Last night, I invited myself to a midnight haranguing.
As a “foreign teacher” without parent-contact duties at my work, and furthermore with my very poor Korean language skills, I have always been officially exempted from many staff meetings. Recently, however, I have been trying to attend anyway – both for the potential benefit toward understanding the what’s going on around me, as well as a kind of passive “Korean listening class” to hopefully help me improve my language at least a small amount.
When it was announced there would be a meeting after the kids went home, last night, I would have been tempted not to attend, given how much I like to get home and go to sleep at a reasonable hour. But I know a lot of stuff has been going on that I don’t really know the details of, lately, so I decided to go. I didn’t participate – I was just an observer.
I guess the business situation with Karma is not looking good, at the moment – we have been bleeding enrollment, with the end-of-October numbers looking exceptionally grim. The boss is distressed, and wondering why his people aren’t inspiring customer loyalty. I can’t capture all the details, but in traditional Korean work-meeting fashion, there were a lot of histrionics and borderline tantrums. It would maybe be entertaining if I wasn’t so personally invested with all the people and the institution involved. As it was, it was pretty stressful – and it went on until well past midnight.
I have my opinions as to why we’re seeing students leaving, lately, but for now I’ll withhold comment, except to say that I don’t think it’s entirely an issue with the quality of our product – there are broader factors at play, including demographics, market shifts, and hostile government regulation. I do think that perhaps a more empathetic management style might go a long ways toward creating a more convivial work environment. Then again, it’s possible that, given cultural differences, ranting and haranguing are necessary components in effective communication. More than once I have been up against a communicative brick wall, and have managed to resolve it with a well-placed tantrum.
What I’m listening to right now.
K-Os, “Hallelujah.” This is not the first time to post this song, but last time I didn’t include the lyrics. I really like this song.
Lyrics.
[Verse 1]
I walk down these city streets
Just a lonely man inspired
Hoping God will send me water down
To quench this burning fire
How I feel for the mountain
A monastery man
Things will stay the same so I’ll remain
And show just who I am
Seeing things around me
Bonnie and Clyde
Graffiti with no message
Doctors, medicines, or pride
But it doesn’t really matter
They’re blowin’ in the wind
On the cover of a magazine
[Hook: x2]
Hallelujah
Babylon is falling
Babylon is falling
[Verse 2]
I try to wash my dirty hands
But they won’t come off the water
Hopin’ truth will make me clean and then
Redeem my sons and daughters
Though they’re not yet on the very highway
Pass along below
That’s why I left my memories far behind the lazy road
Seems so simple
The future’s the past
The present all the things we holdin’ on to make them last
But it doesn’t really maeeaahhh (matter)
Blow eeeahh (blowin in the wind)
Couuhaaahhh (with their heads high)
[Hook: x2]
Hallelujah
Babylon is falling
Babylon is falling
[Musical Interlude]
Ahhhhh..
[x4]
Hallelujah
[daily log: walking, 6km]