So the Fall 2007 Semester has officially ended, and my first full teaching year is done...yes. Yes! About diddily time! For serious, it was really a long semester, with some challenges in learning how to be a better teacher while fighting/working with the Korean education system.
Its been an interesting ride of growth, learning to work inter-culturally with my Korean co-workers, while mentally and spiritually challenging myself to be more stronger. This past Fall was also a season of beauty in Korea, and I remember some of the best of moments of my tenure in Korea were my two trips to Busan and a trip to the Yangjae Citizen Forest, which boasted some of the best in Korean natural beauty.
To be more concrete, 2007 has brought some great victories. I am blessed by God to see where I'm at now, and I still marvel at God's Power and how He works.
Some things that I have accomplished that I give credit to the One that is due:
1. My Korean skills have vastly improved - I was so shocked by this one myself to this day. In 10 months, my Korean speaking and listening skills have grown very surprisingly. I credit this to pain. Yes, no one likes pain, but that's how I gained. And I'm talking about how to really learn a language: to mess up, to learn from it, to slow down, and keep practicing. Ironically, I am here to teach kids how to speak the English language, but I have progressed on how to speak Korean in a variety of situations in 10 months than most of my kids have learned how to speak English in 6 years. That's a shame, because my kids know all the grammar and vocabulary, but they never use it. So I would like to take this moment to brag because I stumbled, got frustrated with Korean, but God used it to humble me while I slowly grow in the language sphere. And I got still lots more to learn...more pain anyone?
2. I got to know my relatives better - That was one reason I came...to meet my relatives against and get to know their lives. Its been a real blessing to spend time with my mom's side of the family and gain insight on how their lives have been working out. I hope to continue to grow in Korean language so I can share my life with them, and learn about theirs.
3. I am slowly getting a grip on how to teach - but I am nowhere near good still! I just came to realize a simple formula for teaching ESL - warm-up, game, concept, visual, and cool down. "Keep it simple," Bobby said, "and they should be okay." Bobby was an experienced teacher from Ohio who knows his stuff, and he taught me to simply keep my lessons focused and don't focus on details. Learning a foreign language is tough as it is, but Korean kids, they can only handle so much info. Also, I learned to be creative and find topics that they want to learn about it, and not just conventional book stuff.
4. Travelling Skills - I am proud of the fact that I figured out how to use the subway and bus systems in due time, and more recently, how to use the KTX and other long-distance trains. It will be useful in my upcoming year to travel around my mother's homeland and see more of natural Korea.
5. Fellowship of the King - a play-on words about the famous film, I have to give props to my friends Trey and Becky for giving me a strong Fellowship of the King, or Jesus Christ. There are many Christians who say they are Christians, but they don't really take it seriously and just use it as a crutch. These two missionaries have been helpful in my spiritual walk and keeping me accountable as a growing young man. I hope to keep the Fellowship alive for 2008.
6. Understanding the Korean Soul - I just got back from an End of the Year Teachers' Retreat yesterday, where we went to a ski resort in Pochon, north of Seoul. This whole year has been a learning experience on "who is a Korean." I've gained many insights to Korean character, their dreams, their challenges in Korean society, and ultimately, what motivates them. I'm still not done though. During the trip, I got to see these Koreans at their most vulnerable and more real side to them: caring, fun-loving, passionate, and hearty people.
7. Becoming a Man - means I had to face issues on my own without the help of my parents, brother, or my friends from home. Even though I had the Fellowship of the King, I had to face these problems on my own. It was cool to see how I had face them and become a little more humble in the process.
So what is my goal for 2008? I'll let you know soon.
Life keeps going, despite the crazy issues in the world such as former Pakistan prime minister Benazir Bhutto's assassination, the war in Iraq, the 2008 Election in the US, global warming, breakdown of morals and truth in society, and the list goes on.
2007 closes, a new chapter begins, this time in a foreign land.
We shall see what new adventures Mr. Soni will land in next.
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Friday, December 21, 2007
For Foreigners In Korea...Life Takes A New Visa
There's been uproar in the online community here in South Korea...particularly for the expats who teach English in this country.
