Author: Maddie Fischer

I’ve been in Korea now for 3 months, trying my very best to do my very best. I absolutely love my school; The staff is unbelievably considerate and thoughtful of me and I love my kids to pieces.  I do have moments where I think to myself if I can really do this. Then a students yells from across the yard “MAYSA TEACHERRRRRRR BYEEE.” Only to make me smile and wave back. I quickly realize that maybe I am getting though to these kids. Even though their English levels are all at different places and there is that one kid in every class that really doesn’t care about learning English at all. I hope that I can get though to them before my time here is up.

Being a teacher was never apart of my original game plan but nothing in my original game plan is there anymore. This experience thus far has been life changing for me, literally. My outlook in life has changed. I don’t have the same worries that I did moments before packing up my things and leaving for a foreign country.  I want to be become a teacher that my kids will look up to. Years from now I want to be one of those teachers that my kids remember and have nothing but good things to say about me.

With the time difference in Korea and California I’m not sure when everything happened. Time sometimes doesn’t make sense to me when I’m talking about home. My sister told me that John our beloved history teacher at VAS had passed away. (I think it was Friday back home?) In high school, especially my senior year everyone knew that John was sick and he would spend sometimes weeks off because he was ill, but that didn’t slow him down.

I had John for a teacher in both middle school and high school. He was that teacher that called you Mr._____ or Miss._______ even though we called all our teachers by their first names. He had to be one of the most liked teachers on campus. After graduation John was always the teacher that you had to visit on your “life after graduation” visit to VAS. I can’t remember or think of anything we didn’t like about him. He was in the same classroom, looked the same just a little older as the years went by and never closed the door on you when you came by. I only wish I visited VAS one more time before I moved to Korea.

I hope that one day my students will have nothing but good things to say about me, like how there is nothing but good memories and thoughts about you John. 

Tonight my prayers go to his family and our VAS family who are missing him right now.

 

Thank you for teaching us. Thanks your for putting up with us. Thank you for inspiring us. Thank for not giving up on us. 

Thank you. 

 

RIP John Matcham.

Here in Korea, like in Thailand they celebrate Teachers. On May 15th it was Teacher’s day here. Back home we have teacher appreciation week but I don’t think that it has the same value that it does here. I can’t even tell you when teacher appreciation week is in the states without goggling it first. Growing up very “Thai” in America had already made me aware of certain traditions and values that are upheld in Asian cultures.

So, I’m gonna do a little comparison of Thai vs. Korean, just because there’s no Teacher’s day in America.

In Thailand, like in Korea, teachers hold a great deal of respect. There’s a cermony performed called ไหว้ครู (Wai Kru) that’s done on Teacher’s day,  January-ish. (Side note: If you didn’t this  about Thailand but everything and I mean everything is linked back to religion, Buddhism.) There ceremony normally starts with a ceremonial prayer from the monks. Then followed by a chant from the students. The chant expresses respect and gratitude for the teachers and asks for the teacher’s blessings of the student’s studies. Then selected students from the class (normally the class leader) will present the teachers with offerings of flowers, candles and incessant sticks.

In Korea, the teachers are presented with carnations, gifts, or letters by their students. It doesn’t seem as fancy as Thailand but I think it’s because that’s how Wat Thai always presented to us growing up. But anyways it’s day where the students show their appreciation and gratitude towards their teachers.

And this was my very first Teacher’s day. On Wednesday, before first period one my sixth graders came to my classroom and handed me a letter for Teacher’s. I was surprised because it wasn’t even Teacher’s day yet. I figured that it was because I don’t have sixth graders on Thursday (Teacher’s Day) that she came by to drop the letter for me. I start that day with a smile on my face and that was just the start of gifts and presents coming in that day.

I’m sure if you got a letter like this you’d smile too.

Teacher’s day was originally the teacher’s  sport’s day with the volleyball game that I was practicing for at the beginning of the school year. But with the unfortunately accident it was cancelled as a way to show respect of an entire nation mourning a terrible lost. On Monday I was told that we were going play volleyball on Wednesday. I should had connected the dots that it was for Teacher’s day. We gathered in the gym for the game after school and I’m not gonna lie, I miss the staff. Even with all the up and downs with volleyball, I missed them. Yes,  I do see them on campus, but I just greet them and we go on our ways. At volleyball I “talked” to them, lol. Volleyball really helped me from the start to be able to build some sort of relationship with the other teachers and it was nice.

