Well, folks, since I do like this blogger better in terms of presentation, I might just be coming back. What a pain, huh? Here's the latest and the update from blogeasy.
Dec 20, 2005
Yes, Folks, It really did snow here today. TONNES! A foot of snow at Least today. Wowzers, I've never seen so much snow dump like that! The weather here changes in an instant....literally! Around 2-3 oclock today it was so windy and snowy that you couldnt see across the street. It was quite exciting really. The kids got to go home early, and so did we! Woohooo! I'm still sick, but getting over it. Dont remember if I wrote about it or not. Did i tell y'all about my doctor trip yet? Well, if I did, you're getting the second rendition of it. I went to school to teach yesterday and I was hurtin! So Rachel (a teacher) made the phone call to the director Mr. Shim, and then we headed off to the 'hospital'. The hospital here was more like a clinic. We got there, and I had to put my name and phone number and address on a little piece of paper. Thank God Rachel took me, cuz I'd have NO idea what it said in Korean, although I could figure it out by context. The receptionist had a thermometer and came and stuck it in both ears, to confirm if I really was sick I assume. Then she went to tell the doctor.
So we were ushered in to the doctor's office, and he apparently just was on a break or something, because he was visibly putting his white coat on as we walked in. He sat me down on a stool beside his desk. There was a silver trolley next to the desk, which had some instruments on it. Nothing scary, just super shiny stainless steel. Looked like it would be in a restaurant buffet for serving, perhaps. So he asked me some questions like 'how do you feel' and 'where are you sick' in English. His English actually surprised me, it was not so bad at all. Its funny how you become a critic of English skills here. All the time he asked the questions, he was typing away on his computer. When he asked my weight, Rachel giggled, and he had this amusing look on his face. Not to be rude, but just because it was interesting I think. Okay, whatever! What does that have to do with it I wonder.
He then took a stainless steel tongue depressor, and said that he would look at my throat. Then he got these interesting scissor like instrument and said he was going to look at my nose, so he stuck it up my nose and the instrument opened up to look. Quite lovely and attractive, I'm sure. He made some 'discovery/approval/I've found something' sound'. No kidding, I'm sniffling away! Hello! Then he said he would listen to my breathing, and took a stethascope and put it on my back, and said 'impression', 'expression'. Interesting how these words come up that you dont really think of, but they work. Hmmm. So then, his diagnosis was that I had a chest infection. Yep...I agree with that. So he printed off the page he was typing away at, and we were done. Oh, he prescribed (sp?) some medication for me to take for 4 days. And that's it. Next thing I knew I was being ushered out by Rachel who went and picked up my purse for me. Interesting how they do that, and I trust them.
Rachel and I went out to the receptionist, and she gave us the paper, and had to pay a little under 20,000 won (around 20 dollars). Rachel said 'Give me 20,000 won' and this is how I found out. It seems rude to Western ears sometimes, but it's all fine and good in Korean language. So we went downstairs to the pharmacy, and got the prescription filled, which was another 10,000 won. Apparently as I found out later, for Koreans to get this treatment, it would have all cost 3000 won! Wow. Anyway, the pharmacist came out with a big bottle of pink liquid, and some paper packages with about 6 pills each in them. I'm supposed to take this 3 x a day for 4 days. Okay then.
The thing I notice about things here is that everything is in envelopes, or paper bag 'envelopes'. The envelopes all open at the end, not lengthwise, or at the top like I'm used to. The pills were packaged in paper that were divided into portions. I'll have to take a picture I think. The paper is like wax paper....pretty cool actually. So that's my doctor story. I took the pills as soon as I got back, and in an hour or so, I was alot better than I had been a bit ago! I really dont know how I did the day though, honestly.
Well, I'm sitting here wondering what to do with myself. No one to chat with online, cuz it's about 2 am in Canada/Vancouver right now. Hmmmm. Tv it is I think. Movie time! Oh man! I just had a brilliant thought....something to make my day happier....HOOPS AND YOYO!!! Wanna join me in a laugh? Go to www.hoopsandyoyo.com and check it out! The more buttons you click the better! Tee hee! Love em those guys!
Wednesday, December 21, 2005
Thursday, November 10, 2005
changing blog location
http://bendycha.blogeasy.com
I think I'm going to be changing the location of my daily blogs to this site. It's easier to post ...especially in Korean! Check both if you like, but I think I'll be going here...unless something else happens.
I think I'm going to be changing the location of my daily blogs to this site. It's easier to post ...especially in Korean! Check both if you like, but I think I'll be going here...unless something else happens.
Is this working yet?
Hey! What's going on? I've been writing everyday, and it stopped posting! Grrr.....
Oh, I think I might have been hitting the delete button instead of the publish button. I hope not..but this might be the case.
Oh, I think I might have been hitting the delete button instead of the publish button. I hope not..but this might be the case.
Tuesday, November 08, 2005
Look what I found! Backtracking! Yayyyy!
