Life

Oh hey December, when did you arrive?

I've been meaning to update the blog world on the latest happenings, but for some reason or another it got moved to the "I'll do this later" pile... much like exercise. 

We will start with Thanksgiving. Last year my good friend Alushia and I had our own private Thanksgiving party. It was small and we whipped up whatever we could, in hopes that it felt like home. This year however I decided to host a Thanksgiving potluck. My apartment was spacious enough and I had an oven, so I knew we could make it into a great feast. About 20 people showed up to my place with an assortment of dishes. We had everything from lots of chicken, mac and cheese, sweet potatoes (with bacon, onions and syrup), stuffing, hummus, cheese and fruit platters, salads, zucchini lasagna, cheddar biscuits, and wine. So much wine. It was an incredible feast with a lot of really great people. Thanksgiving is by far my favorite holiday. This is the 3rd year I've missed Thanksgiving at home. I'm really thankful for my friends in Korea that helped make this year superb. After eating our ways to a food coma, as is tradition, we headed to the local "western" bar to continue drinking. After a few rounds of beer, we decided it was time for the noraebang room. Luckily the bar had its very own room and we all filed in to sing for a few hours. Having 15 foreigners show up at once is very overwhelming for these Korean bartenders in Naju. I'm pretty good friends with the manager of the bar so I made sure to warn him ahead of time to expect us. It was exciting to share the holiday with friends from the States, Canada, South Africa, New Zealand and England. Even better sharing it for the first time with a few friends. 

School has been frustrating lately, between my students and my co-teacher, things have just been.. typical Korea, I guess you can say. Between my students being off the wall crazy/disrespectful to the lack of communication/understanding of my co-teacher. A month ago my co-teacher told me I had to move. There was already a new apartment for me and I had to pick the day I wanted to move. "Never" was my answer. I stayed in Naju for several reasons, one being I loved my apartment (and HATE moving). I had no choice in the matter of moving, no say, I was told I had to leave my home and go somewhere else. I loved my spacious apartment and the location was unbeatable. With having to catch a 7:20 am bus to my country school every morning, the 7 minute walk to and from the terminal was great. Sadly, my new apartment was farther from the "downtown" meaning I will have to take 2 buses to school every morning. I asked my co-teacher to talk to someone in Naju office of Education and explain that this move was not convenient and they were moving me farther from my friends. He kind of just chuckled and went about his business. So for a month I was angry, angry that I had to move, angry that my co-teacher refused to help me or make a phone call on my behalf. But also lost, what do I do? I knew nothing. 

I was told the moving company was coming at 3 pm on December 14th to move me. The week leading up to the move was stressful. I hate packing. Friday arrives and of course, it's raining. Putting me in a bad mood, because I'm not sure how this move works. I've never moved in Korea, so I didn't know what to expect. Finally the time arrives, the movers come and have everything nicely packed in the truck in less than an hour. To say they are efficient is an understatement. Then we head over to my new place. It's pink, bright pink. Apparently 'brothel' like (in a cute way, my mom adds). 

The movers got everything in my place and set up and were out of my hair by 5:30. I was alone to start cleaning and organizing and taking it all in. By Saturday afternoon I was completely unpacked and settled (with help from my good friends Blair and Lush). The place is a spacious one room apartment, brand new floors and doors/windows. There's not a single draft and is actually so warm that I have to leave the windows open. I'm on the 6th floor in the middle of other rooms. I'm assuming the Korean students (it's next to the University) have their heat on high, keeping my place extra toasty. I have lots of prepping room for cooking thanks to my kitchen table being next to the small kitchen area and my computer desk is where I keep my oven. It's a great place and I'm actually really happy that I got moved (hello cheaper bills!) The only thing that needs fixed is the toilet that seems to no longer be attached to the floor. It's almost fallen over twice, awkward! 

Today was my first morning waking up a bit earlier to catch 2 different buses to my country school... Unfortunately for me (and my wallet), my alarm was set for pm instead of am. I jumped out of bed at 7:15, threw myself together as quick as possible, ran down 6 flights of stairs, hopped in a cab headed towards the next town overs bus terminal. I arrived at 7:33 threw 10 dollars at the cabbie, not having time to wait for change and took off running only to arrive and realize I missed the bus. (I thought it left at 7:35 am). I stood and stood and stood, waiting for another bus that was supposed to arrive at 7:50. It didn't not come, finally at 8:15 I jumped in a cab to my country school. Had I known I was doing this I could have showered and eaten breakfast. My co-teacher texted me worried, I'm usually at school when everyone else arrives. 

