1, 2, 3, F, 5, 6.....

Check this out: Supposedly, most places in Korea do not label the fourth floor with a 4 because the pronunciation for 4 is “sa” which is the same as the Chinese character for death. Similiar to the 13th floor in the States. This helps to explain why I always hit the wrong floor button in the elevator in my hotel... I was so confused.

Look, I captured evidence in my apartment.

"And a big yellow taxi took my girl away" has a new meaning.

I have yet to ride in a car or bus here and not fear for my life. Really, if I knew what the Korean lady on the bus intercom was saying, I might close my eyes until I reached my destination.

Drivers here are insane. Really, though, I guess the drivers here are amazing because traffic is so crazy and I have yet to see a wreck. Red lights are optional if no one is coming from the cross street... and the lines in the road are just guides that really don't have to be followed.

I'm almost positive that it would be illegal in the states for people to stand on the bus, especially when the bus drivers swerve in and out of traffic and slam on their breaks at the last minute at the bus stops. I just know I'm gonna fall on the bus one of these days, and I'm gonna be super mad because I know the laws here are different and no one is really going to care. Someone will probably laugh and in Korean tell me to hold on to the little dangly handle things harder.

I'll do my best.

Anyway... this is really two posts in one since I didn't feel like it yesterday.

Life happens.

If you would have asked me a year ago what my plans were for the future, I would have shrugged and said I had no idea. Then, after thinking about it for a minute, I would have thrown in that I'd like to be writing for a magazine and living near the beach. Never, EVER, would I have said, "I think I'll go to South Korea and teach kindergarten and elementary students." It really just wouldn't have happened. Why? A. I never thought I'd have the necessary funds available to travel and live overseas... B. I thought Korea was kind of scary.... C. I wasn't really too fond of  very many little kids.

Now... I absolutely adore the kids in my class and the fact that I'm saving for my future by living here. It's amazing how much can change in a year... isn't it? Although, I really wish I could just freeze time back home and come back to exactly how things were when I left, but I know... life must go on.


Kids are kids no matter where they live.

Like I said, I've really started to love being around kids and teaching them. However, I can't lie, a couple times today I did kind of wish that I had someone with a bamboo stick to just whack a few of them (I read somewhere that some Korean schools do that...I'm not too sure if this is true, but mine definitely does not... and really, I'd be horrified if it did).Overall, however, they are great and teaching them is amazing. Plus, I felt like crap today, so I have a feeling my evil bambbo stick wishes won't be lingering ones.

I think some of the students can see past the whole "oh she's the teacher we need to listen" facade and realize that it's really difficult for me to punish them. OR.. they are just having a hard time adjusting to their new teacher, which it what some say... but I highly doubt that. I'm like a glass window when it comes to being tough.

Oh well.

Kids are brutally honest and I think it's funny.

In America, we have this thing called privacy. We learn that certain questions or saying certain things crosses that line of privacy. Here, there's little privacy and any questions from students are fair game. Luckily, they haven't really crossed that line with me... at all. I guess maybe for some people asking age would be personal, but I don't mind. Age is a big deal here and asking someone's age is a question often heard.

I actually find the kid's antics funny. So... here are some of the things I've heard or seen during my time teaching, which has been approximately two official days by myself. This is just a random list of things I can think of that were somewhat amusing.

1. The kids like to know about personal relationships. I've been asked if I have a boyfriend a lot. I've also been asked if I kiss the so-called boyfriend. Since I'm pretty sure the kids don't care about long-distance relationship confusion, I just say yes (especially because I know for a fact if I said no, the next question would be "why teacher?"). Plus, they think it's amusing that I would have a boyfriend living in America. I guess even they can see the difficulties in that one. My favorite part about this question is that the younger kids give a cute little grin everytime they ask.

2. They show no mercy when it comes to talking about weight. My co-worker, who had on well-fit clothing and didn't look fat at all, was asked if she was pregnant. Of course they would say it in the morning so that all day whoever they say it to feels self-conscious.