So we had a co-ed mixed game with the staff. I had a really good time too. I haven’t smiled and laughed like that in a while. It’s a different kind of smile and laugh then with my friends, but still a good feeling. I sometimes forget about the different personalities that my staff has, I freaking love it. Especially one of the first grade homeroom teachers, he’s meant to be an elementary school teacher. I cannot help but smile when I’m around him. He’s like the family uncle that everyone loves to be around. We haven’t had a mixed co-ed game since the very first time we started playing when the school year started. I ended up on the teach with the majority of male teachers but that’s okay I didn’t mind. Once we finished of course there was food to eat, that much hasn’t changed. I walked out with a group of teachers once we finished putting away the net and chairs. The first grade homeroom teacher that I love so much said that he was the MVP of the match and turned around to confirm with me that he was. I nodded yes while the other teachers “ayyed” in disbelief. They said if he was the MVP then I was the ace of the team causing more laughter only because I agreed with them.

We didn’t have school on the actually Teacher’s day, Thursday. But the majority of my friends did, so it turned into a lazy day for me where I just slept in and did my nails.

much more next time,

xoxo.

My first mini vacation in Korea I went to Geoje and Yokiji Island with my friends. I had high expectations for the trip since it was the first trip that I was taking since starting the school year.

Right before the trip the coordinators of the trip changed the meeting time for the buses to an earlier time which caused a little bit of a problem for me. I was originally going to go in the morning of from my city but with the time change there wasn’t any trains going into the city. I emailed them telling them that I was going to be a little be late because of the change and it was okay with them. The night before I get an email saying that they couldn’t wait for me if i was later that X-amount of minutes. It caused a little bit of problems with me and long story short I went into Daegu a night earlier and crashed at Nicole’s place. (it was a bad sign from the very start of our trip).

The next morning we made our way  to the subway station so that we could make our way to the train station to get on the bus. Once on the bus we started to make out Geoje and arrived in the afternoon. We made a quick stop at a beautiful rest stop with was pretty breath taking.

selfie alert

The other bus carrying out dear friend Karen who departed from Seoul had and eta of 20ish mins after we got there so we waited for the other bus to start the different activities that they had arranged for us. Once Karen’s bus finally arrived and we were were all changed into our swim suits, we made our way down to the beach were we would do kayaking.

We changed into wet suits which i thought was weird for kayaking but actually worked out for us because the water was cold. We paired up and got ready to go! I suck at kayaking and I already knew that before when we were trying to pick our activities for the trip. But I’m not gonna be the loner with that doesn’t go along with their friends. Turns out that Karen is just as bad as me, lol. We were good at the start, and that was it, haha. The waves got a little intense the farther we got. Karen and I got scolded by our tour guy a few times because 1. we playing around 2. didn’t know what we were doing and 3. it was hard dude.

(the island the we kayaked around)

After we finished we just chilled on the beach. Which was nice. I never thought I would say this was that I wanted to tan. My legs have been the lightest they have been in a while.

We then made our way to pebble beach and I quickly learned why it’s called pebble beach.

With all the traffic we finally made it our pension after skipping some rocks at pebble beach. And our pension was beyond amazing. I really wished that we were able to stay there another night. We got a moment to settle in to our pension and made our way to the BBQ that was set up for us. Only if the food was ready on time cause we were starving so we got grabbed some chips and drinks at the CU store. They finally finished the food and it was delicious. Of course after we finished dinner our group made our way to a norabang and oh how do we know how to have a good time. Then we made out way back to the CU where Cody bought a whole bunch of fireworks and group sparklers that we ended up setting on the beach. <span class='wp-smiley emoji emoji-heart' title='<3 We spent the night playing kings cup and then finally crashing at who knows when what time.

We work up the next morning and breakfast planning to skip breakfast because it was too early, but turns out it wasn’t ready yet so we were in “time” for breakfast. Only that they ran out of the breakfast by the time it got to the end of the line were my group happen to be. We we got food in our system shuffled onto the bus to make our long journey to board the ferry to yokiji island. The traffic was horrible because of the holiday weekend. The weather made it a super gloomy travel.

When we finally arrived at the island we had to wait to be shuttled up the hill to our pension. They told use that there wasnt going to be any markets or anything up the hill so to buy and thing we wanted down the hill. Once we got there the view and location did no disappoint however the situation did disappoint.  The pension that they had booked with us was too small to compensate the entire group. They put the larger groups together in the largest pension so that at least they would be together. It turned out that it was about 25 people in the one pension and with one bathroom. No bueno. Karen and Ashley made there way around the island trying to find a different place for us to stay. Tension in the room got a little high so my group decided to leave. There was a last minute cancellation at one of the places down by the docks and we took it. The moment that we stepped in the new pension our moods went up 100%. It was sooooooo much better and i really feel like we had such a better time on our own.

The next day we met up with the rest of the group and went on a hike with unbelievable view of the island.  Just take a look at the pictures. There’s not need to explain it.

(fresh octopus for breakfast!)

Once we finished our hike we made our way back to the ferry were we got on the ferry and made way back. Traffic was once again intense. We made it back to Daegu around 9:30ish? I caught the 10:45 train back to my city and got back to my apartment maybe 11:20ish.

