November

Wow time is flying. I don't have much time left at this school. Final exams are December 6-8. Winter vacation starts December 23.  In between finals and the end of the term it will be all Christmas all the time.
I have to complete a Winter Camp which is two weeks long. After the middle of January I will be pratically free. My contract will be complete in February. Currently I am thinking about transferring to an elementary school as I hope it will be easier and more joyful.
Once we complete our contracts we will be heading home. Hopefully with ideas/ plans for the future, happiness and some money for the bank.

North Korea attack South Korea

Hey everyone,
It is calm here in Busan. We are far enough away that we are not feeling the effects of the attack. No one in my company seems all that concerned, yet. This unloading of bullets happens often; at least 2 or 3 times a year. However, the feeling of this one is a little different, as tensions are currently high.

We are registered with the embassy so we recieved at notice at about 7pm KST letting us in on the details and what to do in case of..

Dear Canadian Citizen,

The Embassy of Canada in Seoul is aware of the current situation on Yeonpyeong Island.  For the moment, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada has not changed the risk level for the two countries nor released any official warning. The Canadian Embassy to Korea is closely monitoring the situation and will advise the Canadian community in Korea of developments as required.  As the situation evolves, you are advised to consult the Travel Report for South Korea for up-to-date information.

Canadians are encouraged to maintain their level of readiness to cope with any emergency situation. It is recommended that:

you ensure that your travel documents, including your passport, are valid;
you have registered with the online Registry of Canadians Abroad (ROCA) and/or updated your registration with your latest information.

Please see the weblinks below for additional information:

Travel report-up-to-date information about Koreahttp://www.voyage.gc.ca/countries_pays/report_rapport-eng.asp?id=153000

Registry of Canadians Abroadhttps://www.voyage2.gc.ca/Registration_inscription/Register_Inscrire/Login_ouvrir-une-session-eng.aspx?fwd=true&hash=p0V4sJhYtXNnDsAOImpW8w6161

How to obtain a passporthttp://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/korea-coree/consular_services_consulaires/passport-passeport.aspx?lang=eng

Emergency evacuationhttp://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/korea-coree/consular_services_consulaires/emergency_plan_urgence.aspx?lang=eng

http://www.voyage.gc.ca/faq/evacuations-eng.asp

We hope that this information will be helpful to you,

Your Consular team
Embassy of Canada

16-1, Jeong-dong,
Jung-gu, CPO Box 6299,
Seoul, Korea 100-662

Tel. (International) : 82-2-3783-6000
Tel. (Domestic) : 02-3783-6000
Fax (International) : 82-2-3783-6239
Fax (Domestic) : 02-3783-6239
Email: seoul@international.gc.ca
Emergency Services : 1-613-996-8885

It is a strange feeling to be in a country where this type of action takes place. In Saskatchewan, the worst I've seen is a blizzard with -40 degrees and windchills of outrageous proportions. The kind that shut down Universities and higways and everything in between.

I will update again if there is anything to report, otherwise try not to worry about us. I guess the worst thing that could happen is we would have to come home early; which would mean sqwatting at our favorite people's places. Lets hope it does not come to that.

Rath of a BEE

A bee enters the class room.
A bee flys.
37 16 years old boys scream
and run
and throw books
and shoes.
I stare.
Awestruck by the mayhem unfolding before my eyes.
Are you serious?
Yes, quite actually.
 Madness ensues.
A bee is killed.
A dead bee is thrown around.
Another boy squeals.
An annoyed teacher picks up the bee  and puts it in the garbage.
Can we please continue?
No.
The squealing, punching, ranting continues...

A bathroom Attack

On my way to the john before my after school class I am bombarded by the boys. Teacher, we need to talk to you. OK. 37 obnoxious boys from the bee incident begin to tell me how sorry they are. Bowing incessantly and practically chanting 'I'm sorry teacher'. By this time I feel awkward standing in the bathroom doorway and looking at the clock. I finally get them to stop and go away.

