...for two weeks :)
After the end of my super fun English camp that ran for two weeks, I jetted off to the States to visit friends and family. It was so great to see those I could! (I love you!) Although, it felt more like a vacation than a trip home. I mean come on! 50 degrees in January?! South Carolina was beautiful, but I did miss Detroit, the businesses, the faces, and knowing how to get places. On the upside, though, they have Piggly Wiggly stores.
Getting back was quite an adventure, too! Getting yelled at in the airport for arriving at the gate after they shut the door, staying with a girl vacationing in Korea at the airport until she found her friend, getting off the bus waaay too early with no money left on my transportation card (a kind bus driver let me on for free), and then carrying all 55 lbs of my luggage home from Sopoong Terminal after not sleeping for 28 hours.
But now I'm back in chilly Korea, unpacking and packing while trying to decide what I need for the next 20 days before I move into some new apartment I have yet to find. Because realtors will be showing off my current place to future tenants, I'd like to get as much as possible cleaned up and packed or put away... The idea of strangers walking through my house, especially as messy as it is currently, just unsettles me.
So I'll be busy, but I expected as such. I'm excited for the new changes! Just keeping my fingers crossed hoping that everything falls into place :)
Thankfully, it more so outside of my current job that I'm busy. For the next two weeks we'll be taking it easy. Having fun, teaching, playing games... Nothing too terrible. And I just have two more after school classes... I'm really going to miss these kids! Although I'm saying this after them being on vacation for a month and not having taught them again yet. Haha I'm sure they'll be good.
That's all I'm up to these days. Hopefully soon I'll have something more exciting to write about (like a new house)!
xoxox
Showing posts with label flight. Show all posts
Showing posts with label flight. Show all posts
Sunday, February 2, 2014
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Well, it's been a long time, long time, now
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
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
Friday, December 7, 2012
November December
Greetings, everyone!
I write to you from my heated classroom on this cold, snowy day. Today was our third real day of it snowing. Time to travel is increased, and the snow hurts when it gets in your eyes, but hey- that's what umbrellas are for.
It's also quite beautiful outside... I always admire the pre-Christmas snow. After that I would prefer it to go away, but Mother Nature has yet to listen to my requests.
Since the last blog I penned, my birthday, Thanksgiving, and the entrance into a new month have all passed. My birthday was really nice! My friends came over and we drank wine, ate cake, pizza, chicken, apple cobbler, and ice cream... I'm so thankful for the people I've met here!
Speaking of being thankful, a group of us went out to an Indian restaurant for American Thanksgiving. We cooked for the Canadian one, and we'd like to cook for Christmas, so November became break time. PLUS, everyone loves Indian food. (From the country, India.)
With November rolling up nicely, I began my first winter in Korea. It's cold. But it's not too bad... Thankfully I'm used to cold weather! If it keeps getting colder, though, I'm going to look like that poor little brother in A Christmas Story...
..Except that only the classrooms at school are heated. Not the school itself.
Another thing that has begun this month is my Korean class! I'm finally in one... It's at the same school as before, Sogang University in Seoul. Currently, we're learning future tense, how to ask/say if we're able to do something, and describe things and places. It's nice! Some words and sentences still feel like tongue-twisters, but it'll be such a great help if I study!
Ah! I know that elections back in the States just ended, but the date is approaching here in Korea. Walking the streets you will come upon banners with candidate names, or see people singing for or promoting their preferred candidate. It's interesting. I haven't looked into their policies regarding English education through native speakers or other policies that would affect foreigners living in Korea, but it is something I'd like to do.
One of my third graders already knows who he's going to vote for ;)
Aaaaaaannd, I will indeed be staying for another year. Because my contract ends the day before my next contract begins, I will be visiting the States in January. An awful time, really, as far as the weather goes... But what can ya do? It'll be so great to see my family and friends in the US again. Although, I don't know how I'll feel about being back. I'm quite curious to see. Like I'll be studying myself in an experiment where I am the constant, and my location is the changing variable. How will it feel to understand every conversation I hear? Noisy? Loud? Comforting? ..I don't really think it'll be the last one. I'd be shocked if that were true, honestly. I have a certain idea of how it will feel, but I know that it could turn out to be very different. All I can do is wait and experience it, I guess!
But, man, am I looking forward to sales racks and thrift stores! And cheap fruit. And places that are heated everywhere I go. But, ohhh, the time difference... humbug
I'll write about Christmas later. It's sad not being able to spend it with family... I'll miss the trip to and the time in New York, the tree we put up every year, seeing how many bows I can stick to my head, eating way too much food, and just talking with all of my family. I'll have a good one here, I'm sure, though. So I'll make it through :)
XOXOX
I write to you from my heated classroom on this cold, snowy day. Today was our third real day of it snowing. Time to travel is increased, and the snow hurts when it gets in your eyes, but hey- that's what umbrellas are for.
It's also quite beautiful outside... I always admire the pre-Christmas snow. After that I would prefer it to go away, but Mother Nature has yet to listen to my requests.
