Clap your hands, yall

Watched the Whitney episode of Glee last week and have been a Whitney kick since then. She's so good. And so pretty. So many amazing songs. I can't believe I didn't have My Love is Your Love on my ipod. Or When You Believe. What was I thinking? Oh yeah, I was thinking I had to narrow it down to the best of the best when my mom reclaimed her ipod (booo) last year and I was reduced to the piddly ipod touch that only holds around 1000 songs. Lame. Maybe after Korea makes me rich, I'll buy myself an ipod. Yeah right, I'm going to spend all my money on shoes, food and traveling before I save enough for such things. (birthday present...July...wink wink)

Speaking of spending money, I discovered the best store ever today! Well, I didn't actually discover it...I had been there before but I didn't have the time to explore it to the fullest and I did today. It is FANTASTIC. It's kind of like a Wal-Mart, but more expensive. So like Target I guess. But with 4 floors. And with food. And a pet store where you can buy super cute puppies. I resisted. But the food is the best part...because guess what I can buy there?! ONE TOMATO!!!!! Best discovery of my Korean life, obvi. It also has a pretty nice selection of cheese, as well as wheat bread and tons of other things the grocery stores near me don't have. This place isn't too far...a 20 minute walk probably. Not so bad now that it's warmer. And worth it for the good cheese, if nothing else. Oh yeah, and there are tons of free samples of stuff, which is awesome.

Oh, and I love this Korean nonsense: We got a memo on Friday that lets us know we now have the day off on Tuesday. I love the ridiculous short noticeness of it all. It's the Korean Labor Day and our company I guess just decided yesterday we should have the day off...4 day notice. Love it. We were also supposed to have a teacher workshop with other schools in the area next Friday, but because of the new day off, we will now have off and the workshop is rescheduled for DECEMBER 12. Awesome. I mean, whatever, I wasn't really looking forward to the workshop nor did I have big plans for Tuesday, but it just cracks me up that they tell us Friday we have a day off the next Tuesday. Fantastic. I've learned to mark everything on the calendar in pencil..nothing is certain here. Not even 4 days before.

Last but not least, if you have Skype, you apparently have to update now to the newest version (5.9) in order to see video. So update and talk to me! I discovered that the ridiculously long way today EVEN THOUGH I had already checked on the website and it told me I had the latest version. Apparently not. I love Skype, but why can't they just have a little pop up that says, update here: blahblahblah or you can't see video. The end, thank you very much, problem solved. Ugh, whatever. Technology is really annoying sometimes. Especially when things think they have to constantly revamp their appearance and make everyone get used to a whole new set up that very rarely has any interesting/useful new features (ahem, blogger). I'm talking about pretty much everything but the biggest pain is the new gmail. I think it's because of my stupid small computer, but the new layout makes it SO annoying to read emails. I hate you, new gmail! Let me go back to the old way, please! Pretty please!

Anyway, I have an early morning tomorrow. Going on a tour of a prison and a hike. Exciting, but it sucks because I'll be getting up earlier than I do for work. Totally lame. So now I'm going watch Corrina, Corrina (throw back to 5th grade) and make birthday cards. Thrilling, I know. But I'm happy. :)

Dream big people!

The Tomato Saga

This is pretty much the worst story ever, but I'm putting it on here because I would feel too lame retelling it to people at school. One, I'm pretty sure no one would care and two, I will hopefully be over it by tomorrow.

Ok, so. Last week I bought some onions at the grocery store, as well as some balsamic vinegar, olives and feta cheese. Then I got the great idea that I would make myself a yummy Greek salad with these lovely ingredients, I just needed to buy a tomato. I didn't have time last week, so that was my mission for today: buy a tomato. Emphasis on the A. Just one tomato. So, after school today I was all excited about my Greek salad dinner and off the the grocery store I went. I tend to get fixated on ideas and once I decide I'm going to do it, nothing can stop me. Even if it's just making dinner.

At the first grocery store, you can't buy just one tomato. You can either buy a bag of 6 or a container of cherry tomatoes. Here's the problem: I don't really like tomatoes except in a Greek salad or caprese situation. So I definitely would not eat the 5 other tomatoes. I just wanted one. Next grocery store...same problem, only this time the only option was this huge box of tomatoes with like, 12 inside. You would have to be some sort of tomato loving fool for all those.

Now I'm getting frustrated. I just want a damn tomato, I'm hungry and my feet are hurting. Then I remember there is a guy that sells fruit and vegetables from a truck across the street from my apartment. I was kind of trying to avoid this option because I didn't want to attempt trying to talk with this man, but my options were limited. So I go there...he's not there. I mean, who leaves their veggies truck abandoned? I was sooo tempted to just take one and leave a 1000 won bill there, but I didn't want to get questioned by anyone watching. So I wait and wait and wait and finally he comes back. His tomatoes are in these bowls with like, 10 in each bowl. I say "hana" (that means one) and point and put up one finger, just in case I'm not saying hana correctly. Through some rude gestures and exasperated facial expressions I learn you cannot buy one tomato, you have to buy the whole stupid bowl. WHAT THE HELL PEOPLE?? Why can't I have just ONE gd tomato?

Of all the stupid nonsense that has gone on in this country since I got here, this is the first time I got truly upset and frustrated. I think it was a combination of looking forward to it since last week, being hungry, striking out at two previous places and overall, just putting way too much time and energy into something really stupid and insignificant. Bah! Plus, the man was so rude! What a stinker. And again, why the hell can't I just buy one tomato? The grocery stores here are so small and frustrating...I have to go to one for chicken and another if I want carrots. I'm going to make it through this grocery store situation, but I kind of miss one stop shopping.

Whatever, over it now. I also tried the corner convenience store, and while they have individual apples, onions, dried fish heads, and assortment of other completely random products, they did not have just one tomato for me to buy. So I had chicken and onions for dinner instead.

Again, sorry this is the worst story ever, but there is no one else around to listen.

For some good news, my kids were super cute as always today and it's starting to warm up! Hooray! Also, putting my ipod on shuffle is awesome.

Dream big people!

Considerably Ferocious

The past few days have been pretty exciting! Thursday, my class went on a field trip to the Seoul Olympic Museum. It was a pretty interesting place to visit. They have a simulator ride for Kim Yu Na, who is a Korean gold medal ice skater that we did. It was a little strange, but the kids liked it. The kids also made an Olympic pictogram, which I don't think they understood what was going on, but whatever. We also wandered around the museum some. Sadly, my co-teacher is kind of anti-fun so we didn't get to stay outside and enjoy the awesome weather like the other classes. Instead, we got right back on the bus and headed back to school. It was a whirlwind of a trip...I guess it's a big pain to take lunch with us but to me, it seemed stupid to go the 45 minutes there and only stay for 3 hours. Oh well. Most of Korea makes no sense to me. 

Friday the weather was fantastic again and we also had a birthday part at school! I was really looking forward to the party, but it turned out to be super lame. Apparently it's really stressful for the teachers because the moms come in and we have to make sure the class is clean, the kids are behaved, basically that everything is perfect. I didn't really care, but the moms don't usually talk to me, so I'm not the one that gets fussed at. Anyway, the kids mom brought in a cake and food for everyone. All the students have to bring a present for the birthday girl/boy and he/she stands at the front of the room and each kid comes up with their present, says "happy birthday!" and gives him/her a hug (that's a requirement). It was reallllly awkward. The poor birthday girl was sweating, she was so nervous to be in front of everyone! Then everyone sings happy birthday and we all ate in silence. It was sooo weird. The mom didn't even really talk to her child! Or me, even. She might not speak English, I don't know but she didn't even say hello! There are no games or anything...it's so bizarre. I finally put on some music because it was getting uncomfortable. I don't really remember what birthdays were like in elementary school (I never got one...stupid summer birthday), but I think it usually just involved cupcakes at the end of the day. We had cake, watermelon, chicken nuggets, grapes and cherries (in one container), cookies and juice. This was like, an hour after lunch. Korean birthday parties weird me out. Whatever...it was a nice little break from school work at least. 

After school I headed to Seoul to hang out with my friend and her coworkers and we just hung out down by the river for a while. It got a little chilly at night, but it was a really nice day. It was fantastic because we were just chilling next to a free standing 7 eleven (I've never seen a free standing one!) so we could just wander in and get whatever we fancied. I had some ice cream and most people were drinking beer. Then we had fried chicken (Koreans LOVE fried chicken) delivered right to our table! Pretty awesome. We also saw a literal giant....he is a Korean boxer and he is like, 7 feet tall. His hand was the size of my torso. I reallllly wanted a picture because I'm pretty sure I would have come up to his waist, but I didn't want to ask. Lame!

