quick update here..
I have finished my first week teaching and it looks like i have a grasp on what to do and where to take the class. Its quite interesting putting grades on the internet...i tackle that tomorrow morning! haah, as such, I was able to find a card reader so i could upload pictures finally! only a few because i knew i didnt have a reader----also i wanted to have bought a camera already. Owell, still not pleased with prices...was expecting 100usd value, instead its more around 180 :(
Today we went to starbucks before work to discuss our lives...just a few of the teachers that it was obvious were interested in getting to know us better. ah, funny stuff. but it was enjoyable, they asked how old i was and were very shocked that i was such a "spring chick" haha, owell, makes it easier i suppose. but then i guess i passed some sort of test with the married one---i now have a tutor! haha! She also wants to learn english so they said the best way is to go eat! i was like, no worries there!... hm, why do i feel set up? why should i care! haha.
So on to halloween weekend! We're having a party...or i'm hosting the costume part, james---my recruiter is coming in to check on me, etc. So he's taking us out, kinda scary the stories i hear..but no worries, just getting use to the stay up real late, wake and go to work at 3pm.
Enjoy the photos! just of my apt and such, more to come...
choi yo! (good!)
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=30411605&l=15bab&id=105600042
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Monday, October 27, 2008
Avalon: Day One.
Wow what a Monday.
That about sums up what you think: Murphy's law too...
So I went in early to get a handle on the lesson, the feel of teaching--since i knew Alex teacher (yes, everyone is ___ teacher, quite precious) would make me start working instead of giving me another observation.
So great, I'm prepared to teach lesson 6 on sports. Simple enough. Oh wait, the previous teacher got ahead of the curriculum and is on lesson 7! Splendid! First class and I'm already winging it! By the 4th class (all the same to middle schoolers about age of 14... so 13 american) I was a pro! relaxed, joking with the students, showing them pictures of my family, friends, house, animals, "my many many girlfriends" haha, owell, thanks ladies! ;)
So now that I'm a star, I enjoyed some of the comments. THey loved my curly long hair...called my dad's red hair "gold hair". a boy told me my eyes are beautiful, guys are allowed to be more affectionate to same sex and it somewhat is easier to handle. The girls think i'm rich and noble because i have a huge house (especially since its a house with land, a pond, and 2 story...everyone and i mean EVERYONE lives in an apt).
So the pictures were a major hit, showed also christmas, thanksgiving, and other things to boot.
Easy part done, now its the clean up and catch up of getting the students to not slack and learn English. I had a fantastic laugh with the korean co-workers about lip gloss and well...girls will be girls in any culture :-D They're so kind and helpful with any questions.
OH, I don't know if i mentioned but Avalon has its own kitchen and 2 cooks! So all the teachers get fed some yummy authentic home style food! Sometimes its ....well, certainly not homecookin but its free and the 2 ladies adore Justin teacher and I. Him with his red hair, and I with my hazel eyes. I think i might actually be allergic/sores open in my mouth to something...perhaps the kimchi. Perhaps nothing but horrible considering kimchi is basically more staple to korea than rice!
I bought the softest micro fiber pillow at Emart, along with a floor pillow to enjoy sitting on teh floor...much more comfortable but still not able to wake up not sore or sit for a long amount of time comfortably.
All in all, i've survived, def felt at home, and learning loads of korean...forgetting equal amounts as well!
Sweetest thing from one of a teacher, she brought me dishes to use! we all sit in a row of desks...about 6 in a row, so about 18 of us in the "teacher work room" all crammed in comfortably. Its 4 americans, 2 guys 2 girls, and then 10 korean girls, 2 guys, and some more girls but they're reception or other workers. Trying to break the formality but hey, it's only been 2 days.
Kaja! (let's go!)
That about sums up what you think: Murphy's law too...
So I went in early to get a handle on the lesson, the feel of teaching--since i knew Alex teacher (yes, everyone is ___ teacher, quite precious) would make me start working instead of giving me another observation.
So great, I'm prepared to teach lesson 6 on sports. Simple enough. Oh wait, the previous teacher got ahead of the curriculum and is on lesson 7! Splendid! First class and I'm already winging it! By the 4th class (all the same to middle schoolers about age of 14... so 13 american) I was a pro! relaxed, joking with the students, showing them pictures of my family, friends, house, animals, "my many many girlfriends" haha, owell, thanks ladies! ;)
So now that I'm a star, I enjoyed some of the comments. THey loved my curly long hair...called my dad's red hair "gold hair". a boy told me my eyes are beautiful, guys are allowed to be more affectionate to same sex and it somewhat is easier to handle. The girls think i'm rich and noble because i have a huge house (especially since its a house with land, a pond, and 2 story...everyone and i mean EVERYONE lives in an apt).
