but this is me.

the monthly.

I thought I'd use this blog as a way to update people on my experiences in Korea.  I haven't done a great job at that.  This teaching gig has kept me uber busy, more than I expected or wanted.  But here are the "highlights" (for lack of a better term)...

I started teaching a second kindy class.  If you thought teaching English to five year olds was tough...try four year olds.  That would be two years old in western age.  Yeah, that's right.  Four of them.  Three of them actually know some English because their parents are fluent.  Actually, they are better than when my five year olds started six months ago.  The newest one, who just started on Monday, knows no English and makes for somewhat trying days.  I'm pretty sure he doesn't like me as I'm the teacher who speaks gibberish to him, can't understand him, and makes not so happy faces at him.  (huge sigh).  It's hard to take that class seriously; I feel like I'm a glorified babysitter sometimes.  I teach them some words and phrases, but I'm more than aware of how toddlers are just not my teaching forte, so I find myself just counting down the minutes til the class is over.

And if you've read some previous posts, you'd know that I've been visiting a Korean doctor.  I'm feeling a little better but I'm not at 100% and don't think I will be until I'm done teaching here.  September was a hell month as we started our third quarter.  Transitioning into a new quarter is never fun and this one was no exception.  On top of adding a new class, I got more elementary students, started new textbooks, had parent/teacher meetings, and all the admin that comes with the end of the month/beginning of the month times of the year.  If you get the sense that teaching at this school hasn't been a walk in the park for me, you're right.  I don't want to discourage people out there who are thinking of teaching ESL abroad, and it would be trite to say "just do your research" cause I did but, honestly, you will never know what you end up with until you get there.  And for some, it'll end up being an awesome experience, and for others, you may rather want to poke your eyes out or eat your hand than teach the kids you ended up with or endure the school you ended up teaching for.

On a lighter note...I went to the Daejeon Zoo.

Daejeon is bigger city than Cheonju and is about 30 minute bus ride away.  I've wanted to go for some time and finally went a few weeks ago.  I met one of my co-workers who lives there and the two of us went to the zoo.  It was a beautiful day and the zoo didn't seem that busy so it was a nice excursion.  It's definitely bigger than the Cheonju Zoo.  There were some interesting animals, an entertaining stage show with Korean and Eastern European performers (who danced to Russian music), and a safari ride that took us in the midst of black bears, tigers, and lions.

On the bus ride there, I came to the realization that I've let Korea kick my butt.  I fancy myself as a pretty good traveler and I'm all for experiencing a new country and culture.  But I've let this country get to me in a bad way and I know a lot of that has to do with my work situation.  Taking that day trip was incredibly refreshing and I realize I need to get out more often.  It's hard when you're left with very little prep time in the school day and have to do it at night or even on the weekends, plus you're trying to pay off debt so you really shouldn't be spending money.  But I know I've just got to make the second half of my year here count for more.

Or I might as well poke my eyes out now.

I always love going back to the Philippines.  I don't get to do it often but whenever I get the chance, I take it.  Even though I was not even two when my family moved to Canada, I still feel a connection to the place where my family is from.  I don't know why.  It just always feels good to be there.

I took a quick trip out to Boracay during my stay.  I'm not so much a beach person but I can make an exception for this place.  The weather didn't cooperate with me on this trip, but on a sunny day it's pretty sweet.  And I found out my family has connections to two resorts on the island.  Can you say "honeymoon"?!

And I got the chance to visit a family friend's rice farm.  It's been passed down through her family and now she manages it.  There is so much to know about rice.  It is quite a fascinating little grain.

i take after her.

This is my Grams.  Esperanza Mayordomo Catedral.  We call her Lola Espy.  She just turned 95 and she's still pretty feisty.  I had the chance to visit her and other family in the Philippines a few weeks ago on a one-week summer vacation.  It had been several years since I saw her last so I was really looking forward to the trip.  Thanks to the generosity of my family, I was taken care of and spoiled with full body massages, my first pedicure, amazing food, and a quick romp over to Boracay Island.

Her memory's failing a bit but she remembered me.  If you've ever met my grandmother, you'd know she can be a hoot.  I even taught her "raise the roof" which she did when cued.  She's still got a quick wit.  Nothing gets past her.  Here's a conversation we had when I first arrived:

Lola: Where are you going to sleep?
Me: With you.  Can I share your bed with you, Lola?
Lola: (without skipping a beat)  Oh, no!...You are not a boy.

Maybe you had to be there.  It was funny.

I may look like my dad's side of the family, but my personality comes from my mom's side, which comes from this woman.  Lola and my grandfather immigrated to Canada years ago and became Canadian citizens, which she is still proud of.  They used to go back and forth between Canada and the Philippines seasonally but she's in the Philippines for good.  She's in her own home, she's got the help she needs (bless their hearts) and as far as she is concerned, she's in her kingdom.  One morning, at breakfast, she looks at me, sighs, and says with an air of satisfaction, "This is my life.  No one tells me what to do."  She's crazy, but you've just got to love her.

The second floor of my Lola's house.  The first time I came back to the Philippines after I left as a baby, I was around 12 years old, I think.  I remember coming into this house and feeling like it was another world.  We stayed in one of the several rooms upstairs.  I was so excited, I peed my pants, literally, wetting my bed the first night we were there.  Every other visit after, I stayed in the various rooms upstairs.  However, I won't anymore.  It's a little creepy up there by yourself.  One of my cousins says that sometimes he hears the sound of my grandfather's cane hitting the floor as if he still walks the halls.  He was joking.  I hope.

The matriarch's domain where her daily ritual consists of tv, sleep, tv, eating, and more tv.  See, love for tv runs in the family.

The loves of her life.

Don't hold this against her...she has a bell.

She summons.

daytripping: seattle. part 2

During the daytrip to Seattle, we came across a protest that was happening downtown.  There were tons of people participating in the streets, as well as, many onlookers lining sidewalks and various balconies.  After asking, we discovered that people were protesting the results of the California Proposition 8, that amended the state constitution to restrict the definition of marriage to a union between a man and a woman.  It was pretty intense.  The right to freedom of expression was in full effect as there were not only people supporting gay rights, but also those who were vehemently against it.  There was literally soapbox street corner preaching to signs that tried to convict the "wayward" to turn to the Lord.  It was a relatively peaceful protest but with lots of passion.  As a Canadian, I stood and watched in awe at the extremes on both ends; how 'out in the open' these opinons were.  I suppose that's part of the character of America, her compulsion to be bold, to speak out and to be heard.

daytripping: seattle.

A group of us girls went on a little daytrip to Seattle last Saturday, just for a change of scenery and a little (window) shopping.  The weather cooperated and we had sunshine all day.  Crisp and autumny.  We stuck with the standard touristy thing and headed to Pike Place Market to see flying fish, funky crafts, and fresh flowers and produce.

"Hello!  I'm a monk fish!"

At Athenian Inn for lunch.

This section of the menu blessed my heart.

Kept it light with a big bowl of Boston Clam Chowder.

Yes, these are cabbage flowers.