One Month Anniversary!

It feels like I have been here for WAY over a month...maybe because I have been keeping busy and seeing tons and doing a lot. Time literally flies out here, no joke!

This past weekend I went to Chungju to join my new friends in a Scavenger Hunt. The foreign teachers before left their legacy and the new teachers wanted to keep the tradition going..It was thus the 2nd annual Chungju Scavenger Hunt.

It was so much fun! We had 12 people so 3 groups of 4 and the list was hilarious. Some of my faves included: Get something pierced, take a picture with your team and at least 20 or more Koreans, picture of best socks, and shot of soju with a Korean. It was a blast and I had a great team. Melanie came down too so it was fun to introduce her to my Chungju friends. Brock and Brittany were lovely hosts as usual :)

couples shirts - they are everywhere

Human pyramid in front of the DT movie theater

trying to get 20+ Koreans in a picture!

ha...totally staged, hoped for best pic!

Sunday I was pretty hungover/still drunk so my day consisted of traveling back home to Gancheon with a pitstop in Yeoju to get some much needed groceries! I then stopped by One Time and had a gatorade with some Yeoju peeps while waiting for the bus. They were drinking and wanted me to stay and join them but I was not feeling it! Way too much booze was consumed the day/night before. Love me some Chungju partying though!!

"Hangover Sunday" also happened to be my one month of being in SoKo!! I survived my first month, YAY :) I have definitely become a bit homesick but I only think about it when I am not busy, which isn't very often. I was also PMSing hardcore last week so that could have added to the upset. I am sure everyone is homesick at some point on their journey here, so I will get over it. I love it here, and as much as I miss everyone back home, I came here for a reason and I need to stay positive and power through. I already have learned so much about myself in only this short time, so I have the opportunity to learn so much more in the next 11 months I have left.

This week the weather has changed drastically! It was 20 degrees or higher all last week but the nights were getting cold so that was probably a warning. It is about 5-15 degrees each day now, and the nights are really cold. When I walk to work there is frost on everything!! Winter is coming...

The leaves are finally changing here and it is absolutely beautiful. Everything is yellow and orange and red and lovely!! The mountains are so pretty. Speaking of mountains, on Tuesday, all of the teachers and staff went on an adult field trip of sorts...hiking up a mountain!


It was about a 45 minute bus ride to a place town called Yangpyeong, to a mountain called Mt. Yongmunsan. It was such a beautiful drive...we all piled into one of our school buses. When we got there, we all took a shot of soju and took a bag of snacks and a mini beer. I had the best chocolate bar ever! Well maybe that is because the only chocolate I have been eating is a bag of reece's pieces I keep in the fridge and have a couple after dinner everynight...and are now finished. I was also starving. We hiked up the mountain but once we got to a certain spot, I took a pic and then everyone turned to go back...WTF!? Me and Mr. Jung and 2 other teachers kept going...I was not done with nature dammit! ha

up we go!

I am blocking the tiny waterfall :(

water's cold, don't fall in!!

Beauty

End of the line for most...WHY!?

There were more teachers, they didn't even get this far!

It was really rocky

When we returned to meet the others, we got on the bus and went back to school. Everyone got their cars and we went to dinner in Yeoju...at the Lumberjack place I went to with my friends before that I LOVE!! It is the Korean bbq restaurant that has the Galbi. YUM! I ate so much and there was a lot of soju flowing, especially amongst the bus drivers and the principal. I did probably 6 shots of soju in the span of an hour so at a certain point I cut myself off. I do not want to be hungover at school EVER! That would be horrible and unpleasant. But they just kept on trucking and they were hammered by the end of dinner.

We then went to a Norebang and oh man was it hilarious! The principal was wearing a ball cap and proceeded to wear it backwards and dance like a champ!! So funny! They sang a couple songs then my ride was leaving so I scurried out with her and the nurse. When we got to the parking lot, there were 3 teachers there that never even came to karaoke, they had just been chatting in the lot for about 45 mins, in the cold!! So even though I was so tired, 6 of us went for coffee so they could gossip. I just sat there, drinking my hot chocolate and watched a muted Korean soap. ha Eventually we got driven home and I was happily in bed by 9:30pm. Definitely a funny night :)


Other than the field trip, same old same old here for me during the week...teach teach teach and sometimes the kids don't show up or classes are randomly cancelled! Don't get me wrong, I love teaching but a period or 2 off randomly is all right with me!