Oh what a trip.

more next time.

xoxo

Once again I’m sorry for not updating more often. Time sometimes slips away from me, for better and for worst depending on for you look at it. So let’s start with another update.

Way back when I went to watch the musical Phantom of the Opera in Daegu at Keimyung University.  I really enjoyed the performance regardless of running into a few problems before seeing the show.

Later on that night we went downtown for a little music gig for local musicians at urban. Before that we grabbed some grub, fried chicken and beer!

The music started out kind slow so we made out way to get some drinks, well my friends got drinks. I already reached my limit with beer and soju at dinner. But oh they had sparklers, how i love sparklers.

We made our way back to Urban and we finally was able to see a pretty good band, Say Sue Me. We started for the majority of their set unlike the rest of the groups where we just stopped by to check it out and went back outside to catch some fresh air.

(group shot at the club.)

more next time,

xoxo

 

Midterms today. I’ve finished my outline for the rest of the semester for my after school class. Desk warming the entire day.

It’s been a good two months-ish since I’ve dropped everything and moved to Korea. I quickly realized how spoiled I am back home. I’ve got a lot of first world problems following me arround. Not just because of the luxuries that my parents provided me but living in Los Angeles I think, or maybe coming from the states.

One of the things I miss the most, among many is my car or at least being able to drive/commute to places on my own. This comes very clear to me especially when I’m walking to school or walking home from school. I have 4 options to get to school, maybe 5 depending on how you look at it.

1. Taxi – but who can afford to take a taxi every day times two.

2. Bus – the bus runs pass my school, maybe every hour or so?  I have to walk to the bus station which is a good 10 minutes from my apartment because there’s no bus stops along the way. It’s a hit and miss with the buses.

3.Get a bike – I really considered doing this option but I just couldn’t figure it all out. Where was I going to store my bike? What am I going to do with the bike after? It is really okay riding a bike to school (safety wise).

4.Walk – which I do, the majority of the time.

5.Carpool (kinda) – more like I randomly get picked up by other teachers who see me walking cause I guess I stand out and they can tell it’s me. And I’m so grateful that they stop. I never hesitate to jump in no how far from school or home I am.

So, let me tell you about the commute mainly walk.

First let’s explain the dynamics of my little town. Even though my county, Chilgok (칠곡군) has the -gun attached to the end of it officially making it a rural county it’s pretty developed compared to other rural counties. Waegwan (왜관), my city does have a lot of the benefits of an urban city. There’s coffee shops, a supermarket, a downtown area and the majority of things that you find in any city just a little limited. I think that’s because there’s a US military base close by or in my city I’m not 100% sure. But we’re pretty small. It’s one straight line. I can walk from one end to another in about 15-20 minutes depending on my mood and speed or if I’m running late.

The Nakdong river separates school and home. Yes, I cross the river 5 days a week to get to work. I literally walk into the mountains to get to school. So here’s the deal, how long does it take me? Walking take me a total about a half an hour  while driving to school take 10 minutes tops. It takes me about 10 minutes to walk from my apartment to the bridge that I use to cross the river. This bridge also acts as a highway for cars. I don’t mind too much because there’s a sidewalk and a barrier between the road and sidewalk. Walking the the bridge take me another 10 minute-ish  to get all the way across. Now here’s the sketchy part. At the end of the bridge the sidewalk disappears and it’s just the highway. So, I walk along the side of the off ramp, yes the off ramp to get off the bridge. Once off the bridge it takes me another 10 minutes to get to school. I walk though two different tunnels where at one point I’m in the blind spot of cars. Then up a tiny hill and straight ahead is school.

(this is the view of my walk to school on the bridge over the river)

oh boy.

more next time.

xoxo.

 

Midterms are coming up so I have time to update. Maybe that’s way this week was good, lol. I’ll give you a day by day play of my week.

Monday: coming off of my weekend in Seoul. I felt good. My classes went smoothly. My students are just as cute as ever. They’re still trying to get use to getting me. They start at a bow and stop half way and say “hello” to me. When they’re leaving hello and they catch themselves and say goodbye but I still get a “have a nice day” at the end of the day instead of “see you tomorrow.”  I’m just happy that they talk to me and use English.

Tuesday: class  went a little slow. I started a new lesson with my 5th graders. Whenever we start a new lesson, the kids look at me when I introduce new vocabulary. That’s because they don’t understand what I’m saying. But that’s normal, the stares are just a little, yea. Imagine 20 pairs of little eyes just staring at you, waiting. My after school class has been a little slow. The most I have in the class is 4 kids. But only 1 has shown up the past 2 or 3 classes. It’s hard. I plan for an activity for 4 of them but only 1 comes and i have to change the lesson so that class isn’t just a waste of time. I always hope that more kids come. I get really excited when they do. My after school classes are very informal. My name goal is to have the kids talk as much English as they can. But I’ve shifted it the past few classes because they’re writing skills isn’t that great. It was reflected on the writing test. Their speaking skills is pretty good, it’s just their writing.

