Why I chose South Korea for my first foray into living abroad!

Hey Fam Jam!

In this post I will go into detail of why I actually chose South Korea as my first foray into living abroad, by myself, and without knowing anyone, except my recruiter.
So!
I was finishing up Uni and hadn't really figured out what I wanted to do. I didn't want to do more schooling at the time because due to health reasons in an earlier year, I wasn't able to do full course loads each semester, so I graduated a little later than planned. At the time I had been working on and off (working during summer and winter vacations from school) at a liquor store in town and the owner was Korean. We started chatting about what my plans were for after I would finish school and he was actually the one to give me the idea of teaching English overseas and he recommended South Korea to me. He figured since he liked me as an employee, everyone over in South Korea would like me just as much if I was an English teacher.
So I decided to do some research and learned that if you wanted to struggle less as a teacher abroad, you would want either a teaching certificate from your home country or a TEFL certificate from a reputable place. So I started digging into TEFL Certificate courses here in Canada and abroad, and I found an amazing one, after I started courses for the U of C TEFL Certification. The U of C certificate program would take me around 2 years of online courses whereas the abroad company I found would be fully immersive for 4 weeks and promised teaching Czech people of all different levels so as to help develop your TT (aka teacher talk). So I booked a spot and flew over the summer after finishing Uni and I knew it was the right way forward; I learned more in just the first week of classes and teaching than I had in the 4 months of courses I had already taken with U of C.
After coming back to Canada, I researched the best kind of job to have over in SK, because there are 2 different systems you could go into; either public or private. I went with public since I had read horror stories of private institutions and the conditions that teachers had to deal with.
I found a great recruiter and set off to the smaller Southern city of Yeosu in February of 2012. I chose Yeosu not just for the perks of the Language Program, but also because it would be the city that would host the 2012 World Expo. When would another chance at living in the city a World Expo was held come up again?! So I flew off, only knowing my recruiter, and then meeting with the other new teachers in my intake group.
What followed was a great year and a great middle school; I had numerous co-teachers who could speak English as well as multiple other co-workers who could as well, AND a principal who spoke English to boot; an outlier this far from Seoul, for sure. My kids were hilarious, and I started fairly strict, but was able to ease off the punishments (burpees or soccer sits), after a month. The only drawback of my school was how far away from the capital it was; because that was where I went to dance! Korea was (and still is, I think) obsessed with salsa. (The dance, not the condiment). I had a little bit of salsa knowledge since I took a social ballroom dance class in college once and also was part of the U of S ballroom dance club. I had rudimentary skills, but a lot of trust for my lead, regardless of the situation.
While my classes were super cut and dry, the summer of World Expo was fantastic. I went pretty much every single day I could, saw lots of kpop groups doing concerts every night and met such great people that I am still friends with today.
I had great vacations and even got an extra week in summer because it was too hot for the kids to come back...so off to Jeju with another teacher friend.
I was very lucky with the school and co-teachers I was put with; I thank the higher powers because I know I could have gotten stuck with differing degrees of WTF.
While I was asked to re-contract, I didn't like being so far away from the hobbies I had developed, so I had to decline. I moved to another school much, much closer to Seoul for my second year of teaching, but that is a story for another post!
Check out my accompanying video on YT for other tidbits of info and random stories related to my first year teaching abroad!
Peace out, Girlscouts

Kristina

Youtube video link!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvI4MNT_xnM

Happy 2020!

Hello Fam Jam,

Welcome!
I have decided, after many months (and, if you look at my blog dates, years) to restart this lovely journey into connecting with people, because, well, why not?!?! I will also be doing youtube videos, as that was my original plan back in 2012 when I started this blog and my youtube channel.
SO!! My blog and my YT channel have been reformatted, reinvigorated, reinterpreted, and what have you to conform to how my life is now. Exciting, isn't it?!
I have oodles of video and blog ideas that I will be embarking on and I am looking forward to the path ahead.
So many changes have happened, so many life events, that it's almost hard to keep events straight!
I have grown so much since my first foray into blogging and vlogging; I've acquired different skills, started different hobbies, moved back to Canada, and had a plethora of adventures in the interim.
I have so many ideas, I almost don't know where to start! But, we shall start at an introduction:
Hello and greetings!
My name is Kristina, I am of indeterminate age (834, to be exact, jokes) and am a lover of travel, music, dance and my fur baby. I am a fan of salsa and bachata dancing and unfortunately due to a vehicle accident in the later half of 2019 and the incurring injuries, have not been able to properly pole for since.
I have my degree in Psychology, my Diploma in Petroleum Engineering and a TEFL certification from TEFLWorldWidePrague.
I have worked overseas as an English/homeroom teacher in both South Korea and China, was an educational assistant here in Canada and am now working at an oil and gas company while I figure life out and how I want it to proceed.
Three years ago this past August, I went through a major health scare while in the middle of going back to school for my Diploma, and life hasn't been the same since. The emergency room doctors found a growth in my abdomen and after major surgery and a small intestine bisection, it was found that I had had cancer; bowel cancer to be exact. And since that point in time I have had to face my own mortality every 6 months with cancer screenings. I have been fortunate to have been dealing with this in Canada, my home country where these tests and seeing my oncologist is free. I have had the all clear this entire time since surgery and have now moved onto yearly testing.
I was able to bring dance back into my life, because it runs through my veins and I could never live without it. I was on 2 dance teams in the city and have been accepted into the dance community there.
As to why I'm doing this; as I've said above, I've always wanted to and having watched Simon and Martina of eatyourkimchi/eatyoursushi fame, Wong Fu Productions, We Fancy, The Try Guys, Megan Bowen, and most recently Kara and Nate, I figured I should at least try doing this in some way, shape, or form because we usually regret NOT doing something, rather than the opposite, which is regretting doing something.
I hope to bring interesting videos and blogs about a variety of things related to life and, if possible, maybe even help people in their own journey of discovery, personal development, and finding their own way.
Look out for a short video as well that pertains to a re-introduction of myself and my why in the next few days.
Peace out, girlscouts!

