Short and sassy!

Some people have been asking why I have yet to post some pics of my adventures... and I promise... the moment HELLO comes back up in Korea I will... so keep the faith, they are coming.
I met Matt last night. He is 27, from Indiana, a fellow p/k, is cute as a button and very nice. I think that we will get along famously.
This weekend has started off pretty nicely. I took Matt around Ori for a bit, then we met Miss Bae for lunch. Matt then had to go to immigration, so I met up with Liz for cake, conversation and a movie. We ended up seeing "Shutter"... a Taiwanese film.... a horror film... a film that had no English subtitles. It was soooo scary, even though I sometimes had no clus what was going on... Liz and I though were able to pick up the plot, I mean aren't all horror films basically the same.
I have been contemplating for a while about getting my hair cut. It has gotten pretty long and was long overdue for at least a trim... so with Liz as my moral support... I went into a Korean Beauty Salon and picked out a hairstyle and let the stylist do her work. I am very plesantly surprised. It is very cute, short (well too short to put into a ponytail) and sassy. I think this will be a style for a bit.
Tomorrow we are going to head to the Palace in Seoul... so again once Hello comes back up here and stops acting stupid... I will be posting pictures of that excursion.
I'm very excited.... tomorrow Jen, Matt and Liz's friend A will be joining us at WA BAR. Coupled with the fact that it will be Canada day... well let's just say that I am pretty stoked!
Anyhoo... I dont think I will be able to update again until Monday... so I wish all of you a very happy and healthy weekend.
Cheers! (aka Kumbae)

#3

So I am now on apartment #3. I am living up to "move a lot" reputation back home. This move... unlike the last 2... were not forced upon me. Actually it was quite the oposite... I asked to move.
Cameron... the other teacher at Ori BCM was transfered to Suji... and well he was forced to leave his apartment in Ori for one closer to his Suji placement. His apartment is tones bigger than mine (even though it was just next door) and I thought: "hey it doesnt hurt to ask"... so I asked Miss Bae if I could take his apartment and have the newbee (Matt) take mine. Needless to say she said YES... so the latter part of today was spent moving, cleaning and setting things up.
This new apartment is very nice. For a boy... Cameron managed to keep his apartment is pretty decent shape. That, culminated with the fact that since he has the end unit, he has THREE windows.... well I am in apartment heaven.
Tonight the new tacher comes into town. I bought him a bottle of water, a loaf of fresh bread fromt he baskery, some pringles and a jar of strawberry jam. My reasoning for this... well... when I got to Daejon, Jess was so kind to me... she made me feel at home and very welcome... and well I thought that it was only fitting that I pass along the kindness.
This weekend is a long weekend. Come 10pm tonight, I am off until Monday morning. Though I might go to the Palace in Seoul, I think that this will pretty much be a quiet weekend since funds are getting a little limited... and I am soooo tired.
Going to celebrate Canada Day in style though. WA BAR should be packed... so I am really looking forward to that.
Anyways.. off to night class.
TTYL

Rain Rain GO Away!

