Kimchi Tales

el.jardin

2011-06-12T16:52:00.002-06:00

Chant-uh

2010-07-01T21:49:00.009-06:00

I've been "studying" the World Cup the last few weeks with the after school kiddos. Our final activity was "Make Your Own Chant" for the South Korean team.

Names correlate with the student on the far left, moving right.

"K-O-R-E-A was his name-o"
Starring: Anica, Julie, Abby, Lisa (hiding)

"#$*k@ret%ewo!"
(I can't understand a word they say)
Starring: Sarah, Gina, Emily

"Goal, Goal in the Win; South Korea in the Win"
Starring: The Boys -- David, Jason, Ron, Sam

"Korea is the Best-uh in the World-uh Cup"
Starring: Jenny, Cathy, Sally

대한민국 !

2010-06-25T00:43:00.007-06:00

World Cup madness. My life for the last 3 weeks.

Game night: hundreds of thousands of Koreans migrate to two central locations in Seoul.

Sporting red shirts, hats, face paint, and flags, they mix and mingle and drink cheap beer until the first whistle blows.

Enormous screens are placed on site, streets are shut down, and en masse (and on cue), everyone sits down to watch the game.

Only to stand up again.... GOOOAAALLL!!!

And stay standing for approximately 8 minutes, dancing and cheering and trumpeting plastic horns. I took this video at least 5 minutes AFTER the goal was scored. And the crowd stayed like this for another 10 as the game wore on...I'm just here, lost in a sea of red, trrrryin to fit in... 대한민국 !!

Shouting Reds!

2010-06-15T20:33:00.007-06:00

Soccer is in the air, and the beloved Red Devils won their first World Cup game last Saturday against Greece, 2-0.

Koreans are among the most enthusiastic people on the planet, but when it comes to soccer, the frenzy soars to new heights. The excitement is electric, a palpable energy that buzzes through the country, sending shock waves from coast to coast on game days.

I'm thrilled to be in a soccer-loving country during the World Cup. I'm thrilled to be rooting for a team that I didn't know existed 11 months ago. I'm thrilled to be dreaming with the rest of this nation, hoping beyond hope that this small country has a chance among the ranks of the big wig Spanish, Portuguese, German, and Brazilian teams.

Maybe we're a bit foolish, but if you were here, you'd get swept up into the electrifying frenzy too.

My friend scored some FIFA tickets in May, and we got to go to the last soccer match before the World Cup.

Korea vs Ecuador. Korea won, and it was EPIC.

The stadium was packed 30 min before the match started.

The famous "cheering section," on the right. They were wild, ramboncious, and enthusiastic for 90 straight minutes. They chanted and cheered and clapped and shouted and waved flags and...

...lit flares?

For 90 straight minutes.

It was insane. I felt like I was at a homecoming game on steroids.

Thought that a video might capture the electricity, especially after a goal...

... now imagine that noise channeled through a megaphone into your ear. That's how loud it was.

This same Korean team is now competing in South Africa, and when it's game time, the people gather at this stadium, pack it out, and stand for 90 minutes straight, eyes glued to the big screens, cheering and shouting and clapping and lighting flares into all hours of the night....

A Korean Birthday

2010-05-26T23:13:00.009-06:00

The day started off innocent enough.

Home made cinnamon rolls (thanks, roommate) and 7am breakfast with the early risers...

... followed by a prompt birthday greeting at school from two of my favorites, Christine and Cathy.

Gifts and greetings trickled in throughout the day.

The cards were hilarious.

"Kelly! Hi I'm Abby. Happy birthday. It's birthday card... It's so beautifal? I think I love you! Abby. "

Another favorite (from Youna) reads:

"Teacher Kelly Congratulation and Happy Birthday. And I wish this is your best birthday in Korea. Maybe because you got many gifts from students in Korean school. And teacher I am so glad that I meet beatufiul and kind teacher like you who teachess english and are class and that is you teacher Kelly. And ones again techer congratulation and Happy Birthday. And teacher I wish you and I will be a good, best partner. FROM: Youna"

By the end of the day, my desk was quite crowded.

A red wallet and yellow pencil case reading "Escape from your routine / And spread out your wings to fly away," compliments of Cathy, roses from Anica, a bicycle picture frame from Youna, and a potted cacti from Jane.

After school, my co-teacher Jennifer called me upstairs. I have a great video of a packed teachers lounge, the melodic efforts of my co-workers singing "Happy Birthday" in English, and five proud candles atop a decadent cake. Unfortunately the video won't load, but here's an "after party" picture...

Many of the teachers signed the most epic card I've received to date. Some comments include:

"Happy birthday to you! I think you are good teacher. I want to be with you long time. I wish you are happy and healthy in Korea."

"Happy birthday Kelly. You are so attractive person. I like you."

and my personal favorite...

"Happy Birthday to you! Always I bless you take care Body. Always I bless you take care Mind. You are happy face. I wish you well doing. I love you."

After school, they took me to dinner at an upscale Korean restaurant. I've eaten like this once before when Jennifer and I first met, and the food was equally delicious this time around.

Words will never describe what it meant to have these three women take time out of their busy lives, away from their demanding husbands and children, to have a meal with the intention of celebrating me, and the evening will forever be one of my top three favorite memories of my time in Korea.