Tomorrow is a new day and another chance at getting it right. 

Oh hey! In other news I'm headed to Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand for winter vacation. I'm so excited. Soon I'll be finished traveling through Asia and it'll be time to move on to a new continent. <3 div="div" nbsp="nbsp">

Just...relax

Sometimes my students are really frustrating and I try to yell at them, but then there's those certain students who say ridiculous things and I have to do the best I can to get some order/respect in the class. You know the ones, the kids that are really good at pushing your buttons and when you're ready to yell, they turn on the sweetness and say something to make you laugh. Happens a lot to me.

I've learned that keeping my students 5 minutes after class is a good punishment. My first graders start to sweat with nervousness, because they know if they are late to the next class they will be in big trouble. For one, being late and then they will have to explain why the are late. It's great. Since my co-teacher fails to show up to my class (even though he's technically REQUIRED to be there), I have to find ways to motivate, translate and keep control of a very immature group of kids. It's challenging, but I think I'm doing a darn good job. It's funny to watch them stare at the clock, begging me to let them go. "Megan, sorry. Really sorry. Please, go?" Then I have to explain, how they are rude and disrespectful. I know they don't treat the other teachers this way. Why me? I started threatening my 2nd and 3rd graders with holding them late. It's worse for them, both of their classes are right before lunch. No one wants to be late for lunch. It's completely an empty threat. I don't want to be late either! HA!

On Friday all I had to do was stop, point at the board where it said 12:25 in big red letters and wait. The top students took over control of the class. Made everyone be quiet. It was phenomenal. One student, the bad one kept talking. His classmates made him stand in the front of the room with his arms in the air. Having the students manage themselves is awesome.

My co-teacher asked me to give speaking tests to certain kids in each grade. There is an English speaking contest in 2 weeks. Every school has the book from which the questions will be asked. Do you think my students have looked it over? Do you think my co-teacher has worked with them? No. No to it all. He doesn't care. Basically, he's setting them up for failure. He knows our kids won't win. Why put in the extra effort? This angers me. I have so much free time, why, WHY have I not been asked to work with these kids? I was told to take the book and pick the best student from each grade. The book is about Naju, where they live. They couldn't answer any question. I knew they wouldn't be able to, my co-teacher was less than interested. I was so frustrated attempting to ask my 7th graders questions. I threw my hands in the air, "I don't know. I just... I don't... what.. ugh" That's basically what I kept saying... and then there's little DaeMin. "Megan teacher, just...relax. Relax. Ok?" He says this all the time (sometimes he throws in "Shake a leg, Megan!". And then puts his hands in heart form and says "I love you!" Yeah kid.. stop being cute and annoying.

Today I'm at my country school. The students have to do so many hours of volunteer work. Today we went on a walk to pick up garbage. We went last week too. I enjoy going to get out of the building and to talk to the kids. GiSue, one of my 9th graders, really loves talking to me. She was very happy today because she passed the first part of her application to high school. Tomorrow is her interview. She's a really sweet girl. She has low confidence in herself and thinks she is fat and ugly. My students ask me a lot if I think they are beautiful/handsome/cute. I always say yes. Koreans are pretty damn honest, even to kids. "You're fat. You're ugly" Doesn't matter who it's to, they'll say it. I make sure to encourage these kids, they need to hear it more often. Anyway, so I kept telling GiSue that she will do great tomorrow and just go in confident. "Megan, you're so kind. Really, so kind" she said. Soon, 2 8th graders came up. "Oh Megan, why does she get all of your love?!" they said. It made me giggle.

I finally, FINALLY have a Korean tutor. A girl who lives near me chased me down one day to ask if I'd teach her English in exchange, she is teaching me Korean.  She's really sweet and I'm excited that I have a new friend in Naju!