Saturday my friend and I went on a tour of the DMZ (the demilitarized zone between North and South Korea) and it was really really interesting. It just sucked a little bit because it was cold and rainy the entire day, but it was still fun and a little on the crazy side. I am not going to get into all the history of the area and conflict between the two countries, but the whole thing is just nuts. And very sad, really. I mean, the country was basically just divided for no real reason, families were torn apart and now there is this really tense conflict between the two countries. Some people have no idea what happened to their family on the other side because they are not allowed to communicate. It's totally insane. 

When you go on the tour, I found out you don't actually go into the demilitarized zone (I was kind of glad..seems a little scary), you are right outside where the DMZ technically starts. It's about a 2 miles wide and there is a fence in the middle where the North and South is divided, at the 38th parallel. We went to about 5 different spots where you get out and do different things. The first stop was a peace park sort of area. It has a wrecked train from the Korean War, a memorial garden, a peace bell you can pay to ring and a fence where a lot of Koreans put messages for people in the North. It's really interesting and moving but at the same time it's a little bizarre because it's really touristy. There was an amusement park and a Popeye's chicken! And you can buy DMZ t-shirts! 

The next place is still touristy but it was more like a national park with an information center, rather than stuff you can buy...or rides. At this stop you could go into one of the tunnels the North dug in the 70s. The tunnel itself, like the whole thing, is just crazy. I know I sound like an idiot, but I really can't think of any other way to describe them! I think it's just a hard concept for me to grasp too. You hear about people digging tunnels in like, the Vietnam War, but this is current. I mean, this is the present reality of this country! The Northern army wanted to invade Seoul and they dug a tunnel through the earth to try and do it. The tunnels are really narrow and small. Most people had to duck, but I fit through pretty nicely, haha. The one advantage to being short, I guess. They are also pretty far underground so you have to walk down this really steep incline, which was not fun to come back up! The tunnels have "coal" painted on the walls so the North could claim they were just coal mines, and not part of an attack plan. Good try, North. This stop also had a video and a museum. Again, the whole thing was really, really interesting. 

Next, we went to the last stop on the train before you get to the North. There, you can buy a "ticket" to NK and get it stamped. You can also take some pictures with the guards there. A few years ago, they were a lot closer to reconciliation and the station was built in hopes they would be able to continue into the North. According to our guide, the election of George W. Bush ruined all that, so the train stops there. Hopefully things will get back on track (literally) because if the train is able to go through the North, it would be possible to take a train from Korea all the way to Europe. That would be a pretty cool trip. Long as all hell, but cool. 

Then, we went to a viewing area where you can use binoculars to look over into the North. There are two towns in the actual DMZ, one in the North and one in the South. The one in the North is rumored to be fake. Apparently if you look close, you can tell there is no glass in any of the windows

After that was lunch, which was also quite an experience, since we were in a tiny little town that I think rarely gets foreigners. The waitress person didn't really know what to do with us and kept yelling at one guy that was with us because he was being rude by sitting and eating the wrong way. It was so weird...she kept trying to turn him the right way. I thought it was strange she was doing that, but the guy was being such an ass about the whole thing. It was just uncomfortable and awkward. But, on the plus side, the food was really really good!

Next was another tunnel. This one was not as difficult to get in and out of, and it had a TV at the end of it, which I thought was pretty hilarious. I thought the tunnels were so cool. I wonder if Northerners ever still try to use them to get to the South. This place just had a small little store and you could buy Northern money and alcohol. My friend bought Kim Jung Il cognac, which I thought was totally hilarious. Our guide also got some and gave everyone on the bus a shot. It was supposed to be blueberry flavored, but it just tasted like whiskey. Warmed us up a little, at least! 

Another place was where you could really see into North Korea, and see a few guard posts and roads. This place also had a museum that focused more on the lives of North Koreans, which is what really interests me. Obviously no one really knows what goes on there, but it's well known that food is hard to come by and they are no where near as advanced as the South. I also really wonder about the mindset of these people. They are fed propaganda from day one, and what little they do have is given to them by the government so I wonder if they truly support the regime or if they are faking it because they have to. 

Last we stopped at a famous battle sight that also has a mini museum and a memorial statue and peace garden type of thing. There is a guard stationed there that can speak English so he gives a tour of the area. However, at this point, it was pouring down rain so the tour kind of sucked. It was really cold and hard to hear, so we got an abbreviated version. The soldier was cracking me up though, because I don't think he can really "speak" English, I think he just has his speech memorized for tourists. The phrasing of some things he said was hilarious and when someone asked him a question he was just like, ummm, no sorry I don't understand. Poor guy, though he tried to give a tour but it wasn't working out. We also got a brochure telling us about the battle there (White Horse Hill) and the English in that is atrocious. It's hysterical. An exert: 

"Next day ROKA recaptured after 8 times hot fight on Oct 10. It's considerably ferocious."

Another: 

"As using cooling system, pouring water on hottest canon, it is possible to support firing of our force. So quelling was completed." 

I'm not hating, because I wouldn't even know how to start translating English into Korean...but it is pretty entertaining. 

So that was the tour. Like I said, really interesting and informative. The secrecy that surround the North just fascinates me. Again, it's a little on the scary side, being so close to it. But, according to our guide, being at these touristy places near the DMZ is one of the safer places to be because there are lots of Chinese tourists and the North would never harm the Chinese since they are really their only ally. He also thinks an attack on the South is pretty unlikely since there is a lot of business between the two countries and if they attacked, it would pretty much be a suicide mission since they don't really have the back up support for it. I obviously have no idea, but that seems a little reassuring, at least. 

I would love to do the tour again, when it's not raining because that made some parts of it pretty miserable. Also, we didn't have a very good view into the "fake" town and I really wanted to see that. Another time, maybe. Now it's time for dinner and a movie. 

Dream big people! 

Everything is Grand

In a super fantastic mood right now. First off, I made myself dinner. Turns out, I'm awesome at making dinner. Even with a limited selection of ingredients. Good cheese in Korea is hard to come by. It's quite sad. It's hard to find it and most of it is only in specialty shops so it's expensive. And you have to buy it in these insanely huge amounts...like, Costco style. Who is going to go through that much cheese?! I am trying to work on a sharing situation with some people but there are a lot of people into organic only here and that complicates things. Losers. Anyway, my quesadillas were fabulous if I do say so myself. Since I'm the only one that ate them, I'll have to vouch for myself. And this is even without cheese! I'm a culinary genius, obviously. Anyway, I also have a yummy wrap all ready to go for lunch tomorrow. Even though school lunch today was quite tasty...we had gimbap, which is the Korean version of sushi.

I also did laundry, did a bunch of stuff for school and cleaned my apartment tonight. Extremely productive evening. I started on a series of bombass birthday cards for my students. Seriously, they are awesome. I did tell myself I would go to bed at 10:30, but that is not happening. It never does. 1:00 is more realistic. I get going and just can't stop. Plus I am getting so many great ideas for school! There are a million things I want to do and songs I want to sing. However, the school admin is a little bit on the crazy side and gives us like, 10 side projects to do each week. This is in addition to the set curriculum and books we are supposed to be doing.

We have a thing called "open class" coming up at the end of May and everyone is already freaking out about it. Being the newbie, I obviously have no idea what it means but apparently you have to plan way ahead and rehearse and blah blah. It's when the moms come in and observe a "class." I say "class" because like I said, it's rehearsed, and we have to sing songs. So it's more like a play. I wasn't really worried until today when I realized my kids are a bit on the slow and shy side and we might have some problems. In open class you have to make sure every child speaks. I'm worried my kids will freeze up with an audience. Plus, they are not very good at answering questions. They are excellent at repeating things, but asking individuals questions poses a problem. We have a few weeks, so hopefully we can get it together. However, I'm not too stressed. I mean, I want the parents to like me, but this whole thing seems way ridiculous and blown out of proportion. But, that is the Korean way, I'm finding.

Anyway, I am going to watch some SNL online which will continue to make me happy. Now I just need to figure out how to stream Ellen and Jimmy Fallon. Anyone know?

Dream big people!

Another source of happiness: watching The Muppets Movie online. It was fantastic in person and it was equally as good on my computer. The sound quality suffered a bit, but other than that, amazing. Jason Segel is a genius. Hilarious and precious...a difficult combination, I think.