Where did April go?

2010-05-12T19:47:00.007-06:00

It's mid-May, and I'm not sure where April went.
School is flying by; only two more months until summer! Here are my after school kiddos:

We've all gotten quite comfortable with each other.

Sometimes they like to take over and teach. We were talking about fortunes, playing a game that predicts what will happen in your life using the sentence "You will _____." I wrote several examples on the board:

You will win 2mil in the lotto.
You will play professional baseball (with LG Twins, Korean team)
You will marry G-dragon (famous Korean pop-star)

One of the kiddos took over my black marker with a red marker.

Clearly they do not like the LG twins, and clearly they have been misinformed about what it'd be like to be married to me...

In other news, the new English Classroom is up and running. We had an opening ceremony and everything. Here are 2 of my 3 co-teachers...

Jennifer (in white) is fluent in English, and is a total god-send. I dont actually teach with her, but we spend ample amounts of time together outside the classroom (and sometimes outside school). Mrs. Pak is in gray, and we teach 4th and 5th grade together. We've got a great system: she prepares the lesson, I teach it. Works great.

Here's the new classroom. Rough life, eh?

The giant TV is a touch-screen. It's my favorite.
And see where the "Room" is? With the bed, TV, couch, and desk?
Yeah... all my students think that's my HOME.

"Teacher home? Teacher home?" I kept getting asked the first few weeks the classroom was opened. Yes, retards. This is where I live.

Pre-April snow brings.... yellow dust?

2010-04-01T17:55:00.021-06:00

March 23
When it snows, it pours...

March 24
Yellow dust. Thanks Gobi Desert.

March 27
An afternoon in the life of a public school teacher. After school.

Notice how they shoved the entire classroom forward 10 feet to clear a space to play... but the best part: they carried that ping-pong table up FOUR flights of stairs.

March 31
Sunrise service. 4:30am.

I ventured inside...

...and called Jennifer (co-teacher). "I'm waiting for you in the back of the room," I yelled over the music. But we couldn't find each other. Apparently this was the OVERFLOW room.

THIS was the main auditorium. People arrive here around 3:30am to reserve seats. Jennifer arrives at 4am and the closest she can get is seating along the side.

I ended up going back the next morning. Jennifer called over the camera man and told him to take a picture of me... AWKWARD.

모전여전

BUT WORTH IT because he posted them on her church's website, just like this, and beneath our side-by-side photos he wrote: 모전여전

Roughly translated: the daughter takes after her mother.

BAHAHAAA.... I love Korea. Jennifer and I laughed for a good three minutes when we saw this. I mean I know I look a little Asian, but really?

As promised...

2010-03-25T00:01:00.014-06:00

Meet class 4-8.
They are unlike any class I've had here.
They are hyper active.
They are high maintenance.
They are high energy.
They are enthusiastic, vibrant little rascals,
and they are really really really into...

Kelly Teacher.

We're on Lesson 2 this week: Don't Do That!
Every lesson has a song, and 4-8 had me heaving in laughter. I've never seen a group of kids so stoked about some lame song.
(I also love how my co-teacher wrote "Don't Do That?" on the board)

Oh no, don't do that! Oh no, don't do that! Oh no, don't do that! It's not OK, don't do that! Don't run, don't run, don't run in the classroom. Don't jump, don't jump, don't jump in the classroom. Oh no, don't do that! Oh no, don't do that! Oh no, don't do that! It's not OK, don't do that!

Okay, last story.

4-8 has, in my opinion, the most high maintenance student in the school. He was one of my 3rd graders last semester and I about killed him. This time around, I chose to goof off back rather then seethe in anger... and oddly enough, it's working.

Well, I thought it was. I thought I was doing something that made him calm down and listen. Until three weeks ago, when I realized that what's working is the little lady who sits next to him.

EVERY week, this happens.
EVERY week, it cracks me up.
THIS week, I filmed it for you.

Maybe you have to be here to see it: she next to Mr. High Maintenance and for forty looong minutes, makes sure his face is glued to the desk. She uses all methods. Hitting, smacking, smothering (she literally stands up and covers him), and gentle patting. Then she'll catch me looking at her, laughing, at which point she (1) gives that adorable, innocent smile (2) starts patting his head with her right hand and (3) rests her chin in her left hand. EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. She's so consistent, I love it.

Incredible.
I don't know what kind of super power she has..... but I want it.

Crowds... of a different kind.

2010-03-22T21:58:00.008-06:00

I arrived in Korea just in time for the start of second semester (Sept-Dec). I taught English camps in the morning during January, and worked 9-noon the first two months of 2010. It was rough. March 2nd marked the beginning of a new school year: students have moved up a grade, I'm teaching different grades, the English classroom is getting a makeover, and I have three new co-teachers.

Things look and feel remarkably similar to last September; many things have changed, requiring much adaptability on my part. But one thing is remarkably different: this time around, I'm known. No longer do I wander around the hallways, feeling lost in a sea of Korean children; these days I have to wade through swarm of hugs to get to the next class. Especially when I walk through the 4th grade hallway. Those little buggers amaze me with their unending reservoir of sheer excitement simply because I walk into the room. I'll take a video to prove it: they cheer for at least 10 seconds every time they see me.

