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...
Friday, December 31, 2010
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. :)
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
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!
Monday, December 27, 2010
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]
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]
Sunday, December 26, 2010
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!!
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!!
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