Bronchitis/Goodbye Jeremy

This week has been hell. Monday I noticed that my voice had started to go. Tuesday morning it had almost disappeared completely. I turned up at Gomdo and I ached all over. The teacher stretched me out on his sofa and massaged my back and neck. Needless to say it had very little effect. I turned up at school but I could not teach, so my colleagues took my classes while I sat in the back of the classroom, struggling to keep my eyes open. Wednesday morning I went straight to Gumdo and asked the teacher if he could take me to the hospital (Korean version of doctor's surgery). I was diagnosed with Bronchitis and pharyngitis. "not just an ordinary cold'" he said. I have the viral version, so it cannot be fought with antibiotics. I just have to wait. The teacher took me back to the Gomdo dojan where he has sleeping quarters, and laid me down on the sofa. I blacked out for 4 hours, only to be woken to have my medicine fed to me. I crawled into school, slumped infront of the Boss who, though it pained him to do so, sent me home. I blacked out again, the moving around having knocked me for six (although all i did was jump in a taxi). Thursday was the same. Both days I struggled to look after myself. I have never felt so weak as immediately after having my tonsils removed when I was high on cyclomorphine and stretched out on the hospital bed. Praying that I would get better, my health improved on Friday, thus I went to work (dished out satsumas to my colleagues to say thankyou for teaching my classes), whereupon the Boss made me teach without a break, and doubled my classes. Despite this, today I feel like its just a bad cold.

So if anybody is wondering why they have not heard from me in a while, this is the explanation.

Today, not caring about my health I went out into the countryside near my apartment for a short while and took photos of the fields and the people working them. (see my flickr). I got the bus there, and not being able to find the bus stop for the way back, I began to walk. I was 2/3 of the way there when the bus driver honked his horn. He gave me a lift back into the city for free which amused me, as that was the bus I would have taken anyway had I come across the bus stop. So I hitch hiked for the first time in my life, even if it was a bus.

I am off to the bar to say goodbye to Jeremy, but there will be no drinking and I will not be able to stay for long if it gets too smoky. I am sad to see him go, but I wish him every success in the future.



Hay being rolled, crops being picked and grass being burned...all in a days work

Midnight Madness

Saturday afternoon, overcome with the novelty of a CD player, I took it round to Paulo's and danced around her apartment in my bra. I couldn't help myself. I had not listened to any of my music in almost 7 weeks, or very little western music at all, for that matter. She did her best to ignore me as she scrubbed her kitchen floor. Once I had calmed down, I went back to my own apartment, and listened to yet more of my music. I felt a surge of satisfaction flow through me; my very own music!

In keeping with the madness of Saturday, James and I set out to Wymyoung Park at 9.30, when it had got cold and dark. We walked all 4/5 wooded hills in the dark, 8km in total without the aid of a torch. At one point, we decided to walk off the trail, and into the thick of the woods. The hill was steep and slippery, but James, who was in front, did a good job of finding a way to the top without either of us getting injured. Bizarrely, I was not frightened at all; I had good company, and felt the exhilaration of venturing into the unknown. It was 1.15 sunday morning when we finished, and we went straight to the nearest bar afterwards, feeling that we both deserved a beer. Once we had finished our beer and got bored of the inquisition imposed on us by the barmaid, (me, Yonguk, him, Canada etc) we hailed a taxi and ended up in James' watering hole, the Luxor, where he is known of old. We stayed there until 5am when Gunsan had become deathly quiet: no taxis, no buses, no people. Complete silence.

James wants to top this. I will be suprised if he can think of anything, as there is nothing quite so mad as walking that distance in the dark in a forest (without breaking the law, of course). Lets just see how my cold fares (Its so bad, I have lost my voice). The Gomdo teacher blames the fact that I was walking around Wymyoung at that time of night, but the fact is I was feeling fine when I did that. Who knows.

