SPRING is here!

I heard you got some snow in MN. That's very sad. Here is some flowers to brighten your day...or make you angry. Sorry in advance.


My neighborhood. Lanterns are everywhere because of Buddha's upcoming bday. I love it.




Glimpse of Olympic park (more pics to come)


Cute kids in the park.

Happy Parents' Day!

HI friends! This past weekend was Parents' Day in Korea. I have decided to celebrate it as well being I am here. I have been eating a lot of kimchi, so I'm practically Korean, right? :) Happy Parents' Day Mom and Pops. Love you. I dedicate this blog to you. Your gift is on backorder. It will arrive sometime after my first pay check rolls into my empty bank account on FRIDAY!!!!!!!!!!! Can you tell I'm excited?

Can you believe it has already been a month??? I am blown away how fast it went! If you asked me what I have done in the last month, I'm not so sure that I could tell you. I have been fully enjoying Korean food and everything that it offers me- joy, smiles, and a plump tummy. I especially enjoy getting free lunch and dinner at my work. It is a dream come true for a poor child who hasn't worked in a while AND never cooks. It takes a lot of energy to walk down two flights of stairs to our kitchen and fill my plate full of food. However, sometimes bad things happen when you don't know exactly what you are eating. Last week, I was minding my own business and eating peacefully with my other co-workers. I took a bite of what I thought was ONLY vegetables and noticed a fishy taste as I was beginning to chew. A second later, I felt a small pointy thing stabbing the inside if my cheek. I immediately knew what i was chewing and in a very classy way, I spit out my food and shrieked (in a classy way). I was eating dried sardines/anchovies. The eye balls were still in tact. The spine saw better days thanks to me. My stomach was not the same the rest of the day. Just another day in Korea.

I survived my first week of teaching my real students. I think I am really going to like my kindergardeners and elementary students. Of course, I miss my preschoolers. I knew I would. Grass is always greener on the other side, right? Plus, they are so freakin cute. I have decided that I am going to adopt a Korean child one day. I was also thinking it may be a little expensive for me to do this on a teacher's salary. I'm hoping that because I have been working towards spreading the English language and educating Koreans here, they will probably give me a discount on adoption, right? I think I'm going to write a letter to Lee Myung-bak (the pres) and tell him my thoughts. I'll keep you posted. Or I will just marry a Brad Pitt and adopt 8 kids. Or get a puppy. We'll see.

Random tid-bits...

-I am loving my co-workers/new friends. I work with about half Americans and half Canadians. They are a lot of fun.

-My apartment is yet to be decorated, so I am going to hold off on pictures. Give me a week.

-I got a toaster oven from a friend. I can make cookies or pizza. That's REALLY exciting, obviously not to you.

- I got to be a "tour guide" (not really) for a really cool couple (Barb and John) today from MN. I realized how fun it is going to
be have visitors. Hint. Hint. :)


On a serious note....

I have been following this blog since the earthquake in Haiti. http://livesayhaiti.blogspot.com/
They are doing a fundraiser to help build houses in Haiti. So far, they have raised enough to buy 12 houses and a company has promised to match whatever they raise- so they really have 24. Anyways, I know things are tight with everyone, but I thought I would spread the word a bit. I think they are doing amazing things for Haiti.



xoxo

Sandwiches are over-rated

My school took our kindergardeners and pre-schoolers on a picnic across the street to Olympic Park. It was chaos. I was in charge of the three legged race. Good times were had by all. Here are some pictures of my pre-schoolers that I have been teaching the last two weeks. As you can see, they are adorable.



This is my trouble maker Jun. He kept trying to blow bubbles into my camera and get really close.


Group photos with 4 year olds is pretty impossible.


and another one bites the dust...









American kids bring sandwiches on picnics. Korean children bring Kimbap (seaweed rice roll w/ fixings) or rice stuffed tofu. Cherry tomatoes were also very popular.

xoxo

phew. my internet didn't cut out...yet....

Oh, Jun

HI friends! Well, my internet connection has not been on my side this week. Thankfully, the internet man is coming to my apartment on Saturday. Yahooo! I am so behind on all my important shows and skype conversations.

