Dongdaemun Gate is also known as Heunginjimun Gate (동대문 - 흥인지문). The gate is also referred to as the East Main Gate. The gate is located in the Jongno area of Seoul near Dondaemun Subway station and is Treasure #1.
The gate was originally built by King Taejo in 1396. It was renovated in 1453. The present structure was built in 1869.
Directions: Take line 1 (Seoul Metro-Line 1 or 4) to Dongdaemun Station. Take Exit 6.
The gate is open all year round and there is no admission fee.
Pictures:
https://plus.google.com/photos/106518880659515557565/albums/6029918513713914273
Video:
Saturday, June 28, 2014
Thursday, June 26, 2014
Music Video: 2Bic "Walk Backward" (English Subtitles)
2Bic is becoming one of my favorite groups. They have really great voices! This song is about a man who can't get over a breakup.
I wonder what it will feel like if me and my boyfriend break up. Who would have the toughest time getting over the other person?
I wonder what it will feel like if me and my boyfriend break up. Who would have the toughest time getting over the other person?
Friday, June 20, 2014
Had a better day....
I had a better day today.
My first class that is always working ahead was actually better today. I guess they are learning not to move ahead in their book. Today everyone was on the same page 90% of the time!
Before my 2nd class I had to interview a potential student. His English was pretty good. He didn't understand how to tell me his age, but he answered all the other questions.
My 2nd class was better, but still not great. They were being too loud and some students from next door came by and asked us to be quieter. I got them to get in their seats by bribing them. They were not running around like crazy today. Then they wanted to sit on top of the desk and do their work. I just let them and finally made them sit in their chair. They did okay with the work. I did have a hard time trying to fill up the time in class. I tried to teach them some animal names, but they weren't paying attention most of the time. They repeated the words with me a few times. I just need to find out how to get them to participate and pay attention. The material in the book wasn't long enough!!
My 3rd class was interesting. Today we were cooking pancakes and scrambled eggs. I let the students do all the cooking and mixing. One of them accidentally dropped some of the pancake mix on my dress. Later I got pancake batter on my dress. haha. The kids ruined the 1st batch of pancakes. I'm glad I bought a big bag! They poured the whole bowl into the pan. When we made the 2nd batch I told them to only pour a little at a time. Things went more smoothly the 2nd time! I think they enjoyed cooking and eating pancakes and eggs. I was so nervous about how today would go. At home I'm more confident because I have my stove and my oven. At the school I have camping stoves with gas and toaster ovens. 2 things that I'm not used to, but everything turned out okay. We made a HUGE mess in the kitchen area. I had to leave to teach another class. The class and the next teacher had to clean up the mess.
My reading class wants to make pizza next week. They spent class time deciding what kind of pizza to make and who would bring the ingredients. They want to make 3 different kinds of pizza: cheese, nutella, and Gorgonzola. I just realized they forgot to add pizza sauce to the ingredient list. I'll have to remind them!
I'll have 2 cooking classes next week. 2 of my reading classes asked to make pizza next week. Now all of my classes are asking to cook. I'll probably just let them cook once a semester.
Today was the best day with the middle school students. Wednesday 2 of them were dozing off, but they stayed awake today. The majority of them were still 15 minutes late. I had to go over 5 pages with them. I asked for them to tell me the answer, but at first no one was talking so I just had to call on them one by one. They all answered and i would repeat the answer or correct them if they got it wrong. They did a pretty good job. Thats the best middle school class I've had so far. I have to help them prepare for their final exams for one more week (3 more classes). I'm helping the 3rd year middle school students. Then I will have them in their individual classes in July. I have 5 reading classes with middle school students.
I survived 5 weeks at my school. 45 more (if I can last that long!)
Monday I might be going to Immigration to apply for my alien card.
Wednesday is payday! (I get paid once a month) I don't have an account at the school's preferred bank yet so I will be paid in cash. Then I have to go to my bank and deposit the money, transfer some home, and change my address. Then I can order a cell phone. I think I will be getting a Galaxy S3. I reserved one online so I think they are holding it for me until I can get paid.
My first class that is always working ahead was actually better today. I guess they are learning not to move ahead in their book. Today everyone was on the same page 90% of the time!
Before my 2nd class I had to interview a potential student. His English was pretty good. He didn't understand how to tell me his age, but he answered all the other questions.
My 2nd class was better, but still not great. They were being too loud and some students from next door came by and asked us to be quieter. I got them to get in their seats by bribing them. They were not running around like crazy today. Then they wanted to sit on top of the desk and do their work. I just let them and finally made them sit in their chair. They did okay with the work. I did have a hard time trying to fill up the time in class. I tried to teach them some animal names, but they weren't paying attention most of the time. They repeated the words with me a few times. I just need to find out how to get them to participate and pay attention. The material in the book wasn't long enough!!
My 3rd class was interesting. Today we were cooking pancakes and scrambled eggs. I let the students do all the cooking and mixing. One of them accidentally dropped some of the pancake mix on my dress. Later I got pancake batter on my dress. haha. The kids ruined the 1st batch of pancakes. I'm glad I bought a big bag! They poured the whole bowl into the pan. When we made the 2nd batch I told them to only pour a little at a time. Things went more smoothly the 2nd time! I think they enjoyed cooking and eating pancakes and eggs. I was so nervous about how today would go. At home I'm more confident because I have my stove and my oven. At the school I have camping stoves with gas and toaster ovens. 2 things that I'm not used to, but everything turned out okay. We made a HUGE mess in the kitchen area. I had to leave to teach another class. The class and the next teacher had to clean up the mess.
My reading class wants to make pizza next week. They spent class time deciding what kind of pizza to make and who would bring the ingredients. They want to make 3 different kinds of pizza: cheese, nutella, and Gorgonzola. I just realized they forgot to add pizza sauce to the ingredient list. I'll have to remind them!
I'll have 2 cooking classes next week. 2 of my reading classes asked to make pizza next week. Now all of my classes are asking to cook. I'll probably just let them cook once a semester.
Today was the best day with the middle school students. Wednesday 2 of them were dozing off, but they stayed awake today. The majority of them were still 15 minutes late. I had to go over 5 pages with them. I asked for them to tell me the answer, but at first no one was talking so I just had to call on them one by one. They all answered and i would repeat the answer or correct them if they got it wrong. They did a pretty good job. Thats the best middle school class I've had so far. I have to help them prepare for their final exams for one more week (3 more classes). I'm helping the 3rd year middle school students. Then I will have them in their individual classes in July. I have 5 reading classes with middle school students.
I survived 5 weeks at my school. 45 more (if I can last that long!)
Monday I might be going to Immigration to apply for my alien card.