Drunk in Korea/Panty Boys

Oh my. What a night. I met with the fellas from Gomdo, and we went out to a eating house. The teacher's friend kept on insisting that I down a shot of soju, then another, and then another. I lost count around 5th shot, when I started smoking. He is a funny fella. I didn't understand a word of what he said, but I could not stop laughing, as the body language was enough to have me in stitches. I then managed to persuade them to go to the Wa Bar. All the way there, the teacher would stop me and make me read signs in Korean. A job and a half when drunk, especially as I could hardly read English by that stage. I seem to remember drinking a vodka milkshake. And then being bundled into a taxi. I was out as soon as my head hit the pillow, only to be wide awake and still drunk at 8.30 the following morning. I wandered around my flat, drinking water and eating until I sobered up. I am proud to declare that I don't have a hang over.

Thus I can now say that I have boozed with a group of Korean men.

Spent the morning wandering round town looking for laces. As it turns out, nowhere seems to sell them seperately. Looks like its another email to my mother. Just bought a very cheap CD player (w40,000, 20 quid), so I CAN ACTUALLY LISTEN TO MUSIC-YEY!. Cant wait to use it.

Yesterday in my 5B class, we were going though items of clothing. Two of the boys could not pronounce "pants" properly ( I have to teach American English) ie PANTIES. I then told them exactly what panties are. They were in stitches. Thus when it can to role play, they used panties on purpose. I really did despair, even though I found it funny. I now call them Panty boy 1 and Panty Boy 2, and they call themselves "The Panty Brothers". Never a dull moment, I tell ya.

Dozey

Yesterday was just one of those days. I turned up for school late (but 15min early for my first class, which wasn't to bad) but fortunately the director, for reasons beknowest only unto himself, did not arrive until a couple of hours later. After teaching the first lesson, I almost forgot my second class, thinking that I had a break ,which in fact was not for another 40 min. ITS THAT TIME OF THE MONTH but there is no way you are going to get away with that if you are teaching. There have been days when I have felt miserable (due to arguing with someone or whatever), tired, ill or all three, and although I cannot disguise the last two, the teachers sometimes find it hard to believe that I am miserable. But, given their Enlglish language level, I cannot express to them that I put on an act for the sake of the kids, seeing as I am centre of attention, and its professional to do so anyway. I just put on a brave face and get on with it. I tend to find that towards the end of the day, I am so fired up with adrenaline, that I end up in a better mood than when I arrived anyway.

The kids in 2 of my classes amused me yesterday. In fact, never a day goes by when at least one class does something to make me smile. I was going through describing people with my 4AB class (10 year olds), and I asked them (for pure amusement) if I was old. The girls assured me that I am young, after asking me how old I am but but the boys insisted (in Korean) that I was a little old (to them, I probably am). In my 5D class I was going through a story book and working on pronounciation. One girl kept on substituting "breezy" for 'crazy'. I just made her repeat after me over and over until she got bored and said 'breezy' instead. She then informed me that I am breezy. Her friend then insisted that I am beautiful (she tells me this everytime she sees me, bless her). The day before, I was getting my 7/8 year olds to act out their new vocab. According to one little boy,the words reading, writing, jumping, singing, colouring etc is to be accompanied with a machine gun. Swear to god, I give up. Sometimes, it can be so hard to keep a straight face to discipline them when you find what they are doing funny. Today I will be getting the teenagers, and I am actually looking forward to it.

This morning the door bell went while I was in the shower. I checked the monitor on my intercom, and not recognising the man at the door, I did not answer it. The doorbell went twice more, and checking again, I noticed the man had a large package in his hand. I jumped for joy when I realised that it was my walking boots, ran to the door not caring that I was naked save for a towel and opened it. There was no way that I was going to let the man leave a note in Korean telling me to pick the parcel up from god-knows-where. The man blushed when he saw me, and gingerly handed me the parcel and his hand held digital thingy for me to sign the screen.
When he left, I tore open the box, relieved to find that it was boots afterall, just not my walking boots. But that doesn't matter. They fit me, and that is good enough for me.

