Do or Do Not. There is No Try.

What I've Accomplished Before Korea:
1) I have already lived abroad for longer than a year and primarily lived away from home for the last 7 years.
2) I finished my Masters degree abroad.

3) I had my first real "big kid" job, working in tourism and writing visitor guides.
4) I got my crazy, drunken, 6 months of study abroad shenanery out of the way. I met my best friend in the whole world, Felicia Kathryn and successfully took the worst partying picture of us ever...

 

5) Put together a file of resumes/information for study abroad jobs.
6) I've learned how to say goodbye to good friends and still keep in touch with people from all over the world.
7) I've learned how to pack less and relax more when I'm traveling.
8) I've learned to appreciate exploring new countries on my own.
9) I have perfected speaking to anyone and everyone I meet while I'm traveling! It has led to some awesome nights out as well as some of the best conversations I've ever had with strangers.
10) I have loved the people I have known, greatly, and left a piece of myself in every place I have ever been. In return, I take a piece of them everywhere I go.

What I hope to accomplish while in Korea:
1) A better sense of budgeting and awareness about my money
2) The ability to save some of my paycheck and get cracking on my student loans
3) Learn enough Korean to comfortably hold a conversation
4) Visit Daegu, Busan, Jeju and Ulsan
5) I hope to gain patience and more understanding for dealing with difficult cultural situations.
6) To figure out exactly what age group, level and country I would most like to teach in.
7) To develop my 5 year plan and create a bit more structure in my life
8) To continue with my travel blogging and start to make a name for myself in the travel writing community
9) To enter at least one writing contest or submit one article a month.
10) Perhaps the most difficult...but a better sense of body image and self love. This can be difficult in Korea, seeing the stick thin models and plastic surgery clinics everywhere. Korea is starting to really make me comfortable in my own skin and I look forward to embracing how unique I am in this country. My ultimate goal will be to stop comparing myself to Korean or Western standards of beauty.

The One Month Detox...

And then I saw a cockroach....

weekend warrior getting rid of the cockroaches...ninja style!

**Update**

Maggie Moo Does the Philippines

 I hadn't been in that type of weather since I'd visited Portugal and sun burned like crazy. I came prepared this time with 50 SPF sun cream. I used to believe that mixed kids couldn't burn, but clearly that is a fallacy (thanks Irish mama). The rugby tournament itself was quite good, although sitting out with an injury and watching my team play wasn't ideal. It's always difficult to not play, but the sun and copious beer on the sidelines definitely helped!

The night was pretty eventful. 

1.drank my weight in San Miguel

2.saw the biggest cockroach I've ever seen

3. went to a strip club and taught the strippers Gangnam style

4. ate delicious late night fried chicken

5. narrowly lost a "bottle boat race" to the Beijing men's team

6. took a tour of the roof top

7. puked in a sink (very lady like of course)

8. discovered that I cannot run in a skirt without falling

9. managed to remember about half of the tour rules before San Miguel won!

On the last day we caught a bought tour out to the Islands where we went snorkeling, had lunch and drank plenty more booze that we didn't need.

Awesome Junk Boat Tour

Beautiful view from the Island...and a lovely Irish tan

Our excellent and very well balanced crew!

                                                 

Gotta love getting rid of tan lines!

Some very cool sea life!

Total Paradise!

3 months in Korea...I love you...I hate you

Today marks 3 months in Korea for me! I have had many ups and downs and developed a love for creating lists, so here goes nothing.

Things I love:
1. My rugby team I have had an amazing time playing with the Seoul Sisters,who have been a really great support network for my first few months here. It has been an amazing experience to play rugby around Korea and travel with these ladies. I really enjoy finding out new aspects of Korean rugby culture and that shitty referees are universal.

2.My fellow Epik teachers I have made some fantastic friends here, got into plenty of shenans and found a group of wonderfully strange people who I am very grateful to know.

3. My Students (most of them) I have a group of kids who are incredibly unique and brilliant. They visit me between classes and ask all sorts of questions I wouldn't have even grasped at their age. These kids make up for the few who desperately need a reality check and some corporal punishment.

4. Nature Seoul is the only place I've ever been where I have the opportunity to see a Sky high Samsung building made backdrop to a traditional temple. The mountains and parks are stunning and I never have to go to far to feel like I've made it out of the city!

5. Exploring the city. I find out something I didn't know about Seoul everyday and I love stumbling on new little places for me to frequent. I could get lost in this city with everything it has to offer!


Things I dislike:
1. Subway manners- In Korea it is natural and totally normal for people to push and shove other people when they are getting on or off the subway. It is also normal for me to be standing in line to board and have a middle aged man completely cut in front of me and elbow me out of the way. No one says excuse me, here. It's just part of the culture I cannot get used to.