Minor Complications

Korea seems to be the land of secrecy. Or, land of omitting vital information. For example, I asked the administration at school the other day if I would get a health insurance card. I was told it should have been mailed to me a while ago. This information irritated me. No one ever told me I should be checking the mail. In fact, I didn't even know where my mailbox was located until recently (it's in a separate building) and since I wasn't expecting any mail, I hardly ever check it. I was asking another foreign teacher about this and she was like, yeah, and your bills get mailed to you as well. Wait, what? I also was unaware that I was going to be getting bills (I assumed the school took them out of my paycheck), that they needed to be paid and that I should be looking for them in the mail. WHY would no one tell me this? Furthermore, should any bills come, I have no idea what they would even look like because I cannot read Korean. I realize this is my own stupid fault, but seriously? I feel like someone should have told me. Also, and again, this is my fault for being stupid, but the few things I have picked up from the mail didn't seem to be of any importance, so I threw them away. Had I known I was going to be getting bills and health insurance cards, I would have brought it all in to be translate by someone. Oh well, hope they don't turn off my power!

I also recently found out that 2:10-2:35 is the my designated break time. Again, why would no one inform me of this? Not that I am in desperate need of a break, but it would have been nice to know that I didn't have to hang around my class if I didn't feel like.  It's especially helpful if I have to get stuff ready for my afterschool programs. There is also no sort of schedule and/or curriculum given for the afterschool stuff so I just hope I don't get in trouble at the end for not doing anything right.

I am beginning to feel like this happens a lot. I often find myself saying or thinking, "no one told me that!" Another example, there is a guy that works in administration at school...I don't know what his official title is, but anytime I needed anything, I was told to go to him. Also, he handled all my paperwork when I got here, so I assumed I needed to speak with him if I had questions. Problem is, his English is terrible so we can never understand each other. This is especially problematic since he is supposed to be the one helping me with important legal matters like documents I need for my visa, apartment, health check, etc. He also just started in the last few months so he isn't always super knowledgeable. So whatever, I always go to him even though he never has any idea what is going on or how to tell me, even if he does. Again, today, I was talking with other foreign teachers and they were all, oh, you are not supposed to go talk to him, you are supposed to talk to Melissa (our supervisor). Well, dammit! No wonder he always looks so flustered! I mean, why has no one told me? Why hasn't HE told me to talk to her?! And the other thing that irritates me is that his desk is next to the accountant, who speaks better English. When he and I are doing are ridiculous communication dance, she doesn't offer any help until like, 20 minutes into the conversation. At which time she basically says everything I've just been told and/or said is wrong. So frustrating! Why not say something earlier?! Save us all this trouble.

Another interesting thing I learned recently...Koreans will pretty much never tell you "I don't know" or "I don't understand." Apparently that is not an acceptable answer. So, when I ask a child a question and they just stare at me blankly for 5 minutes, it's because they don't understand. Instead of saying that, I just get stared at. Which, in my opinion, is a little rude, but it does make more sense now. I mean, I figured they didn't understand but sometimes it doesn't occur to me that is the problem. Also, sometimes I'm like, it can't possibly be you don't understand. I mean, when we do book work in class we do like, 10 examples of it AND I put the book up on the touch screen and actually put the answers on it. So, when a child does 3 questions and just stares blankly at the 4th, I don't understand (I'll admit it!) what the problem is. You just did 3 exactly like it, and you basically just have to copy off the board. Are you being lazy or do you not understand? Say something! Instead, it's a stare down until the kid snaps out of it or I physically take their hand and show them how to circle the answer. Very strange.

I guess I should also keep in mind that they are 4, are leaning a new language and are getting a lot of new, confusing information thrown at them all day, every day. I don't really get angry with them, but it can be a bit frustrating. But then they're super cute so I get over it.

But for some good news, my friend and I just booked a super fun trip to Jeju Island for next month. Jeju (it's at the bottom of Korea) is supposed to be really beautiful and nice so I'm really excited about it. There are so many places I want to see and go, I don't know how I'm going to have time for it all! Maybe I'll just have stay on for another year or two! We'll see how things are going next year, haha. It's a little too early to be making those kinds of decisions now.

Anyway, my cold seems to be on the way out, finally! Hopefully the same can be said for the chilly weather. There is a nice little roof area on top of my building that is just begging to be partied on. Things just keep getting better, so I'm excited for what's ahead. :)

Dream big people!

No Hugging

My Korean co-teacher told me today I should stop hugging the students so much. Especially my little buddy Lay since he has been getting worse recently. A no hugging policy is obviously never going to work for me, since the little boogers are so dang cute, but I am going to have to start getting a little stricter with Mr. Lay. He has started saying "no" to everything I ask the class to do. Unacceptable. The other kids all laugh, but thankfully no one else has started down his path of rebellion as well. They rest of the class is doing pretty well, behavior wise other than some getting a little too worked up for their own good sometimes. But, it is a pretty long day for them, so I can understand when they start getting a little stir crazy.

Anyway, I finally went to the doctor here. He spoke really good English and it was really really cheap. About 11,000 won..that's like $10 and some change! To see a doctor! Amazing! And the meds were cheap too. So fantastic. I did have to pay $11 for some honey, but it's all relative I guess. Anyway, I feel a lot better, but I have a cough that will NOT QUIT. It's so annoying. Especially when it wakes me up at night. Or when I have coughing fits on the subway or in front of the class. Not fun. The meds have not taken care of that quite yet, but I'm hoping soon. The doctor said the coughing at night is because of acid reflux...but I'm not so sure. I mean, he's the doctor and all...but I cough all day and it's not any better/worse at night. Who knows. Apparently I have to stay away from chocolate, alcohol, caffeine, ice cream and peppermint. The caffeine is kind of a problem, since I get such bad sleep and the meds make me tired. Doesn't really work well when you have to teach and be happy all day. I have never eaten so many Halls in my life. They don't have the heavy duty Ricola here, so I've stocked up. For a good thing, they are only 1,000 won ($1 about) so I can buy lots. For a bad thing, the package says "cherry candy" on it. Which kind of concerns me. I can't read the rest, so I'm thinking they are probably chock full of sugar. And even though they do soothe the coughing, they don't work for very long. Oh well, I haven't found anything else helpful. Do they say that in the states? I never paid attention. And where they that cheap? I don't ever remember being sick for this long. I usually have allergies, but they only has a few days normally. This is getting ridiculous. Although, I was warned since pretty much everyone told me I would be sick for a while. The "Korean Crud," or just "The Korean," is what people call it. I think I'm going to call it the "Korean Funk."

However, I did have some energy today and I cooked myself a nice little dinner! It's amazing what a little energy, motivation and grocery shopping will do for you! As always, though, I have to buy more food than I can use before it goes bad so I'm going to see if anyone is interested in some onions tomorrow at school. I also looked into how to freeze veggies, but it seemed pretty complicated with blanching and blah blah. Can't deal with all that, sorry.

Oh, and I finally got paid! So fantastic. I have a bank card and everything! Korean banking is a little on the wack side, though. Setting up online banking was a pretty arduous and ridiculous experience. They have like, 10 different security things you have to install and use..it's a little much. Which also means you can't just sign into online banking just anywhere, like at school. Also, you can't make transfers into foreign banks unless you actually go into the bank, with your passport. Seems a bit much to me. But whatever. My money is going fast though! I can finally buy groceries..which includes some expensive "foreign" groceries..like honey and pesto sauce. Luckily, I got a hook up at the commissary on base and he has provided me with 3 boxes of Crispix!!! So excited! Also, there are pretty much a million trips I want to take and things I want to see, so money is just flying out of that bank account.

Well that's it for now. Got some cool trips coming up, including a DMZ tour next weekend! Excited! And now I'm going to watch the last Harry Potter movie. Also very exciting! I really like it here. Once it gets warm, I think things are going to be even better. Can't wait!

Dream big people!

Danger!

That is what my buddy LAY (Ray) says every time a picture of something "dangerous" comes up....in a book, on the TV screen, in a powerpoint, a flashcard, whatever. Things like sharks, anything sharp, like a saw or a knife, big animals or anything that is pointy that my co teacher has warned them about the evils of what can happen if they wave it around in the air, like a pencil or fork. There is lots of danger in the classroom! We are trying to get him to say dangerous, but I think he is pretty proud that he knows the word danger...I also don't think he realizes there is a difference. He looks at us like, yeah, that is what I said fools.

Anyway, the kids have been cracking me up this week. Today we had "Uniform Day" and once again, the same kid didn't get the memo. I guess his mom doesn't like to conform or something because this kid NEVER wears the uniform on designated uniform day. He wears a track suit instead. So 70s and awesome like.  All the classes had to get on stage and sing a song in front of the rest of the school and oddly enough, the child that sings the loudest in class refused to go on the stage. Stage fright I guess. He didn't want to share his gift with the entire school. There have been other funny things going on, but I cannot remember any of them right now. My brain is a bit foggy since the last few days have been the return of the mucus attacks. I'm kind of glad the kids have no idea what I'm saying because some dumb shit has been coming out of my mouth this past week. I know they think I'm a little strange, but now they also probably think I'm crazy since to them, I am always laughing for no reason.

