It was the best of times, It was the worst of times...

So I thought that when I came back from the States I was finally going to be able to keep up with my blog. You see before the only reason why I didn't was because I was lazy, and that was all about to change...

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I'm back!!! with new responsibilities

check out the tan as I head in for my first day of work

I got back to Seoul about a week ago... Since this isn't a blog about SE Asia, I won't go into too much detail about it. Lets just say I had an amazing time. I met many wonderful people and discovered so much about myself. If you ever do have any questions about backpacking feel free to get in touch with me, and I will be sure to give you any help I can.

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Summer 2010 Begins + World Cup Fever

So I haven't even left on my trip yet, and so far my summer has been amazing. We kicked off the summer on the last day of the term with some barbecue and a going away party for a bunch of us teachers at Monkey Beach. The bbq restaurant was funny because we made someone chug a bottle of soju, much to the applause of us and many random koreans, and then Monkey beach is always - Monkey beach. It was very hard to say goodbye to all the awesome people that I may never see again.

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Spring term Ends... and I miss them already :(

Sometimes they make you go insane ;)

So I survived another term where the students ranked me up there again. While I am extremely sad to leave the kiddies and go on this trip, I absolutely know I need this break. I was getting tired, depressed, and cranky. Now I rejuvenate myself and return to be an even better teacher.

Anyways, here are the classes that brought me so much joy in my spring 2010 term.

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The Big 5-0-0

Time flies when you are having fun. Today is my 500th day in Korea. I wouldn't even have noticed it except for the fact that I happened to look up at my blog-o-counter. It's also the 5 year anniversary week of my graduation from college - eek. Holy cow I've been here a long time.

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Spring time... and festivities

Jinhae Cherry Blossom festival:

I took another trip with the Seoulite group. I decided I wanted to check out the cherry blossoms, and the city of Jinhae. Jinhae is a naval port city that hosts the most famous Cherry blossom festival in Korea (more here). Jinhae is famous for this festival, the turtle ship, and being the site of a famous korean drama, Romance.

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My Seoul Stalker Experience

True Story: Don't worry, in over a year before this I never experienced anything. Seoul is a pretty safe city. I was more shaken than anything
from my facebook note:

Monday, March 8, 2010 at 12:49pm
Yesterday, after Taekwondo class, I headed down to Ansan to pick up some goodies my oppa Ethan had brought me back from the states. I was waiting for the train at Samgakchi, when a man approached me. I believe he was African. His first comment was "Hi, i think I've seen you before". Me :"I guess it's possible". Him "do you live in Ansan". Me: "No" Him "well I've seen you before so I just wanted to introduce myself" I told him my name was Rachel (i don't know). Then the train was coming... safe, or so I thought.

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End-of-year Roundup & Surviving Holiday Blues abroad

How did the year end up. Let me see

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The end of summer

Summer has come to its end. A term has passed and gone by. Life is still the same, minor glitches here and there. I think I will stay in Korea another year. I love the life I life here, lots of fun parties, people all around, some of my only qualms are that as big as Seoul is, the foreign community is minuscule... every weekend you will run into somebody you know or someone who knows someone you know. Also, sometimes partying all the time can get strenuous.

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July 4th Weekend in Korea

I wasn't sure how spending J4 in another country would play out especially as half my friends here aren't even American

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6 months gone: still loving life in Seoul

accurate depiction

6 months have gone by so quickly and suddenly its time to start thinking that in maybe another 6 months I will either be out of here or staying on for another year. I don't want to think too much into it but I have to start planning. You think you have so much time, but one year is not enough to experience anything properly. Especially when you've fallen in love...

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buddha lantern fest

In many Asian countries for obvious reasons, Buddhas birthday(석가탄신일) is a big deal celebrated with fireworks and dancing and Lanterns. Even though Korea is one of the most Christian Asian nations, it was still no exception since 63% of the population is Buddhist. The birthday is a national holiday (well except at my school) but on Sunday I got to experience the beauty of the lotus lantern festival.

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doing it and doing it and doing it well

Wow. long time no write. Crazy shenanigans...
Out and about


My hourly situation was worked out, I got an apology and I have been told that this is really only due to the term I joined CDI in. We'll see. People were disgruntled enough to leave, but if I leave I'd have to well, go back. Not Yet. I LOVE IT HERE. Two months and I feel like I've been here all my life. I have great friends, an insane lifestyle that involved not working until 4pm and then drinking our lives away. I don't leave for work until 2.30... plenty of time to recover... and of course, I live in Seoul

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Teach-uh are you mixed race?

Huh?
first of all, it took some getting used to, being called teacher. At first i was like, why don't the kids call you by your name, first or last doesn't matter. turns out its a korean (maybe asian but i'm not going to make generalizations i'm unsure about) thing. Teacher is a sign of respect. I think it Confucianism based, but I could just be b-sing out my derriere... Except it doesn't sound like teacher, it sounds like teach-uh.... Yeah...

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Cheers to new beginnings

I don't even know where to begin. I love this city. Plain and simple. Is that normal? will it all wear off soon. It's like living in Manhattan, i always wanted to live in Manhattan. I couldn't afford it though. I live in Seoul. Wow. I still have to pinch myself that can say that...

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And Finally... Korea At last

Ok so the flight from Prague to Korea was uneventful. It was the least I could expect after all those crazy detours and whatnot. We departed without a hitch. The nervousness began to hit me about an hour before departing Prague.

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