Live from Gwangju, South Korea: September 2013

Monday, September 23, 2013

Gwangju Bucket List Checked!

This past weekend, just 3 weeks left until I leave South Korea, I finally climbed Mudeung Mountain. It is the 1187 meters tall mountain in Gwangju, a city I have called home for more than 2 years now. Upon arriving in 2011 I was sure that within months I would have given it a shot, but like in Toronto, I let what's close fall to the sidelines.

So with my imminent departure creeping up, and after 3 failed weekend attempts because of flaky companions -_- I saw an opportunity for it while in Daejeon and cut my Chuseok vacation short and headed back to Gwang Ju. Waking up at 6am is hard, no matter what, but definitely harder when you know there is a mountain to climb. Lol

I grew up in the Greater Toronto Area, it's safe to say we don't really have much nature let alone mountains to climb. So, I have taken advantage of this in Korea and have done a few trails in other cities. I have to say, nature being allowed to coexist within metropolitan cities, is something I will really miss about Korea.

So 6am wake up, 6:45 bus time, 720 meet up and 8am the hike begins. The first hour was the most difficult for me, even though I have been working on my cardio this past half a year, the outdoors has always kicked my ass due to a narrow bronchi tube and an array of allergies. So as my two companions kept my slower pace and the breathing got harder I had fleeting (I said fleeting) moments when I thought about not going to the top. Lol I know there are people out there reading this going :o because it seems like a piece of cake for them or they have climbed their share of higher and trickier trails. For me, it wasn't about anyone else, but me.

After about an hour, the burn in my chest started to fade and feel natural. I was far enough into it that I wouldn't let myself back away now, so I kept going. The weather was fantastic in the early part of the hike, the sun way still rising and the air still chilly. As it reached closer to noon, the sun started to get to me and my friends.

We stopped right before the peak at the ranger station and munched on some snacks, while a friendly ranger with great English chatted with us about the mountain. He actually headed up after we reached the top and offered to take a few photos for us ^_^ I love nice strangers!!! (Another thing I'll miss about Korea)

It wasn't a long time until we reached the top, but with the sun shining bright and feeling the burn, I took my time, and some photos.

When I joined my friends at the top, they were settled in quite comfortable on top of rocks at the side of the mountain lol We took our time and many photos =)

BAM done!

First real smile Kiel "claps hands"

The hike back down didn't render any photos because we the took the path less traveled... by this we mean we made out own with sticks through grass fields. LOL It wasn't Kiel's first rodeo! We took a slower pace and chatted on the way down. Although we didn't get to eat at the vegetarian buffet, we found some pretty good seafood pancakes, vegetarian bibimbap and Mudeung Mountain makgeoli (Rice wine)!

First time i had green-colored seafood pancake (I told myself it made this a healthier version lol)

YUM, fresh and delicious!

Mudeung Mountain Makgeoli

Face, neck, chest and shoulders= Burnt

Although i was burnt (my bad), achy and tired for the next few days, I loved the experience and company!

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Walking down memory lane...

Whether it is ripping a spine off another workbook and dividing the work sheets into lessons, or drawing a big fat circle to correct the homework, I will miss the big and small things about teaching.

Growing up, even with my mothering personality, I never dreamed about being a teacher. As an example myself, I knew how shitty some kids can be. But, my urge to travel and explore Korea, and run from my demons had me transplanted myself to Gwangju, South Korea as an English teacher.

I knew I would be an organized teacher, but could I be a good teacher? I didn't have the slightest idea what that would entail. With no further clues or answers, I was thrown into my first day on the job with less than 2 hours of sleep and within 12 hours of arriving in Gwangju. I was scared the kids wouldn't like me, or even worse they wouldn't listen or learn anything from me.

Of the few I remember meeting on day 1 (which isn't many) I saw the cuteness and curiosity that I would eventually come to love.

The questions that would become a pattern in Korea were asked. "What is your name?" (Not that many of them bothered to call me anything but Jeni or Teacher) "How old are you?" The answer is always met with gasps of shock. "Where are you from?" and "Are you married?" Which was also followed by where is your baby... UHHHH lol

Safe to say, the first day went by fast!!!

From that day on, I was on my own. I made several mistakes early on, big and small. For about a month, I was still forgetting student's names.

Now, after more than 2 years here, I know the hagwon back and front, lol even under the carpet. I can run my classes and talk to my students about their family and lives with ease. I can use the computers (all operating in Korean) with my eyes closed.

I will miss the familiarity and comfort of walking into these hallways and sitting on the pink fleece blanket on my chair. I will miss the moments the students burst into my office with a slew of words, that may or may not form a sentence, but I understand them. lol I will think about their smiling faces or somber ones while they tell me their stories, or that they are hungry...

Over the last two years, I've become a teacher without the need of certification. Although I don't plan on being a teacher in Canada, I do plan on taking my experiences and what I've learned from this journey with me.

On to the next adventure!!!