Happy New Year

On Thursday on my way to school I ran into the high school English teacher. For weeks we've been trying to get coffee after school is over, but every time we make plans she gets to go home early. Thursday we discussed coffee plans on the bus. I sat down at my computer and began finding things to occupy me for the day. Around 10:30 my friend walked in with her things. I started laughing and she just smiled and said, I guess making plans with you helps me get out of school early. We had a little chat and my co-teacher walked into the office. He shook her hand and said hi to her and then asked her plan. She took the opportunity to say the high school let her out early and I should be able to go too so we could get coffee. His facial expression was hilarious. I think he was shocked that he just kept saying "yes go early, yes go ahead!" I made sure he was okay with it and he just kept staring at her, shocked, saying yes. I quickly gathered my things (and in the process forgot things behind...oops!) My principal then walked in. He had already said his goodbye's to my friend. So he began giving me the same speech. Have a great vacation, be safe, enjoy your time off, Happy New Year and ended with... please take tomorrow off, too! Clearly this has been an awesome start to my month long vacation.

I spent Thursday cleaning my apartment in preparation for my vacation. I then headed to Gwangju in the evening to have a movie night with a good friend. We ended up watching 4 movies, which seems a little crazy now but at the time we weren't tired so we just kept watching. On Friday we met up with 2 other friends to see, yes you guessed it, another movie. We watched Sherlock Holmes 2, it was a really good movie!

I came back to my apartment so I can get as much rest as possible since I won't be sleeping in my bed for the next 2 nights... or a bed at all! I will head to Gwangju this evening to ring in the new year with all of my friends (well the ones who are here and not on vacation). On Sunday I'll make my way back to Naju to rest up for the day and make sure I have everything for my trip. Then I'll head back to Gwangju. I'm going to have dinner with a friend and wait for my bus to Incheon airport. My bus leaves at 2 am. My flight to Shanhai leaves at 9 am and I'll be to Singapore by 6:30 pm. I'm so excited and hoping that it won't be storming for my week there!!

Happy New Year everyone. New post after vacation!

Christmas and School Festival

Christmas in Korea, of course, is just not the same as being at home with friends and family. There isn't the same hype, decorations, FOOD, and it just doesn't have the same feel. Last year I felt more like Christmas to me. I'm not sure why, maybe it was because on Christmas morning I watched a Christmas movie and had a big breakfast (like is traditiona for my family) with a close friend. I'm not much of fan of Christmas to begin with, but I still enjoy the presents (or surprise packages.. thank you mom and Linda!) This Christmas several (17 of us to be exact) headed to a friend's  in Damyang, a 30 minute bus ride away to her very spacious apartment. As friend's began arriving, we set up the tree, began preparing food and enjoyed some all time favorite Christmas movies. Around 11 the food was finally finished, everyone had arrived and we were ready to eat some delicious homemade food. Unfortunately, most of us had been snacking on a delicious taco dip so we weren't that hungry, but we managed to stuff more food into our bodies in true holiday fashion. The wine was flowing along with the conversations. It was off to a great start. After eating we all decided we were too impatient to wait until morning for presents. After some convincing, we decided to spend 20 minutes singing Christmas carols together waiting for midnight and officially Christmas day. The secret santa gifts were all fun and it was an overall great evening spent with some great friends.

On Monday at Bannam was the school's winter festival. The winter festival is for all the student's to sing, dance or do little skits together. There were snacks, tea and coffee, door prizes and lots of parents plus the artwork the students' had been working on for the past few months. As soon as I walked into the gym my 7th graders were surprised and excited to see me, all running and yelling my name. One of the Korean teachers' likes to joke with her students, when they asked her if I will come to the festival she told them no. So, they too were surprised to see me (and she got a good laugh about their reactions). The festival was long but really funny/cute. I stupidly forgot my camera though. The 7th grade girls were really into the dancing and did lots of dances to their favorite KPop songs, several students played intstrumets, sang, many danced as a class or with their friends. The 7th graders did a really cute skit where they dressed up in traditional clothing, played grandmothers and grandfathers begging for money (and fighting over chewing gum), they even pulled the principal on stage to dance for money. The 9th graders did a skit, although no one was around to tell me the plot, it had something to do with fairies, spells, the boys dressed as girls, and a wedding. In the afternoon the students' participated in sports' day. It was fun to watch them and hang out with the other teachers.

On Tuesday the students had to attend a closing ceremony. I sat in the office during this time and made some more plans for my 3 week winter vacation. Around 12:30 the teachers began packing up, so I followed suit (there is a serious lack of communication sometimes!) I got into the car with my co-teacher and we headed to a restaurant in the neighboring county of Yeongam. Some of the parent's of the students wanted to have lunch with the teachers and I. So, we joined them for a meal. We went to a bbq place that had the most delicious tasting beef I've had in awhile. It was so juicy and perfect! We had so much to eat and I enjoyed a nice time talking with the teacher's. My co-teacher and I were driving back to Naju when the principal called her. He wanted to invite me for dinner if I didn't have any plans. I said I would love to join and he was happy. I had 2 hours at home before heading to Gwangju with my co-teacher. All the teachers plus 3 of the office workers were getting together for a going away dinner. 2 of the office workers are moving to other schools. Mrs. Im (my co-teacher) thinks the school is in trouble since both of these men do all the landscaping at the school and they are being replaced by a female who doesn't do her job properply now. Of course dinner was at a seafood restuarent where we had "high quality" abalone (also known as 'ear-shells' 'muttonfish' or 'muttonshells). I'm not going to lie, it was terrible. I ate 2 of these hard things. The had a big place of raw ones, and then boiled ones, and then grilled ones (coming out as a different course each time). I slowly muched on the lettuce, broccoli and breaded fish. I didn't think the courses would ever stop and honestly I couldn't wait to get home to eat some chocolate or something to get the terrible taste out of my mouth. At the table behind me consisting of a few teachers and the leaving office workers, their soju was flowing pretty heavily. Luckily, I was not offered any soju and only had one glass of beer that my prinicpal poured me. As we left the restaurant, the 2 office workers called my name and we bowed to each other. They shook my hand and one told me his favorite song is Hotel California (or that he wanted me to sing it to him, not sure)... It was such a great day!
I sat at a table with my principal and the art teacher Ms. No, my co-teacher sat at a different table to force both of them to talk to me. The principal is really shy, but so friendly. On Monday he was asking my co-teacher about my vacation and if I would spend it with my family. He asked me on Tuesday my plan (after some coaxing from my co-teacher.) He was shocked when I said I was going to Singapore and Malaysia alone for 3 weeks. I told him next year he has to join my English workshop.  On the ride back to Naju, Mrs. Im told me that the principal really likes me and is always asking about me and concerned for me (as is she, she's so worried for my safety with my upcoming vacation!) It really makes me happy hanging out with the teachers and principal and just talking to them. They are so friendly and welcoming, more so than Geumcheon. I love Geumcheon, but there is NO comparison between the 2 as far as how kind the teachers/students are!

