Return to Korea

So, I arrived back here in Seoul 2 days ago and already, I know its going to be an amazing year.


I'm sitting currently in Caffe Bene using internet and drinking a persimmon yogurt smoothie. It's delicious and its nice to be out of the tiny dark hotel room. There is an automatic door behind me that opens to let people in and out of the smoking room. Bad choice of seating.

Yesterday I went to visit my old school. I was almost giddy with excitement as I climbed the steps out of the subway station. They finally finished the river path I had waited all year for them to complete. I stood on the ledge, smiling at the sight. Finally.

Four out of seven of my favorite kindie class' students (California) were still there (my favorite student was absent but he'll be at graduation on Friday). They were so excited to see me and David kept asking with his wide eyes, "Are you real? Are you a really Monica teacher?" I assured him it was me. Once he got over the shock, he was crawling all over me and full of hugs like old times.

They were all curious about my tattoo and Olivia tried to scratch it off. "Don't get a tattoo, it's not a good idea, it hurts," I said to her. "Then why did you get it?" Olivia is a smart one. :)

New York class, my youngest, took to calling me "Orange teacher" or rather... "Orenjie teacha", and a couple kids said I looked like a boy with my short hair. A few of them were missing as well. Apparently one kid was yanked from the school after an air purifier fell and bonked him on the head. Seems silly, esp so close to the end of a 2 year run, and his older brother still at the school. Ah, parents.

It was lovely to see my old coteachers, and talk about my old students with the new teachers that took over their classes after I left. I was glad to hear that some still talk about me. One day I will probably go visit my after school classes as well, but yesterday I didn't want to stay too long. I had to meet Chad to wander around Myeongdong (one of Seoul's biggest shopping districts) and look at all the stuff we can't yet afford to buy. First on the agenda, athletic shoes! 2011 is a time to get fit!


Today was my first day of training at my new school here in the district of Seocho, which is in the central south of Seoul. The school is 6 stories (5 plus a basement level), in other words, monstrous! The classrooms are all adorable and beautifully decorated (which I will have to help with soon). There is a cafeteria where we get lunch for free every day and eat with the kids. Other special rooms include a gym, a party room, a library, a computer room, music room, and I'm probably missing a few more. The best part: a giant slide that goes from the first floor to the basement. I want to try it!! Lucky kids! Ah! Oh and the other best part, roof access with ample dirt and planters and cute little tables. I already asked the principal if I could grow a vegetable garden up there and she had no problem with it! Honestly, things couldn't be any better! The school is amazing! The work load is a million times lighter than last year, and the staff is super friendly! We really do get off at 4:30 every day, no tricky stuff!

The only slight downside is classes of 20 kids. The most I had at my old school was 12, so that will take some adjustment, and I imagine there is less one on one interaction. Also, the schedule seems to leave less wiggle room, which has its upsides and downsides. On the upside, the kids don't get as fidgety and bored because they are occupied. On the downside, less time for Monica teacher's impromptu games. But, there are 2 free choice periods a week, so I can still squeeze in some goofy games and other such nonsense.

This Friday is the last day before the session ends, and then we have a few days of planning before the new kindie classes start the following Friday. I'm really glad I'm starting with the start of the school year this time instead taking another teacher's classes in the middle. I already met my Korean co-teacher, who I will share the classroom with at all times, and she seems amazingly nice.

All in all, I couldn't be happier with my work situation. Still waiting to find out about my apartment. I was told I'd be moving in sometime this weekend.

Hope to hear from everyone soon! Miss you already!

West to East! A photo update from Nashville!

Oakland, Ca looking out to San Fran


Wwoofing at Casa Rosa Farms- Madera, Ca (about 2 weeks!)


Megan (fellow wwoofer) in the neighbor's orchard









Sprinklers


Crescent the stick dulcimer


Olive Branch


Me and the farmers, Anthony and Rachel


Miss these olive trees! I was pruning and tying them for days!


San Fran with Sam (a few days)





Golden Gate Bridge





Cool Organics Cool, Ca (only one night in the teepee!)





Humboldt County (Arcata) with cousin Rocco, his partner, Alicia and their dog little Rob (aka Chilly). Adventures abounded!! (about a week)


The Jetty


































































The Barn









Portland with Hannah! (about a week)

Sauvie Island Corn Maze


I shaved my eyebrows for Halloween!


Twin Peaks Cast



The late Judy Garland


Doing what Judy does best.









Hannah was a marvelous Log Lady








Bike ride around Hood River, Oregon (outside of Portland)











On the way to Washington!


Richland, Washington with Jessica (3 days)





Couchsurfing with Baskett and Vinny- Boise, Idaho (2 nights)


Pickles and Hailey!


Couchsurfing with Carolina, Matthew and Caesar the chihuahua, who ate my whole chocolate bar!! Layton, Utah (2 nights)



The ducks were so coordinated and lovely!









I drove and drove to find a good shot with the mountains. I have conquered!


















Big Blue House with Becky and Wes- Fort Collins, Colorado (4 nights)




Becky took these at her birthday party! It was a blast!


Beer Pong!









Barefoot snowball fight with Steve!



Eastern Colorado on the way to Kansas





Couchsurfing with Roshana and her dogs Buddha and Sam Salina, Kansas (1 night) (Sam tried to eat my other chocolate bar!!)


Snow!! On the way from Kansas to Missouri


MMMOOOO!



Tehehe



I then couchsurfed for one night in Springfield, Missouri with a nice gal who was a last minute replacement for the original host I had. I didn't take any photos there cus I was so beat! We ate yummy meatballs and pasta and watched a movie. :)




Nashville Tennessee with Peter and his family! (4 nights and current location!)


Peter Pan!












That's all for now folks! Next stop, Ashville, North Carolina, onto Asheboro and Chapel Hill, NC, Savannah, Georgia and then home sweet home!

Another blog is in the works to talk more about my farming experiences, wild mushroom picking in the woods, and solar dishes. I will get those up at some point!!