Update on life

Ok, I know I haven't posted in a while, but here is what's happening this week...

School

  School is going ok for a change, although there are stormy seas on the horizon. I have finally been allowed to teach some classes by myself - but by this I mean Co leaves me in the classroom alone with 25+ Korean kids that speak basically no English. It's a disaster waiting to happen. In saying that, it has been the grade 4 and 5's and they are generally good kids. They seem to speak way more when it is just me in the class as opposed to when Co is there too... Says a lot for his classroom presence if you ask me. I honestly think they are scared to talk, and especially scared to get it wrong. it's not uncommon for him to tease kids who don't participate, or who get things wrong. Doesn't really promote a healthy learning environment when kids are scared to make a mistake.

  As for the stormy seas, it has to do with money... I had an idea last week or the week before to introduce some after school classes for the kids who are doing really poorly in English class. I said to him that I would like to give the kids the option to do an extra hour of class a week or something, mainly to practice speaking with me. The classes would be smaller and hopefully allow me to be a bit more creative with my teaching. I planned on taking these classes alone, as it's not like he needs to fill anymore hours (whereas I am short 1 teaching hour). He liked the idea and said he would get back to me. Today he comes in and says that the Vice-Principal has agreed to allow for extra budget and let me teach an extra 2 classes, meaning overtime pay for me. He then goes on to say that he would be taking the classes with me, and that I should split my overtime pay with him... I didn't really know what to say and told him I would think about it. 

  I immediately got on the comp and emailed my GEPIK coordinator Gina and explained to her the situation. She said that if I am doing any extra hours then the money is mine. And that I should be able to run the classes myself and she has never been asked about this situation ever. So tomorrow I will have to have the awkward conversation with him... I am still trying to decide how to word it, I have to work with this guy for another 10 months so I want to keep it friendly... And I want to go home early tomorrow because it is it Seoul lantern festival!

Outside school - In the real world

  Things are going great! I mean, there are people I would love to see more of (yes I am talking about you Mia!) but I have been getting out a whole heap and generally having a good time. I haven't travelled around much yet, but to be honest I am happy just doing my thing around here. There people are really great and we all have a good laugh.

The best news, however, is this: I AM ALLOWED TO HAVE A DOG!!!

  I have been missing my pets like crazy since I arrived here. I know some people think I am crazy, and that it will limit the experience of living abroad, but to me pets can only enhance your life. I hate not having one around, I hate being lonely in the evenings and all that. And I kinda need an excuse to spend a little more time at home... I have been spending so much money lately that it is kinda defeating one of the purposes for coming over here in the fist place - I am not saving any money. So while I am out here spending my cash, my bills at home are still coming out of a credit card i am not paying off. Its a tough life. 

  So the dog... I went out to Asan dog shelter with a friend on Saturday to see this little doggie I had seen advertised on the ARK Page (animal adoption in Korea or something) for adoption. There are so many dogs here that are dumped and abandoned, I decided rather than help fund puppy farms I would save a dog and give it a new life. So we went out to meet him and he was adorable. Kinda full of beans but I would imagine he would calm down once he settled into a routine. I will post pics eventually...

  In the meantime another guy who I emailed contacted me about another dog which is located in Seoul... This dog really seems more suitable, as she is house trained and quiet. But here's the thing - I feel committed to the shelter dog. I can't help it, he is out there all cold and sad and it is breaking my heart. But the catch is this - the landlady said I can have a dog but it MUST BE QUIET. If she hears it baring I will need to get rid of it... The little doggie in Seoul was debarked (really really cruel procedure) by her previous owner so she is quiet. She is also a little older and house trained, used to living in an apartment and is good with cats. Yes, I am already thinking about Pawpaw... So this is the dilemma. I am concered that if I get the Asan dog that the lady will make me get rid of him (as I have no idea how yappy he is, but the breed is apparently kinda noisy at times). But I don't want to leave him in the shelter... The other dog in Seoul is in a foster home right now but they are moving home and can't take her with them.

What will I do!!!

Other news is that I am being wooed by a Korean guy who is a trainer at my friend's gym. Watch this space I will keep you posted...

November was supposed to be fitness month! But I have done basically no excersise... The only change I have made so far is that i always take the stairs now rather than using the lift. I have also introduced eggs into my diet, before now I have been eating out all the time but I am making an effort to eat at home more. So, eggs it is.

