ONE MONTH DOWN....only 11 more to go!!!

Birthday celebrations at work!

My kids- overly enthusiastic about reading apparently...

A sweet Hello Kitty motorcycle...

Shop til ya drop!

SHOEEE ALLEY!!!

Random alley...

MMMMM big steaming pot of BUGS!!

Pot of bugs cooking away and snails in shells....very distinct scent

Well this week was a busy one- what week isn't I suppose...but it was my BIRTHDAY week!! Monday started off dandy...nothing too exciting...I worked late in anticipation for what the week would bring- which ended up being a grand plan. This week was monthly testing and report card time. What this mean is that my afternoon classes on Tuesday and Wednesday would take little exam like tests on the material we covered that month. The only marking I had to do for this was the writing portion- good news. It's bitter sweet because sure for two days you don't teach and have no planning to do, but at the same time you have to do the marking and grading of the papers. I wasn't sure what to expect but all went relatively smooth- I think/hope.

Wednesday was the big day! I actually shared my birthday this year with one of the other teachers who was born on the exact same day and is from Canada as well- weird! My Korean teacher Lina brought me in some homemade Seaweed soup and Mushroom Bulgogi with rice...mmmm..DELICIOUS!! Apparently in Korean culture you eat Seaweed soup on your birthday and it's supposed to bring you good health for the next year? Something to that effect. Whatever the case- it was really good, as was the mushroom bulgogi (meat with mushrooms, garlic, onions all in a fantastic sauce). Lina also brought in a beautiful cake from Paris Baguette- devine. I must say, all things considered, I was very spoiled on my birthday. I got gifts from some of the kids, co-workers and friends and family back home. On my break in the morning when the mail usually arrives there was a big box sitting on my desk!! My second package from home-yay!!! It was a gift from friends, such a kind and thoughtful thing and it couldnt have arrived on a better day!!! Perfect timing! After school that night I went for dinner with the other birthday girl, Ashley. We went to this little place around the corner from work, they call it cutlets? It's these pork cutlets that come all different ways. It was deeeelicious!! You get a big cafeteria style like tray with tons of stuff on it- I ordered the "Lady Set" (yes odd name)....it came with 2 soups, kimchi, pickled root of some sort, rice, a coleslaw like salad and the meat. The meat came 2 ways- one was flattened out and then rolled with cheese, peppers and onions on the inside, coated with this crispy coating...mmmm so good!! The other meat was just plain meat coated in the crispy coating. Great meal! After that Ash and I decided to hit up the pancake in a cup place. I had yet to try these and heard good things about them...they are pancakes filled with warm, gooey goodness (they put sugar and cinnamon inside before they cook them so when they cook the inside melts)...also delicious. Came home that night definitely FULL! Thank you to everyone who made my birthday amazing!! I loved all the posts and messages from people on good old facebook- made me smile!! I miss everyone so much from home!!

Thursday night was cheap night at this Mexican restaurant place so myself and a few of the girls I work with ventured out to give it a try. It's this place called Tomatillos....pretty decent Mexican food for being in Korea!!!! I had a burrito STUFFED with egg, bacon, hashbrowns and all the stuff a normal burrito would have- odd combo to most, but it was GOOD!! We ordered a big pitcher of margarita and relished in our Mexican food- MMMMM. Again- I went to bed that night with a fullll belly.

And then FINALLY the most anticipated day of the week- FRIDAY! Who doesn't love Friday?! It was the month end birthday celebrations day so if you have a child in your class who celebrated a birthday that month there is a party for them (for the morning children, my 4 year olds). Well it was Pink's birthday this month so her mother brought in this huge chocolate cake...ahhh soo good!! All the kids bring in presents and stuff their face with cake (thankfully this is done in the last period, I can only imagine the sugar high these kids are on after mowing through all that cake...). I couldn't believe the amount of cake, sweets, goodies that poured in this day. The teaching office was just full of random junk food- clearly tasted good, but holy. It boggles my mind how Korean people are stick thin?! I wonder if the parents are just trying to plump us Westerners up cause they think we're all over weight anyway?? Haha..who knows. After work on Friday I hit up some shopping with a few lovely ladies, Jean and Meredith. I was able to get a glimpes of what would be in store for me the next day. They have these HUGE shopping areas which are amazing!! The streets are lined with the likes of Forever 21 (may I add it's 4 floors), there is an H&M here plus countless other "American" stores. There are also a lot of neat little stores where you can find some unique things.