3. They also show no mercy when it comes to anything dealing with looks. The students in one of my story classes decided to place the tallest student in the class next to me and continuously tell me how little I was, which I didn't mind... but then they decided to have a two minute conversation about the big zit that popped up on my forehead that morning. Not only was that a fun conversation, but one of the words we were learning was explode and you can only imagine where that went.

4. Certain aged students pick their nose...and eat it... right in front of you.

5. One of the topics in one of my writing classes was "How to make ______ happy." They had to pick someone and list ways to make him or her happy. One of my students chose his/her parents and then listed "washing their feet for them" as one way to make them happy. It took all I had not to burst out laughing.

6. One of my students brought a toy gun to school and thought it was fun to play shoot things. I'm pretty sure that's not permitable in U.S. schools without some sort of repercussion. This, I did not find so funny.

7. They think it's crazy that I don't speak Korean, and most think I do. Heh. I can't even say the Korean "hello" without sounding like I'm trying way too hard.... and I have kids asking me what (insert some Korean word here) is.

I'm sure I'll have plenty more before I leave, but those are just a few for now. I've also started a new project. It's call "See how long it takes before Amanda's English and writing skills are completely messed up." From 10:00-5:25 every day I have to forget everything I've learned and speak as though I'm in elementary school again. It's pretty tough actually... but I'm hoping my project is a complete failure, and I leave Korea with my education in tact. We shall see.


Off to bed. The cold is still lingering.

We worry about what a child will become tomorrow, yet we forget that he is someone today. ~Stacia Tauscher

My Korean/English dictionary says I went shyop'ing today.

Today, I experienced my first Korean market thanks to Angie, a girl I met also living in Seoul.

However, before sharing my market experience, I would like to give myself a pat on the back for making it there with hardly any trouble. I took the subway which meant at one point I had to make a transfer to a different subway line, and I did it all by myself. I'm such a big girl. Needless to say, the subway is super easy here. I applaud whoever suggested adding English to the maps.

Anyway... Namdemum Market.

My main reaction upon walking off the subway (Hoehyeon station, exit 5) onto the streets of the market was holy crap the people. They were everywhere! As shocked as I was, I suppose I shouldn't expect anything less in a city of over 10 million people.

Anyway, the street vendors were selling all sorts of things: clothes, shoes, scarves, hats, gloves, toys, trinkets, jewelry...and a ton of other stuff. It was a little overwhelming, and I wasn't exactly sure where to start looking.

I did bring my camera, but.... no pictures. Oops. It was just too crowded, and it probably would have just been a lot of people's faces  anyway since I'm so short. I'll go back on a weekday sometime and try to get some good pictures of the area.

One of the highlights of the day was my enormous mango ice cream cone. So good!  I should have at least taken a picture of it, so huge and delicious!

Angie also took me to Myeongdong where the Forever21, Gap and other similiar stores can be found. There's so many places to shop there. Prices are a bit more expensive, but it was fun just looking. We also spotted a pair of hilarious male boxer/briefs--leopard print with an image of a cute little kitten holding a rose. Yeah, I would totally laugh in the face of any guy wearing those.

Oh! The dollar stores here are totally cool. Actually, they are basically the same as back home except everything costs 1,000 won instead of 1 dollar. I'm going to the one near my apartment tomorrow after work to stock up on some household items and make this place a little more homey.

My tissue pile is growing.

Yes, I officially have a cold. Runny nose and sneezing have both taken over my body... or my face, whichever you prefer. Luckily, I remembered to bring cold medicine which is convenient because I really don't feel like trying to find what Hangul letters mean cold medicine.

So, that, along with my first day of teaching tomorrow means that it is past my bedtime. I have something cool I learned today that I'd like to share, but I want to try and get a picture tomorrow. So... stay tuned. ;) Heh.

"I don't cry over spilt milk, but a fallen scoop of ice cream is enough to ruin my whole day."