Things are still going well. I am finishing my sub position this week and will finally meet my permanent classes on Monday. I love preschoolers, but I am SO ready to hand them back to their teacher. I have one student named Jun. He knows he is cute and smart, so he runs with it. He always gets himself into trouble and then tilts his head slightly, blinks his eyes, and smiles. Yesterday he was drinking water from the water cooler and decided the closet was thirsty. He opened the closet door behind the watercooler and dumped his cup of water on the floor. Thankfully, I know about his shannigans and was keeping a close eye on him and watched the whole thing. I held back the chuckles and brought him back to the classroom. It was there that he got a sad Squidward (Sponge Bob Square Pants character)next to his name and had to sit there during break. He didn't seem to care. I think he was quite pleased with himself. I will miss him. :)

Yeah, Kindergarten! I hope...

The bell is going to ring. I must go. More this weekend...and pictures.

I hope you are well. Smile. It's almost the weekend!

xoxo

I'm Baaaaack!

Hi Friends! I'm sitting in my apartment listening to tunes (Zac Brown Band- weeee! Also, stuffing my face with chocolate wonders.), and crossing my fingers and toes, hoping my internet won't cut out. I am currently stealing internet from my gracious neighbors who have no idea. Thanks. I hope it continues. In Korea, foreigners cannot open an account for anything (cellphone, utilities, cable, etc.) unless you have your alien registration card. You have to get a physical and pass numerous test, including a drug and AIDS test. If you don't pass you won't need to open any accounts because you will be kicked out of the country. Yeah, they mean business. Fortunately, I have my secretive contacts and was able to get a pre-paid phone. Weee! Well, it has been an interesting week-ish of getting readjusted in Korea. Where do I begin????

My apartment-
It's cute. Pictures to come. I'm too lazy right now. Hey, at least I'm honest.

My neighborhood-
It's cute as well. There are lots of restaurants, shops, bars, people, food, markets, a huge park (Olympic Park) with paths and sculptures, food, and food. Did I mention food? I think I am going to love it!

My school- Kangnam Poly
So far so good. There are 26 other foreign teachers, so it was very easy to meet people right away. I work with ALL girls in the morning, so that will be interesting. I just hope everyone isn't pmsing around the same time. Eeek! Sorry boys. My school is a lot more organized than my other school, but the hours are longer. One day a week I have 11 classes, but Fridays I have prep periods all day. Strange. The staff has been SUPER helpful, which is greatly appreciated because there is a lot to learn. Everything has to be done a certain way, otherwise Korean parents complain and we don't want that. Korean mothers can be scary. Today was my first day of teaching. It was not awful, but it was sooo hectic. There is another girl (Kaila) who started the same day as me, so we have been banding together and chatting about everything that we don't know how to do. Fun times. I am currently subbing for two weeks for a teacher who just finished her year contract and went home for vacation. It will be a good transition. However, I am subbing for pre-school in the mornings. It is not my ideal age, but it's alright. I sing a lot of songs and tell them to stop picking their noses. I've had worse mornings. :) My permanent schedule will be kindergarten through 4th grade. I miss teenagers. I know, I am crazy.

I'm hoping my students will get over the freckle shock by the end of the week. I've had pre-schoolers trying to erase them, rub them, and ask a bajillion questions about them. I'm freckled out. Did you know I look like Pippy Longstocking? Me either. My first grader thinks so.


I have had so much fun catching up with friends and wandering the city. I'm so excited for this year. It's a whole different year. My first day wasn't terrifying. Last year, I survived on tuna and crackers that I brought from home for the first few days until I had the courage to go into stores or get on the subway. The little Korean I knew is slowing coming back to me.

My brain is mush. It has been a long day. I hope you are all well. I miss you already. Pictures soon- I promise.

xoxo

It's That Time Again ....

Hello Everyone!

