Back to the Future
Ah, the wonders of the brain. Today represents the time when I recovered about 50% of my previous Japanese learning in a day.
Things are happening quite fast. My assault on the three main East Asian languages continues on all fronts unabated. So much so, it is hard to detail everything. Last night I went to a Korean class, but it was just beginners so I observed for free. Strangely, I bumped into a former student there. Inspired, I went to the library to study more Korean. Then I went home and listened to a Chinese listening. At this point, my Japanese was a minimal as ever. But things were about to change. The first sign of things to come was arranging my first language exchange, which was Japanese for Thursday morning.
This morning, I was listening to the Chinese radio, my mind now breathing Chinese while being immersed in English. Then I visited a Korean lecturer and found another conversational opportunity. But while I was exploring the floors of the Auckland Uni Asian Languages building (a building I am very familiar with), I saw a small ad. It said there was a course starting tonight for level 2 of the Japanese Proficiency Test. Originally I was only planning to do level 3 (level 1 being the hardest), because I had passed it before (in 1997) and had failed level 2, in 1998. But, suddenly in the grip of language fever, I decided to give the level 2 course my best shot (I still have plenty of time to decide what I am going to do at the actual test). I e-mailed them, and was told I had to sit a test tonight.
Oh, suddenly my mind switched into recovery mode as I swatted old textbooks, reading it brought back many words. Then I went to the test, and the Japanese people there blurted things that I just couldn't catch. Then I listened again. Suddenly it was like changing the channel. I could catch things. I looked at some words. I couldn't understand them at all. Then I stared at it. And the pronunciation came out of the deepest darkest corners of my mind.
The actual result of the test wasn't great but it was enough to give me confidence. And then the testers chatted with me and suddenly I was speaking it. Although I sometimes accidentally switched to Chinese (zenme shuo... oops... dou iu...), overall I suddenly found the meanings I wished to say were forming naturally in my mind. Then I went into the usual conversation groups and suddenly things were easy. I caught the meanings and I produced my own sentences with much ease.
This all being said, the mountain of knowledge contained in a single language, and even the language required for level 2 Japanese is unbelieveably huge. It is scary to think about it. But I will be preparing myself for the first lesson next Wednesday. I will be exploring newly accessed grounds of my inner mind in language exchange tomorrow and will intensify my language acquisition on the Japanese front.
I have also secured a Korean exchange partner, which will be prepared for before next Monday. On the whole, I think I have naturally and rationally adjusted to my semi-unemployment. I am getting around three quality language courses courtesy of myself, mostly for free. Well the Japanese course will cost a lot, but it is over seven years since I received any instruction in Japanese, it would be nice to have a teacher to take up some of the burden.
So in effect I have changed into a part-time student, but with the flexibility that my time exactly coincides with the time I have free. Excellente! (I am still applying for jobs too, so don't think this is just some elaborate Danielesque procrastination technique, although starting Spanish probably was one such thing)
Owari!
Wednesday, June 01, 2005
Monday, May 30, 2005
Ping!
One good event to keep my mind off my er... light workload is the Intrax Ping Pong championships. A great idea that has occurred only once previously. It will be in the afternoons for the next three afternoons, with single prelims tomorrow, doubles prelims the next day and the championship finals on the Thursday. It should be very interesting. I have a couple of intense rivalries with players so it will be interesting to see how it pans out. I have a reasonable chance of winning either of the competitions.
I have gained a couple of new tricks since my return. One of them is being able to reflect smash shots, which is something I could never do (although I have vivid memories of a former Chinese student doing it to perfection years ago). Doing so, in itself can be a winning shot because when you smash you expect to win the point immediately (or hit the net immediately and lose a point) and it is psychologically strange to have to play it again, and sometimes difficult because it comes back only marginally slower than it is hit, and when it comes from me, it comes bearing a little spin too. There is one kind fellow, who has me as a bogeyman. He is a good smasher, can smash anything really, but tends to smash very straight (not to the corners). A usual point with him will be him swinging successive smashes at me, with me flicking them back each time till his frustrations get the better of him and he hits it into the net. The most important thing is to stay close to the table (unless it is an overhead smash).
The Japanese student who, with me, restarted the ping-pong fad originally struggled to reclaim his prowess (being the only person who has actual ping-pong competition experience), but now is coming into form. He underspins it better than me, although just recently I have discovered a few ways to repel his serves. But he can be unplayable, with some of his arsenal. One other factor that opens the door is that the other teacher who plays ping-pong has been tied up in the new course he is running and it is nice to play a little before going into matches like that.
Probably the greatest danger for me now is my serving. Traditionally my serves are lethal against anyone who doesn't understand spin but seemingly innocuous to anyone who has played me in a few games. In fact, one of my core serves can be easily preyed upon in doubles matches leaving my slow partner no time to get to the inevitable cross-court shot.
One interesting fact about doubles is that it is not necessarily the pairings that matter, but who receives from who. I am better, of course, against the smashers and the spinners. Anyone who serves flat and fast or places the ball with speed gives me nothing to work with and can reduce me to my simply return shots, which in turn can set up a smash shot at my less accomplished partner.
So yeah, a report will follow tomorrow evening about the results (or my crying disappointment).
One good event to keep my mind off my er... light workload is the Intrax Ping Pong championships. A great idea that has occurred only once previously. It will be in the afternoons for the next three afternoons, with single prelims tomorrow, doubles prelims the next day and the championship finals on the Thursday. It should be very interesting. I have a couple of intense rivalries with players so it will be interesting to see how it pans out. I have a reasonable chance of winning either of the competitions.
I have gained a couple of new tricks since my return. One of them is being able to reflect smash shots, which is something I could never do (although I have vivid memories of a former Chinese student doing it to perfection years ago). Doing so, in itself can be a winning shot because when you smash you expect to win the point immediately (or hit the net immediately and lose a point) and it is psychologically strange to have to play it again, and sometimes difficult because it comes back only marginally slower than it is hit, and when it comes from me, it comes bearing a little spin too. There is one kind fellow, who has me as a bogeyman. He is a good smasher, can smash anything really, but tends to smash very straight (not to the corners). A usual point with him will be him swinging successive smashes at me, with me flicking them back each time till his frustrations get the better of him and he hits it into the net. The most important thing is to stay close to the table (unless it is an overhead smash).
The Japanese student who, with me, restarted the ping-pong fad originally struggled to reclaim his prowess (being the only person who has actual ping-pong competition experience), but now is coming into form. He underspins it better than me, although just recently I have discovered a few ways to repel his serves. But he can be unplayable, with some of his arsenal. One other factor that opens the door is that the other teacher who plays ping-pong has been tied up in the new course he is running and it is nice to play a little before going into matches like that.
Probably the greatest danger for me now is my serving. Traditionally my serves are lethal against anyone who doesn't understand spin but seemingly innocuous to anyone who has played me in a few games. In fact, one of my core serves can be easily preyed upon in doubles matches leaving my slow partner no time to get to the inevitable cross-court shot.
One interesting fact about doubles is that it is not necessarily the pairings that matter, but who receives from who. I am better, of course, against the smashers and the spinners. Anyone who serves flat and fast or places the ball with speed gives me nothing to work with and can reduce me to my simply return shots, which in turn can set up a smash shot at my less accomplished partner.
So yeah, a report will follow tomorrow evening about the results (or my crying disappointment).
Sunday, May 29, 2005
My Studies
I am in the depths of study. My mind has been taken over by the urge to learn and recoup my Chinese knowledge. Last time I was in China, I picked up a pile of books to help me learn, and I have picked up one that has been not only helpful but interesting. I want to go through it as much as possible. My speaking and listening have picked back to a respectable level (respectable by my standards). In this little work hiatus, I will be aiming to get all the knowledge I can about both the HSK (Chinese exam) and the Japanese Proficency test and even check if there is an equivalent Korean test. And then bulk up on my knowledge of all of them.
My mental immersion into Chinese brings some thoughts of what I can achieve with a bit of mental elbow-grease. I found myself correcting one of my common language learning mistakes: that is, learning in an undirected fashion, e.g. just reading the newspaper and learning words from it. That is not to say it is bad, but a lot more can be achieved with directed learning. Undirected learning is for the bus. Directed learning is for a set time devoted to learning.
Anyway, my last morning of set work for four weeks is tomorrow so I will go freshen my mind, basking in the moonlight on my bed.
I am in the depths of study. My mind has been taken over by the urge to learn and recoup my Chinese knowledge. Last time I was in China, I picked up a pile of books to help me learn, and I have picked up one that has been not only helpful but interesting. I want to go through it as much as possible. My speaking and listening have picked back to a respectable level (respectable by my standards). In this little work hiatus, I will be aiming to get all the knowledge I can about both the HSK (Chinese exam) and the Japanese Proficency test and even check if there is an equivalent Korean test. And then bulk up on my knowledge of all of them.
My mental immersion into Chinese brings some thoughts of what I can achieve with a bit of mental elbow-grease. I found myself correcting one of my common language learning mistakes: that is, learning in an undirected fashion, e.g. just reading the newspaper and learning words from it. That is not to say it is bad, but a lot more can be achieved with directed learning. Undirected learning is for the bus. Directed learning is for a set time devoted to learning.
Anyway, my last morning of set work for four weeks is tomorrow so I will go freshen my mind, basking in the moonlight on my bed.
Wednesday, May 25, 2005
Frustrations
Well, it has been an interesting day. All that follows is the contents of my subjective mind. And most of it is just the verbal download to enable me to sleep soundly, without mental discord.
Clouds have been brewing a while at work. Recently, the American headquarters of my language school has been tightening the purse strings. This distressed a co-worker who suddenly found the course he was planning no longer existed anymore. Then came the staff meeting on the Tuesday which talked about the changes which didn't seem all too bad, such as a four week cycle, new textbooks to be used etc. etc. AND there was indications that their were going to be fewer teaching positions than there would be teachers, in the short term.
Following the staff meeting, some of us had individual meetings with the management, to talk about our desired future classes. Since I had taken the last two weeks with the mornings off, they asked me whether I wanted to continue that way. I said I did not and that I would like to work.
I had chosen to do without morning work (for a short time) as a way to save myself from my own commitments to the school. I had said I would simultaneously plan two courses and teach, which I found was not possible while keeping my brain together, so accepted (at what is lower pay) mornings off to 'save' the afternoon higher course, tidy up the lower course and do the things I was procrastinating.
This was also a good benefit to me, admittedly, because I had fallen off my applications to primary schools and hadn't had much time to devote to my other studies. But now the lower course has reached 12 weeks! That means it needs much less maintenance as it repeats. I don't need to work on it much longer. And the higher class is the only thing that I need to bother with for the afternoon.
Now, comes the punchline - due to the aforementioned budget restraints and limitations caused by student numbers I won't have fixed morning work for the next four weeks, perhaps indefinitely. In one way, I am rather annoyed and another way I see it as a rational decision. I took the time off in the mornings, in part, for the company. If it were not for the task of maintaining both afternoon courses, I would not have asked for the time off. I have put a lot of my own time into the school and accepted less weekly pay for it. And to be told that I won't be required full-time after that, does cause me to feel a little knocked back.
But, I can't see any other worker that deserves work less than me. One has a mortgage, I would cede work to him. The 'meek' one, formerly mentioned, has lost a lot of income in the labour shortage here already and won't be fully employed even in the new arrangement. The other teacher also has rarely had a regular supply of work, yet is bound to stay longer than me and be more useful to the company. There are lots of pragmatic aspects for the school, which I console myself with.
But at the same time, I should rightfully be the first to go, as stated, I was always there just to get me through to my first primary teaching position. The threat of my rapid departure has been there for some time, and has probably made the decision of management to choose this path much easier. One plus will be to cause me to push me harder to find a primary position - which has been my original goal. All disappointment at being denied work is because of my wrong attachment to the language school. A very important point for me to see.
Anyway, financially, this means going on a tight budget even to maintain my current cash level (making me wish I hadn't paid off the student loan in full). It will mean slashing my discretionary spending which has been high since I started work. My income works out at about $1200 less for the next four weeks.
The second curious happening today is being mildly censured for my ramblings on this blog. It ain't just airline hostesses who have this trouble it seems. The censure was on these grounds:
(1) I don't know the full details of certain events, so I shouldn't portray things as if they were fact.
(2) I used the wrong title for a person, the person I called the administrator, is actually the head teacher. I called this person the administrator as this person assumed the role of the person I formerly called, "the administrator".
(3) I made comments that could be distressing for people mentioned in my tales.
(4) If I have qualms about the head teacher's performance, I should just tell him.
I think (1) is a 'don't go there' point. EVERYONE has perceptions, just because they are written down rather than spoken or thought, it doesn't make them any less real to me. If anyone believes this is any more than my opinion and subjective perception though, please re-educate yourselves. If you believe me, you'll believe anything.
Comment number (2) could be a pertinent point - although I think it is rather semantic. The head teacher, in the time that I am referring to, was not 'teaching'. He was allocating classes, drawing up class rolls, handling testing, evaluating teachers, preparing professional development and courses. It was for these roles that I was referring to as belonging to an administrator. It doesn't really matter to the substance of my comments but simply the name of the role...
Comment (3) is a more real concern, except for the fact that I do not e-mail those people. They have no other way of getting my blog address. And if I were to send something to them, I would remove the signature to my e-mail which is the only source of my blog address. Although it is VERY pertinent that the only reason for me being censured here and now was that I forgot to remove my signature when forwarding something to the head teacher. So obviously I'm not careful enough. But I have found that the signature function is more flexible than I thought. I can now add it whenever I want. And it is not the default to add it anymore.
Comment (4) was a surprising thought. I am highly outspoken on most things. I wrote an e-mail last week directly referring to problems and criticism to the head teacher and the school. I DO say things to him. Actually I was worried that I made too many suggestions, and that it might seem patronising. I think everyone needs a mentor, and perhaps I was mistaken in believing I could give him advice or feedback.
One good thing is that I have been wanting the head teacher to be more upfront and challenge his own communication issues (what I see as issues, at least). And he came to me directly about this. So maybe it is a sign of improvement (although he didn't come to me straight away to say that I wouldn't have work - so I had to go in and ask directly - although there was eventually a meeting late in the day).
So as the smoke clears I see myself with a very different May/June to what I expected. One bad side is that soon as I heard, my motivation to work for the company has plummeted. I can only motivate myself for working for the students and myself, and not be constructive for the company. I found it hard to even think of what to supply to the reliever for tomorrow morning. I hope he manages my former students depend on it. Now, I realise, I can claim that time as preparation. I would never have noticed otherwise, it was formally a natural function of working.
Plans now, broaden job search - Primary schools are annoying the hell out of me.
Rig up language exchange - I am motivated like never before.
Get fit - I have no excuse.
Start writing again - maybe that is the gold mine future I have always underestimated.
Relinquish my responsibilities at Intrax - get mentally divorced from the job
Perhaps I should do some formal planning. Anyway, time to shut my eyes for the night.
Well, it has been an interesting day. All that follows is the contents of my subjective mind. And most of it is just the verbal download to enable me to sleep soundly, without mental discord.
Clouds have been brewing a while at work. Recently, the American headquarters of my language school has been tightening the purse strings. This distressed a co-worker who suddenly found the course he was planning no longer existed anymore. Then came the staff meeting on the Tuesday which talked about the changes which didn't seem all too bad, such as a four week cycle, new textbooks to be used etc. etc. AND there was indications that their were going to be fewer teaching positions than there would be teachers, in the short term.
Following the staff meeting, some of us had individual meetings with the management, to talk about our desired future classes. Since I had taken the last two weeks with the mornings off, they asked me whether I wanted to continue that way. I said I did not and that I would like to work.
I had chosen to do without morning work (for a short time) as a way to save myself from my own commitments to the school. I had said I would simultaneously plan two courses and teach, which I found was not possible while keeping my brain together, so accepted (at what is lower pay) mornings off to 'save' the afternoon higher course, tidy up the lower course and do the things I was procrastinating.
This was also a good benefit to me, admittedly, because I had fallen off my applications to primary schools and hadn't had much time to devote to my other studies. But now the lower course has reached 12 weeks! That means it needs much less maintenance as it repeats. I don't need to work on it much longer. And the higher class is the only thing that I need to bother with for the afternoon.
Now, comes the punchline - due to the aforementioned budget restraints and limitations caused by student numbers I won't have fixed morning work for the next four weeks, perhaps indefinitely. In one way, I am rather annoyed and another way I see it as a rational decision. I took the time off in the mornings, in part, for the company. If it were not for the task of maintaining both afternoon courses, I would not have asked for the time off. I have put a lot of my own time into the school and accepted less weekly pay for it. And to be told that I won't be required full-time after that, does cause me to feel a little knocked back.
But, I can't see any other worker that deserves work less than me. One has a mortgage, I would cede work to him. The 'meek' one, formerly mentioned, has lost a lot of income in the labour shortage here already and won't be fully employed even in the new arrangement. The other teacher also has rarely had a regular supply of work, yet is bound to stay longer than me and be more useful to the company. There are lots of pragmatic aspects for the school, which I console myself with.
But at the same time, I should rightfully be the first to go, as stated, I was always there just to get me through to my first primary teaching position. The threat of my rapid departure has been there for some time, and has probably made the decision of management to choose this path much easier. One plus will be to cause me to push me harder to find a primary position - which has been my original goal. All disappointment at being denied work is because of my wrong attachment to the language school. A very important point for me to see.
Anyway, financially, this means going on a tight budget even to maintain my current cash level (making me wish I hadn't paid off the student loan in full). It will mean slashing my discretionary spending which has been high since I started work. My income works out at about $1200 less for the next four weeks.
