Jiyun, Daeun, Tim and I
Nore-bang
My first homemade Korean meal
Phoenix Island Resort
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Last weekend was my island getaway. Jeju was a perfect weekend trip. Even though it is monsoon season in Korea the weather cooperated with us and we got to enjoy a weekend on the beach. The weekend was an excellent mix of Western and Korean life. I got to enjoy some home cooked Korean food and nore-bang, as well as western style breakfast and tanning on the beach. It was a nice relaxing getaway from work, and Gumi. Going to Jeju also gave me a better impression of Korea. Jeju doesn't have all the buildings and flashy signs that the main land does. Also it was so nice to breathe some fresh ocean air instead of factory smog.
This week at school has been a bit crazy. New teachers, new books, and new classes so it has been a bit of a hectic week. The new teacher finally arrived, and it is nice to have more staff in the work room and another foreigner in Gumi.
Not too much is new or exciting in Gumi. I have started yoga with some of the girls, and even though I don't understand much Korean I am really enjoying the class. In a couple weeks time Moon Kkang is planning a beach trip, so I am looking forward to that. Since we are in Gumi and most of the other teachers are in Daegu it will be a nice chance to meet some of them. Other than that I have no plans until September when I plan on going to Thailand and Cambodia. I think the rest of the summer will be dedicated to traveling in Korea. There are some coastal cities that I want to visit, as well as the DMZ. I really want to do a tour of the DMZ (boarder) but North Korea and South Korea need to ease tensions before I feel it is safe. It has been crazy how quick the summer has gone bye already, and I am feeling the need to travel while the weather is nice. Although by nice I mean hot.
This week at school has been a bit crazy. New teachers, new books, and new classes so it has been a bit of a hectic week. The new teacher finally arrived, and it is nice to have more staff in the work room and another foreigner in Gumi.
Not too much is new or exciting in Gumi. I have started yoga with some of the girls, and even though I don't understand much Korean I am really enjoying the class. In a couple weeks time Moon Kkang is planning a beach trip, so I am looking forward to that. Since we are in Gumi and most of the other teachers are in Daegu it will be a nice chance to meet some of them. Other than that I have no plans until September when I plan on going to Thailand and Cambodia. I think the rest of the summer will be dedicated to traveling in Korea. There are some coastal cities that I want to visit, as well as the DMZ. I really want to do a tour of the DMZ (boarder) but North Korea and South Korea need to ease tensions before I feel it is safe. It has been crazy how quick the summer has gone bye already, and I am feeling the need to travel while the weather is nice. Although by nice I mean hot.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Things here have been pretty quiet this week. Last Friday we got to meet our new foreign manager who seems very nice. We went out for lunch to get to know her. The weekend was low key. Friday I enjoyed supper downtown with some friends. Saturday we had a little black dress night with all the girls. Sunday is was a true "rainy season" type of day. It poured rain all day and night which made it a perfect lazy Sunday.
This weeks highlight in teaching ESL came early in the week while talking about what your favorite foods are. As I mentioned before Asians have trouble with the letter B. P. R. and L. They often mix up B and P, or R and L. I started one of my younger classes off with the opening question "What is your favorite food?" as going around many responses were "My favorite food is crap" and "My favorite food is lice" also known as crab and rice. Teaching ESL can be very annoying, and tiring, but it also comes with some good laughs.
I'm off to Jeju Island on Friday! I'm excited for a long weekend in the sun. I'm sure I will be nice and "dirty" (tanned) when I return.
This weeks highlight in teaching ESL came early in the week while talking about what your favorite foods are. As I mentioned before Asians have trouble with the letter B. P. R. and L. They often mix up B and P, or R and L. I started one of my younger classes off with the opening question "What is your favorite food?" as going around many responses were "My favorite food is crap" and "My favorite food is lice" also known as crab and rice. Teaching ESL can be very annoying, and tiring, but it also comes with some good laughs.
I'm off to Jeju Island on Friday! I'm excited for a long weekend in the sun. I'm sure I will be nice and "dirty" (tanned) when I return.
Sunday, July 4, 2010
July 1st marked my official six months in Korea. It is crazy to think how quickly the time has gone. With more trips and events planned for the next six months I know the rest of my time here is going to fly by.
The rain and grey days continue here in Gumi, but that hasn't put a damper on any celebrations. This week was a busy week for parties. Thursday we celebrated Canada Day at Waegook. There are not many Canadians here in Gumi, but we had some support from other countries. I even got to have poutine for supper. This country lacks in cheese and gravy is pretty much unheard of, but Waegook made it happen and it was a great "home" food for Canada Day. I also have to give credit to Leah and Elle for the Canada Poncho....it was a great party hit. Friday after work was Mike's going away supper, so I joined everyone for some supper and drinks followed by dancing at Corona. Saturday we enjoyed some Independence Day celebrations as well as a couple farewells, a birthday and World Cup. The Americans helped us celebrate so we returned the favor. We had a nice bomb fire BBQ with hotdogs and s'mores. Again Korea lacks things we find very common at home, but for s'mores there were no graham crackers. Instead we used ginger snaps... not the same, but making the most out of the supplies available. Sunday Waegook hosted a swap day for people to get rid of their old junk along with a brunch. Breakfast is also a hard find around here (with exception of McDonald's). Most Koreans eat rice and tuna for breakfast, so when Waegook has brunch with bacon, eggs, and toast it is a nice treat. I enjoy Korean food, but I cant handle the rice and tuna breakfast.
This week should be a little more low key. Friday I have a workshop and I get to meet my new foreigner manager for lunch so that will be the event to look forward to this week. My co-teacher was on vacation last week, so she will be returning this week as well. The forecast is showing a couple clear days this week so hopefully there will be a chance to enjoy the sun. Hope everyone back home enjoyed the Canada Day celebrations!
The rain and grey days continue here in Gumi, but that hasn't put a damper on any celebrations. This week was a busy week for parties. Thursday we celebrated Canada Day at Waegook. There are not many Canadians here in Gumi, but we had some support from other countries. I even got to have poutine for supper. This country lacks in cheese and gravy is pretty much unheard of, but Waegook made it happen and it was a great "home" food for Canada Day. I also have to give credit to Leah and Elle for the Canada Poncho....it was a great party hit. Friday after work was Mike's going away supper, so I joined everyone for some supper and drinks followed by dancing at Corona. Saturday we enjoyed some Independence Day celebrations as well as a couple farewells, a birthday and World Cup. The Americans helped us celebrate so we returned the favor. We had a nice bomb fire BBQ with hotdogs and s'mores. Again Korea lacks things we find very common at home, but for s'mores there were no graham crackers. Instead we used ginger snaps... not the same, but making the most out of the supplies available. Sunday Waegook hosted a swap day for people to get rid of their old junk along with a brunch. Breakfast is also a hard find around here (with exception of McDonald's). Most Koreans eat rice and tuna for breakfast, so when Waegook has brunch with bacon, eggs, and toast it is a nice treat. I enjoy Korean food, but I cant handle the rice and tuna breakfast.
This week should be a little more low key. Friday I have a workshop and I get to meet my new foreigner manager for lunch so that will be the event to look forward to this week. My co-teacher was on vacation last week, so she will be returning this week as well. The forecast is showing a couple clear days this week so hopefully there will be a chance to enjoy the sun. Hope everyone back home enjoyed the Canada Day celebrations!
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