Well, today ....lets say I got through it. I woke up wondering how I was going to control and entertain the kindys, and by the time it got to it....it went spectacularily. You should have seen me doing 'smiley face, surprised face, sad face, funny face (complete with tongue sticking out!)' with them! Ha haaa! Elementary was another story though...I had a couple of classes run my class! Ahem. WE'll have to see about that next time. I think it's rules, and then rewards. That's gotta do it. It's funny how I don't know how I'm gonna do a class, and then I just go in, and I have no choice and just DO it. Wowzers. Thank God for the CELTA course I took, believe it or not. It is helping me to teach them better.... One guy, Andrew ( you know, almost all of them have 'western' names- I hope no one 'gave' them out, because I think that native people shouldnt have to adapt their names as much as ossible. They have those names and that is their identity. oookayyy...just my opinion....so Andrew, he is about 16 or so, and he has been quite quiet. And today I got him talking and the rest of the class by using tone of voice. SAY those question marks like you mean them! Heh. Oh, I went and got myself a pair of what I would like to think are Donna karan sunglasses tonight. All mine are broken, and i just can't bear to live without sunglasses...also because my eyes all water up when I dont have them. They were only 35$!!!! Even if they weren't real...who cares...it was certainly fun. And they came in a cool case....very very cool!Ooooh tonight I got the best picture of an elderly lady on the street. Oh man, it should go to National Geographic I would think! (I wish) Woohooo! She was adorable when I motioned to take her picture. She made some gesture that she was a bit embarrassed, but she wasnt really. She wiped her forehead, and then grinned the cutest grin ever. Man...that was worth a thousand words. I noticed that some people walking down the street have masks on. I asked YuGen what that was about and she said that most women wear them because it is to preserve their skin!!!! Imagine that! And all this time I was thinking that it was because of SARS or something! Ha! I do think it's becasue of pollution too though. I dont feel that there is really a lot of pollution here though. Maybe in the summer or somthing. I can't begin to tell you how great it is to not be in the rain! I am truly on vacation from winter here! Kay...I can't seem to concentrate right now....will write more later....Later!!!
Now I think it might work....for Thursday Nov 10
I've always liked the number 10. Just seems clean and neat and simple to the contrary...in that I mean the binary code!!! Heh. Okay, enough of the philosophizing...
I'm so sad that the last two blogs didnt work. They had some good information that I don't think that I can replicate. I think I went and deleted them accidentally because I can't read Korean yet. Darnit. Whaddya do.
Well I got an amazing picture that should have been on National Geographic or something. This elderly lady that is a vendor on the street....oh man...I couldn't resist. I havent really asked someone for their picture in Korea yet, except for the guys at the airport (!) because I didnt know how hospitable they would feel. But this lady as soon as I motioned to her that I wanted to take her picture, she acted like she was not suitable for a picture. She wiped her forehead with her sleeve, and muttered some think like....oh not me!, and then grinned away. I can hardly wait to post this picture. I walked away with a big grin on my face!
It's something to paint I think!
Well, the last two days were quite somethign. Talk about learning curve! I honestly don't know how I'm managing these kids or the classroom....but I am somehow! Only 5 minutes between classes....so really I dont have time to think about it..which ends up being good. Today I did an hour class with only one student, Jenny, with NO warning. I was quite proud of myself...even if I did just follow the book. Wait a minute..who am I kidding? I always follow the book! Tee hee!
Did I say yet about all the horn honking? EVERYWHERE!!! Loud music on the street, motorcycles on the road and the sidewalk...it's not that dangerous feeling though. Bicycles ringing their bells at you to get out of the way...little babies strapped on to mother's backs....really! On the way home tonight, as I stopped to look at the variety of sizes of live octopus in separate basins, a lady said 'octopus' in korean (I wish I could remember it now), and picked up a live octopus to show me! I've never seen a live one before...and it all curled up...coool! Then I noticed that her baby was on her back, an dhe was eating a 'pocky stick' . For those who don't know what a pocky stick is...go to your local Asian store....actually they're getting more popular in other stores too. They are sweet 'cracker' like sticks dipped in chocolate, or strawberry, or vanilla, or other wierd things. They can get quite addicting. So her baby had one, and she said "pepero", or what I know it as....a pocky stick.
Apparently tomorrow in Korea, because it is November 11, or 11/11, and the 1 is in the shape of a stick, everyone brings pepero's to school to share and trade! Ha! Interesting! I wonder if the adults do that too....
Okay, I went shopping again tonoight for food and such at Zero Market. Koreans are very appreciative of beauty and the like. Everyother store is a beauty shop, hairdresser, or clothing store, with gadget stores inbetween full of stationery or plants or food. Anyway, I got a few face packs, which are a sheet instead of a mask for your face. The options are crazy and really really awesome. Let's see, one was lotus, one was aloe, one was kiwi, one was carrot, ....I got potato!, a collagen one (don't tell!), and a ginseng essence mask. There were more that I can't really remember right now.
There was perfume like CK1 that was about 25$! Oh, and since I lost it, I got a pair of sunglasses last night for $35 that I'd like to think were Donna Karan cuz it says DK on it. Who knows. From the case it came in, it should be! Oh yes, there's a glasses shop every street at least...maybe even 2 or 3! They have the funkiest glasses there!
Oh, and for the interior designers or those interested, all the lighting is VERY environmentally friendly. Or power consuming friendly. Now I'm trying to remember what the lamp is called...grrr but they're the long skinny ones that are very white bright. Every store has tonnes of them..and most are hanging right out in the open. I've got a great 'fluorescent' light in my room, and MR16's in every corner. Man this is GREAT!
Oh, and it's really easy to remember to take off your shoes everywhere, because the floor is lower there, and the shoe cupboard is right beside it. Yep. I think I like it.
