Yoga

I'm taking yoga classes three times a week with my friend JiSook and we both agree that, Yoga in Korea is HARD.

I'm not exactly sure what it is, but almost all the women in my yoga class are over 35 and are skilled in the art of yoga. I think it has something to do with them sitting on the ground all the time, or maybe it's the kimchi... Whatever it is, these women could kick my butt in a yoga competition. I can console myself with the fact that I am the tallest in the class... but also feel guilty because I'm also the youngest.

Despite the fact that the instruction is all in Korean I think I manage pretty well. My instructor (who is also over 40) takes a personal interest in making sure I understand how to do the positions. Sometimes she parks herself right next to me so that I can see exactly what to do....she's great. Also the toughest yoga instructor I've ever had. On Friday only two other students came so she devoted most the class to pulling and pushing me into the right position. I thought I was going to die.

I pay 50,000won/month (about $45) for three classes/week. Classes are relatively small: ranging from about 9 students to 3 students. Monday and Friday are "extremities class" and Wednesday is "standing class".

Teaching EXP

This semester has given me 3 experiences that made me feel more like a real teacher.
First, I had to break up a fight. The kind with hair pulling and a kid that throws a chair and breaks a computer. I will be ready to block chairs in the future.
Second, I was locked in my classroom, not once, but twice. Punk kids locked it from the outside with a metal pin. Taking the window exit did get me a little dusty. Nice try kids.
And third, on a lighter note, some kids at both schools said I have a nickname. I was amused when they showed me pictures of "Mr. Brush" complete with a brush for his hair (more like a feather duster). Too bad I didn't save the drawings. They weren't bad.

Love Motels

At some point all expats have to blog about Korean Love Motels. They're like motels anywhere but with more interesting rooms, extra privacy protection at the entrances, and the option to rent a room for only a few hours. Get the idea? Anyway, we stayed at 4 different ones on a trip to Pusan/Busan as the prices are pretty reasonable. Overall very clean and mass amenities. Check it out.

Haeundae Beach Area. Sugar Motel. Suite Room. 80,000won ($65-70). Two computers with internet. Huge flat screen TV. Steam room/shower. Jacuzzi tub. Queen Bed. Fridge. Water Boiler.

Oncheongjang area near Hurshimchung Spa. Suite Room. 40,000 won ($30-35). One computer with internet. Large TV. Fridge. Water boiler. Shower. Tub. Double bed + Twin bed. Free VHS rentals.

Haeyundae Beach. Noblesse Motel. VIP room. 100,000 won ($80-85). Projection screen theater. Surround sound. Two computers with internet. Small porch w/ tv and swing. Huge flat screen tv. A bit of a view. Shower/ steam room. Jacuzzi. Fridge. Moving LED star patterns on the ceiling.

Noblesse VIP bathroom with a view.

Noblesse VIP porch. swing, view and tv screen. Tenth floor i think.

The last motel was the Cello Motel, 50,000 won in the Seomyeon area behind Lotte Dept store. Standard big TV, fridge, tub, but nothin special. Overall I really like Love Motels for their character and all their features but N decided they left her a bit creeped out.

Cookies

Not just any cookies but GIRL SCOUT cookies! Thin mints are the sh**. Nothing like cheering up your Monday with a package filled with delicious cookies. Thanks mom!

One-way-ticket

V and I need a one-way ticket to Seattle, non-stop, 1-stop, Asiana, Korean Air, whatever. We’re on our way home on August 26th! See you soon! XOXO

synchronized bowing

In Korea, middle school students are trained to bow and say hello to their teachers in the hallway, in the cafeteria, in the bathroom, basically any time their teachers pass them. And although not all of them bow to me (instead they just say "hi", giggle and run away), I've been able to observe the many styles of bowing.

1. The "I have to pee" bow: I've only observed this type of bow with girls. The bower kind of stands like they have to pee with their hands clasped and bows timidly far away from the teacher, usually with their bum sticking out towards a corner.

2. The "Run and Stop" bow: Bower is running like really fast, hair flowing, they see a teacher stop short... and bow. After the bow their off again at top speed. Not to be confused with the "Run while Bowing" bow.

3. The "Flop" bow: A slightly over exaggerated bow, especially effective if the bower has a little longer hair and makes it look like their doing a very short headbang.

4. The "Sychronized" bow: Students standing in a group spot a teacher all at the same time and somehow manage to co-ordinate their annyong haseyos and bows.

5. The "Ham-it-up" bow: I've only seen the boys do this one. The bower stops short whatever he's doing (eating, walking, whatever), clears his throat, puts his hand over his heart, delivers the deepest annyong haseyo and almost scraping his nose on the ground, the deepest bow.

6. The "Ohhhh!" bow: Students often mistake me for a "real" Korean teacher and do a normal annyong haseyo and bow, then halfway through it they realize it's me. They pause, come out of their bow, make a little 'ohhh!' sound, giggle and say 'hello teacher!'.

col-pop, an UnBCombo

As I am now working at a middle school AND and elementary school I now get to experience a whole new teaching world. Among my many new discoveries in elementary school I have found one of the most brillant combos - designed especially for cute, hungry elementary school kids. The 'col-pop' - the 'col' is for cola and the 'pop' is for popcorn chicken. It holds your snack of popcorn chicken and your refreshing drink of cola all in the same container and allows access to both at the same time!

Lucky for me, the class captains' parents often bring these in for students during the first week of school. I've had 2 already this week! And like, the cola is cola - nothing really special, and popcorn chicken is pretty standard....but it's a col-pop. After eating two, the novelty has not worn off yet, it's seriously so clever that have to marvel it everytime I pop a chicken nugget in my mouth and take a sip of cola.