2. Having an ungraded class. Being a Native English teacher, most of my students assume that my class is just for "fun" and they can show up late, talk as much as they'd like and are then surprised when they do not do well on my speaking tests. The system here is a bit wonky in general and in terms of discipline...there isn't much I can do. Korea doesn't believe in suspensions the way the U.S does.

3. Rice (for the moment)
At the moment I honestly believe that if I never saw another piece of rice again for the rest of my life I would be so happy! I love Korean food, a lot of it is fantastic, spicy and delicious, but rice is starting to bum me out a bit.

4. Korea's Vanity Culture Korea is a beautiful country, full of beautiful people, steeped in tradition. They are so proud to share their history and passion with foreigners, but they don't grant themselves the same kindness. I personally believe Koreans are beautiful, but the plastic surgery craze is very apparent as well as the self obsession. I can't go anywhere without watching Koreans apply full coats of makeup and constantly primp themselves, in addition to frequenting plastic surgery clinics to achieve a more "western" look. My students are constantly dieting and worrying that they are too fat, even though many of them look like they could use a good hearty meal. I no longer have shame about rolling my eyes when the women next to me is bumping me because she needs to apply a 10th coat of lipstick!

5.My lazy co-teacher I have accepted that I am out of my depth when dealing with this women and have very kindly started locking my classroom after about 10 minutes, to encourage early arrival :) It has become a humorous encounter that I look forward to, only for the simple fact that I believe she will provide me with excellent material for a book some day.

6. Cockroaches!! Now, I know most of Asia has cockroaches, but after discovering about 4 of them in my apartment, I cannot help but panic every time I enter my apartment and and see a speck on the floor. As a result I have loaded up on anti-cock roach traps, spray and anything else I can get my hands on.

Maggie's Back: Mama's Got A Brand New Mac...well...sort of

If you are in the same situation ever...I highly recommend the Frisbee (Mac Store) in MyeongDong
Subway Line 4 (light blue) Exit 6
http://www.frisbeekorea.com/html/event.htm

7 Things That Keep Me Young and Happy

Okay...maybe not this young

One of my friends posted on facebook today "don't grow up, it's a trap" I found it funny, but also very poignant. As we get older we forget about all of the things that made us so happy and unique when we were younger. Fortunately, 25 has been a good year for me and I am grateful for the things that keep me youthful.

1. My students (even when they are crazy) are so full of energy and vibrancy that it is hard to not smile when I am around them. I am thankful to work with such gifted, electric kids.

2. My desire to travel and see the world. The more places I go, the more I realize how infinitely tiny I am in this universe. I realize that I don't really know anything about anything, and I find that feeling so comforting sometimes. Well there is nothing wrong with being self assured, I definitely love the magic of not knowing where I will be in a years time.

3. (no joke) Korean beauty products! With so much green tea, essence of snail and cucumber floating around in beauty world, it is difficult to not feel youthful and refreshed. This is another reason I can't understand the plastic surgery craze in Korea. They have access to some of the best products I've ever encountered and they mean serious business.

4. My inability to be decisive. While this has gotten me in trouble on occasion and greatly annoyed many of my friends, it has also been my greatest asset. It allows me maximum flexiblity and the chance to just go with the wind a bit. Where are we going on vacation? I don't know. I don't care, I just want to go. What are we having for dinner? I'm not too fussed, I just want to try something new. I enjoy living my life this way and so far it has opened me up to a wealth of experiences I never thought I would have.

5. My desire to meet new people from all over the world. I firmly believe the best way to meet people is to drunkenly sing and dance to Oasis with strangers! Okay, maybe not quite (although that has started many an interesting relationship for me). I don't really discriminate, I speak to everyone, get to know them, ask questions and take a genuine interest in what they have to say. Meeting people is my addiction.

6. Trying things that terrify me. When I was younger my brother was in a show about a girl who did something every year (on her birthday) that scared her. I have pretty much adopted it as my motto. Nothing humbles me faster than realizing I am scared shitless, whether it be bungee jumping, riding a camel, swimming in the ocean or telling someone I care about them (the hardest by far).

7. Laughing a lot! Laughing is probably my favorite past time and I am really looking forward to having laugh lines when I am old. I find I am happiest when I am not taking myself seriously. I hope I still feel that way in 25 years!

The Downside of Not Knowing The Language

Alright...so I knew not knowing Korean would be an issue, but I wasn't aware of just how frustrating it might be. Enter two scenarios:

1) My Macbook broke a few weeks ago and I desperately searched for a place to repair it. My criteria was mac certified and enough English to help me through the process. Every place I found had fluent front desk English speakers, but none in repairs. I spent a week being transferred back and forth before I finally made the trip to frisbee in Myeongdong. The process wasn't too bad. I turned in my computer, pointed out what was wrong, gave my contact information and was told 2-3 days and it would be repaired. It has now been 2 1/2 weeks and I have not received my computer. I called to enquire and was transferred back to an English speaker who said I would have to talk to repairs, who then told me they didn't speak English and transferred me back to the first English speaker. Finally she checked and said they had sent for the part and it would probably be fixed at some point next week....I am now going on 3 weeks without a computer, making it very difficult to lesson plan.

