I Just Read The Fountainhead

I understand everything. I understand my place and purpose in the world. I can be happy anywhere. I'm meant to be happy. Everyone is. Happiness is truly the default state. One must be selfish in order to truly be happy.

I haven't left my apartment besides the occasional dinner at Yong Udong or Pizza School or recently the Traditional Korean Porridge place. I haven't been so happy to be alone and in my own skin in ages. I finally understand the virtue of selfishness... I never thought I would understand it, yet here it is.

There is an insidious, discreet control exerted over the masses. Even among parents, families and children. It's scary. There is one defense against control...that is human logic and reason. I wont fall in line. I live for myself to do and produce that which I desire. In this way, yes, I am selfish.

Another Boring Day in Pocheon

This semester at my elementary school, I'm teaching 5th grade, 6th grade, "Morning Tales," Phonics 1 and 2, and "Tea Party." Morning Tales is a morning storytelling class, each day a different class; Monday 1st grade, Tuesday 2nd grade, Wednesday 3rd grade, Thursday 5th grade, and Friday 4th grade. I have to get to school an hour before everyone else for this class. I'm getting used to waking up early so it's not so bad, but when i want to talk to people at home in the US leaving early can be a bummer. Tea Party is an after school conversation class composed of nine students of various grade levels yet advanced reading and speaking skills for their grades. I give my Tea Party class snacks at the end of class and so far they listen and they do their work and they enjoy the snacks, which i buy out of pocket. I teach the morning and afternoon classes alone. I teach phonics 1 and 2 with a coteacher named Hwa-Jong. I teach 5th and 6th grade with a coteacher named Gahye. Last semester I taught 3rd and 4th grade with Eunmi and kindergarten alone. I hated kindergarten. It was the most difficult. Jen, the new foreign assistant teacher at my school, got here in september.

5th and 6th grades English class were canceled yesterday due to midterms. Today 6th grade English class was cancelled due to PE test. On Monday 5th grade will be canceled for the same reason. This means Gahye and I will only have today's class to practice our lesson for our open class (view by vice principal or more typically other Korean English teachers and foreign teachers).

Tomorrow, i'm going to seoul to get my external hard drive and eat sushi with a few people i've met here in Korea. I don't know why I don't have friends. I've never had many friends or even very close friends. I suppose i'm guarded. I suppose that there was a lot to protect in the past. Not anymore I guess.

Ready to Begin

I guess I'm ready to begin...
I've been reading other blogs about teaching in South Korea...
I suppose I should warn the incumbent about Pocheon. It's a pretty horrible town. It's dirty and smelly...much like most places in Korea.
My first four months here I didn't save a dime. Screw travel. I'd rather have money to spend in my own country.

E2 Number!

It has arrived via email. sent my docs to Atlanta. Wait.

A Frenzy of Activity

Hmmm... An entire month has passed by since the creation of this blog. Certain things have changed, I believe, for better. I've had quite a bit of time to do my research and contemplate Korea. Am I strong enough to live independently of my family? University was a struggle; however, great things are born of hardship. I've evolved and grown so much that I barely recognized myself. I found myself. I know what I want and it's to experience everything that captures my interest, to live the moments of my life fearlessly & passionately aware of myself and others. That's a good thing. I'm self-confident and outgoing with such a positive attitude, outlook, and vigor for life. ^^

I was contacted, in my opinion, by an excellent recruiting company, TeachESLKorea.com, where I sent my resume. Initially I was looking for a Hagwon, however, a little persuasion led me to be more open to public school positions, which I had secretly desired all along. ^^ Without further adieu... I was hired to teach at a Public Elementary School in Pochen (Gyeonggi-do province outside of Seoul), it's considered to be situated in a rural location, which means some extra pay ($100/mo), possibly a larger apartment, and cleaner air. YAY!! It happened rather quickly. I've been gathering my documents since late March and finally sent my completed GEPIK application and E2 visa documents to Korea last Monday.  Now, I must wait. The next step is receiving my visa number then contacting the consulate for an interview. Immediately after that, I can leave for Korea.

To keep busy and get a feel for the concepts surrounding EFL, I'm taking a 120 TEFLonline.com course also hoping to boost my pay grade to level 2. I'm studying for the GRE, which I will probably take a few days before I leave in late May...

Stiff Competition

I did not realize that getting into Korea to teach would be so competitive. Therefore spreading a wide net is essential, belief is necessary. I've been working non stop, searching for job listings either posted by recruiters or Korean Institutes themselves. I've typed so many emails, my fingers and wrist hurt. Yet I continue on and push onward because I believe ESL in Korea is what I want to do. Originally, I wanted to go to Japan to teach, but I've noticed that Korea provides more opportunities and benefits, so I have altered my initial inclination a bit.

Reading the wealth of information available via recruiting websites, blogs, and message boards has encouraged me daily to feel more comfortable about my pursuit, yet both sick and nauseated thinking about the competition I will face, whether institute directors will like me or not. . .the choice between public vs. private schools, in order to fit this year abroad into my future plans. Anyway, can't sit down and think these thoughts for too long.

I'm learning Korean with Rosetta Stone! It works!!! This is the best language learning program ever. After 1 30min lesson, which I did about 3 times, I felt confident and capable. Rosetta Stone is interesting. . . it really throws you right in there.

June, you cannot arrive sooner.

I think I've decided to use the recruiting agency ESLpark.com. A swift response after posting my resume and filling out the online application made me feel good. I was sent a job application and a sample contract. Then Rena called me last night at 10pm, it was 10am in Seoul, Korea. 12 hour difference to EST, noted. Excitement was in and all around the air as I waited not so patiently for her call. Let's call it freaking out. The interview was a breeze, a few questions, Rena explained the Aspostilled state criminal background process, told me what I would need for my E2 visa, then I asked some of my questions. That was it. She sounds sooo cute on the phone.

I attended an Aclipse webseminar. It was VERY informative, I would tell anyone interested in teaching in Korea to do a seminar because they tell you everything you must know in order to make the process smooth and relatively easy. The testimonials on the ESLpark website eased any fears I may have had.

I've been researching nonstop all week. The amount of information on the internet is overwhelming, and I want to read it ALL. I have gotten in contact with people who have friends and one person who has actually taught in Korea. I can't wait to talk to him!

The nearest Korean consulate is located in Atlanta, GA. . . that's a while away regardless of my dissatisfaction.

Making a list of things I must do in Korea during my year there. . .