Feeling The Love

Many people enjoy the rewarding feeling of helping to shape the future of our world by influencing our young people to aspire to greatness. Though often very frustrating, teaching children can be a truly rewarding experience for those with patience and understanding. This past week I have learned that for someone as superficial and egotistical as I am, teaching adults is far more rewarding.

My first week at Pagoda I received several small gifts from students who wanted to show their appreciation of my efforts. Cookies, cans of juice, small pins, all very little things that meant so much to me. I even received a can of mango juice as a gift from a very sweet girl that's not in any of my classes. The little things make me happy, and the gift giving part of Korean culture is definitely something that I love.

My absolute reassurance for teaching adults began last Saturday. I blew off a soccer game to hang out with one of my students. It was absolutely worth it. Though Lauren is a sweet, funny and beautiful person, I was unsure how the day would go. I'm teaching lower level classes, so her English is not great, but she works harder than any of my students, often staying after class to do supplemental work independently. We ended up spending the entire day together in a traditional part of Seoul, checking out a palace and museum, and eating dinner. Before any of you start getting ideas, know that she's my student, has a boyfriend, and is moving to Australia in a month. That being said, I couldn't imagine a better way to spend a Saturday. It is great to be able to make friends with Koreans, something I wasn't able to do my first three months in here.

The gifts kept coming this week. After one of my evening classes yesterday, two girls who knew I was hungry but had another 2 hour class before I could eat ordered me to stay put in the 4th floor lobby. They came back 5 minutes latter with some some crackers and a latte they had bought for me. I don't drink latte, but the kind gesture melted my heart.

After my morning classes today, Lauren took me out for coffee (tea for me please) and gave me a great birthday gift. As I write this, I'm listening to the second of two cds full of Korean music. She spent time hand picking and downloading songs she thought I'd enjoy based on ... well she didn't really have a lot to base it on.

At noon I met up with an ajoshi (respected businessman) who is a student in my 7am class. Earlier in the week, he had insisted on taking me out to lunch today. Eating a meal in foreign culture that has strict rules with an ajoshi who is only learning to speak English is not the most comfortable situation. It is however, a show of appreciation that I will forever appreciate.

The respect that most my students show for me is remarkable. The few that go above and beyond are who make an experience like this truly rewarding.


Only In Korea

Not only is Lauren my favourite student, but she's one of my favourite people right now. I absolutely don't mean to make fun of her or embarrass her, but I really want to share this response simply to illustrate a cultural difference. Something that you'd just never say in the west is considered a compliment in this funny little place:

1. Talk about a famous or interesting person you have met.

When I went to pagoda for first class in this month, there were a lot of foreiner teacher and students. I wondered who is my teacher. Then I've met him on the 3rd floor in Pagoda. His head was more smaller than mine. ^^; and he has worn glasses so seems to be smart.He was Jay. He said he was from in Canada. He was first person who I met Canadian.

Turning A New Leaf

The last few weeks have been eventful. Unfortunately, I haven't had Internet to publish all the excitement. I'm currently relaxing in a coffee shop near me that has WiFi. An Earl Grey is more expensive than Starbucks, but it's a neat place with a cool atmosphere and some chilled out acid jazz. As the table next to me is getting up to leave, I'm suddenly realizing that I'm the only guy in this place. I guess in Korea Seven Monkeys doesn't mean viral apocalypse, but means girls drink expensive iced lattes. I actually only count three monkeys... maybe there's more upstairs.

Today is the last day of a three-day-weekend. People are out and about, but seem more relaxed than their usual hectic selves. Tomorrow is back to work, and the start of my second week at Pagoda, my new school. My first week was great. The only complaint is that with a split schedule of 07:00 to 10:00 and then 18:00 to 22:00, I don't get to enjoy very much sleep, unless I take a nap in the middle of the day. Still, remarkably when my 07:00 class starts, I'm able to muster up a bundle of energy to expel into my class. Some classes are extremely easy, with students eager to express their opinions. Other classes are more difficult, and I have to pick on people to elicit conversation. It humours me when all the students avoid eye contact with me during class discussions, hoping I won't ask their opinion. They paid for a conversation class, but I guess they hoped I would be doing all the conversing.