A few weeks ago, my friend and I went to make cucumber kimchi. In our group were 2 twin girls, 14 years old and their mother who assisted us. One was shy and the other very outgoing. Their English was near perfect and they never once went to academy. They just watch American tv shows and learn. I really liked them. They were sweet. The outgoing girl, Eun Seo, took my phone number. Sometimes she sends me texts if she needs help with homework or wants to know when we can meet up. On Saturday she came to the International Community Day to meet up with me. She couldn't stay long, but she was so happy to see me. Her face lit up and she gave me a big hug. She was sad that she only had a few minutes to say hello, but she stood there holding my hand, not wanting to leave. It was the most adorable thing, ever. Her mom made my friend and I organic soap, too. :)

It's cold.

Sometimes I have a lot of stories and things to share and I think to myself, I should go home and write in my blog. But then I get home and I don't... and then I forget the stories I wanted to share. I'll do my best to recount what I really wanted to share.

The other night I was walking home, I was close to my apartment building. I noticed my student in front of me, but I didn't want to scare her, so I just kept walking. She was going to her academy, which happens to be next to my building. Sometimes the boy students at this academy yell out the window at me. The ask me how I am, just say hi, tell me I'm beautiful, anything to say a few words in English. I usually entertain them and talk to them. A few boys started talking to me and my student turned to say hi. The boys began saying she was crazy and ugly. I said "she's very smart and pretty." "Bye!" they yelled and went back to class. In the distance I heard a repeat "bye" from some little voices. I noticed a few kids at the playground, but continued walking to my place. Soon enough I heard the light steps of someone close behind me. I turned to see 5 little boys, they kept a distance from me. I said hi and they all ran up to me. "I'm CRAZY!" one yelled. "I'm crazy!" a second boy yelled. "you're crazy. too? Oh my!" I said. "Hey! Crazy 3" boy one yelled while pointing at another kid. "How are you?" I asked, knowing that these kids did NOT know English. There was lots of giggling as they ran away. I walked into my building and up the stairs. As I looked out the windows on the 2nd floor landing I noticed the little boys trying to figure out what building I walked into. I quickly went into my apartment, I do not want knocks on my door from random children.

My main school is sometimes very frustrating. But on Thursday and Fridays it always makes me smile when I'm about to leave, not only because its the end of the day though. Most of my students go to academy. Several go to the academy next to my building. Several go to a math/English academy near the bus terminal. The bus driver at this academy has been giving me a ride home since I started at this school. At first it was hit or miss. But then it became regular, I moved from the back of the van to the front seat. Recently I began noticing that although all of the students are in the van, he's still waiting. He waits until I walk out and jump in the van before he leaves. "Megan, odeo?" (that's my phonetic spelling of the Korean term meaning, where are you going?) "Seongbuk?" "Yes" I reply and he drives me straight to my apartment. He doesn't have to. I've never asked him to, he does it because he wants to and that means a lot to me. At first I used to walk by the van and he'd wave and say "bus bad!" Now, I just hop in. I know that he is waiting to give me a ride.

In other news, I'm hosting a large Thanksgiving party in 23 days. I'm really excited. So far, 13 people have RSVPed. There's a chance close to 18 people will be at my house. A giant potluck Thanksgiving. I believe that this year will be better than last years. Though last year I had great food and company (Alushia and I), but to be with several close friends with lots of different dishes... yeah it'll be good. I just hope my kitchen light will be fixed by then and the bathroom sink. I'm not holding my breath for both. My co-teacher is kind of useless.

Also, it's only November 1st and it's already REALLY cold. I turned the ondol (floor heat) on last night. I went to bed early just so I could be curled up until lots of blankets. I'm not okay with this. I can't wait for January. I want to be lying on the beaches of Thailand or Bali. Or both.

Chuseok vacation

Well, the month of September sure flew by and it's already October. Fall is in the air, waking up to chilly mornings is a nice feeling. The humidity has gone and days are much nicer now. I can no longer jump right into the shower, I have to let the water run waiting for the warmth to start flowing. I love fall. The trees are starting to change and there are mums being displayed everywhere. Soon they will be in full bloom and my hour long trips to the country school will be a beautiful sight since the roads are lined with colorful mums :)

Chuseok (추석) or Korean Thanksgiving fell on a Sunday this year. Monday and Wednesday were both holidays, but for whatever reason Tuesday was not (for most that is). Luckily I had Tuesday off. My original plan was to go on a group trip to Ullegendo and Dokdo. Dokdo is a rock island that Korea and Japan fight over. There's nothing there, but it's important to Koreans. Ullegendo was listed on CNN as one of the top 50 spots to see in Korea and it did look absolutely stunning. In the end I decided to go to Taiwan with 2 friends. 

