It's that time of year again. The suffocating heat and humid has finally retreated, the leaves are just beginning to turn, and the smell of vegetable pancakes is in the air. Chuseok! For those of you not in the know, Chuseok is essentially Korean thanksgiving, or "Harvest Moon Festival" if you will. What does this mean? For Koreans, it means returning to their hometown, bowing to their elders, and eating lots of good food. For foreigners, it means two days off work, with all of the shops closed and buses and trains packed or sold out.
As it were, I'm not doing anything special this weekend. My plans include cleaning my bike, making soup, and doing homework for my teacher certification program. Four days of that. How exciting!
Lately I've been really distracted and anxious about my plans for the upcoming year. The truth is that I don't really have any plans. I'll need to decide in the next month or two if I want to stay in Korea for a fifth year (omg, FIVE years), and if so, if I want to stay in my current job. If not, I'll need to start applying for jobs and getting ready for a big move (both of which scare the crap out of me right now). This decision is further complicated by the fact that I'm one semester into a four semester teaching program, and that the following three semesters will need to be fairly "stable" so that I'm able to pay tuition and complete all the required coursework. It doesn't help that I keep having little moments of self-doubt.
We all have moments of self-doubt, right?
Friday, September 9, 2011
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Reviving the blog!
I've always been horrible about keeping in touch with friends and family. Apparently the same rings true for maintaining a blog. With several friends repeatedly asking me "Why don't you have a blog?", I've decided that it's time to revive this one.
My last post was in spring of 2009. Let's see, what has happened since then? Umm, A LOT. And at the same time, my life is pretty similar to what is was like then. Anyhow, let's break down the events with a list! (only because I really, really love lists) . . .
My last post was in spring of 2009. Let's see, what has happened since then? Umm, A LOT. And at the same time, my life is pretty similar to what is was like then. Anyhow, let's break down the events with a list! (only because I really, really love lists) . . .
- Summer of 2009 I did my CELTA (http://www.cambridgeesol.org/exams/celta/index.html) in Krakow, Poland. Spent a month there eating pierogies, drinking good beer, and learning how to be a better teacher before I went on a little travel escapade through the Czech Republic, Austria, and Hungary.
- Finished out the 2009 school year (the school year in Korea ends in December/January) at Chilbo Elementary School, got hired for the spring semester at Chinju National University of Education, and went on a mini-vacation to Shanghai and Xi'an.
- Moved to Jinju (no, I don't know why the university is spelled with a "Ch" and the town a "J") in March 2010 and started teaching "Everyday English"- a general education requirement for all of the students
- Went home that summer to see my new godson Krish! Also took a little vacation from my vacation and went down to Puerto Rico. Es triste, pero me he olvidado todo de mi espanol.
- Finished out the 2010 school year and renewed my contract- Year 4 in Korea. Did a shoestring trip throughout SE Asia: Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar/Burma. Came back to Korea smelling of incense and curry :)
- Spring semester 2011 was mostly uneventful, but I started teaching 3rd year students. 3rd years have to learn English interview techniques as they will have to complete as English interview as part of their teacher certification testing. Teaching an interview course reminds me of all of my failed interviews.
- Summer was hot and humid and exceptionally sticky, accented by a trip to Guangzhou and Hainan Island in China, Hong Kong, and Macau. I loved Macau and Hainan as tourist destinations, and I firmly believe that I could live in Hong Kong someday. Great city.
And now it's fall! The weather is cooling down (or so says the weatherwoman . . . side note- I don't think there are any weathermen in Korea. They are all 20-something, beautiful women.) and my students are schlepping their way to class. I've started a teacher certification program offer via distance from a U.S. university. I still have my reservations, not about being a teacher, but about what capactiy I would like to teach in. For now, I am still working on my content courses (English and History). Going back to school is rough. It makes me appreciate my students here a lot more. I've been really, really fortunate in that I have had the same students for four semesters now. I started teaching them when they were 2nd years and we moved up the grade together. I've seen them grow, improve their English, dye their hair, and swap boyfriends. It gives an aura of nostalgia about college, but also makes me feel like I never left. They are tearing down a lecture hall this week on the other side of campus. I taught a course there last year, and I'm sad to see it go, even if it is from the 1950s and ugly as hell. It just made me realize how connected I am to this university. Almost like I have two alma maters.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Happy Birthday (again) Buddha!
