Home Sweet tiny apartment

You asked for it and here it is: photos of my tiny pad.

Here is what greets me when I open the door. I can't sleep in too late because it's very bright through the sliding doors to the kitchen area.

Here is my fabulous combination kitchen and laundry room! I have a stove, microwave and fridge. Wish I had an oven but most people here don't. On the plus side I've never had an apartment with a washing machine. 

Yeah, one of these showers. It's really not too bad, at least there's plenty of room.

Just another view of my bedroom.

Well there you have it. I hope you enjoyed the tour. It's not much but it's cozy and it's got everything I need so no complaints.

Christmas Blues

Well I survived my worst Christmas ever. Jesus, I'm just glad it's over and I got out alive. Woke up alone in my apartment. Watched some Christmas movies and felt incredibly depressed. Not being with my family, alright I've done that but being absolutely alone with no roommate or no boyfriend just felt awful. At 3 one of my friends invited me to go bowling and to dinner. After a long, winding cab ride I got to the alley feeling extremely nauseous and immediately vomited in the bathroom. I really couldn't bowl after that seeing as I could barely stand. Things got better at dinner though. We had the best Shabu Shabu I've ever had and the company was pleasant enough. Felt much better but not up for going to a bar, so I went home to bed.

Ugh, it was awful. Merry Christmas!

'Tis The Day Before Christmas

Last night was the big talent show and it was pretty darn cute. I liked the costumes. I don't really know what else to say about it. Here's some pics and videos:

I love Vio! Last night the head teacher dropped a bomb telling me he's LEAVING! Ahhh I'm so sad, he was one of my top 3 cutest.

From left to right: Flora, Sally, Luci and Chelsea. All of them are mine except Chelsea who just loves attention.

I am currently having computer issues. Get back to you later. Merry Christmas!

The Facts of Lunch

I just think it's crazy that here I spend an average of 10-15 American dollars a week on lunch if I go out every day, whereas in Australia if I ate lunch out I would spend at least 7 dollars a day.

I've been eating lots of Chinese for lunch when I don't want to eat what the lunch lady at school cooks at school. It costs about 2 dollars for a giant bowl of delicious noodles.

Killin Time at School Just Like the Old Days

I am teaching every tuesday this month until 4:30. However, the school requires that I stick around until 7, hence the post. Once I plan my classes for the next day I am mentally checked out.

Today the foreign teachers (I am the only one without a Korean citizenship, although two other teachers with dual citizenship are considered "foreign teachers") had to go watch the rehersal for the big Kindergarten talent show happening on Christmas Eve. They do a routine to "Jingle Bell Rock," they have a psuedo musical play based on "A Christmas Carol," and for whatever reason they sing "Summer Lovin'" among other acts. "Summer Lovin'" is probably my favorite part because I really can't get over adorable Korean Kindergarteners singing lines like "she got friendly down in the sand" and I giggle the whole time. Who's the 5 year old now?

I think I really got lucky with the school I ended up at. I hear other foreign teachers complaining about things like not getting paid on time, not getting paid enough, not enough vacation time, and having Director's that generally don't give a crap about them. My Director offered to pay me part of my first paycheck early (I don't get paid until January 10th) so I have money to go on a trip during the loooong vacation. I get a week off, most teachers only get a couple days and some even have to work on Christmas! I've been taken out to nice dinners on the school's dime which has also been a blast.

Now for the people worrying about shootings and whatnot: we are barely aware that is happening. No one is afraid, it's a threat Koreans have been dealing with most of their lives and they don't seem to take it too seriously. It hasn't happened anywhere near where I am. Also, I am registered with the US Embassy in Korea so if there is some kind of emergency I will be taken care of and evacuated. But really, I'm not worried at all and you shouldn't be either. People are still eating and partying and might mention a shooting as if it's happening in Saudi Arabia; with no trace of surprise or panic.

I got to the post office today and sent some X-Mas presents my families way! Nothing big, but I was told my package would get there on Christmas Eve so don't open it until Christmas! Love you Joneses!

