Oh wait, you actually want me to TEACH my own class today?

I arrived at school around 10:15 to prepare for the ceremony for the new incoming students and parents.  Since I am a kindergarten teacher, actually, the 5-1 teacher, I was expected to give a speech explaining that I was sweet and kind and would indeed not eat anyone's children.  All the teachers gathered to sing two songs and do a cheesy dance to make the kids feel less scared about starting school, and then they received their class assignments.  In Korea, the ages are different than in America because they use the lunar calendar.  This means that they are 1 year old when they are born (because they've been alive since conception) and that when they are 5 year olds, they are really only 4 years old in America. So, imagine something that is about Makenzie's height, but that speaks three languages almost fluently. So crazy.  Since I have the 5-1 class, that means they are 5 years old (korean age) and on 1st year of english learning.  They are the babies of the school and I absolutely adore them already.  After giving my speech in the gym, they were called one by one if they were in "Marissa Teacher's" class, to which they then ran up and hugged me before forming a line to follow me to our Zebra's classroom.  Once getting to the classroom, I helped them to sit at the tables and prepare for class.  They started off shy at first, but warmed up quickly when they realized that our snack for the day was ice cream.  We red a book on the mat and I had them answer questions about colors and shapes.  Then we made worms and dirt! (The American snack with oreos, ice cream, and gummy worms) which they loved. Since our classes are only 40 minutes long, this concluded the day for us.  I was afraid at first that I wouldn't be good at this, because the language barrier would be so difficult, but with my theatre background and big facial expressions, I think they really understood and connected with me even on the first day. It's going to be a great year :) Also, the parents were very sweet, most of them speaking some or lots of English to make me feel less intimidated.  After this exciting morning, I went with my friends Aubrey and Mark to get lunch at the kimbop shop across from school.  A kimbop is like a sushi roll except without the raw fish. Mine had seaweed on the outside, and rice and fried shrimp on the inside, and it was actually pretty tasty.  I had a side of ramen noodles to go with it.  They called it cheese ramen,  meaning it was American style ramen noodles and a slice of Kraft cheese on top. YUM. I observed the older kids classes in the afternoon and got off work in time to have dinner with Jaclyn (a coworker) before we went back to the hotel.  We were looking for more Korean food to try and ended up finding my new favorite place. They served some weird named dish that basically amounted to FRIED CHICKEN with CHEESE FONDUE. It was so tasty and accompanied by some hot dog looking thing and even french fries.  You'll have to see the pictures to get the full effect.  I'm about to head to school again for another exciting day of teaching babies! I wish there was more hand sanitizer, or as my niece says, "handzatizer" haha. Missing my family... missing Adam, and knowing that he's missing me.  More to come later!

Careful! They Spit! and Italy lives in Ansan!

First of all, I forgot to mention that Koreans, they spit.  Like, on the ground, and everywhere, it's just something that the culture has decided is OK.  ew.  It's lovely to be walking around the train station, already looking lost and confused, only to have asian people stare you down and hawk giant loogies in front of you. Very attractive.  So anyways, YESTERDAY, day 2 of observing kindergarten was pretty fantastic.  I started the day off with a brisk 15 minute walk to the school, enjoying the time spent chatting with my co-workers, (2 of whom are British and super fun to imitate).  As you walk through the metropolitan streets, you will see piles of trash on the ground.  They don't have public trashcans, but the people are considerate enough to put trash into piles that do seem to get picked up daily. We arrived at school and went to our classrooms, again greeted by hugs and squeals of delight.  Our first class had a dance party to Justin Bieber's "Baby", so of course, I got my groove on.  They seemed to enjoy my dancing very much. For all of you that know me, that means "the Marissa dance" was in full swing, and is in fact, a hit with the kindergarteners.  Our next class was a trip to the library where we watched Tom and Jerry for 8 straight episodes.  This to me seemed very American and the kids absolutely loved it.  Lunch was next, and I actually enjoyed it! It was Bulgogi *Korean beef* and rice, with of course, kimchi radish and a potato soup.  Bulgogi is pretty great and after lunch, my faith was restored in the fact that I might not starve this year, pending there's enough bulgogi to last.  I then had an hour break before my afternoon classes and decided to go to the pastry shop and hang out with some coworkers.  I am feeling very excited about the people I'm working with, we seem to be getting along nicely and all have similar goals during our time in Korea.  This week is a three day weekend due to the Korean New Year being on Friday, so I'm hoping to take the train into Seoul and meet up with Kate who is there teaching.  She's going to show me around and hopefully find some adventures! Afternoon classes consisted of the older more advanced kids, and then we had a song and dance rehearsal for today's presentation. Apparently in Korea, it is customary for the teachers to do a special song for the parents and new children who are beginning the school year.  We are singing and doing motions to "Do, a Deer" from the Sound of Music.  It should be quite entertaining.  The better my singing ability is, the better kindergarten teacher I am, right?  After school was finished, I set off in hopes of spaghetti. I am pleased to say that it was right next to me the entire time!!! Basilico is my new favorite place to dine.  My dinner was absolutely amazing, consisting of margarita pizza, spaghetti with meatsauce, and salad.  Oh, also, we got free coffee ice cream for being American. SCORE! They believe that if they give you free things once in a while, you will keep bringing them business. They just so happened to be correct. I will be frequenting that establishment for a long time.  My night wouldn't have been complete if I hadn't gotten lost on the way home.  I am sad to say that I have been here only a few days and have already managed to get lost in Ansan. Shucks.  We eventually wondered our way onto the right street, so all is saved.  So, in conclusion, good friends, a great job, and SPAGHETTI made for a great second day in Korea. 

