Last day of the semester

T minus 30 minutes til I am officially done with school for the year (starts up again in Feb). I leave tomorrow for Hawaii... 21 days... SO excited :)

I am so thankful for my little jem of a city out in the boonies - Chuncheon.

It took me about 6 hours to get home from Seoul with all the public transportation (bus, subway, train, and a LOT of walking)...

I really felt like I was home when I got back here!

I learned a great deal about Korea at the conference - this really is a developing country. There are a few metropolitan cities, but the rest is undeveloped to differing extents.

I guess you could call Korea a 2nd world country?

My official new goal before I leave Korea: go to the DMZ (demilitarized zone on the border between the North and South), and if possible go into ya know, that place above me.

The USO offers tours to of the DMZ and depending on the current political situation also of the border... it's really complicated though. It's a UN operation, so there's an intense process for signing up. The hatred for Americans is so great that I might not even be allowed to cross over, but I really want to try!

So when I first got to Seoul, I thought "Gee, I wish I lived here!" Two days later, I am so thankful I do not. The big city is fun for a time, but I am ready to go back to the "Geneva of Korea".

Today we went to the Korean National Museum and then to the Korean War Memorial... where I realized just how recent the horrible heat of the battle was, and how close I am to our neighbors to the North, who are still trying to attack us every day.

Yeah.

After the museums they took us to a performance of "Nanta" - it's a show kind of like "Stomp" that was created in Korea and is now world famous. It was fun.

Then they treated everyone to dinner at a sea food buffet. The food was pretty good... I ended up sharing a table with like 10 guys, so it was definately interesting ha! So many different personalities, accents, nationalities, experiences, etc at this conference - pretty cool!

Then I took the subway to Myong Dong to try and find some clothes at Forever 21... I tried on half the store. Everything was definately made for Koreans :( :( :( All my experience thus far assures me there is no chance of me finding clothes in Korea that actually fit me. Bummer.

I'm not gonna lie, I am so excited to leave here for 3 weeks. My attitude toward Korean culture has not been good lately. I'm just really frustrated and homesick and uncomfortable :( But once I get back from Hawaii, I'll be 1/4 done with my contract - wow.

Tomorrow I go back home. Myong Dong is on my way, so I might stop at Zara (my last hope for clothes ha).

Good night!

Writing this from Seoul, Korea...

On a business trip until Monday afternoon.

What a day.

Today I: did my morning routine; packed; taught 4 classes; had to talk to the principle; walked many miles with a too-heavy backpack; took a fascinating train ride; saw my prayers answered in amazing ways; cried because I was happy; cried becuase I was upset; cried because I was desperate; cried because I was amazed and thankful and humbled...

One day at a time.

Bfast- oatmeal!!! Thanks mom :)

Lunch- orange, rice, cabbage and celery soup, kim chi, chicken, other veggies that were too spicy for me :)

Dinner- Probably some awesomely yummy steamed veggies!

Today was exam day, so Yoon Jin and I did not teach any classes. For the first part of the day, we planned the winter English camp. We have the outline complete (the topics for each day) so now it's just a matter of creating the lessons and materials. We also spent a good hour at least just working on pronounciation of vowels (me teaching Yoon Jin). I really have grown to admire and love this lady... she takes good care of me here, and is an all around lovely person. I am thankful! Last night the special ed teacher treated Yoon Jin, one of the 3rd grade teachers, and me to dinner at this nice pasta place. I really enjoy hanging out with my coworkers!

Saturday was the first snow, and today walking back from lunch little flurries started falling from the sky. It was so beautiful!!!!!!!!!!! I don't mind the cold if it is so amazingly gorgeous like that! Learning to appreciate all seasons/weather :)

Bfast- oats, kiwi, strawberries, almonds
lunch- orange, rice, curry, kim chi, mix of mini hot dogs and meat balls
dinner- tofu and veggie stir fry, sweet potato

Today we were at the University to teach the third graders. They are so precious! It's awesome to see them learn!

After eating lunch Yoon Jin told me I had to get my picture taken for the school newsletter... definately caught me off guard! So we went to this really nice, professional photo studio. Then we went and picked Yoon Jin's son up from his elementary school and brought him back to their house. His English name is Harry - so adorable.

I just found out I'm supposed to attend an EPIK (English Program in Korea) training. However, the principle has not given the okay... which means I'm not sure yet if I'm actually going. It would be something like 3 nights and 4 days, and all expenses paid (but I have no idea where it's at ha). Pretty used to just rolling with the punches nowadays ;)

Bfast- oatmeal, kiwi, yogurt, almonds

lunch- rice with black beans, oyster and tofu soup, kimchi, zucchini, mini eggs and potatoes

dinner- bean sprouts, mushrooms, lettuce, lentils, strawberries

The student teachers left last Friday, so we are back to normal at school. I must say it's a huge relief :) I really enjoy teaching, and didn't get to do hardly any of it the whole month of November.

In my opinion, the curriculum used here for English (it's regulated throughout the whole country) is kind of ridiculous... It would be easy to just teach every class straight from the curriculum. No thinking required. However, I am not doing any of this because it's "easy". I'm here to make sure these kids learn English they can use!

I have already seen the difference in the attitudes of the students when the lessons are relevant and interesting to them... today in 4th grade they learned "How Much is that Doggie in the Window," and in 6th grade they learned the "So Long, Farewell" song from Soung of Music. I have had those two stuck in my head all day (especially after teaching the 6th grade lesson THREE times! ha).

Yoon Jin went home after lunch, because she is having a problem with her eye :( So, when the kids saw she was gone, they attacked me (in a good way). We had fun. I only had to plan one lesson for tomorrow (3rd grade class X 3). I learned a lot of new words and a couple of the girls finished off my disposable camera... those pictures should be interesting! I'll have to get them developed in Hawaii :)

Both my little guy and Nu Gyun (awesome 6th grade girl) walked home with me... little guy went to piano and Nu Gyun and I went to the library accross the street from my house. It was my first time in there... what a wonderful place! It's beautiful and pretty big! I think I will end up spending quite a bit of time in there :)

bfast- cereal, milk, banana
lunch- rice cake soup, rice, little fishes with almonds, kim chi, bean sprouts
dinner- apple, cucumber, yogurt, egg

The school made me leave early and go to the hospital today. I don't have h1n1, but I guess I am on the path to it?.. they gave me a bunch of pills.

I am really frustrated with several things right now. Yet, I know I will grow throgh persevering in these. So happy tomorrow is Friday.

So, they think I'm getting swine flu... Gonna go to bed after I finish writing this.

Bfast- cereal and bananas
lunch- kim chi fried rice, kim chi, fried chicken, mini oranges
dinner- sandwich thing one of the teachers brought me

Taught at the University today... 3 3rd grade classes. Really had to put my foot down - the kids were super noisy and the student teachers didn't take control. I am definately growing a lot and learning how to discipline kids!