My week's always start off so great when I am at Bannam. And then I come to Geumcheon. Today I found out I have 20 days of winter camp, which is approximately 2 weeks longer than it should be. I also only have 2 students for the entire 4 week session. Unneccessary to have it this long! Then after lunch my co-teacher starts telling me about the 2 day, 1 night teacher's workshop that will take place tomorrow and what time I should be there and that I can take a bus. Hold up. Nope, no way, not happening. First of all, it's all in Korean. Strike one. You tell me the day before about an overnight trip. Strike 2. I have to take a bus there, you won't even give me a ride. Strike 3. I'm out. I said I had plans tomorrow night (I don't, I just don't want to go) and then I asked if it's all in Korean and he said yes and he said "you don't want to go?" And I said no, I'd rather not and he said okay. I don't really know if it is truely "ok" but I don't care. One thing that bothers me is how I find out everything LAST MINUTE! So annoying!

Look for a new update sometime in February about my 3 week's of sun, beaches, food and adventures in Sinapore and Malaysia!

Kindness

Woah! 2 blog post in one week? Guess I have much to say.

Koreans are really kind people. Sometimes I'm amazed at the kindness they show to foreigners. I know at home I've seen plenty of kindness. Sometimes I question what I would do if the roles were reversed or even what any American would do if the roles were reversed. Last year when I first got to Korea, I attempted to visit Danielle and got lost. Several Korean middle school boys stood with me for an hour, offering me their cell phones and waited with me until they knew I was okay. Would that ever happen at home?

Yesterday as I stood waiting for the bus, freezing, a van pulled over in front of the bus stop. This is normal, I always see my students getting into this van on their way to academy. This time one of my students, a 9th grader, jumped out and said hi to me. She then proceeded to tell me that she was going to academy in Naju (my school is across the bridge from town). I smiled and said that was nice to which she responded "no teacher! Academy in Naju, bus driver said come on!" I'm pretty sure my students told their bus driver that I was their English teacher and he told them he would drop me off at my apartment. It was really thoughtful (and thankfully my students know my apartment complex name since I don't!). The students enjoyed having a 10 minute conversation with me and the bus driver smiled the entire way to my apartment as he listened to them speaking English to me (and him telling me I'm beautiful). Won Min was in the van and as I've already mentioned, he is one of the most entertaining students I have and I always look forward to what he might have to say.

Today as I stood freezing again waiting for the bus, the academy van pulled over this time to pick up one of my 7th graders, Min Geun, who I really like. The bus driver noticed me and rolled the window down and nodded at me to jump in the van. Min Geun is a great English speaker, but his ability to translate is not that great yet. The bus driver had a lot to say (perhaps to me, although I am not too sure). He kept smiling at me and speaking Korean to me. I was again thankful and amazed at the generosity of this man. It saved me from freezing waiting for the bus, plus I saved a dollar in bus fares two days in a row!

I hope when I eventually go home I will be as helpful and giving to foreigners as the Koreans have been to me.

To close, here is a great video that I saw from the Gwangjublog, really great and worth watching!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90Y4jx38DF4&feature=youtu.be

Winter vacation plans

I've been in Korea for 3 months already. 3 months! Danielle and Josh have returned to Korea this past week and I'm really excited for them to be back and for us to be (semi)close to each other again. It feels like they never left. It's already December and Christmas is quickly approaching, although it doesn't look or feel like it. Last Monday I went for a walk with my co-teacher at Bannam. I had a long sleeve shirt on, a sweater and my jacket for the walk. I got so hot I was taking my sweater and jacket off! It was around 70 degrees at the end of November! Although, I'm not complaining. I do enjoy the warm weather and rather hat the cold. By the end of the week the temperatures were back at a normal level for the beginning of December.

With December comes the start (well for me at least) of planning Winter Vacation. Last year I really didn't get a winter vacation, so this year I'm overwhelmed with a month long vacation! Yes, a month. I am so excited. I wish I had some friends to join on my excursion, but most of the other public school teachers have vacation 2 weeks later than me (due to winter camps). I've decided on going to Singapore and Malaysia. I really did want to visit Thailand, but I feel like that is a place to visit with friends. I'm going to fly into Singapore, bus to Malaysia and perhaps hit up the Southern most part of Thailand (I'm so looking forward to sun and beaches and FOOD! ahh the food options are endless...)

Last week was a normal week at school. I usually have to sit in on my co-teacher's classes. It's painful to watch and experience. He is a TERRIBLE teacher. Class usually starts 20 minutes late, it takes him forever to turn on the computer and then he stares at it for awhile. Then he puts some things on the board and has the students write the translation or repeat things. He always speaks in Korean and the students really don't pay attention. Sometimes they turn around and watch me and talk to me. I tell them to pay attention, but really, they learn more talking to me then listening to that man. So, on Wednesday I decided to learn the student's names in my 9th grade class (class 1). Thursday while the students did NOTHING again, I spent more time learning their names. On Friday I arrived to class. The students got quiet (this is my day to teach) and said, teacher test! I went through and said all of their names. They were very impressed and excited that I got them all right. After that they were all ears and excited to talk to me and listen to me! They decided they didn't want to learn and we should have English conversations all class. I was not going to turn that down for a lesson they will get bored with... it was a great class!

Then 9th grade class (class 2). These kids are not so good, they always ignore me, talk amongst themselves or sleep. My co-teacher sits in the back and sleeps with some of the students. It's ridiculous. So, Friday my students come into class and sit down. Won Min, one of my favorite students starts talking to me. He usually walks into class and says "hi Megan... Fox. I love you!" Today he was feeling very talkative. For about 5 minutes he told me why I should marry him (he already tells the student's I'm his girlfriend.) He had valid reasons and I was impressed with the way he expressed these points. "Megan, I'm very rich we should marry! I'm very smart and in the future I will work for the U.N. then I'll be richer and important! I play soccer and I'm very good, so I'm healthy too!!" Later in the day I was teaching about manners and customs in America. Korean's love to ask your age when they first meet you. I told them that in America age isn't important. Won Min raises his hand and says "oh! Megan, age isn't important in America... so, we can marry!" I'll hand it to him, he is a bright boy.

My favorite 9th grade class (class 1) will tell me how they "expect" me to do things. Like the "expected" me to have a nice manicure on Friday (which I did just for them). Then they told me that the next week they will have hamburgers. They said "teacher expect hamburgers!" I wasn't sure if they wanted me to give them a hamburger or they were going to give me a hamburger. Those students just walked into the office with hamburgers for all the teachers! Yay for cooking class!

Until next time...

Really random ramblings

Today when walking to lunch I had a conversation with one of the Korean teachers.. in my head. You might ask why it was in my head and not an actual conversation. Well folks I'll tell you, because we don't speak the same language. I'm working on it, I'm slow and no one is helping me learn. So, our hypothetical conversation went like this:
me: Hey, so remember that time I had no idea what your name was and this is my 3rd month at this school?
Korean teacher: I know your name, why don't you know mine?
me: oh I don't know, no one told me I guess.
(the walk to the cafeteria is really long... making the silence kind of awkward).
me: So, it's pretty sunny and nice out today.
Korean teacher: it's cold and sun is bad.
me: well, I like the sun, it warms me up. And let's be honest that school is freezing. It's colder in there than it is outside.
Korean teacher: yeah we do that on purpose, keeps the students awake.
me: really? that's odd. It makes me do less work.
Korean teacher: haha, you seem to have it pretty easy anyway
me: touche!