Not too long ago, a Canadian named Christopher Paul Neil was arrested in Thailand last October on child molestation charges. This guy also taught in Korea for a while too, but this guy would make trips to SE Asia and do some very wicked things to people, and adding insult to injury he would put it on the Net. Soon, cops were his tail like white on rice, and soon enough, they busted his tail and hauled him off. Case closed.
However, slowly and slowly, the news trickled back to Korea that this guy who got arrested revealed that he was a former teacher in Jeollanam-do Province, which is on the southwest edge of this nation. The media fallout that followed this arrest had some really tough reprocussions.
Keep in mind foreigners are not viewed with the best of intentions in this country. Whether they are here to fill dirty jobs that Koreans will not work (many migrant workers from South or Southeast Asia), or to teach the wonderful language of English in the many private academies (hagwons) or public schools, foreigners are welcomed, but are perceived with stereotypes and misunderstandings. Of course, this problems is in every country that receives foreigners, especially my own, where stereotypes remain supreme based on class and race, especially outsiders.
Long story short, the Korean government made some new reforms of how the Korean schools recruit foreigners for English programs. The Visa that most foreigners get today is called an E-2, or language instruction visa. In the past, many programs and schools recruited people from the major six nations that are deemed major English speaking nations: the USA, Canada, the UK, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. The process depended on each school, but being in the public school program, I had to submit a local criminal check to let them know I'm not a hoodlum out to drop bows on my students. I also did a health checkup to verify that I'm kicking it and not kicking buckets, and I submitted a verified copy of my diploma so they know I'm legit and not forging it.
The Korean government is now trying to track down those who come and go out of this country illegally, and trying to reform a system of just bringing English-speaking goofs who "cause social turmoil" in this nation, which is the charge in the new legislation.
In many ways, I think reform is necessary. There is an adverse selection problem when it comes to recruiting some teachers: some schools, especially the private academies, sometimes recruit socially or culturally insensitive people who are here just to make a buck but have no interest in Korean people and their culture. They just binge drink and keep to themselves without making efforts to make their experience more worth it.
But the way the Korean government wants to reform is just wrong. They are now requiring teachers to get criminal background checks at the central government level, and America simply does not do that, because most checks are done at a state level. If you want an FBI background check, it will require a good 6 months to get down and dirty on a person, but the job seeker and recruiter alike don't have that time to do that, neither does the school. Korea's demand to globalize and learn English cannot simply put up with a new bureacratic nightmare that faces the applicant when he or she has to rock several state criminal checks just to show they are legit.
Many expats in this country call these policies racist, and in many ways, they already dampen the worse reputation foreigners have to put up with in this nation. What reputation? Foreigners are portrayed in the media as money grubbing, womanizing, and ill-qualified teachers. Yet for the reforms, to me the major issue is what is Korea doing now to improve itself to be a major world player, a globalized nation ready to receive more visitors? This is not the way to do it.
Policies like this will make expats here have more to put up with...as Korean people might see from the fallout of the Canadian pedophile's case to stereotype the many who are doing the right thing here in this country and trying to earn a decent living while trying to enjoy life in East Asia.
So, foreigners have to get the same visa to keep teaching, but now in tougher circumstances. Its going to be a difficult pill for many to swallow, but I think the losers on this one is the Korean community. The more they view foreigners as just commodities (for English-speaking skills or cheap labor), and the more the Korean government discourages the labor pool by putting policies that restrict applicants, it could be just another wide turn towards more ignorance.
Its reality though, and I think it will give more foreigners a fresh new challenge to overcome before Korean society realizes how much they need us for a mutual friendship, and not just for each other's benefit.
Not too long ago, a Canadian named Christopher Paul Neil was arrested in Thailand last October on child molestation charges. This guy also taught in Korea for a while too, but this guy would make trips to SE Asia and do some very wicked things to people, and adding insult to injury he would put it on the Net. Soon, cops were his tail like white on rice, and soon enough, they busted his tail and hauled him off. Case closed.
However, slowly and slowly, the news trickled back to Korea that this guy who got arrested revealed that he was a former teacher in Jeollanam-do Province, which is on the southwest edge of this nation. The media fallout that followed this arrest had some really tough reprocussions.
