Not too many new or exciting things happening in Korea right now. Just working, shopping, meeting cool people, and enjoying my Korean life. We have a workshop at school this Saturday that we have been preparing for all month. The kids have to recite scripts about themselves, sing songs, etc. All the foreign teachers are in the workshop playing various characters and/or apart of the scripts. I have a very interesting role in this workshop. I am dancing in the ballet with the 4 year old children. Funny to think, I flew 6,000 miles to dance onstage with 4 year old Korean children. 15 years of dance lessons and this is where it takes me. Ahh my mother will be so proud! I'll let you all know how the workshop goes and hopefully I have pictures and video of the ballet!
On a serious note, I received news from home about my Grandma Marilyn's passing. I was so sad to hear this and I wish now more than ever to be home with my family. It's times like these that make me nervous about being so far away from home. I feel very disconnected sometimes and wish I could fly to Michigan to be with my family. I am keeping all the Walter's family in my thoughts and prayers at this time. I know now more than ever that family is the most important thing in this world. Love you all so very much!
I will update more after this weekend. I'm sure the stories will be pouring out of me after workshop and Halloween! We have a Halloween party on Friday for the kids and I will definitely be taking pictures of my adorable children!
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Eat Your Heart Out Disney, My Dreams Came True in Korea
Alright everyone, I have accomplished one of my cheesy, non-life changing goals for Korea. I went to a K-Pop show last night and absolutely loved it! For those of you that don't know, I am a huge fan of Korean Pop music. I know, I know, the eye rolls and the "oh my gosh" comments have been heard repeatedly. I just love this music! When I started looking into coming to Korea almost 2 years ago, I started researching the culture and discovered K-Pop. Now don't get me wrong, this music and the cheesyness do not define Korea. However, these K-Pop Idols are plastered everywhere selling things like clothes, phones, pizza, chicken, etc. This music is comparable to American music, but with a twist. The variety ranges from bubblegum pop to hardcore rapping. Anyway, I was so bummed because at the end of September there was a show by an artist named TaeYang ("tay young"). I really wanted to go, but I didn't have anyone who was interested to go with and the tickets were 90,000 won. I hadn't received my first paycheck so funds were a little low. So that show came and went and I was sad :( TaeYang is like a Usher, Neyo, Chris Brown (minus the jerk factor) in a Korean mans body. He's a hearthrob in Korea!
I happened to hear about a festival called the Seoul Soul Festival and a couple of Korean and American artists would be performing. SE7EN who is also a R&B singer in Korea was performing and Musiq Soulchild from the States was to be there too. Then there was a hidden member revealed a week before the festival and it was TAEYANG! I knew I had to go and didn't care the price, time or place! I spent all week asking people from work if they wanted to go and no one did. I decided that it didn't matter and I was going to go alone! Thankfully, my good friend Alida decided to save my dignity and come with me. Tickets were 88,000 won and it was all standing room only. We waited in line for about 1 hour and then they opened the gates and we ran to get a good spot. We were about 15 feet away from the stage and the view was perfect!
SE7EN performed first. He had such a incredible voice and his range was amazing. This artist is definitely a pretty boy though. He was the most perfectly symmetrical face and everyone wants to look like him. I melted and cried when he sang a ballad about finding your way back home after long journeys. Alida and I held each othered and swayed. By the way, all the songs are mostly in Korean with English words thrown in. Except SE7EN sings some songs in English only. After SE7EN, TaeYang took the stage and thats when things got wild! This boy has stage presence and the moves to be famous worldwide! I couldn't believe how much energy he had and he danced/sang his little heart out. I say "little" because he is so much shorter in person! Oh well, I didn't care and was 15 feet away from him! We shared a few moments were I swear he winked or smiled at me haha. I'm hard to miss in a sea of Korean girls.