I couldn't be more pleased that the students finally feel comfortable around me. It took many long months of smiles, hugs, and an unending reservoir of sheer excitement to get 700+ kiddos to warm up to me.

And warm up have they EVER.
Actually,
these days,
I'm thinkin they're a little too warm for my liking.

Case in point (I'll give you one example from each grade)(and also, this all happened in the SAME week):

Grade 4
One day I wore my contacts. I always wear my glasses. I dont wear much makeup, and the makeup I do wear certainly isn't trying to "cover up" anything. The first class asked my co-teacher why I wasnt wearing face makeup. I told them I didn't need it, I was beautiful without it. They gasped in horror. I then turned to all the 10 yr old girls and told them they, too, were beautiful and didnt need make up. Some of them fell out of their seat and rolled around the floor shrieking. Suffice it to say that Korean advertising has an agenda, and it reaches all the way down to 8, 9, and 10 yr old girls. And, it works. Unfortunately.

Anyway. The next class, one little gaffer was bold enough to walk to the front of the room, touch my face (under my eyes) and ask my co-teacher why there were dark circles. Well, sweet muffin, we all have wrinkles and splotches and weird things on our face, but most women "cover it up" and I choose not to...

Grade 5
My hair is finally long enough to pull it back a bit. Which I've done a few times, and I've received myriad compliments. Apparently, this was the first time this particular 5th grade class saw it, and as most children do, they noticed immediately. One boy said something in Korean, the class hooted in laughter, and one of the more fluent students graciously translated, "Teacher, he says you look like a man!" And why is that, my sweet little muffin? "Your new hair fashion!"

Grade 6
Winter in Korea. Cold. Long. I brought a pea-coat, and I only brought one. As it is usually very cold inside the school, I have it on most of the time. The day after the Grade 5 hair comment, one of the 6th grade students bluntly asked, "Teacher, why do you always wear the same clothes?" Well, sweet muffin, I'm really poor and haven't any money to buy other clothes! Can you donate to my cause? (... It wasn't even worth wasting breath trying to explain to him that THIS is a coat, and I have only one because I only brought TWO suitcases with me from home and I couldn't FIT more than one, and not to worry because though I may look the same on the outside, I am QUITE proactive about changing the clothes I wear UNDERNEATH the coat...)

Sigh.
These kiddos. Rough crowd.
Now, I have to make sure to
..wear my glasses on Thursdays
..dress warmly on Tuesdays (and ditch the coat)
..and straighten my hair on Mondays.

I've never felt so insecure in my life.

Crowds and other Korean delicacies

2010-03-08T18:29:00.024-07:00

It always feels crowded here. And the crowds are exhausting. A fun Korean fact: bumping, nudging, or flat-out shoving is normal. No one thinks twice about it - except the Westerner who is quite used to her "personal bubble." But alas, I've been bumped, nudged, and shoved so many times the last six months I've grown quite used to it. Observe:

This is Myeongdong -- a popular, cutting edge shopping district in Seoul. I was sitting on the second floor of a coffee shop, digging deep to find more energy, pondering whether I wanted to go back outside and walk around in that, again. This was back in December, when my bubble still felt violated on a daily basis.

Winter here has been bitterly cold. This was a crowded ice festival we went to in January, on the east side of the country. This was also the day "slide" was added to the "bump, nudge, shove" list. We got taken out by people quite literally sliding into us.

January and February I hit the slopes, which - you guessed it - were crowded (I took up boarding this season because I couldn't find enough room on the hill to ski). I tell you the truth: I have NEVER seen anything like a Korean ski hill. I've also never seen such a busy ski patrol. People were skiing, boarding, and sliding into each other left and right. Again, no one seems to thinks twice about it: just get up, wipe off the snow, and continue on with your day until you get taken out again 38 seconds later. If I were to start my own business here,I'd open clinics at the base of ski resorts. I'd make bank.

Last weekend I finally made it to a well known flea market in Seoul. Quite the overstimulating experience. It's rare these days for Koreans to buy anything secondhand, thus the market is a treasure trove of trinkets. I was thoroughly exhausted after two short hours; I haven't been pushed around that much since my rugby days!

Even the meals feel crowded.
This is a traditional (and typical) Korean meal -- complete with a zillion delicious side dishes. Stop by for a visit, I'll take you to a few of my favorite places... (hint, hint)

Besides the crowds, life here is fairly normal. I spend all my time with people. On Monday I hang with my favorite family: the Stewarts. Zach's eleventh birthday is this week, and we threw him a big surprise party on Sunday. Look at the little stud, surrounded by his "best friends in Korea." Rough life, Zach... rough life.

As you can see, the numbers have grown. The gals went from two this time last year, to five, to eight, and now we're pushing fifteen. Whitney had to get a new apartment to fit all the people on Wednesday nights. But growth is to be expected when God is breathing on something.

One weekend in February we crashed Scott and Dionne's apartment, where we laughed, cried, worshiped, ate, slept, and laid many-a-hand in an effort to encourage and edify one another. 'Twas delightful, and another weekend is already in the works.

A recent favorite in the new year: my neighbors. We met Ashley and JJ at the end of 2009, and quickly discovered they live in the next apartment building. They also love board games. Charissa and I live for board games. For two months, the four of us have been getting together for game night on Tuesdays. They bring the wine, we bring the dessert.