"Laundry day" literally meant "laundry day" today.

I used to love doing laundry. Well, I loved it in the sense that if I could pick any chore to do, laundry would be the one I chose. Easy-- throw clothes in the wash machine for like 20 minutes (or until you don't hear rumbling in the laundry room)... switch them to the dryer and wait until the buzzer goes off. Then fold a bunch of nice warm clothes, towels, whatever. End chore.

Today, however, I decided that while I'm in Korea I'm going to dislike doing laundry. Not only did it take a good chunk of my morning trying to figure out what the Korean labelled settings on the wash machine were (thank goodness for the internet), but I also had to do about 4 loads because the machine is so tiny! Plus, the absence of a dryer makes for this wonderful sight sitting in the middle of my kitchen/living room area:

 Obviously, I'm not a master at hanging clothes, nor do I care to be... so this will have to do. My desk chairs also have multiple articles of clothing hanging on them. I guess investing in an iron might be a good idea.

I'm not sure if the normal setting always goes for an hour and a half, but it definitely took that long for each load today. So.. four loads, plus an hour and a half each... well... yeah. Until I figure out what the rest of the settings are... that's how long it's going to take I suppose.

On another note:

I have a runny nose today. I really hope I'm not getting a cold. I think my body is all messed up (even though I have been drinking my Orange Juice!). But, hopefully by resting this weekend I'll feel better. I'm dying to go exploring, but I also really, really don't want to get sick. I found my camera book I brought though, so I think I may do some Korean language and camera studying.

I was going to post pictures of my tissues all over my desk to emphasize the point, but I figured I would spare everyone.


Korean Dinner with coworkers:

I really wish I had pictures to accompany this topic and show what it was like, but I didn't think about it at the time. It was really cool going to eat with my director, supervisor, and three other girls that I teach with. Obviously, to them it was just going to eat and nothing unusual, but for me it was a new experience.

 We had to take off our shoes at the entrance (which is very common here) and proceeded to a small room where there were only two tables. I'm assuming it was a private room for parties or groups. The table was on the floor (as it was in the rest of the restaurant as well), and we sat on little square mats. There were two burners on the table and so three people would share one burner.

The waitress came and placed a large bowl on the burner then poured some sort of broth into it. Then, she brought a tray of vegetables and a tray of meat. Rachel, my supervisor, began putting the vegetables and meat into the bowl as it began to boil. She then told us to go ahead and eat, so with our chopsticks we just all picked out different items from the bowl to eat. We were also given a plate of kimchi and some other dish that reminded me of coleslaw with honey mustard sauce. At the end of the meal, we were brought a bowl of rice which we put into another big bowl with broth and waited for that to cook. Everything was really good.

I also tried Korean beer! My director and some of my other Korean coworkers drank soju, but I stuck with the beer. One tiny glass was enough for me, but the director offered me more, so as not to be rude I accepted. Luckily, we finished dinner before I finished my second glass. It was actually pretty good though.

Again, I was proud of my chopstick skills even if I really didn't have a choice but to use them last night.

Well, this site is being slow and annoying so I'm going to stop writing. Nonetheless, I enjoyed my dinner with everyone and am loving trying all the different food. So good!

This quote is going to be my new motto by the way:

“I believe you should live each day as if it is your last, which is why I don't have any clean laundry, because, come on, who wants to wash clothes on the last day of their life?”

Life's Intermission

"Life passes most people by while they're making grand plans for it."

So far, one thing I know I love about being in Korea is the freedom it allows to break away from routine and from doing everything in part to maintain life's grand plan. Every day so far, I've woken up with absolutely no idea what the future holds or what the day will bring. I walk to the subway and see new shops and people, and every day I learn something that I didn't know the day before.