Okay...back to the supermarket....I went to buy green veggies...and went to take some, and it was promptly whisked out of my hand by a lady who had a bag for me, and put it on a scale to price it. It was priced and handed back to me like it was in the bulk section of SaveOn with a sticker on it. COOL! You get SERVICED here! What I love the most is that the garlic is all peeled for you! Comeon Canada! Get with the times! Tee hee. Well, there's something about buying a clove of garlic anyway.
And I got ketchup, thousand island is the only dressing I saw there, and I LOVE 1000 island too. Olive Oil mayo...and Nick if you're reading this....IT"S REAL MAYO! We can now live in Korea! Heh. Nott that salad dressing crap that I can't stand! So...my dinner tonight is potatoes and mayo /ketchup, and corn from a can. Yep, that's fine by me. Salad coming up. All of us Irish ppl can survive here now! Heh.
What else...hmmm
I'm gonna close off for now, and hope that this saves and I dont delete it!
Love you all and keep in touch okay?
There is an option to comment, and I'd love to see some!
I'm so sad that the last two blogs didnt work. They had some good information that I don't think that I can replicate. I think I went and deleted them accidentally because I can't read Korean yet. Darnit. Whaddya do.
Well I got an amazing picture that should have been on National Geographic or something. This elderly lady that is a vendor on the street....oh man...I couldn't resist. I havent really asked someone for their picture in Korea yet, except for the guys at the airport (!) because I didnt know how hospitable they would feel. But this lady as soon as I motioned to her that I wanted to take her picture, she acted like she was not suitable for a picture. She wiped her forehead with her sleeve, and muttered some think like....oh not me!, and then grinned away. I can hardly wait to post this picture. I walked away with a big grin on my face!
It's something to paint I think!
Well, the last two days were quite somethign. Talk about learning curve! I honestly don't know how I'm managing these kids or the classroom....but I am somehow! Only 5 minutes between classes....so really I dont have time to think about it..which ends up being good. Today I did an hour class with only one student, Jenny, with NO warning. I was quite proud of myself...even if I did just follow the book. Wait a minute..who am I kidding? I always follow the book! Tee hee!
Did I say yet about all the horn honking? EVERYWHERE!!! Loud music on the street, motorcycles on the road and the sidewalk...it's not that dangerous feeling though. Bicycles ringing their bells at you to get out of the way...little babies strapped on to mother's backs....really! On the way home tonight, as I stopped to look at the variety of sizes of live octopus in separate basins, a lady said 'octopus' in korean (I wish I could remember it now), and picked up a live octopus to show me! I've never seen a live one before...and it all curled up...coool! Then I noticed that her baby was on her back, an dhe was eating a 'pocky stick' . For those who don't know what a pocky stick is...go to your local Asian store....actually they're getting more popular in other stores too. They are sweet 'cracker' like sticks dipped in chocolate, or strawberry, or vanilla, or other wierd things. They can get quite addicting. So her baby had one, and she said "pepero", or what I know it as....a pocky stick.
Apparently tomorrow in Korea, because it is November 11, or 11/11, and the 1 is in the shape of a stick, everyone brings pepero's to school to share and trade! Ha! Interesting! I wonder if the adults do that too....
Okay, I went shopping again tonoight for food and such at Zero Market. Koreans are very appreciative of beauty and the like. Everyother store is a beauty shop, hairdresser, or clothing store, with gadget stores inbetween full of stationery or plants or food. Anyway, I got a few face packs, which are a sheet instead of a mask for your face. The options are crazy and really really awesome. Let's see, one was lotus, one was aloe, one was kiwi, one was carrot, ....I got potato!, a collagen one (don't tell!), and a ginseng essence mask. There were more that I can't really remember right now.
There was perfume like CK1 that was about 25$! Oh, and since I lost it, I got a pair of sunglasses last night for $35 that I'd like to think were Donna Karan cuz it says DK on it. Who knows. From the case it came in, it should be! Oh yes, there's a glasses shop every street at least...maybe even 2 or 3! They have the funkiest glasses there!
Oh, and for the interior designers or those interested, all the lighting is VERY environmentally friendly. Or power consuming friendly. Now I'm trying to remember what the lamp is called...grrr but they're the long skinny ones that are very white bright. Every store has tonnes of them..and most are hanging right out in the open. I've got a great 'fluorescent' light in my room, and MR16's in every corner. Man this is GREAT!
Oh, and it's really easy to remember to take off your shoes everywhere, because the floor is lower there, and the shoe cupboard is right beside it. Yep. I think I like it.
Okay...back to the supermarket....I went to buy green veggies...and went to take some, and it was promptly whisked out of my hand by a lady who had a bag for me, and put it on a scale to price it. It was priced and handed back to me like it was in the bulk section of SaveOn with a sticker on it. COOL! You get SERVICED here! What I love the most is that the garlic is all peeled for you! Comeon Canada! Get with the times! Tee hee. Well, there's something about buying a clove of garlic anyway.
And I got ketchup, thousand island is the only dressing I saw there, and I LOVE 1000 island too. Olive Oil mayo...and Nick if you're reading this....IT"S REAL MAYO! We can now live in Korea! Heh. Nott that salad dressing crap that I can't stand! So...my dinner tonight is potatoes and mayo /ketchup, and corn from a can. Yep, that's fine by me. Salad coming up. All of us Irish ppl can survive here now! Heh.