Baby, it's cold outside

It's about 10 degrees F outside and it's snoooooowing! I love the snow and missed my snow filled days at New Hampshire. I'm so glad I'm in a place that snows I'm fit to burst!

*POP*

Seoul Searchin

Went to Seoul over the weekend. As soon a I stepped off the train it was SO COLD. I thought the weather would be the same as in Daejeon which is cold but not unbearably cold. For example, I wear my fingerless gloves some days and other days I don't even bother. When I was in Seoul I had on my fingerless gloves and when I went into a store to buy something I was hopelessly trying to get into my wallet which is rather difficult when your fingers are numb and it hurts to use them. Also I didn't bring a hat to Seoul because I wouldn't think it would be necessary and I ended up wearing a Santa hat the whole time that somebody gave me. The Santa thing turned out to be a bust. My friend and I were pretty much like, "f this" and went into a bar since the Santas had a hard time organizing and wanted to stay in the freeze while they decided where to go next (an hour in that cold was enough for me). I had a good time just chillin though. Stayed out till about 3 and went back to our hostel which, of course, was not properly heated. So that kind of sucked. Let's move on to the part that was actually fun!

So we got up and my friend who has spent a lot of time in Seoul took me to Insa-dong so I could buy some Christmas gifts for my family. It was lovely and I bought a couple of things- I think Andy will really like his present. It's no song from Wing (what he got me for my birthday- totally awesome) but it's nice. Here's me in Insa-dong high-fiving a robot on the street:

Next we went to Namsan which is Seoul's resident mountain. There's a park at the base and then we took a cable car up to the base of the N-Seoul Tower at the summit.
Here's me at the park:

 Beautiful views of one of the biggest cities in the world are found at the top of the tower.

Lastly we went to Itaewon, where all the foreigners hang out. We got dinner at a Mexican restaurant that actually tasted like Mexican food, which I found to be a pleasant surprise.

Now I am off to class to mold some young minds. And by that I mean we're going to play Uno. And maybe some Go Fish if they're good.

Santa Claus is coming, to Seoul

I was invited via Facebook to come to Seoul to an event called "Santafest." Basically it's when a bunch of foreigners meet up dressed in Santa outfits and wander the streets bar-hopping and singing Christmas carols. Over 500 people are attending, mostly foreigners. Should be interesting.

Last night the school Director took all the teachers out to dinner. It was a fairly nice restaurant and must have cost the school a good amount of money for all 12 or so of us to chow down there. Oh also I was looking forward to having maybe a glass of wine with my pasta but instead the Director brought a GIANT BOTTLE OF WHISKEY into the restaurant and poured us all half a glass as if it were actually supposed to be drunk like wine with dinner. I mixed mine with Pepsi but everyone else seemed to just be sipping it straight. The only problem for me is that since they all speak Korean, guess what language they were speaking in? The Director doesn't speak English at all so when she talked to me someone always had to translate. All evening it's not like I got spoken to much, and when I did it was delayed and a little confusing. Still, I got a few good confidence boosting compliments out of the deal. I put on my glasses toward the end and a few of them started pointing and jabbering and chucked out a few "Kimberly"s here and there. I asked Mel what the hell they were saying (it's a strange feeling to be talked about right in front of your face and not knowing what they're saying about you) and he said, "they're jealous of your eyes, they're just saying you're lucky and they wish theirs were like yours." "Oh, okay...thanks?" We went to a bar after dinner and the Director bought us Jagerbombs and some beer. She's a pretty nice boss when all is said and done. Also I made a joke, as I do, and the head teacher (Michelle), who speaks excellent English but has a weird way of phrasing things sometimes, said "you are very good at having a joke!" and laughed her ass off. When you're not included in the conversation 80% of the evening it's easy to be witty in small incriments.

I went to a different foreigner bar after a little while because I was sick of hearing Korean and just staring into space. I sat down with some friends and a Korean girl that one of them knew came up and said to my friend about me, "she is really beautiful!" And no joke, she sat down across from me and STARED AT ME. For like 5 minutes. It was super weird. Afterwards my firend said "she has a weird personality," which may be true, but clearly she has excellent taste. :)

I'm at school right now. No class this morning because the Kindergardeners are practicing for the Christmas talent show. Then we have a birthday party. I teach from 1:15-6pm. Now I am off to lesson plan.

