Kindergarten Graduation

This coming Saturday I will spend my afternoon with JungChul Academy. There will be a talent show and Kindergarten graduation. I am so looking forward to it. Each different "kindy" classes have special songs to sing and dance to. My homeroom class is singing Do-Re-Mi from "The Sound of Music". I will be playing Maria in the song. Another class is singing Up-town Girl. I sort of question the appropriateness of the choice for 5 year olds, but I'm always up for some Billy Joel tunes. Another class is singing Let Me Be There, a 1970's song by Olivia Newton John, also a curious tune for 5 year olds, but I give up figurng it all out. If anything, it is going to be absolutely entertaining, and I can't wait to see it. As we practice, it seems the kids do more screaming of the tunes than actually singing them, but this makes it all the more funny. I can't wait to post a video: )

A couple of weeks ago I took a bus trip 2 hours outside of Seoul to a little town called Eungnam. There I volunteered at an orphanage for a few hours. I brought some poster paints, paper, and brushes. There was an obvious communication gap, but I found different ways of interacting through art, puppets, and hugs. It was an exhausting day. I left at 8:30 in the am and returned 10pm. I think I will look into other volunteer opportunities closer to home, but it was nice to see such a well kept orphanage. I have heard that the foster parenting here is less than note-worthy, but I guess it's like that in the States also.

I got to chat with Linda today. It is so nice to communicate with the people that I love, even if we are so far apart.

Lunar New Year break

Most of Asia celebrates Lunar New Year on Jan. 26 It is one of their gift giving holidays. I got a gift box from my director again, full of soap and toothpaste. From the gift box on Chusok and the one this week, I will have enough toothpaste to last me a year.
I have Monday and Tuesday off this week. It has been an eventful holiday. On Saturday I went to my friend Yong Jeong's family's house. His mother cooked the traditional Lunar New Year soup. It is a delicious Mandu (dumpling) soup. I ate until I popped. The area they live in is further out of town, but the govmt. is expanding and there are new buildings up all around, happy and clean looking because of the newness. They don't look dingy from all the pollution like the rest of Seoul. It was a nice getaway for the day, and his family is very kind. His mother told him that she thinks of the time he was in America alone for a year, and sees me as a daughter to her. I was very touched and look forward to seeing her again in the springtime.
I also went exploring yesterday with Mandy and we took a subway ride to Nakseongdae. There we visited a monument in honor of a historical general, Gang Gam-chan. There was also a beautiful shrine built in his honor, and people were visiting on Lunar New Years to bring him gifts of rice wine and soju. It was so beautiful, and a very sunny day with big billowy clouds.
Today Mandy and I will go to the Olympic Park and see some artistic statues. I look forward to another outing.
I have been attending yoga classes this month and really enjoying it. I think I will keep going.
Well, that's all for now. I miss my people. Send lots of love.

Road bumps

I had heard from people who have worked here in Korea for more than one year that halfway through a year contract you better watch out. If the directors of the hagwan you work for don't get the impression that you want to stay for another year, then they will start to treat you like crap. Last week was hell week for me. So many issues coming from different directions.

I have known for a while that the older Kindergarten class graduates in February. We still have some younger students, but we are going to need about 20 more to enroll to get the numbers back up. We are also losing a lot of our older students, and are in desperate need to enroll more students to get the school out of financial trouble. I have outright asked the head teacher if the directors are going to be able to keep 4 of the American teachers for the rest of the year. She confidently said, "yes...I think so". I think since there are 4 Korean teachers leaving at the end of their contract in Feb., the directors may only hire a couple more Korean teachers, and this may level out the money situation.

Also, two Fridays ago, myself and a Korean teacher were pulled into a meeting about a conversation class that we were both struggling with. It is a one month winter intensive class and I was given a simplistic grammar/vocab book to use. I had been trying to use the book, but one student complained that it was too easy. Complaints from students are like bombs exploding because of the enrollment scare. So the director and head teacher told me and the Korean teacher that we were teaching wrong, and that we should just use the book as a springboard and teach conversation. It was a long meeting, spoken 85% in Korean, with a little English sprinkled in, but each time just repeating the same thing over and over: "if the students are not happy, then it is just probably the teacher's fault". I tried to eat humble pie for dinner that night, and figure out what I could do differently, even though that had not been explained.

This past Monday I had the class again. The page we were on displayed a big outdoor bbq with foods all over the page, and the words of the foods next to each food. I tried asking the two students to describe in English what it is they see on the page. Silence. I prompted them with words from the page, still more silence. It was painful, and the director was there observing, and it looked like she was going to boil. So after the class I got a talk again, and I asked so many questions so that I could get some clear cut answers about how to teach this class. The head teacher said to have the students close their books and repeat sentences that I come up with. So less of a conversation class, and more of a speaking English verbally, without comprehension. That's just how I see it. She also told me to do a better job with lesson plans, which I did need to hear, but I needed both the instruction and the criticism together, because I didn't know how to make a better lesson plan without knowing how to lead the class. So Tuesday night I made some lesson plans. I was feeling more confident when I went to school Wednesday, but before my class had even happened I got another talk that I better just start doing better or else. Or else? Or else what? I asked what was meant by that, and more talking in circles, but I got the message. In my defense I said that this was all happening very fast, and that I would like the chance to show my improvement.