What else...hmmm
I'm gonna close off for now, and hope that this saves and I dont delete it!
Love you all and keep in touch okay?
There is an option to comment, and I'd love to see some!
Monday, November 07, 2005
First day in GwangJu
Yep, I did my first day at school. The kids are sooo ADORABLE! They all came out to ask who I was. All peering around corners and through the door windows to see the new English teacher. Teacher Wendy I am now called. Tee hee. So I went around every half hour to different classes and did the same thing (a game). Man, I really need to figure out how to not talk as much and give very short and clear instructions. Flashback from CELTA class. All the things I'm seeing and experiencing. And I need to find a way to be stern with them, not to let them get away with stuff like speaking Korean in class, even if the Korean teachers do.
YuGen (Eugene) is the head teacher it seems, and SHE is really sweet. She showed me around and can speak English quite well. She has been at this school for 2 years, she said.
The kindergarten kids are my favorite so far. There was one boy who had really cool hair...a big long piece in the front that was majenta! Awesome! One little girl is just a doll....literally looks like one. She came up to me to untie her vest. I need to get a picture of her. Two little pigtails on top of her head. Adorable!!
The school has 4 floors, and I'm going to be getting a LOT of exercise here. It's nice to walk. It's been a while! Damn those cars anyway! But I must say, I saw the funniest thing this morning on the way to work. One of the many motorcycles went by, a guy piggybacking a girl with the music blasting, and he was wearing PINK SLIPPERS with mickey mouse on them! I laughed so hard! Well, as much as I could on the street without looking completely insane!
Speaking of slippers, I love how this country works with them. I hate slippers usually, I just feel that they're a pain, but here I really quite like them. I think the difference is the floors all hardwood. It feels clean and hygenic.
So I went shopping last night for something for breakfast. Learning money is interesting. Not really feeling like I know how much I'm really spending. What I'm going by so far is when Jacob (the guy that got me the job in LA) gave me 10,000 won, he said that was equal to 10$. So I got some barley, (i was thinking rice...oh well), some milk, crackers, orange juice (mum, there's so much oranges - mandarins , rather, that I won't get sick if I have them everyday which I'm sure I will be.!!)
Oh, and there's eyelashes EVERYWHERE! lol. These girls must be pros at applying them! And sock hanging out on the sidewalks every second store it seems. Vegetable merchants on the sidewalks too. Live eels in a basin squirming around for lunch...yum. NOT!
Samsung and LG everything. I'm not complaining! The scale of the buildings are so interesting. Very scaled to the people that live here. I really like it actually. It's down to earth in a way. Canadian/American stuff is all so big box and unfriendly. Ha...listen to me. But I really do like the proportions. Stores are built so close to the sidewalk. I'll have to take a picture of it...hard to explain right here.
The apartment buildings are everywhere and very tall and narrow. They have huge numbers on the ends, and a symbol that is different. I can see how Asians are familiar with the small sizes in Vancouver...but even those must seem large to them, or at least normal.
I am trying to analyze or pay attention to what jet lag is all about. So far it seems to be okay. I just feel a bit fuzzy somewhat...like i could be stoned or somthing! ha ha. I'm trying to drink as much water as I can.
The smell in the air...that's what is interesting. How do you describe something like that? It's like cabbage or something. Thank God it doesnt smell like mothballs like I thought it might. I think I'd go insane after that...or get to love it or something wierd like that. Anyway...the time that is bad for me is ...well like this morning I was fine, then I came online to see what time it ws in Canada...and I saw how far away I was from home, and I felt like puking. Like that panic attack I described previously. I'm glad that I'll be working and keeping busy cuz if I dont then I'll feel like getting sick or something. I especially felt this when I thought of certain special persons that I am away from. Day at a time...
Well, I should go and do some preparation for tomorrow. I have to look through the teaching books to see what to teach ,and what level to teach what. One thing I'm a bit nervous about is how to keep those kindys attention. Everything has to be quick and happening or else they'll lose interest and run off. Eeek! It's funny that I've just been thrown into this.
So I signed the contract with Shim today and gave him my papers. He asked me iabout Kwantlen University College...because of the 'college' part. He was skeptical that it was a university. Nope. So I will have a few worrisome weeks until my E-2 visa gets done. I will be going to Japan as soon as he gets the papers back from the ambassador who checks it out on my end. I am legal to stay in Korea for 6 months without a visa, and a year with one. I wish I could have get clearer answers from everyone about how this worked...but I'm here now, and will make the best of it. I got Shim to sign a note that said that he will send me to Japan etc...so that eases my mind SO much. And I got a copy of the contract that we signed too. Thank goodness I did that. I wouldnt let him have the contract until I had a copy. Dont want to take chances on that. Same with the note for Japan.
I can hardly wait to go to Japan to see what the differences are. I havent seen anything really traditional here except for a gondola with a traditional Korean structure and roof down the street. Everythign is quite modern, in a Korean way. All the bannisters and railings are usually metal. Even in my building they are, and floors in the hallway that I think are granite. man I should really know that. Oh, and Alison, you know that puky granite that is in that hotel downtown Vancouver that we went to your wedding thing there? It's here too....hahaha! I laughed when I saw that. Can't escape that ugly stuff that looks like poo! Lmao!!!!
You know what's funny, I have no idea what I'm going to do because my suitcases are so huge, an dthis room is so small. They look like pieces of furniture!! I dont know what do to about that yet.
