30 going on 13

It's ironic that while getting older and truly pushing myself to be of age, the more I go way, way backwards. By now I should be dealing with pure grownup stuff eg. loans, taxes, mortgages, career advancement. Or my New Yorker fantasy like adapting a new-age lifestyle, my own bohemian apartment, a non-pseudo relationship or even yes, a marriage. Instead, lately I am surrounding myself with pre-pubescent dramas.

Teaching kids for almost a year now is truly a paradigm shift. This is not just classroom training but even a bedroom and household experience because I get to live with them. It's like having kids of my own since I have a big responsibility for their so-called well-being. The only thing lacking is the real mother-child "connection".

For starters we don't speak the same language. This is in the literal sense because they are Korean kids. Yep, I'm their San-seng-nim (teacher). Their childhood is a little hard to relate to. While my favorite childhood food was dirty ice cream, Chippy and Maggi instant noodles, their comfort food is korean (damn-spicy-hot!) ramen, gochuchang and kimchi of course!

The joy of teaching these adorable children every 2 months begins from the time they arrive. While moms give birth in the hospital, our first encounter would be in the airport. All smiles and all excited, they arrive in their stylish Korean fashion. Colorful windbreakers, bonnets, baseball caps and winter coats. They look like pages in Baby Gap catalogues or Guess Kids.

The second logical thing to do is for parents to decide what should they call their offspring. While their biological parents gave them 3 syllable names (this already includes the surname btw!) we give them cute American sounding names. This could range from the most common like Harry or John, to the Filipino sounding like Fatima or Cynthia and even the absurd names like Fire or David Beckham!

In the classroom lies the true test. Teaching them to read and write the basic, simplest English ever known could be so exhausting. Unlike in the Philippines where English is the second language, even telling them to Sit or Stand is still a task. And yes, every ESL for Korean teacher can relate to the -ishe syndrome. Finishe lunche? Get it?

As a parent you can give yourself a pat at the back when you see your kids turn out not-so-bad like you had been. Well, my happiness is when I see and hear the kids finally talking, understanding and even fighting in English. I can yell at them to "Be quiet!" and they get scared. Or when I tell them to get a pen and they ask "Which color?" Such bliss!

But then, after sometime they will realize they have lives of their own. They had to expand and lead their own lives. As any doting mom or guardian all you had to do is let go. Korean children can definitely teach Filipino kids lessons on respect and love. These kids are very emotional and expressive.

Letting go every two months is an emotional burden but I learned to be strong. The trip back to the airport would be their last teary glance at the country. I hope someday they would remember all the wonderful things we've shared. And maybe go back here and once more say "Ahnyong ase-yo!"

Well life is a cycle. Time to get ready for the next term! :)