Reflections From South Korea: School Shootings in Connecticut

When I can't make sense of things, sometimes I just need to vent. I already know where I stand on gun control, so I see no need to cause even more of a debate. And I do genuinely believe America would be much better off if we defended our children in the same way that we defend our "right" to bear arms. Today I am thinking about all of those children and everyone back home who was affected. Just wanted to talk and vlogging may not be the most acceptable outlet, but for now, it's what I can muster.

Everything I Need To Know I Learned From Rugby

Now that's a pretty bold statement, but I find it rings true! Rugby could be a very valuable tool in the classroom (as could many sports, I'm sure).While playing rugby with my kids this week, I realized how many lessons I've learned- not only from great coaches, but great team mates as well.

Rugby has made me....
1.  happier
2. more patient
3. value team work
4. value each member of the team (whether it be on the field or at work)
5. much more selfless
6. work towards a unified goal
7. confident
8. a better listener (although I'm certain some of my team mates now and in the past would  say that I'm a bit deaf out on the pitch, particularly when I hear the word "pass." :) Haha
9. expect and demand much more of myself
10. proud

Somewhere in there, I am certain there is a lesson every middle school kid could learn. I am really looking forward to using rugby in the classroom more, and even starting up our little intramural teams.  My favorite coach, Marius, was really excellent at helping players highlight their strengths instead of focusing on their weaknesses. He may not know it, but he is a huge part of the person I am today. I am more confident, I care more and I love rugby and my team mates. He helped to shape my character into a person that I am proud of and for that I am very grateful. Now, unlike Marius, I am not a miracle worker but it would be nice to have an opportunity to help my students do the same.

Needles, Cups and Awesome Oriental Medicine

I <3 Buhang!

With speaking tests finished and a lot more time on my hands, I decided it was time to get serious about rehabbing my calf muscle if I want to play rugby again in the Spring. My friend Tomi set me up with a small Oriental medicine clinic in Seokgye, so I figured it was worth a try.

They didn't speak much English, but it was easy to get by on basic Korean with a lot of smiling and pointing. I pointed at my calf muscle and ripped a piece of paper, the nurse winced, but definitely understood what was wrong. She sent me in the back room to speak with their resident accupuncturist. He prodded at my calves, nodded a few times, shook his head, smiled and sent me back to the lobby.

A few moments later, they called me into a back room which smelled like Patchouli and green tea. They asked me to remove all of my clothes and handed me a tiny pair of shorts, barely big enough to fit even one of my butt cheeks. I laid down on the table as they brought me 4 hot packs and placed them under my calves, my back and on my stomach. When they say hot packs, they aren't joking. They were so hot I felt like I was boiled alive, but I convinced myself it was part of the procedure.

Next, the accupuncturist came in the room and
began feeling my calves. In less than a minute he had his finger on the exact area that was giving me trouble. He flipped me over, asked me to take a deep breath and began inserting needles, first starting with the back of my head and neck, which surprisingly were painless. He moved down to my legs and placed one needle in the soft tissue behind my kneecaps on each side, then two more on my mid calf, 2 near the base of my ankle and two directly into the ruptured muscle. It felt like my energy was bouncing around in between the pins and I could genuinely feel something happening...whether it would be helpful was to be determined.

After ten minutes they removed the needles and began doing "Buhang" on my back, Buhang is a traditional form of Asian therapy, that is believed to have many health benefits including: helping with blood circulation, tight muscles, skin, blood pressure, joint issues, rheumatic problems and even infertility. In this method, glass cups (buhang) are filled with fire and placed on the back to create a vacuum on the skin to dispel stagnation—stagnant blood and lymph, which improves a persons Qi flow. While it does leave bruises, it feels amazing and I did feel incredibly refreshed.

Typical cupping bruises

My last treatment involved two large leg casts, that were used for air pressure massage therapy. They targeted the exact points of my injury and helped to loosen my muscles. Needless to say it felt so good that I fell asleep, only awakened by my own snoring before the nurse came to remove them.

At the end of the treatment (which lasted about an hour) I was expecting a rather hefty bill, instead I paid 6,700 won or roughtly $6.00. As a result I have been back every day this week and I can feel my mobility and flexibility increasing after each treatment. My muscles feel less tight and sore and the strain is practically gone. I am definitely a believer.

Who's Having The Best Week Ever? Korea Edition

This week I have speaking tests for 200-250 kids, so I don't have much time to write a thorough, well thought out entry, but let's be honest...how often do I do that? So what shall I do? List time.

1. I have no 3rd grade classes this week and instead of planning my next weeks lessons, I am planning my trip to Laos, Thailand and Vietnam in February!

2. I have finally befriended my worst students and they are now coming into my classes for an  awkward language exchange, which includes: You speak Korean? Nope. You speak English? Nope. Okay, cool. Rugby ball throw?Yep.

3. After deciding to add a tattoo right before coming to Korea, I accidentally exposed it during a class. Instead of freaking out, my teacher asked me to show it to the class and explain it's cultural signifigance. Thank God it had cultural signifigance. I am now allowed to wear shirts that show it off.

4. The first snow of the year has arrived in Seoul and I feel like a little kid again! Yesterday I had an Epic snowball fight with my students. I had forgotten how good it felt to get outside and just run around in the snow. Made me a bit homesick, but also gave me something to remember home.

5. I no longer find using Korean toilets a daunting task! See ya later, Western toilet. Korean toilets are just so nice and comfy...well...sort of.

