From Seoul~

A few days ago, I passed my 10 month mark in Korea. Man, how time flies! This time last year, my friend Jen and I were back home sitting in a coffee shop freaking out about what we should pack and the things we should do/eat before moving. I remember that day like it was yesterday. Can’t believe it’s nearly June!

Mom’s visit was already three weeks ago! She came and left so quickly. Her and my aunt stayed with me in Seoul for 10 days. It was a tiring week and a half.. After work everyday, I had to take them out since they didn’t go out much during the day and just waited for me to come back home from work. We accomplished a lot more during mom’s visit than dad’s thanks to the nice weather. I took them to Namdaemun, Myeongdong (almost every other day actually), Dongdaemun, Insadong, Gyeongbokgung, Lotte World, Namsan Tower, and Ansan. Whew, many things in just 10 days. It was fun, but so exhausting… 

My mom and I at Lotte World.. I think the older I get, the more I look like mom and the less I look like my dad. hehe.

After mom left, I’ve been busy preparing for renewal. After a few months of debating whether to renew or not, I decided another year in Korea would be the best choice right now given that I’ve already missed grad school applications and finding a non-retail job back home would be difficult. These days I’ve been preparing for open class evaluations which is actually taking place tomorrow. I’m pretty sure I’ll be able to renew since I’m on very good terms with all the staff members and talks about my housing and winter camp for next year have already been discussed. I shouldn’t be so nervous but it’s still nerve racking having an evaluation committee observe your teaching.

If I am able to renew my contract for next year, I’m going to make the most out of it. This year, everything was novel and new. I really did go overboard with the partying and drinking. Next year I’ll be sure to strap myself down and be more productive in terms of more self-exploration, plans about grad school/career, and being more fluent in Korean.

Anyways, we won’t know if we will be able to renew or not until June so updates to come later next month! ^^ Wish me luck.

Moment #1

While standing in the lunch line with my sixth grade girls, this second grade boy who I don’t teach noticed that I was speaking English so he screamed out, “NOONA! WHAT’S YOUR NAME?” Oh the embarrassment on his face when his friends told him I’m a teacher. He couldn’t look at me. LOL. So cute! And then my girls tried calling me “unnie teacher”.. Nuh-huh girls, nice try.

 Moment #2

For the sixth grade class this morning, I taught the kids “It’s a Small World.” For the listening activity, I got them to sketch out a picture of what they think their song is about. One kid drew beer, soju, makgeoli, wine… When I asked him to explain his picture, he said that because there are too many people in the world, the world is too small. There won’t be any food to eat so everyone will just drink. This is really Korea…

My short 2-week holiday after winter camp has finally come to an end! It’s 9 AM and I’m back in this freezing desk… Turns out I’ll be desk warming all day at least. Maybe I’ll finally update this blog properly. I haven’t really done so since December. Anyways.. expect more posts later today! :)

Why they chose me to interview potential Korean elementary English teachers I do not know…

But at least I was able to sleep in a bit this morning and get an 100,000 won. :)

In the past hour, I’ve received 10+ emails/messages from family and friends back home asking what’s happening in Korea right now and if I’m safe..

Honestly, no one really cares here. 

The topic was briefly brought up at the teachers’ cafeteria table for a few minutes.. until they all resumed the earlier topic of conversation — the poorly behaved sixth graders.

So yeah.. I’m safe.. but my dad is nagging me to register with the Canadian embassy in Korea just in case shit does go down.

After we had dismissed our sixth grade class for lunch today, a group of them ran back into the classroom chanting, “Kim Jong Il dead!” Even before the news was posted on CNN, my 12-year olds were celebrating in the hallways.

The teachers seem kind of indifferent to the news though. As some of them passed each other in the hall they’d say, “Did you hear? Kim Jong Il is dead!” and then a “Jjinja? (Really?)”, and continue on with what they were doing.

South Korea has declared a state of emergency.. which I’m sure will freak my parents out when they wake up later. 

She surprised me for my birthday this morning with a cheesecake from Paris Baguette!

She said she planned to come early and prepare but she was running late so I beat her to school. She somehow stealthily lit candles on the cake at the other side of our classroom without me noticing. 

She gave me a gift too.. a neck pillow, and said “for you to sleep more comfortably at work!” HAHA, I love her! 

For my sixth graders’ assignment tonight, they are to send me and my coteacher a short text message in English… Expecting 90 text messages tonight, which I have to reply all to.

Don’t know how I let my coteacher convince me that this would be okay. 

My favorite student already said he’d send me a text message at 3 in the morning.

Another boy said, “Teacher, I will send you love messages.”

Let’s hope that this assignment doesn’t result in me changing my phone number.

Today at lunch I was mistaken as an elementary school student. The cafeteria lady was giving me the children’s portion, until my coteacher told her that I’m actually a teacher. 

I know I look pretty young for my age.. but I didn’t know I could pass off as being an elementary school student. =(

Just sharing some photos of my classroom where I teach English as a Foreign Language to grades 1, 2, 5 and 6. I will also be teaching grade 3 and 4 students for an after school program. We have our own classroom designated to English studies called The English Zone.

My desk with a super slow computer that always freezes! This is what I’ve been keeping warm for the past few days. No classes so far so desk warming all the way.

Story-telling corner

Smart board which I’m sure will be tons of fun to use!

I really cannot wait to start teaching. The past 3 days have been desk warming since English classes have not started yet. The only interactions I’ve had with students are kids staring at me in the hall way, saying hello and then running away.

My first class starts on Monday. I’m nervous but I really can’t wait!