Anna Teacher:

Kristin and Jodi arrived yesterday! I was so so excited! Seriously, I felt bad for them because they came to the school right from the airport all tired and had to meet all the teachers, but I was just so happy to see them. I went straight to Kristin's apartment after school to say hello and show her around the area a little. We went out for dinner with Jodi and a couple of other teachers, and then Jodi, Kristin and I made our way to Home Plus. After Home Plus I got us home by myself in a taxi! Very exciting stuff :)

Today I taught my first full day by myself. It was weird, but at the same time...it felt kind of natural! There were times that I thought...shoot, what do I do now? But for the most part, I thought it went really smoothly! There are a few classes which are more challenging than others, but for the most part I think I'll transition from observer to teacher pretty well. The kids are adorable, they are trouble sometimes...but adorable a lot of the time :)

I have two kindergarten classes which I teach everyday until 2:10, then in the afternoons I alternate between 3 classes. Mon., Wed., Fri. I have one afternoon class (grade one), and Tues. & Thurs. I have two afternoon classes.

Some "Korean" Moments:

- Ice Cream is super cheap!

- It can go from an absolutely BEAUTIFUL day to a torrential downpour in a matter of minutes.

- Min Soo is the cutest kid in the world, I'm convinced.

- Walking downtown at night is exactly how I pictured Korea. Bright lights everywhere...

- I do NOT like not being able to order for mysefl at restaurants.

- It's strange walking down the street and not being able to understand anything around you.

- The kindergarteners have given me a cold already. I really need a better immune system.

- I really do miss forks. They are a rare luxury.

- I miss hockey -- that has nothing to do with Korea, it's just a fact.

- I love when kids say very and it comes out as berry. Ex, "Anna Teacher, I am berry berry berry good today".

- You're not supposed to flush toilet paper. Gross.

- I'm a horrible speller, and I'm an English teacher -- figure that one out.

- Food always tastes better when it's free. Ex. School lunches.

- There's a kid in one of my classes who reminds me SO much of a Korean version of someone back home. And it's driving me crazy because I can not figure out who it is...

- Koreans traditionally sleep on mats on the floor. So bedding is NOT the same, and very expensive.

- I miss our communal house hairdryer. IE Katlyn's...The one I bought here just isn't the same.

- I'm going to get very good at stretching material this next year.