Clay Barefoot Hike at Gyejok Mountain

Aaron and I went on a barefoot hike through red shimmering, squishy clay trails up Gyejok Mountain this Sunday.

As soon as we arrived we walked up about 50 feet and were immediately asked by a reporter what we thought of the clay and if we had ever done anything like this in our home county. Perhaps the fact that we were two foreigners wearing matching red Korean World Cup t-shirts helped.

We told them walking through the clay was refreshing on our feet and really fun...and that we had never experienced something this cool in our home country, which was exactly what they wanted to hear.

That evening my co-teacher told me she saw me on the news and took a photo of her TV screen.

Besides hiking through the clay, we got our clay footprints stamped.

Later we had a picnic lunch, and then watched the "Fun Fun" Opera do a spectacular performance.
The lead female opera singer made eye contact with Aaron and spun him around and gave him a rose.

Aaron and I made our first English video for my 4th grade open class: Let's Play in the Park!

Spring scenery

My commute to work has suddenly become much more beautiful thanks to the blooming Cherry Blossom trees! I love spring in Korea!  

 

This is my new apartment! "Cape Town"! 

Last night Nacho, our dog, and I took an evening stroll along the river! 

It was a beautiful spring night!

Fun Easter Lesson with my new elementary students!

This week I been having fun teaching my students about how we celebrate Easter! We are playing a game where the students have to smack the vocabulary flashcard before their partner! They started by putting their hands on their head, then I'd say a word like, "decorate" or "dye" or "jelly beans," and then the students would smack the card as fast as they could on their desk! It was a riot!

Monkeying Around in Malaysia

Aaron and I left cold, gray Korea dreaming of fresh mangoes, curry, and emerald beaches. After our 7-hour flight from Seoul, Aaron and I arrived in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Immediately we were so excited and eager by our surroundings. Compared to Korea, we felt as though we walked into a steaming hot, diverse melting pot of people and unique architecture we had never experienced before.

The train system in Malaysia made visiting Kuala Lumpur very convenient. We took the express train and a subway to get to our hostel. We got off our subway and looked out at the red sunset overlooking the mosque.

Our hostel was very cool. It was called Explorers' Guest House  near Petaling Street. There were beautiful pieces of art on the walls and the expats looked like bad-ass adventurers with lightweight elephant parachute pants and dreadlocks.  

Curious about Malaysian cuisine, that night, we searched for a traditional Malaysian restaurant. But, much to our chagrin, we could only find Indian food.  It looked very authentic...a traditional vegetarian Indian place that probably didn't get too many tourists. We ordered delicious mushroom masala, mango lassis, and naan. We polished it all down and we were in food heaven...it was one of the best meals on our whole trip, I'd say. The curries had the perfect amount of spice and so so much flavor.  I was so excited about all the mangoes, I even ordered myself a second mango lassi! (You only live once!)

On Sunday, we did all the things. We started off the day with toast and tea at our hostel. Then, we walked to the train station and road towards Batu Caves. I noticed that there were "Women Only" cars on the train and "No Indecent Behavior" signs. We felt very aware that we were in a conservative country.  The train stations had lots of arches and Muslim art designs, too.

I liked the architecture of the train station!

"No Indecent Behavior"

When we arrived at the Batu Caves there was an enormous golden Buddha and behind it were lots of stairs going up to some caves.  Aaron and I climbed up the stairs covered in monkeys. Monkeys were running up and down the railings, looking for food and trash.

On our way back down the stairs, I stopped to try my very first fresh coconut juice. There was a man chopping them open with an ax. It was pretty cool.

I saw some Indian women giving henna tattoos on your hand for 5 Ringgit. I've got to admit, ever since I saw henna tattoos at the Minnesota Festival of Nations as a little girl, I've always wanted one.

We rode back to the city and visited the National Mosque. In order to enter the mosque, non-Muslims have to wear robes and a head scarf. Honestly, it was a fun part of the experience. They dressed us in lilac robes and gave me a head scarf.

Malaysia's National Mosque

Inside the mosque we had to dress up!