I am convinced the food at school was making me sick. I kept getting these awful cramps in my belly, and it seemed to happen every day at around 3pm. So This week I decided to try bringing my own lunch rather that eating the school food. I still go down to the cafeteria and get a little bit of food from the lunch lady but I just pick at the rice. Then I bail on lunch and go back to the classroom and eat my peanut butter sandwich (lol diet stahp! and have some yoghurt. And so far so good - no tummy pain yet this week. Bonnie - 1, Kimchi - 0

Reading between the lines

  I have been going to Korean class now for a few weeks, and I love it. The language is difficult, but the writing is easy to learn to read and write. But I have found that you actually don't need words to communicate. Give me another few weeks, and I will be able to say I can speak basic Korean. I can introduce myself, say what I am doing here, where I am from, ask for more food etc etc. But language isn't always about speaking, i think it is reading customs, body language and between the words. For example, I can tell if someone is asking me something rather than telling me something, not from the words that come out of their mouth but more from their tone and stance. You can tell who is creepy to sit next to on the subway and who is fine and will leave you alone. You can tell who you should ask for directions from. All of this comes from some greater meta-language... And I think all people speak it.

Being in another country and not speaking the language has given me a greater insight into many things, and the whole concept of body language is one of them. Here is Korea, there is no such thing as personal space. There might be a whole subway car to sit on, but a person will still sit next to you or opposite you. There is always safety in numbers (but this goes for anything), and above all, there is compassion. 

When I went to speak to the landlady about the dog I knew it would be difficult. I had a friend write me a letter in Korean stating what I wanted and why (a whole heap of stuff like 'dog is family and I am far from home'), but to be honest I think she would have said no outright if she hadn't seen the look of pleading on my face. And when she saw how happy she had made me by saying yes, her face lit up as much as mine. 

People are all the same on the inside, I am convinced. I know, there are jerks and assholes out there but I don't want to count them. There are also rapists and murderers, but I am talking about your average everyday human going about living their life. I like that you can go anywhere in the world and not know a lick of their language and still be able to get by. Because technically we all have a common language, and a common background.

Back at home?

  It was Cup Day today in Melbourne, which is pretty much my favourite holiday. Only in Australia do people get days off for sporting events! A horse race no less! I haven't even checked to see who won, but I know sportsbet.com won't be paying out to me... (I have taken to online gambling to pass the time at school - please somebody help me). Mum had her annual Cup Day bbq at home, with the usually crowd. I hear they had a great day. 

 Sissy has been having some trouble with the pony... She is a bit of a witch so it seems, I am really sad that i can't be there to give her a hand, but she is a fantastic rider and really great with the horses so I am sure she will get her sorted out in no time.

 Beau has gone to live with a friend of ours who has land in Mt. Evelyn, so he is living the good life off eating grass. It is exactly what i wanted for him while I was away, to be out in a paddock eating grass. He is a good old boy and now he can just play and act like a horse for a while. 

Anyway, thats about it. I am super sleepy tonight, I really would love to have a sleep in but its only Tuesday lol. Te weather here is fucking cold - usually under 5 degrees when I get up. It hasn't been above 10 degrees all week and its only November... I hear January/February are the coldest months. Next payday I will buy myself a big, warm, fluffy jacket. It will be worth the money I am sure.

I will also start looking at things to send home to people for Christmas... Shipping is pretty expensive so I might have to stagger everyones gifts over the rest of the year. Only a few people very month get a present. But imagine the surprise when it arrives!!!

Good night everyone xoxoxoxo

2 Months

Can you believe it?

Hasn't time just flown?!?!?! Tomorrow is my 2 month anniversary in Korea, and although I keep everyone updated about my general comings and goings, I thought I would do a bit of a reflection of my time here so far. 

  The biggest challenge for me hasn't been the language barrier, or the food, or any of the predictable obstacles, rather it has been living alone. Before I came to Korea, I had always lived at home with mum and sissy so I have always had others around me. Our house in Melbourne is HUGE by Korean standards, and when I first arrived I felt a bit claustrophobic in my 1 room apartment. I mean, I loved it from the moment I walked in, but it is definitely small. And quiet... I have always enjoyed my own company just fine, but I have discovered I am a terribly needy person. I NEED to be connected at all times, and I NEED company during the week. I have made it a priority to keep busy and as a result I actually don't spend many nights at home by myself. I tend to go out for dinner with someone on weeknights, so the only time I really have to myself are the weekends (during the day). And I try to keep Sunday night to myself but that's not a rule. 

  

  I can basically read and write in Korean now. I joined Korean class, which I go to on a Tuesday and a Thursday night, and there has been a big focus on the reading and writing of Hangul (Korean script is very different from ours). I can read signs, and sound them out and can pronounce words much better. The only thing is I have no idea what anything means... So I can read the paper, but I can't understand what I am reading. Kinda stupid, but it's a start! The course runs for 3 months, so it will wrap up around December sometime. Hopefully by then I will have all the basics mastered and then I can wing it from there. The teachers at school are pretty good, one friend in particular is an awesome person and is really helping me learn. I still have my goal of trying to learn as much of the language as possible while I am here.

  I was not a teacher when I left Melbourne, and I won't become one while I am here. But the last 2 months has given me direction for when I come home - I want to do a Dip. Ed and teach early primary/kinder. People have been telling me for years I should have done teaching, but I have always shied away from it... I never saw myself teaching anything, but in saying that when someone says 'teacher' I think of high school. But I really like the kids here, and I am sure they will be just as cute and funny at home. So I will stay clear of high school and stick to the little kids.

