It's hard to believe but I've been in Jeonju for two weeks. In some ways, it feels like I've been here for a while and in others I feel fresh off the jet! It took me about a week to get over the jet lag. Things helped when I started work the Tuesday after I got here. I've gotten into a nice routine.
I haven't seen too much of Jeonju yet, work keeps me pretty busy right now, I'm still trying to learn the ropes. The working hours are a little awkward (12:45-8:30), and this is further complicated by the fact that places in Korea neither open early nor do they stay open late! So if you want to do something, the weekend is your time. Last weekend I went out with the director, Chris, and his wife Mary and another teacher Travis. This weekend I went out with another group of teachers, who every weekend have what they dubbed a "makgeolli tour." Makgeolli is a rice wine that's very sweet. Both weekends were a good time.
I haven't seen too much of Jeonju yet, work keeps me pretty busy right now, I'm still trying to learn the ropes. The working hours are a little awkward (12:45-8:30), and this is further complicated by the fact that places in Korea neither open early nor do they stay open late! So if you want to do something, the weekend is your time. Last weekend I went out with the director, Chris, and his wife Mary and another teacher Travis. This weekend I went out with another group of teachers, who every weekend have what they dubbed a "makgeolli tour." Makgeolli is a rice wine that's very sweet. Both weekends were a good time.
Work is going as well as can be expected...there are a few classes that are giving me trouble but they are very young, maybe kindergarten age, and they simply don't know enough English to understand what Dan (my coteacher) and I are trying to basically order them to do...add to that the behavioral problems kindergarten aged children have and it's two hours of hell at the beginning of my day. However the school seems to be willing to listen and put the fear of God into the kids so hopefully that will improve in the coming weeks, or this will be a long year!
The weather is still very rainy and hot/humid here. I've seen the sun about two or three times since landing here, which is a little depressing. The city is surrounded by big hills/small mountains, and there are a lot of hiking trails which provide a nice view of the city. I'm hoping if next weekend is nice that I can climb up the one closest to the apartment.
Otherwise, there isn't much to report!
Karin
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