The rest of the week I was still confronted with other things, my teaching in every class was being scrutinized. I have been here almost 5 months without any feedback. Things seemed to be going smoothly until last week. No 90 day review here, seems its a 5 month review. Next was even better. I was given a brand new class last week. This is the irony to me. It's a Korean woman, who speaks very little English, that I am supposed to teach her how to teach Kindergarten. I found it odd that they were using me to teach her, since my teaching methods had come under such scrutiny. I was given a book to use that is mostly in Korean with about 10 vocab. words in it, and asked to teach her.

I did the best lesson plan that I could. Much of the first twenty minutes was spent explaining words that I was using to her. Then I had her come to the board and role play being a teacher. I was given a review of the first class afterwards, and told that I need to let her speak more. This is getting to be such a joke. I'm really having to save face at work, and try to meet their absurd expectations, while after work letting it roll off, and remembering that I am in a different culture with a major language barrier.

I am friends with the Korean coworkers, and a couple of them have told me that the director gets stressed and goes on a witchhunt, in so many words. They have experienced the same kind of scrutiny, and I was advised to just nod my head and take some deep breaths. I was really appreciative of their confiding that to me. It made me feel much better. It was so strange after 5 months of working here to be put on the chopping block like that. Soon after my troubles, the other American teachers were being confronted, just not as severely as me. But there was definitely "something in the water" last week.

I did confront the director about it, and asked her if she was planning on firing me. She said no, but that they just wanted to give me a little shock. The winter intensive class was only one month, and she needed results faster than I could give them to her. I understood, but didn't understand why she didn't tell the American teachers about the expectations for the winter intensive classes. None of us have a teaching background, and giving us books that don't match the class make it quite difficult to know how to teach a class. It was a frustrating week to say the least. I did start using new methods in my classes, and am feeling more confident that my teaching is matching the director's expectations.

I'd like to see what March has in store for the school, so that we can know just how much better or worse things might get. I think my contract is safe for the rest of the year. I hope so. I like this school for the most part. The directors have cared for me sufficiently, and we have compromized at times, even though it was difficult for us to understand eachother culturally. I have quit smoking and am taking a yoga class twice a week. These are some truly positive things that have come into my life starting this new year, and I am grateful for all that I have.

Chicken poop home

In Korea, especially around my neighborhood. They have very different ways of advertising. The neighborhood consists of a maze of streets. Usually specific streets sell a certain product. There are a few attached streets with beef restaurants. Some pork streets, some seafood, then there are rows of beer and soju bars. The restaurants are my favorite entertainment. I will upload some pictures as soon as I can get back down there and take some. It's really cold right now for little outings. But anyway, the front of the restaurants picture what they are serving. You will first see a picture of some cows grazing in a field, and right next to it is a picture of raw meat on a platter. Lots of raw meat pictures for both beef and pork all over the front of the restaurants. There are also cute cartoon depictions of a happy pig beside a happy cook, and at the top of one restaurant a big happy purple squid bids you come in for some delicious squid soup. I guess the happy animals have no idea they are about to be someone's meal. The raw meat pictures are interesting to me. I guess it is appetizing to see, and helps people make their decision about the best place to eat.
I just recently learned the name of one of the food products that had me laughing for days. They serve chicken butt here, called dak dong jip, which literally translates to chicken poop home. Ummm, yes, waiter, I'd like some delicious chicken poop home for my meal please! You have to understand that the language and usage of is so very different here from America, but things like this are just too good not to tell you about. I forgot my camera when I went grocery shopping, but man is was a trove of good stuff. Squid lying out for purchase, large quantities of cooked pig legs at the deli. The market is really into the pig heads. They have them displayed on rotating disks to draw buyers to them. Yummmmmmy!
Ok, just felt the need to share. Happy eating, everyone.

