Busy as a bee!

Wow! So things have been busy here in Korea. If you are reading my blog you would know that I have been busy setting up my classroom blog and learning all about producing videos. Yes it takes a lot of time and yes I am still learning. Who knew my computer was so capable? I totally underestimated the power of technology on this one. (By the way... although I am busy, I am loving it! A BIG thanks to Ms. Y & the grade 6's for starting up this great project. My students are loving English and we are all so excited to be working with you).

Aside from school / work...since my last blog post quite a bit has happened...

I managed to catch my first Korean virus. Yup I have a cold and I still don't know how I feel about the warm ginseng drinks.

As mentioned in a prior post, there is a dog cafe. Guess who recently found it? You guessed it, me! I spent far to much time there reading while I made some four legged friends who gladly sat with me and enjoyed my outdated magazine.

This weekend was also halloween. Due to an awesome virus I caught I didn't do much at all but the weekend was a nice relaxing one with some retail therapy. :) Guess who is nearly half way done her christmas shopping? From what I have gathered on Facebook... trick or treaters were once again on the decline. I understand how stressed you may feel having so much candy left over. I can help you out with this problem. Leave me a comment and I will give you my "fan mail" address and I will gladly enjoy your left over Canadian Halloween candy. Did you know that here in Korea you can't get Reece Peanut Butter Cups? (hint, hint) I haven't found Coffee Crisps either. I may even be that really nice teacher and share my candy with my students. (Serious note here: Chocolate isn't the same here... I miss my Canadian chocolate).

I am also happy to report that I am all signed up for my race on December 4th. A fellow NET (Native English Teacher) from Calgary will be running the half marathon while I will be running a shorter distance due to my knee injury. Either way.. in just over 4 weeks I will be in the Busan area (South part of South Korea) running my first international race. I wish I could tell you more about this event but I have spent far to much time with google translator trying to figure out how to register for this event. I will be sure to inform you of how it goes. :)

This month I am taking a Korean Royal Culture class with other foreign school teachers. Once a week I attend a workshop from 6-9pm after work and learn all about the Joseon dynasty. This past Tuesday was the first of five lessons. An overview of what we learned:
- Joseon Dynasty lasted 519 years and was established in 1392
- King Taejo was the founder of the Joseon Dynasty who's political ideology was Confucianism
- During this time Dynasty various "things" were developed such as the sundial and acupuncture
- Agriculture was the main industry here
- At all times there were various scribes writing down exactly what the King said. These royal records were never read by the king and were only shared with others after his death. Over the 519 years 2000 books were written. (Could you imagine having 2-3 people follow you EVERYWHERE you go and write down exactly what you say all the time?)
- We learned how to make Eobo - a symbol of the king. Eobo is soap castings so we had the joy of making our very own soap cast.

This "Hands on Korean Culture class" was very informative and I look forward to next week when we learn about the Palaces residence and the literary arts of the Joseon Royal Cort. I will be sure to bring my camera to next weeks class so next weeks blog isn't so boring and full or words :D.

This weekend is the Seoul Lantern Festival & a Kite flying competition. I don't know a whole lot about kite flying but I have registered to compete and fly a kite. There is no better time than the present to learn, right? Wish me luck. :D

Thanks for reading and don't forget to check out my class blog! (www.gr6sangam.wordpress.com)