Live from Gwangju, South Korea: 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!!!