Not so much

Not so much a New Year's Resolution...
I truly believe those are myths. We all mean well, but how many resolutions like, "Lose 10 pounds" or "Exercise more" do we make and then give up on within a few months? So, instead of having resolutions, this year I have a list of things I want to do/accomplish within 2011.

These are in no particular order

1. Have a real job/career in a city I love. (Seattle, Denver, NYC)
2. Be completely debt free (save if I buy a car ergo have car payments) by 2012
3. Be completely financially independent. [I'm sure you'll enjoy that one, Mom]
4. Travel back to Korea to see Trisha
5. Travel to at least one other country for a stay of more than a week [budget travel]

So my list may not be that long, but these are some hefty goals. Let's get it on...

Krazy Koreans

Koreans are crazy...with a capital K.

I went to Insadong and Dongdaemun Market with two of my co-teachers and one of their daughters. It started out fun, although the one co-teacher (we'll call her B) I can't stand. She calls herself a powerful woman - "ajumma." Okay, cool. Anyways, these shopping malls are nothing like the malls in America. I wish I had my camera with me because these places are zoos! There are no dividers separating one stall from another. These stalls are filled with cheaply made in China trinkets that are vastly over-priced. The clothes are either full of Mickey Mouse faces, straight from the 1800s, or completely "furred out." The ajumma was trying to get me to buy so many fur-lined things. Not my style - plus (little does she know) I'm leaving Korea in a few days, I don't want to add more things to pack. While walking the streets of Insadong and Dongdaemun, I heard "Baby got Back," "Love the Way You Lie," and the "Cupid Shuffle." Krazy Koreans.

On the way back (we took public transportation), my advice was ignored on what bus to take and we followed the ajumma. What does little ol' Anna from America know about Korean transportation? Well, following her directions, we ended up having to walk almost a mile in 12* weather with an even colder wind chill factor and take a taxi. But, lo and behold, Anna's directions were correct and would have saved us from walking and taking a taxi. What the heck.

It was extremely sad to tell Trisha that I am leaving. It's tough - she took me under her wing when I knew nothing of Korea and helped me through so many things. She's an angel and we'll always be sisters :) I can't wait to come back to visit her and maybe she'll come to America to visit me. She was extremely supportive - no matter how upset she was. That's encouraging.

On the final note - I booked my flight to Charlotte. I'll be arriving Tuesday, January 4 at 6.03 am. :)

Interview

For those of you on Facebook - I don't want to put this as my status because there are some friends I don't want seeing this. Mainly because they will try to talk me out of it (my recruiter for South Korea). Anyways....I got an interview for Denver Teaching Fellows. yay!

Foiled

Somebody has a case of the Mondays.

I woke up today to a wonderful winter wonderland. Thanks for being two days late, snow! Regardless, it was great to see it.  I think it makes me ten times happier to walk out my door to snow than to sunshine. Some may think I have lost my mind. But, living in the south my entire life, I guess I enjoy the novelty of the cold weather and snow. Anyways, today started of great. I had my mandu kalguksu for the noodle shop that is closing down in mid-January. I must get my fill before I'm forever deprived.

Today was my bratty first grade middle schoolers. I feel so bad, but even when they start to walk in the door, I feel exapserated and dread my time with them. I got two new students (boys, of course) in that class today, too. But, to my relief, they are amazingly well behaved and actually listen and do my work. So while the other boys are doing whatever they do, I can actually have somewhat of an audience to get my point across and help. I feel useful. I had this brilliant plan today to keep everyone after class was dismissed (because I am their last class) until they did their work. So the two new boys were able to leave early because they behaved and did their work. Then I stood infront of the door like some bouncer. But I really do feel like a bouncer because I'm so much taller than these guys. Oh, I was met with a barrage of complaints from the students, but I didn't budge. Reluctantly, the others began to furiously scribble on the paper I provided for them (because they never bring the notebooks I bought them to class). They half-assed it, naturally. So I still stood like a rock. But then I was informed, "Teacher, we must go to the bus."

UGHHHH! The bus. Drats - my plan was foiled. My one foothold of control slips. I can't keep these boys past the end of class because they have to ride the bus home and their parents will raise Michael Jackson (they're obsessed) out of hell if their precious angels miss the bus. And don't we all know - parents rule the world. *eye roll*

My hands are tied.