Sorry I haven't blogged in a while - I've been busy and tired :) Feeling sick today, but I think I may just be exhausted? No fever, so that's good!

Bfast: cereal, milk, banana

Lunch: Seaweed, rice with black beans, sea weed soup, yogurt, kim chi, fish

dinner: eggs and tomatoes

So, it's normal for a ton of kids to ambush me after classes are done - they come to my desk, I'm convinced, just because I have candy. But today they were especially clingy. Maybe I just noticed more bc I am not feeling well. But I'm talking ALL up in my grill... going through my stuff, playing with my hair, trying to do stuff on the computer, pushing my chair all around the room (with me sitting in it!). I had at least 10 different little Korean girls shouting in my face trying to get my attention - I'm just one person ;) It makes me laugh to think about it. I did get a little irked, but when I told them to skidaddle they did (I said I love spending time with you girls but I need to do my work now. Go). Then about 15 minutes later, one of them comes running back to my desk, carrying a plastic bag. "Teacher, my mom want give to you". Inside were two little orange juices with soy milk, and a package of these little rice cake desserts that are super popular. I knew I'd want to eat the whole package of rice cakes, so I gave them to Yoon Jin and shared with some of the kids who were still there. People here love those things! They weren't bad, but I think maybe it's an acquired taste...? Anyway, all my previously felt annoyance melted away - I may need to get a little more stern, but that's not a bad thing. I love these kids :)

IT IS SO COLD! People now run everywhere to minimize outside time.

Oh, and yesterday was really great... Yoon Jin and the special ed teacher took me out to dinner at pizza hut, and then shopping at M Department Store. I know what you are thinking... but pizza hut here is super duper gormet. A nice sit down restaurant with AMAZING food. We had a coconut shrimp pizza, and it came with fizzy lychee juice. The salad bar had yogurt, pumpkin, mashed sweet potatoes, and all kinds of awesome fresh fruits and veggies.

The department store was interesting... There were many cute things (they wanted to me get a jacket, bc the one I have is NOT sufficient)... but even the largest sizes were too small! Korean women are tiny. I think I will need to go to Seoul to find clothes that will fit me!

Great day!

Bfast- noodles, milk

lunch- kim chi, rice, bean sprout soup, beef and veggies, little mystery strips of fried things?.. interesting!

dinner- a mini cucumber, eggs and seaweed, mini oranges I got for free from my shopkeeper friend!

Sordid experiences teaching with student teachers... hmmm won't go there. Haha. Best part of the day was just hanging otu with the kids after classes were done. Got some photos with Hee Jee and Yeh Gyun and Kim Yu Rim (3 of my fave girls!). So cute.

Tomorrow is Friday! I think I will get paid finally!.........

bfast- Orange juice and I can't remember!

lunch- kimchi, rice, seaweed soup, chicken fingers, apple, super yummy tofu and veggy stuff with sesame seeds, and HOT water

dinner- yogurt

Today I taught with student teachers again. They were all soooo nervous, and the second one didn't plan appropriately... so, she ended up with 10 minutes to fill and just told me to talk to the class. For 10 minutes. About...? Yeah. It went okay though.

The principle loves me. I don't really know why, but she is always doting on me, and Yoon Jin always tells me "principle love you". She was especially dote-ful (I think I made that word up?) today at lunch. What a fun lady - I think I will really miss this place when I'm gone.

I appreciate my kids so much. I know all their faces, and I am starting to get solid on more and more names... getting to know them brings me so much joy! Regardless of culture, clothing, language, skin color, etc... kids are basically the same everywhere. They are so much wiser in many ways than adults. I learn so much from teaching them.

Today I was walked home by 3 AND Nu Gyun (the girl who took me to the telephone a few weeks ago). Such a treat :) I love these kids!!!

It was even sunny here today, and since I got some thermal underclothes (shirt and tights), I didn't feel cold at all! I have hope for winter ;)

I am sitting in the library right now with no school work to do... so I thought it would be the perfect time to write, especially since if I don't do it now, I probably won't do it at all until Monday :) I am feeling quite sick and tired, so I don't know how long I will be able to stay awake once I get home to my warm, quiet apartment! :)

Breakfast- leftover curry

lunch- rice with black beans; kim chi; minty collared greens; pork; fishy seaweed soup

dinner- well I haven't eaten yet, but I am mentally taking inventory of my current food supply... I am guessing it will be some kind of veggie omelet? maybe with a sweet potato on the side? Not sure.

I taught three classes with the student teachers today. The first was a man, which was very interesting to me... I like to see how the kids responded differently to a male teacher. I think they saw him as more authoritative than the female teachers.

I can't imagine how nerve wrecking it is for these college students to teach an entire 40 minute lesson in English... most of them do not speak English!!! I've had more than one teacher tell me (in the middle of the lesson!) they think they are going to start crying because they are so nervous and upset about it. I am thankful I have a skill (English) that is of some value to them. Although it is exhausting, I really enjoy working with the student teachers and trying to help in any way I can.

I really love these kids. One girl who I thought disliked me came to my desk and talked with me for like half an hour after school. So fun... Also, a lot of the kids who were afraid to talk to me have started coming around, too. I have a big jar of candy on my desk to lure them over ;)

My baby gave me a gift this morning- his awesome interpretation of the Korean flag. It looks like it belongs in the background of some anime action movie, yet I can still tell what he was basing it on. Super cool... He's been reading books to me all afternoon. Earlier I was gmail chatting with Jason (shhhh don't tell!) and the little dude put his book on top of my keyboard. Without knowing it, he was holding the number 3 key down, and Jason kept getting messages that looked something like "3333333333333333333333333333333333333fas35fhtfkghfs4sg5233333333333333" etc. You get the picture. I didn't say anything - I was just cracking up. Little dude looked at me like I was crazy. After all, he was showing me a book about construction equiptment... not exactly comical material. When I pointed to my computer screen and he could see his "work" he started laughing too, and we were both laughing together so hard for a good 5 minutes. So, now I call him "3".

Yoon Jin took me to the school nurse today, and she gave me all kinds of medicine (one was a SUPER tasty drinkable one... I'd love to know where I can get some more of that. Took my sore throat away instantly). No fever- she just said to get a lot of rest. I hate to admit this, but I accidently left the gas line open all night (the one that connects to the stovetop in my apartment) and I think that might be why I feel so sick. Ooops!

