RANTING/VENTING MEGATHREAD 3.0

Almonds are on sale at HomePlus across the land, these days.

Also, boiled eggs are literally the best yum-yum of breakfast. Boil them, they keep in the fridge forever. Crack one of those suckers open and dump salt on it, make a giant cup of coffee, and baby, you've got a breakfast goin'.

Call me spoiled, but I don't like boiled eggs more than a day old because they take on a rubbery texture that everyone says I'm imagining but I swear does exist. I also prefer eggs poached in broth and placed on toast. Doesn't take long to make, but I literally leave myself with zero time to cook anything most mornings these days.

I hate boiled eggs in general, but if I really have to eat them, I will only eat them within a half-hour of being boiled. After that, no. Also, I know what you're talking about with the rubbery texture thing the next day. I hate that, too, haha.

But in terms of making yourself something to eat, I do find that boiled eggs are the easiest to fit into the mornings. I occasionally have them for breakfast and I boil them while I get dressed / dry my hair / do my make-up. I eat it on my commute to work LOL and then I have coffee when I get to school.

I am super fussy about eggs, I am vegetarian so am especially picky about something like that.  Especially boiled eggs, the rubbery bit is really off putting.  I won't eat boiled eggs given to me by anyone else.  I never buy the cheap eggs in the supermarket, only the free range ones.  Those black-coloured eggs? not on your life.  My own poached eggs with fried mushrooms?  Oh yeh!

That's what I bought in my home country.  I would like to here but I can't tell which ones are free range/organic/etc.  All the different varieties appear to be roughly the same price.  Where do you find yours here?

On the subject of eggs - Friday is my weekly shop, so tonight will I discover that prices have doubled because of Bird Flu and a shortage of eggs?

Anyone noticed a price increase yet?

On the subject of eggs - Friday is my weekly shop, so tonight will I discover that prices have doubled because of Bird Flu and a shortage of eggs?

Anyone noticed a price increase yet?

I buy eggs directly from the flu infected farms for half the cost - no price hike in sight!

Agreed, the most infuriating things about these contracts is the uncertainty of the location, especially after being here a few years, we still have no way to ensure that we can stay in a school and neighborhood that we've built a relationship with? Ugh, extremely frustrating.

Though your last sentence is probably why they do it, if they informed us beforehand many people would probably nope on out of here if they were transferred to an undesirable location/school. I know I would... Signing first more or less guarantees that all schools who want a NET, get a NET, I guess.

Yeah that's a good point and is probably why they do it.

Unfortunately though I have no qualms about immediately giving my two months' notice if I move and my new school/location is terrible. 

^ This situation could be avoided if everyone knew where they would be before signing.  I don't think that would mess up their recruitment timeline too much would it?

I've found I don't really care for hard boiled eggs anymore. Soft boiled eggs all the way!

I prefer free range though I can't be certain that's what I'm getting. The eggs I buy are labeled as from my county and I've seen chickens milling about as they please in the countryside... so I'd like to think that's how the egg producers generally live.

At any rate, the eggs look and taste like free range eggs I had back home.

If the newspapers are accurate, it's not so much a shortage of eggs, as it is hoarding that is causing the price increase (suppliers and distributors are manipulating supply to earn more on the backs of the trapped Korean consumer).

Like shooting fish in a barrel.

Made Russian butter balls (no eggs) and used flak seed substitute for other Christmas cookies, worked great.

Here's my annual EPIK contract renewal signing rant:

Maybe I'm old fashioned (or just old) but is it too much to expect NETS to wear smart clothes when they're meeting their employer?  It seems so.  Don't wear a suit (not appropriate) but looking around, most people were in jeans/sweatpants, a tshirt and trainers. 

So many people had opened their medical check results (after they had received them in a sealed envelope obviously).  So that led to the RIDICULOUS situation of the coordinator asking them things like "Did your CT see you open the envelope?"  In the end, so many people had opened them I think she just couldn't be bothered to deal with it and let it go.  So I guess that makes a complete mockery of the tests.  I'll just fake mine next time and save a load of cash.

People just waltzing in an hour late and not apologising.  "Where's my contract?" was the first thing out of one guy's mouth.  You're an hour late, are you taking the piss?

Of the process as a whole:  signing the contract before finding out where you'll be teaching is infuriating.  I don't know about anyone else but I renew my contract because I like my school/apartment/area and I've been confident about my chances of staying here.  If I knew I was moving it would probably have a big affect on my decision to renew (ie. I probably wouldn't bother).

