From the beginning, I've been very honest and straight-forward in my teaching. A kid asks a question, I answer it to the best of my ability. But after a while, answering the same stream of questions ("Teacher is married?""How old are you?" "You will have a baby?" "Where do you live?" "Why is your hair that way?") gets a little boring.
My friend and co-worker John proudly admits that he regularly lies to his students. When asked about his romantic life, he says he's been married (and subsequently divorced) three times. When a teacher is sick, John tells the students she went to China. John himself is Korean - from Korea, speaks Korean, has Korean parents and knows Korean culture - but his students have no idea. As someone new to the world of deceit, the tenacity with which John lies was impressive. And I couldn't have asked for a more appropriately gullible audience than a bunch of seven-year-olds.
The snowballing effect of that first lie is remarkable. It was a Wednesday and my students had a test the next day. "Who knows what's happening tomorrow?" I asked, hoping to elicit a reminder about the need to study. "A pizza party?!" "No..." "You're getting married?!" The sincerity of the second response was so ludicrous that I answered dramatically, "Yes, I'm getting married tomorrow but you have a test, so study!"
It seems that everyone in Korea wants to get married, so my kids were beyond thrilled when they found out about my wedding. The next day, the costume jewelry ring I wore on my middle finger was mistaken for my wedding ring. Now this was getting kind of funny! They bombarded me with questions and my answers were lame at best. We met in college in America. Yes, he's Korean. Yes, he speaks English. He's 27; His name is Peter. And could I please bring a picture?
Everyday when I walked into class, they asked to see my husband's picture. Everyday, I forgot to print a picture of the Korean celebrity I intended to pass off as "Peter." Then, I had a brilliant idea that was certain to entertain myself, as well as the demands of my students. My Photoshop skills are limited, but the image passed inspection: Peter and me on our happy day!
My kids now know all about Peter and his job as a zoo keeper at Seoul Grand Park. The kindergartners know that both Jasmine and Aladdin were real people, but only Aladdin is still alive (age 103). And yes, the Polar Express is a real train.
Our monthly field trip was to the Racing Park (the "R" sound doesn't really exist in Hangul) in Songdo. The kids were SUPER excited on the bus ride there. With seven hyped-up kids in the car, I told them whoever won the quiet game could pick three stickers to put on their sticker chart when we got back to SLP. Stakes were high and everyone was entirely invested. Of course they still spazzed out trying to make each other laugh, but the 30 minute ride was relatively peaceful.
Jude and Bobby chillin' out in the backseat.
We walked into a massive convention hall with racing video games, cycling tracks, electric toy cars and the like. K-Pop blared from the speakers and it was hard to tell if the experience was more fun or overwhelming for the kids. There was a lot of waiting in long lines. Class photo: Amy, Isabel, Serapin, Joanna, Nathan, Bobby, Jude
Isabel "driving" the 2012 Mini Cooper.
The boys cycling their way down the track.
Amy, Dana Teacher, Joanna
I pedaled a car with Serapin and Isabel, both of whom were a little uncomfortable with the speed at which we careened around corners. Serapin pointed out that there was a sign that said "SLOW DOWN" when we entered the tunnel, but I assured her it was okay if we went fast.
Relevant: I class has been listening to "A Whole New World" on repeat Joanna, Amy, Isabel and Serapin
This is my absolute favorite of the four of them.
Killing time in line with some pictures.
There was a track full of electric 4x4s with a top speed of about 7 miles an hour. Lesson learned by Amy on the track: Don't mess with Serapin when she's focusing on the road!
In my senior year of college, I read a book called Travelers' Tales Thailand. The book is a collection of true stories from travelers with experiences evoking laughter, caution, longing, curiosity, and desire. I became fascinated with the contrast of the spirituality and urban grit that somehow intertwine so beautifully in Thailand. I also took a class called "Buddhism and the Environment" that challenged my understanding of the relationship between humanity, the natural world, and how the two can prosper in spite of each other.