Saturday morning I woke up and decided to make some phone calls- I figured it was a good time back home...Friday night. I ended up talking to some people I miss in a bad way. What a great way to kick off the morning! I love calling people and catching them off guard- being able to phone through skype is just genius. It's just a little bit over 2 cents a min!! Insane considering I'm on the other side of the world! I love it, AND to have my own 519 number...greatness! I encourage my friends and family to call me- day or night. Please. If you don't get ahold of me, leave a message! I can also send and recieve texts this way too! I'm still getting used to how it all works- so I apologize for that.

I ended up going shopping ALLL DAYYY Saturday with Marie- a co-worker and her friend who was visiting from home, Tess. Marie showed us around a couple parts of Seoul. We saw some of the market-like areas that house some unique crafts and more souvenier like things. I'm having a hard time buying things for people because I want it to be practical!! I ensure though that before my time is up, everyone will get a little love from Korea. Marie took us all over. We hit up SHOE ALLEY...which for those who know me well, I loveeee shoes!! There are over 10000 pair of shoes there!! Pretty much 85% of them are horribly tacky- I don't know what it is with Koreans and shoes, but I ended up scoring a sweet pair for $15. Nice little flats, super cute!! Next we hit up this department like store with more "high fashion". It was pretty expensive but the stuff was really beautiful!! Unfortuntely my budget doesn't allot for high fashion Korean clothing....not that any of it would fit me anyway- I'm pretty sure the size here averages around the 2 mark?? haha...no joke. We toured around for a bit....I got a good taste of some of the street food- but I have yet to taste any bugs....I'm a bit nervous for that!! After a long hard day shopping I caught a nap before heading out on the town with the ladies! I met some new people, danced my face off and had a great time!! I definitely was bummed about missing out on some pretty sweet people's birthdays back in Windsor....so sad. Missing you like crazy....xo

Weekly news report hot off the press!

Korean street meat consisting of hot dog on a stick coated

with french fries- probably all very low fat and healthy!!

Sue, Jenny, Ashley and Sarah


Ash and I sitting at the sweet little bar that's crazy cool!!

My Little Poplar class

Another week done. This week flewwwww by! Before I knew it, it was Friday- amazing!! School is starting to pick up and it's busy mixed with hectic. Report card time- a monthly thing here. Nothing too intense...I'm hoping the busyness will help time fly by here- yes I'm still sad for home. I just really miss everyone!!! I mean I love it here- work, the people, the places and things I'm doing but it's just not the same without my friends and family.

I had a few great surprises this week!! My week started off with the discovery of 89X online!! Monday morning I tuned in and got ready for work to some sweet music THEN the best surprise- Skyping unexpectedly with some family!!! My mom was calling me and I had just talked to her before I went to bed so I was wondering what was up...low and behold she was at my Aunt Lynda's and so were a few other people I love and miss! Awww...I loved it! So great to see everyone and such a surprise!!! It was so great! I will need that this year to keep me sane!! I also got to see little RJ at his Aunt Diana's this week- what a babe!!

Tuesday I got to school, nothing new. On my one break there was a giant box sitting on my desk- MAIL!!! My first package- ya ya, I know, I've only been here 3 weeks and I'm already getting packages from home. It was a box from my parents. Inside there was Kraft dinner, TOMATO SOUPPPPP, ketchup, birthday card, a towel, makeup and of course- the mouse of sorts. Thanks Mom and Dad!!! I love you sooo much and the Kraft dinner came in handy @ 430am Sunday when I got home...