So the pictures were a major hit, showed also christmas, thanksgiving, and other things to boot.
Easy part done, now its the clean up and catch up of getting the students to not slack and learn English. I had a fantastic laugh with the korean co-workers about lip gloss and well...girls will be girls in any culture :-D They're so kind and helpful with any questions.
OH, I don't know if i mentioned but Avalon has its own kitchen and 2 cooks! So all the teachers get fed some yummy authentic home style food! Sometimes its ....well, certainly not homecookin but its free and the 2 ladies adore Justin teacher and I. Him with his red hair, and I with my hazel eyes. I think i might actually be allergic/sores open in my mouth to something...perhaps the kimchi. Perhaps nothing but horrible considering kimchi is basically more staple to korea than rice!
I bought the softest micro fiber pillow at Emart, along with a floor pillow to enjoy sitting on teh floor...much more comfortable but still not able to wake up not sore or sit for a long amount of time comfortably.
All in all, i've survived, def felt at home, and learning loads of korean...forgetting equal amounts as well!
Sweetest thing from one of a teacher, she brought me dishes to use! we all sit in a row of desks...about 6 in a row, so about 18 of us in the "teacher work room" all crammed in comfortably. Its 4 americans, 2 guys 2 girls, and then 10 korean girls, 2 guys, and some more girls but they're reception or other workers. Trying to break the formality but hey, it's only been 2 days.
Kaja! (let's go!)
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Hello from Korea!
Wow do I have a lot to update from this weekend!
Wed. 6:45 I leave with Robbye to the airport...blessing in that she happen to hear on radio that there was an accident on 485 so we avoided it smoothly to get there with plenty of time for me to get to the plane and begin my journey.
I arrived 11pm Thursday night at Avalon school, the taxi driver picked me up with no hitch...luggage and all, and i met my boss and things went surprisingly smooth. I went back to my room after 25 hours of travel and after 2 more hours of unpacking...i slept.
I slept on one hard bed. It may be healthier but something comforting to sinking into a nice soft bed...Still have not had a solid 8 hour sleep on this bed.
The shower is nice and cute, along with the rest of the facilities, american toilet and all those important things. THe kitchen is mighty small, seems like I might grab dinner out most nights. We'll figure that one out later. For now its good to have the necessities (RAMEN!) haha, but i STILL don't have a bowl or trashcan, so that sort of is a problem...
Its really interesting with the stairs to the "loft" upstairs, you can sleep up there but its only like 4ft. tall, might explore that when/if it gets to be really cold. But the A/C and such is just great, and the huge window view is more than i can ask for...Oh, and i'm on the 9th floor. So its nice and quiet and I like the towers and how they live. It's efficient.
So woke up Friday. THe door was locked and i set off an alarm and got locked in my room. It was actually quite commical, finally I figured it out (being all in korean...trial and error was the only way). Walked around, tried to get familar with my new home. I know 2 major streets, and that Avalon is only 5 minutes from my apt. I observed classes and survived the 3pm to 11pm hours...certainly remarkable these students have such stamina! I figure if that is the only job i have here, its very do-able....just have to keep focused, etc.
After work at 11 Justin-teacher from Ohio showed me the night life. Haha, oh my, soju is the korean vodka stuff and so he insisted upon introducing me to it. That was fine enough, we went to a Karaoke bar and sang a lot and a lot, very much like guitar hero...even had bongos! hahah, just played with it until around 4am. Slept. Saturday was a waste of just getting use to the place, watching my Smallville series ^.^ and sleeping more.
Today is Sunday, I now feel quite ...comfortable if that is possible. I went to my first restaurant here and asked for...who knows what, i got pork, cabbage, kimchi, tiny fish with okra, soup, rice, and squid. I only remembered how to ask for tagugee bap (pork and rice) so, i think i faired quite nice. Best part of it all? Cost only 6000 Won, (6 dollars). And we're talkin a SPREAD. fancy and yum. Well, after that accomplishment, i found a YMCA...hope to explore that and perhaps begin swimming again. And then talked to my parents on Vonage. Everyone feel free to contact me for free:
704.644.0831
its a charlotte number, just need internet and i can talk from anywhere in the world. Ah technology ^.^
I hope to get a mobile soon, after getting my alien card. I start teaching monday the 2nd part of classes...so not muchtime to waste around! I have my first "american" expresso in a bit with Justin and friends, so i shall update more later. Here's to the first weekend in Bucheon!
ahn ya sayo!!
Wed. 6:45 I leave with Robbye to the airport...blessing in that she happen to hear on radio that there was an accident on 485 so we avoided it smoothly to get there with plenty of time for me to get to the plane and begin my journey.
