Summary at the End of Week 3

Wow, this week flew by.

I figured I'd share a few experiences I had this week. This blog is, after all, a kind of online journal that I'm sharing with the world . . . 

On Sunday, I went off, thoroughly exploring Hoengseong. I started around 10:00 and was pooped by 15:30-ish. I believe I have now seen about 90-95% of my town. Yeah, it's that small; but I love it. 

There were other things I was able to do besides exploring, finding my way around, and developing my own mental map of Hoengseong. I came to the new Hoengseong Culture & Sports complex. It was huge and beautiful. It inspired frequent visits. I got to look inside the library and found an "ok" selection of books in English--as well as other languages, mostly Asian. I asked if I could get a library card. After showing my ARC, the receptionist took out a form, filled some and told me where to fill my part, and I got a card! Sweet! There were a few things we wanted to say. Thank GOD and technology for Translate.Google.com. I kid you not, we used that to communicate a few points for 3 minutes or so.

After checking out the Hoengseong Culture & Sports complex, I continued my exploration. At one point I was quite hungry. I was by the catholic church when I noticed a sign that said "Agape Restaurant." "Agape?" I thought, "that's Greek." Curiosity got me in its grasp and didn't let me go. The inside was definitely romantic date-worthy. The menu was not too big, although I couldn't eat most of the food because it had either pork or seafood other than fish. So my options were narrowed down to 3: fish cutlets, kimchi fried rice, or kimchi fried rice with cheese. I was basically convinced to try the fish cutlets. That was a wise decision. It turned out to be a 3-course meal--and for \7,000 (4.69 Euros/ USD $6.47)! Yeap, soup, salad, and then the main course, oh and tea to finish. That was the biggest bang I ever got for 7,000 Won. Now I know where to take people if I wanna treat them to some place nice.

After lunch, I continued my excursion. By 15:00+ I had just about come around full circle and was kinda tired. I was also reminded that it was market day. So I went around and got some strawberries, tangerines, and a pair of comfortable walking shoes. I was wearing my boots from excavating in Israel, so they weren't the most comfortable, but they were the most comfortable and durable from what I had. Hence, the need to buy walking shoes. I've got a pair, but they're still in the States, waiting to be sent to Korea. I still need to get my address over to my family. Will do that today.

Alright, that was Sunday. Now during the week I had 2 impromptu adventures. Here's the 1st.

Tuesday. I finish my time at the high school. I see the bus coming is going to Wonju. There's a bank I need to visit in Wonju. I searched for it online and I have an idea where it is. I decided to take that bus to Wonju, thinking it would go in the direction I wanted. I was wrong. It went another direction and ended up at the Wonju Bus Terminal. 

Well, I was there, so I might as well look around to become familiar with the place. At least now I know how to get there and how to get back home.

Here's the 2nd.

Thursday. I finish my time at the elementary school. I wait longer than usual for the bus, but eventually it arrives. It's going to Wonju. I thought the same as Tuesday and decided to take it to Wonju. Then I discovered it wasn't the bus I thought. Too late. Well, let's see where it takes me. The bus is getting packed and the windows are fogged, so I couldn't really see how it was outside. I was able to hear "bus terminal" on the speakers, so I thought I'd get off there. Yeap, it took me to the same bus terminal from Tuesday. At least one of my high school students got off too and started talking with me. Her English must be the best from the entire school! I really enjoyed our short chat. I also saw a LotteMart and a department store (in the West, a multi-level mall or shopping center). So, I walked around some more then went back to the bus terminal, and ended up returning home the same way as I did on Tuesday.

So yeah, now it's Friday.

I'm planning on going to church tonight for vespers, and then choir practice right after. This won't be my 1st time in a Korean choir, not understanding anything until the action is done and all I can do is follow. Yet still, it'll be interesting. We'll see just how interesting it will be.

Hey! Stop snoring! I'm done! The end!!

