Desk Warming: Day 1

The day is here. The day I've dreaded for so long. The first of fourteen days of desk warming. What is desk warming you ask? Well, it usually occurs during breaks and is when you work the typical 40 hours a week, but have no classes, no work to do, usually most teachers/staff are gone and you literally sit at your desk surfing the net and wasting your life away. Originally since today is a holiday (for me) I tried to get this day off , but despite my efforts I was told I had to be at work. I even insisted on taking the day off without pay. That was obviously unsuccessful.

This morning I turned my alarm off fours times before sitting up in bed trying to think of ways to get out of coming to work. Mind you, this was at 8:09 am and I need to leave my apartment at 8 am if I want to be on time. Last week when talking about getting this day off to my co-teacher, he suggested to call in sick. I told him I'm too responsible to do such a thing. He laughed and informed me he will not be here today. He's not here today. After a few more minutes of sitting in bed trying to come up with a plan I worked up enough courage to call my other co-teacher to tell her I was too ill to go to work. She never answered and she's also not here. And now that I think about it, she hasn't even called me back!

I finally accepted my loss, jumped out of bed, got dressed and took a taxi to be at work at 8:32 am. It's 11:37 and I've checked my email about fifteen times, already facebook stalked people and watched one episode of The Real Housewives of Atlanta. I came very VERY unprepared to school today. For some reason drinking water is unavailable during breaks so we must bring our own. I forgot and only had about 2 tablespoons worth left over in the water bottle I keep in my purse. I'm also not sure if lunch is available. Being a hungry girl I naturally keep snacks in my purse. Once I got to school I had a look in my purse to see what was available. I had 2 clementines, small bag of almonds, 1 granola bar and some choco stick thing. This morning I put all items out on my desk and figured I would need to make them last until I go home. I only have almonds left. I don't think I could last on survivor. Plus, my water is gone and I'm really thirsty.

Christmas:

Christmas Eve and day was spent with great friends eating some amazing food and drinking wine. It was really nice and exactly what I wanted.

Christmas Day lunch! photo credit: Scott Kearney

Christmas Eve dinner - Lisa brought us all gifts back from the states! photo credit: MaryKate Bradley

 Secret Santa! My santa, MaryKate. Photo credit: MaryKate Bradley.

New Years:

I can't believe it's going to be 2013. WOW. To think, I originally moved here in December 2010. Time really does fly. To be honest, I'm happy 2012 is over with. This past year was full of stress, family difficulties and more. Too much stress for this one.

What I want 2013 to bring:

1. My sisters to figure out life and be on their way to adulthood.

2. My brother to have a great first year of full time employment.

3. My little brother to maybe one day know the entire truth.

4. All members of my family to maintain their health.

5. My aunt Michelle to keep up her fight and for her two kids, my cousins, to continue to have courage while they fight at her side.

Happy New Year everyone! May this year be what you want :)

Update: As soon as I posted this I got a call from another teacher. She said, "Angel teacher, come. Lunch." If you're wondering mom, I ate an actual meal today. People here can really put a smile on your face!

Just remember

It's Tuesday here in South Korea and only a few days since the shooting at Sandy Hook elementary school in Connecticut. I first heard about this tragedy this past weekend and have not been able to stop thinking about this horrible event since. Every second I get, I check the news to see if the police have uncovered new information, but unfortunately usually only come across opinions on gun control, mental illness and who to blame.

Yes, those topics are very important and need to be discussed in order to prevent further tragedies, but can we just take a moment to remember the victims? Each person has a story and we should stop and remember those who were victims and their families. Keeping everyone affected in my thoughts.

Anything could happen

A little over a week ago, I spoke with my dad and causally brought up how I re-signed my contract for another year. I started going into the details when he abruptly interrupted me by yelling, "I'LL BE GODDAMNED! I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS GIRL IS STAYING FOR ANOTHER YEAR." Now, some may be taken back by this kind of reaction, but not me. I knew he would react this way and to be honest find it kind of funny when I get his blood boiling. I chuckled at his reaction and after calming him down we not only continued to talk about life, but I had the privilege of listening to his "back in my day" stories. Mind you, he will be 49 years old this December. That's pretty young if you ask me!

