I wrote in an earlier post that April was a tumultuous month, but I had no idea what the end of June had in store; my first real heart break.
Very uncharacteristically, I fell fast and hard for the Brazilian I was dating. (Yes, the fact that he was from Brazil and had an adorable accent was a huge part of the appeal)
It turns out that all those cliché sayings about love are true; like the one that says “love is blind.” I knew that we were doomed from the start, but I didn’t care about the future because he made me so ecstatically happy.
Long story short, he broke my heart, and it’s been a rough two weeks. Luckily, I have made some really solid female friends here, and they have helped talk sense into me and distract me when necessary. Most of my friends have already been through something like this (I am 26 after all) and have told me the things I need to hear.
One e-mail from a friend back home has been particularly helpful, and I’ve gone back and read it several times when I’ve felt sad. She said that it may take time before I feel good again, but it will work out in the end. She reminded me of how lucky I am to have the freedom at this point in my life to travel and meet new people and experience new things. I felt better after the reminder that she (and others back home in relationships) are living vicariously through me.
As much as it hurt, I’m happy I am where I am right now. So far in my life, in spite of all my anxiety about the future, things have worked out for the best and they will continue to… I just need to have faith that when the time is right, “it” will happen. In the meantime, I will experience a lot, even if it means heartbreak.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Sunday, June 7, 2009
My Birthday in Korea
My desk when I arrived at school Friday morning
Poster that Minjung's homeroom made me
My mini-party during 1st period
Dinner & Wine with my foreign teacher friends
My friends Ashley & Vicky got me a present pack that included a Boys before Flowers Poster
...and chocolate-covered kimchi!
They also bought me a cake
Needless to say, it was a very happy birthday. I felt very thankful for all the people in my life, back home and here in Korea.
Poster that Minjung's homeroom made me
My mini-party during 1st period
Dinner & Wine with my foreign teacher friends
My friends Ashley & Vicky got me a present pack that included a Boys before Flowers Poster
...and chocolate-covered kimchi!
They also bought me a cake
Needless to say, it was a very happy birthday. I felt very thankful for all the people in my life, back home and here in Korea.
Taryn's Korean Adventure gets an extension
I purposely haven’t posted much on here lately, because it finally came down to the moment where I had to decide whether or not to renew my contract, and rather than feeling confident in my decision to stay, my feelings about Korea and my current job changed drastically from one moment to the next. Even after telling my school I was going to re-sign, I was looking at jobs on Dave’s ESL Café during my prep periods.
The end of April was especially rough. I came down with a wicked case of tonsillitis plus a sinus infection, so bad that the doctor literally went “whoa!” when he looked in my throat. He wanted to admit me to the hospital for 3 days, but I thought that was kind of unnecessary. During those five miserable days I was cooped up in my apartment in pain, I hated Korea with every fiber of my being.
You may be wondering, why is it Korea’s fault that you were sick? If you remember my post from when I went to the hospital back in December, it’s the same reason: I feel like the germ situation is out of control in this city.
I read up on tonsillitis and the Mayo Clinic website lists the following under “prevention:”
“The germs that cause viral and bacterial tonsillitis are contagious. Frequent hand washing is the best way to prevent all kinds of infections, including tonsillitis. Wash your hands often, and encourage your children to do the same.
Other common-sense precautions apply, too. Cough or sneeze into your elbow or a tissue. Don't share drinking glasses or eating utensils. Avoid close contact with anyone who's sick.”
I’m basically exposed to all of the above on a daily basis.
In Korea:
• People don’t wash their hands (not with soap or warm water anyway)
• People cough and sneeze all over each other
• People come to work sick
• People share food. (Typically there is a serving dish that everyone eats out of with chopsticks.)
Hmmm…I love how the volunteer translator at the hospital (she recognized me when I came in, since I am a frequent patron) recommended that I “get plenty of exercise.” I told her I do, and that I don’t usually get sick this often, it’s just in Korea.
She said…”the weather is different here.” Koreans always attribute my health problems to completely unrelated things like exercise and the weather, when the real problem is the rampant germs in this city and the poor hygiene habits of people I’m in constant contact with.
