Hello, my dear readers!
I must apologize (one 'L') for the complete lack of attention to this blog recently. January has been a pretty busy month for me... Really, it can be divided in half. The first half I had my winter camp, and the second half I visited the States!
+The winter camp went really well! I wanted to do a Harry Potter theme, so I did. :3
Every day I taught the students something different. We talked about mythical creatures, "herbology", quidditch, patronuses (spirit animals aligned with personality traits), how to describe people (mostly their faces), and recipe words to go along with potions. I had review games every two or three days to keep the vocab words fresh in their minds. The review game would take up the first session.
This time, I decided to divide the camp period into three sessions. Each period I taught was 90 minutes, so I would teach for 30, give a 5 minute break, show a HP movie clip relevant to what we were learning that day for 20, give another 5 minute break, and then teach on a different topic for 30. It was so much easier to keep their attention this way. Especially because each 30 minute session, I would teach and have an activity. They were never really stuck sitting for long.
Each game and activity awarded points. This also helped participation, because who doesn't want to win? Their competitive nature is something I've come to rely on a bit... :)
I had a lot of fun!! And I know they did, too.
+Two days after camp ended, though, I was on a plane home to America. I had a middle seat. But it wasn't terrible. My knees pressed up against the seat in front of me, somehow... Have I grown? I'm really okay with my legs not getting any longer. If I do grow, it MUST happen in my torso region. Must.
But, hey, a little less than 13 hours later, I was hugging my parents deliriously and staring at everything to try to figure out how I felt about being back. And honestly, it didn't feel any different. I was expecting something monumental. A revelation of some sort, regardless of whether it was good or bad. But that revelation never came. It didn't feel like I had been gone for a year at all... Time is seeming like a fleeting, insignificant thing.
I did have a really nice time, though! I was able to meet up with some friends and just hang out with my family (I love you guys!). My grandparents drove in from New York, and my sister flew in from Colorado. I feel so blessed! It was absolutely wonderful to see and spend time with those that I could. But I do look forward to seeing everyone else next time I return!
The only difference I noted, was that I got headaches more easily. I guess I was no longer used to processing every little thing someone said. I could understand everything! But again, no violent reaction or a freak-out of any sort. Just a headache now and again.
Still... I was really glad to come back to Korea. I really do love living here. Now, my grandpa posed a great question... Is it Bucheon that I love, or Korea? I have no idea. I've never lived anywhere else in Korea. If I do stay a third year (I just signed the contract for my second year, so it's a big IF), I will probably avoid jobs in Bucheon. Gotta mooove on and see a different place :)
+Thankfully, upon my return, I was able to pass out that Wednesday, wake up and have most of Thursday to buy new food and whatever before my Korean class. Today I am in school, but I'm not teaching classes. Sooo, I'm looking for new KPOP Slam games! They are helpful and fun, and give me an excuse to shamelessly watch KPOP music videos in an effort to find songs they could guess if the lyrics were translated to English :)
It's good to be back.
In Korea, and on this blog.
Take care, everyone!
And, as always, feel free to email, message, or comment with anything you'd like to say <3
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