1 year in South Korea!

Last Wednesday (22nd feb) was my offical one year in South Korea! I didn't even realise until my friend mentioned that we had been here a year on Friday. It's been a good year with ups and downs with new friendships but also the odd fall out. I can safely say, I now have a good group of friends around me. I've been lucky in a lot of ways.

My school is ace. Because it's so big that we had (yes had! *sobs) four native English speakers. This gave me a chance to have friends in work so time flew by. Sadly, due to budget cuts in the Edu town program, one native teacher is leaving and the other is moving to the after school program.

There are also loads of younger teachers at my school and they speak English pretty well. Again, one of my friends left this year (yay! she is having a baby!! :D) but three of us are having a bookclub/cooking thing so we can visit her (and the cute baby when it is born!).

My principal is strict (I heard!) but he is powerful so that works in our favor. He is also kind. Last but  not least my (ex) co-teacher. I was sooo lucky to have had Mina as my first co-teacher! It was strange as everyone said we were like sisters in the way we acted and the foods we hated etc. But, I can always go and visit her upstairs. I met my new co-teacher the other day and she was really really nice. She said she was happy when she heard she got me which I take as a good sign. Oh yeah, that is my bad news. The principal decided I would have 5th and 6th grade again this year. I first found out on Thursday, I had 3rd n 4th so I took all my decorations down to us in my new classroom. Then on Monday, as an after thought, a teacher told me it had changed. I was so pissed! As the new 5th grade are horrible! Worse than sixth graders and last years sixth graders nearly killed me! I was hoping to do an evening language course this year but I won't be able to now. After teaching 6th grade last year, I was half dead during the week and then I had to use the weekend to zone out. I will be a zombie this year!

For this reason, me and Sarah decided we need a drink (or two)! We ended up in Itaewon (I am slowly liking this place more and more). First, we went for some Greek food (same place I went last week. Yummy!).

This is for sharing! I am not a pig!

But I wasn't only lucky with my school (except 6th grade). I think I was lucky with my apartment and the location. Sure, it isn't in the nicest area but it's fairly ok. Plus, it's on line 5 with is a pretty useful line for transfer and main locations. Even for the airports - Incheon 1 transfer, Gimpo 0.

So, all in all, I've been very lucky. I keep trying to tell myself this as everyone this week is going home/travelling and I half wish I was one of them. But then I realise there is nothing for me at home (just the unemployment line) and if I went travelling I would want to save up more. This year my plans are to save up loads of money for when I do go travelling/or house deposit and to see the rest of South Korea. Next month I am going Kimchi making as my first day trip! I also want to go travelling in my winter/summer holidays. I am still unsure about my third year as it depends on the SMOE budget cutbacks.

Anways, enough of thinking :p. Tuesday was pancake day! No, Sarah I didn't say American pancakes with cheese and blueberries!!! Bleugh!! For those who don't know. English pancake day is the Tuesday before lent. So back in the olden days people had to use up their stocks of milk, eggs etc. So they made 'pancake day' or 'shrove Tuesday'. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shrove_Tuesday I don't know about other countries but we have lemon and sugar on the English pancakes. Yummy!

On Tueday, I invited my friend around for dinner then.....pancakes. We ate far too much that night! Butter curry then 5 pancakes each! I am getting fat!! :O

Julia taking pictures of pancakes!!

I am hungry just thinking of pancakes....

Ooo, I have been desk warming for the first time since I have been here. Though luckly, I have Sarah to keep me company and in Sarah's room there is a .....kitchen!! To make cookies!! So I spent the week making cookies. Though, I am not a sweet person (I meant sweet toothed!). I'd much rather have a packet of crisp or a pasty ^^ So everyone else got to eat my yummy cookies (or I got to give everyone food poisoning mwhahahahaha!!)

Coconut chewy cookies

Everything cookie bars

As I mentioned above I am getting into Itaewon so on Friday we ended up there again at the Bulgarian restaurant. There was so much to choose from so everyone was taking ages to choose (me mainly :P) which annoyed poor Lea as she hadn't eaten for over a week due to a bug. The food was lovely but sooo rich. I could only eat a bit. I would go again just to try something else. I seriously have to stop eating so much!! I look like I am having a baby! ><

After we went to some pubs. First was the English pub. We played darts and then left as it was small and all 'older' couples. Though there was a funny Korean couple there. The girl had a pint while the guy had this really girly cocktail...well, it made us all giggle :P.

Next we went to the Wolf hound, where there was so many cute guys! Big headed and knew that they were good looking of course, but a girl can still look.