Oh, and I LOVE the bathrooms with the wet room concept. Just a hand held shower and a porkchop sink and counter (for the people who dont knwo what a porkchop counter is, it's a counter that is in the shape of a porkchop. Narrow orver the toilet, an dlarge for the sink.) The color of the matierial is wierd. I cant' figure out what it is. Stone or plastic or something . It's yellow.
I can hose my whole bathroom down which is quite nice feeling I must say.
I have to get myself an alarm clock soon. I asked Shim to give me a wakeup call this morening. I thoughtt I'd be sleeping for ages, but I woke up at 8 am Korea time. Hmmm. I wonder what will happen tomorrow morning.
K I want to keep going for a long time...but I dont feel liek I'm making any sense right now.
Love you all...
Wendy
YuGen (Eugene) is the head teacher it seems, and SHE is really sweet. She showed me around and can speak English quite well. She has been at this school for 2 years, she said.
The kindergarten kids are my favorite so far. There was one boy who had really cool hair...a big long piece in the front that was majenta! Awesome! One little girl is just a doll....literally looks like one. She came up to me to untie her vest. I need to get a picture of her. Two little pigtails on top of her head. Adorable!!
The school has 4 floors, and I'm going to be getting a LOT of exercise here. It's nice to walk. It's been a while! Damn those cars anyway! But I must say, I saw the funniest thing this morning on the way to work. One of the many motorcycles went by, a guy piggybacking a girl with the music blasting, and he was wearing PINK SLIPPERS with mickey mouse on them! I laughed so hard! Well, as much as I could on the street without looking completely insane!
Speaking of slippers, I love how this country works with them. I hate slippers usually, I just feel that they're a pain, but here I really quite like them. I think the difference is the floors all hardwood. It feels clean and hygenic.
So I went shopping last night for something for breakfast. Learning money is interesting. Not really feeling like I know how much I'm really spending. What I'm going by so far is when Jacob (the guy that got me the job in LA) gave me 10,000 won, he said that was equal to 10$. So I got some barley, (i was thinking rice...oh well), some milk, crackers, orange juice (mum, there's so much oranges - mandarins , rather, that I won't get sick if I have them everyday which I'm sure I will be.!!)
Oh, and there's eyelashes EVERYWHERE! lol. These girls must be pros at applying them! And sock hanging out on the sidewalks every second store it seems. Vegetable merchants on the sidewalks too. Live eels in a basin squirming around for lunch...yum. NOT!
Samsung and LG everything. I'm not complaining! The scale of the buildings are so interesting. Very scaled to the people that live here. I really like it actually. It's down to earth in a way. Canadian/American stuff is all so big box and unfriendly. Ha...listen to me. But I really do like the proportions. Stores are built so close to the sidewalk. I'll have to take a picture of it...hard to explain right here.
The apartment buildings are everywhere and very tall and narrow. They have huge numbers on the ends, and a symbol that is different. I can see how Asians are familiar with the small sizes in Vancouver...but even those must seem large to them, or at least normal.
I am trying to analyze or pay attention to what jet lag is all about. So far it seems to be okay. I just feel a bit fuzzy somewhat...like i could be stoned or somthing! ha ha. I'm trying to drink as much water as I can.
The smell in the air...that's what is interesting. How do you describe something like that? It's like cabbage or something. Thank God it doesnt smell like mothballs like I thought it might. I think I'd go insane after that...or get to love it or something wierd like that. Anyway...the time that is bad for me is ...well like this morning I was fine, then I came online to see what time it ws in Canada...and I saw how far away I was from home, and I felt like puking. Like that panic attack I described previously. I'm glad that I'll be working and keeping busy cuz if I dont then I'll feel like getting sick or something. I especially felt this when I thought of certain special persons that I am away from. Day at a time...
Well, I should go and do some preparation for tomorrow. I have to look through the teaching books to see what to teach ,and what level to teach what. One thing I'm a bit nervous about is how to keep those kindys attention. Everything has to be quick and happening or else they'll lose interest and run off. Eeek! It's funny that I've just been thrown into this.
So I signed the contract with Shim today and gave him my papers. He asked me iabout Kwantlen University College...because of the 'college' part. He was skeptical that it was a university. Nope. So I will have a few worrisome weeks until my E-2 visa gets done. I will be going to Japan as soon as he gets the papers back from the ambassador who checks it out on my end. I am legal to stay in Korea for 6 months without a visa, and a year with one. I wish I could have get clearer answers from everyone about how this worked...but I'm here now, and will make the best of it. I got Shim to sign a note that said that he will send me to Japan etc...so that eases my mind SO much. And I got a copy of the contract that we signed too. Thank goodness I did that. I wouldnt let him have the contract until I had a copy. Dont want to take chances on that. Same with the note for Japan.
I can hardly wait to go to Japan to see what the differences are. I havent seen anything really traditional here except for a gondola with a traditional Korean structure and roof down the street. Everythign is quite modern, in a Korean way. All the bannisters and railings are usually metal. Even in my building they are, and floors in the hallway that I think are granite. man I should really know that. Oh, and Alison, you know that puky granite that is in that hotel downtown Vancouver that we went to your wedding thing there? It's here too....hahaha! I laughed when I saw that. Can't escape that ugly stuff that looks like poo! Lmao!!!!
