Presidents and Dinosaurs

I've been brainstorming for days on what to incorporate and how to conduct my conversation class.  I decided to try something that involves creativity and speaking - "What would you do if..." I created all these little scenarios, cut them up, and put them in a cup. Max and Sarah then took turns drawing out the slips and responding to the prompts.  Sarah didn't really come up with anything too funny, just playing computer games (I learned that Korean children LOVE their computer games). But Max came up with some pretty good answers.

"What would you do if you saw a dinosaur?" His response - If it were a little dinosaur, I would kill it and have dinosaur meat. Then I would use the teeth like a knife. And if another dinosaur appeared, I would kill it with dinosaur teeth.  ... I don't know, I just found that funny coming from a little Korean kid  with glasses and long hair and wearing skinny jeans. Too cute.

"What would you do if you were the President?" Sarah's response - I would make Korea rich. 'Richer than America?' That's impossible, she says. (Oh, what little of world politics/economics these youngsters know).
- Max's response - I would make a dictatorship and then I would have lots of money and if someone didn't like me, I would give them money to lie to me and like me. Then I would make North Korea and South Korea one. 'But North Korea already has a dictator. What would you do?' I would put poison in his dessert and give it to him. Then he would die.

Today was the best day of classes I've had.  I enjoyed them, but I did not enjoy a curve ball being thrown in my loop.  My first middle school class was supposed to meet today, and I had made many worksheets, quizzes, vocabulary lists, and had my plans well thought out. Buuuut, apparently they have mid-term exams in school and therefore chose to study for that instead of have class, and Chong-hwa allowed it. So, I didn't have that class and now my two middle school classes are not on the same schedule as far as my lesson plans go. Not what I was going for. I did learn, however, that I am quite animated in teaching - I remind myself of Mrs. Keel. Which is great, because she is one of my most influential teachers. (List: Mrs. Johnson, Mrs. Stewart [now Mrs. Hinson], Mrs. Keel, and Ms. Nicodemus) If I can take after those wonderful women, I'll be on the right track.

Aside from teaching - I got my results back from the hospital's physical - all is well. We (Trisha and I) stopped by the Immigration Office and applied for my Alien Registration Card which I pick up October 12. I hate waiting so long.

Everyday is a Holiday in Everland

Trisha, Kunhwa, and I went to Everland today! It was supposed to be autumn weather, but it was scorching. Not much to post here, I took some photos so you can see my Korean sisters. (Mom, if you click on the photos, they enlarge)

Context and Perspective

In the literary world, context is essential to understand a text.  After some thinking, I whole-heartedly believe that context and perspective are essential to understanding (and surviving) in the real world.  I guess I have been looking at my situation in South Korea in the wrong perspective.  Of course I am going through culture shock.  Of course I am not understanding what anyone is saying.  Of course I am lonely.  But, I must look at things from a different angle. I am getting so many experiences and chances to do things.  A very close and dear friend of mine wrote me a message before I left about a Yogi-ism.  "If you see a fork in the road, take it."  I realize that things may not go as I have planned (getting lost), but something came out of nothing.  At the very least, I learned what bus numbers to take to get to a certain point.  I'm trying very hard to keep my thoughts positive.  One day at a time.

Today, I went to Hwaseong Palace. Here are some photos!

Not in Everland

It's a shame I don't like amusement parks. It's an even bigger shame it was raining today, because Everland (an amusement park) is where my destination happened to be.

