Not Since My First Few Weeks Here Have I Wanted to Blog this Badly!!!!

I was struck with how normal my day was today. Just an everyday, day. I mean, I get up late... normal, right? That happens in normal life. I go to school, I teach. I lesson plan, I teach. I talk with my colleagues, I teach, I learn a little Korean. My days are so normal.


BUT I"M IN SOUTH KOREA!!!!


Yesterday I was able to talk with one of my co-teachers. I want to lesson plan with her because she has the most advanced class and I need to be able to keep her students busy. So, she comes to my desk and we plan. I like this teacher so much. She is so cute and she is the one that helped me when I was sick. She took me to the doctor and took care of me. She also helped me at the bank. So, basically, this teacher knows a lot of my very personal and private information.


Our lesson planning took probably 10 minutes, but we talked for probably 45. It's difficult here for me in strange ways. I have a support system of Americans, Canadians and New Zealanders that I can talk with if I need to, but it's nice... so nice... to have Korean friends too. I want this teacher and I to be friends but, I don't know how to get to know her better. I don't' know what to do (other than get sick; which she jokingly suggested) to be able to spend more time with her.
I told her this:


"I'm not very good at dropping hints."


"Dropping hints?"


"I'm not good at being subtle... I'm a very direct person."


"Oh, oh yes. You're not good at going around a topic. Me either. I'm direct."


"Yes. We call that beating around the bush!"


"Yes, yes! I know that expression."


I told her that I wanted to get to know her better, but that I didn't know how. I struggle here because I need a support system. My old support system all live in the U.S. I need a new one. But, I know from experience that when a foreigner comes to a different country, it's harder for the natives to feel really interested or devoted to getting to know the aforementioned foreigner. The natives all have a support system already. The natives have a life here, hobbies, interests, families, friends. I just have an apartment.... a small apartment.


I'm hopeful now. Sometimes I'm amazed at how much honesty is just so much more beneficial than "dropping hints" or playing games. I think it just takes a little courage to be vulnerable... I think a lot of people see vulnerability as a weakness... but it's not! It's honesty. I appreciate honesty so much! My co-teacher, Yu Mikyung, opened up to me a little, and I feel so privileged to know a little bit more about her. She's so surprising to me.


Below is a picture of me with two of my co-teachers and another English teacher. The two teachers I am standing between are my co-teachers. In the picture the one on my left is Yu Mikyung, the one on my right is Kong Changok. They are the two I have most contact with... they are both very important in my life here! I just can't get over how much of a GIANT I look like compared to these women. I normally don't feel that huge next to them... but my GOSH, I'm ENORMOUS!!


Well, peace out! More to come soon!