Focused

My friend Lea is leaving tomorrow *sobs*. I am half glad as she has been ill over here due to the children germs. But I am mainly sad as I will miss her *sobs*. I knew this was coming from when I met her at orientation as she wanted to stay just a year but it will be weird her not being here. We met on Sunday for coffee which ended up turning into waffles (I can't diet! It's not in my blood!). She forced me in to a hug at the end as I hate goodbyes!!! >< Urgh.. I am sad just writing this! Bleugh!!! Though, I will most likely see her again as there is a direct train between our homes in the UK, plus we are both always travelling. So I will just say goodbye...for now (sounds like a threat!) and have a safe journey home ^^.

Visa renewal

Last Thursday I went to get my visa renewed. It was so much easier than the first time. My co-teacher booked the interview so I just had to turn up on time instead of waiting. The lady only wanted my ARC card, my document from the school and a copy of my contract. That was all. No fee and no need for my medical record/passport.

I had to wait 5 minutes then they gave me my card back with just a stamp on the back saying I was here until 2013. Last but not least they scanned my finger prints and it was over! It took 10 minutes and then I had the rest of the afternoon of mwhahahaha :p.

Stupid

So here I am, sitting in the cold office alone. Why? Do you ask? Well, because I totally forgot we could come in to work an hour late today! Donkey balls!!!

Must been that time of the year! Sick!

I have learnt that jet lag and a throat infection do not mix well. In fact together sucks! I am actually still recovering from my throat infection ><.

So when I landed back in Korea it was 9.30am on Friday and it was 1.30pm by the time I got back to my apartment and by this time I couldn't eat (or breath as my throat was swollen) . I went straight to bed and slept prehaps for the next 3 days straight. By Monday,  I was hungry but I could only eat soupy things but as I emptied my fridge before I left I had no food in my apartment. Blah!

I went to homeplus on Tuesday and my best boots broke!!! Seriously, this is not my month. This wore me out so I went to bed at 4pm again! Luckly, I had booked my holidays until Friday so I was well rested by then. I am still tired by 8pm but at least my ears aren't blocked anymore! Yay!!

On a more postive note! I returned to work on Friday! Everyone in my office was so welcoming!!! Even the adjummas who don't speak English. They were saying th office is happier when I am here. They are all so nice at my school <3. It's going to be so strange next school year (March) with the changes ><.

I was also well enough by Saturday to go out with friends. My one friend is leaving in 2 weeks but her home city is not far from my hometown so I told her she can't escape from me mahahaha!! We all went for Greek food in Itaewon. Oh My! It was delicious! My friend brought her friends who are lovely and one of the was so funny!!! I didn't stop laughing for the whole day. We then went to an Irish pub. I forgot how nice it was being out and about after being stuck in my apartment (not even apartment, my bed!!) for the last few days.

Sooo, I am stuck desk-warming now. Which isn't too bad as I can catch up with my Tv but on the bad time my desk is in the direct line of view when the principal walks in. But, I am going to steal a different desk when someone leaves mwhahahaha!!

Saying goodbye (again!) and back to Korea.

I spent my time in the UK relaxing, eating lots of British food, meeting friends/family and stocking up stuff to being back.

I met up with my old work mates from the council one day for lunch. They all looked fab as usual! I miss working with these girls as I would usually just laugh all day with them so work went so quickly. I also met up with Laura and Katy. I sadly didn't get to see them as much as I would like to but I am am happy to have caught up with them. We went for a 3 course meal which was so delicious!! >< After that meal, I became addicted to baileys ice-cream haha!

Laura ^^

With the lovely Katy <3

I also got to see my grandparents quite a few times, which was great. I love my grandparents and great-grandma so much, and when I left for Korea last time it was really hard. The second time around was just as hard. I half didn't want to leave. It sucked because when they moved back to my town last year, I moved to Korea!!

I also got to see Heidi and there was someone else... I have forgotten her name.... Oh yeah, AUNTY Tracey!!! Bwhahahahaha. I am going to be killed when Igo back to the UK :p. It was great seeimg them. They got me a bag of goodies which I am still eating! Yum yum! They came the same day as my mums new sofa. There was a bit of a panic that there would be nothing for them to sit on as the sofa didn't arrive until late afternoon. Then there was a panic the sofa was too big haha. But seriously the sofa is great!! So comfy! You can fit 6-7 people on there easily.

Henry enjoying the new sofa

Comfy!

That was one of the most fun weekends since coming here as my nan and grandad came over and my mum and aunt are so funny together. It's just funny watching them together! ^^

In my last few days, I met up with Donna and Lisa (and the cute Rhys!) for coffee!! Seriously, he is the cutest 3 year old ever!!! ><

I also met with Charlotte and Ella-rose for a carvary! So delicious!! It was nice just catching up with her. She has been one of been my closest friend since year 9. We have had ups and downs like every friendship but now we are older (prehaps not wiser haha) I feel we are closer than ever! I will really miss her :(. Though I will be back one day and I am lucky with my friends as everytime we meet up it feels like not a day as passed.