I'm not lying when I say it is a long walk to the cafeteria, totally seems longer when we can't communicate. If we were in America I know how this would go.
"You're in America speak English!" -all the ignorant Americans
Luckily, Koreans are pretty nice people and so they understand. Although, I'll never understand why they do the things they do. Like setting a foreigner up with a bank account at the "Farmer's Credit Union" when they don't allow foreigners to send money home. Instead said bank will send you to another bank. Cue headache, stupid extra paperwork and when the hell am I going to have time to set up a new bank account when the banks close at 4:30 and I'm at work until 5?(plus they open at 9 and I'm at work by 8:30). I think they get enjoyment at watching us try to jump through these silly extra hoops. (For the record, I attempted to send money home, to which they said no go to a different bank. gah!)

My co-teacher just came to me and said that my building owner is going to sell my apartment building. And then he told me if I'm not going to be home tomorrow to leave my key with some officer. I've never seen a building officer before. I've only seen the ajummas (old ladies) sitting outside in a huddle hanging out chatting. I feel like they are the unofficial building watchers. As I get near they stop talking and watch my every move. It was awkward at first and then I gave them rice cakes and I'm pretty sure I'm their favorite foreigner now. I also bow to them and say hi (in Korean). Luckily, I will be home tomorrow so I'm suppose to let some stranger in my apartment to "have a look around." Just a guess, but I'm pretty sure ALL of the apartments in that building are the SAME. Maybe they just want to see how a cool American girl lives? Yeah, that's it. I hope I don't have to move apartments. I've come to love my spider infested place. I decorated the walls with tacky stickers in hopes of being more Korean-ified. I've covered my bedroom window with cardboard in hopes of keeping the cold air from coming in. I've made it my home and have no intention of moving to a new place (unless of course the new place is just as big BUT cleaner, then I'll totally be okay with that!)

Speaking of being Korean-ified. I may or may not own an i-phone and carry a mirror in my purse at all times. Occassionally, I pull both of them out. While checking myself in the mirror, I can send text messages. Koreans, turns out, are brilliant. Don't judge, it's all in good fun. Although, I think I've become more Korean-ified then I am letting on. It's okay, really.

Anyway, so my Korean teachers are totally cool. At lunch today it was not at all awkward while they surrounded me speaking in Korean to each other, while I tried to slump in my chair to finish eating my rice, meat, weird lettucey thing, mini hard boiled eggs and seaweed soup. And then they began to tell me that my chopstick skills are impressive (they have to be our else I'd starve or have to use my fingers which is gross unless you are eating pizza or sandwiches, Koreans don't believe in that for lunch. They aren't like Americans who think pizza is a vegetable, Koreans eat healthy. America, learn a thing or two!)

Did I tell you I'm not teaching today? 3 of my studens went to a speaking competition at the Office of Education. They were going to be interviewed in English and given a writing test. The winner gets a free tour of... China. This totally doesn't make sense to me, so you're telling me these kids are getting interviewed in English for a tour of a country that doesn't speak English? They need a new event planner, take the students to America, England or Canada. That seems more fitting. Anyway, so on Wednesday I asked my co-teacher if there was after school English class that day. He gave me his usal half laugh "um, I don't... I don't think so" This is the regular answer I get. Finally I asked him why not? "The students are bad, they don't feel like speaking." Oh good (I'm getting to the point I promise). So then he asks me to help him. We go upstairs to the English classroom where 2 girl students are waiting. I interview the first one, she does well, but needs improvement (plus she totally just memorized the random questions, that's not helpful). Then I interviewed the 2nd girl. She spent more time trying to have perfect answers. What I don't understand (like many of the things that happen here), if this is such a huge deal why are you asking for my assistance 2 days before the competition?! These 3 students should have been working with me for weeks getting comfortable speaking and having a conversation. So they come back from the competition, I try to have small talk with my co-teacher, so I ask how it went. He shakes his head no and walks away. Dude, this is why your English is horrible and your students. too!

One of my students at Geumcheon has no idea how to speak English. Well, okay he has a basic knowledge of "hello, how are you?" But beyond that, like a response from me, he's totally lost. A few weeks ago we walked together, he eventually parted from me on to his apartment and I kept going across the bridge. We had a basic chat where I tried to teach him how to answer 'how are you" - It was actually fun walking with him and he is really quite cute. He found a walnut on the ground, picked it up, examined it, found a large rock broke it open and offered it to me. I refused and he ate it while we tried to chat. Everyday since then he asks me how am I. Wednesday in class the students were given a worksheet of vocab words. Some kids were smart and came to me to ask for my help in pronunciation. After 10 minutes of doing nothing this kid calls my name. I go to sit by him and he just said "I don't know, Megan!" We spent the rest of class reading the words together. Hey, at least he asked for him... I'll get through to him soon!

Welp, back to reading hilarious blog entries at Thebloggess.com <--- seriously, I read an entry and mid way through I burst out laughing. I'm pretty sure the Korean teachers think I'm insane.

Happiness all around

On Friday October 28th, my middle school students and teachers were headed on a field trip. I was told that I would be desk warming. Upon arriving at school my students were sitting in front of the main entrance listening to the Korean teachers speaking. I tried to go in through the side door, but since there weren't any slippers there I decided to stand behind the students. The principal finished speaking and came over to me and said "Megan, field trip, good experience, want to go?" Uh YES! So, I jumped on the bus with my students and off we went. The first stop was the Agricultural Festival. It was... interesting, as everything in Korea is. My 8th grade girls grabbed my hand and spent the morning talking and walking with me. There are so cute. After wondering around checking out the sites we sat down to watch something happening on the stage. Of course, my Korean is terrible so I was completely lost of what was going on. At one point a man walked over and gave me a bag of Traditional Korean snacks. I guess it pays to be the only foreigner. We continued to sit there and the man with the microphone came over, handed me tomatoes and told me to yell "Nampyeong Phighting!" So, I did. He then went and got eggs, gave them to me and told me to yell "Phighting" again. He then proceeded to say a few of the only English words he knows including "good morning and Barack Obama" After lunch we headed to Hampyeong for the Chrysanthemum festival. I spent this time walking with the female Korean teachers. It was a glorious day surrounded by flowers! 

I spent 8 days living in a hotel for teacher Orientation in Gwangju. I learned some useful things, though it would have been more helpful 2 months ago. I also met some really great people who just arrived in Korea. I expected to have Monday afternoon off, but alas, I was driven to school to spend the afternoon there. I went to one class to give a speaking test. My favorite student Won Min asked me why I was there and then told me to get out. I told him that was rude and he said "just kidding. I love you! We both have hollister, couple set. I love you! Last week no Megan, so I cried!" hahaha 

Tuesday I was back at my country school. My students were excited to see me and I was told they missed me last week. Walking around the school I couldn't help but have a smile on my face, for many reasons. The obvious that I'm genuinely happy with life, my job, my friends, my family, my Korean teachers. The drive to school (my co-teacher is amazing, she drives me to and from school) is about 30 minutes. Once we are out in the country the roads are lined with Chrysanthemums. It's so beautiful. Once I get to school the doors and windows are always open letting in the fresh air. The best part the hallways and stairs are lined with beautiful mums as well. There's bees flying from flower to flower. You can't help but be happy when you are surrounded by wonderful smelling flowers, fresh air and positive people at work even. 