I hope it works out to meet Steffany (another foreign teacher I have been talking with on Facebook) at Emart for lunch tomorrow! I really should get some warmer clothes too :)

bfast- sweet potato, almonds, orange juice

lunch- kim chi, purple-ish and white rice, a dessert squash, soup with some kind of bean that i thought was goat cheese until i learned otherwise, spinach salad with apple, these mini brown eggs that were super tasty

dinner- kim chi, lettuce, rice and tofu

I assisted the student teachers today in 4 classes. They are supposed to plan the entire lesson, and I am just supposed to co-teach (which usually means following a script they have prepared). This sounds really easy, but it's actually quite stressful... the student teachers (with one exception) have been nervous wrecks so far... I've had to basically take charge of the lessons and impromptu teach all the kids, with the entire administration sitting in the back of the room watching. Good challenge and learning experience for me...

Bfast: Orange juice

Lunch: rice with sprouts and carrots (SO GOOD!!!); yummy super healthy soup; a corn dog; kim chi; fruit salad -----> best lunch yet!

Dinner: almonds and some leftover noodles

Today I taught three 3rd grade classes. This was my first time teaching the 3rd grade classes. These kids were better at English than most of the older ones. They are so precious and energetic. There was one girl who just held my hand for the the whole class time. Love it!

My school computer is broken, so I just read and studied Korean in the afternoon. One of my favorite kids, Hee Jee, drew a picture of me in a wedding dress and wrote me a sweet note. Last week we were looking at pictures of wedding dresses... she thought all the ones I liked were "boring and plain". Compared to the ones she liked (huge ball gowns with bright colors), she was right haha. So she drew me a nice picture of a non-plain wedding dress :)

I taught Yoon Jin for an hour again today. Surprisingly, this was probably my favorite part of the school day. I really enjoy working with people one on one. This was probably the first time I really felt like I had something to offer as a teacher. She is basically fluent in English, but her accent is still heavy and she mispronounces many words. Vowel sounds, as well as the 'r' and the 'l' sound are extremely difficut for native Korean speakers. We had fun working on these sounds... she improved so much in that one lesson!

I got official approval from the principle to go to Hawaii for three weeks in December/January. They had scheduled the winter camp for the last week in December- but when I explained my situation, they instantly moved the camp to the end of January. Our principle rocks!

bfast- special k, orange juice

lunch- sea weed soup, rice, spicy chicken...stew?, kim chi, the super salty dried mix of shrimp/fish/random sea creatures (I have a feeling this is a super-protien... actually really tasty!)

dinner- eggs, lettuce, sprouts, a parsimmon, some veggie dumpling things

So, today I taught 4 classes. The first was 4th grade- it was taught by one of the student teachers, and I was just following along with the script she gave me (wow- someone else prepared the lesson and all the materials, and literally handed me a script of exactly what to do and say? Too easy...).

Then I taught 3 6th grade classes with Yoon Jin. The first class was fine. The second was horrible. The kids wouldn't participate or listen to us- the head teacher was observing, and RIPPED these kids apart after the class was done. Hopefully, they will be better for us next time. The final class was amazing. Each class is so clearly a reflection of it's homeroom (main) teacher - the one who sets the standards for them. I was really caught off guard by the respect the final class demonstrated. When I walked into the classroom, I was like "Today we are going to start off by asking and answering some questions. Who wants to start?" So this kid in the back stands up, and I'm like "What did you do this weekend?" and the he kind of looks confused and flustered, and doesn't answer me. So I repeat my question. All the kids are staring at me, like ummm this is awkward. I repeated myself a third time. Finally, Yoon Jin said "Umm Danielle, it's the bow". So I finally shut up, and the kids proceeded with what they were planning to start before I steam rolled them... they recited something in Korean, and all bowed to me. I had forgotten (in the week I was not teaching) that this class always shows their respect this way before we begin. It was pretty amazing.

It was so cold both in and outside the school today, I thought I might cry. I wore THREE pairs of pants, two shirts, and three pairs of socks, as well as a scarf. Yikes, I never knew cold could be this cold... and it's not even the coldest time yet. I need to find some warmer clothes asap. Hopefully, they will turn the heat on in the school SOOOOOOOOOOON!!!

Oh and last but certainly not least, I miss my family and friends like crazy!!! Starting to realize I won't be home at Thanksgiving... makes me sad!

bfast- egg, apple and cheese omlet

lunch- pretty positive it was leftovers from last week... fish roll things with so many bones, rice, kimchi, broccoli with interesting dark red sauce, and that creamy peppery soup with the wierd rice patty things in it.

dinner- sweet potato, almonds and a parsimmon

It was SNOWING today!

Yoon Jin is back. The kids were crazy today, but the time definately goes a lot faster when teaching is involved. Sadly, I think the kids might not come to hang out with me in my office anymore, now that Yoon Jin is back. A few of them have said they are afraid of her/think she hates them... so they stay away. I don't quite understand where they are getting this from, but I also don't speak Korean so I don't know what she is saying to them...

Student teachers from the Chuncheon National University of Education are here all this month. If I understood correctly, they are going to be observing our classes tomorrow and Wednesday... so I have to dress really professionally (not easy when it's so cold out!).

I think after Wednesday, the student teachers will be planning and teaching the lessons and Yoon Jin and I just follow along with their plans...? Not sure yet though, that sounds too easy!

Apparently the new school (they are building a whole new school right next to the current one) will be done after winter break?! I am so excited! The current one is 70 years old - they've kept it up nicely, but it's still an old building (cold and kinda smells wierd).

bfast- same

lunch- rice, kim chi, zucchini, galbi (special Korean chicken dish... good flavor but the bones wierded me out - I had a hard time figuring out how to eat it!), and a peppery soup that was milky looking with those rice cake things again

dinner- still full from lunch!... I ate a few bites of the yummy curry I made last night (Korean curry mix with apples, carrots, bell pepper and tofu), and a yogurt

Didn't see my Korean mom today. Maybe she moved to a different corner?

The computer teacher was using my "office" as a testing center for the first three class periods of the day, so I just put on my headphones and did my thing while 30+ Korean kids stared at me. Great times :) The computer teacher reallllly wants to speak English fluently, and she kind of latched herself onto me today. I was kind of surprised, but enjoyed her company.

Lunch was wierd- I was surrounded by the big wigs of the school... the principal, head teacher, assistant principle... and everyone was watching me eat. I think it was because I look absurd trying to eat with chop sticks, and galbi is a very important Korean dish. I tried to act like I didn't notice, and would just look up and smile at them every once in a while... but I got a little self conscious.

My alien registration card arrived today - I am now an offical "alien" :) So, in the afternoon the special education teacher took me to the bank, where I opened a Korean bank account.

After classes ended, my two buddies were hanging out in my office. Yea Gyun (the girl) asked me to go to the market with her. So, when 5 o'clock came around, we left school and headed for the "market". When we got outside, my little guy was waiting - I asked him "do you want to walk with us?" and he shook his head yes. Love that kid.