It's an eye opening experience to understand what it's like to be stared at because you're different or misunderstood because no one knows what you're saying. I can understand why some people would be scared or intimidated to put themselves into a situation like this. There's a comfort in being around similar people and being able to easily walk up and order food or read a bus map. For me, the experience is surreal, and I am forever grateful for allowing myself to leave everyone I care about and everything I know to immerse myself in Korean culture.

Why Korea?

I get this question a lot, and I have yet to give a really great answer. Honestly, my decision to come here was based on the amount of money I'd be able to save due to the amazing benefits the schools here provide. It was the only place I did research on and the only place where I was really told to look into. Mom didn't have a heart attack when I told her what I wanted to do, and everyone else seemed really supportive, so my decision was made.

Now that I'm here, I'm really glad this is where I ended up. The people are very kind and friendly (even with the language barrier), and even though it's dark when I come home at night, I have no problems walking home alone. The culture here is built around respect, especially for elders, but there are many times it can be seen in everyday situations. A recent example was at lunch when Rosalind was receiving change back it was handed back with two hands. I'm honestly not sure I would have noticed this small gesture if it wasn't pointed out to me, but this type of thing is very common here.

Of course, I still have a plan.

I, as many know, am a planner. I planned what I wanted to do after graduation, and I made goals for how I wanted to live my life. None of them included a trip to South Korea for a year.

I eventually still want a house in Florida near the beach where I can live with my animals and

have a small garden and a cozy spot near a large window to read and write... and a nice big bath tub and modern kitchen. I still want to write for a magazine and be able to come home to someone special and cook and watch movies together... and eventually have kids who I can teach to be open minded and unselfish. I have now put these goals of mine on hold for a year (obviously, some of those goals were on hold anyway for a while, like the kids thing).

For now, I believe this experience can help me accomplish those goals in a different way. I'm hoping my time here will allow me to become a better writer, see things differently and gain an appreciation for things I may take for granted back home, increase my knowledge of the world and other cultures, try new food and activities and see things I may never have been able to before, and develop a strong sense of independence until I can convince everyone to come visit or share in my experience.

I've set goals for my year in Korea. Of course, these may change, but for the most part these are the things I'd really like to do while I'm here:

1. Learn some of the language. At first, I convinced myself I'd just go the entire year without really trying to learn any, but I've found that I really want to be able to talk to the people here. I believe I could learn so much more if I could communicate more easily, so I'm planning on devoting some of my time to learning the language. I may not become fluent or spend too much time on small things, but I'd like to at least be able to do more than a small bow to get my point across.

2. Be healthy. It's amazing how many gyms there are here and parks and trails, etc. I want to start exercising regularly, and although it'll be tough to eat healthy (as I'd like to try all the different foods) once I learn what everything is, I'll probably start trying to order better things for myself.

3. Help my students learn as much as they can. I really want to be a positive role model for my students and get them to learn as much as they can. So far, I really love all the students at my school, and it'd make me really happy to be able to say I was one of the people who helped make them so darn smart. Being a good teacher is actually really important to me while I'm here. Just as it's important for me to be here, it's also important to the kids that they have a good English teacher.

4. Save money. This is one of my biggest goals while I'm here. My house in Florida won't be handed to me and neither will any of the other things I'll need when I get back home, so I'd like to see my bank account grow while I'm here. However, I plan on earning my money by doing the best possible job I can at my work.

5. Learn as much as I can. I wouldn't be here if I didn't want to learn and experience something new. I want to do, see and try anything and everything I possibly can. I want to make the best of my year here.

Now that I've written it, I should probably start doing it. I'd like to mention that as I'm sitting here writing, I'm eating Praline Pecans I brought from home and drinking a Coke Zero. Haha, I guess some habits never change no matter where in the world you are.

Well, this blog was probably one of my less exciting ones, but once I get started I can't be stopped. Next time, maybe I'll share some of my questions I'm dying to be able to ask or observations I've made recently. For now, it's bed time.