Just nod your head

Schools back in session. It's my first week back since the winter break. We have some winter intensive courses. Some of mine are given fancy titles like "conversation" class. I get two teenage students who have only been learning English for two years, a first or second grade level word book, and am asked to create an environment of conversation and dialogue with my students. I look at the pages in the book, knowing that it is useless in helping me in a conversation class, so I ask my students about what they see in the pictures. I ask them to describe what they see. .......30 seconds later, no response. So I prompt them with English words and ask them to add to my description......no response. Some of my classes with the older kids are just painful. And then the director complains that I don't engage the kids enough, and adds that I need to explain "is" and "are", "a" and "an", which isn't conversation but grammar. So I'm being told to not use the book given to me to teach with, teach conversation and grammar at the same time, and I don't really know what to do. I know I can improve. I have no teaching background, and really no training from my directors, they just want me to figure it out on my own and somehow magically get my students to speak conversation English. In reality I wish they would just call it what it is, or at least give me materials I can use to teach the type of class they want. I feel like so much of this English education culture here is about study, study, study, just for the sake of studying. Not really creating a progressive learning environment, but pretending it is one. It's the same with the students. When I give report cards I can't really say if a student is doing poorly. I have to say the student is doing good so that the parents will keep them enrolled here. I'm sure the standards are higher in the public school system and at the University level here, but at private English hagwans it seems disorganized and ineffective.
After many similar situations thus far. I take it with a grain of salt, and do the best I can with what I have. It is impossible for me to try and rationalize with anyone, they just see it as a sign of disrespect. So I just nod my head and agree that it is my fault and I will try to do better. And on many levels I do and will keep trying to learn ways to get through to the students and make English fun and easier. I know I'm not perfect, and I accept that there are many things I can learn and improve on. I guess it's a matter of deciding how much energy to put into a job based on what you are getting paid and how many resources are provided to you.

Winter blah

It's cold, cold, cold. Depressing. I did go workout today. 30 minutes on the treadmill walking fast, and 50 sit ups. I think working out will start to help with the depressing cold feelings. I have a hard time with going regularly, but I think Mandy and I can start going together bc of her new schedule, so that should help me get to the gym more. I am also going to start yoga on Tuesday. Twice a week for a month. That will give me something to look forward to.

I'm glad the break is over. I was getting really bored. There is not much to do in Seoul except shop, go to PC rooms, and bars. I'm tired of all of that, so just hung around my neighborhood most of the time. At least with work I have something to fill up a void of energy. I will have new students for a winter intensive course this month.

It's so strange! I feel huge. I feel like I look pregnant, but I have so far lost 13 pounds. I've lost it gradually, so it hasn't felt like I'm losing weight. It's a weird feeling. Normally I would be jumping up and down, but here in tiny land I still am much larger than Korean women. It is just coming off without my knowing it. I will focus more on my abs in the gym and see what affect that has on my belly fat. I wonder how much I will lose in a year?

Uuuugggghhhh

Winter. Winter in a huge dirty city. Nuff said, but I'll continue. Freezing, rainy, slippery, gray, dingy, smelly, nothing to do, huge city. I can't wait until spring.

I'm still here!

Yes, it's Katie. Been a long time, I know. Just wanted to drop a line to say hi and wish you all well for the holidays. I am spending Christmas in Seoul, Korea this year. It will be kinda lonely, but never a dull moment I always say. I have now been working here for 4 months, I have 8 left to go. It's interesting here. Quite different from the States! Fashion sucks, music sucks, everything and everyone seems to be born from this spawn of giggly, cuddly, cute teddy bears, and panda bears, and chiming noises to tell you the washing machine is finished, or the subway stop is ahead, a little digital cutesie music world that I find bizarre.

The temples and palaces are amazing here. The history is fascinating and romantic and so very old here. Some areas of Seoul have great avenues lined with delightful shops filled with traditional art and masks, and I plan to bring some of it home with me. There is mountain hiking a plenty here (I'm not much of a hiker, usually miserable for 90% of the time hiking, but the small amount spent veiwing the scenery between spasmic gasping for air somehow makes it worth while for me. It's absolutely beautiful and feels spiritual to see it in person, or else I'd just look at pictures of scenic beauty and breath better). Shopping is pretty cool, some foods are new and delicious, some not so much.

I live really close to a covered outdoor market called Yeundoungop Chi-jang. It's huge. Different vendors sell a wide range of items from spices to underwear. You could buy fermented and pickled cabbage, called Kimche, or pick a number of types of fish or squid laid out on ice for the entire day while stray cats and dogs roam around. Pigs head on display in the butchers stand (yummy), huge "Rocky punching" slabs of meat hanging inches from the walk way, and of course the delectable frozen dog bodies in the window slide freezers for viewing and choosing the best canine cuts. The market is fascinating, usually a bit smelly from all the Kimche and fish. The spices are pretty to look at, but I haven't the foggiest clue how to cook with them. Mostly foods like meats and vegetables are sold there, but they have other goods too. Blankets, granny panties, shoes.

Korea is an enigma,it is pretty incredible. It’s a society that has undergone such tremendous economic change in a short amount of time. The past 40 years has brought Koreans out of poverty and into a leading country for industry. There are a few generations of Koreans living together in the present that could not be more different in their life experiences. I see this through things like the markets. Older women called "adji-mas" (most definitely incorrect spelling, but correct pronunciation) who pull heavy carts of vegetables and other goods around all day. They can no longer stand up straight because they spent their lives carrying their lively hoods on their backs. And the women in the markets who sit on sheets of cardboard by their vegetables, sometimes napping, other times gabbing with the vendors beside them. It seems a slower more peaceful paced way of life, but a less attractive one to the modern younger generations of South Korea, that spend early morning to the late hours of night working, or studying to become successful, make more money and have more "things". Their fascination with western culture has no limits, and in my opinion they could rival any country in a stake for the most consumerism. Old traditions still taught, but new pockets of rebellion tested in clothes, gender perceptions, music, the usual starting points for upheaval of old standards.

