Pak

Sitting on a subway, reading A Tale of Two Cities, by Charles Dickens. This is how I am spending a vast majority of my sunny, crisp Sunday off; traveling way south (about two hours!) for an ayurvedic appointment and to meet up with mon aimée to grab a legit Canadian burger. Stoked on life at zee moment, though slightly disheartened to be stuck on a train. I'm missing out on feeling the sunrays dance over my body.

Today, an older gentlemen sat beside me. He was dressed like the typical weekend warrior Korean hiker. Totally exuding the part. A real nature man. I could sense he came with a purpose. Sure enough he had an English language question. To be fair, I definitely look the part to assist him, eapecially being the only "whitey" for the entire train!

Pak and I got a talking. It was a lovely conversation. So nice to have a human connection again. A connection outside of work. A connection to snap one back into the real world, whatever that means. It's quite disheartening to look upon the vast masses as see everyone on their phone and other electronic devices, purposefully ignoring others. I can slightly remeber a time when you would make idle chit chat with those on a bus. Those days are long gone, and mostly dead.

Except for today.

Pak has been to BC and many parts of te states for school and for visiting purposes. I find it very admirable and rad he has had so many life adventures. Definitely feeds my itch to travel and explore and to say "what the fuck," because really, what do I have to loose?!

This is life. We only have NOW. Why not seize the moments, capitalize on all the excitemt and exhilaration that there is to be had. Money will come and go. People will come and go. And sometimes experiences come and go; I am not wanting to pass these up.

Also Pak likes Canadian more - we're friendlier. Win for Home! 

First Day

Rockin the sock bun!

Outside the school

Day one was a bit of a crap shoot. I was not given any orientation. I barely knew how to get to my classroom. Then they left me to teach. All day (and night). On my own! Fack! I had no idea where the books were or anything. It was insanity!

I have never felt more overwhelmed and unprepared and FUCKED to be honest. I am also learning sketchy things about the school; teachers not being given their pension, being overworked and having to pay a damage deposit on ther apartment which is never returned. 

I am told by others who have done something similar that this is normal and it to shall pass. It's just so hard now waiting for it to get better.

I am feeling more today though (day two), that I am ok in Korea but that the school was not a good choice.

My schedule is kindie 940-240 with an hour lunch, then a break from 240-420, then after school (grade 3 or 5 depending on the day) from 430-720. I work a split shift everyday. Though the break is needed to work that much it sucks waking up for work and then coming home to basically go to bed. It is also interesting to find out now, that a part time teacher only works 940-240 and ONLY makes 500 less than I do now. I totally would have opted for this had someone actually told me. I could have actually been enjoying the city more that just on weekends and holidays.

I understand the school is understaffed, but this school is fucked I think.