I have now officially been in Korea for 148 days ,12,787,200 seconds, 213,120 minutes, 3552 hours, 21 weeks (rounded down) and I am unsure how much longer it will be. I know for sure that I will not leave (if I have to) until September as my wonderful Mum and Sister are coming to visit for a week. I really do not want to leave this country but everything boils down to my job and at the moment I feel that my position is on shaky grounds.
All was good until my pay stopped coming and now it has been over 6 weeks with no money in the bank. I have been assured that this will be resolved, but I am unsure how long I can go with this unknowing. If I was at home I would have already left the company and seeked a position elsewhere but it is harder in Korea as the company you work for supply your work visa and your accommodation. If I leave tomorrow I would basically have to move home and even if I did find another job I could only start it with a release letter from my current employer. It is all so annoying and unsettling. I work so hard to make sure my students are learning and reaching their full potential and I'm also putting my blood, sweat and tears into writing a yearly curriculum for the school which may shut down.
I'm in two minds, the heart is telling me to just continue as normal, keep growing as a teacher, keep learning and keep loving life. The brain is telling me to stop working for free and get the hell out before the company go bust and owe me a lot of money.
Any advise??????
What ever happens I know that I will never regret this life decision and believe in the words by Asha Tyson.
"Your journey has molded you for your greater good, and it was exactly what it needed to be. Don't think that you've lost time. There is no short-cutting to life. It took each and every situation you have encountered to bring you to the now. And now is right on time."
-- Asha Tyson
Living in Korea has allowed me to grow as a person, a teacher, a friend and a daughter. I have had the time to find myself and now know what I want for the next part of my life. I have learned who my real friends are, the value of living each day to the fullest and most importantly confirmed in my head and heart that I am a wonderful creative and inspiring teacher. This journey has allowed me to see the rest of my life in a very positive light and I look forward to all that will come.
So whether I'm still here for the next six months or starting my new journey in Perth (yes I'm moving to Perth) I am thankful for every day that I am alive and am able to smell the flowers.
xx
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Monday, July 16, 2012
Night Market
Gwangjang market 광장 시장
I'm going to look back on this one day and laugh my head off!
LOVE YOUR WORK NOE
Oly White vs korea
Its pouring down with rain I've lost my friends in the crowds of umbrellas and now I have to produce my ticket that my mate has who is already inside. Hmmmm. I hear my name being shouted from above and see said friend hanging over the side of the stadium with my ticket in his hand. Before I have time to react he is dangling it over the railing so I run to catch it on the way brushing my umbrella past a ladies face. She looked at me with the eyes of the devil and perhaps with less Soju in my system I may have stopped and apologised but instead I reached for the ticket and ran to the gates.
So far today has been awesome. I've met rob for a much needed coffee. Met up with Sam at Seoul station where we booked and paid for our train to take us down to busan for our much needed holiday in two weeks and had lunch at a Korean BBQ with a whole bunch of kiwis. And now I'm heading into the Seoul Olympic stadium to watch the under 23 nz soccer team kick Koreas arse.
On the way in I purchased a rain poncho for 2 bucks so I look like a plastic bag that has been been drowned in the river. Finding my seat I am thankful for the Cass that Rob puts in my hand and take in my surroundings. There are no less then 20 of us kiwis all proudly wearing white to support the Oly whites. We have a huge nz flag tied to the railing infront and we stand proud singing the national anthem along with the players. The game itself is a blur of rain, shouting, cheering, the usual kiwi abuse and the celebrations as we score a goal. Well gone with all the Soju and beer in our systems we enjoy every minute. Even though we lost we had a blast of a time and I hear that if you were watching the game on sky you would have caught a glimpse of our rowdiness. For only 20 bucks seeing a live soccer game in Korea is a must! . At the conclusion 2pm (a huge k pop band ) came out and performed and then booted no less than 100 singed balls into this crowd I tried so hard to get one but was seeing double so had no chance! !
So far today has been awesome. I've met rob for a much needed coffee. Met up with Sam at Seoul station where we booked and paid for our train to take us down to busan for our much needed holiday in two weeks and had lunch at a Korean BBQ with a whole bunch of kiwis. And now I'm heading into the Seoul Olympic stadium to watch the under 23 nz soccer team kick Koreas arse.