Goodbye to my "fork" days... Hello to my "attempt at using two thin sticks to eat" days

My first lunch out with a couple of the girls I work with (one I'll be working with and one I'm replacing) was actually quite delicious, and I was saved from staring at the food and sneakily finger picking by a fork that was kindly provided to me. This was a couple days ago, and since then, I have been attempting to learn how in the world food can make it to the mouth by using two sticks. Chopsticks. I failed to realize that my ability to eat while in Korea would slightly rely on the use of them, and that in order to use them I would need serious practice or help from a professional.

Tonight, however, I ate a complete meal using chopsicks. It's actually not as difficult as all the charts and videos (yes, I was that desperate) made it look. I've been sitting here for a few minutes playing with some chopsticks just to test that I can still do it. I can, and it's actually becoming slightly sad how excited I am.


On another note...

Korean food makes me excited. (Yes, I realize the wording is slightly inappropriate, but really, it sounds somewhat dirty any way I put it) I tried a Korean soup type thing the other day at lunch with the girls, which was really good and somewhat spicy (as much of the food here is), and we also got Kimbap and some fish something. Tonight, Namoi took me to some little Korean place around the corner from out work, and I tried Mandu for the first time. It's a meat filled dumpling type thing, quite good. I've also tried Kimchi, which is one of the best known foods here. It actually, despite some of the descriptions of it, wasn't bad... I'm actually anxious to try it again.

I've also had a lot of Western food so far, like Burger King, pizza and today I had a chicken salad and a strawberry/banana smoothie. Oh! And I bought a Coke Zero at 711 yesterday. I love Coke Zero, even in Korea.


Anyway...

I start teaching tomorrow, so I'm going to call it an early night. For some reason today wore me out. I'll post more soon. I feel like the things I've seen so far or question or just want to tell someone are endless! I guess it'll probably be that way for a year. Anyway, more soon... and pictures too.

"Not all those who wander are lost." -J.R.R. Tolkien

New Teacher Amanda

I'm not entirely sure why, but I can't seem to understand the money system here. On my way home from work a bit ago, I bought a Coke and some little cookie/cracker things (which are delightfully delicious by the way) and my total was 1300 won. Naturally, I think to myself, "Wow that's a lot for two little things" and go to hand the man two bills with 5 on them and three bills with 1 on them. Which, in my mind adds up to 13. Wrong. Totally wrong. He gives me a polite smile then laughs and says "no no no." Then I realize that the korean bills are 1000, 5000, 10000. Really, my total was semi-equivalent to USD $1.30. Got it. Well, eventually I'll get it.

I do have to say I quite enjoy the man working at the little market on the corner behind my apartment. He asked me what I was looking for in broken English and smiled and laughed when I said I don't know. Then, when I asked if he had soda (Georgia, oh how you've corrupted me) he took me to baking soda. The word "drink" worked much better. He's very nice, and I plan on buying fruit from him tomorrow.

So, I know I haven't posted about my school yet... and there is definitely a lot to say about it. Today, I had my first experience teaching alone, I spent four classes teaching P.E. Yikes. The first class had about 14 students, and I was definitely not prepared. Twister is a lifesaver. Luckily, I made it through the day and will not have to teach P.E. on a regular basis (or ever again depending on who saw my wonderful P.E. abilities today).

So, more about my school. Here's some of the pictures I was sent of the school before arriving:

First Day (10/29): Gerstungkinder.

After being two hours late my first day (bus drivers don't generally speak English.. neither do bus signs), I was nervous and super excited to finally be there. On break, some of the kids ran out to see me and seemed excited to meet their "new teacher Amanda." One student looked at me from around the corner and said, "Ooh she so little," then ran off to bring some more kids to see me. A few days later one of the students asked me how old I was, 12 or 13... haha. I'm not sure they realize I'm actually an adult.