Well this week was St. Patty's...boooo to that. I can say that mine was just like every other day. Not one thing special happened. I didn't consume green beer, dress in green, sticker myself up, wear crazy clothes with witty sayings- nothing. For those of you who partook in this wonderful day- I hope you thought of me! I'm sad I missed out on the festivities back home...

Friday there was a field trip at school! It was pretty sweet! We went to a play area in Ilsan and the kids went WILD. There were ball pits, mechanical rides, slides, tubes, a train, plus lots more! How no one got hurt I don't know. Kids were flying all over the place! They loved it...fun times!! When we got back to school it was lunch then the kids watched a movie in the afternoon. The parents sent treats in for the kids AND for Lina (my Korean teacher) and I. One thing about Korea- the parents are always sending in little gifts for the teachers. It seems like daily one of the teachers receives something from cakes, candies, juice, etc. For the most part it's food but I've heard stories of teachers getting other gifts as well!! So kind. (Bribery? Perhaps- but I'll take it!!!) ^^-

I finally got my ARC (Alien Registration Card). I will now get PAID!!! YAY!! For those of you who don't know, I only get paid once a month! Yikes! This is very unfortunate...I need to get paid SOON though because I'm down to my last little bit of money....oops!! I will also now be able to get a cell phone- not for calling home but for around here. I'm looking into paying a fee for Skype and apparently I've heard that I'm able to get a Canadian number so it will be a local number (519) for people to call me on their home phones or cells!!! Nice! As soon as I get this number up and running I will spread the word!! It will be nice to hear the voices of those I miss...

This weekend was fun!! Friday night after school I went for Shabu Shabu with Sean, Marie and Nick- fellow teachers. Shabu Shabu is the hot soup you cook at your table in a big pot and you put in these super super thin slices of meat to cook. It's delicious! You then toss in noodles, cook those, eat those AND then they come and throw in rice and cook that for you! It's very spicy and goooooood!! After that I went home and headed over to Merideth's place with Ashley (more teachers!) We headed out to Hongdae (spelling??)....this place I love. It all came back to me- I had been there the weekend before. I wasn't sure the name of the place that I went to last weekend, well it was Hongdae!! This place is packed with young people, streets are lined with stores and bars and restaurants. It's a neat little place! We ended up going to the bar I had been to the weekend before (the Alice and Wonderland like bar). I found it again!! We chilled there for a bit then headed to this other place Ta. One of Ashley's friends was doing this freestyle-ish show. Pretty cool! It ended up being a late night...which was unfortunate because we all had to be up EARLY for an all day workshop for school- ewww. It actually wasn't horrible- they had a great spread for lunch (the highlight)...I also experienced a few new things I had never before. Now this may sound odd to most people that I'm going to talk about this but I was very amazed! Toilets. Yes, toilets. OMG this huge convention centre where we had the workshop (which included all the other Poly schools in Korea- and there are LOTS) had the most high tech toilets I've ever seen. Clearly everything was in Korean but when I sat down IT WAS HEATED!! Haha...ahhhh! There was this like remote handle on the side and it had probably 15 buttons on it. I was scared to push any of them- I didn't really want to know what other features it had....yikes. There was also this thing mounted on the wall of the stall...I had no idea what it was but it looked like a speaker kind of with a button on it. Well later in the day my curiosity got the best of me and when I had gone to the bathroom no one was in there so I decided to push it....well it made this loud flushing like sound. I laughed out loud to myself....it was called the "Royal Etiquette". Apparently it's a sound that's supposed to drown out the sound of....you know "stuff". There is a volume button on it and everything!! Only Korea. I'm still laughing about it.

