Hey,
This is just a quick post before class - I know, I have been totally MIA for the last couple of weeks. This week was a little rough, so I'm glad that its finally the weekend (well, almost)! Tonight I'm going to see the new Terminator movie with some other teachers (Dad, this one is for you and your fandom of the Sarah Connor Chronicles tv. show). Tomorrow I'm thinking of going into to Itaewon in Seoul to meet up with Jenn and visit the Korean War memorial. Jenn tells me t is one of the most unforgettable experiences to have while in Korea, so I'm really looking forward to it. Afterwards we're probably going to the 63rd building (Hannah, Clara - Yes, we are going because of My Girl hahaha) with another Korean friend of Jenn's - Jinsun. She's super sweet and she was the one that took us to see King Sejong's tomb a couple of weekends ago.
I'm really going to try to keep updating this blog - I don't want it to become another thing that I forget to do... PLease Leavce me some comments!! I like them a lot!!
May 5 2009
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Hey!
I just got back from a weekend trip to Japan with another friend from Canada, and I absolutely loved it! Amazingly, this trip was planned and organized only a couple of days before we flew out - we hadn't decided if we were even going to leave on Saturday morning until Thursday night! We only toured around Tokyo, but it is a huge city and I don't think we would have had time for anything else.
Our first day we arrived in Tokyo at around 11:00 and found a hostel/hotel to stay at in Ueno. That afternoon we spent walking around that district and explored the HUGE park just a 15-10 minute walk away from our hostel. The scenery there was gorgeous, lots of towering trees and lots of small and large Shinto shrines everywhere. We met an old man who had been writing some poetry and talked with him for a little bit, then wandered down to a market area to sample some Japanese noodles and CREPES mmmmmmmm. Later that night we took the subway to Ginza, after hearing that it was a popular place to go, but there wasn't really much to see except shopping.
P.S. - Japan = RIDICULOUSLY EXPENSIVE FOR FOREIGNERS. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.
The next day (Sunday) we woke up bright and early and visited the Tokyo National Museum in Ueno Park - lots of pictures from there too - and then spent part of the afternoon in central tokyo to see the Imperial Palace gardens. When we were walking toward the gate for the gardens we were approached by 4 college girls who wanted to show us around and practice having English conversations. The gardens were beautiful too, and the girls were telling us what buildings used to be what, and we got their email addresses to write to them too! Then we traveled up to Shibuya terminal - Carleigh, I immediately thought of you and Jet Set Radio Future when we were walking around here (I tried to go to Dogenzaka Hill, but it was waaay on the other side of the district). In Shibuya and the area of Harajuku there was some good shopping there and interesting sights to see, like the nightlife character of Tokyo. To finish the day off, we headed back into central Tokyo to visit the Tokyo Tower, which looks like the Eiffel Tower (actually it stands taller) and take a 360 degree look at Tokyo city. Breathtaking.
Our last full day we went to the Ueno Zoo in the morning and since it was a holiday in Japan a lot of places were free, including this one. The only problem was that it was ridiculously crowded and after about an hour or so we were so annoyed with the crowds that we left. After that, Jenn wanted to visit Shinjuku because she had heard it was a great place to see, and we ended up going into this MASSIVE garden park and spending a good 2 hours there. Inside we were able to drink tea in a traditional tea house, which was delicious. I have a ton of pictures from the garden that will slowly make their way to this blog. After Shinjuku, we traveled to Ebisu and walked around there for a little while before heading to Odaiba (a waterfront area) where I could ride the giant ferris wheel. YES, I GOT RIDE MY GIANT FERRIS WHEEL! Below, there was a HUGE arcade room where Jenn and I played Mariocart racedriving, some game where you drive a bus (haha) and, of course, DDR. Good times :D
This morning was relatively slow paced compared to our last two days; we spent part of the morning shopping for some souvenirs in Ueno before heading to the airport to fly back to Korea. Our plane landed at about 4:00, but with the busing I didn't get home until 7pm, and now I am getting ready for the next week of teaching classes.
I realize that this is a very condensed retelling of my trip, but maybe you can hear more about it on skype!
I just got back from a weekend trip to Japan with another friend from Canada, and I absolutely loved it! Amazingly, this trip was planned and organized only a couple of days before we flew out - we hadn't decided if we were even going to leave on Saturday morning until Thursday night! We only toured around Tokyo, but it is a huge city and I don't think we would have had time for anything else.
Our first day we arrived in Tokyo at around 11:00 and found a hostel/hotel to stay at in Ueno. That afternoon we spent walking around that district and explored the HUGE park just a 15-10 minute walk away from our hostel. The scenery there was gorgeous, lots of towering trees and lots of small and large Shinto shrines everywhere. We met an old man who had been writing some poetry and talked with him for a little bit, then wandered down to a market area to sample some Japanese noodles and CREPES mmmmmmmm. Later that night we took the subway to Ginza, after hearing that it was a popular place to go, but there wasn't really much to see except shopping.
P.S. - Japan = RIDICULOUSLY EXPENSIVE FOR FOREIGNERS. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.
