Soju and beer, practice (drinking) everyday

Today an ajumma (older lady) was seriously impatient and apparently couldn't wait a whole 2 minutes for the green light to cross the extremely busy (not to mention scary) highway. I am not a fan of the location of my school. The road is kind of scary. Cars, buses and trucks drive at top speeds through this intersection. Sometimes they stop at the red light, sometimes they continue driving at their top speeds. I always give it a few seconds and watch the cars to make sure they are stopped before walking across the road. When school is in session, the students see the green light and immediately step out in the road. They are busy playing on their phones or talking to friends, ignoring the cars. I'm always scared that one of these days I'll witness these kids getting run over, since they seem to be careless when crossing the street. Back to today, I was standing patiently waiting for the bus to arrive. Across the road was the ajumma. I saw her jogging to make the light, but she was too slow. She waited for a few cars to pass and then began slowly jogging across the road. Instead of stopping in the middle by the median to let the car and truck fly by, she decided to continue across the road directly in front of them. Their were 2 other ajummas yelling at her, 2 students in front of me not even paying attention and me exclaiming loudly "OH MY GOD!" Mere inches was all that was between this lady and the fast moving cars. She made it, unscathed and it didn't even phase her. 

On a lighter note: I've been teaching 2 students for the past 2 1/2 weeks. The students are on winter vacation, but 2 students have signed up for winter camp. I still have a week and a half left of camp with these 2 girls. I chose to do Glee camp with them. I found workbooks and powerpoint presentations online (a great site for foreign teachers to use). I've been teaching them new words and phrases, adjectives, verbs, giving advice, asking questions. I play music videos for them and they have to fill in a worksheet with the missing words. Then we watch an episode of Glee each class. After we watch Glee they answer questions about the show and ask me questions about school, culture, life in America and they finish by writing in a journal. I wasn't sure how well this camp would work out with just 2 students. They love watching Glee and have really been talking a lot more and asking more questions after each episode. It's really funny to watch how giddy they get when Mr. Shue (the glee director on the show) comes on. My 15 year old girls have a huge crush on his character, it's really cute to watch them. I really enjoy reading their journals, too. Usually it's about the show or how tired or hungry they are. On Monday and Tuesday I brought in chocolate chip cookies for them. They devoured probably 2 dozen cookies on Tuesday alone. My one student, Soe Jin, who is much quieter than Soe Yeon, wrote on Tuesday "I'm very sad because I didn't say thank you to Megan. Thank you Megan. Cookies are delicious. I love cookies. Megan is very good cook. I'm sorry, sorry, sorry Megan." haha. It was really cute. I like those girls. 

Last week the students were in school in order to prepare for graduation. Graduation happened on Thursday and perhaps a ceremony on Friday. I'm not too sure, you know, I'm never told anything. I just sit at my desk until someone tells me it's time go. On Thursday I was let out of school at 2 pm, which was totally awesome. But first I went out to lunch with all my co-teachers. They love sashimi, so we are always going out for that. I'm not so much a fan, but I hide the taste with spicy sauce. The gym teacher kept offering me beer and soju. It didn't happen once, maybe 4 times he offered to pour me either beer or soju. At noon on a Thursday, I wasn't interested in either. I think he felt that I didn't understand him. He called my co-teacher over to ask if I wanted beer or soju. I said I didn't and was okay with water. He then preceded to say "Korean's drink a lot, the gym teacher says every night you need to practice drinking soju and beer. Every day practice!" ... um, okay? 

The next night I was driven to Gwangju with my co-teacher and the computer guy for a 'dinner party.' Of course, true to Korean fashion, I was told that morning. I had no idea what this dinner party entailed. We showed up at a nice hotel and walked into a banquet room with a buffet and the karaoke machine being plugged in. Turns out it was a retirement party for the principal and a few teachers. I really like the principal and am sad he is leaving. He is always so friendly to me and it really makes the atmosphere at school much better when he walks in and sees me with a huge smile "Miss Megan, good morning!" or "Miss Megan, let's go home!" I hope the new principal will be as kind as this principal. One of the teachers in my office also retired. He is a super friendly man as well. He was always the one to tell me it was lunch time, talk to me, offer me snacks and anytime I walked in the room in the morning he was the first to look up and nod at me. As he was leaving last Friday he came to me and said "Miss Megan. I retired this month. I'm really going to miss you!" It was sweet. Back to the 'dinner party' speeches were made, food was served, people began eating and with the eating began the soju pouring. For those that don't know, in Korea the custom is to pour someone else's drink or shot for them. You don't pour your own beer and if you want soju, you'll offer a shot to someone else so they can reciprocate. The principal began his rounds to pour soju for each table and one person would pour him one. He made his way to my table and poured a shot for the other teachers and when I offered to pour him a shot, he said no. "No Miss Megan, we do love shot!!" I can't say no to the sweet man, so a little shot of soju was poured and we did a 'love shot' to cheers and of course, pictures being taken. The singing began and I was able to escape out to get the bus to my apartment. As I stood up and put my jacket on, across the room the principal noticed me and began yelling (most of the men were pretty drunk from the abundance of soju shots!) "Miss Megan, bye! Goodbye Miss Megan! Goodbye! See you Monday? No Sunday? Monday!" 

