Childrens Day

Last week went by very fast. Korea had a NATIONAL holiday called Children's Day. It is always on May 5th, which was a Wednesday. We had the day off as schools and businesses are usually closed. It was so nice to have a break in the week.

After work on Tuesday most of the staff headed into Seoul for dinner and drinks. It was so much fun to see almost every foreigner that knew because we all had Wednesday off. We even ran into Janice, who finished at LCI in February and started a job in Seoul. On Wednesday I went to a Suwon Bluewings soccer game with Josh and a bunch of our other friends from other schools. The stadium was packed due to free tickets for children. Lucky for us, it was a beautiful spring day in Korea and the soccer game was the perfect way to enjoy the game.

Soccer game

Thursday and Friday flew by at work. On Friday Josh had a Kinder student vomit all over his room. As they were exiting the room, another kid got sick in the hallway as a response to kid #1. After lunch, I realized that one of my Kinder students smelled really bad. I told my supervisors and they informed me that he had really bad diarrhea in his pants! It was a day full of bodily fluids!

Spring has arrived and left Korea. The humidity has already started and the weather is turning into summer. All of the flowers and trees are in bloom and it is gorgeous!

Spring in Korea



In case you haven't heard, I have officially signed on for year two. I will be staying at the same school and Fred will be joining me. We will be home around July 24th and we have to be back in Korea around August 25th. I think it will be a complete change from this year!


My cute, little old man, student, Young in his suspenders

Students

Danny

Class clown Ms. Judy

Ms. Smarty, Audrey

Cute, tiny Young

Funny and shy boy Simon

April trip to Pohang

This past weekend I headed to Pohang for the first and only visit in April. Fred has been coming to Seoul a lot lately so this weekend was my turn to make the journey. I jumped in a cab right after work but traffic was really bad so I ended up missing the first train to Daejeon. Once I got there, I had to transfer trains and head to Daegu. Once I got in Daegu, at 1o:59, I had to catch a bus at 11:05 to Pohang. Unfortunately, there was no way to get off the train, out of the station and make the 10 minute walk to the bus terminal in this time. The next bus doesn't leave until 12:00 so I had some time to kill in the stations. I made it to Pohang around 1:20! Hopefully, I have better luck next time!

On Saturday we headed to Busan. We went to Busan on our summer break last July. It is the second largest city in Korea and it is located in the south, on the coast. It is only an hour and 15 minutes by bus from Pohang so we ventured there for the day. It was a beautiful day! It was sunny and about 80 degrees. We had lunch and stopped by a beach before heading to a sea-side temple. It was very cool to see this temple built on the rocks next to the water. We headed back to Pohang around 6:30 and went to our favorite clams place for dinner. You sit outside, overlooking the beach, and cook your clams on your table. We then met a few other foreigners for drinks.

Sea-side temple

Clams

On Sunday, we walked around town and got my bus ticket. We then went to see "Iron Man 2." Overall it was a great weekend and I can't wait to visit again!

Everland, Field Trip and Soccer Games

A lot has happened in the past few weeks. Fred has came up to Suji for the past 4 weekends and we have finally been able to enjoy spring weather in Korea. Last weekend we, along with my co-teachers Steve and Josh, headed to Everland, Korea version of Disney World. I read that it is the 4th largest theme park in the world. We went on Saturday morning and ended up staying until closing time. It was one of the best days that I have had in Korea. The tulip festival was in full swing so the park was covered in beautiful tulips. We went on the worlds steepest wooden roller coaster 6 times. We saw 4D films, all in Korean of course, fed birds at the bird park, went on an African safari ride where we saw white tigers, elephants, lions, giraffes, zebras and lions. We also went on water ride where you are covered up with a tarp. Only our heads were exposed however our feet still managed to get a little wet. The night closed with a laser and firework show.

Josh and I feeding the birds

Before our last coaster ride of the night

This past week at LCI we went on a Kinder field trip to a car museum. For the most part my student enjoyed it. My little cute ball of terror, Annie, tried to climb into the roped-off cars 3 times while running away from the group. By the end of the day my other trouble maker, Jacob, kept chasing her while yelling, "No Annie no!" It was so funny!

My Kinder class and I

This weekend Fred came up on Saturday and we spent the day in Seoul. We first headed to the foreign area for hamburgers then spent the afternoon shopping. The weather has been in the upper 60's with clear blue sky's! It was such a great weekend to be out in Seoul. On Saturday night we met up with Steve and Josh and went to the Suwon Blue wings soccer game. Unfortunately, this was the first game that we have been to that they lost. Today, we headed back into Seoul and explored before Fred went back to Pohang.