Wednesday is payday! (I get paid once a month) I don't have an account at the school's preferred bank yet so I will be paid in cash. Then I have to go to my bank and deposit the money, transfer some home, and change my address. Then I can order a cell phone. I think I will be getting a Galaxy S3. I reserved one online so I think they are holding it for me until I can get paid.
I had a rough day..
I had a rough day yesterday and its all because of one bad class. (I have this class 2 times a week-Thursday and Friday. Its a never ending struggle with this class!! I have one class of 3 seven year old boys that will not behave. No one really addresses their behavior problems. Today they did not want to sit in their seat. They were running around the classroom and getting on top of the desks. I am so scared that someone is going to fall and get hurt and I will be blamed for not controlling them. They will not listen to me. I had to constantly keep telling them to get in their seat. I give them a bribe to get in their seat and then they get up again. We did 2 pages and I got frustrated and got out the educational apps. The director came in and asked if I needed help. She said I can't just let them play a game. They have to be studying English. So if they are playing a matching game with animals I should be teaching them the English name of the animal and having them to repeat it. They won't even pay attention to me.
Last week they were better. When one student is absent they act better. One student was absent last week. When all 3 of them are together it is complete chaos.
I was telling the director how I can't get them to behave. She didn't say much, but that they are here to study. She says they don't even pay attention in the Korean teacher's class. No one helps me with their behavior. I just don't know what to do. (Does anyone even tell the parents that their kids will not behave?) I put it on their comments ".......needs to work on his behavior."
This one class ruined my day. I was in my room crying after class. No one saw me. This one class makes me want to leave. I think if I decide to leave that I'll be done with Korea forever.
I have some hard decisions to make. Do I want to tough it out here or do I want to give a 2 month notice and leave? I am on the fence. I think I will decide in the next few weeks. I need to talk to the director and tell her about my concerns.
I don't know if my relationship with my boyfriend can survive much longer. I really like him, but he doesn't have any time for me. We saw each other 3 times in the past month. I asked him if I could see him this weekend, but he says he doesn't know if he will have any free time. I think I'm going to quit asking him to see me. If he wants to see me he will just have to ask me. He also gave me some shocking news. He said he is thinking about moving to another country to make money. I guess he isn't making enough at his job in Korea. He works 7 days a week most of the time. Its sad that he wants to move away. I guess that would be the end of us. It feels like a long distance relationship although we only live about 10 miles apart.
Too many hard decisions to make. My life feels like one failure after another. Why do I have so much trouble? I feel like a loser who just can't get their act together. Sometimes I feel like I don't even want to live anymore. What do I have to live for? I'm not happy, I don't have children, I'm not married, I don't have a job that I truly love (or that I'm good at). I just exist to make others happy while I live a miserable life. I actually wish something bad would happen to me that would cause me to die. Sad, but true.
I wish I was brave enough to end my own life. My life is pointless. I have no purpose.
_________________________
My ankles started swelling the other day. They are fine at the beginning of the day, but by the end of the day they look swollen and they feel tight.
___________________________________
I was suppose to go to immigration yesterday to register for my alien card. A few minutes before I was suppose to go the director messaged me and said she couldn't find my health test results so we couldn't go today. I didn't see the message so I went out to meet her and she told me.
I don't know when we are going to go to immigration now.
Last week they were better. When one student is absent they act better. One student was absent last week. When all 3 of them are together it is complete chaos.
I was telling the director how I can't get them to behave. She didn't say much, but that they are here to study. She says they don't even pay attention in the Korean teacher's class. No one helps me with their behavior. I just don't know what to do. (Does anyone even tell the parents that their kids will not behave?) I put it on their comments ".......needs to work on his behavior."
This one class ruined my day. I was in my room crying after class. No one saw me. This one class makes me want to leave. I think if I decide to leave that I'll be done with Korea forever.
I have some hard decisions to make. Do I want to tough it out here or do I want to give a 2 month notice and leave? I am on the fence. I think I will decide in the next few weeks. I need to talk to the director and tell her about my concerns.
I don't know if my relationship with my boyfriend can survive much longer. I really like him, but he doesn't have any time for me. We saw each other 3 times in the past month. I asked him if I could see him this weekend, but he says he doesn't know if he will have any free time. I think I'm going to quit asking him to see me. If he wants to see me he will just have to ask me. He also gave me some shocking news. He said he is thinking about moving to another country to make money. I guess he isn't making enough at his job in Korea. He works 7 days a week most of the time. Its sad that he wants to move away. I guess that would be the end of us. It feels like a long distance relationship although we only live about 10 miles apart.
Too many hard decisions to make. My life feels like one failure after another. Why do I have so much trouble? I feel like a loser who just can't get their act together. Sometimes I feel like I don't even want to live anymore. What do I have to live for? I'm not happy, I don't have children, I'm not married, I don't have a job that I truly love (or that I'm good at). I just exist to make others happy while I live a miserable life. I actually wish something bad would happen to me that would cause me to die. Sad, but true.
I wish I was brave enough to end my own life. My life is pointless. I have no purpose.
_________________________
My ankles started swelling the other day. They are fine at the beginning of the day, but by the end of the day they look swollen and they feel tight.
___________________________________
I was suppose to go to immigration yesterday to register for my alien card. A few minutes before I was suppose to go the director messaged me and said she couldn't find my health test results so we couldn't go today. I didn't see the message so I went out to meet her and she told me.
I don't know when we are going to go to immigration now.
Wednesday, June 18, 2014
My class was angry...
My first class was mad at me today. They were being bad in class so I made them write their spelling words 3 times each (we usually only write them 2 times each)...its not that bad of a punishment. I could have been meaner and made it 5 times! They did not like it at all. They kept talking in Korean and the former teacher's name would come up.
They wont listen! I keep telling them one page at a time. I'm on page 1 and they have already finished page 3. I want them to pay attention instead of working ahead. Some of them just want me to give them the answers. I want them to try to be independent and learn to find the answers. You can't learn if someone just gives you the answers. They need help writing sentences. Most of their sentences don't make sense so I correct their grammar. Some are so bad that I can't correct them because I don't know what they are trying to say.
I hate how some of my classes are alwasys trying to rush me so we can end class early. We have 45 minutes. If we finish early I let them play a game. They try to rush me so they can get the lesson over. I don't rush for them. If they don't stop it then I will bring enough so we work every second of class. I bet they don't treat their Korean teachers that way.
My 2nd class is one of my best classes.They all participate and try hard. Some are slower than others, but they are a good class. They are all well behaved. Today they were repeating the words really loudly and holding out the last syllable. It made me laugh.
The majority of my middle school class was 10 minutes late. They are always late. We can't get much done if everyone is late. Right now all we are doing is preparing them for their final exams at school. They are studying from their school textbook. I call out the problem and they tell me the answer. One person was giving out most of the answers. At least I got them to do their work today. Usually no one wants to talk. 2 of the students kept trying to fall asleep and I told them to stay awake.