The second curious happening today is being mildly censured for my ramblings on this blog. It ain't just airline hostesses who have this trouble it seems. The censure was on these grounds:
(1) I don't know the full details of certain events, so I shouldn't portray things as if they were fact.
(2) I used the wrong title for a person, the person I called the administrator, is actually the head teacher. I called this person the administrator as this person assumed the role of the person I formerly called, "the administrator".
(3) I made comments that could be distressing for people mentioned in my tales.
(4) If I have qualms about the head teacher's performance, I should just tell him.
I think (1) is a 'don't go there' point. EVERYONE has perceptions, just because they are written down rather than spoken or thought, it doesn't make them any less real to me. If anyone believes this is any more than my opinion and subjective perception though, please re-educate yourselves. If you believe me, you'll believe anything.
Comment number (2) could be a pertinent point - although I think it is rather semantic. The head teacher, in the time that I am referring to, was not 'teaching'. He was allocating classes, drawing up class rolls, handling testing, evaluating teachers, preparing professional development and courses. It was for these roles that I was referring to as belonging to an administrator. It doesn't really matter to the substance of my comments but simply the name of the role...
Comment (3) is a more real concern, except for the fact that I do not e-mail those people. They have no other way of getting my blog address. And if I were to send something to them, I would remove the signature to my e-mail which is the only source of my blog address. Although it is VERY pertinent that the only reason for me being censured here and now was that I forgot to remove my signature when forwarding something to the head teacher. So obviously I'm not careful enough. But I have found that the signature function is more flexible than I thought. I can now add it whenever I want. And it is not the default to add it anymore.
Comment (4) was a surprising thought. I am highly outspoken on most things. I wrote an e-mail last week directly referring to problems and criticism to the head teacher and the school. I DO say things to him. Actually I was worried that I made too many suggestions, and that it might seem patronising. I think everyone needs a mentor, and perhaps I was mistaken in believing I could give him advice or feedback.
One good thing is that I have been wanting the head teacher to be more upfront and challenge his own communication issues (what I see as issues, at least). And he came to me directly about this. So maybe it is a sign of improvement (although he didn't come to me straight away to say that I wouldn't have work - so I had to go in and ask directly - although there was eventually a meeting late in the day).
So as the smoke clears I see myself with a very different May/June to what I expected. One bad side is that soon as I heard, my motivation to work for the company has plummeted. I can only motivate myself for working for the students and myself, and not be constructive for the company. I found it hard to even think of what to supply to the reliever for tomorrow morning. I hope he manages my former students depend on it. Now, I realise, I can claim that time as preparation. I would never have noticed otherwise, it was formally a natural function of working.
Plans now, broaden job search - Primary schools are annoying the hell out of me.
Rig up language exchange - I am motivated like never before.
Get fit - I have no excuse.
Start writing again - maybe that is the gold mine future I have always underestimated.
Relinquish my responsibilities at Intrax - get mentally divorced from the job
Perhaps I should do some formal planning. Anyway, time to shut my eyes for the night.
Sunday, May 22, 2005
Quote from an acquaintance
In 2001, while on a Habitat for Humanity build, I met a guy called Sandor Lau (Sandor is pronounced Shon-door). I only found out later what a talented, motivated person he was. He is a Fulbright Scholar. I spotted him on Asia Down Under (presenting just one item on the Auckland Film Festival). And then he appeared with a documentary on both TV1 and Maori TV, Behaviours of a Backpacker, both times I missed. It is on the Asian Film Festival though, next Sunday at 4pm (paired with another short movie).
Anyhow, with the knowledge that he obviously had the desire to push himself to the top (something I have a lot of admiration for), I wasn't surprised to hear him on Radio New Zealand this morning, commenting about the scandal of the Ba'athist party members being found in NZ. He was rather forthright with his views, delivering a wonderfully rhetorical leftish spiel. He did have one humorous, but meaningful line:
In 2001, while on a Habitat for Humanity build, I met a guy called Sandor Lau (Sandor is pronounced Shon-door). I only found out later what a talented, motivated person he was. He is a Fulbright Scholar. I spotted him on Asia Down Under (presenting just one item on the Auckland Film Festival). And then he appeared with a documentary on both TV1 and Maori TV, Behaviours of a Backpacker, both times I missed. It is on the Asian Film Festival though, next Sunday at 4pm (paired with another short movie).
Anyhow, with the knowledge that he obviously had the desire to push himself to the top (something I have a lot of admiration for), I wasn't surprised to hear him on Radio New Zealand this morning, commenting about the scandal of the Ba'athist party members being found in NZ. He was rather forthright with his views, delivering a wonderfully rhetorical leftish spiel. He did have one humorous, but meaningful line:
"War is just terrorism with a budget"
He then went on to assert that members of the British Labour Party and Americans in general should be treated with high suspicion if they should want to come to New Zealand as the war against Iraq is considered illegal by Kofi Annan etc.
Anyhow, I will be looking forward to more from him, and hopefully will finally see his film.
Tuesday, May 17, 2005
Optimal Self-efficacy
You could almost call me a confidence man, because simply I have an unreal sense of confidence in many of my skills. One thing that we learnt in the education course is that self-efficacy (your belief that you can pull something off) is one of the most crucial determiners of success. Well for teaching English in general I have very strong belief. Even though I have produced some lacklustre performances, I still believe that I am not just a good teacher, but an exceptional teacher.
Of course, beliefs like this are not necessarily true. For example, for most of my teens and early twenties I was psychologically tall. Why? For a short time, I was pretty tall for my age. I got a literal "head"start on many of my classmates, before they shot past. For some reason, that belief of superiority and height advantage were frozen in time and mind. Ever since I have never been concerned about height, even when others seem to emphasise the importance of it.
Since I came back teaching English, I still have had the positive belief about my teaching despite some less than convincing performances. But over the weekend I engineered a little teaching miracle. I was given the responsibility of saving a course and maintaining another. In a curious turn, even the student who left my "lower" class has joined the higher class I'm teaching. So I have increased the roll! In a word, I fulfilled my vision of myself perfectly. The theoretical model of Daniel as a good teacher became true. And it was a good feeling.
The classes I have produced are challenging - two observers were a little rattled at how much responsibility and tasks I was throwing onto the students. Maybe that is a drawback already and something I will need to think about. Some students are in shock that I am making them do work - this class is becoming a "Just do it!" class. Actually I think that is a good idea to really instill explicitly from tomorrow.
Either way, challenges are still there for me too. Like how can I maintain this. I am just thankful for the mornings off.
You could almost call me a confidence man, because simply I have an unreal sense of confidence in many of my skills. One thing that we learnt in the education course is that self-efficacy (your belief that you can pull something off) is one of the most crucial determiners of success. Well for teaching English in general I have very strong belief. Even though I have produced some lacklustre performances, I still believe that I am not just a good teacher, but an exceptional teacher.
Of course, beliefs like this are not necessarily true. For example, for most of my teens and early twenties I was psychologically tall. Why? For a short time, I was pretty tall for my age. I got a literal "head"start on many of my classmates, before they shot past. For some reason, that belief of superiority and height advantage were frozen in time and mind. Ever since I have never been concerned about height, even when others seem to emphasise the importance of it.
Since I came back teaching English, I still have had the positive belief about my teaching despite some less than convincing performances. But over the weekend I engineered a little teaching miracle. I was given the responsibility of saving a course and maintaining another. In a curious turn, even the student who left my "lower" class has joined the higher class I'm teaching. So I have increased the roll! In a word, I fulfilled my vision of myself perfectly. The theoretical model of Daniel as a good teacher became true. And it was a good feeling.
The classes I have produced are challenging - two observers were a little rattled at how much responsibility and tasks I was throwing onto the students. Maybe that is a drawback already and something I will need to think about. Some students are in shock that I am making them do work - this class is becoming a "Just do it!" class. Actually I think that is a good idea to really instill explicitly from tomorrow.
Either way, challenges are still there for me too. Like how can I maintain this. I am just thankful for the mornings off.
Sunday, May 15, 2005
Zhen-de pressure!
It really was a case of a whirlwind week in the fishbowl that is my language school - but the main consequence is that now I am twice as busy as I was before. Here's how it happened:
As you may know I have been developing a course. Well, actually it is one half of a pair of courses, me planning and teaching the lower of the two. The higher level of the two being planned and taught by two different people. It had always seemed on the precipice of disaster. There was not enough time for it to be planned (the planner being burdened with other tasks), the teacher, as talented as he is, was struggling with the dearth of materials and his other obligations (he is doing a correspondence course and buying a house). But not to worry, he was changing from that class to prepare another course, handing the upper course on to a new recruit, let's just call him Kate.
On Friday (two weeks ago), after taking my class to a hair salon, a student from my class told me that they wanted to try a different class for the last two weeks they were at our school. I said that was fine, and made a few suggestions on what she should do.
After a peaceful weekend, then came a very unusual Monday (last Monday). The planner and teacher of the higher course decided to meet with students first to ask how the new teacher was and to ask what they thought of the course. Apparently it was very sobering, the students being rather outspoken about some of their dissatisfaction. The meeting stretched and alarm bells were ringing. Then I heard that the student from my class I talked to on the Friday and one student from the higher class had discussed with the Japanese counsellor about their unhappiness with their course earlier. After Monday, we had an informal meeting, a prelude to a Tuesday formal meeting to address the issues. The Tuesday meeting, brought to my attention that there were some not so apparent qualms with how I had been planning and executing my lessons.
Wednesday brought the management into class to discuss with the class their exact feelings and recommendations (without the teachers present). The outcome of this was interesting. Suddenly it was more clear. There were some students who were not happy but majority were not in my course. Whew! But there are still a lot of changes to make... BUT, a very important change suddenly became necessary. The new recruit, who was unfairly dropped into the burning house that was the higher course, asked for something more structured.
The decision was made on Thursday: I would teacher the higher class, Kate would teacher the lower class. I would be preparing my afternoon classes, Kate's afternoon classes and of course still attend to my morning classes. The upper classes would be converted to a free-form conversation/activity class with me having carte blanche and responsibility for every aspect of it. Man!
To be honest, I said that the aforementioned workload was fine with me. And I can claim the hours I spend on it for my wages.
I am suffering a little from stress I believe. My muscles being tense and I seem rather tense even when I think I am relaxing (something Xin noticed). This became more obvious at about 4am on Saturday morning when I awoke rigid and stressed. I think my mind had been puzzling over it during the night.
Fortunately my Saturday commitment collapsed and I was free in the evening to have a creative burst solving most of the pressing problems. Many of the ideas had been brewing on the Friday but maybe some of it was developed when I should have been resting on Friday night...
Either way, I am on my way through this bottleneck... But I am planning perhap another morning week off.
It really was a case of a whirlwind week in the fishbowl that is my language school - but the main consequence is that now I am twice as busy as I was before. Here's how it happened:
As you may know I have been developing a course. Well, actually it is one half of a pair of courses, me planning and teaching the lower of the two. The higher level of the two being planned and taught by two different people. It had always seemed on the precipice of disaster. There was not enough time for it to be planned (the planner being burdened with other tasks), the teacher, as talented as he is, was struggling with the dearth of materials and his other obligations (he is doing a correspondence course and buying a house). But not to worry, he was changing from that class to prepare another course, handing the upper course on to a new recruit, let's just call him Kate.
On Friday (two weeks ago), after taking my class to a hair salon, a student from my class told me that they wanted to try a different class for the last two weeks they were at our school. I said that was fine, and made a few suggestions on what she should do.
After a peaceful weekend, then came a very unusual Monday (last Monday). The planner and teacher of the higher course decided to meet with students first to ask how the new teacher was and to ask what they thought of the course. Apparently it was very sobering, the students being rather outspoken about some of their dissatisfaction. The meeting stretched and alarm bells were ringing. Then I heard that the student from my class I talked to on the Friday and one student from the higher class had discussed with the Japanese counsellor about their unhappiness with their course earlier. After Monday, we had an informal meeting, a prelude to a Tuesday formal meeting to address the issues. The Tuesday meeting, brought to my attention that there were some not so apparent qualms with how I had been planning and executing my lessons.
Wednesday brought the management into class to discuss with the class their exact feelings and recommendations (without the teachers present). The outcome of this was interesting. Suddenly it was more clear. There were some students who were not happy but majority were not in my course. Whew! But there are still a lot of changes to make... BUT, a very important change suddenly became necessary. The new recruit, who was unfairly dropped into the burning house that was the higher course, asked for something more structured.
The decision was made on Thursday: I would teacher the higher class, Kate would teacher the lower class. I would be preparing my afternoon classes, Kate's afternoon classes and of course still attend to my morning classes. The upper classes would be converted to a free-form conversation/activity class with me having carte blanche and responsibility for every aspect of it. Man!
To be honest, I said that the aforementioned workload was fine with me. And I can claim the hours I spend on it for my wages.
I am suffering a little from stress I believe. My muscles being tense and I seem rather tense even when I think I am relaxing (something Xin noticed). This became more obvious at about 4am on Saturday morning when I awoke rigid and stressed. I think my mind had been puzzling over it during the night.
Fortunately my Saturday commitment collapsed and I was free in the evening to have a creative burst solving most of the pressing problems. Many of the ideas had been brewing on the Friday but maybe some of it was developed when I should have been resting on Friday night...
Either way, I am on my way through this bottleneck... But I am planning perhap another morning week off.
Thursday, April 28, 2005
Flux and Fuzz
Ah, ti~me is on my side, yes it is~ Well, things are pretty nice right now.
My interview at King's School was pretty interesting but ultimately has not given me a third term position. It has been the interview where I have got the most encouragement though - he said he would like me to work at his school but not now with the positions that are open. He has kept my CV in the hope (mine and his) that there will be opportunities knocking at the end of the year.
Ping-pong is consuming my afternoons but I am enjoying it and it is a good workout too. With my confidence in my foot rising it is nice to reclaim some of my fitness. I might extend it somehow. I am also keen to donate blood some time soon... My blood feels kinda rich, full of energy.
On the other hand, my preparation for my afternoon class, formerly the jewel in my teaching crown, has suffered in terms of preparation. Still excellent and the students have had a ball, but as the teacher, I should be more confident with my materials before going in. My morning class, compared to when I first came back are almost teaching masterpieces. Except for the time the assessor came in... oh dear.
Anyway, with the tide I go out~
Ah, ti~me is on my side, yes it is~ Well, things are pretty nice right now.
My interview at King's School was pretty interesting but ultimately has not given me a third term position. It has been the interview where I have got the most encouragement though - he said he would like me to work at his school but not now with the positions that are open. He has kept my CV in the hope (mine and his) that there will be opportunities knocking at the end of the year.
Ping-pong is consuming my afternoons but I am enjoying it and it is a good workout too. With my confidence in my foot rising it is nice to reclaim some of my fitness. I might extend it somehow. I am also keen to donate blood some time soon... My blood feels kinda rich, full of energy.
On the other hand, my preparation for my afternoon class, formerly the jewel in my teaching crown, has suffered in terms of preparation. Still excellent and the students have had a ball, but as the teacher, I should be more confident with my materials before going in. My morning class, compared to when I first came back are almost teaching masterpieces. Except for the time the assessor came in... oh dear.
Anyway, with the tide I go out~
Sunday, April 24, 2005
Xylitol
Life without sugar is interestingly different. You find that sugar does indirectly make you sleepy, and that sugar in the diet begets sugar in the diet.
The ping-pong has changed a lot at school. Another former teacher has been welcomed back to the fold, and he was very good at ping-pong. It took him two days to get his form back. The day before he really got back into it I thrashed him 5-1. Then things changed as he dismantled everyone else, camping at one end of the ping-pong table. Getting him into a doubles match and pairing him with a weaker partner was the best way to supplant him. I played him on Friday afternoon and managed to valiantly lose 3-6, with many defeats that had me struggling to get passed 10 (in first to 21 matches).
Life without sugar is interestingly different. You find that sugar does indirectly make you sleepy, and that sugar in the diet begets sugar in the diet.
The ping-pong has changed a lot at school. Another former teacher has been welcomed back to the fold, and he was very good at ping-pong. It took him two days to get his form back. The day before he really got back into it I thrashed him 5-1. Then things changed as he dismantled everyone else, camping at one end of the ping-pong table. Getting him into a doubles match and pairing him with a weaker partner was the best way to supplant him. I played him on Friday afternoon and managed to valiantly lose 3-6, with many defeats that had me struggling to get passed 10 (in first to 21 matches).
Wednesday, April 20, 2005
Beezee~
Man, this week seems so long. I was glad to have an early night on Monday night but all that has been forgotten as a pub quiz, late nights and long days have come down on top of me. I will have my 11th observer for the week tomorrow, today being a dizzying 7 observers (relative to a class of 6!)...
White tea is great. And my cold-turkey approach to sugar in tea and chocolate in general is fine...
Man, this week seems so long. I was glad to have an early night on Monday night but all that has been forgotten as a pub quiz, late nights and long days have come down on top of me. I will have my 11th observer for the week tomorrow, today being a dizzying 7 observers (relative to a class of 6!)...
White tea is great. And my cold-turkey approach to sugar in tea and chocolate in general is fine...
Thursday, April 14, 2005
Tuesday, April 12, 2005
Barbarians!
Question: What is worse than finding you are in a country full of uncouth people?
Answer: Finding your esteemed teacher is one of them.
This week in English in Action we are doing feelings and expressing yourself and things like that. One of the listenings were on Culture Shock, and we had a bit of sharing about the things they thought were shocking... and one of the main ones to come up was the way New Zealanders wash their dishes. All the Japanese and Koreans in my class were quite disgusted by what they observed Kiwi host families doing. They would say with the faces wrinkled that those terrible homestay families would wash their dishes in hot soapy water and then just let them drain in a dish-rack! With the water from the sink STILL ON THEM! I am used to this kind of panic, I calmly tell them that is exactly what I do. Looks of incredulity abound. They could accept stupid kiwi homestay families doing it but not their teacher... (interestingly almost all the students who have host families have not enjoyed their experiences, which is a bit of a worry).