Clearly its been too long since I last updated my blog when I forget its url . . . oops. Well, here am I! Remember me? :P
The only excuses I could think to offer are that 1) I've been busy (lame) and 2) I was seeing someone (probably even more lame). And yes, that was the past tense of the verb "to be." I am an English teacher and a wholly independent spirit and such is life.
A quick run-down of what has happened since my last update in January (!!!) . . . not necessarily in chronological order . . .
-Renewed my contract. School has been very flexible and met pretty much all of my requests. Therefore, I will be in Suwon, SK until April 2010. After that, who knows? Actually, I have a good idea of where I might be headed, but my lips are sealed for the moment.
-Got accepted to the CELTA course in Krakow, Poland. Here are the specs- I am going to Krakow for four weeks this summer to do a teacher training course. The course will allow me access to more jobs, higher pay, etc. After the course, I'll be on vacay for a week and hope to do a loop of Prague, Vienna, and Budapest. The best news? My school is paying for the flight and its already booked. I fly out on July 25th :D
-One of my closest friends from home, Dave, just came out to Korea to teach in a city up by the DMZ.
-Just had my open class on Wednesday. Principal, Vice Principal, and foreign teachers from six other schools came. Apparently I was smashing :P And the rest of the semester is more or less smooth sailing.
The usual weekend shenanigans are as lively as ever now that the weather has warmed up. Dave and I are off the Jeonju, a city about 3 hours south of here, this weekend for the Jeonju International Film Festival (JIFF). I'm stoked. It will hopefully be the first of many summer road trips . . . and yes, officially or not, I do believe it is summer now. 75 degrees, watermelons on sale, cinema in the park . . .
Amen to that.
The only excuses I could think to offer are that 1) I've been busy (lame) and 2) I was seeing someone (probably even more lame). And yes, that was the past tense of the verb "to be." I am an English teacher and a wholly independent spirit and such is life.
A quick run-down of what has happened since my last update in January (!!!) . . . not necessarily in chronological order . . .
-Renewed my contract. School has been very flexible and met pretty much all of my requests. Therefore, I will be in Suwon, SK until April 2010. After that, who knows? Actually, I have a good idea of where I might be headed, but my lips are sealed for the moment.
-Got accepted to the CELTA course in Krakow, Poland. Here are the specs- I am going to Krakow for four weeks this summer to do a teacher training course. The course will allow me access to more jobs, higher pay, etc. After the course, I'll be on vacay for a week and hope to do a loop of Prague, Vienna, and Budapest. The best news? My school is paying for the flight and its already booked. I fly out on July 25th :D
-One of my closest friends from home, Dave, just came out to Korea to teach in a city up by the DMZ.
-Just had my open class on Wednesday. Principal, Vice Principal, and foreign teachers from six other schools came. Apparently I was smashing :P And the rest of the semester is more or less smooth sailing.
The usual weekend shenanigans are as lively as ever now that the weather has warmed up. Dave and I are off the Jeonju, a city about 3 hours south of here, this weekend for the Jeonju International Film Festival (JIFF). I'm stoked. It will hopefully be the first of many summer road trips . . . and yes, officially or not, I do believe it is summer now. 75 degrees, watermelons on sale, cinema in the park . . .
Amen to that.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
I'm a little bit unreliable, but . . .
I have pictures from Vietnam! Only a month late. Don't judge.
Go here! http://www.flickr.com/photos/83719566@N00/collections/72157612889978205/
Since my return to Korea I've been busying myself with winter camp, talks of renewal, and trying not to die in the winter weather.
1. If you'd like to see pictures of me teaching winter camp, my lovely co-teacher Chan Mi has developed a habit of posting a handful everyday. Go to www.suwon-chilbo.es.kr and click on "News" . . . its all about English camp.