6. Wine finds! I finally found my favorite brand of White Zinfindal in Korea! (Yes, this means my detox has come to a premature end). I now know where to acquire good cheese and wine. Maggie-1, Korea-0

7. My co-teacher and I had a breakthrough which consisted of this:
Me: Why do you say this stuff to me?
Co-Teacher: Because you are only one with sense of humor in this school.
Me: So this is your way of being nice?
Co-Teacher: Now you see why I have no husband...

8. I am currently correcting an English paper for one of the teachers here and he is rewarding me daily, with odd presents. The list to date is as follows: a warm sweet potato, a mildly moldy persimmon, a piece of paper with a smiley face, super cocoa milk,cough medicine and a mini stapler.

9. My apartment appears to be cockroach free! After laying down that Boric acid, I have not seen a single one. I had a dream last night that they were congregating, multiplying and plotting to come back in full force, but so far, so good!

10. My door man has stopped looking at me like the whore of Babylon, when I return after a night of clubbing, in fact, last week he rushed to open the door for me and said "You party, Migook, you party"

11. and the best....I have now started keeping a photo journal of children being punished throughout the school. It is hysterical watching kids juggling vacuums, holding their arms out, carrying objects on their heads and being forced to kneel like this gentleman for 45 minutes...

Another Manic Gif Monday in Korea

When my student that never listens looks terrified during the speaking test...


When I decide to play physical games with my students and I get a little too intense with the non-athletic kid...


 When I get home after a day where the school has served seafood...



When I've pushed snooze on a monday, only to realize we have a teachers meeting...


My co-teacher's response the first time I wore a dress..


When I go to show a student a review powerpoint and my pictures from the weekend are still up on the screen...


My students trying to figure out who will ask if the class can watch a movie...


When my coteacher interrupts an intense speaking game to incorrectly "correct" a students grammar...

8 Tips For Staying Sane While Teaching In Korea

Everyone comes to Korea having read the blogs of the bitter teachers and vows to never become one of them. Even before you've set foot in the country, you're thinking about how grateful you would be to even have a job here or have the opportunity to teach. Here is the reality. Korea is an amazing Country to live and teach in, but people who come here to avoid reality or feel like they are "delaying" their adult life will find the work load to be harder than most. Here are a few tips for staying sane.

1. Do as much as you possibly can when you first arrive. Try new foods, meet new people and hell, even occasionally have that cheeky soju on a weeknight. The memories you create and the sense of awe you feel while discovering new places will help to tide you over when you are having difficulties.

2. Do not isolate yourself from other English teachers. I know many teachers here who are hell bent on not wanting to spend time with other foreigners and insist on only hanging out only with Koreans. Now this can be really helpful and reduce your time for learning the language, but it can also feel quite lonely. Other teachers are in the same boat as you, they understand your worries, your concerns and your perspective that a Korean teacher may not understand. Sometimes a good venting session is all you need and it is much easier to vent to a friend as opposed to a member of staff whom you might offend.

3. To my next point...do try to make friends outside of the expat community. It will be an interesting cultural exchange and great opportunity to learn about a culture which is so incredibly unique. For example, the practices for pouring drinks in this country boggle my mind and I could never imagine doing them at home, but I absolutely love practicing here!

4. Don't be afraid to be negative sometimes. Don't worry if your friends are having a completely positive experience and you are having ups and downs. People are too afraid of being labeled the "bitter Epik teacher" and trust me, there are plenty of those! It's best to just try to be realistic. You are living in a new country, teaching in a system unlike your own, of course you are going to have down days and days where you question "Why am I here?" Let yourself have them. There is nothing wrong with that, but always try to end the school day on a positive note.

5. Make your apartment comfortable early on. A bad apartment can lead to a lot of homesickness, especially in the early months. When I arrived, I didn't have a bed and I found myself incredibly stressed about the prospect of getting one. A few days in, I asked my co-teacher, who was able to give me the bed that our school had in storage. With my first paycheck I went to E-Mart and bought colorful comforters, shoe racks and decorations to make me feel more at home. I was also quite proactive after finding cock roaches in my apartment...which is a really horrible situation and a definite deal breaker for many people. A little boric acid and some creative re-arrangement and I basically love coming home to my apartment.

6. Do not create a "us" and "them" feeling between yourself and your students. The best part of my job is getting to know the personalities of the different kids and sharing myself with them. Be firm enough that they understand you are their teacher and superior, but do not scare them so much that they are uncomfortable speaking or see you merely as a dictator os punishment.

7. Spend some time having fun with your students! While it is important that your kids learn English, feel free to have a little fun some times. Lesson planning and constant curriculum can burn out even the best of  teachers, not to mention your students. Occasionally, after a quiz or exam or even sometimes at the end of class, my students and I will watch Kpop star, Korean quiz shows or funny youtube videos. Even with the language barrier we all have a good time and feel much closer bonding over what we are viewing.

8. Take up a sport or hobby! Just because you are in a new country doesn't mean you have to give up the things you loved at home. I have played rugby for a good portion of my life and can't imagine myself without it. Proactively research things to do in your area as there are a plethora of other expats also looking for the same activities!

Korea has so much to offer and there are many excellent things to try if you keep an open mind. You'll only be miserable here if you let yourself be! Well alright I'm off to eat some dumplings, enjoy your weekend everybody!

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.