Today is my last day of teaching in Korea. It's been quite a year with lots and lots of great memories. I've gotten to meet some amazing people who I will miss a ton. I don't want to make this some Miss Pageant farewell letter, but I hope those I've met here know how much I've enjoyed their company and insights. It definitely feels way WAY too soon to leave. I can't say much else as I'm a mix of emotions: sad, anxious, exhausted, excited, lonely, over-the-moon, butterflies...
So, now what?
Well, I'm moving out my apartment today to make way for my replacement. I also am cancelling every Korean service I have this afternoon. The logistics of moving don't really change from one culture to the next, do they? Tonight there is a joint going away party and then it's life in a backpack for the next 50+ days. Myself and a friend will be exploring Southeast Asia including Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia. We are ready for adventure and I will be sure to relay stories when I return.
In the meantime, I have scheduled blog posts to continue in my absence. You'll hear more about my time in Korea and I'll attempt to make up for my extended departure from the internet in August (sorry about that, vacation beckoned). Be sure to check out the new summer photos as well. When I get home I should have some time to edit my hours of video and share some more memories. Jet lag and all...
'Til then,
-Bets
Friday, August 31, 2012
Monday, August 27, 2012
What Happened to the BHC?
After a solid evening workout in late Winter, I decided to treat myself to a hot bowl of kimchi jiggae (spicy soup) at the bus terminal's kimbap restaurant. It's one of my favorite places to get the dish and I talked of it's wonders with my friend, George. We shared a mutual admiration and decided to dine together and then call it an early evening.
The food was good as always. Once we finished, we walked through the terminal to protect ourselves from the cold. Everything looked the same along the hallway except for one stall. The BHC (Big Hit Chicken Restaurant) had vanished over night. I peered through the glass and saw that everything was gone. I kept staring as I looked for clues to what would be going in it's place. There was nothing to be found; just a gutted white space with a few men walking around. And then, they spotted us.
I can only imagine how my face looked: curiosity, confusion, mouth agape...The men smiled through the glass and then rushed to the door to greet George and I. Within seconds we were ushered in to join them. We sat in the white room at a make shift dining room table on a hodge podge of chairs surrounding a gas range prepped to make Samgyeopsal (pork) with complimenting soju.
Coincidentally, this was not the first nor the last time we enjoyed random Korean hospitality together. The group started to convene around us. Every man came with another ingredient and more soju: lettuce, homemade soybean paste, hoddeok, and onions. This was to be a feast. I looked at George with an 'oh crap...do we have to?!' look. Already tired and full, we gave ourselves a time limit of 8:30. This would have to end within the next hour.
As we ate, drank, and chatted with the group, we learned that we were among terminal royalty. Each man owned one of the shops in or around the terminal including the pharmacy, grocery store, massage parlor, Family Mart, and barber shop. They seemed like really nice guys as they showed us their adult children, chatted about our schools and local area, and continued to marvel over George's long dreads.
Needless to say, we didn't make our 8:30 deadline. Finally, at 9:15 we made our escape with low, reverent bows. The men shared disappointed smiles and continued on with their evening. I walked home with George in disbelief. 'Did that really just happen? It's a Tuesday!' Neither of us could stop laughing...
Just another random weeknight in small town Korea.
One Shot,
-Bets
The food was good as always. Once we finished, we walked through the terminal to protect ourselves from the cold. Everything looked the same along the hallway except for one stall. The BHC (Big Hit Chicken Restaurant) had vanished over night. I peered through the glass and saw that everything was gone. I kept staring as I looked for clues to what would be going in it's place. There was nothing to be found; just a gutted white space with a few men walking around. And then, they spotted us.
I can only imagine how my face looked: curiosity, confusion, mouth agape...The men smiled through the glass and then rushed to the door to greet George and I. Within seconds we were ushered in to join them. We sat in the white room at a make shift dining room table on a hodge podge of chairs surrounding a gas range prepped to make Samgyeopsal (pork) with complimenting soju.
Coincidentally, this was not the first nor the last time we enjoyed random Korean hospitality together. The group started to convene around us. Every man came with another ingredient and more soju: lettuce, homemade soybean paste, hoddeok, and onions. This was to be a feast. I looked at George with an 'oh crap...do we have to?!' look. Already tired and full, we gave ourselves a time limit of 8:30. This would have to end within the next hour.
As we ate, drank, and chatted with the group, we learned that we were among terminal royalty. Each man owned one of the shops in or around the terminal including the pharmacy, grocery store, massage parlor, Family Mart, and barber shop. They seemed like really nice guys as they showed us their adult children, chatted about our schools and local area, and continued to marvel over George's long dreads.
Needless to say, we didn't make our 8:30 deadline. Finally, at 9:15 we made our escape with low, reverent bows. The men shared disappointed smiles and continued on with their evening. I walked home with George in disbelief. 'Did that really just happen? It's a Tuesday!' Neither of us could stop laughing...
Just another random weeknight in small town Korea.
One Shot,
-Bets
Friday, August 3, 2012
Happy Summer
My summer camps have come to an end! It has been an intense two weeks filled with many hours of lesson planning and teaching. With two separate age groups and curricula, I had an interesting balancing act. However, I think the elementary students loved the Olympics theme. They made posters, bracelets, and hot dogs...and had a fair share of friendly competition. While, the middle schoolers focused on travelling and countries of the world. They made flags, pasta, T-shirts, and s'mores.
The last day was a big success with two great activities. The elementary students had Mini-Olympics which included events like limbo, Simon Says, and a balloon pop word scramble. I couldn't stop laughing... The middle school students finished up their final projects and enjoyed popcorn and a final screening of their efforts. Check out their stop motion creation all about their Bucket Lists. I'm so proud!
Time for Vacation!
-Bets
The last day was a big success with two great activities. The elementary students had Mini-Olympics which included events like limbo, Simon Says, and a balloon pop word scramble. I couldn't stop laughing... The middle school students finished up their final projects and enjoyed popcorn and a final screening of their efforts. Check out their stop motion creation all about their Bucket Lists. I'm so proud!
Time for Vacation!
-Bets
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