Yea Gyun ended up taking me to a stationary store in the shopping district about 10 minutes past my apartment. "I want to buy you a gift," she said. She wouldn't take no for an answer, so I looked for the least expensive thing I could find (we decided on some really cute Hangul stickers!), and we were on our way. I was so humbled at the selflessness of this little girl. She is amazing. I learned a lot about her today - she is learning English and Japanese, and hopes to learn French. She had so many good questions for me about culture in the U.S... and she had many good insights into Korean culture, too. One that stuck in my mind: I told her kids in Korea work much harder than kids in the U.S. (in Korea, most kids go to at least one extracurricular - i.e. piano lessons, English school, etc. almost every day of the week). She said, "America is better than Korea, so we have to work harder". Quite a big statement from a little girl of 10. She is an amazing person.

It was now dark outside, and I was worried about her walking home alone. She said her mom would be picking her up on the corner across the street from my apartment, so I waited there with her. I got nervous when we were waiting for what seemed like a long time, and it was getting later and creepier (at least to me) being outside. Finally she called her mom and everything worked out perfectly. She gave me another gift before we parted ways - a cute little notebook specially designed for learning vocabulary (she has been teaching me so many Korean words). What a fun gift! "Now," I told her, "I have no excuse to be bad at Korean!"

bfast: same

lunch: rice; super yummy Chinese soup (many of the other teachers pointed to it and said "China soupa") - it was so yummy; kim chi; juicy pineapple; super delicious little puff pastry things with apple-tasting stuff inside

dinner: rice with tomatoes, shrimp, broccoli, and sesame seeds

I left the apartment a few minutes early so I'd have time to stop and talk with the old lady on the corner. Let me tell you about this lady: I don't know why, but she is always standing outside in the same place by the school, holding a big flag. I usually just say hi and smile as I walk past her, and she stops me and talks (in Korean) until I gesture that I need to get going. But, today when we met, I said (in Korean), "Hi! Good to see you today! My name is Danielle". She was very surprised, and hugged me. She pointed to herself and said (in Korean): "mom" (one of the words I learned yesterday!!!) I was like wow, we just had a legit conversation! Cool. So, from here on out this old lady will be called my "Korean mom" haha.

When I got to the office, I practiced the Hangul alphabet on the white board for a while and then got to lesson planning. I planned a week's worth of lessons for all 22 classes before lunch time (they probably won't be used, but I have done my job).

I am being really encouraged to try and speak more Korean. At lunch, I said "hello" in Korean, and the principal was soooooooo excited! She gave me a big thumbs up :) I think they are just being nice...

After eating, all the other teachers left school - apparently there was some kind of conference going on. So I was hanging out with the kids outside. They were teaching me all kinds of new words and listening to Avril Lavigne and Taylor Swift on their cell phones. Pretty funny. Then, a bunch of kids came running up to me, pointing to one of the girls... she had a REALLY bloody nose and they were freaking out. I later learned she was punched in the face by one of the boys... rough day on the playground! I didn't have my sandals, so I couldn't go inside the building. I gestured to the other kids to go get tissues, and they came back with the nurse (so thankful she was actually there today!). The kids kept apologizing to me... I didn't really understand why.

As I was walking home, I saw this adorable couple walking up the hill by the apartment. They looked very old... the woman's walking was labored and very slow, and the man (who I am guessing is her husband) was walking right alondside her. Really sweet.

Later tonight when I was just doing some studying in the apartment, I heard this really wierd noise that sounded like a child screaming. I think it was a cat being tortured or torturing something... I ran and closed/locked all the doors and windows. Really creepy.

bfast- special k with milk, mini banana

lunch- kim chi, rice, non-descript (i.e. I have no clue how to describe it, but it was good) soup, some kind of vegetable looking thing that tasted like a type of root, and the yummiest ginger chicken and orange squash-type vegetable stuff I've ever had!

dinner- rice with sesame seeds, bell pepper, mushrooms and tofu, and orange juice to keep the swine away!

I was delighted to have hot water this morning! The hot water works only intermittently and I have yet to figure out the schedule (if there is one)...

It was a very cold morning, so I brought a to-go mug with hot tea...

As you can tell, my day got off to a good start!

I was again in my office all day long, so I just worked on learning Korean. I took a break for lunch, then hit the books again. I concentrated on learning Hangul, the Korean alphabet. I think once I have that down, everything here will be much more pleasant - I will be able to read the signs!

Around 2pm the kids started flooding into my office... I was visited by so many of them today! They saw I was learning Korean, and they all got really excited about playing teacher. I was exhausted, but learned a lot :)

My baby, the boy who always comes and shows me his drawings/reads or tells me stories, was hanging out a lot with me today. He was still reading me a book when 5 o'clock came, and I told him it was time to go. He was walking the same way I was going home, so we walked together.

I was getting nervous, thinking "hmmm I hope this kid actually lives this way and isn't just following me home!" Between my Korean and his English (totally a credit to his grasp of the English language here...), I figured out he was going to piano lessons and they were apparently held right down the street from my apartment. He walked me all the way to my apartment building, and I asked if he would be okay walking the rest of the way to piano lessons alone. I was nervous to leave him all alone in the big city, but he does that walk every other day by himself, so I let him go. What an amazing little kid.

Bfast: Special K with milk, a mini-banana, and tea

Lunch: slimy noodly things with random veggies, soup that had something slimy and green which I think was seaweed, rice, kim chi, other random veggie things

Dinner: salad (lettuce and tomatoes), eggs, orange juice, mini sweet potato

Back to school today!..

Yoon Jin is in the hospital with swine flu :(:(:( so I will not be doing any teaching until she returns (the kids can't understand English well enough for me to teach without her). More and more I am realizing I need to learn Korean if I am to be effective here. I can't keep depending on other people being able to speak and understand English... after all, I am IN KOREA!!! I have been in need of a serious attitude adjustment - and thankfully I got it :) So, now that I am going to be shut up alone in my "office" probably for the rest of this week, I can just focus on studying studying studying.

One of my coteachers took me to the immigration office today, and I got to see Chuncheon from a whole new angle... it was breathtakingly beautiful. How quickly I forget these amazing things when my focus is inward (i.e. I am homesick, I am sad, I am cold, I I I I I - enough with the I)! Time to get in gear!

I think it's time for swine '09...

bfast: hard boiled egg whites, orange juice

lunch: rice with chickpea-looking things, cucumber with tomato sauce, some unidentifiable soup with tofu-ish strip things and various mushrooms and... noodles? (not sure really), green stuff that I am guessing was either a. spinach or b. seaweed, sesame chicken

dinner: veggie dumplings, shrimps, milk, grapes and of course tea

So, by about the 3rd class of the day (the noisiest group of 6th graders I presume has EVER been on the earth...), I was ready to throw in the towel and hop on the next plane home.