Sorry about the wierd post: "So we never made it to the mountain"... Hello is causing me a lot of problems... and since it is Monsoon Season, the rain is affecting our wireless internet connection.
OK so here is a recap of what happened this past weekend.....
On Friday night I went to WA BAR... as usual... in Suji. It was alrioght but it was pretty dead and I was so tired that I just wanted to go and sleep. Next weekend is Canada Day Weekend.. so it should be insane on Friday.
Saturday I went out with my students. I know that I was a little nervous.. I mean I was unsure odf how to act and hang out with them and all... but in all honesty.. IT WAS THE BEST NIGHT I HAVE EVER HAD IN KOREA THUS FAR!!!!
I was taken out to dinner at a nearby restaurant. This was my first time sitting on the floor to eat a traditional Korean meal... and though my leg kept falling asleep... the food and conversation were really good. After dinner my students asked me what I wanted to do... and we all went to a Nore (sp?) Bar (aka Kareoke room). OMG! This was absolutely amazing! There you are able to drink and sing and socialize to your hearts little content. I strongly recommend them.
All the feastivities with my students was done at about 11pm... and well needless to say I was still wired... but I knew that if I had anymore alcohol I would be sick and hung over the next morning... so Me, Shallina and Tom went and saw a movie (SAHARA - with Matthew McConoghe and Penelope Cruz). Overall the movie was really good... kinda cheesy.. but hey it was entertaining. It was funny because a lot of the humor in the film was basically sarcastic humor and I think that a lot of the jokes were lost in the translation in the Korean subtitles... because out of the full movie theater, Shallina and I seemed to be the only ones busting a gut laughing... hahah!
Sunday I was planning on going hiking in the mountains with Shallina and Liz. I woke up early that morning and cabbed my way to Suji to meet up with the girls... when we all decided that the weather was too grosse (hot, humid and sticky) to attempt to climb any mountain. So we all decided to go to Dundaemun (a big outlet store area with cheap shops and an open market). Though it was sooo hot and really hard to breathe (the closer you are to downtown Seoul, the worse the pollution is)... we had a lot of fun and managed to get a couple of new shirts.
Around 3pm... we had all decided that we had seen all that there was to see in Dundaemun.. but all agreed that it was too early to call it a night. So we pulled out the trusted tourist map and looked for a bnearby attraction. We finally all agreed upon a nearby Buddhist Temple (near Coex Mall - Samsun Station).
When we got to the temple we were all in awe of it's vast size and beauty. The temple was spread out over the side of the mountain and was covered in luscious green plants and colorful fowers. Needless to say I took a lot of pictures (outside of the buildings as it is not allowed nor is it respectful to photograph inside the monestary). Once Hello is up and working again, i will post those pictures.
Words cannot describe the experience I had inside the temple gates. It was as if, though we were in the middle of the city, the air was sooo much cleaner. I felt a calmness come over my entire body and a deep emotional well opened inside of me (I know that sounds absolutely cheesy... but it was an amazing and respectful experience.. one that I don't believe I have ever had before). Anyways.. we toured the grounds for a couple of hours and then chose to call it a night.
Good timing too... because just as we were leaving the monestary grounds.. the heavens opened up... and well.. it has now been raining for almost 72 hours straight.
OH WELL! At least the rain cools things off a bit.
Anyways I am heading off to my night class.. but thought that I would quickly update my blog as the net is finally up and running.
CHEERS!
PS. This week is going to be a week of newbees.. the new teacher Matt comes tomorrow and Jen (a fellwo blogger) has just arrived in Korea.

Evaluation

So on Wednesday I had my first ever class evaluation. Miss Bae, my director, advised me on Monday morning that she would be coming to class (since it was my first eval... they warn you... after that, they just drop by without notice). So on Monday I warned my evening class. I let then know that the evaluation was based solely on my performance and that there was no need for anyone to be nervous or shy around Miss Bae.
So Wednesday night came and Miss Bae sat through my class frantically taking notes. At break, she left the class and said that the next night we would "discuss" my performance. I had to ask... "Miss Bae" I sheepishly began, "just so that I can sleep tonight.. overall how was my performance?". "No need to worry" she said. And I left it like that.
The next night Miss Bae sought me out and asked if I was ready to talk about the previous evening, which of course I was. We went into her office and she began reading from her scribbled paper written in Korean Hangul.
Overall.. the feedback was really positive. She liked my enthusiasm and how I was able to generate discussion amongst my students... and then she just suggested one thing that I could possibly change or improve upon to have a more successful class period.
So to make an ooberly long and drawn out story shorter... all in all they (BCM) are pleased with my performance thus far.
It is good to know that I am not falling flat on my face and thus far have been able to "hack it".
Tonight is WA BAR again! Woohoo! I love Fridays. It is a time when all of the foreign teachers can just relax and drink and socialize.
Tomorrow, my 7:30am students are going to be taking me out to dinner... as we are nearing the end of the semester (June 29th) and some will be going in different paths. I am looking forward to it... but also I am feeling a little bit of hesitation. In class... though I enjoy kidding around with my students... I am mainly professional... in this setting... well I am not sure of how to act. Oh well... fingers crossed all goes well.
Sunday, Liz and I are going to go hiking on the mountain near our homes. It will take about 2 or 3 hours to get to the top... so needless to say it is going to a long day... but it should be fun and will help with operation get in shape (lol).
On that topic... I am overjoyed to have lost almost 3 pant sizes.... but I am also getting a little nervous. I mean I can by shirts no problem.. but pants... well I am in no way a Canadian size 6... so buying pants here is out of the question. And well... my belt can only tighten so much before it looks like I am swimming in my pants. I might order some clothes online from Paris and have them shipped here?!? Not sure. I still have a bit to mull it over. I guess though.. when it comes to problems... that is one that isnt that terrible to have.
Anyways... this week has been pretty uneventful. The new teacher comes this Wednesday (and yes he is a cutie pie). So I should have more to report then... with his arrival and all.. and of course the 4 day weekend!!!!! WOOO HOOO! No major plans set for that yet.. but I am hoping to do something fun!
CHEERS!