[still not paid this month]

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to everyone from the eastern hemisphere. I hope everyone had a wonderful time with family and friends.

I was in bed all day with a terrible cold, but Christmas Eve I got to spend with my Korean sis and her family, so that was nice. Apparently everything carries on as normal on Christmas day.  An acquaintance-friend of mine went out and about on Christmas and said Seoul was busier than she has ever seen.

I hear the southeast is getting some snow - enjoy!!

Vacation

Vacation all I ever wanted....DJ scratches the music. Yea. All I want is a vacation.

Today, as I walked into work, I was informed that our winter vacation is the end of December. That's great! Wait...by the end of December, my boss means...one day - December 31. Literally - the end of December. What the hell. One day for a winter vacation? You can't be serious. No joking here, my friends. I was told it's actually three days because we have Saturday and Sunday off, too. Am I the only one that realizes that Saturday and Sunday are not holidays? We have those days off every week. Come on, people.  This is insanity. But, to put things in perspective - I have yet to find anything very logical or sane about Korea, so I shouldn't expect my vacations to be logical.

I feel shafted, to say the least.

Student Advice

Everyone can learn from anyone. Blanket statement? yes. True? Also, yes. 

One of my amazing middle school students and I had this conversation yesterday:

"Teacher, I must advise you. You must leave this academy."

Why?

"I am going to destroy this academy. Decay. Decay."

Why's that?

"I don't like the headmaster. All she cares about is money. She doesn't care about us."

Oh, so you'll destroy it?

"Yes. Spider webs everywhere and no students. Decay."

Now, what does that say about this institute when the students are telling me to leave? Yesterday I lost two students to another academy. They were my best and funniest elementary school students. I'm sad - I've grown attached to many of these kids.

Unrelated - my Korean sis has truly been a God-send. I told her about my situation with the Praxis test (not being able to register for it online). So, she took it upon herself to call the school in Japan and see if it was being offered, which it was. She went out of her way to help me take this test. She is so unbelievably kind. I can never repay her - ever. I was able to register by mail, and thanks to Mom, have it sent off and arrive before the deadline. So, everyone cross your fingers that I'm able to take it. I do feel kind of guilty because Trisha doesn't know that by taking this test, I am potentially going back to the United States. But, knowing her, she'll want me to be happy even if that means leaving Korea.

It was a perfect situation that I did not get those previous job offers for Korea. Had I taken any of those, I would not have met Trisha and would not be able to experience this wonderful giving person who conveniently speaks Japanese as well as English. Of course my mom is wonderful and giving - but she's my mom. This was a complete stranger who took me in as her sister. So kind. I'm floored.

Cross your fingers. Cross your fingers. Cross your fingers!

Wedding Bells

Sunday I went to Trisha's sister-in-law's wedding. The bride was gorgeous.  Her dress was as delicate as her frame. The ceremony hall was completely white with a long cat walk laid down the middle ending in the stage with a podium for the minister (?) I'm not exactly sure if ministers, or justices, or what conducts the wedding ceremonies, but there was a man standing at the podium that conducted the wedding.  This was not a traditional Korean wedding ceremony. The bride wore white and the groom wore a tuxedo - very contemporary.

To start, the two mothers walk down the aisle and then bow once they reach the end. They are followed by the groom and finally the bride.  Nobody stands up as the bride enters and walks. In fact, the audience claps as each person walks down the aisle.  The lights changed colors from blue to red to green and as the bride entered, all lights went out and there was a spotlight on her. Both the bride and the groom wear gloves and place the wedding rings on the fingers over the gloves. There was no "now you may kiss the bride." Actually, there was no kissing at all. There was very little contat with each other throughout the entire ceremony which only lasted maybe 15 minutes. Despite a spotlight highlighting the bride, during the ceremony the audience was not quiet.  Everyone was talking in the background and it seemed to be the norm.  I later asked if that was okay and apparently it's completely kosher for nobody to pay attention to the ceremony. It isn't the focus. I don't really understand the point of having the wedding then.