Welcome compliment

One of the Korean English teachers at the other school stated that she thinks that I am a good English teacher, which was a boost to my flagging confidence. My first positive feedback. I never get any feedback, positive or negative at the main school, so I never know how I am doing. Judging by the Boss' behaviour, if he is not roaring at you, you must be performing satisfactorily. I am yet to experience this, and there is always a first time. At least he does not make me scrub the floor and clean the toilets, unlike the other teachers. I hate seeing them do this, it makes me feel guilty, and they have refused my offers to help.

Received an email from my boss at my last work place, which was a pleasant suprise and a nice reminder that normal bosses do exist. Only 11 more months of the current boss, and I'm off-sky. Jeremy and I discussed my contract last night. There is absolutely no way I can leave without having to find a replacement ( impossible task), unless someone at home pops their clogs etc. I will have to face the next 11 months with great stoicism just to preserve my sanity (what there is of it; I am female afterall, and subject to the lunar and hormonal cycles). I have only one nerve left, and The Boss is getting on it. Oh please, great leader, lend me your smiles and graces, and I will be forever in your debt!

So I am sat in the PC Baum, surrounded by men and boys (is there a difference) playing computer games, the all-time favourite hobby here.
Me: "what did you do last weekend?" or " what do you like to do?"
Student 1: play computer games
Student 2: play computer games
student 3: play computer games.
Student 4: ...

Apparently not a preset answer; its actually the truth.
The noise of ten zillion different online computer games is grating on my nerves, but I have learned through experience to block it out for the majority of the time, so can write this an reply to me emails.
SEE? LOOK HOW MANY MISTAKES I HAVE MADE NOW, AND I DID NOT FAKE IT TO PROVE A POINT.

AAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bordem sets into the boring mind?

It was yesterday that the boredom began to set in. The fact is that Gunsan has nothing to its name, not even a cimema. It has a park, and a few shops, and that is it. I can't really go shopping, unless I can justify the cost of posting whatever I have bought back to England. People speak of a 3 month wall; could it be that I have hit it in half the time? While I was at the PC Baum (internet cafe) yesterday, I was so bored that I took an IQ test designed by a Phd specialist. I got 135, and I am a creative linguist apparently. Last time I took one the score was similar, but I was a scientist. Does my brain adapt its way of thinking to my working environment? Who knows. I'm just weird.

The past two days I have felt physically drained at Gomdo, having to stop and end the lesson early, while before I was able to keep going. Perhaps I am not eating properly. Hopefully tomorrow will go more successfully.

After Gomdo I was hounded by a group of 8 year olds whom I didn't recognise, as I don't teach them. As it turns out they go to the same Elementary School, but to different Hagwons, that of Jeremy and Joseph, and Paula. This was a nice suprise.

Tonight Jeremy is coming round to fix my mop (of all things) and discuss my contact. It looks like that I will be unable to replace him at his school, which will be a huge disappointment for both of us, as he is home-sick, and I detest my current school.

I have heard that the leaves on the trees out in the mountains have started to turn. Perhaps I can persuade Eun-Joung to come with me this weekend, or perhaps I should wait for my boots. Maybe I should visit some fortresses instead, given lack of walking boots. Its just finding out where they are and how to get there...

Something better on the Horizon?

Found out last night that there is an opportunity for me to move schools, as Jeremy is leaving ( he has only been here 3 weeks). Not only that, I would get his apartment, which is in the same block as the people I know, and within walking distance of the school (yet more money saved for the piggy bank, yey!). At this new school, there is communication, support and direction, where at the my current school, the teachers can barely speak English and have not bothered to let me know the ability level of the students. For example, the lowest class are reading a story book with a certain level of English, and apparently understand it. But, as I learned the hard way, they cannot string a sentence together, with the same level of grammar and context, even if Andi had repeated it with them for 6 lessons. If I leave, there is a fine of some sort to pay for breaking the contract. If my new boss will pay it (which must be cheaper than a recruitment fee) and I get my visa changed, then its all go and its all good. The down side is that I will have to stay in Korea for a couple more months, but at least I will get 7 days off at christmas, therefore more travel opportunities!!!