I was freeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeezing, I was tired, I was convinced I was getting swine flu (running rampant at the school now...), and I was frustrated with the way my co-teacher was doing, well, EVERYthing.

Then... my last class of the day was amazing. We had so much fun. They were respectful and eager to learn- it was refreshing.

As if that wasn't awesome enough... after I ate lunch, I went back to my desk and was visited by BOTH of my favorite kids! I had such a wonderful time with both of them. I really thought I was going to BURST with joy! I realize God is fulfilling so many of my heart's desires in ways I never expected. I continue to be humbled and amazed, and thankful for this time. It's not easy, but is anything worth doing EVER easy?..

Bfast: fried eggs, rice, lettuce, OJ ---> kind of a Korean-ized Ken's SUMO for those of you who get my drift...

Lunch: kim chi, rice, some kind of root vegetable, some bizarre but yummyish fish, a good winter soup with lots of spices and some kind of slimy rice cake things and meat-filled dumplings

dinner: I made a "pancake" with the Korean pancake mix the previous teacher left... and some shrimps. Random, I know.

Today I taught 4 classes. One 4th grade, and three 5th grade. It went well. I felt really confident today, and wasn't afraid to take charge and discipline the kids. They are soooooooo noisy, and I refused to talk or continue if they were not being silent and paying attention. I will need to establish this as a norm... it's obvious they have been subjected to waaaaaaaaaay too lax teaching methods for too too long, and it's not gonna fly with me. So, we have much work to do :)

I love the students though, and I adore their little voices trying to speak English. It's so cute. The "r" sound is very difficult for Koreans, because they do not have this sound in Korean. So, we work a lot on that. It's been fun making them roar like lions to practice.

That little boy I talked about... he is spending more and more time at my desk. Although I love having him there, I was like "Yoon Jin isn't he supposed to be in class right now???!" She said "probably". I was like hmmm... do I tell him to go to class, or is he allowed to just wander? We'll see. I will cross that bridge when I come to it (probably tomorrow ha).

At lunch I tried using the calling card, but it wouldn't work on that phone either. BUMMER!!! One of my students came in and when I explained the situation, she said she would meet me after school and go to the phone booth with me to try it out.

I knew it wouldn't work, but this girl is a helper by nature. I didn't want to take that opportunity away from her... so she met me after school was done and we walked to the phone booth across the street. It didn't work, but I asked her to explain the country codes, etc. (they are printed in Korean on the inside of the telephone booth). We had a great chat as we walked together. She lives up a hill across the street from my apartment. I don't want to be a creeper, but I would love to walk with her everyday. I LOVE spending one on one time with my students - they are such neat people, and I want to get to know them all as individuals!

Today was lovely :)

Breakfast: cereal and milk; tea

Lunch: Mushroom and egg soup; kim chi; shrimp fried rice; persimmon; garlic toast

Dinner: a Dunkin' Doughnuts cinnamon role and a Starbucks latte (my kids brought these to me at like 4:30pm)

Today was a test day, so it was eerily quiet at the school... I was alone in the library (my "office") until rught before lunch, when Yoon Jin came rushing in. Apparently her son (who is in kindergarten) was very sick with flu and she had to take him to the hospital :(

So, I walked to lunch alone for the first time and sat with the principal and head teacher... even though we can't speak eachother's language, we had good "conversation" with gestures and a lot of smiles. They were laughing at my eating today. First of all, I thought the persimmon was a tomatoe and was dreading eating it. I bit into it, skin and all, and they were like "NO!! NO!" They showed me how to peel the skin off, and eat it correctly... on my first try, I had gooey sticky fruit all over my hands and face. They got me a second one, and I did a little better :)

When I was walking back to the office (again, by myself for the first time), I stopped to chat with some students on the playground who always yell "Dan-yil! Hello!" when I walk by after lunch...

They were playing on the teeter totter and wanted me to get on. I said, "No! Too big!" They all said "NO!!! Skinny! Small! Very beautiful!" I admit, I like hearing these kinds of compliments way too much. I think the Korean people must be very complimentary in general.

Before going back to my desk I stopped at the teachers' lounge. Without Yoon Jin translating, I knew I wouldn't be able to have a conversation with the other teachers, but I just wanted to show them I want to be their friend and be involved in what's going on... I wanted to put forth effort.

My efforts were definately rewarded. I can't explain how a conversation can be so satisfying when no words are being spoken, but I can truly say that time with the other teachers (the head teacher and the special ed teacher) was truly one of the best convos I've had. We bonded :)

Yoon Jin was leading play practice for "Snow White" all afternoon in the library. This is a daily occurance. The first time, I was SOO annoyed. I couldn't believe the sheer VOLUME of the kids, and how hyper they were. It's amazing how my attitude has changed... when I no longer see these kids through Western "goggles", things are much clearer. I loved being there with them.

In between scenes, I would try speaking some Korean with the kids, and have them write down their names in hopes of memorizing them all. I also showed them I am interested in them by watching YouTube videos of "2pm" and "Big Bang" - two famous pop groups that the kids love. They thought that was pretty funny. Kids are really the same everywhere... that's one thing I love so much about them. Culture and clothing and color may be different, but the inside is the same.

I know I shouldn't have favorites... but I can simply not explain the way I love this one little boy. I don't even know his name - he doesn't really talk. Yoon Jin tried explaining his situation to me - from what I understood and have observed, he is most likely autistic and perhaps mentally retarded as well. But I don't care what the world says is "wrong" with this little one... he is incredible. He draws these absolutely astoundingly awesome pictures, and always comes and shows me. I feel so honored that he would share these drawings with me. He works so hard on them, and they are REALLY good. I think he will be famous one day. And he is really sharp. He may be smart in different ways than people would normally associate intelligence with, but he is SMART. Smarter than me, for sure. He is so special. Every time I see his face, I feel so much joy. He's a treasure :)

Breakfast: same as yesterday :)

Lunch: soup with mushrooms and some kind of fishy flavor, kim chi, some kind of clear gooey stuff that was supposedly made from a bean (soy? idk) with carrots slivers and sesame seeds, dekalb (Chuncheon's famous spicy chicken rib dish) with those things that look like potatoes but definately are not, rice, and that same tea/water mystery drink

Dinner: Pasta with red sauce and all kinds of sea creatures, pickled vegetables, green tea, different kinds of bread with olive oil

Wow- what a wonderful day. I was not doing well this morning at all. I was sad and homesick and literally feeling sick also. I just totally didn't want to be here. I was cold. I was tired. You get the picture...

Even during my first few classes, I was really feeling discouraged and like I just wanted to burst into tears. Then, the 4th class of the day was SOOO GOOOOOOD!!! It was just like a huge boost and for the first time I really felt love for my students. After that, everything seemed to change... probably because I was seeing things in a different light.

