Today was a long day. I went to go to the MS Echo meeting only to find out that it was cancelled. I did however meet one of the members there, and we talked for about two hours, so that was good. He said he would check on Korean as a Foreign Language classes at the University for me. I think I need a little bit of structured learning in which to place all the unstructured learning I am receiving. I know I work better that way, even if there is nothing inheriently wrong with unstructured learning of a language.

 

I guess I could have made better use of my day, but I never make good use of my Saturdays. I need to start focusing on what I want to do, and in getting my work complete for my online class. This is very important as I am hoping to get credit for it, though I don't see how that is going to do me any good in the future. Who knows, maybe I just like spending money on useless things.

 

My director talked with me a couple of days ago and wants me to cancel my trip. She said she is having a hard time finding someone to take my classes, and that they really don't have a policy for vacations for teachers during the contract period. I didn't reiterate that I have 6 sick days that  I haven't used yet. She said it is easy when it comes time for a person to renew the contract to give them 4 weeks off, but to let them go during the contract was difficult. I am not quite sure what the difference is in her mind, as they would still need to find someone to take the classes, and for a longer period of time. It is confusing to me how the thinking process seems to work here in Korea.

 

Still, I am thinking about getting another position here in Korea, or going to China for six months come September. I am not sure what is going to happen as there are many variables that have yet to be placed. I have not done work in multivariable calculus in a long time, and then it was only a brief introduction to simple problems. This is definitely out of my realm of ability.

 

We went to the Provicial Office Bulding with the kindergarten students yesterday. They have a park outside that is very beautiful and the students were supposed to scetch nature. Not all of my students quite  understood this, so we got pictures of  robots and things of that nature as well.

 

It was a beautiful sunny day, as seems to be the norm this time of year in Korea, and I enjoyed it very much. And after the students were finished, we got to play a little before going back to the institute. What more can one ask for? Other than that, all is going well.

The days are getting longer, my arms are getting sorer, and the weather is getting warmer. Rainy season starts soon I am not looking forward to that. Kumdo is going well. Today's lesson went well. I started out doing the move all wrong, but after an hour and a half, I finally started to get it right.

 

The students are getting on my nerves again. Interestingly enough it isn't the kindergarten students this time it is my older ones. They aren't doing there homework, they aren't bringing their books. I am not sure what to do anymore.

 

The days are getting mundane, and I feel my language ability has become static and far too low a level, but this comes from my inability to make time to study. I really need to relearn how to schedule things!

 

I got $100 gift certificate to the department store for teachers' day, and today I went with a couple of friends to spend it. The place is severely overpriced, so spend the money I did. They are trying to change my image overhere, but I am not sure it is going to work. I let them choose what I was to buy, and it wasn't too bad, but I never would have chosen it myself.

 

I really am not doing too much other than that. I am not eating right, I have lost a lot of weight, and I am trying to figure out what and how to cook so I can be both economical and well fed. I am not sure it is possible. I eat out just about everyday, but it is relatively inexpensive, and the way I deal with leftovers, I end up wasting anything that isn't eaten right away.

 

Sounds like I am complaining, but I really am not. I enjoy my life here, but, as anywhere, it has its ups and downs. It is a little tough not being able to see family and friends, even though I am experiencing things I would never experience back in the states. I am happy I am here, though I am not sure for how long.

 

It is getting busier and busier here in Korea. The days are getting warmer, the rainy season is coming, and I am getting up at 5:30am almost every morning. The air is clear, the sun is usually already up, and I get a work out guided by a man who doesn't speak English. It is truely wonderful.

 

Yes, the kumdo lessons are going well. I have learned that I am too stiff and need to learn to relax. I also have learned that I have to practice counting in Korean. I had to do so in class today and I keep skipping 8. I feel like an idiot, but I just count 9 twice so as not to distract the people too much.

 

The kindergarten class is as energetic as usual, but they seem to be better behaved. They are starting to really enjoy toying with me though. I am not sure if this is a good or bad thing as it is mostly before and after class. They still are having a hard time with when it is time to go to the bathroom and get a drink of water. I am having a hard time sticking to the rule of not letting them go during class as I am not certain if they really have to go or not, and I am not really interested in having wet children on my hands.