I was supposed to meet Emma today at Bundang Station, so I googled the directions and wrote down the bus stops and numbers.  Today was going to be a better day than yesterday (story will be later). I boarded the first bus (10-5) with no problem and got off on the stop that googled had instructed.  After thirty minutes, and countless buses later, my bus number never showed up.  Maybe I got off on the wrong stop...so, I got back on the 10-5 bus to ride to the next stop and wait. No 5500-1 to be seen.  I decided to hop on bus 66 which had "Suwon Station" clearly written in English - to my relief.  I was going to go there to ride the subway to Bundang. It should be easier.  This bus 66 did NOT go to Suwon Station.  Instead, I traveled all the way (over an hour) to Everland - the other side of the province from Suwon Station!  Well, I might as well walk around Everland and take a few photos, seeing as my 2 o'clock appointment with Emma was in the past.  I walked up to the ticket booths - all of them were closed. So, no Everland for me. It is raining. My shoes are soaked. The ticket office is closed. I'm over an hour away from any place that I know.  I go back to the buses and hop on 66-4.  It goes to the same place as 66, but has more stops.  I'm angry and frustrated. Plus, I feel like a total sketch ball and hope that Emma won't be too mad (I emailed her to explain). I see a McDonald's on the way home and decide that I would like some comfort food after a dismal trip.  I order a regular "burger" thinking that it would hit the spot.  This burger is no McDonald's hamburger. There is cabbage, some mayonnaise-looking paste, and a barbeque/teriyaki glazed patty. I took one bite and disgustedly threw the rest away. Another disappointment.  Walking out of McDonald's a clearly American song is playing very loudly.  I feel defeated and homesick. Standing in the cold rain, I cannot hold back the tears pushing the brink of my eyes.  Only a few drops, I don't want to draw any MORE attention to myself other than the normal stares I get from everyone - young, old, man, woman.  I finally make it home and stop by Dunkin' Donuts.  McDonald's was a failure, but DD pulled through for me. One iced Cafe Americano and a bavarian filled donut later, my spirits were up. As soon as I walked through my door and took my shoes off, the doorbell rings and Trisha stops by.  She cooked a meal for her family and dropped some off for me! Perfect timing or what?! Her kindness blows me away. I am so thankful - it will be hard to leave her whenever the time comes (a year from now or shorter).

Yesterday I met Steven after a long and arduous day.  We were supposed to meet around 2.30 for coffee and then go to some microbreweries in Seoul. I go to E-Mart to meet (our pre-designated spot).  For 4 hours I sit waiting, watching bus after bus come and go. I decide enough is enough and go home after stopping for some delicious mandu (steamed dumplings).  I get on skype (our means of communication) and he is online.  We decide to attempt to meet again, this time at a GS gas station (about a 30 minute walk from my place). So I go there (around 7.30).  Yet again, I wait until 9 and he is no where to be found.  I go home and get online. He's online. He says he was there and didn't see me - this is ridiculous.  We give it one more whirl and finally, (third time's a charm) we meet. I thought this was a good idea, until I realized, I cannot stand this guy.  He is a pompous asshole (sorry, Mom). I will not be hanging out with him again, and I blocked him on Skype, so we won't be in contat. On a good note though, I met some cool girls in the Air Force, so we plan to hang out sometime. :)

Tomorrow, I am supposed to meet Rod, a German-South African.  He has been living here for 2 years.  He gave me his cell phone and told me to call him via pay phone if I have any troubles. Hopefully tomorrow will work out in regards to transportation and also personality. Certainly I can't meet 2 pompous assholes in a matter of 3 days, right?

First Friday

The week is over! It wasn't too hectic or anything, I'm just glad that I have a ton of free time to do as I please.  I went to the hospital yesterday to get my physical, thinking that I would be able to go to the immigration office immediately after, but no - I have to wait to get my results on the 27th. I don't want to wait that long because I need my alien registration in order to get a cell phone, a bank account, and to get paid (I think).  Trish is urging me to do everything immediately so that I will be safer.

I found an awesome mandu place not far from my apartment. It's cheap, too. I will probably go there way too often - but they are steamed, so that's healthy, right?  Trisha and I checked out a gym near us.  We both want to be fit (her husband is complaining of her weight, she says), so she thinks it will be a good idea to go together.  It is very...unique.  The floor is black and white tile (like a pizza parlor), with blue and red neon lights inside.  The music is like Korean house/techno and there are uniforms - the women wear red shirts with black shorts and the men wear black shirts and black shorts.  Of course, you don't HAVE to wear the uniforms (and if I decide to join, I will opt to wear my own attire).  There is also a place to practice your golf swing - it is strange.

Trisha's daughter, Kona (not sure of the spelling) is precious.  She seems very excited every time I come around.  She doesn't speak English well, but Trisha translates and we have a good time.  She is an only child, so as Trisha is my "anyi," I am Kona's "anyi" (sister).  In fact, I went to Trisha's condo today.  It is so nice.  She has many rooms, a leather sofa, and everything that my apartment does not, haha.  But, I am pleased with my furnishings and do not want to complain because it could be much worse. Trisha gave me a pot to cook rice and other things in because she was afraid I was not eating.  She also taught me how to work my washing machine and brought me plenty of tissues. lol.

I finally found out my mailing address! Here it is: (drum roll)...

Anna O'Kelley
Room # 101
994-6 Yeongdeok-dong Giheung-gu Yongin-si Gyeonggi-do South Korea 446-908

So, now you know it. MAIL ME! (If you mail me, me love you long time :-P )

HEY! Send me photos or article clippings or magazine excerpts or anything that I can decorate my apartment with that reminds me of home. I will love you even longer (and maybe send you something Korean, if I find anything worthy).

