Dave and I went to O’Taco for lunch on Saturday to have burritos. I’m always really amused by the bar across the street. It’s a “Western Bar” that caters to foreigners (like many in the area do). I just really like their sign.
“Happy 2 hours”
Today was a pretty good day. My coteachers and I all did last minute touches on English camp things and then the teachers and staff at my school all went to lunch. We had Korean BBQ and there was so much food! We could have easily fed 6 people with the amount of food they brought our table of 4.
Afterwards, I caught a ride to the train station from another teacher. I got to the train station earlier than I anticipated and it was just in time to catch the next train. As I was waiting for my train, I met this woman. She sat down next to me and started telling me (in Korean) about the headband she’s holding in the picture. She said it was beautiful and I’m pretty sure she said it was 4,000 won, but she got it for 2,000. I told her (in Korean) “Beautiful. This.” and mimicked taking a picture with my hands. She dug the headband back out of her purse and posed for my picture.
Obviously my amazing ability to say 2 words in Korean impressed her because she then carried on a conversation with me in full Korean. I had no idea what she was saying so when I thought it fit into what she was staying, I’d use my limited Korean to say things like “American” and “English teacher.” There were lots of shoulder shrugs, pretend to be understanding head nods and a few thumbs up.
I did understand a bit of what she was saying. But only words here and there. Even though it was a bit awkward, I enjoy moments like that. They are quirky and it’s just part of the Korea experience.
Faith is coming over for dinner tonight so I stopped by Domino’s to pick up a pizza. Pizza is really popular here, but it’s nothing like back home. I just ordered a potato pizza. The toppings are potato wedges, corn, mushrooms, bacon and a ring of some kind of cream/mayo type sauce. It’s better than it sounds.
Even though everything is so different, it’s nice to have some sources of familiarity here.
I met up with Jami, Shanna and Matt in PNU after work on Wednesday. We had Japanese ramen and afterwards we stopped here for a smoothie. Places like this are very common. The fruit for the smoothies is pre portioned out in cups. You just pick a cup and they make you a delicious smoothie. This stand also sells waffles and they gave us a free one. They spread whipped cream and honey on it and then fold it over. They are quite tasty.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Buy a kitchen knife (or scissors), get an eyebrow razor free… Makes sense.
Life Outside of Texas 