Well after getting home from the workshop I attempted a snooze because all of us were supposed to go out for mine and Ashley's birthday (which we were both born March 24th, 1984- odd). We ended up heading over to Ilsan- it was a blast!! So nice to have everyone from work together!! This bar was dirt cheap. Brian bought Ashley and I a bottle of tequila so we started dishing out shots- lovely. The Korean teachers surprised Ashley and I with a gift- earrings! It was so kind and thoughtful!! Definitely so so nice!!!!! After a couple hours and a couple more bottles of tequila we headed out to a dance spot. Just a fun fun night!! When I got home, as I previously said, that Kraft dinner came in handy!! I could have gotten delicious street meat- which in Korea consists of Hot Dogs on a stick coated in this deep fried french fries coating, or else you can also get these big rice noodles which kind of resemble gnocchi in size and taste which are coated in a spicy red sauce, or else perhaps some tempura vegetables and an assortment of other things...interesting. I have yet to stumble across the big pan of beetles which are sometimes on street corners for your pleasure. I'm sure at some point I will dabble in that after I've dabbled in cocktails.....Mmmm....bugs. Delish!

MY ADDRESS!!!

Mail can be sent to:

Amanda Wishak

Poly Returnee Educational Institute

HwaJung Campus

7F Daekyung Plaza 2B/D 984-9 Hwajungdong

Dukyanggu Koyangshi Kyunggido

Korea 412-270

***Please email me addresses from back home, I forgot to bring them here with me ):

Have you ever tried to eat macaroni salad with chop sticks?!

My morning class room
Korean teacher Sarah and me with her Canada hoodie

Mee Hye and me out in Seoul

Yummy Korean food!!!

So...week 2 is DONE! The week flewww by!! Great news for me....only 50 more weeks to go! I am starting to get a bit more comfortable here, but I'll admit I'm still too shy to try and speak Korean- even the basics like "Hello" and "Thank you". I'm just awkward about it...

I am saying this, and will probably continue to say this....NOTHING in Korea is the same as home. Take for example TOILET PAPER...Clearly I can't read any of the writing on the packages of ANYTHING here....so who would have known that in Korea they have different SCENTED toilet paper....very disappointing. VERY disappointing...I managed to pick up a lovely Lilac scented kind....I want to throw up everytime I smell it, only 23 more rolls to go!! Great!

I successfully managed to do laundry again- this time I think I mastered the art of hanging...my clothes only took a day to dry!! Yay!!! I'm pretty happy about that! It doesnt look all that attractive in the middle of my room, but hey- it's not like I have anyone coming over or anything? haha...oh sad.

Speaking of sad, this week had it's ups and downs, like most weeks will I'm sure. As sad as I am about being here, everyday is an adventure!! The people at work have been great- extremely helpful and always willing to show me around, answer my questions and offer advice on things. I am thankful that I have them here!! A couple of us went for lunch this week at an all you can eat sushi place for $10. It. Is. AAAAMAZING!! It's a sushi buffet! Wow....super yummy!! There is a salad bar, soups, tons of kinds of sushi, french fries- odd I know, and usually some kind of hot dish (I don't know any of the names of things here...but it's GOOD). Some of us ended up going back a day later for lunch again- I'm sure this will be a regular spot for me! (:

This week one of the teachers hosted a dinner party at her place. She made meat balls, pasta, steamed broccoli, and sauteed zucchini and onions. Everyone chipped in and brought different things- it was great!! There was about 15 people there, most from our school (English & Korean teachers) and a few other people.

As far as school goes- I believe I will always feel overwhelmed about it. It flies by and with teaching a lot of different classes, it's hard to keep track of everything. I like going in early in the mornings though and preparing myself- I need to do this or I would totally fail at it. For those of you who have worked with me before, you know I need to be there early anyway, it's just my thing. This week nothing too crazy happened there. There was an incident where one of the boys in my grade 4 class farted, yes farted, and it sounded like a high pitch whistle....I cried I was laughing so hard. I also turned that embarassingly hideous red colour I sometimes do in awkward situations. I'm pretty sure the kids in class laughed harder at me for laughing so hard I cried. Initially I tried to contain myself, to save the poor kid from being even more embarassed...but that was a failure. Ahh well...it happens?