My friends and I spent a good 2 weeks listing what we wanted to see and how we could fit it all in in the 4 full days we had in Taipei. My friends booked a flight from a different website then I used. We were on different flights to and home from Taiwan. On my way to the airport I got a call from my friend telling me the airline didn't have their reservations. He sounded hopeful that they could get it figured out and be on a later flight to Taiwan. 

in the park

I arrived in Taiwan and turned on my phone to see if I had any messages from my friends. I was bummed to see that they might have been scammed, which meant they probably weren't joining me in Taiwan. Luckily I knew my neighbor was also vacationing in Taipei, so I messaged her to figure out a time to meet up. 

Despite the minor set back of not having travel companions, it ended up being a really great time. My plans completely changed. I got to see most of Taipei and do a day trip. I met a lot of great people in the 4 days I spent there. It was a popular destination for other teachers on break for Chuseok. I jumped on a bus to my hostel with another girl and spent the ride getting to know her and talking about teaching and such. I met lots of Koreans that instead of spending time with their families, also decided to leave the country. 

Chiang Ke Shek Memorial area

My hostel was decent. A little dirty and I may or may not have gotten some weird red spots from there (they are on my arms and legs... not sure where they came from). There was a girl in my hostel room who was a lot of fun to talk to and it turned out we both had a mutual friend in common, who previously lived in my town (he left about a year ago). Small world! This girl and I were on the same flight back to Korea. We traveled to the airport together and requested to sit next to each other on the plane,which ended up making the 2 hr 25 minute trip home, fly by! We talked non stop from the time we left the bus terminal to the time we landed in Seoul. 

Taipei 101 building...

I made a day trip to a place called Wulai, just outside of Taipei (or in Taipei, I don't really know). It's famous for its hot springs and a beautiful waterfall. My 2 friends and I walked for awhile in search of the waterfall. It was so green and gorgeous in this little town. We took a gondola up closer to the waterfall and hiked around the area for a good part of the afternoon. 2 couples were coming down the one path speaking Mandarin to each other. They stopped to say hi and ask where we were from. I started talking to them and told them I'm from Pa. They began to ask whereabouts in PA and I told them. The one couple looked at each other and then at me and said "We graduated from Penn State!" It was so random, a little town in Taiwan that I would run into this couple! 

Wulai waterfall

The food was decent, though I didn't eat as much as other people have (or get very good stuff). I ended up getting a stomach bug or something so I barely ate and when I did in the afternoon it usually made me feel sick. 

stream in the woods

swings!

by far the most beautiful temple I've seen!

Modern Toilet restaurant. I once saw this on the Food Channel, ya know where they go to bizarre places around the world. 

I was definitely anxious to get back to Korea. I love traveling, but coming home and laying in your own bed is always a nice feeling :)


All my Taiwan pictures are posted here: https://picasaweb.google.com/MeganLyn15/Taiwan?authkey=Gv1sRgCICPvPbaxfD6kQE

Vacation and back to school

This summer has been hot and humid. Very hot and humid. I have been busy with get togethers, goodbyes, birthdays, weekend get-aways and weekends in. I can't believe that in a few days it is already September. This summer went by fast. This whole year went by fast. Yesterday was my official 2 year anniversary in Korea. Saturday will begin my 3rd year contract in Korea. I'm excited what the next year has to offer me. The new adventures, relationships/ friendships. I'm sure this next year will be just as great as the last 2 years, maybe even better. 

Before my summer vacation began I had a 2 week summer camp for 4 hours every morning. It was a LONG camp. I had 11 students, 2 7th graders and the rest were 9th graders. 3 boys (2 of which were the 7th graders). The kids were all great, entertaining, frustrating, and especially lazy. After awhile even I got bored with the theme I had made for summer camp. It was a long camp after all. We played games, I made them write journals, we talked and they got a special visitor... Theresa, from Austria came in to talk to them. 