Keep in mind foreigners are not viewed with the best of intentions in this country. Whether they are here to fill dirty jobs that Koreans will not work (many migrant workers from South or Southeast Asia), or to teach the wonderful language of English in the many private academies (hagwons) or public schools, foreigners are welcomed, but are perceived with stereotypes and misunderstandings. Of course, this problems is in every country that receives foreigners, especially my own, where stereotypes remain supreme based on class and race, especially outsiders.
Long story short, the Korean government made some new reforms of how the Korean schools recruit foreigners for English programs. The Visa that most foreigners get today is called an E-2, or language instruction visa. In the past, many programs and schools recruited people from the major six nations that are deemed major English speaking nations: the USA, Canada, the UK, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. The process depended on each school, but being in the public school program, I had to submit a local criminal check to let them know I'm not a hoodlum out to drop bows on my students. I also did a health checkup to verify that I'm kicking it and not kicking buckets, and I submitted a verified copy of my diploma so they know I'm legit and not forging it.
The Korean government is now trying to track down those who come and go out of this country illegally, and trying to reform a system of just bringing English-speaking goofs who "cause social turmoil" in this nation, which is the charge in the new legislation.
In many ways, I think reform is necessary. There is an adverse selection problem when it comes to recruiting some teachers: some schools, especially the private academies, sometimes recruit socially or culturally insensitive people who are here just to make a buck but have no interest in Korean people and their culture. They just binge drink and keep to themselves without making efforts to make their experience more worth it.
But the way the Korean government wants to reform is just wrong. They are now requiring teachers to get criminal background checks at the central government level, and America simply does not do that, because most checks are done at a state level. If you want an FBI background check, it will require a good 6 months to get down and dirty on a person, but the job seeker and recruiter alike don't have that time to do that, neither does the school. Korea's demand to globalize and learn English cannot simply put up with a new bureacratic nightmare that faces the applicant when he or she has to rock several state criminal checks just to show they are legit.
Many expats in this country call these policies racist, and in many ways, they already dampen the worse reputation foreigners have to put up with in this nation. What reputation? Foreigners are portrayed in the media as money grubbing, womanizing, and ill-qualified teachers. Yet for the reforms, to me the major issue is what is Korea doing now to improve itself to be a major world player, a globalized nation ready to receive more visitors? This is not the way to do it.
Policies like this will make expats here have more to put up with...as Korean people might see from the fallout of the Canadian pedophile's case to stereotype the many who are doing the right thing here in this country and trying to earn a decent living while trying to enjoy life in East Asia.
So, foreigners have to get the same visa to keep teaching, but now in tougher circumstances. Its going to be a difficult pill for many to swallow, but I think the losers on this one is the Korean community. The more they view foreigners as just commodities (for English-speaking skills or cheap labor), and the more the Korean government discourages the labor pool by putting policies that restrict applicants, it could be just another wide turn towards more ignorance.
Its reality though, and I think it will give more foreigners a fresh new challenge to overcome before Korean society realizes how much they need us for a mutual friendship, and not just for each other's benefit.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Movements in Korea
So there was a big election today. Unless some major fiasco hits, the winner will be a conservative candidate by the name of Lee Myeong-bak, a former mayor of Seoul. His whole platform is to transform the South Korean economy to become the 7th biggest in the world. Right.
Thanks to Election Day, it was a day off for the majority of the country, including myself, so I went to COEX Mall in Seoul for some shopping. After a few hours loafing around there (and not buying anything), I found myslf fighting a sea of people. It was a day off, and with Christmas right around the corner, I'm here in an exodus of materialistic eye-shoppers storming the gates. They just kept coming in waves and waves, so I essentially had it with the density and rushed back home. I was like, "I'm out yo!"
Home sweet home. Its kinda funny even though Korea is not my permanent home, my apartment is sort of my refuge. That's what a home is, even though I'm not a family man yet, a home is a place where you are more than welcome and there is peace. You can be yourself and God makes my home. I like that concept of "home." I hope to build a home with God in the center one day me-self.
In other news concerning my contract situation, I've decided to re-sign for one more year in the school program. However, the biggest development in my free agency is that I requested a "trade," or asked for a transfer to go to another school.
I told my VP this past week about my decision, and if things go well, I'll be looking at a new school next year.
It was really a tough decision, something I have been mulling over for months, literally. I almost wanted to opt out and pursue Korean language learning at an accredited university, but with grad school plans in the works, saving cash money and travelling is a better pursuit for now. The Lord might open new doors in the future here in South Korea, but I feel confident in this decision.