2. Yes, I am renewing for a second year. Talks are in progress. I'm trying to negotiate with the principal to get four consecutive weeks of vacation in the summer to do a teacher training course (likely in Bangkok or Eastern Europe). School would pay for the flight, I would pay for the course. I'll keep ya posted!
3. You know how some people aren't "morning people?" I'm not a winter person. Seriously. Wherever I end up after Korea is going to have to be warmer . . .
12:15 a.m on a Saturday night/Sunday morning is not really a typical blogging time for me, but! I'm currently an overly-caffeinated mess packing and planning for Tokyo. Yep, I'm heading to Tokyo on Monday for 7 days. It was a bit of a last minute idea .. . but, I relish in the thought of a little free time and getting lost in the sea of humanity that is Tokyo . . .
Next time- live from Japan . . .
Go here! http://www.flickr.com/photos/83719566@N00/collections/72157612889978205/
Since my return to Korea I've been busying myself with winter camp, talks of renewal, and trying not to die in the winter weather.
1. If you'd like to see pictures of me teaching winter camp, my lovely co-teacher Chan Mi has developed a habit of posting a handful everyday. Go to www.suwon-chilbo.es.kr and click on "News" . . . its all about English camp.
2. Yes, I am renewing for a second year. Talks are in progress. I'm trying to negotiate with the principal to get four consecutive weeks of vacation in the summer to do a teacher training course (likely in Bangkok or Eastern Europe). School would pay for the flight, I would pay for the course. I'll keep ya posted!
3. You know how some people aren't "morning people?" I'm not a winter person. Seriously. Wherever I end up after Korea is going to have to be warmer . . .
12:15 a.m on a Saturday night/Sunday morning is not really a typical blogging time for me, but! I'm currently an overly-caffeinated mess packing and planning for Tokyo. Yep, I'm heading to Tokyo on Monday for 7 days. It was a bit of a last minute idea .. . but, I relish in the thought of a little free time and getting lost in the sea of humanity that is Tokyo . . .
Next time- live from Japan . . .
Friday, December 26, 2008
New Country, New Post
It's about that time . . . and this time I'm posting from Hanoi, Viet Nam!!!!
It's a beautiful and balmy 18 degrees here. I just arrived yesterday and I've already been ALL OVER the city. Last night I saw Hoan Kiem Lake and the neighborhood surrounding my hostel, and then met some crazy Canadians who also happen to be teaching in Korea, and we went out for tofu, green tea, and beer- a proper welcome to the country. Today I got up early (about 9 a.m., but I was the first out of 12 in my room up!) and rented a bike. Holy sweet Moses, I should be locked up for suicidal tendencies. There are NO road rules here. None. And bikes just ride in the middle of the road with the taxis, cars, and 230592387 motorbikes. Half a day later, I am still alive, although I won't lie, there were a few close calls. But damn, I never knew I had it in me :P Rest assured, there will be pictures forthcoming . . .
Tonight I am leaving on a jet plane . . . nah, just kidding . . . on a train, for Lao Cai, up in the far Northwest by the Chinese border. After arriving in Lao Cai, we are going to set out for a few days of hiking in the Sa Pa region. Should be pretty awesome, although I'm getting word that its colder than Hanoi . . . substanially colder. I hope I don't freeze :( I'm a beast! I'm a survivor! I'm going trekking in Northern Viet Nam! Rawk On.
On a totally separate note, I'm really glad things are cheap here (and they are WAY cheap- I had tofu, veggies, rice, green tea, and a few beers last night for dinner . . . all for less than $3). I'm going to bring home a shit-ton of goodies. Mostly for me. Mostly hippie-style clothing. Perhaps some war propoganda to go along with my NoKo posters. Love it :P
Till next time . . .
Dana <3
It's a beautiful and balmy 18 degrees here. I just arrived yesterday and I've already been ALL OVER the city. Last night I saw Hoan Kiem Lake and the neighborhood surrounding my hostel, and then met some crazy Canadians who also happen to be teaching in Korea, and we went out for tofu, green tea, and beer- a proper welcome to the country. Today I got up early (about 9 a.m., but I was the first out of 12 in my room up!) and rented a bike. Holy sweet Moses, I should be locked up for suicidal tendencies. There are NO road rules here. None. And bikes just ride in the middle of the road with the taxis, cars, and 230592387 motorbikes. Half a day later, I am still alive, although I won't lie, there were a few close calls. But damn, I never knew I had it in me :P Rest assured, there will be pictures forthcoming . . .