This weekend was my first of experiencing going out in Seoul....and wow! Did I ever go out!! Friday night after work a couple of us went for dinner, which led to soju and beers, which led to a bar...On the way we ran into someone one of the other teachers knows...he came with us for a drink. I asked him where he was headed that night...he said Seoul. So I asked if I could join...he said yes! He was a great tour guide. We hit up the subway, ended up somewhere (Ok Ok I know this may have not been the smartest decision ever seeing as I 1.Dont have a cell, 2.Dont even know my own address if I were to get lost 3.Was drinking, 4.Was going out with a total stranger?) BUTTTTT sometimes in life you take risks and hope it works out, which it did!! I had a blast!! I met some new people, made some great memories, and checked out some of the night life in Korea...they party hard here, until the sun comes up. Now I realize this is unrealistic to do every weekend- I don't have the drinking capabilities I once had, but every now and then this will be a great thing to dabble in!!! We went to a few different places. One was a club- they played great music there! We sipped cocktails out of a bucket, I got my dance on and I even tried to win some free booze by shooting some hoops- failed. We moved on from there to this other little hot spot and let me tell you- it was insanely amazing!! It was this bar that was like something out of a fairytale movie, like a mystical land. You took off your shoes and roamed through the bar that was like something out of Alice and Wonderland....we sat around this wood stump, drank beers and smoked melon flavoured hooka- yummy! We also ate these little things that tasted like fruit loops. It was a very good thing!!! They asked us to leave at 430am cause they were closing...haha...moving on, we went to another bar (cause apparently I'm a rockstar?). We hung out there for a bit then continued on our journey. Hit up a wannabe schwarma place (I didnt try this- looked wayyy too sketchy for me) and then we cabbed back to Hwajung. I rolled in around 6am....attempted to Facebook and then fast asleep....great night!! Woke up a few hours after that...not a great morning- well worth it though!!!

And the adventure continues.....

*(I just want to give a shout out to my friends and family, I miss you all SOOOO much- thank you for being so supportive! I love you all!)

If anyone wants to send me mail...

The first whole week...done. Only 51 more weeks to go!!

Note the McDonalds, on this block there is also a KFC and Starbucks.
Top left picture is my school, the corner building (kind of hard to tell)

This is "Rodeo" drive (I believe that's what they refer to it as) It's a pedestrian road lined with shops and restaurants, across the street from my apartment
(Above is my apartment building)

OK...so this weekend I've come to a realization...I'm out of shape. Just about a year ago I would have considered myself to be in some what decent shape...apparently that's all changed. Instead of waiting for the, at times, ridiculously long elevator to make it's decent...I decided to climb the stairs to my 8th floor apartment...WOW!! Hahaha...about the 6th floor I came to this realization- me+in shape= no more. I am vowing, solomly from now on I will climb the stairs. However, with that being said under 2 pretenses I will not climb the stairs- extreme inhebriation and carrying groceries. SOOO starting tomorrow my stair journey commences....