Oh, before I forget. Turns out I brought a friend back from Thailand with me. I named him Wormy. Thanks to Asian medicine, he's been flushed out of my system now, but I thought some of you would like to know. I mean, how often do you know someone who contracts a hookworm and lives to tell about it?!

Just kidding. They're not that bad. I kinda miss the little sucker (literally).

The first weekend of March was Korean Flag Day. We went to the park, where hundreds of flags filled the sky and the sounds of Korean festivities echoed throughout the air. The costumes were vibrant and the people were joyful.

And this man ate raw pig. Mmm...

I, on the other hand, found a little friend and was quite content to play with her for the rest of the afternoon. She laughed gleefully and I was giddy. The color coordination was totally planned.

A Korean Christmas

2009-12-20T18:26:00.029-07:00

I felt a bit like Santa today. We've been testing the students for the last few weeks, and today's test was on Lesson 8.

Kelly Teacher: What do you want for Christmas?
Student: I want a ________.
(cell phone, touch phone, iPhone, mp3, mp4, Wii, etc -- you know, "normal" presents for Korean kiddos)
Kelly Teacher: How much is it?
Student: It's ______ won.

Seems appropriate to wear a Santa hat tomorrow during the test, right? I'll try to get my co-teacher to sneak a photo.

The Christmas season in Korea has felt fairly normal, despite of the lack of eggnog, peppermint mochas, and Caucasian Santa Clauses. I've received wonderful care packages full of delightful American delicacies (Mom's homemade power bars, Hot Tamales, REESE'S PEANUT BUTTER CUPS, beef jerky, etc). I managed to get my hands on a 4ft Christmas tree, some ornaments and some lights, and now I never want to leave my apartment. It's absolutely freezing, all of Seoul is lit up like a Christmas tree, materialism in the markets abounds, and I've even seen snow a few times.

If I've learned anything in my time here, it's that Korean's don't do anything halfway.

Case in point: This is a picture of a Christmas store. It is packed so full, you can hardly walk down the narrow excuse for an aisle.

And I loved every minute of it.

Last weekend, we celebrated Christmas at Kim and Todd's place.

We had an old fashioned Christmas party. We wore plaid and/or ugly Christmas sweaters (Simon wore his Santa suit), ate pot roast, drank hot cocoa, sang Christmas carols, and watched Christmas movies.

But the best part of Christmas in Korea came earlier that day.

Katie and Charissa.
For the last two months,
they've been stalkin' and talkin' to ALL our families,
getting the low down on Christmas traditions
and asking for holiday letters.

On Sunday afternoon, at their instruction, we convened at my place. We entered into a candle-lit room and were immediately greeted by soothing Christmas classics from Frank, Etta, and Bing. The tree was lit and nine stockings proudly displayed each of our names. For the next two hours, wine and tears flowed as we took turns opening our letters and reading them aloud, and digging through our stockings, laughing together at small inside jokes that were waiting inside. We may all be away from our mothers, brothers, fathers and sisters, but we most certainly are not lacking family this Christmas. We're just a few days away now -- some gals have flown back home, others will stay, and some have even decided to come to Thailand with me at the end of the week.

All I know is I've never been happier in my life.

Family Photo

Christmas 2009
Seoul, South Korea

After School Class

2009-11-19T22:03:00.013-07:00

Meet Ralphie. He's twelve.

He is one of my 750+ students. We also see each other after school for English Class.

Most days, I don't think he likes me. Most days, I think he's making fun of me to the other boys in the after school class. Most days, he just simply pisses me off.

But TODAY, Ralphie made my day. The 5th grade students made "mini-books" this week to practice using past tense verbs. "What did you do on Sunday, Monday, etc etc" They had to write a sentence and draw a picture. Most students wrote things like "I went to church/I went to school/I studied English/I played baseball/I ate lunch/I watched a movie/etc etc," using the simple, easy verbs we've been studying.

Here's what my creative, devious little Ralphie came up with:

Sunday: I killed a rabbit. Monday: I baked a rabbit.

Tuesday: I ate the rabbit.

Friday: I made rabbit for jaket.

Saturday: I wore rabbit for jaket.

Gahhh hahah I still can't stop laughing. AND CHECK OUT THE DETAILED PICTURES. I love the serious face he's making in these photos. He's so into himself. Little boys are little boys no matter what country you're in, eh?

Meet Tom (left) and Jason.

Any of you that have skyped with me while I'm at school have undoubtedly met Jason. A sweet, sensitive, bright, witty young dude. He's my favorite. And that's saying a lot, considering I have 750+ kiddos to choose from.

Meet my shadow:

Joy, Mary, Sally.

These little girls follow me around EVERRYYYWHEERREEE. I love it. Can't get enough of em'. Their English isn't very good but they try SO HARD to talk to me. You can tell they want SO BADLY to be liked by me... ah, such a blessing, I love lovin on these three.

Mary is so stinkin cute. Her English needs some work, as evidenced by this worksheet... don't worry, I'm all over it.

Joy is an artist. She's trying to tell me that she saw me that morning on the way to school. But she couldn't figure out how to say it, and I wasn't understanding the usual game of charades, so she drew a picture. Such is my life.

