I've changed my mind already!!
So, here's the deal: I'm taking a little break from using Facebook for now. I'm hoping to get through the lent season, plus two days (starting late) with this. Yeah, that's a lot of time. Anyway, I feel it will help me learn this language I'm trying to study at night, and I can also get to reading some books as well. I'm hoping to use this time to plan out the next year of my life. I don't like planning anything in life, unless it's a fun activity with a pretty lady, or if it's a trip with a friend or something on my own.
Anyway, I have 45 minutes until class starts for now. It's starting to warm up. Well, it's gonna warm up for the weekend at least. Then it will get cool again, but at least I'll have some more of my clothes with me this time.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
The Hiatus starts now
From Facebook that is. I'm challenging myself ( I could do it for lent), to at least go a week without using the darn website. So if you need anything you know my email. If you don't it's jtower27@gmail.com.
I am trying to overcome the effects of my melatonin cocktail right now. I get use my washing machine in this apartment for the first time. I guess I'll use the heated floors to dry my clothes as well. It's 11:07 am on this side of the world. That means I'm gonna get in the shower and get ready for the day. Happy Friday everyone!
I am trying to overcome the effects of my melatonin cocktail right now. I get use my washing machine in this apartment for the first time. I guess I'll use the heated floors to dry my clothes as well. It's 11:07 am on this side of the world. That means I'm gonna get in the shower and get ready for the day. Happy Friday everyone!
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
What have I heard today from my wonderful students? "You're too old." "Are you married?" (that's a regular one), "Who do you like right now?" (curious to know my personal business). "Teacher, first time I see you, I think you are gangster." (that's my favorite for the week) "You are unique." These are the reasons I do what I do, and that's what gets me through the day
yes, it's another facebook status -- sometimes it's just easier to post these things. It's almost Wednesday here already. I can't believe it. I need to do something physical these weekend. A good hike or a day packed full of sightseeing somewhere in this new area is quite possibly going to be in the works. I'm working on my Korean language skills for now.
yes, it's another facebook status -- sometimes it's just easier to post these things. It's almost Wednesday here already. I can't believe it. I need to do something physical these weekend. A good hike or a day packed full of sightseeing somewhere in this new area is quite possibly going to be in the works. I'm working on my Korean language skills for now.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
What a weekend. . . . .
and I thought just traveling on planes was tiring enough. How about 3 subway lines (in three different cities) 3 taxi rides, two express buses, two country buses (yes, because I kind of live in the country), and two high speed trains. All of that was done in a 38 hour span, I believe. At least I can say I accomplished everything that needed to be accomplished this weekend. I'll post more later, but I should be getting back to sleep.
So here we go. . . . . .
So it's kind of hard when I wake up around 11-12 during the week for work, then expect myself to wake up around 7 or 8 in the morning on Saturday and Sunday. Somehow this was accomplished on Saturday, I still think I was moving at a horridly slow pace though. Since Gongju doesn't have a train system, I had to walk about twenty minutes (because taxis are a little rare) to the bus terminal, so I could go to Daejon (the fifth biggest city in Korea), then take a taxi for about ten minutes to the KTX station. KTX trains are the super fast trains that get up to about 300 km per hour.
I guess I arrived in Daegu about 10:40-ish, so I could get to my "hood" as I like to call it. Momma Koo was in the bathhouse office, so I sat down with her and told her about everything that was going on, as best as I could in Korean. I purposely didn't take a shower that morning, so I could use the bathhouse and be spoiled for a little while. I also had some clothes at the Koo house, which I needed to take back with me on Sunday to Gongju.
Once I got cleaned up and into some different clothes, I went to downtown Daegu to meet my friend Greer, (WSHS Grad as well). Greer's friend Melissa had delivered some stuff to my mom's house back in Memphis when I was there, to deliver to Greer, when I came back to Korea. So, I loaded up the bag as well, and took it downtown with me. Greer had no idea what some of the stuff was in there, so she was pretty excited to see it all. In exchange for the delivery Greer bought me one of my favorite Korean meals. Then as a really nice favor to me, she helped me get a cell phone, since I currently am without a foreigner ID card. Hopefully in the next three months I will be the proud owner of that ID card, so I can go to the doc, and other things.