This weekend got off to a good start- dinner and drinks with fellow teachers. Dinner was delcious!! As was the soju and beers....after dinner we went to this bar called Bier Garten (Beer Garden)...I'm upset I didnt have my camera- which I will promise to carry with me from now on. The tables at this place had little cooly cups built into the table that you turned on to keep your beers cold- convienent. But the beers weren't normal...you could choose a single, double or triple (not sure if they got bigger than that...). The beer then came in these vase like glasses which were abnormally shaped- again picture would make this clear. Either way, from that bar we were all feeling lovely and decided to hit up the norebong (spelling?). Any guesses on what that entailed????....Kareoke. Yes, Koreans love their Kareoke. You get set up in this little private room complete with a huge couch and big flat screen tv. There is a big remote looking device that you then punch the numbers in for the songs you want. Admittedly I was having a hard time reading the songs initially- soju got the best of me....It was definitely one for the books and for sure a memorable first "night out" in Korea. Perfect ending to my first week at school! The rest of the weekend was low key- I ventured out on several occasions to scope out the area a bit more and take a few pictures...just a few. I'm still a little camera shy- I don't want people to think I'm the paparazzi trying to snap pics of them...I'm afraid some people might be insulted. Either way I will post my pictures....hope you enjoy!! Like the title says, only 51 more weeks until I return to Canada...at this point it can't come fast enough. I'm getting some what homesick... in my attempt to feel a bit better I plastered my apartment with pictures of friends and family. Not too sure if this helped or makes me feel more sad. I know I know....everyone keeps saying NOTHING will change this year when I'm away...but it will! I'll miss out on the Brooklin Fair, The Hoedown, Havelock, Cottage times, Ottawa adventures/Pembroke ones too, Grand Benders, visiting friends around Ontario, crazy nights at Jack Rabbits, summer patios in downtown Windsor, party times in London, the birth of one of my best friends first baby (which I'm telling everyone now I know it's a girl)....amoung many many other fantastic things. There's nothing more that I want right now than to be able to phone up my best friend- gossip about the latest and greatest news....I guess I just have to look at it this way- I'm making new and amazing memories, ones that wouldn't even come close to happening in Canada. I'm meeting people, exploring a culture opposite of my own, battling language barriers AND to top it all off, I'm TEACHING- something I've longed for back home. As many people have put it, I'll just have to keep my chin up! Hopefully, HOPEFULLY at some point or another I'll host visitor(s) from home. I'm already looking forward to when my parents come and I'm definitely looking forward to when another AMAZING couple take the leap and come over to teach in September. I'm sure this year will fly by- but until then I'll take comfort in the little things- like McFlurry's which p.s. are delicious here, FINALLY something that tastes like home. (please note the different flavours: green tea McFlurry, chocolate berry, oreo and CHOCOLATE oreo....A little piece of heaven).....xo (p.s. I'm still getting used to this blogging thing....don't mind the pictures at the top- next time I'll know better)

First week is almost over...

Tomorrow is Friday- pretty pumped about that. No not because I have hot plans for the weekend...but so I can just have a day to myself!! No chaotic children screaming and running around- although I admit they are extremely cute. I'm sure by Sunday I will be wishing I was back at school. You see, I don't know what I'm going to do with myself this weekend...I'm sure I could travel to meet one of my fellow Canadian teachers somewhere, wherever they may be in Korea- but I'm a little nervous to travel out of here....my little comfort zone. (I'm still getting used to crossing the crazy roads here..) The subway is easy and in English...but I'm scared! I've only been within the couple of blocks that are around my house, with the except of my sweeeeeet trip to Costco last night, which by the way...was amazing! Who knows what this weekend will bring...I'm sure I'll update after it's over....

SOOOOOooo the first week. Well it was definitely eye opening! Yes the booger incident was thus far an isolated one...thankfully!! But what I didn't realize is that I would be teaching many grade levels, many different subjects. I thought I signed up for 4 year olds...which I do have, but until 210pm...after that it's a toss up. HOWEVER, that being said- I actually enjoy my afternoons much better!! I get to teach grades 1, 2 and 4. (Science, reading, grammar, DEBATE?!) The kids are great! Sure there are the "trouble makers"- the ones that say things like (and this is quoting them...) "Hey Miss, this class isn't called Birch class, it's called Bitch class" (each room is a different tree name..) or else how about the child that, when I turned my back said "F*ck you"....ahhhh the sweet children. Hahaha...no worries- I stomped on both of them. I'm sure I possibly even made a kid or two pee their pants, but they now know that just because I'm new, does NOT mean I'm easy or naive. I know how they roll- they will take advantage of the easy teachers, chew you up and spit you out- but hey, what kid wouldn't?? So ya- school is good, but busy!! Which has it's ups and downs...long days go by fast making Canada that much closer- but then again, I do love aspects of it here!!! Bittersweet...

Yes, as I'm constantly being reminded, I have yet to take a picture outside my apartment...I know people are eager to see what I see each day- so I promise, if I do nothing else this weekend it will be get some pictures! Not to mention I bought a sweet new camera for my journey and really need to put it to use!!