And last, meet Ellen. Ellen is a beautiful, beautiful soul. We had a significant bonding moment last week that still warms my heart: she came to class after school crying, and she didn't know how to tell me what was wrong in English, so I just held her. And no words were needed. The next class she brought me a gift with a note that said "Happy day. I love you! Ellen."

I like to play games with them. Their lives are too serious, going to school from 8am-6 or 7 or 8pm. Or 10pm. Yikes. So my goal as their teacher? I just try and create a space for them to relax and have fun for one hour in their hectic day.

This week, during one of our after school classes, we listened to Korean Pop music (oh it's the WORST... and yet, it's the BEST... it's complicated... it's growing on me... I'm assimilating into the culture... uh oh, Kelly's gonna be a little more Asian when she comes back home...) during class. Ralphie was singing along. It was pretty funny, he knew all the words.

Gotta love Daniel, the goofy (literally) lookin kid in maroon (I know, I'm so bad). I think Daniel has some sort of speech impediment because he literally CAN'T talk right. Which is why he's looking at the camera, knowing that I'm filming without Ralphie knowing, but he doesn't say anything.

Ooooh my life is so funny to me. I'm an English teacher in Korea.

Nuf' said.

Gratitude

2009-10-05T07:02:00.066-06:00

Last weekend Korea celebrated Chuseok. Occurring annually during the harvest season, it is a time Korean families take to to thank their ancestors for providing them for rice, fruit, etc -- basically a celebration of family and other blessings in life. Same idea as Thanksgiving.

I spent my time off lounging around on the shores of the South China Sea. One night, in the spirit of the holiday, we sat around the grill cooking dinner and shared what we were grateful for. I've since returned from the camping trip, and I can't stop thinking about those things... so I've decided to share them with you.

I am grateful to have a job. Some days I love it, but most days I just laugh and wonder what in the world am I doing teaching English? I've struggled with the disconnect between things I am passionate about and what I'm actually doing -- and yet, I am just so grateful to say that I have I job.

I am grateful for the peace of Korea. It did not take me long to realize that there is a very significant and obvious absence of violence in this country. Those that know some of what I've seen and experienced the last two years doing anti-trafficking work may be able to appreciate how healing peace is for my heart. Out of all the countries I could have landed in, I am grateful that I landed on this small little peninsula in northeast Asia.

Korea

is so

peaceful.

I am grateful for grace in transition. I know I've been painting a pretty picture for everyone back home -- and don't get me wrong, the beauty of living and working in Korea is unparalleled -- but the adjustment has been pretty hard. I'm still riding the emotional roller coaster of transition and culture shock, sometimes daily. I just keep reminding myself: not only am I adjusting to a new country, a new culture, language, cuisine, people, etc etc, but I'm also in the middle of what my mentor Tamara calls "the biggest transition of your life" -- life after college. To all my dear friends who graduate in the spring: buckle in, because the transition is crazy. And no one can tell you what it's like because your experience of it will be unique to you. But I am grateful, as you will be, that grace abounds -- especially in seasons of transition.

And I am grateful for the tangible demonstrations of this grace:

I am grateful for my school, Eunhaeng Elementary School. I am grateful for my co-teachers. I am grateful that the principal is never around (thus, never on my back about anything). I am grateful that I only teach three lessons per week. It is SO easy to get stuck with an awful workplace while teaching English abroad. I didn't.

I am grateful for my apartment. Many teachers get stuck in rooms smaller than a dorm room. My living space has been nicknamed "the mansion" by my friends. Enough said.

And OH MY I am so grateful for those friends. The gals who sat around that grill with me last weekend. The gals with whom I wine and dine on Wednesday evenings. Whitney, Katie, Tayla, Charissa, Kelsey, Mindy, and Anna. They have been the most consistent demonstration of grace since I arrived here, and every day I am humbled by the singleness of heart that we all seem to share.

I am grateful for community. For the fathers and mothers, the 20-somethings, the children, the grandparents I've met here. I am grateful for laughter, for adventures, for people who are seeking to grow during their time in Korea. I have spent the last six weeks watching a hodgepodge group of people slowly come together, and look forward to what will unfold in the coming months.

I am grateful for Kim. She loves to spend time with us younger gals while Todd teaches. She dines with us on Wendesday's. She meets us at Butterfingers for breakfast on the weekend. She hangs with us whenever we have a day off. She and Todd also happen to have two of the most beautiful children on the planet. But I am especially grateful for Kim because of the friend and mentor she is becoming as she and I meet once a week to share life together in a more intentional way. Having a mentor here was so far off my radar that I didn't even think to pray for one... suffice it to say Kim has been one of the more poignant demonstrations of the tangible grace that is dripping from all areas of my life in Korea.

What about you? I want us to share our gratitude. Send me an email, or comment on this post.

In spite of and in light of all that is happening in the world around us, we all have much to be grateful for. This Sunday we are celebrating Canadian Thanksgiving. In another month, we will celebrate American Thanksgiving. In every culture, this holiday is a communal event. The community with whom I will share Thanksgiving this year has decided to celebrate our gratitude each time we gather for this special meal.

As you approach this holiday, I hope you find yourself pondering the many tangible demonstrations of grace in your life. And most importantly, I hope you are quick to share and celebrate your gratitude with loved ones at your thanksgiving meal.