Lets talk about fashion. Korean men and women are for the most part small and slim. The clothes sold here are a mixture of the worst 80's and 90's looks put in pot and simmered until all the colors mix into drab gray, beigie-brown mucus. This year plaid flanel is the rage. Many more mature, married women wear what I refer as sheek bag dresses, which looks fine on them because they are tiny and can get away with wearing something that looks like a potato sack. Some of the fashion is completely outrageous. Fur coats are huge here, and tacky black and white and red and white table cloth design pea coats that make me throw up in my mouth a little. Today I saw a respectable woman in her 50's wearing a hot pink coat with pink fur lining around the collar. It was hard for me not to laugh out loud.

The men, well the younger ones in their teens and 20's wear a lot of members only jackets, tight jeans, and fashion tennis shoes. Their are a lot of mullets here, but not redneck mullets, these are the retro mullets, with sleek straight black hair that seems somehow electrically charged. They still look pretty ridiculous. I’m currently tutoring a 16 year old that will be going to high school in America in January. I told him to get a hair cut. And the other day when he came in wearing a white long sleeve shirt with “Konglish” wording and a black and white “Ambercrombie and Fitch” looking photo of a guy’s stomach on it, I carefully explained that he probably shouldn’t pack that in his luggage when he goes to America. He’s a cool, seemingly heterosexual kid, like many others here, who wear things that would be perceived very differently in America. Please do not misunderstand my descriptions. I am not homophobic, it’s just that a lot of things that are considered fashion here would be seen in America as…..not “straight”.

Once the men get out of college they must get corporate jobs and at that point all of them seem to be wearing the same dark suit and tie. Except, sparkly gay ties are really popular, and I see a lot of bejeweled purple, hot pink, and red ties being worn by business men. Some of the older gentlemen who were probably the pioneers of SK's fortune, they go all out pimp style and wear white suits with the crazy ties, or purple suits with matching hats. And this is not seen as odd here, it’s a sign of power and, I think, manliness. For the most part, the white collar class all look the same. Get on the subway quittin time on any given day and see hundreds of men wearing dark suits. The blue collar guys are less discriminate and mostly work outside in the cold. They wear whatever they get their hands on it looks like to me. They are a completely different story. Another time perhaps.

Shoes. Shoes are a saving grace for reputation here. The shoes here are amazing, and they are everywhere. From department stores to subway stations, shopping is a national past time here. Not to say there aren't a lot of shoes with fake diamond looking rindstones, because there are, but there is also so many styles from Europe, Asia, sexy, rugged, retro, edgy, punk, elegant, anything. Boots are everywhere, beautiful long leather boots that make any woman look strong, curvy, and sexy. Adorable flats, pumps, heels, kitten heels, uggs, baby doll, every style, every color. I especially enjoy seeing women wearing the thigh high "ask me about my blow jobs " boots, because those are also sold right along with the “I'm fierce-sexy-independent-but not a prostitute" boots.

This leads me into my next observation. There are a lot of freakin prostitutes here. AAAAAAA LLLLLLOOOOOOOTTTTTTT. A lot. A lot of Korean and Russian prostitutes. I don’t know the Russian story, but I guess it’s pretty freakin bleak in Russia because they seem to sell their women to every country on the globe, and South Korea is no exception. I have a friend who is stationed at the Army base here. He has given me the low down on the “double barber shop poles”. Army guys are debriefed by their superiors when they get here on how to recognize prostitute “venues”, and told to stay away from certain areas. I’m sure you can visualize the image of the turning barber pole in front of a shop, well the ones with the double poles are supposed to mean haircuts “and more”. Unfortunately, instead of deterring most men from finding themselves in a “sticky” (sorry for the pun) situations, it seems that most of the base goes prostitute shopping the next town over.

Prostitutes are very busy near the base. They are also all over the rest of Korea. It’s something new to me. I mean, I’ve seen it in the States, but not so much of it. I think it’s illegal here, but so is porn, and they play that on the television every late night weekend, and have about 30 porn channels that you can pay extra for. Don’t worry, I’m not engaging in porn viewing. I wish I could get turned on, but the screaming and crying women coupled with the crazed looking, slobbering men, who then turn out to be “really wanting it” women and still more crazed slobbering men, rape porn just doesn’t seem to be my favorite television. I know, it’s crazy, who wouldn’t love it? It’s really strange here, the sexuality of the society, confusing. It’s all covered up, but oh so available.