The teachers at Pagoda are complete opposites to the teachers at Maple Bear. They're loud, rude, obnoxious and will make fun of you any chance they get. I love them! There's around 40 teachers at Pagoda, compared to 7 at Maple Bear, so it's easy to find somebody to talk to. Also the teachers are much less stressed, and more outgoing. I'm happy that I no longer have to deal with the cliquey high school atmosphere of Maple Bear, but I do miss the few friends that I did have, mostly Tim, my single Korean friend. I still hang out with Daniel, just not as frequently. The one hour trek on the always crowded subway means meeting for a quick dinner is impractical.

Moving to the the other end of the city meant that I had to leave the apartment that I loved so much. I don't miss it. My current apartment is less than exciting, and I'm lighting candles in attempt to defeat the funky smells, but the excitement of the area easily makes up for everything. Everyone in Gangnam is between the age of 20 and 30. There's actually army men with guns at Gangnam Station, checking IDs and ensuring that only youthful people get off the subway. No children or old people welcome.

Three months of in Korea, and finally things feel right. This is what I was expecting when I came here. It's only been a week, but my first week with Pagoda has been much more enjoyable than my first week with Maple Bear. I hope it will continue to be enjoyable for another 51 weeks.

Poor Man In A Rich Man's World

I'm starting to think that I should just write frequently write little happenings instead of trying to come up with stories all the time. Day to day, there's very little exciting going on. I don't work, or really have any friends, so I mostly sit around and watch movies of episodes of Flying Circus on my lap top. Still there's been some development, and one exciting day since I last published.

I have found a place to live. It turns out that I am moving from the second richest area of Seoul to the richest. This is good... if you are rich. Where I'm living is a quick walk to school and in a much more interesting area than I am in now. Gangnam is apparently very popular with movie stars and the young crowd. Unlike where I am now, which seems to be popular with families and high schoolers. I will be paying $800 for a bachelor. There's no loft, no 15 foot ceilings, no massive window, no video intercom, and most importantly, no sexy talking doors. Just a small basic apartment in an expensive part of town where I will see movie stars that I will not recognize. Perhaps though, this could be where I meet Natalie Portman. It better be for $800/month!

I managed to get off my lazy ass and see some of Korea. I ventured out to Suwon to discover the Hwaseong Fortress. It's a 12km city wall around the a part of this Seoul suburb city with a population of around 1 million. It's UNESCO protected, cheap, easy to get to, and a day well spent, but surprisingly, most Koreans have not gone to see it. People here hardly leave their comfort zone. Though not as spectacular as the Great Wall of China, the wall is pretty neat. As they say, pictures tell more than words:

Pen to Paper

I am now officially done teaching at Maple Bear. Tomorrow I'm going to pick up my release forms and on Tuesday I'm going to immigration to have my Visa canceled. I never really got to say goodbye to people, but those are never fun anyway.

I have considered different options for what I could do. I've considered getting a work visa in England and try my luck there. I'd also get to visit some of my friends I met in Sweden. I also considered going back to Canada to try beginning my career again. Today that all came to a rest. I have decided to stay in Seoul and teach adults. I signed a contract with Pagoda, I believe it's the second largest school here. I'll begin work at the beginning of June. Until then, I have a bunch of free time. I'll have to attend some training courses at Pagoda, but I have a chance to see some of Seoul. Lately I've been pretty lazy though, watching episodes of Monty Python's Flying Circus.

I'm looking forward to a new beginning. I'm hoping that I'll finally get to meet people and enjoy my job. It is a demanding job though, requiring I invest many hours. I don't mind, as long as I can enjoy my work. If this job doesn't work out, then I will see the Great Wall, and South East, and I will leave Asia. I get a free trip to Japan soon sponsored by Pagoda. I have to leave the country for 24 hours while a reapply for a new visa.

I'm going to be working in Gangnam, an area of Seoul about an hour from where I am now on public transport. Daniel and I will stay in touch and continue to hang out. I need to find a place to live, since I don't know how long Maple Bear is going to let me live here. Thankfully there isn't anyone coming in after me. The rent is too expensive here to continue having teachers live in this place. I think they should let me stay at least until the end of May since that rent is already paid.

If things go well, I will be spending 12 more months in this country for a total of 15 months. That gives everyone plenty of time to come visit me.

