A year in photos | Life Outside of Texas

Tuesday, July 17

Tuesday was a weird. On Monday, I was told that all of my 6th grade classes were cancelled on Tuesday so I was so excited that I didn’t have to plan a lesson. Then, on Tuesday morning my co-teacher told me that I’d only have one class. I spent all morning scrambling to make a lesson. I finished just in time.

The lesson went well and I was happy to be finished, when more students started coming to the classroom. Apparently there was a big mixup so I actually taught two classes.

My 5th grade class was cancelled so I had the afternoon free. I spent it working on my summer camp.

Over the weekend, Dave covered paper towel tubes with shiny silver tape (what a great guy!) and on Tuesday I added ribbon to turn them into torches.

I also bought some dice that are actually erasers at Daiso (basically a dollar store). I covered them in the same shiny silver tape and turned them into LCR (Left, Center, Right) die so I can play with my students during camp. For chips, I bought a mini set of poker chips. I made 4 sets of dice for just over a $1 each.

A year in photos – Day 142

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Monday, July 16

On Monday I went to the PNU area to buy some supplies for summer camp. It was a pretty successful night. I had dinner at my favorite hamburger shop and I came home with most of what I needed for camp.

As I was walking back to the subway, I saw this hair shop. I always find the statue they have out front very… fascinating.

A year in photos – Day 141

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Sunday, July 15

The trash is collected at my apartment complex twice a week. Everyone brings their trash bags out the night before and pile them up in the corner. All trash must be in specific garbage sacks that are designated for your neighborhood. You pay for the trash pick up service by buying these specific bags.

Also, you can see some small red bins. That is where we must put all of our food trash. There are only 3 small bins for my apartment complex (20 apts). I always try to take my food trash out on Thursday so there’s still room found the bin.

A year in photos – Day 140

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Saturday, July 14

I’m doing an Olympics theme for my English summer camp this year. Dave found these amazing medals online. The kids are going to be so excited. I was so excited that I made Dave wear all 99 of them at the same time.

A year in photos – Day 139

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Friday, July 13

I had my last after school class today. The boys got their Flat Stanley letters from Ben in New York and Eamon in Ireland. They were both English teachers in Busan last year and I enlisted them to help me out with my project.

The students really loved the letters and wouldn’t stop raving about how handsome they thought they are. It was really funny. I’m glad they enjoyed their letters.

A year in photos – Day 138

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Thursday, July 12

Buy a kitchen knife (or scissors), get an eyebrow razor free… Makes sense.

A year in photos – Day 137

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Wednesday, July 11

There’s an intersection near my apartment that only has flashing yellow lights for all 4 directions. You hear a lot of honking in intersections like these because that’s how people signify that they’re going to go through first. I was always really surprised that I’d never seen a wreck here because it seems so dangerous.

Today, it finally happened. Maybe it was the rain or maybe it was the weird 4 way yielding intersection, but the black SUV and the white car were getting a lot of honks this morning.

A year in photos – Day 136

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Tuesday, July 10

Have you ever seen these Korean melons before? They are called cham way (참외) which means melon in Korean. They are very popular in Korea, but I’d never seen them before I came here.

A year in photos – Day 135

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Monday, July 9

I’ve lived in Busan for just over 16 months now. Sometimes it’s strange to think about that. Before coming to Korea, I moved around at least once a year. I never stayed in any one place for too long. I’ve been living in my tiny apartment in Busan longer than I’ve lived anywhere in a long time. I do love it here in Busan and I’m going to be a bit sad when it’s time for me to go.

A year in photos – Day 134

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Sunday, July 8

On Sunday, Dave and I did some shopping in Insadong. It’s this great area of Seoul where you can buy street food, souvenirs and traditional Korean furniture and pottery. There aren’t many places to get souvenirs in Korea so I always try to stop by Insadong when I’m in town.