Choose Your Own Adventure...

I chose to be hooked up to the IV. It was either that, or a shot in the bum. Let me backtrack...

Last Wednesday night I slept terribly. I had a killer sore throat and couldn't breathe out my nose. Thursday I could barely speak (thank goodness most of my students respected that and were extra quiet so I could whisper to them). I asked to leave early, as I have the last two periods off on Thursdays, but my supervisor said I had to go to the doctor if I left. So I did. I didn't have to wait very long to see him. Apparently my symptoms are very common for Korean springtime, and it's just a bad cold. Anyways, then I was given the option of the IV or the shot in the bum. Both were new to me, so I opted for the IV. I didn't realize that this would be performed in the waiting room. The poor boy sitting with his dad must have been traumatized..."look what they do to the foreign people!" Looking back, I sure hope the shot in the bum wouldn't have happened in the waiting room...hmmm.

Elly, my lovely Korean friend and coworker, was such a dear. She met me at the doctor after work (I think the receptionist was relieved to have a translator), came with me to the pharmacy to pick up my meds, took me home, and brought me Korean porridge. So sweet and thoughtful and unnecessary, but oh so appreciated. THANK YOU ELLY!! My sore throat is definitely gone, but I'm still quite congestioned. I guess it's that time of year.

Some artwork I found this weekend...

I had a pretty quiet and restful weekend, for obvious reasons. Saturday was BEAUTIFUL and I went for a long walk, then met up with my friend Neil. We spent a lot of time in Central Park, and walked around some too. We ended up at a rooftop BBQ with some of Neil's friends (some of whom I knew as well). Great food, new and familiar faces, a really pleasant day. I always end up hanging out with the boys. I guess that's just what I do!Actually, I felt at my healthiest after taking a sip of someone's home-brewed pepper soju - soju is Korean vodka. It certainly cleared my sinuses RIGHT up. I've been making sure to eat lots of kimchi at lunch this week as well. I usually pass on it, but again, it clears everything.

Rooftop view - Anyang at night

There was a failed attempt, asking one of the building workers to turn the lights on the roof. We improvised with candles.

On Sunday I decided to check out MY rooftop, since I hadn't yet. Nice view and nice places to sit. It was a very hazy and windy day.

I found another reading and writing spot along the river too! It kind of juts out right to the water.

Then I headed to my favourite coffee spot - Zoo Coffee - and ordered from the "I'm Korean" menu, as I usually do: honey and red ginseng tea. Mmmm. Then I meandered past one of my favourite shops - a new piercing and tattoo parlour that just opened. I happened to go inside on their second day, and have been browsing ever since. They have really nice earrings. I finally got a couple pairs of studs on Sunday. Plus I like talking to the shop owners. They are two really nice girls that I want to be friends with. Perhaps I will ask for their phone numbers...they always seem to want to chat. It would be cool to hang out with them...!

I AM SO EXCITED FOR THIS WEEKEND!! Elly, Karen, and I are going on a bike trip in Gyeongju, a province south of here. The cherry blossoms are in bloom at this time of year and are supposed to be especially beautiful in the south. A weekend of hiking and biking and temples awaits!!! We'll have a very early start on Saturday, however, as the tour bus leaves Seoul at 6:30am. We're going to take the 5:20am metro out of here first thing that morning, to give us plenty of time.

I AM SO EXCITED FOR NEXT TUESDAY! Hunter and I are going to a concert in Hongdae: The Radio Dept. WEE!

Let me tell you about the gym. There are three Indonesian men that are always there when Karen and I are there. Karen started talking to them, and so I occasionally speak to them as well. Suddenly, within the last couple weeks, they have become very friendly. B is the ring leader, suggesting we all go for drinks sometime. He'll come up beside me while I'm lifting weights and start to dance. Then today he and R were showing me some other weights. It was all in good fun...it just felt like they were checking out my butt! hahaha It just amuses me.