Since the last blog I penned, my birthday, Thanksgiving, and the entrance into a new month have all passed. My birthday was really nice! My friends came over and we drank wine, ate cake, pizza, chicken, apple cobbler, and ice cream... I'm so thankful for the people I've met here!
Speaking of being thankful, a group of us went out to an Indian restaurant for American Thanksgiving. We cooked for the Canadian one, and we'd like to cook for Christmas, so November became break time. PLUS, everyone loves Indian food. (From the country, India.)
With November rolling up nicely, I began my first winter in Korea. It's cold. But it's not too bad... Thankfully I'm used to cold weather! If it keeps getting colder, though, I'm going to look like that poor little brother in A Christmas Story...
..Except that only the classrooms at school are heated. Not the school itself.
Another thing that has begun this month is my Korean class! I'm finally in one... It's at the same school as before, Sogang University in Seoul. Currently, we're learning future tense, how to ask/say if we're able to do something, and describe things and places. It's nice! Some words and sentences still feel like tongue-twisters, but it'll be such a great help if I study!
Ah! I know that elections back in the States just ended, but the date is approaching here in Korea. Walking the streets you will come upon banners with candidate names, or see people singing for or promoting their preferred candidate. It's interesting. I haven't looked into their policies regarding English education through native speakers or other policies that would affect foreigners living in Korea, but it is something I'd like to do.
One of my third graders already knows who he's going to vote for ;)
Aaaaaaannd, I will indeed be staying for another year. Because my contract ends the day before my next contract begins, I will be visiting the States in January. An awful time, really, as far as the weather goes... But what can ya do? It'll be so great to see my family and friends in the US again. Although, I don't know how I'll feel about being back. I'm quite curious to see. Like I'll be studying myself in an experiment where I am the constant, and my location is the changing variable. How will it feel to understand every conversation I hear? Noisy? Loud? Comforting? ..I don't really think it'll be the last one. I'd be shocked if that were true, honestly. I have a certain idea of how it will feel, but I know that it could turn out to be very different. All I can do is wait and experience it, I guess!
But, man, am I looking forward to sales racks and thrift stores! And cheap fruit. And places that are heated everywhere I go. But, ohhh, the time difference... humbug
I'll write about Christmas later. It's sad not being able to spend it with family... I'll miss the trip to and the time in New York, the tree we put up every year, seeing how many bows I can stick to my head, eating way too much food, and just talking with all of my family. I'll have a good one here, I'm sure, though. So I'll make it through :)
XOXOX
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Flight Booked!
I have my date of arrival from my school! They would like me in March 1st. It's a little later than I was hoping for, but the current ESL teacher isn't even evacuating until then. I'll be moving in later that day. I feel bad for the people who will attempt to clean the apartment in such a short amount of time!
Buut, I just booked my flight. I found one where the total travel time is only 17.5 hours! It's not a cheap ticket, but it's by no means one of the more expensive ones, either. After taxes it cost me about $998 one way. A round-trip may have been cheaper in the long run, but they would have only refunded half of the RT ticket at first and I don't have the funds for that. I am also open to the idea that I may want to stay another year. It's nice, though, because I thought I would need to book with a certain travel agent to have airport pick-up, but my recruiter told me that she would arrange for it regardless of where I booked my flight :)
The flight I chose ended up being with Delta Airlines. The cheapest and most direct flight carrier depended on which day I checked for flights out. I booked through Expedia.com, and they had this really great chart listing carry-on and checked baggage rules. I copied it and removed a few that I have never heard of. It's longer than I'd like so it's at the bottom of this post.
When I got to Delta's website, it said that the checked baggage may weigh up to 50 lbs (23 kg) and be no more than 62" (157 cm) total between the width, height, and length. Carry-on is standard, and needs to be no more than 45" (115 cm) between the width, height, and length.
Here is the baggage chart. It may help you make a better decision if you are looking at flights of similar price and duration.
Over and out!
Buut, I just booked my flight. I found one where the total travel time is only 17.5 hours! It's not a cheap ticket, but it's by no means one of the more expensive ones, either. After taxes it cost me about $998 one way. A round-trip may have been cheaper in the long run, but they would have only refunded half of the RT ticket at first and I don't have the funds for that. I am also open to the idea that I may want to stay another year. It's nice, though, because I thought I would need to book with a certain travel agent to have airport pick-up, but my recruiter told me that she would arrange for it regardless of where I booked my flight :)
The flight I chose ended up being with Delta Airlines. The cheapest and most direct flight carrier depended on which day I checked for flights out. I booked through Expedia.com, and they had this really great chart listing carry-on and checked baggage rules. I copied it and removed a few that I have never heard of. It's longer than I'd like so it's at the bottom of this post.
When I got to Delta's website, it said that the checked baggage may weigh up to 50 lbs (23 kg) and be no more than 62" (157 cm) total between the width, height, and length. Carry-on is standard, and needs to be no more than 45" (115 cm) between the width, height, and length.
Here is the baggage chart. It may help you make a better decision if you are looking at flights of similar price and duration.
Over and out!
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