New Placement

So here I am, my first morning in my new home for the rest of the year.

Where is it?

It's called Hoengseong (횡성) in Gangwon. Check out the link on Hoengseong to find out some more about my town.

Yes, it's a town. Not a small city, a decent-sized town. My predecessor showed me around and said he showed me about 65% of the town. This was after a 30-60 min. tour.

My apartment is in the 1st floor. I've got 2 bedrooms and a bathroom I really like. I had a shower last night and the water pressure was very impressive. I almost didn't need soap! There's no internet in my place, so I'll be in a nearby cafe or one of my schools for internet needs for a bit.

Did I say one of my schools? Yes I did . . .

Since I'm in a small town in the middle of rural area, I will be teaching in more than 1 school. I was told by my main co-teacher that I'll be teaching in . . .

. . . ready for it? . . .

. . . 5 schools!

Yeap. That means I'll be in a different school everyday. My class sizes? I was told between 13 (the largest) and 1 (the smallest). This sounds more of a mission field than where I was before with SDALI.

You know what? I didn't think it would be like this, but this is what I signed up for. I'm really looking forward to this journey and the exciting things this year has to offer. Bring it! I'm ready to catch whatever you've got to throw!

(side note: as I'm typing this, someone from the Saenuri party (conservative political party in Korea) came into the cafe I'm currently in. He spoke to the girl behind the register--and then to me. He gave us both his card. Who knows if I'll come to need him--or him me? Thought I'd share.)

*Post note: He was running in the local elections and started campaigning early.

Complications

During my EPIK (English Program in Korea) Orientation, I've run into a couple of complications:

1. I got sick.

Looking back, I think I had a flu. I felt it coming quite aggressively on Wednesday night. By Thursday, I was a defeated. I was able to see the nurse and she gave me some medicine to take, and a few others for just in case. I had a fever. My joints were throbbing. I was tired 'cause I didn't sleep well that night. I was a horrible mess. I forgot how bad it is to be sick in Korea, where taking time off isn't an option. I was also reminded of how effective and quickly Korean medicine works. I took some and was feeling good enough to continue fighting and be enthusiastic.

I've been blown away by the support and well wishes I've received. 

2. The Sabbath

I keep the Sabbath because I am a Seventh-day Adventist Christian. I had to address this issue to my class teachers and over to the coordinators to find out what I should do. There were Korean classes on Friday night and a field trip on Saturday. In order to keep the Sabbath, one shouldn't work. So I couldn't go to Korean class or the field trip. This means I stayed alone in my room. I was fine with that. I had my Bible, and GOD knows I haven't paid very much attention to HIM these last days. 

Good thing neither became such a big deal. I do have a touching account to share:

Thursday morning. My class had one lecture and then a Taekwondo class session. I was prepared to participate, but I wasn't feeling up for it. So I was allowed to sit on the side-lines and watch. I had to go to the bathroom a few times to pick up toilet paper to blow my nose and stuff. Watching my class, I was so jealous. I really wanted to be out there kicking and being active. P.E. was one of my favorite subjects in school, so to miss out on Taekwondo, that was a lot.

Either way, at the end of the class, they were going to take a class photo. Suddenly, they stopped, looked at me, and beckoned me to come over. What? I hadn't participated and I was as sick as hell; why do they want me to come on over? One of our class teachers came to me and told me to please join them for the picture. I wasn't expecting a class picture, much less to be included in my state. I was going to answer but before I could, one of the three Taekwondo assistants came jogging to me with arms wide open saying, "Come!" I got up and then he took me by the hand and brought me over to the rest of the group, as they applauded.

I was so embarrassed. I didn't want to look at anyone. But I was also so touched, it brought tears to my eyes. It still brings tears to my eyes. How sweet was that?! I didn't have to be included, yet they wanted me to be part of them anyway. I know that is kind of expected in Korea, but it still gets to me. This is definitely one of my most cherished memories of orientation. Oh, did I mention the Taekwondo assistant who brought me over was the most handsome of the group?  ^.~

. . . Back in Korea

Well, did I have an odyssey getting back to Korea . . .