Here is my YT video!!
https://youtu.be/r-Rv3ZrQs1Q

Yeosu Massage adventures

Hello All!

This post will detail two massage places that I have gone to since coming to Yeosu. Both are in the Yeocheon shopping area across the street from Heungguk gymnasium.
The first one I went to a couple months ago needing a massage desperately. I went into basically the first one that caught my eye. They gave such amazing service! I was the only customer while I was there for more than an hour. I got a whole body massage treatment which only cost 70,000 won. I believe the place was owned by the couple who greeted me and did my massage. It was separated into 2 parts; the guy did my leg massage (amazing; I fell asleep it was so good) and then the woman did my back, arms, front and face massage. I also got a facial mask treatment of some sort which was really interesting. I think the whole think lasted around an hour and a half, which for 70,000 won is crazy awesome. It's called Sharon Skin Care and on the 3rd floor. And although they didn't speak English, they actually phoned a friend who came in and translated some of the things they wanted to ask me.

My second massage was just today, and I only got my back and neck done. I went to a different place, just to experience and find more massage places, what they offer, and how much they charge for services. The second place was actually just down the street from the first place. They offer not only massage, but skin care, hair removal, nail care, etc. It's actually called Total Beauty Shop and on the second floor. This place didn't speak English either, but I motioned to my back and asked massage, and they understood. This massage was also in 2 parts; the first, the girl massaged my back with her hands, then after that, she used a heated massager. She was really strong and since I like my massages to hurt a fair amount, I was very happy with her. She also did some pressure point therapy on my scalp with both her hands and the heated massager, which was glorious. This massage was around an hour and cost 40,000 won. She really worked my shoulders out, which I really needed.

So there you have it; a blog post on some massage places in Yeosu.
The first massage place is located on a corner of the building, and from there you turn left and go down about 2 blocks, and the second place is on the right.
Cheers!
Happy November!
(p.s. it's not even cold here - I'm still using my a/c at night......sooooo Canadian.....)

Kristina L.

Autumn is sort of here...........

Welcome to Autumn......sort of........
Holy Criminy!! I have not been good at upkeeping a blog for my time in Korea!! It's been wwwwaaaayyyyyyy too long! So.....mianhe!!
Let's see what has happened since last time - first semester finished, summer camp was sort of a success (I found out the school had scrabble!!), went home for my summer vacay, got an extra week of summer hols because it was too hot to make the kids come back, so went to Jeju with my friend Joelle, Expo finished with a bang (I got to see MBLAQ!!!! Sssqqquueeeeee!!!), said goodbye to an amazing friend (miss you still Shaz), second semester started, timetable change, less classes, but I teach all 3 grades at my middle school now, finding out my iron was uber low, getting iron supplements here, getting sick from the iron supplements here, getting mom to send me the iron supplements I had been taking, and now getting my iron up. Seoul for Chuseok, which included a very fun night of Salsa dancing on sat and also finding an amazing nail salon to get gel nails done at! Phew!!! My co-teacher asking me if I wanted to re-sign with the school, me telling her no, me getting into contact with a recruiter from Korvia who will help me look for a job closer to Seoul (methinks Suwon, yes?). Getting an amazing recommendation letter from my co, having barrels of laughs with my kidlets, and them making it harder for me to leave in Feb. Holy crow! Tons of stuff.
I also made up a really fun game for my students, and they absolutely love it! It's called "It is said that...", and it's based on a lesson where part of their target speech was saying "It is said that..." and also "I can believe that" and "I can't believe that". So my game revolves around my kids guessing whether the animal facts I tell them are true or false. I say to them, "It is said that...." with an animal fact, and students who think it's true must move to one side of the room, while the students who think it's false must move to the other side. Now students who think it's true must say "I can believe that!", while students who think it's false must say "I can't believe that!". Whoever is right stays standing and those who were wrong sit down. The last student standing gets a candy. It's a fun way for students to practice the target speech, don'tcha think?! They kept asking me for another round, another round, super funny.

