Teacher Training Complete

I have just completed my first teacher training course. It is sad to see my students go but a relief at the same time. We had 100 English teachers attend this camp. It was such a change from teaching middle and high school students. The teachers had an excellent grasp of the English language - probably why they are English teachers. hehe. The ages of the teacher trainees varied (24-65). They had great senses of humour and a desire to learn even if this professional development was cutting in on a month of their winter vacations!

My homeroom class was a lot of fun. Nine women and one lucky man. They were all in their 30's. Most of them were married and had children but we just clicked. They were able to handle my thunder-loud voice and my sarcastic sense of humour. On one of our last days of school they took me out to enjoy some food. That was the idea I thought. I understand now that it was just to get me drunk. A good time was had by all. I got to know them outside of the classroom and I can't wait to hang out with them again. IFTC is pretty quiet now. The trainees are enjoying the rest of their winter vacation in their first language and we are left with no students to teach. What does that mean? Back to the same old, same old.

Today was a little different though - Jason, Jen, Trevor and I were trasnported to a hotel in Incheon. We were there to edit some national tests. These tests are pretty important to the Ministry of Education because apparently they are the tests that will dictate whether a student will move on to the next grade. It wasn't the most exciting day but I don't mind the extra 70,000 won in my bank account.

Pictures of my last month.

At the Lovre exhibition at a museum in Seoul.

My class on our final day of classes.

Dinner with my class!

Fatty McFatterson

How many times does it take for one white girl in Korea to hear that she is overweight before starving herself?

Well, let's do the math. These numbers are, of course, approximate. They could be higher or lower depending on the mood of the people involved. The fat calls are as follows:

2 times a day at school by students,
2 times a day at school by adminstration and other teachers,
2 times on the way into her apartment building,
3 times on msn messenger each day and,
2 times on the street by random Korean men.
= 11 times a day, on a good day.

+ weekends at 3 times a night in Seoul x 2 for Saturday and Sunday = 6.

11x5+6 = 61 fat calls/week.
61x52 = 3172 fat calls for a year.

3172 times during an ordinary year! There goes my self-esteem.

Okay, this is a bit of an exaggeration but COME ON! Just stop telling me to eat kimchi because it will make me thin. I don't like it, I'll never like it, move on.

Nothing is going on in Korea at the moment but I AM alive and DEFINITELY not starving myself!

Cheers,

Diane

12 Million People in a Square

Seoul has a population over 12 million and I'm pretty sure all of us were at Jongno to bring in the new year. It was INSANE. I have never been somewhere with so many people before. The crowds would pull you with them leaving your friends behind. It was well worth the struggle though. To see thousands of happy people and thousands of fireworks at the strike of 12 was something I'll never forget.

Some pictures. I don't know how to put a video in this thing or I'd show you one.

Hundreds of police lined the streets.

The subway station after midnight.

Nicole, Emmanuella, Jen and me.

Safe and Sound

I made it home from Thailand. My back is cured. Korean drugs are a dream come true. I was hurting pretty bad for the first 4 days of my vacation but the drugs seemed to ease the intense pain.

I'm sure there is lots I could say about Thailand. It was relaxing. Jennifer and I spent day after day on the beach or by the pool, as well as experiencing the local culture and scenery. The landscape is beautiful. The people are incredibly friendly. I don't know if I would return but it was definitely a worthwhile visit.

I've been thrown back into a busy schedule at work (very unusual at my job). We are teaching about 100 Korean English teachers. It's an intensive English program for selected English teachers in Korean middle and highschools. My class is killer. Their English is at a fairly high level and they have a great sense of humour. I'm looking forward to the training program. They are also excited about the professional development, but mostly a break from their students.

My thoughts are all over the place lately. I've come to terms with living in Korea. I'm over that "what am I doing here" hump. It's still hard to come home from a vacation to a home that doesn't always feel like home.

This was a bad blog. Sorry. I promise to return with something not so scrambled.

Folks, there is a moral to this story

I cannot move today. My back is in bad shape.

The ladies from the office decided it was time to celebrate our Merry Christmas in Korea before Jen and I took off to Thailand. We went out to my favourite bar in Seoul lastnight. The bar is Tinpan. It's small, a tad dirty, lots of bar space and a small dance floor -- but most importantly you can have a shot of tequila for 2000 won (2 dollars). It's the type of bar where after a couple weekends of being there it seems everyone knows your name. Is that a good thing? I don't know.

As a lot of you know, I love to dance. I'm not that great but I still enjoy a good night out for dancing. We met up with some of our friends at Tinpan and the night began to pick up. I was dancing with my Korean friend when he decided it would be a good idea to pick me up while we were dancing. So, being the moron that I am, I thought it would be a good idea to pick him up. BIG MISTAKE. By the time Jen, Emmanuella and I made it back to Yeongjeongdo (at 6:15AM) I was hunched over in pain. By the time I got up to the ninth floor I could barely move. And today, even after a full 12 hours of sleep I am having trouble moving around.

So, the moral of the story is:

Do not pick up your friends on the dance floor.

Jen and I leave tomorrow. I hope I'm able to board the plane without too many problems.

P.S. It snowed lastnight! It really felt like a Merry Christmas in Korea.

Holiday Season

Christmas in Thailand? I think so.



This Christmas will be very different. I know I'm not a big fan of this holiday season but I think it may be a tough one being away from family and friends. Jen and I decided to forget it was Christmas and head to Thailand for a little rest and relaxation. We leave December 18th and return December 26th. It's bound to be exciting.

