And thus starts a new year...

Well, hello.

It’s been a long time.

And who’s fault is that?

Well…..mine.

Yes, I’m back. Finally. Maybe some of you wondered where I’ve been in the blogosphere for the past, oh, six months. I started last year so strong….Ah, well. Life happens, and mine certainly happened with a vengeance. So in summation, I’ll fill in everyone on the happenings of my life. Most of you already know these things, but I believe there are a handful of people who don’t really know all of the details.

So, with that: the grand entry of my life for the past few months.
In April, Chaz and I made the decision to renew our contracts and stay another year at our same schools in Korea. Some of you may be wondering why I didn’t switch schools….frankly, I wonder myself. All I can say is I think I had a few really good weeks at my school, renewed my contract, and then things went crazy. By the time I completed my contract, I was half-bald, bare-bones, and blind with rage and frustration with my students, and some administration. But another contract I did sign, so I look for the best in the coming year. I figure I renewed with my school for a reason, so I must have some work to do here. I know I’ll be used in ways I can’t fathom yet, so I am looking forward to that.

The rest of the semester before summer break went by quickly. April, May, June, July. Really, once June hit, it was “goodbye, summer!” My mom came for a visit to the ROK for two weeks in June, and we had a blast! I can’t tell you how wonderful it was to have someone (especially my mom) come and visit. We got to show her our home, our school, our friends, our life, and our city in Korea. I believe after she left, she had a clearer understanding of why we love our life here and want to experience it for another year.

Two days after my mom left, it was time for another wonderful visit…STEVE & KIM! Our married-hetero-life partners! Around the time we decided we wanted to renew our contracts, Steve and Kim decided they’d like to join us teaching in Busan. A few months after beginning the process of teaching in Korea, they were here. Actually here. In Busan. The great thing: they live a mere 15-minute walk down a mountain from us. A city of 3.6 million, and they’re 15 minutes WALKING away. So great. Besides the addition of Steve & Kim, they brought with them a delightful Iowan named Kayse. Now, in our repertoire of Iowa girls in Busan, we have Kate, Kim, Kelly, Kat, Kayse. Apparently, “K” names are standard for girls in Iowa.

Mid-July finished the first semester of school (remember, Korean schools begin the school year in March, not in August), and then brought on Summer Camp. Like Winter Camp, it promised to be a blast. I had a class of 10 boys (and an incredibly adorable 8-year old girl who had better English skills than all of my students), and we decided to do a challenge of a camp: TOEFL. To any of you who don’t know, TOEFL is the test that non-native English speakers take to assess their understanding of English in the classroom. My students would have the option of taking this test later in life in order to study overseas. With my low-level students, we had to adapt the curriculum a bit, but I was so proud of what they accomplished. I also noticed that some of the students had been holding out on my during the school year…..I promised them they would not remain invisible (as they liked it) anymore!

After a month of showing the newest arrivals the ropes, we were looking at the completion of our first contract, and a month’s vacation of home. When leaving, I wasn’t sure I was ready to go home yet, but as soon as I saw that beautiful Iowa landscape, I was home. My heart was stirred by the space and the sky and the GREEN. Probably the most shocking cultural transition occurred on the plane. We began our journey in Seoul, and then flew to Japan on Asiana (my favorite airline). In Tokyo, we transferred to United for our flight to Chicago. In Asian airlines, they are about comfort and respect for their passengers (I’ve flown Asiana, Korean Air, ANA…all wonderful). I was used to quiet, calming voices, and smiling faces. As soon as we boarded United, it was another story. “Sit down and shut up!” Was basically the rule. It was shocking to hear the brash, commanding voices, and see the unpleasant faces. Oh, America, how I missed your ‘tude.