Throughout the performance, TaeYang kept removing his tops and throwing them into the audience. When he left the stage I made the comment that he can't do an encore because he has no more clothing to give away unless he takes off his pants! Speaking of the word "encore", all the Korean girls (and a few boys) were screaming "Acorn acorn acorn." I could not figure out what they were chanting, maybe something in Korean. Then it hit me that they were saying "encore." Hahaha I chuckled to myself about that one. After the concert, I could have easily died a happy girl haha. I will definitely be going to more K-Pop shows and I have Alida convinced too! She loved it as well and asked when the next one is! Ahhhh there are more people like me in the world hehe :)
I happened to hear about a festival called the Seoul Soul Festival and a couple of Korean and American artists would be performing. SE7EN who is also a R&B singer in Korea was performing and Musiq Soulchild from the States was to be there too. Then there was a hidden member revealed a week before the festival and it was TAEYANG! I knew I had to go and didn't care the price, time or place! I spent all week asking people from work if they wanted to go and no one did. I decided that it didn't matter and I was going to go alone! Thankfully, my good friend Alida decided to save my dignity and come with me. Tickets were 88,000 won and it was all standing room only. We waited in line for about 1 hour and then they opened the gates and we ran to get a good spot. We were about 15 feet away from the stage and the view was perfect!
SE7EN performed first. He had such a incredible voice and his range was amazing. This artist is definitely a pretty boy though. He was the most perfectly symmetrical face and everyone wants to look like him. I melted and cried when he sang a ballad about finding your way back home after long journeys. Alida and I held each othered and swayed. By the way, all the songs are mostly in Korean with English words thrown in. Except SE7EN sings some songs in English only. After SE7EN, TaeYang took the stage and thats when things got wild! This boy has stage presence and the moves to be famous worldwide! I couldn't believe how much energy he had and he danced/sang his little heart out. I say "little" because he is so much shorter in person! Oh well, I didn't care and was 15 feet away from him! We shared a few moments were I swear he winked or smiled at me haha. I'm hard to miss in a sea of Korean girls.
Throughout the performance, TaeYang kept removing his tops and throwing them into the audience. When he left the stage I made the comment that he can't do an encore because he has no more clothing to give away unless he takes off his pants! Speaking of the word "encore", all the Korean girls (and a few boys) were screaming "Acorn acorn acorn." I could not figure out what they were chanting, maybe something in Korean. Then it hit me that they were saying "encore." Hahaha I chuckled to myself about that one. After the concert, I could have easily died a happy girl haha. I will definitely be going to more K-Pop shows and I have Alida convinced too! She loved it as well and asked when the next one is! Ahhhh there are more people like me in the world hehe :)
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
The Unoffical Offical Lists
Hello again,
I know, two updates in one week! I'm on top of my game. I have internet in my room, but it could be cancelled at anytime and then it'll be a week or two before it is back. Therefore, I want to put down all my thoughts as they come to me. There isn't any changes in my life. Just school, sleep, repeat. I am skyping fairly regularly with my parents and that is such a blessing! I get to see their faces, hear about their lives, and watch them interact. I love technology!
For the past six weeks in Korea, I have been experiencing many emotions. At times, I can't decide if I'm in culture shock or so used to the way of life that everything passes by me. Over the past six weeks I have been making an unoffical list in my head of everything that I love in Korea and everything I miss about home. Now is the time to make those lists offical and put them in this blog. I'll start with the sad first to get that out of the way.
Things I miss about home:
-My friends and family. Obvious, but needs to be said.
-My doggies. Poor Lexie and Lucy :( I hope they remember me!
-My car. It's offical, the taurus was sold last weekend.
-My own bed. I worked hard and spent many moneys to have a comfortable bed and now I'm sleeping on a box spring pretending to be a mattress.
-Riding in car. I love walking and living the city life of subways and taxis, but a car is just so convienent!
-FOOD! Korea has amazing food if it's Korean food, but a girl needs a good cheeseburger now and then!
-Meijer. I miss going into a store and knowing exactly where everything is.
-Talking to anyone I please. Other than saying "hello", "thank you", and "goodbye" speaking to people is pretty limited.
-Carpet! I have not walked on carpet since coming to Korea.
