Rabbit Class

Most days of the week, before I have to bury my head in writing, editing, and re-editing drama curriculum, I get to teach my favorite class in the whole world. They're 4 yrs old (American age 3), they're adorable, and even though one of them hasn't stopped crying the entire month that she's been here (you'll see what I mean), I love them to death. I introduce to you: Rabbit Class.

V-V-V...

You know how in the Harry Potter Books everyone is afraid to say the word “Voldemort” and they’re all like, “V…V…V…he who should not be named” because they’re so terrified of him they don’t even want to say his name? I, too, have a “v” word that gives me such a feeling.

V-V-Visa. (I just gave a terrifying shutter.) I don’t want to say it, I don’t want to think it, I don’t want to hear any one else say it, I don’t want to see it written down…I want to take the word, rip it into a million pieces, stomp on it, throw it against a cactus a few times, let the sick kid in school vomit all over it, then tie a massive anchor to it and throw it into that spot on the ocean that covers the deepest hole on earth and let it sink, sink, sink into oblivion until it gets eaten, digested, and excreted into nothingness by a giant squid.

Get my drift?

Yet again, this malicious little word has made my life full of stress and complications as Korea changes all of their rules concerning v-v-v-oh, you know what I mean. I need an FBI Criminal background check! Me! Accused of being a criminal! (I realize that I shouldn’t take it personally, but it’s so intrusive!) And it can take 3 months to get it! So I have consequently spent my week frantically getting my application for a federal background check in (which included a lovely trip to the police station to get my fingerprints taken), and then making calls, searching websites, and desperately finding a loophole in the new rules so that I can get back into the country after Christmas. And I may have cracked the case! I'll keep you posted.

I think it’s to the sauna for me tonight…

Baby, I've Got a Plan

Anyone catch the Kanye West reference in my subject? Last night, my entire bike ride to and from Ali's place (yes, I got a bike!) I was shouting out his new song "Runaway" like the good ole days of shouting out Alanis Morissette on the lawn mower back on the farm. What is it about Kanye that always makes me want to where a bright orange suit, where a crown, and dance with a bunch of ballerinas? (SNL last week anyone?)

But, reference or not...I do have a plan! I had a nice long meeting with my boss this week about my future in Korea. And I'm coming home for Christmas, people! It'll have been about a year and nine months since being home. I've just paid for my tickets and there is nothing stopping me now! Step away Korean children, Carolyn Teacher is going home! I'll be landing in Omaha on Thursday, December 23rd and coming back to Seoul on January 8. A little over 2 weeks to eat as much oatmeal, cheese, licorice, and guacamole as possible. Ah, it will be grand.

And as for further life plans, my last day of work in Korea will be June 3rd. Then the plan is to do some traveling this summer and gear myself up for grad school at Columbia College next fall. It's so strange to have an end date to living in Korea. I'm always wondering what I'm going to do next, when I'm going to leave, and now that I know, I have this overwhelmingly sad feeling inside just thinking about it. Last night on my bike ride through the back streets of Ilsan, I was just taking everything in -- the same blue trucks everyone seems to have here, the GS marts on every corner, the Korean kids out playing WAY past a normal bedtime, the friendly building guard who always give me a huge smile and "ANYONG HASEYO" every time I come home -- I'll have lived here 3 years by the time I leave and I feel like this is just what I know now. This is my life. It's comfortable and it's mine. Despite the fact that I've spent so much time wondering what's next, I'm just not ready to go yet. Hopefully I will be in 8 months.

Chuseok O'Clock!

People, Sweater Weather has come! (*Note: I capitalize because, to me, Sweater Weather is something in the vicinity of sacred.) I was told today, as I proudly wore a brand new sweater to school, that I looked "coozy." I think they meant cozy.

So, Chuseok, the Korean Thanksgiving has come and gone. So what better way to explain my holiday than in pictures. Here goes:

We spent a couple of days out east in Seoraksan -- Korea's biggest mountain.







Where we stayed, Osaek, there are famous springs there that were discovered by a Buddhist Monk many a year ago. This water tasted so much like iron, I felt like a vampire. (Cuz, you know, iron tastes like blood? Not funny? Shoot.)








We took a long stroll (the front desk Korean guy at the resort said it was a "hike," and despite the fact that all of the Koreans on the trail with us were in full-on hiking gear, complete with boots and sticks, this most definitely, just a stroll) through the mountains for a few hours one morning. Lots of pretty water falls.