Life is good. 

School Field Trip

 On Monday I joined my students and fellow teacher from Bannam Middle School on a field trip to Suncheon. Suncheon is a little over an hour away from Gwangju (a bit farther from where our school is in Naju).  The plan was to visit 2 different temples and a traditional folk village and hike a mountain at the one temple. Unfortunately, Monday turned out to be a chilly, rainy day. The kids were still excited and so was I.  I got on the bus and one of my 2nd graders (by 2nd grade I really mean 15 year old) asked me to sit with her. I was about to until the Korean teacher called my name to the front of the bus. The principal wanted to sit with me so we could talk and he could practice his English. I was fine by this, my principal is a pretty great man. We had some good talks about the upcoming Chrysanthemum festival in Bannam, the Yeongsanpo boat festival, about the temples we were going to visit and the folk village. 

We arrived at the first temple. I got off the bus and forgot my camera, but luckily had my iphone to use for picture taking. As I was looking around I was bombared my 6 of my 1st grade girl students (the 14 year olds). They started asking me questions and would clap when they hit their 3 mark. Mrs. Im, my co-teacher gave them all homework to ask me more than 3 questions on the field trip. I was excited that they were coming to talk to me and that they were practicing the things I taught them the week before! Some of the girls' walked up to the temple with me, talking the whole way. This was a big step for my students' who are usually too shy to answer me in the halls. The temple was really beautiful and there was music and monks praying while we were there. It was really colorful with lanterns hanging everywhere. Ms. No, the art teacher who joins my teachers' workshops and I climbed the mountain a little bit with some students'. These kids were all but crawling up the hill and complaining about how tired they were. I started walking fast and ahead of them and told them keep up with me. They all looked up and me and started saying "wow Megan is strong!" Some of the students crowded around me to ask if I like to hike and who I hike with, etc. One of the 1st graders (14 yrs old) ran up to me and said "Megan, I love you! But, I'm not a lesbian. I like men." I was impressed by how well she said this and also a little shocked, not by the comment, but that her English is pretty good. This girl always covers her face when I call on her in class and tries to get out of speaking, usually gets to nervous and I skip over her.

We headed back to the bus around noon and were off to the traditional folk village (I would write the name, but I forget it! ooops). When we arrived we found a dry place to have a picnic. I sat with a few 2nd grade girls, who were very kind as to share some of their lunch with me. I had kimbap for lunch, so as the girls' shared some of their food with me, I gave them some kimbap. They were too shy to take it, but I put it on their plate and insisted. I then walked around the village with Ji Sue, a very kind 2nd grader. We had some good talks. She kept telling me how beautiful I was and how she was fat and ugly. It made me kind of sad, I don't doubt that her family tells her that she is ugly and fat (she already mentioned that to me previously). She really isn't either. I told her she was beautiful (because she is) and told her she should tell herself that everyday. We then met up with her classmates and she bought me ice cream and insisted on carrying my umbrella (I had been sharing it with her carrying it, but then she didn't want me to have to hold it anymore). Seriously, these students are so respectful and awesome. I love it.

We then headed to the next location of Seonggwangsa temple. It was gorgeous there. There were lots of colorful trees that just made it wonderful. I took several pictures of the students or the ones that would let me take their picture. It was really muddy there because of the rain. But, it was still great.

We then jumped on the bus to head back to Bannam. They stopped in Yeongsanpo at the bus terminal for me to head back to Gwangju, so I was home around 4 ish instead of 5:30. Overall, it was an awesome day with my students'. I hope it helped them feel more comfortable with me, since they were able to get to know me.

some of the 1st grade girls

a few of the boys

                                                           

Traditional Folk Village

Seonggwangsa temple

beautiful 

favorite place!

Mrs. No and I 

Mrs. Ahn, the social studies teacher

Today was my short day at Bannam. I only had the 1st grade class and my teachers' workshop with Mrs. Im. Around 2 pm, Mrs. Im asked me to help her set up some pictures for the students' performance tomorrow at the Naju Performance Center. Some of the 3rd grade students painted some amazing pictures! It took about 10 minutes for us to carry the stuff in and set it up. I was at home by 3 pm. This is turning out to be an awesome week! I went to the bank to take care of some bills and decided since it was a beautiful (but chilly) day, I should go for a hike! I headed out to the mountain near my apartment and started to hike up. I am not sure how far the hike is or where the actual top of the mountain is located. I hiked to where my co-teachers took me 2 weeks ago. I took a few pictures of Naju with Gwangju in the distance and started to freeze so I headed down. It was probably a total of 3.5-4 miles. Some great exercise and it was fun!

Check out the rest of the field trip pictures at my picasa page!

Paintball

This past Saturday, several (a group of 20 of us) friends and I headed to the outskirts of Gwangju in order to play some paintball. I never played paintball at home and it always makes me a little nervous to play (but I totally want the battle wounds!) A year ago around this time, the boys had organized a paintball trip and I joined for my first paintball trip. It of course, was a blast! I was bummed when the guys decided to go a few weeks ago since I already had plans. But the Korean guy who runs it was free on Saturday and luckily, so were we!

We met early and suprisingly everyone was on time ! We headed out to the site, got our gear, the game instructions and headed into the woods to begin playing. We played 2 games of regular paintball and then 2 games of capture the flag. It was so much fun and also pretty entertaining. I so wish that pictures were taken during the game.

After running crazily through the woods for a good 2 hours, the games ended and we all headed back home for showers. Saturday night was a girls' night at my apartment in Naju. Complete with girl talk, lots of junk food, wine, movies and nail painting. A somewhat relaxing weekend to prepare us for Birthday extravaganza weekend!

Seonun-sa with Pedro

Recently I went on a trip with a few friends to Seonun-sa, about an hour and a half drive from Gwangju. We met a few other travelers and hopped into a van with Pedro, a very friendly Korean man who is working on starting his own travel company. He's done quite a bit of traveling, but right now is focused on showing his country to people. He finds places that most people don't know about or wouldn't know how to get to. As a foreigner it's often difficult to get to certain areas to see or do things. There have been numerous times were I have gone with friends to a beach or festival and had almost no way to get back to Gwangju. Traveling with Pedro was a great experience, he familiarizes himself with the area before taking people to the destination and either provides transportation or knows how to get transportation back.

Seonun-sa was a beautiful place, being in nature is such a relaxing thing. We saw an old temple, some gravesites of monks and had a lovely picnic by a stream. After our picnic we were off on a hike. The hike proved to be a little more difficult then Pedro led on. We arrived to the intended location, a giant Buddha carved into the side of a mountain. It was really very cool to see! After several pictures of the giant Buddha carving, we continued the hike to the top of the mountain. Once to the top we had a beautiful view of the surrounding mountains and changing leaves. We stayed at the top for a bit to relax and enjoy the view and then decided to head back to the van. After we finally made it back to the van we were off to the beach to watch the sunset. Once we got to the beach we all sat down to enjoy a picnic by the ocean. The beach was a little more crowded, which meant Koreans were videotaping us eating, talking to us and even asking for some food! The sun was slowly setting and let me tell you, it was absolutely gorgeous! We had beautiful weather all day, made new friends and watched the sun set over the beach. It couldn't have been a better day!