I hope this letter finds you happy and healthy. Well it seems like I
was just writing you all a letter not too long ago and letting you
know that I was leaving for Korea. Here I am again, doing the same
thing, but in a completely different place (mentally). I sort of know
what I am getting myself into this time and already have friends over
there waiting for me. I will be teaching at a new school and living in
a different area of Seoul, so I'm a little nervous about how that will
be. I'm really excited to start another adventure over in Korea! I had
an amazing year last year, but this is a whole different year and I
know not to have too high of expectations. Basically, I have almost
zero expectations and I'm going into my job thinking that I might hate
it. Things can only get better after that, right?

As I have been packing my life into two suitcases, I have been
thinking about what I am going to miss about home and what I am
excited about in Korea. Here is my "top 10" list.

What I will miss...

1. Family/ friends- What can I say, you're amazing.
2. Going to lunch with my grandpa and opening a million pull tabs.
3. Driving- Oh how I miss driving with the windows down and the music blaring.
4. Going to the grocery store and finding EXACTLY what I want, when I
want it. For example, cheese, avocados, cereal, tea, candy, etc. This
also includes going to a restaurant and not wondering if I will be
able to read a menu or wondering what exactly I am eating.
5. My mom/dad's cooking. I have become a spoiled child living at home
for the last 3 months. Did I mention I didn't cook practically the
entire year in Korea? Yeah, I have LOVED a full refrigerator at my
fingertips.
6. Ease-dropping on others' conversations that are around me and
knowing what they are saying. I never know what anyone is talking
about in Korea.
7. Luxuries, such as a separate shower, dishwasher, dryer, carpet,
buying shoes, etc. However, I'm totally OK without them, but I do
really like them. :)
8. Going to movies and being able to look up show-times before I go
there. In Korea, they are usually sold out before-hand because Koreans
have the ability to read Korean (jerks) and can order online. Jerks.
9. SPACE! No explanation needed.
10. Going anywhere and blending into the crowd. Here, I am not all
that different from anyone else. Most people understand what freckles
are, have them themselves, or don't care. There, not so much.


What I am excited for...

1. Seeing my friends again. Yippy!
2. Teaching. Enough said.
3. Korean food. My mouth is watering right now.
4. Traveling. I still have the travel bug and it is hungry.
5. Experiences that make you go "Did I really just see someone do
that?" or "I can't believe I just did that".
6. Having no idea what other Koreans are talking about and knowing
that I am able to drown- out the world in the subway and listen to
John Mayer. Or trying to guess what they are talking about, but really
having no idea. That's a fun game too.
7. Getting lost.
8. Having visitors from far away lands, for example, Minnesota.
9. Koreans. They are pretty awesome.
10. Korean fashion.

Well, those are my lists. I have a lot to look forward to, but a lot
of things that I will be missing. I have had an amazing time being
home and seeing most of you. Keep in touch!

I will be blogging again. If you are interested or bored, here is the
link. http://freckleonthemove.blogspot.com/

I am on the move again. I leave Thursday morning at 6 AM. EEEK!

You are awesome.

Love,
Megan

Regrouping

It has been awhile since I have updated. In the last few months I have been a traveling monster and I have had the time of my life. It has been really difficult being home in Minnesota and staying put for awhile, but it has been AMAZING seeing friends and family. It took a bit to get used to "American" life again, but I am finally feeling adjusted. I have noticed that traveling has changed my soul. I feel like I am better equipped at handling stressful situations that previously were annoying such as traffic, crowded areas, irritating people, screaming children, etc. Going shopping is not as fun as it used to be. Don't get me wrong, I love a great deal, but having an excess of material things seem like such a waste to me. Seeing people who barely have a "house" to live in and food to eat makes you REALLY think about what you really need. I think I will probably struggle with that for the rest of my life, especially looking at what WE have. Some of us have more than others, but most people in the US who would be labeled "poor" would be considered very wealthy compared to others in impoverished countries. I'm not saying that life is easy for anyone, but there is always someone who has it worse. I hope that I will one day be able to make my way back to SE ASIA and spend more time there volunteering, especially in Cambodia.

My next move....

I will be preparing myself in the upcoming months to head back to Korea. I'm really excited! I will be living in Seoul again and will be fairly close to where I was living before. I will be leaving around April 12th- my flight is yet to be booked.

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season. I wish you the best in the new year. Thank you all for your support.


Signing off until April...

xoxo

Megan