  I said as well that i won't become a teacher here...Let me explain this comment. The relationship between my co-teacher and myself is a ridiculous one. I don't teach at school, I basically just stand there while he dictated to the class in Korean. They hardly speak any English, and when they do get the opportunity to practice they are mostly too shy to give it a go. In his defence, Co is always trying to think of new ways to get the kids interested in English. But to me the easiest way to keep them entertained would be to play some games and sing some songs. The kids here (and the adults!) love to sing and dance, but he does not want to deviate from the text book curriculum. So as a result we have 8 classes of bored kids who don't want to speak English. They are sick of the workbook.

So I am not getting any teaching experience, unless he isn't at school for some reason and them I am left to control a heap of ratty children who have no clue what I am saying. 

So school isn't much fun to be honest. Hopefully it will get better, because I still have 10 months of it left. 

  I live for the weekends. Actually, I live for 4:30 on weekdays too. I have been more social since coming here than I have been in my entire life. I have already managed to drunkenly embarrass myself, do all-nighters, meet randoms and become friends with them and much more. The only thing I haven't done is 'hook up' with anyone, much to the disbelief of my friends here and at home. I am having just as much bad luck with boys in Korea as I have with boys in Australia. 

  I have finally figured out the public transport. The system here is amazing and efficient. I have no idea how Melbourne has managed to fuck up Myki so badly, when they use basically the same system here. If it can work for 11 million people in Seoul, I am sure they can figure it out for the 6 million or whatever the number is in Melbourne. Get it together before I come back. Melbourne, you have 10 months. 

The trains/subways are clean and fast, and they arrive on time. Well, sometimes the subway is a little off but thats ok as I am usually a little late. 

  I have said it before, and I will say it again - Korean food is good. Especially the BBQ, I go mental for galbi. In fact we ate it this morning at about 4am after the bar closed... But the lunches at school I am totally over. The smell of the cafeteria makes me want to puke most days. I mean, its ok once you go in but outside it smells gross. 

I have eater food here that I have never eaten before, like the prawns (which I still don't like) and I eat so much meat its not even funny. In saying this, there are a heap of foods I am missing. This afternoon I could have killed someone for a crumpet. Or macaroni. Or decent cheese. Also i am not super impressed by the milk here... I know there is better milk at the Highway Mart, but its easier to grab milk from 7-11, so as a result I drink sub-par milk (firstworldproblems). 

When I first arrived I lost a heap of weight. I think I dropped 3 kilos in the first week or 2, from stereo and being scared to eat anything. Now the kilos are back on plus extra. Don't worry, November is get fit month...I got a skipping rope and everything :)

Kimbap

Mandoo

  Not being able to understand what they are saying has not stopped me from getting into K-Dramas. I love the t.v dramas here, they are so overacted you can pick up whats going on most of the time anyway. Some of them are on really late though, but luckily for me I have a super cool t.v that lets me replay shows whenever! It craps me off though that I need to pay if I want to re-watch episodes on OCN. 

K-Pop has been a guilty pleasure of mine for a while, and here I can listen without fear of judgement! I usually put the music channel on while I get ready for work, so I can watch clips while I get dressed. 

  I surprised myself with how quickly I have settled into life here. I have my little routine, and have been slowly creating myself a nice little nest here. Its easy to live in Korea, provided you are happy to be completely out of the loop. I pretty much never have any idea what is going on, and so far it has worked pretty well for me. Its clean here, and although the wearer is getting cold now, I like the climate. It is actually pretty similar to home. 

I hardly notice people staring at me anymore. Or maybe it just doesn't bother me... I go about my business, they go about theirs. But its funny, because I have taken to staring at foreigners too haha. I see one, and in my head i'm like "ooo a foreigner!" 

  To sum it up, I like it here. I feel like I have been here longer, especially because I am now meeting people who have just arrived. And then I speak with people that have been here for years, and it blows my mind! You just don't notice where the time is going! I hope the rest of my year is as enjoyable as the first 2 months have been :)

Seoul

In other news...

Sissy is coming! I don't think her flights are booked yet, but she will be in Korea in late December/early January to spend New Year with me. i am so excited! We will stay in Seoul for NYE so hopefully there will be a big party somewhere... Which I am sure there will be :) I am really glad she is coming, plus it has given me something good to look forward to. I have been trying not to think too much about having to spend Christmas alone. Well, hopefully by then I will have my dog so it won't be so bad.

I have been on a shopping frenzy the last couple of days, buying nothing in particular. I hardly have anything to show for it! But once I get my phone that will be it for speeding until next pay. One of my goals was to save money while being in Korea, not spend money. I must remember to save save save! 

Thats about it for now. 

Happy 2 months to me :)

xoxoxo