I met Rosalind, the teacher I'll be replacing (and seriously, I can't even begin to tell you how much she's helped me out in the past few days), and sat in on her classes for the day. My homeroom class, Brown (all the classes are named after Ivy League schools), is a class of four 7-year-olds. They are super intelligent and can all speak English very well. The school doesn't allow the students to speak Korean, so it's incredible the level of English some of the students have. My classes range from 5-year-olds to around 12-year-olds, all with varying levels.


I'll be teaching phonics, story, language, reading, and diction and writing classes. Along with some similiar classes for elementary level students. I'm actually really excited to start teaching, I can only imagine the feeling of being with the students when they actually get it, whether it's an idea, concept, or new word.



Since I'm on a list kick, here are some of the things I've learned so far during my time at school... whether about the school, kids, or Korea:


1. Most Korean children have never seen freckles. One of my students asked me what the black things on my face were, and I couldn't help but giggle.

2. Supposedly, smiling for photographs is uncommon. On Halloween, if someone tried to take a picture most of the kids went from smiling and having a good time to a straight face. Image is very important here, and the wrinkles a smile gives around the mouth is "unflattering." Women also tend to cover their mouths when laughing for the same reason.

3. Kids here LOVE stickers. Honestly, if you want a student to be good, bribe them with stickers.

4. My school has cameras in the classrooms so that parents can log onto the internet at home and watch their students anytime they want. When I heard this, I thought it was the strangest thing, but I guess my school is in a wealthy neighborhood, so this is one advantage my school has over others.... supposedly.

5. Swine flu is scaring the crap out of people here. One of the student's mothers has him or her out of school for a month for fear that he/she will get it. Also, face masks are very popular, and I'm not positive, but I'm guessing it's due to swine flu. If wrong, my second guess would be it's because of the crazy pollution in the air here.

I'm sure I'll have plenty more stories to share, especially since today was only my third day at the school. So far, so good. I'm thinking about cool video ideas to try and include in my blog. Maybe a video of my walk to subway and class? We shall see...




"To my mind, the greatest reward and luxury of travel is to be able to experience everyday things as if for the first time, to be in a position in which almost nothing is so familiar it is taken for granted." -Bill Bryson

Who said size matters?

I moved into my apartment yesterday, and although small, I think I actually really like it. It's close to the Sinjeong subway station, and even though I haven't totally explored yet, I know there's a little market right outside my door and plenty of food vendors nearby. There's also a 711 on the way to the subway, which I really like because 711's always remind me of Florida. However, I have yet to see if there are slurpees or day old hotdogs.

About the apartment: Here are some things I like or find strange or interesting about my apartment here in Korea.

1. The bathroom. I can't seem to get over the fact that there is no shower stall. There is a showerhead attached to the sink and a drain in the middle of the bathroom floor, which in retrospect means that my entire bathroom is my shower. I actually used it today, and it is definitely something that will take me a while to get used to.

2. The heating runs through the floor. I haven't tried it yet, but I remember how cold the wooden floors at my grandma's used to be, so it will be nice waking up to nice warm floors once it starts getting really cold outside.

3. There's an exit sign right above my door. I just thought this was funny since my apartment is probably smaller than some people's master bedrooms. There's also a descending life line which is cool since I'm on the third floor, in case of fire or whatever. There was one of these in my hotel room too.

4. The entrance area. It has a little step up which suggests taking off your shoes. I actually read about this before I came to Korea because supposedly a lot of restaurants have these areas too and it's mandatory to take your shoes off. I figure in my own apartment it only suggestion that I do it.

5. There are no keys for my building or apartment. The main building door and also my apartment door have keypads where you enter the codes to enter. You also cannot leave without pushing a button that says open. I find this really cool and convenient. It definitely beats losing keys or locking myself out.

Overall, I like it here. It's cozy and perfect for me. It doesn't, however, help me in my persuasion to get some people to visit or move here. But, there are nice hotels as well... and I bet the heating in the floor makes slumber parties a lot more fun.

Here's some pictures of the hotel I stayed at:

"A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to its old dimensions."

-Oliver Wendell Holmes