However, my friend Sarah is going on her second year as a teacher in Korea, and she said that her first year, she got sick all the time as well. This year, she hasn’t really gotten sick at all. So I’m hoping that my body has built up a tolerance to the germs and this will be my last hospital visit for a while.
As for the next year, I ended up renewing my contract after all, so my Korean adventure is getting an extension. I wasn’t excited about it at first, because the school system and some cultural things were really getting to me, but I’m feeling much better about the decision lately. I’ve talked to people who have been in Korea for a few years now, and most of them said that they definitely went through an anti-Korea phase at about 8-9 months, which is where I am right now. They also asked if I’d gone home to visit yet, which I haven’t, and they said I’d feel a lot better once I’d had a chance to visit home.
I think they are right. It has been far too long since I’ve seen my family, but I’ll see them in about 10 weeks. My two weeks of home leave were approved for August, and they also gave me another 2 weeks off for my sister’s wedding in the beginning of October. I lucked out and it fell on the same week as midterms, so I don’t have to miss much teaching time.
The October dates aren’t set in stone yet, but the August ones are: I’ll be home August 9th – 21st, and I can’t wait!
Things at work are also getting better. I’m administering a speaking test right now to all 400 sophomores, and I think it’s really good for them to get the one-on-one speaking time with me, which is usually impossible with the way the schedule is set up. We also have about 5 weeks of school left in the first semester and then 5 weeks of summer break.
Additionally, I think my coteacher Minjung realized how homesick I’ve been lately, and so she made sure my birthday on Friday was special and celebrated at school and I felt very loved. I’ll put some pictures up in another post.
So to conclude, it’s been a tumultuous month or so in terms of my feelings about Korea, but I’m here for another year and feeling pretty good about it.
The end of April was especially rough. I came down with a wicked case of tonsillitis plus a sinus infection, so bad that the doctor literally went “whoa!” when he looked in my throat. He wanted to admit me to the hospital for 3 days, but I thought that was kind of unnecessary. During those five miserable days I was cooped up in my apartment in pain, I hated Korea with every fiber of my being.
You may be wondering, why is it Korea’s fault that you were sick? If you remember my post from when I went to the hospital back in December, it’s the same reason: I feel like the germ situation is out of control in this city.
I read up on tonsillitis and the Mayo Clinic website lists the following under “prevention:”
“The germs that cause viral and bacterial tonsillitis are contagious. Frequent hand washing is the best way to prevent all kinds of infections, including tonsillitis. Wash your hands often, and encourage your children to do the same.
Other common-sense precautions apply, too. Cough or sneeze into your elbow or a tissue. Don't share drinking glasses or eating utensils. Avoid close contact with anyone who's sick.”
I’m basically exposed to all of the above on a daily basis.
In Korea:
• People don’t wash their hands (not with soap or warm water anyway)
• People cough and sneeze all over each other
• People come to work sick
• People share food. (Typically there is a serving dish that everyone eats out of with chopsticks.)
Hmmm…I love how the volunteer translator at the hospital (she recognized me when I came in, since I am a frequent patron) recommended that I “get plenty of exercise.” I told her I do, and that I don’t usually get sick this often, it’s just in Korea.
She said…”the weather is different here.” Koreans always attribute my health problems to completely unrelated things like exercise and the weather, when the real problem is the rampant germs in this city and the poor hygiene habits of people I’m in constant contact with.
However, my friend Sarah is going on her second year as a teacher in Korea, and she said that her first year, she got sick all the time as well. This year, she hasn’t really gotten sick at all. So I’m hoping that my body has built up a tolerance to the germs and this will be my last hospital visit for a while.
As for the next year, I ended up renewing my contract after all, so my Korean adventure is getting an extension. I wasn’t excited about it at first, because the school system and some cultural things were really getting to me, but I’m feeling much better about the decision lately. I’ve talked to people who have been in Korea for a few years now, and most of them said that they definitely went through an anti-Korea phase at about 8-9 months, which is where I am right now. They also asked if I’d gone home to visit yet, which I haven’t, and they said I’d feel a lot better once I’d had a chance to visit home.