You know what's funny, I have no idea what I'm going to do because my suitcases are so huge, an dthis room is so small. They look like pieces of furniture!! I dont know what do to about that yet.
Oh, and I LOVE the bathrooms with the wet room concept. Just a hand held shower and a porkchop sink and counter (for the people who dont knwo what a porkchop counter is, it's a counter that is in the shape of a porkchop. Narrow orver the toilet, an dlarge for the sink.) The color of the matierial is wierd. I cant' figure out what it is. Stone or plastic or something . It's yellow.
I can hose my whole bathroom down which is quite nice feeling I must say.
I have to get myself an alarm clock soon. I asked Shim to give me a wakeup call this morening. I thoughtt I'd be sleeping for ages, but I woke up at 8 am Korea time. Hmmm. I wonder what will happen tomorrow morning.
K I want to keep going for a long time...but I dont feel liek I'm making any sense right now.
Love you all...
Wendy
Saturday, November 05, 2005
Start of a new day in Gwang Ju, Korea!
Backtrack: excerpts from diary starting the trip to South Korea, Friday, November 4/05
...So much has happened in the last few days/week that I cant even begin to cover. After moving out of my house by the 31 Oct, I had no idea what was about to happen. I've been thinkng about going to Korea for a while, but it didnt seem to be happening. Then all of a sudden, I had to choose once again from 2 contracts. I ended up choosing the one where I'm at right now....but that's going far ahead. It was the most difficult decision in my life....but I have been really praying about it, and everything directed me to go. So, I decided to do it, to take a year of my life, and get this travel-lust out of my system; pay a chunk of student loans, and learn to live in another country with another language and lifestyle. Then it would put me into a situation where I could think about proceeding with the rest of my life plans of hopefully being with someone who means the world to me, an dhaving a family, and being able to financially get ahead to take care of my parents someday when they need it.
How on earth do you pack for moving to another CONTINENT for a YEAR?!!!
So....now I'm on the plane...to KOREA!!! I left on the plane from Vancouver that left at 7:20 pm, and arrives in Los Angeles at 10:00pm. I met Jacob, the guy who coordinated and recruited me, and his friend Andy. They were quite nice and Jacob was very organized in giving me directions when I get to Incheon Airport in Seoul. He bought me ice cream at Haagen Daas and that was all the time we had. Went to check-in, and that was that. LAX is a bit dirtier than I remembered, but still has some funky elements to it. (Pictures to follow).
I am questioning a few things that Jacob told me about the school here. Apparently I am the 12th teacher ever here...Hmmm. I thought there were 12 teachers here or something. nope... well I'm here now, and i'll make the best of it. I dont think it will be that bad...just a bit unexpected.
On to the big 747 Boeing Jet. Huge! How can those things even get off the ground let alone fly?!! NUTS! I didnt even really feel it taking off in a way. Man I love taking off. All that power, the sounds, the lift off....that it actually happens!
I wasnt so sure aobut my seat on this ride though. When Jacob booked by tickets I forgot to say window seat. Crappy. So i ended up in the middle and right behind a wall with the tv screen on it. I thought I would feel claustrophobic, but in the end it was just fine, and actually nice that i could put my feet up against the wall and stretch out a bit. I asked if I could get another seat but the flight was completely full. ( The stewardesses are so beautiful! and their 'costumes' are exquisite. Pale blue and cream. Their hair is perfectly in a bun and everyone has a blue bow that I thought at first was chopsticks. And I SWEAR that they changed their lipsticks for the dinner and breakfast. All of them! Ha ha)
I was sleeping on the flight anyway, and it was night the whole time. So there. I cant believe I actually slept travelling...but i did! Ha! (Hi mom!) Thankyou to Michael who gave me his neck pillow...I didnt even think of it, and man, it would have been HOrrid without it! Muchas gracias....oh wait a min...kamsa hamnida. That's Korean and I'd better use it! I already have! I'm already getting the bow happening. That's fun.
The meals were really quite good. I had pasta with tomato sauce, dinner roll, cheesecake, green tea....and a few other things I forget. Breakfast was a big chunk of egg with 'sweet' beans and tomato paste on top...and a hot half of tomato...that was awesome! And tea of course.
And the best part was in the 'morning' when they brought by the hot face cloths...oh man that was awesome. And the hand cream in the bathrooms (called Odyssey) was so awesome. And some 'face spray' I'm assuming. Smelled amazing and I gotta get me some of that. That's strange because usually I cant take those smells too much..but that was good.
I hope I'm making sense here...
THe most interesting part was when the map came up of where we were in the world. Wowzers. Seeing our plane cross the Pacific ocean, and then realizing that I was flying over JAPAN, and then into Seoul. Crazy!
Landed in Seoul to the most beautiful airport I've ever seen. So very clean lines and the finishes were amazing. I'm trying to remember the wood exactly that were the panels everywhere, and the lighting! the ceiling panels! The carpets and flooring...oh man...Gorgeous! Pictures as well will follow...hopefully, if i can figure out how to download them here.
Oh...on the flight...for you information buffs....we were flying 525 mph or 842 kph at a height of 36000 feet or 11000 m. The temperature in Seoul is 16 degrees celcius...i cant spell anymore! and I'm here to teach English! Haaaa! I've got a traveling time of 24 hours for an excuse right now. and still going.