RANT

Ok... so I am starting to notice the culture differences a lot more now that I have been here over a month now. I don't mean to complain... cause I knew that this place would not be all sunshine and lollipops... but there are a couple of things that have started to urk me.
First is the spitting. Anyone who knew me in Canada knew that spitting... let along hacking... grossed me out and caused a sick and nautious feeling in my stomach. Well here, it is second nature to just spit. Korean men mostly, spit anywhere and everywhere... inside and outside. K! EWWWWW! For me, the hardest thing is that I consider spitting vulger and rude... and well it is considered none of that here. To be honest... the terrible air quality and cigarette smoking has a lot to do with the hacking issue... but I don't know... I don't think I will ever get used to seeing or hearing it.
Second is the honesty. Koreans, in general, are brutally honest. I know that they usually mean well... but tact seems like it has forgotten this culture. I mean it is one thing to say "you look tired" or "you look sick"... but for someone to say "you look aweful" or "you look fat".... well it is a tad disheartening. Again... I know that in general the people mean well... and things are not usually said out of malice... but I sometimes agree with Thumper's mother: "If you don't have anything nice to say... don't say anything at all".
Finally... and this is quite trivial and trite (well to be honest all of my complains are pretty trivial in the long run)... but I now understand FULLY how black and asian people feel when they come to a predominently white area. Xenophobia sucks! Sometimes I feel like I am a caged animal or anomoly at the country fair... with all the stares and glances. Though I have to admit, I sometimes welcome the attention and do enjoy when people say Hi and sometimes attempt to practice their English on me... I find myself wanting to say "WHAT?!?" or looking if I have something on my face or if my fly is down... just to find a reason for the glances and looks of disbelief.
To be honest... though I am ranting about the culture differences that urk me and cause a little bit of frustration... I consider myself lucky.. because I know that the problems (for lack of a better word) could be a lot worse.