Question: What is worse than finding you are in a country full of uncouth people?
Answer: Finding your esteemed teacher is one of them.
This week in English in Action we are doing feelings and expressing yourself and things like that. One of the listenings were on Culture Shock, and we had a bit of sharing about the things they thought were shocking... and one of the main ones to come up was the way New Zealanders wash their dishes. All the Japanese and Koreans in my class were quite disgusted by what they observed Kiwi host families doing. They would say with the faces wrinkled that those terrible homestay families would wash their dishes in hot soapy water and then just let them drain in a dish-rack! With the water from the sink STILL ON THEM! I am used to this kind of panic, I calmly tell them that is exactly what I do. Looks of incredulity abound. They could accept stupid kiwi homestay families doing it but not their teacher... (interestingly almost all the students who have host families have not enjoyed their experiences, which is a bit of a worry).
A victim?
Things are going into an interesting phase, without anything different happening. I'm just saying it is interesting because if I had to sum up a word for it, it would have to be "interesting". Why interesting? Because it feels interesting. How does it feel interesting? It is just a feeling.
Anyway, a victim of my own success or just lightening striking? My burgeoning class of nine (it has been a long time since the school has had a class that size) will be joined by not one, not two, not three, but four observers. It remains to be seen whether you can pack thirteen students into one of our classrooms... I had just moved class on Monday to accommodate the two that I hooked into coming last week. And it remains to be seen whether the observers will be interested in being in one of the most overcrowded classes around. But either way, there is a bonus of $200 for me if all of them join... (gee, that's a lot of money) I will do better than the last time I had three observers and executed a poorly prepared lesson. Administration has offered to give me a teaching assistant, who would assist during class (which is something I have never had).
The course itself has suffered a little lately by me being distracted and ill-prepared. I am more interested in learning language than teaching language at the moment, and as a result the class has been less in tune with the purpose. I have decided to refocus myself now.
Anyway, probably the good side of having the two recent additions to the class is that one is an avid ping-pong player. It has been quite some time since I last played ping-pong consistently and it looks as if he is interested in playing most afternoons. He beat me twice yesterday, then in a long string of games I beat him 5-1, although all by very narrow margins. He looks like a much more sophisticated player than I do and has a killer smash (which is often his undoing, he is about 50%. And we both play left handed against all other competition (I still can't beat one of the others with my left hand, but I come close everytime). All the facets of my game are coming back. I never lost my spin-serves, but had lost my forehand smash, and my side-spin smashes (which used to be my best weapon). Strangely I regained my smash with the left-hand before the right. Playing against a reasonable player with my uncoordinated left hand, I spotted and smashed a ball of a nice height better and, oddly, far more accurately than I had previously with my right hand, and I did it again and again. Anyway, I am always happier when I am playing ping-pong.
Things are going into an interesting phase, without anything different happening. I'm just saying it is interesting because if I had to sum up a word for it, it would have to be "interesting". Why interesting? Because it feels interesting. How does it feel interesting? It is just a feeling.
Anyway, a victim of my own success or just lightening striking? My burgeoning class of nine (it has been a long time since the school has had a class that size) will be joined by not one, not two, not three, but four observers. It remains to be seen whether you can pack thirteen students into one of our classrooms... I had just moved class on Monday to accommodate the two that I hooked into coming last week. And it remains to be seen whether the observers will be interested in being in one of the most overcrowded classes around. But either way, there is a bonus of $200 for me if all of them join... (gee, that's a lot of money) I will do better than the last time I had three observers and executed a poorly prepared lesson. Administration has offered to give me a teaching assistant, who would assist during class (which is something I have never had).
The course itself has suffered a little lately by me being distracted and ill-prepared. I am more interested in learning language than teaching language at the moment, and as a result the class has been less in tune with the purpose. I have decided to refocus myself now.
Anyway, probably the good side of having the two recent additions to the class is that one is an avid ping-pong player. It has been quite some time since I last played ping-pong consistently and it looks as if he is interested in playing most afternoons. He beat me twice yesterday, then in a long string of games I beat him 5-1, although all by very narrow margins. He looks like a much more sophisticated player than I do and has a killer smash (which is often his undoing, he is about 50%. And we both play left handed against all other competition (I still can't beat one of the others with my left hand, but I come close everytime). All the facets of my game are coming back. I never lost my spin-serves, but had lost my forehand smash, and my side-spin smashes (which used to be my best weapon). Strangely I regained my smash with the left-hand before the right. Playing against a reasonable player with my uncoordinated left hand, I spotted and smashed a ball of a nice height better and, oddly, far more accurately than I had previously with my right hand, and I did it again and again. Anyway, I am always happier when I am playing ping-pong.
Wednesday, April 06, 2005
Bonuses are their own reward
After knackering myself with another late night, I pulled out another good day of teaching out of my bag of tricks. In the morning, I only have one student but managed to bring out the necessary points. I did reflect though, that it could have been so much better...
Then, in the afternoon class I was suddenly given two observers who seemed to enjoy themselves. So hopefully another two bonuses of $50. Then there was the curious staff meeting.
Earlier in the day, a student recruitment firm from Korea had met with the managers and some of the Korean students. This is when it gets interesting. Apparently the Korean students in my afternoon class raved about Daniel and his English in Action course. So much so that the agent mentioned me specifically back to the management, saying that if this "Daniel" fellow is teaching, they would be sending students here! So at the staff meeting, management announced they were giving me an extra $50 bonus. I am not sure what the thinking of management is toward me now. An employee who has already declared himself leaving at the first chance, whom an agency now says is crucial to their choice to send students. What was one do?
Of course, if I were a pessimist I would say he has nothing to fear, I am stuck here. My trip out for another interview tomorrow is a undesirable position (but is it the best I can get? Long term reliever in a year 2 to 3 class) at a good school.
Anyway, I am concerned about my planning for the afternoon class now. My mornings off did not generate a buffer of planning that was originally intended. I was half-relying on this week to give me that. Then why did I accept morning teaching this week? Maybe the fact that I effectively gave away $400 by not working in the mornings got to me subconsciously.
After knackering myself with another late night, I pulled out another good day of teaching out of my bag of tricks. In the morning, I only have one student but managed to bring out the necessary points. I did reflect though, that it could have been so much better...
Then, in the afternoon class I was suddenly given two observers who seemed to enjoy themselves. So hopefully another two bonuses of $50. Then there was the curious staff meeting.
Earlier in the day, a student recruitment firm from Korea had met with the managers and some of the Korean students. This is when it gets interesting. Apparently the Korean students in my afternoon class raved about Daniel and his English in Action course. So much so that the agent mentioned me specifically back to the management, saying that if this "Daniel" fellow is teaching, they would be sending students here! So at the staff meeting, management announced they were giving me an extra $50 bonus. I am not sure what the thinking of management is toward me now. An employee who has already declared himself leaving at the first chance, whom an agency now says is crucial to their choice to send students. What was one do?
Of course, if I were a pessimist I would say he has nothing to fear, I am stuck here. My trip out for another interview tomorrow is a undesirable position (but is it the best I can get? Long term reliever in a year 2 to 3 class) at a good school.
Anyway, I am concerned about my planning for the afternoon class now. My mornings off did not generate a buffer of planning that was originally intended. I was half-relying on this week to give me that. Then why did I accept morning teaching this week? Maybe the fact that I effectively gave away $400 by not working in the mornings got to me subconsciously.
Tuesday, April 05, 2005
Another ray of sunshine
Well, with a brief self-declared morning holiday for all of last week and on Monday, I am back working full-time. I didn't achieve much that I initially intended to but did achieve a lot.
I have another interview this Thursday. I have confirmed my referees and got a glowing reference letter from my current employer. I got in some precious language study.
I have just sent off three more CVs to schools and despite a feeling of unease before lessons due to a lack of preparation, my classes have been successful.
Well, with a brief self-declared morning holiday for all of last week and on Monday, I am back working full-time. I didn't achieve much that I initially intended to but did achieve a lot.
I have another interview this Thursday. I have confirmed my referees and got a glowing reference letter from my current employer. I got in some precious language study.
I have just sent off three more CVs to schools and despite a feeling of unease before lessons due to a lack of preparation, my classes have been successful.
Saturday, April 02, 2005
Obscure challenges
Sometimes, a fervour comes upon me to learn something. Unfortunately, my learning sprees rarely distinguish between useful and unuseful knowledge. Suddenly I stay up late reading, browsing, searching, scribbling etc. till finally I leave it there. Quite often it is a language but can really be anything, nobel prize winners, chemistry, a musicians work, a philosophy.
Recently, I read Nobel Prize for Literature winners (triggered by Who wants to be a Millionaire), solipsism and Descartes (as a result of my interest in existentialism), Arabic (triggered by getting a book on Islam), zoological classifications (as a result of a visit to the various museums) etc.
Last night's project was learning Biblical Hebrew, triggered by my reading of the Bible, and also the fact that a theology-studying workmate was a bit unsure whether he should be expending that effort. I now know the whole hebrew alephbet (interestingly, the Greek, Arabic, Latin and Hebrew alphabets come from a similar root). I can read the very first sentence in Genesis and even understand the grammar).
Damn, just writing that triggered me to re-learn the Greek alphabet. Oh and now the Arabic... Maybe that is the problem with a language passion, it is never-ending.
Sometimes, a fervour comes upon me to learn something. Unfortunately, my learning sprees rarely distinguish between useful and unuseful knowledge. Suddenly I stay up late reading, browsing, searching, scribbling etc. till finally I leave it there. Quite often it is a language but can really be anything, nobel prize winners, chemistry, a musicians work, a philosophy.
Recently, I read Nobel Prize for Literature winners (triggered by Who wants to be a Millionaire), solipsism and Descartes (as a result of my interest in existentialism), Arabic (triggered by getting a book on Islam), zoological classifications (as a result of a visit to the various museums) etc.
Last night's project was learning Biblical Hebrew, triggered by my reading of the Bible, and also the fact that a theology-studying workmate was a bit unsure whether he should be expending that effort. I now know the whole hebrew alephbet (interestingly, the Greek, Arabic, Latin and Hebrew alphabets come from a similar root). I can read the very first sentence in Genesis and even understand the grammar).
Damn, just writing that triggered me to re-learn the Greek alphabet. Oh and now the Arabic... Maybe that is the problem with a language passion, it is never-ending.
Thursday, March 31, 2005
"Secret Training"
This term I got from the AIESECer who introduced me to AIESEC, Yasuteru. He used it in reference to practising his roller-blading on Mission Bay. To practice without others around. I used the term today and my Japanese students laughed.. Maybe it is a bit of Japanese English now.
I had my "Secret Training" tonight, practising the Korean song "I believe" repetitively. It is the first song I have sung all of and can sing in time with the music. I can thank Master Winston Kim for his guidance and singing teaching.
I was pleasantly surprised that the karaoke place had some song such as Creep and even Fake Plastic Trees (which only people like me would sing) both by Radiohead.
Anyway, tomorrow is the day of song. And strangely it is the Japanese song that I'll have to sing which is making me nervous.
This term I got from the AIESECer who introduced me to AIESEC, Yasuteru. He used it in reference to practising his roller-blading on Mission Bay. To practice without others around. I used the term today and my Japanese students laughed.. Maybe it is a bit of Japanese English now.
I had my "Secret Training" tonight, practising the Korean song "I believe" repetitively. It is the first song I have sung all of and can sing in time with the music. I can thank Master Winston Kim for his guidance and singing teaching.
I was pleasantly surprised that the karaoke place had some song such as Creep and even Fake Plastic Trees (which only people like me would sing) both by Radiohead.
Anyway, tomorrow is the day of song. And strangely it is the Japanese song that I'll have to sing which is making me nervous.
Sunday, March 27, 2005
Easter (caution: contains thoughts of religious nature)
I have been musing a lot about finding the reality of things, such as what Waitangi day really signifies to me etc. It is easy to just take a holiday and enjoy it, but it has always felt strange to not know upon what the things we see are based. Easter has been like that too. A good time for a holiday or an AIESEC conference. But there is naturally a root that lies in the past.
Easter originates from the resurrection of Christ and pagan Spring festivals, and now is buffeted by social constructivistic forces. The resurrection of Christ is what I am reading most about lately (although I am interested in finding out about the pagan side one day too). I was quite glad to be reading the last few chapters of Matthew (from the New Testament) which detail Christ's crucifixion on Good Friday and Saturday. Of course, I knew the story previously but I have been gaining more knowledge and perspective of it with every day.
It is this day that really is the beating heart of Christianity. It is to understand how it works that reveals exactly its power. And as any Christian SHOULD tell you, it is not to intellectually accept creation or even the existence of God, the faith in the reality or not of the death and resurrection of Christ and its significance should be the acid test of one's own atheism.
Reading the Bible is mind-altering. On Good Friday, I read a section of Matthew 24 : 30, describing the Second Coming of Christ: "At that time, the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky. Then all the people of the world will cry. They will see the Son of Man coming on clouds in the sky with great power and glory." The strange thing is that I had a dream of this kind several weeks previously. I remember I was in the middle of another dream when suddenly the sky went dark and then out of the sun came bright figures riding horses. My mother in the dream, cursed them in a strange way (she is not Christian and often speaks suspiciously of religion). That was spooky. Dreams are unnerving in this way. My religious co-worker at Intrax says his wife has visions in her dreams.
That being said, my understanding of my own mind is that which I am gaining through these experiences.
I have been musing a lot about finding the reality of things, such as what Waitangi day really signifies to me etc. It is easy to just take a holiday and enjoy it, but it has always felt strange to not know upon what the things we see are based. Easter has been like that too. A good time for a holiday or an AIESEC conference. But there is naturally a root that lies in the past.
Easter originates from the resurrection of Christ and pagan Spring festivals, and now is buffeted by social constructivistic forces. The resurrection of Christ is what I am reading most about lately (although I am interested in finding out about the pagan side one day too). I was quite glad to be reading the last few chapters of Matthew (from the New Testament) which detail Christ's crucifixion on Good Friday and Saturday. Of course, I knew the story previously but I have been gaining more knowledge and perspective of it with every day.
It is this day that really is the beating heart of Christianity. It is to understand how it works that reveals exactly its power. And as any Christian SHOULD tell you, it is not to intellectually accept creation or even the existence of God, the faith in the reality or not of the death and resurrection of Christ and its significance should be the acid test of one's own atheism.
Reading the Bible is mind-altering. On Good Friday, I read a section of Matthew 24 : 30, describing the Second Coming of Christ: "At that time, the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky. Then all the people of the world will cry. They will see the Son of Man coming on clouds in the sky with great power and glory." The strange thing is that I had a dream of this kind several weeks previously. I remember I was in the middle of another dream when suddenly the sky went dark and then out of the sun came bright figures riding horses. My mother in the dream, cursed them in a strange way (she is not Christian and often speaks suspiciously of religion). That was spooky. Dreams are unnerving in this way. My religious co-worker at Intrax says his wife has visions in her dreams.
That being said, my understanding of my own mind is that which I am gaining through these experiences.
Wednesday, March 23, 2005
Office Politics
I have been caught amidst office politics in the last 24 hours as the result of a charitable, yet practical move on my part. It was deliberate, a little bit of an experiment, and has been showing some remarkable consequences.
I also may have incidentally interfered with management's attempts attempts to give a fellow worker the old-heave-hoe.
It all started when the formerly 'meek' co-worker of mine found herself without an afternoon class after rejecting what was available. She made some noise, and then got the opportunity to assist me in making the curriculum while the rest of us taught in the afternoon. This sounded good for me at first as she is a resource ferret, capable of finding books and chapters to suit any subject or purpose. But I found her to be difficult to work with. Eventually after being nagged for eight minutes of my ten minute break by her (she didn't have a class), with her speaking over everything I said, and then her complaining about me to the administrator saying I speak to her as if she were a primary school student, I started to wonder what would placate her grumbling disquiet.
Then she found that next week she would have no morning class. She made a noise standing in the doorway of the administrator, asking him what classs he could teach (the answer: no class) and saying that she'd have to look for another job. For me, this was a little awkward in that technically I thought I should stand aside as I am on a casual contract, whereas she was with the company through thick and thin (and boy was it thin in the past year) and is on a more permanent contract than I. But there was never this suggestion by management or to her.
Then I thought briefly about my own position. Since becoming full-time AND doing additional curriculum work, I have stopped applying for other jobs (since my last interview). I have been swamped. And if I don't do anything I will be here forever. So I thought I could propose a win-win situation. I would give up my morning class in the morning to her and restart my job-search. I'd also be freer to do the curriculum development (which still pays) and I would have time to work on my own projects.
BUT the biggest surprise was the administrators reaction. He said that he was under instructions to give work to those who are willing to work, and she, the meek one, was not one to accept what she was given. In other words, she had been rejecting the classes she had been offered and hence was in the situation where she has no classes (and consequently complained). He tried to persuade me to do otherwise, warning me that if I were to give her my classes, she might not give them back when I return. I thought that would be an interesting eventuality (would she feel any right to return the class?). He told me about the discontent of management with her. But I emphasised my reasons for doing so, i.e. to re-start my job search. He eventually conceded (as he had to). And later the meek one commented without much excitement that she was teaching my class next week.