Tonight I am leaving on a jet plane . . . nah, just kidding . . . on a train, for Lao Cai, up in the far Northwest by the Chinese border. After arriving in Lao Cai, we are going to set out for a few days of hiking in the Sa Pa region. Should be pretty awesome, although I'm getting word that its colder than Hanoi . . . substanially colder. I hope I don't freeze :( I'm a beast! I'm a survivor! I'm going trekking in Northern Viet Nam! Rawk On.
On a totally separate note, I'm really glad things are cheap here (and they are WAY cheap- I had tofu, veggies, rice, green tea, and a few beers last night for dinner . . . all for less than $3). I'm going to bring home a shit-ton of goodies. Mostly for me. Mostly hippie-style clothing. Perhaps some war propoganda to go along with my NoKo posters. Love it :P
Till next time . . .
Dana <3
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Hello fall!
I suppose its that time already. Blog update! Time seems to travel at warp speed here, I lose track of the days/weeks easily. In any event, here's a short run-down of new things:
-Went to the Pusan International Film Festival (http://www.piff.org/) this weekend with three friends. It was amazing :P Pusan is in the far southeastern corner of Korea, by Japan (check out this: http://www.umsl.edu/services/govdocs/wofact2003/maps/ks-map.gif). I got to swim in the East China Sea and saw 6 films at the film festival. I doubt they will get wide releases, but if you have a chance to see either, I *highly* recommend Captain Abu Raed and Johnny Mad Dog . . .
-I'm growing my hair out. I presently resemble a Beatle . . . or Dorothy Hammill.
-I made what will hopefully be *final* decisions about this winter's travels- Trip 1: December 25th-January 4th . . . JAPAN! Likely Osaka, Kyoto, and Tokyo, spending New Year's Eve in Tokyo. Trip 2: January 24th-February 2st . . . VIETNAM and LAOS! Likely flying into Hanoi, travelling overland to Vientiane, and flying out of Laos. That being said, I still don't have any tickets booked, so who knows . . .
-I joined a gym and beat a teenage boy in a weightlifting competition. Yay muscles!
-I had my first of three open classes last week. An open class is where the principal, board members, and other teachers come watch your class. Its kind of a big deal here . . . and according to my coteacher, I passed with flying colors. They love me!! I have another next week and another two weeks later. Easy, but wayyy too much paperwork (especially for people who can't read English!). Anywho . . .
-I've started writing for a travel blog/e-zone. Nothin' fancy, just travel articles and advice. Check it out at http://www.travmonkey.com/. My first article was published last week, and I should have another coming soon . . .
Well, that's certainly not all the new happenings, but it's all I have time for now . . .
Wait, before I forget. See new pictures here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/83719566@N00/collections/
. . . and if I wasn't so technically-incompetent, you'd be able to see videos as well. Someday.
Till next time . . .
Much love,
Dana
-Went to the Pusan International Film Festival (http://www.piff.org/) this weekend with three friends. It was amazing :P Pusan is in the far southeastern corner of Korea, by Japan (check out this: http://www.umsl.edu/services/govdocs/wofact2003/maps/ks-map.gif). I got to swim in the East China Sea and saw 6 films at the film festival. I doubt they will get wide releases, but if you have a chance to see either, I *highly* recommend Captain Abu Raed and Johnny Mad Dog . . .
-I'm growing my hair out. I presently resemble a Beatle . . . or Dorothy Hammill.
-I made what will hopefully be *final* decisions about this winter's travels- Trip 1: December 25th-January 4th . . . JAPAN! Likely Osaka, Kyoto, and Tokyo, spending New Year's Eve in Tokyo. Trip 2: January 24th-February 2st . . . VIETNAM and LAOS! Likely flying into Hanoi, travelling overland to Vientiane, and flying out of Laos. That being said, I still don't have any tickets booked, so who knows . . .
