Goodbye El-Lee-Son Teacher!

Tuesday was my last day of work at the school. I have different classes on Monday and Tuesdays, so I had ice cream parties with all my students and got pictures with all my classes. I got really choked up saying goodbye to some of the students and waving goodbye to them as the school bus drove away. I have seen these kids every day for an entire year and care about a lot of them. Although a lot of the times it was stressful, they made a huge impact on my time in Korea.

Gi Ro and me. A great co-teacher and fabulous friend.

Hye Hyun and me. One of my co-teachers throughout the entire year.
Dennis...he always rides his bike from hagwon to hagwon.
Colin and his student Chris walking to the park. Precious.

Rich's favorite student Julie. I can see why she's his favorite....sooo adorable!

I helped teach these little ones the ABCs and now they can tell me about the weather and if things are short, long, tall, or short.

Lucy, Cindy, Laura, and Kelly

When I first arrived we would "flap" our "wings" and "play" the "flute." Now they can tell me the time and all sorts of other things. Ben, Alan, Andy, Ted, Bella, Judy, and Kelly.

This class was CRAZY when I first started teaching. But now they know how to introduce themselves and can actually tell me about their weekends instead of just hitting each other. Jace, Eric, Robin, Lucy, and Jenifer. I wonder which one is the sweetest in that class....

Chris, Ricky "mouse," Kelly, Amy, and Jessie.

I absolutely adore this class. They are a much higher level and are very bright, so we had great classes with a lot of conversation. We could joke and laugh together, and they would still do all their work. I'm going to miss them so SO much. Angella, Lina, Rocky, Chris, Kara, Mitchell, and Iris.

This is Rich's Phonics class, but they are just too cute to not get a photo with. 'Nuff said.

The boys on the right could be a handful, but this class was still fun. They were always drawing guns and North Korean soldiers being killed by South Korean soldiers. Alice and I would just give each other looks like "Ohh boys!" Also, I love Simon's Tae Kwon Do outfit! Simon, Dennis, Alice, Andy, and Max.

The kids waiting to be taken home from Academy.

Waiting for the bus. She's just cute :)

Ben going home after Academy.."Good bye El-Lee -Son Teacher! See you next time!"

Ohhh Mark...he looks so sweet and innocent here. I loved seeing him concentrating so hard on his work yesterday.

But the girls concentrate all the time.

They were all so sweet and smart and really grew a lot throughout the year. Mark, Lucy, Minnie, Sherry, Angella, Rebecca, Alice, and Bonita.

All these girls are my superstars. They're smart, funny, kind, and do all their work. I had fun in every single class with them. If I was ever having a bad day, I would just look forward to their class, and they made it my day better. I was really heart broken watching their school bus ride away. Cherry, Lucy-S, Monica, Gina, Lucy-L, Jenny, and Lena.

It's been a great year teaching all of these kiddies and I'm going to miss them a lot. I've learned a lot and it's amazing experience.

My and Buddha's Birthday

This past weekend was, by far, one of the highlights of my time in Korea. Not only did I turn 25 on Saturday (eww gross, I really do feel much older this time!), but it was also Buddha's Birthday celebration/Lantern Festival in Seoul. We took an early train up to Seoul and had a Mexican Birthday lunch in Itaewon. The weather was absolutely wonderful, so we were able to sit by the open windows, eat our burritos, drink margaritas, and people watch. After my fabulous birthday lunch, we went to Changdeok Palace. This Palace has a Secret Garden in the back, but you had to sign up for the 2 hour tour just to be allowed in. I wasn't really looking forward to a mandatory tour, but I've wanted to see the Secret Garden all year. However, if I had to go on a tour, I'm really glad it was this one. Not only was the Secret Garden beautiful and peaceful, but I also learned new things about the Korean Royalty.

This tree was 750 years old! Wow! Just a bit older than me....
After this, we regrouped, then made our way to the Lantern Parade! I was nervous about being able to see and the thousands of shoving people, but we found a decent spot and I had a great view the entire time! There were beautiful Lantern floats, dragons, elephants, Buddhas, people wearing traditional outfits holding lanterns, traditional drummers, chanting monks, dancers, etc. Everyone who was in the parade smiled and waved to the crowd as they passed by. It was a magical parade and I am SO happy that I was able to see it and share this tradition with the Korean people.