LATER, the meek one complained about a new development announced by management. The edict from above was that seniority doesn't apply to teachers. This was fascinatingly unnatural. Why would a company say that new teachers (even the part-timers) should keep their classes when a committed full-time teacher lacks a class (as the result of merging or graduation)? This became clearer in three following situations. The administrator came to me, and told me I should discuss with her what happens after two weeks. i.e. to make some agreement to share, or return the class back to me rather than wait till that time came. Then the general manager came to me and made sure of my reasons for doing having the break in the morning. He doesn't usually get involved with staffing issues but he came to me to ask whether I was really doing this for my own reasons or whether I was being gentlemanly and standing aside for her. After I told him I wasn't being gentlemanly, he said it was fine and reiterated that they wouldn't stand in my way to pursue other employment and left.
Just before the meek one left for the day, I asked her about what would happen when I came back, and she said quite plainly that management had told her that the two weeks of morning class I asked for were a 'holiday' (despite me working in the afternoons) and that due to seniority not mattering any more I would definitely go back to the Intermediate class I was teaching 2 weeks previously upon my return to full-time teaching. So interesting! My conclusion is that management wants to give her an indirect flick and make her jump. But then I ruined the culmination of this plan. They had disgruntled her, stripped her of work and then the Daniel fly landed squarely in the ointment. As a result, they had even changed the implicit rules of seniority to maintain the edge in evicting her from the job.
All in an 'Auckland' day...
I have been caught amidst office politics in the last 24 hours as the result of a charitable, yet practical move on my part. It was deliberate, a little bit of an experiment, and has been showing some remarkable consequences.
I also may have incidentally interfered with management's attempts attempts to give a fellow worker the old-heave-hoe.
It all started when the formerly 'meek' co-worker of mine found herself without an afternoon class after rejecting what was available. She made some noise, and then got the opportunity to assist me in making the curriculum while the rest of us taught in the afternoon. This sounded good for me at first as she is a resource ferret, capable of finding books and chapters to suit any subject or purpose. But I found her to be difficult to work with. Eventually after being nagged for eight minutes of my ten minute break by her (she didn't have a class), with her speaking over everything I said, and then her complaining about me to the administrator saying I speak to her as if she were a primary school student, I started to wonder what would placate her grumbling disquiet.
Then she found that next week she would have no morning class. She made a noise standing in the doorway of the administrator, asking him what classs he could teach (the answer: no class) and saying that she'd have to look for another job. For me, this was a little awkward in that technically I thought I should stand aside as I am on a casual contract, whereas she was with the company through thick and thin (and boy was it thin in the past year) and is on a more permanent contract than I. But there was never this suggestion by management or to her.
Then I thought briefly about my own position. Since becoming full-time AND doing additional curriculum work, I have stopped applying for other jobs (since my last interview). I have been swamped. And if I don't do anything I will be here forever. So I thought I could propose a win-win situation. I would give up my morning class in the morning to her and restart my job-search. I'd also be freer to do the curriculum development (which still pays) and I would have time to work on my own projects.
BUT the biggest surprise was the administrators reaction. He said that he was under instructions to give work to those who are willing to work, and she, the meek one, was not one to accept what she was given. In other words, she had been rejecting the classes she had been offered and hence was in the situation where she has no classes (and consequently complained). He tried to persuade me to do otherwise, warning me that if I were to give her my classes, she might not give them back when I return. I thought that would be an interesting eventuality (would she feel any right to return the class?). He told me about the discontent of management with her. But I emphasised my reasons for doing so, i.e. to re-start my job search. He eventually conceded (as he had to). And later the meek one commented without much excitement that she was teaching my class next week.
LATER, the meek one complained about a new development announced by management. The edict from above was that seniority doesn't apply to teachers. This was fascinatingly unnatural. Why would a company say that new teachers (even the part-timers) should keep their classes when a committed full-time teacher lacks a class (as the result of merging or graduation)? This became clearer in three following situations. The administrator came to me, and told me I should discuss with her what happens after two weeks. i.e. to make some agreement to share, or return the class back to me rather than wait till that time came. Then the general manager came to me and made sure of my reasons for doing having the break in the morning. He doesn't usually get involved with staffing issues but he came to me to ask whether I was really doing this for my own reasons or whether I was being gentlemanly and standing aside for her. After I told him I wasn't being gentlemanly, he said it was fine and reiterated that they wouldn't stand in my way to pursue other employment and left.
Just before the meek one left for the day, I asked her about what would happen when I came back, and she said quite plainly that management had told her that the two weeks of morning class I asked for were a 'holiday' (despite me working in the afternoons) and that due to seniority not mattering any more I would definitely go back to the Intermediate class I was teaching 2 weeks previously upon my return to full-time teaching. So interesting! My conclusion is that management wants to give her an indirect flick and make her jump. But then I ruined the culmination of this plan. They had disgruntled her, stripped her of work and then the Daniel fly landed squarely in the ointment. As a result, they had even changed the implicit rules of seniority to maintain the edge in evicting her from the job.
All in an 'Auckland' day...
Monday, March 21, 2005
The Best Laid Plans
I just have to say that this is one well-constructed plot-trick movie. I loved the conclusion. It is a great moral play and probably the best movie I have seen on TV.
Campbell Live debuted tonight, and I think it was well done. It provided depth and evidence to base opinions on, rather than the biased ranting of Paul Holmes or the arrogance/ignorance of Susan Wood. It was very cohesive, informative, truly investigative too. I await further developments especially when it comes to the actual live interviews. And also whether Helen Clark will ever be interviewed by the "little creep" again...
I just have to say that this is one well-constructed plot-trick movie. I loved the conclusion. It is a great moral play and probably the best movie I have seen on TV.
Campbell Live debuted tonight, and I think it was well done. It provided depth and evidence to base opinions on, rather than the biased ranting of Paul Holmes or the arrogance/ignorance of Susan Wood. It was very cohesive, informative, truly investigative too. I await further developments especially when it comes to the actual live interviews. And also whether Helen Clark will ever be interviewed by the "little creep" again...
Sunday, March 20, 2005
Wednesday, March 16, 2005
No more leads...
Well, I have fired all my shots, and still have nothing to show for it. I just got back a letter to say I wasn't shortlisted for the NZ Army museum Education Officer position. I had had quite a bit of hope of at least getting an interview.
Now it really is back to the drawing board, as I am not really 'waiting' for anything now. Tomorrow afternoon, I will be 're-loading' and set off my best shots before the 'second term' jobs vanish and (*gasp*) 'third term' positions suddenly appear... (shudders...). My father has given me a good lead that I haven't yet done justice to, so that will be my first target.
My ESOL work has consumed me in the last few weeks and I have been getting results too. Another odd phenomenon was a spontaneous pay-rise. The administrator just came out yesterday afternoon and said, "Congratulations, you are getting a pay-rise!". I am still on less than the high rate I was on prior to leaving in 2003, but I was not expecting to just land back at that rate. The course I am doing curriculum planning for is a wonderful success. I am teaching in a way that accommodates both high and low beginners, simultaneously. I had the great pleasure today of seeing my students seize shop assistants at Downtown shopping centre, and ask those hard questions. And try on clothes (what a joy for the girls) and gasp at the ridiculous prices...
I have made generalised dialogues for all situations in the course, and usually test them out on unsuspecting people before I teach them to the class. I also use assessment techniques which are straight from Primary teaching... which are highly appropriate for the course. There are numerous 'successes' from the course so I am grinning ear-to-ear.
Anyway, employment confusion shall still reign, and in the meantime, I have finally got my first paycheck in 16 months.
Well, I have fired all my shots, and still have nothing to show for it. I just got back a letter to say I wasn't shortlisted for the NZ Army museum Education Officer position. I had had quite a bit of hope of at least getting an interview.
Now it really is back to the drawing board, as I am not really 'waiting' for anything now. Tomorrow afternoon, I will be 're-loading' and set off my best shots before the 'second term' jobs vanish and (*gasp*) 'third term' positions suddenly appear... (shudders...). My father has given me a good lead that I haven't yet done justice to, so that will be my first target.
My ESOL work has consumed me in the last few weeks and I have been getting results too. Another odd phenomenon was a spontaneous pay-rise. The administrator just came out yesterday afternoon and said, "Congratulations, you are getting a pay-rise!". I am still on less than the high rate I was on prior to leaving in 2003, but I was not expecting to just land back at that rate. The course I am doing curriculum planning for is a wonderful success. I am teaching in a way that accommodates both high and low beginners, simultaneously. I had the great pleasure today of seeing my students seize shop assistants at Downtown shopping centre, and ask those hard questions. And try on clothes (what a joy for the girls) and gasp at the ridiculous prices...
I have made generalised dialogues for all situations in the course, and usually test them out on unsuspecting people before I teach them to the class. I also use assessment techniques which are straight from Primary teaching... which are highly appropriate for the course. There are numerous 'successes' from the course so I am grinning ear-to-ear.
Anyway, employment confusion shall still reign, and in the meantime, I have finally got my first paycheck in 16 months.
Sunday, March 13, 2005
Dreams revisited
Only in the last few hours have I felt a semblance of health, but I think it is just good spirits numbing the sickness rather than a genuine recovery. I will have a good sleep tonight. My dream last night was quite an interesting one. In the early morning, I struggled to know whether it really happened.
The setting was the day before my final practicum (oddly I had a clear dream at that particular time too). I was at an early morning University class (or maybe it was an AIESEC activity) before I had to go to the practicum school. It was annoying, I thought, to have a class before I went on practicum. After that finally ended, I realised I didn't know where the school was and had to ask at a petrol station. The school's name was Parnel Normal Primary School (this name I can thank my father for, as it was a misremembered school name by him as a possible lead, the school doesn't exist). After struggling my way, just managing to get there on time, I saw all the teachers drinking coffee at the cafe style seating outside the school. I realised I didn't know who the principal was, so I just asked "Where is the principal?" She was nearby and I explained my situation, and she said she would take me to the classroom, reminding me I would be teaching from today onward, because that was what you had to do on your final practicum (this is patently wrong). I went into what was an ultra-crowded classroom with maybe 40 children. I talked with the teacher who showed me the daily plan, which was printed onto the wall, apparently it was the same everyday, so they could just leave it there printed. I watched the teacher teach for a while. But then a blonde-haired girl left the mat for some reason and I had to look after her. I held her, but there were disapproving looks from other people.
I was quite impressed by my recall of this dream. It is probably one of the more detailed sequences I have remembered. It was so vivid that for a moment I thought that I had to go to the school in the morning.
Only in the last few hours have I felt a semblance of health, but I think it is just good spirits numbing the sickness rather than a genuine recovery. I will have a good sleep tonight. My dream last night was quite an interesting one. In the early morning, I struggled to know whether it really happened.
The setting was the day before my final practicum (oddly I had a clear dream at that particular time too). I was at an early morning University class (or maybe it was an AIESEC activity) before I had to go to the practicum school. It was annoying, I thought, to have a class before I went on practicum. After that finally ended, I realised I didn't know where the school was and had to ask at a petrol station. The school's name was Parnel Normal Primary School (this name I can thank my father for, as it was a misremembered school name by him as a possible lead, the school doesn't exist). After struggling my way, just managing to get there on time, I saw all the teachers drinking coffee at the cafe style seating outside the school. I realised I didn't know who the principal was, so I just asked "Where is the principal?" She was nearby and I explained my situation, and she said she would take me to the classroom, reminding me I would be teaching from today onward, because that was what you had to do on your final practicum (this is patently wrong). I went into what was an ultra-crowded classroom with maybe 40 children. I talked with the teacher who showed me the daily plan, which was printed onto the wall, apparently it was the same everyday, so they could just leave it there printed. I watched the teacher teach for a while. But then a blonde-haired girl left the mat for some reason and I had to look after her. I held her, but there were disapproving looks from other people.
I was quite impressed by my recall of this dream. It is probably one of the more detailed sequences I have remembered. It was so vivid that for a moment I thought that I had to go to the school in the morning.
Saturday, March 12, 2005
A week at 0/2
Well a week of promise has finally found its tarnished lining. Two promising interviews have resulted in two rebuffs. Coupled with that, I have fallen ill again, with a raw throat and a constant fatigue. And to top that off my feet are causing me grief.
Now that I have removed all that negative news from my system, now for the positives. Besides my ailments, I am going pretty well. I took advantage of Borders' "student day" and also a Jason Books store sale and so I have a big pile of tempting books.
My language school Intrax was inundated with students this week with three Brazilians and four Japanese pouring in the door. The Brazilians would seem to be adding an enjoyable but tricky dynamic to the school. One is an absolute English beginner, but he is learning fast. Another is a sleazy 20 year old, with a penchant for pulling up his shirt and rubbing his belly. He has already missed a day of class due to the effect of a drinking night (on his third day in New Zealand). And then there is the mature, proficient one, whom I have not had more than a few words with. The Japanese are by comparison fairly typical.
This has all set up the course I am designing as crucial. On Monday morning, the first day of the 12-week course, I thought there would be three students in that afternoon class. But with the influx of students, suddenly I had six and one observer! (and the observer duly signed on meaning a $50 bonus for me). I was concerned about the level of the first week, as we were covering rather mundane introductions etc. but with a bit of teasing of the material it easily lasted, was good for all, from the proficient (and educationally voracious) Koreans to the beginner Brazilian whose desperate attempts to communicate have been rewarded with some phrases and words. As my sickness deepened, I haven't had a chance to develop the course more, hopefully a restful Saturday will provide a productive Sunday.
Also, the cricket has been great. A colleague and I recently cracked the secret to winning cricket. All we have to do is have me slander our players while he expresses his admiration and belief in their ability (which he admitted is hard). I spoke of the stupidity of selecting Cumming (who scored a great 74 on debut) while he spoke of the talent of Hamish Marshall (who scored an even great 140 odd). And a few comments about our hopeless bowlers by me and the logical platitudes from him have resulted in a fine bowling performance.
Any whoo, back to reclining and convalescence. Later.
Well a week of promise has finally found its tarnished lining. Two promising interviews have resulted in two rebuffs. Coupled with that, I have fallen ill again, with a raw throat and a constant fatigue. And to top that off my feet are causing me grief.
Now that I have removed all that negative news from my system, now for the positives. Besides my ailments, I am going pretty well. I took advantage of Borders' "student day" and also a Jason Books store sale and so I have a big pile of tempting books.
My language school Intrax was inundated with students this week with three Brazilians and four Japanese pouring in the door. The Brazilians would seem to be adding an enjoyable but tricky dynamic to the school. One is an absolute English beginner, but he is learning fast. Another is a sleazy 20 year old, with a penchant for pulling up his shirt and rubbing his belly. He has already missed a day of class due to the effect of a drinking night (on his third day in New Zealand). And then there is the mature, proficient one, whom I have not had more than a few words with. The Japanese are by comparison fairly typical.
This has all set up the course I am designing as crucial. On Monday morning, the first day of the 12-week course, I thought there would be three students in that afternoon class. But with the influx of students, suddenly I had six and one observer! (and the observer duly signed on meaning a $50 bonus for me). I was concerned about the level of the first week, as we were covering rather mundane introductions etc. but with a bit of teasing of the material it easily lasted, was good for all, from the proficient (and educationally voracious) Koreans to the beginner Brazilian whose desperate attempts to communicate have been rewarded with some phrases and words. As my sickness deepened, I haven't had a chance to develop the course more, hopefully a restful Saturday will provide a productive Sunday.
Also, the cricket has been great. A colleague and I recently cracked the secret to winning cricket. All we have to do is have me slander our players while he expresses his admiration and belief in their ability (which he admitted is hard). I spoke of the stupidity of selecting Cumming (who scored a great 74 on debut) while he spoke of the talent of Hamish Marshall (who scored an even great 140 odd). And a few comments about our hopeless bowlers by me and the logical platitudes from him have resulted in a fine bowling performance.
Any whoo, back to reclining and convalescence. Later.
Wednesday, March 09, 2005
Hard Day
After a late night at the pub quiz, and then a night of weird dreams of a dragon tracing my steps, everyone staying in a house overnight (a real jam), and two of my guy friends finding chemistry between them (I won't mention names), I woke up tired.
I worked through a lacklustre morning class, and then a great afternoon class. As I had an interview in howick at 5pm, I had to run for my bus to Howick which left outside Showgirls at 3:05pm (5 mins. from end of class to one the bus). I caught the wrong bus then seeing the right one, jumped on over to that one. At Hunters Corner, I had to change buses but the place they call Hunters Corner is a little more than just one stop... it is spread over several corners... so after clarifying with RideLine I thought I missed my connecting bus. So I waited there, then caught the bus (which was actually late) and arrived at 4:30pm, which should have been enough time to find the school. Regrettably, the directions I had were not good, and what's worse, I wrote one of the street names wrongly... But after some deduction, I eventually deduced the location (oh the blessings of brains) and arrived at 4:58.
The interview went well, and I will know by tomorrow whether I have got it. Pt Chevalier haven't made contact with me so I will assume the worst. If the Howick school also falls through I might need to get back up and apply for another lot of schools. Since I started working on the Curriculum in the afternoons, I have only sent in one application.
In other news, it has been a bad day for mountaineering. Not only did several climbers and a guide fall to their deaths on Mt Cook, but a body was also found on Mt Taranaki. It is creepy to hear that someone died on a summit I have visited... Cook and Taranaki are constant competitors in the killing stakes.
Now I feel thoroughly ragged, and my eyes feel horrible. I will sleep early and get ready for my class at school.
After a late night at the pub quiz, and then a night of weird dreams of a dragon tracing my steps, everyone staying in a house overnight (a real jam), and two of my guy friends finding chemistry between them (I won't mention names), I woke up tired.