Blessed

Today, the students were a bit more rambunctious than the first day I taught them.  I think now they are accustomed to the idea of having an American as their teacher, so they think they can act out.  I will be having none of that. I am truly blessed because of the people I have met so far.  They are genuinely concerned for my well being.  Chong-wha tries to ensure that I am comfortable at all times.  Trisha and I met today at 10 for coffee and a chat.  Then we went to this Korean BBQ place which was delicious (and gorgeous). Trisha informed me that our director complains a lot about money and such, but I guess I'm in the clear because I don't understand Korean, and nobody took the time to tell me about her complaining until it just happened in conversation.  I found out that Trisha has only been at the hagwon a week longer than me, so she is just as new to the situation. The only downfall is that she is part-time.  She will be giving me Korean lessons twice a week. I don't know if I should pay her for it?  I have not spent money on food much yet.  Anytime we go out, Trisha or Chong-wha offers to pay (I'm not complaining, but I feel bad).  Trisha is concerned about my safety and communication.  She always asks if I had breakfast/lunch, etc.  She told me that I need to open a bank account as soon as possible because she is not comfortable with me carrying around cash.  Also, she has offered to take me anywhere I need to go, even offered for me to come to her condo.  She is my Anyi (sister). Apparently, that is an honor.  So, because she wants me to get a bank account ASAP, Chong-wha and I are going to the hospital tomorrow morning to get a physical and then to the immigration office to get my alien registration card.  I found out that I have a multiple entry visa, so I can travel abroad while I'm here! Trisha wants me to get a cell phone immediately so I can call her if I ever need anything or there is an emergency.  I don't think I can ever repay her for her kindness.

There is a noodle place right across the street from my apartment and it just so happens that Trisha is friends with the owner.  So, if I have any troubles, I go to the owner and tell her to call Trisha.  The owner said that even though she doesn't speak English, she can listen and she will do whatever she can for me (through Trisha).  I think that is so sweet! I have been so fortunate to meet such nice, amazing people.  This is definitely turning my opinion of Korea around.

I have communication with Emma (a girl I met in Atlanta while I was "interviewing" for my visa).  She wants to meet up next week (during Chuseok) and go exploring, so that is exciting.    I guess I was too soon to judge Korea.  Maybe it will turn out alright.

And Another one Down

So...Tuesday. I almost over slept for work...at 2!! Who woulda thought? I'm blaming it on me having not adjusted to the time difference yet.  I have 4 classes today - 2 elementary and 2 middle. I was quite nervous about the middle school because we are reading Dracula and there is no set curriculum for it, so I get to do my thing. Which I thought would be easy and I had all these master plans, but that got put on hold because I suppose I didn't take into consideration the reading level of these students.  So all the tasks I wanted them to do will be really difficult, so it's more brainstorming for me. :) Some of the students are just so fascinated that I'm from America they can't quit staring at me.  I've been told on multiple occasions each day, "Teacher, you pretty" or "Teacher, you so tall and pretty." If that isn't a morale booster, I don't know what is! I left today at 8.30 - and my director saw me and didn't say anything.  The general feeling I get is that classes are taught until 10, but if you aren't one of the teachers that has to instruct the students, then you can leave - buuuut I don't want to jump the gun here.

Trisha photocopied some worksheets in Korean for me, so tomorrow we are meeting at 10 to do some work and maybe eat lunch together.  She seems so helpful and excited to help me, which is nice!! I think she is also going to find out where to buy a T-money card and maybe go to Suwon at the big department store. That is where Chong-wha and I went to the movies and they have Chanel, Louis, and other brand names. We'll see if I can afford some expensive piece later down the road.  But for now, I finally have water, so I'm off to bask in the delight that is a warm shower!

Rugrats

So, yesterday was my first day of teaching at the hagwon. My contract says to be there from 2 - 10 pm.  However, I was able to leave early yesterday (around 9) after some prodding by Chong-wha. I felt bad not staying the entire time, but I only taught 3 classes yesterday.  Each of my classes are speaking classes while the other teachers instruct the students in grammar, reading, etc. It's definitely awkward though, because the other teachers speak to the students in Korean, not in English - which defeats the purpose of an English learning institution if you ask me.

