Wanderings

A sound week in Korea

Its hard to believe I have already been here for longer than a week, yet at the same I can't get over that it has ONLY been 1 week! I feel like I have been here so much longer. The weekend is flying past too, and even with internet and t.v woes I am still having a great time.

Friday

After school finished I went home and got changed. I was meeting Tyler and Mia at some point to head into Suwon with them to go out to the opening of a new bar that a mate of theirs owns. They were held up at the AB (Air Base) having some secret army meeting so we were a bit later than expected by the time we got on the train. We headed off to Suwon and went back to their place which is MASSIVE compared to mine! Their bedroom is bigger than my apartment haha. They also have the most adorable dog in the world, he is a mini something and is tiny! I am seriously thinking about saving my pennies and getting a tiny dog. I hadn't realised how much I was missing my pets until I was cuddling Mia's... Its nice to think someone will be waiting for you when you get home. 

We went out for Galbi - Korean BBQ for all those playing at home. It was so delicious!!! I swear to God I have eaten more meat since coming to Korea than I have ever eaten in my life. 

NB 

I was actually vegetarian for years (not really strict, but enough) and used to take iron supplements and all that. In Australia the most meat I would eat was chicken breast, incredibly crispy bacon and beef mince. And thats it. It wasn't so much that I was anti-meat from a ethical point of view, although I am fairly vocal about the treatment of animals for slaughter. It was more that I simply didn't like the taste. I don't love a roast, and I cannot eat sausages (keep your dirty thoughts to yourself). So this whole 'meat eating' thing is a big deal. Ask any of my friends.

After Galbi we went out to Bulldogs, which was the bar that was opening that night in Suwon. The owner, who is a good friend of Mia and Tyler's, was celebrating by offering free beer, and all other drinks 5000won. I was drunk in no time, and didn't notice I had missed my train home. 

Luckily Mia has an epic huge couch so they offered to let me stay at their place which I gladly accepted and kept drinking. We went to another bar after that, and then finished up at a norae-bang, which is karaoke. Yep, big night.

I was soooo seedy the next morning, and the only thing that helped was pizza. 

Later that day I finally left Mia and Tyler who were probably so sick of me hanging around, but I just really like hanging with them lol. I got lost on the way to the taxi rank and had to call Mia, and then got a taxi to Seryu Station and finally made it home around 2pm on the Saturday. It was a big night, but I had an awesome time and met some really nice people. Hopefully I will see them out again another night :)

 Mia and Me (I got rained on, ok?)

 View from Mia and Tyler's awesome apartment

 Yep, you saw right. Domino's!

Socrates, the adorable doggie

The rest of the weekend...

...has gone by slowly. I was knackered on Saturday so just bummed around, wandered up to the strip to get some food later, came home, ate it, skipped Dad and Sue then Georgia and Rohan and then went to bed. 

Today I tried to sleep in, did some cleaning (Sunday is my new official cleaning day) and went out for a walk. I am trying to find an ATM, but I can't locate one yet... Oh well. 

Came back here, the internet was miraculously working (I am totally stealing someones wifi again) and they Skyped Mum. She had to go, and here I am blogging.

Oooo! Mum has booker her flights! She is coming to Korea on the 27th September and staying until the following Sunday. The Sunday and Monday are National public holidays, its Chuseok which is like memorial day of something from what i can gather, or Thanksgiving... Either way I don't have to go to school on the Monday. The Wednesday is also a public holiday, maybe this is Memorial day? I really should find out. In fact, it can be the theme of the next blog :)

And because there is a holiday on the Monday and Wednesday I get the Tuesday off too! Yay for public schools!!! So mum and I will go to Busan for the few days, go on Saturday and come back on the Wednesday, stay in Songtan for a few nights then on the Friday night we will go to Seoul for the weekend. I will go home Sunday, and I think mum flies out on either the Sunday night or the Monday. I am so excited to see her and to do some sightseeing together! Its perfect timing with the days off school, it means she only has 2 days where I am not around and even then its only for a few hours and there is plenty to see around here. She has brought a rail pass so she can just have a play around Pyeongtaek. 

Anyway, thats about all for now, here are some pics of my area so you can have a look. I did a sneaky video of my walk to the Highway Mart, it literally takes 3 minutes to walk there. I always get stopped at the lights and they take FOREVER to change. 

Talk soon friends!

xoxo

School musings...

I was told that ESL Teachers have some of the best kept blogs on the internet... 

I totally get that now. It's the dreaded 2:00pm, and I have no more classes, just a belly full of rice (and kimchi - I actually ate some today. Still gross) and no one to talk to. At least I can play online until my co comes back from wherever he went.

