My school and kids

Thus far in my blogging I have covered many an adventure, but yet to have explained one major area in my Korean life. The one area being my school, my co-teacher and my kids! I have not written about them because I am perhaps so used to living with them that I've easily digressed into taking them for granted? Or maybe I've gotten tired of talking about them? Probably a bit of both, but more so the former as I love them dearly! They are my gargantuan rock in midst of the chaos that is Korea! The school itself and the other teachers are very sweet and shy. Some teachers hide from me because they're scared to speak English. Others are much more eager to practice their conversation skills and confront me whenever they get the chance. One might think this would be awkward or annoying, having to always speak in short, blunt sentences and talk about the weather. On the contrary, I have a great time with it and actually like talking with the pigeon English more than regular! (Though some breaks are needed! Sometimes desperately!) My co-teacher, Jin-hee, has greatly excelled at her English since I first arrived, and thus saves me from too much chopped up conversation with her translation. And, she not only saves me from awkwardness but facilitates nearly everything I do for school. Things such as paperwork and meetings elude me for I can neither write Korean nor understand it spoken. I couldn't even fill in a bubble worksheet on Korean vocabulary let alone do packet after packet of paperwork! This is where my shining, silvery panted co-teach rushes in with her sword-like pen waving valiantly. I duck and cover while she cleans out the unwanted scruff around me, much like a mother bird cares for her young? I know nothing of what happens until its all over, and I'm free to flit and fly around quite carelessly. I hop about the room saying my hellos to everyone and everything, then rush back to my nice nest of a cubicle to hide for a few hours. Honestly, I could not ask for a better job nor a better co-teach! No paperwork and a cool chick to see movies with? Talk about Korean guys with? Kill countless hours doing nothing at work with? I either was Ghandi in my past life, or I am terribly in debt to the universe because that is just my awesome co-teacher! I have not even mentioned the kids!

The kids are in one word: FANTASTIC. When I first arrived, I could not deny that I fell in love with their cute smiles and shy hellos. But now? Now it's grown into this all-encompassing, never-forgetting, happy rays of sunshine, love. Love everyday! They meet me in the hallways and chirp "Hello!!!" "Nice to meet you!" everyday and every time they see me. Meaning, they could have seen me a minute prior and still would scream "Hello!!!!" again just because they can. They're firstly entertained by their ability to communicate with a foreigner, but secondly (and I'm completely full of myself) they love me! :) And that love is, if not more so, reciprocated. We have class and I love them. We eat lunch and I love them. We meet on the street outside of school and I love them. They radiate all that is good in the world, and I'm the lucky bastard who gets to feel that everyday, all day.

Now, after having realized my luck and after having put it in perspective, I have taken on an entirely new outlook of where I want my life to be and to go. I don't think I can ever go back to school after this, that is most certain. I also don't think I could live in the states, or at least for that long (except for Alaska- I could vacation there!). But, like a person who has become used to steak and cake for dinner every night, I have grown accustomed to innocence and love, to silliness and energy. I could never again deny myself such happiness that I know exists within children and within myself. I am ruined, and damn happy to be. It's figuring out where to go from here, if I do go somewhere at all.

I've definitely decided to stay another year. There is no question in that. I may just stay for a third year as well, but that might be jumping the gun. I have given some thought to the Peace Corps, and have started to fill the application twice now. I think that if I could get an international teaching certificate, I could join their ranks with some know-how and help where is needed. I'd love to meet kids from other countries and to once again make a difference in another life. I'd love to travel more. I'd love to make it all career somehow. But this is where I lose focus and teeter on the edge of my future. I've never liked planning far ahead, and if anything I'm a spontaneous flake. Yet, I'd like to think my goals have narrowed, that I've grown up a bit and that I have more of a future planned now than I did six months ago. In fact, I'm certain of these improvements, and perhaps I'm also certain that I'll never grow up, nor settle down, nor ever truly be goal-oriented. Gah- the mind of an expat can be so confusing! The possibilities within one life are nearly infinite, just never really thought about because there is no time. I have too much time and therefore am rambling.

Anyways (best word in the dictionary), one thing is a fact: my kids, my co-teach and my school are some of the best things that have ever happened to me. I love them and I love Korea because they're in it. Below are some pics of us on an outing for summer English camp, and if I can find them- some pics of me teaching! Enjoy :D

My Korean co-teach with some of our lovelies at the entrance to Caribbean Bay (like the Dells).

Cute kids! ^^ This girl is so kind, though I need to help her more with her English!

Happy boys~ going swimming soon!!!

These two. Oh my! Their expressionless, ice cream sucking faces was just too priceless. They reminded me of the creepy twins in the movie, The Great Outdoors. Just a little less creepy, and a bit funny :)

The two cutie-clingons of summer camp. AKA Jenna's Groupies.

Soldier boy. I always solute my kids because a) the teacher yells at them so much that I make fun of their "station" as er..soldiers, and b) my dad taught me right!

Goofing around during summer camp. The dude putting bunny ears on me is actually not a kid, but a fellow English teacher that was hired as an extra for camp. I'd like to think we're all twelve here.