Volleyball was quick on Tuesday, but it was fun. We had some Chinese food that was delivered. I talked to some of the teachers and found out that I wasn’t the youngest teacher on the staff. When I told one the teacher that I was older the first thing that he said was “noona” which means older sister. Then another teacher walked by, he told me that they were the same age, and point to me and said noona. “oh noona” Mannnnn, I don’t want to be a noona. And that was the end of volleyball. Later when I as sitting in the admin office waiting for my ride they the female staff told me to call them “unnie” which is older sister. They also asked me who I thought was more “handsome” between the two of the teachers. All I could do was giggle about it. I answered and said that they’re both handsome, then the door slides open and they walk in. I’m pretty sure they told them what I had just said and smiled at me. Little awkward.

Wednesday: my classes was a total mess on Wednesday. I didn’t get the chance to lesson plan with Sunny because she was working on the midterm and I had volleyball. The 6th grader started a new lesson and the 5th graders had just started a new lesson the day before. I had lesson planned the night before for class but it didn’t quite work out. I feel bad because Sunny has so much to do. I really hope she doesn’t have and resentment build up towards me.

For volleyball we that a staff co-ed game. I haven’t had this much fun playing in Korea in a while, even though the women’s team lost to the men’s team. But my finger still hurts too, I’m not sure about that. I should really get it checked. I heard somewhere that if you teach English in the elementary school in Korea that volleyball should be a requirement. They’re crazy about volleyball, it’s just a bonus that I know how to play. One of the homeroom teachers is our coach for the volleyball team, which the other male teachers come to help coach when they have time.  But they all know how we play, so they know where all the weaker players are. Not cool guys. But I did get extra points for being myself. What does that mean? When I missed a ball, or hit a ball out of play I’d jump up and down or yell here and there which turned into a replay or a point for the women’s team because it was “cute.” lol. I don’t mind being called cute at all.

Then chicken for everyone.

I simply love my staff. 

Thursday:  I found out on Thursday that because of the ferry accident that the government has cancelled the teacher’s sports day. I’m relieved and sad at the same time. (Side note: my heart hurts thinking about those in ferry accident. Thinking about how those students will never be able to grow-up and experience life. parents should never have to grieve the lost of a child. ) Relived that I finally get some time to lesson plan some place other then my bedroom at home. I get some of my time back because of the cancellation of the sport day and to actually desk warm. Sad because volleyball practice is actually one of the only times during the day that I get to hang out with the other staff. My desk is in the English classroom I don’t really have much interaction with the other teachers other than at volleyball. I see them at lunch, but that’s all I see them, the homeroom teachers have lunch with their students. And I don’t get to play volleyball any more either.

Classes went smoothly, 3rd and 4th graders. Always cute as a button these kids of mine. Oh I did make one mistake. I was walking around campus taking pictures of the campus and of my student while eating a lollipop. A group of students came up to me as said “Maysa teacher, candy please” and I responded “candy 없어요”. I’m not suppose to speak Korean to these kids! They got really excited that I knew any Korean. I went two months without saying a single Korean words to these kids. I was destroyed by candy. Before my slip-up they kids were already curious if I knew any Korean. There are times when I run into them around campus and they try to ask me questions or tell me stories I understand bits and pieces of it and answer their Korean questions in English. During class one time they asked my co-teacher I knew/spoke Korean because of situations like this. I’m not suppose to use any Korean with them, even if its my broken Korean.

Friday (today): Have I told you that I hate Friday school days. I have 6 classes, yes I teach all 6 periods on Friday. So today was a review day for my 3rd and 4th graders. I think that the 3rd grade classes went pretty smooth, a few hiccups here and there but we got though the review material. 4th grade was tough today. It was hard for them to stay focused. In both of my fourth grade classes there are kids with special needs and somethings they can get disruptive. Other students don’t deal with it well. It’s really different then how we treat or assist students with learning disabilities or special needs inside of a classroom back home. Then my 6th graders, who are border line “too cool for school” and “cute to the core”.  I can’t win with these kids.

Early in the day I told Sunny that in finger was still bothering me and I she could take me to get it checked out. So, yes my finger is sprained. I thought that it was just a really bad bruise or that I jammed it. But it’s been two weeks and it was still brother me. The doctor told me that it’s gonna take time to heal and to take it easy. Basically don’t play volleyball, that’s isn’t a problem anymore.

some of my kids to make you smile

woo, that was a good update. looking forward to tomorrow. I’m going into Daegu to watch the Phantom of the Opera. Labor day is also coming up, which a day off. And a long weekend is just around the corner where I’m going to Geoje and Yokji island with my friends. Can’t wait!

so much more next time,

xoxo

Last weekend I went into Seoul for the second time.