My Co-Teacher

I am not going to name him, not because he isn't a really nice guy, because he is, but I haven't asked him if I can refer to him on my blog and I think he might not be cool about it. But I can't describe my teaching experiences without mentioning him at least once. He will hereby be reffered to as Co.

I first spoke with Co during my phone interview, we clicked because he had some knowledge of Australia, having been here for 2 months years ago. I think I actually mentioned this in one of the Melbourne blogs... Anyway today has been the forst day that we have really done any "teaching" together, by which I mean he got me to explain some language concepts and I walked around and practiced some stuff with the students. 

We also have lunch together. I'm not sure how long he will put up with me tailing him for but I quite enjoy his company (when he is feeling chatty). He enjoys practicing his English, and often says that they more he speaks the more confident he is with his English. So it suits both of us for him to be speaking it. 

He was telling me a story at lunch today about a man he worked with about 20 years ago who was an ex-army guy (English speaking obviously) who was working at the school he was at. He noticed that some students in particualr were picking up English a lot faster than others and wondered why this was so. It turned out that these particualr students were in charge of cleaning the ex-army guy's classroom, and were having mini conversations with him every day. So just through simple conversations and instructions, these kids were miles ahead of the other students, and it was all down to exposure and use. 

I was having rapid idea time inside my head at this point... Here was an opening for me to have an idea for lessons! This was my suggestion to Co:

Perhaps for about 5-10 minutes per class, I could take a group of students aside and just have a conversational sessions with them? Then they will be getting more direct exposure to the language, and hopefully more confidence in using it because there will only be 4-6 other students to speak in front of.

Yes, he thinks its a good idea, but is unsure if we can pull it off... Having students not sitting in class and learning the recommended curriculum is not allowed and will need approval. So I don't know if he didn't like my idea, or if I actually can't implement it.

We had another conversation later this arvo, I was asking him more about lesson plans, and he told be pretty much to calm my farm, and that soon enough I would be required to pretty much do everything.
"This is your first week as teacher, and you need to see how to work first. Then, you can teach class always and I will just be there for language barrier and discipline."
Huh. Is that so?
So I asked about the lessons, and if I can pretty much do what I want in them. No, I need to follow the curriculum. But can I change parts of it? As long as they students meet the lesson objectives I think I will be able to do what I want.
So I will start just by changing small things, Co says maybe just do 1 or 2 classes a week to start, and then when I feel more confident and comfortable then maybe I will want to add and change other parts of the lesson.
So far, he seems like a genuine person, who really does want to help the kids learn English. Hopefully we will keep things nice and friendly and be able to work together really well. I have read that other teachers have BIG problems with their co-teachers, and makes their time at the school really bad. I am off to a really positive start with mine, I just hope it continues.

Highlights of the day?

Well, its only 10 to 4, so there is still a fair bit of the day left... But so far its got to be hearing the students try and say "beach". I had nearly 30 students calling out "bitch" over and over. They couldn't get the long 'e' sound. It was hilarious, I was standing there with a huge grin on my face, I couldn't help it. Co saw me smiling and clued into what they were saying. 

"Stop!" He yells, "You cannot say 'bitch'! You MUST say 'beach'!. Again!" And so they went again.

Another one... He has no problem telling the kids they are retarded.  In fact, he even translates the word for them so they know exactly what they are being called. 

For example, one boy today was chatting away rather than paying attention. He had been doing it the whole lesson, Co was over it. So, he calls the boy up the front and says to the class "this boy is retarded." And then he translated what he was saying. All the kids started calling him retarded, and then Co whacked him on the head a few times with the pointer stick before sending him out of the classroom. He ran off with the others calling out "retarded! retarded!"

I cannot believe the things these teachers get away with!

Tonight?

I am trying to make friends... I posted in the Pyeongtaek FB group that I would love to make friends and would anyone like to have dinner with me. And people replied! One girl has invited me out for Thai food tonight with some friends of hers, so I am super nervous and excited to meet some new people! 

I'll try to be likable and not too weird. I'm pretty sure they are American, so they totally won't get my jokes or expressions, but I think everyone should have an Aussie friend. I am quite happy to fill that role for all people :)

I will let you know how it goes. I will try and take sly pictures to prove that I am being social haha.

And then tomorrow night I am going out with Mia and Tyler to some bar, and hopefully making more friends there. So exciting! Waaahhh be cool Bonnie, be cool. 

In other news...