I worked through a lacklustre morning class, and then a great afternoon class. As I had an interview in howick at 5pm, I had to run for my bus to Howick which left outside Showgirls at 3:05pm (5 mins. from end of class to one the bus). I caught the wrong bus then seeing the right one, jumped on over to that one. At Hunters Corner, I had to change buses but the place they call Hunters Corner is a little more than just one stop... it is spread over several corners... so after clarifying with RideLine I thought I missed my connecting bus. So I waited there, then caught the bus (which was actually late) and arrived at 4:30pm, which should have been enough time to find the school. Regrettably, the directions I had were not good, and what's worse, I wrote one of the street names wrongly... But after some deduction, I eventually deduced the location (oh the blessings of brains) and arrived at 4:58.
The interview went well, and I will know by tomorrow whether I have got it. Pt Chevalier haven't made contact with me so I will assume the worst. If the Howick school also falls through I might need to get back up and apply for another lot of schools. Since I started working on the Curriculum in the afternoons, I have only sent in one application.
In other news, it has been a bad day for mountaineering. Not only did several climbers and a guide fall to their deaths on Mt Cook, but a body was also found on Mt Taranaki. It is creepy to hear that someone died on a summit I have visited... Cook and Taranaki are constant competitors in the killing stakes.
Now I feel thoroughly ragged, and my eyes feel horrible. I will sleep early and get ready for my class at school.
Monday, March 07, 2005
When the (not so) meek shall inherit the TOEIC class...
Another interesting trend at work is the increase in what I can only call formalism. Major position and role changes have occurred in the organisation too since I left. Those with responsibility are often still grasping what their role is, and what it entails.
It is strange to be, objectively speaking, an administration outsider. Formally, I was part of the open-committee style discussions by the former class administrator and the other teachers. Now, because I am technically only a casual staff, I really have no right to be a part of the tricky administrative issues that have arisen recently.
Really, I am chomping at the bit to have my say, but have refrained from doing so because no-one has seen it right to ask me. The person who is now entrusted with class-administration is an introvert with certain communication issues. That is not to say anything bad, but just that he still has a lot to learn.
The issue today which I secretly observed every part of was the claiming of the TOEIC class (a crappy English second "English proficiency test" cousin to IELTS, that some employers like). Due to the sudden influx a new person was taken onto the staff to allow more flexibility and simultaneously running classes. He has taught TOEIC before (as he did today). This afternoon, a long term employee suddenly found that with several new courses starting and none of the new students being attracted into her class, she became unemployed in the afternoon. Usually quiet, usually meek, she extended her foot and put it down. She would teach TOEIC and bent the arm of the class-administrator with calm logic to allow her to do so, stripping the new teacher of his afternoon class over the phone (as he had already left with all the TOEIC texts). But she doesn't know anything about TOEIC yet...
These are very understandable issues from both sides. The meek one's frustrations boiled over onto other issues too, which were also easy to see. She puts in lots of hard work and is not remunerated the same as those who formally put hard work into curriculum development. This is even starker when another worker does little preparation and takes advantage of those who make the curriculum, coasting in and out of work within a short time of the beginning and ends of class, and technically is rewarded the same as the meek one...
So, now it is all in the court of those who administrate to resolve the insoluble. To be diplomatic and pragmatic, as the importance of clear communication mounts higher.
Another interesting trend at work is the increase in what I can only call formalism. Major position and role changes have occurred in the organisation too since I left. Those with responsibility are often still grasping what their role is, and what it entails.
It is strange to be, objectively speaking, an administration outsider. Formally, I was part of the open-committee style discussions by the former class administrator and the other teachers. Now, because I am technically only a casual staff, I really have no right to be a part of the tricky administrative issues that have arisen recently.
Really, I am chomping at the bit to have my say, but have refrained from doing so because no-one has seen it right to ask me. The person who is now entrusted with class-administration is an introvert with certain communication issues. That is not to say anything bad, but just that he still has a lot to learn.
The issue today which I secretly observed every part of was the claiming of the TOEIC class (a crappy English second "English proficiency test" cousin to IELTS, that some employers like). Due to the sudden influx a new person was taken onto the staff to allow more flexibility and simultaneously running classes. He has taught TOEIC before (as he did today). This afternoon, a long term employee suddenly found that with several new courses starting and none of the new students being attracted into her class, she became unemployed in the afternoon. Usually quiet, usually meek, she extended her foot and put it down. She would teach TOEIC and bent the arm of the class-administrator with calm logic to allow her to do so, stripping the new teacher of his afternoon class over the phone (as he had already left with all the TOEIC texts). But she doesn't know anything about TOEIC yet...
These are very understandable issues from both sides. The meek one's frustrations boiled over onto other issues too, which were also easy to see. She puts in lots of hard work and is not remunerated the same as those who formally put hard work into curriculum development. This is even starker when another worker does little preparation and takes advantage of those who make the curriculum, coasting in and out of work within a short time of the beginning and ends of class, and technically is rewarded the same as the meek one...
So, now it is all in the court of those who administrate to resolve the insoluble. To be diplomatic and pragmatic, as the importance of clear communication mounts higher.
Saturday, March 05, 2005
Headlong
It has been a whirlwind world of late. Things happening. Me doing things.
I am headlong into work at my old language school (or rather the new incarnation of my old language school) and am enjoying it immensely. I have constructed a curriculum for a course I will be teaching from now on in the afternoons. And my morning classes have allowed me to reclaim my ESOL instincts, and also apply some of my primary school pedagogy, in a constructive way. The new structure of my old school and the administrative systems are interesting. The remnant of teachers of the previous era (when I left in 2003) often moan, but it is much better than that which we had previously. It is fairer too, and loaded with more accountability. The previous regime tended to be a clumsy managed rort. Once I learnt the new system I had much more appreciation for it.
Interesting trends for the last few weeks have been the vivid dreams. Just last night some other people were talking about dreams, and it got me thinking about my own. Almost every morning I have recalled my dreams. The carnivorous megafauna are still there, so are the trips into the Elsewhere.
Another interesting thing I discovered last night was that I seem to think I have met people before. And after I mused about my possible links with certain people, suddenly a Buddhist nun suddenly asked me if she had met me before. Maybe there is some deja vu in the air.
Physically, I am still plagued by foot-problems. And now I have a weird occasional nausea. It struck in particular at Whiter's party, but that was not the end of it, although nothing has come close to that which I felt that night. Initially I thought it was food poisoning, later I attributed it to expired Apple Cider Vinegar (don't ask) but since I still have it now and irregularly, I don't think so. An interesting mystery. The last time I had persistent weird symptoms, it was anaemia... But I don't think it is that now.
I am off the unemployment benefit, which was an interesting process. They want some of their money back now, which is fair enough but an annoyance to return. It is an interesting question whether I should have been on the benefit in the first place seeing I am hardly destitute. But then that is not necessarily how I think we should view the role of the Unemployment Benefit. Being formerly employed, I paid a reasonable tax for many years. This tax goes towards many things for our common good. I have decided that part of the tax I pay is simply Unemployment Insurance, and it is on that basis that I took it. I am employed again and will be contributing tax till the end of the year at least.
Yes, I am certain of my employment, and a rash of interviews have brightened me up on the primary school front. I had one at Pt Chevalier Primary just yesterday and will head to deepest, darkest Howick (Willowbank Primary School) on Wednesday to be interviewed. The Army Museum mentioned they are also shortlisting now, so fingers crossed there. My employment at my language school will be pretty secure in the mean time.
It has been a whirlwind world of late. Things happening. Me doing things.
I am headlong into work at my old language school (or rather the new incarnation of my old language school) and am enjoying it immensely. I have constructed a curriculum for a course I will be teaching from now on in the afternoons. And my morning classes have allowed me to reclaim my ESOL instincts, and also apply some of my primary school pedagogy, in a constructive way. The new structure of my old school and the administrative systems are interesting. The remnant of teachers of the previous era (when I left in 2003) often moan, but it is much better than that which we had previously. It is fairer too, and loaded with more accountability. The previous regime tended to be a clumsy managed rort. Once I learnt the new system I had much more appreciation for it.
Interesting trends for the last few weeks have been the vivid dreams. Just last night some other people were talking about dreams, and it got me thinking about my own. Almost every morning I have recalled my dreams. The carnivorous megafauna are still there, so are the trips into the Elsewhere.
Another interesting thing I discovered last night was that I seem to think I have met people before. And after I mused about my possible links with certain people, suddenly a Buddhist nun suddenly asked me if she had met me before. Maybe there is some deja vu in the air.
Physically, I am still plagued by foot-problems. And now I have a weird occasional nausea. It struck in particular at Whiter's party, but that was not the end of it, although nothing has come close to that which I felt that night. Initially I thought it was food poisoning, later I attributed it to expired Apple Cider Vinegar (don't ask) but since I still have it now and irregularly, I don't think so. An interesting mystery. The last time I had persistent weird symptoms, it was anaemia... But I don't think it is that now.
I am off the unemployment benefit, which was an interesting process. They want some of their money back now, which is fair enough but an annoyance to return. It is an interesting question whether I should have been on the benefit in the first place seeing I am hardly destitute. But then that is not necessarily how I think we should view the role of the Unemployment Benefit. Being formerly employed, I paid a reasonable tax for many years. This tax goes towards many things for our common good. I have decided that part of the tax I pay is simply Unemployment Insurance, and it is on that basis that I took it. I am employed again and will be contributing tax till the end of the year at least.
Yes, I am certain of my employment, and a rash of interviews have brightened me up on the primary school front. I had one at Pt Chevalier Primary just yesterday and will head to deepest, darkest Howick (Willowbank Primary School) on Wednesday to be interviewed. The Army Museum mentioned they are also shortlisting now, so fingers crossed there. My employment at my language school will be pretty secure in the mean time.
Tuesday, March 01, 2005
Awash with Activity
I am probably the most active, busy I have been in the last 10 months, working lots, creating curriculums, ushering, applying, going to interviews (WINZ and Willowbank School), seeing movies, pub-quizzes, babysitting, cricket, open-air performances and also a little sleep.
Coming up I have a pile of get-togethers and a lot of work to do.
Strangely, I have deprived myself of sleep but I am not tired. Must mean I have reclaimed my mojo.
I am probably the most active, busy I have been in the last 10 months, working lots, creating curriculums, ushering, applying, going to interviews (WINZ and Willowbank School), seeing movies, pub-quizzes, babysitting, cricket, open-air performances and also a little sleep.
Coming up I have a pile of get-togethers and a lot of work to do.
Strangely, I have deprived myself of sleep but I am not tired. Must mean I have reclaimed my mojo.
Thursday, February 24, 2005
Gains and losses
I have temporarily returned to the world of ESOL teaching to mitigate the drone of my own unemployment. Quite fun to get back, except for the early worker mornings. Oh dear.
Anyway, I just saw another brutal movie, Boys Don't Cry. The one thing I want to say about it is that it is one of the few times that I have seen a cinematic "death" and felt the loss. Hilary Swank, who now is acting in Oscar nominated Million Dollar Baby (which I probably won't see), is exceptional as a woman with a gender crisis. It is beyond standard movie realism and sucks you right in. I watched it in pieces slipping it into the time vacancies, but even with a broken viewing it struck deep. It is based on a true story but as is known now, there were liberties taken in the creation of the film. Interestingly, Hilary Swank's previous film before Boys Don't Cry was The New Karate Kid! (in her younger years of course).
I have temporarily returned to the world of ESOL teaching to mitigate the drone of my own unemployment. Quite fun to get back, except for the early worker mornings. Oh dear.
Anyway, I just saw another brutal movie, Boys Don't Cry. The one thing I want to say about it is that it is one of the few times that I have seen a cinematic "death" and felt the loss. Hilary Swank, who now is acting in Oscar nominated Million Dollar Baby (which I probably won't see), is exceptional as a woman with a gender crisis. It is beyond standard movie realism and sucks you right in. I watched it in pieces slipping it into the time vacancies, but even with a broken viewing it struck deep. It is based on a true story but as is known now, there were liberties taken in the creation of the film. Interestingly, Hilary Swank's previous film before Boys Don't Cry was The New Karate Kid! (in her younger years of course).
Wednesday, February 16, 2005
Restaurants
I had an annoying dining experience at a respectable eating establishment, Villa d'Vine. I got my booking in really early for Valentine's Day, and proceeded to salivate over the online menu. The advertisement had said that vegetarian meals available and had entertainment etc. Sounded good, yah?
On the morning of Valentine's day, I was striding up Mt Maunganui they called me on my mobile telling me (a) that it was a set menu (i.e. my desired food was not necessarily going to be served) and that the price was $65 per person (which of course was a special price for that day, not what was on the menu). "Ok" I said, puffing, I had the booking after all and we continued our ascent. After hanging up, I suddenly thought that I should have asked what the set menu included. My mistake.
Upon arriving at the restaurant, I was asked 'Chicken or Fish?' I said I was a vegetarian. 'Fish is not meat. Vegetarians can eat meat' was the reply. Really? I must have missed the Hapuka trees in the yard. Anyway, we sat down and asked if we wanted champagne, 'No, neither of us likes champagne' so flustered, they wisely brought out the orange juice. The maitre'd ran over saying 'Well at least you could have some bubbles' and gave us two bottles of Italian mineral water.
The entree was nice, Xin wasn't happy with her chicken (which usually is Xin's favourite) but ironically the fried Hapuka was deliccimo. The dessert was good too. An accordionist marched around with tunes pleading us not to cry 'For me! Argentina!"
Noisy as it had become, we decided to leave. On the bill was an extra $11.90 for the two bottles of imported Italian mineral water... and their EFTPOS machine politely asks if you wish to add a tip before you enter the pin number... Sorry. I think I have given far too much already.
Anyway, lessons learnt.
I had an annoying dining experience at a respectable eating establishment, Villa d'Vine. I got my booking in really early for Valentine's Day, and proceeded to salivate over the online menu. The advertisement had said that vegetarian meals available and had entertainment etc. Sounded good, yah?
On the morning of Valentine's day, I was striding up Mt Maunganui they called me on my mobile telling me (a) that it was a set menu (i.e. my desired food was not necessarily going to be served) and that the price was $65 per person (which of course was a special price for that day, not what was on the menu). "Ok" I said, puffing, I had the booking after all and we continued our ascent. After hanging up, I suddenly thought that I should have asked what the set menu included. My mistake.
Upon arriving at the restaurant, I was asked 'Chicken or Fish?' I said I was a vegetarian. 'Fish is not meat. Vegetarians can eat meat' was the reply. Really? I must have missed the Hapuka trees in the yard. Anyway, we sat down and asked if we wanted champagne, 'No, neither of us likes champagne' so flustered, they wisely brought out the orange juice. The maitre'd ran over saying 'Well at least you could have some bubbles' and gave us two bottles of Italian mineral water.
The entree was nice, Xin wasn't happy with her chicken (which usually is Xin's favourite) but ironically the fried Hapuka was deliccimo. The dessert was good too. An accordionist marched around with tunes pleading us not to cry 'For me! Argentina!"
Noisy as it had become, we decided to leave. On the bill was an extra $11.90 for the two bottles of imported Italian mineral water... and their EFTPOS machine politely asks if you wish to add a tip before you enter the pin number... Sorry. I think I have given far too much already.
Anyway, lessons learnt.
Tuesday, February 15, 2005
Around the Island
Xin and I have just completed a 1970km journey covering a large portion of the North Island. Here is the route taken (all places we stayed are in red, places we did something in are in blue):
AUCKLAND
Kawhia (mmmmmmmm, ika mata! (raw fish)
New Plymouth (2 nights, tent)
Mount Taranaki (an ordeal, a wonder, a man-eating mountain)
Wanganui (1 night, hostel)
Bulls (quite believ-a-bull)
Palmerston North (loved the view of the wind farms)
Wellington (2 nights, expensive crappy hostel)
Lower Hutt (1 night, tent)
Waiouru (how cold was that, and the museum was cool too)
Turangi (1 night, YHA)
Taupo (township, where they had their multicultural festival)
Reporoa (where there is a Goudies Road!)
Rotorua (whose museum features a film clip with a Temuera Morrison tour-de-force)
Whakatane (1 night, cabin)
Ohope Beach (nice beach)
Te Puke (how sleepy can you get)
Tauranga (1 night, tent YHA)
Mount Maunganui (the township and the Mount)
Ngatea (small and insignificant, a model for all New Zealand towns)
AUCKLAND
By the end of it, I have many good experiences. Eating simple but delicious food at the Maori Food Festival. Seeing Mt Taranaki on a clear day was one such moment. Climbing it the following day, although it turned more hellish than I had imagined, was beyond excellent. Going to Te Papa Tongarewa, the National Museum, was astounding. It is SUCH a cool museum, I might make a habit of commuting down there to see it! Climbing Maunganui (Mauao) was awesome too, and capped off with seeing a sooty faced petrel and sea-gulls 'float' before our eyes. In general, going to all the cool sights at the side of the road, New Zealand roads have an endless variety of things to do on the main highways.
Learning where all the place names that I had heard of was lovely too: Waitara, Ratana, Kawhia, Paraparaumu, Lower Hutt, Waiouru (where potentially I could be working!), Feilding, Palmerston North, Whakatane, Te Puke etc. They were all just names before... And then major centres which I was embarrassed to say I had never been to or seen like New Plymouth, Palmerston North and Tauranga.
It was the furthest I have driven by a long way. Previously I had only gone as south as Te Awamutu (in the previous road trip), and also not liking the open road that much, to drive more than 100 kilometres in a single day had been extremely rare.
Along the way, I also learnt tonnes of things about New Zealand, Maori culture, geology, volcanoes and earthquakes, all good for pub quizzes. My Maori language was something I had focussed on too, so I have gained a large vocabulary and understanding of where different tribes live.
On the table are two separate follow-up voyages: To the North for a proper rediscovery and to the East Coast.