After school class has started. A knock on the door.
Teacher can I talk to you?
I guess- but I'm kinda in the middle of something.
Teacher we're sorry
Yeah I know.
Can you teach us the class again?
Why?
Because the home room teacher said we have to make up the class. When do you have time?
I don't have time. I don't want to.
Teacher, its a different culture. So when can you do it?
Uh, OK. 415 everyone get here on time. We will study for 15 minutes. I really don't want to do this.
Its a different culture. Also teacher said we must pay you because its an extra class.
What? No, you don't have to do that.
Its a different culture. What do you want? Candy, money?
Uh, whatever. I don't understand. OK. I gotta go. Bye

They stagger in late; some without pens and papers. They were angels. I didn't think they had it in them. Honestly they weren't any crazier that any other day, so I was basically over it by the time they all exited the classroom. I think they only had to come and repeat my class because they also pissed off the math teacher- which is where they were headed to next..
Its a different culture teacher.
 I know. I know.

p.s. still haven't got paid;)

Inn Keeper

Ever since we moved into our new place the one Inn Keeper has taken a certain liking to me. He is a cute old man with lots of energy. He knows that I am with Mark- as we quickly established that on moving day. He is not a creepy guy, but he certainly could be. He will often greet me with a sly grin and a weird hand gesture. He taps his thumb and pinky finger together several times, while giggling and making "oooohhh" sounds. I believe he is thinking that I'm going upstairs to get lucky! YES that is what his weird laughs are insinuating.
Back to the first day we met...  He noticed that we only had a twin bed. Well, that got him excited! He started  to gigle and pretend as if he was hugging something- suggesting that we would have to snuggle pretty closely to sleep- dirty boy!
He is hilarious. I think he is hoping that one day I would suddenly understand what he is saying. He only speaks in Korean.

Today:
He timed my run. I went for a run and found a new trail near the Nakdong River. It was nice. I walked up to the apartment and he tells me 45 minutes. OK! I get into the apartment and then the doorbell rang. What? HI! Pointing at his shoes. I pick up my runners, and hand them to him. NO NO NO. Suggesting I should put them on. OK. Lets take the elevater to the 9th floor. OK. We go to the roof. He starts running laps- motioning for me to do the same. He continues to yack in Korean- and quickly.
This is What I think was the conversation that we had.
You should train on the roof instead of on the trail. You can do push ups and everything. Or you should run up the hill around the ice rink and cultural center. Why would you want to go so far from the apartment when you have everything right here?
Funny guy- stay tuned- I know there will be more from him.

Baby Panty

(Background: Teaching a lesson about the flood in Pakistan along with natural disasters. Explaining what aid is-no not AIDS kids.)

What supplies do we need if there was a disaster? food, water, clothes, medicine.
A particularly cute student is trying to explain something. He said 'baby'. Then he adds a motion across his belly. I say surgery- surgical tools. No teacher. He continues to wiggle and then motions between his legs like a baby was coming out. What?! He repeats the actions. Finally he says "baby panty" - hahaha- awe diapers- Yes those are important. Good.

Dog, Ddak, Dak, Duck

My two best Korean friends had lunch with us. But sometimes we have to laugh at the communication gap.
Ddak= Korean Rice Cake
Dak= chicken in Korean
Dog= small furry animal
Duck= water fowl

We were telling them that we were going to go for a meal of duck meat. All of the words are pronounced similarly. It took four of us about 10 minutes to figure it out. So funny

Chinese Characters: Endurance

A note from a student: Hi teacher. You look bad. Cheer up! You can do it.

(Real Message- I know my class behaves badly. You looked stressed. Keep it up. Fighting!)

iPhone 4

I GOT IT!!

Korean Thanksgiving and Poutine

Jack and his niece came over for some genuine Canadian cuisine. I served the classic poutine- french fries, cheese and gravy. The idea of gravy sauce grosses most Koreans out. But luckily I had a pack of gravy mix and just added water. They said they really liked it.
I hope they can come to Canada to experience the real thing.