I seriously cannot believe how many times I have blown my nose over the past two days. I had been feeling a lot better too, dammit! You know who else is sick? LAY!!! That little booger! Buuut, probably my own fault for catching it since I am always touching everyone. Most of the class has a runny nose. Probably because it's still FUCKING FREEZING HERE. Such nonsense. Can't even talk about it anymore. WHERE IS SPRING KOREA?!?!

For some positive news, The Hunger Games opens here today! I am going to see it this weekend, woo hoo! I am also going to a birthday party tomorrow where my plan is to drink my cold away. I have also been downloading movies and need some suggestions. I am about to watch "Say Anything" because I've never actually seen the entire thing. I decided to first catch up on 80s classics I've never seen or need to re-watch. This past weekend I re-watched "Pretty in Pink" because it's so damn good and "Annie Hall" because they talked about it on "How I Met Your Mother" and I felt I needed to see it. Wasn't a huge fan. I've also never see "Star Wars"  or "ET" so those are on the list.

So I'm going to go watch that now and go to sleep soon (it's 9:00 here). I wanted to go to bed at 7, but I knew that if I did, I would never sleep the whole night. Last night I went to bed around 11, woke up at 1 and again at 5 and ever really went back to sleep. That suckkkeeedd. Crossing fingers tonight is better.

Tomorrow will definitely be better because I will finally get PAID!!! YAY!!!! I am marching myself straight to the grocery store and buying whatever the hell I want! Damn straight. And then I have to pay back everyone that bought me stuff while I was poor.

Ok, dream big people!

I Laughed, I Cried

Today was a mixed bag. First off, let me just say that I am (for the moment) genuinely excited about seeing my kids every day. I went to sleep Sunday night pretty pumped about seeing all their goober selves Monday morning. Waking up Monday morning was another story. I have discussed previously my dislike for mornings and Korea is no exception. I don't think there is anything I hate more than waking up to an alarm....any morning, for any reason. I know I should be grateful for the day and all that jazz, but horrible, horrible thoughts are in my mind when that alarm goes off. Horrible thoughts and reasons why I should hit snooze 1...then 7 more times. Every night I decide tomorrow is the morning I'm going to get up a little earlier and have a little extra time in the morning to make coffee, get to school a little early, whatever. And every morning I decide how long I can feasibly stay in bed and make it to work on time. I hate it, but I am a night owl and that's that. The absolute latest I can leave my apartment is 8:50...8:55 and I feel guilty about being late, even though no one would say anything. My alarm goes off at 7:40, I usually get out of bed at 8:20 and leave around 8:45. I've given up on trying to look decent. I like Korea, but it's freezing and it's making me ugly. I don't know what is happening, but whatever small amount of good looks I had before I got here have been sucked right out of me. It's very sad.

Anyway, point is, after my initial anger of having to get out of bed (seriously, this happens every morning...even weekends when I can get up when I want. And even days when really great things are going to happen. It's bizarre), I get pumped because I get to see all my little goobers. I stress a little about what I'm going to teach that day, but I usually manage to get my shit together. Monday mornings we have a teachers meeting so I don't get to greet the kids as they come in and it makes me a little sad, but I get to see them later and I get a "Good Morning Jacky Teacher" so I'm good. Well, today, we had snack (fried cornbread with some sort of honey glaze) and then it was off to the bathroom for hand washing. We go on class bathroom breaks probably 6 times a day. I noticed one girl was wearing her headband around her neck so I took it off and tried to put it back on her head. And that son of a bitch broke. It just snapped right in half! Apparently it was made of plastic and not the flexible rubbery material mine is made out of.  All the little girls in the bathroom were just staring at me, silent. And then the little girl burst into tears. OMG-I felt SO terrible. And the worst part was, at first I kind of laughed. LET ME EXPLAIN. First off, that is what I do when I get nervous/uncomfortable/awkward. I didn't think it was funny at all, but it did make me super flustered. I was basically thinking in my head: FUCK. This is not good. Plus, all of them were staring at me like I had just chopped off her hand so it was horrible and I had an audience. And she didn't stop crying for like, 30 minutes. She also refused to look at me and wouldn't come write on the board when I asked her too when we got back to class. Oh my, I just felt so awful! But, later I got her laughing and I gave her a sticker...she seemed pretty pleased about that, so I hope I'm forgiven. I also wrote her mom a note and made an "I'm sorry" card. I think she and I are good, I just hope the mom is cool with it. I'm kind of nervous because a lot of the families have a lot of money and the other teachers are always talking about how demanding the moms are. So, I'm nervous she'll be mad AND I'm nervous that the headband cost a lot of money. I wrote the mom that I would replace it, so I'm just hoping it wasn't a Burberry or Prada headband. Because some of them have Burberry and Prada jackets and clothing. No joke.

So that was the crisis for the day. But at the end of the day, I squatted down to give a little boy a hug goodbye and he gave me a kiss on the cheek! Then my heart exploded. So everything ended on a good note. :)

Also, I have been coming up with some bombass ideas for my class and I'm pumped about using them. I haven't gotten everything 100% ready, but those kids better be prepared to be stunned and amazed. And I also hope they like it because they sometimes don't get into things I think they'll be excited about. We'll see.

Well, I'm tired. Time to go to bed all excited about tomorrow and then wake up grumpy and cursing the world. Yay!

Dream big people!

Littlecase

Yall. I am so in love with these little Korean babies...they are too much. Oddly enough, what amuses me the most is when they have their shoes on the wrong feet. Every morning when they get to school, they take off their "outside" shoes and put on "inside" shoes. And there is always one that puts them on the wrong feet and it cracks me up every time. I know, it's weird...but they're such goobers. I love it. I have been trying to teach them to use uppercase and lowercase instead of big and little for letters. One kid keeps splicing the two and when I ask what kind of letter it is, he yells out: "LITTLECASE!" Precious. These kids are either silent, whispering or yelling. There are no other options.

Also, today, our little trouble maker gave me a hug out of the blue and it just made me so happy. He is so dang cute! He is the worst child!! He never listens, is always touching people, can't sit still, is always talking (in Korean) and when I ask him his name, he yells out: "I AM LAY!" Which is supposed to be Ray. Makes me smile every time. Also, he is terrible at lunch...he ends up with rice all in his hair and the hair of the child next to him. But I sit behind him and every now and then he just turns around and grins at me. With his whole face, if that makes any sense. It's too precious. I'm pretty sure he has ADD, but he's giving out hugs so I don't care. I pretty much love them all, but he cracks me up the most. I also yell at him the most so I hope I'm not sending mixed signals.

I also got observed today. Didn't get really find out anything helpful, but didn't get any negative feedback either so whatever. My principal just thinks I should play more fun games with them, but the kids are never into the games I try to play with them. I guess I need more fun games. Every teacher I've asked has suggested Duck, Duck, Goose. Which seems odd to me since it's not educational. Also, we are in the tiniest classroom and there is no way we could play in the room. Let me know if you have other suggestions! We are singing lots of fun songs, but she missed all that. That's too bad.

Bedtime for me! But, here are a few pics of the cuties and one of Mr. Lay. I tried to get some singing, but the video turned out crappy. Trying again tomorrow. And no, I did not tell them to throw up the peace sign. They do it all on their own. It's the Asian way.

Oh, and my class is Cherry class and today I made a "Cherry Family Tree" with pictures of the kids family for the hallway. I don't think I've ever been prouder of anything. Seriously. I think it's so awesome. It's a work in progress. Behold:

Dream big people!

Thank you for the food

Only not really. I am getting more and more disillusioned with the Korean lunch food. Again, I try to sample most of it, but sometimes it's just really sketch/unappetizing looking and I can't do it. Yesterday, for example, we had stir fried baby octopus:

And it looked straight up disgusting and I didn't want to try it. I've had octopus before...it didn't look like that, it was cut up in much smaller pieces and was in spaghetti. That was in Greece and I didn't really like it then either. It's too chewy. Anyway, definitely wasn't trying this...especially since I'm pretty sure you can see it's brain in that first picture. No thank you. However, we did have some sort of yummy rice cake thing with jelly today. Wednesday we had cream puffs for snack and they were fabulous. I ate like, 10. And then I stole 4 and took them home. I don't feel bad taking from the school because they are the ones not paying me until April. Also, yesterday we had doughnuts that tasted like hushpuppies with sugar on top, so I only ate one. And Tuesday we literally just had a plain baked potato. For snack, at 9:30 in the morning. No salt, butter, sour cream, nothing. I didn't eat that at all, so I think it all balances out.

