Well, first off, Happy New Year's Eve. Only a few hours here until New Year's! In Korea, all the people are turning a year older tonight because of their year systems, etc. Sooo I'll be 23 tonight I guess...
So a few days ago I was excited about Beijing. As it seems to be just my luck, things are not going right. Greg, Liz, and I went yesterday to turn in our visa application and have to pick it up next week. We're supposed to leave Feb. 2 really early in the morning and come back Sunday... but as seems to be a pattern at our branch when deciding days off for holidays, they told us today we now have to come in Feb 2 from 10-4, when previously we were told we will have the whole day off. So now we're up a creek with few options other than costing way more money. We can either cancel the trip and be forced to pay for canceling, or try to see if there's a way at all to push back the flight.
They could rearrange schedules a bit to combine classes and all that, but our branch manager doesn't want to do that because he thinks lots of kids are going to come that day and there'll be too many... but really, it's probably unlikely, however he doesn't want to risk it. He was joking we'd be fired, buttttt based on the past week I don't think he was joking. And since it's a holiday, the airline was not open this afternoon, or probably this weekend, so we'll have to get it situated Monday or later, risking more wasted money. Ahhhh. Please pray we can find some kind of solution, quickly and cheaply. *sigh*
Friday, December 31, 2010
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Walking in a Winter Wonderland
... or a dirty city snow wonderland...
Monday night it snowed so I woke up to a few inches of snow. And as it seems to be a pattern, I promptly slipped on my apartment steps. hahaha I believe a trip (no pun intended) to a shoe store is in my future for better tractioned boots.
Besides trying not to die on my way to work, it's been an eventful week and it's only Wednesday. We found out we have Feb 2-6 off for the Lunar New Year (aka Chinese New Year). Since this will be our only chance to travel, about 7 of us were looking for somewhere to go. Only problem, there were very few available flights BACK to Korea from Japan or Hong Kong, or basically any Asian country. After a failed visit to a travel agency in Itaewon, we searched for things ourself and found a great deal - round trip flight to Beijing plus 4 nights at a hotel within walking distance of the Forbidden City for roughly $600. Now the joke is that I have to train myself to not fall for when we go to the Great Wall. Although not all 7 of us are going (only 3), I cannot wait!!!!! Never in my life did I think I'd have these opportunities to not only live in another country, but also to travel to some famous historic places around the world. The history teacher in me is lovin' it. So very grateful for everything I've been given.
Today I finally made my way to a better, English-speaking dentist. My teeth have been sandblasted clean. Dentist tools have some of the worst sounds in the world. And fortunately, no cavities!!!! Good to know I'm just paranoid.
Other event worth sharing for a laugh occurred, where else, but the classroom. Last night I had my Par Reading class, which is a mix of higher elementary grades and middle school. As one can expect, 2 of the older middle school boys are a handful. They're good friends, but like to mess with one another. They had opened the window since they thought the room was hot (I never understand why they don't just take off their jackets...), and near the end of class one boy took his friend's pencil case and threw it out the window. I saw it happen as it was going out the window so I don't know if it was an accident, or on purpose (most likely purpose ha). All I could do was drop my jaw and mentally cuss. In retailiation, the other boy quickly grabbed his friend's pencil case and dropped THAT one out the window. Our classes are on the 4th floor of an office building, so who knows where they dropped. Obviously they wanted to leave class early and get them, but I purposely drew class out as long as I could. So next class, they're sitting closer to me, away from one another, and no where near that damn window.
Gotta love middle schoolers.
Monday night it snowed so I woke up to a few inches of snow. And as it seems to be a pattern, I promptly slipped on my apartment steps. hahaha I believe a trip (no pun intended) to a shoe store is in my future for better tractioned boots.
Besides trying not to die on my way to work, it's been an eventful week and it's only Wednesday. We found out we have Feb 2-6 off for the Lunar New Year (aka Chinese New Year). Since this will be our only chance to travel, about 7 of us were looking for somewhere to go. Only problem, there were very few available flights BACK to Korea from Japan or Hong Kong, or basically any Asian country. After a failed visit to a travel agency in Itaewon, we searched for things ourself and found a great deal - round trip flight to Beijing plus 4 nights at a hotel within walking distance of the Forbidden City for roughly $600. Now the joke is that I have to train myself to not fall for when we go to the Great Wall. Although not all 7 of us are going (only 3), I cannot wait!!!!! Never in my life did I think I'd have these opportunities to not only live in another country, but also to travel to some famous historic places around the world. The history teacher in me is lovin' it. So very grateful for everything I've been given.
Today I finally made my way to a better, English-speaking dentist. My teeth have been sandblasted clean. Dentist tools have some of the worst sounds in the world. And fortunately, no cavities!!!! Good to know I'm just paranoid.