Still waiting on the Kraft Dinner

Though this weekend was plagued with homesickness... overall it was a very busy and fun couple of days.
As I had written earlier... on Friday I went to WA BAR (pronounced WABA) and met up with my friends. Unlike last friday, this one was more subdued... with both the liquor and the partying. Not only because I had taken 2 of my ESL students with me... but also because I was extremely tired from my work week.
I tried Soju for the first time. This is the Korean National drink and is often referred to as the foreigners nightmare... unlike tequila (which I adore btw) Soju tastes like water (well with a hint of nail polish remover in it) and there in lies the problem. It is easy to drink a lot of it (ok, too much of it) because it tastes basically like nothing and costs about $1 (USD) for a bottle about the size of a beer bottle. Since you shoot the stuff or mix it... it is really easy to pass your limit... and many a foreigner have woken up the next morning cursing the drink and praying to the porcelain toilet Goddess. I was pretty lucky though... I stopped at half a bottle... and though it gave me the weirdest buzz ever... I am pleased to say no hangover as of yet. Chelsea 1-Soju 0!
Since none of us got home until about 5am on Saturday morning... Saturday was basically spent sleeping. Though at 5:30pm we all met at the CGV (cinema complex) to see Mr and Mrs Smith. Overall it was a good film (slow in starting) but once the film got into it.. it was really good. Not to give too much away... but there is this dance sequence (tango) between Brad and Angelina that was just soooo hot! No skin was shown (I hear the cries)... but the way they interacted with one another.. it was a silent sexiness. Still looking for my silent sexiness... but it was nice to live vicariously through them for the moment.
Sunday, we had planned on visiting The Korean Folk Village in Suwon. This is a traditional village that has not been touched by any technology. Though it has now been turned into a tourist attraction... I have been told that it is absolutely gorgeous and provides both amazing entertainment and pictures. Unfortunately, none of us realized that Suwon was at the other side of the city. Since we had left Ori at about 1:30pm and had only made it about half way when 3pm rolled around... decided that we would abandon our Suwon trip this weekend and go shopping in Myeong-dong (we are going to go to Suwon next Sunday... and this time leave at like 8am). Myeong-dong is the touristy shopping spot for Japanese tourists.. so it is loud... busy... and crowded (definitely not for the faint of heart nor the claustrophobic). I managed to buy only a hat... but all in all it was a lot of fun.
Now I am back to reality. 6:30am class! I think that next month perhaps this class will be easier to get up for.. since I will have established a routine... but right now it is a fight in the morning.
I am very much looking forward to the 30th. Since the end of the term finishes on the 29th... I will be having a four day weekend. Not sure what I will be doing... perhaps a bus tour of Korea (?).
Anyways that is all for now. Cam gave me a box of KD, but it was expired... so I thought that I better not chance it. Oh well... I'll just have to wait for that care package from the parents in Canada (hint hint)!
MUAHS

5 things I miss the most

5. Fitted sheets - Koreans use this quilted top cover on their beds. It does not wrap around the mattress... so I find if I move at all at night, I wake up with the covers on the floor.
4. Crunchy Bars - yes they have Twix and even Feraro Roches (sp) but there is something to be said for a piece of sponge toffee wrapped in a milk chocolatey layer.
3. KD - K I know that sounds gross... but if you live on Kraft Dinner all throughout university... you miss it when it is gone.
2. Hanging with the gang in the 'loo - Mr. Big came on at WA Bar and I found myself becoming a little choked up.
1. My family - that goes without saying... but I am a little homesick. I miss my cats... chloe... even Nige. Mom, dad, Kim.
Today I am homesick.. it is a little bit of a sad day... but we are all bound to have some of those right?!? Tear... I think I will beg Cam for a box of KD... if I can't have 1 or 2, KD may provide some comfort of home.

Angels watching over me every step I take... Angels watching over me!

So needless to say coming to Bundang has been a great move for me. Not only are my classes amazing (yes thanks for the advice... this mornings class just flew right by)... not only are the people so kind... not only are my friends here great... but I managed to dodge a huge bullet in Daejon.
So I got an email from the other foreign teacher in Daejon this morning updating me on the situation at that school. It turns out that the BCM will be letting her go since they dont have enough students or funds to warrant a foreign teacher. At the end of the month she will be without a position. The company was aparently very nice to her and will allow her to stay til the end of July in her place so that she can have time to find another postition.... but wow! That is a lot of undo stress upon someone.
Needless to say today I am thanking my lucky stars for the journey in the vegetable truck. Had I stayed.. I would be in the same position as the other foreign teacher... jobless and soon to be homeless. I know that ESL jobs here are a dime a dozen... but there is something to be said about routine.
Oh well... I know that things happen for the best.. so this change will be good for her. (fingers crossed).
Anyways... heading out to WA Bar tonight again! I think that I will have such a great time... since not only am I meeting up with Shallina and Liz.. but a lot of my advanced students are coming too... yay!
Speaking of my advanced students... I am finding that they are the most curious bunch I have ever met. In one class I found myself explaining what certain swear words meant... in another... what marijuanna is... and finally what the difference between homosexuality and metrosexuality is. HAHAH! I am being very cautious though when I do explain these things... though I am honest with them... I dont want it to sound like I am judging,condoning or condenming any of these things... I am trying hard to stay Sweedish and neutral.
In other news... a new foreign teacher will be coming to the school at the end of the month. I really hope that we become friends as it would be nice to have someone in Ori (let alone someone who lives in the apartment next door) to converse and do things with.
Alright.. I think that is all the ins-and-outs of the drama that is teaching overseas.
Keep you posted.
MUAH

