Joyeaux Paques!

So ok... it has been a while since I last posted... but there really wasnt much to discuss. I have basically been doing all the prelim reading for my course. I can't wait for the inclass and placement part of the program to start... 1 more month to go.
I started volunteering for the hospital last week... helping run a teacher session on language and development... and it is prooving to be quite informative... I am actually thinking of registering for the course as well... so that I can get a credit in addition to my volunteer work.
I have started going to aquafitness 2ce a week... and boy there are muscles in my body that hurt that I never knew existed... lol.
All in all, things have been pretty quiet... but trust me it is a welcomed change.
I have started experiencing the traveling itch though... I mean I have never really stayed in the same place for such a long time... that I am like.. ok... so when am I getting on a plane? Though traveling will be in the distant future (yay tuition fees)... I am sure that I will always be the wayward traveler.
Our dog, Chloe, moved in with Kim on thursday. She is 13 years old... and doesn't really like the new puppy my parents have... so she has gone to retire with Kim... lol... she enjoys the attention.
Other than that... life is pretty boring. I am reconnecting with a lot of people from the past... which is both cool and trippy... since a lot of these people knew me in my "woh is me" teenage phase... lol... oh well.
Hope everyone has a Happy Easter!
(Birthday shout out to Shelley!)
Cheers!

First Week Back

So I am now home... and it is a little overwhelming to say the least.
The day I left, I went early to the airport to see Paula off (as her flight was earlier than mine). I then hung around the airport, waiting to check in. At 2:30pm, I was first in line to check into my 6:20pm flight. I slowly walked up to the counter and asked if I could sit in the front (emergency) row as I was a nervous flyer. The check in clerk said something to another co-worker in Korean... and then said... she was going to upgrade me to FIRST CLASS!
Aparently my flight was overbooked... so the woman upgraded me at no extra-charge... champagne and lobster all the way home. It was an awesome flight... and really relaxing!
I have been home for about a week now... and am slowly settling into the swing of things. The weather here SUCKS!!!! -30 degrees is insane!
I am slowly job searching... and have managed to buy a whole new wardrobe... thanks to normal sizes where a size 14 isnt considered the hugest thing in the world.
I totally miss the routine that I had in Korea... getting up... going to work.... teaching... coming home and hanging with Paula and Shelley.... it seems like my days are so long now cause I dont have such a routine yet established. Oh well... I am sure it will come.

Pros and Cons

So I am coming to the end of my stint in Korea (10 more days). Boy am I ready to go home though. Don't get me wrong... I think that this place has it's good points... but the stuff I just laughed off... well I am no longer in the laughing mood.
So I thought that I would compile a pros and cons list of Korea (my perspective).

Pros
- The money can be pretty good. Since you live rent free and are only responsible for your food and bills... a lot of your paycheck is banked.
- Eating out in Korea is pretty cheap. You can have a pretty decent meal for a lot less than you would pay in a western country. (exceptions are if you want western food - because it is foreign... it can be pretty pricey)
- Transportation is really inexpensive. Unlike Toronto, where you pay a single fare, in Korea you pay only for the amount of stops you will using the public transport for.
- Heat and Gas are DIRT cheap. Okay, so this month I went a little crazy with the heat because it was cold... but after all of my usage... my bill came only to $29 (which by Korean standards is pretty high). A friend of mine gets bills for about $6 a month. Also, since the heating control is in your apartment, you can turn the heat on and off to limit your out of pocket expenses.
- Korean people seem to be genuinely pleased when you make an effort to learn their language. Even when I butcher words, the fact that I make an effort to try and speak Korean, seems to lead to many compliments.
- The fact that you can meet people from all across the globe is pretty cool.
- Koreans seem to be making a genuine effort to learn English. Because the Korean language is not highly used off of the peninsula, Korean people are making a consorted effort to learn English through Hagwons, TEOIC tests and English Villages.

