JOBHUNTING'S SUCH A BITCH!

I am now officially pathetic.

Thank you for your application but unfortunately we can not help you to apply public school in South Korea due to public school application regulations.

Native English teacher must graduate middle school to university in English speaking country including US, CA, NA, AU, SA and UK .

If you haven't graduated your secondary school and university in one of those countries then we can not help you to apply public school in South Korea .

As we are recruiting public school teachers in South Korea our agency won't able to help you with this case.

I wish you best luck for your future ESL career and Thank you for your understanding in advance.

Best wishes

What best wishes? I HAVE graduated secondary level. I AM a university UNDERGRADUATE. The only fucked up fact that is that i am not a citizen of any of those Native Speaking Countries. And they will accept Mexicans because it said NORTH and SOUTH America.

UGH! Who cares! Once upon a time, i was a very promising teacher, with leadership and managerial skills to boot! I was an aspiring writer, challenging myself over, and over, and over just to keep up with the evolution of THIS language this country desperately yearns. But again.. WHO EFFING CARES?! In this frustrating place, i am a useless sack of muck product from a country, more effective in speaking English than these idiots who are now fishing abroad for more white skinned teachers who they hope, can teach this language they sooo want.

You want rave, I'll give you rave. Did you know that in the Philippines, these people coming from these countries cannot even compete to Filipino English teachers? My friends, most of them are licensed teachers, and one of them told me this funny story. See, they (my friend and another colleague) went to apply for a private institution in the Philippines. They were applying together with (dig this?) white-skinned people, who, as labeled from this country, NATIVE SPEAKERS. I said people, not person, it's plural. I'm not telling you how many, but there were certainly more than three. Subject to teach: English.

If you ever applied to teach in a school in the Philippines, then you are aware that there are certain degrees of interview and tests before actually landing the job. Wouldn't you know it, the Native Speakers were denied the tenure, and my friends got the job. The idiots, only refused to do the work because; 1. Religion (Iglesia Ni Kristo) collided with the school (Catholic), and; 2. because the other idiot didn't want to stay. If you ever studied in the Philippines, or had younger sibling starting school, then you are also aware that private catholic schools are NOT cheap. Teachers' salaries on those places are well-deserved.

There's mo-oore....
The call centers. Do these people from US or anywhere else actually think that when you call for an inquiry or an account, or stock market, they're speaking with Native Speakers too? My brother worked in a call center, dealing with stock market. My dad, also worked in a call center before i went away, and my dad always had stories on how these idiots from these countries HAVE NO COMMON SENSE. Simple questions: Have you tried the on button?; or Did you check the batteries?; and these people, as my dad would say, just slap their foreheads and apologize, sometimes just hanging up because they're too embarrassed. DO THE MATH!

Getting lost in my dizzying thoughts: CALL CENTERS THAT ARE US-BASED ARE LOCATED IN THE PHILIPPINES, and not underground LA!!!

No, i am not giving up. My dad, he taught me that much: persevere.

25 Random Things About Me

and this is the first time I'll dare to do it.

1. I only like wearing dark colors. If you see me on a pink shirt, it means i was paid to do so.

2. I hate all animals. I hate bugs, and i have a phobia with frogs. You want to murder me send me a box full of croaking slime-covered green frogs.

3. I'm a disowned daughter, and i don't know where my parents are living, although i am sure that somewhere they are trying to deny and cover it up, and never admit that i eloped.

4. I despise Caucasians. Even before i started my prejudice with Native speakers, i despised their race. I have met a few good guys, but i still don't like them in general.

5. If asked what my favorite food is, i usually answer junk food, because nobody would believe that i LOOVE vegetables and fish but not seafood. However, i do not eat onions.

6. After getting married, i had more haircuts than i remember.

7. I'm planning to have a tattoo... at my back. I plan it to be a dragon that will peek a little on my nape.

8. My husband's a jerk.. and i LOVE him for that. He's perfect, simply because I'm too much of a bitch to be handled by a wimp.

9. I'm hyper, but i now have something to keep my hands full. My kids are the little and super-hyped versions of me. I am POSITIVE that NO ONE in this world would be able to babysit them, not even their father.

10. I like word games.

11. I refuse to lie. If i were in trouble, and lying is the only way to get off the hook, I'd rather go to jail.

12. I'm an extremely jealous person, and i don't share the people i love. I even threatened my husband that if he touches another woman, the last thing that bitch will see is her blood squirting off her neck. And husband knows i am capable of doing so.

13. I only have three male friends left. My husband is also as extreme as i am. =P

14. I don't wear sneakers, even with two little maniacs running in the mall, i wear my 5-inch heels.

15. I can cook. I learned from my mother, but somehow, my husband doesn't like my cooking. My kids do, my mother-in-law does, some friends that i cooked for did, but not this man i share my life with.

