Half Way Done!

I have been in South Korea now for a little over 6 months! I can’t believe how fast it has gone by. I’ve experienced so much since I’ve been here from miraculously surviving summer with no AC; traveling to Japan, Taiwan, and Hong Kong; my parents visiting me; my sister coming to live and teach in Korea; and all the people I have met along the way.

I just want to provide an update on things that have happened since I’ve been out here that I’ve haven’t mentioned in my previous posts.

My Apartment
I did mention that I moved apartments, but I haven’t posted any pictures of my new apartment. Here is a short video I made recently:

Weather
As I said before I survived the extremely hot and rainy summer. I really didn’t think I would with my small fan that I had pointed at me at all times but I did and looking back now it doesn’t seem so bad. Coming from Southern California I know a thing or two about heat but the summer here was different. Not only because of the rain that accompanied the heat but the lack of air conditioning everywhere. Back at home we really don’t spend that much time outside and when we are indoors the air is sure to be on. That was not the case here. Not only did I spend more time outside because of walking or taking public transportations but the AC was never turned on in expected places like restaurants and shops making the experience that much hotter and I was excited for the cold to come.

Sometime in late August or early September temperatures started to cool and the afternoon started to actually get chilly. Then in October the temperature drastically dropped 20 degrees and we were in the 70 degrees, which was difficult to adjust. And just like that, the leaves on the trees started to change and the cold started to come in. Now most leafs on the trees are gone and there is hardly any green to be seen outside.

Fall Leafs

I have to admit that my perception of cold has change and I now think that 50 degrees is warm! I did have a hard time adjusting and the first time I had to walk to school in 30 degree temperatures I was literally on the verge of tears because I was so cold, but now I am kind of enjoying it. I like the fact that it feels like fall/winter. I do wish I could do something about the way I dress. I am wearing multiple layers in an attempt to stay warm and I look so random sometimes since all fashion is out the door.

I also experience my first snow, which was beautiful. I wish it could snow everyday and all day but it only lasts a few hours at most. Everyone says that this is nothing and it’s going to get worse but I can’t even imagine that. Next week the temperature will range from the low 20’s to the mid to high 30’s.

School

Since we got our new principle there has been some changes. I first noticed that the quality of our lunch started to decrease and before I knew it I found my lunch to be inedible, which was unfortunate since I use to look forward to lunch and I would get to try a lot of different Korean food. Now for those who know me, know that I am not a picky eater, but what they were serving for lunch was just disgusting and I would get nauseated at the smell of lunch sometimes. As bad as the food got I still had to contemplate about opting out of the lunch program and bringing my own lunch. The decision was difficult mostly because I was lazy to make my lunch, but also because I didn’t know how to cook, and it was much cheaper buying the school lunch at $2.50 a day. One day I was not able to eat lunch anymore and ended up eating a bag of chips that's when I decided I would stop purchasing lunch at school.

Now I bring my lunch to school every day. I mostly make vegetarian Thai curry for lunch or leftovers from dinners that I host. I also started to buy burritos from Gringos Burritos. Surprisingly their burritos are delicious and they even have a chorizo burrito.

The other big change at our school was that they stopped buying us toilet paper! That’s right toilet paper! There were a few weeks without it but ultimately the English department bought some with their budget. During this time my co teacher gave me a box of Kleenex Tissue to use, which I have to say is just not the same.

So with that being said it is obvious the new principle and vice principal are trying to reduce the school's spending. I was worried that they wouldn’t turn the heater on during winter but luckily they didn’t go that far. They are however, turning the heater off daily from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm for energy conservation, and we also have to set the heater on 20 degrees celsius, which is 68 degrees ferinheight. My classroom does not hold the heat in very well and the heater has to be blasting in order to keep me warm, which means I am very bundled up most of the day when I'm at school.

Students

This is the first and only semester I will teach all the way through and I was having a hard time saying goodbye to my kids. The kids graduate in winter instead of spring in Korea, so that means all my kids will be moving on to the next grade this winter. Here are pictures of all my after school classes on their last day of school:


First Graders:

I can't believe how serious everyone looks since they are very active kids

Second Graders:

Oh boys... not sure what is going on in that corner

Third Graders:

I love this picture! There is so much going on and look at Sara on the right

Fourth Graders:

Winter Vacation

I was trying to have my winter vacation during Christmas but I was unable to get two consecutive weeks off during that time, so instead I will be on vacation at the end of January into the first week of February. We have purchased our tickets and have booked our hotels. Our destinations are Cambodia and Thailand, which will give us a nice break from Korea’s cold winter. I am going with the other foreign teachers at my school and my sister. I am most excited about everything being cheap and cheap massages! I can’t wait to eat some delicious food which will be a nice change from my diet in Korea.