Housewarming :-)

So even tho I have been here for like only a month and half I have been fast exposed to the weird and wacky ways of the korean people..

Like for example, if a person moves into a new place, they will decide whether they should have a housewarming or not..In my case, I sorta had no choice..

My boss has been pestering me for the longest time to throw a house warming party. I kept trying to make excuses or put it off thinking she will forget, but Boy oh boy, was I ever wrong..Eventually this week, I invited them over for brunch..Korean people generally don't do brunch, so it was tough deciding what to make..I asked Sarah, my boss, and she gave me a few ideas. Needless to say, he party was a hit. We had fun, talked, and laughed and just had a good time. I was also lucky to receive Korean style house warming gifts. Toilet paper, boxes of tissue, to last me a lifetime,and a HUGE box of apples...I was very grateful.

My boss and co workers always do their best to make me feel welcome and a part of the team, but as its normal for a foreigner, there are moments that are really uncomfortable, where they are all speaking and laughing and I'm just sitting there. But as each day passes, and the more they get to know me, and me know them, there is a level of understanding and compromise.But my opinion is still the same, I am very glad that I decided to come to Seoul and take up this opportunity to teach. I am learning so much about the Korean people, their culture, even if some of it stinks, and more importantly, this opportunity is teaching me so much about myself,and I know that it will help me grow and mature even further by just being here..

Xoxo..CJ

Fitting in and developing a routine :-)

So with the big 1 month milestone out of the picture, life here in Korea is pretty muchh normal to me, well almost normal. Im still not used to and ok with the STARES, the pervy old men, and a couple of minor issues..

School continues to bring me great joy, and going to work everyday is my saving grace. It gives me such joy to go in and see those smiling faces, and knowing that with each day, I make a difference in their lives..The older students, are by far my favorites. We have become friends, altho sometimes I struggle with drawing the line between their friend and teacher. But for the most part, all is well :-)

My Boss and co workers treat me VERY WELL, and with each day, we too become friends. My boss even asks me for advice (she has a teenage daughter )

In terms of life other than work, it is great. I meet new and interesting people every day. I atend a lovely church with some amazing people. On a Wednesday, I attend a small group Bible Study, which is so nice. Its a bunch of us foreigners and a few Korean people. We study the Bible and also just chat and eat and laugh, and learn about each other

I never thought I'd say this, but I LOVE being here. I am learning so much, about the way these people live and the way and lifestyle the kids have to go through. Life for Korean kids is very tough. The kids at my school, go to Public/government schools during the week, from morning till 2. Then at 2 30pm they come to English Academy, and their day ends at like 9pm. This is a norm for these kids. It just gets to me, when Im trying to teach and some of them are literally falling off to sleep cos they are so tired. It is so heartbreaking :-(

With each day that passes Im so glad I made this decision to come out here. I just know that at the end of it, whether I stay only for a year or decide to extend, I will be blessed, and this experience will teach me more about myself than anything I have evr been through..

Hugs to all..

Xoxo

PS, the picture was taken one Sunday after church. We are at a Korean resturant. There is Sarah and amanda, American friends,and Jin, the Korean lady that plays piano at church..

Paying it forward :-)

So when one lives out in a foreign country or even holidays in certain places, after a while, the accents and the languages that people talk all seem to get to you..

Then you meet people who share the same likes, dislikes, interests and ACCENTS as you do, and your heart almost feels strangely warmed:-)

This is how I feel whenever Im in the company of SA friends whilst Im away from home. For those of you who have never travelled, you probably think IM CRAZEE(as my students say :-)

But for those of you who have, you will understand exactly what I mean.
I was very greatful when I got introduced to Hennie, a fellow SA. He been living and teaching here for the past 2 years so he knows the ropes. And when you are new to a place such as this, knowing someone who knows the ropes, is such a big help. Hennie really has been wonderful to me. Always willing to go the extra mile and help me, and I always appreciated it right from the very start, I knew deep within, that once Im settled in and a bit more adapted to my surroundings, I had to pay this kind deed forward. I had to be there for someone else who is new, just like the way Hennie did for me. I had to be an angel to someone else. Because beleive you me, when you first arrive here, the person who comes to your rescue and shows you the way things are done, seems like an angel sent specifically to you..

So over the past few days, I had been in contact with another SA lady..She had just arrived here and naturally feeling lonely and homesick and out of sorts. A feeling, not too long ago, was something I felt very strongly too.. I knew this mission was mine..

So we had been in contact as often as possible and today we met..It was rather delightful. 3 South Africans at the same table, speaking NORMAL english and enjoying normal light hearted conversation was great. Whenever you are in the company of other foreigners, you always appreciate th english conversation. Just being able to speak at normal Western pace and not having to seak super slow just so the other person can understand your every word..something that you have to do whilst in a foreign place...

We met for typical and traditional Korean BBQ. This is the very reason why they are so bloody thin..No potatoe salad, cloeslaw with mayo etc..Just meat, veg (raw usually), and not even a plate to eat it with. The meat gets BBQ'd on the table in front of you, then you add your SIDES, and it is wrapped in lettuce or other different leaves and rolled like a wrap and eaten..We had duck today, something that I love and might I just add, I think it was the BEST duck I have ever had the pleasure of eating :-)

As time passes, I find more and more reasons to love this country. Ok well I think thats me pushing it, not LOVE, like is more appropriate...

Im so greatful for this experience, even though its still pretty early, at only a month here, I can tell that this experience will teach me alot about myself and will help me grow in more ways than one..

I look forward to what the next 11 months has in store for me..All I can say is that, with great friends and me appreciating my job and loving my students more and more each day, IM ready to face the challenge.

How adorable are they ????

So i just could not resist blogging about this. Every month I teach the kids a particular set book and at month end, on the 2nd lasy day, they have their final tests. On the very last day, they have their SPEAKING FESTIVAL, also known as the Speech contest. As this was my very 1st one, I was super excited.

I was named the Head judge, something that I knew would not be easy. I have SO many favorite students, how would I possibly choose a winner?????????????

When It came down to decision time, I was like pressured into choosing. My boss Sarah, would say to me, in he usual joking way, CASSANDRA, BALLI BALLI, WINNER NOW!! Balli balli is the korean word for QUICK QUICK..

Anyway It was the most fun I have had in a while. I never imagined that something as simple as a speech contest would give me so much joy

It is very important in life to give off your best at all times. Excellence in the workplace is vital to live and lead a healthy and prosperous life..

working for only a pay check is not worth it. Do something to reap greater benefits..My ultimate dream and goal in life, the reason for me being here as most of you know is to become a Pastry chef, and I may never become a teacher, but the moment I step into that classroom, I try to do the best I can do, and I become the BEST teacher I could possibly become..

And as I walk home every day and listen to my ipod, and reflect upon the day gone by, I smile to myself. For I know I made a difference :-)

Hugs..

Xoxo