Asking for help!

So I am throwing out a question to everyone and I really hope that some people can come through with this one.
I have a 6:30am Advanced Conversation class. There are about 15 students.. which limits the time each person gets to talk... but my problem is not that. I am coming to find that it is like pulling teeth to get anything from them. I try to start discussions based on the readings that we have just done... but no one seems to have anything to say other than "I agree with the last person". And today... when I thought that I had finally broken the ice with them and started a good conversation (about women and the "glass ceiling" issue) a student said "it is too early to have a discussion" and that was that... the talking ended.
This isn't even a very long class... only 80 minutes... but it feels sometimes longer than my 2 1/2 hour ones.
I mean the students are great.... they are very kind and respectful... but I am getting frustrated and a tad disappointed over the fact that nothing thus far has seemed to work.
Any suggestions? Trust me... advice and points are well welcomed... cause I am out of ideas!

Congrats Kim!

Today is the first day that I have yearned for home.
My sister graduated this morning from York University with a double Honors BA in Philosphy and Education.. and well needless to say I missed the big event.
Though we did not always get along.. well we were always there for each other. I am glad that my parents sent me photos of the big event... since this occasion is meant to be celebrated and her accomplishments, rewarded. But some part of me is a little upset that I was not there to cheer her on and scream congrats and words of encouragement on the sidelines.
Congrats Kimmy! It was a long faught battle... and you came out on top (with a Toronto District Teaching position waiting in the sidelines).
MUAH!

I can stay!

For the past week or so I have been in limbo. Not that I thought that I would be rejected at all... but this evening I officially received my landed immigrant card from the Korean government. I am now a registered member of the Korean society.. and am officially considered an ex-patriot of Canada. YAY!
Surprisingly the process was pretty easy. Yay for competent governments!

When all else fails you can have Speghetti

There is a food court underneath Teddy Bear Castle that has pictures... so that ordering is easier. Mushroom and Cream Spaghetti with salad, pickles and watermelon side dishes. UMMMM!

It's a small world after all.

This was taken in Teddy Bear Castle at the photo booth, called Mermaid Bears.
On the left is Liz and the right, Shallina. Ok so here's the deal.
On friday night I went to WA Bar in Suji. WA Bar is owned and run by Canadian Ex-pats and is the total hot spot for foreigners on Friday nights. So after class on Friday night, I high-tailed it over to Suji to meet Liz at the Pizza Hut (yes they are everywhere too) so that we could walk over to the Bar together. Liz and I met when we both did the Korean testing for the government last week... and somewhat out of necessity and the fact that we actually had a lot in common... we started to hang out and have become really good friends. She is from Memphis and has the greatest southern accent. Funny thing is.. since we have been hanging out sooo much together... I have found that I have picked up her Southern Twall on some of my words. So I think I sound kinda funny with my french Canadian/Southern voice.
OK but back to the WA Bar... So we went to the WA Bar and met up with some of Liz's friends. It turns out that Shallina... the second face in this picture.. graduated from Laurier with me and we actually knew each other first year... and were in the same rez. How creapy is that! It is nice to have someone though who, when I talk about some comforts of home, actually know what I am talking about.
Needless to say we have become really good friends.
OOOO... this is soo unlike me. K so at the WA Bar we had Taquilla shots.... and I tried... for the first time... a Flaming Zambuka. K.. I am in no way endorsing this... but when a cute guy with a dreamy English accent offers to buy you a shot... well how can you refuse!?! So I licked my lips... put the shot in my mouth... leaned back... and he lit the shot in my mouth on fire. It was the weirdest thing ever! My mouth got hot... yes... and that is when you swallow it (when you can feel the burn) but the alcohol tasted absolutely amazing. I probably wont ever do that again... but hey at least I can say that I did it.
Saturday, we (Liz, Shallina and I) went and saw 11:14 starring Hillary Swank, Patrick Swazy and Rachel Leigh Cook. For an indie film... it was really good. Plus we got to take the subway alone and it was sooo much fun!
Sunday, we went to Itawon and Insadong. These areas are where the tourists go for the great knock offs... and since it is next to the army base... almost everyone speaks English. It is funny. Though I know that I am in Korea... sometimes I forget and think that I am back in Markham. The geography may be different... but it reminds me a lot of home.
Anyways... that was my weekend. It totally is a small world. I am going on 1 month here in Korea... and I have found that I have changed drastically.. emotionally, physically, mentally and spiritually. I am not afraid to try new things... I have lost sooo much weight (damn stairs)... and I am learning to just sit back and enjoy the ride... and let things happen in their natural course. If I chose to come back to Canada to complete my life... I know that I will return a completely different person than the way I left.

