So, as I was saying...the morning was crazy but doable....So, after I finish with this school at 1:50 p.m., I am due to be at my next school's after-school program by 2:10...did I mention I work in the countryside of the city? There are no direct buses & no frequent taxis in sight. So, I call the taxi driver that gave me his card. Someone answers but hangs up in my face. I know my Korean sucks...but dang! LOL.
I call another taxi number, and the lady kept hanging up on me. I keep right on calling back until she decided to dumb down the conversation for me and listen. We ended up on the same page, and a taxi came shortly after that. Much to my dismay, I arrived to the after-school program 10 mins late on my first day!! <insert sad face here>
The administrators were very understanding, and shuffled me right in to work. The kids seemed to enjoy watching my short PowerPoint presentation introducing myself. They were just tickled pink to see pictures of my family and what not.
Phew! The clock struck 4:40 p.m. and my day was complete. 8 classes in one day! I'm tired, but feeling accomplished. I'm actually doing something that matters, and the kids aren't all burnt out by the time they get to me. Now, to find a way home!!! I was so ready to go, I packed my bags and walked my happy feet down the winding dirt road to the main street. Confused on the bus to get back home, I flagged a taxi, and luckily met some co-workers at the E-Mart up the street. We shared a taxi home. All I kept thinking to myself is...I have to do this ALL over again tomorrow.
SN: Tomorrow (Tuesday) came and went without much of a stitch. I got out early and caught the bus to my first school (avoided the entire taxi drama) and arrived early. I had caught sight of the bus number that ran past my school the previous day (Monday), and just set out for a morning adventure. It was pretty straight forward. It happened to be upper elementary and middle school testing day, so I had absolutely NO classes! That was grrrrreeeeeat! I had the entire day to plan really cool lessons for my after-school kids.
Back to our regularly scheduled program: I am enjoying myself so far. It's too early for an opinion, but in the here and now, I like it! Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday I don't work past 2, so I have time to plan, plan, plan, and plan! AND to top it all off, my after-school program does count as overtime!! Woo-hooo! "Mo money, Mo money!" This goes along just great for my savings plan while in Korea. Look at God...in my Kesha and Layla voice "MIGHTY GOD!" Yeah, I'm not perfect, but I know from whom my blessings flow!
One thing I can say with certainty is this: I couldn't leap over hurdles in high school track, but in life's hurdles, it seems my jumps are getting stronger, higher, and more coordinated with every try. And with Grace & Mercy on my sides, I am invincible!
Until next time, try Gimchi (Kimchi) cooked; you might just enjoy it!!
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Monday, March 7, 2011
A Day to Remember....SMH
So, today was my first day at the new schools. And what a day it was!! I think I handled it beautifully, but it was a rush rush, no time to breathe kind of day.
It started early, for one. LOL. And those of you who know me, know I'm not a morning person. Setting that aside, I put on my game face, and was ready by 7:45 am! 3 friends and I caught a taxi to the Sinchang Station to take the 8:02 subway to Onyang-Oncheon. We arrived at roughly 8:08, and went our separate ways.
I-thinking my Korean was pretty good-told the driver to go to Onyang 초등학교 /chodeunghaggyo/ which is how I was taught by my Korean co-teachers to say elementary school. So, we go around the block from where I used to live, and he tries to drop me off. So, I'm like, no ajeossi, Onyang blah blah blah...he's like, OOOOOOHHHHHHHHHH, and starts driving again. He then arrives to Onyang-Oncheon Primary School...which is obviously not my school either. But he tells me to get out. The only good thing is that he was nice enough not to charge me the full fee because he took me to the wrong place (most taxi drivers don't care).
I call my co-teacher and have her talk to him before he stops. Apparently that didn't help, because he still dropped me off at the wrong school!! Anyway, so I call her back, and let her know what's going on. I catch another taxi and he takes me to the right place. He obviously sees the frustration on my face, because he begins to explain that I must say /kunyang/ before the school so that they know which school to go to! Thank Goodness!! Now, I know! LOL. Since I got out pretty early, I was still on time for classes...although a little flustered.
That was just the beginning of my day...stay tuned for Part II of a day to remember. I'm tired, and must be up at the crack of dawn again tomorrow...7-8 hours should keep the grouch away; I do not want her rearing her ugly head so soon!! LOL.
Until next time...breathe...things will get easier!
It started early, for one. LOL. And those of you who know me, know I'm not a morning person. Setting that aside, I put on my game face, and was ready by 7:45 am! 3 friends and I caught a taxi to the Sinchang Station to take the 8:02 subway to Onyang-Oncheon. We arrived at roughly 8:08, and went our separate ways.
I-thinking my Korean was pretty good-told the driver to go to Onyang 초등학교 /chodeunghaggyo/ which is how I was taught by my Korean co-teachers to say elementary school. So, we go around the block from where I used to live, and he tries to drop me off. So, I'm like, no ajeossi, Onyang blah blah blah...he's like, OOOOOOHHHHHHHHHH, and starts driving again. He then arrives to Onyang-Oncheon Primary School...which is obviously not my school either. But he tells me to get out. The only good thing is that he was nice enough not to charge me the full fee because he took me to the wrong place (most taxi drivers don't care).
I call my co-teacher and have her talk to him before he stops. Apparently that didn't help, because he still dropped me off at the wrong school!! Anyway, so I call her back, and let her know what's going on. I catch another taxi and he takes me to the right place. He obviously sees the frustration on my face, because he begins to explain that I must say /kunyang/ before the school so that they know which school to go to! Thank Goodness!! Now, I know! LOL. Since I got out pretty early, I was still on time for classes...although a little flustered.
That was just the beginning of my day...stay tuned for Part II of a day to remember. I'm tired, and must be up at the crack of dawn again tomorrow...7-8 hours should keep the grouch away; I do not want her rearing her ugly head so soon!! LOL.
Until next time...breathe...things will get easier!
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