(no subject)
The last two posts dealt with my life in the past year, before I arrived to Korea.
It's definitely been interesting here. There's always something new to discover about this place. The food, people, and culture are interesting as hell and I'm always tickled by it.
Arriving here was a bit of a chore. I remember boding farewell to the parental units and my siblings, my mother's crying face still has a fresh place in my mind. The flight was pleasant, not uncomfortable. I got to drink wine and have food and watch about 5 movies. Arriving at Incheon airport involved a bit of culture shock. After soaking in my new environment I purchased a bus ticket to Jeonju, a ride which took about 4 hours. It was at this point I felt my most vulnerable, practically passing out from jet lag and being the only foreigner in my bus made me feel unsafe. Clearly, I made it. I met up with Chris and he showed me my new surroundings in the next few days.
Before long I was observing Janice, whom I was replacing, in her classes. That first weekend almost all the teachers working in my company went to a vacation in Jeju Island. I stayed behind but luckily a few others did too, and those same guys are among my best friends now in Korea.
Teaching is interesting. The ease of the job came more naturally than I expected it to be. Its clearly not education like in America. I do little prep work and follow the textbooks to teach the children. I do know of other academies where teachers do come up with more things from scratch. The children are pretty cool though. I do have my issues with somethings but its still the best job I've ever had.
So here I am now, 4 months into this contract. It still feels like it was just yesterday that I arrived here. At the same time it feels like a long time has passed. I feel like I'm in a good place. The work is going well, I've made many many amazing friends, and I'm doing music again.
The music deserves its own mention. Back in the Bock's Car days we practiced once a week, with shows happening quite consistently at our peak. I always wished we could have practiced and played more.
Being in Korea has inspired me creatively many times. I think I've written more songs here than I have in a long time. Most of them are little acoustic songs that may never see the light of day but it sure is fulfilling to be able to write so much. On top of that I've started up a band with Brent and that has been going pretty well. We have the most amazing singer in Marah, and the most gifted bassist in Ryan. Brent brings in raw uncontrolled energy which is prefect for a rock band. Our drummer Craig has some great enthusiasm and he's learning more all the time. I fully look forward to our first show that should add some extra color to the musical landscape of Jeonju.
I'm debating what I should do for the near future. I'd like to return here after my contract is up, I most likely will. This is a great way to pay off debt while I still have it. I just need to figure out if I will extend my current contract some, go home, and come back or go home when my contract ends and return at some point later on.
The North Korea business isn't much of a bother. They're starving, desperate for attention, and haven't the balls (or support) to commit to a full scale war. I'm not particularly worried about it. If somewhere down the line that regime collapses and the northern part of the peninsula comes under the control of Seoul, I think it would be kind of nice to be here and help those in the North with English or with other things.
It's definitely been interesting here. There's always something new to discover about this place. The food, people, and culture are interesting as hell and I'm always tickled by it.
Arriving here was a bit of a chore. I remember boding farewell to the parental units and my siblings, my mother's crying face still has a fresh place in my mind. The flight was pleasant, not uncomfortable. I got to drink wine and have food and watch about 5 movies. Arriving at Incheon airport involved a bit of culture shock. After soaking in my new environment I purchased a bus ticket to Jeonju, a ride which took about 4 hours. It was at this point I felt my most vulnerable, practically passing out from jet lag and being the only foreigner in my bus made me feel unsafe. Clearly, I made it. I met up with Chris and he showed me my new surroundings in the next few days.
Before long I was observing Janice, whom I was replacing, in her classes. That first weekend almost all the teachers working in my company went to a vacation in Jeju Island. I stayed behind but luckily a few others did too, and those same guys are among my best friends now in Korea.
Teaching is interesting. The ease of the job came more naturally than I expected it to be. Its clearly not education like in America. I do little prep work and follow the textbooks to teach the children. I do know of other academies where teachers do come up with more things from scratch. The children are pretty cool though. I do have my issues with somethings but its still the best job I've ever had.
So here I am now, 4 months into this contract. It still feels like it was just yesterday that I arrived here. At the same time it feels like a long time has passed. I feel like I'm in a good place. The work is going well, I've made many many amazing friends, and I'm doing music again.
The music deserves its own mention. Back in the Bock's Car days we practiced once a week, with shows happening quite consistently at our peak. I always wished we could have practiced and played more.
Being in Korea has inspired me creatively many times. I think I've written more songs here than I have in a long time. Most of them are little acoustic songs that may never see the light of day but it sure is fulfilling to be able to write so much. On top of that I've started up a band with Brent and that has been going pretty well. We have the most amazing singer in Marah, and the most gifted bassist in Ryan. Brent brings in raw uncontrolled energy which is prefect for a rock band. Our drummer Craig has some great enthusiasm and he's learning more all the time. I fully look forward to our first show that should add some extra color to the musical landscape of Jeonju.
I'm debating what I should do for the near future. I'd like to return here after my contract is up, I most likely will. This is a great way to pay off debt while I still have it. I just need to figure out if I will extend my current contract some, go home, and come back or go home when my contract ends and return at some point later on.
The North Korea business isn't much of a bother. They're starving, desperate for attention, and haven't the balls (or support) to commit to a full scale war. I'm not particularly worried about it. If somewhere down the line that regime collapses and the northern part of the peninsula comes under the control of Seoul, I think it would be kind of nice to be here and help those in the North with English or with other things.