Ok, it’s definitely time to change the subject. I’d like to address the family systems here. Children start school in daycare, they sit in class rooms and learn subjects very early in life. At age 4 many start music class and begin to learn instruments. Taekwando (again I'm sure incorrectly spelled) is a national sport here, and all children take it. They begin Kindergarten public school around 6 or 7, and by middle school they are trapped in one of the most competitive education systems in the world. Middle schoolers and highschoolers go to school and take extra-curricular and extra academic study classes from early in the morning, many times until 9 or 10 at night. There are a limited amount of Universities here, so the students with the highest averages get into the best schools. It is freakin nuts how hard kids are pushed here. Success is a mark of character and worth as a member of society and family pride. Koreans begin at a very young age to feel great shame if they aren’t the “best”. This is a large task to compete with millions of other people wanting the same thing, to be “successful”. Since there are few natural resources in Korea, the society puts a lot of pressure on education and business.

Family is a lifetime obligation here. Kids don’t turn 18 and get pushed out of the house and on their own. In most cases a man or woman lives with their parents or siblings until they marry. Parents take go to great lengths to provide their children with the most opportunity for education throughout their youth, and continue to support them until the “big break” into the biz, and the expected marriage occurs. This gives the sons and daughters more money to spend on themselves, and the time to make the grades and do some “husband shopping”. I don’t know what to think of this system. I guess it’s obvious that there is less of a society of “individualism” here, and more of a community, and respect based culture. Every move in life, every success or failure seems to be a reflection of the entire family, and it is all tied so deeply together here.

As for myself, I'm learning my way around. I walk a lot, read a lot. Teaching is easy but exhausting. I'm thinking a lot about my future when I return home, and my next goals. I'm glad for the isolation from so many other thoughts, and the ability to think about my future in a more relaxed state of consciousness. I'm enjoying my stay here. It's extremely stimulating and I hope I can do better about conveying my experiences to you all with this blog. I will try to catch you up on outings and adventures, and not so much a social commentary like this one : ) I did visit an enormous palace today. I got some picture with my new camera and will post as soon as I can get them on my computer. So I'll try to write again soon. It helps when Amy pesters me to write in this blog. Somehow she is like my alter concsience that gets tapped into when she sends me a message. I don't know what I'd do with out her : )

I’m really tired from writing now. There is so much more to tell. And I’m afraid I haven’t listed all the wonders and deserving qualities of Korea, but I will. There just so much to tell, and I had to get this out first. Next time, I promise a tour guide of the museums and pleasant restaurants : ) I’m really glad for this experience. Although I miss everyone so much, this is a really neat year spent.

Much love and holiday cheer,
Katie

After a long weekend

I've been here 3 weeks in Seoul. The second week of teaching went well. Koreans celebrated Chusok on the 13th. It's like Thanksgiving for Americans. It is a very old harvest celebration, and many people will dress up in traditional Chusok costumes. Last Tuesday all the little kindergarteners dressed up, and it was really cute.

The kids are pretty much....well kids. Sometimes I think they are the most adorable creatures ever born, and sometimes I want to pull my hair out, but overall I feel very lucky to be working here.

Mandy arrived! She was thrown right into teaching on the first day, and she is doing a great job. She is very cool, and I liked her instantly. I think we are both happy to have each other here. This weekend was a long weekend for us because of Chusok. Her friend, Lisa is visiting here to see her boyfriend, who is stationed in the Army over here. So we all went to a baseball game on Sunday. It was a blast. On Sunday we went to the impressive Gyeongbokgung Palace in a popular area of Seoul, close to City Hall. The area was very nice with beautiful cobblestone alleys, and trees lining down the sides of streets. It felt very European.

I also had a new friend, Gaby, come and visit from Ansan about 40min. from Seoul. I had met her in Houston where we were both interviewing with the Korean consulate that day. We exchanged emails and she got in touch and came up for the Holiday weekend. When she visited my neighborhood she mentioned that I lived in a very "Korean" area of Seoul. I guess the market by my apartment with fish laying out everywhere, and huge buckets of spices out, old women selling fruit in stands on the sides of streets, and people walking out of the hospital with their iv bags beside them were more than she was experiencing in her neck of the woods. I started to envy her a little at first, wishing for an existence that did not include the stench of fish everytime I left my apartment, but when I think of the interesting culture I am absorbing I realized I wouldn't give this up for anything else.

In the evenings the elders of the area like to gather outside of small restaurants and convenience stores and have a bite to eat and a little chit chat. I see so many "grandmothers" that walk by hunched over, because when they were young they carried so much on their backs. They dont stand up straight any longer. Its an odd site to see so many of them walking around, but they seem to go about their business as if it was a minor thing.

The palace was beautiful, and not a far visit from my neighborhood. I think I will visit there often. There were also some beautiful mountains in the background. I look forward to hiking, and I think I will get a chance to visit Gaby and do that. She mentioned that there are mountains in her region, and lots of hiking.

I hope everyone is doing well in the States. I miss and love you all. I will try to keep this blog updated more often! It may not be flashy news I bring you, but just a little at a time to let you know my present state of mind :)

Love, Katie

I am a giant

Ok, here it is. I'm a giant in this country. I tried shopping today and it was very disappointing. EVERYTHING is too small, from top to bottom. And, I dislike most Korean fashion, so it's a bust. I didn't pack enough clothes to bring over here, so I'm a little bit fristrated right now, but it's not the end of the world, and honestly I don't feel as concerned about my style here because no one seems to notice my clothes, they just stare at my blue eyes in some mystified state.

