Dear Mama....Making Changes

Soooo...I'M BACK!!! Here is my update on what's been happening these past 2 months:

1. My open class was a success and I told my school that I would like to renew my contract for another year.

 

Since leaving Jeju, I had to concentrate on preparing for my open class (even with my phone drama). I treated it as a very serious matter that showcases and tests my growth and talent as an Guest English Teacher. My co-teacher did not feel as stressed about it but seeing how frantic I was, she rehearsed many times with me so I could feel more secure. At first, my co-teachers had a nonchalant attitude and were suggesting really boring ideas for open class. They didn't seem to understand how it would reflect me as a teacher. I wanted the class (or at least my part) to be really creative, fun and great practice using the language. At first, I wanted to have a 6th grade class but my head co-teacher said that I would have to teach with her so we would have to do it with one of her 5th grade classes. Then, I imagined us working together on the plan but she told me, "I'm doing a treasure hunt for my part. You should think about your part." Ummm...what? So with our divided structure, I came up with a hidden picture puzzle idea that I thought was cool and have never seen done before. The problem grew where my co-teacher kept changing her idea and it felt like our parts were competing. She kept suggesting ways to make my part more "simple" aka boring. Overall, I stood strong on my plan and we pulled it together to have a successful class!

 

2. I was the topic of teacher gossip?!

So for open class, I bought a new dress that was really pretty but also really flowy and short. I thought by Korean standards it would be okay because other teachers wear short skirts and dresses. The culture here is also pretty shocking because most women wear really really short outfits. I wanted to buy a dress for the special occasion so I knew if I bought one at any of the Korean shops it would be short. Anyway, the next week I wore another dress that I brought from America and is a little short but not that bad. Unfortunately, that day my co-teacher came to me and told me that the 4th grade head teacher was complaining to her that I need to change/re-evaluate my dress code. Whaaaat? Later that day, I saw that teacher in the cafeteria and she pointed to my dress and said, "Be careful!" Then, she whispered to another teacher...right in front of me...RUDE! I told her my dress was fingertip length but of course she didn't understand me. I came to the conclusion, that I can not dress like the Koreans because when I do it it's wrong. Whenever I wear dresses, I wear leggings or stretch pants under them like I did in the winter (BUT IT'S SUMMER).

3. Busan with Anakaren

Korean Memorial Day was Friday, June 6th so we had a long weekend. Anakaren and I went to Busan on Friday morning by bus. I researched and booked everything but I failed to consider the fact that there may be traffic. What should have been a 4 hour bus ride turned into an almost 7 hour trip. Every time I took a nap, I woke up thinking, "Are we there yet?!" Finally, we got there to enjoy what was left of the beautiful day. It was a little chilly by the beach but it was so nice to see the sunset and the energy of the city was so cool. Anakaren looked up an "American" style sushi place that was great. Unfortunately, my phone died so I was not able to take any pictures our first day. The sushi guy was fun and we met and talked to such a nice couple at the Thursday Party bar. The hotel we were staying at, Queen's Hotel in Seomyeon, was great too and very comfortable. It was convenient to get around the city but it was far from the beach. I was wired after spending so much time on the bus earlier so I was ready to hang out all night but Anakaren wanted to sleep...whomp whomp. The next day, I really wanted to go to Taejongdae. It was majestical and beautiful and worth the hour wait for the trolley up the mountain. The breeze was so strong and intimidating that I decided not to stand on the cliff edge (because it would blow my dress up). I felt a little off on my own at this point. Going back to the beach was a nightmare though, because the bus took a long time to pick us up and then it was stuck in traffic for an hour. Ahhhh! Again, we caught the sunset on the beach and walked around more to see the sand creations. Waiting for and being trapped on the bus so long did put a damper on the day and I did feel tired. We had some good eating at Sharky's and I was ready for bed! Anakaren and I got temporary tattoos that looked really realistic but mine wore off in a day (they were definitely NOT Henna).

Anakaren

We went back to the hotel pretty early and it was a wrap for me...but if I was with someone that really wanted to go out and "party" I would have gotten my butt up and found the energy. Our last day, I really wanted to eat an American breakfast before I left. I Googled for a place near the hotel. I walked and walked and walked by myself to find it. I never did...so I was left frustrated and hungry. Ana wanted to go eat Korean food and I sat with her but it was not anything I wanted so I got even more frustrated. We took the express train back which was super quick and Anakaren and I split up when we got back to Seoul (or on the train since we sat apart)...I was on a mission to get some good food before I went back home. It was a nice trip away despite the transportation issues but a lot of time I felt like I was by myself. Of course, I get a little jealous when I come back and look on Facebook to see a lot of other teachers I know went to Busan together the same weekend (for the Sun and Fun Festival) and it looked liked they all had a ball *together*...booo!