Xin and I have just completed a 1970km journey covering a large portion of the North Island. Here is the route taken (all places we stayed are in red, places we did something in are in blue):
AUCKLAND
Kawhia (mmmmmmmm, ika mata! (raw fish)
New Plymouth (2 nights, tent)
Mount Taranaki (an ordeal, a wonder, a man-eating mountain)
Wanganui (1 night, hostel)
Bulls (quite believ-a-bull)
Palmerston North (loved the view of the wind farms)
Wellington (2 nights, expensive crappy hostel)
Lower Hutt (1 night, tent)
Waiouru (how cold was that, and the museum was cool too)
Turangi (1 night, YHA)
Taupo (township, where they had their multicultural festival)
Reporoa (where there is a Goudies Road!)
Rotorua (whose museum features a film clip with a Temuera Morrison tour-de-force)
Whakatane (1 night, cabin)
Ohope Beach (nice beach)
Te Puke (how sleepy can you get)
Tauranga (1 night, tent YHA)
Mount Maunganui (the township and the Mount)
Ngatea (small and insignificant, a model for all New Zealand towns)
AUCKLAND
By the end of it, I have many good experiences. Eating simple but delicious food at the Maori Food Festival. Seeing Mt Taranaki on a clear day was one such moment. Climbing it the following day, although it turned more hellish than I had imagined, was beyond excellent. Going to Te Papa Tongarewa, the National Museum, was astounding. It is SUCH a cool museum, I might make a habit of commuting down there to see it! Climbing Maunganui (Mauao) was awesome too, and capped off with seeing a sooty faced petrel and sea-gulls 'float' before our eyes. In general, going to all the cool sights at the side of the road, New Zealand roads have an endless variety of things to do on the main highways.
Learning where all the place names that I had heard of was lovely too: Waitara, Ratana, Kawhia, Paraparaumu, Lower Hutt, Waiouru (where potentially I could be working!), Feilding, Palmerston North, Whakatane, Te Puke etc. They were all just names before... And then major centres which I was embarrassed to say I had never been to or seen like New Plymouth, Palmerston North and Tauranga.
It was the furthest I have driven by a long way. Previously I had only gone as south as Te Awamutu (in the previous road trip), and also not liking the open road that much, to drive more than 100 kilometres in a single day had been extremely rare.
Along the way, I also learnt tonnes of things about New Zealand, Maori culture, geology, volcanoes and earthquakes, all good for pub quizzes. My Maori language was something I had focussed on too, so I have gained a large vocabulary and understanding of where different tribes live.
On the table are two separate follow-up voyages: To the North for a proper rediscovery and to the East Coast.
Friday, February 04, 2005
All in a day's work
This has been probably the most varied day I have had for a while.
Early in the morning, before the sun rose, I got up, shovelled breakfast, and got my ass out the door to Xin's bus-stop. We had agreed to help out Stage 2 at an early morning NZ Post promotion at Britomart, which was interesting. I yelled out "I love YOU!" "Take me to Paris!" "Be my Valentine!" and generally competing with my fellow helpers for the affection of cautious commuters. There were some people I met that were quite interesting. One got quite carried away with his interpretation of the meaning of "Who knows where your heart will lead you" which was written on the leaflet. I actually wish I had a chance to re-do that conversation because I would have liked to respond just as positively as he was. Then there was another who wanted to find the political motives behind the campaign. For my labours, I have free membership to Stage 2 (which is a drama club) and also a free red t-shirt.
On the way home, we observed many people who didn't know that Stagecoach decided to cease service between 9:30am and 2pm. It was reported in the paper, the radio and also there were notices on SOME bus shelters. But not on Mt Eden road bus shelters (and maybe other places but I can't be sure). So as Xin and I drove for shopping we stopped to tell people that the bus was not coming (no doubt confirming doubts that many of them were having).
Then it was shopping and lunch at Xin's house.
And then back home for applying to a Term 2 vacancy and dinner. Then packing for my trip tomorrow~
Anyway, it has been nice to get back into action!
This has been probably the most varied day I have had for a while.
Early in the morning, before the sun rose, I got up, shovelled breakfast, and got my ass out the door to Xin's bus-stop. We had agreed to help out Stage 2 at an early morning NZ Post promotion at Britomart, which was interesting. I yelled out "I love YOU!" "Take me to Paris!" "Be my Valentine!" and generally competing with my fellow helpers for the affection of cautious commuters. There were some people I met that were quite interesting. One got quite carried away with his interpretation of the meaning of "Who knows where your heart will lead you" which was written on the leaflet. I actually wish I had a chance to re-do that conversation because I would have liked to respond just as positively as he was. Then there was another who wanted to find the political motives behind the campaign. For my labours, I have free membership to Stage 2 (which is a drama club) and also a free red t-shirt.
On the way home, we observed many people who didn't know that Stagecoach decided to cease service between 9:30am and 2pm. It was reported in the paper, the radio and also there were notices on SOME bus shelters. But not on Mt Eden road bus shelters (and maybe other places but I can't be sure). So as Xin and I drove for shopping we stopped to tell people that the bus was not coming (no doubt confirming doubts that many of them were having).
Then it was shopping and lunch at Xin's house.
And then back home for applying to a Term 2 vacancy and dinner. Then packing for my trip tomorrow~
Anyway, it has been nice to get back into action!
Division
I wanted my more methodical, logical, philosophical or political screeds to be stored neatly in the one place and then one place to put my shark dreams, employment winges, messy poetry and whatnot in this homely place.
So I have officially opened a new blog: Post/Culture.
I wanted my more methodical, logical, philosophical or political screeds to be stored neatly in the one place and then one place to put my shark dreams, employment winges, messy poetry and whatnot in this homely place.
So I have officially opened a new blog: Post/Culture.
Thursday, February 03, 2005
Assorted notes
How depressing! My former classmates are at the front of various classrooms right now...
It is uncomfortable to think about.
I had another shark dream last night. A big 'un!
Maybe it was the swimming on Monday and the mention of Open Water.
Last weekend, I heard the same story from two former drinkers.
One said that last year he vomited up blood after a drinking binge.
He said it marked a point of change in his life.
My case manager hasn't called me yet to check if I am trying my hardest to get a job.
I am! I just applied to a really good looking job as Education Officer for the NZ Army museum.
Fingers crossing.
Maybe my left foot will never be 100%. I don't like such a confession.
Some of my old goals which I haven't been doing are coming back. I am clearing the backlog of Koorero Mai episodes I taped, reading many parts of the Bible, and re-reading history.
Did you know a 'New Zealander' was a Nazi SS agent?
Ah wheel.
How depressing! My former classmates are at the front of various classrooms right now...
It is uncomfortable to think about.
I had another shark dream last night. A big 'un!
Maybe it was the swimming on Monday and the mention of Open Water.
Last weekend, I heard the same story from two former drinkers.
One said that last year he vomited up blood after a drinking binge.
He said it marked a point of change in his life.
My case manager hasn't called me yet to check if I am trying my hardest to get a job.
I am! I just applied to a really good looking job as Education Officer for the NZ Army museum.
Fingers crossing.
Maybe my left foot will never be 100%. I don't like such a confession.
Some of my old goals which I haven't been doing are coming back. I am clearing the backlog of Koorero Mai episodes I taped, reading many parts of the Bible, and re-reading history.
Did you know a 'New Zealander' was a Nazi SS agent?
Ah wheel.
Thursday, January 27, 2005
The Outsider (by Albert Camus)
I just finished reading The Outsider (also called The Stranger), a book I had heard of for a few years and bought a few months ago (at a 30% discount!). It is a short book, barely 118 pages but is neither too long nor too short. And unusual for me, I ripped through it in three days.
It is written very simply and clearly, predominantly one clause sentences. And in that way, the story just breezes into your mind with little resistance or misunderstanding. And that style is suiting the mind of the simple, honest protagonist, Meursault, who cannot help but being a man of few words. And because of the intimacy with his thoughts you can't but help sympathise for him. He gets annoyed quite often with other people, and when that happens he just ignores what they say. Many things pass him by. He is clumsy with speech and his meaning, but honest in total completeness. He is an "everyman", who lives his life truthfully.
The story itself is somewhat contrived, but in a way, the story is subordinate to the message. A man lives, inexplicably kills, is judged and executed. In a way, the fact that he killed is superfluous but a dramatic element to bring him to the point of death, and to be judged by others. Camus's explanation at the end of the book makes it clear that the protagonist is a character representing the "only Christ we deserve". With that statement I found a lot more clarity of the story. And such a statement is useful, as the story is amusing but the story is there for the interpretation but lacks a clear statement.
I liked his interpretation through the analogy. Specifically, Meursault is sacrificed for being himself and he is afraid of his impending death (even though he knows logically realises that he would die at some stage anyway). It is unextraordinary, as it should be, a simple ode to the obvious 'sacrifice' we could all make, and should make, to die as ourselves. A poignant book indeed.
Dawkins' God (by Alister McGrath)
This non-fiction book was a criticism of the ideas and theories of Richard Dawkins. Richard Dawkins is a prominent evolutionist, who produced books such as The Blind Watchmaker, Climbing Mount Improbable (which I have!) and the Selfish Gene. To relate to this book, you would need to know Dawkins or be quite familiar with the arguments for evolution or atheism.
The author, Alister McGrath, is Doctor of Biochemistry but also an Anglican minister and qualified theologian. His biggest qualm is not specifically with evolution (which he thinks is probably a possible representation of the true development of life on earth), but rather the deductions Dawkins makes based on his belief in Darwinist evolution. You see, Dawkins vehemently declares that the theory of evolution is inherently atheist, and that the religious are deluded. You can understand that Alister might disagree with Richard on some points!
I was quite pleased with the logical exposition McGrath did to critique Dawkins' views, saying that despite the logic and clarity of Dawkins' earlier work, most later essays regarding religion are only based in his personal anti-religious beliefs.
The book also attacks the theory of memes and memetic cultural change, which is a topic I am quite enamoured with. This and my knowledge of Dawkins are what drew me to this book and I found it a rewarding read.
I just finished reading The Outsider (also called The Stranger), a book I had heard of for a few years and bought a few months ago (at a 30% discount!). It is a short book, barely 118 pages but is neither too long nor too short. And unusual for me, I ripped through it in three days.
It is written very simply and clearly, predominantly one clause sentences. And in that way, the story just breezes into your mind with little resistance or misunderstanding. And that style is suiting the mind of the simple, honest protagonist, Meursault, who cannot help but being a man of few words. And because of the intimacy with his thoughts you can't but help sympathise for him. He gets annoyed quite often with other people, and when that happens he just ignores what they say. Many things pass him by. He is clumsy with speech and his meaning, but honest in total completeness. He is an "everyman", who lives his life truthfully.
The story itself is somewhat contrived, but in a way, the story is subordinate to the message. A man lives, inexplicably kills, is judged and executed. In a way, the fact that he killed is superfluous but a dramatic element to bring him to the point of death, and to be judged by others. Camus's explanation at the end of the book makes it clear that the protagonist is a character representing the "only Christ we deserve". With that statement I found a lot more clarity of the story. And such a statement is useful, as the story is amusing but the story is there for the interpretation but lacks a clear statement.
I liked his interpretation through the analogy. Specifically, Meursault is sacrificed for being himself and he is afraid of his impending death (even though he knows logically realises that he would die at some stage anyway). It is unextraordinary, as it should be, a simple ode to the obvious 'sacrifice' we could all make, and should make, to die as ourselves. A poignant book indeed.
Dawkins' God (by Alister McGrath)
This non-fiction book was a criticism of the ideas and theories of Richard Dawkins. Richard Dawkins is a prominent evolutionist, who produced books such as The Blind Watchmaker, Climbing Mount Improbable (which I have!) and the Selfish Gene. To relate to this book, you would need to know Dawkins or be quite familiar with the arguments for evolution or atheism.
The author, Alister McGrath, is Doctor of Biochemistry but also an Anglican minister and qualified theologian. His biggest qualm is not specifically with evolution (which he thinks is probably a possible representation of the true development of life on earth), but rather the deductions Dawkins makes based on his belief in Darwinist evolution. You see, Dawkins vehemently declares that the theory of evolution is inherently atheist, and that the religious are deluded. You can understand that Alister might disagree with Richard on some points!
I was quite pleased with the logical exposition McGrath did to critique Dawkins' views, saying that despite the logic and clarity of Dawkins' earlier work, most later essays regarding religion are only based in his personal anti-religious beliefs.
The book also attacks the theory of memes and memetic cultural change, which is a topic I am quite enamoured with. This and my knowledge of Dawkins are what drew me to this book and I found it a rewarding read.
Tuesday, January 25, 2005
Politicially Correctness (started on Sunday)
Aue. The problem for a mediaphile like me at this time of the year is the number of programmes that start late or the number of show hosts who take an extended holiday. One of them was MediaWatch on National Radio, with hosts Colin Peacock and Russell Brown. Russell Brown, in particular, also features on the Listener and has his own blog, Hard News.
The best aspect about MediaWatch is that the writers are massive consumers of all sorts of media and find the contradictions, the slanted reporting and the curiosities of the New Zealand media. What annoys me is that I may have missed the first one of the year today!
Anyway, I went to Hard News (which is usually more of a disconnected but interesting rant) and it discussed a theme that I think about a lot: The obsession with Political Correctness as an issue within New Zealand politics, the media and, if you listen to 1ZB, talkback callers.
But this flows back to what exactly Political Correctness is. When Russell Brown asked National MP Murray McCully (who also tends to go overboard on the anti-PC rants) what it was Murray didn't even try, or he couldn't.
Political correctness for me is: "Is the state, achieved by social engineering, where perceived or real inequalities are removed."
Social engineering is: "An effort to socially engineer the current perception or situation to effect intended changes that seem to removed perceive or real inequalities. This can be from the government or the people. It is always an artificial technique because it is an active attempt to change the status quo."
Social engineering is often seen as some form of evil indoctrination but there is no reason to say that it is necessarily negative or necessarily left-wing. Not many people would consider that giving women the vote as a negative move (from a modern perspective). And although it is pandering to women, it fits in either ideology (but not male chauvinism!).
So let's have a look at the examples of political correctness of New Zealand that is often raised:
The $700,000 woman-of-the-moment Judy Bailey welcomes everyone at 6pm saying "Kia Ora, New Zealand", a point often raised in the Herald letters to the editor. Many people are also starting to think that referring to New Zealand as Aotearoa is equally silly. The corollary of this is the perception that anything Maaori is by nature "politically correct" which is to say it is not on. Te reo Maaori is one of our countries national languages and has been for quite some time, so how can it be seen as PC? The only thing it challenges is the existing tradition of not using or accepting Maaori language.
And that is where it really stands, it is is attempting to change a tradition.
Raised by Muriel Newman (an ACT MP) on the ACT website, there was the point that political correctness as against the Kiwi way. I think this is an interesting statement, just because comparatively speaking, we would seem to be more suited here to Political Correctness than many other countries. Our history displays many moments to be proud of that would be considered Politically Correct at the time, yet are now accepted as "the right thing to do". The movements at many times in our history were attempts to change the status quo, which was seen as unfair. It is the Australians or the Americans whom you could safely say are not culturally suited to being 'politically correct'.
On the ACT website too is the essay The origins of PC by Bill Linds. One good thing about the article though is that it stops appealing to the movement of political correctness but breaks it down into political forces. A comical point of arrogance eventually broke through that reduced the whole essay to a joke, e.g. "I would note that conservatism correctly understood is not an ideology." It then goes rapidly downhill when the authors anti-communist zeal goes into full tilt. One interesting analogy though was that he labelled political correctness as 'cultural marxism', which fits in with my interpretation too.
In some ways, I wish I had the patience to read "1984", which is the fate that anti-PCers would consider the final destination of the current 'trend'. I believe what marked the discourse of that story was a totalitarian regime that controlled language, altered history (to suit its ends), acted as thought-police, watched the citizenship and generally controlled all aspects of life. This is definitely a fate we don't wish, and one that we need to be aware of although it would seem underrated.
To be sure, there ARE abuses of liberal political correctness. I would consider anything breaking freedom of speech and expression (including racial slurs) to be an abuse as it, but that is what our government and indeed the British government would like to do regarding hate speech and inciting racial disharmony etc. But conservatism also has abuses too, which result in the same poor results.
Conservatism, by definition, retains its own interpretations regardless of the reality (just as Bill Linds suggests ideological political correctness can be different to reality). In a way, non-political correctness or retaining the unfair status quo is the norm. America is a wonderful case-study for this. How they sustained overt racism in the southern states without any institutional attempt to change things and hold their constitution dear, I will never know.
Conservatism also has moments that seem to resemble 'political correctness' too. The fury of McCarthyism exhibited all the worst aspects of Political Correctness that conservatives give to liberalism. It created a situation similar to "thought police" etc. and prevented freedom of expression.
Bill Linds would insist that Political Correctness is an inaccurate view of reality. But if we look at topics in New Zealand one by one, we can see a different appearance. The recent anti-smoking legislation was viewed as a PC-caused change. But the reality of this was that negative externalities were being forced upon non-smokers. Bar workers worked in a hazardous work place. The ONLY thing in favour of retaining smoking in bars was that it was the existing traditional way.
There were some unreasonable aspects of the legislation to be sure, that you might say were guided by ideology, after all, many of its proponents were more inclined to do create the law to make it more difficult for people smoke, rather than just to protect the health of non-smokers and bar workers (in which case you can see they were not seeking to redress the health problem, but to influence smokers). The insistance that all bars and RSAs (but not prisons) do so, with no exception, also strikes one as being a bit excessive.
So I think when the words 'political correctness' are raised, it usually just hides the insecurity with change, regardless of the rectitude of the change.