Yesterday I met up with Yong Jeong, the nice guy I met on the flight over. We went to Ittewan and walked around all day, oh and found the book store that carries english print. The book store is a well known place around here, but it was funny to actually go there and find it to be a tiny space with books stacked all over the place in a fairly disorganized state. It was a store the size of my mini apartment. Mostly paperbacks of murder mysteries and those really bad romance novels. Not to mention the price was exorbant for a used paper back. I left the store with three books for $13. Where is Half Price Books when you need them??? I am happy to have some reading, so I wont continue ranting.

Yong Jeong is a very kind and generous person, and I am so happy to know him. He has told his family about me and I spoke with his little sister on the phone. She can speak a little english and giggled a lot when she talked. Next week is a very big Korean holiday similar to our Thanksgiving. I think its called Chusok. It goes from Saturday until Monday. Yong Jeong's mother has invited me to come to their home for a big dinner this coming weekend. I'm a little nervous, but excited to spend time with his family. Yong Jeong says his mother is a very good cook. I wonder what I will have for "Thanksgiving" here. Maybe some squid stew, rice cakes, and kimche. The possibilities are endless: )

There are some things that I see here that are strange to me, but over here they are completely natural to people. For instance: Many Korean men will drink until they pass out. It is not unusual to see a man passed out on the side of the street sleeping off the drinks he has just consumed. I have seen this many times in the short amount of time I have been here. I see anyone from a young man to a business man in a nice suit sleeping in alleys, on sidewalks. They just drop where they pass out and sleep it off.

I live right by the biggest hospital in Seoul. Its about a minute's walk from my apartment. Everyday from early to night I see people just going out for a walk in their hospital clothes, they will have their IVs hooked up to their arm, and they just walk around pushing their IV bags beside them. Or a guy with a broken leg pushing himself around in a wheelchair with his leg elevated. The other night I was eating dinner in a little restaurant and no sooner did I have the food up to my mouth I saw a burn victim walking by outside with his face looking like it was melting off. Appetite suppressant, baby! Let me tell you!

The other thing that I have found very amusing lately is the "konglish" (korean-english). It's on t-shirts, billboards, bar names, restaurants, just all over the place. Some of it is misspelling, some of it is funky translations into english. I will get some written down to explain myself better. And some of the sexual conotations are just incredible, but I dont think they understand it. Like the t-shirt I saw today "love harder, love deeper", I think it means something about being a good person, not what I think when I see it. Other times when I go out to clubs, it is blatantly sexual. Like the club called "Girls On Top". The other night walking home I saw "Ladies talking room only" club, it is a type of Chip and Dales club for women. That cracked me up. It is pretty funny, and I am enjoying this aspect of the trip very much. I will take more pictures of it.

Ok, one more funny and then I have to go. Last night Derek, Laura (friend and english teacher in another area of S.K.), and me went to a bar close by. The waiter knew some english and we all had fun getting to know him. He calls himself Simpson, and said his father's name is Homer. Ha ha, it was pretty funny coming from a Korean guy. After a little while we hear screams coming from the table behind us and we are wondering what the deal is. A few minutes later Simpson comes to our table with a Korean game. It is a plastic, red semi-sphere with four cords attached to it. At the end of the cords are metal handles for each opponent to hold with a red botton on them. There is a botton in the middle of the plastic center that he hit, and it plays scary halloween sounding music and blinks flashing red light. Simpson said when the flashing light turns green to press your button on your handle as quick as you can. So we do this and as soon as the light turns green Laura screams and drops her handle. The slowest person to push their button gets an electric shock. I know I shouldn't say anything further, but Derek and I felt bad about Laura getting electrocuted, and were somewhat curious in our "martini functioning" brains as too how it felt. So I lost next and screamed really loud, because it is a horrible sensation that goes from your hand straight up to your brain. Derek also lost to Simpson and had a shocked look on his face, like he couldn't believe we were stupid enough to play this insane game. Honestly, I have to say it was an experience, but not really that much fun to play. I don't recommend it.