The first time I met my employer, I was in casual business attire (Dress pants, business shirt, and tie. I got told I was too overdressed, to wear the dress pants, but just wear a casual t-shirt instead of the shirt and tie).

And yeah, that guy sounds like a dick. I hope they didn't give him a renewal after demanding the contract.

As for the bolded part, that is why I have decided to renew (or get an extension on my contract) if I get offered a renewal. I want to stay longer, but not for a full year. One of the people who used to be in my town (who left recently), started in a June, but finished in a September, so it seems like they MAY do extensions, or something like that. She got the flight allowance as well.
If I do get moved, and my new places are really bad, I probably will give my notice.

Agreed, the most infuriating things about these contracts is the uncertainty of the location, especially after being here a few years, we still have no way to ensure that we can stay in a school and neighborhood that we've built a relationship with? Ugh, extremely frustrating.

Though your last sentence is probably why they do it, if they informed us beforehand many people would probably nope on out of here if they were transferred to an undesirable location/school. I know I would... Signing first more or less guarantees that all schools who want a NET, get a NET, I guess.

Yeah that's a good point and is probably why they do it.

Unfortunately though I have no qualms about immediately giving my two months' notice if I move and my new school/location is terrible. 

^ This situation could be avoided if everyone knew where they would be before signing.  I don't think that would mess up their recruitment timeline too much would it?

I think that, and also I know some Korean teachers don't even find out till pretty late where they're going to be placed the next year (if they're rotating to a new school) so any consideration for the foreign teacher in this respect is probably a nonexistent concern.

That being said, doesn't seem to be an issue in JLP. When we renew our contracts, it's for our original school unless we apply for a transfer (in which case you put down a few options and see where the dice land). Budget cuts for schools still happen but overall there's not much mystery about location.

I don't think they do contract extensions though, which is too bad. But I guess one could sign on for another year and just resign at the halfway mark.

Here's my annual EPIK contract renewal signing rant:

Maybe I'm old fashioned (or just old) but is it too much to expect NETS to wear smart clothes when they're meeting their employer?  It seems so.  Don't wear a suit (not appropriate) but looking around, most people were in jeans/sweatpants, a tshirt and trainers. 

So many people had opened their medical check results (after they had received them in a sealed envelope obviously).  So that led to the RIDICULOUS situation of the coordinator asking them things like "Did your CT see you open the envelope?"  In the end, so many people had opened them I think she just couldn't be bothered to deal with it and let it go.  So I guess that makes a complete mockery of the tests.  I'll just fake mine next time and save a load of cash.

People just waltzing in an hour late and not apologising.  "Where's my contract?" was the first thing out of one guy's mouth.  You're an hour late, are you taking the piss?

Of the process as a whole:  signing the contract before finding out where you'll be teaching is infuriating.  I don't know about anyone else but I renew my contract because I like my school/apartment/area and I've been confident about my chances of staying here.  If I knew I was moving it would probably have a big affect on my decision to renew (ie. I probably wouldn't bother).

The first time I met my employer, I was in casual business attire (Dress pants, business shirt, and tie. I got told I was too overdressed, to wear the dress pants, but just wear a casual t-shirt instead of the shirt and tie).

And yeah, that guy sounds like a dick. I hope they didn't give him a renewal after demanding the contract.

As for the bolded part, that is why I have decided to renew (or get an extension on my contract) if I get offered a renewal. I want to stay longer, but not for a full year. One of the people who used to be in my town (who left recently), started in a June, but finished in a September, so it seems like they MAY do extensions, or something like that. She got the flight allowance as well.
If I do get moved, and my new places are really bad, I probably will give my notice.

When you say "casual t-shirt" I hope to God you mean a button up or Polo and not a literal t-shirt. I completely understand that a suit is overkill. A tie might be a little much especially if you have elementary. Regardless, it's always better to overdress than underdress.

Here's my annual EPIK contract renewal signing rant:

Maybe I'm old fashioned (or just old) but is it too much to expect NETS to wear smart clothes when they're meeting their employer?  It seems so.  Don't wear a suit (not appropriate) but looking around, most people were in jeans/sweatpants, a tshirt and trainers. 