They wont listen! I keep telling them one page at a time. I'm on page 1 and they have already finished page 3. I want them to pay attention instead of working ahead. Some of them just want me to give them the answers. I want them to try to be independent and learn to find the answers. You can't learn if someone just gives you the answers. They need help writing sentences. Most of their sentences don't make sense so I correct their grammar. Some are so bad that I can't correct them because I don't know what they are trying to say.
I hate how some of my classes are alwasys trying to rush me so we can end class early. We have 45 minutes. If we finish early I let them play a game. They try to rush me so they can get the lesson over. I don't rush for them. If they don't stop it then I will bring enough so we work every second of class. I bet they don't treat their Korean teachers that way.
My 2nd class is one of my best classes.They all participate and try hard. Some are slower than others, but they are a good class. They are all well behaved. Today they were repeating the words really loudly and holding out the last syllable. It made me laugh.
The majority of my middle school class was 10 minutes late. They are always late. We can't get much done if everyone is late. Right now all we are doing is preparing them for their final exams at school. They are studying from their school textbook. I call out the problem and they tell me the answer. One person was giving out most of the answers. At least I got them to do their work today. Usually no one wants to talk. 2 of the students kept trying to fall asleep and I told them to stay awake.
Tuesday, June 17, 2014
Korean Movie: "Plan Man" 플랜맨
I watched the movie "Plan Man" while I was on the airplane on my way to Korea back in May. I think its a very cute movie.I couldn't see myself always having a plan like the man in the movie did. I don't think I could date someone who has every second of their day planned out.
"Plan Man" Trailer
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Year Released: 2014
Main Characters:
Jung Jae-young as Han Jung-seok
Han Ji-min as Yoo So-jung
Cha Ye-ryun as Lee Ji-won
Jang Gwang as Goo Sang-yoon
Kim Ji-young as psychiatrist
Ju Jin-mo as Laundry
Yoo Seung-mok as Writer Lee
Jo Yong-jin as young Jung-seok
Go Seo-hee as Jung-seok's mother
Park Gil-soo as Section chief Nam
Park Jin-joo as Eun-ha
Plot:
Jung-seok is a librarian who has every second of his day planned out. He sets alarms to do everything. Everything is done at the same time every single day. He feels the need to straighten up things that are out of place which annoys his coworkers. He has a crush on a woman at a convenient store who has the same neat freak mindset. One day he decides he will tell his crush that he likes her, but he runs into So-jung instead. So-jung is a free spirit who doesn't live by a plan. He tries to talk to his crush with So-jung's help, but his crush doesn't want someone who is also neat like her. She is trying to break free from that lifestyle. Jung-seok tries to break free from his obsession with neatness by changing his routine.
"Plan Man" Trailer
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Year Released: 2014
Main Characters:
Jung Jae-young as Han Jung-seok
Han Ji-min as Yoo So-jung
Cha Ye-ryun as Lee Ji-won
Jang Gwang as Goo Sang-yoon
Kim Ji-young as psychiatrist
Ju Jin-mo as Laundry
Yoo Seung-mok as Writer Lee
Jo Yong-jin as young Jung-seok
Go Seo-hee as Jung-seok's mother
Park Gil-soo as Section chief Nam
Park Jin-joo as Eun-ha
Plot:
Jung-seok is a librarian who has every second of his day planned out. He sets alarms to do everything. Everything is done at the same time every single day. He feels the need to straighten up things that are out of place which annoys his coworkers. He has a crush on a woman at a convenient store who has the same neat freak mindset. One day he decides he will tell his crush that he likes her, but he runs into So-jung instead. So-jung is a free spirit who doesn't live by a plan. He tries to talk to his crush with So-jung's help, but his crush doesn't want someone who is also neat like her. She is trying to break free from that lifestyle. Jung-seok tries to break free from his obsession with neatness by changing his routine.
Monday, June 16, 2014
Music Video: 40 "Black" (English Subtitles)
featuring Swings
40 has a great voice. I'm really digging this song!
40 has a great voice. I'm really digging this song!
Sunday, June 15, 2014
Gyeongbok Palace
Gyeongbok Palace is the main and largest palace in Seoul. The palace was built in 1395, but was destroyed by fire during the Japanese Invasion in the 1590's. The palace was restored during the reign of King Gojong (1852-1919).
I saw the majority of the palace, but there were a few areas that I did not visit. I also have a small part of the changing of the guards ceremony at the beginning of the video.
Pictures: https://plus.google.com/photos/106518880659515557565/albums/6025109433259346961
Pictures: https://plus.google.com/photos/106518880659515557565/albums/6025109433259346961
Directions:
Line 3 Seoul Metro Gyeongbokgung Station Exit 5
Line 5 Seoul Metro Gwanghwamun Station Exit 2
Price: Adults (ages 19-64) 3000 won (about $3.00) group of 10 or more 2400 won
Children (ages 7-18) 1500 (about $1.50) group of 10 or more 1200 won
Hours: January-February, November-December: 09:00-17:00
March-May, September-October: 09:00-18:00
June-August: 09:00-18:30
* Last admission: 1 hr before closing.
Closed: Tuesday
Guided Tours: depart in front of the Information Center at Heungnyemun Gate (흥례문).
Duration: 1hr - 1hr, 30min
Tour Schedule:
English: 11:00, 13:30, 15:30
Japanese: 10:00, 12:30, 14:30
Chinese: 10:30, 13:00, 15:00
Changing of the royal guards ceremony: 10:00, 13:00, 15:00 (lasts 20 minutes)
Myeong dong-popular shopping district in Seoul
This is a video of Myeong dong. Myeong dong is a popular shopping district in Seoul. There are tons of brands to choose from.
This video was filmed on June 7th, 2014 (Saturday) around 2:45pm. Myeong dong was so crowded! I just wanted to get a short video to show day to day life. Maybe I'll have a longer video later.
How to get there: Myeong dong station (line 4 of Seoul Metro). This video was filmed outside of exit 6.
This video was filmed on June 7th, 2014 (Saturday) around 2:45pm. Myeong dong was so crowded! I just wanted to get a short video to show day to day life. Maybe I'll have a longer video later.
How to get there: Myeong dong station (line 4 of Seoul Metro). This video was filmed outside of exit 6.
Apartment Tour
Here is a tour of my apartment. This is what kind of apartment most English teachers have. Its a one room studio.
Saturday, June 14, 2014
Banana Vending Machine
This is a banana vending machine in Hongik station of line 2 on the Seoul Metro on June 7th, 2014. These aren't in every station. This is the first one I've seen so far. I know they are in a few more stations.
1 banana is 1,000 won (about $1.00). 2 bananas are 1,900 won (about $1.90). You can also buy a case to put your banana in.