Malaysia!

After my relaxing, yet wonderful week in Singapore it was time to pack up and head out for my next adventure, Malaysia. I took the a bus from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur, it was relatively cheap for a 5-hour bus ride and seemed to be the best option, instead of the hassle of flying. It takes about an hour to get to the Singapore/Malaysia border. It was a quick process getting through immigration in Singapore (early morning we were the only bus there!) We made our way to Malaysian immigration where we had to get our luggage out to have it checked and get our passports stamped. As I put my bag on the machine, I took a look around to see that not a single immigration worker was in the building, instead they were sitting outside having a smoke break. Good work guys, this should have been my first indication about how helpful the police/immigration in this country would be...

After a tiring day of traveling on the bus, with only a bottle of water in my bag (stupid me I didn't pack any food!) I made it to the KL. The bus driver pointed out the bus terminal and some friendly young girls assisted in me getting there and also offered to help me if I needed it, so generous of them! I realized that I didn't exchange my money before I left Singapore, so I was hoping to find place to do so. I didn't see anyone in the information booth so I headed to (what I thought) was the next best thing, the police. WRONG. After standing in front of them for about 2 minutes they acknowledged me. When I asked where I can exchange money, I got a shrug of the shoulders and then he pointed down the hallway. Come to find out, because it was Sunday, this place was not open. In a panic I walked back and the guy just kept shrugging his shoulders. He didn't know. I also was unable to get a map. On top of being really hot and humid out, I was tired, hungry, it just put me in a bad mood. I bought my bus ticket, the bus was really late.. but thankfully another kind stranger assured me I was getting on the correct bus.

Another 5 hour bus ride, 40 minute ferry ride and a 15 minute taxi ride I was at Anjungan Resort on Pangkor Island. So far removed from the hustle and bustle of city life. Streets filled with friendly food vendors (and good food, too!). A friend from orienation and I were spending the week on the island together. I checked into our room... All my frustrations from the day simply melted away once I walked into the awesome room, saw the pool, nature. Paradise. It was a long week on the very isolated island. But I enjoyed the food, the sunsets on the beach, laying by the pool, reading, watching the monkeys playing in the trees or stealing the trash, watching Hornbills feeding in the wild, interacting with the locals. It was a great week.

After another week of relaxation and sun, I was off to Kuala Lumpur. Repeating the taxi ride, ferry ride and then the 5 hour bus ride I made it to KL. Again, having eaten no food (except some cashews). I was starving, hot and tired! I walked, and walked, and walked and walked and for some reason could not for the life of me find the hostel. Finally some kind locals and fellow travelers directed me in the right direction and I made it! It was one of the best hostels I stayed at during my vacation, the beds were comfy, the staff was amazing (one of the guys remembered my name and anytime I walked in he would talk to me), the people were cool, they had a large patio to hang out on and a living room.. it was great. My first evening in the hostel I met a friendly girl named Ronnie from the Netherlands. We ended up going out for dinner together in Chinatown and wandered around. After the walk and food we made our way to the hostel where we sat until 1 am chatting with a couple from the UK named Laura and Tim.

I spent the day with Ronnie, checking out the bird park and then going to a famous shopping area (for no other reason then wanting a/c and delicious food!). It was a really good day and nice to hang out with a fun person. Ronnie, Laura, Tim and I went to Trader's Hotel to the 33rd floor to watch the sunset and have a drink together. It wasn't really that great of a place to watch the sunset, but the view of KL at night was spectacular! It was also really cool to hang out with fun people for the evening. As we sat talking we spotted a pool on the roof of another hotel and so began our plans to use the hotel pool. The next day we were all up and ready in the morning for operation swim at fancy hotel's pool (rooftop pool with a great view, how could we resist!). We stuck out like a sore thumb as we walked into the lobby and realized their was a conference about some Islamic thing. ooops... We made our way to the pool, put our things down and thought wow we did it and are getting free towels! Unfortunately we all froze when asked what our room number was and towel boy kicked us out. Guess we did set our sights a little high with that one... it was a REALLY fancy hotel.

I spent a day hanging out with Tim and Laura and awoke early the next morning to say goodbye to them as they continued their travels through Asia. It was really awesome meeting them and being able to just sit, talk and laugh withe fun people. As I still had 2 more full days in KL, I tried to figure out what was worthwhile doing. I walked to the Hibiscus/Orchid Gardens. Another really hot day, made me pretty tired. The flowers were gorgeous and I really enjoyed the peace and quiet there! I decided to sit and write in the shade... I noticed that there were 2 models being photographed and apparently right where I was sitting was prime location for their clothing changes? They didn't care that I was sitting there and I didn't care to move. Eventually I began my walk again until I was so tired I couldn't walk anymore. I made my way to my favorite food court and had another amazing meal. ah, I love food. My last day was spent mailing post cards, getting my bus ticket to the next destination, shop for some souvenirs and food!