And just because I know you all love pictures and videos, here was "An Afternoon at the The Great Wall of Suwon," the last leg of my epic Chuseok weekend.

p.s. Did you know you can click on the pictures to make them bigger?

One Month? Really?

2009-09-20T22:04:00.032-06:00

I had octopus soup for lunch today. Again. One month ago, on my FIRST DAY, we had octopus soup. Nothing says "Welcome to our school!" like chewy purple tentacles...

But it wasn't so bad the second time around. I actually ate the octopus this time, didn't gag, and flushed it down with some kimchi. I think I'm growing out of my culture shock. I actually like kimchi now, I can down octopus soup like a champ, and I stopped bringing snacks to school for fear of what they would serve for lunch.

Oh wait -- I forgot about the pig intestines. That was "lunch" my second day at school. Day 1 = octopus soup. Day 2 = pig intestines. Can you imagine how much I was dreading Day 3?? Ahh! What have I gotten myself into?! I'm going to starve here! But Day 3 was curry and the menu has been bearable ever since.

Much has happened since I last blogged. I had my first visit from home. I had orientation/training. I spent a weekend farming in a rural part of Korea. I saw my first dog farm. I've fought against spiders and fleas in my apartment (stupid fleas won't leave). I've had sleepovers on the roof with the gals and breakfast every Saturday morning at an American pancake joint, Butterfingers. I've been teaching over 700 students a week. Then I got sick. But I bought Korean sinus medicine for a whopping $1.50USD (universal health care is glorious) and got better OVERNIGHT. No joke. Koreans don't mess around. This weekend is Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving) and I have a 5 day weekend. We're going to go camping on the beach.

Enjoy the pics, videos, and stories!

I am of the impression that friendly faces in a foreign land are ranked among the most beautiful and cherished gifts of life.

My dear friend and former roommate came to visit. Lindsey is actually the reason I'm in Korea. Last November she decided to come teach here, but then she ended up staying in Seattle and I'M the one living and working in Asia. Life has a funny sense of humor.

She was only here for six days, but how I treasured our time together! We traveled around Seoul, visiting all the hot spots. We got lost on buses. We ate weird food. She got to experience what my day-to-day life is like in Korea. But the thing I treasure most is the time we had to TALK. I've been going through a very intense period of transition and adjustment, and being able to externally process it for the first time was an indescribable gift.

My favorite moment from her trip:

The guy on my left became my new boyfriend within 2 minutes of our initial meeting.

The guy on Lindsey's right just kept saying "I love you. I love you," while trying to get a hug.

Let me explain. These guys work at a candy stand, making homemade, fresh Korean candy. These stands are all over the city. My Aunt Holly actually told me about this stuff before I left, emphatically telling me that I just HAD to find this stuff and try it.

She wasn't kidding.

I have a hilarious video of them making the candy, but it's not loading right now. Here are a few others for you to enjoy!

Then there are rooftop sleepovers with breakfast the morning after.

And cultural drum dances to start orientation, as well as a photo of some of the other elementary public school teachers in my area.

And finally, farming in rural Korea.

I spent the weekend pruning tomatoes, kickin it with some awesome Korean college students...

... and stumbling across my first dog farm. Hundreds and hundreds of cages full of dogs, all of which will end up on someone's plate at a restaurant. And the worst part? I got closer look at the dogs, and I'm about 80% sure they were Rhodegian Ridgebacks. My aunt has TWO Rhodegian Ridgebacks... as pets. I took a picture of a few in the cage, but I don't think I'll post it. Reminds me too much of Cooper and Sophie... sorry Aunt Holly. Gotta love those cultural differences :)

Well folks, that's all for now. As you can see, I've been keeping busy! I'll be sure to send another update soon.

"Work" shouldn't be this much fun....

2009-09-11T00:05:00.020-06:00

Well, there is only good news to report here on the home front. It's Friday afternoon and I'm sitting at my new desk in my new classroom in my new school, pondering my first week of teaching as I type on this new computer.

So many new things in life these days.

Let me just get right to it:

I LOVE TEACHING.

I've known that for a while, but I've never actually been a teacher until 5 days ago and I CAN'T GET ENOUGH OF IT! The joy and anticipation I feel every morning simply because I get to go teach again is all the caffeine I need. Well... maybe I need a little coffee... but here's why:

I teach in a public elementary school. It is a large school and I am the only foreign teacher.
In public schools, the kiddos start English classes in 3rd grade.

I teach 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade.
Again, I am the only foreign teacher, which means EVERY 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade class comes to me.

I teach 23 classes a week.
M/Th/F I have 5 classes, and T/W brings me 4 classes.
I only see each class once a week. Classes average 30 students.

Let's do the math: 23 classes per week, 30 students per class....

Yep. 700 students. Your calculator ain't lyin'.

But before you start feeling too sorry for me, let me tell you that my job couldn't be easier. Because I only see each class once a week, I only have to do ONE lesson plan per grade. That means I only have to prepare three lessons per week. Three lessons. And all I do is teach the same lesson over and over and over and... you get the idea.

I also teach an after school class M/W to 17 students, and a "teachers class" on T/Th (other teachers in the school). That's actually my favorite part, because (1) I get to create my own lesson plans and (2) I actually get to know my 17 students!

I teach 3rd and 4th grade with Diane (above)
and 5th grade with Susan (below).