 

My online course was supposed to end this Saturday, but they decided to extend it until the end of the month. I was going to have a hard time finishing by Saturday, so I was a little worried, but now that this news has come forth, I am very glad. It seems that things have once again worked themselves out in my somewhat mystical and blessed life.

 

I guess there isn't much else going on, and I should get to bed as it is 11:20pm and I have to get up at 5:30am. Hope all is well on the homefront.

The morning came early today. I was up most of the night I just couldn't sleep for some reason. Then  I had to get up at 5:30am to go to Kumdo class, which started at 6am. It went well, though the language barrier makes things a little difficult to understand when he tries to explain them.

 

It felt good to be doing something that early in the morning though. I figure if I am going to be up anyway, I might as well do something productive. The bamboo sword is a little aukward to hold correctly, and I am always putting my feet too close together, but what can one expect when just starting out (especially when they are a natural clutz)? It isn't much of an arobic work out, but it sure excercises your legs and arms!

 

After going back home and eating a couple of bananas for breakfast and taking my medication, I read a little for my class.  I am so far behind I am not sure I am going to be able to catch up. I guess that is what happens when you can't rely on getting the same, or even a comperable, computer. I am going to try to make it up though I have never given up easily, and this will be no exception.

 

I am feeling much better. I only have 4 more doses of the medicine to take. Hopefully the sickness will have been completely irradicated by then I am sure it is pretty close to that now. I need to go now as it is getting close to time to start work.

 

After a long, much needed, though not necessarily desired, pause, I have returned with another description of my life as it finds itself at the crossroads here in Korea. I was approached by my director about my plans after this contract is up: will I extend, or will I leave? I thought this would be an easy descision when the time came, but I am finding that it really isn't I am not sure what I want to do.

 

Anyway, the reason for the long time span is twofold: first, I have been very busy lately I am not sure why, but that is what happens when you work I suppose. Secondly, I have been really sick. I was actually sick to the point that I shouldn't have even been working, but I couldn't bring myself to use the sick days I have I need them to hopefully be able to make it to a wedding in June.  I have survived though, and I am taking some rather bitter tasting medicine that I have to mix with hot water. I like the powder stuff better than pills, but it is still a hassle to take.

 

Last night I went to a free  concert where they performed traditional Korean music. They wore the magnificintly brightly colored hanboks, and, in one of the dances, they wore the hats with the long ribbons attached to the top. These are spun around almost constantly as they dance quite an awesome effect. The main performer is apparantly world famous for his drum playing. I am not sure what the names of the instruments are, but there are four of them in the particular style of performance he was doing. If I wasn't so tired, I would try to find out more about it and elaborate.

 

My students are behaving much better than before. I am not sure what has caused the change, but I am happy for it. I think it is because they feel it is time for me to leave and they want me to stay they wouldn't be able to control a new teacher quite so well as they do me .  Actually I think it has a lot to do with finally getting used to the way I do things, at least with my Kindergarten students. They are really warming up to me, and they are so cute, even if I can only understand a little of what they are saying.

 

My afternoon students are another story. I have one that is 10 years old and obsessed with being beautiful, make up, and boys. It is quite scary how vain she is. I wanted to tell her this, but I couldn't be sure which meaning was the one I wanted in the English-Korean dictionary.

 

I recieved a package last Friday!! It was for Easter and had taked just over a month to arrive, but I was very thankful for it. I opend it in my 6:00 class because I couldn't wait until I got home to do so. Packages are always so much fun, and this one was know exception. The barrall of monkeys was a good indicator of the rest of the package, though not quite as edible as the candy. So far I have shared the swirl candy with my students most like them a couple do not like them at all. I wonder how they will feel about the regular life savors?

 

The alphabet cards are a hit with my Kindergarten students. We play a game where if you are able to name the letter, you get the card. There are two that get a large majority the others need a little more work. I have thought of a way to use the nerf football in class (the small size is perfect for the hands of my kindergarteners), and the stickers are a love of all. One can not find stickers like those (except the star ones) in Korea. The kids just love stickers. I guess one never really outgrows that, eh?

 

I guess I better cut this short before I bore you with what I ate for lunch today or how many times I walk in circles waiting for class to start. Hope all is well with you.

It has been a while once again, but I am back to type yet another adventure installment. Things are going well here for me, though sometimes I can't help but think of what I might be doing at the end of my contract. The director brought it up today I have to make my decsicion as whether to renew my contract or not, and I need to make it soon.