I am sure that I can come up with more.... if I do... I'll post them.

Cons
Bare in mind... I am leaving the country in 10 days.
- Because of the fact that Hagwons (English Schools) are not regulated by the government in this country, the chance of getting a BAD Hagwon is really high. Sometimes a lot of companies that promise a lot of money, do not live up to their promises or your expectations. In addition, contracts are considered a "Western" idea. Though the Korean companies will hold you to the contract, they will not necessarily adhere to it themselves. There have been many times where a company will alter your work hours, pay or days of work, which conflict with your contract, without any second thought.
- Fear of foreigners is still really high among the older generation. While the younger generation seems to have more of an open mind, a lot of the older are very xenophobic. Do not be surprised if an older person yells abuse at you... or spits at you on the subway (ewwww!).
- Korea is still a male dominated society. If you are a female, there is a visible separation between your rights and that of a man. Males can rise to high positions in this country, however, females seniority positions are few.
- North American foreign workers have the ability to gain back all of the monies contributed to their Korean pension when they leave Korea, however, such luxeries are still not afforded to Australians. For example, Paula is leaving and unlike me, will have to forfit a $5000 pension pay out.
- The way that Korean schools, Hagwons and Villages treat their Korean staff is saddly unfair. Though I make about $2100 a month, a Korean teacher working in the same job receives a lot less than I, with considerably less benefits. This happens because regardless they will always find a Korean to take a job, while they foreigners as more picky (as we are accustomed to more rights in our home countries).
- Sometimes foreigners come here and forget that they are representatives of their country, in addition to their race. At times, some foreigners will behave disgustingly and in turn perpetuate the negative xenophobic view held by the general Korean population.

All in all my time in Korea was a huge learning experience. Not only was I able to become more self-sufficient and independent, but I was also able to meet so many wonderful people. This opportunity, though not always smooth, has been invaluable.

I strongly suggest that you do your research! If you plan on coming here talk to present as well as old staff members, as they will hopefully be honest and let you know what you are walking into. I recommend reading this entry for more information on what to look for in a contract.

10 days and counting!
Cheers!

Busy Busy Little Bee

I have now 16 days until I return home and things are pretty hectic. When I am not packing or cleaning... I am teaching. I am pretty happy to be busy though, otherwise these 16 days would feel like ages!!!!
16 days and counting....
ps... if anyone is looking for p/t help come February... let me know... I am going to need a job to keep me occupied until May... and if the hours are reasonable through then as well.
Cheers!