-I joined a gym and beat a teenage boy in a weightlifting competition. Yay muscles!
-I had my first of three open classes last week. An open class is where the principal, board members, and other teachers come watch your class. Its kind of a big deal here . . . and according to my coteacher, I passed with flying colors. They love me!! I have another next week and another two weeks later. Easy, but wayyy too much paperwork (especially for people who can't read English!). Anywho . . .
-I've started writing for a travel blog/e-zone. Nothin' fancy, just travel articles and advice. Check it out at http://www.travmonkey.com/. My first article was published last week, and I should have another coming soon . . .
Well, that's certainly not all the new happenings, but it's all I have time for now . . .
Wait, before I forget. See new pictures here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/83719566@N00/collections/
. . . and if I wasn't so technically-incompetent, you'd be able to see videos as well. Someday.
Till next time . . .
Much love,
Dana
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Yep, its September . . .
First, thank you to all of you that sent me Birthday wishes. They were much appreciated :) and this "thank you" is past due.
Goodness, its been nearly two months? And a busy two months at that . . .
Some of what's happened since I last posted . . .
1) Started and finished summer camp
2) Went to North Korea
3) Moved (just across town)
4) Went to China
5) Started fall semester
6) And some other stuff . . .
1) Summer camp was only relatively painful. In reality, it was over before I knew it and the kids did not eat me alive, despite doing the camp sans co-teacher. Young-shin left me to fend for myself while she was in Japan . . .
2) Yes, I went to North Korea. Yes, it was amazing. I'm having a really hard time explaining my experience to people. The thing is, I was only there for 12 hours. 12 hours! And it was surreal. Under-development in a way that I have never seen or experienced. Much of it was staged, but I get the feeling such is life in NoKo. The whole place is just . . . eerie. Not that I have any right to sum it up in a single word. Its a complicated place.
3) My landlord decided to be a bastard and raise my rent. Well, not exactly my "rent" . . . Koreans have a system where you pay an outrageous deposit (and I do mean outrageous!), and then don't pay rent. My deposit at the old apartment was raised from $30,000 USD to $35,000 USD (did I mention OUTRAGEOUS?!) . . . so my school could no longer afford it. This led to a week-long apartment hunt. I was warned that my new place would probably be smaller and not as nice . . . and here I am, sitting in an apartment twice the size of my old one, and twice as nice. Small blessings.
4) I just got back from 10 days in China last Sunday. Everything went a little bit wrong that trip, but I still had an amazing time. Didn't make it to the Great Wall, and actually spent some time in a Beijing hospital . . . and half the week hacking up my lungs. Ah, smog. Things were CRAZY thanks to the Olympics, but it also played a part in me meeting some really cool cats. Among these included: Mark the overly-flamboyant ticket scalper from San Fran, Julia the Ukrainian Ph.D. student and Beijing resident, Masey the ambitious and opinionated Chinese college student, and Sergei and Sergei- the Siberian dumpling connoisseurs.
Hands-down my favorite thing about travelling- the people you meet.
5) Started fall semester on Monday. I have 36 teaching hours/week this semester. Its crazy and my head hurts just thinking about it. Oh, but the kids love me and I love them . . . I'll get through it . . .
Short interlude for an announcement, before I forget:
New PICTURES! Go here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/83719566@N00/collections/
New ADDRESS! (Letters only, packages still go to the school) Here:
Dana Van De Walker
833-8, 306 ho
Top-dong, Kweonseon-gu
Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do
SOUTH KOREA 441-440
What's coming up . . .
September is going to be pretty low-key, thank goodness. July and August were a bit crazy for me, so I'm actually quite looking forward to the down time. I just did laundry today for the first time in a month. And clean laundry is a good thing. Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving) is coming up at the end of this week, and I have a few days off of work. I think I may just go down south (if I can find bus/train tickets!) and be a beach bum . . .
