Some of you have been asking some questions. Because of the nature of your questions I thought it might be good to answer them here. Well, first of all my job is anything but a conversational English teacher. I am responsible for teaching more-or-less everything about English. I am definitley needing to brush up on my English knowledge. Fortunately I have been observing other teachers this week, and receiving training from my boss about the teaching philosophy of this school. I will start teaching next week. This week I have been fortunate to have taken some of the other teacher's classes. I feel this has given me valuable information on class management. Although I am still a bit nervous about teaching my first full day, I am now more excited than nervous. The kids really seem to like me and I like them. They are pretty respectful most of the time. But from what I have observed they start acting up when they get bored. I don't think there are any really "bad" kids. I just need to learn how to reach the ones who are more difficult. From what I have been told, some of the kids are here because their parents make them come. But, most seem to really be excited about learning. This also seems to depend a little on teaching style.

The bell just rang, have to go...

Well, it has been a while... Yes I'm still alive. I have enjoyed my time here so far. I did start my training 6 hours after arriving, a little jet lagged. But, the other teachers are great and my boss is a very kind man. I love the little Korean kids, although I have not taken a class of my own yet. They are all soo cute!

Let's see... Maybe you all are curious about culture shock. I can't say I was really shocked, but somethings I've noticed. Rows of apartments that are all 20 stories tall and look exactly the same. Bathrooms that have a squatting stall in the Church. A Church service w/ 100,000 or so people in attendance. All the sports clothing stores I have seen only sell one brand, ex. Nike. The apartment bathroom has a drain in the floor so you can wash it down. Every building and restaurant has a drinking water system that supplies cold and hot water. And, most places have metal cups that look like a thermos lid for drinking. (When I get a digital camera I'll put up some pictures so you can see what I mean.) Food that you share from the same bowl or dish. But Korean food is Awesome! I even like the KimChi.

The town I live in, Kimpo, is a very new city it is only about 10 years old and it is about 10 minutes from Seoul. I guess the town has about 200,000 people in it. But, because the stores are stacked ontop of each other and the housing is stacked ontop of each other I am guessing the landmass of city is about the same size or smaller than Billings, MT.

My roommates are great so far. Although one is leaving on Saturday, I wish I had more chance to get to know her. She is from Los Angeles and speaks Korean fluently. The other is from China and speaks Chinese and Korean fluently, which gives me a unique opportunity. I teach her English and she teaches me Korean. All the other teachers are roomed with US citizens, and I guess you are pretty tired at the end of the day so most of them have not learned much Korean.

Ok, I went to Seoul and Inchon this weekend. Seoul is a neat city, although I can see that it will be more fun after I have learned more Korean. I think Seoul is now the largest city I have ever been in, 10,000,000 people. We went shopping for running shoes and a couple of other essentials I needed. Later, we went into Inchon, which is right on or near the sea. But somehow I do not believe that I have actually seen the sea yet. I'm really looking forward to the opportunity to goto the coast.

I am looking forward to the time when my Korean friends will be returning from the US so I can visit them.

Well I think I've blogged on enough for now;) And it is late here at the school 10:20 pm.

Hi Everyone!

Ok, I told you all that I would keep a blog, so true to my word here it is. I do not have a digital camera yet so I won't have pics for a while. I started the journey on Tues. 23 at 6:15 am. The first stop was Salt Lake City. The next leg landed in San Francisco, where Sung was waiting and we spent the day together. We caught the sub and the bus to The Korean Consulate. Of course it was closed for lunch, so we hoofed it down the street 10 blocks for lunch. When we got back to the consulate I had to go get photos. So, 1 block away to get the photos. Upon our return I found that I could not pay with credit card so back down the same block past the camera place to get cash. The rest of the day was pretty uneventful. Got on the plane for Incheon S. Korea at 1:00 am landed 4:45 am S. Korean time. Then I took a nap till 1:00 pm.

I will tell more about my first day at Kids College later. I have to goto class now.