I began thinking of ways to get my physical self to where I was mentally - I was craving to be part of all of these new experiences and ideas that I was exposed to. I couldn't push them out of my mind, didn't want to. I briefly considered a hefty investment in TOEFL certification that would allow me to work in Thailand as an English teacher, but it seemed hasty and poorly planned (not to mention financially unviable with a hefty chunk of student loans shackled to my ankle). It was about that time that my friend Rachel mentioned she was going to work in Korea, with no experience necessary and excellent pay to boot. Sign me up!
And that's why I'm in Korea. After my second trip to Thailand, I've come to realize that I'm exactly where I should be. When I leave Korea, I will have the two years of teaching experience that can make my dream of Thailand a reality. I met one of my best friends, Natalie, working at SLP in Korea. She moved to Thailand a month ago and her quick success in securing a job, apartment, and social life leave me not only thrilled for her, but also excited about my own prospects there.
Anyway, enough about my revelations. I left Korea on December 23 in the midst of a snowstorm with three of my friends/co-workers (Kat, Rosie, and Kate) for a long-overdue vacation. We met the aforementioned Natalie for a wonderfully relaxing week on the island of Koh Phangan. We stayed on a beach called Than Sadet that is truly one of the most beautiful places I've been. There were only two other resorts there and the beach was maybe 1/3 mile long, so after a day you started to get familiar with everyone there.
Day 1
Goodbye Incheon, keep the dang snow!
Brief flight from Bangkok to Koh Samui, followed by a ferry ride to Koh Phangan.
We then took a taxi to Than Sadet. Only 4x4s could handle the rough, steep terrain through the jungle to get there. And yes, I felt like a badass bouncing around in the back of a truck with my friends over winding dirt roads.
Back: Kate, Kat
Front: Rosie, Natalie
Our bungalow was ridiculously cool, but it took a risky scramble over rocks awash with crashing waves, through a cave underpass, and up some pretty slick stone steps to reach our haven. I soon learned to use caution, not hesitation, when going to and from the beach to the bungalow. One morning I tried to wedge myself down precariously between the cliff rocks to get a picture of the awesome waves that were slamming against the shoreline. My camera was saved but I was comically drenched by an unpredicted eight-foot wave. The bungalow itself was made entirely from teak wood and had a nice front porch with a hammock, table, and a few chairs. The first floor had a full-size bed and bathroom with cold shower. Go up the ladder to discover two more twin-sized beds and an incredible view of the beach below. And the price was unbelievably economical!
Passed out after a long journey, and why the heck not?!
Day 2
The water was rough and the sky was looking stormy when we descended the rocks to the beach restaurant the next morning. The tide soon came in higher than anyone - including those who lived there - expected.
Day 3
Klaus, a German fellow who worked at a restaurant we frequented, suggested we take the nice 45 minute hike to a neighboring beach where we could find Internet access, a 7-11, and cell phone service. Why not? We started off on a path that soon turned into a dirt track where the occasional motorbike passed by, unstably navigating the uneven dirt "road." We soon realized we'd been mislead, and we were in for quite the trek. Fortunately, the jungle surrounding us was more than enough to distract from the never-ending steep inclines. You'd turn a corner and think, This must be the top!, only to find an even steeper hill up ahead. Finally we reached the peak and began the descent to the beach town.
Day 4
Day on the beach.
Hello Kitty washes ashore after a night of beach partying.
The cutest little boys.
Day 5
The sun finally decides to hang out with us.
A group effort to get the fishing boat out to sea:
Day 6
A trip to a nearby waterfall, but after being bitten by red ants I was ready to head back to the beach.
Day 7
I have no idea what happened this day.
Day 8
We leave Koh Phangan for Bangkok. We dropped our stuff at Natalie's apartment and headed out to celebrate the New Year on Khaosan Road. Didn't sleep a wink that night but made it to the flight back to Korea the next morning. VICTORY!
I cannot recommend Mai Pen Rai bungalows highly enough for those looking to chill out and enjoy the company of friends and family in a beautiful place. Then again, I hope it remains a secret paradise!