October is still in the planning process, but I know for certain that I will be going to the Busan International Film Festival the first weekend in October. Its supposedly the largest film fest in Asia, so I'm psyched. Ever since Sundance (and before, in truth), I've been really into the whole foreign film scene . . . I'm diggin' it.
Beyond October, things get a little cloudy. But of course, as always, I'm already starting to plan my next big adventures. Right now, its looking like I will be going to Japan around Christmas and Istanbul/Turkey around Lunar New Year (end of January). But who knows? It is only September after all . . .
Well, I'm off to set up my webcam before my dad harasses me about it *again* (yeah, I know, its my own fault). Till next time . . .
Peace out,
Dana
Goodness, its been nearly two months? And a busy two months at that . . .
Some of what's happened since I last posted . . .
1) Started and finished summer camp
2) Went to North Korea
3) Moved (just across town)
4) Went to China
5) Started fall semester
6) And some other stuff . . .
1) Summer camp was only relatively painful. In reality, it was over before I knew it and the kids did not eat me alive, despite doing the camp sans co-teacher. Young-shin left me to fend for myself while she was in Japan . . .
2) Yes, I went to North Korea. Yes, it was amazing. I'm having a really hard time explaining my experience to people. The thing is, I was only there for 12 hours. 12 hours! And it was surreal. Under-development in a way that I have never seen or experienced. Much of it was staged, but I get the feeling such is life in NoKo. The whole place is just . . . eerie. Not that I have any right to sum it up in a single word. Its a complicated place.
3) My landlord decided to be a bastard and raise my rent. Well, not exactly my "rent" . . . Koreans have a system where you pay an outrageous deposit (and I do mean outrageous!), and then don't pay rent. My deposit at the old apartment was raised from $30,000 USD to $35,000 USD (did I mention OUTRAGEOUS?!) . . . so my school could no longer afford it. This led to a week-long apartment hunt. I was warned that my new place would probably be smaller and not as nice . . . and here I am, sitting in an apartment twice the size of my old one, and twice as nice. Small blessings.
4) I just got back from 10 days in China last Sunday. Everything went a little bit wrong that trip, but I still had an amazing time. Didn't make it to the Great Wall, and actually spent some time in a Beijing hospital . . . and half the week hacking up my lungs. Ah, smog. Things were CRAZY thanks to the Olympics, but it also played a part in me meeting some really cool cats. Among these included: Mark the overly-flamboyant ticket scalper from San Fran, Julia the Ukrainian Ph.D. student and Beijing resident, Masey the ambitious and opinionated Chinese college student, and Sergei and Sergei- the Siberian dumpling connoisseurs.
Hands-down my favorite thing about travelling- the people you meet.
5) Started fall semester on Monday. I have 36 teaching hours/week this semester. Its crazy and my head hurts just thinking about it. Oh, but the kids love me and I love them . . . I'll get through it . . .
Short interlude for an announcement, before I forget:
New PICTURES! Go here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/83719566@N00/collections/
New ADDRESS! (Letters only, packages still go to the school) Here:
Dana Van De Walker
833-8, 306 ho
Top-dong, Kweonseon-gu
Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do
SOUTH KOREA 441-440
What's coming up . . .
September is going to be pretty low-key, thank goodness. July and August were a bit crazy for me, so I'm actually quite looking forward to the down time. I just did laundry today for the first time in a month. And clean laundry is a good thing. Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving) is coming up at the end of this week, and I have a few days off of work. I think I may just go down south (if I can find bus/train tickets!) and be a beach bum . . .
October is still in the planning process, but I know for certain that I will be going to the Busan International Film Festival the first weekend in October. Its supposedly the largest film fest in Asia, so I'm psyched. Ever since Sundance (and before, in truth), I've been really into the whole foreign film scene . . . I'm diggin' it.
Beyond October, things get a little cloudy. But of course, as always, I'm already starting to plan my next big adventures. Right now, its looking like I will be going to Japan around Christmas and Istanbul/Turkey around Lunar New Year (end of January). But who knows? It is only September after all . . .
Well, I'm off to set up my webcam before my dad harasses me about it *again* (yeah, I know, its my own fault). Till next time . . .
Peace out,
Dana
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