-Traffic signs. People just don't abide by them. I have been close to being hit by a car and I had the walk the sign!
-Not being stared at. Seems flattering at first, but sometimes I want to yell "Yes I have blonde hair and I am foreign! Take a picture, it lasts longer!"
-My Wardrobe. I didn't pack enough clothes and I think about all the things I have at home that I should have brought!
-Clothes Dryer. Not many people have dryers in Korea and just hang-dry everything! Such a pain sometimes!
-T.V. I could get cable if I wished, but would I understand anything? NO.
-An Oven. It's hard to imagine not baking for a year! I'm going to go crazy!
-Baseball :( enough said.
-Showering in an actual shower instead of the middle of the bathroom.
-MICHIGAN...I never realized how special Michigan and America was to me until I came here. I'm not comparing or dissing Korea by any means. But home is home no matter who you are. There will never be a place more beautiful or comforting than my hometown of Belmont, Michigan, USA.
Things I love about Korea:
-First an foremost, the people! I have been treated so kindly by most Korean people. They are so open to teaching foreigners about their country and they appreciate it if you respect their traditions.
-Restaurants. I love sitting on the floor, eating with chopsticks, and cooking my food in front of me.
-Iced Coffee. It's an addiction now.
-The moutains and beautiful countryside. The views are amazing!
-The small cars. I have yet to see an SUV or Astro Van in Korea.
-The cost of living. It's so cheap!
-ECC. I get to go to a job that I love everyday. How awesome is that?
-The Boys :) I don't mean this in a giggly-girly way, but honestly they don't make men like this in America. These boys are BEAutiful! I have found myself with my jaw dropped and standing still in the middle of the street just staring. They all look like rockstars.
-Shopping. Combine the cost of living (cheap) and my deal-finding skills and BAM! A new wardrobe in no time.
-Always something to do. No matter what day it is, there is always a festival or a show going on in Seoul or elsewhere.
-The Subway. So easy and convienent. When I first rode on it, I thought "Oh I'm going to end up in North Korea for sure." But now, I think I got the hang of it.
-The other foreign teachers. We have all been meshing very well and I feel like I have made friends that can help me through the hard times.
-Portion control. I don't just mean food, but everything. My fridge is tiny, but I realized I don't need a big one like back home. My room is tiny, but I live according to my means. That is just the way of life here.
-Korean Children. Always adorable and love staring at foreigners :)
-My students! My first day in Korea I was completely overwhelmed and unsure if I could do this for a year. The second I walked into my classroom, I felt like this is where I belong at this point in my life. I adore my kids and they make me feel so loved and special. I couldn't ask for anything more!
I know, two updates in one week! I'm on top of my game. I have internet in my room, but it could be cancelled at anytime and then it'll be a week or two before it is back. Therefore, I want to put down all my thoughts as they come to me. There isn't any changes in my life. Just school, sleep, repeat. I am skyping fairly regularly with my parents and that is such a blessing! I get to see their faces, hear about their lives, and watch them interact. I love technology!
For the past six weeks in Korea, I have been experiencing many emotions. At times, I can't decide if I'm in culture shock or so used to the way of life that everything passes by me. Over the past six weeks I have been making an unoffical list in my head of everything that I love in Korea and everything I miss about home. Now is the time to make those lists offical and put them in this blog. I'll start with the sad first to get that out of the way.
Things I miss about home:
-My friends and family. Obvious, but needs to be said.
-My doggies. Poor Lexie and Lucy :( I hope they remember me!
-My car. It's offical, the taurus was sold last weekend.
-My own bed. I worked hard and spent many moneys to have a comfortable bed and now I'm sleeping on a box spring pretending to be a mattress.
-Riding in car. I love walking and living the city life of subways and taxis, but a car is just so convienent!
-FOOD! Korea has amazing food if it's Korean food, but a girl needs a good cheeseburger now and then!
-Meijer. I miss going into a store and knowing exactly where everything is.