What happened was that my family and I went to see/meet cousins my dad and I haven’t seen in many years on Saturday, February 15—the day I’m flying out to Korea. As can be expected from short family reunions where everyone gets along, we lost track of time. So when we did leave,  we had to drive about an hour north to Orlando and through its heavy traffic, finally making it to the check-in counter, only to be told I was too late.

What? I missed my flight to Korea by a few minutes? Joann, try not to freak out . . .

Thankfully the ticketing agent booked me on another flight. My original plan was to fly out from Orlando on Saturday night and make it to Korea by early Monday morning (Korean time). But with this change, I had to fly out early Sunday (Feb. 16) morning and arrive in Korea by Monday afternoon. This new itinerary changed a few plans I had. Oh well, they’re postponed to a later and more convenient date. Either way, the important thing was for me to arrive on Monday, which happened.

Even though this was due to a missed flight, it went better than I could have imagined! First off, in my flight from Orlando to San Francisco, I was bumped up to Economy Plus class (I flew United all the way—hey, beggars can’t be choosers), so I had extra leg room and was able to nap a little. On my second flight (San Francisco to Incheon/Seoul), I had an entire 2-seat row in the back all to myself. I was able to get a few hours of sleep in, which helped immensely. The choices of entertainment were very limited, and that plane didn’t have the personal entertainment system, but considering I had extra space, I think it was not too shabby at all.

So yes, a lost flight, a last-minute flight with unseen and unexpected benefits, 18+ hours of travel time, and a load of mixed emotions later, I arrived to Korea safe, sound, and excited to begin a new chapter.

It is Tuesday, February 18. We have just arrived in Jeonju University for the EPIK orientation that will begin tomorrow. I probably won’t be able to share much during that time. So just know I’m ok and gathering stories to share.

Ah, something I forgot to mention: You will not see pictures on my blog for a while. Why? I forgot to bring my camera. By the time I remembered, I had already passed through airport security and my parents were long gone from the airport (with my camera in the trunk, where my luggage used to be). I’m still sad about that. I’ll try not to think about it too much. At least this way I can enjoy the moments better, without worrying about capturing anything on camera.

Guess who's back . . .

Well, well, well . . . Here I am, writing a post in my blog again. Haven't done so since early October (and we're now in almost mid-Feb.). 

I've battling with packing my life in 2 check-in, 1 carry-on, and 1 personal item without going over the weight limits . . . and decided to take a break to update my blog (as well as sneaking off to watch some Sochi Olympic coverage).

Well, why would I be writing in my blog about teaching/living in South Korea if I left 11 months ago? Could it be? Am I going back to South Korea? . . . 

Yes, I'm returning to South Korea.

I'll be an English teacher for one of Gangwon Province's public schools through EPIK (English Program/Programme in Korea). After 26 months of SDALI (hagwon/private academy) and an 11 month hiatus, I will try my hand at teaching in the public school sector. I'd like to observe how it is like, as well as gain some more experience in the teaching field. I'm also within reach of paying off my student loans FOREVER!

I'm excited to return, but also a little nervous. I'll be entering a completely different realm. Sure, I kinda know what to expect in Korea and from my Korean supervisors, yet . . . I might as well be starting off in Korea for the first time. The expectations are slightly different. It's one of those things I can't base off of anyone else's experience; I'll have to live it for myself. Again, I'm excited, but I'm going to need all the prayers I can get. I'd really appreciate it if you could pray for me.

Oh yeah, no idea where I'm teaching--other than the province. I'll find out the town at the end of orientation. I also have no idea if I'll be teaching in an elementary, middle, or high school. With the way things are going in Korea, I'll probably be in an elementary school. I'll also find that out at the end of orientation. Just like SDALI.

Well, it's off to resume packing and sneaking Olympic moments every time I can.

Ugh . . . I'm gonna have to get a box ready for my parents to ship me some stuff . . .