Oh before anything. If you haven’t heard about the the horrible accident that happened last week about the ferry sinking let me give a really quick summary. Last a ferry traveling from Seoul to Jeju island sank in it’s 11th out of 14th hour. When i talked to my dad I told him it was as if you took a ferry from Bangkok to Phuket and it made more sense to him. The majority of the passengers on board were students, high school students that are still missing or dead. My heart goes out to them and their families. To put it simply #prayforkorea. That’s all.

The first time I went to Seoul was a few weeks ago for Nicole’s birthday. Seoul has a lot of people, a lot. I’ll sum of my first time in Seoul as quickly as I can. I took the train into Seoul and it took 3ish hours. My 5th and 6th graders just had a writing test so I spent a good amount of time grading their papers on my ride in. I sat next to an older lady who feed me all these snacks that she had brought with her. From what I figured out she was going to visit her daughter. Than an older gentleman sat next me and watched me grade my papers and keep asking why the questions was either right or wrong. It was a good experience.

When I made it into Seoul and met up with my friends we grabbed some food at the station and made our way to Myeongdong. When I did a little shopping and saw how busy Seoul really is.

We meet up with the rest of our friends for Nicole’s birthday dinner in Hongdae. Dinner was an all you can eat bbq. Yes I said it, all you can eat. oh em gee was it good. We made our way to a bar and had drinks. Then made our way to a club, where there was once again toooooo many people.

The next day we made it to a cute noodle place and made our ways home. short and simple recap with pictures 🙂

My second time in seoul I did some pretty good damage to my wallet.  This time it was just Karen and I and she took me shopping around Seoul.  Dude, I got just about everything and anything that I wanted. We literally just ate and shopped. Gosh I love this girl. So I’m just gonna post pictures. Karen and I did a lot catching up, nothing I want to share with you :p

 

more next time,

xoxo

Today the school will go on field trips, but Maysa teacher you will stay on campus.

Thanks.

My sixth graders are having an over night trip to Seoul, while the rest of the students grade 1-5 are having a field trip to Daegu. My co-teacher had asked if it was okay if I was one of the chaperons for the 6th graders trip to Seoul but the school didn’t want to pay for the overtime and the extra stuff for me, so that’s a no. My co-teacher didn’t even think to ask if I could go on the trip to Daegu, but it’s alright. I’ll be all alone on campus today. There’s maybe 3 staff members on campus? haha, surprise.

So, I’ll use this blog to do yet another update of the past few weeks/days (mainly days cause I can’t remember that far, sorry).

I have volleyball practice  with the staff every single day. I feel bad when I tell then I have to leave early or I can’t come because I have to lesson plan, I have after-school classes or I have to walk home (by the way I’ll tell  you about my walk home if I haven’t yet). I’m normally on campus until 5-5:30ish depending on how long we practice for. I’m suppose to be one campus only until 4:30. But volleyball is an extra activity that I signed up for so it’s on my “own” time, not school time.  The staff rearranged the volleyball schedule so that I’d be able to practice with them. That’s why I feel bad. Even though I’m sick or hurt I still try to go.  They even cancelled or re-scheduled a game with another school because I have after school classes that day, so that I’d be able to go and play with them. Don’t get me wrong, I love playing the staff. It’s allowed me to get to know and get along with the staff better and more quickly I think than if I didn’t play. I just have a lot to do some days.

Oh and I hurt my finger pretty bad yesterday. The nurse isn’t here so she can take a look at it for me so that’s a dead end. I promised my friends that I wouldn’t play today, but knowing me I’m still gonna go. Sorry guys.

Teaching is getting easier. I understand a little more what I’m suppose to do and how I’m suppose to do it. I understand how both my co-teachers like to run their classrooms and I get what they expect from me. I know that I’m not perfect. I’ve never been a teacher before, I’ve never stood in front of a group of students teaching them in a language they barely know. Sometimes their blank stares are a little un-encouraging. A lot of the times they just say yes or okay but they really don’t have a clue of what I’m saying to them. But I’m getting better. That’s all that matters.

I’m sick again? So I was sick for sure about a week ago. I was coughing, sneezing, I was tired, you know all that great stuff. But right now, it feels more like allergies, than being sick.  Oh man I think it’s the BEAUTIFUL cherry blossoms.  I’m always sniffing my nose. I’m pretty sure it’s from the pollen. But omgosh it’s different. You don’t get to experience walking home with this kind of sight in LA. Flowers don’t bloom like they do here. Leaves don’t change colors. I don’t ever remember seeing it in LA.

I think this is good for now. 🙂

more next time pinky promise

xoxo

 

FYI: My goal is to update my blog once a week, and I’ll try my very best to keep that up.