I think they are right. It has been far too long since I’ve seen my family, but I’ll see them in about 10 weeks. My two weeks of home leave were approved for August, and they also gave me another 2 weeks off for my sister’s wedding in the beginning of October. I lucked out and it fell on the same week as midterms, so I don’t have to miss much teaching time.
The October dates aren’t set in stone yet, but the August ones are: I’ll be home August 9th – 21st, and I can’t wait!
Things at work are also getting better. I’m administering a speaking test right now to all 400 sophomores, and I think it’s really good for them to get the one-on-one speaking time with me, which is usually impossible with the way the schedule is set up. We also have about 5 weeks of school left in the first semester and then 5 weeks of summer break.
Additionally, I think my coteacher Minjung realized how homesick I’ve been lately, and so she made sure my birthday on Friday was special and celebrated at school and I felt very loved. I’ll put some pictures up in another post.
So to conclude, it’s been a tumultuous month or so in terms of my feelings about Korea, but I’m here for another year and feeling pretty good about it.
Monday, June 1, 2009
June 1st, 2009
Normally Mondays are one of my more chaotic teaching days, but lately the teachers haven't been showing up for my afternoon conversation classes, (many complained that they were intimidated or that the material I used was too hard, but not to my face of course...) so today I have the afternoon free to work on my TEFL. Yes, the same TEFL I've been "working on" for 7 months now. I only have two units left and a final paper, but like I said earlier, it continually gets pushed to the bottom of my priority list.
Here is one reason why. Unit 18 is about "Using Technology in the Language Classroom." Sounds like a relevant, useful chapter, right? Wrong. The Unit describes various tools used in the classroom over the years. Anyone who has ever set foot in a classroom in their lives could have written this chapter, and yet it is supposed to be a "graduate" level course. I beg to differ.
Let's hear what scintillating things they have to say about chalkboards:
"As a general rule, the chalkboard has served as the main tool used by the instructor to write down important facts and figure [spelling error] which can be utilized by the learner."
I always wondered why they put those things in the classroom! Seriously, shoot me.
Next up, "DVD and Video Player/Recorders!" Woo-hoo!
Here is one reason why. Unit 18 is about "Using Technology in the Language Classroom." Sounds like a relevant, useful chapter, right? Wrong. The Unit describes various tools used in the classroom over the years. Anyone who has ever set foot in a classroom in their lives could have written this chapter, and yet it is supposed to be a "graduate" level course. I beg to differ.
Let's hear what scintillating things they have to say about chalkboards:
"As a general rule, the chalkboard has served as the main tool used by the instructor to write down important facts and figure [spelling error] which can be utilized by the learner."
I always wondered why they put those things in the classroom! Seriously, shoot me.
Next up, "DVD and Video Player/Recorders!" Woo-hoo!
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Fed Up
I was a little hasty in announcing that I'm staying on another year.
I'm currently in negotiations with my school and SMOE. If I don't get what I'm asking for, (2 weeks home leave in August and a week in October for my sister's wedding) I'm not signing any contract and will be back in the U.S. in September, probably subbing.
At one time that seemed the least attractive option, but right now I would be okay with that. There have been a few points this year where I thought I would have to be certifiably insane to stay another year in my current position, and today is one of them.
I'm sick of all the BS. Sometimes I just want to be a teacher, not a walking grammar book and cultural ambassador. I'm sick of having no power, no authority, and having to work within the super-confining Korean school system. I'm sick of having no freedom.
Ideally I wanted to work at either an International School here in Seoul or go to Japan this fall, but because my sister is getting married the first weekend in October, something I absolutely cannot miss, that doesn’t really work out. Even if they gave me that time off in October, they probably wouldn’t also grant me two weeks to visit my family in August. I haven’t seen them in 9 months and I can’t wait until October. 2 months from now seems long enough; I wish I was home right now. My cousin April just had her second baby, my brothers are growing faster than Chia Pets, and I just miss everyone in general.
