Korean Job Discussion Forums

[captain kirk]

Our school had an intensive month during Summer vacation a few weeks back and it has really jazzed me up since. There were classes in the morning, then the usual afternoon to evening six hour block. During that period I had to do chores and errands without missing a beat, double time, chop chop, like life was some kind of tai chi of flawless motion, no time for doing something twice for being clumsy (sing 'everybody was kung fu fighting, those dudes were fast as lightning, in fact it was a little bit frightning,...and cue to the master smacking grasshopper for being awkward). Running around during that time just accented the pace of life before intensive month, I now figure. And I haven't slowed down since then. I 'had to' be more snappy and in control for being a bit tired during that hard working time, like 'it was me or them'. I haven't slowed down yet, back to normal pace.
It accents, it seems to me, the bali bali quickstep of daily life in Korea, being jazzed up so much that it becomes an issue, a 'stress thing', 'too fast paced and feeling it'. Before work I hustle around and after work I whiz around, doing stuff. It's like I don't waste a SECOND. I don't 'waste' any time gazing at anything, either. Just click click click sizing it up, whatever I see.
Now this is good. But I wasn't like this at the beginning of the contract (now in the 8th month). No sir. I'd been in Thailand for two months and could really feel the difference inserted into the hagwon. It was like I wasn't moving, then, and all around me were the BLURS of people zipping about with focused/intent looks on their faces and burting out statements to each other like roars from their gut so hearty and brisk were their interactions. I observed and wondered how I could switch gears and run around like them. Go teach with high-rev kids then a ten minute break and so on for six hours. Lordie!
So now, 8 months after wondering if I could become a BLUR like those fast moving persons I saw at the haggie, those teacherers whom I would join the ranks of, I'm experiencing life in the fast lane, perhaps at its peak still not down after the pulse-quickening intensive month. And looking forward to two months in Thailand four months from now; a meditation self-study course, and so on in some beach hut. Something not bali bali running around.
When I first arrived in Korea some years ago I remember being fascinated by my first bosses movements. He was quick on his feet when he moved, as a dart. Like a black suited, Korean Danny Devito wonjonim who, when he decided to do something, LUNGED with a shuffle that seemed to catch up with his forwardly aimed body. Even on a weekend recreational trip he darted like this. I can still see him jumping out of his white car at the highway rest station and getting coffees out of the machine, handing me one, and a sit, and a pop goes our weasels out of the chair and back to the car to tear off to the destination. Now I move like that! Do, do, do, get it done quick, as soon as you think about it. Just do it!
It's invigorating, really. But what I miss is sitting back and gazing (underline gazing, not quickly darting eyes to find the next 'something to do'). And letting 'the big picture'(insert accompanying serious music here) appear. At least have a chance. The 'big picture' patiently waits, I'm sure, but keeps getting budded in line. It's 'too nice a guy' in Korea.
Meanwhile the second in command at work has temporarily retired because she's 'sick'. She's been at the school for three years. It's stress. Cumulative. From going bali bali day after day after week after month after year. The head teacher at work is tired in this way, as well. Even though intensive month is a few weeks passed already she still 'looks the same every day'. Not lacking in energy, but 'paced'. Like 'same old same old' and she's on autopilot, conserving her energy. Maybe 'back in the day', three years ago when she first started (she hasn't taken a break longer than five days in that time) she was snapping, peaking at snapping like I am now, a 'real snapper'.

[nateyb]

I hear you on your bali, bali syndrome. You get into a pace and when you try to slow down, you find yourself lost, or lacking the same respect you once had.

I used to do this and by the end I was so stressed and could not wait to leave.

I don't know how Korean people do it. Our director is a mother with a young child and she works and runs at a breakneck pace. I wonder how much time she is spending with her kid, but that is not my place to speculate.

How do people do it?

[sistersarah]

i had the "bali bali" thing too during intensives, but i had no problem slowing down after it was finished. actually, i'd say i'm even slower moving now than before intensives. i gotta put an end to this and pick things up. gettin lazy

[agraham]

Holy moley.. I tried to read your post, Kirk but I was starting to get motion-sick and I had to stop!

[baldrick]