Hanbok

Hello! Happy Chuseok (which is Korean Thanksgiving).
In the past, and some people today, will wear this dress for this special holiday. Hanboks are becoming very expensive. They are made with fine fabrics such as silk. They are very beautiful and come in many colors. You can have them custom made at a local market in Busan. It is a very simple design, but the embroidery is very intricate and delicate.

I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to try one on. A colleague of mine brought hers to school for a retirement ceremony. It was so kind of her to offer. I wish I could have brought my make up to freshen up before putting on such a beautiful garment. (After a day of plus 30 degrees and blazing humidity, I was less than fresh).
The holiday is dreaded by most women as they are stuck in the kitchen preparing food for the 2 or 3 days of festivities. Some Korean food takes a long time to prepare. During this holiday they also prepare food and a special table setting for their ancestors. The table must be set up according to many rules. My students have told me a little bit about it. This type of ceremony is also done on Sul Nal (Lunar New Year). In Korea, filial piety is above all. It is important to thank the ancestors for providing a good harvest and everything good this year.

The traditional food eaten at this time is Sumpyeon. This is a rice cake in the shape of a half moon. It is then filled with red bean paste- which includes sesame and sugar. The rice cake can be many different colors. They are usually served warm, as the rice cake (or Ddak) is more
malleable and tasty.
.

My kids love this holiday because they will receive lots of money from all of their older relatives. It is tradition for them to bow, and then they will receive a gift- which is money. Some of my students have plans to buy clothes, books or phone accessories, but most said their mothers will take it and put it in the bank. I don't know what the saving is for, could be university, or marriage- I didn't get an answer.

coming home

Hey peeps! I'm leaving Korea in a few hours. I'm so excited. I have a lay over in Toronto- which will be awesome. My friend Michaela, who I met in Korea last year, is coming to pick me up and we will spend the night gallivanting in downtown T.O.
I hope my love affair will be born with this city;).
I will then spend the rest of the time, however short it is, with my family and friends. I need to get all the niece and nephew action I can get!! I'm going to eat and shop and drink lots of coffee.

Hope to see you soon. If you need/ want to get a hold of me... comment.

Peace
M.

UPDATE

The spots are gone, almost. He put me on some steroid medicine and they have cleared up. I'm so happy they are gone.

Today is the last day of the Fat Smash 2010 competition. I have dropped a few kilograms, but I'm not sure what my percentage of fat loss is. I know that my bad belly fat has dropped from 11 to 6 (where ever those numbers came from:) We are having a potluck party today. Its going to be so fun. I'm bringing my now famous Peanut Butter Pie. Let me tell you it will rock their world (and yours one day). At the gym yesterday, I'm not sure if it was the 5days of rest, and being sick or the steroids, but I was feeling like the Hulk! Ashley and I were joking that today for the last workout I'm going to be throwing those kettle-bells around like marshmallows. I'll let you know how that goes.

The spotted animal

Its official. I have gained animal characteristics. I am now covered in BIG red spots. Did I mention, my new ultra sharp claws help with the constant itching.