As you all know I am quite pale. I haven't been on a sunny vacation since I was 18 (Bermuda) so you may be worried about my ivory complexion. Don't worry I will be wearing my sunscreen and 5 layers of clothing that cover every inch of my precious skin!

Take care and have a fantastic holiday season. See you when I return -- oh wait, I'll still be in Korea. Weird.

Our Home and Native Land

Go Canada!


The Canadians in the office miss home from time-to-time. We found a map of the world and couldn't resist the urge to kiss the best country on earth.

I miss you all.

You can't always make it to 6am.

Seoul's public transportation begins at 6AM.

This is me at 4:30AM - in a bar, resting on a friend's shoulder. I swear I was just taking a quick catnap so I could get back up on the dancefloor.




We didn't last until 6AM. Maybe next time.

WOW

Who doesn't like to enjoy old episodes of America's Funniest Home Video's in Korea? Especially when they are hosted by the one and only............. Bob Saget!

Mountain

See that little mountain in the back -- that's Mount Halla. I just finished climbing it in that picture! Yeehaw!

Emmanuella, me, and Jason - post climb

Jeju Island

SO, not only do I have the easiest job on the face of this planet. BUT, my school decided to send us all to Jejudo (do = island) for a working vacation. Jeju is known as the "Hawaii of Korea". I don't know if it was quite like Hawaii -- but I saw a palm tree or two.

The trip was a success. We did the whole 60 year old tour bus activities --we visited some botanical gardens, climbed a mountain (worst 2 hours of my life, but the view was nice), rode some horses (looked more like ponies to me), went to a sex park (whoa, that's not a 60 year old tour bus activity), and ate the local cuisine (and you all know how I feel about Korean food). Here are some pictures for your viewing pleasure. Yes, I said pleasure and now I'm showing you a picture of a gigantic penis (I'm sorry Mom!).

Loveland!

Mount Halla (hooollllaaa!)

Who doesn't love a penis statue?

Jason, Trevor and Mr. Jeong

The work portion of the trip was visiting a couple institutions that are similar to IFTC (my school). One school had a pretty neat airport simulation room. They love dialogues and simulations in Korea. They think it is important for children to learn about travelling in an airport, going to hospital, and making reservations at a hotel - I guess in case their mom and dad aren't around. I don't know.

It was nice to get to know the Korean teachers in a non-work environment. They are a fun crowd and love to share soju with the international teachers. Soju is Korea's alcohol and they drink it like water here.

Anyway, it's just about time to eat.

I hope all is well, wherever you are.

TGIF @ IFTC

My job.

What can I say about my job?

We do not have any students for the month of December. Our next batch of "students" will arrive in January. They are a group of 100 teacher trainees.

What does this mean for me? It means EVERYDAY IS FRIDAY!

Below I have included a flexible schedule for my "Fridays" at IFTC (Incheon Foreign Language Training CentEr).

8:45AM - Arrive at IFTC by van.
8:50AM - Walk to the International Teacher's office.
8:55AM - Set up my laptop.
8:57AM - Start surfing the internet (checking e-mail, myspace, blogging, etc).
12:00PM - Lunch time!! After 3 hours of internet, I'm HUNGRY!
1:30PM - After lunch nap.
2:25PM - Wake to the sound of satellite TV and watch some of our favourite shows from home.
4:00PM - Thinking about going home. It's not time yet though.
4:01PM - Read some of my current book.
4:30PM - Play an office round of internet Family Feud.
5:00PM - Start to pack up my area in the office.
5:05PM - Sit outside waiting for the van to arrive.
5:15PM - Depart for our apartments.

I know, it's a tough life I lead.

I want...

Disclaimer: I'm sorry to my Korean friends who may read this entry. It is probably best to not read from this point on!

Today's topic of choice: FOOD

The food in Korea is delicious and there are an endless amount of choices. Oh wait, no it isn't. I know I'm a picky eater. Okay, I'm more than picky -- I just started eating vegetables last year and I still won't go near devilled egg. I'm working hard to try new things. I really am. I've tried octopus, I've eaten a portion of a squid patty, I tried the hottest/spiciest soup EVER, and I even tried dog soup (yes, I felt the way you are feeling now as I was eating it/her/him). However, the food in Korea is probably the worst food I have ever eaten!

I'm eating this:




I want to be eating:

Ohhhhhh fattening food. How I miss you!

Family and friends: feel free to send me the Canadian staples at any point this year (Kraft Dinner, chicken noodle soup, stuffing, pasta sauces, etc.) I'm wasting away to nothing!

I've moved on...

I have decided to write a blog. Many people have been asking me to keep them updated on my experiences in Korea. What better way to inform those you love than a blog that millions of people can read and enjoy?! So here goes...

I arrived in Korea a couple months ago. I've settled and become aquainted with some of the Korean culture. What else can I say? It's different, different from anything I have ever experienced. The people are kind. They have provided me with everything I need to survive. A nice little apartment. A good job. The necessities are met. I won't go into too much detail about that because I wrote about it all in my first e-mail.

So yes...this is my first blog. I will write more as it comes to me. Wacky things happen on a daily basis here. I will write more soon.

-- Diane

A break...

I've just finished three straight weeks of teaching. I endured several 12 hour days, some horrible food days in the cafeteria, and some tired, overworked students. After finishing three weeks of students, the next week is a welcome break. I look forward to taking it easy for a couple days to get over this cold that I caught last week.

Speaking of taking it easy, I had a pretty heavy night lastnight involving a few cocktails. Two of my coworkers were celebrating their birthdays so we went out to a couple bars and a nori bang. It was a good time.

One of the birthday boys. Let me tell you, this kid knew how to play a tambourine.