My apartment.

So a quick note-I am finally all unpacked and organized. All thats missing is my pictures to decorate my walls and maybe a couple other things that I can buy here to make it look a little fancier. Here are some pics!

 (My kitchen and bathroom)

 (Bathroom--yes that is my shower there is a drain in the floor)

(My studio apartment <3 )

 (My laundry room and washer & Drying rack)

 (My wardrobe)

(Desk, dressers and book case)

I dont really have any complaints, everything works--the only thing I have not mastered is the floor heater, but at least I have hot water haha! Peace and Love.

What a week!

Blog:  What a week!

Whoa! Sooo many things to get used to and there is still so much to learn. This is going to probably be my longest post because I have been slacking but I’ve been trying to adjust to everything.  So, I started work on Monday which was really nice and so far I really like it here.  My first day was just an observation day, I watched a kindergarten class and that was fun, the stuff they do here compared to the states is so crazy. Their curriculum here is tough, and I think about kindergarteners I know back home and these kids blow them out of the water and they are learning all of this stuff in another language. Not knocking those I know back in the states—but it just opens my eyes to see how advanced academically Korea is compared to America, we really need to get it together back home J Anyways , that’s a whole other story, back to the important stuff me! Hahaha

So right now I do not have a kindergarten class, but I feel that will soon change—right now in the mornings I just prepare for my classes, and serve as a sub for the teachers that are absent. I do get to teach gym (PE) 3 days a week which is fun. The kids are super cute and so loving, and just like any 4-5-6 yr old a little crazy at times. They get 30 minutes to run around in a room, we play games like red light green light, duck duck goose,  tag and a game called fishy fishy, which they love. Basically its 30 minutes where they get to run around and get a break from the crazy work that they do. Crazy thing here compared to the states is that the students are very expressive toward one another, they hug, hold hands, give kisses on the cheek and constantly express their love for one another—gender doesn’t matter its sweet, there is a lot of love here and not really bullying, it creates a calmer work place. Also in Korea teachers can hug and tell their students they love them, hold their hands, much more touching compared to America.

I teach 3 classes in the afternoon. My first class which I have every day is an ESL class (8-10 yrs) and they are very new to English, this is their first year in English school and so their vocabulary is very low, but we as teachers have to encourage English only-they are not supposed to speak Korean in Class. If there is a big problem there are Korean supervisors/teachers aides that will help you translate if there is a problem and they talk to the parents for you as well.  Anyways, my first day teaching was great, the students liked me and they are diligent workers, but in this class one little boy was like teacher your leg fat and he kept raising his hand and saying look Alexandra teacher your leg big, you big and I mean obviously I am a bigger girl so it doesn’t hurt my feelings, especially cause generally kids have no filter so it didn’t bother me but he kept saying it over and over at this point annoying! So I finally told him no matter how many times you say that it is not going to change right? I know what I look like and it doesn’t really bother me so it shouldn’t bother you so how about we don’t talk to Alexandra teacher like that anymore it is not nice, and he said okay no more.  I’m sure it will come up again but so far so good haha.  I did have a crier on my first day in this class too, I felt horrible but I guess it was misunderstanding. He is an extremely shy boy and he thought he was in trouble but he was not he just did not understand me and I talked to my Korean supervisor and she talked to him and explained what happened and everything is cool now. But I thought oh great I made someone cry on my 1^st day, I felt really bad but other teachers were telling me that it happens all the time—because they just don’t understand sometimes.

My other 2 classes are very good and more advanced. I teach another ESL class but they are about 5^th and 6^th grade and they work very well but they definitely can talk, and I think it’s more because they probably don’t have the chance to do so in Korean school. But as long as they are talking in English it’s okay by me, they are a funny class and one of the boys definitely kept staring at me but again it’s because I am a big girl and that is virtually non-existent here, even some teachers here are really skinny by American standards and they still call them fat or big or whatever. Anyways, my supervisor told me that this class really likes me, they think I am a nice, cool and fun teacher, hopefully they don’t get too rowdy, have to crack the whip every now and then to show them who is the boss haha. My 3^rd class is probably the quietest but they have the most work so honestly they do not have a choice. They are in what is called a BC class and they learn a set curriculum whereas ESL classes do not. BC classes learn all subjects and the parents want them to work and not play, my BC class is in 4^th grade and they use American textbooks, social studies, vocabulary, and grammar science and reading comprehension, they do it all but they are very smart kids.

