The Walk to Oblivion

If you’ve been reading my blog, you may remember one co-teacher in particular that I found quite frustrating.  The one who taught the lesson I was supposed to teach and called me out for “not being prepared” in the middle of class.  Well that may not have been the best start to working with her, but I can say that things have gotten much better.  I’ve realized that her stare (which used to come across as angry) when I am talking is really just her concentrating and listening to what I am saying.  I learned the other day that she went to school for German Education, not English.  I wouldn’t have expected that because we are able to communicate pretty well with each other, even better than I do with some of my other co-teachers.  Things have gotten better and I’m thankful for that.  Of course sometimes all you need is time to get to know someone.

We had midterms from Monday through Wednesday this week, so the kids were allowed to leave school early once they finished the tests.  On Wednesday there was a walk planned for the whole staff.  We were supposed to leave at 1:30 once midterms were over, but of course things don't tend to happen on time around here.  The walk was along the river in Hwamyeong, where I live and where the school is.  Sounds kind of nice, right?  Well we were supposed to walk until about five o’clock.  Three hour walk?!  I have to admit, I did not have the best attitude.  That’s just too long.  And I was going to be walking with people who tend not to talk to me.  So many of my co-workers even avoid eye contact.  I think they’re just nervous around me.  Really though.  A lot of them don’t even acknowledge passing me in the hallway, even if we’re the only ones there.

I expected there to be some sort of announcement saying we were all leaving for the walk.  Some of the teachers were even wearing sashes.  Not sure what they said because I couldn’t read them, but they seemed to make a big deal out of this walk.  No announcement, though.  I guess everyone left when they were ready to go.  I ended up walking with only two of my co-teachers, one of them being the co-t I mentioned at the beginning.  We left the school a little after two o’clock.   About 40 minutes in, with my co-teacher trying so hard to shield her skin from the sun (which is very common here) and mentioning how hot it was, she turned to me and said, “Kelsy, if there is a proper movie time between now and (motions to try and figure out the words) why don’t we see a movie?”  It took me a second to realize she actually said that but of course “Why not?!” was my response.  She then started running!

I ditched the work walk with two of my co-teachers after only 40 minutes to go to the movies.  We saw Oblivion—definitely a good one! I found the whole situation to be so funny.  Of course I wouldn’t mind going to the movies!  My other co-teacher seemed a little worried that we shouldn’t leave the walk, but no one else was around.  And it provided a nice little bonding moment for us.  I realized I shouldn’t have had that bad attitude all day.  Spending time with your co-workers here is important, so I need to do that if I want to have a better experience at work.  Plus, I never know when we may have another walk to Oblivion!

Goodbyes Already?

This Friday will mark two months since I arrived in Korea.  I never expected to be saying goodbye to new friends this early, but I did yesterday.  You know those kind of friendships that are automatic, you feel like you've known these friends forever?  Maggie and Kayla came to church a week ago yesterday.  They had been in Korea for a week at this point and were only going to be here for one month as they finished their last rotation for pharmacy school at a hospital here in Busan.  We were instant friends.  I saw them a few times during the week--lunch and coffee after church, Korean BBQ on Tuesday, around town on Friday, then again on Sunday for church.  I was already sad they would be leaving after one month.  Of course I wished they were going to be here longer than that.  It was after service on Sunday when the girls got an email saying their placement was being moved.  They left for Beijing this morning.  They were both upset at the thought of leaving Busan, a place where they started feeling at home.  With tears in my eyes after I hugged them on my way to the usual lunch after church, I did not want them to leave.  You may realize these girls came at just the right time.  They really were a blessing.

I told them to let me know what was happening for sure once they even knew what was going on.  I said I had to come say bye if they really were leaving.  I was able to meet up with them that evening.  Thank goodness for that at least.

Have I mentioned they are both from the states?  That is definitely a plus.  Not Ohio, but that's okay.  I am bummed for the plans we made that won't be happening, like going running with Kayla for example.  We said we should run a half marathon together once I'm back home instead.  I've been wanting to run one in another state, so this could be perfect.  We said maybe Alabama so we can visit Maggie?!  I believe I'll see them again.  It may not be for a little while, but I am glad to call them my friends.

 

Simple Reminders

I need to remember Tuesday.  I’m hesitant to share that the last couple weeks have been a little rough, but I like to be honest.  Of course this is to be expected when living and working in a foreign country.  So mom and dad, don’t worry!

On Tuesday, my kids helped remind me why I am here.  Let's start with my favorite, Hye Jin.  Not that I have favorites for anything!  The first time I taught her class, I walked by her and she was afraid of me and my big eyes as she said.  She was quiet around me for a while and then I saw her around town one day and she abruptly stopped walking, bowed, said hi, and continued walking again.  I thought that was cute.  Since then she always visits and has decided to be my Korean language teacher.  So far she has taught me how to say "I love you" and "I am cute."  Of course she picks what the lessons are going to be!  Then in class on Tuesday, she ripped off a piece of paper with her name and birthday written on it.  She folded the paper, took my hand, set it in my palm, folded my hand, and said "Don't forget!" Then we practiced my latest Korean lesson one more time.  Of course this was all happening as she was avoiding her English work.  At least being distracted and trying to talk to me is giving her practice speaking, right?!

On Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays I go to the English Cafe halfway through our lunch hour because the kids are allowed up there after they eat.  This Tuesday, a group of grade one girls (or 7th grade) stopped in for a visit.  This semester I am only teaching grades two and three (or 8th and 9th grade), so I don't have these girls in class right now.  They were so funny, though.  I was impressed with their English too.  They were chatting away and asking me all sorts of questions and wondered if I've ever met Obama.  I always love their giggles and all of these little visits.

My co-teachers and I give the students stamps at the end of class if they do really well.  I don't even know what they get once they fill their stamp sheet, but they love their stamps.  As I was giving one student her stamp at the end of class on Tuesday, she said, "I like English very much."  It took me by surprise for a second after a good class but not a particularly great one that day, but I'm so glad she shared that simple thought with me.

Trying to adjust to another culture completely different from my own makes it so easy for the simplest frustration or ounce of loneliness to quickly change how I am feeling.  That is why days like this past Tuesday really make a difference and need to be remembered.  I know I'm all the way around the world for a reason, so I thank my kids for the simple reminder of how important it is to keep my focus on them and do my job the best that I can.

21

When my sister read my first blog post, she said she kept reading and kept waiting for when I was going to mention how much I'm going to miss her this whole year.  I thought that was cute.  I may not have said anything in the blog, but I know she knows how much I'm going to miss her and do.  I'm sure she saw that at the airport especially.

So can you guess who this post is for?  My sister, or sissy, as we call each other!  Today is my sister's 21st birthday.  I can't believe I'm missing it!  Wish so much I was there to celebrate with her.  We actually had planned to go to Atlanta to stay with our cousins for the weekend.  This was before I stumbled upon EPIK after googling one night as my last effort to find a job for this year.  So basically I ditched her, but she's still going and I'm so glad.

Happy birthday, Morg!  I love you, miss you, wish I was there, and hope you have so much fun with the girls!  Your present is on it's way!

Happy Easter!

I talked to my grandma this morning!  It probably wasn’t even for two minutes, but I was so happy to talk to her.  I was in a rush as usual trying to leave for work when my sister called me.  Everyone was at my grandma’s house—still Sunday evening over there, still Easter.  The phone call was so perfect, especially for a Monday morning!  I saw a few pictures from Easter this morning and that’s when I wished I was with everyone.  Yesterday didn’t even feel like Easter to me.  The phone call was perfect timing.  At least I had that before running off to work, literally running.  Well, more like really fast walking.  That’s become by normal “walk” to work.  Not good, I know.  I really need to get some more sleep.

Back to Easter, though.  I thought I’d share what my Korean Easter weekend was like.  Let’s start with Good Friday.  I worked.  No long weekends for Easter over here.  My afternoon classes were canceled on Friday, though, so I was done teaching at 10:40.  Aside from my hour lunch break, which I walked back to my apartment for to get out of there for a bit or maybe it was to avoid the food, I had until 4:30 to catch up on work.  And I did!  Finally caught up for the first time.  Those first two days they didn’t tell me anything about my job...yeah, that really threw me off.

With work over for the week, it’s time to go shopping right?!  They have H&M here--my favorite!  But what I also got to experience was the underground shopping.  This is really the place to go for very decent prices.  There are a million little shops that just line these halls.   It looks like it goes forever.  It was fun, but it was so crowded and the shops were so hot.  I think the prices do make up for it, though!

                                                           Underground shopping.

                                          Shopping and coffee.

At home I won’t ever buy clothes without trying them on, but that’s not possible here!  At least with the underground shopping.  They don’t have dressing rooms because the shops are so tiny.  You also can’t return your clothes to most of these shops either.  I felt like I was gambling.  I bought two sweaters and a top and was hoping I didn’t just waste my money.  So of course I tried them on as soon as I got home.  I’m three for three!  Can’t believe they all fit.  I’m ready to go back!

Saturday night I had more Skype time scheduled as usual.   I skyped with my parents, my sister, and my Grampy!  Grampy always comes over on Easter and eats with us, but since I wasn’t going to be home for that, I skyped with all of them the night before instead.  First thing he said was “Love you babes.”  Gosh, I miss him.  He is so funny and he had this giant smile on his face the whole time.  Seriously don’t know what I would do without Skype or FaceTime.  So thankful for Kakao Talk too!  Friends, family, you can text me for free!  Just download the app—Kakao Talk.  My ID is my first and last name (no space and no apostrophe).  You can find me with that.  This is how Morgan called me this morning—there is free calling as well!

                                                        Grampy!

Sunday morning I was off on my 42 minute subway ride to church.  I found a church to go to here which has been so great.  I checked online for churches while I was still at home--this is the one that I found.  I go every week, unless I oversleep which happened my first Sunday in Busan.  I overslept three times that week—once for church and twice for work.  Talk about being a little exhausted?  I probably really was running to work those days!  Back to church—everyone has been so friendly and so welcoming.  The church is called Redeemer ICC (International Community Church).  After a very nice Easter service, we went out to lunch, walked around to enjoy the cherry blossoms, stopped for some coffee, and explored Seomyeon (where I did all that shopping) a bit more on our way back home.

It was a good day but still didn’t feel like Easter.  I missed being home with my family.  You know what else I also missed this weekend?  Reese’s Eggs!  If anyone wants to mail me some, I would be very okay with that.

I did get an Easter package from my family, so that was wonderful.  I came back to my desk from teaching a class and there sat a package from home.  Such a lovely surprise to get in the middle of the day.

Missing everyone and thinking of everyone back home.  Happy Easter!