The rest of the afternoon was much better, and I was so thrilled when a couple groups of girls came into the library (my current office) just to try having a conversation in English. Truly my happiest moment here so far... I love working one on one with students.

Also, I really felt honored that the other teachers took such an interest in making me feel welcome at the school...

They were talking for half of their lunch break about things they wanted to show me here in Chuncheon (I didn't understand any of it, so Yoon Jin was translating the gist of the convo for me). Maybe tomorrow we will all go see the mountains and have dinner? "It's not sure yet, just plan. It's not sure".

Tonight Yoon Jin took me to the hospital, where I had every kind of medical test known to me...

They took like 5 viles of blood (I thought I was going to pass out... why has my fear of needles intensified so much in the past few years?), a pee sample (HA- it was a paper cup that was not made for this type of thing, and I just had to laught when they handed me this cup that said "taste the difference... so and so brand dinnerwear"... eew), an eye test (my vision is apparently perfect), an x-ray (the technician, bless his heart, was painfully awkward trying to explain to me in his limited English that I could keep all my clothes on but needed to take off my underwear for the xray), and also blood pressure, weight, height, etc...

The scale made me laugh. It said in big letters on the front "Fatness Indicator". Oh my...

After that, Yoon Jin took me out to eat at this charming, yummy and very impressive Italian restaurant overlooking the entire city and suburbs of Chuncheon!!! Wow- I can truly say I was in complete awe. Never seen anything like it. I appreciate this city SO MUCH after seeing it from that angle. Amazing. Truly a gem of a place, with all the lakes and mountains and beauty all around... things I couldn't see until I had that angle. I also loved just driving around the city and seeing it that way. I can't wait to get out and explore all those fun places I saw today...

Tomorrow is a test day, so I think we are just planning all day. And maybe leaving school early to hike/have dinner/whatever the other women teachers have in mind (But it's "just plan. Not sure" so we'll see!).

:) I thought of everyone I love and miss back home tonight. I would have loved for you guys to be there and see what I was seeing. Maybe someday we can take in that view together! Wish I'd brought a camera!

I've had several requests to post what I'm eating over here, so here goes...

breakfast: Post brand cereal that looks like wheaties but is kind of sugar coated and has green seeds or peas (not exactly sure which) mixed in, with milk and orange juice, and instant coffee that's disgusting and full of sugar blech

snack: school gives us milk about an hour before lunch... tasted like rice milk, but apparently it is in fact cow milk. hmmmmmmm not sure about that one.

lunch: BEST meal of the day. Teacher who designs lunch menu is a dietician! Today was rice, some kind of soup that had some type of random veggies and kind of a fishy flavor, a pile of those petrified little somethings with eyes (SUPER CREEPY!!! I was horrified the first time I saw these, which was on the airplane coming over when they served lunch, but then when we had them at the school and I was sitting with the principal, I couldn't really refuse, so I tried... actually okay if you don't think too much about it...I will try to get the name of this so you can see for yourself yikes!), kim chi, apple slices, that wierd drink that I can't figure out if it's water or tea or watery tea, some kind of dark meat with a dumpling type thing that was definately NOT the potatoe I thought it was...

dinner: I cooked up a little rice and fried an egg, and put both of those on top of some lettuce and sprinkled bean powder on top. also drank some brown rice tea.


first day of school was stressful, tiring, very frustrating, and long...

I had to be there early because they have an assembly every monday morning with the whole school. I was just standing there trying not to look as spaced out as I actually was (Okay, after 1/2 hour of people talking in Korean I was seriously gone), when my co-teacher (aka the only other English speaker on the current face of my planet) tapped me and said "You introduce yourself now!" I was like HUH?

So feeling totally awkward, I went up on the stage and they gave me a microphone. I looked out at all the Korean faces in front of me, and couldn't help but think Wow! This is soo cool! I just spoke really slowly, said my name and bowed and thanked them for having me... I don't know if they really understood any of it, but I got a huge round of applause so I guess I did something right ha.

The lessons went fine, except that the kids are sooooooo noisy and talkative (but NOT in English). I am trying still to guage the role I am to take... I would manage the classroom and discipline the students MUCH differently than my co-teacher does, and yet I don't think it's really my place to be the one running the classroom and establishing disciplinary standards. After all, she is Korean and has been at this school for over 10 years or something like that... I think she knows the culture and the students waay better than I ever will. So, it's a matter of humbling myself and realizing that just because I would do something differently, doesn't necessarily mean my way is better. It's just different, and I need to learn to accept that in certain instances...

I was done teaching by the time lunch came, so I spent the afternoon preparing tomorrow's lessons. Lesson planning had to be put on pause for a faculty meeting at 4pm... where I again had to introduce myself to a crowd full of people who couldn't understand what I was saying. But it went better than I expected.

I started to get overwhelmed, because it took me so long to do ONE lesson plan. And I have 4 classes tomorrow (one 4th grade, and three 6th grade). I also started to get annoyed, because my current "office" is a desk in the library, where basically every student comes to hang out and be noisy and otherwise socialize. Play practice was in there today, too. I was like ahhhhhhhh my brain can't take any more people shouting in Korean!

I am honestly kind of bummed that I only teach as low as 3rd grade, but I still see the littlest ones in the hall, and they all hang on me and giggle. So fun, I just adore them. The older kids are a challenge, just as in any culture! But I know I will learn to love them eventually...

Yoon Jin (my co-teacher) told me she can take me to he hospital tomorrow afternoon to get my physical exam, and once that is processed I can apply for an alien reg. card and get moving forward here... open a bank accnt, get a phone, etc. She also surprised me by saying she wanted to treat me to dinner tom. night... I am excited about that :)

It was COLD here today. Very cold. I am starting to fear the winter!!!

Today I tried for TWO HOURS to use my calling card at a pay phone. Wouldn't work. So I went back to the apartment and did some research on calling card procedures and country codes, etc. Went back to the payphone. Still didn't work.

In the midst of walking back and forth, I was for some reason targeted by several disgusting men who felt the need to either whistle, honk, or otherwise crudely gesture toward me...

I guess guys can be creeps in any country (no offense to the non-creepy guys in my life).

So at this point I am frustrated and upset, and wanting to go home. So I walk.

I walked for a couple hours, just taking in the scenery and learning my surroundings. The sun was out - the day was looking up.

I found a water-side walking path with a backdrop of mountains. There were a couple of older people sitting along the banks in all sorts of random chairs (quite the hodge podge of chairs, that looked like they were rejected from a grandmother's garage sale).

About 50 meters (there was a sign) along the path, there is a church and a center for World Vision International... will have to go back there when they are open!