Weekend Recap

Crazy weekend. Friday night was a quiet one as I knew I was running the next morning. Hung out with my friend Russell and we got burgers (mine was actually tofu) and watched some shows. No Biggie. The burger was delicious and from a place called Kraze Burgers. I guess there's a few of them in the hip part of town.

Next morning was the 10k race I signed on for (charity for MS). I found out about it from the "Daejeon Peeps" message board on facebook. A foreigner was organizing it and over 100 people RSVPd, the vast majority of them foreigners. I thought it would be a nice opportunity to meet some new people. Plus I hadn't gone running since I've been here. The race turned out to be a disaster. First the organizer told everyone that the start and registration was at Rainbrow Bridge and it turned out to be kind of far from the bridge so people got lost and many gave up looking. The race was supposed to  start at 10am and didn't start until 10:45 because we had to wait for people to find the damn place. There turned out to be only about 30 of us running. I was doing really well on the run and passed like 6 people about 8k in but missed the turn around point because IT WASN'T MARKED. Some Korean woman on a bike caught up with me and was gesturing that I missed the turn around. I went about one k too far and when I turned around I was so upset that my run and my time was ruined I started bawling. Then I was wishing I could just call my mommy, realized I couldn't because I'm in Korea and started crying all over again. I basically had a mini-breakdown. After 15 minutes of that I started running again because I had to finish after all. Of course the people I passed had finished and I was the second to last person to finish. Ugh, it was so humiliating. I honestly wish I had not gone.

Went home, took a nap, showered, all that jazz. I told a girl I work with I'd go out with her to another foreigner bar called Sponge. I got dolled up and the bar was chill. Met some dudes from NYC that were cool. Taylor (my co-worker) told everyone it was my birthday so I was bought drinks all night. This dude Jarvis kept buying me shots of whiskey- bad idea. One of the barmen came over with a cake and everyone sang and they also made me a special delicious drink. It was super nice of Taylor to organize all that. Anyway, things get really hazy after that. apparently we went to Yellow Taxi and I danced my ass off until an Irish girl I had met at the run noticed I was worse for wear and she and her boyfriend took me to their place nearby and let me sleep on their floor. So nice of them. Us foreigners take care of each other. Good to know!

Today was spent nursing my hangover. I also walked around a little but my feet feel really sore from the run and the dancing in heels. Taylor asked me if I wanted to go to dinner with her and some of her friends and I said sure. We went to a BBQ place and the food was delicious. Everyone there was speaking in Korean but hey, free delicious meal. Some photos:

This was my first weekend. Nori bong at 2am with 20 people. Super fun. 

Ross and Nicole, the teachers I replaced. Delicious BBQ. 

Taylor, my Birthday cake and fancy drink. 

Rave Reviews

My students totally love me!

It says : Hello Kimberly teacher. I love you.
Also I got a piece of candy from a boy today (first time in the class). And in another class yesterday I got a girl tell me, "your hair is very beautiful." I love (some of) my students!

Teaching Teething

Today was the first time I taught although I wasn't alone as Ross, the teacher I am replacing, came with me.   Kindergarden was simple enough. They read a story, play games and write a little. That's about it. They are adorable. I've decided to bring in my stereo and Ipod some days for background in the classes. They'd love the Disney music and I could always play some mellow classical as background noise during arts and crafts activities and whatnot.

Elementary classes are different. I only got to do one, but I struggled. They go through the work so fast you have to keep thinking of game after game incorporating the material they already freaking know. I ran out of ideas and was stumbling along and just said to Ross, "dude I have no idea what to do now." He saved me with card games but it was a bit scary there. I need to learn more games.