16. I miss "balot". The only Filipino dish i am not intimate with the process.

17. I am a thinking Catholic. Don't ask me about religion, because i know (and learned!) stuff about it that can raise controversy. But i don't pray much. I have faith, but i prefer to stay quiet.

18. I want to learn how to drive, because i don't like public transportation. Four years in Korea, and i only rode the taxi three times, the bus 8 times, three of them on my own, and the train (not subway) once. Husband prefers to drive me anywhere.

19. I now secretly like the color green, but i wouldn't be caught dead wearing, nor sporting any outfit or accessory with it.

20. After my second baby, i only drink cold milk coffee. i tried drinking hot coffee, i ended up putting ice on it.

21. I got my glasses when i was 16, i became aware that my vision was bad when i was 13, and had my vision blurred since i was 8. Having glasses made me appreciate everything i see.

22. I only admired two women my whole life, and none of them is my mother.

23. I also despise only two people in my life, and i have been scheming on how to expose and humiliate them publicly.

24. i can't sleep without my furry square-shaped pillow.

25. I currently have no reason to come back to my motherland.

Ouch! Denied, yet again.

How lame is it that i am now blogging to just relieve me of this exploding emotion? I was rejected. By a recruiting agency because the first reason was: i was not qualified to apply for an E2 visa. WTF?!?! In my application letter, i specified that i'm an f2 visa holder.

Unfortunately, there are qualifications for an E2 visa. Applicants are required to be native speakers. Hope you understand this procedure. I wish you success in your future endeavors.

So, as pathetic as it may sound, i sent a message again. I know it sounded a bit bitchy, but what can i do. It touched a nerve. It also looks pathetic now from my point of view, almost desperate. But in reality, i am. I want to work. I have always worked, and before marrying this man i now call husband, we agreed that he'd be my house husband. because i have the urge to work. Moving along...

Hi, Ms Becky. I think you missed. I'm already in Korea as an f2 visa holder. Does this mean i won't be able to place any job because as stated: Native Speakers? I am not a Native Speaker, rather an educated one, having English as my first language and i went to schools where the curriculum was strictly imposed in English. I also have been teaching the language in the Philippines to South Koreans, my students ranging from middle school kids to businessmen and professionals. I was a trainer to new teachers who will teach the language to South Koreans. I think i will be good for the job.
That said, thank you for your time.

Well, i really was all that. i trained teachers, men and women older than i am. My students were older than i was (19), and i really insulted about 85% of them. BECAUSE i was too young, and i was very good at what i'm doing, and i turned out to be one of the most challenging teachers.


You think you can find who i am among the group? those were my colleagues and friends.

And the recruiter responded with this:

Of course, you are able to find a job and work in Korea, but we only deal with a native speaker from US, UK, New Zealand,Ireland, Austrailia, Canada and South Africa.

So there. And here i am sulking, and digesting the fact that i can't get a job. Because they want three things that i cannot provide: white skin (native speakers), nationality (Filipino), and a degree. Without those three, what i have achieved is useless.

And Here Goes my Prejudice Again...

Woot! Job market is open. The entire country is searching for ESL teachers... about 5,000 of them. Salary ranges from 2.2 mil to 3 mil Won. Plus airfare, housing, 50% insurance, allowance, severance pay, paid vacation, the works. That is one helluva job! working for an average of 30 hours a week, if you call babysitting in English to kids who can't even understand about three quarters of what you say, a JOB.

Oh, there's a catch. They're looking for Native Speakers (yet again). Those white-skinned people (because the blacks get discriminated) with a degree, from US, Canada, UK, New Zealand, Australia, and... could it be... IRELAND??? The people holding the WORST accent when it comes to speaking english? The people we can't understand A THING when they try and start up a conversation? Really? is there such a thing as an articulate Irish? And these employers would prefer them from Educated Speakers... sad reality for me.

So now i'm being biased.. maybe there is such a thing as an articulate Irish. I'll try and meet them as soon as they land here. Just to prove me wrong.

Yesterday i had lunch with the mother of my last student. Sort of "thank you" for enduring her kids for about four months. She told me that i can get a job, it's hiring season. The elementary schools are searching for highly competent teachers. "Jenny" was the name she mentioned, and the woman was teaching Elementary school kids. And since my Korean was not very fluent, i smiled politely, and told her that i am working on getting a job through the net. That's not a lie. I spent three weeks sitting in front of my computer trying to fish. Sadly, i can't even get close to bait. Because i'm not a Native Speaker. It stops when you click the "other" button when it asks of which country. S*N OF A B*TCH!!!

