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.