Finally! (Adult Content: Intended for 18+)

Finally I have something to write about. Though my first two months in Korea has been a great experience, I wouldn't say it's been a completely enjoyable experience. This has left me with little to write about. Although admittedly, laziness has played a large part in my recent neglect for this blog. So today, I decided to write about my last hour, as it has perhaps been the most entertaining hour in the last two months.

I was on my way back from dinner and beer with Daniel. Any buzz I had from the couple beers on a weeknight was deteriorated and instead of more beer, I decided to splurge $3.50 on an Earl Grey Tea from Starbucks. I find the tea here very weak, so this occasional splurge on Corporate America is quite comforting.

The weather is quite nice right now, so I decided to enjoy my overpriced tea on a pedestrian street people watching- staring at the pretty girls who despite enjoying the attention, won't give me time of day. An older gentleman sat next to me and struck up conversation. Typically, he started by asking where I was from. After that it was mostly just awkwardness that comes from conversation with a complete stranger mixed with conversation restricted by a language barrier. I generally enjoy these exchanges though, as it's just part of traveling. The awkwardness was quickly interrupted when a passerby came and started trying to talk to me. His English was extremely minimal. He offered me a cigarette. I politely declined, but he didn't seem to want to take no for an answer. I have a hard time believing that he can't accept that I'm just not a smoker.

Like the children in many of my classes, he spoke to me in Korean. I'm not sure if it was expectation or just hope that I might understand some of what he was saying. I mostly just responded with "I don't know." The only thing I really understood was "Tupac," "cocaine" and "marijuana" as well as "nigger" and "white nigger" which he used to describe himself while pointing. I tried to explain to him that he's a yellow nigger, but I'm not sure he fully understood.

In Canada it's much more normal for me to hang out with complete strangers doing vodka and blow in an unfamiliar basement till 8 in the morning, but here it's hard to continually assess my situation for many different cultural reasons; language being the predominant one. I decided again to politely decline. (For the record I declined the blow in Canada too. I didn't feel like it was the best environment for my first experience with hard drugs).

I've become accustomed to being asked if I have a lover. That's just how Koreans ask if you have a girlfriend. I told him no, I don't have a lover. He told me he was a player and began making sexual gestures and used the word home. At the time I thought he was trying to tell me that he can hook me up with girls. I wasn't sure if I'd have to pay for the encounter; regardless, on account I've had a difficult time with the girls here, I was rather enticed. Still, I decided to keep with my theme inherited from the cocaine offer and politely declined.

Turned out his home was in the same direction as mine, so before departing we continued to enjoy each other's company while walking. In Korea it's very normal for girls to hold hands or just be physically close to each other while walking. It's a little less normal for guys to do this, so when he put his arm around mine I wasn't really sure what to think. I gave him the benefit of the doubt, mostly because I just didn't know what else to do. He eventually put his hand on my back as we walked, and slowly moved it down, stopping just before getting a full clench of my ass. Line crossed- I'm officially freaked out! I haven't had anything resembling physical interaction since landing in Korea, and this is very much the attention I've been looking for. Problem is, it wasn't exactly from the person I was hoping for. He wants to see me again, but truthfully, I'm not sure I'm ready for a second date.

Change of Events

I'm sure most of you have noticed that in my last few blogs I've had very little to say without complaining. I felt that one publication of complaining was enough. At the end of the day, as frustrated as I may be about things at work, I still get to have exciting experiences, learn about new cultures, and begin to understand why people in this part of the world behave they way they do.

All that being said, it appears as though my days at Maple Bear are limited. After a short discussion with my director today, it seems that not only will she grant me the release letter that teachers require if they want to change employers (I was considering moving to Japan if they didn't let me leave), but she will also assist me in any way she can to help me find a job that will make me happy, including talking with other directors.

Leaving Maple Bear is about an easy a decision as it was for me to leave my last job at Corel. Not easy at all! Aside from the friends I've made, who I can still keep in contact with, the hardest part is leaving my lenient schedule of a mere 17 hours per week and leaving my sweet apartment. I think people who know me best though, know that I'm a bit of a workaholic and would rather work 50 hours of fulfilling work than meager hours of unfulfilling work. Also, as much as I don't want to leave my sweet loft behind, I know I can live in any conditions. I did survive for 2 months in hostels, parks, and train/bus stations.