4. Tours and Shows

I made a decision when I decided to renew that I would make the most of my experience in Korea for the time I have left. I had been mostly sitting in the house every weekend for the past 8 months and every now and then I would find something to do with Anakaren or by myself but for the most part it had been lonely and bored. I decided to change that so after coming back from Busan, I booked a couple of trips with the tour groups in and around Seoul. I also booked performance art shows to see in Seoul. June became a very busy month. I went with the Seoul Expat group to see the "magical" sea parting at Muchangpo Beach. Later, we went to Daecheon Beach. I met so many great people on that trip that I have been able to hang out with other places. I went with Adventure Korea on an overnight trip to Pyeongchang. I went with Adventure Korea once before when I played paintball in March. I did not meet that many people there and experienced a more cliquey, couple atmosphere but it was still okay. The activities were more fun than the people for that trip...we went water rafting, zip-lining, free falling and caving. I went with SeoulMate on a tour of Ihwa village in Seoul and later with my new friends, Soozie and Sung, to party in Hongdae. It was one of the funnest times I have had in Korea so far.

 

Hongdae Congo Drummers

I also took a self tour around Chinatown, went to a swing dance class with Swingade, to see A Midsummer Night's Dream, an acoustic set at BitterSweet Sounds Cafe, a performance art show called the Original Drawing Show, a b-boy show called B-Boy Marionette, and a B-Boy Dance competition called R16. The winners of a season of America's Best Dance Crew even competed (Super Cr3w) at R16...but the winners of the battle ended being none other than Korea's group, Gamblerz Crew.

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Dear Mama.... My Jeju Vacation

This weekend I went to Jeju Island! I left school early on Friday but right before I left, I got to see the 5th and 6th graders' Science Fair. There were booths set up on the playground and each class would rotate to different booths every 10 minutes. Students played with bubbles, a glue like texture made from starch, pulleys, birds and fruit bats, and electricity. It was nice to see them so excited by science. I even fed the fruit bat an apple slice despite being scared that it would bite my finger off. 

After that, I went off to the train station to go to the airport. Jeju is only one hour south of Incheon, so it did not take long to get there. Once I got there, I got on the bus to my hotel, Jeju Hiking Inn. The hotel was in a great area of Seogwip-si. It was walking distance to the Cheonjiyeon Waterfall and the restaurant and shops of downtown Seogwipo (along Lee Joong-seop Street, Myeongdong Road, Arang Joeul Street, and Chilsimni Food Street). The location was wonderful but the room itself was very old, smelly and dusty. I walked in and instantly felt itchy, so it took me a while to feel comfortable but the gentleman at the front desk was very nice. The mornings were very beautiful with the sun shining through the window and the views of the city.

Saturday, I first went to Cheonjiyeon Waterfalls. It was so serene and peaceful in the park around the waterfall. Then, I took a taxi to Oedolgae, a pillar sticking out of the ocean. There was a story about a Korean general disguising the pillar as a giant soldier to scare away Mongolian invaders. It was also a popular location from the filming of the TV drama, Jewel in the Palace (Daejanggeum). I took another taxi to Jungmun Beach Pacific Land. I rode the VIVA Jet Boat, which was like riding a giant jet ski because of all the sharp turns and jumps. I was hanging on for dear life because I was so scared of falling out of the boat but I survived! Then, I walked to the Jungmun Resort area where Ripley's Believe or Not, the Teddy Bear Museum, Yeomiji Botanical Garden, Chocolate Land and many other restaurants and shops were. I stopped by the tourist information desk to ask about where I can ride ATVs and they directed me to Sanbada ATV park at Sangbangsan Mountain. Not long after I got on the ATV, I was, of course, nervous and shaky so I veered off into the woods and crashed on the side of the path! I only scraped my knee a little bit, but I got another bike and kept on going. After I got the hang of it, it was really FUNNNNN.

Sunday, I went back to the airport to catch a tour bus, the Jeju Trolley Limousine Tour. It was great to be on a tour bus because it was a very chilly, windy and rainy day. The tour bus guide's name was Go Mihwa and I was paired up with an older lady as my "tour buddy." The first stop was shopping at some random souvenir shop but Mihwa gave everyone cactus soap as a present, which was really nice. Then, we went to the Jeolmul Natural Recreation Forest. My tour buddy and her friends briskly walked to the natural spring and they insisted that I drink a cup of water from the the spring. I was hesitant, but I tried it anyway and was very surprised that it tasted like bottled water...now I understand Deer Park! The next stop was the Mongolian Horse Show, which was like a mix of Medieval Times and an acrobatic circus show. They even had a silk rope acrobat like Cirque du Soleil. After the show we went horseback riding, my first time ever on a horse or even near a horse. They were not as scary as I imagined but I felt like I was too heavy and would break his back when he started to gallop. I felt sorry for the horse having to hold my weight.