It all began last Thursday. I had a super aggressive workout at the gym, and came home with some aches and pains. Once Friday rolled around, I couldn't focus and I was not feeling awesome. I thought that it was simply a neck out of place, or a pressure headache. [I have a really bed physical reaction to pressure changes; severe headache along with digestive problems.] But when this persisted well into Saturday I started to worry. I hadn't eaten anything since Thursday, and I just wanted all of this to go away. No such luck.
Sunday I paniced and went into the hopistal. I was given the royal treatment; 5 x-rays, blood, urine and st**l tests, and ECG (Why? I know), plus some IV fluids and pain medicine. It was quite a pleasant experience. It turns out I had food poisoning. I don't know where or from what, because no one else was sick that I had meals with. Also because I have insurance, it only cost a mere 84$. And that was for an ER visit.
On Monday I stayed home from school because the D*** hadn't stopped. I went to the International Care Center at the hospital. It was nice to have a fluent doctor. He gave me antibiotics and pain meds for 5 days. OK great, I don't have to come back until Saturday!! WRONG.
Tuesday arrived and so did the spots. They began to appear early. On my lip, on my hands and feet. At first I thought they were mosquito bites. By Wednesday I had LOTS of spots. I went to the doctor after school to get some antihistamines. He gave me an aggressive treatment. Now its Thursday, and my eyelids are so puffy that its hard to look up. I have successfully changed into a red leopard.
Again, off to see my new best friends- the Nurse Ja-yin Lee and the Doctor Sung min Kim. (We even joke that we have seen to much of each other.) They notice my swelled face as soon as they see it. " Oh, look at the face!" Now, I will try some steroids and see what that will do in the next three days. I will go back on Saturday if it hasn't cleared up. At that point a Dermatologist will be blended into the mix. The doctor thinks the skin eruption is from the food poisoning. I had tainted water some where, as this is common with water borne bacterias. He doesn't think it was an allergic reaction from the medicine.
I HATE hospitals. Did I mention that? But at least he is confident, and I'm getting excellent care. This hospital is totally sweet and brand new, Haeundae Paik Hospital.

I hope this transformation will not last very long. I want to enjoy my really body's transformation (I've been working out hard core and it feels good).

I'll keep you posted.... meowww

Been a while now..

Hey!
So its Friday!! I'm so happy about that. I think we will just play games all day, and try to have some fun. School is still challenging... I'm not sure it can get any better. But to help me along I have found an application on my phone that counts the days until 1) Summer Vacation (49)and 2) contract completion! (260). It keeps me motivated. I'm not the only one looking forward to vacation- all of the teachers are. Everyone is tired and stressed out.


FAT SMASH 2010.
Instead of that other competiton, the gym came up with this. Losing weight is a common theme so they decided to focus on that. Last week was my first week. It was hard, sweaty and painful, but awesome. I came in 3rd for percentage of fat lost!! This week was also a good workout week. Yesterday was especially intense with abs and core being the focus- both of which I lack muscular definition. But wait, in 6 weeks I will have left this lard ass at the curb!!
Simon the trainer is really awesome. He pushes just hard enough, and he is very knowledgeable. I want to work hard for him and for me. Yesterday as I was laying in a pool of my own sweat, I thought that I will never absentmindly put something into my mouth again! It is too damn hard to take off this beloved spare tire. Sure it was fun eating ( or self medicating through food), but this pain I feel in my body now- is just to much.
Everyone always says your attitude will be better with exercise- well, they aren't lying. It has changed dramitically. Even after two days, I felt better. I wasn't as stressed and I wasn't on an emotional rollercoaster! I will never let the rollercoaster get ahead of me again!!

Update: Mandy and the Vice
Unfortunately my partner in crime has been down and out. He has diabetes, but has come down with a high fever and other complications. He has been in Seoul for the last 2 or 3 weeks. Everyone is not sure what is happening or how he is doing. I know that I miss having the man in the fancy outfits around. Maybe I will buy a nice bright summer shirt for when he returns.

This weekend the world cup starts. Korea's first games against Greece is on Saturday. I think we will head down to the local stadium and watch it with everyone there. It should be a great time. I wore my Korea shirt today to school, and the kids and teachers were thrilled. It should be a great time. I hope they win.

Time to get to work, Monday is never that far away in a teachers life.... ick!