Arabian Nights Teddy Bears

If only my tummy were that flat! HAHAH

Shallina, Liz and I at Teddy Bear Castle

Hold on... stop tape.. rewind!

So I decided tonight that I would be brave and attempt to have supper at a traditional korean restaurant. When I was in Daejon, Jessica had pointed out a few foods and meals that I liked or she thought I would enjoy... so feeling confident I walked into the restaurant and looked over the menu sheet. It was then that it hit me... I can't read korean... there are no pictures to point too in this place... and the words I had memorized were not on the menu.
OK.. I thouight to myself... how hard can this be... I mean what's the worst that could happen?... I would hate it and then know not to order it again.
So sheepishly I chose a food group... then a dish and screamed Yogi (I want). The waitress then came over and looked at my choice. She began talking to me in Korean.. to which I immediately interrupted her and said "sorry I dont understand you.. English?!?" The waitress then promptly walked away with my order in hand.
A few minutes later another waitress came with some side dishes... miso soup (I don't particulary like it.... tastes like you are eating a bowl of salt water), some pickled vegetable of something or another (koreans eat pickled vegies like they are going out of style.. they come with everything) and some Kimbap (which is basically vegitarian sushi).
I started to eat the food that was placed in front of me and thought to myself.. wow the side dishes here are really good.. I wonder what I ordered and I prayed that it wasnt spicy or raw fish.
Order after order was being served around me... but my meal had yet to come. Noticing that I was looking at the waitress everytime she carried a meal past me... she came over and picked up my order again (let me explain about the ordering thing... you go in and have a seat. There is this list of foods in Korean on a sheet of paper. You put a check next to the food you wish to order and then the quantity [1] and then yell Yogi! for the waitress to come).
So after looking at my sheet... she prompty took the food I was eating away from me and walked away. WTF???????! K... needless to say I had absolutely NO CLUE what the heck was going on. A couple of minutes later another waitress came and started to talk to me in Korean... again I apologized but said that I only spoke English... though I think she was trying to explain why they had taken my food away.
The next thing I new... this thing was placed on my table (come to think of it.. I really wished I had taken a picture of it). It looked kinda yellow and was rubbery looking and was in a long rolled formation. OK?! What the heck did I really order.. I thought.
I sheepishly picked up a peace of the yellow contraption and realized that it was Kimbap with an omlet around it. It wasnt half bad.
Turns out I had ordered Kimbap for dinner and the waitress had neglected to notice that I had ordered the one with eggs.
Oh well... I think the next time I go into that restaurant I am going to be prepared. I think I may take a menu sheet and ask Miss Bae or one of the Korean teachers to translate it for me so that I dont have one of those WTF moments.
I think the is really the first time in a long time (well the 3 odd weeks I have been here) that I felt like a dumb foreigner. Oh well... was bound to happen sometime.