Well, I have to go to bed and get rested for the beginning of the week tomorrow. Hope everyone is doing good and getting ready for Chusok! : ) Miss you all very much. -Katie

Monday

Today was the first day of teaching on my own. I had 8 classes today. I teach 5 and 6 year olds in the early part, and then older students 7-9 in the afternoon. All of the students were very good. They want to learn english and try hard to repeat what I am saying. They often get their L's confused with R's and vise versa. They also struggle with the U sound, usually making an O sound. They are very competitive, trying to finish the assignment first before the others. They also love to sing, and it is amusing to hear a class full of students singing along in english.
Tomorrow I have 6 classes and finish an hour earlier. I think this will be a good year, and I will learn as much from them as they do from me. Also, I gave 5 new students english names. I gave each of them names to choose from. I have three students named after my brothers and my cousin, Jason. Also one is named after my cousin, Amy : )
It rained all day, and is still raining. I am very tired. I hear there is a terrible hurricane in New Orleans, sending many refugees to Texas. Similar to Katrina. I hope everyone is finding safe haven.
This weekend will bring many great things. Mandy will be here Friday night, and Saturday I go to Ittewan with Yong Jeong to visit a westernized part of Seoul. I can't wait to buy some books! They also have a Baskin Robbins that I want to visit to get some ice cream!
I am being taken good care of here, and most everyone that sees me at the store looking confused wants to help me. I am grateful for that. Until next time. -Katie

The weekend

I have spent a week in Seoul. The week was exhausting. I was given so much information about teaching that I thought my head was going to explode. I start teaching Monday. This seems insane to me, but at least I have some books to work with, and I think a lot of the classroom time I will just be "wingin it". That's what the other American teachers told me when they started they just had to make it up as they went along.
I am walking everywhere. To work, the store, anything I need I have to walk to get it. I'm getting more used to the area of town I live in. Last night after work Derek and I took the subway to Hong Die (not correct spelling but that is how it sounds). It is an area of Seoul that has many westerners in it. When we got off the subway it was like a different world. Neon lights, huge buildings, so many people, peddlers on the sides of the narrow roads selling food, clothes, shoes. Lots of bars. I passed by two Starbucks : ) There is also a lot of food variety. I am getting a little anxiety about the food situation here, it is sooo different from what I am used to. I think I will go there on the weekends so that I can have different food. They have greek, vietnamese, and other types of restaurants there.
I met Derek's highschool friend, Kyle, and many Canadians last night. They all seemed a little younger than me. Maybe 24-26 and all were very preppy looking. They were nice enough, but I still felt a little out of place not knowing anyone. They like to party hard. Apparently, Derek is a party animal. We went to a cool upstairs bar that I liked a lot. I had a vodka orange juice. Derek and his friends had shots and drinks. After about 5 drinks I was spent and ready to go home. After I asked Derek to please take us home, he told me that I could go home by myself in a cab. I was a little hurt by that. I didn't want to go home by myself so I stayed out with him and his friends. I dont expect Derek to be my babysitter, but I sure as hell wasnt going to leave his side for the night in a foreign place, so I just drank a lot of water and waited until he was finished. We took a cab home, it was about $6 for the cab, and made it home around 5am. I will never do that again.
It's funny, being around all of those white people last night should have made me feel more connected, but ironically enough it made me lonely. I felt lonely for the first time last night. I'm sure it wont be the last. I'm not terribly sad, just felt a little pang of lonely. And the fact that it took some white people to make me feel it was just funny to me. It was good to go out and see something new, and see westerners all around me, but I just dont like staying out like that so I will figure something out.
I made a friend on the plane ride over here. His name is Yong Jeong. We have made contact through email and we will get to visit each other next weekend probably. He is going to show me around the city. I am excited about that. He is so nice and I think we will be good friends. Also, Mandy is coming next week!!!!!!!!!!! She will be working with Derek and I. She will live in the apt. complex right beside me. I have talked with her on facebook. From her pictures she looks very fun and cute. She looks like she likes to party too, so I'm sure Derek and her can handle that part of our adventures. It's not that I don't like to go out, but I guess I'll just find people that have a going-out schedule more like mine. Home and in bed by 2 or 3am : ) Anyway, I am so ready to have an American woman near me. I need a girlfriend here! So am very anxious for her to get here.
In my apartment complex there is always the owner of one of the two maintenance men that stay at the front desk. I have rarely walked by the front door and not seen someone in there. I dont know if they stay all night, but I think they do. Which is comforting to me. One of the maintenance men is a short guy probably in his 50's who always smiles at me. He also likes to sing very loud in Korean, and it cracks me up. The other night when I went out to smoke a cig. he brought a chair out for me and motioned me to sit under the carport. I usually sit on the short wall by the street. He kept slapping his arm saying "bogas, bogas"! I finally realized he was saying bugs. And then he said "Americans" and put his fingers to his mouth like he was holding a cig. He went back and forth a few times. I think he was trying to say Americans are chain smokers, but I'm not sure. He is always talking to me in Korean, like I can understand a word he is saying, but it is nice to have the attention and I try to be very polite to him so he will be on my side and help me out when I need it in the future maybe. Most of the Koreans I see everyday on the street do not smile. A lot of the men in the evenings get together outside of little convenience stores and hang out. Today when I was walking home I saw a few of them squatting outside talking. It was odd to see men squatting and hanging out, but that is a comfortable position for them I guess.
I am glad I live in Youngdeongpo. There are not as many Americans around, but it is quieter and more peaceful than Hong Die. And Hong Die is only two subway stops away when I want to get out. I think god was looking out for me when she helped me find this job. She/he -whatever. Whoever god is she is looking out for me I think.
I miss my family very much. I am so glad that I have such wonderful people in my life, and that I am able to have this adventure and tell it to you all that I love. It fills my heart, I am grateful. Ok, so obviously I am starting to feel very emotional and corny, so I will leave you for now. I am doing very well, eating well, sleeping well, and happy to be here. Talk soon. Love -Katie

