Right, so where did I finish off last time?...
I hast became glaringly apparent to me that the world is such a small, small place and I needn’t feel homesick when I can see and talk to the people I care about with the wonder that is Korean internet speed. Thank you to all those who have been checking up on me – it has kept me sane and helped me feel at home in my new “home” (which I am nearly done kitting out, I think?) which, as I will describe later, is something I am going to make thorough use of.
Monday 23 August:
Monday was another packed lecture day but there were some great speakers, particularly Mr Joshua Davies who did our, “What not to do with PowerPoint” talk. I am not embarrassed to say I have a “man-crush” on the guy. The way he uses his voice and the simplicity with which he conveys his message (*flutters eyes as the memories presents itself*) is certainly something I have taken note of for any area of my future careers. Korean Class, both on this night and the next definitely became more enlightening and a friend and I hope to go through to Deagu on Saturdays to take Korean classes.
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| Our Dorm at night |
INTERLUDE:
“All the, small things, true care, truth brings.
I’ll take one lift, you’re right, best trip.
Alwaaays, I know, you’ll be, at my show.
Watching, waiting, commiserating.
*Insert chorus beats*
Say it ain’t so, I will not go, turn the lights off, carry me home...
Nah nah, nah nah, nah nah, nah nah, nah, nah
Nah nah, nah nah, nah nah, nah nah, nah, nah
Nah nah, nah nah, nah nah, nah nah, nah, nah
Nah nah, nah nah, nah nah, nah nah, nah, nah
*Insert chorus riff*
Late night, come home. Work sucks, I know.
She left me roses by the stairs. Surprises let me know she cares.
*Insert chorus beats*
Say it ain’t so, I will not go, turn the lights off, carry me home...
Nah nah, nah nah, nah nah, nah nah, nah, nah
Nah nah, nah nah, nah nah, nah nah, nah, nah
Nah nah, nah nah, nah nah, nah nah, nah, nah
Nah nah, nah nah, nah nah, nah nah, nah, nah
*Insert gradual build up of momentum and energy in chorus beats+riff*
*Instrumental climax bringing in chorus*
Say it ain’t so, I will not go, turn the lights off, carry me home.
Keep your head still, I’ll be your thrill.
The night will go on, my little windmill.
Say it ain’t so, I will not go. (Backing vocals: *Nah nah, nah nah, nah nah, nah nah, nah, nah*)
Turn the lights off, carry me home. (*Nah nah, nah nah, nah nah, nah nah, nah, nah*)
Keep your head still, I’ll be your thrill. (*Nah nah, nah nah, nah nah, nah nah, nah, nah*)
The night will go on, my little windmilllll... (*Nah nah, nah nah, nah nah, nah nah, nah, nah, nah, nah, nahhhh...*)”
*Fade Out*
Tuesday 24 August:
This was our last day of lectures and one of the guys who spoke to us was a South African. Sadly he was not too good with the Mic and was very slide dependent.
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| Harley and Carolien playing a game with Colleen, Daneil and Courtney's presentation |
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| Emily and I |
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| Jaclyn, Rarley anmd Irene's presentation |
Wednesday 25 August:
LESSON PRESENTATION DAY!
We were group 8 of 10 and got to watch a lot and take tips from groups before us to amend our presentation. There was one group, group 6, who did really well (in the end they got the prize for best lesson, which was phone cards to call home). They were a very well oiled machine. We went on and did a very good job. We got told that we were efficient, our instructions were clear and well demonstrated, the team flow was such that it looked like we were winging it because of how conversational it sounded, even though the class knew we all prepped beforehand (which to me is the best outcome of any verbal presentation to anyone. If it doesn’t sound forced than it is more relaxed and motivating). The only crit was that I tended to dominate the chatter, though apparently that was not a bad thing, according to some.
After our lesson feedback session we got told about our placements so for those who do not know:
I am in a county. A small city basically, called Yeongchoen. I thought, the way everyone was talking, it was in the sticks and tiny but it is actually quite cool – more on that later. I found out that I will be teaching at 3 schools (the rural schools according to a teacher from the area). All middle school so: Grades 7,8,9, which I am happy with and also that they are all small (more later). For my trouble I get an extra 300 000 K Won a month which is nice.
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| Dan's Pile of food! |
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| Taekwondo Demo |
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| Single Ladies Dance |
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| Im at the back - yes the dark legs at the back |
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| Fun times! |
INTERLUDE:
VIDEOS (SORRY THAT HAS NOT WORKED)
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| All the bags before departure. |
Thursday 26th August:
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| I am on the far right for B-Ball Madness! |
If you want to know more detail about my start with her let me know but for now I shan’t dwell. She is very sweet, don’t get me wrong, she said she and her principle are very worried, as is a want in the older generations in Korea when it comes to the youth, about me and want to make me happy as much as possible. She also couldn’t stop commenting on how thin I was, apparently :-P I found out that my main school has a total of 22 kids. I catch the bus there for the 1st time tomorrow. I do not know much about my other schools and only know I meet my other co-teachers next Tuesday. Next Wednesday I am going to do Admin things with my head co-teacher and then I get to observer how she runs her class for a couple of days before I begin my journey.