This gal is out. Bed time! xo

Fairytales and Princesses

I must say that having my students call me "Goldilocks" and "Cinderella" this week is a step up from last week's "as fat as Leah teacher". haha Oh, Korea. I thank you for your mild mild spring. It's been 16-18 degrees and sunny all week, and will be the same on the weekend! (Though, it is supposed to rain tomorrow. Meh, it's a work day for me.) I thank you for all the people that have no shame in shouting and pointing "Waygookin!" when they see me. This is the Korean word for "foreigner". Men, women, and children do this on a regular basis. I thank you for the giggly school girls and boys who say, "HELLO!" when they see you. There was a group of three especially giddy girls that greeted me as I left the gym today. They got so bashful when I replied. As we carried on, one said, "very pretty". Aww. Now who's the bashful one? Most of all, I thank Korea for introducing me to (one of) the love(s) of my life, red bean: red bean porridge, red bean paste, everything red bean. I seriously cannot get enough of my fishie-shaped pancakes filled with red bean. There are some red bean popsicles that I am keen to try. And on the weekend I tried this ice cream sandwich...it was fish-shaped, with vanilla ice cream and, you guessed it, red bean. YUMMY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My Venus kids are hilarious. The arts and crafts and science activities for April were late arriving this month, so the kids' schedule had to get moved around. Venus class was mad at me on Monday when science wasn't available. They were doubly angry yesterday when arts and crafts wasn't available. "I'm sorry, Venus class! The mail is slow!" "Leah Teacher, it's NOT okay!", shout nine little students, not quite in unison. I was almost their hero this morning as I announced that science had arrived and we could do it for our first period. I totally blew it. I called them "Mercury class", and they HATE when I do that. I quickly learnt that my first few days as Venus teacher, after addressing Mercury for half a year. Yes, I was very fast to correct and catch myself. However, I slipped up today. Ouch. Oh dear. I will definitely post a photo of Pluto's craft for this week. They had to make Africans...?????? Knowing that teacher's college (I've officially accepted Ottawa) is in the not-so-distant future has provoked many feelings this past weekend. I feel relief, to FINALLY know what the next chapter of my adventure holds. I feel nostalgic, as I really do love living here. There are many things I still want to do, and suddenly five months doesn't seem enough time! I will definitely take advantage of my time here and enjoy it. I feel ready to go back to school. I've been out for three years now and I am really looking forward to the craziness that readings and assignments and exams bring (I say that now). It's exciting to know I am getting closer and closer to where I ultimately want to be. I feel...matured? As much as I love my nomadic lifestyle, I am eager to be part of something not-so temporary. To get really personal, if the right person comes along, I will be in a place where I know I'll be more willing to, um, accommodate. I absolutely REFUSE to say "settle down". That makes my stomach flop, and not in a good way. Haha Someday? I was so exhausted from all the excitement of the week that I went to bed at 11 last Friday night. Saturday morning I was up and went for my first outdoor run here. It was great! I ran along the river. Lots of people are always out and about on the pathways there. Hunter and I had a fantastic evening celebrating Ottawa. We ened up at Slang, described as "clubby bar", and were surrounded by Koreans. It was awesome and hilarious and all of them wanted to dance with us and be our friends. B-list celebs right here. Oh ya. Sunday was lovely. I packed up some almonds, strawberries, and crosswords, and sat in the sun. Met up with Melissa for coffee, then we took a nice walk along the river. Somehow, pretty much EVERY weekend I end up at Uniqlo, a Gap/Old Navy-esque store, though I don't always buy things. So we went there together too. Sunday was a VERY early night to bed. And here I am, on WEDNESDAY evening already! It scares me how fast time flies! Pictures soon! Thanks again for all the love, support, and good vibes re: teacher's college!! xo

THIS IS NOT AN APRIL FOOL'S JOKE

I GOT INTO OTTAWA!!!

This was my first choice for teacher's college programs!!!!! Junior/intermediate (grades 4-10), science as my teachable. WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!

I found out during one of my breaks at work today. I checked my email and started screaming and dancing around the staff room. It will take a long time to get me down from this high. I'm not sure I was expecting to react so excitedly...it must be right!

In other news, I wore my hair in a braid today. Coworkers and students alike all seemed to comment (positively). Perhaps because I wear my hair down/loose EVERY SINGLE DAY?