The next day (Sunday) we woke up bright and early and visited the Tokyo National Museum in Ueno Park - lots of pictures from there too - and then spent part of the afternoon in central tokyo to see the Imperial Palace gardens. When we were walking toward the gate for the gardens we were approached by 4 college girls who wanted to show us around and practice having English conversations. The gardens were beautiful too, and the girls were telling us what buildings used to be what, and we got their email addresses to write to them too! Then we traveled up to Shibuya terminal - Carleigh, I immediately thought of you and Jet Set Radio Future when we were walking around here (I tried to go to Dogenzaka Hill, but it was waaay on the other side of the district). In Shibuya and the area of Harajuku there was some good shopping there and interesting sights to see, like the nightlife character of Tokyo. To finish the day off, we headed back into central Tokyo to visit the Tokyo Tower, which looks like the Eiffel Tower (actually it stands taller) and take a 360 degree look at Tokyo city. Breathtaking.
Our last full day we went to the Ueno Zoo in the morning and since it was a holiday in Japan a lot of places were free, including this one. The only problem was that it was ridiculously crowded and after about an hour or so we were so annoyed with the crowds that we left. After that, Jenn wanted to visit Shinjuku because she had heard it was a great place to see, and we ended up going into this MASSIVE garden park and spending a good 2 hours there. Inside we were able to drink tea in a traditional tea house, which was delicious. I have a ton of pictures from the garden that will slowly make their way to this blog. After Shinjuku, we traveled to Ebisu and walked around there for a little while before heading to Odaiba (a waterfront area) where I could ride the giant ferris wheel. YES, I GOT RIDE MY GIANT FERRIS WHEEL! Below, there was a HUGE arcade room where Jenn and I played Mariocart racedriving, some game where you drive a bus (haha) and, of course, DDR. Good times :D
This morning was relatively slow paced compared to our last two days; we spent part of the morning shopping for some souvenirs in Ueno before heading to the airport to fly back to Korea. Our plane landed at about 4:00, but with the busing I didn't get home until 7pm, and now I am getting ready for the next week of teaching classes.
I realize that this is a very condensed retelling of my trip, but maybe you can hear more about it on skype!
April 25 2009
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Ok, so I realize that I should have updated this blog A LOT sooner than I am doing right now, but most of the time I have so many things on the go that it's hard to just stop for a while and write about whats new with me. That being said, it is a little surprising to say that there isn't really that much that is different at work or home.
-Last weekend I went shopping with Yunjung to Forever21 and to Suwon Station. Most of the Bus stations in Suwon and Seoul have bus stops like we do in Canada, but they also have an underground area where there is a lot of market, discount street shopping types of stores. I bought some long t-shirts for 5000 won and they have ridiculous english language phrases but Yunjung said they were ok to wear to school. The Forever 21 in Myungdong Seoul is awesome - three floors of my favourite clothing brand. Let's just say I had a lot of fun there.
In one of the department stores we went to they have a brand like H&M, only in Korea its called H&T. I bought many shirts with FABULOUS on the front, and I thoroughly enjoy them.
-I finished another month of report cards on Thrusday night, and I have another set due on Monday by midnight. The company has decided to change the format of the report cards too, so that we have to record every day they had homework done or not, every grammar test and the date, all of the vocabulary quizzes, selection tests, and unit test scores and then add on another comment. Needless to say, I was feeling a little frazzled for the first half of this week. But I'm feeling so much better now that half of my reports are done. PLus the weather is getting warmer (although it has been raining almost every day) so that's a pro. :D
I was supposed to go to Everland today, but the teachers decided to take the Korean councillors we work with out for dinner and then we went to a noraebang (Kareoke singing room - and a really nice one too!) and I didn't get home until 2:30 this morning. You all know that I am no morning person, so I told Jen and Chris that I would go with them in two weekends. PLus the weather said that it was going to rain and I didn't feel like standing outside getting wet to go on a roller coaster. I guess the T-express will just have to wait for me!
My spring vacation is almost here - I have oy two more days of teaching before the break, so I'm looking forward to some extra time off. I still have no set plans to travel, but I will most likely be staying in the country. I have talked to some of my other Korean friends to see if they are available, but they might be busy during the week. Maybe I'll be able to go and see some more of the famous tourist sights around here. Annnnd bring my lovely camera too...
-Last weekend I went shopping with Yunjung to Forever21 and to Suwon Station. Most of the Bus stations in Suwon and Seoul have bus stops like we do in Canada, but they also have an underground area where there is a lot of market, discount street shopping types of stores. I bought some long t-shirts for 5000 won and they have ridiculous english language phrases but Yunjung said they were ok to wear to school. The Forever 21 in Myungdong Seoul is awesome - three floors of my favourite clothing brand. Let's just say I had a lot of fun there.
In one of the department stores we went to they have a brand like H&M, only in Korea its called H&T. I bought many shirts with FABULOUS on the front, and I thoroughly enjoy them.