Other event worth sharing for a laugh occurred, where else, but the classroom. Last night I had my Par Reading class, which is a mix of higher elementary grades and middle school. As one can expect, 2 of the older middle school boys are a handful. They're good friends, but like to mess with one another. They had opened the window since they thought the room was hot (I never understand why they don't just take off their jackets...), and near the end of class one boy took his friend's pencil case and threw it out the window. I saw it happen as it was going out the window so I don't know if it was an accident, or on purpose (most likely purpose ha). All I could do was drop my jaw and mentally cuss. In retailiation, the other boy quickly grabbed his friend's pencil case and dropped THAT one out the window. Our classes are on the 4th floor of an office building, so who knows where they dropped. Obviously they wanted to leave class early and get them, but I purposely drew class out as long as I could. So next class, they're sitting closer to me, away from one another, and no where near that damn window.
Gotta love middle schoolers.
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Merry Christmas!
For real now. It's Christmas Day for both sides of the world.
Wishing everyone a wonderful holiday with family and friends. I enjoyed seeing my fam on Skype this morning. :)
A little good Coldplay Christmas cheer...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1rYmzQ8C9Q
Wishing everyone a wonderful holiday with family and friends. I enjoyed seeing my fam on Skype this morning. :)
A little good Coldplay Christmas cheer...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1rYmzQ8C9Q
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Happy Korean Christmas Eve!
Let the couples holiday festivities begin. I don't even know what that means. Most likely lots of matching outfits.
We have to come into work at 2pm so we can finally open our Secret Santa gifts. Ha Most of us thought the plan was to do so at our branch Christmas dinner, but that didn't happen. Sucks for the people who lugged glasses of wine around town.
No exciting plans, 'cept to eat some American brunch and hang out with co-workers. Jen wants to do a KFC feast and possibly Christmas movies. hahaha
This week I'll have racked up 30 hours at work. One of my coworkers is out of town so my Monday night class was combined to another teacher's class since I only have 3 students, and I taught the vacationing teacher's class. I taught his other class tonight as well, sacrificing what should've been my half day. Though it turns out it's a good thing I did so because due to the rising tuition and decrease in enrollment (who knows why they thought raising tuition was a good idea), my Monday/Friday night class is being cut and permanently combined with the other, so I'll be down to 21 hours, although I will teach a workshop starting next week to attempt to make up for it.
Bummer since I love those kids, but the good news is I'll still be paid for those hours since it was in my contract. Or, so they say. We'll see come next paycheck. I'm not the only one losing classes because of the current enrollment trend, so I suppose I shouldn't feel as badly. Part of me is excited to have half days on Fridays for the rest of this term. But, I'm beginning to realize more about the business aspect of this company due to this and other recent decisions because of the lack of students.
Slight downer to the holiday. But on a happier note, I can't believe how many friends are getting engaged. Congrats to all of you who are!!! So exciting.
We have to come into work at 2pm so we can finally open our Secret Santa gifts. Ha Most of us thought the plan was to do so at our branch Christmas dinner, but that didn't happen. Sucks for the people who lugged glasses of wine around town.
No exciting plans, 'cept to eat some American brunch and hang out with co-workers. Jen wants to do a KFC feast and possibly Christmas movies. hahaha
This week I'll have racked up 30 hours at work. One of my coworkers is out of town so my Monday night class was combined to another teacher's class since I only have 3 students, and I taught the vacationing teacher's class. I taught his other class tonight as well, sacrificing what should've been my half day. Though it turns out it's a good thing I did so because due to the rising tuition and decrease in enrollment (who knows why they thought raising tuition was a good idea), my Monday/Friday night class is being cut and permanently combined with the other, so I'll be down to 21 hours, although I will teach a workshop starting next week to attempt to make up for it.
Bummer since I love those kids, but the good news is I'll still be paid for those hours since it was in my contract. Or, so they say. We'll see come next paycheck. I'm not the only one losing classes because of the current enrollment trend, so I suppose I shouldn't feel as badly. Part of me is excited to have half days on Fridays for the rest of this term. But, I'm beginning to realize more about the business aspect of this company due to this and other recent decisions because of the lack of students.
Slight downer to the holiday. But on a happier note, I can't believe how many friends are getting engaged. Congrats to all of you who are!!! So exciting.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Rain Rain Go Away?
No. How about Cold Cold Go AWAY!!!!!
It is absolutely frigid. My life in warm climates almost can't handle this. Though apparently it's been snowing in Georgia... ? It's been in about the 20s for the past few days. Last week we had some snow flurries, and it wouldn't surprise me if we get more soon.
Tomorrow I FINALLY get to see Harry Potter at midnight... a month after the US. Also going to the Namdaemun flea market in the morning to get my Secret Santa gift (nooo idea what to get him) and find something for my mom so I can mail it ASAP. Sorry, Mom!! Hopefully I can find what I'm looking for. :)
Other than that, life's the same, just work, trying not to freeze, and paying bills... or trying to. Someone accidentally took my gas bill yesterday while I was at work, sooo not sure what's gonna happen there. I've been told it'll cycle over if not paid. Or maybe that person will pay mine! I think it was pretty cheap, like 4000 won (less than $4).
It is absolutely frigid. My life in warm climates almost can't handle this. Though apparently it's been snowing in Georgia... ? It's been in about the 20s for the past few days. Last week we had some snow flurries, and it wouldn't surprise me if we get more soon.