This weekend has been quiet. Friday 1.30 to 2.10 in the afternoon was strange. A war siren began to wail throughout the city, the traffic stopped and people ran into the buildings. It was like a ghost town, except for the roar of aircraft overhead. At 2.10 the siren sounded again, and the city sprang back to life. I found out that it is a practice in the event of war as North Korea has missiles pointing at nearly every city in South Korea, including Gunsan, which has its own airbase. Moreover, there are two terrorists who have escaped the Middle East and are on their way to South Korea as I type this. B-E-A-UTIFUL. But lets face it, nowhere in the world is safe these days, so there is no point in worrying about it.

The Boss changed my timetable this Friday, and has now given me the 15 year olds. Surprisingly, I really enjoyed teaching them, with amusing answers being thrown at me to questions like, 'If you were rich, what would you buy?', and city vs country. I hope it stays that way, but hey, I might me be leaving anyway.

True to form

As predicted, the Boss was civilised, and even smiled and joked as he handed over my wages. "louise, Korean men, many guns" he warned, in reference to when he gave me the first quarter of my airfare back, and had told me that Korean men have guns, so be careful with the money. My face had fallen so far to the ground that I could have swept the floor with it. This time I was wise to it. "Me, Gomdo. James, Gomdo. You, Braveheart", I hit back, in reference to when he took me to the hospital, postured in front of the big mirror in the reception, and declared how handsome, strong and brave ("me, Braveheart!") he is. Well, he deserved it.

Gomdo again yesterday and today. I am ahead of James again, as this morning he had to take his school kids to the ice rink. There are about 12 moves to perfect before taking the yellow belt test. I am now up to 8, while James is on 6. Starting to get another cold but this wasn't going to stop me from showing up.

The past week or so has been quite cold. I now need my jumpers. The sun is warm but the air icy in forewarning of the winter weather. What I don't understand however, is that the Koreans have been complaining long and loud about the cold, but there are no jumpers in the shops. Only skinny little cardigans for the women. I would like to think that they will be selling them soon, as I am not sure how I am going to cope.

Money and smiles

Yesterday The Boss and I discussed my pay. Half my wages this month has been taken from me as deposit for the apartment, which I expected as it is in the contract. So money will a bit tight for me this month. I am pleasantly suprised to find that he did not diddle me. He actually engaged in a civilized conversation with me. I will be getting the money today, I wonder if he is actually going to smile as he hands over the money (Hagwon/language school is his own business).

Learned some new moves at Gomdo today. Actually getting a combination of moves going, and it feels 'real cool' (something James would say). Its a bit of a struggle still as everything is right handed, so I tend to wobble sometimes, but at my least my stance and technique over all is good so far (apparently).

Posted my letter to Fran; went all the way into the town centre. It cost me W750 including the envelope, about 35p. Shame it cost me 3 quid to get there and back. Afterwards James told me of the other post office that is round the corner from my school. I could have thumped him.

Where did the time go?

Its been a while since I last made an entry here. Trying to think back...the weekend before I tried on several pairs of walking boots only to find that none of them fit me: I sit uncomfortably between sizes, not being able to compromise with either. I am desperate to go walking in the hills and forests with James. Still suffering with IBS and I dont know why, as I don't feel particularly stressed out.

Was introduced to James' Bunnies the other day. Given that I live on the edge of the city, I stayed at his for an hour or so while he popped into school to get some scheduling done. I fell asleep, to be awoken by the pitter-patter of tiny feet tearing round his bedroom and kitchen. Despite being babies, they had jumped over the fan blocking their entry from the balcony into his bedroom, the fan being at least 4 times their height, and were making full use of the novelty of having more space to play. James came back 15 min later, by which time I had only managed to herd one back onto the balcony while the other had sought refuge under the kitchen unit. James quickly assessed the situation, plugged in the vacuum, switched it on, and shoved the neck under the unit. The frightened bunny shot through the kitchen, skidded across his bedroom, and managed to hit the brakes before slamming into the balcony window, bob-tail streaking behind. Needless to say, we managed to get the second Wabbit back where it belonged. Mind you, James had not cleaned the cage and balcony in days, so I am not suprised that they tried to make a break for it.

