6 month Koreanversary

It's difficult to think about the past 6 months of my life. I can't conceptualize how fast - and slow - time has gone. When I really sit back and think about it... I've accomplished and experienced so damn much.

The pace of life here is so... different. It was incredibly easy to settle into. After being thrown into a new country with a new language and new food and new people and new everything, I had to just get on with it. Things that are NOT normal (as per American standards), seem extremely normal. Like, squid air drying on the sides of houses and fish being sold out of trucks that make their rounds in my neighborhood advertising through loudspeakers.

It's hard for me to not walk down the street without being in complete amazement of how lucky I am. Whether it's the sweet ajummas feeding me hotteoks or ajusshis exclaiming their love to me, someone or something is always providing me with an extremely Korean experience

Aside from these lovely every day occurrences, I've also been working full time. Adjusting to the life of an English teacher in Korea has been, interesting. I'll say one thing, it is nothing that my degree in Education could have prepared me for. Compared to the way the system works in the states, educational philosophy is just plain different here. I have finally realized the most crucial thing I can do for these kids is TALK TO THEM. And holy crap, it is so much fun. Boyfriends and girlfriends and pizza are my favorite things to talk about. And studying, unfortunately, is a hot topic. It's pretty much the only thing these kids do.What are you doing this weekend? Studying. What are you doing on Christmas? Studying. What do you do when you get home? Study.

There was a day when I had only one student in a higher level middle school class. My director made it clear to me how excited Kelly was to talk to me. I thought that meant she was excited there were no other students. I brought in a few holiday crafts for us to do, since it was the day before Christmas. She immediately started asking me QUESTIONS. Really damn good questions. We spent the whole time talking, about everything.

We talked about how, in Korean high schools, kids study until 10pm and THEN go to after school programs. I asked her is she was afraid of high school for this reason, dreading having to do so much work. She seemed so nonchalant about it, replying that "...everyone has to do it, so it doesn't seem like that big of a deal." When I told her high school students in America get out of school at 2pm, she didn't understand what I was saying. I had to repeat it several times. She was baffled.

She asked my about my favorite place in Las Vegas, and I was so excited to tell her about Red Rock. Whenever I tell kids where I am from, they always exclaim "Casinoooo, teacher! Blackjack!" I  told her how annoying this is and how beautiful the mountains are surrounding Vegas.

Aside from getting a better understanding of the ins and outs of my student's lives, I've been learning how to speak English. Or, really, I've been learning how to explain why things are the way they are, grammatically speaking. One thing that I will always love about being a teacher is the opportunity to not only teach others, but to expand on my wealth of knowledge (or lack thereof) in the process.

Speaking of speaking English... speaking Korean is much more difficult that I would like to admit. I have been trying, really. I know some key phrases and some not so key phrases (which are the ones I use the most). The group of little ones that I teach, the ones who are just beginning to learn English, absolutely love when I use any Korean. Ah, Chincha (아진짜) is used the most, hands down. And, of course, Baegopa (배고파) - I'm hungry.

There are so many positive things that I've accomplished so far, and even more to look forward to. I've made so many great friends, and I have a friend from home who makes me feel sane in this crazy Korean world. I am fulfilling my desire to discover things about this world, travel, and explore - all while working and adding experience to my career repertoire. I'm getting a lot of bang for my buck.

It's wild to think about what this next year has in store for me. For the past few years, I've been lucky enough to keep topping the "best year of my life." Not that one year is necessarily better than another - but I continue building different aspects of my life up and in turn, life just keeps presenting itself as more and more amazing. 

I have a feeling this year will be no different. As long as I continue to accept challenges, open my mind, change my perspective, explore, and inspire - all with a great big smile - my resolution to be the best person I can be will prevail! 

Here's to 2015! 

Discoveries

                           

Ordering tteokbokki from a street vendor was fun and hard and easy all at the same time. I stopped at the first big bowl of red saucy deliciousness I found along the market stalls. I smiled at the lady and said it just how I practiced. Tteokbokki hana juseyo! And then a whole bunch of Korean followed I didn't understand. I later figured she asked if I wanted to sit or take away... my head nod signified I wanted to sit and eat and she made am a bowl and set it in front of me. Fine by me. I got to listen to cute Korean ladies probably make fun of me while watching her, and all the others, cook. After I finished eating and went to pay her, I handed her 3000 won assuming that would be enough to cover my meal. I haven't engrained into my brain how to ask how much something is yet. It ended up being only 1000 won a serving, and instead of paying and leaving I somehow agreed to getting another bowl - and her handing me 1000 back. Fine by me. I was hungry anyways. Even though I already stopped by the stall before hers and got some delicious chicken thing on a stick. Couldn't tell you what it was for the life of me. Then I spotted a bowl of fried mandu (like a wonton) and I definitely wanted one of those, so I pointed and said Hana. And then there was more confusion - that is, until the lady from the next stall sensed our troubles and walked over to tell me that one piece was 200 won. Despite not being able to talk to my lovely street stall lady, she never seemed mad or annoyed or anything. She was laughing the whole time and so was I, and so was her friend. I'm going to try and eat tteokbokki with her once a week and practice talking to her in Korean. Food and language practice for under 3000 won, it's a pretty good deal if you ask me. 

Octopus legs, anyone?

                         

Then I stopped and talked to a little Korean man with a dog that looks just like Honey, my pupsters back home. He could speak a bit of English though and was very excited to use what he knew to try and have a conversation. He was so friendly, and we chatted a bit about his life and how cute his dog is.

I also tried to get a little android phone set up at a mobile store. The lady was kind enough to call her help desk so someone could translate for us. We kept handing the phone back and forth to each other, and she smiled every time. 

All in all, the Korean people I've interacted with this far have been more than happy to accommodate and deal with our language barrier. I can't wait until I can communicate better, that way I can start impressing people. 

I was sitting in my new found park on a rock next to a stream practicing Korean numbers when an elderly engineer walks into the stream and starts squatting. I got a little nervous about what was to follow, but to my delight this man dips his cupped hands into the water and splashes his face. He then picks up a bit of a muddy rock concoction and starts rubbing his hands clean, or dirty. I guess that depends on perspective :)

                                

JAPAN! It's almost here. My evenings have mostly consisted of figuring out what I wanna do and when I want to do it and eating yukgwa. I'm thinking of splitting my time up between Osaka and Kyoto - maybe a day trip to Nara and a day trip hiking somewhere if I can find a good spot. Regardless, I'm not trying to go to every temple and I'm definitely not trying to go to any museums. Wandering aimlessly sounds like a better plan for this trip. 

My bosses took me to apply for my Alien Reaident Card and afterwards treated me to a meal. They took me to a noodle house and ordered some delicious mul-neagmeyong - buckwheat noodles served in an icy broth garnished with Asian pears and cucumber and beef and egg. I was in love. They slurped all of their noodles down despite being tiny Asian men, and I barley made a dent. Then they grabbed me some tradition Korean snacks for me to take home. 

I've been trying to eat at home more than eating out in order to save some money and be a little healthier. Instead I just eat yukgwa as much as I possible can. It's the most delicious treat on this planet.

Friday was a special day in Korea - the beginning of the "dog days of summer" - meaning it's supposed to be HOT. Traditionally they would eat dog meat so9.up on these days, but recently the dad has shifted from dog meat to samgyetang - Ginseng chicken soup. A whole chicken stuffed with rice in a delicious broth. YUM. My boss, once again, treated me and my coworkers to lunch and coffee.