Things are starting to slow down a bit. Everyone seems like they’re starting to settle down in their cites and at their schools. But I think that it’s taking me a little  bit longer for my friends. I’m gonna lie, I had a tough week, and it was only week two of teaching. And I literally broke down Tuesday? Wednesday? I think because my apartment doesn’t feel 100%  like home or mine yet. I was still living out of my suitcase and I didn’t know what I had or didn’t have because I didn’t unpack yet. I couldn’t I didn’t have a closet to put my things away in. Before we get into details of how my week went here’s just a little recap of my second weekend in Daegu.

Last Saturday, I went into Daegu again to get an official tour of the city for Hyesu, Nicole’s friend back home who lives in Daegu. Knowing the luck I’ve been having in Korea, our plans didn’t turn out as planned but that’s okay. We made it work.

I went into Daegu with only about 20,000 won which is about 20 dollars. My friends are so amazing, I explained to them what happened and that wasn’t a problem. They made sure that I didn’t starve or get stranded. We all gathered together and then finally met Hyesu where she took up on the bus to Aspan Mountain, and this was my first experience on Korea’s buses, different from the buses in LA for sure. It was pretty cool. We rode a cable car up to the top and was able to see the entire city from above. I was able to finally realize or in reality really see how everyone in Korea is crammed together in such a small place.

We then made our way to Seomun market, where I really wished that we could had spend some more time it. Think about a ตลาดน้ำ in Thailand and that’s where we were. It was kind of more of an introduction to the market and had to come back another time to really get into it.  Later we found Peter at the train subway station and made our way to bbq for dinner. Which I own Peter a special thank you for paying for my meal. They rest of the night is history. We went around downtown Daegu where we found a bar where we played beer pong and ran into other EPIK teachers.

Today, I cleaned up and put away as much things that I could. And I feel better. Much better. My closet will be here very soon. And as small as that sounds, I’m excited. I can but away my suit cases and my things. My apartment can become more of mine.

OH! Before I forget I wanted to share a little project that I’m doing while I spend my year in Korea. I left my home, family, friends, a job, and everything I know and love for a year and move to a place where I don’t know anyone, where I don’t know the language either. Why? To teach English in Korea’s public schools. In a place where there is soooooooo much pressure on students and their education, it’s kind of scary. But I did it anyways. I’m going to spend 365 days here. So, I might as well make it work. A year is going to go by fast, and I want to remember it. Here’s what I started. Everyday I write down one or two sentences of something that I did, saw, experience, anything really that happened to me that day and I put it into a jar. Good, bad, big, small, it doesn’t matter, because it’s a memory that I want to remember for whatever reason I wrote it down. I was looking for a nice jar or a mason jar but just couldn’t find one. So I’m using this bottle I found at the market, besides the point it still works. What I’m trying to say is make each moment count.

more next time.

xoxo

All-nighter: Part of the finishing touches of orientation was that were put into groups and given lesson topics that we we’re suppose to plan for and do a mock  lesson as if we are really teaching a classroom full of students ranging from elementary to high school. The advice that we were given was that don’t worry too much about it because there’s no way that you can fit a 40-50 min-ish lesson into a 15 minute presentation to adults not students. We we given a few hours instead of more lectures to plan for presentation. Clearly that wasn’t enough time and that just worried the majority of us. We were reminded that dinner was going to be served only until 6:30? 7:30? and that we should go eat before the cafeteria closes. My group finished out lesson plan and decided to quickly get a bite to eat and start working on our presentations. Oh boy it took so much longer than it really should have, but I guess it was preparing us for a surprise that we’d quickly soon learn about when we were placed into our schools. In addition, one of my group members lost her voice so we were one person down during the presentation. My group met up after dinner and made it back to the lecture halls where we started working on our powerpoint, without wifi. We pieced together as much as we could until they kicked us out where we migrated to the the lobby of the dorms. My two members decided the roles we’d take during the presentation while I ran upstairs to my dorm room to finish the powerpoint with some internet, just adding pictures and the finishing touches. I made my way downstairs to the lobby where my members told me my role and then we migrated once again this time to the cafeteria to to a dry run of our presentation. There was another group practicing too, we both looked at each wondering when we’d actually finish. After maybe trying it twice, we decided that we should call it a night and made our way up to our rooms, praying that we’d have some sort of miracle too they next day.

Presentations: I honestly think that everyone did a great job under the circumstances that we were given, but some did a seriously amazing job under the circumstances that we were given. I think that did good, better than we expected I think. I learned a lot and it was a valuable learning experience for me.

School placements: Right after the presentations we were to go to our assigned rooms based on our provinces in order to find our cities and school school placements. It was seriously nerve wreaking and exciting at the same time. When our POE and regional directions showed, my heart stood still, I think everyone’s heart did. My phone was in my hand ready to google search where I’d be living for the next year. And then they started passing out our contract where our main schools and cities would be written on it. My name is called first in my group of friends and… it’s in Korean. The POE kindly came over and translated it for me, writing it down in English so that I could google it. I’ve been placed in Chilgok at Yakdong elementary school. The POE told me in Korean English speaking voice, small city and small elementary school. I thought to myself, I’ve been placed rural, I knew it. Now it was time to find anyone at orientation that has been placed in the same area as you. I found 4 other girls that where also placed in Chilgok. My luck none of my friends that I made at orientation were actually placed in the same city as me. Placements and contracts are turned in and we make our ways to the closing ceremony.

