Spring has come :)

Annyong Haseyo!

Sorry that we've gotten bad at updates, we've been pretty busy and haven't been remembering to sit and do an update once and a while..

We've started to become pretty used to the routine here in Korea, we are used to our schools and we've become familiar with the curriculum and teaching methods. We've also basically completely figured out transportation to and from and within the city, which makes life a lot easier on the weekends.

Living in a new culture really has its ups and downs. It looks so "fun" and like "such an experience" to everyone back home, and while in many ways it is, it really is a daily struggle as well. Things in Korea are REALLY different from Canada, almost the complete opposite in many ways.

There's a lot of sexism here, which is a huge emotional struggle to a woman who is used to living in Canadian society. Being white (especially on our tiny island) makes us a target to a lot of mild racism and some really frustrating situations. 

We're content and not regretting our decision to come, but it is a struggle in so many ways and everyone back home should know that it's not the fun, whimsical journey that it looks like from the comfort of a canadian home!

Last week we found out that since we never had orientation upon arrival, we were going to Incheon for a late orientation week.

We got to stay in a 5 star hotel for 4 days, eat all meals for free, tour the city and participate in activities which would assist us with our schools and classes.

We met a lot of awesome people and some great new friends, which we were extremely happy to have considering our pretty limited group on the island. 

Out at night during orientation:

A beautifully themed bar:

The orientation was great. A nice break from teaching, a free week in the city and we got some good ideas out of the presentations they had. 

Some of the material they covered could have been useful 2 months ago haha, but we just zoned out during those parts and did gain some good ideas that were needed.

On the second last day, they took the whole group on a tour of Incheon city! We got to dress in fake traditional korean clothes (the real ones are less clownish i assure you), and play korean games and instruments:

The whole group:

I am NINJA WOMAN

During the evening they took us out for an AMAZING korean meal, the best we've had here yet, with 6 or 7 courses and the best quality and variety in korean food we've had so far. Then we got to go on a little cruise ship out into the Ocean and there was a dance troupe performance and an acrobatics show.

There were about 1000 seagulls who swarmed the boat as well and took food right out of your hands! That kept me entertained for about 2 hours straight...

Dinner:

Christian, Andrew and Dorian

Laura dancing with the old korean women:

The week was a lot of fun and we were sad to come home again... Interestingly enough, we took a cab home to the Island late saturday night with our friend Jill, I was so tired and flustered as we got out of the cab that I left my purse inside, and didn't realize until we were standing at our door and the cab was well on his way back to the city an hour away. Our apartment key was in my purse...

It was 3 am and we were exhausted and had no way of contacting the cab with the language barrier and there are 45 cab companies in the city. 

Our neighbors ended up helping us break into our apartment until 4am. Yes, we bought them gifts the next day!

And my amazing co teacher FOUND my purse the very next day by making a bunch of phone calls. So, the story ends well:)

Those are the most exciting and interesting things to happen to us recently, we will leave you with some random pictures  from the last month...

Seoul Subway

Out the window of Eryn's friday school - Miongshin

Eryn and some of her students:

Missing you all.....

xo