Buddha carved into the side of the mountain

Beautiful sunset

glorious

pretty nature

Address

If you would like to send me some cards or a letter instead of (gasp!) e-mail here is my home address

106 Dong 303 Ho Jugong Apartment

Seongbuk-dong

Naju-city, South Korea 520-755

If you are feeling generous and want to send me a package of goodies please send them to my school (that way it won't get lost or stolen or stuck at the post office for weeks until I can get there when it is open)

Geumcheon Middle School

253-1 Wongok-ri Geumcheon-myeon

Naju-city Jeollanam-do, South Korea

520-824

Friendly store owners

When I lived in Ilgok-dong last year, there were always several places that I frequented. Certain places were my favorites. The little kimbap nara was one of my favorites because they were so friendly to me and I loved that when I walked in, the usually knew what I wanted (especially if I was getting take out). I loved the little arts and crafts store, mainly because my students' mom ran in and she was sweet. I would always buy fruit from the same guy because he was always really friendly to me and every time I walked by him he always talked to me. It's the little things that mean a lot when you are in a foreign country.

Now that I'm in a new place I'm looking to find those places with the really friendly people. Since I don't spend much time here, it's been a bit harder to be a regular somewhere. The kimbap place that I've gone to, is just okay, but the guy has been really friendly (mind you, I've only been there like 3 times) but he makes sure to tell me I'm beautiful and well, that is one of the little things that will get me to come back! My first week in Naju I needed to buy a mattress topper to make my very uncomfortable bed a bit better. I stopped in a little shop and picked one out for a very decent price. The man was kind and gave me a 1,000 won discount. That isn't much, but it's the gesture that counts. There's been a chill in the air the past few nights and last night I was getting really cold! I closed all of my windows but realized it was about time I go out to buy a comforter. I walked past the little shop I was in several weeks ago and thought I'd check out another place. I walked to the bigger store to find that a comforter set costs 450,000 won and a comforter will cost me 190,000 won. Holy expensive batman! Needless to say, I walked back to the store where I bought my mattress topper. I found a very nice comforter for 70,000 won. The man is so friendly, I gave him my money and he gave me 3,000 won back and said "discount!" Again, it may not be much, but that man has won my business for the next year I spend in Naju.

Along with my new bedspread, I also purchased a very pretty flower. My apartment is almost complete. A few more additions and it'll be perfect. It's amazing how much more at home I feel here this year. Maybe it's because I have a normal size apartment or am at a job I LOVE. Either way, I'm glad things are good.

Constant state of confusion

I love my new job, I really do. I feel so comfortable at Bannam Middle School. The kids are great, the teachers are great. They talk to me and laugh with me. We play badminton, go for walks, they teach me guitar. Who wouldn't love this job, right? The students sit quietly while I teach and if someone talks their neighbor will usually slap them upside the head. I guess it is easier when there is a total of 39 students in the whole school, but still. At the end of class they bow to me say thank you and I love you. It's great.

Then I go to Geumcheon, don't get me wrong, I'm still very happy... but... When I get there I'm just in a constant state of confusion. I never know if I'll be teaching classes that day for one. I go to class with my lesson plans and worksheets, only to be sent to the back of the room watching my co teacher teach the entire class period. Not a word from me. He teaches in Korean, the kids don't listen to him they just sit playing games, talking, yelling. I just watch in confusion of what is happening. The book he teaches? It has paragraphs in English, you would think he would have them read this.. Nope, just reads certain words and by the time he gets the computer on and the kids quiet he has already wasted 15 minutes. I just, don't understand. But, hey... I'm just the foreign teacher, what do I know? So, 2 classes today that I did not teach. At some point we are suppose to have a teachers workshop, but again, I have no idea when this takes place! Why you ask? Well, the only schedule that was given to me was in Korean, smart right? At least at Bannam they have it neatly typed in ENGLISH. I mean, I know I live in Korea and should learn Korean, but the reality is, I haven't. So, here I am sitting in the teacher's room wondering about this after school conversation class I'm suppose to teach. Is it 7th period or 8th period? I don't know it's not on the board or on my schedule... so I find out it is 8th period (7th and 8th Thursday and Friday). Today I walked up to the room and the room is locked. There are no students, the only students in the hall where the ones going home. I stand there in my state of confusion, I was told 8th period conversation class, where are my students?! I proceed to go to the teacher's room to ask my co teacher, but he is no where to be found. So, I walk back upstairs in hopes that some students show up. Sure enough 2 girls come by and tell me they will get the key. And then my favorite student Sojin and her 2 friends show up. 10 minutes go by and the first 2 girls aren't back. Finally Sojin gets the key and tells me to follow her and we go to class. 5 students out of 18 showed up for my class. Apparently it is completely optional? (news to me!) We had a total of 10 minutes of class left once we got into the classroom. The girls are fun and I enjoyed chatting with them... but I wish things were a bit more clear. It's only been a month though and hopefully soon I'll fall into a routine and actually KNOW what is happening around me. (For the record I am NOT complaining at all... I know how bad things can get here with jobs, I'm thankful that this is not going to be like last year!)

On a completely different note. I finally got my address from my co-teacher.

If you would like to send me some cards or a letter instead of (gasp!) e-mail here is my home address

106 Dong 303 Ho Jugong Apartment

Seongbuk-dong

Naju-city, South Korea 520-755

If you are feeling generous and want to send me a package of goodies please send them to my school (that way it won't get lost or stolen or stuck at the post office for weeks until I can get there when it is open)

Geumcheon Middle School

253-1 Wongok-ri Geumcheon-myeon

Naju-city Jeollanam-do, South Korea

520-824

Recreation Management and beach shenanigans

My co teacher's have been telling my students that I majored in Recreation Management. Most people at home aren't too aware of Recreation Management, let alone what one might do with this degree. But all of my students or the other Korean teachers all responded like they understand what my degree really was... I kind of doubted they did, but I let it go. Today I was at Bannam Middle School for the third time. I really love this place. The social studies teacher started to tell me a story about the home ec. teacher. Apparently the home ec teacher decided to take singing lessons and paid $30 for a month at a hagwon (private academy). After her first class the teacher told her that she has no pitch, her tone is terrible, she can't sing on key and she should either give up or practice everyday before coming back again. The social studies teacher found it really funny (she is always laughing!). And then I told her that I am a terrible singer and can't sing on key or carry a tune to save my life. Which made the home ec. teacher stand up to shake my hand. The social studies teacher asked me if I at least played guitar and I said no. She responded by saying "but your major is Recreation Management, you have to know how to play!" Apparently if you study Rec management here you have to learn at least one instrument. I have a feeling Rec Management in Korea is very different then what I studied at home. After we had this little conversation the Social studies teacher told me to follow her and the home ec. teacher. We walked into the English room where she handed me a guitar and started to teach me how to play. Today I learned the chords C and A minor. I also had to sing "Raise Me Up" while she played the guitar. As stated early, I am a TERRIBLE singer... I'm definitely tone deaf and I can't for the life of me read music. But, I have until December to learn to play the guitar and sing decently for the school's Winter Festival. What am I getting into?!