As of right now nothing is definite, though I'd say there's about an 80% chance that I'll be moving on to another job in Seoul, and if my current boss, Clara has anything to say about it, in the same area of Mokdong. Clara started at Maple Bear about a month ago. She's really nice, easy to talk to, and has a lot of experience teaching (though I'm not sure much experience with preschool/kindergarten). On the business side of things though, I feel like I could run the company (Maple Bear Mokdong) better. Of course I wouldn't be a very good business student if I didn't feel that way. It's unfortunate how much this place is considered a business before it's considered an educational institution.

On Sunday, since I had too much paperwork to do, I decided my outing for the weekend would be to just go to the local park and read my book "Bloodletting & Miraculous Curses" (Canadian Publication). I bumped into my boss there. She was very stressed about her new job. It was a Sunday and she was just on her way home from work. She explained to me, trying to make me feel sorry for her, for among many things, how much her family was frustrated with her working so many hours and not seeing her, how frustrated she was that none of the teachers were following the lesson plans and how the reputation of the school was very poor (I told you before that this school is a joke). My feelings at the time (and still are), my family sees me even less. If none of the teachers (including myself) don't follow the given lesson plans, there must be a reason for it (I can give you three). It's much easier to follow a lesson plan than it is to come up with one on your own. Plus, on account that this isn't my career and I will never have full residency in this country, why do I care about the reputation of your school more than my wellbeing? Shouldn't you try to regain a good reputation through a good rapport with teachers. Having to deal with this on my day off sent me over the edge. It's not that I can't sympathize with my boss, but if she wants to get some guilt out of me, the least she can do is consider the position I'm coming from. Still, when discussions came of me possibly leaving, she was very fair and very professional, and I respect that.

At this point I don't know what the future lies for me. I would expect that I'll find a job teaching either high school or adults in Seoul. There's possibilities of me leaving Korea too. I'm sure there'll be a change though, and hopefully I can begin to really enjoy myself here, the way I've heard so many other people have been able to.

I have pictures

I didn't publish anything last week, and for that I apologize. This week I'm going to make up for last week's negligence with pictures.

School



The front desk. Eli is displaying the Korean enthusiasm for peace that Asians seem they need to express in pictures. Eli is one of a few people to have left Maple Bear a month after I started. I miss her very much. She was one of the few people who appreciated my stupidity. One the phone is my new boss. She's very nice, and unlike my old boss, she actually cares. Sometimes her caring means more work for us though. I'm confident she'll make Maple Bear Mokdong less of a joke than it is today.


Lunchtime in Turquoise Bear. Why they call this classroom Turquoise Bear instead of Green Bear is beyond anybody. Some of the Korean TAs have a difficult time pronouncing the word turquoise, there's just no chance for the kids. This is Kim's class, however, she is forced to share the room with me. I also have classes in White Bear (not pictured).

The great thing about lunch time is that it is provided by Maple Bear. Even though I don't start my classes till 14:00, I always make sure I'm in before noon so I can enjoy a meal of rice, soup, vegetables, meats and seafood. Since I don't have class, I don't have to eat my lunch with kids. I get to eat my lunch with the Korean administration staff, which provides me a unique opportunity to talk to Korean adults.

Home Sweet Home



The tall building is where I live, in front of it is a high school. It's an enjoyable walk between home and school. I live in a high class part of Seoul, so most areas do not look like this.


The loft feels quite big because of the high ceilings in the main area. The bedroom only has 1.5 meter (4.5 feet) high ceilings, so I only use it for sleeping. The Canada flag makes me smile, but it also helps stop some light shine on my face in the morning. The window is massive and the blinds are thin. I love my window, just not in the mornings.














The washing machine under the stove is a weird idea to me. The floor gets dirtiest under the stove, so if I happen to drop my clothes taking it out of the washer, they'll immediately get stained. I like not having to pay for laundry though. The rail provides me a nice place to hang my clothes to dry. I just have to remember not to cook fish while my clothes are drying.



I quite enjoy the view of the high school and McDonald's from my window. The gray building in front of McDonald's is where three other teachers live. I've seen one of the rooms in there. It's quite nice, but they don't have 15 foot ceilings or talking doors. They do have an island in the kitchen and a couch though. Still, I feel like I got the nicest place. All the other teachers are in a very ghetto area of Seoul with very small apartments. The area they live in is pretty cool though, just because it's very lively, has a nice little market, and everything is cheaper there.