Welcome to Spring!!!!

Welcome to Spring!
The cherry blossoms were out a couple weeks ago, and Yeosu was gorgeous! Of course, because of my little problem with being deathly allergic to all things floral, it posed a fair problem for my nose and asthma.....lol. However, I survived and am doing well.
I can't believe how long it's been since I last posted! Time has gone by so fast; a hilarious adventure to Daegu with my friend Kiana, a horrible experience with a guy there (he scoffed when I told him I was in Korea to teach and that I actually wanted to be here; douche), busy with school lesson planning, getting sick, getting better, finding a social dance place, starting to run, and a trip to Seoul for a Masquerade Party that did not live up to its expectations.
WOAH!!! Lots, lots, lots.
I also got a care package from my wonderful parents; they sent me lemon and peach tea, western popcorn, advil cold and sinus (I was so blonde to not bring any in the first place), and cold f/x (cuz I don't plan on going to the clinic unless I am dying....). I also sent a package as well, and have two more to send; one to my family and one to my G.H. Dawe kids whom I miss sooooo much! Those will be sent Thursday or Friday, depending on some things.

My first trip on a train, heading to pick up Kiana for our mini weekend adventure in Daegu!

The most expensive glass of champagne I have ever bought; 28500 won!! (that's roughly $28.50 CDN). What was even worse, was that you had to buy a bottle of champagne in order to sit at the tables at the place too!!

I got to see cheonggyecheon river and shop around Myeongdong. Stayed in a hostel that was pretty nice, and met some amazing people in Seoul as well. So cheers to making new friends, weekend trips with awesome peeps, and the neverending randomness that entertains me in this country!!

Much love!!

Kristina L.

As promised, here is the video of not only my apartment, but also a short jaunt around the block where my apartment is located. Enjoy all!
Love,
K

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuGY_D11eag

Annyeong!!

Welcome, welcome, welcome!! Welcome to the wonderful land of the red sun!

The first shot is of suburbs surrounding Incheon, while the last two are of Yeosu and the ocean surrounding it.
I have made it, and am having an interesting time! I've already met some great new friends and orientation so far has been good; a fair amount of repeat from my TEFL cert. course in Prague, but I would rather have to do orientation rather than just be dumped in and told "these are your students, good luck". I was super jetlagged on Thursday when I met my co-teacher who has been replaced with one that I have not met yet. I met my vice principal, which was sudden, but I did the formalities other than bring a gift. I settled into my apartment and my co-teacher took me to Lotte mart to get some food and other supplies (like a comforter) but I was so jetlagged that I didn't really take stock of anything in the store, which was unfortunate. So because it was his last day on Thursday, I had to take a taxi to orientation on Friday morning, which wasn't too bad; the drivers are quite scary though. They all run red lights (even buses), they don't wear seatbelts, and they don't use signal lights when they cut infront of other vehicles. A bit scary at some times, but I feel I've already adjusted to that part anyways.
Then I went grocery shopping yesterday to Lotte mart again, because it's so close (around 20 mins walk from my apartment) and I walked around leisurely for about an hour. I got some fruits, a kettle, a hairdryer and other things I needed. I was stopped on my way home by this older man who wanted to talk with me because I was a foreigner, however he did not speak any english, and me having no communication skills in Korean, or any other skills other than a few survival words, it was pretty awkward. So I got out of that situation as fast as I could, and booked it home.
All the people I passed each day would walk by and keep staring at me, cranning their necks around to get a good look at the blonde haired foreigner that I was. I was prepared for it, as a Canadian couple that I follow on youtube and their website, simon and martina (eatyourkimchi.com) made me aware of the likelihood of that happening. So I just bow and give a small closed mouth smile, and keep walking. They seem to like the fact that I bow, and they return the bow and sometimes say hello in passing.
I will be putting up a video later today of my apartment so that you all can check it out (and how small it is). So look forward to that. For now, I give you some fun pictures of my time so far here. Enjoy!

Love,
K.

 my phone that was waiting for me at Incheon airport through thearrivalstore.com

 a doughnut from dunkin dounuts in Gimpo airport, waiting for our flight to Yeosu.

 Joelle on the tour bus we got to ride in on our way to orientation.

 Orientation classroom; they also had out bread and jam for a light breakfast.

 On the front cover of our notebook that we got in orientation.

 Lemonade drink bottle.

 Kiddie chopsticks.

Ramyeon with kimchi, carrots and red pepper paste.... super spicy, had to drink a fair amount of milk with it!