I just wanted to say thanks to everyone for making my trip so welcoming and unforgettable! Love you all <3

Anyways (I use anyways a lot!), moving on from the mushy stuff. I didn't forget to stock up on food before I left. In fact most of my suitcase was full of food.

My trip to the airport was un-eventful! The food on the plane was disgusting to say the least. I couldn't eat any of it on the short journey to Helisinki. At Helsinki the food was expensive and not that much better. By the long flight I was ready for food but that was disgusting! So I nibbled on my bread roll.  It was the long haul flight that I got sick. I got I full blown migraine so I spent 90% of the journey under my blanket looking weird to anyone who passed my seat. By the second meal I couldn't eat and was sick (thankfully my seat was next to the toliets!). I have seriously have never been so grateful for a journey to end.

So yeah! That was my vacation! Not exciting but I am happy I went back to see that everyone is well :) and to give my mum peace of mind haha.

London baby!! 2012

During my stay in England, me and my mum decided to go down to London. My mum booked everything and I had to to just pay, which wasn't too bad.

The night before London I suddenly felt ill and started getting shivers. Now my mum as lovely as she is and everything, isn't very sympathetic with other ill people (even though she has something wrong with her every other week *cough... don't tell her I said that Tracey!!*). Her response was I should get over it and I better not give it her...... -_-. I would just like to mention, it ended up being a full blown throat infection when I returned to Korea..... Feel the guilt mum!!

I never really slept that night as I had hot sweats and shivers *urgh*. But the next morning we caught the train (just on time I might add as I took us to the wrong platform!). My mum was moaning about the train being too cold during the journey (and for the next 24 hours). To give her credit it was a cold train though.

The hotel my mum booked was right next to our station thank-goodness. We un-packed and my mum put the kettle on (she can't last a few hours without a cuppa). We had 4 and a half hours until we had to go for dinner before the musical. I had planned a route out which meant we could see most things but we had to walk a lot mwhahahahaha!! It was revenge on my mum for being mean the night before mwhahahahaha!! And there were no coffee shops anywhere along the way *double mwhahahahaha!!

We first caught the underground (I had to be careful of not saying subway. I have been using American too much since coming back.  I have to use it in the classroom in Korea for my kids to understand what the hell I am talking about!) to London bridge. To be honest London bridge itself, is well.... crap. It is just a boring stone bridge. But, I do recommend going as it offers amazing views of the Tower bridge. At least I can say I have been to London bridge now....

We then walked along the path down to the tower of London. The walk offers some amazing views of the tower bridge, the tower of London and the HMS Belfast (C35). The are also some pretty cool futuristic buildings.

We wandered over to the other side of the river to see the tower of London. To be honest everything is so expensive in London. England even! My mum had to pay 50p to go to the loo at one point!!! And I bet they weren't even nice loos!! Anyways, we didn't go inside due to time and money so we wandered around the outside taking pictures.

Somebody was worn out! Don't worry we still have a long way to walk...mwhahahahaha!!!

We then caught the underground (nearly said subway again!) to Westminster. By this point my mums needed her hourly fix of tea and the loo. But alas! There was no sit down cafes or toliets to be found mwhahahaha! We took pictures of Big ben, houses of parliament and the London eye and set off to Westminster.

Westminster was pretty cool. It was the first time I had seen it. Normally, I just see Big ben and Buckingham palace. It was full of tourist like myself :P. Again, we didn't pay to go inside.

My favourite picture <3 Sums up London

My mum was dying by this point (don't worry she found the 50p toliet as mentioned above) of thirst and her feet hurt!! She should of been nicer to me the night before mwhahaha! Anyways, we could of walked but I decided to be nice and we caught the underground the Buckingham palace. It wasn't that busy but people don't queue anymore! People were waiting to have their picture taken outside the main gates but there is always one who pushes in!!! Blah!

We then WALKED (mwhahaha) to Trafalgar square. But this was jusified as catching the underground would meant going back on ourselves. Plus, we walked that famous road up towards the palace.

Walking towards Trafalgar

We crashed at McDonalds for hot chocolates to warm up as we were freezing and shattered by this point. After a while we looked around Trafalgar square where there were free toliets to my mums annoyance :P.