Mokdong has over 500 schools of various types. The building adjacent to me has a school from the fifth floor up to the eighth. I don't know what kind of school it is, but it can't be a good one, because they still use green chalk boards instead of the less messy white boards. At night when the lights are on I can see clearly into their windows. Usually there's classes running till about 22:00. This makes me wonder if the students ever get distracted from their long day of studies when they see me walking around my apartment. I'm reminded of ugly naked guy in Friends.

Gyeonghuigung Palace


Gyeonghuigung Palace is the only palace I've seen so far. It's one of the smaller palaces here, but it was incredible to visit. It has architecture unlike anything I've seen before. It's so simple, yet so effective.


All the buildings within the Palace, with the exception of their roofs, are made from wood. It's clear that the buildings are restored regularly, which makes it difficult to feel like you're in a palace built the 17th century.



What I enjoyed the most about the palace is how empty it was. It adds an element of serenity to the already majestic site. In a city of 10.5 million people,


this is a welcome change of pace. It's also a stark contrast to historical sites in Europe, where often tourists are lined up around the corner to get in.




Street Vendors Are Everywhere


Itaewon is the multicultural part of Seoul. It's the one place where foreigners out number Koreans, and where English is wildly spoken. It's where foreigners go to drink at night and shop during the day. I went once, and I'm sure I'll go back, but I don't imagine it will be anytime soon. I took one picture in Itaewon, just outside the subway station. It's of a vendor selling ripped copies of DVDs. The sign reads: Warning! This area is a special designated public facility. All vending activity is absolutely prohibited here! Any foreign and/or domestic vendor found violating this order, will be Severely punished according to the law.


FC Seoul 0 - 2 FC Suwon

Tim was nice enough to take Dan and myself to a soccer game. It's a mere $7 to get in, and just $3 more for a beer. I can't think of a better way to spend a Sunday afternoon. The season is just starting, so I'm sure I'll be able to enjoy many more games.

The stadium is a World Cup stadium holding 65,000 people, so when FC Seoul get an attendance of 40,000 people the stadium looks empty. Still, people are noisy, and everyone has a good time, regardless of the score.



The Suwon fans came in numbers. They were louder and enthusiastic and almost made wish I was sitting with them. Suwon is about an hour from me via subway, and they have some historic city walls that I would like to see. I am quite sure I'll go see a game there, because their home games are sure to be a blast.


On the home side we're holding up pieces of construction paper to provide an neat aerial view. I have no idea how cool it looked, but I assume it looked a bit like the the Suwon picture.









After the game, this girl wanted a picture with me. Of course this meant that she had to display her love for peace, because that's just what they do. This is very much the kind of attention that I love. Dan felt left out, but I was eating it up. Another girl told me I look like Thiery Henry, one of the best players in the world. I only assume that meant she was attracted to me. I think soccer games might be the best place to meet girls. I just need to learn to talk to them. I guess I now how a reason to try and learn one of the most difficult languages in the world.

Blogging On A Saturday Night

The Umbrella Corporation is Starting with Seoul
It's raining today. As much as I dislike rain, I know how much better it is than the immaculate amounts of snow that breaking records in Ottawa. Lucky for me, the last teacher that lived here left me a nice umbrella. I've never actually used an umbrella before, but I thought the idea of not having cold rain drip down my bald head seemed great. As I began walking to school, I realised how great this invention truly is. It's almost like its not raining at all; as far as my head is concerned. I quickly noticed how many other people were smart like me and staying dry under their wonderful umbrellas. Then I noticed how many people were ignorant to the umbrella, like I used to be.... none! Actually, of all th people I saw as I walked to school, which was well over a hundred, there was one single person who didn't have an umbrella. I understand that people using umbrellas is a very normal, but the sight of all these umbrellas everywhere just made me giggle like the school girls in uniform who were piling into the high school next to me. All of them dry under their umbrellas.

It's Like Going to Costco
Most of my classes are short, so we don't get snack or lunch time like the other classes have. Saturdays are the exception. We get a snack time, and this is the one time when the kids show you how great they are. Even the little hell raisers that I yell at all day want to share some of their snack with me. It's like when you go to Costco and they have samples in every isle. You nibble on a little of everything until you're full, buy nothing, then go home. I get to try some pretty neat food, but sometimes I am forced to eat things I just don't enjoy, for example tomatoes. Today though, I had to eat sushi. I do not like sushi. Not only do I not like sushi, I don't even like people like sushi. I ate it though, what could I do. Any sushi lovers reading this: YOU OWE ME!