I arrived 11pm Thursday night at Avalon school, the taxi driver picked me up with no hitch...luggage and all, and i met my boss and things went surprisingly smooth. I went back to my room after 25 hours of travel and after 2 more hours of unpacking...i slept.
I slept on one hard bed. It may be healthier but something comforting to sinking into a nice soft bed...Still have not had a solid 8 hour sleep on this bed.
The shower is nice and cute, along with the rest of the facilities, american toilet and all those important things. THe kitchen is mighty small, seems like I might grab dinner out most nights. We'll figure that one out later. For now its good to have the necessities (RAMEN!) haha, but i STILL don't have a bowl or trashcan, so that sort of is a problem...
Its really interesting with the stairs to the "loft" upstairs, you can sleep up there but its only like 4ft. tall, might explore that when/if it gets to be really cold. But the A/C and such is just great, and the huge window view is more than i can ask for...Oh, and i'm on the 9th floor. So its nice and quiet and I like the towers and how they live. It's efficient.
So woke up Friday. THe door was locked and i set off an alarm and got locked in my room. It was actually quite commical, finally I figured it out (being all in korean...trial and error was the only way). Walked around, tried to get familar with my new home. I know 2 major streets, and that Avalon is only 5 minutes from my apt. I observed classes and survived the 3pm to 11pm hours...certainly remarkable these students have such stamina! I figure if that is the only job i have here, its very do-able....just have to keep focused, etc.
After work at 11 Justin-teacher from Ohio showed me the night life. Haha, oh my, soju is the korean vodka stuff and so he insisted upon introducing me to it. That was fine enough, we went to a Karaoke bar and sang a lot and a lot, very much like guitar hero...even had bongos! hahah, just played with it until around 4am. Slept. Saturday was a waste of just getting use to the place, watching my Smallville series ^.^ and sleeping more.
Today is Sunday, I now feel quite ...comfortable if that is possible. I went to my first restaurant here and asked for...who knows what, i got pork, cabbage, kimchi, tiny fish with okra, soup, rice, and squid. I only remembered how to ask for tagugee bap (pork and rice) so, i think i faired quite nice. Best part of it all? Cost only 6000 Won, (6 dollars). And we're talkin a SPREAD. fancy and yum. Well, after that accomplishment, i found a YMCA...hope to explore that and perhaps begin swimming again. And then talked to my parents on Vonage. Everyone feel free to contact me for free:
704.644.0831
its a charlotte number, just need internet and i can talk from anywhere in the world. Ah technology ^.^
I hope to get a mobile soon, after getting my alien card. I start teaching monday the 2nd part of classes...so not muchtime to waste around! I have my first "american" expresso in a bit with Justin and friends, so i shall update more later. Here's to the first weekend in Bucheon!
ahn ya sayo!!
Monday, October 20, 2008
Wecome to Korea
I just returned from Atlanta and Asheville this weekend. Depart Thursday, spent the night with dears from Mars Hill. Great to see old friends!
Embassy interviewed me with questions about why Korea, etc. Mailed my passport to me today and I depart Wednesday 22nd, 9:20am!
I will arrive around Thursday night. Start observing Friday at 3pm...then enjoy the weekend...to start teaching Monday!
there is a LOT to be done before then. Time is of the essence! Basically hope you enjoy the blog, here's to the beginning! Next post: in Korea!
j
Embassy interviewed me with questions about why Korea, etc. Mailed my passport to me today and I depart Wednesday 22nd, 9:20am!
I will arrive around Thursday night. Start observing Friday at 3pm...then enjoy the weekend...to start teaching Monday!
there is a LOT to be done before then. Time is of the essence! Basically hope you enjoy the blog, here's to the beginning! Next post: in Korea!
j
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Packing!
Back on track, its time to get ready! Departure undefined, start date = October 20th.
Update: I interviewed with the director from Bucheon and he liked what he heard and agreed that even though my forte is kindergarden, I'm good to go. With an open mind and willingness to work hard, what do I have to lose?
I will be teaching 10-15 yr olds (5th to 9th graders) English from 3pm until 11pm. 4 80 minute classes with 10 minute breaks Mon, Wed, Thurs. Tues, Thurs I will teach perhaps only 2 courses. This is good and bad. I have a lighter load but still have to remain there the entire time (prepare lesson plans, etc.) and means I may have a harder load the next 3 month cirriculum cycle. Any further questions, feel free to ask away, easier here than individually!
It rained today so I was unable to play soccer. Taking all that energy, I applied it to packing. Its all neatly folded and now just to make it all fit. I was trying to avoid 2 bags but it may be inevitable. Thought a great idea from the internet was someone mentioning to bring Guess Who and other board games. Who knows?