The teachers at Bannam are so friendly and exciting. They are always talking, laughing and snacking (which is nice, sometimes I get really hungry in the afternoon and no one talks or snacks at Geumcheon). My last class was finished at 3 pm today. I went to the teachers room and did the usual surfing of the internet. Ms. No asked me I would like to go for a walk around the school. I was all for this since my eyes were hurting from staring at the computer. We went for a 45 minute walk around the area and chatted the whole time. It was really nice and great for her so she can practice her English!

Last week was Chuseok vacation. Chuseok is Korea's Thanksgiving, usually Koreans go to their grandparent's house or have family to their house. They have a memorial service and then eat breakfast together. The traditional food during Chuseok is songpyeon, which is a rice cake type thing. For foreigners it's a vacation from school and everyday happenings. Several friends and I planned to go camping on Bigeumdo Island on the famous Heart Shaped Beach. As Chuseok neared so did a Tropical Depression, headed straight for the Island we were suppose to be at. We postponed our trip a day and spent Saturday evening hanging out together and having a big sleep over so we could all wake up together to go to the bus terminal. After a 45 minute bus ride, a 2 hour ferry ride and a 15 minute cab ride we arrived to the beach. It was overcast and foggy on Sunday, but that didn't stop us from setting up camp, collecting firewood for the camp fire and sitting on the beach. We had a great afternoon of fun and then sat around the fire for several hours enjoying each other's company. Monday was a beautiful and hot day, which was perfect for laying on the beach, swimming, hiking and playing games (or building random obstacle courses). Some of us got sunburns from falling asleep on the beach which prompted some people to get theirs out and apply it to avoid anymore burns. As the sun set, the boys built the fire where we enjoyed another night full of laughs, heart to hearts, and a bundle of memories. We even had s'mores thanks to some brilliant ladies ;) We also, unfortunately, acquired a bundle of bug bites during our night by the fire. Tuesday was another beautiful day, so we spent some time on the beach or napping in the shade after cleaning everything up. Then we headed off to catch the ferry back to Mokpo. The traffic was of course, insane because of it being the holiday but we eventually made it back to Gwangju and parted ways. On the weekends I've been crashing at my friend Gail's place, so we headed back to her apartment. We both had an extra day off on Wednesday. We slept in late, took our time getting around and then headed downtown to enjoy the day shopping. I got a bunch of things for my apartment, to spice it up a little bit more.

I had a 2 day work week at Geumcheon, which went by pretty quickly. Friday night the girls and I went out for dinner, shared a delicious warm brownie with ice cream at the First Alleyway and then headed to Ethnic Bar for a quiet evening of chatting. It's a great little place where you sit on super comfy pillows surrounded by candles and water and they play great music. Our quiet night turned into a late night at Soul Train. After being at Ethnic Bar for awhile we started to get too comfortable and wanted to sleep, so we woke up to join the boys. Gail and I eventually headed home to bed since we were getting up early for a beach party in Wando on Saturday. A few of us caught the bus to Wando around 9 am on Saturday which was another beautiful day for being on the beach and swimming in the ocean. It was a pretty cool time and we spent another night in a tent.

This Friday I plan on staying in my apartment in Naju... I think I need a little downtime. But then again, if something else exciting comes up then I'll head to Gwangju because being with friends is much more appealing then spending another night alone. :)

Gail and me at dinner

the girls and me on my birthday dinner night

friends building obstacle courses on the beach

view of the beach we stayed at

our campsite

Bannam School

Today was my first day at the 2nd school I will teach at this year. It is about a 30 minute bus ride off into the country. I'm not exactly sure where the bus stop is suppose to be, but when I told the bus driver "Bannam Joong Hakkyo, juseyo" (Bannam Middle School, please) He dropped me at the end of the school's driveway while him and another passenger pointed to the school. Such kindness in this country makes me smile.

I walked in not sure where to go or what to do. Someone showed me to the teacher's room, where two of the men turned on my computer after saying hello to me. I waited for the English teacher to arrive, but in the mean time the other teachers began to arrive and say hello to me (in English, too). They all have a little bit of knowledge of English and are super friendly. Mrs. No is the art teacher, but also has an English class. Her English is decent, but she needs/wants to practice to be better. Mrs. Im is the other teacher, she has been teaching English for 11 years. English was not her first choice of subjects, it was in fact, French. But since there were no French teacher's needed, she changed to English. She is really wonderfully sweet. Eventually all the teachers filed into the Principal's office, followed by Mrs. Im and I. They read an introduction about me and all clapped and said welcome. I then left to "relax" until my first class at 10:55 (I got to school at 8 am, too).

My first class was grade 2. They were pretty quiet, but I asked them lots of questions about what they like/dislike to get them to participate. I wasn't exactly sure what to expect the first day, so I was quite unprepared. I didn't have another class until 2:15, this was grade 3's. I prepared a worksheet to get to know them, which I collected to practice their names. It turned out to be hard for them to write their favorite's down. I made them all stand up to read it to me then, as well. The last question was "what do you want to learn in English class this year" The top 3 choices were English games, pop songs and US culture. I will gladly incorporate all of those things in my class. One of the boys in the back of the room (I was warned about him) cannot read or speak English. I'm not sure how to go about handling him. I was told to just skip him, because there is nothing you could do to help him. He doesn't really know the alphabet either (I tried helping him spell something, that took a good 10 minutes!) His friend had to help him write his own name... yikes. These students are all very respectful and kind, which is a HUGE change from the kids I taught last year. The thing that blew me away, neither class left until the all stood up and bowed to me and then said something in Korea which was translated to me as them saying "I love you" haha. It was really cute!

I also have a workshop, which is basically Mrs. Im, Mrs. No and I having conversations so they can practice. I'll have to prepare some things so I have topics to talk about. After school all the teachers and I went out for dinner in Sangmu. We went to a traditional Korean restaurant, pretty sure most of the food was fish based, which I've come to hate in Korea. Some of the things were really good. I also ate octopus, which turns out isn't so bad. The teachers are all really great, so friendly and welcoming. Mrs. Im told me that she is making the one teacher join the workshop so she can work on her English, too. The Principal spoke a little to me. He's really friendly as well. His daughter is an English teacher and his brother in law is from England. Apparently, he is pretty shy. One of the teachers said to me "make the Principal join the workshop and then give him lots of homework!" haha It was a really great first day. I feel so welcome and relaxed there! I'm excited for this year at Bannam. Mrs. Im is my neighbor in Naju. She is going to give me a ride to school on Monday and Tuesday mornings, because she is "concerned" about me going on the bus alone. She said "You remind me of my daughter, you are the same age. I want you to be safe so I will drive you to school" It was really sweet and kind of her to offer. The Principal was asking a lot of questions in Korea about me as well. I guess he was concerned, too. It's nice being surrounded by AWESOME/KIND coworkers/bosses! It looks as though my sanity will remain intact this year. Yay!

This past weekend I headed into Gwangju for a weekend of fun with friends. Which indeed was had by all. Honestly, nothing beats nights of laughs, games, sitting by rivers talking, kimbap and walking home as the sun is coming up. Weekends like this are what make the coming week so much better. Pretty much sums up my Saturday evening, but the day was filled with hiking with the boys and then dancing to a concert by Feed the Boats with friends in the park.