Week 3

I have now been in Seoul for 3 weeks, though I feel like I've been here for several months. As far as I know, the there's nothing that exists beyond the 1km stretch between work and home. On most days I begin work at 09:00 and finish at 19:00, sometimes without breaks. By the time I get home, I'm mentally and physically exhausted. I usually just eat, watch a movie and go to bed. I spend my weekends preparing lessons for the upcoming week, and doing a little cleaning in my apartment. I feel like I came all the way to the other side of the world just to be back at Corel. Before I came I heard so much about people having a great time teaching English overseas, but right now I'm failing to see how this is going to be a good time for me. It's not just me though, the other teachers don't exactly seem to be having a blast either. The one thing stopping me from looking for another job here is that my hours are supposed to be drastically reduced next month. Hopefully then I'll have some time and energy to see a little of the city and begin enjoying myself.

As far as my classes are going, I have some good days and bad days. I hit a low on Thursday when for two hours I had to deal with kids constantly bickering, getting up and leaving class, and a little girl crying at the top of her lungs. I don't really blame her though, I'd probably cry if i was the smallest kid in that class. I've talked to other teachers about these kids and they seem to just not respect foreign teachers. Of course, their teacher last year had a TA to help her. I really don't know why they feel I don't need TAs, but if things keep up, I will demand one and possibly leave if I don't get one.

To end on a positive note, the people here seem to be really friendly. Though English isn't common, there's usually somebody willing to help you when they notice you looking lost or confused. I had heard mixed reviews on the locals before I had arrived, but my experience so far has been very positive. I still maintain that this is a very easy place to live. At least my neighbourhood is, as it might be the most affluent in neighbourhood in Seoul. I don't really miss much from back home, especially after hearing how much snow has fallen on Ottawa. Aside from the people closest to me, the only thing I really miss is a sofa. I'm considering trading my elliptical machine for a good sofa to lie down on.

Go Forth And You Shall Be Known As Emily

One of the greatest challenges to new surroundings is remembering peoples names. I've taught 8 different classes in a week so I think I can be excused with forgetting the names of the children for now. There are only 7 foreign teachers at the school, including myself, so I think a week is enough time that I should know all of my co-workers' names. Still, for reasons unknown I've been calling everyone Emily. It started with Kim then quickly moved on to Elizabeth and eventually spread like frogs had just fallen from the skies. I don't know any Emily's, and the names aren't even close enough for me to be constantly making the mistakes. Still, Emily, if you're out there, I just want you to know that I'm thinking of you. Also, please send pics.

Most Koreans have English names, but contrary to my assumptions their Korean names do not translate into English. The children actually get to choose their own English names. When I learned this I started thinking about how cool it would have been if I got to choose my own name when I was little and what I probably would have chosen. I would probably have a bland name like James or Gordon. These kids are clearly smarter than I was though... at least Dragon and Slime are.

In my class of 4 year olds, it's quite common for students to not have an English name yet. This makes it considerably more difficult to remember the kids, but I still try my best. Before my first class on Saturday, as the little people slowly filled the room and the tension of the nervous children grew, Dawn approached me telling me that one little girl didn't have an English name and her mother wanted us to name her. Initially I was quite overwhelmed, this is quite the responsibility. Then began to get excited, I actually get to name something more important than a plant (no disrespect Ashley). Deciding on the name, I asked the little girl what she thought of Emily. Her face lit up and so did my heart. I love my special little Emily.

Korea: Week 1

I arrived in Korea on Sunday. So much has happened in the last week, I don’t know where to start. I’ve been so busy, I haven’t had the time to record the many thoughts I’ve endured, however I will attempt to relive them here without boring you. I should warn you right away, however, there’s much to be said, to this entry will not be brief.

I arrived in Seoul Sunday evening. I was picked up at the airport with Dan, a fellow teacher who is also from Ottawa. I was fortunate enough to meet Dan in Ottawa before we left. I really like him. When we got here only one room was ready, so Dan and I shared a very small bachelor for the first few nights, and I slept on the sofa. This was slightly frustrating only because they pressured us so much to at a certain date, but when we do finally arrive, they’re not ready for us. I eventually moved into a very nice loft that could make any young professional jealous. I am very fortunate to have such a nice place, as Dan’s place is not nearly as nice. I also think I may have a crush on my door. When I am lonely I talk with her. I don’t understand what she is saying, but she sounds very sexy.