Last day before teaching on my own

Today is Friday. I have spent the week observing other teachers. Although this seems adequate, I am still feeling nervous. We have not been given a lesson plan, looked over the books we are using, or told how to teach. Just observing classes is helpful, but next week is definitely going to be a challenge. It's sort of a sink or swim situation.
Yesterday Derek and I went to the hospital with John and Julie (school director and recruiter) to get a visa health check where they took blood and pee test, xrayed my chest, tested my sight and hearing and teeth. As usual there was difficulty finding a good vein for me, but the lady only had to try once, she was very steady.
I am getting used to the surrounding area by my apartment, but not that well yet. I know how to walk left toward the market and internet cafe (I haven't gone back to the market yet. I know where to avoid the dog bodies, but I am just still struggling with the image and am apprehensive about going anywhere near that again. But, honestly the rest of the market was fine. Lots of fish out and rice in huge tubs, fresh fruit. So it would be silly of my not to take advantage of it at some point). To the right, left, right takes me out to a large intersection, huge intersection, I will try and take a picture of it today. Then across the huge intersection to my school, about a ten minute walk. I'm a little more familiar with the places right by the school, but don't go very far down either way.
Near the school there is a great little restaurant that one of the other teacher's has shown us. $3-4 gets you a huge helping of bulgulgi and also this pork dish with a really yummy brown gravy that has a tangy flavor. Behind the school and about a five minute walk is Lotte Mart. It is a huge store with food court, clothing, electronics, groceries, home goods. The food court has a Dunkin Donuts and fruit ice cream and a coffee cafe, and Korean food. I go there for things I need in my apartment. Lotte is a huge corporation in South Korea. I am told that there are just a few corporations here , but that they are huge corporations. There's Lotte Mart, Lotte Hotels, Lotte Theme Park, and the list goes on.
There are two Korean-American teachers names Matt and David that grew up in America and are over here teaching also. They have shown us around quite a bit and are very kind. They are both leaving by next week, but David is staying in Korea to take language classes in Korean, and plans to stay indefinitely, so I will have a good contact with him this year. This weekend Derek and I are going with him to Ittewan, and area of the city that has more American goods. I need some books and shirts. I'm excited about using the subway because I need to learn so that I can get mobile.
Next Thursday once our health checks come back, we are going to immigration office to "officialize" our stay here. It's quite a process to get a job over here. And next Monday I start teaching. I'm nervous, but I have this weekend to try and get prepared mentally.
There is so much more to say, but its still kindof jumbled around in my head. I'll keep trying though. I love this blog so that I can keep everyone updated! Love-Katie

First day of teaching!!

I am going to have a mini class today, to introduce myself to the kids. I have found a coffee shop, not really coffee shop. Its a photography studio slash coffee shop. I have gotten a iced mocha there for the second day, not bad. There is fresh fruit all around me. There is also a meat market right by my apartment, so the are smells like fish, kinda hard to stomach, but I'll get used to it. I also saw dog meat for sale, an entire body in a freezer. It was pretty shocking, but I expected it before I came here. My coworkers tell me that it is something that Korea is trying to move away from, so that would explain why they wouldnt let me take a picture of it I guess. It's stuck in my head right now. Anyway, its not bad here. The directors of the school and my recruiters are doing everything to make my stay comfortable, and I am getting internet in my apartment today! And a cell phone. Well thats all for now. I'll start taking pictures of the city and post them soon.

First day

Made it to Seoul. Live close to a fish market. The streets are very clean, narrow roads and no sidewalks. Start training today. Found this internet cafe so as soon as I can get my head straight I will try to describe it better. I am having trouble attaching photos, but will try with this. Talk soon. -Katie

I leave in two days

I just saw Barnum and Baileys Circus! Two days before I leave for Korea. It was so cool to see my little cousins see the circus for the first time. they were glued to the entertainment. It makes me think about my first time to see the circus, and how magical it was. I'm going to miss those boys so much.

Life is hard, remember the times of magic.

My bed is too small for my tiredness. Give me a hilltop of leaves. Tuck a cloud up under my head. Lord, blow the moon out please.

I love you Amy. You are my rock. I cant wait to share the rest of my journey with you.

xoxo- Katie

Leaving Sunday

Guess I'll be leaving a day earlier! Getting packed and ready to go. Gonna load some movies on my iphone for the 15hr flight! Saying goodbye is hard. I'm excited, nervous, and a little bit of everything in between.....

Just interviewed with Korea Consulate in Houston. Buying my airfare tonight.....leave on MOnday!!!! Pickled cabbage in hot sauce here I come!