My week in Bangkok

I am now back from my trip to Thailand. It was really nice... relaxing... beautiful scenary... good food... overall it was a great trip.
At first I (along with my family) wa a little nervous about travelling to Thailand on my own... especially since the night before I left 9 bombs exploded in the heavy tourist areas... killing 13 and injuring 30. The government thinks that it was caused by the former governments followers... and as a result many foreign governments (including Canada) said that people should not go to the country during this unstable time. Having already bought and paid for my vacation, I chose to go... though I think that a lot of other people stayed away because my flight over to Thailand was more than half empty. That being said, I promised to stay in at night... and call home everyday (which seem to appease my worried parents).
I got into Thailand at 2ish on Monday the 1st, then went to the hotel. Since I had paid for an airport pick up, the journey to my hotel (the Mandarin) was pretty simple. Overall the hotel was nice... the bathroom was pretty moldy... but the staff were friendly and the bed was large and soft.
My first excursion was to the MBK (a big shopping center in Bangkok). I really wasn't that wowed... especially because I couldnt seem to figure out the conversion rate. I got a few things... but headed home after only 2 hours. I then went to the travel agent in the hotel and booked tour packages for the rest of the week.
Tuesday, I woke up really early for my first scheduled tour which included trips to the floating market and the river kwai (yes from the movie/book). The market was really cool... it was here that I was able to fill a lot of my souvenier shopping list... it took about 1.5 hours from Bangkok... and when we got there... we (there was about 15 of us) got into 4 long boats (where you sit on the floor) and floated down the market place. It was pretty cool! We then got off at the land market area and I shopped some more. It is funny how much the vendors will bargain with you so that you don't walk away (it took me a while to build up the confidence to haggle... but I think I have gotten the hang of it). On land the vendors seem to use any trick in the book to have you buy from them... at one place a woman sent her son (no more than 7) to see if I wanted to buy a pack of touristy pencils. I kindly said "sorry no thank you".... to which the boy then decided to stay with me for the following 20 minutes (while I walked around the market) asking over and over... begging me to buy his pencils. When he saw that wasn't working.. he started to throw a temper tantrum (including tears) at the fact that I wouldn't buy his darn pencils. I kindly apologized again and again... and then decided to pretend that he wasn't there anymore... finally he left. I'm sorry but the pencils were ugly... and I didn't want them.
After that we journeyed about an 1.5 hours more to the graveyard of the foreigners who died as POWs during WW2. When Japan occupied then Siam (now Thailand) they used American, Australian, English and Holland POWs... as well as Thai natives... for slave labor. During the war the Japanese wanted to build a railway from Thailand to Burma (Death Railway) and housed the POWs in concentration camps nearby. It is on the site of the concentration camp that a burial ground and memorial is set. There are more than 6000 foreigners and 3 civilians (who wanted to be buried with their loved ones) are located. As we walked around the cemetary grounds it was weird.. marked on the gravestones are the ages of those who died... and most of them were my age now.... its sad. The POWs that died.. died of disease, malnutrition, infection and other curable things.
After our visit to the monument, we made our way to the River Kwai (Kwae) and had lunch. Really good! Then we had time to walk around the grounds and onto the Bridge of the River Kwai (Kwae)... this is not for the faint of heart since the old railway bridge is ricketty... and pretty high up. This is the Death Bridge to which the POWs are commemorated for building.
Next we went to the JEATH (Japan, England, America and Australia, Thailand and Holland) museum. This is where artifacts and pictures from the Bridges construction site and concentration camps are kept. It too was sad.. but very informative.. I didn't know any of this.
Lastly, we stopped at a Temple where the largest pegoda in Thailand is housed... very beautiful.
We then headed home. Overall it was a very good day.
Wednesday I started tour #2. I woke up again early and we headed to Ayutthayah (the second capital of Thailand... there are 4). Our first stop was to the ruins of the old palaces. These were beautiful!!!! There were high pegodas and Buddhas everywhere. Most of them were very damaged, since during the Bermese war, the temples were raided, destroyed and damaged. Most of the heads of the Buddhas were missing (since they had been sold as souveniers to many foreigners). We then took boat tour around the island and then headed to the Elephant temple.
It was here that I was able to ride an elephant!!!! SOOOO COOL!!!! Though it wasnt the most comfortable means of transport, it was a memorable experience. I was then able to feed the baby elephants and have my picture taken along side them. We then headed back to the hotel.
Thursday, I had the morning off, so I decided to take a walking tour of Bangkok. I managed to walk to MBK, when I noticed that nothing was open (it was about 9am). A taxi driver walked up to me and said that nothing in the town opened until atleast 10am... and that if I wanted, he would take me to an open market where I could buy some clothes and souveniers. LIAR!!!! He took me to a gems factory... then when I asked to go back to MBK he said that we needed to stop at his store first. He had an arrangement with the store that if he took his passengers there he would get a 5 gallon voucher for gas everytime. Since I had already been swindled... I said NO... and that I would only like to go to MBK... we then argued for 5 minutes... to which I asked to be let off right where I was... he then said "fine, I'll take you back to MBK!" and not another word was spoken.
I then did some shopping and headed back to the hotel for my half-day tour of the Royal Palace. This palace is beautiful... it is here that the Emerald Buddha is housed. Since it is one of the most revered and respected palaces... there were many restrictions to what we could do and wear. We could not wear jeans, sandals, t-shirts, sleeveless shirts or bermudah shorts. Also, smoking was prohibited on the palace grounds. In my tour group, all of the members abided by the imposed restrictions, but there were others that showed such disrespect. For example, when we were coming out of the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, we smelt cigar smoke. It turned out that a man was sitting at the Temple steps smoking a cuban. My tour group leader kindly went to the man and said "excuse me... but this is a holy place and smoking is prohibited... could you please put out your cigar?" The man then said in a thick texan or southern american accent "you are just a tour group leader... when security tells me to put out my cigar... then I'll do it!" I was so disgusted!!!! How could this person show such a lack of disrespect? I mean when you travel abroad, you become a representative for your country.... and well... this gentleman gave Americans a really BAD name... I was embarassed for all Americans that day.
We then headed home, where I then went to the hairshop and got my hair done... got a Thai massage... then went and saw a movie.
I ended up seeing "Blood Diamonds"... the new Leonardo DeCaprio film. Though extremely violent... this film was masterfully done and is worth everyone seeing. It deals with the Diamond conflict in Sierra Leone during the 90s and paid special focus on the baby killers being forced to perform such atrocities. Sad as it was.... I highly reccomend it.
Friday, I decided to go to Bae Mae (a large open market in Bangkok)... however, when the taxi pulled up to the site of the market... we were met with army men and police. It was here that the site of some of the Sunday Bombs had happened... and the location was closed due to the heavy fire and bomb damage. The taxi driver then suggested that he take me to Pamatra (another market)... this one did not incur any damage... and it is where I spent the entire morning. It was full of colorful shops and many clothes.
I then headed back to MBK for lunch and to see a movie. This time I saw "Black Dhalia" with Josh Harknett and Scarlette Johansen. Unlike "Blood Diamonds" I suggest that you skip this film... though the cinematography was beautiful (it was filmed in a film noir style)... the overall storyline was confusing...anti-climactic... and boring. Oh well.
I then went to get another massage... a manicure and pedicure.... then I headed back to the hotel to get ready to leave.
My plane was supposed to depart at 11:15pm... but due to a snow storm in Korea, we were delayed until 1am.
Overall the week was really nice. It was just what I needed before heading back to Canada to rejoin the academic world.
I now have 24 days left of work... and I think that it will fly by... or at least I hope it will.
24 days and counting until Canada.
Cheers!

