Today I will officially describe most of my second week in Korea and I have several pictures to go with.
My second week of school was a little bit easier. I fell into a routine and learned the schedule a little better. I figured out when to leave my house so that I could make it to work on time. I got down the timing of the crosswalks so that I knew just when they would change to green. I started wearing tennis shoes to school and carrying a backpack so that I could change to nicer shoes when I got to school. My feet were taking a beating with all of the extra walking that I was doing in dressy shoes, even though they were flats! My walk to school is a little over a mile and obviously so is the walk home. Roundtrip, I walk about 2.5 miles to and from work. Though the walk is somewhat long, there are several advantages! Take a look!
This is one of the several amazing views along my path. This is a small creek with a walking trail along both banks. Notice the gorgeous mountain in the background. The weather here is absolutely amazing. During the day it is not that hot (I usually wear pants and am very comfortable), but the weather during the evening is the real treat. Because of all of the mountains, Korean nights are actually pretty cool. It gets down to about 40-50 degrees in the evening and overnight. I absolutely love it!
I also learned that in order to have hot water in the apartment, you have to actually turn it on! The thermostat and hot water are combined on one box to make things easier I suppose. On the left is the temperature control for water and heat and the right is a phone, right? WRONG! It is actually a speaker and doorbell system (learned that one the hard way). I am still not really sure how it works. When I got my new house phone, which wasn't this phone, I wondered what this phone was for. I picked it up a few times and said hello but there was no dial tone. I'm not sure who I said hello to, but I bet someone outside heard! LOL!
It just so happens that May 15th is Teacher's Day in Korea, which fell on a Saturday this year so the kids brought presents a few days before and after the 15th. I got many great things including Starbucks coffee, candy, cute little flowery pens, other food and even some amazing and expensive body wash that I am in love with!! The kids really were very sweet even though I was a new teacher and they barely knew me.
That same week, I was told that I would be helping in an arts and crafts class for the same little ones that I have in the morning. I assumed that meant that all I had to do was make myself present, speak English as much as possible, and help out when needed. I later learned that I am to actually teach the class but I don't have to make the lesson plan for it. So basically, I learn about what we are going to do in the class about 10 minutes before the class begins. Luckily for me, this class is only once a week and it is an arts and crafts class for 4-7 year olds, therefore it is not that complicated. That particular week we made animal masks and I took pics of the kids.
These are all the kids that I have in the mornings. There are only 12 so I have gotten to know them all pretty well. I spend the most time with these kids.
Back: Christine, Sally, Benny, Jennifer, Cleo, Tyler, Amy
Front: Danielle, Alice, B. Amy, James, Scott
Danielle, Alice, B. Amy James: the youngest and so cute!!
Christine, Sally, Benny
Sally, Benny, Jennifer B. Amy & James: 2 younger ones
The kids get to pick the English names that they want when they start school here. They are only referred to as those names that they picked. The younger class includes, B. Amy, Sally, James and Tyler. The second Amy we call Bootee Amy. I am not sure what that means or even how to spell it. That is how it sounds when they pronounce it though. Her name was Grace originally but made a fit when she heard that name and wanted it, so they changed it.
With kids, coffee is necessary, especially with the young ones. At school we use these packets of coffee. In the kitchen there is a water dispenser that dispenses hot and cold water. We just fill a cup with water, pour in the packet of coffee and stir. It even tastes great! Now, I don't know if we have these in the states, but they are seriously a lifesaver. There have been several days where I needed just a small little boost and these little guys do the trick. They are even made by a company that I am sure most of you have heard of.
Now at my apartment, there were a few things that I wasn't exactly satisfied with. I did a little complaining that week, about the huge windows in my apartment. Now, I know that they are awesome, but I don't have to be at school until 9:30 in the morning which means I get up at 8:30 after the sun has already been up for a few hours. This makes sleeping in past sunrise slightly complicated with huge windows and no curtains. I suggested that I needed curtains and was even willing to buy them. I just wanted to know where I could get some. The school director told me that she would take care of it. Well, if you haven't read my previous blog, then you need to at least look at the pictures of my apartment. The curtains that she got for me are completely sheer and do absolutely nothing for keeping the sun out!! Oh well, now I just cover my eyes with an extra shirt or something.
That week was also Buddha's birthday, so we got Friday off. I used that day as an opportunity to sanitize and sterilize my apartment, since the previous teacher hadn't really been all that much of a cleaner. I went and explored the market area near my house and learned that there are wonderful eatery and shops less than 5 blocks away. I also learned that there is a Starbucks practically out my back door AND the coffee drinks are written in English, so they understand when you say them in English!!! That was the best part of the whole 'discovering a Starbucks near my house experience!'
I have discovered that Skype is a very amazing tool that everyone should definitely use if they plan to travel abroad or live abroad. It is 100% free and lets you talk with and actually see, live, the person who you are talking to. There are not really words to describe how awesome Skype is. I strongly recommend it for those of you who do not have it!
On a little side note, I have not been paid by Skype, Maxwell House, or Starbucks to endorse their products even though it may seem that I have and probably should be!
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