One month down, 11 more to go!

Kangcheon Elementary Festival & Fall Field Day

Over the past few weeks since I have been here, the students have been practicing for the "festival". It's funny because when I ask the kids if they are excited for the festival, they have no idea what I am talking about. I guess they haven't learned that word! They have been working so hard, even classes with me in the afternoons have been cancelled so they can rehearse (free period for me!) . Eun Mee also told me that classes were cancelled Thursday for a "physical activity day". I just figured it would be a day where they play sports and games all day.

Wednesday was the festival and it was my longest day here yet. I had to be in at 9am so I got to sleep in a little since I didn't have morning class. First I had to go over a script with the head teacher (gr. 3) since I was going to be the English MC for the opening and closing ceremonies of both events. It was easy breezy, except for the names of people, those are hard to remember! I then helped Eun Mee wrap presents...I was not sure who for, but it turns out, the parents come and participate in fall field day and they would get to win these prizes. FUN!

Basically there was a lot of standing around and waiting to help out wherever necessary. It was beautiful out (as it has been most days!) so it was nice to walk around and help out. There was an art area, where all the children's art was displayed (and some by the parents too). There was a balloon company setting up decorations in the gym, where the festival was gonna go down. While checking out the gym, I noticed a typo in the huge banner above the stage...Eun Mee tried to fix it with a marker but it still looked pretty bad. I guess it's ok, not many of the parents can speak never mind read English anyway.

student's promise to parents?

children's art!!

flags from around the world...oh and beautiful mountains :)

I am in 2 pics in the 3rd row! ha

candyland

oh hello!

didn't quite understand the exchange rate! ha

For dinner, the parents would be making food for sale in the cafeteria. There was also a mini market where parents sold stuff like fruits/veggies, books, children's clothes and toys. I didn't really understand the money exchange, but they cut up fake American money in denominations of $1, $5, and $10 and it turns out "$1" was actually 10 cents! I didn't know that so I changed $5 dollars over and ended up with $50 "bucks"! At the end of it, I didn't even know what to do with the rest of the money...everything was so cheap! I bought a bag of potatoes and a pear for 80 cents, 3 toys for Eun Mee and the nurse's kids, food for Eun Mee and Mr. Jung and in the end, I just started buying anything I could to get rid of the money ( I am not sure you could change it back and it went to the school anyway).

YUM!

Korean books, 10 cents each!

mini market

the kids bought up all the toys!

The food was delish! They had these beef kebabs of sort, basically a beef steak on a stick...with MUSTARD, oh how I have missed mustard! They have it here, I just don't ever cook anything that would need it! And some other Korean dishes. I bought a bunch of books with my leftover money. I gave one to Eun Mee, one to the nurse and some others that I will give to the kindergarten class and as prizes to students. They were 10 cents each! But all in Korean so I have no use for them.

I kept seeing kids with ice cream and cotton candy and it turns out, there was a carnival cart that showed up at the main gate of the school with balloons and treats, but I never got a chance to get anything from it...mmm I want cotton candy! Smart guy!!

It was now time for the big show...it started at 7pm and ended around 9pm. I did my little English part but then there were no seats so I stood the entire time, bummer! But it was ok, the kids were so good, I was entertained! I am obsessed with the kindergarten and preschool kids, they are ADORABLE!! Especially this one little boy, Tiger (not real name but when I first taught them, he said that was his name!). He is absolutely adorable and I want him!! haha He is the cutest thing ever and he is so small and full of energy! LOVE him... and the nurse's daughter, also adorable...I hope they get married one day! ha

The Queen (no pun intended!) - Snow White

my lil friend Tiger at rehearsal

Grade 1

parent papparazzi

grade 3

grade 3

grade 5 playing the dan-so (Korean recorder)

special education students

After the show I was BEAT! I was supposed to stay until 10pm but the nurse said to just go home. I gladly did so but when I got home I felt bad so I went back! I helped for like 10 mins and then ducked out of there...I was exhausted!