I should mention the whole cell phone deal was carried out in all Korean. Somehow the two of us put our knowledge of the language together and got things accomplished. When that was all over I went over to the visit my old work place (weekend work place that is) -- The Young Falcons of Daegu -- young kids who learn about planes, and eventually want to be in the Air Force as well. The kids were actually studying instruments in a cockpit when I got there, via computer of course. Some of them will be flying a plane next weekend, at a local airport near Seoul.
When I finished with that, I took the subway back to the house and hung out with Grandma Koo in the bathhouse office for a little while. We actually had a fairly good conversation in Korean, which I was proud of. I explained why I wasn't working with the college in Pohang, and told her I would be in Gongju for the next few months. Basically we just got caught up on things. Momma and Poppa Koo came home a little while later and we all had dinner together at the house. Brother Wooyeup is gone to the Army now, and Little Sis Eun Bi was gone to a member training deal at the college she will be attending in the city of Gyeongju.
When dinner was over, we sat and chatted for a few minutes and I prepared some blankets on the floor for sleeping. Sad to say, but I was asleep by about 9:30. Once 3:30 am rolled around though, I was sleeping off and on until about 8:30 am, I think. Then it was shower time, before breakfast was served. Grandma was rushing me to get all dressed and ready to get to the train station. I was to meet Miss Nicole in Seoul, but before that I had to get my butt back to Gongju, to pick up some stuff that her mom gave me to deliver to her. So, back to the KTX station in Daegu, then on to the subway because I was going to the opposite side of town this time, to get onto the "country" bus, as it's called. Luckily, the bus was getting ready to leave right after I bought my ticket.
Not realizing how big Gongju actually was, I got off on the wrong side of town, and had to catch a taxi to get me to the correct side. The guy had no idea where I was directing him, but somehow we made it to the building that I live in, just fine. So I got stuff packed in my duffel bag, and started walking to the bus station, again. This time I found a taxi as I was halfway to the station. I got to the station at 2:27, and there was a bus to Seoul, but the person in front of me got that ticket, so I took a 2:45 bus to the South Seoul bus terminal, which had me arriving in the area just a little before 4:30. Since I had to use the bathroom pretty bad, I just took the subway to get me to the Itaewon area, where I met Miss Nicole at Gecko's.
She was pretty excited to get all the stuff that her mom sent to her. It was kind of fun to watch the lady open all the stuff that was in it. Seeing her smile grow larger and larger made it worth the while to bring everything so far. I told her all I wanted in return was to her smile when she saw everything, so it worked out just fine. We only got to hang out for about 2 1/2 hours, but I enjoyed every moment of it.
Then I had another 90 minute bus ride back to Gongju, and got home about 10:15 or so I think.
Anyway, I'm a little tired from hopping around on buses, trains, subways, and taxis for now. I'm gonna get a quick nap in before work. Time for my first full week of work for now.
So here we go. . . . . .
So it's kind of hard when I wake up around 11-12 during the week for work, then expect myself to wake up around 7 or 8 in the morning on Saturday and Sunday. Somehow this was accomplished on Saturday, I still think I was moving at a horridly slow pace though. Since Gongju doesn't have a train system, I had to walk about twenty minutes (because taxis are a little rare) to the bus terminal, so I could go to Daejon (the fifth biggest city in Korea), then take a taxi for about ten minutes to the KTX station. KTX trains are the super fast trains that get up to about 300 km per hour.
I guess I arrived in Daegu about 10:40-ish, so I could get to my "hood" as I like to call it. Momma Koo was in the bathhouse office, so I sat down with her and told her about everything that was going on, as best as I could in Korean. I purposely didn't take a shower that morning, so I could use the bathhouse and be spoiled for a little while. I also had some clothes at the Koo house, which I needed to take back with me on Sunday to Gongju.
Once I got cleaned up and into some different clothes, I went to downtown Daegu to meet my friend Greer, (WSHS Grad as well). Greer's friend Melissa had delivered some stuff to my mom's house back in Memphis when I was there, to deliver to Greer, when I came back to Korea. So, I loaded up the bag as well, and took it downtown with me. Greer had no idea what some of the stuff was in there, so she was pretty excited to see it all. In exchange for the delivery Greer bought me one of my favorite Korean meals. Then as a really nice favor to me, she helped me get a cell phone, since I currently am without a foreigner ID card. Hopefully in the next three months I will be the proud owner of that ID card, so I can go to the doc, and other things.