-I finished another month of report cards on Thrusday night, and I have another set due on Monday by midnight. The company has decided to change the format of the report cards too, so that we have to record every day they had homework done or not, every grammar test and the date, all of the vocabulary quizzes, selection tests, and unit test scores and then add on another comment. Needless to say, I was feeling a little frazzled for the first half of this week. But I'm feeling so much better now that half of my reports are done. PLus the weather is getting warmer (although it has been raining almost every day) so that's a pro. :D
I was supposed to go to Everland today, but the teachers decided to take the Korean councillors we work with out for dinner and then we went to a noraebang (Kareoke singing room - and a really nice one too!) and I didn't get home until 2:30 this morning. You all know that I am no morning person, so I told Jen and Chris that I would go with them in two weekends. PLus the weather said that it was going to rain and I didn't feel like standing outside getting wet to go on a roller coaster. I guess the T-express will just have to wait for me!
My spring vacation is almost here - I have oy two more days of teaching before the break, so I'm looking forward to some extra time off. I still have no set plans to travel, but I will most likely be staying in the country. I have talked to some of my other Korean friends to see if they are available, but they might be busy during the week. Maybe I'll be able to go and see some more of the famous tourist sights around here. Annnnd bring my lovely camera too...
April 6th
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Hey
This is just a quick post before I head into work for the week. I finally managed to get myself an end table for my room, as well as some dishes (haha Tanya) and other things for my apartment. It's actually starting to look like someone really lives here, instead of just someone crashing here for a few days.
The weather here is getting a lot warmer - It's finally time to wear t-shirts to work!
This is just a quick post before I head into work for the week. I finally managed to get myself an end table for my room, as well as some dishes (haha Tanya) and other things for my apartment. It's actually starting to look like someone really lives here, instead of just someone crashing here for a few days.
The weather here is getting a lot warmer - It's finally time to wear t-shirts to work!
Pictures! (1)
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*As per request, I've taken down the pictures of my students. I hope you all had a chance to see them!
I figured out how to post pictures on this blog - took me a while didn't it.
These pictures are from my MWF classes. They're such great kids!
I figured out how to post pictures on this blog - took me a while didn't it.
These pictures are from my MWF classes. They're such great kids!
Whew!
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haha, I bet you're all wondering what happened to me for the last couple of weeks. well, I have been SWAMPED here with prepping for lessons making grammar tests, marking essays and then the joy of all joys in teaching - writing report cards.
BUT
The madness is almost all over - I have only 2 more classes to write report cards for and those aren't due until Monday at midnight. Booyah! I'll probably spend a good chunk of my weekend writing comments to get those out of the way. Plus we are about to start the second month of a 3 month term(?) her at yes Youngdo, so I want to get some outlines for the upcoming curriculum finished ahead of schedule. This last week I was working about 12-15 hours a day, so I'm feeling pretty tired from school stuff.
The weekend is almost upon us here in Korea, and I think I'm going to try to buy some more stuff for my apartment, so that it actually LOOKS like someone is living there. ;D
I'll write again (mostly likely tomorrow) about living in Korea and not just what my teaching schedule is like (although it feels like that is all I do - school stuff. I have no life XD).
OH, and I 'll have to find some time to post the pictures and videos I've taken so far. Uploading just takes such a darn long time!
BUT
The madness is almost all over - I have only 2 more classes to write report cards for and those aren't due until Monday at midnight. Booyah! I'll probably spend a good chunk of my weekend writing comments to get those out of the way. Plus we are about to start the second month of a 3 month term(?) her at yes Youngdo, so I want to get some outlines for the upcoming curriculum finished ahead of schedule. This last week I was working about 12-15 hours a day, so I'm feeling pretty tired from school stuff.
The weekend is almost upon us here in Korea, and I think I'm going to try to buy some more stuff for my apartment, so that it actually LOOKS like someone is living there. ;D
I'll write again (mostly likely tomorrow) about living in Korea and not just what my teaching schedule is like (although it feels like that is all I do - school stuff. I have no life XD).
OH, and I 'll have to find some time to post the pictures and videos I've taken so far. Uploading just takes such a darn long time!
March 12, 2009
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Once again, I have to say that my procrastination for planning my lessons is coming back to bite me in the behind. I have my 3 hr classes tonight (one of which is the evil one) and I have NO IDEA what I'm going to talk about with them for such a long time. The 4:00 class isn't too bad, because they are at the same level as one of my other classes, so I basically use the same lesson plan. But my middle school students, that's another story. These kids have to be "entertained" while learning in order for me to get them to focus.
This is the weekend I'm going to get ahead ;)
Thank you to everyone who has emailed me or called me on skype - it's so nice to come to work and read all about what's going on over on the other side of the world. Sarah, thank you so much for you video message and facebook posts - you have no idea how much I really needed that :D
I have a pretty bad head cold right now that I'm taking tons of medicine for - I hope that it will be gone by this weekend.
Anyways, back to my much needed planning...
This is the weekend I'm going to get ahead ;)
Thank you to everyone who has emailed me or called me on skype - it's so nice to come to work and read all about what's going on over on the other side of the world. Sarah, thank you so much for you video message and facebook posts - you have no idea how much I really needed that :D
I have a pretty bad head cold right now that I'm taking tons of medicine for - I hope that it will be gone by this weekend.
Anyways, back to my much needed planning...
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