Quirks, powerpoints, and burritos

Today I was accosted by a group of high school girls who wanted to tell me how small my face was.  Yes.  It went a little something like this: I was returning from grocery shopping – about a five minute walk.  My local grocery store charges about three cents for the shopping bags here, so I naturally stuffed my items into my hefty purse. I had a bag of potatoes that didn't fit into my purse which I tucked under my winter coat, and stiffly pinned to my side with my arm.  It was not at all awkward looking.  A group of gorgeous high school girls (maybe eight) watched me approach, and one of them called out a friendly "Hi."   Not my photo "Hello," I replied smiling.  The hi/hello thing is pretty common...

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Of coffee, men and countries (but mostly TCKs)

This morning I used the excuse of not owning a coffee maker (is that what they're called?) to get out of a date.  I knew not being a coffee person would one day reap rewards. And yes, "I don't have a coffee maker" is a lame excuse to not meet up with someone, especially when I could have pulled the boyfriend card – but really, who invites themselves over to your place for coffee after talking to you for three minutes? Yes, that was a lot of italics.  This just got real. I have always been a compulsive truth enhancer, because it tends to make life easier.  When I lived in the States, I tended to field the "where are you from" question (a TCK favorite) with my pick of whatever state I happened to not be in, but happened to...

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The E2 Health Exam for English Teachers in Korea

The E2 Health Check. What is it? In order to get your ARC (Alien Residence Card), and complete the legal requirements for the E2 visa (the one year visa given to foreign language instructors), you need to take a health exam upon arrival.  It's a pretty basic physical that took me about 25 minutes to complete. Before the test: - Fast. At certain locations, you will be required to fast for eight hours before taking the exam. I went to a hospital in Geumchon and they made me come back because I hadn't fasted.  When I returned and passed the exam, I fasted from food but not liquids. - Don't take medication beforehand. Whatever you do, DON'T consume anything dodgy the night/week before.  Obviously don't do any drugs, but also DON'T take sleep medication the night...

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Day 23 - Welcoming my new co-teacher

My new co-teacher started working with me this last Monday, the 19th.  If you recall, I wasn't too excited about switching from my previous co-teacher. He was the first person I met in Korea (besides the enthusiastic taxi driver), and we had worked well together. Also, he had ten years of teaching experience and has been at my school for a few years. She is new to the area, to the school, and the teaching profession. As in, very new to the teaching profession. As in, a 22-year-old who graduated in February. Not that I mind – but it's my role to be the confused newbie. I need help navigating the area, the school, and the classroom. Or I thought I did. (OK, literal navigation, yes, I definitely do.) During the final days before my move,...

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Photos - My first weekend in Seoul

On my first weekend here, I went with a Meetup group on a hike along Namsan Fortress Wall.  I had been in the country for three days and was jet lagged and disoriented (my body decided to wake up for the hike at 4:30 in the morning:P), but I wanted to meet people and be productive, so I went.  On the meetup description, it said the hike would be 3.4 km.  I quickly googled "How many km do you walk in an hour" and discovered that the hike would be about 45 minutes.  No problem.  "Lies!" I believe was shouted out halfway through the decidedly not 3.4 km hike. It was much longer, and mostly uphill. Ah, but it was nice to get some exercise, speak in English and see the city. Click photo to enlarge. ...

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