My favorite class

It's been a while hasn't it? Unfortunately, I still don't feel like writing anything so I'll leave you with this!

Every now and then my co-teacher and I have our students role play. This particular role play is Cinderella which focus on the phrases, "What time is it?" and "It's ____ o'clock." This class is awesome and even brought costumes and props from home. We didn't even ask them too. That's how awesome they are!

My mom is awesome in the fact she helps me take care of things at home since I am not there to do it myself. One of many things include activating my new VISA card and sending it to me. To mask the fact she was sending a debit card I suggested she find something to put it in. In a sneaky I have something to hide voice she says, "oh don't you worry. I got a plan." I received this blanket today. My co-teacher saw it and screamed, "RUG" then attempted to pull it from my hands and place it on the ground.  Our classroom floor is very dusty and I didn't want my new ISU blanket on the floor! Not only did I panic, but I didn't let go of the blanket. For about 15 seconds we played tug-of-war while she giggled and I repeated, "no, no, not, no, no." She finally realized what I was trying to say and let go of the blanket, slapped me on the back and said with a huge smile, "University. Fun!" We then just looked at each other and laughed.

If you've ever wondered how people move from high rise apartments (at least in Korea). Here you go. I actually live in the building to the left. These buildings are more low rise apartments, but I've seen these trucks used in various size apartment buildings.

Co-teaching, I'm exhausted.

written May 10th, 2013
I don't like using this blog as a resource to vent. I really really don't. However, I do want this blog to be an accurate and honest portrayal of my life and how living in a foreign country truly is. Like anyone else I have great days. I have alright, or as we say in Korea, so-so days. And I too have absolute horrible days where I want nothing else to do, but lay in bed with a pillow over my head and scream. The past three days have been that day. So, like the ups and downs of life in general (and especially for those abroad) I want my blog to resemble just that; an emotional roller coaster filled with language barriers, jjimdak, soju and screaming kids running down the halls.

This week. I'm exhausted.

I work in a public school which means I am employed by the Province of Education (POE). I work in an elementary school teaching both 3rd and 4th grade. This is important to know because the issue...actually lets not use that word. It's not necessarily an "issue". Let's call it, frustration. The frustration I encounter working in a public elementary school is different than those working at a hagwon, a privately owned school and probably even those who work in a public high/middle school. Now, since I teach English in a public school I have co-teachers. Co-teaching is basically self explanatory; two teachers working together to teach the class. For each grade the native English speaking teacher works side-by-side a Korean teacher to teach their class. I teach two grades therefore I have two different Korean co-teachers.

This week. I'm exhausted.

I want to first say I really do enjoy the two women I work with. They are awesome human beings and great teachers. They both care tremendously about our students and want them to learn as much as possible. They also try to understand me and my cultural differences as I too try to understand them. I've met and know other foreigners who do not get along with their co-teacher(s) and as you can imagine because of that, it's a very difficult work environment. So yes I realize I'm very lucky to have the co-teachers I do.

This week. I'm exhausted.

My frustration is not 100% with my co-teachers. For a long time I thought it could be. Maybe we weren't meshing well? Maybe we have different teaching techniques and we need to figure each other out? In the beginning I thought maybe they didn't like me? I realize now that's silly...we share many laughs together. They like me. Plus, I sometimes bring them breakfast!

Today I realized I'm frustrated with everything co-teaching. And for the first time ever I thought...it's time to go home. I've never EVER left work thinking I can't do this anymore. This week was the first time and seeing how my third year long contract is just starting, it scared me.

I'm just so tired of dealing with the power struggle two teachers teaching in the same class can bring. I'm exhausted of finding, yet again, a way to work with a new teacher. I want the ability to freely teach and my students to get as much as possible from my class. This can be extremely difficult with two different people having two different agendas. My agenda has always been and will always be, learning. At my hagwon (first year in Korea) I felt the main priority was keeping the parents happy so they would continue to pay. Now, I feel the priority is with completing busy work and not necessarily on learning.

I'm not really sure what the next few months will bring; let alone the next few days. As of now I'm frustrated and exhausted.


written May 21, 2013
I reread the above post and for the most part I feel the same. Co-teaching is a struggle. I'm not sure if I'll stay and work in public schools my fourth year. I may move on to working with adults. Or I may even decide it's time to move on from Korea. I'm not sure. Although I'm looking into other options, I'm not entirely convinced I'm finished with my time in Korea. And between a great Teacher's Day and weekend in Busan, I'm pretty convinced Korea and I still have some things to finish.

