It's been awhile...

I didn't realize how long it's been but when I started getting a few emails going, "uh...are you okay?" I realized that maybe the novelty of being in Seoul or keeping this blog has somewhat worn off and getting to be....work.

But yeah, work continues to be hectic but free of planning at night. That's nice especially since I've taken up running every other night. The weather has been beautiful for running...I hope all of you runners are getting your miles/kilometres here and there. I would take photos as I jog around but I don't want to drop my camera on the ground like I did with my ipod. Thank goodness for that case I bought at Best Buy! But yeah, the streets are lined with ginko trees and some stinky bushes...it's gorgeous!

At the moment, my students are writing their monthly tests. Ben is slaving away...Tony is erasing most of what he wrote because he forgot to plan out his story like I insisted throughout all of last week. Nonetheless, it's amazing to think that these are students in grade 2. Just like week, I thought them how to write a report using our non-fiction reading strategies. They got it after I modeled it once. ONCE! Do you know how many tries it takes in Canada?! At least three times, which only means I have to write three or more reports haha But yeah, I'll see how well I thought them depending on their tests this month. It's very nerve wrecking....

What else...this week will be easy breezy because today and Tuesday will be test days which leaves only Wednesday and Thursday classes. On Friday, we get a day off because of Foundation Day. Someone found Seoul in 19??. So hurrahhhhh!

I will update more frequently but with less "beef". Speaking of beef...I haven't had any in two months. I craved meat last week and bought at least 70,000 won worth of meat at Costco. That should last about two months in my freezer hehe Here, Costco = meat.

Anyhoo, let me know what else you're doing...you can always write me via email if you don't feel comfortable leaving me a mesage on this blog...

Hope to hear from you soon...
H.

Let me gush...

Olivia and Emily


It's very hard for me to talk about what's going on with my new job without first discussing my preschoolers. They are my pride and joy...but sometimes pains in the butt.

So first, I will gush about these two lovely ladies because they remind me so much of Hannah haha


Olivia is the most girliest baby I have ever met in my life. She never comes to class uncoodinated and is always sporting new head bands (very Hannah).


Anyway, when Justin came in to supply for me, he commented on how Olivia was beginning in English and that she was shy. Well, I will back her up because when needed, Olivia goes on tangents in English. One minute she will be fussing about her shoes not fitting properly and hurting her feet (uh duh, sweetie pie...you are wearing heels...) and the next she is gushhe ing about how her dress is so "flowy". She is amazingly smart and witty. But, if you piss her off, she can also give you the nastiest look...I have yet to get that on camera...


I think one of the main reasons why Olivia has become so outgoing is because of Emily. Emily is the sweetest girl in our class. And yes, she does have an ugly side, but who doesn't!? Just thinking about Emily now makes me happy because she embodies the kindness that I want for all students in my Canadian class. She reminds me a lot of Celine actually because she goes out of her way to help Jun, who is a little hell raiser. When Jun came back from the Philliphines, he was really behind on reading so during our down time, Emily whispered the words to him just before he read them aloud, pretending that he knew and could say them by himself. For this reason alone, I tend to give her first dibs on picking e-Poly songs.


And even though I don't believe that preschoolers should sit for five hours, she seems to be able to do it with such grace...I love her haha But yeah, these two girls are so lovely...it's hard for me to talk about them without wanting to keep them.


As the new school year starts, I am also thinking about the ex-4A's. I hope they are okay and ready to begin a new year with their new teachers...I miss them a lot....

Home cookin'...

...can be as close as down the street when Justin offers to cook for us. On our second dinner get together, we had sausages on French buns. Now, in Canada, you may not think anything of it...but in Korea, non-sugary breads are extremely difficult to come by.

Check it out!
*Note the night's cooking is out of sequence so yeah....*










Justin was also teaching us new cooking skills. And before I continue to talk about him, Justin is the guy that I spoke to over the phone and "interviewed" me for Poly School. He is the go-to person at the school and he makes sures that everyone is settling in Korea nicely and comfortably.

Anyway, to go back to the cooking...Justin used to be the lead waiter in Boston and that's why he knows all the tricks. He was teaching Brian to dice and cut onions, red peppers and green onions properly because Brian isn't too skilled in the cooking...neither was/am I. So we were learning to cook and prepare foods from Justin.

And I'm not sure if you've noticed...but Justin is GIGANTIC. He reminds me of the beanstalk every time he wears that shirt. He is six feet and two inches tall. When you are that tall and in Korea, you tend to stand out.

*Aside* While we were shopping in Myeongdong, we saw this guy that was TALLERRR than Justin. He was probably six feet and seven inches tall...

I am also starting to like red wine more...Angela and Hannah like that better than beer and beer seems to make people fat around here. Wine should be better because it comes from grapes rather than barley/yeast right? Not sure...but yeah, wine requires some getting used to.

When I bike or rollerskate...I'll wear my safety gear!

The title is a song that we sing often in preschool and tonight, I should have been advised by the lyrics.

I went night running and Angela, but we were separated and when I tried to look for her, I ran right into a metal chain! I fall forward, hit my chin and heavily scraped my knee. I would also show the scar except my ego was badly hurt and the blood was scaring me a little bit.

I have a hard time walking but good thing, Justin came over with some knee bandages! He didn't have polysporin or he brought me some lotion samples instead haha that did make me feel better

So now, instead of going out with Angela and them...not that I was going to go anyway....I am at home watching the Simpsons and catching up on some much needed sleep. Maybe I will show the scars a little later when they are less gross and fleshy.

Until then, please run with helmets, elbow pads and knee guards!

At the end of this blog, I can straighten my legs! Yayyyyyy

More photos of my sweetie pies aka My Penguins Class

When you let preschoolers hold the camera...
...and now Louie's turn...

AH! Jun looks so pretty!