Korea Day 1-- A Taste of Kimchi

Well, after an exhausting day of airplanes and bus stations and freezing cold to get here, I'm happy to say that I've finally arrived :) After a grueling 14 hour flight from Detroit, I had my first experience with Korean food as I got to the bus station last night with my fellow English teachers. Grilled corn on the cob sold at a street vendor was absolutely delicious! As I stood outside in the arctic cold, (not as cold as ranger school of course), I was slightly warmed by the yummy corn.  Korea was looking pretty good so far.  After meeting with the man in charge of our arrival, we were taken to dinner at a traditional Korean Bar-B-Q restaurant.  The grill is in front of you with hot coals underneath (similar to a hookah only upside down) as you sit on the floor at your tiny tables.  A large tray of pork comes out that you are to place on the grill, turning it with tongs and cutting it into pieces with scissors-- so weird.  Random pieces of bread are scattered around the bottom of the grill and are used to soak up the oil from the meat.  Various side dishes are then brought, such as kimchi in different varieties and a bowl of garlic which is also placed on the grill, and lettuce to make kind of a pork lettuce wrap.  I feel like this blog is going to be a lot about food.  The pork was good, the kimchi wasn't awful, and we left feeling exhausted but satisfied.  Our hotel which we're staying in until our apartments are ready, is dark, but nice.  It comes fully equipped with a computer, large TV, and mood lighting for those sassy korean escapades.  Apparently it's one of the only places in Korea that you can actually find a bathtub, score!  I fell hard into a deep sleep last night and woke up excited to see the school.  I was not disappointed! My job today was to shadow a current ESL teacher to her kindergarten classes.  I fell in love with kindergarten.  They are so tiny and so loving, and already their english is so clear!  I was introduced as "Marissa Teacher" and instantly given hugs and kisses.  Since the school year is ending here, today was spent doing a completion ceremony in which the different classes dressed up in tiny caps and gowns and received a certificate, after doing a presentation of a song and dance of the teacher's choosing.  I heard adorable Korean renditions of "Dancing Queen", Michael Jackson's "ABC 123", and my favorite, "A Whole New World".  CUTENESS OVERLOAD.  I was in tears.  I just had a revelation-- I think I was probably born to teach kindergarten asians how to sing and dance to american disney songs. I'm going to be so good at this!  After their ceremony I watched the teaching of some other classes and received a real korean school lunch.  I think my love of Korean food might never arrive, as I had two bites and decided it was not for me.  The fish were like sardines, complete with heads and scales, and of course, the kimchi was just as appetizing. I decided to opt out on dinner tonight to catch up on some more sleep. Got some peanut butter and bananas at the grocery store across the street, but I seriously might starve if I don't find something edible soon.   I am already missing some spaghetti and meatballs.  And Adam. I miss him too. First day in Korea = major success :)

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