Tomorrow I FINALLY get to see Harry Potter at midnight... a month after the US. Also going to the Namdaemun flea market in the morning to get my Secret Santa gift (nooo idea what to get him) and find something for my mom so I can mail it ASAP. Sorry, Mom!! Hopefully I can find what I'm looking for. :)
Other than that, life's the same, just work, trying not to freeze, and paying bills... or trying to. Someone accidentally took my gas bill yesterday while I was at work, sooo not sure what's gonna happen there. I've been told it'll cycle over if not paid. Or maybe that person will pay mine! I think it was pretty cheap, like 4000 won (less than $4).
Sunday, December 12, 2010
YG Family Concert
Apologies for not updating. The site was down for whatever reason and I've been busy with the new term.
Winter term started November 30 and we got two new guys to replace 2 teachers who left as their contract was up. I'm teaching some higher level classes, which I'm really enjoying. They've been here longer so classroom management is less of an issue, but more importantly we can have better discussions as a result of the higher-level questions and topics.
Last weekend I went with a friend from training to see the YG Family Concert, which basically had several bands from the record label YG. Now I've heard of K-Pop, and it's pretty much hard to miss when walking down the street past cellphone stores, but man oh man was it an epic experience. Think of it like an NSYNC or BSB concert, but on crack and 10x less cheesy. These bands are hardcore, legit, and not as pop-y as I'd imagine. Cameras weren't allowed, but I managed to get a short video before seeing the sign for 'No cameras'.
here are some videos as well if you're so inclined to discover your Korean brethren's jams. This is hardly uncovering the iceberg of songs, but a few that I particularly like:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDBOGihYl10&feature=channel
Go! - Big Bang
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIRW_elc-rY&feature=related
Lollipop - Big Bang and 2NE1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MgAxMO1KD0&NR=1
I Don't Care - 2NE1
My favorite guy from Big Bang is the deep-voiced rapper, TOP. You'll know who he is when you watch. He's got a unique voice.
This weekend I got to see 2 movies: The Tourist with Johnny Depp and the new Chronicles of Narnia. We may not get Harry Potter before the US, but we got these 2. For whatever reason Koreans loveeee Angelina Jolie. She's the actor my students will mention first when asking about the US. The movie was slightly predictable, but still enjoyable. Luckily I went with my coworker who knows some French so she translated for us as the subtitles were in Korean, not English. When the characters spoke Italian we had to use context clues. haha But whenever Johnny spoke Spanish I knew exactly what he was saying. Go me.
Narnia was fantastic!!!! We went last minute, and had to sit in the front row... for a 3D movie. Last time I sat front row for a movie was Transformers 2 and I thought I was gonna get sick. haha Fortunately that was not the case for this movie. They gave us foot rests! hahaha It was like sitting at home watching a giant screen with 3D glasses on. Highly recommend the movie. I feel like it'll do better overseas than domestically since not as many people are familiar with this book. I've read it and they stuck pretty close to it.
Winter term started November 30 and we got two new guys to replace 2 teachers who left as their contract was up. I'm teaching some higher level classes, which I'm really enjoying. They've been here longer so classroom management is less of an issue, but more importantly we can have better discussions as a result of the higher-level questions and topics.
Last weekend I went with a friend from training to see the YG Family Concert, which basically had several bands from the record label YG. Now I've heard of K-Pop, and it's pretty much hard to miss when walking down the street past cellphone stores, but man oh man was it an epic experience. Think of it like an NSYNC or BSB concert, but on crack and 10x less cheesy. These bands are hardcore, legit, and not as pop-y as I'd imagine. Cameras weren't allowed, but I managed to get a short video before seeing the sign for 'No cameras'.
here are some videos as well if you're so inclined to discover your Korean brethren's jams. This is hardly uncovering the iceberg of songs, but a few that I particularly like:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDBOGihYl10&feature=channel
Go! - Big Bang
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIRW_elc-rY&feature=related
Lollipop - Big Bang and 2NE1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MgAxMO1KD0&NR=1
I Don't Care - 2NE1
My favorite guy from Big Bang is the deep-voiced rapper, TOP. You'll know who he is when you watch. He's got a unique voice.
This weekend I got to see 2 movies: The Tourist with Johnny Depp and the new Chronicles of Narnia. We may not get Harry Potter before the US, but we got these 2. For whatever reason Koreans loveeee Angelina Jolie. She's the actor my students will mention first when asking about the US. The movie was slightly predictable, but still enjoyable. Luckily I went with my coworker who knows some French so she translated for us as the subtitles were in Korean, not English. When the characters spoke Italian we had to use context clues. haha But whenever Johnny spoke Spanish I knew exactly what he was saying. Go me.
Narnia was fantastic!!!! We went last minute, and had to sit in the front row... for a 3D movie. Last time I sat front row for a movie was Transformers 2 and I thought I was gonna get sick. haha Fortunately that was not the case for this movie. They gave us foot rests! hahaha It was like sitting at home watching a giant screen with 3D glasses on. Highly recommend the movie. I feel like it'll do better overseas than domestically since not as many people are familiar with this book. I've read it and they stuck pretty close to it.
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