So I have been a little slow on the picture updates... but here they are

Stairs how I loath thee! No wonder Koreans are always in good form... I have to walk up and down these things 4 times a day... my ass had better thank me!

My going away party

Grace, me and Jessica at Beer Garten.

This is the neatest invention ever! You have your own fridge inside the table that is -22 degrees... so that your beer is never cold. Of course it freezes the beer if you aren't quick enough in drinking it.. but hey it is still the neatest thing ever!

They are going to rule the world someday!

Ah Starbucks! The sad thing is... a cup of coffee costs more than an entire Korean meal here.

Who says you need to be homesick when you can get a Cheesebuger with some fries?

McDonalds?! You are everywhere!

There is sooo much food and NO doggy bags! Oh well.. better eat up!

UMMMM Bulgogi. This is my favorite dish. It is bbq'd meat with all sorts of mushrooms and side dishes.

Teddy Bear Castle

This is the major landmark in Ori (my suburb). This is teddy bear castle. Inside, the place is dedicated to teddy bears, and houses a 30 foot cuddly creature.

This is how most of the buildings look like in Seoul. You have to wonder who planned the city's lay out. On floor numer 2 is a church, while #3 holds a porno-bang... heheheh

This is the view from the street on my way to work. This is the Moegpak (sp?) river. I used to complain that Kitchener was steep... but more than 70% of this country is mountain.

My apartment in Ori

My washing machine. Let me just say how nice it is to not have to pay for laundry nor have to drag my stuff to the laundry mat anymore. This machine plays a song to let you know that the load is finished.

My little and never used kitchen.

My shower.. I still can't figure out how not to get everything wet when I shower.

My bathroom. No squat toilets here... THANK G-D!

My fridge, dinner table and closet.

My little... but cozy room. Hey at least is is bigger than Hebel Place!

My bed.

Language barrier

This is my first experience with getting something completely different than I thought I had bought. I was in Japan and wanted water... you would think that Aquarius was water right?!? Nope... it was some fancy schmancy sports drink that tasted like Poweraid. Go figure!

This was taken on the plane over the Canadian Rockies and Alaska.

Fancy Schmancy!

This is the back of the seat in front of me. On the flight every person had their own tv set and were able to choose what they wanted to watch.. ooo lala!

This is the plane that I went on to get to Korea. I had to take 3 North West Jets.. but they all basically looked the same.

3 day Weekend

So today is Memorial day so it is a national holiday here. It was very nice to sleep in.
On Friday I shadowed the outgoing teacher and observed his classes and his teaching style. It is going to be a lot different from the Daejon school, but I am looking forward to the challenge.
My schedule is a little rough...
Monday through Friday: 6:30am, 7:30am and 10:30am
M,W,F: 7pm, 8pm, 9pm
Tues, Thurs: 8-10pm
All of my classes are advanced levels so it is very nice to be able to just talk to people and correct their minor mistakes... most common is the mixing of the pronouns.
On Sunday I was asked if I could do some extra work for the school.. I would work for 3 hours and be payed 75 000 Won (about 75 USD) for my trouble... and I would be payed within the week.
Cash is a little tight right now... so I totally jumped on the band wagon and was ready on Sunday for whatever task they had laid out for me.
What my task turned out to be was... the Korean Government has a program where 7 male students are chosen to go to Afghanistan to aid in the rebuilding of the country... and my school (BCM) had been asked to provided 4 native teachers to provide the oral English test to the 200 or so applicants.
So we (3 other teachers at my school) arrived in Seoul at 2:30pm and were told that the tests would commence at 3pm. Each test would be 5-7 minutes and we had to grade their Pronounciation, Grammar, Vocabulary and Overall use of the English language.
Some of the tests were horrid... they could not understand me and I definetly could not understand them.. but there were a few men who stood out and deserrved the 10 that I gave them.
It felt extremely weird.... if they were accepted into the program they would be sent to a war-torn and unstable country... and if they were not... they would be forced to complete their military service. (In Korea all men, once they are done their education, must complete a madatory military service of 2.5 years... I have heard that this is extremely tough and the best day of their (the soldiers lives) are when their tour of duty is up). So needless to say I was strongly advised that this was an important job to do since it would affect the applicants lives... can we say pressure.
All in all the day was very good... I was able to meeet and become friends with fellow BCM foreign teachers and later spent the evening drinking with Liz (another new teacher who lives in Suji).
The cabs here are amazing! To go from Suji to Ori Stn... where I live (about a 15 minute car ride) was only 3500 Won (about 3.50 USD). You are not supposed to tip... but I let the guy keep the change from our ride.. I mean a person has to eat right?!?
Anyways... I think that this move was the best for me... I am really enjoying my time here and am learning to be spontanious and become soooo much more independent. I am talking to both foreigners and natives a like and have made many contacts and friends in this fashion.
Anyways... I have been at this PC bang for about an hour so I should probably go home and clean my room.
I have a computer at school that has access to the internet, so I should be able to load some pictures starting tomorrow.
MUAHS