1 banana is 1,000 won (about $1.00). 2 bananas are 1,900 won (about $1.90). You can also buy a case to put your banana in.
Thursday, June 12, 2014
Music Video: Crush "Hug Me" (official ver)(English subtitles)
Feat. Gaeko
I really like this version more than the street version. This video has been at the bottom of my YouTube subscriptions feed and I never got around to watching it. I'm glad I watched it because I really like it. The dancing is great and I like the white outfit.
I really like this version more than the street version. This video has been at the bottom of my YouTube subscriptions feed and I never got around to watching it. I'm glad I watched it because I really like it. The dancing is great and I like the white outfit.
Music Video: Crush "Hug Me" (Street Ver.)(English Subtitles)
feat. Gaeko
I like this video. I really like when he goes into the high falsetto voice near the end of the video.
I like this video. I really like when he goes into the high falsetto voice near the end of the video.
Music Video: Jun K "No Love" (Korean Version)(English Subtitles)
Jun. K is from 2PM
I like this song and video.
I like this song and video.
Small Convenient Store GS 25
This is a small convientent store in South Korea called GS 25. You can usually find a lot of these in South Korea.
Wednesday, June 11, 2014
Vending Machines in South Korea
These are typical vending machines you will see in almost every subway station in South Korea. Some of the drinks are overpriced compared to what you can get them for in the US. For example, a small can of pepsi is 1,100 won. (about $1.10). The coffee and tea machine is only 400 won (about 40 cents).
Some subway stations also have vending machines where you can get some common toiletries like tissue, wet tissue, condoms, mouthwash and mentos.
Some stations have book vending machines. The book vending machine is not in my video, but I'll have to go find one and film it sometime.
Some subway stations also have vending machines where you can get some common toiletries like tissue, wet tissue, condoms, mouthwash and mentos.
Some stations have book vending machines. The book vending machine is not in my video, but I'll have to go find one and film it sometime.
so lost....
I don't write everyday anymore. I just don't feel like it. Most days are just boring, mundane stuff anyway. No one wants to hear about how I can't control my class!
I never want to get out of bed in the morning. I went to bed around 1am and set my alarm for 8am. I kept setting my alarm for longer and didn't get out of the bed until 10am.
Tuesday is my least favorite day. I have to be at school at 12:30 and stay till 10pm.
I only had 3 classes today so I had a ton of free time. I had classes from 3:10-4:40 and then 6:10-6:55. The rest of the day was free time.
I am so lost! Its hard coming in at the end of a semester. Its time to write comments and I didn't know what to write. I've only had these students for 3 weeks. I don't really know if they have improved from last semester or what they need to work on yet. I just wrote "......is a good student in my class". One of the teachers thought that was too simple. She asked the other teacher to go in and erase my comments and write new ones. I did have something to say about my class with 3 little boys. I wrote that all 3 of them need to work on their behavior. Two of the boys with bad behavior did really bad on the spelling test, but the teacher listed that they made a B.
I need to start taking notes in class. Its hard to teach and keep notes on everyone's behavior and what they need to work on.
I'm having a hard time adjusting! I feel like such a bad teacher! This is my hardest teaching job so far. I feel like a big failure.
Part of me wants to go home, but I don't want to give up.
One reason I want to stay is because I want to see what could happen between me and my boyfriend. So far he seems to be a really nice guy. Next Tuesday will be our one month anniversary! He is very affectionate towards me. Our communication is unique since we don't really speak each other's language. We speak the language of love I guess. (and we use translating apps). I haven't found anything bad about him yet (except that he works too much, but that is part of Korean culture. They are known for working long hours. Its not like he chooses to work so much. Its required.) Could this be the person I marry? Would he move back to the USA with me? Right now he is the only thing that makes me happy. He is so sweet and encouraging. I vent to him on my bad days. He tells me to "cheer up". We don't get to see each other often, but we do chat everyday. (I don't have a phone yet so we chat). Once I have a phone we will can talk on the phone some during the day. Maybe some texting also.We have chatted every single day for the past 25 days. Even if its only "good morning" and "good night". Sometimes we make small talk during the day. Last night he told me that he was my guardian angel and asked me if there was anything that I needed. I didn't tell him I needed anything. (Even if someone is willing I am not a person who likes to ask for things) But honestly there isn't anything in particular that I need at the moment.
The other reason I need to stay is because I need the money. My goal is to pay a big chunk of my student loan. I've been paying them for 10 years already and I haven't made any progress! Sad. I still owe about $14,000. I was hoping to save most of my money and pay off at least $6000-$7000 off on my loan. Then save the rest for a "new" used car. (My current car is 17 years old, has close to 200,000 miles, and could probably see its last days anytime now.) My mom is already having some problems once I'm gone. She is driving it for me. She had to replace the right windshield wiper because it came loose. Then the other day she had problems cranking the car. Its been a great car for the past 10 years. A $4000 car that lasts for 10 years is a great buy!
Sometimes I wish something bad would happen and I could just die. Isn't that sad? I'd rather die than live a miserable life. I know my family would be sad, but my pain would end. I feel like I have just had the worst life. (I know other people have it much worse than me). I can't find anything that makes me truly happy. I want to enjoy my life. I spend most of my life in a constant state of worry.
I am still very bitter about losing the only job I ever loved 7 years ago. (company went bankrupt) I had a happy life, but it was taken away from me. Its been downhill since then.
I never want to get out of bed in the morning. I went to bed around 1am and set my alarm for 8am. I kept setting my alarm for longer and didn't get out of the bed until 10am.
Tuesday is my least favorite day. I have to be at school at 12:30 and stay till 10pm.
I only had 3 classes today so I had a ton of free time. I had classes from 3:10-4:40 and then 6:10-6:55. The rest of the day was free time.
I am so lost! Its hard coming in at the end of a semester. Its time to write comments and I didn't know what to write. I've only had these students for 3 weeks. I don't really know if they have improved from last semester or what they need to work on yet. I just wrote "......is a good student in my class". One of the teachers thought that was too simple. She asked the other teacher to go in and erase my comments and write new ones. I did have something to say about my class with 3 little boys. I wrote that all 3 of them need to work on their behavior. Two of the boys with bad behavior did really bad on the spelling test, but the teacher listed that they made a B.
I need to start taking notes in class. Its hard to teach and keep notes on everyone's behavior and what they need to work on.
I'm having a hard time adjusting! I feel like such a bad teacher! This is my hardest teaching job so far. I feel like a big failure.
Part of me wants to go home, but I don't want to give up.
