Tuesday, March 30, 2010

I haven't written much lately, since nothing has really been happening.

Last weekend I finally got my first haircut since I've been here. It's nice to have short(ish) hair again. I found the one salon in Chuncheon with an English-speaking owner. It was nice to have someone who understood what I wanted, and who was able to chat.

It was amazing how inexpensive it is here. Even though I still have just under five months left, it's starting to hit home how little time that is. And it's starting to sink in exactly how good of a gig it is to be here. For example, the whole haircut thing was only 10,000 won (less than $10) for everything. The incredibly cheap water bills (less than $5 a month).

Not too bad.

Nothing else is really exciting here. I'm working extra this week as one of the teachers is taking his vacation. '

I'm just trying to get through the week, and then Dad is going to arrive on Thursday, April 8 so I'll go to Seoul to meet him. I'm tentatively planning that weekend to get us to the DMZ (North Korean border), and to a baseball game (Seoul has a team called the LG Twins, so we'll see a "Twins" game in Korea).

Just have to make it to the weekend and I'll be home free...

Thursday, March 11, 2010

March 11, 2010

The semester is under way and so far it has been going pretty well. I have class after class with no break every day except Fridays, so the days go by very fast.

The kids have been very up and down - there are a few kids who are wild and loud, and some really great new kids, who are on or even above level. One girl is my new favorite. Her name is Ruby and she's adorable and very smart. I need to take pictures of my new classes.

This week we were finally approached about extending our contracts in August. I had decided before I even got here that it was one year and I would leave (and I still am going to), but if I had to stay here I don't think it would be so terrible. It's going to be a bit difficult to explain to the owner, especially since he's been trying to spend more time with us as the apparent downturn in attendance (a minor 'crisis' at a lot of the schools) is turning around.

Not much else has been going on. I've been doing a lot of research and planning for my post-Korea travels. It's shaping up to be a pretty big thing, but it's nice having something to look forward to (and keep saving money for).

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Halfway done!

The weekend in Seoul was a nice getaway. We spent Saturday at the Coex mall and aquarium. On Sunday we went up to the N'Seoul Tower, even though it was a bit cloudy.
(Locks people leave symbolizing enduring love)


The five lights that indicated the state of the city (safe/under attack)

We also tried to visit the old east and west gates to the city. The west gate (Namdaemun) was supposed to be the nice one, but it was burned down by a fire a while ago and has yet to be rebuilt. Dongdaemun (the east gate) is a bit smaller, but still intact.


We also walked around down by the Cheonggye Stream, which was nice (though it would be nicer if it were green).


This week is the first week of the spring term. New classes and lots of stress, and on top that I've got a cold. Luckily tomorrow is Friday and I just have to make it through and I have the weekend to recuperate.

All I know is that I'm more than halfway through my contract! It's all downhill from here!