 

Last weekend I went to a folk village/fortress. It was a neat place, but it rained the whole time we were there, as well as on the way to and from the place. We went to a tea plantation after the folk village. It would have been beautiful if it wasn't raining, but the rain added a slight amount of mist and fog to the trees making it even more beautiful. I am so glad we went.

 

I have been getting up  around 5:45am - 6:00am every morning lately. I guess my body thinks I need to do this in order to keep going or something. Even when I go to bed late, I get up early. I think I need to get a hobby or something that I can do during that time. I am really not up to trying to get back to sleep anymore.

 

I haven't written this past week because I haven't felt like writing. As odd as that is for me, that is how it has been. It may be because I had a few bad days in there, but things, as usual, have gotten better. Not much is going on in my life at the moment, but I have managed to keep surviving. I try to keep up with the Korean lessons, but it is all going so fast that I am not sure I understand it anymore. I wonder if I will ever bring myself to actually practice it. This would really benefit me in the realm of memorization.

 

I found some cracker type snacks in alphabet shapes. I am going to bring them in to my kindergarten class in an effort to build letter recognition. The person with me tried to tell me that they didn't need that, but she has no idea what my students know and don't know. It is true that they know the letters of the alphabet, but they can't recognize them when they see them. It make trying to read a little difficult.

 

Other than this, I have nothing going on. I am going to meet up with the high school students again this Sunday. I am going to finally go to a movie at the cinema. I am going with MS Echo to see a romantic comedy it should be a lot of fun.

 

Hope all is going well back home. I will try to keep you updated a little more regualarly.

Today was an interesting day to start. I awoke at 6:00am as I seem to be doing a lot lately, but I didn't get out of bed until 8:30am. When I arrived at work most of the teachers were already there (something that never happens). The head foreign teacher had prepared Easter eggs filled with candy for us to find. She also provided us all with one of those 1/2 pound solid chocolate bunnies. How is that for a way to start a Monday? Easter egg hunts at work I almost felt like I was back in Hancock again :)

 

After that it was mostly more of the same. I did have some sudden flashes of inspiration, though I can't reveal those at the moment. If I do, nothing will ever come of it. I gave my cell number to my 6pm students. Hopefully they won't be too careless about calling it, but who can tell.

 

I don't know if I said this before (I am pretty sure I did), but if I did it was during a time when I felt it a bitter pill to swallow. Actually it came up in class today, so it refreshed my memory of it. In Korean, 'to be bitter' and 'to write' are the same word. I wonder how this effects the minds of Koreans. Do they find writting a fairly bitter thing? It is probably the same as other places, but it would be interesting to do a survey and find if there is any corresponding difference in the percentage of people who do look at writting as a bitter thing.

 

Okay, so I have gotten myself into thinking of nonsense again, but I think that is mostly what one has to do nowadays. If it weren't for nonsense, I wouldn't be in Korea, and I wouldn't be meeting with random people and wanting to be able to make some sort of impact on lives of people I have only met once, or may never meet.

Another day, another 10 won. It just doesn't go as far as it used to, I guess .  Today was a good day. I didn't make it to the mountain, but I did do  a little bit of screaming. It helped immensily I highly recommend it to everyone (just don't do it at your boss I hear the results could addd more stress as opposed to taking it away).

 

The kindergarteners were a little obnoxious, but not too much more so than usual. I tried to explain to them we would be going on a field trip tomorrow, something they already know, but they just sort of stared at me with blank expressions. I don't think they were really all there today at all. There was also a little bathroom mishap. One of my students asked to go to the bathroom, and even though there was another student out, I let her go. They both came back 5 minutes or so later. Less than 10 minutes later we were lining up for lunch. Again she asked if she could go to the bathroom. As she had just gone not too long ago, I told her know. Then she and another student started jumping around. This is when it happend she could no longer hold it, so she left a puddle on the floor.

 

One would think that one of us would have gotten a little upset at this. I know I would have thought I would! But this was not the case. I quietly told her it was ok, and that I would take care of it. I told the students to line up outside where they eat lunch (though it was a little early), and took the student to see one of the korean teachers. They provided her with new, dry sweatpants.  She didn't seem extremely upset over it, though she was a little embarrassed. The other students did nothing to tease her or anything like that either.  I was both surprised and delighted over this reaction.