One reason I want to stay is because I want to see what could happen between me and my boyfriend. So far he seems to be a really nice guy. Next Tuesday will be our one month anniversary! He is very affectionate towards me. Our communication is unique since we don't really speak each other's language. We speak the language of love I guess. (and we use translating apps). I haven't found anything bad about him yet (except that he works too much, but that is part of Korean culture. They are known for working long hours. Its not like he chooses to work so much. Its required.) Could this be the person I marry? Would he move back to the USA with me? Right now he is the only thing that makes me happy. He is so sweet and encouraging. I vent to him on my bad days. He tells me to "cheer up". We don't get to see each other often, but we do chat everyday. (I don't have a phone yet so we chat). Once I have a phone we will can talk on the phone some during the day. Maybe some texting also.We have chatted every single day for the past 25 days. Even if its only "good morning" and "good night". Sometimes we make small talk during the day. Last night he told me that he was my guardian angel and asked me if there was anything that I needed. I didn't tell him I needed anything. (Even if someone is willing I am not a person who likes to ask for things) But honestly there isn't anything in particular that I need at the moment.
The other reason I need to stay is because I need the money. My goal is to pay a big chunk of my student loan. I've been paying them for 10 years already and I haven't made any progress! Sad. I still owe about $14,000. I was hoping to save most of my money and pay off at least $6000-$7000 off on my loan. Then save the rest for a "new" used car. (My current car is 17 years old, has close to 200,000 miles, and could probably see its last days anytime now.) My mom is already having some problems once I'm gone. She is driving it for me. She had to replace the right windshield wiper because it came loose. Then the other day she had problems cranking the car. Its been a great car for the past 10 years. A $4000 car that lasts for 10 years is a great buy!
Sometimes I wish something bad would happen and I could just die. Isn't that sad? I'd rather die than live a miserable life. I know my family would be sad, but my pain would end. I feel like I have just had the worst life. (I know other people have it much worse than me). I can't find anything that makes me truly happy. I want to enjoy my life. I spend most of my life in a constant state of worry.
I am still very bitter about losing the only job I ever loved 7 years ago. (company went bankrupt) I had a happy life, but it was taken away from me. Its been downhill since then.
Tuesday, June 10, 2014
Bike Rental in South Korea
I've seen a lot of these around South Korea. I know there are at least 2 places within a 5 minute walk of my apartment where you can rent bikes. I think it costs around 1,000 won for an hour.
This video was filmed at Haengsin Station in Goyang, South Korea.
This video was filmed at Haengsin Station in Goyang, South Korea.
Monday, June 9, 2014
Music Video: Psy "Hangover" feat. Snoop Dogg
Psy is back. This video doesn't even compare to "Gangnam Style". I don't think it will be a giant hit. I've heard a lot of people say this seems like Psy is being featured in a Snoop Dogg video.
Jeongbalsan Station (Line 3 Seoul Metro) Goyang, South Korea
I like to capture day to day life in South Korea. I took this video on a Friday (June 6, 2014) around 6pm.
Jeongbalsan is on the orange line number 3 of the Seoul Metro. The station is in Ilsan (Goyang), South Korea.
Jeongbalsan is on the orange line number 3 of the Seoul Metro. The station is in Ilsan (Goyang), South Korea.
Sunday, June 8, 2014
Haengshin Station (gyeongui line of Seoul Metro) Goyang, South Korea
This was filmed on June 6th, 2014 (Friday) around 7:30pm. The station wasn't very busy at this time.
Haengsin Station is about 5 minutes from my apartment
Haengsin Station is about 5 minutes from my apartment
Saturday, June 7, 2014
Korean Food: Tuna Salad Toast
This is tuna salad toast. I got the toast at a small shop in the Hongik University subway station on line 2 of the Seoul Metro. I got this when I was transferring from line 2 to the Gyeongui line.
It only costs 2,000 won (about $2) and it is delicious!!
South Korea's concept of toast is a bit different from the toast we are accustomed to in America.
They also have other varieties such as pizza, potato salad, sweet potato, sweet crab, spicy chicken
It only costs 2,000 won (about $2) and it is delicious!!
South Korea's concept of toast is a bit different from the toast we are accustomed to in America.
They also have other varieties such as pizza, potato salad, sweet potato, sweet crab, spicy chicken
Korean Movie: "The Housemaid" 하녀
I went to see "The Housemaid" at the Global Tourism Center in Myeong dong. A lot of foreigners and a few Koreans came to watch the movie. It was being shown by the Seoul Film Society. The movie was in black and white with English subtitles.
This movie is tied for number one on the top 101 Korean movies.
The director's son was in attendance at the screening to introduce the movie.
Genre: Horror/Thriller
Year: 1960
Main Characters:
Kim Jin-kyu
Lee Eun-shim
Ju Jeung-ryu
Um Aing-ran
Ahn Sung-ki
Kang Seok-je
Ko Seon-ae
Na Jeong-ok
Plot:
A music teacher moves into a new house with is wife and 2 kids. His pregnant wife is tired from sewing all the time. The man decides to hire a housemaid to help out around the house. The housemaid acts very strange. The man ends up having an affair with the housemaid. She becomes pregnant. When the wife finds out she convinces the maid to fall down the stairs to kill the baby. The maid convinces the husband to drink rat poison with her and they both die. The ending is very clever. You'll have to watch it to find out!! Its a surprise twist.
-The movie is based off of actual events that happened in Guemcheon
-The beginning and end of the movie were intentionally out of order to create confusion
***I liked this movie. There was ominous music every time something bad was about to happen. I really liked the ending. It was so funny! I can see why this was the best movie.
This movie is tied for number one on the top 101 Korean movies.
The director's son was in attendance at the screening to introduce the movie.
Genre: Horror/Thriller
Year: 1960
Main Characters:
Kim Jin-kyu
Lee Eun-shim
Ju Jeung-ryu
Um Aing-ran
Ahn Sung-ki
Kang Seok-je
Ko Seon-ae
Na Jeong-ok
Plot:
A music teacher moves into a new house with is wife and 2 kids. His pregnant wife is tired from sewing all the time. The man decides to hire a housemaid to help out around the house. The housemaid acts very strange. The man ends up having an affair with the housemaid. She becomes pregnant. When the wife finds out she convinces the maid to fall down the stairs to kill the baby. The maid convinces the husband to drink rat poison with her and they both die. The ending is very clever. You'll have to watch it to find out!! Its a surprise twist.
-The movie is based off of actual events that happened in Guemcheon
-The beginning and end of the movie were intentionally out of order to create confusion
***I liked this movie. There was ominous music every time something bad was about to happen. I really liked the ending. It was so funny! I can see why this was the best movie.
Goyang! Cactus Exhibition Center (Goyang, South Korea)
This is the Cactus Exhibition Center in Goyang, South Korea. I never knew there were so many types of cactus!!