Then, we went to lunch where I....drumroll please....lost my cell phone. All the beautiful pictures I had on my phone up to that point were gone, even the pictures I took of the kids at the Science Fair. It was so sad. I could not enjoy the rest of the day like I wanted. Mihwa said that Chinese tourists sometimes take lost phones to sell and that she lost her phone and never got it back. Since I knew exactly the last place I had it, I never imagined going back and not finding it there. Unfortunately, it happened. The next stop was the Seongeup Folk Village but it was snooze for me because the guide only spoke in Korean and she talked the whole time. I tried some 5-taste tea that tasted like bitter honey and these pellets that were made from horse placenta that tasted like dirt...interesting. Next, we went to Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak, one of the 7 Wonders of the World. It was the longest climb I have eeeevvverrr been on! There were beautiful views from the top, even on such a dreary day. We later went to the Jeju Women Divers Museum to learn about the history of the iconic women divers. The last stop was Dongbok-ri Sea Village to taste their seafood. Mihwa payed for soup for everyone, which was, again, very nice of her. It was an exhausting but very adventurous day!

When I got back to the hotel, I rushed to the computer to try to activate a tracking app on my phone. I was trying to do it before the battery died but it was unsuccessful in loading. I keep hoping someone will find it and return it. When I got back to Incheon, I tried going to the phone company (Olleh) to see if they could track my SIM card or if I could get a new one for my old phone I used in America. Well, since Monday was Children's Day and today is Bhudda's Birthday I can't get any help from them until Wednesday...so, life goes on. I had a great vacation in Jeju and there is so much to do there, I would have to go back another time to see more (like the caves and Hallasan Mountain). Now, what I have to do is concentrate on preparing for my open class coming up in two weeks and decide if I will stay in Korea or not.

FYI- The only pictures that are mine above are the ones of the Seogwipo harbor night view, the Folk Village, Ilchulbong and the Women Diver's Museum. 

Dear Mama.... The Smoke Has Cleared, A New Season is Here

I am finally better from my cold fiasco and can walk outside without my goose down because SPRING IS HERE! It's so beautiful outside with all the cherry blossoms blooming...it reminds me of home. I went out to lunch one beautiful, warm day with my cousin's friend's family that live not too far way. It was my first time on the military base in Itaewon. It was a weird feeling to be somewhere in Korea surrounded by other foreigners. Later, I had dinner with Anakaren and Sarah W. (who I also met at orientation). We went to Outback Steakhouse where the french fries were $20 but it was a chance to spoil myself. I went to another school dinner last Friday with the 5th grade teachers and principals...we had shabu shabu and later went to a coffee shop. It was my first time eating shabu shabu aka soup. The next day, I went on a tour of Wolmido with IIRF and part of the schedule included a Korean cooking class. We made bibimbap, which required a lot of cutting skills. I was so paranoid of cutting a finger off because...you know how clumsy I am with sharp objects! Everything turned out delicious though. For Easter, I went to church with my co-teacher where the minister explained how to be saved. One thing I find interesting is that Christian Koreans seem to have a very specific view of what heaven will be. It was a gorgeous day and it was nice hanging out with my co-teacher and hearing about how she got married...it was very TV drama-esque.

Just Funny...It's missing the most important part of the sentence.

I also found out the date of my Open Class. It's May 20th! I am so glad that told me this in advance and not last minute like they usually do. I have been able to take my time picking the class to use and which lesson from the book. I really wanted to use a 6th grade class but that would have meant I couldn't use my Head co-teacher, so I had to go with 5th grade. Recently, I went to my other co-teachers open class and it really helped me visualize how it will be for me.

Two Korean holidays (Children's Day and Buddha's Birthday) are coming up, giving us a 4 day weekend. There is also Labor Day next week that all Guest English Teacher's get off. The Buddhist Church in front of my building has even strung up these beautiful lanterns around the neighborhood. I really really really wanted to go to Taiwan but I waited too late and there were no reasonable flights available. Then, I tried to look up flights to Jeju Island but even that was all sold out. My last resort was Busan but I kept looking and last minute a flight opened up to go to Jeju. My co-teacher will also be there because it's where she's from so maybe she can show me around. I can't wait!!