Lesson planning is the part I get most frustrated with. You need to communicate a lot with the Korean co-teacher and that's really difficult since they're on a completely different schedule. Also they're always changing the plan they do, which means you have to change your plan. It's never predictable, they use different or no syllabi, and the head teacher seems to be getting annoyed I'm not catching on. Which is ridiculous, because it'll take me probably at least another week to get the hang of it. She can't expect me to have no teaching experience and so little communication with the co-teachers and get it right away. I'm sure it'll be fine on week three but right now it's difficult. But then I always said anything worth doing is difficult, so I'm doing it and I'm going all the way! I want to be a good teacher, I really do.

Tonight is my first night not going out, other than the first night I got here. These people party hard. The whole foreign teacher group is a lot like college- it's a small community all working the same job with the same complaints and we're all about the same age.

Now I will relax and try to take it all in.

No Time!

So many experiences and so little time to write! I have no internet and no computer at the moment and I am going out to dinner with 27 people in half an hour so I have to keep this in tidbit form.

Got here on Thursday. Took a bus from Seoul to Daejeon which took three hours and got picked up by the school director and head teacher. They brought me straight to the school and since I insisted on a shower I had to use the one in the massage parlor upstairs, very nice. We got to have Shabu Shabu for lunch, delicious. Then I had to sit and observe classes till 6pm. Looooong day.

My apartment is very small but I like it. First time living alone and I think I might enjoy it. It's freakin freezing here but the heating at my pad rocks.

Friday spent the day observing classes and generally learning how the school works with lesson planning and all that jazz from 9:30am till 7:30pm. Exhausting. I teach my first class Monday at 6:00pm. So excited!!! Ross introduced me to one of the classes that will be mine and the girls went crazy happy and one said  "you are beautiful!!!" Guess I know which class is my favorite!

Went to Home Plus which is the Korean WalMart. They have silk worms in a can among other crazy shit. Then Nicole, Ross and I headed to a bar across the street from where I live and I got to meet three more fellow teachers from other schools. We started tired but once the drinking began it was all about the Nori Bong- where you get a private room and sing karaoke. Waaaaaay more fun than it sounds, people.

Last night the kindergarden co-teachers took Me, Ross and Nicole to Outback Steakhouse. They paid and here it is very expensive and nice so it was quite generous of them. Then off to Yellow Taxi where there were so many foreigners it doesn't even feel like Korea. Went to Nori Bong with 20 people and had a blast till calling it a night at 4(which here is an early night, as bars stay open all night and you are expected to stay out till sunrise).

It's my fourth day but it feels like it's been two week I've met so many people and I'm having so much fun. My school is great and I think this is going to be a wonderful year! I am very happy to be in Korea- it was the right choice.

Now off to a big dinner party. Wooooooo

Visa VIctory

Finally got my visa. I thought this day would never come. After I got it, it hit me: I'm actually going across the world, by myself (again), to a place where they don't speak English, to teach children. Then I had a mild panic attack.

Fortunately, I got a new friend request on Facebook (this site has helped me in a new place so many times its ludicrous) from a girl who has been working at the school I'm going to. She chatted with me for a little while and told me how great of a time she's had during her time there and all other kinds of positive things. The best thing is that she said she will be introducing me to a lot of people so I already have a built in group of friends. I can't even say how great that was to hear. Hell, that's more help than what I got when I moved to Australia.

Now rather than scared shitless mixed with a little optimism and excitement, I am fully happy and excited to go to Korea. I think it's going to be amazing and I refuse to be apprehensive any longer. Bring it on!

2 Weeks but Who's Counting

I now have an appointment with the Korean Consulate for an interview on Monday. Maybe so they can see I'm not some kind of terrorist/crack addict/prostitute? My recruiter tells me after I get my visa I will be leaving on the 24th or the 25th. I hope it's the 25th so technically I'll be here for Thanksgiving. I love being in the USA for Turkey Day.

It doesn't really feel real. And the times when I concentrate really hard and tell myself it is real, I'm too scared to really think about the reality.

I should consider to think about starting to learn some Korean.

Blogging: A New Hope

 I've made a blog to document my move to South Korea. I figure with all my past adventures it's about friggin' time. I have a signed contract and will leave for South Korea sometime towards the end of November, depending on when my work visa is ready. I am scared and extremely excited. That's all for now.