I also had "real" Korean BBQ last night and it was, sadly, not as delicious as the Korean BBQ in LA. It was also more expensive and there was less of it. Also, people were smoking in the actual restaurant and that was not pleasant at all. Especially since there is already a ton of smoke from the grill. Oh, at Korean BBQ, you cook the meat yourself at the table, btw. That's why there's a grill. This place was a little different from LA though, in that they give you lettuce to make wraps with the meat. So those were pretty tasty...but really messy and kind of hard to eat.

Oh yeah, and the other weird thing this week. So we have to do a fire drill sometime in the near future with the kids and they are making us evacuate to the roof. The ROOF! What the hell?! Makes zero sense to me...and the rest of the foreign teachers. We all made a big stink about it at our meeting and then we got a memo giving the following reasons as to why we have to go to the roof and not downstairs:

"1. Smoke is the worst damage from the fire especially in the building so it's the best to get fresh air for everyone asap. (Roof is the nearest place that we get fresh air).
2. Going to the 1st floor is a very long way especially for the kids.
3. This building is built out of concrete not out of wood, so there's no possibility for this building collapsed by fire so it will be fine to move to the roof and wait there until they put out the fire."

I love that third one the best. It was claimed that the fire department was contacted about this matter, but I'm not so sure. I am no expert, but going somewhere you can essentially be trapped does not seem like a good idea. Again, not an expert, but I'm just saying...if there is ever an actual fire, I am grabbing as many kids as possible and heading downstairs.

That's it for Korean strangeness this week. Going on a bus tour Sunday...can't wait to see what that brings!

For now, enjoy this fantastic video of my kids singing their "thank you" song. I guess it's kind of like a prayer before eating. See if you can spot the goober that NEVER seems to get the memo about uniform day, and the crazy child that always seems to be off in his own world. Hint: he's waving a fork around. And FYI, Kate teacher is the assistant that gives out the food. I wish I could video them all day, every day. They are too funny and cute. I am going to try to get some dancing soon. Enjoy!

Dream big people!

A Little Tenderness

Latest music obsession: Otis Redding. Why has it taken me to get on board the Redding train? I mean, I've been a fan of 'Dock of the Bay,' duh and his version of White Christmas is my fave, but there are SO many other good ones. He does a version of 'Stand By Me' and 'The Glory of Love.' Love them both. Wish I had like, a million dollars so I could buy it all on iTunes. Come onnnn April 7! I need money! I have a whole list of things I want to buy and I'm probably going to be able to buy all of one of those items when I get paid finally. Apparently a lot comes out of the first paycheck, which blows but whatever. Better than nothing. Debating if my first item (besides food) is going to be a book bag or new tennis shoes. I've seen badass ones of both and both would be useful. But maybe a book bag because I don't have one of those here and I do have tennis shoes. Decisions, decisions. I also need a phone.

Today was a good day! Felt good at work, no longer feel like the walking dead and am getting a grasp on how things work. I haven't blown my nose in like, 2 days! Lunch wasn't terrible. Not great, but it wasn't broiled squid, so a definite plus. I also did a little Zumba in my room which always makes me feel awesome. I mean, I also felt pretty stupid since my computer is tiny and I'm having a one woman dance party in my teeny apartment, but this is me making-do. :) I also figured out how to make my Korean frozen dumplings more crispy and therefore, more tasty. I also flossed. Things are looking up.

Also, real quick, wanted to share with everyone how awesome I am. I wrote this life plan as a note for myself on my ipod touch last summer:

Now:  study/take GRE, look into Australia.
Fall: move back home, find temp job
Dec: ham store?
Feb: Switzerland
Mar: Korea
2012: apply to grad school/be awesome in Korea
2013: travel? Grad school in fall


Car, save money, GRE, 15 lbs


Get on it, you can do this. Dream big :)


Cool part is, most of it came true. I didn't take the GRE, but I did do a little studying for it. I also looked into Australia and that is an option for the future. Then I moved home, did some temporary work, worked at the ham store in December. In February "Switzerland" came to me instead of me going there. I got to Korea a little earlier than March, but so far I'm being awesome in Korea so dreams are coming true. This is what happens when you dream big and then write it down. I also got a car, and saved money. That last 15 pounds is still tripping me up, but I haven't lost all hope. Joining a fitness club here so it's definitely a possibility. Especially if I keep up with apartment, one-woman Zumba classes. 


I have some travel goals, so I'm gonna write those down and see if I can make those happen as well. Top of list: Great Wall of China, Terra Cotta Warriors, and Japan. A lot to fit in two weeks vacay. But....


Dream big people!

Rainbow Mullet

Happy St. Patrick's Day from Korea!!! My St. Patrick's Day is actually over, but for people in the US, the drinking is probably still going on. Crazy.

I didn't do a lot of hardcore drinking yesterday...just wasn't feeling it. Also, I didn't want to feel like death this week so I've decided to skip drinking for a while. I know, I am soooo boring. Don't care. I woke up today at 7, went back to sleep until 12, had a snack and went back to sleep until 2:30. It was awesome. Except I was having a very weird, disturbing dream and I didn't like that. I have really strange dreams here. They are seriously so bizarre. Last nights involved me and a family (not my real family, but mine in the dream) running away from a killer and lots of people getting shot. Didn't enjoy that at all.

Anyway, St. Pats was not as crazy as I thought it would be here. Probably because actual Koreans don't celebrate, it's only the crazy foreigners. There was a festival with Irish dancing and music. It was actually kind of nice out, so it was a lot of fun to sit and watch the bands. One was all Korean, and I thought it was pretty fantastic they were playing an Irish jig. It was also fantastic watching all the drunks people trying to do an Irish dance. I mean, I guess they thought it was just jumping up and down, so that is what was happening. Maybe it, I don't really know a lot about Irish dancing but Riverdance seems a little more complicated than that.

After the festival, I got dinner with friends and took the bus home. All in all, a fun day. I can't wait for the Cinco de Mayo festival!!! Latin music blasting in a Korean park somewhere sounds like a blast!!! I have some pictures from the festival, but I'm too lazy to upload them right now. You'd think with all the sleep I'd be more energetic, but not really. There was a guy in a pretty awesome rainbow mullet running around. He was actually a friend of a friend and it was hilarious until he got suuuuper drunk and started spilling things on people. And then he took his shirt off and it wasn't cute anymore.

Afterschool classes start this week. Wish me luck! Still haven't gotten my actual classes down yet...should be interesting teaching things I have no idea about. I mean, I know my letters and numbers. But science fun? Uh oh. I'll let you know how it goes.

Dream big people!

Whipped Butter

I am beginning to wonder if Koreans know how real cake tastes. We keep having cake at school and it looks so delicious and I'm all, yummm, caaaakkkkeeeeee. The cake is all eeeeaaaatttt me and I agree and then the cake just tastes like bread and whipped butter, even though it looks like mocha sugary yumminess. It is SUCH a disappointment. Really, it's so very sad. And I keep trying it because I'm like, maybe this time the baker remembered to put in the sugar, but they never do. Such a shame. Arent' there any bakers in Korea that have been to America or another country with sugar and tasted how fantastic cake and frosting can be? The cookies are the same...very flat and sad tasting. I think they're all just confused though, because today my Korean co-teacher was describing a banana to the class and kept calling it sweet. Bananas are delicious and nutritious, but sweet? No. This is coming from a candy addict, so I know what's up.

Speaking of candy, feel free to buy a bunch of Easter candy when it goes on sale next month and send it this way. Specifically jelly beans. Specifically Starburst jelly beans. And JellyBelly..specifically Very Cherry, Watermelon, and Top Banana flavored JellyBelly jellybeans. If you're feeling generous and nice and want me to love you forever, ship em on over. Oh, and those sourpatch watermelon things. Please, don't send Peeps, Cadbury Creme eggs, or malt eggs. Those are gross. And if you're feeling especially generous, throw a box of Crispix in there. I would LOVE me some Crispix right now. I would probably eat it every meal. I am already over my Iron Chef Korea phase...it got old pretty quick and eating out is expensive. Crispix is the perfect solution. Who really loves me? :) Email me for the address.

For those of you don't really love me, but read anyway and are mildly concerned about my well-being, I am feeling MUCH better these days. The fever is gone and I actually had some energy today. It was  a lovely change. However, I am still astounded at the amount of mucus that is coming out of me. It is insane. Where is it all coming from?No idea. And,  I am still having sleeping problems, but hope to get that remedied when I can finally go to the doctor next week. I will finally get my alien resident card next week so I can hopefully go to the doctor and get a phone. But maybe not since I still won't have money until April. So we'll see.

