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...
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Friday, November 25, 2011
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.
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.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
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.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
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.
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!
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.
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| some of the 1st grade girls |
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| a few of the boys |
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| Traditional Folk Village |
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| Seonggwangsa temple |
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| beautiful |
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| favorite place! |
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| Mrs. No and I |
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| Mrs. Ahn, the social studies teacher |
Check out the rest of the field trip pictures at my picasa page!
Thursday, October 20, 2011
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!
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!
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
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!
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| Buddha carved into the side of the mountain |
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| Beautiful sunset |
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| glorious |
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| pretty nature |
Thursday, October 13, 2011
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
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