June 12-13: Our first weekend in Mokpo. First before, I forget my favorite encounter with a Korean, thus far occurred Friday when we were walking home from the grocery. First of all, I am sure two white people walking in Mokpo was enough of a reason to stare, but secondly, we were carrying boxes of groceries. The lady, who checked us out, would not bag our groceries, and kept repeating BOXES! BOXES! So we boxed up those groceries and started the trek to our apt. We passed a little Korean girl on the way, she was probably about seven or eight and was enjoying her chocolates. She stopped and stared at us, which by this point was a very normal response. However, she continued to stare, and well me being me, continued to turn around to look back at her. She stood almost frozen with her little chocolately mouth hanging open until we had rounded the corner at the end of the street. I did not allow my curiousity to get the best of me, but I am almost certain she was still standing there for several minutes after.

On to the events of Saturday and Sunday. Saturday we hiked around the city for a few hours. It was nice. We saw a few dogs, yes contrary to popular belief dogs are the new pet in Korea and not commonly found on the dinner plate. We went to HomePlus (no translation that is what is printed on the side of the building) and its pretty much like a Wal-Mart and got sheets, blankets, and pillows. Those items did not make the cut to be provided by the school. The lavish apartment came with two dining chairs (BONUS: one more than stated in the contract) a table, a twin bed, and a closet. No cookware either, so we purchased one pot, one pan, two cups, two bowls, two plates, and two sets of a fork, spoon, and chopsticks...we are most definitely not hosting any dinner parties anytime soon! Sunday we relaxed and explored the town for a few hours. The most exciting part of Sunday was visiting the PC room which really translates to a room full of young boys wasting their lives away playing online games or a new found paradise for others with Trav's interests!

June 14- My first day of school! Trav and I walked together to school. If you are thinking oh how cute its more like Lindsey would have been lost in Korea without a little help! I arrived about a half an hour early, first impressions are important you know?! I also arrived dripping sweat and Trav insisted on taking my "first day of school picture." Lucky you Mom someone carried on your tradition! During the teacher's meeting ( all of which is conducted in Korean) I had to sit on a blue stool in front of the meeting. I also had to get up and introduce myself which I told them English would have to do. I managed to get a few laughs, and most importantly I survived! I was told on Friday NUMEROUS times, that I would not be teaching on my first day. Well the bell rang at 8:50, and my class filled with about 35 students. If teachers in the US think students are direspectful well fly on over to Korea. My students talked, ran around the room, sang, danced, pretty much anything one could imagine that is not appropriate for a classroom. My first two classes were dreadful (this is the nicest way I know to state the facts) My third class was grade 3, in a middle school that translates to about 8th greade. The students are 16 in Korea, they would be 15 in the US and possibly almost every other country in the world. Lunchtime came and I struggled with my chopsticks. They told me I could use my spoon(no fork in the entire school, but I could bring my own) But again me being me, I continued to struggle with those ridiculous metal chopsticks. Lunch was suprisingly good. It was a fried pork tenderloin, rice, kimchi, veggies, and soup (which the lady would not serve to me because I had not left the designated spot free). The worst part about lunch was their food is spicey (to me not to Trav he's way cooler than me) and you do not drink during. You fill up a metal cup after and take like four gulps and thats it.

The next entry is well unedited, you have been warned, but it must be shared with the world, since it was my most dreadful part of this overall dreadful day! I had to go to the hospital for my medical clearance. Ms Park and I left before my 7th and 8th period classes. So instead of six classes, I only had to teach four on my first day! We arrived at the hospital and my blood was taken. I am sure the burse gave a warning in Korean, but all of the sudden I was just stabbed with a syringe and then I realized what was going on. After, I had to give a urine sample. Well, sometimes yoiu just do not have to use the restroom. So I tried and I tried, and I mean after about three trips to get something to drink and about thirty minutes...finally! The doors in the restroom were like accordian type and they slid shut. Most ladies were not even shutting the doors, obv I did. I am getting ready to come out and this lady kicks the door and my sample spills all over my lap. I think this is when I made the decison that Korea was just not for me and I would be flying home the next day. I don't think I said more than five sentences that evening to Travis. It was my no good, very bad, horrible day.(or whatever that book was called Aunt B.. am sure you know what I am referring to)

June 15-17- Tuesday through Thursday at Hyein Girls Middle School

Since this is the unedited version, it is only fair that it is a real account of the events of my life in Mokpo. During the 20ish minute walk to school on Tuesday, I wore my sunglassses, not because it was extra sunny, but because I was trying not to cry or was crying the whole way to school. I would like to blame my emotional state on the effects of jet-lag and my belly not being happy about the switch in foods, and since I am the author of this blog lets just go with that theory.

Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday were all good days at school. I established class rules, and enforced them. I threw students' food away and consifcated their work from other classes, and even made them stand with their arms out for 5 minutes. This was suggested by a Korean teacher and I used it in place of the stick that the Korean teachers whack students' arms with. Its really not as cruel as it sounds, the girls usually giggle and try to dodge the stick. I also learned which food goes where on the tray, and that you must never put rice in a small section, and the soup lady even served me! I carry around a large water bottle, and although I am the only one, I take it with me to lunch. I did get scolded on Wednesday, for not taking attendance although it was never explained to me, however, these types of misunderstandings are common in Korean schools. (so I have heard) I was introduced to the director of the school, which is the wife of the owner. She actually runs the school, he just signs the check. She gave me a juice box and wanted to talk about her daughters who live in the US and are of the Rutheran Christian faith. I told her, that I did not know about such a Christian religion, and she looked at me "like how could you not know if you are really a Christian" Luckily, looks are pretty much universal, even if I have no idea what people are actually verbally communicating. However, in Korean the the r/l sounds go together ALAS! Lutheran! Ok ok we are going to head out of the PC room for the day....nevermind Trav is joining the forces and signing in to Guild Wars, which means I have hours to write ;)

June 18-20: Our second weekend in Mokpo!

Friday was an ok day at school. I have a supplementary class, which happens 8th period from 4:05 to 5pm. No one told me that these students would all see me in regular classes during the week. I have these supplementary classes Monday, Wednesday, Friday, its still up for debate whether its every week three days or every other two. This is also common place in Korean schools, depending on who you ask about a certain topic you will undoubtedly get several answers. Anways, back to the point (oh Candace I miss our ADD moments) these girls had all either already seen me once if not twice that week. I did not realize this, so I had to try and create a new lesson in a few minutes. Well, when in doubt play an English game right?! My students enjoyed the game, and about 8 of them actually listened to the directions, the others thankfully caught on within a few minutes. (my students are often disrespectful and often lazy but I can not argue that they are not smart and quick) After the game, they decided that they would rather socialize than particpate in class, I tried several strategies to no avail. Finally, with about ten minutes to go, I wrote on the board that the class would sit in silence for 5 minutes, and for everytime someone talked an additional minute would be added. Intersting enough, my students will say they do not understand me or its a common occurrence for them to cross their hands in an X across their chests and say "no english no english." However, they can read almost anything on the board and follow the instructions. We began our five minutes and got to 3 minutes before two minutes were added within seconds of each other. As I was walking up to add one of the minutes, I tripped (in my room there is a platform in front of the board) and almost fell there were a few giggles, but lets be honest I really just wanted to join in the giggling! I mean if a certain English teacher of mine would have tripped I would have been in hysterics...oh milkshakes ;) They ended up staying after the bell for two minutes, which may have been more painful for me. It was 5, and I wanted to go home and celebrate my survival.

Let's talk about that celebration. I told Sacachewa (for you Soulmate and anyone else that loves history...so just Soulmate it is!) known as Travis that I wanted to go downtown to the movie theater and out to dinner. We walked around for over two hours, I can not even begin to wrap my head around the route that we ended up taking. After about an hour and forty-five minutes, we saw a pizza place (yes I wanted Korean pizza to celebrate) but by that time all I wanted to do was gooooooo home! So celebration consisted of seeing half of Mokpo (but no movie theater), one Korean man very excited to see us (possibly intoxicated), two very sore feet, and one very grumpy Lindsey :( (home video of two year old birthday party grumpy Lindsey)

Saturday was a relaxing day. We had that pizza, although it was not Mr. Pizza which I suggested but Ishmil's Pizza which Travis chose. He likes me to think that I am choosing :) In the US, we would call food before the meal appetizers, but in Korean you do not pay extra for such food, but you always eat three to four types of food before you actually eat what you ordered. Usually its kimchi, turnips, or some other type of veggies, however at the pizza place it was a type of rice cereal, pickles(there is a god and he loves me), and a type of salad. These dishes are shared with others at the table. We had Bulgogi (beef) pizza. Honestly, I will stick with Korean food from now on, it was not bad, but authentic Korean food is much better.

On Sunday, well when in Rome do as the Romans do, the same principle applies here in Korea as well, we hiked. Everyone in Korea hikes that means children who can walk, (no wories if you can't you are just strapped to your dad) old women with backs curved more than Granny's, women with two inch high heels on and their fancy jewelry, and everyone else. We hiked Yudalson Mountain, I was dripping in sweat and smelled pretty fresh. Koreans do not use deodarant, well there is a legitimate reason for that: THEY DONT REALLY SWEAT! So sweaty white girl with her stunna shades, they are prescription and I wanted to see no I do not think I am a rockstar, on was quite the sight! We also hiked to the Sculpture Park. There is a section with about 20-30 sculptures and descriptions of each sculpture and the artist's name. I really enjoyed it, Sacachewa did very very well ! And despite all my teasing, am very very glad he is with me :)