When the parade finished, there were thousands of people walking in the direction of Colin and me, so we got out of the way and went down a tiny alleyway. We found a bar that looked like a log cabin and decided to have a quick drink until all the people dispersed. When we walked in, there was a man playing the guitar and singing, as well as people clapping and singing at every table. The table next to us was eating shrimp and edamame, which just looked so delicious to me. So I pointed to what they were having and had a great dinner! During dinner, the entertainment changed, and a woman started playing the guitar and singing. I loved watching her because she sang all of the Korean songs I've been hearing all year, but with a rock, raspy voice. It was really cool to hear and she kept the crowd going! Colin "secretly" asked her to play Happy Birthday for me, so she sang our Happy Birthday and the Korean Happy Birthday. All of the tables were clapping and singing with her, and yelling "Happy Birthday!" to me. I stood up on the booth, bowed to everyone and said "Kam Saham Nida" (Thank you) to everyone. Afterwards, the singer started singing a Korean Pop Song and everyone was up and dancing around. Even two ajummas who were wearing hanboks and had walked in the parade got up to dance! So naturally, I danced with them. Shortly after, the crowds started clearing out and we left. (This bar actually kicks you at 1:00 instead of 5:00 like in Iksan!)

Dancing with the ajummas in hanboksThe next day before we went home, we went back to Itaewon to eat kebabs and got Quiznos subs to go for the train ride home. Hey, we have to be prepared and think ahead when it comes to Western food! It was an amazing birthday weekend, one that I will surely never forget!!

Maisan Provincial Park

This past week, Colin's friend Nick came to visit us and Korea! On Thursday I had my last vacation day (yayyy!) so we went to Maisan Provincial Park. Maisan means Horse Ears Mountain. There are two mountains that really do look like horse ears! Maisan is known for its Tapsa, stacked stones around a Temple. It took longer to arrive than expected, so we didn't have time to hike up the mountain, but walking around the Tapsa was great to see and do.

Dear America...

Dear America,

Sometimes you make me really angry. Our government and health care are in shambles. There is way too much violence and too many law suits. Etc, etc, etc.

But America, I miss you. Sometimes you make me really happy. You understand that if a person is sick, they should stay home as to not spread germs and make more people sick. You understand that people need breaks. Week long breaks, vacations in order to travel and see new things, to relax and feel refreshed, and to see family and friends. You (for the most part) don't almost run me over with your cars, or ride your scooters on the sidewalk, let me try on all clothes at a clothing shop, and will sell me the shirt hanging on the wall even if it's a part of your display. You understand order and make people line up everywhere they go and wait their turn. It is not okay to cut in front of someone, and I like that! There are no such things as squatters and it is your duty to supply all bathrooms with toilet paper.

And America, I love your choices! There are so many! So many different kinds of food, clothing, and opinions. Also America, you (for the most part) speak English! If I don't want squid in my kimchi pancake, you can make that happen for me! I can tell a doctor all my symptoms and she will understand me and provide me with the proper medication. Although I am a bit nervous I'll have some anxiety upon my arrival back to you...I miss you, I love you, and I can't wait to see you!

<3

Korean Videos

Sometimes it's really hard trying to explain to people back home what it's like working and living in Korea. I found these videos about teaching in Korea and I must say, they are fairly spot on and are really funny. (My mom even thought that I made the videos because of some of the stories I've told her.) But when you deal with these things every single day, it can be pretty frustrating and ridiculous.







Yes, people are surprised that I don't need a fork and that I like the spicy food.
Yes, "How are you? I'm fine. Thank you. And you?" is an EVERYDAY conversation.
Yes, I usually don't understand any conversation that is going on around me.
Yes, I am not really allowed to ask for specific days off and have been tricked out of vacation days.
Yes, my contract means nothing to my boss.
Yes, I have never been more sick as I have been this year.
Yes, I am expected to go to the doctor or hospital if I'm sick (and I better pretty much be dying or I'm expected to go to work.) There's no such thing as taking a day to just rest and feel better...I better be on some type of medication.

Like I said, some of these things can be really frustrating because this isn't my country and I don't quite understand the logic, but some things can be really funny, too. Like when everyone says "Nice to meet you" on the street, but we never actually met. You just passed by me the street.

Play Time

I start work at 1:30, but my first class usually doesn't start until 2:55. Now, why some students start arriving at school at 1:30 is beyond me...but lately I have been enjoying my play time with them. It is fun and laid back, and I love that it doesn't bother me that they're running around instead of being seated, or writing all over the board instead of opening their books. In fact, I really wish that I could just play with them all day instead of making them sit down and staying quiet. My sweet sweet girls! Kelly, Lucy, Laura, and Cindy. I wish I could teach them all day, every day.
They are trying to read Dan Brown's 'The Lost Symbol.' It went something like this "A..mula.. mula.. the.. mula.. mula.. no.. mula.. mula.. is.." (Mula is something like "I don't know.")
Tic-Tac-Toe time. And drawing a snail.
More Tic-Tac-Toe. And completing the snail.
Let's practice....How do you spell "girl?"
Cindy is always the first one to school. She follows Colin and me around, gives us candy, sits on my lap, and I introduce her to things like the Wizard of Oz. (And yes, that is a giant bottle of ibuprofen on my desk. It's a necessity!)

Cindy, Justin, and Jin. Even the boys like to join in on the fun :)