Still working on getting a camera and video camera. Truly think it will be better to get one over there. Here's to a productive day!
Update: I interviewed with the director from Bucheon and he liked what he heard and agreed that even though my forte is kindergarden, I'm good to go. With an open mind and willingness to work hard, what do I have to lose?
I will be teaching 10-15 yr olds (5th to 9th graders) English from 3pm until 11pm. 4 80 minute classes with 10 minute breaks Mon, Wed, Thurs. Tues, Thurs I will teach perhaps only 2 courses. This is good and bad. I have a lighter load but still have to remain there the entire time (prepare lesson plans, etc.) and means I may have a harder load the next 3 month cirriculum cycle. Any further questions, feel free to ask away, easier here than individually!
It rained today so I was unable to play soccer. Taking all that energy, I applied it to packing. Its all neatly folded and now just to make it all fit. I was trying to avoid 2 bags but it may be inevitable. Thought a great idea from the internet was someone mentioning to bring Guess Who and other board games. Who knows?
Still working on getting a camera and video camera. Truly think it will be better to get one over there. Here's to a productive day!
Monday, October 6, 2008
Talk about confusion!
So I woke up this morning to bad news: Choo Choo Train was not up to par and was questionable as to its stability. My HR (James) told me it would be much better to plug me into avalon.
http://english.avalon.co.kr/ava/intro.html
Right away you can tell it is more professional and solid. It has a website, they're talking with me tomorrow, I'm living closer to James and this other guy Matt that is from Pitts. ---basically it seems all around like a blessing in disguise. As such, I will be rushing to keep on the same time line...the 20th is when they want me to start my first day meaning---probably still the 18th departure. Sort of the whole "rush to wait" prepared. Well, I know I was extremely upset earlier today but that all is over---just have faith!
More details later. For now just remember everything has a reason :)
j
http://english.avalon.co.kr/ava/intro.html
Right away you can tell it is more professional and solid. It has a website, they're talking with me tomorrow, I'm living closer to James and this other guy Matt that is from Pitts. ---basically it seems all around like a blessing in disguise. As such, I will be rushing to keep on the same time line...the 20th is when they want me to start my first day meaning---probably still the 18th departure. Sort of the whole "rush to wait" prepared. Well, I know I was extremely upset earlier today but that all is over---just have faith!
More details later. For now just remember everything has a reason :)
j
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Ren Fest
Just got back from the Renaissance festival 2008 and it continues to be tradition!
Robbye kept up with me as we dashed around watching the Tartuga Twins and enjoying the jousting. Plenty of exercise in the old times! First time I could have ale, ah, the glory.
As every year, I pick out a leather rose to add to the collection. This time I had to go ahead and purchase the Twins DVD since it's going to go with me everywhere! I cannot express it enough how much I love their humor... yes, its outrageous, naughty, crosses the line, outright crude innuendos! True oral masters of the English langugage! Onto other things...
Plane ticket on monday
collecting final last necessities.
enjoy
Robbye kept up with me as we dashed around watching the Tartuga Twins and enjoying the jousting. Plenty of exercise in the old times! First time I could have ale, ah, the glory.
As every year, I pick out a leather rose to add to the collection. This time I had to go ahead and purchase the Twins DVD since it's going to go with me everywhere! I cannot express it enough how much I love their humor... yes, its outrageous, naughty, crosses the line, outright crude innuendos! True oral masters of the English langugage! Onto other things...
Plane ticket on monday
collecting final last necessities.
enjoy
Thursday, October 2, 2008
There and back again...
Greetings to all my readers. It is a pleasure to share my journey with you. As you come to this website, you already know 3 facts. I'm going to Bucheon, S. Korea. I'm going to teach kids for a year. I'm excited.
I have been packing for this adventure for what seems like forever! Never packed for a year...here's the run down:
Preparing:
Advice from friends/contacts=
bring a towel, they aren't big enough in Korea.
bring extra deoderant...a whole year supply.
have new socks, you'll be surprised how often you won't wear shoes (hurrah!)
there's a frisbee team that plays in a park in Seoul. Must investigate..
2 weeks of clothing. A gift for your boss. Pillow?
I'm glad to know this adventure is on the road to becoming a reality.
live LOUD!
I have been packing for this adventure for what seems like forever! Never packed for a year...here's the run down:
Preparing:
Advice from friends/contacts=
bring a towel, they aren't big enough in Korea.
bring extra deoderant...a whole year supply.
have new socks, you'll be surprised how often you won't wear shoes (hurrah!)
there's a frisbee team that plays in a park in Seoul. Must investigate..
2 weeks of clothing. A gift for your boss. Pillow?
I'm glad to know this adventure is on the road to becoming a reality.
live LOUD!
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