I’m sorry everyone… I’m sorry. Two months since my last update. It’s unacceptable I know. Where to begin…
I started another UBC course in May, and finally finished at the end of July. Even though it was only one course the workload was about the same as 2 undergrad classes. All based on discussion, so I’ve pretty much spent the last two months at work or sitting in front of my laptop. So I’ve really had nothing to update!
I feel like it’s been raining for months. Actually, it has! July is normally monsoon season, but it’s still going. Strange weather… ridiculously humid, but rainy. I start sweating as soon as I go outside, even if it’s raining. I really don’t want to imagine what it’s going to be like once the rain stops. And I noticed that I always have a layer of oil on my face, how great is that? I think it’s a mixture of the pollution and humidity. Oh and my hair falls out way more than usual, and other teachers have noticed it too. Not that I’m complaining, because we all know I have too much hair, but it’s kind of weird to have handfuls of hair coming out in the shower!
The smog is crazy too… you can pretty much see it down the street. I’ve heard that once it gets really hot you can see it at the top of tall buildings. It makes me realize how important it is to make sure that Canada never gets this bad.
Work… is work! We thought our campus was in danger of closing for a while, but it looks like it’s going to stay open at least until the end of my contract. This is good and bad news... I wouldn’t mind moving right into Seoul, but I know I’m saving more money here because I don’t go out as much. And Bundang is much cleaner and nicer than most of Seoul. Plus, Jin was just promoted to manager of our campus which is great! So many people here complain about their managers, so I’m lucky that I can say mine is a good friend.
Summer vacation is the month of August here, so I’m working 9 – 5 instead of 2 – 10pm. I thought I would like it better, but these past few weeks have reminded me how much I hate mornings. Don’t worry Dad… I don’t yell and snap at my 9am class. I’m actually quite pleasant and happy. Here’s a quote from one girl’s essay:
My second favorite star is Ashley Teacher. I like Ashley Teacher because she always teaches S1 class and B3 class. I think it is very tired. I like Ashley Teacher because she always laugh at all students. I think always laugh is mouth is some hurt.
See? I paste that smile on my face. I should be an actor. This class is a senior class, so I have a lot of fun with them just talking and laughing. They call me ‘the comic’, so I figure that’s a good thing.
My second class is the first level we offer at our school, and the kids can barely speak English. It’s a long 3 hours with them some days, but one of the students is the funniest kid I’ve ever met in my life. His name is Nam Guk and he looks like a pug. He always has a scowl on his face, and he sticks his tongue out when he’s concentrating really hard. Every so often I get him laughing, so now my goal in class is not to teach English but to make him laugh or smile. It keeps me going! I have never done so much colouring and laminating and cutting in my life. I have a newfound respect for kindergarten teachers.
The latest news.. I booked my flight home for Kell’s wedding! All the flights I was looking at were between $2000 and $2500, and I finally found a special with Air Canada for $1200 taxes in. I was so lucky… the special is only for two flights leaving Thursdays and Sundays, which is what I needed. And they’re direct! So I arrive Thursday evening and leave Sunday afternoon, it’s definitely going to be a whirlwind of a trip. But I can’t wait. I actually ended up getting another day off, but I had to take the Sunday flight back to get the special so I figure I’ll use the extra day to catch up on sleep once I’m back here.
So, all in all things are good! I definitely have the Ashley itchy feet... I’m ready to move on to somewhere new and exciting. But I’ve managed to pay off a good chunk of debt so far, and the thought of paying even more gets me through the bad days.
I promise another update sooner this time!!
Miss you all!
Ashley
xoxoxo