Diane and Susan are the coolest co-teachers a gal could ask for.
I'm totally blessed to be teaching with them.

The classroom.

The kiddos.

These are some of the 3rd graders in one of the Thursday classes. Thursday is my favorite because I have 3rd grade ALL DAY. They are the cutest stinking kids you'll ever meet... witty, charming, obedient, eager to please -- what more could a teacher ask for?

All that being said, I am VERY happy and VERY blessed to be at this particular school. The great part about having 700 students? Half of the school knows me. Every single day I feel like a celebrity when I walk around the hallways... "Hello Teacher Kelly! Hello Teacher Kelly!" What's more, I've been showered with compliments all week. The other teachers think I'm great -- one has already asked me over to her house for dinner. Diane (co-teacher) compliments and encourages me daily. Many homeroom teachers have come up to me and said, "Kelly, my students keep telling me, Teacher, have you met the new English teacher? She's so nice! She's so tall! She's so beautiful!" Ahh... makes my heart melt every time.

Just to give you a taste of what I "have to put up with" everyday, here's a group of 3rd graders singing about apples...

This is what they sound like: do you like ap-lah's ap-lah's, do you like ap-lah's ap-lah's? yucky yucky yucky yucky ap-lah's, yucky yucky yucky yucky ap-lah's!

How can you do anything but smile like a big goof and wonder how you lucked out with such an incredible job? Well, that's what I do anyway.

Life just keeps getting more and more beautiful over here in South Korea :)

Attack of the Ants, Season 1

2009-09-09T22:31:00.006-06:00

Season I, Episode I: I Stand Corrected...

Season I, Episode II: The Battle Begins...

Season I, Episode III: Season Finale

Korea: The First Days...

2009-09-02T18:27:00.024-06:00

Days 1-3: I don't really remember, I was too shocked by the reality of what I was doing... there was a few long plane rides, a lot of movies, some really bad bimbimbap on the Korean Air flight, a really dirty aparment that I dumped my bags in, my first experience at Home Mart (like a Korean Wal-Mart), losing all the cash I had on me (that was fun...) and NOT finding it (even more exciting...), irregular sleep patterns, and long walks around Yatap (my neighborhood) to get to know my surroundings.

"Yeaaahh! I'm going to go sit on that plane for 12 hours!!!"

I moved to Korea.

The apartment building.

The neighborhood.

3 blocks away: the river.

1 block away: the creek.

Both are excellent for longboarding.

Day 4: I woke up early to go meet up with some other AT gals for breakfast. AT = Adventure Teaching, my AWESOME recruiter. They were so intentional about introducing me to other teachers via email so that I wouldn't be completely lonely my first few days here.

Getting ready to navigate the subway system, approx 10 hrs after landing.

Day 4 also included 5 hours of cleaning my apartment, Korean BBQ for dinner, my first encounter with kimchi, trekking into Seoul with the AT gals to hang at their favorite hookah bar, taking a bus for the first time (which is MUCH more intimidating than the subway), missing the last subway for the night, and taking a taxi home at 1am.

Day 5: church in the morning, followed by a quick lunch of kim-bop, kind of like sushi (but not really sushi). After lunch, Anna and Whitney (not pictured) came back to my apartment and we pulled out the instruments for a little jam session. Whit and I on the guitars, Anna with her ukulele... let's just say we need to practice!

Lunch with Anna and Sunny.

Day 6: Breakfast in the morning with my FAVORITE Korean friends, Minhyung and Soojung, at Butterfingers -- an American breakfast joint. Kind of like IHOP. Adventure Teaching works with Y&G Recruit, another recruiting agency in Korea that places teachers. Minhyung and Soojung just happen to be my recruiters from Y&G, though most recruiters are not anywhere near as thoughtful, caring, helpful, friendly, and kind as these two people. They have made all the difference in the world as I've transitioned to my new home.

The rest of my days have been full of cleaning/moving into my apartment, continuing to meet people, trying to find Costco in Seoul and getting lost instead, longboarding, sleeping, taking subways, buses and cabs, and trying new food. Here are a few more pictures:

Kim and her husband Todd (not pictured) had two wonderful children, Zach and Lia-Joy (above). Todd is working as a science teacher at a local Christian school.

The guy in the green shirt with his hands in the air is Joe, the teacher I am replacing. I got together with him twice before he left to talk about the school I'll be working at starting next Monday. He was eager to share everything he knew and give me advice. What a gift!

Ben, Katie, Tayla, me.

Dinner at Whitney's on Wednesday nights - Whitney is in light blue, Chrissa is underneath her, and Mindy is in the purple. Not sure what was so funny at the time... too much wine maybe?

A quiet dinner along the river, just me and my PB&J.

Stay posted, much more to come!

I MOVED TO ASIA...

2009-09-01T05:41:00.012-06:00

And at the time it was the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life. I must say, there is no feeling like the one I got the night before the flight. It was the epitome of that sinking emptiness we get in our stomach when it feels like something is terribly wrong. And it stuck with me for three days. I COULD NOT believe what I had just done. You know, that whole packing-up-my-belongings, leaving-everything-that-has-ever-been-familiar, and moving-to-a-foreign-country-that-is-VERY-VERY-far-away-from-everyone-who-knows-and-loves-me thing. It was quite difficult to stomach for a little while.

