Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Korea update

Well I have been here for 6, almost 7 weeks.  Christmas is soon approaching.  I have been home sick with Bronchitis and Laryngitis for three days now.  I want to go to work!  Thankfully I go back tomorrow.  Lost my voice, but it is slowly coming back.

I am feeling better about being here, but not great.  I like that I am alone here- lots of time to think and process.  I know where I want to be and I am working hard on getting there.  I've learned more about people in the last 7 weeks then I have in the last 7 years.  That really sucks, but I am glad I know it.

I am going to finish up my prep work for tomorrow.

Saturday, November 15, 2008

Korea




Well, 6 months and a few misadventures later, I am back in the land of the NQR(not quite right).  Different city and different school.  I have weekends off- a beautiful change!
I plan on posting some pictures later today- I am off to explore my neighbourhood!

Sunday, August 31, 2008

Another Adventure






Well I landed in Ankara, Turkey 25 hours ago.  What a whirlwind few days it's been.  I am beyond tired and really overwhelmed right now.  My brain and senses are in overdrive.  I think it is going to be a good experience for me- both personally and professionally.  I am not nearly as scared or nervous as I was in April 2007 when I went to Korea.  I did it alone then and I can do it alone this time. Some things I have noticed this time around:
1. I did a better pack, even though the time constraints were similar to those before I moved to Korea
2.  I don't stand out as much here as I did in Korea.  I am not such an obvious foreigner here.
3.  I have a better idea(although not great today) at guessing what I am ordering in a restaurant.  
4.  The TV shows and commericals here baffle my mind as much, if not more, as the ones in Korea did.  I am currently watching, what I hope is a commercial full of little boys playing soccer(or football for the Brits) and one team is dressed as Spiderman and the other team is dressed as Batman.  
5.  I did not arrive in Turkey with an ear infection- so I can actually HEAR!  Thats a good thing!

Well I am going to bed.  My body is slowly crapping out on me right now.

Saturday, July 12, 2008

Homework

I am beyond tired- and I like it!  I am in school and I am working full time.  I am procrastinating right now; I should be doing homework but I don't feel like it. I am such a bad student- I am the student I hate to teach.  

Well I just spent 30 mins doing homework and have another hour to go.  Oof.  Off to the races!
E

Thursday, May 22, 2008

Do or die time

Things are still looking bleak on the job front in Halifax.  Yay.  I can't wait to leave it all behind!  I want some to make a killer offer on this house, so I can just be done with it.  It's sucking the life out of me and has been doing so for 12 years.  I am really not trying to come across as a spoiled brat.  I've spent 12 years being forced to be responsible for a place I don't want and never did.  I've never been allowed to grow up and move on with my life.  Halifax and Green Street are like some kind of life sucking vortex- at least for me.  This is not for me.  Once I am certified, I am shutting down my Canadian bank accounts, selling my car, selling everything I own(with a few exceptions) and handing the keys to my house over to my parents.  It is now time they deal with it, with it's mould, rotten walls and carpets.  I never want to see this house again.  I really mean it.  I am not one to live in one place for very long.  It's making me the most miserable person- no wonder I can't sustain friendships or relationships- how can I when I am miserable and so very unhappy?  I don't think it's fair.  Really and truly not fair to me.  While I am not 100% sure where I'll end up, I'm cool with that.  I need to live as Erin McGrail, wherever that may be.

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

OK, yesterday was a pain induced rant

Yesterday was a pain induced rant.  I am still pissed about no work but I know it will happen soon.
I have a broken left foot and now I am on some pain killers.  These should kick in soon and I'll be happy once again.  I am hoping that I can sleep tonight- that will be oh so lovely.  
I am going to go make some tea, watch some TV and curl up in bed.
Night all
E

Monday, May 19, 2008

Antsy, Angsty, fed up

Still no work.  I am beyond frustrated.  I'm now convinced that I have NOTHING to offer.  What the hell have I been doing with my life the last 12 years?  Wasting my time, expending my energy for what?  For nothing.  I am stuck in  hole of a country, in a hole of a city that has no work.  I have no money, and am drowning in bills that I cannot pay.  THIS is exactly where I wanted to be at 30.  Wow.  All my dreams have come true.  Now I can die a happy woman.  This seriously sucks.  Where is the good karma, man?  I thought that if you do good for the world, you are supposed to paid back?  Well, pay back is LONG OVER DUE. As are my visa bills, condo fees and phone bills.  I at least know that I won't freeze when my power is cut off- we are coming into summer.