Oh yah...I stopped by a window at the emergency exit on the plane, and looked out for anything. And there were the stars...and they looked different. I can hardly wait to study them to see if and what are the differences. WIERD! And I saw a falling star when I looked...and at that height...I wonder if that was ..um...forgot ....ha....it looked 3D when it fell. wow.
so back to Incheon airport...that cracks me up that name. In fact I like it cuz it reminds me of my mum..and cute inch worms!
We landed at 1:25 pm Saturday Pacific time, and 6:20 am Sunday, Seoul time! How do you comprehend that anyway?
to be continued...
...So much has happened in the last few days/week that I cant even begin to cover. After moving out of my house by the 31 Oct, I had no idea what was about to happen. I've been thinkng about going to Korea for a while, but it didnt seem to be happening. Then all of a sudden, I had to choose once again from 2 contracts. I ended up choosing the one where I'm at right now....but that's going far ahead. It was the most difficult decision in my life....but I have been really praying about it, and everything directed me to go. So, I decided to do it, to take a year of my life, and get this travel-lust out of my system; pay a chunk of student loans, and learn to live in another country with another language and lifestyle. Then it would put me into a situation where I could think about proceeding with the rest of my life plans of hopefully being with someone who means the world to me, an dhaving a family, and being able to financially get ahead to take care of my parents someday when they need it.
How on earth do you pack for moving to another CONTINENT for a YEAR?!!!
So....now I'm on the plane...to KOREA!!! I left on the plane from Vancouver that left at 7:20 pm, and arrives in Los Angeles at 10:00pm. I met Jacob, the guy who coordinated and recruited me, and his friend Andy. They were quite nice and Jacob was very organized in giving me directions when I get to Incheon Airport in Seoul. He bought me ice cream at Haagen Daas and that was all the time we had. Went to check-in, and that was that. LAX is a bit dirtier than I remembered, but still has some funky elements to it. (Pictures to follow).
I am questioning a few things that Jacob told me about the school here. Apparently I am the 12th teacher ever here...Hmmm. I thought there were 12 teachers here or something. nope... well I'm here now, and i'll make the best of it. I dont think it will be that bad...just a bit unexpected.
On to the big 747 Boeing Jet. Huge! How can those things even get off the ground let alone fly?!! NUTS! I didnt even really feel it taking off in a way. Man I love taking off. All that power, the sounds, the lift off....that it actually happens!
I wasnt so sure aobut my seat on this ride though. When Jacob booked by tickets I forgot to say window seat. Crappy. So i ended up in the middle and right behind a wall with the tv screen on it. I thought I would feel claustrophobic, but in the end it was just fine, and actually nice that i could put my feet up against the wall and stretch out a bit. I asked if I could get another seat but the flight was completely full. ( The stewardesses are so beautiful! and their 'costumes' are exquisite. Pale blue and cream. Their hair is perfectly in a bun and everyone has a blue bow that I thought at first was chopsticks. And I SWEAR that they changed their lipsticks for the dinner and breakfast. All of them! Ha ha)
I was sleeping on the flight anyway, and it was night the whole time. So there. I cant believe I actually slept travelling...but i did! Ha! (Hi mom!) Thankyou to Michael who gave me his neck pillow...I didnt even think of it, and man, it would have been HOrrid without it! Muchas gracias....oh wait a min...kamsa hamnida. That's Korean and I'd better use it! I already have! I'm already getting the bow happening. That's fun.
The meals were really quite good. I had pasta with tomato sauce, dinner roll, cheesecake, green tea....and a few other things I forget. Breakfast was a big chunk of egg with 'sweet' beans and tomato paste on top...and a hot half of tomato...that was awesome! And tea of course.
And the best part was in the 'morning' when they brought by the hot face cloths...oh man that was awesome. And the hand cream in the bathrooms (called Odyssey) was so awesome. And some 'face spray' I'm assuming. Smelled amazing and I gotta get me some of that. That's strange because usually I cant take those smells too much..but that was good.
I hope I'm making sense here...
THe most interesting part was when the map came up of where we were in the world. Wowzers. Seeing our plane cross the Pacific ocean, and then realizing that I was flying over JAPAN, and then into Seoul. Crazy!
Landed in Seoul to the most beautiful airport I've ever seen. So very clean lines and the finishes were amazing. I'm trying to remember the wood exactly that were the panels everywhere, and the lighting! the ceiling panels! The carpets and flooring...oh man...Gorgeous! Pictures as well will follow...hopefully, if i can figure out how to download them here.
Oh...on the flight...for you information buffs....we were flying 525 mph or 842 kph at a height of 36000 feet or 11000 m. The temperature in Seoul is 16 degrees celcius...i cant spell anymore! and I'm here to teach English! Haaaa! I've got a traveling time of 24 hours for an excuse right now. and still going.
Oh yah...I stopped by a window at the emergency exit on the plane, and looked out for anything. And there were the stars...and they looked different. I can hardly wait to study them to see if and what are the differences. WIERD! And I saw a falling star when I looked...and at that height...I wonder if that was ..um...forgot ....ha....it looked 3D when it fell. wow.
so back to Incheon airport...that cracks me up that name. In fact I like it cuz it reminds me of my mum..and cute inch worms!
We landed at 1:25 pm Saturday Pacific time, and 6:20 am Sunday, Seoul time! How do you comprehend that anyway?
to be continued...
Friday, September 30, 2005
New Stuff
Well, lots is going on right now. I'm trying to decide about going to Korea. I think I have to because the bills keep coming in. And I have to think about the future, not just my immediate one! Hard times.