Mandy and the Vice

My vice principal really seems to like me. We can not talk to each other, because we don't speak each other's language. To show that he likes me, he has been offering me rides home. We both live close to Haeundae, so he drops me off at the subway station near his house. At first I thought this was awesome, kind and would save time. However, it is much easier just to take the subway; for time and lack of strange uncomfortable silence!
On our adventures home we have started to take detours, first just the gas station. Let me tell you gas is so expensive here! I hope the gas jockey doesn't think that I am this old man's mistress. He always give me this sly grin- may I remind you my vice principal is short, very thin, bald and has a close resemblance to Mr.Burns.
Now to the good stuff. We ran into each other in the hallway on our way out of school and he asks 'Haeundae' and I reply yes. He offers me a ride. I swore just a few days before that I would come up with some excuse to politely decline. Some how my two minds were separated and I said OK sure, before I could really think about it. Usually he leaves the radio on, but this time he turned it off. All I could think was oh shit now were going to have to play charades in the front seat of his car. Let me also remind you that he is a very nervous driver and can barely touch the gas pedal in his SUV. Well, the games began. He started to say something about his shirt... I thought please gawd don't take it off! The he said something about Sajik, which is no where near our home. Then he finally calls my co teacher to ask for translation; "He has to stop at a clothing shop, would you mind waiting?" (Uh, OK).
I was willing going to wait in the car, as we parked on the sidewalk in front of said store. He wasn't going to have this, so in we go. There was another Korean couple in there and everyone just kinda stared. I sit on the black leather sofa quite uncomfortably. (Thinking what the HELL)! We had to wait as the other customers were finishing up. He was perusing the store. A lime green sport coat really caught his eye; let the wheeling and dealing begin. He also settled on a pink pinstriped pattern for the shirts that we originally went in for. This shirt was of course to match the new pink pants that he just bought. I slightly panic thinking we better not start trying this stuff on. Thankfully they had all his measurements on file. Dodged a bullet on that one!
Needless to say my trip home was about an hour later than usual, but at least I had a great story to tell Mark- nothing like this really happens to him. It was also great material for a blog post. I hope there will be more to add in the chronicles of Mandy and the Vice.

two months already...

Sorry for my lack of blogging. It seems that I just couldn't find anything to say.. surprised right!

I'll break it down:



School: I'm in the the northern part of the city. It is a working class neighborhood. The only reason I mention that is because it is reflected in my students. Living in this part of the city means their access to English and English academies is limited therefore resulting in a lower level English ability. There are of course some stellar students but the majority are lower level. They are great kids. It is so much harder working in the system then I thought. Not only do I have 5 different co-teachers to consider, but I also have to plan these lessons. I am having an extremely difficult time with this. I just want my lessons to be awesome and useful, but I do not yet have the ability to gage what level and material will best support them.

I have one super awesome co- teacher. She supports me and digs me out of whatever holes I find myself in when presenting a class. The others have their own ideas of what co-teaching is.

I find that I can not leave work at school ( Neda now I totally understand what you are doing). I feel a lot of guilt and I can never really forget about work. This leads to a bit of sad and isolating after school life. I take what the students say very personally and I need to drop that.



AfterSchool:

Mark and I are on completly opposite schedules. This makes it difficult to spend quality time together. I miss having the same schedule and the same working conditons. However, this year we have the entire weekend to spend together. Mark has taken up soccer, which usually occurs on the weekend; maybe he will let me watch soon;)



Web t.v.

So I applied to be on this program that will broadcast on a web channel. It is a show about changing ones lifestyle and making a better body and better life. The grand prize is 1000$. That wouldn't be so bad. I feel that maybe this would

The Sink is Broken

I went to use the sink. It was broken. In this particular sink the stopper is a push button. The button was stuck. I tried my best at broken Korean to get some help. Help has arrived. He takes apart the sink (see above). His hands get dirty so he turns on the water to wash the parts and his hands. Remember the sink is still apart. In my Canadian world, you would not turn on the tap knowing that the water is going to spill out all over. But this is Korea and this is what happens. He politely moves the mat I had on the floor so that it wouldn't get soaked. Good thing these bathrooms are made to withstand this kind of mess.
No more bathroom problems (he fixed the cabinet too!)