Some photos:

Observations

Sunday I went to a Korean wedding, not a traditional one. More on that in a later blog. Now I want to talk about the observational nature of Koreans. For the most part, I think they are completely oblivious to anything that doesn't relate to them. People (not myself) get drastically different hair cuts and nobody says a word until I say, "Oh, nice hair cut." Only then do they inspect the individual and say, oh..yea that's nice. But Koreans are certain to point out your weight or height. They'll tell you if your skin is bad. On Sunday I was at Trisha's parents house after the wedding and they commented on how I've lost my weight. I was of course beaming at the compliment. Yes, I've been going to the gym, but something must be said for laziness. The fact that I don't have a car to pile bags of groceries in, nor do I have an elaborate kitchen in which to cook is the main contributer to my loss of weight. I assume the copious amounts of walking due to public transportation and the apparent utter catastrophy of eating by yourself has something to do with it, too. Maybe going to the store for only the things you need at the moment is a benefit, even in America? Afterall, you can't eat what you don't have readily available.

Life Lessons

I've never liked rollercoasters. I consistently throw up at least once a day after riding one.  I know that the metaphor for life being a rollercoaster is completely over done. Yet, it accurately describes life - as well as my stomach-sickening reactions.

After researching the Praxis II dates and test centers, I had come to the conclusion that I was going to take the test January 15 in Fukuoka, Japan. I already cleared it with my director and so I checked one lasttime to make sure the Praxis II was offered at that time and at that location - it was. So, I proceeded to check out airplane tickets because those prices fluctuate. I noted that the tickets were significantly cheaper today, so I bought them. Then, since the price to register for the exam doesn't change, I registered after I bought the plane tickets.

Now, what was I thinking? Shouldn't I have registered for the test first and then bought the tickets? Is that the natural order of things, or does my brain not work that way?


After having bought the tickets, I began to register for the Praxis II: Elementary Education - Content Knowledge only to discover - the damned test isn't offered in Japan. Japan isn't even one of the options to choose when it says select country.

Face: hot. Mind: racing. Hands: trembling.

I frantically go back to the airplane ticket website only to be told...YOUR TICKET IS NON-REFUNDABLE. I cried.

Well, ain't that something. I just wasted $380 on a ticket to a place that isn't even offering the test. On top of that, I spent approximately $30 on the study book for the praxis.  So, I decide to check the prices for Guam - the closest place the Praxis is offered....over $700 for a weekend trip. Not possible. That is blowing my entire budget of money I sent home from Korea on the tickets alone - nevermind the test registration fees, the housing costs, the food costs, the recreation costs.

So, I guess applying for Denver Teaching Fellows and Denver Teaching Residency is out of the question since I can't take the Praxis. But now for the real question - do I stay and not use the ticket to Japan, or do I go and just sight-see?


On another note, I got my hair cut yesterday. I took a picture of exactly what I wanted so the stylist could re-create it. Nope. She took off entirely too much length (6 inches, rather than 3). Other than that, it's an okay haircut.

Some recent photos...

The other new jacket. Thanks, Mom

Amanda

Decent photo of the new hair. 

Hello Barbie Let's Go Party

Today is exactly 3 months in Korea. I must say that it has been the most interesting 3 months of my life. I've encountered really amazing people (the old man who spoke amazing English and said he had lots of girlfriends then asked for my number) and some not so amazing people (the old man yelling at me in the subway). Christmas is around the corner, and of course my completely wonderful "Korean Sis" has extended her heart and asked me over to have a meal. She is Buddhist and swears by her life that we knew each other in a previous life. Maybe so...we seem to think the same things at the same time quite frequently. Telepathy. I love her entire family. Her parents, her husband, her daughter, and of course her.

I went to the bank today and was told I had gorgeous eyes. Gotta love being a blue-eyed lady :)

Today, a man came into the institute to have a yelling throwdown (again) with my boss. This time, the entire staff was forced to stay until they finished (even though we didn't have any students for 2 hours and could have gone home at 5).  I had no idea what was going on and being said, so I was utterly bored - I picked at the dead ends in my hair. After we were allowed to leave, Jung hwa, a new teacher, and I went to eat. There, I was bombarded with compliments from the new teacher including, "Your skin looks like Barbie," "You don't need make up," "You're so beautiful," blah blah blah. I actually feel quite uncomfortable when people say these things. I have no idea how to respond, so I just meekly say thank you. She did point out, however, that I needed a boyfriend. Ugh. I'm so tired of Koreans telling me I need to meet a nice guy, have a boyfriend, etc. I said, "No, I'm okay," but that response is like telling them North Korea is better than South Korea. They become defensive and insist that you MUST have a boyfriend. So, I just give up and say that yes, I need and want a boyfriend. Only because I don't want to prove my point by discussing my dismal history of men.

