Teacher Amanda needs teaching practice.

Explaining the meaning of words is not my strong point. I'm actually really awful at it, and I think it's because I think about it too much. I'm not trying to sound like a brainiac or anything, because that's not it at all, but seriously, when a student asks me the meaning of a word my mind goes into overdrive.

For example, today in a class with only one student, we read an article that had the words "explosives" and "drugs." (It was an article about dogs working for people). So, I let her read it to herself and underline any words she didn't know. Of course, she didn't know "drugs."

Insert for those of  you who aren't aware: Koreans don't do drugs. At least not in Korea. At least not that I've ever heard of or heard talk of. Well, they probably do... but they definitely don't let you know about it. Ok... again with the over thinking...

Anyway... the word medicine came to mind. Bad effects. Not wanting to let my ten-year-old student know that drugs make some people feel good. Bad. Bad. Bad. Medicine. Then, a large list of names came to mind and then I decided to stick with saying illegal medicine as my final answer.

Her response?

Are they what Obama drank when he was younger?

My response?

Did you read that? I have no idea. Probably... Yeah. (Thinking maybe she's referring to alcohol, but then I'd have to explain that).

Her response?

Yes he did. I read. Why people do that?

...silence...

She looked at me and then said that maybe other people reccommend they do drugs and that's why. "A"++ for student. "F" for teacher.

Ok... maybe I was just having one of those days. I also got asked what "geez" was after I used it a couple times in class today...luckily, that was by a kindergartener and they lose interest quickly.

Sleep time for Teacher Amanda. I need an "A" day tomorrow. 

"Begin doing what you want to do now. We are not living in eternity. We have only this moment, sparkling like a star in our hand — and melting like a snowflake.” --Marie Beyon Ray

Umm... yeah...

My Nikon literally has dust on it. Guess it's time to start taking more pictures with it and set the Sony aside for a bit.

I decided to take a picture of my dinner: Kimbap.

I forgot how much I love my Nikon.

I love my Sony too...

that is all.

"All photographs are there to remind us of what we forget. In this - as in other ways - they are the opposite of paintings. Paintings record what the painter remembers. Because each one of us forgets different things, a photo more than a painting may change its meaning according to who is looking at it." ~John Berger

Favorite part of the day? Listening to music on the subway ride home.

Or to work.... or wherever I'm going. What would I do without music? I have no idea. My favorite thing about it is that one song can bring you back to any moment or place in time and can make you feel exactly as you felt when you heard it for the first time.

I can't wait to get my iPod Touch. All I've been doing lately is organizing my itunes, getting my 4,299 songs ready to travel with me.

I've been really thinking about a lot of things lately. I had a lot on my mind last week, and I'm starting to realize there's some things in life I need that I'm not getting... as well as things I do that I need to stop for a while. Have you ever had a moment where a huge weight was lifted off your shoulder and things were put into perspective? Well, I feel like that. I know, you have no idea what I'm talking about... but that's ok.

Uijeongbu: Take 2.

I didn't get lost.... or end up at the wrong station. I really like traveling to northern parts of Seoul because I get to see mountains. I'm not sure why, but I'm completely infatuated by them. I really want to go hiking, but I'm still on a hunt for someone to go with who will put up with my slack ass.

I took this out Brigid's apartment complex window while waiting for the elevator.

I would love this view.

Anyway, here are some things I learned this weekend:

1. I'm a terrible bowler. Awful. Probably shouldn't even be allowed, and my enthusiasm level when playing is pretty pathetic.

2. I really really miss American food. I ate a bacon cheeseburger and it was amazing.

3. Korean fights are funny because I have no idea what’s going on and the argument sounds like really pissed off babbling. I had a perfect seat on the subway this weekend for one, and couldn’t help but laugh when one of the guys pushed the other one off the subway at one of the stops and the doors closed on him before he could get back on. He punched the window as the train left.

