Work, frustration and more work

I've attempted to write this post several times. I promise it will get posted tonight - it's out in the universe so now I have to complete this post. I have worked here almost a month, but I've put off writing about my new job for one reason...I'm still trying to figure out my female co-teacher. Let's just say she has been very frustrating. More info on her later. 

First, my school and apartment are both located in the Okdong (옥당) area of Andong City (안동시). I work about a 20 minute walk away from my apartment, which isn't too bad. It's just a straight shot down the street. The walk itself is actually quite nice. If I ever need anything there is a Lotte Mart and a few smaller markets where I can stop and grab what I need. There are also a few boutiques and thrift stores along the way, which has potential to make life a little more financially difficult, but I'm not too worried, nothing ever fits so I never actually buy anything. 

I teach a total of ten classes. Five 3rd grade classes and five 4th grade classes. In the near future two more classes may be added to my schedule. Although I do have the extra time it will be 6th grade so I'm a little curious to see how that will go. Apparently only teaching 3rd and 4th grade is odd. Now I don't know if this is necessarily true, but from what I've heard if placed in a public elementary school most English teachers teach 5th or 6th grade. For whatever reason I only teach 3rd and 4th (for now). At the time I was really excited for this. I personally only really like younger kids, but after teaching a month I've realize I only really like Kindergarten. I just can't get enough of little kids. Plus, you tell them what to do and there's no back talk. The older they get the more they realize they don't actually have to listen to you.

I have two co-teachers; one female and one male. I don't feel comfortable using their names so I'll refer to my male co-teacher as M and the female F. I personally feel I get along better with M; who's my co-teacher for 4th grade. My desk is located in the same room as his and he's also closer in age so I think we have a little more in common. Life in the 4th grade world is pretty sweet if you ask me. Unfortunately, 3rd isn't doing so well. Not only are the kids extremely rowdy, but F doesn't really control them very well which leads to complete chaos. Oh and I've only actually taught my 3rd graders once. The past few weeks in F's class I have literally been the assistant. I have handed out stamps, stickers, told kids to please be quit and passed out papers. Actually no, I did not pass out paper. I wasn't even doing that! For the most part I just stood there and observed. YES...OBSERVED. The longer this occurred the more frustrated and, excuse my language, fucking pissed I became. Let's be real, I didn't move to Korea to sit back and watch how Koreans teach English. That's just not why I'm here. About 2.5 weeks ago I spoke with F to get a better feel for what she wants me to do and how she wants me to contribute to the class. She basically said, "find music and activities". At the time I thought, "ok, this sounds easy enough." When the time came for me to do my thing, she basically canceled it and continued with her activities. I was FURIOUS.

After a few more days of doing nothing I decided last Monday was the last time I'll be the assistant. I was tired of doing nothing and wanted to actually start working. So after our last class I asked if I could speak with her. I just said it, "look this isn't working out." I continued to explain how I'm not teaching. How I'm essentially doing nothing. Her response, "It's okay." After about five minutes of getting nowhere I realized she wasn't really understanding anything I was saying. So in the nicest voice I could bring out in this moment I suggested we meet after lunch and this way M teacher could translate for us. She agreed and we met after lunch. After a 10-15 minute discussion I suggested I teach one whole class a week. This way the students could hear English the entire 40 minutes instead of going back and forth from English to Korean. It just gets too confusing and difficult for them. She actually loved this idea and agreed. If I'm being 100% honest, I just really wanted to teach solo and have some control at least once a week. We tried it for Wednesday and Friday and I think everything worked out well. She seemed a little irritated with me so I brought her a choco pie, Moon pie for us Americans. You may say I'm being a brown noser, but in Korea to give gifts is just a sign of respect. It did work because I feel our relationship is back on track. It's her turn to teach this Monday and back to me for Wed/Fri. I'm crossing my fingers it will all work out, which it will if we just stick to the plan.

The only thing that could turn my frown upside down Monday:

The Friendship Algorithm

Making friends can be hard to do, but I'm not giving up yet. I've only been here eight days; these eight days do include a weekend which is typically the most important time and the only reason to have friends. Of course I'm kidding when I say this. There are numerous reasons why people want to hold a friendship with one another: the ability to confide secrets to one another, ask for advice, share great conversation and memories with, etc. However, when moving to a new place don't expect this kind of friendship right away. In a situation like this, one really just wants someone to "hang" with. Especially during the weekend. This two day stretch with no one to talk to but the walls can be a lonely time. The weekend tends to be a time where people come together with the same idea in mind to loosen their ties, let down their hair and have some fun. I typically don't have trouble making friends. To be fair, people just flock to me. Ok, I'm kidding again. I'm no better at making friends than Kimmy Gibbler, but I do hope I'm a little better than Sheldon.