Closing ceremony: The closing ceremony was were we all talked madly about where we were placed. Using our phone to try to see how far we were from one another. Using the time before the ceremony started to plan trips to visit one another already. The ceremony was nice. Of course class 4 represented the best. Oh if you missed it our k-pop class did their cover of crayon pop’s bar bar bar. For your enjoyment here it is…

They also put together a video of our time together at orientation, very sweet.

 

Farewell dinner and last goodbyes: This meal that they planned for us was MASSIVE, no lie, MASSIVE. We had to eat with our classes, but that’s okay, I like them. We were given our medical check-ups and certificates of completions of the EPIK orientation. To put it into simple, it was a good-by dinner where we talked about how we survived this orientation and how we were going to pack all our things in order to go out for drinks after the dinner. We took pictures and we told each other that we never wanted to leave on another. I knew these people for 9 days, yes  9 days. But in those 9 days, these people became my family away from my family. We bonded with one another. We found common interest with one another. And we became each other’s support system while away from our own support systems. It was as if we’ve known each other for years, when it was only 9 days.

After dinner, the majority of the teachers at orientation went out for drinks, I think except for me and my roomie. Karen was dead sick. The was no way that I’d leave her alone on our last night together. Like I said we became each others family in our short time together. Instead of going up stairs and start to pack Karen and I laid on the floor on our computers looking up our locations and talking to each other. We learned that we would be 5-6 hours apart form each other! Horrible feeling. The two of us went downstairs to say good bye to those waiting for us to go out to drinks. Some how we dragged ourselves back upstairs and started packing. The next thing I knew it, we in bed talking about how much we’d miss each other.

Last morning together: I woke up feeling horrible but I manage somehow to get my things together. Karen’s bus was to leave about an hour before mine. The plan was to take her things down to the load onto the bus, eat breakfast together with the rest of group, and then load my things on to my bus and say our good-byes. Didn’t work out that way. A whole bunch of no they said this and no they said that. I dragged my things downstairs somehow with Karen’s help after our brief breakfast with everyone (I think) and hugged my roommate goodbye as if the two of us would never see each other again. My province then sat down in the lobby waiting for our loading time.

The moment came when we all piled onto our respected buses and waved goodbye to our EPIK orientation. It was about a hour and a half bus ride to the rest stop where we were able to stop and walk for a little bit. I spend a good amount of that time sleeping. Once back on the bus it was another hour-ish bus right to the lunch location, where once again I spend a good amount of that time sleeping because I was started to get sick. I think by that time everyone also pretty tired too, I could hear a lot of people sleeping. We made it to Gumi, the where we stopped for lunch. At this point I’m started to feel more and more horrible. I just want to lay down. Once lunch is finished we get back on to the bus and are told that the bus ride would take about 10-15 minutes until we reach the meeting location for with our co-teachers, and everyone is nervous.

Meeting our co-teachers: We get dropped off at our location where we are suppose to meet our co-teachers and everyone is nervous. Any on walking by our group we think that it’s someone’s co-teacher. Peter is the first to go and everyone is excited from that point one. Once peter leaves the other co-teachers start arriving. They come holding signs with our name printed of them. Everyone’s yelling each others name and pointing them to the direction of where they are. But then my name is called! I see a sign with my name printed on it and standing in front of me is my co-teacher. This is REAL. My co-teachers name is Sunny, she came along with last year’s co-teacher Justin and our school’s vice principle to meet me. And right away I’m overwhelmed. My bags are too heavy, I’m sick and all I want to do is sleep and not look rude at the same time. They take me to the immigration office right away to apply for my NRC card and we’re off to a rough start. My co-teacher want me to give her a my medical check-up clearance but I was told that I didn’t need it to apply for my NRC card so I didn’t have it on me, I put it in my large luggage. Only if you can see the embarrassment I felt going though my bags in the parking lot of the immigration office with my things all over the floor. It was horrible. When we get inside and start filling out the forms, I learned that my picture that i had brought with me that I took at home from costco was no good because it didn’t show my ears. Yeah, I told rough start. Somehow we manage to finish and make our want into the city were I opened a Korean bank account. Then it started to rain and of course I didn’t have an umbrella with me. Then off to my new school. I met some of the staff and my new principle. I earn bonus points with him for introducing myself very well in Korean and for being a volleyball fan. He called me cute and wanted me to call him dad. I think he like me. When we finally made it to my new apartment. Poor Justin had to carry my SUPER HEAVY bags up to the 5th floor. Dude must of hated me. I was treated to a meal at the bulgogi restaurant close by to my apartment. I really that they didn’t misunderstand me. I was sick and I blame Karen 100%.