I will say this about the time I spent with my co-teacher: took me to show me where the shops were and where the bus stop was (she was at pains to show me the bus stop and emphasise for about 30min how I must not be late on Monday!) Then she said, “You find where you go... I must go now... You 3 days rest, I see you Monday” and left me standing staring at the local pizza joint (as I asked where I can get some food for the night). I tried to ask her to point me in the right direction but she was determined to go, so I thought, If I can figure it out now it will serve me well in future and watched her walk to the bus stop. It then took me 40 mins of blindly wondering around, staring at signs that I recognised, to navigate and eventually find where I stayed only to get the building number wrong. At this point a gentleman who was observing me saw I was “lost” as my front door code was not working, so he came and helped me. By me looking bewildered and really tired he saw what he needed to do-he called one of the tenants from the building to come and help me. She saw I was in the wrong place and took my hand and found my building and got me into my flat. Neither spoke a word of English but were so so helpful.
My flat is really nice. A double bed, fridge, micro, rice cooker, washing machine, some pots cutlery and knives, small chest of draws, TV, table, two chairs, with air con that I have not switched off since I got here. It is a bit sparse though, so we will see if I fill it or remain a minimalist ;) I am not allowed to wear shoes inside and am supposed to wear slippers that were at my door step and a different set of slippers in the shower but I am just going bare foot. I have now put up photo’s that I brought with me and will have more printed. I feel safer and more at home knowing that I have my friends watching over me just next to my bed.
Once I unpacked I went in search of food again and to explore a bit. I ended up going to “Paris Baguette” which is like “Bread basket” and getting a sandwich, doughnut and chocolate milk for supper. I have no other food and only 2 bottles of water left, so tomorrow I will be trying to make many trips to the various stores I found on my exploring (If you can explore at night and find your way, then you will be fine) and stocking up. I found the big super-market –Yes! Mart, as well as a 7Eleven and the Family Mart (two of them). I also found the ATM’s and there were tons of restaurants. It looks as if Korean’s don’t do much cooking as there was a family of just people in every single place except the Pizza joint I was shown.
After eating I had begun to write this book worthy post when I was surprised by my door bell. It was another Teacher with her co-teacher who had just arrived and needed help to carry her bags. They guessed that my lights were on so I must be, or so I was told “another American”. I was so thrilled to meet someone who I could actually converse with (HENCE THE TITLE TO THIS POST), so I helped her with her bags. She is a rather heavy set (I later found out-a former state Softball player-if that means anything) but very relaxed and friendly girl named Ashli. We explored and found the train station and “Baskin Robbins!!! I’m so excited they have a Basking Robbins here (insert American Accent)” According to Ashli they make amazing Ice Cream in the states. I didn’t try it as I am trying to limit my daily spending a bit until I work out my budgeting.
Friday 27 August:
Following my previous day of feeling a bit sorry for myself, I got up and decided to just go and see where the winds would blow me. I had nothing for breakfast yet so I went in search of a nice supermarket. I came upon the “Woo Shin MART” and bought a bunch of stuff there. It was there where I happened upon a New Zealander Mr Chris Walsh. He has been in Yeonchoen for 3 years and he gave me his contact details and said if I need anything I must just get hold of him. He actually live nextdoor to Ashi and we have already picked hi brain for advice. We are going to go with him to Deagu next week so we can get used to the train system as that is how we will see our friends in other towns and cities. After spending a load of cash on food and some essentials I came home only to find Sandy (one of the American girls in my pictures) was in a building a couple of buildings across from me. I helped her with her luggage and set off to get lunch at the “BBQ Chicken” and get 6 passport pics (for which I was given a discount because I did not have small change on me). I got home and worked on this blog and then went to find supper with Ashli and ended up watching the movie “10 things I hate about you” with her while we ate. I had a pizza attempt. It was still really nice.
Saturday 28 August:
Today I went and bought myself a toaster, washing rack, tea spoons and more food and water. I even bought some fruit today, but it seems to me that fruit (Yes I got some KIWI’S) is quite expensive. I also bought a snazzy new tie (Pink and lavender apparently ;) and a couple of other things which I can’t name straight off... oh, yes, rice! A 5kg bag of rice. Following that excursion I joined up with Sandy, sushi for lunch (with the best chopstick experience I have had so far, and just talked about what we studied where we grew up and that sort of thing.
Following that We went for Coffee at “De Vinci’s” coffee shop where we abused their free Wi-Fi and before we knew it we had been there 3 hours and it was now dark outside :-P. Walking around you see so so many lights and the fish markets, where you see eel, squid, octopus, and various kinds of fish swimming in their tanks. You look at the tank and point at the one you want to eat and they take it fresh out the tank and prepare it. IT IS HECTIC. Whatever you do, do not name any of your seafood Nemo! That evening Ashi and I stopped by Chris for advice. He is such an interesting character with 32 years of experience and study in the education field. He has been in Korea for 3 years and before that taught in Japan for 4 years after a number of years teaching school in Auckland. He gave us so many hints, tips and info bit that I can’t remember them all now. So ends this post – another long one but I hope it was informative and enjoyable reading (Overall) ;)
FIRST DAY AT THE SCHOOL TOMORROW!!! I will let you all know how it goes :)
I will have some pics from Yeonchoen in my next post.
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