I love my Friday walk home through the evening market. Every vendor always seems to give me extra stuff when I buy from them, and offers many samples after-the-fact, too. It's so great!

Happy Friday!

Out Like a Lamb...?

Elly, Sera, Shana, Alice

I seriously don't know where my time disappears to here!! I didn't even spring forward with the clocks!

Karen, Trevor, Patty, Alice

Earlier this week I was teaching similes to Pluto class: as _______ as a _______. "As quiet as a mouse". They had to first fill-in-the-blanks with nouns, and then with adjectives. The last one was "as _______ as Leah teacher". Fat. They said fat. "As fat as Leah teacher!" And then they pointed at my chest. Hahah Most of the time these kids are so impressive. They are in their third year of English study, at Korean age 7 (which is usually about 6-years-old North American). They speak in English ALL DAY. They threatened to tell on ME when I said a couple Korean words to them. "Leah teacher, no speaking Korean!" They are seriously dedicated. In art class last week, I let them have one or two paint colours (they were all primary colours: red, blue, yellow). Eventually they were mixing them all. Buddy said, "look, Leah teacher. I made a tertiary colour by mixing them all!" I couldn't make this stuff up if I wanted to.

Pluto class

Then there's my Julian. My little terror Julian who's really not a terror anymore. I am SO PROUD OF HIM! Instead of scribbling and rushing through all his work, and not caring at all during art class, he actually puts effort into his work now. Any spare few minutes he'll take out one of his books and start working. And he was SO proud of his art project this week and was really excited to bring it home. I think part of this behaviour may be due to his younger brother being in Mercury class now (and my early threats to send him back to Mercury with his brother?) and wanting to set an example. I will give myself a little credit, because I have worked so hard with him since my arrival. He just needed the right kind of attention, as do all kids. The trouble is that it's different for everyone!

Julian and little brother, Ricky

Last evening was Karen's birthday potluck chez moi. It went really well! There were 11 of us altogether, and it was really quite comfortable. Everyone brought tasty food - veggies, salads, nachos and salsa, baguette and camembert (my contribution), HOMEMADE mandu (mandu are Korean dumplings) - thanks, Colin! - sushi, and drinks. It was a relaxing evening, just chatting and hanging out. I wanted my place to look perfect. I started my cleaning regime on Sunday...a little bit every day so that my place was ready for Wednesday. haha

Shana and Colin

Romo, Tony (!), Elly

Shana, Alice, Elly, enjoying the food

Last weekend was fun. It was a perfect balance of relaxing, getting things done, and hanging out with friends. I went to Happidus on Friday (which I hadn't done FOREVER). I invited my new Korean friend that I met at dinner a couple weeks ago. I thought it would be nice for him, since he wants to meet foreigners. He wanted us to go together, so I met him at his work. It's an indoor driving range where you hit the ball at a screen. They also have virtual golf. He showed me around. It was pretty cool. I think he had a good time...it may have been a little overwhelming for him though. Although our table was a mixture of Koreans and foreigners, so he wasn't the only one. Anyways, Saturday I did my errands, had lunch at the usual spot, read outside in the sun, went walking, and went out in Hongdae for my friend Melissa's birthday. It was really great to go out dancing. Now that the weather is nicer it's a lot easier/seems less hassle to go into Seoul for the evening. It was a very late night getting home though...I went to bed at 8pm on Sunday night! Sunday was not wasted though. I cleaned and went to the gym. In fact, I went to the gym 6 days last week and ran a total of 27.5km! Wee!

The coat of a MILLION compliments (and that may be an understatement...seriously)

I'm really loving my new place, as I've said many times before. I'm getting to know the people in the area too...my staple produce vendors that I see daily and say hello to. It's nice having familiar faces around. All of my street food and market vendors are so friendly and helpful. They speak to me in Korean, trying to teach me. Some know a little bit of English. It always works out. My apples guy that thought I was Russian last time more recently asked if I was from Norway. Nope. Canadian.

I feel like my posts are becoming less and less exciting. Haha Oh! Karen and I are going on a bike trip the weekend before Easter. It's a few hours south of here, with a tour group. The cherry blossoms are in season in April, and are supposed to be stunning. So it will be a weekend of beautiful scenery, biking, hiking, and fresh air. I am really looking forward to it!