But i haven't stopped yet. I am still trying. Pointless, but there's no harm in doing it. My husband is 34 years old, and the Korean Government is not hiring anybody at their 30's. Since husband's school in the Philippines went bankrupt, we have to find ways onto earning money. After all, we have two kids.

No, i am not giving up. I am at my best when i am working, and my job for about 9 years (since i was 16) was in school, and marketing. I prefer teaching. It's more challenging to challenge brains of people who are desperate to learn this language, even if they're damn lazy.

Bitching out on Entertainment...

And the Drama Queen has remembered she has something to bitch on about.

First thing's first... this momma's not very fond of the Korean Entertainment business. The men look like women, and the women mostly have masculine facial patterns. I have a favorite Korean Comedian, and i do not know his name. He's very famous, according to my husband. I also have a favorite Korean actress/ comedienne, and i also don't know her name. I watch them because they have interesting and effortless talents to entice viewers. But that's just how far i went. I don't need to know their names. I like them, that's all there is to it.

Again... not very fond of Korean Entertainment business. They have this cheesy boy bands trying to sound oh-so charming (blech!), flirting on their music videos which obviously was copied from some other foreign artists, and makes them look like little boys trying sooo hard. The same goes for their girl group bands trying to sing without ANY power, just rhythm on the beat, trying to dress cute to look innocent, or something. Some try to dress "sexy" and yet don't have curves... only the fact that they're women with very small boobs and wrong shaped ass, with flat stomachs (which is okay). And their dancing! OMGG!! Is it me, or these wanna-be dancers just look like sticks moving left and right flapping their thin arms and trying to stick their little asses to look like it's seductive or something? Hasn't anybody in this pathetic business even heard of talents without the "cutsie" stuff that most Korean find enchanting? Can anybody actually dance in this place??? The back-up dancers on TV, they're not cute, but they're not after fame so no biggie. They can flail all they want. The singers, boybands and girlbands, why are they dancing? They can't dance, even their choreography suck so bad, even a little boy (not girl) can imitate it. There isn't any grace coming out of the girls, the boys are simply too tall and gangly to dance. And yet, Korean fans are screaming for their performance. These "artists" simply has to stop because they have nothing to offer, or at least not to my standards because even i find Jeniffer Lopez very stiff when she dances.
But i would prefer J.Lo than to these girls singing "허니, 허니" something, or the Wondergirls (somebody shoot me!), or the other girl pop groups dancing (thrashing sticks).

Moving along... Being this intolerable, being cynical and sarcastic, i know it's my fault that i was able to listen and view these crappers. The music stuff, my husband and i have very different tastes when it comes to that. Do the math... why have i encountered these intolerable music...

But there's more. There's this dead starlet (not even a star heehee) who killed herself because she's an idiot. And no, i have no sympathies for imbeciles who kill themselves no matter how tough they claim their paths to be. Her name was Jang Ja-Yeon. I'd type it in Korean but that would be stupid because i can't. I just have to rave this one through. She killed herself because apparently, she can't handle the pressure she was being subjected through be her agency, making her serve drinks (so?) or have sex with some big shots. That's the point... it was not rape. It was an order given to her in which she (obviously) agreed, lest she wouldn't be doing it. So the thing is... why didn't she just quit? wouldn't it be easier to just quit? think about it, she already made some money out of it, so she can pay for a shrink to recover from her trauma (if you can all that trauma). She was just greedy for a publicity that she obviously cannot achieve (not anymore, that is), or she was just impatient to reach her super stardom. Gimme a break! The entertainment industry all over the world has the same pattern! And can you blame these old and fat producers for taking advantage? This business has a lot of beautiful people, desperate and willing to do ANYTHING to have a break. Human nature will dictate that if one's willing to give all, the receiving party will make sure to take all, or more. So i guess she's just an idiot. To make the police dig into her mess, it's pointless. But on her part, more publicity. She had killed herself, she turned even more famous. Such a trite idea.

There, that's better. =)

The Pain of Searching

And let the drama queen lose control.

Yes, i am currently looking for a job. A job that can help pay the bills and give my kids the same luxury i was used to. Selfish of me to even think of it. But Korea and Philippines have a very different lifestyle comparatively. And the lifestyle that i was used to? It is a very extravagant lifestyle here in Korea. It was also an expensive living in the Philippines, but i was working, and my dad gave me money, and my mother is an amazing chef who introduces different kinds of cuisine all the time. Some of it i am not fond of, but i can assure you that no matter where you're from, you'll love what she'll serve.

