Ms. Molly

I survived my first day teaching! I will say this, the kids are adorable and they all have English names. I think I'll be ok learning what to teach the kids and what to assign them, it's all pretty structured and they know what they are supposed to do each day as far as homework and everything. All students get homework, even the kindergarten kids and they were practically begging for it. I work with 7-13 year olds, 7 is kindergarten 8 is grade 1 and so on and so forth. However, there are 3 classes of each with 3-12 students. They are placed in a class based on skill level. So throughout the day, I can have the very low level kinder class to the highest level grade 4s. The only class I don't teach is math, but I'm doing social studies, reading and science. The kids, as mention before, are freaking adorable! One little boy had a shirt on today that said "100% All American Girl," I about died. This morning, before class, the little kinders introduced themselves to me and they all can say my last name (as did and can the other classes). I think however, that they prefer to call me "teacher" or "Ms. Molly." They were all curious about me and I them, but I think (and not to jump to conclusions or say it won't be difficult at times) this will be a great year. My most advanced kinder class all wanted my autograph. I felt like a celeb...haha and they put on a huge greeting for me and they compared me to a dinosaur (which we are reading about) because I am so tall...they are my favorite class so far.

The teachers I work with seem splendid. One is married, has a kid and I think leaving the school soon. The other two are engaged to each other, more my age and seem to be pretty awesome. I'm really excited to learn more about them (all Canadian) and spend some time with them. They will be my greatest resources since it'll take some time to get the hang of things, hopefully by the end of the week I'll have a better grasp on the routine and establish one of my own. I do get my first week off in 3 weeks. That'll be nice, but it would be better if I had some money to travel a bit, but it will give me a chance to explore Seoul.

First Night

I promised an update, so here we go. I got into Seoul (after the driver picked me up from the airport) around 7-ish. When I got here, I was taken to my apartment and then to BIS. I start teaching today, and the school director will be here in just a few minutes to take me to orientation. Anyway, the school is really nice, small, but good. I have my own classroom and I will be teaching Social Studies, Science, Math and English, so basically I am just like an elementary teacher back home. I'll learn more about my duties as today progresses.

After seeing BIS the school director (Mr. Kim) took me to dinner at a Japanese restaurant where he proceeded to laugh at my lack of chopstick skills. I was slightly embarrassed, but it serves me right for not practicing at home. Then I finally got to come back to my apartment (around 8:30). I decided not to do any unpacking because I was pretty tired, but I did take some pictures of my apartment and did a little on the computer. I will post the pictures on Flicker later today.

Here are some things I saw yesterday: a Milwaukee Brewers hat, a LSU shirt and a man selling socks on the side of a busy street. Also, they have a YMCA not too far from my apartment (I have a gym in the basement here though) and Starbucks on my corner.

Well, I need to finish getting ready for my first day. I am kind of nervous because I don't really know what I'll be teaching today. I have an idea for an icebreaker and getting to know the names of my students, we'll see.

I'm in Korea!

Well, I made it. I'm settling into my apartment. More tomorrow.

Visas

Last Wednesday my dad and I went to Chicago for the day to do my visa paperwork. To teach in South Korea you have to have an interview, it takes about 5 minutes and they ask you what you know about Korea and make sure you aren't a criminal. It was pretty easy. Getting to and from Chicago was easy too, we took a train from Kenosha and it was way cheaper and less of a hassle than driving. I made sure to get an envelope with overnight postage because I wasn't sure how long it would take to process my visa (I knew it would be 2-3 days). Well, I got the visa on Saturday so I will for sure be leaving on July 5th. I started packing today! More later, my computer is about to die.

18 days

I leave for Korea in 18 days! I can't believe it. I called and made my visa appointment yesterday and I go next Wednesday. My dad and I are taking the train to Chicago to avoid traffic and high gas costs, it should be pretty fun. I have also opted to make a return trip the following week, probably Monday or Tuesday to pick it up. I can have it mailed, but being a worry wort, I want to make sure I have it in my possession because the week I'd get it in the mail/pick it up, is the week I leave. I still feel really unprepared because I haven't thought about it much. Work takes a lot of my time and when I come home I have other things to do (workout, help my mom with housework, etc) that I don't think about packing or trying to learn Korean. However, I have been reading various books about culture and history so I can feel a bit more prepared. I have a 14 hour plane ride, plus about 8 more hours of waiting/transport to and from the airport so I have time to read and learn Korean. I got a Nintendo DS for my birthday and it will be very nice to occupy some time on the plane. One can only watch so many movies.

We are having a garage sale next weekend because I have so much crap to get rid of and making a little cash would be nice. Whatever I don't sell will be donated to Goodwill because I don't need it and someone else might. I have to work on getting all of that together too and, ahhhh so much to do before I leave! I have more to write, but it will have to wait, I'm exhausted.

in the mail

I sent all of my documents to Korea on Tuesday and they will be there by the time I wake up tomorrow morning! How cool is that? I love FedEx. Anyway, now it's just waiting for the Visa Issuance number and then I can go to Chicago to get my Visa. I'm still sort of freaking about the time frame, but I've been getting better about that. Anyway, I've been working at McDonald's since about the time I got home. It's been ok, not too busy yet and I am actually enjoying myself. It could be that I have an end in sight, but it could also be because I don't care anymore and I just need a paycheck or two.

I spent a Monday in Kenosha with my grandparents and I made them some food to freeze. Their freezer was full of stuff from the early 2000's and I found a lemonade concentrate from 1996. I helped them clean the freezer out and restocked it with chicken paprikash, grilled chicken breasts, breaded pork chops and beef stroganoff. I enjoy my grandparents and I am going to miss them while I'm in Korea, but I'm trying to spend as much time with them as I can right now. In August, they will be celebrating their 60th year of marriage. Incredible.

I'm trying to keep this updated more because I have more time and my departure date is fast approaching. I leave in 36 days! I bought a Korean in 60 minutes CD and I have been using it a little, not as much as I would like, but I am going to put it on my mp3 player so I can listen at night and when I work out at the YMCA. I want to know how to say stuff and understand stuff so I don't feel completely lost. It's just exciting right now, I'm super stoked!!

graduation

Well, I'm finally a college graduate!! Ole Miss class of 2008!! I graduated on Saturday (May 10th) and I'm so excited that I'm finished with school. I will go back, someday, but not for a few years at least. I'm ready to make the world my classroom.

I'm back in Wisconsin now until I leave for Korea (a short vacation to Kansas City, but otherwise it's 7 weeks of home). Tomorrow I've got a lot to do in preparation for my departure: getting transcripts, mailing background checks to have them apostilled, faxing information, etc. I've already received my signed contract from BIS and I'm incredibly excited to embark upon this adventure. Until then, it's a 9th summer at McDonald's. Ahh. Well, it's been a long day of air travel and I'm off to bed.