The next morning I had to be at school at the same time. I got there and it started around 10am. I was told by Eun Mee to dress nice so I dressed up both days. I was wondering why I had to dress up on a track and field day but I did anyway. It was super foggy and cold that morning so I was freezing! And everyone was in track pants and sweaters, I sure did look outta place. I eventually went home and changed, thank goodness, cause I ended up participating in some of the games. It turned out to be a beautiful day, probably about 25 degrees and sunny!! The student's parents came and participated as well and the carnival cart was back and so were some other people selling toys. The day was run by a company and there was an MC and staff members who helped out with each game. It was a lot of fun and lots of laughs. Of course the kindergarten and preschool events were my favourite! At one point the kids were supposed to have their parents join a game and Tiger couldn't find his family...he looked like a lost puppy so I went to be his partner but then the kindergarten teacher had another student who couldn't find her parents so she paired me with her.Turns out his parents were there (and that he has parents so I can't adopt him! haha) they were so cute with him...Parents in Korea are so cute with their kids!! They love them so much it's great :)

Nanta team - Korean drums

haha these streamers scared the shit outta me!

LOVE this kids hairdo in the navy! CUTE!

kindergarten ready to run! And a sideview of the great hair!

on your mark...

Tiger!! Isn't he the cutest!?

Tiger with his mom!! ...and the minister who keeps trying 

to get me to go to church

A traditional Korean marching band showed up!

Lunch was absolutely fantastic that day. The families brought lunches and had picnics with their kids but some of the parents cooked and served it in the cafeteria. We had a full out Korean meal with all the little side dishes and duck and the spiciest (but yummy) soup I have ever had in my life. It was so good...I wish lunches at school were that good everyday. At both lunch that day and dinner the night before I was offered booze but I said no thanks, I was working and I don't want to look bad. It is different if we are at a school dinner but not during work.

It was the white team vs. the blue team and the white team won! They were awarded a flag and we did the closing ceremonies. I guess the head teacher just wanted to get it over with because she didn't even ask me to come say the English part. All in all it was a great 2 days, but now I am so tired and cannot wait to go to bed tonight...another Friday where I will probably be sleeping by 9pm and I am totally fine with that!

Talk soon lovelies,

Exploring Yeoju

This past weekend I decided that I was going to stay in Friday night and then wake up early and go explore Yeoju. I made plans with my fellow Canadian friend Natasha and it was all set...
But upon my arrival home after work, I realized that my internet no longer worked! DEVASTATING! What the hell was I supposed to do in a small farm town with no internet!? I took a deep breath then remembered that most of the teachers were working this Saturday so I would just call Mr. Jung and ask him to get me some internet. I figured that the time left on the previous teacher's internet probably expired (but now that I think of it, she never lived in that house!! Wow, Mr. Jung must think I am an absolute lunatic! I need to go clear that up after this!).
So I decided to just make dinner and watch Glee. I bought it for the flight but haven't watched much of it. Dinner and musical television, yes please! I ended up falling asleep at 9:30pm. I must have been exhausted.

I woke up bright and early, 7:30am to be exact and read for a bit. I am reading a book that I borrowed from Brock and Brittany about the San Pedro prison in Bolivia called Marching Powder  It is really messed up but so interesting. The jail is crazy - you have to buy your cell and there are restaurants and businesses etc... in the jail, and even a cat addicted to crack...check it out! As I was reading, the school started to play the morning music, which is usually the Korean children singing but this day, it was the wedding march! haha so crazy. After reading for a bit I put in my earplugs and went back to bed...LAZY, I know!

I re-woke up at 9am and worked out for the first time since June...Let's just say that Sunday was a very painful day! I have a Jillian Michael's DVD, one for "front" and one for "back"...I did the front one and then some yoga. I then got ready, had breakfast and called Mr. J to help me with my internet so I wouldn't go insane. He said to leave my keys with him and then he would leave them with the night duty man at the school, and I could pick them up from him when I returned. I then proceeded to the bus stop and as I was walking there, I saw it coming down the road so I had to run for it! Thank goodness I made it, even though I almost died running (I repeat, first workout since JUNE!).

I got to Yeoju and met Natasha and we went to an area called "Walking Street". It is called this by foreigners, not Koreans. It is basically a street with no road and there are shops on either side. No road, however, that does not stop scooters and motorcycles..they zip by and almost kill people...Korean drivers do not care, and us pedestrians have no right-of-way AT ALL. Cars will NOT stop for you! We went into a few cute shops then met Darshan, a friend from South Africa. We went for gelato and it was Darshan's first time!