-Talking to anyone I please. Other than saying "hello", "thank you", and "goodbye" speaking to people is pretty limited.
-Carpet! I have not walked on carpet since coming to Korea.
-Traffic signs. People just don't abide by them. I have been close to being hit by a car and I had the walk the sign!
-Not being stared at. Seems flattering at first, but sometimes I want to yell "Yes I have blonde hair and I am foreign! Take a picture, it lasts longer!"
-My Wardrobe. I didn't pack enough clothes and I think about all the things I have at home that I should have brought!
-Clothes Dryer. Not many people have dryers in Korea and just hang-dry everything! Such a pain sometimes!
-T.V. I could get cable if I wished, but would I understand anything? NO.
-An Oven. It's hard to imagine not baking for a year! I'm going to go crazy!
-Baseball :( enough said.
-Showering in an actual shower instead of the middle of the bathroom.
-MICHIGAN...I never realized how special Michigan and America was to me until I came here. I'm not comparing or dissing Korea by any means. But home is home no matter who you are. There will never be a place more beautiful or comforting than my hometown of Belmont, Michigan, USA.
Things I love about Korea:
-First an foremost, the people! I have been treated so kindly by most Korean people. They are so open to teaching foreigners about their country and they appreciate it if you respect their traditions.
-Restaurants. I love sitting on the floor, eating with chopsticks, and cooking my food in front of me.
-Iced Coffee. It's an addiction now.
-The moutains and beautiful countryside. The views are amazing!
-The small cars. I have yet to see an SUV or Astro Van in Korea.
-The cost of living. It's so cheap!
-ECC. I get to go to a job that I love everyday. How awesome is that?
-The Boys :) I don't mean this in a giggly-girly way, but honestly they don't make men like this in America. These boys are BEAutiful! I have found myself with my jaw dropped and standing still in the middle of the street just staring. They all look like rockstars.
-Shopping. Combine the cost of living (cheap) and my deal-finding skills and BAM! A new wardrobe in no time.
-Always something to do. No matter what day it is, there is always a festival or a show going on in Seoul or elsewhere.
-The Subway. So easy and convienent. When I first rode on it, I thought "Oh I'm going to end up in North Korea for sure." But now, I think I got the hang of it.
-The other foreign teachers. We have all been meshing very well and I feel like I have made friends that can help me through the hard times.
-Portion control. I don't just mean food, but everything. My fridge is tiny, but I realized I don't need a big one like back home. My room is tiny, but I live according to my means. That is just the way of life here.
-Korean Children. Always adorable and love staring at foreigners :)
-My students! My first day in Korea I was completely overwhelmed and unsure if I could do this for a year. The second I walked into my classroom, I felt like this is where I belong at this point in my life. I adore my kids and they make me feel so loved and special. I couldn't ask for anything more!
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Finally an Update!
Sorry everyone that it has been so long since my last post! There has been no time to write a meaningful and justified blog. I finally have a moment to breath and am ready to share the last two weeks with you.
School has been busy (as usual). The end of the month is the most hectic time at ECC. We have our phone teaching schedules, evaluation write ups, and testing all the elementary students to take care of. Leaving work before 7pm is not an option! By the time I return home, I am so exhausted that I lay in bed for about an hour and then crawl to the kitchen to feed myself. But with that said, I am still loving this job. Even when I want to pull my hair out from Korean children screaming "Teacher, Teacher!" all day, I still love this job!
I spent my Chuseok vacation with my supervisor and his parents from Canada. We went and saw a few historical places of Korea and just got to know the country even more. We went to Gyeongbokgung Palace first. I loved this place because as I told my supervisor I was looking in the market of buying a palace and this ranked at the top of the list :) The scenery with the mountains and rivers set behind this palace was incredible! We watched the changing of the guards ceremony as we were leaving. The colors of the uniforms and flags were so beautiful and the tradition of the passing of the swords was awesome to see!
