Festival, fireworks & friends

Thursday, September 8, 2005

It's been a few days since my last update.

Yeonggwang had a town festival this week-end and Sunday night there was a glorious fireworks display. I am very happy to say that it took place right outside my apartment window. I had a bird's eye view and it was spectacular. When I heard the first screech of the fireworks, I thought it was a siren announcing a terrorist attack or something (O.K. I have a vivid imagination!!) but then realized it was actually just fireworks. The sky was lit up for about 15 or 20 minutes and just when I got the brilliant notion to take a picture, it was over!

Monday was my first day teaching 6 out of 7 classes of Grade 1's (Grade 10's) in the high school. I had been warned that the high school students were challenging and THEY ARE! Actually only 1 of the classes was really out of control and I realize that I will have to come down hard on them. It's really just the boys who like to impress their buddies by being loud, rude and obnoxious - and in Korean!! However, I will survive! It's me or them!!

Monday, during the day, my co-teacher at the high school asked me if she could stay with me a few times a week because she has to stay late at school and commutes from Gwangju (an hour away). She stayed with the other foreign teacher last year and so I said yes. She will pay for my maintenance fee so that will help. I was a little worried about losing my space but said I would try it for a month. She assured me that if I was uncomfortable, that it would not be a problem to end the arrangement. She is a real sweetie and after our first "sleepover" last night, I think we will definitely be good friends.

Monday night, I went to Taekwondo with Sheilagh but sat on the sidelines because I decided that my knees would not take all the kicking required. I will have to get my exercise some other way (maybe putting my high school boys in a headlock now and then!!). On our way walking back home, we noticed that the festival was still on and so walked through the vendors who were from all over. There was a lady there from Kenya, a couple of men from India, etc. I, of course, bought a purse, Indian top and a few other small items. There were people everywhere including kids who don't seem to have a bedtime around here.

Wednesday, Thursday and Friday I am at the Girls' Middle School which I definitely prefer to the high school. The girls are so cute and seem to like me. I am trying to learn their names which will be no small feat considering the names and pronunciation.

Sheilagh and I are heading to Seoul on Friday for an organizational meeting for the KOTESOL conference in October. KOTESOL is a Korean/Foreigner organization to promote teaching English in Korea. I am looking forward to seeing Seoul (14 million people).

As of today, I am an official Alien in Korea. I had to apply for and just received my Alien Registration Card. That allows me to get a bank account and is used for identification purposes should I be stopped by the authorities. I have to carry it at all times. So I now have a Korean bank account with $0 in it. I am looking forward to my first paycheque which comes September 25. I am also getting a one time settlement allowance of $300,000 Won (about $300) on Tuesday. Yippee!!

I will soon have pictures for you to see but I will have to give you the web site address because I can't seem to get them posted on this BLOG. So as soon as I have them ready you will find the address here on my BLOG to be directed there. Keep watching and reading.........

Time to head for the sack. Nighty, night!!