seok too. Yu Seok, get out!

[Porter_Goss]

[minorthreat]

[Oreovictim]

Hey, this site is for negative posts only! Save your positive comments for after-church brunches! (Okay, it's just a joke.)

Yeah, you might be having a bad day, and all it takes to make you feel better is hearing one of your students calling your name. You're treated like a celebrity or something.

My name is David, and it's funny when I'm out and about and I hear, "Day-be! Day-be!" Then a student runs up to me and gives me a cookie or one of those fish-shaped pastry things. Yep, kids rock.

[djsmnc]

They always call me D Jay-ee Ess-eu Em N C