3 Great things--a wonderful way to start out the new week

As the title says, there are 3 great things that happened today--actually, 3 things I received today.

1st: my medical insurance booklet.

With this, I can go into any hospital/clinic in Korea and be attended for really cheap. You'd be surprised at how little one pays for medical services here; it's absolutely WONDERFUL! And now I can enjoy it too!

2nd: my flight allowance.

This is the money we were promised to reimburse our flight ticket over. Now, I can pay off my credit card, except that I've been using my credit card a lot just to not have to spend my cash. Let's say that with the flight over and all the expenses I've made just to survive (and a few things to treat myself), I'll need to wait for the settlement allowance to have enough to pay off my credit card completely. But that's fine. Payday is a week away tomorrow. ^.^

3rd: internet installed in my apartment!

Yes, I'm actually writing this post in my apartment, not a cafe or in 1 of my 5 schools; I'm in the privacy of my own apartment. The guy who installed it took no more than 10 minutes to do everything. I kinda felt that I could have done the installation myself, had I known all the minor details.

So yes: I can now go to any hospital and have internet at home with the money I just got. What a wonderful way to start out the new week!

End of 2nd Week. Already?

Well what do you know, the 2nd week is basically over!

Where did it go?

I'm pretty sure this is how most weeks will pass by in Korea. Such has been my experience in the past. Why would it change now?

The latest news I have is that I now have a cell phone! I got it Wednesday (March 12) afternoon. It's simple and that's what I love about it. No, it's not a smartphone. I will avoid purchasing those things for as long as I can. This phone has features I never thought it would have, like Seoul's metro map, unit conversion, and others that I'll probably not use. I was really excited to be able to connect with people again, after so long!

Well, that's about the only major thing happening right now.

The weekend is basically here and I haven't figured out what to do yet. I'll probably end up doing some random exploration. I guess I could try taking pictures with my phone and uploading them here. We'll see.  

By the way, have you noticed that you can translate my blog now? I don't know if it'll make sense in other languages, but I'm sure you can give it a try. Just go to the top of the page. Where it says "Translate", click on "Select Language" or the arrow beside it, pick your language, and watch to see if the magic show is good or not. Check it out! Let me know what you think in the comments below. 

Random incomplete info about department stores in Seoul

Yesterday (Sunday, March 9), I made my way to Seoul for 2.5 reasons:

1. Deliver an order to my friend who asked me to bring it from the States--and lives in Seoul

2. Said friend would take me to Costco

2.5 To figure out how to get to Seoul from Hoengseong

I was able to accomplish the 1st and last, but not the 2nd. We were so upset when we arrived and saw it was closed.

There was a sign that said Costco will be closed every 2nd and 4th Sundays of each month.

We thought we'd cross the street and try HomePlus. Also closed. I didn't see a sign for how often it would be closed. 

Well, fortunately E-Mart was nearby. Unfortunately, it too was closed. There was a sign in front of E-Mart that said it will be closed the 2nd and 4th Sunday of each month.

Bottom line: If you want to do some (grocery) shopping in either E-Mart, HomePlus, or Costco in Seoul, DO NOT go the 2nd Sunday of any month!

I don't know about LotteMart (hence the word "incomplete" in the title), but I'd expect it to be closed as well.

I'm pretty sure this is an incentive from the local government in order to help out the local/small businesses.

Read and be forewarned . . .

After my 1st week . . .

Whew! I made it through my 1st week.

Let me give you the day-by-day synopsis:

Monday

My co-teacher picked me up from home and brought me to my 1st school (Cheongil Middle). As in my previous post points out, I desk-warmed. My co-teacher brought me back home.

Tuesday

I went to the indicated bus stop around 7:30am and got the bus to my 2nd school (Gapcheon High). I actually got to go to the classrooms and introduce myself, along with another assistant English teacher. I took the bus back.