4. Some Korean men get really happy to see American women. It’s slightly creepy and slightly flattering in a… well… creepy way. I had a guy stare at me on the subway and when the seat next to mine opened up he was more than happy to take it. It was fine until he tried to play footsy. No way Jose… or whatever guys are called here.

5. People who wear high heels walk slowly and it annoys me. It also annoys me that I’m like a magnet for people… as soon as I try and pass a slow walker they move in front of me. It also annoys me when I’m waiting for the subway or bus and someone comes up and stands directly in front of me to get on first. Can anyone say “asshole” in Korean? Ha, I sure can’t.

Korean Food...

…is so cheap! We got all of this for only $10. Since I went with Naomi it only came to $5. It was super delicious too! I quickly got over the fact the shrimp still had arms and eyes and that there were squid tentacles scattered randomly in the big bowl. I didn’t eat them… but I got over it and enjoyed my meal.

Christmas is slightly depressing this year.

I really just want it to be over and for it to be March so it’ll start warming up. I really hate the cold… I really wish I had family or someone here to share Christmas with and watch A Christmas Story and drink hot chocolate…and I really want to buy Christmas presents and send cards and see my cats (I realize the cats thing is randomly thrown it, but whatever, these are my wishes). Plus, Christmas is way more fun with little kids around.


Luckily, I was invited to Brenna and her family’s house this year. Oh, and I get to spend Christmas Ever with my students, because, well… I’m working.

Bah Humbug.

Photo op: it had to be done.

Yeah, I suppose I can crop this to make it look better, but I’m lazy. Oh, and thank god I finally found a curling iron for less than $45 yesterday... my hair is in major need of help... sheesh.

“No matter how qualified or deserving we are, we will never reach a better life until we can imagine it for ourselves and allow ourselves to have it.” -Richard Bach

Once a while you just need to reassure yourself.

....it is or it isn't... I will or I won't... and I do or I don't. I refuse to waste any more time sitting around and thinking what might or might not happen or what I should or shouldn't do. Life's too short for silly mind games... from now on, I'm going with the flow and seeing where I end up.

Next stop: back to Uijeongbu for bowling....

....to be continued.

"A man who dares to waste one hour of time has not discovered the value of life." --Charles Darwin

Uijeongbu, Nogyang, and Bosan... it's not too hard getting lost in the subway station.

And by "lost," I mean unable to be found, as opposed to not knowing where I am. I thought I knew where I was the whole time. However, I really didn't. I was in the completely wrong station, wondering where everyone I was supposed to meet had gone off to.

This is why I need a cell phone.

I went to Uijeongbu station first, which was about an hour ride from my station. I waited for an hour, asked a few English speakers if there were other exits in the station that I was possibly missing... and then went on a hunt for a PC bang. No luck, so without a phone number written down or access to a computer, I decided to head to the next station (the one I thought we were going to for our movie), in case they decided to go there and wait.

When I finally got to Nogyang, I realized that I had finally made it to the actual station I was supposed to go to first. I also noticed a PC Zone across the street from the station so I decided to go check it out. I was freezing and there was no sign of Brenna or her family. I took the elevator to the 7th floor and heard all kinds of computer game noises and walked in looking helpless. The guy was nice and spoke a little English, so he helped me get set up on a computer and a lady who worked there brought me a cup of coffee. I got Brenna's number, stayed a minute to warm up... then head back to the station.

I snapped this picture before stepping inside the station: I thought it was pretty.

Pay Phones... Pain Phones... same difference.

I had no idea how to work the darn thing, and I even had a lady try to help me. The language barrier was holding me back from having any idea what she was saying except "no." Even our game of charades wasn't totally working. I decided to wait around a minute to see if Brenna would get my message and come rescue me from the station (I'm assuming you realize by now that I had no idea where she lives from the station) but that didn't seem to be happening either.

I went to the information desk and asked if they had a phone I could borrow and showed them the number to emphasize my point. The lady pulled out her cell phone and started dialing, and I was super grateful. I was finally in touch with Brenna and they were at a completely different station because they thought maybe that was where I had went. So, my journey to Bosan was about to begin.