Last friday night was spent at Paula's, watching Superman 1, Sex in the City, and discussing handbags. I really want this black handbag, I have a particular syle, colour and shape in mind, but I just can't seem to find anything that matches. Saturday was spent on a hill on the edge of Gunsan, looking down at the night time scene of the city. Unfortunately I forgot to take my camera.

This weekend might be spent exploring a fortress with James. (Paula does not seem up for anything half the time except shopping). So hopefully there will be more pics to look at soon.

Last week was my first week of Gomdo(???). Except on Thursday no one could be bothered so James and I ended up playing baseball instead with the teacher and the black belt. I whacked the ball to the back of the room everytime. James was impressed, grateful that I was on his team. (cant help but brag, as I was useless at rounders at school). The stretches for the warm up are damn-nigh impossible for me at the moment, even James is better at them than I am. But due to a day of sickness, there is one move I know that he doesn't (Ha). Its a horizontal slash at waist height. You get 3/4 through the swing round your body and adjust position so that you are ready to swing back the other way. Its hard to explain.

The Boss actually spoke to me yesterday. I nearly fell over. He must want something. But then, its pay-day soon...Who knows what is going on in his head. I'm not going to even speculate.

Gumdo wahey

The weekend was pretty uneventful. Saturday night and sunday night was spent at Paula's with videos (again). Saturday lunchtime saw me trapsing round the shops desperately looking for some sturdy shoes so I could do some hill walking. None of the shoes here fit me, I sit uncomfortably between sizes, so I came away empty handed. Saturday afternoon was spent cleaning the disgusting fridge. I am proud declare that it is now sparkling and fully functional. Saturday night was the first time I have ever been on top of a 14 storey apartment building; I stood on the roof and gazed at the stars. Sunday was spent at E-Mart, looking for basic food that I can recognise and thus able to cook without poisoning myself. The apples were ridiculously expensive, around 3.50 for 4 apples. I think I will shop at the market stalls for fruit from now on.

Today was my third day at Gumdo. I am getting there slowly, the language barrier a bit of a problem. James and I are doing it together, but he already knows Kemdo (Japanese version), so I have a feeling he will accelerate through the belts leaving me behind, jealous and pathetic. Also I am being made to do it right handed.

Yesterday the Boss sprung 150 reports for me to write; I do not know the students names yet as I have only had them twice each, and they are Korean. Anyway, I used the Korean teachers comments as a guide and managed to get them done last night and this morning. (The deadline was yesterday, how retarded).

Oh well, back to work and my minions.

Boring

The weekend was pretty uneventful. Saturday night and sunday night was spent at Paula's with videos (again). Saturday lunchtime saw me trapsing round the shops desperately looking for some sturdy shoes so I could do some hill walking. None of the shoes here fit me, I sit uncomfortably between sizes, so I came away empty handed. Saturday afternoon was spent cleaning the disgusting fridge. I am proud declare that it is now sparkling and fully functional. Saturday night was the first time I have ever been on top of a 14 storey apartment building; I stood on the roof and gazed at the stars. Sunday was spent at E-Mart, looking for basic food that I can recognise and thus able to cook without poisoning myself. The apples were ridiculously expensive, around 3.50 for 4 apples. I think I will shop at the market stalls for fruit from now on.

Today was my third day at Gumdo. I am getting there slowly, the language barrier a bit of a problem. James and I are doing it together, but he already knows Kemdo (Japanese version), so I have a feeling he will accelerate through the belts leaving me behind, jealous and pathetic. Also I am being made to do it right handed.



Not normal training, just sparing...James blocks as the brown belt does one of his swanky moves



James and Kwang Jan-Nim, the Gomdo master/teacher



Ye-Reem, Jan-Nim's daughter, who unfortunately can't keep still long enough to take a decent photo...bless her



This photo has earned itself the most number of views on my flickr site...can't think why...

Yesterday the Boss sprung 150 reports for me to write; I do not know the students names yet as I have only had them twice each, and they are Korean. Anyway, I used the Korean teachers comments as a guide and managed to get them done last night and this morning. (The deadline was yesterday, how retarded).

Oh well, back to work and my minions.