I am working with www.dekora.com and I absolutely LOVE it. I think I've found what I need to do. But that will have to come later, I think. Doin it for now, get some experience, and hopefully come back to Dekora.
My friend Sonny just came back from NYC for his show. www.say2k.tv Let's see the pictures Sonnayeh!
Worked on new web sites too...finally! Starting to set up my own business....let's get this party started!!
www.wendychamberlain.bravehost.com
http://www.geocities.com/bendycha
Went to the Railway to see Chin and his entorage last night. Was fun as always, even if it was brief. The night before we all went to Chai, a most fabulous restaraunt on Broadway right above another fabulous eating place East is East. LOVE that place. Why dont I live there!!! Interiors are amazingly done.
Well, havta run. Till next time. I really gotta get on with this!
I am working with www.dekora.com and I absolutely LOVE it. I think I've found what I need to do. But that will have to come later, I think. Doin it for now, get some experience, and hopefully come back to Dekora.
My friend Sonny just came back from NYC for his show. www.say2k.tv Let's see the pictures Sonnayeh!
Worked on new web sites too...finally! Starting to set up my own business....let's get this party started!!
www.wendychamberlain.bravehost.com
http://www.geocities.com/bendycha
Went to the Railway to see Chin and his entorage last night. Was fun as always, even if it was brief. The night before we all went to Chai, a most fabulous restaraunt on Broadway right above another fabulous eating place East is East. LOVE that place. Why dont I live there!!! Interiors are amazingly done.
Well, havta run. Till next time. I really gotta get on with this!
Wednesday, April 13, 2005
Went to see another movie!
Hey. Went to see Sin City with my friend Victor tonight. Was great! Hilarious! Damsel in distress, big hulking strong man saves the day, again, and again, and again, and ...u get the picture. Very Tarantino. LOVE the comic book style with the splashes of color. Fabulous daarhlink! What else can i tell you. Well, I'd love to be Jessica Alba's character. And you know, Bruce Willis has an awesome body! Whaddya know. K i gotta sleep...
Monday, April 11, 2005
Wendy's Page
Wendy's Page
I just went to the Ridge to see a few movies/films. Wow..eye awakening...thought provoking. 'Asassination of President Nixon', and Hotel Rwanda.
The first film made me super depressed, and i really dont need anymore of that in my life at the moment! The next one, Hotel Rwanda was definitely worth the time and effort and money. IT's true that everyone should see this one! Filmed and acted quite wonderfully, and won many awards as is appropriate for this film.
Leaves you wondering about the nature of humans in general, or it did at least, for me.
So, now on to the next event in life, finding a job, solidifying goals, and as Liana says: Believe, Behave, Become. So that has got to be my motto; push on, and you will make it. Define your goals and believe in them, so that they will come true, and you can define your life around them.
But, of course, as it says in my favorite movie 'Kama Sutra-the love story', that "dont look for straight lines,--life is never like that." This I believe. There are no solid, straight answers, only beliefs and hope and somewhere in there, love.
A goal for me, to let u in on one of them, is to be more giving, and more unselfish....
I just went to the Ridge to see a few movies/films. Wow..eye awakening...thought provoking. 'Asassination of President Nixon', and Hotel Rwanda.
The first film made me super depressed, and i really dont need anymore of that in my life at the moment! The next one, Hotel Rwanda was definitely worth the time and effort and money. IT's true that everyone should see this one! Filmed and acted quite wonderfully, and won many awards as is appropriate for this film.
Leaves you wondering about the nature of humans in general, or it did at least, for me.
So, now on to the next event in life, finding a job, solidifying goals, and as Liana says: Believe, Behave, Become. So that has got to be my motto; push on, and you will make it. Define your goals and believe in them, so that they will come true, and you can define your life around them.
But, of course, as it says in my favorite movie 'Kama Sutra-the love story', that "dont look for straight lines,--life is never like that." This I believe. There are no solid, straight answers, only beliefs and hope and somewhere in there, love.
A goal for me, to let u in on one of them, is to be more giving, and more unselfish....
Thursday, April 07, 2005
Wendy's Page
Wendy's Page
Hey, what's goin on? I'm still jobless. Partly because of me, and partly because of them...yes it's nice to put the blame on people other than yourself.
I got my digital camera working, finally, and need to take more pictures that are up to date.
Seriusly getting antsy because I havent felt creative in the least for a lonnnng time. Someone HELP me!
Hey, what's goin on? I'm still jobless. Partly because of me, and partly because of them...yes it's nice to put the blame on people other than yourself.
I got my digital camera working, finally, and need to take more pictures that are up to date.
Seriusly getting antsy because I havent felt creative in the least for a lonnnng time. Someone HELP me!
First Nations Artist Sonny Assu - sAy2k.tv v3.0
First Nations Artist Sonny Assu - sAy2k.tv v3.0 http://say2k.tv/index.html
Here's my good friendly "white Indian" (as he calls himself)'s webpage who just got his first tattoo!! And it's a mighty fine one if I say so myself! Now he's tryin to get me to get one too. Ha!
Here's my good friendly "white Indian" (as he calls himself)'s webpage who just got his first tattoo!! And it's a mighty fine one if I say so myself! Now he's tryin to get me to get one too. Ha!
Saturday, February 19, 2005
Friday, February 18, 2005
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