Sunday, July 22, 2007

Korea oh Korea

I'm in Korea right now! Chris and I flew in to Seoul on Thursday and were driven (along with a few coworkers) to Chochiwon, which is where we're working at an English camp. It kind of reminds me of summer school (with homework and everything) just with games incorporated into the evenings before study! It's called "How Fun English Camp" and classes officially start tomorrow. I am teaching the Beginner Level One children, which means I am teaching nine mostly-boys who speak virtually no English. I met them today and most could not a single English word! I have two TAs working with me, who are fantastic, but even so I think it is going to be a very stressful first day tomorrow (not to mention the rest of the month), especially since the TAs have NO free time. They are living with the children and have to be with them from 7:00 when they (children and TAs) get up, dressed and do exercises, until 10:30, when the children are in bed and the TAs have their 10:30-11:00pm meetings. The poor TAs! They were chugging energy drinks today and the children just got here this afternoon! I'm living in a dorm room twice the size (or more) of my SSU shared dorms with Merissa Wallace, who is 28 and from Guelph. We (thus far) have gotten along really well and I don't think that's going to change even as the month progresses. Chris is sharing a room with a guy named Mike, who is a teacher in Toronto (GTA somewhere) and who is 25. Also a pretty nice guy, although I don't really know him as well as I've gotten to know Merissa (which makes sense, since she and I share a room and Mike and I do not). There are two other white people here (sorry if that term offends people but it's the easiest way to differentiate between ethnicities here) and their names are Jen and Mel; both of whom are teachers living in Thailand and who are a bit older. They sometimes seem to have a little difficulty with the differences between how they taught in a classroom in Thailand and the more "camp" atmosphere here, but they're really nice and I think they'll settle in pretty well too. Thus far things seem to be going well and despite the painful, nervous jitters in my stomach, I'm looking forward to first classes tomorrow!

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

Family

Oh man. Family. Foremost in mind right now is my Sammy; she just got to Ottawa after driving straight from Georgia for about 27 hours. Oh my, such a crazy one. I love her so much. For those who don't know, Sammers and I lived together for a year and a half, as well as travelling (with other people) through the Philippines, Malaysia and Thailand. Until she came up here I hadn't seen her in a whole year. A YEAR! *sigh* and now I'm gone for another one. Another year. When I chat with Sam it's like I can be very open, she'll give her opinion and share herself with me. She has been more a sister than a cousin, and we even had a conversation once where she told me her kids would call me Auntie Becky, and I didn't even notice the fact that... normal cousin's children wouldn't do that! If I have kids they'll call her Auntie Sam for sure! There's just no question...
Then there's Rae and Joy. My sisters. Oh man. We're a family of contradictions!

Thursday, July 5, 2007


Truely, there are shitty sides in life. Not just moments or days or weeks, but sometimes there are entire sides of life that can make you feel like you're being ripped off. However, such is LIFE, and although I am a true whiner to those who know best, I have been trying to focus on the really wonderful things I get to, and have gotten to, experience. Thus, I wish to share them.
NOTE: These are NOT in order of importance to me... they are simply the order in which they come to my sleep-deprived mind.

my friends:Although I am very far away from my closest of friends, they still have the power to impact me like few others. Today I was talking to Brie and she told me she likes my poetry. Not just likes it, but that some of it makes her feel. That is all I want for my poetry. She and I talked about nothing things as well as things that are so very important to me. Things that make ME feel. I love her so much.
I got to hang out with Chris for the first time in three weeks last weekend and it was such a relief. Snorkeling and sailing. Naruto and 300. Hanging out. He is a support and friend in ways I can't even describe. I am so proud of his accomplishments and dreams, and I am inspired to have more of my own. Truely, Korea will be a challenge and adventure with him. I cannot describe my anticipation.
Lately I've also spoken to other friends, some in longer conversations and some just briefly, and those people have brightened my world. I am encouraged when Shelley sends me a short message saying she misses me, or when Jac listens to my flashes of loneliness and frustration. When my Zo wants to go out for drinks and chat, or when I get a message from Brad telling me that he likes my pictures because they make him want to have adventures. I feel brighter for having seen a picture of Walter online and it strikes me that he is such a wonderful person. All of these people are so important to me, even if I am rarely in touch, each is unique and I love them.
I will leave this blog here... with Friends. Yes, I will write more another time, perhaps on my Family, but it's nearly 2:00 AM and time to sleep.

anticipation

Welcome to my Blog:

I am Becky, if you do not know me, by all means, read on anyway...


I'm not sure why I started this, since I'm terrible at blogging. But I so enjoy Shelley's that I decided I might have something to say, whether people read it or not.

First, I will write about going to Korea!

We have takeoff in two weeks. Yes. That is exciting. And scary. What the HELL do I think I'm doing? Going off somewhere for a year where I have never been, don't speak the language, or know the culture or history??!! Whew. Now that's scary. There are positive points though, like the fact that I'll get to preview my appartment before I accept the job. I'll get to interview the employers instead of them interviewing ME! I'll also get to get in shape, hike, meet new people (both exciting and scary) and travel a bit. Those things are worth being pleased about.