In the end it came down to experience. I know my time in East Asia will not be forever, so I had to think about priorities and my effectiveness as a teacher. Staying at this high school has so many advantages: I know the staff, the teachers, and the students, and I know what the program is like. I have my apartment. I know the area.
However, moving to another school means a risk. A risk of going into a less-supported English program, not-so-supportive staff, or a student body that is generally not English-tuned. I have to start over at a whole new place. But risk is always a part of life, and as a born-again Christian, "all things work together for those who love God." (Romans 8:28)
I'm not worried about the future as I'm moving on. I still have 2 months left to finish up at this school, so there is plenty of time to improve my skills as a teacher, to prepare for future plans, and to continue to learn Korean language and culture. Ultimately, two months where God can still use me a vessel of light to the people I encounter at my school.
In other cool news, I won a small second place prize for an essay contest for English teachers. It was a contest about English Education in Korea, so it was nice to see my writing skills pay off.
Have a great week.
Thanks to Election Day, it was a day off for the majority of the country, including myself, so I went to COEX Mall in Seoul for some shopping. After a few hours loafing around there (and not buying anything), I found myslf fighting a sea of people. It was a day off, and with Christmas right around the corner, I'm here in an exodus of materialistic eye-shoppers storming the gates. They just kept coming in waves and waves, so I essentially had it with the density and rushed back home. I was like, "I'm out yo!"
Home sweet home. Its kinda funny even though Korea is not my permanent home, my apartment is sort of my refuge. That's what a home is, even though I'm not a family man yet, a home is a place where you are more than welcome and there is peace. You can be yourself and God makes my home. I like that concept of "home." I hope to build a home with God in the center one day me-self.
In other news concerning my contract situation, I've decided to re-sign for one more year in the school program. However, the biggest development in my free agency is that I requested a "trade," or asked for a transfer to go to another school.
I told my VP this past week about my decision, and if things go well, I'll be looking at a new school next year.
It was really a tough decision, something I have been mulling over for months, literally. I almost wanted to opt out and pursue Korean language learning at an accredited university, but with grad school plans in the works, saving cash money and travelling is a better pursuit for now. The Lord might open new doors in the future here in South Korea, but I feel confident in this decision.
In the end it came down to experience. I know my time in East Asia will not be forever, so I had to think about priorities and my effectiveness as a teacher. Staying at this high school has so many advantages: I know the staff, the teachers, and the students, and I know what the program is like. I have my apartment. I know the area.
However, moving to another school means a risk. A risk of going into a less-supported English program, not-so-supportive staff, or a student body that is generally not English-tuned. I have to start over at a whole new place. But risk is always a part of life, and as a born-again Christian, "all things work together for those who love God." (Romans 8:28)
I'm not worried about the future as I'm moving on. I still have 2 months left to finish up at this school, so there is plenty of time to improve my skills as a teacher, to prepare for future plans, and to continue to learn Korean language and culture. Ultimately, two months where God can still use me a vessel of light to the people I encounter at my school.
In other cool news, I won a small second place prize for an essay contest for English teachers. It was a contest about English Education in Korea, so it was nice to see my writing skills pay off.
Have a great week.
Saturday, December 15, 2007
My Big Fat Korean Wedding
I just got back from my first Korean wedding. My cousin Hee-jung tied the knot with her new husband on December 15, 2007 in Oryu-dong, which is located in Central Seoul.
A Korean wedding is very similar to an American wedding, with the usual nice tux and gowns goinng on, but the location was such a different thing for me to experience: a wedding hall.
Wedding halls are major centers of wedding ceremonies throughout Korea. They are like businesses that cater to major weddings and their receptions. Back in America, the locations vary where people want to get married: churches, country clubs, outdoors, or even more zany locales to tie the knot. For Koreans, wedding halls here are a more convenient for wedding parties to do their thing and keep the reception close at hand.
What surprised me the most was this: when we got there for the wedding, there was a wedding already going on. Another party was doing their wedding in the same hall that Hee-jung's wedding was going to be set in, so there were just loads of people from our party and theirs inter-mingling in the lobby of the floor. There was no quiet, it was like a market...hustle and bustle while this shot-gun wedding was proceeding (just kidding).