Speaking of money, I can't wait until get some. Mainly so I can buy more food and start bringing my own food for lunch. Like I said, I am usually down for trying things at school but I might also be getting over that phase as well. Especially when I'm feeling under the weather. I mean, if I'm feeling miserable, I'm really sorry, but I just cannot handle eating broiled squid, kimchi, quail eggs and bean sprout salad for lunch. I know, I know. I'm inflexible, non adventurous, picky, whiny, whatever. Don't care. Even on a good day, I don't know that I would put a quail egg in my mouth. It does amuse me, however, to watch the kids eat because they eat all of that. Please, people of America, try to get your 4 year old to eat quail eggs for lunch. Let me know how that goes.

Oh yeah, I found out that all my kids are 4 in "American" age. Crazy! Such babies! But I'm impressed with them. We had no crying today, everyone uses the toilet by themselves and everyone can write their name. I have no idea what age kids starting doing that stuff in the US but either way, I'm amazed such a tiny person can really, do anything by themselves. And today I found out that tiny people really like to shake their sillies out. It was sooo funny!! The kids lost their minds! It was awesome. I only wish I had Raffi to sing for them. There is not a lot of Raffi music on YouTube over here (no idea why not) so I had to use the Wiggles. They are not as great but it was still pretty fun.

Today we found out what we have to do for our after school programs and that stuff is going to be such a bitch!!!! It sucks because it's an hour and a half and there is no book to use so I have to make up everything. Luckily, I have 3 classes and each one is only once a week. Unluckily, one of the classes is science. Not that I hate science, but I haven't done anything science-y in a looong time. Also, I was finding videos and materials to use today for the life cycle of a butterfly and science is gross. Watching a caterpillar make a cocoon is disgusting. So are the words pupa and larva. So far, science is grossing me out. I couldn't bring myself to watch anything actually being born so we are just going to skip over all that. Sorry kids, someone else will have to teach you the miracle of life.

My other class is speech, which should be pretty easy..it actually does have a book. But the last one is "Speech with Fairy Tales" which is as vague and stupid as it sounds. I have no idea how I'm going to fill an hour and a half AND apparently at the end of the 6 weeks, we have to have a script and make a video. Oh, and there are two kids in the class. Anyone know of any two character fairy tales? Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is out, obviously. My favorite part was my supervisor, who is the most vague, ridiculous person ever (this seems to be common in Korea) was all, oh I'm sure you can come up with good ideas since you have experience. Mmmm, not sure where she got her information from but I do not have any experience in science, speech or fairy tale teaching. Also, every time I talk to her, she adds more to the list of things I am supposed to do. So I'm going to stop talking to her.

Anyway, things are good. Still waiting on it to get warmer. Learned my lesson last weekend and will not be venturing outside again for more than 15-20 minutes at a time until it gets at least in the 60s. Not even kidding.

Dream big people! Send candy and cereal!

Soft Kitty

I need someone to sing that to me asap. Preferably Sheldon (from Big Bang Theory). Ohhh my, I had such a fun weekend but I feel like death right now. For real, I feel terrible. And I'm so hot but so cold at the same time. What is going on?! Someone fix me please!!! It's mainly my face. I guess I have a fever? My face is burning up. I'm freezing from the neck down but have a cold rag on my face. Whine whine whine.

Ok, done. Let's talk about positive things. For instance, how I had a super delicious meal on Friday night. Lamb, Korean BBQ style. Yummmmmy. We cooked it ourselves and it was so very tasty. We also drank an entire bottle of soju, which is like super cheap Korean vodka. It was a little intense. Then we went out to a bar and danced the night away. They served drinks out of buckets and had free popcorn, so it was my kind of place. Other than some of the creepsters there, I had a really good time. Saturday I was really tired so I went to dinner with some other teachers (On the Border...random...and expensive) and then had to call it a night while everyone else went out. Maybe I made myself sick from the drinking, who knows but life sucks right now. And it has started getting colder instead of warmer and that does not make me happy at all. I really need to invest in a ski mask. I think that's the only way I'm going to be able to handle walking outside.

Anyway, Sunday I went to Costco with some people and that was the craziest shitshow I've ever seen. There were SO many people there! I guess I didn't really ever go to Costco at home, so I don't know if it's the same but it's basically just packed with people and their carts and they are all running over each other. And sadly, I still don't have any money so I couldn't really buy much besides Coke Light (Diet Coke) and shrimp...I know, random, but my head was kind of in a fog. And I really wanted the Diet Coke. They don't serve it anywhere here! And I've only seen one store that sells it, so I had to snatch it up while I could. Sadly, restaurants sometimes have "Diet Coke" on the menu but it's really Coke Zero! Lies! It's not the same! And I don't like the taste of regular Coke, that is why I don't want Coke Zero. It's a travesty, really. I am contacting the embassy as soon as my brain starts working again and I don't feel like I'm melting.

Ok, time to attempt sleeping. The sleeping pills have failed me in the past, but I've got high hopes for tonight. Cross your fingers for me, please.

Dream big, people!

Jacky Teacher

That is my new name and I kind of love it. We've had 3 days of class now and things are not terrible. It is still a little chaotic and I don't really ever know what is going on, but the kids are SUPER cute. Well, most of them. We have one that is just too cool for school and she gets on my nerves. We have another that is terrible, but he is really cute and a total goober, so I like him.

The real problem with the class is that everyone is just all over the place and on different levels. We have one or two kids that can write their name, know their ABCs, colors, shapes...one child counted to 50 for me! And then we have some that can't hold the pencil properly. There's one or two that I don't think actually know their English name and another couple that have a hard time even doing repeat after me things. So it's a challenge to keep everyone focused...or just get them focused in the first place.

But, again, they are SO cute, so it's hard to love them. Yesterday was P.E. day so they all had to wear their matching gym uniforms. Adorable. And today was Uniform Day so everyone was wearing their fancy matching uniforms...except one kid, I don't think he got the memo. Poor Andy, not only was he not matching with the rest of the students, but he has the worst haircut I've ever seen in my life. Apparently my principal thinks otherwise because she was in the room with me today and she's like, "Oh, that Andy has a really cute haircut, don't you think?" I just smiled and nodded.

I feel like my day is pretty much like teaching first grade, only with some odd Korean things mixed in. Mainly the food, I guess. We have to eat in the classrooms because there is no cafeteria and rice gets everywhere. They gave us the menu for the month and there are some interesting things to look forward to in the next few months. Just to name a few: Shepards Purse Pie, Fried Lotus Root, Anchovy Panbroiling, Quail Eggs in Soy Sauce, Broiled Fish Sausage, Walleye Polluk Soup. Yummmy. I'll let you know how those turn out. In addition to rice and soup, they have kimchi every single day. Usually it's just regular kimchi, but there are some variations including, radish cube, white, radish, cucumber, and broiled. I never eat the kimchi, it's too spicy but it's pretty popular here. Apparently they eat it for breakfast sometimes. Delish! We also have a snack every morning. Yesterday was a sweet potato, today was sweet pumpkin porridge and tomorrow is a cream puff. Snack always has a juice to go along with it, and there are some interest variations of that as well....black soybean, mango, plum, aloe and corn. Corn juice sounds pretty disgusting but I'm going to try it because I've decided to try everything.

They also brush their teeth after lunch. I personally think this is a huge waste of time, but whatever. Gives me a little extra time to take a breather, so I'm not complaining. A friend told me their toothpaste doesn't have fluoride in it, so it makes it even more of waste. Oh well. Everyone also has to change into "inside" shoes for the day, so everyone has a set of inside shoes at the school that they put on each morning. I have a pair as well...they just look like pink adidas sandals. It's kind of nice though, I don't have to worry about my shoes matching my outfit. I also don't have to wear my winter boots all day, which is great. They are great for keeping my feet warm outside but they get a little too toasty indoors.

I really only ever eat Korean food at lunch. The area I live in is very wealthy and is known for it's "Cafe Street" which is a lot of really good non-Korean food. Last night I had some yummy Italian and had dessert at Coldstone. I want to try more good Korean (not cooked in mass quantities) but I am going to have to venture outside of my city for that.

Anyway, here are some pictures of the kids. See if you can find the bad haircut. Enjoy!

Dream big people!

Iron Chef Korea

Ok, not quite as adventurous as Iron Chef, but I had a pretty adventurous day in terms of jacky cooking yesterday. I don't know what came over me, but after school I decided to go to the grocery store. I was only going to get milk but then went crazy and got some pork (I'm assuming that is what it was...it had a pig on the front), mushrooms and some soy sauce, as well a few random other things. I went home and cooked all that up in my new pan and it turned out pretty tasty!  I'm not much into cooking but I think I'm going to have to start here. I personally would rather go out to eat all the time, but I live in an expensive area so I don't think that is the best idea. Plus yesterday was kind of fun so maybe I'll keep it up.