But I’m doing MUCH better now that the culture shock has worn off. I’m slowly starting to pick up tidbits of the language. I can navigate the subway system like a champ. I’ve taken several taxis, all by my big-ol’-self. I’ve been into downtown Seoul, gone shopping for groceries at the market, gone longboarding daily along the Han River, almost finished moving into my apartment, and eaten four traditional Korean dishes.

Which brings me to my next point. I hate to break it to ya folks, but kimchi and I did NOT get off to a good start. Here’s the problem: my apartment was VERY dirty when I came on Friday night (It took me FOUR DAYS to clean it! Yes, that means I JUST finished cleaning this evening). Everything was pretty gross, but the worst BY FAR was the refrigerator. I had been given fair warning by my recruiters that new teachers often find the stench of rotten kimchi inside their fridge... but I never imagined how bad it could get.

THERE WAS MOLD COLONY IN MINE. A giant family of rotten kimchi mold, and it wasn’t just a little village occupying the top shelf—IT WAS A GIANT KIMCHI-MOLD CITY. ALL OVER MY FRIDGE.

And when I opened the door for the first time I almost passed out from the huge kimchi-mold gas cloud that burst out of the fridge and into my face. It’s like the mold knew I was coming. Like the mold-city secreted as much of the smell as possible as a weapon to LAUNCH into my nasal passage upon our initial contact in an effort to defer me from ever coming back to destroy them... and I gotta tell ya, it almost worked. I steered clear of the fridge for a good 8 hours before I mustered enough courage to grab my weapons—rubber glove, sponge, bleach—and venture back into the battlefield for our last encounter...

Fear not, I won the war against the kimchi-mold city. My refrigerator is bleachy clean and currently contains several varieties of fruit. However, despite the full function of my nasal passages, the kimchi-mold has left me traumatized and now I cannot seem to get along with edible kimchi. It’s actually not too bad, considering it is rotten, fermented cabbage swimming in Korea’s version of Tabasco sauce, but THE SAME SMELL that was in my fridge hits you during the aftertaste, after you’ve already swallowed...

I tried some kimchi on Saturday night while at a Korean BBQ restaurant with some gals. I was looking forward to it, and was presently surprised there wasn’t any projectile vomiting when I ate it.

Then the aftertaste hit.

Memories of the battle against the kimchi-mold city hit me so hard that the world stopped spinning for a few seconds until I could regain composure and come back to reality. I know you think I’m crazy. Just trying to be funny, maybe. That I’m exaggerating. Or that this is just a cute story to entertain the both of us.

But I wish I could explain the stench to you, because then you would understand everything.

Hunches...

2009-08-18T15:00:00.010-06:00

I have a hunch. My workplace in Korea will perpetually test my patience. The basis for my hypothesis?

Reason One: I STILL don't know when my employer actually wants me in the country. First I heard they wanted me August 25. That's next week. School starts Tuesday, September 1 (two weeks from now) but they have not given me an arrival date. Someone at a partner agency called today to say I can come August 27. Next Thursday. Talk about short notice!

Reason Two: It took my employer TWO WEEKS to give me a Visa Issuance Number. It takes four days to obtain a visa, and that's only if the Korean Consulate isn't slammed. If they really want me there NEXT WEEK, which isn't confirmed, this is all going to have to happen quickly...

Reason Three: What about plane tickets? I mean, they're paying for it, but getting an international ticket on this short of notice means big bucks for them... why not just think ahead, and save several hundred dollars?

Reason Four: What grades am I teaching? How many classes am I teaching? Who knows! Not me! All I've been told is I'm working at Seongnam Elementary School, and working hours are 8:30-4:30pm, Monday through Friday.

Unfortunately, the list just goes on...

But I also have another hunch. My workplace in Korea will provide one of the more fulfilling, challenging, and transformative experiences I've had. The basis for my hypothesis?

Reason One: I'm teaching at an elementary school. Though I don't know whether I'll have four or five classes a day, and I don't know what grade(s) I'll be teaching, we all know that Korean children are among the ranks of the most adorable on the planet.

Reason Two: Though I've heard mixed reviews about Korean students, the vast majority say they are obedient and eager to learn. Sounds like a good deal to me!

Reason Three: I have a co-teacher. Now, I don't have to be stressted about knowing enough Korean to communicate with my students when they don't understand my English. Her name is Ms. Kim and we'll be teaching together all year. We've exchanged a few emails, and she's hilarous. Well, her attempts at replying to my emails in English are hilarous anyway. I have no doubt that we'll have a good time together.

Reason Four: I've been taking an online Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) class. At the end of the course, I receive a TEFL Certificate. Not only do I get paid more by the school, but I'll have WAY more confidence in the classroom.

Needless to say, I have much anticipation about what is coming. I will be living in a studio-style apartment in Bundang, just two subway stops south of the school, which is in Seongnam City. Both are located within the larger metropolis that is Seoul, but are far enough away from the hub of the city that I won't feel completely overwhelmed by the sights, smells, and amount of people.

As for now, my room is strewn with boxes and suitcases, most of my friends are in Seattle or elsewhere, and both my siblings are back to school. I've got a few more last-minute-wrap-up errands and a little more packing to finish, but by and large I'm ready to go.

Next Thursday, here I come. Gotta love it...