Theresa came for 2 weeks to visit me and see Korea. It was cool having her here. She spent the first week traveling around by herself while I taught camp. Then we were off together to Jeju-do. We opted to fly into Jeju from Gwangju airport. It was a 45 minute flight to Jeju-do and a long wait for a taxi, but we made it to our hostel around 8:30 pm. We walked around the area for a bit, grabbed some food and then went to sleep. We woke up early on Saturday and decided to make our way to Hamdok beach. We had to wait for a bus and then walk a bit to this tiny beach. But it was absolutely gorgeous. It was a bit of a bummer that we didn't have more time to visit the Southern part of Jeju-do where all the waterfalls were located, but a 4 hour roundtrip bus ride for our only day in Jeju was a bit much. We spent a good portion of our day laying on the beach and going into the water. By 3 pm the beach was getting more packed and we decided to pack up and head elsewhere. Next we were off to check out a rock that is famous for looking like a dragons head. It was quite unimpressive, but again the lookout was beautiful, so I'm not complaining. 

These little statues are famous on the island

After Jeju we had a day to relax before heading off to Busan. I didn't book any places to stay ahead of time because I knew there were plenty of love motels. A few days before we left for Busan, I decided to sign up for couchsurfing. I'm really a very laid back traveler, I don't make much plans because I know something could change and it's easier to just go with the flow of things. I found an interesting Korean man that I thought would be a great host for us. I just had to check with Theresa and make sure she was on board. I messaged the guy and he was free to show us around Busan and let us stay in his home. It was a great experience. I really enjoy meeting locals when I travel, that's what gives you the best experience/stories. He took us to lots of beautiful lookouts that I didn't know existed (I've been to Busan twice before). We spent one day on the beach and 2 days traveling around with our host.

After Theresa left I still had an extra week of vacation. The Monday I had my lasik, so intended to have a relaxing week to recover. Turns out I was still extra busy with visiting friends, going on a few dates, running errands and cleaning. It was a good vacation and I look forward to my next vacation. I hope to make it out of the country, perhaps Vietnam or Thailand. We'll see! 

I went back to school on August 20th. My country school had a field trip planned for the kids. They were to go to a waterpark. On Tuesday it was back to the grind of things. I have very little classes which means A LOT of time on the computer. Before that was no big deal, but now that I've had lasik I get headaches very easily from being on the computer too long. I'm going to have to start studying and turning the computer off. 

My kids have been funny lately. The first few days back several students have come up to tell me I'm beautiful. This is not unusual. They always tell me I'm beautiful. But a lot of them are saying "Megan, you're so beautiful. More beautiful than before summer vacation" I try to ask why they think that, but they don't know. I find it funny because since I've had lasik I haven't worn makeup at all. I usually don't wear much, but I always wear eye makeup so I don't look so plain. Maybe it's because I'm tan? It's hard to say. 

A few days ago I ran into my previous co-teacher Mrs. Im and her daughter at the grocery store. We talked for a bit and then I headed out. The art teacher is very good friends with Mrs. Im and told me yesterday "Mrs. Im said you look more beautiful and that she thinks you've lost weight." 

Honestly, I don't really see what everyone else is seeing. I feel lazy and like I've gained weight. But I really appreciate the little pick me ups :)

I'm not sure if anyone reads my blog anymore, but I guess I'm doing this more for myself. So I can remember the good times I've had in this beautiful country.

Today two very good friends left Korea. I know everyone gets to that point in there time here where they just can't go anymore. You know when its your time to go, you can just feel it. It sucks meeting such amazing people and then having to say goodbye to them. It's not fun, but I know and hope that in the future we will meet again. I just have to keep reminding myself that change is a good thing.

I'll never forget the first time I met Brad and Jolean. I met them at different times. It's been a hilarious 2 years getting to know them. They are crazy, sarcastic, witty and always can bring a smile to your face. We've all been through so much together. There's been fights (Brad), tears, laughs, tears from laughing so hard... so many memories were made in Korea with Brad and Jolean in them. I don't know what Korea will be like without them around. Jolean's not around to call me 'Vagmoyer' and make fun of me for anything and everything. Brad's not here to call me 'Wiggles' and attack me. Not to mention, Bryan's been gone for 5 months now and with all 3 of them gone, things are just so different. Korea's constantly changing and you can never go back and recreate what you once had, I know this. It's still sad to see some awesome friends leave, not just friends though, family. We're a family. My Gwangju family is getting smaller. Christmas is going to be strange without Bryan, Brad and Jolean around. I'm happy for them. I still have some great friends here, but their presence will be missed in Gwangju.

