Wednesday I went to school at 8:30 to start observing. I
observed a few classes (I believe 3rd graders). We got to sing “Siddamarink
a dink a dink.” I forgot how much fun kids songs really were. After lunch
HyunJin and I went to Daegu to sign up for my ARC card (Alien Registration
Card). We took a bus to part of Daegu then got on the subway. It took around an
hour and a half to get there. By doing this I now feel comfortable navigating
it myself without having a Korean to lead me. Public transportation is so easy
here, just knowing to how to work it in the beginning is tough. But you are set
afterwards. I for see many trips to Daegu and other places in my future!!
Once we got to the immigration place it was an easy process
of handing over a form, picture and passport. They gave me a form saying I
applied for my card. It should arrive in 3 weeks or so. Afterwards we headed
back to Seongju to attempt to get me a phone. After being in a store for an
hour they told us we couldn’t do it. I was upset but didn’t let it show. Not
having a phone or internet at my apartment is a little annoying just because I can’t
keep in touch easily, or even attempt to lesson plan.
Since the phone deal was a fail I decided to order one from
the Arrival Store along with some other items that are much needed like a
pillow, real sheets, a comforter, towels, cleaning supplies… the basic items
westerners are used to. The ones I have here are Asian style, not what I am
accustomed to. But will work for now. After spending time at the PC Bang and
making conversation with the guy that works there about the weather I headed
home. Every time I walk anywhere (I walk every where by the way. No town buses,
small town) I run into students. I know this because I always here “Hi
Teachaaa!!” It’ so nice knowing I have people that know me. I’m the local
celebrity because I’m foreign haha. But for real, the parents all bow if they
are with their kids. Kind of weird but nice.
Thursday morning I woke up to torrential rains, I’m talking
worse that the typhoon on Tuesday. But we did have school. I was soaking wet
knees down by the time I got to school. Crazy thing I’m here for a few days and
have gone through two typhoons already. Part of the morning I spent just “desk
warming.” This is a term we learned at orientation for when you really aren’t
told what is going on so you just sit at your desk and surf the Internet until
told to what to do. After the first period I decided to make my way to the
English classroom. After observing one lesson I basically taught the other 2
classes. Go me!! After lunch HyunJin and I went to the bank to set up my account
so we could try another phone store. Luckily on of my students mom has a phone
store so we worked our magic and got me a phone!! So when my temporary phone
from the Arrival Store comes in I will ship it back for a refund.
I finally feel semi connected to the world, or at least my
friends here. Still working on getting internet at my apartment, hoping it will
be Wi-Fi and not where I have to plug it in. but hey, I can’t be too picky. As
always later in the evening I went to my PC Bang (notice I said ‘my’) I talked
with the guy at the desk. He helped me change my phone to English. So nice!! He
laughs every time I come in or Nicola (another English teacher I met at
orientation) comes in because we always need to get online. Nicola and I
decided to grab a pizza afterwards. It is a really cute pizza place across the
street.
Once again walking home I walked most of the way with
various students and a few parents. My friends and I are still trying to work
out plans for the weekend. Not sure what we will do, or where we will meet but
we all miss each other dearly!
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