After arriving Sunday evening I spoke with my boss on the phone and she informed me I would not be starting work till Tuesday. She wanted me to come to school on Monday just so she could meet me, which is completely understandable. I was anxious to get to school for the same reason. When I got to school in the morning though, they told me I would be subbing for a class. No prep, nothing, just thrown into a pit of lions. This is considerably more difficult than you might think. I’d rather swim with piranhas then have to do that again.

So immediately after landing, I worked my day off. This means six straight days of work without a chance to deal with jetlag, cultural differences, and not having a bed.… Welcome to Korea. The job itself is the most challenging job I’ve ever had. The children lack anything that could even resemble discipline. I teach children anywhere from 4 to 8 years old. Preparation is the key to success, however, everything I seemed to have prepared has failed, and I have struggled to control many of my classes. I’ve already had to yell at one of my classes. I scared the shit out of them, but it was the only way they would listen, though they continued to kick, scream, throw, hit each other and disrupt the class with obnoxious noises.

I’ve been very fortunate with a light teaching schedule, however all the other teachers get Korean Teaching Assistants (TAs). For the most part, I don’t get to benefit from their hard work. The TAs are all fantastic people, great with the children and like most Koreans they work extremely hard. I do have the help from a TA for my young Saturday classes though. My TA, Dawn is fantastic. She’s like that cute girl in the Japanese movies with the annoying high pitch voice. I find the combination of the high pitch voices with the silly language kind of endearing. I love Dawn though. She is very smart, helpful and incredible with the kids. When it comes to teaching 4 year olds who don’t speak a word of English, Dawn is the Ying to my Yang. I wouldn’t trade her for the world.

Adjusting to life in Korea has not been very difficult so far. I am very indifferent about being here. I’m not nearly as excited as I was about Europe, though I’m not regretting coming here. I haven’t had the time to see much of Seoul yet. Today was my first day off and I spent it unpacking, cleaning and preparing for class. I feel like the city is difficult to love. There’s tall buildings and concrete everywhere, combined with colourful lights. There is very little grass, trees or anything green. Even when it’s sunny here there’s never any need for sunglasses as the smog provides shade for even the most sensitive eyes. In general though, the city lacks the character or charm that I experienced everywhere in Europe, and I’ve come to appreciate in Ottawa. Hopefully after seeing more of the city I will be convinced otherwise.

Conveniences make the city easy to live in. There are small stores everywhere and many are open quite late. Though most people in the stores do not speak English, they are usually very helpful and pleasant. In addition to stores, in the evening the streets become littered with vendors offering great deals on fresh fish, clothes, shoes and Korean street food, among many other things. I haven’t tried any of the street food yet, because I’m trying to avoid grease right now, but Korean food is delicious. Advice for anyone who plans to come to Korea: Learn to eat spicy food and learn to use chopsticks. The food is spicy even for me, and I generally enjoy a lot of spicy food. Though forks do exist here, you’re not often given the option. They give you one or the other. I suppose you could survive on McCrap or fried chicken as they can easily be found. Though most places are Korean, it’s not difficult to find corporate America. There’s even a Roots store (Canadian clothing company) in the mall close to me. There’s a very big mix of Korean and Western culture which is probably why all the teachers are finding it quite easy to adapt to living here.

A few random things I’ve noticed while here:
Though drivers pass on the right, pedestrians typically pass on the left.
Drivers do not yield to pedestrians, even at crosswalks.
Churches are in normal tall buildings indicated by red glowing crosses. Do not try to use these crosses as reference points. You will get even more lost.
Appearance is everything. Even cars are polished regularly. Every single car looks shiny and new.
Unlike China or Europe, cars are large like in North America, maybe even larger. SUVs are common, though minivans are not.
Kids are easily frightened by me as I do not look like everyone else. Sometimes I’m the first time they’ve seen someone that isn’t “black hair, and ….” It’s funny how they trail off after that. I do have black hair too!
Bowing is important, but often a head nod passes as a bow.

Note: In the interest of posting something for you to read as quickly as possible, I did not properly edit this publication. As a result you may find this to be long winded and/or poorly written. I do apologies for that.