My first class on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday is Adam (a second grader).  He is very vivacious and didn't seem to care about what I was there to do.  It was hard to keep his attention on the subject and he kept wanting to leave the classroom.  Being one-on-one could be a great benefit, if only he wanted to be there and learn.  The other students would come by the classroom and peek in the window in the door.  It seems that the students just run wild and the director and teachers don't really instill discipline. My second class is three students - Rina, Louie, and Jackson.  Rina is very quiet.  I don't think she understands as much English as Jackson or Louie because she just gives me a blank stare when I ask something (in the most elementary way I can) until one of the others tells her what I said in Korean.  Louie is very smart and seems passionate about learning.  Jackson is quite the ham! He knows a good bit of English, but he makes jokes about everything (he makes me laugh).  My third class is the largest one - 4 students.  There are three girls - Jasmine, Ella, and Karen, and one boy, Leo. Leo and Jasmine are very smart and talkative.  They participate in class while Karen and Ella sit in the back very quietly.  Karen doesn't seem to do her work and won't speak at all.  She was throwing paper around yesterday and not paying any attention.  I think Ella is smart, she is just shy/timid.  There is one thing I know - these kids love playing Hangman.  Maybe I'll come up with other games they can play so it's not so boring (if not for them, for me).  I finish "teaching" at 5.50...so then there is 4 more hours until my contract says I can go home.  But, Chong-wha told me yesterday that I could leave after I stayed for about an hour to prepare materials.  I decided that was wrong and ended up staying until 9 when she left as well.

I met another teacher that speaks even better English than Chong-wha.  Her name is Trisha.  She understands more about the area where I live and teach because she also lives in the area where as Chong-wha lives in Suwon (about 10 minute drive away). Trisha gave me her phone number to contact her and said we would go out to eat sometime soon.  I don't have a cell phone yet, but will get one as soon as I get my alien registration.  I don't think I am able to leave South Korea because my visa is not a multiple entry visa...unfortunately.  But, with all the trouble/anxiety I am having about being in Korea, I don't know how much I would leave anyways.  I think Trisha would be a bigger help than Chong-wha, but I appreciate all of her efforts, too.

I put an ad on Craigslist about being new to Korea and wanting to meet friends and such.  I've had a great response.  I am supposed to meet up with a guy Saturday and we're going to go into Seoul to some microbreweries.  I'm really looking forward to that. So, I definitely need to figure out the bus system pronto!

This is my hagwon.

Apparently there was a concert for some event near the school.

First Day

So, today was my first day exploring on my own.  I thought I was lost for a minute pretty much as soon as I walked out of my apartment, but I found my way soon enough.  I went to the E-Mart to get some essentials, but all I ended up getting was toilet paper, some cleaning supplies, and an air freshener.  I'm taking baby-steps. I still haven't worked up the courage to go to a restuarant by myself to order some food.  There is a noodle place almost directly in front of my apartment, so maybe I will go there sometime - I do love some noodles.  Even going into places like Dunkin Donuts or the BCP Chicken place is intimidating.

I am going to see a movie today (an American one) with a teacher who speaks English at my school. Her Korean name is Chong-wha (I probably didn't spell that correctly).  She asked me to give her an American name, so I'm working on that. I think she may have settled on Jennifer, but I'm not entirely sure. I'll have to ask her later.

School starts tomorrow. I'm really anxious, excited, and nervous.  I hope the kids like me, and I hope that I do a good job.  I don't want to fail them.

Maybe I will take photos of the city, my school, and the children soon and post them.

Home Sweet Home

...at least for the next year.  I arrived in South Korea around 8 pm Friday (South Korea time).  I flew from Charlotte to Chicago to Tokyo, and finally into Incheon, South Korea. Over 24 hours of traveling and then another 2 hours from the Incheon Airport to Yongin (where I am staying).  The stereotype of bad Asian drivers is quite accurate.  The man who picked me up scared me quite a few times.

The weather here has not stopped raining.  I was told that it has rained for 3 days straight with only 1 day of sunshine before then.  Hopefully that will clear up soon.  I have never lived in another country, only visited, so this is very different. I'm excited, but at the same time - not.  I cried last night after I arrived at my apartment. Maybe it was a mixture of emotions. But I'm sure I will love it once more time has passed and I'm adjusted.

I'm supposed to have an "orientation" today at 2, so I will be picked up by a teacher who speaks English (I don't think my director does).  I live within walking distance to the school, as well as E-Mart (like Walmart), a coffee shop, and a bank - so it's a good location.

My apartment is tiny, but that was to be expected. I have pink sheets on my hard, twin sized bed - I will have to get new sheets. I am somehow stealing wireless internet from somewhere. I'm not complaining, and I hope it continues to be that way for the rest of my stay.  I just have to find an adaptor so I can charge my computer and skype away! PS - my skype account is okelleyas. Hit me up!

Here are the first photos of many to come.