Hours: 9-6
Cost: 1,000 won
How to get there: The Cactus Exhibition Center is inside of Ilsan Lake Park. You can take line 3 of the Seoul Metro to Jeongbalsan Station. Take exit 2 and turn left. First you will cross over a pedestrian bridge. Then, keep heading to the right side of the lake, pass the rose garden, you'll cross some smaller pedestrian bridges. There will be signs leading the way.
pictures:
https://plus.google.com/photos/106518880659515557565/albums/6021783202747521073
Video:
Hours: 9-6
Cost: 1,000 won
How to get there: The Cactus Exhibition Center is inside of Ilsan Lake Park. You can take line 3 of the Seoul Metro to Jeongbalsan Station. Take exit 2 and turn left. First you will cross over a pedestrian bridge. Then, keep heading to the right side of the lake, pass the rose garden, you'll cross some smaller pedestrian bridges. There will be signs leading the way.
pictures:
https://plus.google.com/photos/106518880659515557565/albums/6021783202747521073
Video:
Ilsan Lake Park (Goyang, South Korea)
How to get there: Jeongbalsan Station (Line 3-orange of Seoul Metro). Take exit 2 and turn left
Ilsan Lake Park is a big park in Goyang, South Korea. The park opened in 1996. There are a lot of things to do. They have a large rose garden and a cactus exhibition center. There are lots of walking and bike paths also. The park is known for having the biggest artificial lake in Asia.
I filmed this video on Friday, June 6th, 2014 in the afternoon. It was a holiday so lots of people were out enjoying a nice, but hot day. The temperature read 29 Celsius (84 F).
Pictures:
https://plus.google.com/photos/106518880659515557565/albums/6021785672160370961
Video:
Ilsan Lake Park is a big park in Goyang, South Korea. The park opened in 1996. There are a lot of things to do. They have a large rose garden and a cactus exhibition center. There are lots of walking and bike paths also. The park is known for having the biggest artificial lake in Asia.
I filmed this video on Friday, June 6th, 2014 in the afternoon. It was a holiday so lots of people were out enjoying a nice, but hot day. The temperature read 29 Celsius (84 F).
Pictures:
https://plus.google.com/photos/106518880659515557565/albums/6021785672160370961
Video:
Thursday, June 5, 2014
not a good day...
I didn't have a good day today. I'm having a hard time with one of my classes and not being able to see my boyfriend.
I had to go to the hospital today to pick up my health results. Next week I will go to immigration to apply for my alien card. Soon I will be a legal alien in Korea.
My first class is perfect. I teach them phonics. They read and do their work. Then we play a game.
My 2nd class is my worst class. There are 3 7 year old boys. They will not sit in their seats. I bribed them once to get them to sit down, but they were right back up a few minutes later. I just do not know what to do with this class. They are so wild. I was so frustrated. This class will always be a problem. Maybe I should bribe them with candy. hmm.
My last class is a private lesson. My student is an adult woman. She wanted me to bring stories about baseball. The ones that I picked out were too hard! Her English level is low. I couldn't find any easy baseball stories. She wants to read about baseball again next Thursday so I'll have to try hard to find something easier.
After class I went out to get supper. For the past 2 days I've been going to a place called "Tomato". Its a small lunchbox meal. Its a good portion and its only 3,000 won (about $3.00). I get the pork cutlet, rice, salad, kimchi and a piece of jumbo shrimp. I like it. Its good that I can read Korean because there is no English on their menu.
Then I came back to my room and I had to fill the time. I was so bored. I had over 2 hours with nothing to do. Some of the time I played on my ipad, but then the battery was about to die. I didn't have a way to charge it so I turned it off. Then I started reading "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory". I'm using that book for one of my classes. I read about 15 chapters and made comprehension questions. I don't have to start on that book again until July, but I have a head start.
It was pointless for us to just be there with nothing to do. My classes were over at 7pm, but I have to stay at school till 10pm. I just shut the door in my classroom and sat in there. No one checked up on me. I could have been sleeping! haha. Next week I'll bring my charger to work so I'll have enough power to last. I have to be at school for 8 hours, but my classes on Tuesday and Thursday for the month of June only add up to 3 hours. I have a lot of free time.
Tomorrow is a holiday. It will be good to have a 3 day weekend. I think I will go to a park near my house and a rose garden on Friday. I don't know what I will do on Saturday. I may go see a Korean movie in Seoul. I've been trying to watch a lot of movies on the top 100 list. The number 1 movie is playing at the tourism center on Saturday. Sunday I may just rest.
I won't get to see my boyfriend again this weekend. He has to work every day. He even has to work on the holiday! It's really hard when I don't get to see him. This week will make 2 weeks since I've seen him. We don't have any plans to meet this weekend so I don't know when I will see him again. I hate that he has to work so much. We chat everyday, but I want to spend time with him. I really like him and he seems to really like me too. We've been an official couple for 21 days, but I've only seen him twice. In total we've spent about 9 hours together. It makes me sad.
I just don't know how Koreans have a good quality of life if they spend all their time working. Koreans are known for working long hours (but having the worst productivity!). My boyfriend is always telling me how tired he is after work.
Can you believe I've been here 3 weeks already? I hope the time keeps passing fast. I wish my job time would go fast, but I want more time with my boyfriend.
I had to go to the hospital today to pick up my health results. Next week I will go to immigration to apply for my alien card. Soon I will be a legal alien in Korea.
My first class is perfect. I teach them phonics. They read and do their work. Then we play a game.
My 2nd class is my worst class. There are 3 7 year old boys. They will not sit in their seats. I bribed them once to get them to sit down, but they were right back up a few minutes later. I just do not know what to do with this class. They are so wild. I was so frustrated. This class will always be a problem. Maybe I should bribe them with candy. hmm.
My last class is a private lesson. My student is an adult woman. She wanted me to bring stories about baseball. The ones that I picked out were too hard! Her English level is low. I couldn't find any easy baseball stories. She wants to read about baseball again next Thursday so I'll have to try hard to find something easier.
After class I went out to get supper. For the past 2 days I've been going to a place called "Tomato". Its a small lunchbox meal. Its a good portion and its only 3,000 won (about $3.00). I get the pork cutlet, rice, salad, kimchi and a piece of jumbo shrimp. I like it. Its good that I can read Korean because there is no English on their menu.
Then I came back to my room and I had to fill the time. I was so bored. I had over 2 hours with nothing to do. Some of the time I played on my ipad, but then the battery was about to die. I didn't have a way to charge it so I turned it off. Then I started reading "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory". I'm using that book for one of my classes. I read about 15 chapters and made comprehension questions. I don't have to start on that book again until July, but I have a head start.