I finally moved into my apartment and out of the Love Motel I was apparently staying at. It was nice while it lasted but moving into my apartment makes this all seem that more real. I have yet to unpack because 1. I am tired when I get home and 2. I will probably leave it like this till I can’t find anything haha. The plan is to clean and unpack on Sunday so fingers crossed…pictures soon!

So for my first week of teaching, moving in and adjusting to everything has gone pretty smoothly for the most part-It’s gone by fairly quickly and I am thankful that everything is going smoothly!  And I know that I am safe here surrounded by God’s never ending and never failing love for me!

Peace and Love J

“God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7

and it begins...

So I've made it to S. Korea! I've been here for the past two days and it has definitely been an adjustment period. When I landed it was so exciting and I was thinking I can't believe it, I actually did it--I am actually here! There was a driver waiting for me at the airport, which was pretty cool--I felt pretty vip haha, and then we were on our way to my destination. I guess the teacher that I am replacing is still living in the apartment so I am staying at a hotel in Uijeongbu, when I got here I saw the guy at the front desk was wearing a University Of California sweatshirt, so I thought hey, somone will speak English here, but I was wrong haha he must of bought that sweater here or something becuase he had no idea what I was talking about.

So, I go up to my room and it was pretty nice but I seriously for the life of me could not figure out how to turn the lights on, I was so frustrated I was clapping, I pressed all the buttons, I waved infront of them and nothing. I was soo frustrated but finally I figured it out, you have to put your key into this slot and it turns everything on, the tv, computer and most importantly the lights! It was a small victory, but I was definitely feeling overwhelmed. I had a little cry and was like what am I doing here, I just want to talk to my mom but of course no wireless and my cellphone didnt work here so I was just extremely overwhelmed. I was supposed to be meeting someone here from my school,.that was another challenge to call her but I finally got in contact with her and she came with books and paperwork and instructions for me to start work on Monday and I was so tired that I just wanted to talk to my mom, really thats all I wanted haha.

Thankfully there is a computer in my room, and I was able to email her and that helped a lot but I was so overwhelmed I just cried while I wrote to her. I think the emotions finally hit me, and they hit me hard--and I think she could tell. The whole time I was home I never really cried, I was just excited to go that it didn't really sink in that I would be in another country away from my family and friends, away from my comfort zone that I have lived in my whole life. I definitely freaked out but my sister found a way to call me --and me, my mom and my sister finally got to talk to each other and that helped me so much, just to hear their voices and know that they are always available to talk to me was awesome! It was a good way to end my long day, I was so exhausted from the 12 hr flight, so I just crashed out.

I slept and slept--this time difference thing is definitely taking some time to get used too. I woke up at like 3am and was just laying there like what the crap, but 3am here is like 11am CA time. Funny story though, I woke up and looked at my phone and was like wow I slept sooo long, its like 1130am but I'm still tired so I looked out my window and it was still dark--definitely forgot to change my phone to Korea time hahaha. I finally fell back asleep but I had my window open (there is now screen but i figured Im on the 3rd floor its fine) but then I heard a sound, like someone was throwing rocks at my window and I thought I don't know anyone here they must have the wrong window, but then I heard cooing and I look and a pigeon was trying to get into my room haha A friendly visitor. Overall, my first night here went as expected, emotionally draining haha But I am so thankful to God for blessing me with this opportunity and amazing family and friends!

Leaving on a jet plane

(from one of my Favorite movies! )

So its finally here, this long awaited journey officially begins today! I am all packed and ready to start this new chapter in my life. Getting to this point, of actually boarding a plane, has been a extremely long and often frustrating process but through Faith and a lot of Praying that everything would work out and well--here I am. I have decided that I am going into this new chapter in my life with an open mind, I'm sure there will be many times I want to quit or get homesick but I am just putting my faith in God that this is where and what I am supposed to be doing.

My family and friends are of them are supportive and loving--without them I would definitely be lost. I honestly feel more connected to my family and friends more then ever, all of them have just showered me with love, encouragement and prayers. And I am so thankful and blessed for everyone in my life! I thank God for this opportunity and I pray that I embrace every moment!

"Have I not commanded you? Be STRONG and COURAGEOUS! Do not be discouraged-for the LORD GOD will be with you wherever you go"--Joshua 1:9