Anyway, the kids and their mommies came yesterday for a little mini-orientation. It wasn't that bad, except my head was in a fog. I couldn't even really hear myself so who knows what was coming out of my mouth. Also, it was a little uncomfortable because we had helpers in our room (other teachers) plus the moms and kids, so it was pretty much just everyone staring at me. Since the kids and most of the moms don't speak any English, I was getting a lot of blank stares. Plus, the kids were a little shell shocked. They are so young...there was a lot of crying going on. We also have a crazy kid that we can already tell is going to be a handful. But, for the most part, they were super cute and it was a successful day, for the most part. I think. Again, I didn't get a lot of feedback from the moms since most of them don't speak English. Oh, and this cracks me up...the moms choose an English name for their kids and we have one kid named "Churl." Ahh, what the hell?! Everytime I see it, it makes me chuckle. Such a ridiculous word. Some of them choose names that sound kind of like their Korean name, so that is what she wanted, even though it's not even a real word and/or name. Sometimes they choose names based on books or cartoons they like, so we also have an Eloise, which I think is cute. Last year the school had a MacQueen, which I think is awesome. I put some pictures of the classroom below. I'll try to get some of the students next week. Also, sadly, my Korean co-teacher is not really into making things cute like the other teachers are...and since I haven't really had time to make things cute (plus she is really in charge of the decor), our room is pretty sad and ugly compared to the other rooms. Very sad. Oh well, I'll try to work on it throughout the year. The first pic is my desk.

Oh, and I finally got internet in my apartment! It is just a cable connected to the wall, but whatever. It's not lighting fast, like I was expecting but I think that my actually be my stupid ass computers fault, and not the actual internet. Oh well. After my cooking adventure yesterday I was sooo tired, so I didn't get to play on it much. I did get to Skype some, which made me very happy. Today I have just been hanging out and blowing my nose, really. So much nose blowing. It's crazy. My Smile Day trashcan is pretty much full. Oh well, I am feeling a little better though.

Ok, well I am going to try and take more pictures soon. It is just such a pain to upload things on here. I need to rest up for the next week!

Dream big people!

Holiday

Today is the Korean Independence Day, so we have the day off from school. I slept until noon and it was fantastic. There is nothing I love more than sleeping and when you're sick, it's really the best thing you can do. I did venture out last night, though, and went to a "foreigners" bar with another teacher and met some of her friends. A lot of them are pretty hardcore into running, cycling, other sorts of extreme exercise sorts of things so I was feeling a little lazy. I mean, I don't really consider myself a lazy person, but compared to these people and their hikes and rides and blah blah blah, I am a couch potato. Guess what, don't care! I got pretty tired of hearing about it, actually. Whatever, most of them were nice and I ate a very delicious hamburger so no complaints here. Oh, well one complaint actually. Ok, so apparently Korean cab drivers don't like to give rides to people that are not going very far, aka won't have a high fare. So, when we left the bar, there are literally, 20 cabs in the street and none of them will give us a ride because we're only like, 5-10 minutes away. It was so bizarre. One, it pissed me off and two, it makes no sense to me that a driver would rather sit and wait on a bigger fare than take what is ready to go. It seems to me that they would just charge more for the short rides and/or drive really slow and make the drive longer. OR, they could just take the ride and come back. Apparently they are waiting on riders that are going back to Seoul, which is like 30 minutes. But that also seems strange to me because if you live in Seoul, I don't know why you would come here to go to a bar. We finally convinced someone to take us, but it was after a good 20 minutes of standing in the cold. So that sucked. Whatever.
I did venture out a little today and went back to the Korean won store. I managed to control myself, somewhat. I think I would have bought more stuff if it hadn't been a million degrees inside the store. I was dying! I dont' see how the people that work there stand it! You know me, I would rather be hot than cold anytime, any day but it was seriously uncomfortable. But, I did get some super cute stuff! I got a little trash can that says "Smile Day!. Please show me your bright smile all the time." Ok, trash can, I will! And, there precious little notebooks...there's four and each one says something different. "A giraffe has a long neck. A lion has a magnificent mane. A elephant has a long trunk." And my favorite, "A ostrich has a beautiful double eyelid." I have never seen an ostrich in person, but a double eyelid does not sound beautiful at all. My bigger notebook also has random sayings and cute animals. Everything here is so cute and positive, it's fantastic.

It was actually somewhat nice outside today (not freezing!) so I went and sat down by the river, which is right across the street from me. Then I came home, cleaned up, put away my new purchases and made spaghetti for dinner. It wasn't great...edible, but I've definitely had better. Some olive oil might have helped things...as well as a bigger pot. I also did some lesson planning. I am feeling a bit overwhelmed with all the lesson planning but I think I am just going to have to see how things go the first weeks.

Anyway, the kids are coming with their parents tomorrow so I have to be happy and friendly tomorrow. Which should be no problem for me, hahaha. I had a genius moment today when I figured out I could mix my cappuccino mix with hot milk instead of hot water and it was so tasty....so I have that to look forward to tomorrow morning so hopefully things will get off to a good start. Should be an interesting day. I also get internet installed tomorrow afternoon and I'm super excited! Who wants to Skypppeeee?? And I'll put up some more pictures then.

Dream big people!

Internet Miracle

I am currently sitting in my apartment, stealing wifi from somewhere and it is actually working! Love it! I had major difficulties at Korean Starbucks this afternoon, I was NOT a happy camper. Not only did my stupid drink cost 5,000 won (like $5) but apparently you have to some sort of ID nonsense and sign up and blah blah blah to get on the internet there. I was pretty furious. I had this whole plan to sit at Starbucks, write emails, do stuff, la de dah but instead it took like, 30 minutes to just find internet to get on and then, after all that mess, my computer had like, 30% battery left. Which was another reason to be angry. You see, I bought an adapter yesterday and guess what! It's not the right kind! I went with a girl that I thought knew what she was talking about when she advised me to buy this one. Lesson learned-pretty much never listen to other people because they're probably a moron. The adapter is actually for Koreans to take with them overseas. It works only if I wedge the plug in between something, or it falls out. Also, my computer can be really temperamental and slow sometimes and it drive me insane. It is constantly updating, scanning or reprogramming something and I have no idea whats going on. Most annoying. And I can't really buy a new one because I am not getting paid until April 7 and every time I turn around I have to pay for something new. A health check up, internet (finally getting it installed Friday!), cough medicine, etc. Plus I went to the Korean dollar tree (won tree?) this weekend and lost my mind. It is exploding with cuteness, I can't take it. I tried to stick to necessities for my apartment, but it was hard with so much cute in my face. Also, turns out, where I live is expensive compared to the rest of Korea since it's a big city. It's cool, lots of stuff, very modern...but very expensive. Boo.

Anyway, I also had a bitching sore throat this weekend, which was not fun at all. I was a pretty sad sack Saturday night. I didn't have anything to make hot water or anything else to help soothe it and it was pretty miserable. I was dying for some hot milk and honey but I had none of that. Honey is pretty expensive here and people are kind of stingy with it, I found out the next day. I'm feeling better now but have since developed a lovely cough to go along with it. I think it's the change in the weather, plus new air and all that. It's sooo freaking cold here! Today it was 19 degrees when I left for work! I really don't remember the last time I was somewhere that cold. Thank GOODNESS someone awesome bought me some winter gear before I left or I would be dying right now.

Today we started setting up our classrooms and all that jazz. I got a little taste of the nonsensical mess that will be this year. I mean, the school is pretty organized as far as curriculum and all that, but it's a very roundabout system and there are some ridiculous practices going on. For instance, each classroom is pretty much set up the same way. Each one has a felt calendar with Velcro so you can move around the dates and some sort of system of smiley and frowny faces to give to good and bad kids. Ok, so when you move rooms, you can just leave that kind of stuff in the room, right? Because it's ALL THE SAME....just like, different colors and shapes. Nope, we had to take the stuff from the old room and move it to the new room and vice versa. Again, it's all the same. And instead of just leaving up the crap like numbers, letters, body parts, etc in the new room, it all had to come down. Makes no sense. And super wasteful because we threw away a lot of the crap that we will, at some point, need again.

