Katie's Wandering Seoul

I think that sometimes we all tend to take things for granted.  I know that I have taken so much for granted throughout my life.  People will tend to focus on the negatives of their, lives when really we have so much around us to make us happy.  Sometimes we all just need to take a step back, slow down a little bit, and really appreciate everything that is around us. This past month or so I have really tried to do that.  Yes, I will bitch and complain about things in Korea, and I will tell you that I'm looking forward to leaving at the end of my contract.  BUT I've realized I have just over 3 months left in this country, and that's it.  I don't know if I will ever be back in Korea, so really, I need to make the most of what little time I have left here.   I think after living here for a year and a half we don't realize how beautiful this country really is.  It wasn't until lately that I decided to take in some of the beauty it has to offer....

Orphanage fundraiser MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE! Well Christmas came and went pretty quickly here in Korea.  It's not quite like at home, and it didn't really feel much like Christmas until Christmas day.  Korea isn't a place that really has a lot of Christmas decorations, trees, or lights.  In fact only about 1/3 of my students actually celebrated Christmas, and even the ones that did did not celebrate quite like we do back home.   Singing Christmas songs Snowball fights I tried to bring the Christmas feeling into the classroom as much as I could.  I had Christmas lessons, sang Christmas songs, and made snowflakes to hang in the room.  The students did seem to enjoy talking about Christmas and how it is different here in Korea.   Presents! This Christmas was my first Christmas away from my family, and it was a bit strange and sad.  I'm used to being around my family all day long and cooking and eating and playing with my ...

Since starting the entire process of coming to Korea EPIK and my recruiter have done a pretty good job on helping me to prepare for this adventure.  From getting interviews set up, helping me with all my documents, lesson planning, teaching, and Korean culture they are all things they we were told about.  No, nothing could really prepare any of us for the adventure we were beginning but everyone involved tried really hard to help us along the way. Since coming to Korea I have found my little Korean family.  I have met so many people these past 9 months and I'm thankful that I have found a family in Korea.  We speak on a regular basis, we see each other daily or weekly, we have traveled around Korea together as well as to different countries.  Being away from your family and friends at home is scary and hard, but having this adventure with all these people has been and I'm sure will continue to be an amazing time together is something we all need to cherish a l...

I haven't posted in quite some time and although we have been busy there really hasn't been much to update on...until now.   This past weekend Ange and I went to a city within our province called Gyeongju.  We wanted a little change of pace from the usual drinking scene.  Gyeongju is about 2 hours away from Sangju and along the western coast of the country, and honestly quite difficult to get to from Sangju.  However, it was well worth our trip! Gyeongju is the Silla ancient capital of Korea.  It is a great place to really learn about the history of Korea and why it remains such a traditional country.  The tradition and culture of this country is something that has always been beyond amazing to me.  They are so proud of their history, where they have come from, and how far they have managed to come as a country.  Gyeongju is one city that managed to stay in the possession of South Korea for most of the Korean war.  However Gyeongju w...

Korea really is a pretty cute country.  They put so much thought into just the little things that really seem to make a big difference.  You go to a coffee shop and they draw cute little flowers, hearts, or other random drawings...yes all for you to drink it!  I have bought pizza and they tied a cute little red bow around the box for us.  The biggest thing that is pretty cute (but I just can't ever see myself doing this!!!!) is that the couples wear matching clothes.   I have done a little research and have read in many different places that the couples wear matching clothes because public display of affection is just not a very big thing here (although I think that is changing watching some of the younger couples out in coffee shops and other public places) so they wear a matching outfit to let the world know that they are a couple that is deeply in love with each other.  There are pictures all over the internet of Korean matching couples and I even s...

I realize that it has been quite some time since I have posted a blog on here and talked about my travels.  I'm happy to say that I really don't have too many complaints. I have gone at least 2 weeks (maybe more) without being talked to or corrected about my clothes or my classes!!!!  I'm taking that as a huge step with my relationship with these teachers I work with.  I also have more teachers, not English teachers, speaking to me...in English YAY!!! Beth and I outside the station! Since my last post the Sangjuers have traveled a little more around the small country.  We went to Busan at the beginning of the month.  It was so great to spend time on the beach! We did a little shopping, spent a while on the beach having a few drinks, had a really good dinner, and then had a night out at bars and clubs.  I always love going and watching the Koreans dance...it's just very different than the way we dance at home, but I love it.  We did see a fire w...