To me, it was sort of like a legitimized Vegas wedding hall, because one party got married, and the next came in! The same pastor, just him saying different names and giving different blessings.
So Hee-jung and her fiance come in, the Moskanim ("Pastor" in Korean) did his thing, said some blessings and prayers, and a couple sang a song. 5 minutes, a kiss, and they were already did their vows...wait, I didn't even hear vows. Interesting. I think those are implicit...maybe?
Well, it was essentially THE FASTEST wedding I have ever seen. I thought Koreans were really down with ceremonies and want to draw out each moment in Korean-esque, Joseon Dynasty traditional mo-jo, last Korean warrior plus Buddhism concentration, but nope. We were out of there as fast as New York Knicks fans when they watch their team at the Garden. What was cool about this ceremony was the groom and bride bow to each of their parents in respect. I think that's really high class.
The reception was similar to an American one. Lots of food, the food was good, and Hee-jung and her new husband came out in traditional Korean duds, glad handling their guests. My cousin looked really beautiful, and her mother (my mom's youngest sister) and my aunt were dressed in beautiful "Hanboks," or traditional Korean dress. It is the equivalent of a Japanese woman's kimono, used for special ceremonies.
So, the wedding was an eclectic mix of traditional Korean and Western wedding styles, which is interesting.
The bride and groom were very happy to married, and off to their honeymoon they go.
When will I get married? When God Wills It.
A Korean wedding is very similar to an American wedding, with the usual nice tux and gowns goinng on, but the location was such a different thing for me to experience: a wedding hall.
Wedding halls are major centers of wedding ceremonies throughout Korea. They are like businesses that cater to major weddings and their receptions. Back in America, the locations vary where people want to get married: churches, country clubs, outdoors, or even more zany locales to tie the knot. For Koreans, wedding halls here are a more convenient for wedding parties to do their thing and keep the reception close at hand.
What surprised me the most was this: when we got there for the wedding, there was a wedding already going on. Another party was doing their wedding in the same hall that Hee-jung's wedding was going to be set in, so there were just loads of people from our party and theirs inter-mingling in the lobby of the floor. There was no quiet, it was like a market...hustle and bustle while this shot-gun wedding was proceeding (just kidding).
To me, it was sort of like a legitimized Vegas wedding hall, because one party got married, and the next came in! The same pastor, just him saying different names and giving different blessings.
So Hee-jung and her fiance come in, the Moskanim ("Pastor" in Korean) did his thing, said some blessings and prayers, and a couple sang a song. 5 minutes, a kiss, and they were already did their vows...wait, I didn't even hear vows. Interesting. I think those are implicit...maybe?
Well, it was essentially THE FASTEST wedding I have ever seen. I thought Koreans were really down with ceremonies and want to draw out each moment in Korean-esque, Joseon Dynasty traditional mo-jo, last Korean warrior plus Buddhism concentration, but nope. We were out of there as fast as New York Knicks fans when they watch their team at the Garden. What was cool about this ceremony was the groom and bride bow to each of their parents in respect. I think that's really high class.
The reception was similar to an American one. Lots of food, the food was good, and Hee-jung and her new husband came out in traditional Korean duds, glad handling their guests. My cousin looked really beautiful, and her mother (my mom's youngest sister) and my aunt were dressed in beautiful "Hanboks," or traditional Korean dress. It is the equivalent of a Japanese woman's kimono, used for special ceremonies.
So, the wedding was an eclectic mix of traditional Korean and Western wedding styles, which is interesting.
The bride and groom were very happy to married, and off to their honeymoon they go.
When will I get married? When God Wills It.
Saturday, December 8, 2007
M. Soni Mulling Future
By Anono J. Mus
The News Network
ESL rookie #20 Mark P. Soni, drafted straight out of the University of Maryland in 2006 into the EPIK Proram (English Program in Korea), is currently working for the premier institution Yeonsu High School in Incheon, South Korea. He is nearing the end of his first contract, which terminates next March 2008. The rising star is mulling his future options.
Soni, a 23-year old young man from the great state of Maryland, is enjoying his first experience as a rookie teacher at an all-boys high school, but he has to make the decision to re-sign or move on.