I wasn't overly enthusiastic about Kuala Lumpur. It was okay. I had good food, good laughs, saw some pretty cool things.. but I just didn't particularly like it. I guess you either love a place or hate a place. For some reason or another, I just didn't care too much about it. Anyway, on to Melaka.. which means another 2 hour bus ride (seriously, so much bus riding!) Now, for the whole trip I had been booking things last minute and not really planning much. I was surprised to find out that the weekend I was spending in Melaka happened to be Chinese New Year. Which meant all the good hostels were booked up and I, unfortunately, got stuck in this terrible (TERRIBLE) hostel. That right there set my mood for the next 3 days. Melaka is a super small town. There really is not much to do. But it is absolutely gorgeous, so many old buildings, beautifully decorated and of course, delicious food. After an afternoon in Melaka, I felt like I would be okay leaving there is that little to do. But I stayed and kept myself busy and was really excited to catch the 9 am bus back to Singapore (earlier than expected). Which meant 1 night and 2 extra days in Singapore. Okay by me!

While I may not have loved Malaysia, I really did enjoy my vacation. 3 weeks is a long time to be traveling alone, but I was faced with some annoying problems that I had to overcome by myself. There was no one but myself to rely on and I enjoyed the independence and knowing that I can get through anything in a foreign country.

My flight left Singapore at midnight on the 24th. I arrived to the airport at 3 pm since it was raining and I had nothing to do. I spent the day reading and met a friendly older couple heading to Vietnam. They told me great stories and made me laugh. I'm not going to lie, I was getting annoyed sitting alone at the airport. They sat down next to me at the perfect time. They told me about all the traveling they have done through Europe and about the train trip in Croatia where the soldiers with guns constantly demanded to see passports. To which the lady leaned over and said "those guns were just penis extensions..."

I made it safely back to my FREEZING cold apartment on the 24th. My bedroom was a cold 46 degrees.. It took a good 12 hours to heat my apartment to a normal temperature. It's good to be back. :)

A Fine City: Singapore

The beginning of 2012 started off much different than previous years, with a 3 week adventure through Singapore and Malaysia. I love traveling. I can't get enough of it. When I think of the future and the possibility of moving home, I remember the little possibility to explore foreign lands. Traveling, exploring, meeting new people, being faced with new challenges... it's so exciting. I don't want to be stuck where I don't have the opportunity to go somewhere new (okay, I haven't been to every state yet.. but that's not foreign!) I've seen pictures here and there from my friends' adventures during winter break and I can't wait to have the opportunity to go there. To explore those places, see those sites, try those foods.... there's so many places left!!

There's so many things I love about traveling, even traveling alone. While it does get lonely and sometimes places are best experienced with good friends, it's still really awesome to BE THERE! On my way to Singapore I met a really awesome family. The man, his wife and 3 daughters were traveling home from China. We talked almost the entire way from Shanghai to Singapore. He was so helpful and kind. Giving me ideas of places to go, what to do, or not do. I really enjoy meeting new people when I'm traveling. I love to hear about their travels or whatever stories they want to share with me. It makes me smile. It makes me appreciate their country more. It makes me appreciate people more. I'm always surprised with the kindness of strangers when I'm traveling. Without asking for help, someone always manages to step up and help me without me asking and I really appreciate that.

My week in Singapore was really nice. The weather was phenemonal, sometimes a little too hot (I would LOVE that heat now so my fingers weren't frozen). The hostel I stayed at was okay. The staff was super friendly and helpful when I needed some information, but as far as the other people staying there.... They didn't seem very interested in hanging out, which is why I spent the week alone without making friends there. Too bad!

Anyway, my first full day in Singapore I was so excited to see the sun that I grabbed my book, my music and headed to the Chinese Gardens. I spent the afternoon just relaxing in the sun, reading. It was glorious. No computer, no kids, no Korean, just me and the green landscape. I was told to eat at food courts for cheaper (yet delicious) food. So, when I wasn't relaxing and reading I was in search of good eats. I spent 2 days on Sentosa Island at the beach. It's gorgeous there. The island has a lot of touristy things, like Universal studies and such. The beach was really clean and the water was inviting. Sentosa Island is also where the Southern Most Point of Continental Asia is :)

I went to the Bird Park, the Zoo and did the Night Safari at the zoo (which left me completely unimpressed). When I didn't know what to do I would pick a stop on the subway, get off and just walk. Or I would find a bench, to sit and read and just enjoy life. I indulged in foods that I can't get in Korea, like ruffles chips, ham, cheese and avocado wraps, prezel m&ms.
While in Singapore I was overly cautious of what I was doing. I wasn't entirely sure of all the rules of Singapore, but I knew that it was known as the "Fine City" for a reason. There's a long list of things you could get a fine for and they aren't cheap! It was a great week in Singapore and I really loved it there.

Elephant statues 

hanging out in the Chinese Gardens

the beach!

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...