I have been hearing reports via FB that it has been super windy in Melbourne. This sucks for you, here in Songtan the weather is beautiful and warm, with a slight breeze. I am sitting here in a skirt and a short sleeve top and it is really pleasant. 

Sissy has been riding Billie the pony, and has re-named her Witchy-poo... This doesn't sound promising, but she is an excellent rider and I know that they will work through it and be awesome. I can't wait to see some pics of them out and about. Hopefully with ribbons. YOU BETTER WIN SOMETHING. Just kidding, just try your best.

It would be great to see some pics of Beau, and to hear how he is going. Anyone who spots him please tell him I say hi.

I have loved the skype sessions with my friends and family. The highlight would have to be seeing everyone at Kirst and Dan's on Tuesday... It was awesome seeing everyone at once. And a shout out to Davey for mentioning me in his vlog - there will be one coming back at cha soon xx

I think thats about all for now, I will let everyone know how I go with my friend finding mission tomorrow. No pics or vids to upload until I get my internet and t.v fixed at home. I have a feeling it has to do with payments, but as I don't handle any of that stuff I will wait it out until tomorrow... I will take a pic of the screen and show Co tomorrow morning if it is still gay tonight.

It's now 4:07. The countdown is back on haha... 

xoxo

School Blues

High excitement at school? Only for a few hours.

I know its only Wednesday, I have have only been here for a few days, but I have a pretty good feeling this may be what the rest of the year holds. I know I said I was going to give a blow by blow of the days, but as every day so far has basically been the same I will give you a taste of the timetable and what I do...

Daily breakdown

7:00 - wake up

I set my alarm for 7am, but in all honesty normal people could easily get up at 7:45 and still make it in plenty of time. I fluff around, eat breakfast (a piece of toast with weird grape-seed butter and strawberry jam), have a shower, do my hair and make up (a must), get dressed, make my bed and then leave. All the while I watch the Australia Network on t.v so I know what's going on at home. I left the house today at 8:15is and was still here a bit early.

8:30 - School time

I need to be here by 8:30, and there are already students wandering around. The class bell goes at 9am and the students have time in their homerooms before coming to class. There is an English classroom here, I will take some pics or do a video or something, I just want to check with my co that he doesn't mind. I think he would be fine but you never know...

First class

This morning there was no class at 9, but Monday and Tuesday there were students dying to come to class first thing. My co-teacher and I walk into the room together and the kids are supposed to already be there sitting and ready to learn. They would rather play in the hallway and go in when they HAVE to. On Monday my co rearranged the seats so the students are now sitting in small groups rather than in lines (much much better for learning), so when they come in they go to their respective groups. There is kinda a group competition going, so hopefully that will encourage them to speak more English. 

Each class runs for 40 minutes, and there is about 10 minutes between classes. I have no idea what time the morning classes are over exactly, as the clock in the classroom doesn't work and it never occurs to me to check my watch. But there are 3 classes before lunch, and 2 after lunch.

Lunch

Like I said, I dunno what time lunch starts, but either way I need to be back in the teachers room by 1pm. 

Lunch is eaten in a huge cafeteria, where you walk over to a rack full of metal trays with indentations in them where the lunch ladies scoop your food. There are cutlery buckets with metal chopsticks and metal spoons (no knives or forks, so i'm forced to use the chopsticks lol), which you grab and then head over to the lunch ladies. 

There is always rice and some kind of soup, and there is always kimchi (pickled spicy cabbage = gross) and then a bit of something else. Te first day the 'something' was potatoes, then pork, and today tofu. The school lunches have actually been kinda tasty, and today the rice was a fried rice rather than plain. So there you go. 

Food scraps go in a big bin, and you put your cutlery and tray on a wheely bench when you are done. Then wander around until time for class.

Afternoon classes

To be honest, the kids are over it by this point. Which is rubbish because I really have no idea what they do in the other classes but they sure as hell don't do much in English. Either way, they seem to be more easily distracted in the arvo. There are either 1 or 2 classes after lunch depending on the timetable. Either way, I am done teaching by 2-2:30pm, which would be fine if you can go home. But no, I need to sit here until 4:30 and it is driving me crazy! Its ok today because my co has had to go do something, but with him sitting there I can't exactly sit on FB all arvo :s

I need to find out what to go is here, because as much as I like not having to do anything, it is driving me crazy having nothing to do for hours every day. I am sure that as I get into this whole teaching thing he might let me plan some lessons, but until then I sit here getting more and more drowsy and feel like a snooze. 