But going back to the idea of mandate raised in other posts. It is clear that regardless of the rectitude of these 'politically correct' decisions, the actual implementation of these changes is not ethical or politically wise.
If I were to take a libertarian point of view (as I enjoy doing), I would say that the freedom to raise ideas must always be free, from there the battle for the truth of these ideas should be decided by the people. Once there is a consistent groundswell of opinion, to constitute a majority, only then should a government be able to actively change the situation. This way social engineering is an organic procedure where the ideas are in public debate produces changes; rather than impending change creating desperate debate.
Our current government has a strong ideological system of fairness, which I mostly agree with. But it is not wise to institute your own ideology when the people are not supportive of each part of that ideology. Regardless of the rectitude of civil unions, legalised prostitution, anti-smoking legislation and the demolition of links to the Privy Council, the reforms that have been done are not necessarily in favour with a majority of New Zealanders. Since they have attempted to radically change the traditional structure of New Zealand to an ideology, it has been labelled 'politically correct'.
I would just think that it is politically unwise... Either way, I don't think that labelling things politically correct can help anyone but rather understanding what the essential things that are happening, and changing and why is the most important.
Aue. The problem for a mediaphile like me at this time of the year is the number of programmes that start late or the number of show hosts who take an extended holiday. One of them was MediaWatch on National Radio, with hosts Colin Peacock and Russell Brown. Russell Brown, in particular, also features on the Listener and has his own blog, Hard News.
The best aspect about MediaWatch is that the writers are massive consumers of all sorts of media and find the contradictions, the slanted reporting and the curiosities of the New Zealand media. What annoys me is that I may have missed the first one of the year today!
Anyway, I went to Hard News (which is usually more of a disconnected but interesting rant) and it discussed a theme that I think about a lot: The obsession with Political Correctness as an issue within New Zealand politics, the media and, if you listen to 1ZB, talkback callers.
But this flows back to what exactly Political Correctness is. When Russell Brown asked National MP Murray McCully (who also tends to go overboard on the anti-PC rants) what it was Murray didn't even try, or he couldn't.
Political correctness for me is: "Is the state, achieved by social engineering, where perceived or real inequalities are removed."
Social engineering is: "An effort to socially engineer the current perception or situation to effect intended changes that seem to removed perceive or real inequalities. This can be from the government or the people. It is always an artificial technique because it is an active attempt to change the status quo."
Social engineering is often seen as some form of evil indoctrination but there is no reason to say that it is necessarily negative or necessarily left-wing. Not many people would consider that giving women the vote as a negative move (from a modern perspective). And although it is pandering to women, it fits in either ideology (but not male chauvinism!).
So let's have a look at the examples of political correctness of New Zealand that is often raised:
The $700,000 woman-of-the-moment Judy Bailey welcomes everyone at 6pm saying "Kia Ora, New Zealand", a point often raised in the Herald letters to the editor. Many people are also starting to think that referring to New Zealand as Aotearoa is equally silly. The corollary of this is the perception that anything Maaori is by nature "politically correct" which is to say it is not on. Te reo Maaori is one of our countries national languages and has been for quite some time, so how can it be seen as PC? The only thing it challenges is the existing tradition of not using or accepting Maaori language.
And that is where it really stands, it is is attempting to change a tradition.
Raised by Muriel Newman (an ACT MP) on the ACT website, there was the point that political correctness as against the Kiwi way. I think this is an interesting statement, just because comparatively speaking, we would seem to be more suited here to Political Correctness than many other countries. Our history displays many moments to be proud of that would be considered Politically Correct at the time, yet are now accepted as "the right thing to do". The movements at many times in our history were attempts to change the status quo, which was seen as unfair. It is the Australians or the Americans whom you could safely say are not culturally suited to being 'politically correct'.
On the ACT website too is the essay The origins of PC by Bill Linds. One good thing about the article though is that it stops appealing to the movement of political correctness but breaks it down into political forces. A comical point of arrogance eventually broke through that reduced the whole essay to a joke, e.g. "I would note that conservatism correctly understood is not an ideology." It then goes rapidly downhill when the authors anti-communist zeal goes into full tilt. One interesting analogy though was that he labelled political correctness as 'cultural marxism', which fits in with my interpretation too.
In some ways, I wish I had the patience to read "1984", which is the fate that anti-PCers would consider the final destination of the current 'trend'. I believe what marked the discourse of that story was a totalitarian regime that controlled language, altered history (to suit its ends), acted as thought-police, watched the citizenship and generally controlled all aspects of life. This is definitely a fate we don't wish, and one that we need to be aware of although it would seem underrated.
To be sure, there ARE abuses of liberal political correctness. I would consider anything breaking freedom of speech and expression (including racial slurs) to be an abuse as it, but that is what our government and indeed the British government would like to do regarding hate speech and inciting racial disharmony etc. But conservatism also has abuses too, which result in the same poor results.
Conservatism, by definition, retains its own interpretations regardless of the reality (just as Bill Linds suggests ideological political correctness can be different to reality). In a way, non-political correctness or retaining the unfair status quo is the norm. America is a wonderful case-study for this. How they sustained overt racism in the southern states without any institutional attempt to change things and hold their constitution dear, I will never know.
Conservatism also has moments that seem to resemble 'political correctness' too. The fury of McCarthyism exhibited all the worst aspects of Political Correctness that conservatives give to liberalism. It created a situation similar to "thought police" etc. and prevented freedom of expression.
Bill Linds would insist that Political Correctness is an inaccurate view of reality. But if we look at topics in New Zealand one by one, we can see a different appearance. The recent anti-smoking legislation was viewed as a PC-caused change. But the reality of this was that negative externalities were being forced upon non-smokers. Bar workers worked in a hazardous work place. The ONLY thing in favour of retaining smoking in bars was that it was the existing traditional way.
There were some unreasonable aspects of the legislation to be sure, that you might say were guided by ideology, after all, many of its proponents were more inclined to do create the law to make it more difficult for people smoke, rather than just to protect the health of non-smokers and bar workers (in which case you can see they were not seeking to redress the health problem, but to influence smokers). The insistance that all bars and RSAs (but not prisons) do so, with no exception, also strikes one as being a bit excessive.
So I think when the words 'political correctness' are raised, it usually just hides the insecurity with change, regardless of the rectitude of the change.
But going back to the idea of mandate raised in other posts. It is clear that regardless of the rectitude of these 'politically correct' decisions, the actual implementation of these changes is not ethical or politically wise.
If I were to take a libertarian point of view (as I enjoy doing), I would say that the freedom to raise ideas must always be free, from there the battle for the truth of these ideas should be decided by the people. Once there is a consistent groundswell of opinion, to constitute a majority, only then should a government be able to actively change the situation. This way social engineering is an organic procedure where the ideas are in public debate produces changes; rather than impending change creating desperate debate.
Our current government has a strong ideological system of fairness, which I mostly agree with. But it is not wise to institute your own ideology when the people are not supportive of each part of that ideology. Regardless of the rectitude of civil unions, legalised prostitution, anti-smoking legislation and the demolition of links to the Privy Council, the reforms that have been done are not necessarily in favour with a majority of New Zealanders. Since they have attempted to radically change the traditional structure of New Zealand to an ideology, it has been labelled 'politically correct'.
I would just think that it is politically unwise... Either way, I don't think that labelling things politically correct can help anyone but rather understanding what the essential things that are happening, and changing and why is the most important.
Monday, January 24, 2005
Equality
I am brewing a large blog or two, but haven't finished them satisfactorily. In the middle of the day I had a little moment of political enlightenment on the difference between left wing and right wing. There is one point that is different on which everything else is built: It is the understanding of equality.
Left-wing ideology says that equality needs to be attained, sometimes through artificial contrivances. Equality should always be the goal, anything else is unfair and against human rights.
Right-wing ideology says that we have equality already and we are all free to break forth and seek to create inequality by achieving, to put ourselves ahead. Inequality should be your goal.
All other things flow from this perception of equality.
On a slightly different tack, a curious situation cited in the Saturday Herald reflected back to the nature of these systems. It described the situation in South Africa since apartheid, saying that the change over has not alleviated poverty in any way, it has just meant that there has been the creation of a black elite and the impoverished are growing poorer. The quote, I believe from Desmond Tutu, was (paraphrased): You cannot expect capitalism to deliver socialist outcomes. This is very interesting and true. Why would you expect that the economic liberation of the blacks to alleviate the poverty?
I am brewing a large blog or two, but haven't finished them satisfactorily. In the middle of the day I had a little moment of political enlightenment on the difference between left wing and right wing. There is one point that is different on which everything else is built: It is the understanding of equality.
Left-wing ideology says that equality needs to be attained, sometimes through artificial contrivances. Equality should always be the goal, anything else is unfair and against human rights.
Right-wing ideology says that we have equality already and we are all free to break forth and seek to create inequality by achieving, to put ourselves ahead. Inequality should be your goal.
All other things flow from this perception of equality.
On a slightly different tack, a curious situation cited in the Saturday Herald reflected back to the nature of these systems. It described the situation in South Africa since apartheid, saying that the change over has not alleviated poverty in any way, it has just meant that there has been the creation of a black elite and the impoverished are growing poorer. The quote, I believe from Desmond Tutu, was (paraphrased): You cannot expect capitalism to deliver socialist outcomes. This is very interesting and true. Why would you expect that the economic liberation of the blacks to alleviate the poverty?
Tuesday, January 18, 2005
Sunday, January 16, 2005
Language Bug
Well, after a pause since my New Year travels, I have again resumed my language studies, first with a dose of Maaori, followed by another taste of Spanish, and now back to the security and ease of Mandarin.
My big discovery of the last few days is another programme on Maaori television that appeals to me and I can learn language from. It is called Mind Your Moohio, a quiz show which they mix English and Maaori in a way that you can understand everything regardless of your proficiency. Amusingly, they have a few cool sections, such as the waiata (song) section, where they take an English or maaori song, with the guitar tune played, sing it in the other language. Then questions are asked. Following that is the kiriata section (Movies) where they act a little bit of it but saying the script in te reo Maaori! It is see Morpheus from the Matrix say one of his speeches in Maaori!
Spanish was a nice lingual interlude between Maori and Mandarin. Mi llamo es Daniel. Soy es de New Zealand. Me gusta comer Chocolate. Mucho Gusto~ 100% accuracy is hard because it is a details language with inflections and changes in every sentence but it is a nice sounding language.
My mandarin burst came when I realised that I hadn't returned an overdue Chinese book. Now I should get as full value as I can from it before I run it back into the city tomorrow and pay the accompanying fine.
For me, learning languages is quite relaxing. I sometimes forget that and choose my relaxation in less productive ways.
Well, after a pause since my New Year travels, I have again resumed my language studies, first with a dose of Maaori, followed by another taste of Spanish, and now back to the security and ease of Mandarin.
My big discovery of the last few days is another programme on Maaori television that appeals to me and I can learn language from. It is called Mind Your Moohio, a quiz show which they mix English and Maaori in a way that you can understand everything regardless of your proficiency. Amusingly, they have a few cool sections, such as the waiata (song) section, where they take an English or maaori song, with the guitar tune played, sing it in the other language. Then questions are asked. Following that is the kiriata section (Movies) where they act a little bit of it but saying the script in te reo Maaori! It is see Morpheus from the Matrix say one of his speeches in Maaori!
Spanish was a nice lingual interlude between Maori and Mandarin. Mi llamo es Daniel. Soy es de New Zealand. Me gusta comer Chocolate. Mucho Gusto~ 100% accuracy is hard because it is a details language with inflections and changes in every sentence but it is a nice sounding language.
My mandarin burst came when I realised that I hadn't returned an overdue Chinese book. Now I should get as full value as I can from it before I run it back into the city tomorrow and pay the accompanying fine.
For me, learning languages is quite relaxing. I sometimes forget that and choose my relaxation in less productive ways.
Thursday, January 13, 2005
Political Outpouring No.1 - NZ's Tsunami aid
I have found a lot of political issues stirring around my mind, busting to get out. New Zealand aid money. No weapons of mass destruction. Farenheit 9/11. Hmmmmmm I better start with the aid money and then work from there.
New Zealand is considering giving NZ$100 million to the relief effort. The government had found itself politically stuck between a rock and a hard place; donating too little would be seen as too stingy, and donating too much is seen as "keeping up with the Jones's" or dipping into the surplus when they were unwilling to consider such benevolence at home.
On this topic, I think libertarian ethics should come to the fore. Simply put, the money any country donates is not given from the Government, but from the people. Tax money is ours. If taxes were low, and the government was small, I would suggest that if the people individually donated, then there is no reason for the government to do so too, as we are giving beyond our own charitable intentions. Why should we give 'twice'? (Once privately, then once publicly). In a small low tax, small government country, charity would come purely from the individual, and the Government would have no mandate to give money internationally. That would allow a 'pure' expression of charity rather than the government assuming our good nature or underestimating it.
In our country, we have a high tax rate and a large social democrat government. In some ways, this puts the emphasis on the Government to direct some of our charity e.g. social welfare is regulated charity to the unemployed or unable, foreign aid is too. We don't necessarily have a choice about the things that they donate to and in some ways that is good, as sometimes only the "eye-catching" appeals get money from the public, and there are other causes that maybe we wish to donate to but can't because the causes exceed our ability to pay (well the country is donating money to me currently, who would give me charitable money??). Public donations do not distribute according to need. So the Guide Dogs may be flooded with money while the Cystic Fibrosis foundation may lack. Social welfare also lowers the chance of begging etc. or disabled people showing the extent of their injuries to get pity and money (like in Taiwan and China). Government funding is more efficient too, when we consider that relief agencies need to spend money to promote their cause and facilitate the money getting to the right place. Governments can give a large lump sum with one administrative fee.
But the point remains that it is our money and should be directed by our intentions. My idea would be to strictly make such extra aid donations in proportion with private donations. Since we are highly taxed and have a surplus, the Government could say that it will triple or quadruple the amount privately given. This gives donors more power to use their money. Also, it takes out all accusations of the government wasting our tax dollar or being too stingy. The government will be as stingy or generous as the citizens and there would be no need to attempt to be compared with other countries.
Of course, the government may see aid as having power beyond just a sign of charity, it could be an act of investing or diplomacy. It has been suggested that giving to South-East Asia is for our collective good due to the interdependence of economies and world trade. For a government to give more would be prudent if the ensuing economic difficulties infect neighbouring countries too. Australia may give more to reduce the chances of a hundred overloaded refugee ships heading for the coast. Some people see America's aid as, an act of diplomacy, to make friendships with an Islamic country like Indonesia.
There is a more sinister sign of aid too. Japanese aid to poor International Whaling Council members and USA's aid to Israel are the repugnant forms of aid. They are both forms of aid that few citizens would deem worthwhile and are hence unethical. It is when you look at it that way, that the perception of government as an entity with its own intentions comes to the surface; something that is not representative of an electorate but a superior entity which knows better. And this discussion can go to so many other areas (like how Spain could participate in the Coalition of the Willing with an 90% unwilling public etc.). The ethics of government and what is regarded as a mandate to conduct its actions is brought into view.
So back to our NZ$100 million of 'aid', why is it being given? How is that number calculated? Is it an ethical use of our money?
I have found a lot of political issues stirring around my mind, busting to get out. New Zealand aid money. No weapons of mass destruction. Farenheit 9/11. Hmmmmmm I better start with the aid money and then work from there.
New Zealand is considering giving NZ$100 million to the relief effort. The government had found itself politically stuck between a rock and a hard place; donating too little would be seen as too stingy, and donating too much is seen as "keeping up with the Jones's" or dipping into the surplus when they were unwilling to consider such benevolence at home.
On this topic, I think libertarian ethics should come to the fore. Simply put, the money any country donates is not given from the Government, but from the people. Tax money is ours. If taxes were low, and the government was small, I would suggest that if the people individually donated, then there is no reason for the government to do so too, as we are giving beyond our own charitable intentions. Why should we give 'twice'? (Once privately, then once publicly). In a small low tax, small government country, charity would come purely from the individual, and the Government would have no mandate to give money internationally. That would allow a 'pure' expression of charity rather than the government assuming our good nature or underestimating it.
In our country, we have a high tax rate and a large social democrat government. In some ways, this puts the emphasis on the Government to direct some of our charity e.g. social welfare is regulated charity to the unemployed or unable, foreign aid is too. We don't necessarily have a choice about the things that they donate to and in some ways that is good, as sometimes only the "eye-catching" appeals get money from the public, and there are other causes that maybe we wish to donate to but can't because the causes exceed our ability to pay (well the country is donating money to me currently, who would give me charitable money??). Public donations do not distribute according to need. So the Guide Dogs may be flooded with money while the Cystic Fibrosis foundation may lack. Social welfare also lowers the chance of begging etc. or disabled people showing the extent of their injuries to get pity and money (like in Taiwan and China). Government funding is more efficient too, when we consider that relief agencies need to spend money to promote their cause and facilitate the money getting to the right place. Governments can give a large lump sum with one administrative fee.
But the point remains that it is our money and should be directed by our intentions. My idea would be to strictly make such extra aid donations in proportion with private donations. Since we are highly taxed and have a surplus, the Government could say that it will triple or quadruple the amount privately given. This gives donors more power to use their money. Also, it takes out all accusations of the government wasting our tax dollar or being too stingy. The government will be as stingy or generous as the citizens and there would be no need to attempt to be compared with other countries.
Of course, the government may see aid as having power beyond just a sign of charity, it could be an act of investing or diplomacy. It has been suggested that giving to South-East Asia is for our collective good due to the interdependence of economies and world trade. For a government to give more would be prudent if the ensuing economic difficulties infect neighbouring countries too. Australia may give more to reduce the chances of a hundred overloaded refugee ships heading for the coast. Some people see America's aid as, an act of diplomacy, to make friendships with an Islamic country like Indonesia.