First day alone: My first day alone was pretty simple. I slept, ate, and slept again. I so flippin’ sick at this point. I had no energy to do anything else. Sunny did call me later on that night and took me walking around the city, showing me where everything was, the market, hospital, and train station. With my luck that day, I get locked out of my apartment building because I forget how to use the pass code. Yay, welcome to Korea. I did manage to communicate with my landlady and get back to my apartment and straight back into bed.

First weekend in Daegu: Turns out I’m only 20 minutes by train away from Daegu, which is the largest city in my Province. There was a big welcome to Daegu party and other cites where invited so I decided to go in. But the information that I knew was that it was a welcome dinner thing at least I thought. I didn’t think that I would spend the night or anything and that I’d be back sleeping in my bed by 11 that night. I was wrong. It was in downtown Daegu and it didn’t start till 10. I just got a message from Peter saying I’ll see you in Daegu at 2 and that was the plan. Of course with my luck the moment I step in Daegu I get lost, I know. But thank goodness for Peter and Sydney, I don’t know what I would have done without those two. We literally just hung out with other peeps until the party the started. I lied we meet up with other peeps, grabbed a bite to eat and then when to the party. It was memorable. I think that everything that I’ve done here is. After the party, at Urban we hit up another party a few shops down, but I already reached my limit at Urban. Then of course we went to norabang! But I was dead tired already. I left before the party ended I want to say 3:30ish, yea dead tired. I think the rest of the guys were out until 5? 5:30? I KNOW! I was up at 8:30 watching cartoons at Eileen’s apartment like a little kid. We met up with others and had brunch. I was starving anything would had tasted good at that point. I told my group that I just wanted to go home and shower and change. So we went to my place. As I showered, Peter slept on the floor, and I think so did Ashley and Nicole. Everyone was just dead. I made them a pancakes as a snack and walked them back to the train stop.

First day of school: One of the other teachers picked me up and has been picking me up everyday this week and taking me to school cause it’s freezing outside and they feel bad for the little Californian girl. I so grateful towards. Super nice guy. everyone’s super nice to me. The I walk onto campus everyone wonders who I am. I’m told that I’m the first non-white EPIK teacher. I’m the first Asian English speaking EPIK teacher to come to their school, so everyone was looking for a blond new EPIK teacher. Everything about this school is cute, seriously. It kind of reminds me of VAS, it’s grades 1-6  and there are only 2 classes for each grade with 20ish students in each class, so very VAS like. We had our opening ceremony for the new school year where I was introduced to the students, the rest of the staff, and some of the parents. Since it was the first day, there was no lessons for the English classes. Thus ending my first day with desk warming.

Getting the students and staff use to me: There’s a lot of questions about me. A lot of pointing and whispering when I walk by. They as Sunny if I’m American and then turn to talk to one another again about me. When I sat in the teachers office the first day I can hear the staff standing outside trying to pronounce my name. It turns out that the s is hard for them to pronounce in this area. Maysa turns in May-ee-sa. But its okay, all I do is smile and say hello/hi to everyone, and I mean everyone. I made an introduction powerpoint with pictures of my family and friends back home to show my students and started doing intros on day two until today and it worked well. The students seemed to really take to me, well at least I think that they did. I think it’s going to be okay.

The staff is amazing: We have volleyball staff team! I’m so excited about that. Every other Wednesday the staff gets together to play to practice for some sort of tournament, translation was a little lost for me. But it was a way for me to get to know the staff without words? The rules and terms are universal, we didn’t have to do much talking either. Later on we we to a welcome dinner at the same place that Sunny and Justin took me my first day in town. This was a little awkward, I wish I was playing volleyball again. I learned that Koreans drink soju like water dude. Even the older adults. Once one person starts going, everyone starts going. I had a few shots of soju because the vice principle poured me one. Then guess where we went after, that’s right norabang! And guess what we had there, more soju and beer! I forgot that these people where elementary school teachers. My principle, vice principle and co-teacher all had a turn at the mic, including me. Oh thanks for your warm cheers at my song choice of A thousand miles. I danced with the principle and vice principle. There was a lot of moments where I said to myself, oh my gosh what is happening now.

Everyone’s been soooooooooooooo amazing at my new school. I’ve been welcomed with open arms and everyone tries to make me feel as comfortable as possible. I haven’t walk to school or home from school yet. They feel bad having me cross this bridge because it’s windy. The only thing is that that I still don’t feel like my apartment is home yet. I’m still living out of my suitcases because I don’t have a closet/dresser yet. Hopefully, I’ll get one soon.

 

P.S. I uploaded my pictures to facebook so go there and see. Don’t be mad. Love you all.

till next time,

xoxo