Wednesday

Same bus stop, different school (Gapcheon Middle). I got an introduction PPT (PowerPoint presentation) from waygook.com and tweaked it for introducing myself. I got to see all my students and all 3 of my classes.
After lunch, I walked over to Gapcheon Elementary for 2 afternoon classes. I met my 3rd grade class (population: 3), my 5th grade class (pop.:  3), and my 6th grade class (pop.: 1). As one might guess, 5th & 6th grades are combined. Afterwards, the bus took me back.

Thursday

This is the day when I spend all day at Gapcheon Elementary. I even have an After-school session of 2 class periods (40 min. each) with 3rd-6th combined (pop.: 7). Please pray for me as I come up with activities for these kids in such a varying degree of English (from just now beginning to learn, to can understand somewhat). Bus there and back. 

Friday

My final introduction to my final school: Cheongil Elementary. I had to be careful in the bus, since I almost missed my stop.
So, I found out I'm teaching 2 period of each 5th grade (pop: 8) and 6th grade (pop.: 3) classes. Ok, fine by me. I was told I should stay til 16:30, but because of the bus schedule (and how not-often it comes), I'm allowed to leave as early as 14:30 or so. I was almost pushed out to get the 15:45 bus. Okay then.

. . . . so yeah, that's pretty much what I have to look forward to every week. It should be interesting. Definitely keeps me on my toes.



***Breaking news***
I just got my Alien Registration Card (ARC)!

This means I can have my settlement and entrance allowances deposited into my bank account. This also means I can get a phone . . . and internet in my apartment! We'll just see how long it takes for each one to happen.

Basically, if you're a foreigner living in Korea, you can hardly do anything without said ARC. It's annoying, yet that's how it's done here.

First day (3.March'14)

My first day in a Korean public school was . . . not what I expected.

My main co-teacher (since I have 5 schools, there is one co-teacher in particular who's been in charge of me) picked me up from my apartment a few minutes before 8 am today. He drove me to Changil Middle School (창일중학교)--which is my "main school." It's a good 25-minute drive from my apartment. On the way, my co-teacher showed me the other 4 schools I'll be teaching in. Fortunately, they are near each other (although that might cause confusion the first few days).

So, we arrived at the middle school before 8:30. We file into the staff room and am pointed to my desk. I think it's fine and spacious. I kinda like the fact that I have my own computer. I guess that's expected, but I didn't think about it and brought my laptop. Whoops.

Okay, what do I do? Oh, just wait until 10 am. That's when we're having the opening ceremony. You can do whatever you want until then.

Thank GOD for having my own computer. I think I've answered most of my pending emails. My replies weren't short either.

Alright, it's a few minutes before 10am! We go upstairs to a large room. I don't think this place has an auditorium. That room looked like a library. Either way, I liked it. If you ever want to get me in a pleasant mood, just put me in a room full of books--even if I can't read any of them.

So, we opened with music from the students (I counted 20 total, boys and girls). My co-teacher spoke. He spoke a lot. Apparently he was the master of ceremony. The new principal was introduced and he gave a speech. Each individual teacher was introduced, including yours truly. Oh, that's it. Everyone's leaving. I guess I should leave too.

So, now what? Oh, I just sit at my desk until lunch @ 12:30. 

Well . . . may I have the semester schedule? Please? Yes! So it's all in Korean--makes sense. At least I've got plenty of time to go to translate.google.com and figure out what it all means. I got most of it, but I'll have to ask about the ones I don't understand. Wow, we have many holidays! Wow, most of them are not on Monday, when I come in . . . so that's why they're having me teach on Mondays . . . Considering how many holidays they have, that I can come in only once a week, and how much they're paying me to (help) teach their children English . . . Yeah, it makes sense to put me as often as possible, all things considered.

Oh! It's almost lunchtime! I'm actually starting to get a little hungry. Oh, my internet is off again . . . and everyone's busy doing their own thing.