Thursday, May 15, 2008

Been in Canada for a month

I've been home in Canada for a month.  Can I leave now?  Seriously?   I will be a willing kidnapping victim!

Sunday, April 13, 2008

Lost in translation.....

Currently sitting in the Tokyo airport.  Fun stuff,  I am tired, hungry and feeling generally crappy.  I have an ear infection so it is making travelling fun! I want to vomit and have already on the flight.  This is not going to be a good flight home at all!  Arg!  I wish there was a "Beam Me Up Scotty" machine as my friend Chris said. It would be so nice!  I am going to go try to get some food into my system and hopefully I won't barf that up as well!
E

Saturday, April 12, 2008

22 hours left in Korea.....Emotions suck!

Holy Batman!  I have 22 hours left in Korea!  Went out last night and partied with my co-workers and friends.  It was so much fun!  Went for dinner and then went to a noraebang(Karoake room).  Then some of us went to a couple of bars here and had some fun.  I am going to miss Korea and the friends I've made.  I am going to freaking cry at the bus terminal tonight! Ack!  I already cried at the stupid bar last night!  I hate emotions!

Friday, April 11, 2008

Contractually done....

I am done work.  I have one day until I am done Korea.  Wow.  Feeling a bit nostalgic, but more importanly- excited as hell to go home.  My bags are all packed and waiting at the door.  Tonight, we are all going out for dinner, drinks and noraebang(karoake)!  I am not singing but I will be enjoying the company!

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

3 days, 22 hours, 11 minutes....Am I there yet?

I am officially done.  Mentally and physically done but not done contractually.  Contractually I am done tomorrow.  I can't wait.  I am slowly shutting down.  I want to go home.  I miss everything.  I miss normal.  I am not ungrateful at all, and I do not regret my year here at all. I am antsy for my bed again and my big thick duvet!  Aah- I can't wait to fall asleep under my duvet again!  I am looking forward to morning tea at Tim Hortons.  I normally hate Tim Hortons  but after a year of none,  I am feeling I need some!

Any way, I need to get ready for work.  Write more tonight

Monday, April 7, 2008

If I could walk home....

I've been in Korea for exactly one year now.  I arrived at 8 pm on April 7th, 2007.  It is now April 8th, 2008 and 12:43 pm.  Wow.   Crazy to think that I've been here for a year now.  I'm surprised that I've lasted the year.  I didn't even want to stay.  But I am glad I did.  I am now REALLY REALLY ready to go home to Canada.  

Friday, April 4, 2008

My last weekend in Korea




I am currently enjoying my last weekend in Korea.  And I have both days off!  A first in a very long time.  It's been awhile- about 8 months since I've had two days off.  And even rarer- I have them off in a row.  Impressive!

I just went for an hour long walk around my neighbourhood of Sangmu, taking pictures and enjoying the great weather.  I took pictures and hung out at the local soccer field, where I watched a soccer game.

I've added some photos from my walk today.  This one is the lights in front of City Hall.


7 Days left

I have 7 days left in Korea.  I've been teaching here for a year now.  Crazy.  This time last year, I was on a plane from Halifax to Seoul, South Korea.  In 7 days, I'll be doing the reverse trip.  Luckily going the other way, it's a shorter trip.  A whole 4 hours shorter- making the trip 24 hours long! WOO HOO!
I am all packed and I've cleaned my apartment- if you can even call what I live in, an apartment.  I am so antsy to get on that plane!  I want to come home and see everyone!  I need to start looking for a  job at home.  I am so nervous about that aspect of the next phase of 2008.  Yikes!