I just revealed my country of origin, which now labels me as a non-native speaker. Although my first language was English (ask my mom if you ever find her), had my education on prestigious private schools and learned how to interact with people on public schools, i still cannot deny the fact that without a diploma, my abilities, or talent, are useless. Sure i have passion for teaching, and i love challenges. I love doing new things, and i love meeting people. I am charming and confident, but I'm no beauty. And these are the qualities i am proud of. But all those crap are useless because i am searching for jobs online.

The job market is searching for Native Speakers. And there goes my prejudice again. My chance of getting a job, in this business, is about 5 - 95%. 95 % to get denied. One: my skin color will speak for itself, but without a personal interview, i won't be able to prove myself. Two: No bachelor's degree. I am very articulate, and well-versed on so many aspects but not on Math and Rocket Science. Although i was one of the highest paid and less sought teachers (i was challengingly difficult because i was teaching slang, language evolution and idiomatic expressions) from the last school i worked, i can't prove it anymore because the idiot secretary of that school, who handles basically every administration need, has a feud with me, and casually married the Korean manager whom i was in great terms with. Her feud and mine started about 4 years ago, got hotter when i was carrying my second child, and is still scorching because... well. That's a very long story. if i ever have nothing to do, and i have too much time on my hands, i will share why we're this explosive. So before getting lost into this dizzying array of thoughts, I'll proceed with my third reason: Baggage. Two kids. I don't think Korea is ready for working mothers. I have not met any working mothers here, and my baggage is a toddler, and a 3-year- old kid. I don't know if that's a reason in this country, but to me, my baggage is my reason.

About two years ago, a professor in Chonnam University offered me a spot in an English Village, but we (husband and i) denied it. The place was about an hour away, and will require me to stay. My child, being an infant, i wasn't ready. And my husband pointed out a good reason: who'll watch our baby? Today, I'm thinking: DAMN, I SHOULD HAVE TAKEN THAT JOB!

And now, since i am not in Seoul, my chances of getting a job is soooo slim, unless i advertise myself on schools, and teach privately. But as another blogger kindly shared couple weeks ago, private teaching here in Korea is illegal. So now i am trying to find me a job every night.

Although i cannot find my resume in this computer. Maybe it's on the other computer. That the case, I'll find it tomorrow, and go to sleep. I still have morning tasks, you know. Taking care of my kids.

The Blogger

What is a blog? Twenty years ago, there was no such word. Ten years ago, the program "weblog" was invented, and was recognized as a technical term in the computer and Internet world that in five years, like every other online engines, or networking sites, it became famous.

The word blog, if explored, meant an online journal. No matter how many definitions it can come up with, it's just that. A diary free for everybody to read. Wow, 30 years ago, a diary is something so discreet, even if the writer wrote some amazing play of words, no one could ever find out. I am not instigating that people cannot keep a secret anymore, but i have read some amazingly ridiculous entries, including some from famous people, and i must say... maybe writing with an old fashioned pen and a notebook with a lock has really phased out. Or maybe we leave those to teenagers... (?)

Moving along, the modern day (say, a year to three years) blogger. No matter how simple the definition of the word "blog" is, its use has evolved into something else. It's not just a diary anymore, it's a page with interesting things to read. From comics to comedians, from an observing eye to the rantings of a madman (like me), useful information, news with their own point of view like a newspaper editorial, advertisements, and some are insensible things to post just because the writers have readers.

The blogger. Who, or what are these bloggers? Are they writers, desperate for an outlet because they have too much thoughts and they need a place to release all of it? Or they have no job and hope that a producer might take notice of their greatness online and hire them?Are these people blogging for the sake of showing off that they have a lot going on? That they have activities to "share" for everyone to see? No offense, but I'd rather read a blog with about five hundred words, than read a blog with about 150 words saying some nonsense with regards to an actor getting a new piercing on his hooha, or some lousy entries with exciting photos. If i wanted exciting photos i would just stay on my homepage engine and explore the entire everything for the day.
Getting lost, are these bloggers blogging for the sake of their readers? That they just type and post entries even if it isn't really relevant? Are they people with a beautiful sense matched with an amazing play of words. And there are bloggers like me, who rant and rave over insensible things, or current issues. Some judgemental and prejudiced. I personally prefer the prejudiced, because at least they are biased for a reason, judgementals are just people with very bad opinions.

But a blog is just a diary. As insensible as most entries are, they are still mostly diaries, of people with too much time in their hands, or people with Internet connections, or people who has the need to be popular with readers and followers. Not all of them can be called writers... because a writer can have about 400 to 500 words easy. Bloggers are just there to show something. And most of them less than 200 words, with pictures! Just so they can show everybody they have an interesting and colorful weblog.

Whatever. I'll make it a bit simpler... i hate insensible blogs. i read a lot, and in a place where there is a lot to read, a personalized point of view is as refreshing as an orange juice after eating roast beef.