On the way in I purchased a rain poncho for 2 bucks so I look like a plastic bag that has been been drowned in the river. Finding my seat I am thankful for the Cass that Rob puts in my hand and take in my surroundings. There are no less then 20 of us kiwis all proudly wearing white to support the Oly whites. We have a huge nz flag tied to the railing infront and we stand proud singing the national anthem along with the players. The game itself is a blur of rain, shouting, cheering, the usual kiwi abuse and the celebrations as we score a goal. Well gone with all the Soju and beer in our systems we enjoy every minute. Even though we lost we had a blast of a time and I hear that if you were watching the game on sky you would have caught a glimpse of our rowdiness. For only 20 bucks seeing a live soccer game in Korea is a must! . At the conclusion 2pm (a huge k pop band ) came out and performed and then booted no less than 100 singed balls into this crowd I tried so hard to get one but was seeing double so had no chance! !
Korean bbq
Kiwi Sam and Rob
Nice t-shirt Tim
Makgoli (c#& juice!)
Sexy
Representing
Cass oh yeah!
We may have lost but we had a great time nevertheless
Drinks afterwards at Lucky Strike
Friday, July 6, 2012
Pojangmacha
The k food crew set out to find a Pojangmacha in the district of Jonggak and we came across a beauty!
A Pojangmacha refers to a small tented restaurant on wheels. It literally translates to covered wagon. Unfortunately it is becoming harder and harder to find them as city officials have been closing them down as they are considered as eyesores, illegal and unsanitary. Personally I thought it was great the food was fresh and as far as we could see it was clean and safe.
The following video made by the talented Noe, shows how the evening went. I am highly embarrassed with the candid shots of me deciding that I don't like raw squid, but I'm sure I will look back on this in the future and laugh!
Enjoy xx
MNet 20's Choice Awards 2012
Lets party at the MNet 20's choice awards 2012!
On the 28th of June I was lucky enough to be invited to the Korean equivalent of the MTV music awards and party we did.
It all started with a trip to every girls favourite shop in Korea, Forever 21! This shop is amazing think 5 floors of dresses, skirts, tops, sleepwear, lingerie, accessories and every other girly item you may need. And with normal sizes I can actually fit into the clothes! The mission was to find a sexy get up in neon, bright colours to fit the dress code. We were there for around 2 hours and all walked out having spent a little bit to much money, but hay there is nothing like a shopping spree to make a girl feel good.
We all managed to get off work early and jumped in taxis which took us to the exclusive Banyan Tree Club and Spa. We were overwhelmed with the sheer glamour of this place. We felt like we had been transported to Beverly Hills and we realised we were literally rolling with the stars. The pools, the cabanas, the sexy topless men, the hugeness of the Resort took our breathe away. We were issued with wrist bands and stamps which allowed us VIP access and free Asahi beer all evening. Our first stop was to find the restrooms and we found ourselves lost in wonderment as we passed the incredible pools, the cabanas, the private spas and found ourselves surrounding with beautiful Korean women wearing the tinniest bikinis I had ever seen. We knew we had struck gold having access to this exclusive event.
The party started with a bang with fountains of water sprayed over the crowd and K Pop stars ripping up the stage. We found ourselves lost amongst the crowds, dancing and drinking and taking in the surroundings. The beer was flowing and the music was amazing, surprisingly I recognised quite a few songs and found my self singing along.
It was an amazing evening and was wrapped up in the resorts own night club where we partied until I had to leave so that I would make it to work the next day!
http://www.banyantreeclub.net/image/contents/The_Oasis_1.jpg
http://www.banyantreeclub.net/image/contents/The_Oasis_1.jpg
Think we did pretty well with the Neon
Yummy
Beer
Lots of leg on show
Amazing
Meeting new friends
In the pool
The Club after!
WE EVEN GOT OUR TWO SECONDS OF FAME ON TV
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Writer's block
This month has been full to almost flooding with road trips, public holidays, epic drinking sessions, gourmet food, letter and package sending and good ole touristy things.
I have not had the time to sit down at the computer and even then I just don't even no where to start. I promise for recounts soon, for now I'll let you in to a moment of my life.
Watch this video which was made by Noe. It is a great introduction for the famous Korean dish of Bulgogi. You can also watch me fumble with chopsticks and stuff my mouth full of meat.
Talk soon xx
I have not had the time to sit down at the computer and even then I just don't even no where to start. I promise for recounts soon, for now I'll let you in to a moment of my life.
Watch this video which was made by Noe. It is a great introduction for the famous Korean dish of Bulgogi. You can also watch me fumble with chopsticks and stuff my mouth full of meat.
Thursday, May 24, 2012
melody of magic
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