Hometime

I am well and truely packed up and ready by 4:30. In fact, I am at the gate by then. I figure if anyone asks I can say my computer clock must be fast or something lame like that. I then walk home (10 minutes) get changed, and sit on my bed. I need to find a social life here in Songtan! I really don't want to have to catch the bus/train every arvo just to hang with people, so I need to meet some people here to hang with. Yesterday I wanted to go for a walk but the rain was terrible so I stayed inside and played online. Today the weather is waaayyyy nicer so I will wander out for dinner tonight and get out and about. 

And this is pretty much what I have done the last few days. This is school.

Highlights so far?

Yes, there have been a few. I love that every student says hello to me. They greet me with "Hello Teacher Bonnie" and then run off. 

I got told by one girl today I was so beautiful (awwww). 

My co teacher asked the class the other day who thought I was the most beautiful teacher and they all put their hands up (awww again - but as if they would say no, their teacher asked them)

One girl had an obvious light bulb moment when she figured out 'your welcome' comes after 'thank you'

Another girl pronouncing "December" like an Aussie, not an American

Anyway, its 4:23 so I better get ready to run out the door! I'd hate to be here alone in an empty classroom any longer than I have to be. Better to be alone in my own house lol...

If anyone has anything specific they want to know, shoot me an email or FB me, and I will try and get something specific... I can be a rambler and not get to any point so I do need to be steered sometimes haha.

More tomorrow i'm sure!

xoxo

The first weekend

Songtan, E-Mart and Suwon

Getting to know my area, with the help of some awesome new friends!

You can count friday as the weekend if you want, but nothing exciting really happened. Friday I went back to the shops and got more supplies, had a really good wander around my area and eventually went to bed after a dinner of noodles and a cup of tea (I finally got a kettle - I was desperate for a cuppa).

I wouldn't say it was super early when I went to bed. I was pretty wired from my day of wandering, I had made my first solo purchase at the shops and was excited after unpacking my stuff and putting my pics from home up. This was also the last of my skyping, my battery had died on my Mac and I had left my plug adaptor at home. This also meant that my hair was in complete disarray - a big no no for women in Korea. They ALWAYS do their hair and makeup. I was at a disadvantage.

Saturday

I couldn't sleep in... I woke up just after 7 and couldn't get back to sleep. The sun was out so I figured I would get up. I was meeting my co-teacher around 1:30 to go into the E-Mart in Pyeongtaek. I needed to get a plug before I went crazy, and only the bigger stores stock this type of thing. Plus, all the homewear things are cheaper at the boggier places. And he wanted to show me how to catch the bus. On the way, the bus ran up some car's ass which was funny, we bailed off the bus. You can use what's called a T Money card on all the public transport in Korea. You pay 25,000won for the card, and then you can just top it up whenever you run out of money. The public transport is really cheap, it was only a few dollars to go into Pyeongtaek, and when I went into Suwon on the Sunday it was only 1500won or something.

Anyway, I finally got back into Songtan in time to catch Amelia and Tyler who were coming in to 

Songtan to meet me in person and to hang out. It ended up being an awesome night!

I won't go into too much detail, but in summary:

We ate mexican

I got my first taste of shoji (google it - its potent)

Went to a country bar and a soldier taught me to two-step (no, he wasn't hot, but was very polite)

Went to a club, which was full of black people (mainly military guys, but also randoms)

All this and I was home by 12.

Side note - 

MASSIVE shout out to Mia and Tyson. But especially Mia, you have been super awesome and I hope its ok that I make you my new bff.

Sunday

I woke up with a mild hangover on Sunday, but I maintain it was worth it. My night was mild compared to Mia and Tyler, who had an epic story of finally getting home at some stupid hour and finding a super awesome couch. I'll let her tell it...

I finally got my plug to work, so a fair bit of the day was spent playing on FB and uploading some pics. i also thought it would be a good idea to do a practice walk to the school, as I wasn't completely sure I remembered where to go. Lucky I did, I went the wrong way and ended up walking around for nearly n hour trying to find the freaking place. My school is called Songshin Elementary, and has under 400 students. But I will tell you about the school in another blog. ( I have been there 2 days now, and there isn't too much to tell so I think it can wait)

After finding the school I was starving, so I wandered up to the strip and bought some food from a street vendor. Now, I don't do this sort of thing because as I have said in the past I have Crohns and its asking for trouble to eat weird things. But, I am in a new country and feeling awesome, and have been told the food is safe so just give it a go. So I got a spicy chicken stick and it was so tasty! I Will totally go back and get another one sometime! 

Main strip in Songtan, just down from Osan Air Base. I took this pic while my chicken stick cooked :)

After that I went home (via the shops for more supplies - I swear im done for this week) and had a nap. I was pooped!