"Its definitely a tough decision. I don't want to say anything on the record, but for now I am looking at other options to see what's out there," says Soni.
Soni is a restricted free agent, which in sporting terms means that he can look at other schools and perhaps sign with a new school, but cannot be guaranteed a new contract. However, with the limited availability of new slots on schools' ESL rosters and the demand to fill in those new roster spots, as a restricted agent he could be on the same Yeonsu High School English Department next year.
"Something similar happened in the NBA this past year. Milwaukee Bucks ball player Charlie Bell was in the same situation in the summer of 2007. He wanted a change in scenery, to have a fresh start as a player, so he originally signed with the Miami Heat this past summer. But since he was a restricted free agent, his original team still retained his rights and chose to match the Heat's offer, so he ended up staying with his original team," analyzed Soni. "Basically, that means that if God wants me to stay at this school, He'll just simply shut the other doors and match the offer."
"It'll be nice to spicen up my experience and switch schools, to work with a whole new set of kids, and to become a better teacher, but ultimately, I want to use this experience of living on my own and to grow, which is why I am here."
Soni has no regrets about his experience at Yeonsu High School. Struggling early as a rookie teacher, he found out many new things about Korean education such as student learning styles, disciplining tough students, and finding teaching methods that are more effective to keep their interest.
"Regardless of what I tried, it was a take and give experience. There were some things that I would not give up as a teacher, such as teaching them about culture, even though they were not in a lick interested. But there were some things I did give up, such as forcing some kids to try English even though they have no interest or were too shy to try. I started to relax my style and started to have more fun with my boys, and that's the way to do it," reminisced Mark.
The future is not limited. Soni recently got a new kind of Visa, which grants him stay here in South Korea for two years instead of one. He will not be limited to just teaching jobs in the future.
"Right now, I'm not in a rush. God wants me to grow slowly but effectively, and I feel that if I try to jump into a new kind of job outside of teaching, it'll be too quick. The ESL field is one of the more relaxed jobs in the world with alot of benefits...I can't complain."
So which school will Mr. Soni end up next term? Depends on who he signs with, but His Agent knows for sure.
"I'm hoping and praying for a new situation. Its not that my current school stinks, because its a great school, they have some of the best students around. Yet I think it will be good for the school and for me to move on...but who knows the future?"
Yet His Agent, God, had this to say:
Romans 8:28: "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have called according to His purpose." There is no limit for our rookie.
The News Network
ESL rookie #20 Mark P. Soni, drafted straight out of the University of Maryland in 2006 into the EPIK Proram (English Program in Korea), is currently working for the premier institution Yeonsu High School in Incheon, South Korea. He is nearing the end of his first contract, which terminates next March 2008. The rising star is mulling his future options.
Soni, a 23-year old young man from the great state of Maryland, is enjoying his first experience as a rookie teacher at an all-boys high school, but he has to make the decision to re-sign or move on.
"Its definitely a tough decision. I don't want to say anything on the record, but for now I am looking at other options to see what's out there," says Soni.
Soni is a restricted free agent, which in sporting terms means that he can look at other schools and perhaps sign with a new school, but cannot be guaranteed a new contract. However, with the limited availability of new slots on schools' ESL rosters and the demand to fill in those new roster spots, as a restricted agent he could be on the same Yeonsu High School English Department next year.
"Something similar happened in the NBA this past year. Milwaukee Bucks ball player Charlie Bell was in the same situation in the summer of 2007. He wanted a change in scenery, to have a fresh start as a player, so he originally signed with the Miami Heat this past summer. But since he was a restricted free agent, his original team still retained his rights and chose to match the Heat's offer, so he ended up staying with his original team," analyzed Soni. "Basically, that means that if God wants me to stay at this school, He'll just simply shut the other doors and match the offer."
"It'll be nice to spicen up my experience and switch schools, to work with a whole new set of kids, and to become a better teacher, but ultimately, I want to use this experience of living on my own and to grow, which is why I am here."
Soni has no regrets about his experience at Yeonsu High School. Struggling early as a rookie teacher, he found out many new things about Korean education such as student learning styles, disciplining tough students, and finding teaching methods that are more effective to keep their interest.