2) I paid my extravagantly large maintenance building fee at the beginning of last month. This month I receive a bill for twice the amount. After checking with my co-teacher I find out I am being charged for two months of back pay...ummm...sorry what? Turns out one company used to have the right to the money and no longer does, yet somehow they still have access to my building to place bills in my mailbox.So I paid the wrong bill (because I should  have just known my building was involved in a dispute with another company) and am now being told I need to pay the "correct" company. Now, I am all for paying my debts and everyone getting their fair share, but there is no way in hell that I am repaying my maintenance bill because these two companies can't get their shit together. This is by fair my least favorite... "oh Asia" moment. I am truly hoping to have this solved before I head to the Philippines this weekend...if not, someone shall feel my wrath!

Shit My Co-Teacher Says...Part 1

Now, most of my co-teacher's are great...but one of them...I just...I just can't. I mean, what?

"You look very sexy today, you dance for the class?"

"Yes, Heroin and Marijuana are the same thing. One is longer name because there is more."

"You are an addict. Your coffee costs 3500 won and my cigarettes 2500 won, yours cost more so it is worse."

"Maybe you go sleep today, if useless"

"Your face is very young. One day you be old like me and then people not so nice to you"

"You could teach this better..maybe. Or maybe not? Maybe I teach it."

"How are they supposed to know this?"
Me: I just taught them
"Oh, okay I'll translate" (to class in English) "she just taught you this. Okay."

"Oh, I would have come to class,but I was busy."
Me: Really? I saw you smoking?
"That was not me."
Me: You waved at me!

"You keep eating chicken and you will be a fatty. Maybe you bring salad to lunch next time. Or persimmons, very good for you"

(Flowers arrive for me)
"Oh, who is this from? Boyfriend? Is he Korean?"
Me: Oh, no not my boyfriend just a friend, but he is Korean, yes.
"You be careful, Korean boys are after American ding ding!"

"Your eyes are very red. You spread contagion to us all. Maybe sit with that boy, he is very sick all of the time. He is also slow and sometimes stupid."

(at lunch) "Don't be afraid to go up and get seconds, you look like you like seconds. And grab me another soup"

(at the student talent show) "Do you like their music? These are the special kids. They are all crazy in the head. Except that one. He is very round and strange."

"These kids, do they give you trouble? Their mothers are prostitutes. They come from slum."
Me: I live in the same building as them.
"Oh, I'm sorry about the slum"

Smooth as a baby in a...jimjilbang

Last weekend after a a super cold and rainy day of rugby, my team and I decided to go to a Jimjilbang (public bath house) in Korea. Now, these are still a bit of a strange concept for me. Basically it is a place (separated by sex) where people go to shower, climb in hot tubs, pools, clean themselves and just generally spa it up. When we got in we were given tiny orange towels, not even big enough to cover one of my butt cheeks. We then got naked, put our clothing in the lockers and paraded past all the old Korean women to make our way to the public showers. First you clean off and then jump into a spa tub.

The tub we chose was full of a yellowish light brown water, but I would like to think it was a tea treatment (at least that's what I'm telling myself). We all climbed in and awkwardly splashed around a bit before moving to a much hotter tub. I normally have no issues with nudity and I am pretty open and up for being in my birthday suit on a regular basis...but this was odd. Being foreign and having tattoos made me a double target as old Korean women walked by gawking, I slowly sank under the water. Playing rugby has made me no stranger to ridiculous naked team mates of all shapes and sizes, so I imagine we were pretty much all in the same boat.

I decided I needed to get the full experience and popped out of the pool, stark naked to make my stride of pride over to the "skin scrubbing" station. At this station, old Korean women with very small bras and underwear, lay you down on a table and proceed to scrub every inch of your body. An old women slapped the table and poured a very hot bucket of water all over me. She then took two rough mits, put them on her hands and proceeded to rub my skin raw, within an inch of my life. She twisted and turned me for what was the most hysterical language mis-communication I have ever had. I couldn't understand her directions so I slid around the table, naked, falling in each direction until she moved me to my proper placement. She scrubbed my breasts, arms, thighs, legs and arm pits, reserving her judgmental scrubbing for the areas where my tattoo's were placed. Something tells me she was not fan! She paid extra attention to my butt, scrubbing diligently at one area, until I told her it was my birthmark. She then proceeded to throw a 3rd bucket of hot water over me, reminiscent of Chinese water torture before smacking my back and legs. Again, I must ask where in the world this is considered pleasurable. When I was finished, she slid me off of the table so I quite literally rolled on the floor as she directed me to the public showers and cleaned the table for her next victim.

When I emerged my skin was so soft and clean that it squeeked! Very impressive. Well played, Korea!