Suwon World Cup Soccer Stadium

Mom in Korea

On April 2nd my mom arrived in Korea! I met her at the airport and then we headed into Seoul for the weekend. We met Fred and stayed in a hotel on Friday and Saturday nights. We woke up on Saturday and started to show her around Seoul. We visited a palace, the art area, had lunch and explored a few other areas before heading to the LG Twins baseball game. We met up with my co-workers Josh and Steve and had front row seats to the game. On Sunday, we visited a traditional folk village and took the cable car to the top of the Seoul Tower. After an Easter dinner, Fred headed back to Pohang and we headed to Suji.

Under the Seoul Tower

On Monday, mom came to LCI to see my school and watch my classes. All of my kids were so excited to see her! We headed for dinner after work and then planned out the week. On Tuesday, she explored my area and relaxed. On Wednesday, mom took a bus into Seoul (ALONE!) and explored before taking the subway back. I was very proud of her exploration. After work we headed to dinner and eventually to a Noreabong. This is a room that is basically like a small karaoke room. On Thursday, she did some shopping and more exploring of my area. On Friday, she came back to school to celebrate my birthday and say goodbye to my kids. She brought my Kinders some ice-cream as part of the celebration. All of my Kinder kids, my old and current class, made me birthday cards. They are so cute! I even got a few gifts and a massive flower arrangement from one of my Kinder students, Cheny. I was told that her mom drove to Seoul, over an hour each way, to get them! After work, many of my friends and my mom and I headed to dinner. Fred even came up to Suji again for the weekend! We went to a great galbi place (where you cook your meat at your table) and then to a few bars. It was a very fun night!

Cheny and I with the flowers. You can't really tell how big it is. There are over 2 dozen roses.

My Kinders and my mom, and their ice-cream

Birthday dinner

On Saturday we had a relaxing day before heading to the DMZ on Sunday. The 3 of us went on an afternoon tour. It was amazing to see the the DMZ and tour the tunnels which were built by the North as part of a plan to attach Seoul. Many of the tunnels were discovered in the 1970's but one was found in the 1990's and there are thought to be more. We were able to look into North Korea, however we were not allowed to take many pictures on the tour. As it turns out, our tour guide studied at Winona State for a year. What a small world! After the tour, we had dinner and walked around for a little bit before Fred headed back to Pohang. Mom and I continued our souvenir hunt before heading back to Suji. It was very hard to say goodbye this morning as mom hopped on the bus to the airport. I had such a great time with her but it went to quickly!

In front of "Freedom Bridge" connecting North and South Korea at the DMZ

Trip to Pohang

Cherry Blossoms
This weekend I headed down to Pohang to visit Fred. It ended up being a long trip down there as I seemed to miss each train or bus by a few minutes. I left straight from work at 6:20 and I got there at 1:15am. On Saturday, we headed to the grocery store and stopped at an outside market along the way. This gave Fred a chance to practice his Korean as we bartered over prices. We then headed to a park in Pohang and hiked around for a while. We saw a few cherry blossom trees however I think most will be in bloom in a week or so. We met up with some other teachers for dinner.

On Sunday we went to this cherry blossom festival. One of Fred's students fathers told him about it. We were the only non-Koreans at the festival and we sure stuck out. This man came up to us and asked us where we were from then told us to follow him. He took us to this food tent and brought us tons of Korean food and drinks. He then brought us to the stage and put us in the reserved section in the second row. We had no idea what was going on on stage so when there was a pause in the show we slipped out. Again, there were very few cherry blossoms in bloom. We then headed to the bus station for my ticket home. We had a few hours to wait so we headed downtown. We got a pizza for lunch and saw one of Fred's K-2 students (4 year olds), Gordon. He was at the table behind us with his parents and little sister. He was very excited to see Fred. He has only been learning English for a few weeks so his English was not very good. His parents surprised us a paid for our pizza! We then headed back to the bus station and I headed back to Suji.

The Cherry Blossom Festival

Korean candy and treats at the outdoor market

LCI Field Trip

Yesterday morning all of the teachers hopped on the LCI buses when they arrived and we were off for a field trip. We went to a city two over and saw a puppet show. It was all in Korean but the kids seemed to love it. There were bubbles, lights and tons of characters for them to look at. We got back to LCI at 12:30, just in time for lunch. After lunch we had art time. Overall, it was a very easy day for Kinder. In the afternoon my elementary classes also seemed to fly by. It was a great Wednesday.