 

Lunch time brought forth wonderful new developements. This is the first day that my 3:00pm class had their Korean teacher, so my lunch lasted until 4:30pm instead of 3:00.  I ate lunch with the other foreign teachers,  finally went to the bank, and then decided to sit outside of X-Mall and  read and enjoy  the beautiful sunshine. While basking in this radiance and pouring over more adventures of Anne, I saw two of my kindergarted students. They seemed happy to see me, which surprised me. I guess they don't hate me too much after all .

 

I also met another person, one I haven't seen since I had a little parent/teacher session with him in December or January. It was the father of one of my former kindergarten students. I was surprised to see Mr. Shin, but even more surprised that he remembered me. It seems that Roy was running late and he had to bring him in. They live on the other side of the city and it takes around 30 minutes.

 

He finished explaining this to me, and then started thanking me for the job I did with Roy. I really didn't  think I did  such an excellent job, but Roy apparently really liked me, and I  still say hi to him in the  hall after  class.   He went on to ask me if I was homesick, and if I had any problems with Korean food. He was glad to hear that I liked the food. He told me I was providing a great service and that Korea was a great nation that needed my help. I thought he was overstating it a bit, so I was a little relieved when he finally left.

 

Much to my surprise, he came back within 20 minutes with a bag full of these small mellons that look like watermellons on the outside, but are dull white on the inside. The seeds are arranged like that of a musckmellon/cantalope, and the taste is similar too. I was told that you just peel it with a knife, cut it up, and eat it. It was very tasty.

 

He also gave me his business card and said that I could call him whenever I want to come over. He works a lot during the week (Computer Engineer and president of his own company with 28 employees), but he has no schedule on the weekend. I will definitely have to take him up on this. The opportunity to spend time with a Korean family in their home is one I do not want to pass up.

 

When I finally went back to work, I discovered I was to have 3 new students. There were only 2 there today, so I am not sure about the 3rd.  The two that were there today seem to be good students. I am not sure if they are the right level or not, but I think they will easily adjust to the class.

 

This is all I have the desire to depart for now. I hope your daily lives are as interesting as mine seems to be. I don't think one needs to travel around the globe to find entertainment, though it definitely aided in the process for me. Happiness begins at home.

Another decade in writing has been reached. I often wonder where my adventures will take me, and why I would want to write them so often, but they show themselves to be important even if they are rather mundane.

 

Today was a rather interesting day, though it started rather slow. Han Soojung said that a friend of hers wanted to meet me, so she would be over around 2pm so we could get some stuff done before having to meet him. It was a sunny day, so I went outside to wait. While waiting this young girl who had come out to play with some other children saw me and became very excited.

 

She came over to me and started to try and talk to me. She knew a little English (mainly yes and no), but that didn't stop her from trying. She told me she was 9 (that is about 7 the way we count) and that her sister goes to an English Institute. She even ran and got one of the phonics books her sister had finished to show me. She wanted to see my room, but I said no as it currently has clothes strewn about trying to dry.

 

She continued to ask questions in simple Korean, trying to act out those I didn't quite understand. She asked me if I knew the LG supermarket. I told her I did. She asked if I wanted to go. I hesitated as I was supposed to meet Soojung, but then decided to let her show me where it was because it was already 3pm.

At the store she wanted to get a shopping cart for me, but I indicated that I only needed a basket. I had no intention of really going shopping, but since I was there, I figured I might as well pick up a couple of things. She had fun helping me. She picked out a fudge bar and a small bottle of Sunkist Orange Soda (12% juice) and asked if I wanted them. I wasn't sure if she meant for her or for me, so I let her put them in the basket. She helped me put the items on the conveyer belt, and then into the bag. She looked as if she felt very important.

 

When I got home, I put the stuff away, came back downstairs, and split the fudge bar with her (it was one of the double ones). Then she asked if I wanted to drink the juice. I opend it took a sip (wasn't as good as I had hoped it would be) and offered it to her. She, in true 7 year old fashion, wrapped her mouth completely around the top and drank as much as she could. She didn't like it either. Not too much after that she had to go. She was going to introduce me to her mother, whom she said speaks good English, but that has to wait until another day. I am glad there are children living near me it adds a little bit of adventure to my adventures.