I should mention the whole cell phone deal was carried out in all Korean. Somehow the two of us put our knowledge of the language together and got things accomplished. When that was all over I went over to the visit my old work place (weekend work place that is) -- The Young Falcons of Daegu -- young kids who learn about planes, and eventually want to be in the Air Force as well. The kids were actually studying instruments in a cockpit when I got there, via computer of course. Some of them will be flying a plane next weekend, at a local airport near Seoul.
When I finished with that, I took the subway back to the house and hung out with Grandma Koo in the bathhouse office for a little while. We actually had a fairly good conversation in Korean, which I was proud of. I explained why I wasn't working with the college in Pohang, and told her I would be in Gongju for the next few months. Basically we just got caught up on things. Momma and Poppa Koo came home a little while later and we all had dinner together at the house. Brother Wooyeup is gone to the Army now, and Little Sis Eun Bi was gone to a member training deal at the college she will be attending in the city of Gyeongju.
When dinner was over, we sat and chatted for a few minutes and I prepared some blankets on the floor for sleeping. Sad to say, but I was asleep by about 9:30. Once 3:30 am rolled around though, I was sleeping off and on until about 8:30 am, I think. Then it was shower time, before breakfast was served. Grandma was rushing me to get all dressed and ready to get to the train station. I was to meet Miss Nicole in Seoul, but before that I had to get my butt back to Gongju, to pick up some stuff that her mom gave me to deliver to her. So, back to the KTX station in Daegu, then on to the subway because I was going to the opposite side of town this time, to get onto the "country" bus, as it's called. Luckily, the bus was getting ready to leave right after I bought my ticket.
Not realizing how big Gongju actually was, I got off on the wrong side of town, and had to catch a taxi to get me to the correct side. The guy had no idea where I was directing him, but somehow we made it to the building that I live in, just fine. So I got stuff packed in my duffel bag, and started walking to the bus station, again. This time I found a taxi as I was halfway to the station. I got to the station at 2:27, and there was a bus to Seoul, but the person in front of me got that ticket, so I took a 2:45 bus to the South Seoul bus terminal, which had me arriving in the area just a little before 4:30. Since I had to use the bathroom pretty bad, I just took the subway to get me to the Itaewon area, where I met Miss Nicole at Gecko's.
She was pretty excited to get all the stuff that her mom sent to her. It was kind of fun to watch the lady open all the stuff that was in it. Seeing her smile grow larger and larger made it worth the while to bring everything so far. I told her all I wanted in return was to her smile when she saw everything, so it worked out just fine. We only got to hang out for about 2 1/2 hours, but I enjoyed every moment of it.
Then I had another 90 minute bus ride back to Gongju, and got home about 10:15 or so I think.
Anyway, I'm a little tired from hopping around on buses, trains, subways, and taxis for now. I'm gonna get a quick nap in before work. Time for my first full week of work for now.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Reasons I love my jobs in Korea
from my facebook status of course: things said to me in one of my classes today : "Teacher is Mr. Bling Bling." "You are the same as a Gorilla." "You are Mr. Potato Head." What a fun day of teaching -- now I'm gonna go stir crazy until I can get out of this little city tomorrow.
On top of that, one little girl explained to me in Korean that her mom thought I was cute. It was just too funny hearing her voice as she was explaining it to me. Guess that means I'll get some good gifts from at least one student then huh?
I'm off to sleep. I gotta be in two cities in two days, which means I need to wake up much earlier than I have the last few days of this week. Have a good weekend everyone.
On top of that, one little girl explained to me in Korean that her mom thought I was cute. It was just too funny hearing her voice as she was explaining it to me. Guess that means I'll get some good gifts from at least one student then huh?
I'm off to sleep. I gotta be in two cities in two days, which means I need to wake up much earlier than I have the last few days of this week. Have a good weekend everyone.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
In one week . . . .
the address to this blog will change to www.thetowerkeepsgoing.blogspot.com
Just be prepared! I never like to keep the same blog address when I start a new job in Korea. I will still keep all of these posts under the new blog site though.
Just be prepared! I never like to keep the same blog address when I start a new job in Korea. I will still keep all of these posts under the new blog site though.
Living in a small city in Korea (not so cool)
but you know what. . . . I can still get to Seoul or Daegu on the weekends pretty easily. Although I'd rather be near the high speed trains, I'm gonna have to deal with riding the buses for now. It's weird how spoiled I feel living in a city of 150,000 folks. In America I'd love living in a place this size or smaller. In Korea, it's just not the same, because the cities aren't so spread out. Now let's talk about the job.