I told my co-teacher (the poor woman is the liaison between me and the non-English speaking powers that be) that I want to stay but I’m not signing anything unless I get the 2 weeks in August (it’s in the contract) and the time off for my sister’s wedding (not in the contract). She thinks it’s hopeful, but they like to tell me one thing and then change it 12 times, so who knows. (One of many annoying things about the schools here)
I'll keep you posted.
My sister Natalie and our new cousin Kevin Timothy, born May 12, 2009
I'm currently in negotiations with my school and SMOE. If I don't get what I'm asking for, (2 weeks home leave in August and a week in October for my sister's wedding) I'm not signing any contract and will be back in the U.S. in September, probably subbing.
At one time that seemed the least attractive option, but right now I would be okay with that. There have been a few points this year where I thought I would have to be certifiably insane to stay another year in my current position, and today is one of them.
I'm sick of all the BS. Sometimes I just want to be a teacher, not a walking grammar book and cultural ambassador. I'm sick of having no power, no authority, and having to work within the super-confining Korean school system. I'm sick of having no freedom.
Ideally I wanted to work at either an International School here in Seoul or go to Japan this fall, but because my sister is getting married the first weekend in October, something I absolutely cannot miss, that doesn’t really work out. Even if they gave me that time off in October, they probably wouldn’t also grant me two weeks to visit my family in August. I haven’t seen them in 9 months and I can’t wait until October. 2 months from now seems long enough; I wish I was home right now. My cousin April just had her second baby, my brothers are growing faster than Chia Pets, and I just miss everyone in general.
I told my co-teacher (the poor woman is the liaison between me and the non-English speaking powers that be) that I want to stay but I’m not signing anything unless I get the 2 weeks in August (it’s in the contract) and the time off for my sister’s wedding (not in the contract). She thinks it’s hopeful, but they like to tell me one thing and then change it 12 times, so who knows. (One of many annoying things about the schools here)
I'll keep you posted.
My sister Natalie and our new cousin Kevin Timothy, born May 12, 2009
Sunday, May 17, 2009
I don't get it
File this under “things I don’t understand about Koreans.”
I’m at Starbucks right now working on my TEFL course (one of several reasons why I haven’t updated my blog in a while) and just witnessed a near physical fight between two Korean businessmen. They were screaming and hollering at each other and getting in each other’s faces. About 25 minutes later, they walked out of the building shaking hands and smiling like they were best buds.
I really don't understand Koreans sometimes.
I will post a real update once I finish Unit 17. (There are 19 Units total) I signed up for this course in October and am just now finishing it; it's kind of pathetic. It just keeps getting pushed aside though ("I'll finish it over winter vacation...after Cambodia...after Thailand...during mid-term week" etc.) I have to finish it by the end of May though in order to get a the pay raise next year. (I've sort of officially decided to stay another year...more on that later)
I’m at Starbucks right now working on my TEFL course (one of several reasons why I haven’t updated my blog in a while) and just witnessed a near physical fight between two Korean businessmen. They were screaming and hollering at each other and getting in each other’s faces. About 25 minutes later, they walked out of the building shaking hands and smiling like they were best buds.
I really don't understand Koreans sometimes.
I will post a real update once I finish Unit 17. (There are 19 Units total) I signed up for this course in October and am just now finishing it; it's kind of pathetic. It just keeps getting pushed aside though ("I'll finish it over winter vacation...after Cambodia...after Thailand...during mid-term week" etc.) I have to finish it by the end of May though in order to get a the pay raise next year. (I've sort of officially decided to stay another year...more on that later)
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Muuido
It's not all teaching and K-pop for this waeguk. Last weekend a group of us headed west to Muuido, a little island off the coast of Incheon, to celebrate fellow S.M.O.E. Maureen's birthday.
We're on a boat!
There are some really beautiful places in Korea if you get far enough out of Seoul. My first few months here, when I was in my bubble of euphoria, I loved the vastness and the excitement of the city. It's starting to wear on me though. There is a serious lack of nature in Seoul.
We're on a boat!
There are some really beautiful places in Korea if you get far enough out of Seoul. My first few months here, when I was in my bubble of euphoria, I loved the vastness and the excitement of the city. It's starting to wear on me though. There is a serious lack of nature in Seoul.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)