It was pointless for us to just be there with nothing to do. My classes were over at 7pm, but I have to stay at school till 10pm. I just shut the door in my classroom and sat in there. No one checked up on me. I could have been sleeping! haha. Next week I'll bring my charger to work so I'll have enough power to last. I have to be at school for 8 hours, but my classes on Tuesday and Thursday for the month of June only add up to 3 hours. I have a lot of free time.
Tomorrow is a holiday. It will be good to have a 3 day weekend. I think I will go to a park near my house and a rose garden on Friday. I don't know what I will do on Saturday. I may go see a Korean movie in Seoul. I've been trying to watch a lot of movies on the top 100 list. The number 1 movie is playing at the tourism center on Saturday. Sunday I may just rest.
I won't get to see my boyfriend again this weekend. He has to work every day. He even has to work on the holiday! It's really hard when I don't get to see him. This week will make 2 weeks since I've seen him. We don't have any plans to meet this weekend so I don't know when I will see him again. I hate that he has to work so much. We chat everyday, but I want to spend time with him. I really like him and he seems to really like me too. We've been an official couple for 21 days, but I've only seen him twice. In total we've spent about 9 hours together. It makes me sad.
I just don't know how Koreans have a good quality of life if they spend all their time working. Koreans are known for working long hours (but having the worst productivity!). My boyfriend is always telling me how tired he is after work.
Can you believe I've been here 3 weeks already? I hope the time keeps passing fast. I wish my job time would go fast, but I want more time with my boyfriend.
Gangnam Style breaks another record...
"Gangnam Style" has received over 2 billion views on YouTube. No other video has reached 2 billion views!
Go Psy!
Go Psy!
Wednesday, June 4, 2014
*Music Video: Jung Joon Young & Younha "Just the Way You Are"
This is such a cute song and video. Its such a positive, uplifting song. I really like it.
so much free time...
Today I only had 3 classes so I had a ton of free time. It does get boring trying to find something to fill the time. I've already planned a lot of my lessons for the week. I sat at my desk for over 2 hours and did various things on the internet like watch youtube videos and play song pop. Maybe I can finally read all those books I downloaded to my kindle.
Our schedule was changed for one month so now I have a few less classes. They changed the schedule since the middle school students are preparing for final exams. I have one class where I help them prepare. They actually do their work and participate in that class! Some of the middle school students won't do their work in my regular reading class.
On Tues/Thurs I will only have 3 classes and on M/W/F I will have 4 I think. It will be nice to have a shorter schedule for 1 month. But it does open up a lot of free time.
In my first class we made tortilla pizza. The students brought the ingredients. We had tortilla, cheese, ketchup, onion, green bell pepper and hamThey had fun making it. I actually shared mine with some students in another class so I didn't get to eat any of it. I wanted to taste it!
In my 2nd class we took a reading test. It was a simple test and everyone got all of the answers right. Then I gave them some fun activities to do and we played a game.
I found out today when my vacation will be. I will have vacation August 4-8. I was looking at prices to the USA and its way too expensive! I'm thinking I'll go to Jeju if I can find a flight and hotel. Most of the hotels I looked at said they only had 1 room left. The flight isn't very expensive. It would be about $350 round trip. If the hotels sell out though then I won't go. I'm not going to get somewhere and not have a place to stay. If that doesn't work out then maybe I'll take a 2-3 day trip to the beach or to Busan. Maybe the tour group I'm a member of will have something going on that week. I definitely want to go somewhere.
Our schedule was changed for one month so now I have a few less classes. They changed the schedule since the middle school students are preparing for final exams. I have one class where I help them prepare. They actually do their work and participate in that class! Some of the middle school students won't do their work in my regular reading class.
On Tues/Thurs I will only have 3 classes and on M/W/F I will have 4 I think. It will be nice to have a shorter schedule for 1 month. But it does open up a lot of free time.
In my first class we made tortilla pizza. The students brought the ingredients. We had tortilla, cheese, ketchup, onion, green bell pepper and hamThey had fun making it. I actually shared mine with some students in another class so I didn't get to eat any of it. I wanted to taste it!
In my 2nd class we took a reading test. It was a simple test and everyone got all of the answers right. Then I gave them some fun activities to do and we played a game.
I found out today when my vacation will be. I will have vacation August 4-8. I was looking at prices to the USA and its way too expensive! I'm thinking I'll go to Jeju if I can find a flight and hotel. Most of the hotels I looked at said they only had 1 room left. The flight isn't very expensive. It would be about $350 round trip. If the hotels sell out though then I won't go. I'm not going to get somewhere and not have a place to stay. If that doesn't work out then maybe I'll take a 2-3 day trip to the beach or to Busan. Maybe the tour group I'm a member of will have something going on that week. I definitely want to go somewhere.
Monday, June 2, 2014
Music Video: Sweet Sorrow "Pounding Heart"
Sweet Sorrow was named after Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet". The members are In Ho Jin, Song Woo Jin, Kim Young Woo and Sung Jin Hwan.
I like this video! It's very cute and sweet. Its very creative how they draw the pictures on the music staff. The song is really good too.
This is how I feel about my boyfriend :)
I like this video! It's very cute and sweet. Its very creative how they draw the pictures on the music staff. The song is really good too.
This is how I feel about my boyfriend :)
Sunday, June 1, 2014
Just a lazy day....
I can't ever sleep in without interruption. There is too much going on here. I went to bed this morning around 2am and I was going to see if I could sleep till 11:00 am. Nope. I had my own personal alarm clock at 9:30am. It sounded like someone using some kind of power tool in my building. There have been a lot of power tool sounds around here lately. I can't narrow down where exactly it is, but it sounds really close in my building.
I did lay back down and slept some more. I finally got out of bed around noon. I decided to be lazy today.
I tried to clean some in my apartment. Whoever lived here before didn't like to clean! There is a ring in the toilet. There are set in stains on the cabinets. I need a maid. A good maid!! Maids might be disgusted by my apartment. Maybe I'll ask my teachers at school if they know anyone who has a good maid. This place needs a deep cleaning. After I got finished I discovered that the last person didn't clean underneath things. It was dirty under the couch and under the little dresser. She said it was dirty under the bed, but I'm not strong enough to move it by myself.
Today a guy I met in McDonalds showed me around. He showed me where to find some markets, super markets, immigration office, movie theater, and even a bowling alley. I found out there is a laundromat near my house. I will be making use of that!! I miss my dryer. I just hang my things to dry in my apartment on a drying rack. Today my towel felt so hard like sandpaper! He also gave me a top sheet when I told him about the oldness of my blanket. The teacher that he replaced left some extra stuff. Its like a thicker version of a flat sheet. I'm going to use it as a blanket. The blanket that was left here for me is in bad shape-its old and has stains.
I found out that the big supermarkets (E-mart and Home Plus) are closed on the 1st and the 15th of the month. Today was the first. I was planning on going to E-mart, but I'm glad I found that out before I went. Maybe I'll go one morning.