So many people had opened their medical check results (after they had received them in a sealed envelope obviously).  So that led to the RIDICULOUS situation of the coordinator asking them things like "Did your CT see you open the envelope?"  In the end, so many people had opened them I think she just couldn't be bothered to deal with it and let it go.  So I guess that makes a complete mockery of the tests.  I'll just fake mine next time and save a load of cash.

People just waltzing in an hour late and not apologising.  "Where's my contract?" was the first thing out of one guy's mouth.  You're an hour late, are you taking the piss?

Of the process as a whole:  signing the contract before finding out where you'll be teaching is infuriating.  I don't know about anyone else but I renew my contract because I like my school/apartment/area and I've been confident about my chances of staying here.  If I knew I was moving it would probably have a big affect on my decision to renew (ie. I probably wouldn't bother).

The first time I met my employer, I was in casual business attire (Dress pants, business shirt, and tie. I got told I was too overdressed, to wear the dress pants, but just wear a casual t-shirt instead of the shirt and tie).

And yeah, that guy sounds like a dick. I hope they didn't give him a renewal after demanding the contract.

As for the bolded part, that is why I have decided to renew (or get an extension on my contract) if I get offered a renewal. I want to stay longer, but not for a full year. One of the people who used to be in my town (who left recently), started in a June, but finished in a September, so it seems like they MAY do extensions, or something like that. She got the flight allowance as well.
If I do get moved, and my new places are really bad, I probably will give my notice.

When you say "casual t-shirt" I hope to God you mean a button up or Polo and not a literal t-shirt. I completely understand that a suit is overkill. A tie might be a little much especially if you have elementary. Regardless, it's always better to overdress than underdress.

Nope, a literal T-shirt. And I wasn't wearing a suit, I was wearing a button up shirt and tie - which they weren't happy with. Whenever I've met them in a literal T-shirt, they have been a lot happier. Which is a shame, I bought a bunch of button up shirts before coming here, thinking I'd have to wear them. But they get angry when I do because "you don't need to dress that formally here."

I think that, and also I know some Korean teachers don't even find out till pretty late where they're going to be placed the next year (if they're rotating to a new school). so any consideration for the foreign teacher in this respect is probably a nonexistent concern

Yeah there's probably nothing machiavellian going on  these kinds of decisions are probably done in the grand ol' tradition of last minute hurried craziness like a lot of things here

I like to try and find a rhyme or reason for things but sometimes the sad truth is we (NETs) really don't factor that high in anyone's decision making process, so most slights we feel are (at least usually) unintentional 

CoT: Are you coming? We have class now.
Me: Um... not according to the schedule I was given this morning.
CoT: There was another change. We have class now.
Me: Okay. What class?
CoT: Class 1-3.
Me: I've already taught that class this week.
CoT: *blank stare*
Me: Okay. Be there in a minute.


Class cancellations and reschedulings are pretty much old hat to me by now, but there are apparently still some circumstances where I find them irritating. One of those circumstances seems to be when they want me to teach a class I already taught once in a given week.

I have 600+ students, and I only see each class once a week. I plan for the week accordingly, so when they want me to teach a class twice in one week, that throws off my planning for (at least) one week for that class. It wouldn't be so bad if they let me know a day or so in advance, but two minutes before the bell is asking a bit much.

I was able to just quickly modify a lesson I used with one of the classes that's ahead of them, so the class ended up going well enough, but it still soured my mood for the afternoon.

Apparently one of the other subject teachers called in sick today, so they moved that teacher's class to next week during my class hours, and moved my class from next week to today. Seems like something that could've been solved if they had a system of substitute teachers available to call in situations like this, but what do I know.

Class 2-2 wanted to watch a movie. The co-T said no.
The co-T said long enough for me to start the game and play a few rounds, then took off. ALL the students except 2 then decided, they can't be bothered with this, and didn't do anything, tried to be very disruptive, etc. So at the end, the 2 students (which were on opposite teams) finished the game. I gave both students triple prizes, told them not to share with the others, or no more prizes for their class.
The others went berserk because they wanted prizes too. I told them, you didn't do anything, you get nothing. Once the bell rang, they stormed off.
Telling them "merry christmas" etc. just led to them saying "yep" very angrily.