The also have a market every 5 days in the middle area

Apparently the lights are pretty at night

We then met up with Moe (a fellow Canadian) and Mark (American) to go for lunch. We went to an Italian restaurant and had pasta and pizza. Mmm, pasta was great since I was used to eating spicy Korean food. I had the spaghetti with bacon and tomato in a "rozen" sauce...I think they meant rosé! I also happened to run into 2 of my students, who I didn't realize were brother and sister. They were there with their family for lunch too...cute!

major intersection in DT Yeoju

The "Lumberjack" restaurant we went to for dinner last time

Italian restaurant

We then decided we would day booze since it was absolutely gorgeous out. We headed over to our trusted spot One Time and had some drinks. At lunch I had suggested we play a board game, so Mark called up Liam (from NZ) and he showed up to One Time with Monopoly and Clue...well Cluedo to be exact. Apparently they call it that in NZ and South Africa and England. ha!

pens Liam bought to play the game-

"Good office and happy company"

We played Clue and drank in the sunshine and it was quite enjoyable. A couple of friends ran into us there, Casey and Jackie, and decided to join us. I was getting hungry by around 5pm so Mark, Liam and I went for dinner at a "shabu shabu" restaurant nearby. I requested the meal because remember when I told you I had it in Chungju with Brock and Brittany? I wanted that!! But it was not the same, but still tasty none the less. It wasn't as spicy and there were more vegetables and mystery items. Also, the beef was frozen here whereas in Chungju it was fresh. We ate and drank then returned to the others, who were still drinking at One Time.

I heart Korean food!

We had another drink there then went to Adonis, a "western" bar nearby. We played drinking games including drinking game Jenga, this time the dirty version...it was pretty PG and A LOT of fun! Drinking games in bars are key, keeps everyone talking as a group!

Cass fresh everywhere

"trade an article of clothing" - Liam in Jackie's shirt

poor James got "draw on a Hitler stash" - Only eye liner!

Up next it was finally time to go to the Norebong!! AKA Karaoke room. I hadn't gone since I got here so I was really excited. It was also only around 9pm!! ha. So we get there and we get a nice sized room for the about 12 people we ended up gathering througout the day. It was a BLAST! We sang so many songs and had smuggled booze in that we bought at the convenience store on the way there. The thing that rocks about Yeoju is everything is so close to each other! The norebong is literally accross the street from One Time and a 2 minute walk from Adonis. AMAZING! So we sang for what I think was about 3 hours (don't quote me, I was day boozing!) and then me and Mark crashed a room that was full of Koreans! We listened to them sing and sang a few ourselves and it was great times!! I love crashing Karaoke rooms, it was a fave passtime back home.

Barbie Girl...Obvs.

such weird Korean videos to go with the songs -

she is a little upset he was "born in the USA"

oh ya, tambourines too! Oh man...

Sophie and I ... not the random room, she's with us!

This guy is definitely a random

Don't worry Mark, I do this all the time, just play along!

p.s you can take off the "article of clothing" from Casey, game's over dude.

They LOVED us! haha

After that, we joined the others back at One Time, then I decided I would just take a cab home. It only end up costing $14 to have a better sleep in my own bed (rather than a friend's couch). And it wasn't too late so the night duty guy wouldn't be like, who the hell is trying to get in the school at this hour!

Well that kinda happened. He was sleeping I am pretty sure since he was a little Korean man in his wife beater and boxers (If I remember correctly). I tried to explain that my keys were left with him but he had no idea what I was talking about!  Uh oh! I didn't have any other choice than to call Mr. J and ask him to explain that he left my keys for me. Well it turns out Mr. J left my keys with a teacher since he couldn't find the night duty man at the time. She was to find him and give them to him before she left. She didn't and the night duty man could not find them in her classroom so I was up shit's creek without a paddle! I totally got upset, partly because I was hammered and partly because I just wanted to sleep in my own home and was pissed my keys weren't there! Basically I had to sleep at the school and wait until morning so that Mr. Jung could call the teacher and ask her where my keys were. So the little Korean man ushered me into a room with tiny chairs and tiny desks and a tiny bed and covered me with a blanket because tonight, I was sleeping in the kindergarten room.

The next morning the little man came into the room, woke me up and gave me my keys. He gestured if I wanted some breakfast and I politely said no thanks (in my head I was like I just want to get the hell outta here, but thanks!) and folded the blanket. I said thank you in Korean a bunch of times and did the walk of shame from my school to my house at 7:30am...Let's hope the principal (my neighbour) didn't see me and get the wrong idea!


Needless to say, my internet got fixed and it is free!! Probably to keep me from leaving!