My old Kinder student, Jenny, with her new glasses

Annie, my cute little ball of terror, has her information written on her arm by her mother. I guess everyone knows that she is capable of running away.

Her Korean name and phone number

Nathan Teachers class and mine (front row) after the show

Simon and I on the bus

Update

Judy and I

A lot has happened since my last post. I am finally adjusted to my new classes, including Kinders. It is a big change to be teaching kids that are a year younger however it is very fun. I still get to see my old Kinders at school so I am swamped with hugs, letters and kisses each day. On Thursday I learned that it was the last day for one of my Kinder boys, Daniel. I am suppose to get a new girl this week. I really miss my old class! My afternoon classes have been going well. I am now teaching an upper level reading class which is very fun. I find myself having to remember that they understand me and I don't need to dumb down the lessons. Many of them have read books like 'Harry Potter' in English. They are in fourth grade and have about 5 or 6 years of English. Last week their vocab test had the words depriving, foisted, queasy and others. It is so much fun to have actual conversations with my students without having to adjust what I say to a lower level. It has also been an adjustment with the new teachers. The office and feel at LCI has greatly shifted however I think they are all adjusting well.

Annie and I

Fred came up to Seoul for the past two weekends. We saw a few tourist sites such as the War Museum and Memorial, Insadong art area, Itaweon foreign area and a few other things. It was so much fun to see him!

War Memorial

On Wednesday a few of us went to a bar and grill in Jukjeon, the city over, to celebrate St. Patricks Day. It was really nice to have American style food! After a few green beers, we called it a night.

Josh, Steve and I

Shauna, Christine and I

This weekend has been very laid back. It was nice to sleep in and relax. On Friday after work two coworkers and I headed to the nearest large city, Suwon, and went to a soccer game. It took about 15 minutes by cab to reach the stadium. The team plays at the Suwom World Cup Stadium and it was so cool. I had never been to a real soccer game before and I had a blast. We even bought a season pass so we can go to all of the home games. Suwon Bluewings won 2-1. After, we stayed up late and watched the Gophers game at 1:30am online. I was very sad to see them lose. The weather today finally feels like spring. About a week ago we has snow so it is a nice change. My mom arrives in Korea on April 2nd and I can't wait! It is going to be so much fun to have her here and to show her my life. My students, new and old, are also excited. Less than 2 weeks!

I am hoping for a smooth week at school. We are going on a field trip so that will be a nice change. This weekend I am going to head to Pohang to see Fred.

Twist and Shout

Young and Audrey are singing "Twist and Shout" which was the song that they sang for Festival

A new school year

On Wednesday we began our new school year at LCI. This meant that all of our classes were changed based upon our students changing levels. I had to say goodbye to my Kinder students. Last Friday was their last day with me. I walked into class and about 3 minutes into the day Jenny's eyes began to water and soon her head was in her hands. I asked her what was wrong and she told me, as she was balling, that she was very sad because it was her last day with London Teacher. This broke my heart and I began to cry. Soon all of my students were upset but I soon told them that it would be ok and that they needed to come and give me hugs everyday. I was so sad to say goodbye to them but I know that they will love having Steve as their teacher.

My new Kinder class has 4 girls (Audrey, Annie, Judy and Cheny) and 6 boys (Simon, Danny, Daniel, Johnson, Young and Tomas). They are a 6-2 class which means that they are 6 years old (5 years old USA standards) and in their second year of English. They are all very cute and little. It has been a hectic few days but they seem to be adjusting well. I am so excited to get to know them!

Daniel, Audrey, Annie, Simon and Young

Tomas, Judy (glasses), Cheny, Danny and Johnson

The girls, Audrey, Cheny, Judy and Annie

Annie: Cute but major trouble!!

Daniel

My afternoon classes have also changed. Everyday from 2:30-4:00 I teach 7 year olds who are in their third year of English. My class has 6 kids, Annie, Kelly, Carly, James, Daniel and Eric. They are pretty motivated and very funny. My MWF 4:00-6:20 class is my old 2:30-4:00 class. I was able to keep the same students as they moved up a level. They are a hilarious group of 3 girls and 5 boys. This is my favorite class! On TH I now teach a upper level reading class and my old MWF 4:00-6:20 class which I also kept as they moved up a level.

It has been a very busy but exciting week. I cannot wait to get to know my new students!