"Regardless of what I tried, it was a take and give experience. There were some things that I would not give up as a teacher, such as teaching them about culture, even though they were not in a lick interested. But there were some things I did give up, such as forcing some kids to try English even though they have no interest or were too shy to try. I started to relax my style and started to have more fun with my boys, and that's the way to do it," reminisced Mark.
The future is not limited. Soni recently got a new kind of Visa, which grants him stay here in South Korea for two years instead of one. He will not be limited to just teaching jobs in the future.
"Right now, I'm not in a rush. God wants me to grow slowly but effectively, and I feel that if I try to jump into a new kind of job outside of teaching, it'll be too quick. The ESL field is one of the more relaxed jobs in the world with alot of benefits...I can't complain."
So which school will Mr. Soni end up next term? Depends on who he signs with, but His Agent knows for sure.
"I'm hoping and praying for a new situation. Its not that my current school stinks, because its a great school, they have some of the best students around. Yet I think it will be good for the school and for me to move on...but who knows the future?"
Yet His Agent, God, had this to say:
Romans 8:28: "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have called according to His purpose." There is no limit for our rookie.
Saturday, December 1, 2007
School House Rap
So I was forced into doing this school festival today. Three-four weeks ago, I said "no" ten times to Mr. Bae. And not just Korean "no's," or "aniyo" in Korean, but I said big, FAT, American "no's" to Mr. Bae: "no, I will not sing a duet with you in this year's school festival." I said "no" ten times. He left with a sad face, but I finally got to say "no" to something. (By the way, Koreans rarely say "no." Its just part of their culture. So, when you flat out say "no," they are shocked!)
Two weeks later:
Mr. Bae: "Hey Mark, I saw that your name is in the program for the school festival. So looks like we're going to do a duet together after all...so we must prepare something for the program. The kids are expecting to see something from you soon."
Mark: "...great." (I should have said "no" one hundred times)
But in my mind, I was like, "forget this man, if I sing, I will turn into the laughing stock of the school." My singing skills are so bad that people wonder if I am the cat on the fence doing the yowling.
So, I turned my attentions to something I'm decent at, but I have no true affinity towards: hip-hop. I am no Theory Hazit or Ohmega Watts, but I like to rap now and then. I certainly don't have the skills to go and rock a crowd, but I enjoy putting together my own rhymes and making something flow with a beat.
So I opted out of singing a duet and recruited one of my students to help me. This boy, Kim Suk-jin, from class six, volunteered to do a beatbox: making verbal hip-hop beats.
Beatboxing is an art form, technically, that is long gone now. In the 1980's, when the hip-hop revolution was growing, some of the more fun aspects of young hip-hop was breakdancing and beatboxing. Kids in America were definitely into it, I was into it when I was growing up in Germany trying to mimic the dopest techno beats. (I remember in 1992 when Germans were all into Shaquille O'Neal's first hip-hop album...which was one of the worst hip-hop albums ever)
But kids in Korea are into this beatboxing/breakdancing phase (20 years late), and they are pretty good at it. Its funny now cuz the hip-hop interests back in America are more into newer things, while the kids in Korea are picking up from the 80's.
So this kid and I practiced for around 3 days, just 3 days right before the festival. I wrote a quick rap, in English of course, and this kid and I were trying to find the perfect beat to go with it.
But in the end, I was thinking to myself: "why should I be too concerned about my lyrics? 90% of the crowd won't understand anyway!"
Then, something came over me: "Do it for God. Do it for Him."
You know, I don't have too many chances to perform all the time. Some people are called to do the music ministry, but for me, I was not that talented to do anything on stage. Maybe give a testimony or two...but to rap?
I rapped once in 2003, with my boy Amir and I doing a Thanksgiving rap for a few dozen plus at a inter-Christian organization Thanksgiving service. It went down real well, receiving a standing ovation as Amir and I traded rhymes and beatboxes.
Then comes this in 2007. I have not rapped in four years live...like I have a career in the first place! These people won't understand my lyrics, they don't understand the true essence of hip-hop in the English language...since it was Americans who started the art. So I was like, "I'll make my audience God and Heaven."
I stepped on stage with Kim Suk-jin, and I was real nervous. It was a huge audience. All the students eyes on me...the foreigner about to rock the stage.
