Long time NO see

So, things have been so busy and fast here in Korea. I have gone on vacation (China) come back and gone back to vacation.

I finally feel comfortable in teaching. Yes, there are the things that still annoy me, but overall, things are going well.

I have decided to begin my master's degree while here in Korea. I will be taking courses online through an university in the U.S.

So that's one big change since the last time I wrote. Another is that I stopped taekwondo. I can always go back, but with the addition of classwork to my life and the fact that I started up badminton again with my school, I just won't have the time. That's cool. At least I have a cool Korea uniform to sport.

So let's go back to my vacation that I am currently loving. I am in Japan right now. It is AWESOME, expensive as hell, but awesome none the less. I'm staying with my friend Sayaka, who is also awesome. You know you have a good friend when you can not see each other for 5 years and yet jump right back into things like you just saw each other yesterday.

Things are good. I'm in day three of this adventure. Japan definitely won the contest against Korea for who has cuter guys. I've seen more attractive men in Japan within these past two days than I have in Korea, and I have been there for almost 4 months. Haha....

When I get back from Japan, I have training for three days. Now normally, I may be bummed about this, however, this means 3 more days away from work....and I still get paid...YES!!! I love my kids, but sometimes you need a break.

Well, I will be sure to post some Japan pics when I get back (along with the China ones that are long overdue), as well as a HOT/NOT list for Japan.

Until then....

Hot or Not

So I just came back from China. I really suck at the whole touristy thing. However, I can say that I didn't fail to shop. China is AWESOME!! I am going to to go back there this winter hopefully and do some REAL damage. Anyway, to sum up my trip:

HOT

Cheap shopping

Modernizing and ancient living beautifully coinciding

Close proximity to Korea (through airplane, of course)

FOOD

NOT

Censorship (I mean, no facebook AND Youtube?? You really bugging....)

Lack of driving skills (I mean, do I REALLY need to fear for my life everything I get in the car or cross the street? I really think that they give free licenses at the car dealership. I will never complain about Korea again)

Overall, I had a great time. When I go back to China, I will do all the touristy things. Besides that I will put up my pictures from China soon.

Next up.....Japan!!

I'm a Teacher!!

So I started teaching this past Monday. What an experience! I have been so tired that I have slept at 8 or 9 and stayed sleeping until 7 in the morning! It's been good. As my usual self I have been procrastinating lesson planning, so I plan things the day (and sometimes the class) before the lesson. I just haven't had time because I didn't know their abilities, where they stopped, etc. But I am into the swing of things now. This weekend (well Saturday), I am going to make lesson plans for the rest of this semester. (Don't be too impressed. The end of the semester is July 22.)

I've gotten a little scratch in my throat. At first, I was like, NO, this is not the time to get sick, but it's just allergies. I'm still trying to figure out what it is. Oh well, it'll probably be gone by Monday. At least, let's hope!!

So, let me tell you: Korea is NOT as cheap as people think it is. Food, like things that were once alive, natural food, can be cheap. However, other things are more expensive. I tried to buy knives and two knives were like $30+. Thanks alot to those of you who told me not to bring my knife set (ahem...Kareen), I just paid $20 for 1.5 knives and I had a 20+ set at home that cost me $24. Now I know.

On the other hand, I am glad that I brought my contact solution. I went to the store and they tried to sell a travel size bottle for $9..haha...I'd rather make my own.

Oh, back to teaching....I taught my 3rd grader lower class on Tuesday and I was told that they are one of the more "active" classes. Well, they were my best. Sixth grade lower, on the other hand, hmmm.....Lord help me. What makes it harder is that I do not speak Korean. I really want to say, "Sit down and shut the hell up before I knock you into your seat." Ok...I wouldn't really say that. (Hmmm...I'm gonna look into a polite way to say it in Korean.)

Well, that's it for now. I think tomorrow, I will shoot some video of the school and my experience. I will try to upload them.

That's it for now!