In Bundang, Seoul

So Wednesday was a really tough day. I arrived at school and was immidiately called into the director's office.
"Pack your things he said... you leave for Seoul tomorrow."
I didn't get any explanation.. so I left feeling hurt and (Im sad to admit it...) crying.
I had just made this place my home... I had just set down my roots... unpacked my bags and finished cleaning... I had just made some amazing friends... and now I had to leave.
Grace went and asked Eric in Korean what was going on... all she was able to get from him was that the Seoul school was in trouble and needed a teacher asap.. and since the Daejon school could survive without me... I would have to pack my things and head back to Seoul the next day. Other than the initial tears... moreso out of shock and a state of bewilderment.. I think I handled the situation with class. All around me fellow teachers were very upset and shaken that this could happen to me.... while I just smiled and suffered in silence.
My going away party was really nice. Grace and Jessica and I went to a bar and had a pitcher of beer. Then the MC came on and (in Korean of course) announced that the bar would be playing a Korean form of BINGO. We of course won and got this pitcher that was more like a "Bubba of Beer"... HUGE!
The next table came over after a bit.. and it was fun trying to converse with some Korean guys.
Thursday I was ready and waiting for my driver at 11am... a tough wake up... and was informed that some guy (whom I had never met) would be taking me and my belongings in his vegetable truck to Seoul... umm can anyone scream sketch.... like don't all horror flicks start this way?!
When I arrived in Seoul later that day, I was extremely overwhelmed... I dont have to start teaching until Tues so at least I have the weekend to resettle myself.
My phone # is the same.... but I will have to update my address.
I was told that all of my mail and stuff would just be forwarded onto me... so that should be fine.
Today I shadowed the teacher that I will be replacing... and... well don't all laugh together.. I am going to be teaching advanced business classes... hahahahah!
My apartment is the same as the one I stayed in when I first got here. It is the size of a dorm room... but I am alright with it... it feels liek home... and of course my neighbor and fellow teacher is sooooo cute... I could just eat him up with a spoon.
All in all this has been a week full of change. I think that this move... though it came as a shock and was very overwhelming.... is for the best. I am now back in the city and will be able to do more things and meet more people.
Though I will always miss Grace and Jessica.... they were my first real friends in Korea.... we are going to stay in touch though... and someday I may actually get to visit Zooland!

Chelsea Moment... blush

So all I can say is thank God I had a sweater. The school in Daejon has a squat toilet (picture seen here of one in Japan). For those of you who have no clue what a squat toilet is... it is basically a toilet seat on the ground and you squat to... well you get the picture.
So I very much had to use the rest room and thought... ok how hard could this be... WRONG! I missed and managed to wet my pants :S.... Thank God I had a sweater!
Yes so that is the latest installement of Chelsea moments in Korea... stay tuned for next week when I discuss my search for garbage bags.
MUAHS!