Alrighty then. Just returned from lunch. We all went out and ate at a restaurant in the village. It was pretty good. It was a lunch with all the teachers and several parents (I don't think they were all there). They introduced everyone again. This re-introduction will probably go on for the rest of the week.

Have things changed after lunch? Nope. Now I've been officially introduced to the term "desk-warming." At least now I'm told (after asking) how my schedule will be.

Monday: Changil Middle
Tuesday: Gapcheon High (mostly football/soccer fans)
Wednesday: Gapcheon Middle & extra class in Gapcheon Elementary
Thursday: Gapcheon Elementary
Friday: Changil Elementary

. . . now to find out the times . . .

Oh, it's 16:40 and everyone's leaving. I guess this is the end of day 1.

Honest review of my recruiter

Hello one and all. I thought I'd take the time to give my honest review of my recruiter: Alistair Wery of Korean Horizons.

Let me give you a bit of a background of myself:

I left Korea in March 2013 feeling very negative about Korea. I was honestly thinking of not coming back. Things at my institute were getting worse--and so was my health. I desperately needed a break.

While I was home, after resting/recovering for about a month and traveling with dad for 3 weeks (and then recovering from that), I decided that I wanted to go overseas again, I just didn't know where. Out of all of my chosen options, Korea was the best choice. I still wasn't thinking very seriously of returning though. Then I decided to read a few websites from different recruiters. They all promised the same thing. I ended up at www.gooverseas.com to check out the different reviews people have left.

Then I saw it.

A recruiter with a 95% approval rate. And this from over 90 reviews. I skimmed them. The only negative comment I saw was along the lines of: "he was just doing his job." Sounds pretty neutral to me. I know people (myself included) who didn't exactly have the best experiences in Korea. Even those who loved it have something negative to say. How can it be that no one had anything actually negative to say?

I decided to find out for myself.

I went to his website (www.koreanhorizons.com). I was impressed with the straight-forward honesty I met. I know Korea isn't perfect (what country in the world is?), but I also know that sugar-coating is lying. Please spare me the b.s. and we will have a better chance of getting along. That website made me want to try returning to Korea. I filled out the application form, sent in everything they wanted, and lo and behold: I'm currently living my 1st day of teaching in the Korean public school system.

Alistair was very helpful and straightforward through the entire process. He told me things as they were and gave me very practical tips. There were times when he was very quiet and didn't contact me, but that was because he had nothing to update. When he did have something new to inform, he did so immediately. Alistair seemed very distant and a little too professional during the process (i.e. I thought he didn't like me), but he proved himself to be a likable guy who can smile and laugh--just before I arrived to Korea. I probably owe passing the EPIK interview to him, considering his mock-interview turned out to be much more stressful than how my actual EPIK interview was. I'm very grateful for that.

He was an excellent host. He picked us up at the airport and brought us under his wing. He put us up in a guesthouse for the night, took us out for dinner and breakfast, brought us back to the airport the next morning to meet the EPIK crew and they took it from there. As we were waiting to leave for orientation, Alistair gave each of us a large welcome packet including the following:

a Korean-English dictionary

a Lonely Planet guidebook to Korea

a Lonely Planet Korean phrasebook and dictionary

an ESL textbook

a Korea tourist map + 2 maps on your respective area (mine is Gangwon Province)

a guesthouse info book.

A book about Korean cuisine

 a book about Korea's temple-stay program (spending the night in a Buddhist temple and participating in their different activities)

Did I mention that we didn't have to pay 1 penny for any of this? EVERYTHING (books, 1-night stay in guesthouse, dinner, breakfast, picking us up, taking us to the airport, advice, tips, etc.) came from Alistair. All this and he still wants to keep in contact with each one of us. This is a man who genuinely cares about his job AND his recruits.

So here it is, my honest, no-bull review of my recruiter. I honestly recommend any and all who want to teach in Korea--and are serious about it--to talk to Alistair. I can assure you, you will be in the best of (recruiter) hands.

Need I say more?