Life is indeed pretty wonderful. :)

photo's from my friends iphone... I forgot to charge my camera batteries.

Back to School

Today was my first official day at Geumcheon Middle School. I had to arrive early for a "special meeting" with the other teachers and the new Vice Principal. I met the Principal this morning shortly after arriving this morning. He seems to be a kind man, anytime I saw him throughout the day he would smile at me and say "hello Megan!" (If you've heard/read about my school last year, this would NEVER happen). After awhile all the teachers in the school flooded into the teachers room for this meeting. The Principal asked me to sit in the front of the room and the vice principal was next to me. They said a bunch of things about the V.P and then he talked and everyone clapped. He took a seat and I had to stand, the Principal began reading things off about me in Korean. I said hello to everyone and bowed to them and then everyone clapped again. It was a little awkward. The teachers are really kind and will stop and tell me things in broken English. The science teacher has an English name, Krista, she sat and talked to me and then gave me a newspaper that had a tiny section in English (I guess I looked really bored). One of the other teachers gave me a rice cake snack that had something dry and odd inside it. Seeing how friendly and laid back everything is at school makes me so happy and relieved. Last year I was treated terribly and would always get yelled at for trying to teach MY class the way I wanted to. I can see it won't be happening this year.

My first class started around 10:40, after sitting on the internet for a little over 2 hours (seriously public school is AWESOME!) The first year students were very talkative and friendly. Only a few boys wanted to ask questions, but after a little while the girls warmed up to me. The first question out of each classes mouth was "do you have a boyfriend?" They asked me if I knew KPop and if I like baseball. When I said I liked Girls' Generation, GDragon and Kia Tigers they class erupted in cheers and claps. Winning them over was easy enough. I talked a little bit to them and then Mr. Kim began teaching. I'm not 100% sure when my time to teach is, I really haven't been told much. After class 1, began year 2 students. These students are shy and don't want to use their English, although I'm not quite sure they have much knowledge of English anyway. Mr. Kim didn't really give them or me time to talk, he introduced me and started teaching. Some of the girls asked me questions (or attempted to).

After class number 2 it was lunch time. Lunch was not so bad, I accidentally had a bite of octopus (it was fried and I couldn't tell). It wasn't so bad, but I still didn't eat anymore. After lunch I had 1 more class. These are the year 3 students. They were pretty entertaining, although I wasn't given much time to talk to them. I have lots of students names to learn at some point! The one student has short hair and must be mistaken for a boy often. She turned to me and said "man or woman, which one" I laughed and asked what she was talking about and then she pointed to herself and repeated "man or woman" I wasn't quite sure, but I didn't want to look like a terrible teacher who can't tell if her students are boys or girls, luckily as she turned her head I noticed she had her ear pierced. I told her girl and she said "beautiful?" and I said "yes, you are" She loved this answer, shook my hand and turned around to begin studying.

My last class ended at 2 pm. Which meant 3 hours of desk warming. I finished my book, played on the internet, read some blogs and stared at the clock (I'm going to have to start taking naps!) By no means am I complaining, while it does get pretty boring it definitely beats last years work schedule with NO breaks!

I'm interested to find out what my school on Monday and Tuesday is like. I hear it is MUCH better than Geumcheon and I already think that school is pretty great.

To end, I'll leave you with a few pictures of my apartment.

my living room looking into the kitchen (from balcony one).

Balcony one where I hang my laundry

My bedroom (this was pretty much the size of my WHOLE apartment last year!)

Kitchen looking towards the living room

Balcony two is kind of gross... obviously I have to use it to do my laundry.

New School, New town, New Adventures: Back to Korea!

I finally made it back to Korea after a long enjoyable summer spent in Central Pennsylvania. While it was great to spend 4 months with my family and friends, I couldn't wait to get back to life here in Korea. The new requirements for obtaining the E-2 visa turned out to be a long and tedious process, but everything came together and I got here exactly when I wanted to!

Last Wednesday I checked the mail and found my passport (finally) in the mail. I ran inside and booked my flight to Korea, leaving early Friday morning. I did all my last minute packing, visiting family, eating some delicious American food and Thursday evening I was off to the airport! I left from JFK and had a direct flight to Incheon on Korean Air. It was a long and tiring flight, but I got to watch some pretty good movies and get a bit of sleep. I arrived at 4 am and had to stand around for a good 2 hours waiting for the buses to begin running. Luckily I was not alone and made a friend from Las Vegas who was heading to Iksan. I made it to Gwangju around 11ish and met up with my coteacher and his son. They drove me to my new apartment in Naju and helped me carry my luggage to my apartment. They took me out for a quick lunch and brought me back where they left me some notes and then headed out of my way.

My apartment is nice and big, much larger than my shoebox sized apartment from last year! I have 2 enclosed balconies on either side of my apartment. There is a large living room, with a kitchen table (no more eating dinners on my bed, yay!), a desk, and a couch (plus lots of floor space!), a small closest (that is dark and dirty, probably spider infested, gross!), a small bathroom (needs some serious bleaching), a kitchen with a full size fridge, and my small bedroom. I'm pretty excited about my new place, but not so excited about the tons of spiders that guard the hallway.

After arriving on Saturday, I showered and attempted a nap. Just arriving and being alone was making me feel uneasy, so I packed a bag and headed to Gwangju. Gwangju is a 30 minute bus ride from Naju, not bad since last year living in Ilgok it was 45 minute bus ride to the terminal. I headed straight to Danielle's apartment and was greeted with a big hug :) It was a great reunion. We hung out for a bit and then headed downtown. There was a combo going away for Danielle/birthday (for another friend) party dinner with a large group of friends. After enjoying a great meal with some amazing friends we headed off to various drinking spots/bars. It was an incredible night of laughs and hugs from some pretty great friends, definitely met my expectations of my first night back.

Sunday I headed back to my apartment in Naju and pretty much slept all afternoon until the next morning. I guess the 20 some hours of traveling and then staying out until 4 am made me pretty tired :)

Monday I had to go back to Gwangju to get my medical exam completed for my alien card. I remember going last year and it being confusing and annoying. There are so many different buildings to go to for each exam, plus not being able to speak Korean I knew it would be a challenge. Luckily it was only mildly frustrating and I was finished around noon. I headed downtown and went to visit a friend who then took me out for lunch and coffee. After some time in Gwangju, I headed back to my apartment to clean and unpack. I am still searching for some cleaners and bleach, but for the most part my apartment is clean and ready for visitors!

On Tuesday, I had to go back to the hospital to pick up a piece of paper. I spent the afternoon walking around, getting my necklace fixed and being caught in a rain storm. I met up with 2 friends at the restaurant that I missed most, First Nepal. Afterwards I met with another friend for a coffee date. It was of course, another great day seeing friends. I still have today to relax and do nothing. I'm meeting up with a friend in Naju later for dinner and hopefully he'll be able to direct me to the grocery store that I still can't seem to find (I'm beginning to think there isn't one...)