Don't worry, mom. If I had fallen into the water fall, the life ring would have saved me.












Then, we went to the beach! We gazed at the ocean and tried to see Japan. We didn't.













Sokcho, the city on the eastern coast of Korea, is famous for dried squid and sting ray. Both equally disgusting and smelly.











After we returned from the east, we spent a day at Everland, Korea's best amusement park. We battled Korean crowds all day, but the T-Express 70 degree drop roller coaster made it all worth while.







So scared to ride the roller coaster...














Ali in the map, where he spends most of his life.

















We made friends with a polar bear! For being the most ferocious of all bears, they sure look cute and cuddly.












If you can't read the first point on this sign, it says: "The drunken, pregnant, old are not permitted in this ride." Gotta watch out for those pregnant drunk old people. They're a serious problem here.











Ali tried to win me a stuffed animal, in true "date at an amusement park" style, but he didn't. I love him anyway.








And we even got to spend a day in Hongdae at a little hand-made arts market, enjoying the fall weather and gazing at all of the beautiful pieces of art that we would never be able to fit home in our suitcase. Someday, someday.

So, to sum it up, a fantabulous Korean Thanksgiving. So much to be thankful for, and so grateful I could spend another (and VERY likely my last) Chuseok in this country.

Sweater Weather? Not Yet.

Yesterday was the first day since last spring that the high was less than 80 degrees. It was a crisp, chilly 77! But it was enough for me to run home after school and immediately scrounge through the depths of my big pink suitcase for the winter clothes I packed away last April. I realize that I may be getting ahead of myself – 77 degrees is not exactly wool sweater weather, but after the never-ending heat and humidity this summer, I am ready to jump, head first, into a change in seasons.

So, I did my bi-annual sorting of the clothes and hesitantly parted ways with those that have been hibernating in my drawers for too long to justify another season of non-use. Then, I promptly headed to my favorite (and only) clothing store nearby that has cool clothes that actually FIT. They’ve finally started carrying jeans above a size 27. YA! My intentions were great – there was now so much space in my closet for all of the new fall clothes that were calling my name! After an hour and about 17 in-and-outs of the dressing room, I left with a new bag. Better luck next time.

I also made an excursion to the dentist yesterday to get a much-needed cleaning. Or as they call it in Korea, “scaling.” Why can’t they just call it cleaning? Scaling sounds like something you do to a fish when trying to separate the skin from the bone. So anyway, they “scaled” my teeth, which basically consisted of the dental assistant taking a malicious looking little drill and voyaging farther into my gums than any dentist has ever explored. My poor gums. So vulnerable. So exposed! Fortunately, it only lasted 15 minutes. Which left me with the same feeling that I had last time I went to the dentist and had a cavity filled in 2 minutes flat -- Is that it? Are you sure you did everything? Wouldn’t you just like to fiddle around in my mouth a bit longer just to make me feel like I’m getting my money’s worth? But I’m not complaining. The less time I have to spend with gadgets and drills exploiting the privacy of my mouth, the better.

Pinocchio

So, for your viewing pleasure and to give you an idea of what I do, here is a portion of the Pinocchio Performance we did last month. These kids are age 7 in Korea (which means Age 6 in America), and are my oldest Kindergarten class. Keep in mind that they've only been learning English for a couple of years at most. The video includes scenes 1, 2, and 5 (I edited parts of it so that it's not so long.) The drama and music were written by yours truly. :)

Catching Up with August

Since I've basically (not basically...totally) spent this month reminiscing about Bali and blissfully extending my summer vacation via blog posts, it's probably time I move on and live in the present. It's the last day of August, and, as per usual for this time of year, I've suddenly realized that summer is nearing it's close and my response is..."What the WHAT!?!?!" It's been a busy summer that's felt like one big un-ending goodbye party. And it's been an especially busy August. Let me break it down for you:

The weekend after we got back from Bali, we said goodbye to Joy and Rob. It was great spending this past year with my old college roommate and friend...and her fantastic Australian man.







Then, the next weekend I said goodbye to Amanda as she began her travels to southeast Asia. So to wrap it up, I'm surprised I have any friends left.



However, there was one 'hello' in August, which was to Ali's parents!!! His mom and dad just left last Thursday after spending about 8 days here in Seoul with us. They did it all: the temples, the museums, the food, the dmz, the outdoor expeditions...any exploring that there was to be done in this city, they did! It was nice seeing people from the 'real world,' and remembering that there is life outside of Korea. Now if only I could see my own family. :) It's been 15 months and counting...