Now, I have actually used the friendship algorithm recently. Early last week when walking out of my building I ran into two other foreigners. We were all heading to work so there was only enough time for a quick introduction which included telling our apartment number. What do you know, one of the foreigners lives right across the hall from me. The next afternoon instead of calling like Sheldon, I walked across the hall and knocked on her door. Nobody was home. Feeling defeated I sad walked back to my apartment. Figuring she was probably still at work, the next day I decided to leave a post-it on her door saying,

"Hey, I have a ton of questions about living here. Let's have coffee!" - angel

As soon as I posted it on her door I got the bright idea to knock one last time. Of course she was home throwing me completely off. I wasn't prepared to chit chat. No preparation was done like I usually do prior to meeting someone new. There was no pep talk, no looking in the mirror saying, "just be yourself." NOTHING. I had to improv, so improv is what I did. Stumbling into her apartment after being invited in, we chatted for a bit and exchanged numbers. She could not meet that night because she was meeting someone of interest if you know what I mean. Thinking everything was over I continued to my apartment and started watching Desperate Housewives. Since it is the last season, this episode was especially sad and what do people with hearts do when watching something sad? They cry. I cried like a baby. I was mid-bawl  when my door bell rang. Thinking I could clean up by the time I made it to the door. I walked over wiping my face and answered the door. I didn't stop crying. I continued to cry after opening the door and while greeting my new neighbor/ex-friend I never made. She looked at me weirdly and asked if she looked ok - remember she had a date that night. Through the tears I shook my head yes. Being the nice ex-friend I never made she kindly asked if I was ok. I explained what was going on and then commented on how her shoes were awesome. I then awkwardly said good luck and shut the door. She never called that weekend.

Am I happy this happened? No. But it is a good story. I did meet up and have dinner with the other girl I met that morning. Yesterday, Tuesday, I did unexpectedly receive a call from the girl who witnessed my cry fest. She invited me to coffee to chat with herself and several other girls. Looks like she feels sorry for me.

Ps - Thanks to all my readers...mostly friends I already have. I have 2,070 views!!! WOOT WOOT!!

TAXES - American ESL teachers

Prior to leaving the states and moving to South Korea for the second time I had to do what all Americans do every year...their taxes. I recently read someones post who asked if they had to pay taxes if teaching in South Korea. Because of my almost waste of money incident I've decided to post information about completing your taxes. Unlike any other year where I would routinely go online, pay 50-60 bucks (maybe more) and then of course wait for my mulah or angrily send the IRS a check; I had to do things differently this time around. Being the responsible human being I am, I grabbed a phone book and started making calls to not only make an appointment, but to also see how much filing foreign income would cost. It took a while, but in the end I went with H&R Block who happily charged me $250. I went to the appointment and by the end Tanya said I owed ~$2,000 for federal taxes and ~$500 for state taxes. I stared at her blankly and kindly replied, "Excuse me?!?!" I raised a few questions, but she just went on to lecture me about being an American citizen and how everyone must pay taxes. Um...duh.

After these exciting two hours I went home and frantically looked up information. I also spoke with a friend who is currently teaching in South Korea as well and who is basically brilliant unless it comes to deciding whether or not hot chocolate is a sweet. She lead me in the right direction and what do you know?!?! I found information that excludes me from paying taxes. Tanya and I spoke the next day and everything was changed free of charge. Ok, well not necessarily free of charge. She just didn't charge me for the new forms being used. After everything was completed I asked how much this would cost if everything was done correctly the first time. Can you take a guess? About $450 so be prepared to either pay some money or try and complete this yourself. I personally didn't have time or the desire, but if you can more power to ya!


Remember, this only applies to you if you worked/lived in another country for a tax year. There are other requirements so please follow the link to the IRS webpage to read all requirements for the exclusion.  http://www.irs.gov/publications/p54/ch04.html

Mi Casa: Would be in Hangul, but computer is too old to recognize characters

I finally arrived at what will be my home for at least the next year! I am moved in and have actually been working since Tuesday March 27th. I have a lot to update, but first I'll start with EPIK orientation. At first I was a little annoyed with the fact I had to be there. I just felt like I've been here done that can I start working now? However, in the end it was a great opportunity to gain information about teaching in the public school system. Yet again, I was able to meet some awesome people - unfortunately no one lives in Andong :( But all is well, a lot of these individuals live just a bus ride away.

Have you noticed the map to the left? I'm sure you have; well I was placed in Andong, Gyeongbuk-do. Compared to the last city I lived in, Gwangju (or as shown in the map Kwangju), this province is located on the northeast side of the country. So far I'm really liking it here. The city is not at all as big as I would like, but I think I'm really going to like my life here, which is obviously a great thing! For the most part EPIK orientation was no different than any other orientation. We ate too much, sat all day listening to others and of course had to produce something to showcase the skills we learned during our stay. In this case the something was a full 45 minute lesson shoved into a 15 minute presentation/teaching session. We had to present our lesson to others in the class and who ever did the best would in the words of our Korean teacher "be richer." I'm pretty sure it's obvious who won, blow on fingernails and dust the shoulder, ugh we did. Thanks to my EPIK roommate Ellen and group member Carmine I am, I mean we, are much richer and the bomb diggity.

Now what you've been waiting for. Pictures of my apartment. I really really do love my new home! It's definitely an upgrade from my last shithole.