Damn, throughout my time at all, we very rarely got games. When we did, it was like 5 minutes of hangman and the entire class had to be good for an entire month to get that. Here, I have to do a game every week, and the students act really ungrateful a lot of the time. :\

Sooooo just found out that for camp (that doesn't start until 12:40 everyday) I have to arrive at 8:40 per usual. Should have looked over my contract again before this time of the year so NO SURPRISES...even though this job is notorious for that. So basically now I'm sitting here thinking, not only will I teach two weeks of camp but I'll sit at my desk for 4 hours and 40 minutes for two weeks straight. Then I will sit at my desk for 8 hours a day for another couple of weeks (which this part I expected). Would I love to take 3 weeks vacation and go to Thailand? Sure, but some of us can't (I have student loans back home that are more of a financial priority at the moment).

And trust me, I'm an overachiever so YES I will be revamping old lessons, reviewing grammar for my own knowledge, planning future lessons, brainstorming summer camp and studying Korean during the desk-warming period. So its not that I will sit there like a bump on a log. I even come 20 minutes early to school everyday on the reg. I know my co-t is monitoring these things. But man, coming 4 hours early for a f****** camp that starts at 12:40 is just the last straw with this ridiculous policy. My co-t said she'd ask the principal for "mercy" ruling on when I have to come...we'll see how that goes.

I am happy to desk warm at times - I feel productive and get many things taken care of (even personal things). But to desk warm for a month (because of camp too) is a bit...of a waste of even being in this country in the first place. "How was living in Korea?" "Well my weekends were fabulous even though Id be pretty tired from the week of working...and well, I didn't get to see much else except for my office, even when there weren't any students to teach." 

Why can't all epik teacher contracts in the future be reviewed / altered regarding this policy? Of course, I am not 100% knowledgeable about why it even exists in the first place (I.E. may be a visa issue / government related).

Feeling myself about to be screwed. Put in for vacation ages ago. Apparently now it's a problem  because the times I was told I could go home early during exams actually count against my vacation hours. I've seen this come up a lot. Anyone ever tackle it? I'm prepared to take unpaid leave but consarnit.

The first time I met my employer, I was in casual business attire (Dress pants, business shirt, and tie. I got told I was too overdressed, to wear the dress pants, but just wear a casual t-shirt instead of the shirt and tie).

And yeah, that guy sounds like a dick. I hope they didn't give him a renewal after demanding the contract.

As for the bolded part, that is why I have decided to renew (or get an extension on my contract) if I get offered a renewal. I want to stay longer, but not for a full year. One of the people who used to be in my town (who left recently), started in a June, but finished in a September, so it seems like they MAY do extensions, or something like that. She got the flight allowance as well.
If I do get moved, and my new places are really bad, I probably will give my notice.

When you say "casual t-shirt" I hope to God you mean a button up or Polo and not a literal t-shirt. I completely understand that a suit is overkill. A tie might be a little much especially if you have elementary. Regardless, it's always better to overdress than underdress.

Nope, a literal T-shirt. And I wasn't wearing a suit, I was wearing a button up shirt and tie - which they weren't happy with. Whenever I've met them in a literal T-shirt, they have been a lot happier. Which is a shame, I bought a bunch of button up shirts before coming here, thinking I'd have to wear them. But they get angry when I do because "you don't need to dress that formally here."

So all the teachers at your school wear t-shirts and dress pants?

The first time I met my employer, I was in casual business attire (Dress pants, business shirt, and tie. I got told I was too overdressed, to wear the dress pants, but just wear a casual t-shirt instead of the shirt and tie).

And yeah, that guy sounds like a dick. I hope they didn't give him a renewal after demanding the contract.

As for the bolded part, that is why I have decided to renew (or get an extension on my contract) if I get offered a renewal. I want to stay longer, but not for a full year. One of the people who used to be in my town (who left recently), started in a June, but finished in a September, so it seems like they MAY do extensions, or something like that. She got the flight allowance as well.
If I do get moved, and my new places are really bad, I probably will give my notice.

When you say "casual t-shirt" I hope to God you mean a button up or Polo and not a literal t-shirt. I completely understand that a suit is overkill. A tie might be a little much especially if you have elementary. Regardless, it's always better to overdress than underdress.

Nope, a literal T-shirt. And I wasn't wearing a suit, I was wearing a button up shirt and tie - which they weren't happy with. Whenever I've met them in a literal T-shirt, they have been a lot happier. Which is a shame, I bought a bunch of button up shirts before coming here, thinking I'd have to wear them. But they get angry when I do because "you don't need to dress that formally here."

So all the teachers at your school wear t-shirts and dress pants?