So it turns out that I have to be at work every day at 1:00 pm. The funny thing is my teaching doesn't start until 3:20, and on Thursdays 4:10. It's kind of a new experience in some ways. When I arrive I have to help mop and vacuum the floors (on MWF). Tuesdays and Thursdays are days for just cleaning the desks and a little vacuuming. Everyone on staff pitches in though, which is kind of a good concept. It just sucks that we finish this work, and then have an hour or even two hours until the first class.
My students so far have been wonderful. The classes range in size from 4-12 students. The kids have given me plenty of odd stares, and many have noticed the scar or scars on the back of my head. Two or three of the younger ones walked in and stared at my eyes. "Teacher your eyes are blue and green?" With the exception of the older students I taught tonight, most of them are all really well mannered.
One other thing I've come to notice in this town compared with the other places I have taught is the level of education. The students at my recent camp and in my previous long term job, had a much better knowledge of the English language, than these students here. I like to think that the quality of education is much higher in these bigger cities than in a small town such as this Gongju.
I am also the only foreign teacher at this little academy as well. I kind of expected that I would be the only teacher, at least that is a foreigner. There are four Korean teachers working with me and they seem to be somewhat friendly at least. The one doesn't talk often, but the girls seem to be pretty helpful, which is great, since I have a lot of questions about the area.
Anyway, my apartment isn't all that great, but at least there's a good bit of space for a one bedroom apartment. My bed is actually really comfortable -- I've slept pretty well the first two nights. I don't have any closet space, and I am lacking a refrigerator as well. At least there is a little restaurant nearby, along with a convenience store as well. The GS 25 supermarket isn't too far away as well. Like I may have said earlier, I can't wait to get to Daegu and Seoul for some good food. At least I know some good cooks in the Daegu area, and well, there's plenty of good food all around the city of Seoul. Anyway, I'll be heading to Daegu to get my other clothes, and meet some friends on Saturday. Sunday will be my day to go to Seoul, and see Miss Nicole, who's probably anxiously awaiting for some of her goodies that her mom passed on to me a few weeks ago, before I left the states.
So it turns out that I have to be at work every day at 1:00 pm. The funny thing is my teaching doesn't start until 3:20, and on Thursdays 4:10. It's kind of a new experience in some ways. When I arrive I have to help mop and vacuum the floors (on MWF). Tuesdays and Thursdays are days for just cleaning the desks and a little vacuuming. Everyone on staff pitches in though, which is kind of a good concept. It just sucks that we finish this work, and then have an hour or even two hours until the first class.
My students so far have been wonderful. The classes range in size from 4-12 students. The kids have given me plenty of odd stares, and many have noticed the scar or scars on the back of my head. Two or three of the younger ones walked in and stared at my eyes. "Teacher your eyes are blue and green?" With the exception of the older students I taught tonight, most of them are all really well mannered.
One other thing I've come to notice in this town compared with the other places I have taught is the level of education. The students at my recent camp and in my previous long term job, had a much better knowledge of the English language, than these students here. I like to think that the quality of education is much higher in these bigger cities than in a small town such as this Gongju.
I am also the only foreign teacher at this little academy as well. I kind of expected that I would be the only teacher, at least that is a foreigner. There are four Korean teachers working with me and they seem to be somewhat friendly at least. The one doesn't talk often, but the girls seem to be pretty helpful, which is great, since I have a lot of questions about the area.
Anyway, my apartment isn't all that great, but at least there's a good bit of space for a one bedroom apartment. My bed is actually really comfortable -- I've slept pretty well the first two nights. I don't have any closet space, and I am lacking a refrigerator as well. At least there is a little restaurant nearby, along with a convenience store as well. The GS 25 supermarket isn't too far away as well. Like I may have said earlier, I can't wait to get to Daegu and Seoul for some good food. At least I know some good cooks in the Daegu area, and well, there's plenty of good food all around the city of Seoul. Anyway, I'll be heading to Daegu to get my other clothes, and meet some friends on Saturday. Sunday will be my day to go to Seoul, and see Miss Nicole, who's probably anxiously awaiting for some of her goodies that her mom passed on to me a few weeks ago, before I left the states.
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