Potluck fun!

That's it for now. Hope all is well...until next time! xo

I'm Not Irish

Tony and me

I celebrated St. Patrick's Day TWICE this year!! Well, I'm not sure if consuming three beer (two of which were GREEN) over an evening AND an entire day really counts as "celebrating", but I was there. I've never been crazy about the holiday like some folks. I have nothing against it...I've just never sought it out nor been really excited about it. On the actual day, I went to Happidus for a couple drinks with friends. It was PACKED. And it was my first time having green beer! Saturday there was an all-day festival in Insa-dong, a fun neighbourhood in Seoul. Peer pressure got the better of me and I went along with a group of friends. I saw SO MANY PEOPLE that I know!! It was really fun. There was live music and a sea of green clothing! I sported my green tights, of course, although you can't see them in the photos I have. A big group of us had dinner at a small Korean joint after, then I headed home. Everyone else was heading to Hongdae for a night of more drinking and dancing. I went to see The King's Speech instead, back in Anyang. IT WAS AMAZING!!!!


Elly is so adorable

Overall, last week was much smoother than the previous. My practically foolproof points system that gave me much success in Mercury is working in my other classes, elementaries too, helping me gain some order and control over the chaos and noise of the new groups. Yes, I was actually in a great mood at the end of Thursday, after my Wednesday/Thursday jam-packed/hardly-any-breaks-let-alone-time-to-breathe days. Phew! I am happy.

On Friday, one of my new Korean coworkers started telling me that one of her (male) Korean friends is interested in meeting foreigners. So then she started asking me some questions...like how old I am, if I like golf, and if I am seeing anyone...wait a minute...is this a set-up? Is Sera playing matchmaker? She even threw in that he is a gentleman! Ha! I told her I'd be happy to meet him, but that I'm not looking for a boyfriend, and that she has to come with me. I wanted that to be clear, because he is Korean age 33, which means he DEFINITELY has marriage on the mind. She called me Saturday morning saying he (Fred is his English name) wanted to meet me, so we made Sunday dinner plans. The three of us went for Korean food, then out for ice cream. I must say that I am flattered by how impressed they were with my chopstick skills. They said I'm Korean. Haha Anyways, when we went for ice cream, Sera kept leaving us alone...SO OBVIOUS. We were all walking to Fred's car because Sera had her bag in it. Then she is getting in, and tells me to get in the front seat. We drive out of the parking lot, and as soon as we're out, Sera jumps out of the car, which leaves me and Fred. They conned me into getting a ride home!!! Fred is a really nice guy, and his English is much better than I was expecting. He wants to meet foreigner friends to practice speaking, as he is writing a test for a masters program. I will likely see him again (he works at a virtual golf company really close to where I live) and he wants me to come. I'll bring some friends with me. It was an enjoyable evening. Definitely an experience!

In general, I am hanging out with more of my Korean coworkers than I was before, which I like. I guess I am just always hanging out with different people here, changing it up, because I can!

So next Wednesday is Karen's birthday. I have offered to host a potluck chez moi for the occasion. In the past, the Korean staff tended to skip out on any weekday social invites (mind you, we had a lot of changeover in Korean staff). I put a poster with a sign-up sheet in the teacher room today, and it seems EVERYONE wants to come. Plus some of Karen's friends. I am totally happy to be hostess, but I am getting slightly nervous about having about 15 people come over! I think this will be my first solo hosting experience with that many. It will be fine. I still have to get some of my other friends over here, but I'd prefer to do it in baby steps, one or two at a time. Haha

I've finally put more pictures up! Check out my previous posts/posts below again, just to see the photos! Hope everyone had a nice weekend! xo

My favourite elementary class: I love teaching prepositions.

Mid-March?!

Ahhh, sunshine!

Old and new friends!

I got two new 5-year-old boys in one of my elementary classes yesterday (keeping in mind that this means 4-years old North American years). They have absolutely no English. One of them spent the class screaming and hitting me, while the other was eating his sticker board paper, and giggling uncontrollably at my attempts to communicate with him, miming "are you hungry?" All the other kids in the class are 6-year-olds, and can speak sentences like, "Hello! My name is Flora. What's your name?" Oh dear.