May 15th was Teacher's Day. This day was spent with most teachers in Andong getting together for a small volleyball tournament. It was surprisingly a great day. Not only was I able to see my other foreign friends, but it was nice to see them interact with their co-workers. 

The next day one of my favorite students came in to give me a small heart-shaped letter and a flower! Of course I gave her candy after this.

I also must share this. This student...another favorite, always and I mean always says this while touching my hair. I could be walking down the hall and she runs up to touch the curls and says, "곱슬 곱슬." Or like in the video, I'm sitting at my desk and she literally pops out of nowhere. I never realize she's around until I feel hands in my ponytail and hear "곱슬 곱슬."

Organization makes me happy

Lately I've been cooking up a storm. Unfortunately for you I've dropped the ball on taking pictures and keeping track of the recipes. Whoops. As you can see above, I've added tabs solely for organizing Kookin' in Korea recipes/blog post. Since I plan on this being a large portion of my entries I promise to try harder at taking pictures and spreading the love. Hope you enjoy organization as much as I!

Bought a bike in Seoul a week ago. A friend and I literally ran through the subway with this thing. It was a sight, but surprisingly easier than walking without a bike. The mass crowd of people literally parted when they saw me, a tall black girl running down the subway station along with my friend Vanessa. Who at the time was not only carrying her own purse, but also my massive purse. Like I said, it was a sight.

Ready for spring!

An oldie, but a goodie:

North Korean Threats

I know you all are well aware of threats North Korea, more specifically 김정은 (Kim Jeong Un), has made. After speaking with others who live in South Korea many foreigners have been receiving numerous emails/messages from home. I unfortunately have not been receiving much worrisome emails and am still deciding if it's because my family and friends at home trust my judgement or if I'm unloved and forgotten. For the sake of my self-esteem, I'm going with the first option. From what I've also seen in western news vs what I'm hearing and experiencing right here in South Korea it seems like every other country, but South Korea is...for lack of a better phrase, freaking out. Do people have a reason to be a little concerned? Absolutely! Anything could happen; I want to strongly emphasis could. It is very possible that something could happen, but how likely is it? Should I pack my bags and book a flight home right this instant? No. Should I maybe have some type of a plan in case something happens? Yeah, it doesn't hurt to be prepared for the worst if it comes to that. But more importantly, if South Korean people are not panicking than why should I? While waiting for a movie this weekend a friend and I were discussing the what ifs of the situation. I basically said, I follow South Koreans. They generally don't drink water straight from the tap, neither will I. They always wear socks in restaurants where you're required to take off your shoes. Ok, I will too! They are not panicking about North Korea and their threats and neither will I. Not only do I trust the judgement of individuals who have been through this time and time again, but I also trust that the American Embassy will notify me and the thousands of other foreigners in South Korea if we need to take action and evacuate. Until then I (and others) for the sake of my sanity should remain calm and continue to carry out our everyday lives.

With permission I am reposting this comment made by a Korean friend. She not only works closely with foreigners, but is also a straightforward individual and therefore I trust her judgement.

"Why is it safe to stay in Korea?You guys are so worried about the current situation related to North Korea's threats.Not only that, your parents, friends in your home country must be more worried these days. Actually, such anxiety stemmed from CNN's broadcasts focusing only on a plausible war due to North Korea's threats. Nothing to worry about! As Koreans, we have faced such situations they have fabricated to take advantage of us. It has been a kind of disguised threat to hide their inability to sustain their people economically and to draw attention to North Korea's power, which doesn't exist. Recently, they came to have a new leader,김정은. North Korea wanted to show off a new leader's potential by threatening South Korea and America but in reality, they lack the power to perform what they are thinking about. And they know their structure related to arms is far behind South Korea's. They don't want to start war at all because they already know that they can't win. They just want to continue their regime as a communist country forever. To do that, they need to let all the countries notice its existence as a communist country. That is why North Korea is shouting to the world like this, " We will launch... We will do experiments...."
It has not been easy for North Korea to continue its communism system without creating such threats to South Korea and America. So don't worry and enjoy your life here in Korea! It has not been easy for North Korea to continue its communism system without creating such threats to South Korea and America. So don't worry and enjoy your life here in Korea!"

- Seonghe Seo

And now to make things light, I give you Jon Stewart.