Take It Easy

It's been three weeks (almost), since I landed in Korea.  My first weekend, I explored my town, Dangjin.  I walked around and found the necessary items for at least a couple of weeks.  I stumbled upon the open market on the off-day.  While there are still cute, little old ladies selling their goods, the real action happens on the 5th and 10th day of the month.

The weekend after was Chuseok, Koreans version of Thanksgiving.  During this time, people visit their family members and pay tribute to their ancestors by cleaning their graves.  Since my one family member lives in Ulsan, I ventured there with my trusted phrasebook and hoped I wouldn't get too lost.  Daejeon is about 1.5 hours from Dangjin and a major city where I needed to transfer to catch the bus to Ulsan.  When I arrived in Daejeon and I was dropped off...somewhere.  I got a little lost and when I found my way back 20 minutes later, I realized that I had been dropped off just across the street from the main bus terminal.  Next time, I will take the time to read the signs rather than just following the flow of people.  Since it was a major holiday, I waited another 3.5 hours for the next open seat on the bus.  The trip that would normally take 4 hours turned into an 8 hour journey.  It's still better than Gilligan's 3 hour tour!  But I finally arrived in Ulsan to see Mysti!  We went and had dinner with Janna, where we ordered way too much food.  We really need to pay better attention to the menus and stop thinking we can eat like "Gilmore Girls".  Then off to my first Norebong experience with out new Korean friends.  Yeah, I can't believe I actually went to a karaoke room and sang.  I blame the soju.  Then we went and played one of the beach side games where you pop the ballon with the darts and we all won stuffed "Hello, Kitty" heads.  Again, I had a lot of soju.  The next day, Mysti and I explored Ulsan as we walked through the open market and Old Downtown.  Later that evening, we stopped to eat some street food and had a drink at a bar.  On Chuseok, we went "hiking" at Ilsan Beach.  One thing I had heard prior to coming to Korea was that some girls actually go on these hiking trails in heels.  While I knew I would see such sights, it did still raise my eyebrows.  Then again, I went in my flip flops.  We enjoyed the beautiful scenery and got a little exercise.

After Chuseok, I had 2 days of teaching before the weekend.  Although, I have been here for three weeks, I still don't feel as if I have settled into my job.  I split my time between 2 schools.  My main school, I teach the 5th and 6th graders with an average of 22 students in each class.  My second school, there are only about 40 students in the entire school.  I teach all but the two 4th graders.  It is amazing how class sizes matter.  At my main school, my 5th and 6th graders think that English class is their fun time and are completely out of control.  Some days, they are pretty well-behaved; other times, the 40 minutes can't end fast enough.  I have started to use my stern, loud voice, which have silenced the room when needed.  My students at the second school are my angels.  Not only are they well-behaved, but so eager to learn.  I can already see myself getting attached to these adorable kids.

This past weekend, I met some of the other Native English teachers, both in public and private schools.  It is comforting to know that there are so many of us in this "tiny" city.  It is nice to exchange stories and talk without thinking about each and every word.  I think especially in the public schools where there is only one Native teacher, it can feel a bit isolating.  Koreans are shy people and are fearful to speak English.  On top of that, I can sense that other teachers are disappointed that I can't speak Korean.  It's been too hard to explain my adoption story and why I lost my Korean language skills to them.  So they think I'm an idiot or just a bad Korean.  Either way, there hasn't been much opportunity to learn Korean.  My one saving grace is the After School English teacher at my main school, whom I met yesterday.  Her English is excellent and so outgoing, she reminds me of all my friends back home.

Although I haven't been here long, I have already learned to "take it easy" and just let things happen.  There is no use in trying to plan too far in advance because everything happens in Korean time (though not quite like the Aloha time).  My many years of moving to different places and traveling has helped me to be more outgoing, which has been helpful in meeting new people.  Most of all, I am discovering my love of teaching (thanks to my second school).  At the end of the day, I know I'm here for my students and that puts a smile on my face.

First 48 hours in Korea

After more than 17 hours of travel, I finally made it to Korea about 5am yesterday.  I waited until 7am for the driver to show up.  After that, I waited another hour for a different driver because he was the only one who knew where I was supposed to go.  Then, I went straight to the Dangjin head office to wait for my co-teacher(s).  I met 2 teachers, one who was leaving, another who was replacing him.  They took me to my apartment, lunch, and school.  I wasn't prepared to meet the principle as I had just gotten off the plane and wasn't in my best form.  Nonetheless, there we went.  My teachers introduced me to various other teachers and office employees.  Each time, my co-teacher had to explain why I couldn't speak Korean.  They did not seem pleased.  So it goes.  Finally at the end of the day, my co-teacher, the replacement, took me to Lotte Market to buy some essentials: coffee marker, grinder (of sorts), and school slippers.  He seemed please at my fast shopping ability.  I explained that I actually hate shopping.  It had been a long day, so I unpacked, shower, looked at the lesson for the next day, and went to sleep.

In the morning, my principal picked me up and took me to my school.  My first school is about a 20 minute drive or 1 hour bus ride.  The first 4 periods are my 5th and 6th grade classes and the rest of the day is for lesson planning.  All I did today was observe the class.  The children were trying to speak to me in Korean and was disappointed that I couldn't reply.  Few are trying to teach me...and I thought I was the teacher!  After school, I met my co-teacher from my second school.  My first day there will be Wednesday.  This juggling two schools should be interesting.  On another note, I was asked whether I was married or single by teachers and students.  I know it's a common question and people are curious.  One thing I had trouble explaining was WHY (which my principal asked).  "Uh, I don't know.  I haven't met the right person yet."  Then he told me that maybe I will find someone in Korea.  I guess anything is possible.

My city, Dangjin: First, it is a lot bigger than what I imagined.  Because of Hyundai, the city has grown exponentially in the last ten years.  There are high rise apartments everywhere and the city limit is huge (hence the hour bus ride to my schools).  My apartment is near downtown Dangjin and close to the bus terminal.  Apparently, the downtown is not safe at night...they said something about the Chinese.  It is about an hour bus ride from Seoul and about 4 hours from Ulsan (Mysti).  Apparently, my apartment building has a lot of foreigners and I met three tonight.  I'm always up for meeting new people!

Until next time :-)