Did I ever tell you that subway trains can be a pain in the ass?

Long story short... the stupid thing took me to the very next stop and then after a lot of people got off, it decided to head back to Nogyang instead of going forward and in the direction of Bosan. I was so mad. So, I got off... walked down the stairs and back up to the opposite platform to get back on a train heading toward Bosan and 15 minutes later I was finally on my way.

Finally...

I saw Brenna and her kids standing there! I was so happy, it was already past 4 p.m. (my adventures began at 11a.m.) so we decided to head to the food court and eat before our movie.

Taco Bell, oh how I love you.

Yes, I got to eat Taco Bell! The perks of knowing people who can get me on base. I was so excited. It's the little things in life that mean the most...

New Moon.

Good... not great. I mean, I'm sure I'll watch it a billion times, but I definitely love the books way more.

Subway Tales... again.

Wow, an empty subway? So rare...

Shortly after Brenna and her family got off, I made a new friend on the empty train. Actually, he made me his friend, I continuding my own business but he kept trying to talk to me in terrible English and mostly Korean.

Since I’m a fairly nice person, I answered him and tried to understand him through a game of guessing and charades. In the end… this is what I found out about my friend:

He is a 60 year old who sells shoes with his wife. He was on his was to buy alcohol, drink, then head back home to go to sleep. He told me I was beautiful and was shocked when I told him I was 23 because he thought I looked 11. He was also shocked that I told him I don’t drink alcohol. (Lies… but I did not want an invite).

He was nice, slightly creepy but I don’t think he was trying to be, and he gave me a individually packaged cookie before he got off the train. I was happy this morning to eat it.

So, overall this weekend was quite an adventure. Luckily, I now know where I’m going if I ever want to visit Brenna again or if I want to meet nice soldiers who want to take me to Taco Bell. =)

This was sort of all crammed information, but I’m tired and need to get my music organized for my Christmas present, yay!

Until next time.

“Time passes. Even when it seems impossible. Even when each tick of the second hand aches like the pulse of blood behind a bruise. It passes unevenly, in strange lurches and dragging lulls, but pass it does.” –Stephenie Myers, New Moon

I'm Officially on the Teacher's Page.

Check me out.

http://www.gerstungkinder.com/SEP9/homepage/pageview/pageview.asp?CateCode=INTRO23

I'm also a bit of a fibber... but you wouldn't have known if I didn't tell you, right? Hehe.

My Newest Accessory

Provided graciously to me by my school today:

I was going to rebel and not wear it, but I happened to be teaching the littlest kids at the time it was handed out (equivalent to about 3 and 4 year olds in the states) and right after I took it off they started pointing to their faces. "Teacher, why no?"

Fine. I'll wear it. I only did for that class though. I mean, can't the germs just crawl around the darn mask into the side holes and get me that way? I don't think this helps much unless I'm trying to prevent giving my illness to others.

And I'm standing by my theory no matter what you say.

Classes Cancelled

I get to sleep in tomorrow! Well, only a little bit. Instead of being there at 9:30, I get to go in at 10. The kindergarteners' classes have been cancelled for the next three days. This means I don't start teaching until 2:30 tomorrow and Friday, and on Thursday I might not be teaching at all... and if my one student does show up I won't start teaching until 4.

So, why do I have to be there at 10 you ask? Supposedly, we get to clean. I'd prefer teaching a billion times over cleaning some random room in the school. They'll learn quickly that they should just hire someone to clean because I'm not much help. Then, I'll be getting paid to do a lot of nothing for three days.  Except complaining about sitting around being such a waste of time.

Finally.

I finally found nail polish remover and hair spray. Thank goodness... so what if it was from the random little store around the corner? I am happy... and my unmanicured toes are wriggling for joy.

"He who hesitates is a damned fool."- Mae West