Ok a few side notes....COSTCO!!! A little bit of Western comfort right here in Korea- only a 10 min subway ride from my house. It's pretty much identical to ones back home!!! Which is great for things like (and these are things I bought...)....industrial sized tubs of salsa, 10lbs brick of REAL CHEESE and a 50 count pack of soft tortillas....sure I may be exaggerating slightly, but it's still amazingness. ALSO they sell real pizza there- a luxury in Korea (most pizza places here put corn on their pizzas? I have yet to try this...) So after my adventure to Costco last night I came home and did a load of laundry...well good thing I packed as much stuff as I did because without a dryer it's been 24 hours and my clothes are still as though they were washed an hour ago- soaked!! I may need to come up with an alternative drying method....blow dryer???....

Dear Korea- I love you.

Ok so first day of school- DONE!

I must admit- I was scaredddddd. Very scared. Another teacher insisted that he be in the classroom when I started teaching- WORSE. I tried to tell him to beat it- in the nicest way clearly...but he was having nothing to do with it....so instead he took over, cool. He taught for part of the morning which was fine!!! I needed that to be honest, just to feel a little more comfortable- I had no idea what I was doing. Yes, I've been trained to be a teacher, but to actually be thrown into a classroom knowing NONE of the kids, having NO IDEA of the routine, etc....it was intense. After that though...BREEZE!! I had the greatest day! These kids are little Albert Einsteins!! Their knowledge surpasses many adults I know...it's crazy! Not to mention they are adorble. Yes- today one child coughed into her hand and produced a dime sized slimy booger- but hey, it's part of the job right?? I'm dealing with 4 year olds from 940am-210pm. Each period is 40 mins long, followed by a 10 min break in which the children are allowed to roam free (because they don't get recess...). On my lunch today I was taken to this little Korean restaurant in the basement of my apartment (because my apartment is 30 secs from the school- not even). For $5, you eat amazing food. I didn't ever really like rice until coming here, because it's REAL RICE. The part that will take some getting used to- everything is communal. You share it all. Soup, pots of food, kimchi (which is DISGUSTING!!!!!!). It's all shared. That will take some getting used to. I will never love kimchi- it's soo gross!!! Thinking about it makes me want to barf, and I love food- but this is a gritty, spicy, limp cabbage slaw.....ugh. It's served with every meal....and I never want to eat it again.
My afternoon Tues and Thurs I teach science!!! Science to grade 1 & 2....AND THEY ARE SMART! Wow!!! It blows my mind!!! Nutrients....what is that?! Oh- they will tell you like it's NOTHING. I just can't believe it. And well behaved!!! Phew! If I could, I'd kidnap them all...even booger girl.
After all was said and done- I want to prepare more for my next week....it'll run MUCH smoother- but all in all....first day is over and was worth celebrating- which I did...with a couple other teachers- WHO are alsooooooo AMazing. They brought me to this place where you get a huge steaming pot of soup on a burner. They give you thinly sliced pieces of raw meat you put in the soup and cook. After a few rounds of this, and a few rounds of soju (Korean style vodka, which is like our vodka but watered down and done in shots, $1 a bottle at 7/11 here...) you then put noodles into the soup...cook those for a bit. You savour that, then the waitress comes over and dumps out your pot and she cooks egg, rice and other veggies in the hot pot which becomes a little crispy- it's delicious! It's like a 4 course meal, pretty much all you can eat- not to mention alcohol....$10. Are you kidding me?!?!?!? Where am I? Heaven?? hahaha...I feel like I'm on vacation!!! Yes, I'm teaching- but LOVING it!!! Maybe I'm just getting ahead of myself....but thus far- NO complaints...Everyone here is more than welcoming and helpful! Some of the other teachers even helped lug my garbage down to the dumpster, cause I was unsure as to what to do with it....No worries now!! I just can't wait to continue my exploration and to just continue to try as much as I can! They told me this kind of meal you can get from certain places that's a live octopus they bring to you, cut off the head and you eat the tenticles as they continue to squirm around...you need to chew them enough or else they will keep moving as you swallow them....I might try it to say I did- but I'm still a little skeptical about that one. The one teacher said when he tried it the suction stuck to his lip...ummm...hmmm...hahahaha...we'll see. Oh and dog- apparenty is really good- so another teacher claims. Yaaaa I might have to try that too. You only live once right??????