The 2012 London Olympic countdown

We were going to see Shrek the musical (I wasn't happy when I found out but my mind was changed after watching it!) in Covent gardens. We got the the underground there (after walking 10 minutes trying to find one that was open as the one near trafalgar was being fixed). After wandering around for ages (my mum is sooooo fussy!!), we finally found a resturant that served something my mum fancied (cottage pie). the resturant we did find was sooooo good. The staff were friendly and it was nearly sold out. We were lucky to have gotten a table. We ordered out food and by this point my mum realised the time. We had half an hour until we had to be at the threatre. My mum asked the waiter how long the food normally takes and I think he rushed it for us. Oh my god! The portions!!! I was ill so I couldn't eat much but even if I was well i wouldn't of been able to eat even half of it! It was giant! The taste was amazing though.

In Covent garden market

After rushing our meals we got our tickets and went to the threatre (Not before my mums toliet break. She never actually needs to toliet, I swear. She just sees one and has to go just in case!!

But, OMG, how good is Shrek the musical. Some parts (any part with Shrek singing) made me sleep but everything else was great! The actor who plays Lord Farquaad was amazing. He is just so funny and he goes above and beyond in his acting. I think he was there to make the adults laugh. The costumes were fantastic and the dragon blows your bind. I would recommend this to anyone as it isn't just for kids. Far from it in fact. The only draw back was two seats in front of me was a huugh (wide as well as tall). So the kid behind him kept moving to see, so I was struggling to see and I think the woman behind me was moaning too. Other than that it was great!

Can I just say I hate Covent garden station! You have a choice of 120 stairs of queuing for the elevator.

Country life and why I don't drink wine..

Sooooo... My parents new home is in the middle of no-where! Literally! If you don't dive then well your stuck! I saw some bus stops but never any buses...... To give you a better idea of what I am talking idea, here are pictures..

Anyways, I'm being a misery as I am ill. It was actually really nice living there, I was just house bound for a few days as I can't drive.

But Saturday!! Oh Saturday!! I went drinking with friends. I didn't even drink that much and I was as drunk as anything. I am guessing jet-lag and wine don't mix well. All I remember is playing pass out but I was too busy talking and kept missing my turn haha. Then Rhys, who has started talking full sentences since I last saw him, came in. OH MY GOD! He is soooo cute!!

We then ended up at Wetherspoons where my memory goes! I just remember stealing Charlotte's chips mwhahahaha.

It was a great night! I have the best friends ever <3 It is so strange how I don't see them for a year but it feels like only a day has passed!!

Oh!! The hangover the next day!! This is why I hate living with parents. They won't let you die in peace >< Anyways, I had my first Sunday dinner since coming back. With parsnips and everything!

Off to to see the family! England 2012

I went back to my hometown in the UK for my holiday. My suitcase was empty on the way there as I wanted to fill it with food for the return journey hehe :P. So I left around 5am!! Ouch!! But the journey only has one transfer so it's not too bad. After check in, I naturally went to duty free as I always save up money to treat myself to some make-up <3. I ended up hungry in starbucks, so I ordered some food and a chai tea latte, which I have become addicted to thanks to my friend Julia ;).



Oh I forgot to mention the best bit. For the first part of my journey (the 9 hour flight) I had been upgraded to a business class seat!! You know! The seats that lie down and everything!! I still couldn't sleep though haha. I never can sleep on planes. Luckly, I ate before as the food on Finair is pretty crap. Turns my stomach thinking of it.

There were some good movies, but as they normally change the movies month to month and I was returning in February not January, I thought I was safe to watch them all. How wrong I was!! On the return journey I was ill so it doesn't matter. Though I am skipping ahead here haha.

Oh! I forgot to mention about the air hostress! If you ever watched when the little Britian guys made the program about the airports and there was the first class airhostess which was snobby to economy passengers. Well, our air hostress was the same. In her section, I think it was only economy passengers and only one business class passenger. If any of us asked a question she pulled a face but she kept going up to the business passenger and asking if he needed anything while throwing everyone else dirty looks haha!!!

My transfer airport was cool. It was Helsinki! It felt like a winter wonderland!! Snow everywhere!!! Plus it had free wi-fi. Again, the food selection sucked!!


The second part of the journey was worse even though it was only 2.4 hours! I was next to these women from the UK. One in particular did not shut the hell up for the whole journey. She moaned about not having a tv (for a 2 hour journey!!). Then she moaned about the food (yeah it sucked, I give her that). But after listening for a while (you couldn't help but listen at her volume) it turned out it was a company trip so I doubt she was even paying.

Anyways, I arrive in Manchester on time. I had told my mum not to come after the Heathrow incident (running across the banister, having a panic attack etc...) haha. By the time I arrived at my parents home I had not slept for 24 hours but my dad had to give me a tour of the new house and how to turn the heating on etc.....