There is a more sinister sign of aid too. Japanese aid to poor International Whaling Council members and USA's aid to Israel are the repugnant forms of aid. They are both forms of aid that few citizens would deem worthwhile and are hence unethical. It is when you look at it that way, that the perception of government as an entity with its own intentions comes to the surface; something that is not representative of an electorate but a superior entity which knows better. And this discussion can go to so many other areas (like how Spain could participate in the Coalition of the Willing with an 90% unwilling public etc.). The ethics of government and what is regarded as a mandate to conduct its actions is brought into view.
So back to our NZ$100 million of 'aid', why is it being given? How is that number calculated? Is it an ethical use of our money?
Monday, January 10, 2005
Road Trip~
For the previous 6 days I have been roadtripping with Xin~ It is a fine way to get around to places you wouldn't ordinarily see and with great flexibility too, no need to plan more than a basic itinerary or list of wishes to be fulfilled.
The first destination was the town of my birth, Thames and the track leading to the Pinnacles. We camped overnight in the Kauaeranga Valley at a nice little campsite next to a river which rewards temperature-hardy people with swims. The climb was good till the hut which is a base for the '50 minute (one way)' summit climb. Due to time-restraints, only I raced to the top and back (in less than 60 minutes!).
The second was Te Aroha and its mineral spas. The weather precluded the chance of climbing Mount Te Aroha but it was a nice town to wander around and the YHA had a great kitchen which we should have taken better advantage of.
The third was Hamilton and its awesome gardens (I never throught a garden would be so interesting). It was also the site of my biggest memory slip up, leaving my razor, a tomato, a cucumber and some 'interesting' Te Aroha water. It could be worse, I almost left our umbrella behind at Kathmandu.
Then fourth was Cambridge with a gypsy fair and Blueberry French Toast. Berries of all kinds were plentiful between Cambridge and Hamilton and we scoffed strawberries, blueberries and some sour plums.
And finally through Te Awamutu to Mt Pirongia (south of Raglan), which we camped at for free before attempting a summit climb. The track could be said to be neverending. Starting at 9:06am, it was a gentle ascension but a long one. After almost 5 hours of boggy drudgery going up, and still being two peaks away from the highest peak, we called it a day so that we could descend safely. The peak we were on was only slightly shorter than the actual peak and the view would only get worse as the weather was foul for most of the day. We only got back to the car shortly before 7pm which meant that we were in motion for close to 10 hours. What was worse was that through another bit of Daniel magic I left the chocolate and pocket knife in the car for that time. So Pirongia lies in wait for me another day (and now that I know it better I can plan the execution better).
Particular joys were that the car was never stolen (something which we always expected), wandering amongst fields of lavender near Te Awamutu, doing amateur botany on the tracks (with insectivorous plants, fern pretenders) and entomology in our tent at night (the weevil that likes staying with Xin) and on the track (with the 'weevil flies', native ants and stick insects), mineral bathing in Te Aroha, swimming au naturel in the cool Kauaeranga River, a mouse circus in Cambridge, practising our Dutch, cooking the Blueberry French Toast, eating splendid meals in backpackers (when other people ate biscuits) and just spending time in a world out of the ordinary.
My only side-effect is a sore back which I am resting now, and a big clean-up job now.
For the previous 6 days I have been roadtripping with Xin~ It is a fine way to get around to places you wouldn't ordinarily see and with great flexibility too, no need to plan more than a basic itinerary or list of wishes to be fulfilled.
The first destination was the town of my birth, Thames and the track leading to the Pinnacles. We camped overnight in the Kauaeranga Valley at a nice little campsite next to a river which rewards temperature-hardy people with swims. The climb was good till the hut which is a base for the '50 minute (one way)' summit climb. Due to time-restraints, only I raced to the top and back (in less than 60 minutes!).
The second was Te Aroha and its mineral spas. The weather precluded the chance of climbing Mount Te Aroha but it was a nice town to wander around and the YHA had a great kitchen which we should have taken better advantage of.
The third was Hamilton and its awesome gardens (I never throught a garden would be so interesting). It was also the site of my biggest memory slip up, leaving my razor, a tomato, a cucumber and some 'interesting' Te Aroha water. It could be worse, I almost left our umbrella behind at Kathmandu.
Then fourth was Cambridge with a gypsy fair and Blueberry French Toast. Berries of all kinds were plentiful between Cambridge and Hamilton and we scoffed strawberries, blueberries and some sour plums.
And finally through Te Awamutu to Mt Pirongia (south of Raglan), which we camped at for free before attempting a summit climb. The track could be said to be neverending. Starting at 9:06am, it was a gentle ascension but a long one. After almost 5 hours of boggy drudgery going up, and still being two peaks away from the highest peak, we called it a day so that we could descend safely. The peak we were on was only slightly shorter than the actual peak and the view would only get worse as the weather was foul for most of the day. We only got back to the car shortly before 7pm which meant that we were in motion for close to 10 hours. What was worse was that through another bit of Daniel magic I left the chocolate and pocket knife in the car for that time. So Pirongia lies in wait for me another day (and now that I know it better I can plan the execution better).
Particular joys were that the car was never stolen (something which we always expected), wandering amongst fields of lavender near Te Awamutu, doing amateur botany on the tracks (with insectivorous plants, fern pretenders) and entomology in our tent at night (the weevil that likes staying with Xin) and on the track (with the 'weevil flies', native ants and stick insects), mineral bathing in Te Aroha, swimming au naturel in the cool Kauaeranga River, a mouse circus in Cambridge, practising our Dutch, cooking the Blueberry French Toast, eating splendid meals in backpackers (when other people ate biscuits) and just spending time in a world out of the ordinary.
My only side-effect is a sore back which I am resting now, and a big clean-up job now.
Monday, January 03, 2005
Mountains
In the past week or so, I have done a lot of hiking and mountain-climbing with my friend James. First of all, reclimbing Ben Lomond in Queenstown and then walking the 4-day Kepler Track (including Mt Luxmoore).
Now that most of my aches from it have gone, I can now say with surety, that it has done wonders for my fitness and I feel great right now.
In the past week or so, I have done a lot of hiking and mountain-climbing with my friend James. First of all, reclimbing Ben Lomond in Queenstown and then walking the 4-day Kepler Track (including Mt Luxmoore).
Now that most of my aches from it have gone, I can now say with surety, that it has done wonders for my fitness and I feel great right now.
Sunday, December 26, 2004
The Day Before My Trip
After quite a hiatus, I have had another dream with mega-fauna in it. This time it was a crocodile that metamorphosised into an anaconda. The anaconda arranged itself in an odd position, but someone learned informed us that it was a way for it to maximise the number of us that it could snare. I managed to survive, as my dream transported me to another space and time. I have no idea what happened to my colleagues back at the zoo. The next phase of the dream was a curious one that is hard to put into words.
The recent earthquakes; a huge deep sea earthquake a few days ago south of New Zealand, and just now a huge South-East Asian earthquake (8.9 on the Richter scale) have made me a little cautious about going to Te Anau, which has had been struck numerous times in the last few years. I haven’t noticed the earthquakes or tremors that I have been in the position to feel. As much as I would like to experience one, a huge earthquake far from home is not the way that I have in mind. Or maybe if such an earthquake were to strike it is better that it strikes as far from home as possible... Either way, it should be an interesting trip. ;-)
After quite a hiatus, I have had another dream with mega-fauna in it. This time it was a crocodile that metamorphosised into an anaconda. The anaconda arranged itself in an odd position, but someone learned informed us that it was a way for it to maximise the number of us that it could snare. I managed to survive, as my dream transported me to another space and time. I have no idea what happened to my colleagues back at the zoo. The next phase of the dream was a curious one that is hard to put into words.
The recent earthquakes; a huge deep sea earthquake a few days ago south of New Zealand, and just now a huge South-East Asian earthquake (8.9 on the Richter scale) have made me a little cautious about going to Te Anau, which has had been struck numerous times in the last few years. I haven’t noticed the earthquakes or tremors that I have been in the position to feel. As much as I would like to experience one, a huge earthquake far from home is not the way that I have in mind. Or maybe if such an earthquake were to strike it is better that it strikes as far from home as possible... Either way, it should be an interesting trip. ;-)
Friday, December 24, 2004
I wish you, I wish you, I wish you, Merry Christmas~
And so I have come to the 26th Christmas of my years, and I have almost fallen over the top of it. Like a hiccup in the road. It seems sad that it has that feeling attached to it now, after years of meaning attached to it. I hope in the enthusiasm of my step-sister I will see the joy and anticipation. Maybe that's the whole purpose of children, to remind us of things gone by.
As for the title of this, if you were trying to match it to a carol or song, it is quite difficult to know unless you have a broad lingual range. It is the chorus of a cantonese pop-song by Aaron Kwok. Christmas is really taking off abroad. Mindless consumerism and a reason to party? Why not! Xin was telling me Chinese people have their parties on Christmas Eve, something we would never do. It would intimidate Santa too much to have people staying up into the wee-small hours of the morning while he is trying to quietly deliver.
So, I wish you all the best of days, to meet the family and maybe give something useful and receive something useful. Enjoy it.
And so I have come to the 26th Christmas of my years, and I have almost fallen over the top of it. Like a hiccup in the road. It seems sad that it has that feeling attached to it now, after years of meaning attached to it. I hope in the enthusiasm of my step-sister I will see the joy and anticipation. Maybe that's the whole purpose of children, to remind us of things gone by.
As for the title of this, if you were trying to match it to a carol or song, it is quite difficult to know unless you have a broad lingual range. It is the chorus of a cantonese pop-song by Aaron Kwok. Christmas is really taking off abroad. Mindless consumerism and a reason to party? Why not! Xin was telling me Chinese people have their parties on Christmas Eve, something we would never do. It would intimidate Santa too much to have people staying up into the wee-small hours of the morning while he is trying to quietly deliver.
So, I wish you all the best of days, to meet the family and maybe give something useful and receive something useful. Enjoy it.
Tuesday, December 21, 2004
Application
Every job I apply for I need to mentally accept. I have been applying on and off all morning. Yesterday I wouldn't have considered applying for the ones I applied today. The difference is the time spent musing in the back of my mind that brings me to think that I should apply.
Sometimes I read the job description ten times on different days before accepting it mentally. Of course this is a time-consuming way of doing things, especially considering the number of rejection letters I have been receiving but probably a sensible way of making sure I am prepared for that which I am applying.
Every job I apply for I need to mentally accept. I have been applying on and off all morning. Yesterday I wouldn't have considered applying for the ones I applied today. The difference is the time spent musing in the back of my mind that brings me to think that I should apply.
Sometimes I read the job description ten times on different days before accepting it mentally. Of course this is a time-consuming way of doing things, especially considering the number of rejection letters I have been receiving but probably a sensible way of making sure I am prepared for that which I am applying.
Sunday, December 19, 2004
Friday, December 17, 2004
Interview
Another interview, and again my hopes have risen. I think it went exceedingly well, and wowwed the three interviewers. The preceding interviewee was from the same course as me. Unnerving to know you are competing against someone you know.
Anyway, the job itself sounds interesting. Providing I get the job, I will be teaching the basic core subjects but not art, music or technology. I will be teaching four different classes science, while other teachers teach particular areas too. The school population is 66% Maaori, which means I will need to put a lot of effort to bring that up to level.
One drawback is that I will only find out on the 24th of January whether I have got the job.
Another interview, and again my hopes have risen. I think it went exceedingly well, and wowwed the three interviewers. The preceding interviewee was from the same course as me. Unnerving to know you are competing against someone you know.
Anyway, the job itself sounds interesting. Providing I get the job, I will be teaching the basic core subjects but not art, music or technology. I will be teaching four different classes science, while other teachers teach particular areas too. The school population is 66% Maaori, which means I will need to put a lot of effort to bring that up to level.
One drawback is that I will only find out on the 24th of January whether I have got the job.
Wednesday, December 15, 2004
I have had a good day.
Dense Life Prose No. 1
Maybe this is the first day since term end that I have finally been awoken..
Maybe I nodded off a couple of times, but any signs of will and mind are a delight for me.
We are all teachers, yeah-no?
The Purpose of Disappointment rang out at 7:30am. The Lord works in mysterious ways.
They say that but even without a Lord or Tao, everything is a holistic connection to itself.
When at one extreme, the other beckons. Yin and Yang. Inaction and Action.
I moved swiftly between activities and pressed onto my conclusions. Action.
A call to arms. A fit for feet. I'll give them the Benefit of the doubt.
I'm indestructable. Try me. I am moving. Stop me. My money drains away but I won't starve.
I will ask and I will know, because nothing will stop me now.
My refrain for the day ran through my head: We are all teachers.
Don't teach, learn. Don't take it for Granted: I was too academic and not confident enough.
I failed in my homework. But those who spoke, spoke well of me.
I missed for I didn't Try.
Fear is the acknowledgement that something or someone may, could or does have power over you that contravenes your will. So do you fear yourselves, or fear what others will think? Freedom, Goddamnit! Try!
I charged out of the backline, the line was open to the backs. But they were standing passively far behind.
Did they want to play, but not run? Trussed in ties. Corporate lies. Employed only in firms?
I hate the apparent reliance. Or is it all in my mind? Am I not learning again?
My choice to run through the gap, to play, to win. To Try. We won of course. 29 sealed the win.
I danced once more. Just like I did at a time once before. An Asian den with a DJ din.
Retaining a motif, while stylising it. Then retaining the style while randomising the outer actions.
Letting chance create the form, while the essence remains central and controlled.
Maybe that was the way of Pollock. The way of a storm. Circular.
Using left and right sides, is it any surprised I feel more together?
Is it any surprise that dance coincides with the rise in my spirits?
A kiss sealed the win. You told me you were embarrassed. I instructed you that you shouldn't have been.
I was wrong. I should have listened to you, my teacher. So I could hear your perception and feelings.
Chemicals erode me. They may erode you. There is no need at all. The Lord provides for the sparrows, why wouldn't he provide for us? There is no morality at all, except in my mind. Just hit me in the face and you will see.
I walked home with the clarity of the sky. Will I wake tomorrow morning?
My refrain ran again: We are all teachers. That is my: Amen.
Dense Life Prose No. 1
Maybe this is the first day since term end that I have finally been awoken..
Maybe I nodded off a couple of times, but any signs of will and mind are a delight for me.
We are all teachers, yeah-no?
The Purpose of Disappointment rang out at 7:30am. The Lord works in mysterious ways.
They say that but even without a Lord or Tao, everything is a holistic connection to itself.
When at one extreme, the other beckons. Yin and Yang. Inaction and Action.
I moved swiftly between activities and pressed onto my conclusions. Action.
A call to arms. A fit for feet. I'll give them the Benefit of the doubt.
I'm indestructable. Try me. I am moving. Stop me. My money drains away but I won't starve.
I will ask and I will know, because nothing will stop me now.
My refrain for the day ran through my head: We are all teachers.
Don't teach, learn. Don't take it for Granted: I was too academic and not confident enough.
I failed in my homework. But those who spoke, spoke well of me.
I missed for I didn't Try.
Fear is the acknowledgement that something or someone may, could or does have power over you that contravenes your will. So do you fear yourselves, or fear what others will think? Freedom, Goddamnit! Try!
I charged out of the backline, the line was open to the backs. But they were standing passively far behind.
Did they want to play, but not run? Trussed in ties. Corporate lies. Employed only in firms?
I hate the apparent reliance. Or is it all in my mind? Am I not learning again?
My choice to run through the gap, to play, to win. To Try. We won of course. 29 sealed the win.
I danced once more. Just like I did at a time once before. An Asian den with a DJ din.
Retaining a motif, while stylising it. Then retaining the style while randomising the outer actions.
Letting chance create the form, while the essence remains central and controlled.
Maybe that was the way of Pollock. The way of a storm. Circular.
Using left and right sides, is it any surprised I feel more together?
Is it any surprise that dance coincides with the rise in my spirits?
A kiss sealed the win. You told me you were embarrassed. I instructed you that you shouldn't have been.
I was wrong. I should have listened to you, my teacher. So I could hear your perception and feelings.
Chemicals erode me. They may erode you. There is no need at all. The Lord provides for the sparrows, why wouldn't he provide for us? There is no morality at all, except in my mind. Just hit me in the face and you will see.
I walked home with the clarity of the sky. Will I wake tomorrow morning?
My refrain ran again: We are all teachers. That is my: Amen.
Tuesday, December 14, 2004
Back up again~
I am back to applying at full-power~ With all new tricks like calling the school directly and asking them if positions have been filled! So creative, yet saving money! (I was going to print and send applications to some of them). Some of them said: "We're interviewing right now. Just e-mail it in now we'll have a look," which is comforting to know! Anyway, back to work.
I am back to applying at full-power~ With all new tricks like calling the school directly and asking them if positions have been filled! So creative, yet saving money! (I was going to print and send applications to some of them). Some of them said: "We're interviewing right now. Just e-mail it in now we'll have a look," which is comforting to know! Anyway, back to work.
Monday, December 13, 2004
Got chocolate?
While I was swimming tonight, I was called at home and on my mobile phone by the Principal of Royal Oak Primary, the school I had been most keen on. My application did not succeed. So it is back to the drawing board... and maybe an anxious wait over Christmas. I am hoping more desperate schools call me for interviews...
While I was swimming tonight, I was called at home and on my mobile phone by the Principal of Royal Oak Primary, the school I had been most keen on. My application did not succeed. So it is back to the drawing board... and maybe an anxious wait over Christmas. I am hoping more desperate schools call me for interviews...
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