Next we went to Namsangol Village, which is a traditional Korean village that you can actually tour and participate in Korean festivities. Most of the houses were authentic and hundreds of years old just restored to their rightful state. It was so great to go see these places during Chuseok because a ton of people were in hanboks. A hanbok is a beautiful outfit that is made of beautiful colors and beading. The women have these gorgeous gowns and the men have Korean suits. The village was educational and a great stop on my list of Korean touristy things :)
On our last day of school before Chuseok vacation, all the children wore their hanboks to school for our Chuseok party. I was really confused when we started playing on the floor and cooking Korean treats with their hanboks on. For a childrens hanbok, they are priced anywhere from 49,00 to 100,000 won ($49-$100). These are expensive things to own and if my child came home with dirt or rice cakes on their hanbok I would have a fit! But luckily we didn't have any mishaps. We ended up taking all 100 of the kindergarteners to the park and played Korean games. It was so much fun and they all looked adorable, but it was so hot that day and my poor students were dripping sweat. These hanboks are not made of breathable material and I ended up fanning the students the entire walk to and from the park. The kept saying "Teacher I so hot" or "Teacher, water please." :( I felt so bad, but we made it back to the school without anyone fainting and supplied enough water to rehydrate them!
Overall, this has been a great two weeks! I am starting to feel the true pressures from this job, but the good is outweighing the bad. I miss my home, family, friends, and everything so much, but I am still in awe of this experience. I want to thank everyone for sending such kind emails and messages to me. Even the simplest message makes my day and I feel your love and support on the other side of the world! I can't believe I have been here for 5 weeks already! Love you all <3
School has been busy (as usual). The end of the month is the most hectic time at ECC. We have our phone teaching schedules, evaluation write ups, and testing all the elementary students to take care of. Leaving work before 7pm is not an option! By the time I return home, I am so exhausted that I lay in bed for about an hour and then crawl to the kitchen to feed myself. But with that said, I am still loving this job. Even when I want to pull my hair out from Korean children screaming "Teacher, Teacher!" all day, I still love this job!
I spent my Chuseok vacation with my supervisor and his parents from Canada. We went and saw a few historical places of Korea and just got to know the country even more. We went to Gyeongbokgung Palace first. I loved this place because as I told my supervisor I was looking in the market of buying a palace and this ranked at the top of the list :) The scenery with the mountains and rivers set behind this palace was incredible! We watched the changing of the guards ceremony as we were leaving. The colors of the uniforms and flags were so beautiful and the tradition of the passing of the swords was awesome to see!
Next we went to Namsangol Village, which is a traditional Korean village that you can actually tour and participate in Korean festivities. Most of the houses were authentic and hundreds of years old just restored to their rightful state. It was so great to go see these places during Chuseok because a ton of people were in hanboks. A hanbok is a beautiful outfit that is made of beautiful colors and beading. The women have these gorgeous gowns and the men have Korean suits. The village was educational and a great stop on my list of Korean touristy things :)
On our last day of school before Chuseok vacation, all the children wore their hanboks to school for our Chuseok party. I was really confused when we started playing on the floor and cooking Korean treats with their hanboks on. For a childrens hanbok, they are priced anywhere from 49,00 to 100,000 won ($49-$100). These are expensive things to own and if my child came home with dirt or rice cakes on their hanbok I would have a fit! But luckily we didn't have any mishaps. We ended up taking all 100 of the kindergarteners to the park and played Korean games. It was so much fun and they all looked adorable, but it was so hot that day and my poor students were dripping sweat. These hanboks are not made of breathable material and I ended up fanning the students the entire walk to and from the park. The kept saying "Teacher I so hot" or "Teacher, water please." :( I felt so bad, but we made it back to the school without anyone fainting and supplied enough water to rehydrate them!
Overall, this has been a great two weeks! I am starting to feel the true pressures from this job, but the good is outweighing the bad. I miss my home, family, friends, and everything so much, but I am still in awe of this experience. I want to thank everyone for sending such kind emails and messages to me. Even the simplest message makes my day and I feel your love and support on the other side of the world! I can't believe I have been here for 5 weeks already! Love you all <3
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