I stopped at the grocery store on my way home, and picked up some potatoes, bananas, and tomatoes... and then realized when I got to the checkout that I forgot to bring my wallet! oops.

So, I came home without fruit or veggies, but with a fairly productive day.

Finished my first lesson plan. I am teaching three 5th grade classes tomorrow...

What a GREAT day!

I love it here :)

I just explored the main streets near my apartment today... I got some groceries, and a few things for the apartment. It was pretty wierd spending bills that said 50,000 on them ha...

I was afraid to leave my apartment this morning, because I stick out like a sore thumb here and have no idea where anything is or what the heck I am doing... but God is so GOOD. As soon as I walked down to the main street, a young girl stopped and said "Busol School? You Teacher". She was one of the students I had taught on Friday- now I had a friend to walk with! After we went our separate ways, I felt infinately more confident in my surroundings, and went to tackle the grocery store.

Fast forward to grocery store: I am minding my own business in the tea isle when an old Korean man comes up to me... he grabs the basket I'm holding and starts asking me something repeatedly. I am freaked out a little, until two Korean women come up to him and point to the front of the store. Apparently, the man was just trying to ask me where to get a basket :) haha.

I've found people in general to be kind, respectful and approachable. I feel extremely safe here, although I will not go out at night by myself yet...

My dinner was some kind of fried dough thing this lady was cooking up across the street... it was interesting! Also, there is a pet store by my apartment that I passed by like 10 times today, and I really wanted to go in and check it out so I just now made a random trip in there... I played with the little puppies for a while, and it made my heart so happy :)

I love being able to walk everywhere and not worry about a car! I was unable to get a phone today, because no one in any of the phone stores spoke English. However, there is a Korean professor who lives nearby and offered to help me out! The phone stores are closed on Sunday, but we will shoot for next week sometime!

I know without a doubt that I am ruined... I NEEEEEEEEED adventure in my life. I NEEEEEED challenge. I NEEEEEEED to be taken out of safe, comfortable, traditional environments... they suffocate me. Here, my spirit is already soaring. There's no turning back.

First Impressions part 2

First Impressions

Change HEATHER STANCIK to DANIELLE DUDZINSKI, and voila! My address :)

Wow~ So much to report!!!

God is GOOD!

Yesterday I met 1/5 of my kids (three 6th grade classes)... SO CUTE!!! When I introduced myself, every single class asked the same question: "Do you have a boyfriend?" It was cute... My love life and baseball were really all they cared about haha.

I met the principle yesterday. She is the most beautiful woman I have ever seen... Maybe not by the World's standards, but to me she is almost regal. I can't really explain it, but I feel honored just being in her presence. She speaks no English, but Yoon Jin (my co-teacher and only English speaker in the school) was there translating.

I got all moved into my apartment last night. It's about a 7 minute walk from the school, and it's definately livable! I have a queen size bed, 2 dressers, kitchen, bathroom, laundry room/enclosed porch... so fun. I love having my own place to make home.

Last night it was soo stormy, and I was a little scared but slept well. I woke up early with the sunshine, and am excited to do some grocery shopping and find a phone somehow today...

This is not a tourist town, and everything is in Korean. I KNOW I will get lost today, but I want to at least be able to find my way home before it gets dark. Wow... say a prayer for me, I can't do this on my own strength :)

If I taste any more SWEETNESS in life, I'm gong to go into a sugar coma ;) All that to say, I am undeniably content and at peace right now, and already love it here!

The flight seemed to go by in a matter of minutes, and I was awake for most of it. They fed us amazing food on the plane, too... rice, soup, veggies, kim chi, fish, salad, tea... all traditional Korean food that tasted like it was sent from Heaven. Ahhhh yum.

I could see the sun out my window for nearly the entire flight. It looked like we were flying right into it... it was absolutely amazingly beautiful, lighting up the clouds and casting colorful rays on the sky. Then when I could see land, it was green and expansive. I fell in love right away.

The airport was super easy. Everything was in English, so it was a no-brainer.

After I went through customs and got my luggage, I found my ride. He was a super nice older Korean guy who spoke no English, but had a friendly smile and was great at his job. Although, I did get a little wierded out when he was watching TV on the GPS as he was driving!!! Seriously, I video recorded it...

It took over 2 hours to drive from Icheon to Chuncheon. I was desperately trying to stay awake and look out the window - much to see, even in the dark!

We finally arrived at the hotel, and this sweet girl about my age took me to my room. WOW! What a fun place! Our hotels have nothing on this... the lighting, the flat screen tv, the sweet bathroom setup, and the ingenious energy saving mechanisms are super smart and cool.

Only negative is that I don't have phone access, and probably won't until I reach my apartment sometime tomorrow.

Better get some sleep, I have a big day tomorrow!...

On my way, literally!

As I write this, I am sitting in the Los Angeles airport, waiting for my flight to South Korea...

I am hoping to sleep for most of the flight :)

I finally had my interview today... it was about 5 seconds long. They are sending the visa in the mail, and it should be here by the end of the week. Therefore, I should prob be heading to S. Korea by the end of NEXT week (I am thinking Thursday).

My paperwork has been processed... I was issued a confirmation number, which I have to use to set up an interview with the consulate. I found the address for the consulate here in AZ, and drove there, thinking I would just try to get everything done today. Well, I found the address... and it was an old apartment building. It didn't look right, so I called 4-1-1 and asked for the phone number of the Korean consulate in AZ. There isn't one. What...? Be very careful where you get your information on the internet. So it appears the closest consulate is in Los Angeles. Now, I'm not sure if I have to do an in-person interview or if it can be over the phone. So, I called to ask about this and they said "call back in 10 minutes". I did, and the recording said "we are closed for lunch". I hope this is not a sign of things to come... (then again, I don't mind too much- it's an adventure after all).

On an awesome note, the current teacher is amazing... she emailed me and is a wealth of information. She is also going to leave me her bike, kitchen stuff, and many other things I would have to buy myself. She even asked what kind of food I like so she could stock the cupboards for me! She said the transition was really rough for her, and finding friends was hard. She gave me contact info for all the people that have really made her time there a good experience, so I am hoping I will get along with them, too! She said the school can be frustrating, and there are so many students it's hard to get to know them personally... but the town is aparently wonderful, and the food is great. She sent me some pictures of the apartment... but they're in a Word doc and I can't figure out how to put them on here :(

Drove to Tucson. Parked in the 20 min zone. Picked up transcript. Went to the bathroom. Drove back to Phoenix. Went straight to Fed Ex . Mailed transcript. Had to go home to get flash drive. Got flash drive. Back to Fed Ex. Got scan of passport. Drove home. Logged on. Emailed Fed Ex tracking number and scan of passport to Alistair.

I am tired!

In the words of Toby Keith, my fits about to hit the shan..................