Clutz

So i was walking to dinner last night and tripped over a tree stump. One of my hands was in my pocket, so my right arm got all the force of me hitting the ground. Needless to say that Paula and I never made it to dinner. Instead, we spent the evening in the hospital emergency room. Though I did not break my arm, the doctor feels that I must have fractured my elbow. So for my beautiful week in Thailand, my pictures will include my arm in a full (shoulder down) arm cast. Woohoo! When I hurt myself I do it right! Oh well... it will be just another story to tell the grandkids... lol!
I am getting the hang of using only my left hand, but my writing resembles more of a scribble than anything.
2 days til Thailand! 33 til Canada!
Happy New Year!
Cheers!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

I can't believe that christmas is only a few days away! Though the snow is starting to melt, at least this year it will somewhat resemble a christmas that I am used to. Tonight we are going to go out for Kalbi for a work christmas dinner... then on Sunday Paula and I are going to have dinner with Shelley and Peter. Overall though, this christmas is going to be pretty quiet. I am trying to get over the flu as fast as I can, since I really don't want to be sick in Thailand.
Speaking of which, I have 10 days left until I leave. Since I am going to leave on the 1st of Jan, and the busses to the airport will be running on a holiday schedule, I decided to cough up the cash and spend New Years Eve in the airport hotel. The cost was pretty reasonable, and if it will afford me piece of mind... it is worth it.
Anyhoo.... Happy Holidays!
Cheers!