Some wear jeans. The older male teachers (who are just about to retire) usually wear a suit. The younger male teachers (are all 10~ years younger than them) wear a casual t-shirts with 2 - 3 small buttons near the neck. I don't have any of those style of casual T's though.
The VP usually wears the style of T-shirt I wear, just not as 'baggy' as mine. (I've lost a bit of weight since I last bought T-shirts) :D

Feeling myself about to be screwed. Put in for vacation ages ago. Apparently now it's a problem  because the times I was told I could go home early during exams actually count against my vacation hours. I've seen this come up a lot. Anyone ever tackle it? I'm prepared to take unpaid leave but consarnit.

Are you public school? If yes, do you use NEIS? If yes, did you or your manager enter your early leaving during exams into NEIS? If yes, what did they enter them as?
If you don't use NEIS, did you get it in writing with a VP or principal signature?

Did you enter your vacation times into NEIS? Was it approved? If yes, you're fine, don't worry. If no, why didn't they approve it? Or did they just ignnore it. 

Basically, if it's just a verbal agreement, it's entirely possible that an unreasonable manager or VP or principal can leave you totally boned on vacation. If all your i's are dotted and t's crossed, you're fine and they're likely fussing over nothing.

That sounds stress. I hope it works out.

Hey thanks. I don't handle NEIS unfortunately, my co-t does. Pretty sure the requested days were ignored (or put off) until now. I'm also trying to ask about my 5 renewal days, as I am essentially forced to take them during winter vacation but there seems to be a lot of confusion around that.

So, in the case of leaving early during exams -- I was always told "Oh we can leave early" and the appropriate NEIS form was filled out. But no one seemed to realize that it was counting against my vacation. I would've just stuck around otherwise. I know my VP is an utter pile of trash so I'm not expecting much mercy. However, I'm not re-signing with this school so I'm not too worried, either. 

The accepted dresscode or norm seems to vary heavily from school to school. My previous schools, most everyone dressed casually, men and women, regardless of age. Some might dress it up on certain days, but this was inconsistent and never followed a pattern. They just did it because they felt like doing it sometimes.

At my current school, they dress casual to business casual based on personal comfort. Either is treated as acceptable and only three men consistently dress more formally (the P, VP and an older male teacher). The only thing they require is that you're clean and your clothes are well-kept, that's it.

Personally, I don't see the point in dressing formally as a teacher. I understand dressing up for formal events and meetings, but, generally speaking, the schools I've interacted with prefer a more relaxed working atmosphere. I have friends who work for schools that mandate business casual/formal attire, though, but most of those are for private institutes that are trying to maintain a certain image for well-to-do parents.

The first time I met my employer, I was in casual business attire (Dress pants, business shirt, and tie. I got told I was too overdressed, to wear the dress pants, but just wear a casual t-shirt instead of the shirt and tie).

And yeah, that guy sounds like a dick. I hope they didn't give him a renewal after demanding the contract.

As for the bolded part, that is why I have decided to renew (or get an extension on my contract) if I get offered a renewal. I want to stay longer, but not for a full year. One of the people who used to be in my town (who left recently), started in a June, but finished in a September, so it seems like they MAY do extensions, or something like that. She got the flight allowance as well.
If I do get moved, and my new places are really bad, I probably will give my notice.

When you say "casual t-shirt" I hope to God you mean a button up or Polo and not a literal t-shirt. I completely understand that a suit is overkill. A tie might be a little much especially if you have elementary. Regardless, it's always better to overdress than underdress.

Nope, a literal T-shirt. And I wasn't wearing a suit, I was wearing a button up shirt and tie - which they weren't happy with. Whenever I've met them in a literal T-shirt, they have been a lot happier. Which is a shame, I bought a bunch of button up shirts before coming here, thinking I'd have to wear them. But they get angry when I do because "you don't need to dress that formally here."

So all the teachers at your school wear t-shirts and dress pants?

Some wear jeans. The older male teachers (who are just about to retire) usually wear a suit. The younger male teachers (are all 10~ years younger than them) wear a casual t-shirts with 2 - 3 small buttons near the neck. I don't have any of those style of casual T's though.

I've never heard of anyone getting angry because someone dressed up too much. In my opinion, the button ups that you bought is what you should be wearing. I mean, you did buy them for that purpose after all. Even with jeans, a nice button up can look more professional. And if your CT is really adamant about your clothing, it seems to me like he's one of those "casual T's" with the small buttons kind of guy and doesn't want to get outshone by the foreigner.