Once we got over that shock, the rest of the trip felt like we hadn’t left home. I frequently had to remind myself that a year really had passed and my friends and family had experienced a lot and changed as much as I had. A birthday party of our nieces, Chuck E. Cheese, and Adventureland packed the first week. (I haven’t mentioned how ADORABLE our nieces are yet, have I?) Then, the farm, cookouts, shopping, and relaxation filled the next. The rest of our time home fluctuated between Chaz’s fam, my fam, Ames, Chaz’s fam, and my fam. The trip to Ames was awesome…we both had stirrings of love biking down the streets we used to. Great Plains, Hickory Park, and Stomping Grounds were much-needed meals. And Harvest Vineyard. I cannot describe the joy I felt walking into the presence of that church family. Tears were definitely brought to my eyes, and I was just so incredibly happy to be there. I also want to give a shout-out to my brother and his roommates, Joe and Dustin, who made us feel so welcomed and loved through our weekend spent with them. I smile just thinking about it.

The final cookouts with our families (Chaz’s on Tuesday night, mine on Wednesday) were great. It was wonderful to see everyone one last time, and basically re-live our sending-offs from last year. We look forward to seeing our family again next year.
Now here we are, a month into our second year in Korea. While I’m still struggling at school, and this school year is bringing even more challenges to handle, I look back at where I was a year ago, and know that I’m so much more prepared for them. While I’m still finding my way as far as teaching goes in Korea, I’m optimistic that I’ll have much more success this year….even though I anticipate failures as well. I just keep telling myself that it will only get better from here, and this is how I know I can keep going another year. Looking forward to sharing another year’s worth of adventures with you!

(and I really will try to maintain my blog this time…try at least.^^)

After School Class Project

While I'm working on some other posts about our recent escapades in Busan and throughout the countryside, I'll leave you with a video of some student projects we did today. We've been working on restaurants and food in my after school class, and today they created commercials for their restaurants they have previously created. These are some groups with pretty good English skills from my Level 1 after school class. Enjoy!

And then comes today...

I love Korean food. I feel that I've expressed this many times either on this blog, on Facebook, or if you chat with me at some point. Gamjatang, bibimbap, samguypsal, galbi, dwen jang jighe.....I could go on and on about all of the delicious, healthy fare available to us in Korea. I love eating school lunches (strange, huh?), going out to a restaurant, and trying my hand at homemade Korean food. That being said...

I have food poisoning.

Most of you probably don't care to hear this, but I thought I'd share my experience with one of the hazards of traveling/living overseas. Last night, I awoke at 1:30 to rid myself of the poisons in my body. Yes, I'm talking about pooping and vomiting. This bout is my second since coming to Korea, and I have to say that I sympathize with all out there who have experienced the horrors of food poisoning. I've *ahem* cleared my system and have been filling my body with water and nothing else until it's clear I can handle substance.

Now here's the twist: both times I've had food poisoning in Korea have been from Western foods. First experience: expired sour cream (and yes I know, that makes me look like an idiot). This experience: not sure, but I'm pretty sure it had something to do with the fried chicken we ate. Fried chicken that Koreans have become obsessed with after the West brought it here.

So kudos to you, Korea, for having food that doesn't make me sick, and thank you, Western World, for introducing your fried, greasy, synthetic, dairy-infatuated foods with Eastern cultures. I really appreciate that one.


(okay....somedays i do appreciate a good ole burger and fries....today is another story)

A Good Day.

Yes I took a hiatus. And yes I've had a lot going on. And maybe I'll update on it. ^o^ I blame it on Chaz....because he's my husband, and I can.

But for now...I'm going to write a happy post about my happy day because most of my posts about school are depressing and angsty. So basically, if you're into teaching, you may find this interesting. If not....sorry, could be boring! After Spring Break, I came back to school to teach a new school year of English Speaking.

Scratch that.

