First, can I say that the smell in Korea is extremely bipolar? The air would smell super fresh and clean for a minute, then it would seriously smell like poop. Hardcore diarrhea poop. And my bedroom will often get a breeze smelling like cigarettes. Wonderful. Thankfully there's no smog up in 양평.
There's been a lot going on this past week. First off, my first weekend here was totally chaotic. Julie and I caught a ride to town with the VP of the English Village program so that we could buy some supplies, such as an outlet converter and such. But what I didn't know is that we would be stuck in a van all day! We went to 수원 (Suwon) to drop off supplies to a different campus. 수원 was pretty interesting, or at least the area where the school was. It was an area with stores built shoulder-to-shoulder and people walking around everywhere. And cars driving where ever they want. The Korea that I was expecting. Hahaha! So we left at around 7:30 am and came back at roughly 6 pm? I think. I'm not totally sure anymore. It feels like that trip was such a long time ago. But it was fun!...
The Yangpyeong English Village campus that I'm currently staying at is really nice. We have a Statue of Liberty in front of the gym, an Asian version of Prince Caspian (that's what I'm calling him) in front of a lecture hall under the shade, and a British guard by the Monticello building. HAHA! It's awesome... I'm definitely going camera-whore on them. You'll die!! But they wanted to make the village look more Americanized so they copied the designs from the New England towns/colonies. It's pretty legit. Except for the Observatory building. It looks smaller than an Olive Garden... The classrooms are actually pretty ghetto though. The desks are super Korean-style and the chairs are uncomfortable. But starting next week, I'm going to be in the big teacher's chair!
I started classes on Monday. Actually, it was just observing classes so there wasn't much work involved. The kids here are so funny and so cute. But they get HELLA annoying! I'm proud to say that I had a group of stalkers this past week. I loved it. HAHA! Just kidding! They were cute... There's a whole bunch of "Theme Classes" here; like electives. My favorites? Cooking, Insects, Dance and... that's about it. Hahaha! I haven't been to much actually, but I know I have more favorites than that. Dance isn't actually one of my favorite classes to teach but its so funny watching the kids try to do the Virginia Reel and Cha Cha Slide. HAHAHA! Cha Cha Slide... When we tell them to do the cha cha, they go CrAzY! HAHA! Best part, fasho!
The food id pretty good. Definitely better than I expected. Of course they have rice & kimchi every meal, but they usually have something new. Like square chicken nuggets, fish stick squares, spaghetti, and a whole bunch of different Korean dishes. Pretty good... But O. M. G. My farts are seriously digusting. Like super nasty kimchi. And my burps... Julie dies. HAHA! Seriously. I cannot wait until I go back to the US and resume my courteous and discreet gas releases.
The other teachers here are pretty chill too. Almost half of them asked Julie and I if we drink and ALL of them thought we we're boyfriend & girlfriend or married... MARRIED!! Eeeeps! Hahaha! But it's cool. Each class has a Korean teacher and a Foreign teacher. The Foreign to speak and teach all English and the Korean to translate when it's too difficult or to punish/quiet the class. Next week, I'm the Korean teacher.......... And you know how awesome my Korean is..... Hahaha! But there's another Korean-American kid here my age and he's sometimes a Korean teacher but never speaks in Korean so I'll probably be like that. *Shrug*
Anywhoooo~ I can tell that I'm going to learn a lot about teaching children and hopefully learn more Korean and fix my American accent. A teacher (or he's a director, or something) is taking Julie and I out for 갈비 so it should be a good night. Hahaha! Until then, I will post next week! Unless if something super awesome/crazy happens. :)
PS. The weather here is ridonkulously AHHMAHHZING!!! It's sunny, cool, and breezy. 펄퍀트! :D
ERRRNEST!!!!!! I am your follower!
ReplyDelete"It was an area with stores built shoulder-to-shoulder and people walking around everywhere. And cars driving where ever they want. The Korea that I was expecting." HAHAHAHA for real! This made me want to go to Korea so bad!!
And weather is amazing? seriously? last time I went I saw zero sun! and inhaled noxious fumes! it was great, lol.
Also, thank you for sparing us from your gross farts. it's a good thing we're half a world away, stinky. jk, miss & love you!
-WONHEE
p.s. you and julie unnie aren't married? wth? tell her I say 안녕하세요 ^^, since everyone in Korea worships their elders & apparently teaches white washed asians like ourselves to type in hangeul.