Line up soldiers! Knees high! Straighten those lines! What are you? Chinese?! ... This is our P.E. day a couple of months ago, but still can't get over their army-like routine.

Gifts from the students for Teacher's Day! Some wrote me letters, too. The younger ones writing Korean, but the older kids able to make a very sweet English version! So proud!!

More on the Alaskan journey...

This cute guy was my Alaskan boyfriend. I liked his britches.
One of the tour buses for Denali Park. Mom is walking back to our room to retrieve some things. Our room's window is right behind the bus. -Also, I think that if you didn't know it, this pic looks like it could have been taken forty years ago. Kind of shows how time has stood still in the great outdoors.
Mystic scene of Denali. This was taken from the bus window at the end of our tour. The fog had settled for the last couple hours of the journey.  Kind of a bugger not to see far, but also kind of foreboding. 
Pop gone fishin'. Just practicing casting here. 
The great fisherman's catch for the day. He was mighty perty!
The weirdest area of our journey. Random abandoned igloo stop. Perfect scene for a terrible horror flick. I'm thinking Saw X meets Urban Legend Redux. 
Ma, Pop and Alton in the beautiful Alaskan wilderness. Could not get over how beautiful the sky was. The perfect cerulean blue behind marshmallow clouds. Trees in every direction. And family close by. Honestly, there is nothing closer to perfection.
Hang glider enjoying the great weather. I was quite jealous of his juxtaposition!  Though, my place on the mountain was just as scenic, and perhaps a tad safer :)
One of the many beautiful flowers around our lodge. Couldn't stop myself from being the classic fool~ trying to capture the beauty of nature with a lens!
What is this monster? No, not Nessy's sister but perhaps a long lost relative. Was one of the many whales we saw on our AMAZING cruise!
The trains a changin'. Ma and Pa are on the one in the background. Alton and I played catch up with them for a while. Then I got on board a couple of stops down the road. Quite a neat experience, even if a bit pricey. 
Adventurers! Louis and Clark here are on the look out for wildlife. Just one of our many stops along to and from Denali National Park. 
Sunset on the last night. Another perfect sky for another perfect day.
Taken on the train ride. Amazingly turned out! Was going a tad fast for my poor camera, but this one stuck. I think it's another one that's historically passable.
What more to say other than perfection? I love nature (if you couldn't tell) and could not stop myself from yearning to stay and take in everything!  I think I shall have to go back someday, for I know of no other place with such untouched, pristine beauty. I was only there for a week, and quite quickly realized how amazing a place Alaska was, how much it has to offer.  It's mountain streams, beautiful flowers, ineffable scenery and the like is just its facade. It's just the backdrop for the mind to grow from. Like the simple friend you never tire of, Alaska welcomes the traveler with open arms and says "Here I am, enjoy life with me."  With a greeting such as that, it's difficult for any soul to say no, even the wild ones, the crazies and the heathens.  Anyone can enjoy themselves in Alaska if they only let go of stress first. Only if they open their arms as wide as the mountain's girth does the traveler truly take in his journey and thereby be taken in by the journey itself.  That is what Alaska offers, and that is why I loved it so.  

Alaska is also the last muse of writers like Emerson, London and Tolstoy, men I admire and feel kin to.  I couldn't help myself from dreaming of my own little cabin on the lake, away from all that is busy, with my own little desk and picture window overlooking the panorama. In a way, mocking my idols, but also finding innovation in their favorite muse. There I could write my stories about lands that never existed and of people I've met or dreamt up. I could dream about the loves that have changed little in the way of history, yet ones that were momentous all the same.  I could then take walks along the shore and think up plots and characters.  Reading my favorite books and baking chocolate chip cookies when I'm bored. Yikes, I'm such a romantic. But Alaska brings that out in people, or at least me. It's odd but I felt more at home there than anywhere I have ever travelled. I hope to someday have that cabin, but for now my memories and hopes of return will suffice.  Though I feel certain in saying that you may visit me at my cabin. Just send me a note through the post. :)  

Trip to AK with the rents

Here are some pics from my recent journey to Alaska with my parents. It was a beautiful trip (as you will see) but right now I can't remember any specific stories. We just hung out and talked, surrounded by gorgeous mountain views and cool fresh air.  Who needs Hawaii for relaxation? 

This here is Mt. McKinley. She was quite bold the first day, but shied away from us on our actual tour through Denali National Park. I guess we were very lucky just to see her at all! 
Mom enjoying the beautiful glacier view and mystic mountains. 
Roadtrippin' tended to be our "thing". We drove sooo much. Kind of nice after not being in open space for a long time. Plus, we got to "see" Alaska- the good and the bad.
The black bear we saw take a poop!  This is him after he got out of the ice cold water.
Beautiful scenery- thanks to Alton for showing us this!
The crew climbing down the ski hill we went up to by cable car. Last day of the journey.
Dad with moose antlers in Denali National Park. He killed the moose first- with his bare hands.
Mom smelling the flowers. Just takin' time :)
Moose with baby!  This was taken through the binoculars. - Kind of cool I think.
The crew on the cruise ship. Lookin pretty happy with their day!