 

I met Soojung's friend. We ate galbi-jim. This is a meat dish that is very good.  I have had galbi before, but only the kind you cook yourself. This comes in the form of a stew, though not thick, and the liquid doesn't cover the ingredients. I thought the ginko nuts were a nice touch of course. I am supposed to meet up with him again tomorrow, but I am not sure what is going to happen. I may be getting a used cell phone so I can finally get things accomplished with people.

 

I will keep you informed of all I happen to do. That is all I wish to say for now though. I'll talk to you later

Today started very badly. I felt absolutely horrible when I woke up at 6:00 this morning, so I opted to not go to church. This may have been my first mistake, but I can't change that now. At noon I walked a 45 minute walk in 35 minutes  (and this after making a wrong turn and having to backtrack) to meet Han Soojung, my Korean tutor, to go see a movie.

 

I get to the meeting place 15 minutes early, and, since she is not there, I go to the other two places she could be waiting just to make sure she is not there. While waiting, I met  a group of 6 high school girls who were very eager to practice their English. I was not in the best of moods, but I am always willing to help someone with their English usage, so I put up with their asking their never-ending questions and their unceasing compliments (your handsome man, hat good, eyes beautiful). One could get a very big head around here .  4 of the girls then boarded the bus to Jinhae to go look at the cherry blossoms. 

I waited around for an hour and ten minutes and decided to go home. I couldn't help but wish that I had asked to go with the girls at least I would have company and would be doing something. Sometimes it gets lonely here. I lay in bed for around an hour after I arrived home, then I the phone rings it is Han Soojang. She asked me what happend!! I was ferious, and then she tells me that we were supposed to meet at the bus stop in front of where I work. I just about died.  How can one stay mad when they find out that the person they waited for for an hour did the same, only at a different location? She said she would contact a friend and call me back.

 

Call again she did. It was almost five, and we decided that I would go shopping before we met up with her friend. Of course I spent way too much money, but I now have the ability to make steamed mandu. At seven we met with her friend, the same one we went to Jinhae with last week. We went for  a long walk.  We went to Yangi Park, Yangi Lake, a Buddist temple near Changwon University, and also to another park where some college freshman were having a picnic.

 

We then walked on the grounds of the Provincial Building (like the provincial capital). There are many sculptures, a pond, and a time capsul. It is very relaxing at night when there is no one there. We then visited the provincial police headquarters. We went inside  and asked if they had a vending machine where we could get coffee. The guard just pointed down the hall. It was interesting that the metal detector was standing there waiting for someone to walk through, but we walked around it as if it did not exist. I wonder if that was just because it was night time or if they just use it for prisoners?

 

After we found the machine and had our dixie cup half full of coffee for 200 won (around 20 cents), we went to another building so we could use the restroom. We heard music coming from upstairs and saw someone in a suit head that way we followed. Upstairs there were many sculptures, and in a large room a banquet was going on. The province had invited a famous Korean singer, people from Japan (Korean who were born and living there from what I was told), the govenor of the province, and many other important people. It is Arbor Day tomorrow and they were celebrating (we also have the day off tomorrow for the occasion as well.).

 

We walked inside to listen to the music. They told me it was traditional Korean music music for the older people as the younger people don't like it. I for one found the music to be quite nice I could listen to it for quite sometime. Some of it seemed like old waltzes I have heard. They were very surprised to hear that I liked it. Maybe what was told to me is true: I have an old soul.

 

I don't think we would have ever been able to crash such an event in the US, especially in my hat and jeans. Everyone was in their suites and fancy dresses. I have never felt so underdressed in my life. It was a wonderful time just the same.  It was after this we went to the temple. Talk about a contrast.

 

Well, it may have started bad, but it ended up being a pretty good day. I wonder what tomorrow is going to bring. Han Soojung said she would call around 10:00am and let me know if she has any ideas for things we can do. If she doesn't I will probably be bored all day. I found out how much it is for Yoga: $87.52 for 1 month M-F. That is a pretty good deal. I could go from 6am-7am, go home, get ready for work stress-free. Maybe I could finally relax!! I think I am going to go there Tuesday morning if I can get up in time. I really am going to need to get an alarm clock sometime soon.

 

I guess I will let you all go. Don't forget about daylight savings time I am sure it will not affect me none (have you had to do it yet?), Korea doesn't have it. So it used to be 14 hours difference, now it is 13. All is well.