Both yesterday and today, Alvin has tried to hold me hostage. He warmly embraces me, holds my hand, leads me to Mercury class. Then he closes the door and stands in front of it, arms crossed over his chest. It's one of the most adorable things ever. It makes me feel very loved, and successful as a teacher.

Hongdae park on a Saturday night

I ended up having a most FABULOUS weekend. Saturday afternoon I met up with some current and past coworkers for lunch. I ran into my friend, Neil, too, so he joined us. Kelly, one of my old Korean coteachers, brought a new coworker of hers - a really cool girl that I hope to see more of! Anyways, it was such a carefree and leisurely day. After lunch we all went walking to the park and just hung out in the sunshine. The boys played soccer with some young Korean kids. Did I mention it was 16 degrees and sunny?! That's right - t-shirt and cardigan weather!! In the evening I met up with Stef for dinner in Seoul. Then we headed to a going away party, followed by some clubs in Hongdae. Hongdae is a very popular night-life area in Seoul. En route to the motown party, we found a great club/bar that reminded me so much of the places I love to go in Warsaw and Berlin. It was quite small, and had an open concept. I will definitely go back there. The motown party was great! They played all my requests that I had posted to the event page on Facebook. Wee! (Twist and Shout, The Name Game, and Rave On.) Some people from the going away thing ended up meeting us there later. It was a VERY late night indeed, and I ended up crashing in Seoul, at "Hunter Hotel". (THANKS!) Made my way back to Anyang Sunday afternoon, and was out and about to enjoy day two of sunshine and mild mild weather (17 degrees)! I took my book down to my favourite rock spot. Ahhh. So relaxing. And then I went to bed at 8pm. Haha

Motown with Elly and Stef

Farewell, Sivan!

The weather has cooled again. It's -1 this evening. The highs this week look to be just below 10 degrees.

I had the following conversation with a fruit vendor on Saturday.
Vendor: You are beautiful!
Me: Thank you.
V: What is your name?
M: Leah
V: How old are you?
M: Korean 26.
V: Ah, very good. Do you have a boyfriend?
M: No.
V: Are you Russian?
M: No, Canadian.
V: Ah, beautiful! You come back tomorrow?

I swear all middle-aged Korean men know the word "beautiful": cab drivers, vendors, men in the streets, at the gym, and the guy that collects the maintenance fees in my building....

Oh! LINDSAY IS COMING TO VISIT IN JUNE!!!!!! We have a weekend trip to Busan booked/planned, which I am super excited about. Yey!!!!!

Ok. Back to my tea and my book. Good night! xo

Sorry for the lack of pictures recently!

Much Better

My (new) walk to school...

Past the mountains...

Through Anyang city centre...

By the metro station...

Over the rainbow...

To the other side of the tracks...

Down the stairs...(after going up, of course)


And along the river...

Ok. So the work week ended on a high. There was some administrative business at school I was dealing with all week, but on Friday it was all resolved. All of my requests were met, and the issues have been handled as best as they could, given the circumstances. I know this is all rather vague, but I don't want to bore you with the details. The main thing is that I'm satisfied with the way things turned out!

To treat myself, I took myself out on a movie date last night (I brought my journal along, too). I watched "The Black Swan". I really enjoyed it, though it was more disturbing than I was expecting. A very beautiful film though. Interesting cinematography. I dreamt last night that I was cast as "Alice" in Alice in Wonderland. It was hours before the show was to start and I was still learning my lines. Doesn't sound like me, does it?

I've still been in touch with Tony pretty regularly, since he's changed jobs. We chat on the phone a couple times a week, we're meeting up with some of our Korean coworkers for lunch today. Yey! It looks gorgeous outside (and I know because I have GIANT windows)! Highs of 13 and 15 forecast for this weekend!!!

And FYI, we did not feel any effects of the earthquake in Japan. Safe and sound here!!!

Time to go enjoy the day and the weekend! xo

P.S. You are springing forward this weekend. There is no time change here, so we will be one hour closer!