2014...in photo albums

Fourth of July

The weekend was spent at a fellow Iowan's home in Jeonju. Needless to say, we had a great time! Plus, we're nice!

Summer Camp

Before our summer vacation we had three weeks of Special Camp, which essentially is summer camp filled with games and fun activities. In my two classes we played Twister, made fans and did a scavenger hunt.

Summer Vacation

I was lucky enough to not only have the opportunity to travel to Taiwan and Tokyo, but to also have my first family member come visit me here in Korea.

Taiwan, Taipei
Taiwan is such an amazing country! It's filled with the nicest sweetest people I've ever met. I also had the best host ever!

If you plan to go to Maokong Gondalo, they're closed on Mondays....I made this mistake, but you don't have to! See here for more information.

Museum of Broken Relationships.

Taiwan,Kenting
I traveled down south to Kenting to stay near a beach for a few days. Best decision ever! I spent most of my time exploring the area near my hostel Rainbow Wave, going to the beach and the night market. Had a great time staying at this hostel. Chill environment with a very helpful and friendly staff. It was also extremely easy to hop on a bus and head to the beach/market.

Kenting - Beach!

Eating my way through Taiwan

Stinky Tofu!

Korea with the brother!

Tokyo with the brother!

Around Andong

An Andong Traditional Korean Wedding

Dinner Club

Good-bye 2014

 

So happy this day ended.

I don't really know how else to start this post other than just saying what's actually on my mind...

This day was F-ING annoying. I'm not entirely sure what started today's spiral of events, but it hasn't been fun. I was very flustered while teaching all of my classes. Not one. All. I'm not really sure what happened. I just kept stumbling over my words and forgetting things in the office. Wednesdays are also PE days for our students and I teach a yoga class at the campus rec center. Generally, the yoga room is really clean, but for some reason there were at least 10-15 dead moths and various other bugs on the floor and I, the lucky one, kept stepping on them. Keep in mind I was in the yoga room and was bare foot. Not only was I stepping on dead bugs during class, but my students were being pretty difficult. The students typically try their hardest and are quiet. Not this group. They talked the entire time and was very unmotivated to the point where they weren't even attempting the poses. I was a very ANGRY teacher. Eventually, I threatened with wall sits and they got their act together. Somewhat.

Today I also....

dropped everything I touched. EVERYTHING.

fell out of my chair, not once, but twice. Once in the office while all teachers were there to see and again in the classroom while showing my students a video.

brought carrots and cucumbers to snack on for the day. And when I opened my new 'To Go' size ranch ready to eat my snack, I realized my veggies had gone mucusy. If you've ever left veggies out during the hot humid summer you know what I'm talking about. In Korea ranch is hard to come by so I tried to save my ranch, but I was unsuccessful. Mmmm mucusy veggies and ranch, sounds wonderful.

Wait not finished. I also...

ran into a door.

and dropped the package I received today while coming up my apartment stairs. Luckily it did not break.

I'm thinking it all started this morning when my favorite magnets fell off my door and broke.

The only great thing to happen today has been receiving my package of goodies and the girl below. I'm currently stuffing thin mints down my throat as I write. Another positive of the day. Mmm thin mints!

As I was getting dressed for the day I heard death screams coming from outside. I looked to see this middle school girl running down the street because a poodle no bigger than an American football was chasing her. The owner of the dog eventually caught the dog and continued on. This girl stood motionless in the parking lot for 5 more minutes. She didn't move an inch. It was actually quite impressive.

Third great moment of the day......I just finished one row of thin mints.

Good night.

5 reasons why this week is awesome!

5. This past Wednesday was Election Day in Korea. And with any election you of course need trucks blaring loud music while parked at an intersection with a few committed citizens dancing to promote their favorite candidate. I find it highly entertaining and love this time of year. I am sad to see it go.

4. No students this week. Enough said.

3. All tickets for summer vacation have been booked! After a month contemplating whether or not to travel to Taiwan, I made my decision and bought my ticket yesterday. I'm so excited for summer vacation and can hardly wait. I'm sure I'm annoying others because I'm constantly talking about my brother and our good friend coming to Korea and then us traveling to Tokyo! Gustavo, buy your ticket already!

Counting down the days for Taiwan, brothers/Gustavos arrival and Tokyo!

2. Attended an apartment grill out, or as the South African's say, Braai. I made s'mores and it was amazing.

1. After living in Korea for three years I was finally able to successfully order pizza and have it delivered to my apartment!

Distractions

It's been two months and I'm still missing these people like crazy! When living abroad far from family, old friends and a familiar culture you start to rely on friends in the same country as yourself for support and comfort. They essentially become your family. And for the past two years I've been lucky enough to have these wonderful people in my life and apart of my family here in Korea. Not only have I had to deal with my support system leaving, but I've also been extremely homesick. I've been in Korea for a little over two consecutive years and when I sit and think about how long I've been away from the states....I first hold back my tears and then literally shake my head.


I haven't seen my parents, siblings and even nieces and nephews for two entire years. I've been so homesick to the point where it's actually quite embarrassing. Now before you say, "Well, why didn't you come home Angel?!" I wanted to stay a fourth year and unfortunately my new teaching position started soon after my last contract ended. So basically, not enough time.

I'm better now, but there was a good week or two where it was pretty bad. I needed a few groceries and walked to the nearest market and I just started crying. Out of the blue, I just started sobbing. I couldn't stop myself. I just kept crying. I also found myself crying while at work. Not a pretty sight, especially when I was starting a new position and needed to make a good first impression. Luckily no one ever saw me...I don't think.

I'm settled into my new apartment and my homesickness has lessened. I've also been pretty busy at work so I have things to keep my mind preoccupied. My brother is coming to visit in August/September, which I'm super excited about! I've also had a lot of distractions so things are starting to look up.

A friend from home came to visit.

Friends from Seoul and Jeonju came to see the Cherry Blossoms.

Went to Yeongdeok for a day.

And to celebrate Children's Day/Cinco de Mayo and Buddha's Birthday I, along with friends, road tripped to Mokpo.