The mosque was very open-air and clean and white. There were lots of geometric designs in the walls, pillars, and beautiful gardens with fountains. Only Muslims were allowed in the prayer room, but we were able to look inside.

Prayer Room: Muslims only

Check out the clock with Arabic numbers!

After experiencing the National Mosque, Aaron and I walked to the Islamic Art Museum. It had 3-D miniature models of all the famous mosques, a little history about them, and what country they are in. You can compare the different architecture of the Taj Mahal and the Alhambra in Spain, for example. They also had beautiful weapons, armor, and clothing.

Later we walked to the National Aviary/Bird Park. On the way, we saw a lot of monkeys goofing around on the OUTSIDE of the zoo.


It was fun to see tropical birds scurrying around, bobbing their heads and proudly displaying their colorful feathers.

We had been walking all day and we got hungry. We headed towards our last destination, the Petronas Twin Towers, took a picture, and then found another restaurant called the Curry House. We ordered WAY too much food and devoured most of it.

By the time we finished eating, it got dark out. We looked out at the Petronas Towers and they were all lit up. They looked much cooler and we were glad we got a chance to see them at night.

We had a full day of sight-seeing and eating! The next morning we headed back to the airport and flew an hour to Krabi, Thailand.

Both of us agreed that Malaysia was very exotic, exciting, and had amazing food. We would like to go back again someday. 

First day at Seongryong Elementary School!

After two great years at Taepyeong Middle School, I decided to change to elementary. Not only will it make me a more versatile and experienced teacher...the truth is, the kids are adorable!

My new elementary school is called SeongRyong Elementary School. Just a 10-minute commute to work (2 stops on the subway, and a walk around the corner), my new school is in a great neighborhood.

SeongRyong Elementary School

Before class started, the new teachers had to introduce themselves to the students on the morning announcements broadcast. I was told that I should not bow, just wave, and say a few short words to the camera.  So all the new teachers lined up, I was the last one. The principal introduced them one by one and they bowed without saying anything.  Then it got to my turn. I heard the principal introduce me in Korean. He told the students my name was Erica teacher and I was from Canada... I looked in the camera, waved and said, "Good morning students. My name is Erica teacher. I am from Americaaaa. Nice to meet you." My coteacher patted me on the back and told me I did a great job, despite how awkward I felt.
She whisked me away, up the stairs, into our office. There are 4 Korean English teachers at my school. Each one of them is the only English teacher for their grade. I think it is a good system.

My name tag! 원어민 means "native speaker" in Korea.

My wonderful co-teachers!

 I sit next to all four of them in the office.  I think we will be more productive because of the layout of the office. It's a great working environment.

As soon as I arrived, I took off my shoes, put on my high-heeled leopard print slippers, and walked to the 2nd floor.  I share an office with all the specific subject teachers (English teachers, PE teachers, art teachers, and music teachers). The homeroom teachers have different offices.  I was really impressed that this school has a desktop computer for me and I have MY OWN CLASSROOM. It is called "English Land." English Land has a nice monitor, computer, white boards, and the room is filled with teaching materials and board games. It looks fantastic!

This is my desk! I have my very own desktop computer!

English Land! This is my classroom door!

So many resources I have at my fingertips!

My classroom!

This is my view of the classroom while teaching!

I just ate lunch with the English department. In contrast with my old middle school, at this school, the lunch ladies serve food on your tray. It just means I am going to have my portion sizes more controlled. Also, instead of waiting until after lunch was over to drink, we now have a kettle of Jasmine water on our lunch table.

Today during lunch, I accidentally choked on my rice. The teachers immediately poured me some jasmine water. So nice of them. They also made sure to compliment my superior chopstick skills. "You're even better than me!" they said.  I told them I learned in America at Chinese restaurants when I was younger and they were really impressed. "WHOAAA!"

I don't start teaching until Wednesday, so today I am planning my introduction lesson, and later I will meet other teachers at the school. All the new teachers will have a staff dinner at 5:00pm. Tomorrow morning I will go to the immigration office to extend my visa for another year.