I skyped with my boyfriend for like 1 minute. It was good to see him since we didn't see each other in person this weekend. I miss him. I wish we could spend more time together, but we are both busy. This Friday is a holiday. Maybe I will suggest that we spend the day together!
I did lay back down and slept some more. I finally got out of bed around noon. I decided to be lazy today.
I tried to clean some in my apartment. Whoever lived here before didn't like to clean! There is a ring in the toilet. There are set in stains on the cabinets. I need a maid. A good maid!! Maids might be disgusted by my apartment. Maybe I'll ask my teachers at school if they know anyone who has a good maid. This place needs a deep cleaning. After I got finished I discovered that the last person didn't clean underneath things. It was dirty under the couch and under the little dresser. She said it was dirty under the bed, but I'm not strong enough to move it by myself.
Today a guy I met in McDonalds showed me around. He showed me where to find some markets, super markets, immigration office, movie theater, and even a bowling alley. I found out there is a laundromat near my house. I will be making use of that!! I miss my dryer. I just hang my things to dry in my apartment on a drying rack. Today my towel felt so hard like sandpaper! He also gave me a top sheet when I told him about the oldness of my blanket. The teacher that he replaced left some extra stuff. Its like a thicker version of a flat sheet. I'm going to use it as a blanket. The blanket that was left here for me is in bad shape-its old and has stains.
I found out that the big supermarkets (E-mart and Home Plus) are closed on the 1st and the 15th of the month. Today was the first. I was planning on going to E-mart, but I'm glad I found that out before I went. Maybe I'll go one morning.
I skyped with my boyfriend for like 1 minute. It was good to see him since we didn't see each other in person this weekend. I miss him. I wish we could spend more time together, but we are both busy. This Friday is a holiday. Maybe I will suggest that we spend the day together!
Trip to Gangneung (Danoje Festival)
Pictures: https://plus.google.com/photos/106518880659515557565/albums/6019613175558144673
On Saturday,I took my first express bus trip. I've never left Gyeonggi-do by myself. I left on the 9am bus to Gangneung (Gangwon-do) from Goyang. The ticket costed 16,700 won one way.
The ride there was good. The seats in the general bus were pretty comfortable. It was a 3 hour drive. I slept for a short time on the bus.
When I got to Gangneung bus terminal I went ahead and made sure I could get a ticket for the ride home. I got a ticket for the 19:40 bus for 16,700 won. I stood outside the station for a little while before I finally got a taxi. I took a taxi down to the Danoje Festival site.
It was so hot out today! It was in the high 80's. It's only spring. I don't even want to see what summer will be like.
This was a huge festival! There were so many vendors selling food, clothes, goods, etc. They even had carnival games and rides for the kids. I should have tried some of the food, but I ate at the bus terminal. I took a walk around and made a lot of videos. I have so much footage that I have to do some major editing!
I really wanted to see ssireum and the swing, but I guess they weren't doing those activities yesterday. I asked one person about them, but they didn't know.
I saw the mask drama at 3pm. It lasted for about 30 minutes.
I was so thirsty yesterday! I kept buying things to drink. I had 2 slushies, a bottle of water, a powerade, and a bottle of coke.
I wanted to go to the beach while I was there, but I decided not to. I was afraid that I wouldn't be able to tell the taxi where I wanted to go. I should have prepared the beach name on a piece of paper. oh well. I'll go to the beach later.
I stayed at the festival site till around 5pm then I decided just to go back to the bus terminal and wait for my bus. I got a taxi to the bus terminal. My taxi driver was talking to me a little in English. He wanted to know where I was from and a few other things about myself. We were close to having a wreck. A car pulled out in front of the taxi driver and he had to slam on his brakes. Then he blew the horn at them.
When I went to the station I had to use the bathroom. I found out that there were only squat potties at the terminal! I haven't mastered the art of using a squat potty (I've only used it once before). I was afraid that I would pee all over my pants. I took off my shoes and pants to go to the bathroom. haha. If you gotta go you gotta go. Its a good thing there wasn't a long line to the restroom. They would have been angry that I was taking too long!
I ate some bibimbap at a restaurant inside the terminal. Then I boarded my bus at 19:40 and headed home.
My first bus trip was a success. I didn't get lost! I didn't have any trouble getting tickets.
On Saturday,I took my first express bus trip. I've never left Gyeonggi-do by myself. I left on the 9am bus to Gangneung (Gangwon-do) from Goyang. The ticket costed 16,700 won one way.
The ride there was good. The seats in the general bus were pretty comfortable. It was a 3 hour drive. I slept for a short time on the bus.
When I got to Gangneung bus terminal I went ahead and made sure I could get a ticket for the ride home. I got a ticket for the 19:40 bus for 16,700 won. I stood outside the station for a little while before I finally got a taxi. I took a taxi down to the Danoje Festival site.
It was so hot out today! It was in the high 80's. It's only spring. I don't even want to see what summer will be like.
This was a huge festival! There were so many vendors selling food, clothes, goods, etc. They even had carnival games and rides for the kids. I should have tried some of the food, but I ate at the bus terminal. I took a walk around and made a lot of videos. I have so much footage that I have to do some major editing!
I really wanted to see ssireum and the swing, but I guess they weren't doing those activities yesterday. I asked one person about them, but they didn't know.
I saw the mask drama at 3pm. It lasted for about 30 minutes.
I was so thirsty yesterday! I kept buying things to drink. I had 2 slushies, a bottle of water, a powerade, and a bottle of coke.
I wanted to go to the beach while I was there, but I decided not to. I was afraid that I wouldn't be able to tell the taxi where I wanted to go. I should have prepared the beach name on a piece of paper. oh well. I'll go to the beach later.
I stayed at the festival site till around 5pm then I decided just to go back to the bus terminal and wait for my bus. I got a taxi to the bus terminal. My taxi driver was talking to me a little in English. He wanted to know where I was from and a few other things about myself. We were close to having a wreck. A car pulled out in front of the taxi driver and he had to slam on his brakes. Then he blew the horn at them.
When I went to the station I had to use the bathroom. I found out that there were only squat potties at the terminal! I haven't mastered the art of using a squat potty (I've only used it once before). I was afraid that I would pee all over my pants. I took off my shoes and pants to go to the bathroom. haha. If you gotta go you gotta go. Its a good thing there wasn't a long line to the restroom. They would have been angry that I was taking too long!
I ate some bibimbap at a restaurant inside the terminal. Then I boarded my bus at 19:40 and headed home.
My first bus trip was a success. I didn't get lost! I didn't have any trouble getting tickets.
Korean Food: Bibimbap (비빔밥)
Bibimbap literally means "mixed rice". Bibimbap is rice mixed with vegetables. Sometimes there is an egg and meat added.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)