Another example. Last week they told me I would have to do a health check sometime this week and stressed that it was really important that I not eat anything before because they had to draw blood. Never heard that, but ok fine. They never said when it was, just this week sometime. This morning, they say, are you ready for your health check? Well, ok, yes, but I ate this morning...no one told me it was today. What? Why did you eat?! You have to go to your health check! What the hell! Also, they asked if I had passport photos to take with me. Again, no one told me I needed such things. Why would I have those?!? Whatever. I feel like this year is going to be a lot of smiling and nodding and just moving on with life. Hopefully I can remember that or I'm going to go insane. Another strange thing-we had a meeting for the teachers this morning, but only the foreign (me, Canadians, Brits, etc) teachers and not the Korean teachers. Which makes zero sense because they are supposed to be co-teachers, not assistants (we have actual assistants that clean up, serve food, pass out papers, etc). Especially later when my co-teacher and I are talking and she is either asking me about things we discussed in the meeting or telling me things we already went over in the meeting. Why we couldn't all be together, I have no idea.

Whatever.

Good thing is, I have some internet in my apartment. I got my health check post-poned until tomorrow and I am feeling a teensy bit better. And, in the event my throat flares up again, I have milk AND a pot to heat it up in. No honey, but I do have some Nutella. For some bad news, my hair looks like total garbage and it's quite depressing. I'm embarrassed by it. The kids last week told me I looked like a grandma...apparently Korean grandmas are the only people with curly hair. Fine with me, at least I don't look like a high schooler to them.

Things are good, though. Here is a picture of my cute apartment "kitchen" and the city. Haven't taken many photos yet...it's too cold to take my hands out of my pockets outside. I will soon.
That thing on the wall is my drying rack...I did some laundry! I just pushed some random buttons on the machine and thankfully didn't ruin anything! Gonna get a translation soon...

Dream big people!

Weekend Update

Ohhhh, my goodness people. So sorry it's been forever since I posted but life has been a ridiculous whirlwind of activity, plus I don't have internet at my new apartment yet so posting has been put on the back burner. But, let's do a review.

First off, had the BEST visit ever with one my favorite people in the world. Three weeks of just total happiness. So great, can't say enough good things about it. So thankful and so lucky it happened, I sometimes still can't even believe it's real.

And now, here I am in KOREA, and I am also having a hard time believing it's real. I mean, it is just too bizarre for words. A true roller coaster of emotions. Saying goodbye at the Charleston airport, being a sad sack, packing in a frenzy, saying goodbye again over hamburgers and Groucho's, saying hello to great friends in LA, having a really fun day and a half, a 14 hour plane ride and helllloooo Korea. So nuts. The plane ride was much better than expected. It actually went by pretty fast and was quite comfortable. The Korean flight attendants were just insane...so put together and fancy looking...I loved it. The food was good, I got to play Tetris and the guy next to me got up a bunch of times, which was awesome because then I could up and go to the bathroom without annoying him a bunch of times. I also read my awesome new book about Saturday Night Live, which I was pretty much obsessed with. I finished it today and am super sad about that...also sad the book only goes up to 2002 because I would love to read more about the current cast. Oh well, it at least had a little my fave, Jimmy Fallon. I was discussing the book with a teacher here and surprise, surprise, he's not a Jimmy fan. So he's obviously a total loser. Just kidding.

Anyway, so many changes and stuff going on here! So little internet time until my computer dies at Quizno's (still don't have an adapter). I'll just hit the big stuff. My apartment is a studio, so it's pretty tiny, but I love it. It's all mine, I don't have to share it with anyone and apparently I lucked out big time because I have curtains. I also have a non-functional TV, heated floors and a good sized fridge. I feel pretty fortunate. The bed is hard as a rock (I'm pretty sure it's a box spring, not a mattress), but hopefully it will be good for my back. It's not uncomfortable to sleep on, but not particularly comfy either. but I do have nice fluffy pillows and a soft comforter, so no complaints. My toilet is normal and my shower has a door, so that is also something to be happy about (so I've been told). When I got here, my friend Jessica met me at the airport and then came "home" with me, so I got a lot of info from her about what is good and what's not. She thinks I'm very lucky and I'm sticking with that since she's been here two years now. I also felt very lucky she met me there because I'm pretty sure I would have been a mess without her. A 14 hour plane ride is pretty exhausting and not only helped me exchange money, find food, pay for a bus ticket, make a phone call and figure out where to go, but she also helped drag my heavy ass suitcases around and I am SO grateful.

Oh yeah, and my apartment also has a sensor light, and instead of a key, I have a code that lets me in. I think that is pretty awesome. The sensor light just pleases me to no end. I live in a high rise building, which I think is pretty bad ass. Honestly, I kind of feel like I moved to Koreatown in Los Angeles, only with better public transportation. It is a huge city, lots of big buildings, all kinds of stores (lots of "western" stuff), and tons of people. Weird thing is, the people all look the same and I feel a little out of place. No one acts weird, but I am definitely like, oh wow, I am the only non Korean person here. Like I said, I'm at Quiznos right now (I don't really want to attempt an authentic Korean restaurant by myself just yet) and across the street is a Jamba Juice and a Starbucks...as well as a "Waffle Bant" that looks delicious and I'll be trying it asap.

And the school! It's nuts. There are a ton of little kids running around, screaming all the time but everything is really nice and new and sooo cute! It's all decorated and just overall precious looking. I spent the first few days just observing, which was interesting for about an hour and then my butt fell asleep and I wanted to pass out. Jet lag is a bitch! I feel a little more normal today but I was totally dragging the first days. Just sitting around watching didn't help things so I'm ready to get in the game and start doing stuff. The kids come next week so we have a week of planning. From what I've seen, the kids are SO sticking cute. And SMART! Holy shit, I sat in on a 7 year old class and the kids were pretty much fluent and learning about space....they knew more about the planets and stars than I did! And in a second language! Makes me feel like a total fool. Fortunately, I will have beginner 6 year olds so I can feel smart again, for the first few months anyway. But maybe not since I cannot, for the life of me, remember how to say pretty much anything in Korean. I keep trying to remember hello and thank you, but my brain hasn't really been working.

The people at the school are all really nice and friendly as well. Yesterday was "graduation" (OH MY GOD-the most ridiculous spectacle I have ever witnessed, more another time) and afterwards we all went to dinner (Italian, oddly enough) and it was a lot of fun. Two teachers are leaving...one I'm sad about because she's really nice and the other I'm kind of glad because he is a talkative know it all. All the guy teachers there are married to Korean women, which I find odd but it seems to be pretty normal around here. I am the only actual newcomer to Korea, which is good and bad. Bad only because people tend to assume I know what's going on because everyone else does. Good because when they remember that I have no freaking clue as to what is going on, they're super helpful. Oh, and so far the food has been really good at school. They have kimchee every day, but they also have other non-spicy food that's tasty. Also, they have peanut butter and jelly sandwiches available for the "foreigners." Which is just fine with me because I love me some PB&Js. A few days I ate both because since I got here, I've pretty much been insatiable. Not sure what's going on with that.

Anyway, that is all for now. I've been in Quiznos for an uncomfortable amount of time now. Also, someone just came in and set a cat in a cage down beside me. No thanks (sorry Kelley!)

I really miss everyone. Not like, I wish I hadn't done this...because I'm really excited about my year and all the new things going on, but more like, I wish all my friends and family were here with me. I think part of it has been not being able to get in touch with people, with no phone and internet, the last week so hopefully that will go away when I can Skype and such. Once I can, you people best be setting dates with me! I have a super handy time chart I can send to you, if you like. Also, once I figure out where my mailbox is, I would love to get some letters. Care packages will have to be sent to the school. Feel free to request the address. I don't really need anything at this point, but I'll keep yall posted.

Dream big people!

Oh Happy Day

Happy Valentines Day everyone!!!! Real friends know I love this day and this years is the BEST so far. I have gotten some fantastic gifts and the day has only just begun. I am currently typing this on a German (Swiss German technically) so forgive the mistakes. I cant figure out where the apostrophe is so sorry my contractions are not correct. And if you see a z where a y is supposed to be, its because they are switched on this keyboard.

Also, sorry I have been so slack on blogging. Ive had a guest and been preoccupied. For an update: things are GREAT, thezre going to suck Wednesday but will hopefully pick up again on Saturday when I leave for LA and then Monday when I leave for Seoul!!!!! CRAZYYYYY. I really cant believe its really happening, just like I cant really believe the last 3 weeks have been for real.

More soon....some pictures too. Hope everyone is feeling nice and loved today. If you're reading this, I probably love you!!! Happy V-day!!!!!

Here are some random funny German symbols on this computer: ö ä ü ¨^ ç.

Dream big people++++ (that is what shows up when I try to make a !) Kisses, friends :)

PS-So sad about Whitney!!! I will always love you AND I wanna dance with somebody. I wanna make a heart but cant find the less than sign on here.