I came back to school to wait for a week and a half to teach as my schedule wasn't ready. At the beginning of the school year. No schedule. Ah, well, such is teaching in Korea. Now, I've been teaching for the past three weeks with new Level 1 students, and my previous Level 1s and 2s moved up a notch on the hierarchy of the school system. It's been great to come back and see my old students. See how they've changed, matured (or continued in their immature patterns) with their newfound responsibilities as older students. This semester I'm teaching 20 hours (meaning 20 different classes) throughout the week, and I have two different after school classes: one meeting on Mondays and Wednesdays, the other Thursdays and Fridays. 24 teaching hours total. Two less than last semester, which isn't bad at all. I have three new co-teachers, one previous co-teacher, and one Eunah (who I'm actually co-teaching with this semester). I've had much more success with co-teachers this time around already, and I'm looking forward to continually working with and succeeding with them.

Now that logistics are over....to my good day.

Today I had two Level 2 classes, and two classes of Level 1. My Level 2 classes this year (previously Level 1s) I'm convinced are a wonderful class. The class as a whole seems full of smart, nice boys who are good students and possess relatively good English speaking skills (compared to other classes). I began today with the students who stand at the front gate and bow to the teachers, actually bowing to me and greeting me.

~In my school, a group of class leaders must stand at the entrance gate and welcome the teachers each morning. It's hit or miss whether I get a greeting (meaning I'm not seen as an "actual" teacher). I count it a good day when I'm greeted.~

This day I was greeted. Good sign. First period brought me my joy for the day. The class was full of smart, personable Level 2 boys, so I was already gearing up for a good time. Their first lesson in my book is "I Hope I Will Fly Someday." Basically, it's discussing future goals/dreams, and also works on discussing events and feelings. I began class with having students finish the sentence, "When I was a child, I dreamed I would be a ________________." Students then had to draw themselves in that role. They had to think about a silly dream they had as a child and complete the activity. I prefaced it with my childhood dream: to play in the NBA and be the next Michael Jordan. This got many laughs as, clearly, I'm no Michael Jordan. It also helped students get a bit creative with their answers. In Korea, creativity is squelched (not purposely) because they're much more focused on becoming good test-takers than creative, problem-solvers. It's difficult to get students to think outside the box because they'd much rather take notes and memorize as that's what they're used to. My students threw themselves into this activity with a fervor I've not yet seen. When finished, I had some chefs, a world dominator, some scientists, a Superman, and a Power Ranger (to name a few). We definitely had a great range of childhood dreams in the class, and students loved sharing and hearing their classmates dreams. After some book speaking activities, we returned to the beginning activity to bring it to today. Students had to fill in the blank, "When I grow up, I hope I will be a _______________." Being the feel-goody teacher I am, we ended class with discussing how we can work now to achieve our dreams, and, sappily, I wished them success in all they dream to do.

Go ahead, laugh at me. Make fun of me. But this day was one of those rare moments when activities translated and everyone had fun. Success. Little by little.

My name's not Alexander, but....

...this is a terrible, horrible, no-good, very bad day.

Is it sad that I'm already this depressed and disillusioned after I've already had a month of Winter Break?

Vacation...

...is awesome.

Thailand is amazing: food, fun, beach, weather, friends, motorbikes, etc. etc.

A detailed account of our trip is coming soon (you know me and my wordiness). Our last day here will be spent on the beach, reading. We'll be back to Busan February 3rd, and we can't wait to reconnect with everyone.

Pumping hearts for Thailand!

we're either crazy......or crazy

Sunday: Kelly and I searched frantically for plane tickets. Three hours later, we successfully booked two seats (on separate flights).

Today: I'm frantically packing, preparing, and gathering everything for a two week trip.

Tomorrow: We will leave for Seoul at 6:30 am to get to Incheon for our departing flights. Tomorrow night, Kelly and I will be in Thailand.

That's right...in two days, Kelly and I have planned a two week trip to Thailand complete with a skeleton itinerary. We have our tickets, we have a place to stay tomorrow night, and we have a destination for the day after. Chaz will join us (hopefully) next Saturday. This trip promises mountains, temples, ziplines, elephant rides, snorkeling, and major beach time. Hopefully. As Kelly said, "If we pull this off, it will be the most amazing thing ever!"

Please keep us in thoughts and prayers as we attempt to do the near-impossible. We'll keep updating as possible. Happy January, everyone!