I may be getting my hair cut tomorrow. I don't know. I'm quite nervous. *crosses fingers*

ARGH!

Call it a fear of commitment. Call it undecisive. Call it what you will...but as I'm filling out my applications to become a teacher in Denver, Colorado, I keep thinking to myself - am I selling myself short? Am I forfeiting my dream of traveling the world?

But then again, time is the beauty of the road being long.
And...nothing in this world is concrete except death, right?

New Mailing Address

ONLY FOR PACKAGES!!

503ho 901dong
963 Yeongdeok-dong, Giheung-gu Yongin-si 446-908

Again, this is only for packages. All other  mail - cards, letters can be sent to the old address.

Also, if it asks for a number, you can put: 010-5487-5070

Growing Up

What do you want to do when you grow up? I have no idea. I had no idea in high school; I had no idea in college. I knew what I always had a dream of doing, but nothing I could concretely say, this is what I will do. But, enough of putting passions on the backburner. I fully believe (once I find the right market) that a coffee shop will succeed.  In tough economic times, there is less spending on big ticket items, but alcohol sales and coffee sales aren't impacted as greatly. Why? 1) you drown your sorrows in alcohol 2) you drink coffee to stay awake to work those 3 jobs you have just to make ends meet. Yes...a cafe. a bar. a hookah lounge. I will somehow incorporate those three things to make the best, non-corporate cafe....eventually :)

Now...some research must be done.

Southern Hospitality

Korean style.

As annoyed as I was at the beginning of today, the end turned out amazing (somewhat). Friday, Amanda and I had planned to spend the entire day exploring Itaewon (she needed some more clothes) and doing various activities ending in some hookah. I woke up early, got ready, and called her phone - no answer. I wait a while to try again - still no answer. Eventually, 6 hours later, we meet up in Nonyheon. We ended up not going to Itaewon.  Instead, we stayed around Nonyheon, ate at a sausage and beer place where Bob Marley was playing, and then went to Gangnam for some hookah.  At the hookah bar, more Bob Marley was playing...though it was live music by a Korean hippie :)

Anyways, we left relatively early, but not in time for me to catch the bus back home, so I had to take the subway and transfer.  At the transfer point, the last train to my nearest town had already departed, so I had to take a taxi.  I happened to be able to split a taxi with a really cute Korean boy (too bad he had a girlfriend who studied middle school, high school, and university in Canada).  Anyways, he saved me from being ripped off by a "taxi driver" who was going to charge me double to get home.  So, we rode together in a real taxi and he ended up paying most of the cost instead of splitting it 50/50.  He called his girlfriend and we all talked through her - she was so kind (as was he). I didn't get either of their names, but they wished me good memories for Korea. So, despite having to pay extra money by getting a taxi home, it turned out to be an okay experience - yet another example of how kind Koreans are. Plus, he kept apologizing for not being able to speak English.  His girlfriend told me that she tries to get him to study English, but he never does - so she used this opportunity to rub it in his face, haha.

Here are some photos of the hookah bar.

And here's a photo from Thanksgiving dinner (consumed on the Sunday after Thanksgiving).

[psst...Mom...it's one of the new coats - thanks!]

It's Beginning

to Look a lot like Christmas...

Competely true. We've already had our first snow and places are putting up Christmas lights and Christmas trees. I was tempted to buy a little desk-sized Christmas tree for my apartment, but realized what a trivial expense for something I'll only have here...can't really (or don't want to, at least) take it with me. So, I'm passing on the festive decorations.

I have been doing exceptionally well lately in regards to my emotional state and home-sickness. But with all this festive activity going around, I've really gotten down. It makes me miss home, miss family, miss friends. I miss easy communication. I miss being able to run to the store to grab something and not be stared at. I miss logic. I miss non-greedy vultures of people. [Example - kids here DEMAND things, they don't ask...nevermind ask politely. Nor do they say thank you or show any kind of appreciation when you do something nice]. I miss Western culture. Also, I miss shoes that are big enough and pants that are long enough. Even in Itaewon, I couldn't find any cute shoes. :( I miss good music and good beer. I miss live music shows that aren't $100 to see.

People say that homesickness strikes about every 3 months. Well, December 10 is 3 months for me - and homesickness is compounded with the holiday season. Bummer.