Then about 6 I jumped on the train and headed into Suwon to meet up with Mia and Tyler again and have some Indian food. The rain started as i got off the train so I brought a super cute umbrella. Then we had dins, and then went fro a stroll down the strip in Suwon. Now, Suwon is what I expected Korea to look like - flashing signs, hundreds of people (mostly Koreans) and sounds and smells coming from all directions! I loved it completely. Apparently there are awesome bars and clubs here, so i am looking forward to coming into here more often. There is a huge number of foreign teachers here, and they all get together fairly often or so I hear. So i am looking forward to meeting them too :)

We went to a bar where they know the owner, had a glass of pineapple juice then headed back the the station. I caught the train home without too many hassles (I did accidentally sit in the old person seat, but didn't realise until I was nearly at my stop).

Then went to bed. I had a big day the next day as it was my first day of school.

I will fill you in on school tomorrow :)

Now its bedtime, and I am sooo sleepy...

So far, still loving Korea <3

xoxo

Where to start?

Having been in South Korea for 4 nights now, 

you would think I would have some idea about what to say... But I don't know where to start!

So, backtracking to Thursday (gonna skip over the teary goodbyes at the airport - lets just say it involved a lot of crying. Quick shout out to everyone who came to see me off and a BIG thank you to Anne and Jo for looking after me in customs and the international lounge).

The Flight

I flew with China Souther Air, and it actually wasn't that bad. I paid $725 for the flight so I wasn't expecting red carpet, but it was better than Jetstar thats for sure. The meals were Asian food so I wasn't that keen but all in all not bad. I got a little bit of sleep but I never sleep well on planes. I think its more the sitting upright.

There was a stop over in Guangzhou (?) in China, which was decidedly uneventful. I got changed into something less homeless looking as I knew I was being met in Incheon. We boarded the next flight and took off to Korea. The weather in China was HOT and the air con in the airport was shit house so I was looking a bit worse for wear when I got to Korea. 

Somewhere between China and Korea the clouds had rolled in, so when we landed it was still super muggy but raining pretty heavily. I was picked up by a cute little old Korean man who didn't really speak English at all but he tried. My bag felt like I had packed lead cannonballs but he offered to wheel it anyway. We got into his lovely van thing and headed off to Pyeongtaek.

NB

People drive on the wrong side of the road in Korea!!! No one told me that! The poor little man thought I wanted to drive lol

South Korea

The drive from the airport to Songtan took nearly 2 hours, mainly because of the traffic in shitty weather. The rain kept getting heavier so it was a downpour by the time we arrived at the school. The drive over was different to what I expected - the highways here are waaayyyy better than ours, and there were nice small mountains on either side so there was a lot of greenery. And there are these long ass bridges linking the airport island to the rest of the country - side note here is that the eastern side of South Korea has a heap of large islands. The airport appears to be on one of these...

I was so tired by the time I arrived at the school, but put on my bestest happy face and greeted my co-teacher, Jean (haha I know, that was my recruiters name too). I don't think thats how you spell it, but whatever.

He throughout I was arriving earlier, so all we really did was meet the principal and then got back in the car for him to take me to my little house/room/cave. I didn't get a good look at the school, but it looked pretty big. The plan was to go back the next day and have a proper look around.

My studio apartment

I know most of you will have already seen these pics on FB, but in case you haven't here are a few:

So its a bit hard to see, but I can get from one side to the other in 2 big steps. Its adorable and I love it! I am 3 minutes from the supermarket (Highwaymart), 5 minutes from the station and 10 minutes from my school. Walking, not driving. 

It also turns out I am in Songtan, not Pyeongtaek as I thought... This suits me just fine, as I am that little bit closer to Suwon, and there are a lot of people who speak English here because the Air Force Base in 15 minutes away (walking). It also means I am not stared at too much because the Koreans here are used to looking at Americans... I need to get a tee that says 'Australia' so they know the difference.

Anyway, I am dead tired tonight. It was my first day at school today, but there is so much to blog about for my first weekend that I don't want to launch into it. But now that my internet is working, and I have a plug adaptor there is no reason for me to hold anything back! So I will probe add a blog a day for a while so everyone can catch up on my news. 

I feel like I have done so much in such a short space of time. Its the weirdest thing, I don't feel scared or lonely or anything like that here. I wouldn't say I feel at home, because I don't, but it just doesn't feel that foreign. Maybe because I have spent so much time in Box Hill, or maybe because I have made my little cave into a warm fuzzy retreat with pics of home. Either way, Korea feels friendly, and I like it here. 

I think i'll stick around...

xoxo