Snow in Busan!!

YIKES! If you think Canada stops when there is new snow, you haven't seen anything! It has called for only a light cover of snow, but it is heavy, wet and icy. On my way to work, half way here in fact, I got the call that I don't have to be here until930 (instead of 830). Oh well, much to my surprise, ITS A SNOW DAY! NO KIDS!!!
I'm so excited. I guess I will spend the day planning and trying to wrap my brain around this new job.
I am placed in Buk-gu (Buk means north) part of Busan. I'm at a middle school teaching grade 7,8,9. It s co-ed school but the classes are divided by gender. Many of my classes have quite the range of skill level. I would have to say that my freshman have the best general fluency levels, and there isn't such a gap in the class; and they are cute and still afraid of the teacher;)
I'm staying with Mark and comuting about 40minutes each way. I don't yet. It feels like it gives me time to prepare for my day.
Well I hope this snow goes away before mom and dad come here!

Back in the land of the 'Morning Calm'

I am so happy to back! It has been cold, but the kimchi is keeping me warm;)
It seems that this land may have not have wanted me. I had a heck of a time trying to get here. Of course the usual delays with Canada Post forced me to reschedule my flight. Turns out that getting out of Saskatoon was something everyone was doing, so I couldn't leave until the 15th. Delta airlines was my official carrier which means that my route would be through the red, white and blue. Of course with this being the case, extra security must be taken. At the airport I was selected for extra screening; which included pilfering through my carry- on and sticking my hands in my front pockets to ensure I had no substances tucked in there. Then we got tucked into a hallway to wait to board a really small plane! To my delight getting through immigration in Minneapolis was FAST!! and painless!! With only 1hour and 15minutes between flights, I was worried, but I had time to eat and stop at the washroom... unbelievable. This is where it all began to fall apart. I arrived at JFK- New York at 1040. My flight to Korea was not going to be until 12:50. I got off the plane and was wandering around the place looking for a Delta agent to ask, where the hell am I. I ask the Homeland Secruity guys where they could be, so they told me to wait at this desk. I waited and waited and waited. By 12 I was starting to sweat and I was told that maybe I had to get to terminal 3. So I went. I ran. I cried. It was cold and wet and snowy. I got to terminal 3. You are are not suppossed to be here. You are to be at terminal 1. Oh shit! An older gentlemen and I ran back to terminal 1. We were too late! The flight has gone. I cry and drop to the floor. I'm tired and probably going to puke. Thankfully my running partner was an excellent man and took pity on me. We walk back to terminal 3. We look for alternatives. Option 1, you will be on the next flight in 24hours time. NOT GOOD ENOUGH! Is there anything else? Yes a flight 12 hours later... done!! and to my surprise NO CHARGE! So what do I do now... I have to find a hotel room. That sweet gentleman helps me arrange it. There is a free shuttle.. excellent. So I wait almost 2 hours to get this shuttle. I'm freezing and can't see straight. Then a bunch of people show up waiting for the same place.. they have a cell phone.. they call and call again. We arrive at the hotel. My room is fine. I'm really cold. I call Mark. I am sick to death. I try to sleep. Not a great result. I am sick, shivering and sick. Wake up call. OK get your shit together, you can't miss this one.
Korean Air= amazing. I check in. They asked why I missed the flight, they are sympathetic. My luggage is still in NYC. I ask for an aisle seat, they upgrade me! SWEET! They also give me access to the lounge- sweet, breakfast and comfy chairs. They ensure that my luggage has been found! AMAZING! Board the plane, and turns out I have three seats to myself.. could life get any better.. not really! I sleep, eat and repeat.
Finally I arrive at Incheon. I feel relieved and happy. I am shipped out on a 4 hour bus ride to Jeonji University where orientation is. I packed too much, but so did everyone else. I am here. I am eating kimchi. I am on the same Continent as Mark. I am truly happy!