Tomorrow begins my first day of classes at my new school. I'm a little nervous, but also pretty excited. I don't think anything could be as terrible as last years experience teaching. Also, in a week and a half is the first vacation of the year Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving). So, I'll have a 4 day weekend. I'm still not sure what my plans are, but I have been invited to do a few different things, all of which involve beaches :)

Pictures of the apartment are coming soon. I promise

A year gone by

My time in Korea is quickly coming to an end. I currently have 7, that's right 7 teaching days left. I can't believe it! At times this year couldn't have gone any slower, but for the most time it really has gone by unbelievably fast. I still can't believe that in a week and a half I will walk out of that building and NEVER have to return. The feelings of excitement are almost unbearable. Honestly, I am not at all excited or ready to leave Korea. The part I am excited about is to finish at Langcon English in Maegok-dong. This has been a really trying year, there were so many low points teaching at Langcon. I had to yell and be a downright b* to get what I was suppose to get (like my paycheck...). I won't forget this year that is for sure and when I look back on my year at Langcon/Little America I will be able to laugh at the times I had to be held back from punching my boss in the face. I can remember the really low points at Little America, after the Korean teachers all quit. One day in particular, my boss asked Dan why he didn't type up worksheets for every book/every class. He said he didn't have enough time and that he would get to it (we only had one computer, that she was always on). She called me into her office and asked me the same thing, except I was yelled at and treated like crap for not having it done. I walked out of her office fuming, not sure if I should cry for being yelled at like that or break something for being so angry at her. Had Dan not been there to calm me down and make me laugh I probably would have done something irrational. The past month and a half I've been the only foreign teacher, teaching as many as 13 classes a day plus 2 hours of kindergarten. It's been ridiculous and tiring. I had to fight for my plane ticket out of here (a fight I again won). I started getting paid overtime once Dan left, something I again had to fight for. Since I booked a flight out of Korea, I have been relaxed and relieved. I know I'm leaving her school and her reign. No matter how horrible these kids treat me these next 7 days, nothing can bring me down right now. I've made it, I've done it and I'm happy.

I'm thankful for a lot of things that came out of this year. The most important thing has been some of my new friends. I know I can count on them and will be friends with a lot of them in the future. I read a quote the other day and it went along the lines of "people come into your life and you know from the moment you see them that they are going to change your life" When I read it one person immediately came to mind...

Dan and I

I knew from meeting Dan that we would be really good friends. We have a lot in common and could talk easily with each other. He's become one of my best friends and I can honestly tell him anything and vice versa. We were there for each other through the really low points and of course through the great days. We spent absurd amounts of time together and each day brought a new memory and more laughs. I might be having a really bad day and could look at him and count on him to put a smile on my face. We spent nights out together, movie nights in, meals during the week and so many stories. His contract finished a month and a half before mine. I couldn't imagine working without him. The days have been quiet, there hasn't been anyone to break out in Lady Gaga songs or to just say ridiculous things that would make me laugh. It has been hard to go to work everyday knowing he wouldn't be joining me, to help me get through each day. Even when he was in Canada though, I knew I could send him a message and he would respond and still make me smile miles away. I'm thankful for his friendship and that he has become a part of my family. This past week he returned to Korea. We had dinner last night and he made a comment about something. I couldn't help but laugh, I forgot how much I use to tell him (apparently it's been everything.)

Since February a lot has been going on. My computer once again crashed. A friend of mine spent a month trying to fix it, but it still wasn't quite right. I gave in and bought a new computer from home and had it sent to me. I finally received it in April. In that time I had a lot of time to catch up on books that were sent to me for Christmas. It was a pretty productive few months and luckily for me I always had Dan's computer to use when I needed it.

In March I went with a few ladies to Jindo for a Sea Parting Festival. People lived on the island of Hoedong for many years after the were exiled in 1480. They lived there for more than 200 years, life was very tough for them. They were constantly being attacked and killed by the tigers also living on the island. Finally they decided to take a raft and head to the neighboring island of Modo. Unfortunately, Grandma Ppong was accidentally left behind. She prayed everyday to the Dragon King of the Sea to be reunited with her family. One night the Dragon King came to her in her sleep and told her to cross the rainbow path he would provide for her. The next morning she went to the sea and a path opened between Hoedong and Modo. Grandmother Ppong was so excited at being reunited with her family, she started the walk to the island. Her family on Modo began walking towards her. Grandmother Ppong got so tired at the excitement and the long walk that she collapsed. Her family held her in their arms and she said she was happy because she was finally reunited with her family. If you want the scientific version, once a year the tides pull in opposite directions and cause a path between both islands to open up. Thousands of Koreans and foreigners alike come out to see this phenomenon. It was a gorgeous day and an awesome experience to see the sea parting and being able to walk through the middle of the sea!

starfish in Jindo

the ladies and I at the Sea Parting Festival

the herds of people walking in the middle of the sea

pre sea parting

Another weekend in April, the ladies and I headed to Masan. We were meeting up with a few gentlemen we had met at the Sea Parting Festival. After we met up with them we headed to Jinhae, a mere 50 minutes from Masan for the Cherry Blossom Festival. It was another spectacular day. We enjoyed a lot of laughs together and saw so many beautiful Cherry Blossom trees. It's weekend adventures like that, that help to make the adventure in Korea so worthwhile! Getting to Masan was easy, turns out getting home would provide to be a challenge for us. We got to the bus terminal at 7 pm and to our dismay found that the last bus to Gwangju was at 7:10 pm and already sold out. Guess we should have planned a head and checked that out, but were is the fun in that, right? Some quick thinking on our toes, lead us to buy bus tickets to Busan about an hour from Masan. We jumped on the bus and headed to Busan where we hoped and prayed that we would be able to get a bus to Gwangju as it was a Sunday evening and we all had work the next morning. Luckily we got a 9 pm bus to Gwangju and waited around before our 3 1/2 hour bus ride back home.

Krysta and I in Jinhae

the group at the Cherry Blossom Festival

Cherry Blossoms

This past weekend Megan and I met up in Seoul to do the DMZ tour. It was definitely an eye opener and it's really sad to think about the troubles the 2 Korea's have been having with each other. More so to think about how the North Koreans are treated and starving because of their crazy ruler. The tour took us to many different, but important places in the DMZ. At one point North Koreans dug as many as 20 tunnels into South Korea. Only 4 have been found so far (and of course, closed off). We had the opportunity to walk through the 3rd tunnel, which is said to be the most dangerous. As many as 300,000 North Koreans could storm Seoul in one hour! It was an impressively long tunnel. We also had the opportunity to visit an observation area where we could look through binoculars and see North Korea. Of course, the area we could see look beautiful, but we all know that is just the show part with fake villages that no one can afford to live in. It's sad to think that many of those North Koreans are starving and barely able to make money. I hope one day that there can be peace between the Korea's.

Freedom Bridge

walking to Seoul

ribbons of love

It has surely been a crazy year. I am thankful that I came to Korea. I'm thankful that Megan and Danielle joined me. I'm thankful for the friends that I met along my way. The friends that provided so many good memories, laughs, and tears. I'm thankful that I had the chance to meet up with friends from Lock Haven during my vacations. I'm thankful on how much I learned from people this year, things I learned about myself. This year hasn't always been easy, but I never once regretted my decision of coming to Korea. I've becoming stronger, more independent and know that I can do anything.

I'm not finished with Korea, just yet. I still feel like I have some unfinished business, so I will be returning. I am looking forward to the 3 month break, but I know I'll be more than excited to return to Korea.