I just started rapping, and confidence came on me...something that picked up more and more, and I started flowing. Suk-jin was doing fine on his end of the mic, but then I signaled to him after a certain rhyme to stop his beatbox so I could finish it off with this one hook where I rapped really fast.
Again, I'm not the best MC, but for some reason, God made that rhyme special. The kids were into it, and I finished it off well.
I put a lot of lyrics in their about giving glory to God, and the cool thing was one teacher, Mrs. Kim Eun-jung, a teacher at my school who is married to an American man, caught that in my rhyme. She said, "I like that idea, giving Glory to God." If I could at least touch one person's heart, my job is done. Maybe it can open the door to something new.
So, the school house rap, while no one else got it, but at least one person got the whole idea and that's great. Someone listened, and all of that backbreaking practice was productive.
Thanks God for the assist.
Two weeks later:
Mr. Bae: "Hey Mark, I saw that your name is in the program for the school festival. So looks like we're going to do a duet together after all...so we must prepare something for the program. The kids are expecting to see something from you soon."
Mark: "...great." (I should have said "no" one hundred times)
But in my mind, I was like, "forget this man, if I sing, I will turn into the laughing stock of the school." My singing skills are so bad that people wonder if I am the cat on the fence doing the yowling.
So, I turned my attentions to something I'm decent at, but I have no true affinity towards: hip-hop. I am no Theory Hazit or Ohmega Watts, but I like to rap now and then. I certainly don't have the skills to go and rock a crowd, but I enjoy putting together my own rhymes and making something flow with a beat.
So I opted out of singing a duet and recruited one of my students to help me. This boy, Kim Suk-jin, from class six, volunteered to do a beatbox: making verbal hip-hop beats.
Beatboxing is an art form, technically, that is long gone now. In the 1980's, when the hip-hop revolution was growing, some of the more fun aspects of young hip-hop was breakdancing and beatboxing. Kids in America were definitely into it, I was into it when I was growing up in Germany trying to mimic the dopest techno beats. (I remember in 1992 when Germans were all into Shaquille O'Neal's first hip-hop album...which was one of the worst hip-hop albums ever)
But kids in Korea are into this beatboxing/breakdancing phase (20 years late), and they are pretty good at it. Its funny now cuz the hip-hop interests back in America are more into newer things, while the kids in Korea are picking up from the 80's.
So this kid and I practiced for around 3 days, just 3 days right before the festival. I wrote a quick rap, in English of course, and this kid and I were trying to find the perfect beat to go with it.
But in the end, I was thinking to myself: "why should I be too concerned about my lyrics? 90% of the crowd won't understand anyway!"
Then, something came over me: "Do it for God. Do it for Him."
You know, I don't have too many chances to perform all the time. Some people are called to do the music ministry, but for me, I was not that talented to do anything on stage. Maybe give a testimony or two...but to rap?
I rapped once in 2003, with my boy Amir and I doing a Thanksgiving rap for a few dozen plus at a inter-Christian organization Thanksgiving service. It went down real well, receiving a standing ovation as Amir and I traded rhymes and beatboxes.
Then comes this in 2007. I have not rapped in four years live...like I have a career in the first place! These people won't understand my lyrics, they don't understand the true essence of hip-hop in the English language...since it was Americans who started the art. So I was like, "I'll make my audience God and Heaven."
I stepped on stage with Kim Suk-jin, and I was real nervous. It was a huge audience. All the students eyes on me...the foreigner about to rock the stage.
I just started rapping, and confidence came on me...something that picked up more and more, and I started flowing. Suk-jin was doing fine on his end of the mic, but then I signaled to him after a certain rhyme to stop his beatbox so I could finish it off with this one hook where I rapped really fast.
Again, I'm not the best MC, but for some reason, God made that rhyme special. The kids were into it, and I finished it off well.
I put a lot of lyrics in their about giving glory to God, and the cool thing was one teacher, Mrs. Kim Eun-jung, a teacher at my school who is married to an American man, caught that in my rhyme. She said, "I like that idea, giving Glory to God." If I could at least touch one person's heart, my job is done. Maybe it can open the door to something new.
So, the school house rap, while no one else got it, but at least one person got the whole idea and that's great. Someone listened, and all of that backbreaking practice was productive.
Thanks God for the assist.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Get It Done...
2010: The Year of the Soni Tiger
