I'm a horrible blogger.

I used to be much better about blogging. Apologies for my lack of updates.

Not exactly sure what I should be updating about... if you're my close friend and/or if you have Facebook, you probably already know how I've been doing. So instead, I'll just do some random fun facts about me/Korea for those too lazy to stalk me.

1. I've been learning Korean. I think I'm learning a lot for a beginner... its honestly easier for me because I have a background in speaking an Asian language.. and Korean is very close to Chinese, so the prounciation is easier. One thing I've been able to enjoy a lot here is the sense of anonymity. Because I am Asian, I can blend in pretty well and if I'm walking around with headphones I don't get too many gawkers or stares.. (unless my students see me, in which case I'll know they go to my school and I can wave hello) I've been mistaken for a Korean on multiple occasions but it doesn't bother me as it gives me an opportunity to practice my Korean.

2. The Daejeon Office of Education is offering all Native English Teachers a chance to learn Taekwondo, so I've signed up!! I'm pretty excited for it but I haven't started classes yet. The one negative thing about it is that the studio is very close to my house, and therefore, very close to my school. The son of the owner is actually one of my students. I'm not sure how many students at my school take Taekwondo, but I'm sure it will be interesting for them to see me make a fool out of myself...

3. I'm going on a Temple Stay this coming weekend. I'm pretty excited about it so maybe afterwards I'll have the time/concentration to write a blogpost about the experience. Basically a temple stay is when you visit a Buddhist temple and spend a night there with the monks. You get to see how they live, and participate in meditation activities (some in the wee hours of the morning...) and take some time to think spiritually about your life.

4. School is going well... I'm getting the hang of working with all my teachers, fitting in to the culture of the school(s), and planning lessons without procrastinating. There are still the random spontaneous schedule changes or lack of communication/info... but I try to just go with it and take all things in stride.

5. One random fact about Korea that I found very interesting and cool... is the many ways that it's environmentally friendly. I just learned about what composting was about a few months before I left, but they do that here, everywhere. You're required to separate your garbage, aside from simply the recycling, you also separate your food trash. There is a separate bucket for that outside each building and they collect it in order to make feed for livestock in farms or something (don't quote me on that). Also, in most grocery stores and also large shopping markets, they charge you for plastic bags and they're also very stingy with it... it encourages you to bring your own or simply not use a bag.