Love <3 br="br" nbsp="nbsp">

On a completely different note: One week ago today I got lasik. I'm super paranoid that I might accidentally rub my eyes and go blind. But, so far so good!

Updates soon about summer vacation and my visit with Theresa!

Self-Esteem Boost

"Holidays, birthdays, weddings — every event that you miss suddenly becomes a tick mark on an endless ream of paper. To live in a new place is a beautiful, thrilling thing, and it can show you that you can be whoever you want — on your own terms. It can give you the gift of freedom, of new beginnings, of curiosity and excitement. But to start over, to get on that plane, doesn’t come without a price. You cannot be in two places at once, and from now on, you will always lay awake on certain nights and think of all the things you’re missing out on back home."

This was taken from a random blogger who wrote about living abroad. If you've ever lived abroad, this article will hit a note with you and if you haven't lived abroad I suggest you read this. This perfectly explains life abroad and what we miss out on because of our decisions. http://thoughtcatalog.com/2012/what-happens-when-you-live-abroad/#.T9gkZPwygHo.facebook

As I was reading I was thinking about the person I was before I left for Korea. So much has changed. My friends are married, engaged, have big girl/boy jobs. Everyone has moved on and is busy with their lives. I spent 4 months at home and is was nearly impossible to get together with everyone. Not only that, but I've changed. Going back "home" doesn't feel right. Korea feels more home to me then were I grew up.

I feel like it's true that every time you live abroad you become a different person. Thinking back to living in England in 2005, I was such a different person back then. I was a quiet, insecure young girl trying to find myself. I met this amazing group of people who taught me so much and helped me to see who I really am. To see the good qualities in myself. They brought me out of my shell. It may have been a short 4 months stay in Europe, but that was the beginning of me changing into a new person.

The longer I stay in Korea the more I see how different I am from living in PA or even England. Going from a quiet, insecure girl to a confident, independent, outspoken/crazy person I am now. I feel like my friends from Liverpool would be surprised if they saw me out and about now. Surprised, not disappointed. I think they would be happy and how secure I've become.

I don't think many people understand how much we give up when we decide to live abroad. Yes, it was our choice. But missing out on the important milestones in friends/families lives wasn't something we wanted to have to give up. But when you're on a different continent, doing something you enjoy and want to, then you have no choice. One of the topics that usually comes up with my ex-pat friends here is about friends and their weddings. No one wants to miss their best friends wedding, but buying a plane ticket and then paying for all the other expenses doesn't make sense for us financially. Most of us are here to save money and pay off debts. It sucks, but sometimes you have to put yourself before you friends. Most people would understand, but then others just don't. It's a sad fact of living abroad. I feel as though I probably lost and definitely hurt/disappointed a friend because I can't afford to fly home for her wedding. I wish she understood, but sometimes explaining things to people who've never traveled out of the country just doesn't work.

On a different note, Korea is great for self-esteem boost.. but at the same time can tear you down just as quick. My student's tell me daily how 'beautiful', 'sexy' or 'cute' I am. How much they love me and how kind I am. It's a daily self esteem boost for me.
There are several 3rd grade girls (9th graders) who adore me. After my conversation class they file in and sit down to talk to me. This is at the end of the day, when they could be grabbing their bags and leaving school. But they don't, they want to tell me again, that I'm beautiful. They tell me about their "boyfriends" (boys they like, but don't know they exist). They tell me about the teachers they like or don't like and why. I'm the person they go to when they want to tell a secret. It's cute and I love it.
These girls' asked me who I thought was the prettiest out of them all. It's like a competition on looks in this country. I told them they are all beautiful. I always tell them they are beautiful, I don't think they hear it enough... or at all. This is how they responded "No, Megan, you have to pick one. Who is the prettiest?" Again I said they all were. Sojin, one of my best students replied "Megan, maybe in America we would be beautiful, but Korea standards say we aren't. I think I want to go to America."

It's really sad how these cute, skinny girls think they are "ugly" and "fat". They are always talking about diets and how they need to eat less. America sends a terrible message to kids about body image and looks, but Korea has got us beat. It makes me sad for these kids.