I got an email from Alistair explaining that there has been a problem with my paperwork. The school needs another sealed University transcript and another scan of my passport. He said the paperwork is already being processed, so there shouldn't be any delay... but I have a hard time trusting that to be true, because there is always a delay. He feels really bad about it and wants to reimburse all expenses incurred in obtaining and sending the transcripts. But I think I am moreso just having a realllly hard time remaining patient. I am supposed to start teaching in just over a week from now... hmmm. Oh me of little faith...

I have been working on learning some Korean, and even found a Facebook page called "Foreigners living in Chuncheon"! I am getting really excited, and praying the Visa process continues to go smoothly...

I just made a tentative packing list... it's 4 pages long!!! Wow. I may need to invest in a giant suitcase! Hmmm.

Good news: Alistair received ALL my required documents, and has passed them along to the Government for processing. He said this phase of the Visa process usually takes about a week. So, I am hoping to have everything completed by this coming Friday (very wishful thinking, I know)!

I asked him if he thinks everything will be squared away by October 5th, which is when school starts, and he said he thinks so and if I am late then no worries.

So, no worries :)

I have just now started getting a little nervous just thinking about all the things that could go haywire, like if I arrive in Korea and there is no one there to pick me up and when I do finally get to my apartment it's a total dump. Yikes! I like to imagine the worst sometimes, because then no matter what I am pleasently surprised :) I do have a good feeling about this whole thing though, and feel God's hand has and will continue to be in it!

First thing this morning I went downtown to the office of the secretary of state and got my criminal background check apostilled. It was cake. I couldn't believe this was such a major issue before... don't believe everything you read (web site said no apostilles, wierd). ANYway, my mom met me at Fed Ex just a few minutes ago, and helped me mail off all my documents to S. Korea (she gets an 80% discount as a US Airways employee- definately comes in handy)! So, I have notified Alistair that all the documents are heading his way (the mail is picked up at 4:45pm today, so they will be on their way in 45 minutes haha).

I went to my final orthodontist appointment today, and dr. d was like oh I am so excited for you and so jealous of the adventures you will have! please keep in touch, email us updates and pictures, and come visit whenever you are back in the US. I was like dang, that's nice of you! and one of the tech's was telling me that she had a lot of friends who were in the military and lived in S. Korea. Aparently, the Korean men are all going to ask me to marry them, and I will be called "round eyes". Interesting... I think I'm worth a few goats in Africa; I wonder what type of livestock I would be traded for in Korea?? Ha.

I just overall have an awesome feeling about going and reallllllllly hope it works out! I am not out of the woods yet by any means... there is a tight time schedule, and if one thing goes awry, I will be out of luck for this opportunity. Praying like crazy! I will miss home severely, but I really want to go to Chuncheon! My heart is longing for adventure! :)

Went to the post ofice this morning and picked up my envelope from Alistair! Tomorrow morning I am attempting to go Downtown and get an apostille. I am NERVOUS that there will be a problem. I am praying like crazy :)

Here is a really promising description of the place I'll be living!

http://www.epik.go.kr/EPIK/html/living_in_korea/gangwon_do4.jsp

Their motto is "Hope is flowing through like the river". How cool! I like this place already!

And WOW!!!!! So I just found out one of Chuncheon's sister cities is none other than ADDIS ABABA, which is where I went in Ethiopia! This little fact really makes me smile! :D What are the odds???!?!!!! Here is the website where I found that bit of awesome information:

http://www.tripwiser.com/trip_destination-Chuncheon_South_Korea?itiNodeId=8a8c80fe162619720116261beace002b&eType=site

From there, a link to the official website of Chuncheon city can be found. Looks so cute and fun! There are three major Universities in the town, so I think it will be a fun, cute college town! Very modern, because town was rebuilt after being basically destroyed in the Korean War. However, also a lot of history and awesome natural beauty!

I know if my moving there is meant to happen, it will work out. I am trying not to let myself get too excited, in the event that it does NOT work out... although I am really reallllly hoping it does :) There are just so many things that need to happen, and happen correctly on both ends, before I can start teaching October 5th (which is less than a month away!). I am getting a little freaked out about not having a departure date yet, but I guess it makes sense that I can't have that until I have official permission from the Korean gov. to live there for a year... so, I am hoping the Visa process runs smoothly. That is the next major hurdle (after this darn apostille, of course)!

I think it's safe to say this process has already helped me grow greatly in my faith :)

Read over the contract. Then read it again. Then read it a third time. No surprises :) I am going to have my parents both read over it before I sign, just to make sure there is nothing I am missing. Alistair (who is the coordinator with the S.Korean government) has mailed my criminal background check back to me so I can get it apostilled. Once it arrives here, I just need to get that apostille, and send my diploma and self health check all back to Alistair, who will give it to the government and then I have my interview at the consulate here in AZ. Seems like a lot to get done in a matter of weeks, but if it's meant to be I know it will all work out. I don't think I could do all this without my mom- she's like my secretary/lawyer haha!

I am really excited, but also finally getting nervous about being gone for a year where I don't know anyone or speak the language!

Today I received an email with information on the school I'll be working at in S. Korea: the Chuncheon National University of Education!

Like it's name implies, this is actually a University, (where people study to become teachers). Here's the website: http://sukwoo2.cnue.ac.kr/eng/index.htm (in English).

I love this description from the University President: I am pleased to welcome you to Chuncheon National University of Education. Our university, founded in 1939, trains elementary school teachers. CNUE is a small but strong and competitive university. We have 2,300 undergraduate students in 12 academic departments and 540 graduate students (all elementary school teachers) in 17 graduate courses. More than 90% of our students become elementary school teachers.We strive to create an academic environment in which outstanding students and scholars are continually challenged and inspired to excel. We educate our students to be the best citizens as well as the best teachers, emphasizing not only teacher education but liberal education. We focus on the students having dreams and realizing them. Looking towards the future, our university will endeavor to become more competitive and the most successful teacher education institution in the world. I hope you will find your stay both enlightening and enjoyable. Kim, Sun-Bae, Ph. D., President

So you are probably thinking... wait, a University? I thought Danielle was teaching elementary school?!..............

I am. The University has an elementary school. It's kind of like if there was a school called "University of Arizona Elementary school". It is still a public school (The Gangwondo office of Education is the school "district"), but it is privately funded.

The official website for the elementary school is: http://cnue-e.es.kr/?main. It has some great pictures, but other than that it's basically useless to me bc it's all in Korean! :)

I received my employment contract, too. I am going to read through it all this evening and make sure everything is correct and there are NO SURPRISES.To be honest, I am freaking out a little. This all just got a lot more real... I think in the back of my mind, I never expected anything to actually work out with me EVER going to live overseas...especially not in less than a month! But, I am excited and ready for an adventure!