After our skype conversation I began to think, do people not realize this is my job/career now and I'm staying overseas for a while? I immediately wanted to ask others. The next day or so I asked my mom and brother and both hesitantly replied, "mmm, yeah. Maybe." At that moment I realized a lot of the important people in my life back home may not truly know or even understand what my intentions are here. Although I try not to constantly think about or stress over my future I'm still me; your organized type A person who likes order, so of course I still have some sort of a plan.

This year has gone by so fast and when I actually sit down and think about it, I really can not believe I've lived in Andong for almost 10 months. That gives me a year and 10 months living and working in South Korea. Holy crap! Since I only have ~3 months left in my current contract I (among many others who started around the same time) were asked if we would like to re-sign for another year. I of course said yes! I want to stay in Korea for this next year and for numerous reasons I definitely want to stay at my school. Technically I haven't re-signed my contract yet, but instead a letter stating I wish to re-sign. I'm basically reapplying to keep my position. I should re-sign my actual contract in January or February - fingers crossed I get to keep my job.

Just like I've told some friends and my family I really like teaching ESL and can see myself doing this for some time. I'm currently looking into a few Master's of Education programs. If I get into a program and all goes accordingly I will most likely stay in Korea teaching ESL  until I finish school. This would just be so much easier. I'm making a decent living and now have the extra time to complete my courses. I also can't believe I'm looking into going back to school. I've done the apply to grad school bit and it was extremely stressful and overwhelming. To find myself back in the same position blows my mind. However, at the end of the day I feel this is the right move for me at this time. Furthering your education never hurts and if I choose to stay in South Korea teaching I can move further up the ladder. If I choose to move to another country or even back home my experience and education background will do nothing but help me stand out - so I'm hoping! If you ask me I think I've got myself a lil' plan.

Another question I frequently get, "When will you come home?" This question may irritate and annoy others, but like Joey says, "I like it!" Sometimes living abroad can be lonely and this question lets me know I'm not forgotten.

Unfortunately, I don't have an answer to this. I can't really put an end point on how long I'll be abroad. Living in Korea or abroad in general is something you take year by year. I could wake up tomorrow and be done with Korea, but at the same time be ready to move onto another country and work. I could also wake up and realize it's time to move back home. Basically, what I'm saying is 몰라요. I don't know. I probably wont know until the time actually comes. Until that time does come I'm definitely trying to make the most out of this experience.

In other news:
This past weekend was another one of Andongs' fundraisers, this time benefiting the local animal shelter. Animals aren't really my thing, but I didn't hesitate when asked to possibly help out; helping, now that's my thing! My friend Suzanne was nice enough to let me get in on her little goody bags. She did her thing and I contributed by making mini peanut butter cups and cookies and cream fudge to add into the bags. The event turned out to be very successful and they raised 1,000,000 won (~$1,000). Go Magdel & Raquel!

 Christmas cookies by our local baker, Suzanne

Lesson learned: A few months ago I bought this, (pictured below) thinking it was powdered sugar, to make a caramelized frosting to top my homemade apple cinnamon scones. Instead I RUINED those scones. At the time I was sick and could barely taste anything, but the foul taste of that frosting still found a way through my taste buds and sent a not so pleasant surprise to my gag reflexes. My poor friends either couldn't taste it (I can't see how they couldn't?!) or just wanted to be polite and said nothing while they continued to eat their scones covered in poison. I finally brought the package to school and asked my co-teacher about it. She laughed and said, "that's poor peoples sugar. It has a lot of MSG. No Korean mom uses." I asked if she wanted it and she pushed my hands away, giggled and said "no!"

WARNING. NOT POWDERED SUGAR!

Suzanne and I both needed real powdered sugar for the animal shelter fundraiser. She found an article with a few sites listed at the bottom of the article to buy various baking goods within Korea. http://www.seouleats.com/2008/01/bangsan-market/. The powdered sugar we bought isn't exactly like home, but worked for our baking treats and tasted great!

Thanks to Kim posting this on her blog, I'm obsessed with this song!

Early last week I received the best Christmas gift ever! A few friends from home made this video for my friend Vanessa (who is also teaching in South Korea) and myself. I'm pretty sure I've watched it almost everyday! Thank-you for the video and I miss you all so much :)