Fresh air with the kiddos: Field trip to the Korea National Arboretum

Some wonderful Fall foliage pics here to share with you as I talk about my final field trip for this semester. The kiddos were sent to the Korea National Arboretum up in Pocheon, which is slightly north of Seoul.

Our day was blessed with little cloud cover, warm air and wonderful colors along the way.

You might be asking yourself, "What is an arboretum, that sounds familiar?" Well this is likened to a collection of trees, so in essence this park was a tree-park. What does every tree park need? A museum to enlighten you on the varieties of wood out there and it's many uses, of course!

In one exhibit they reminded viewers the destruction that Japanese occupiers left on the forests here, which was kind of sad. However, the organization of the museum was quite nice and it also had a lovely lingering smell of fresh cut wood.

Also in the museum was a gallery space with shadow boxes full of hand crafted sceneries made from wooden items.

After our stint around the museum we headed over to a greenhouse for some humid air and to take a look at some greenery.

The most of this trip was spent wandering through the many paths admiring the changing colors in the leaves, and mostly for me taking in the fresh forest smell.

In fact the fresh air and Fall foliage reminded me of my small-town home back in California, so I became a bit homesick and nostalgic at the same time. But the kids constantly kicked me into remembering where I was, and Fall in Korea is certainly a special time.

We enjoyed lunch in a opening under the trees, where unfortunately bees also had a good time checking out what we brought.

For the final leg of our trip we walked up a trail admiring the forest once more, before heading back to the busses.

Now is the peak time for fall foliage it seems, as the trees are in full bursts of color. I can't help but think by the end of next week the trees might look like sticks, and winter will be around the corner. Time surely does fly!

Yook-sam building teacher! (field trip)

 It's been a while since my school went on a field trip and so we finally went on one last week. Our destination was the infamous 63 Building in Yeoido. This was my second time venturing to the building, as I visited it a while back with me ex.

As for this field trip I wouldn't say it was the best, as the building really only offers so much. However, the kids seemed to have a good time. Immediately we went to the top and enjoyed the view.

Thankfully, it was a beautiful clear morning when we arrived so the view was amazing. Seeing Seoul like this sure does remind you of where you live and what a highly developed place it is.

 After our fun times wondering around the top of the building, we went back down to the Imax theater. Here we watched a 3D movie about dinosaurs, which I thought was interesting. However, it seems most of the movies we watch on field trips are about dinosaurs, so I think we all have good knowledge of them now.

The kids were hungry after the movie and so we stopped by the cafeteria to take over the seats and grab a bite to eat. The kids brought their packed lunches and the teachers quickly bought something and ate it. Seems like the management of the building didn't want us to linger too long in the cafeteria.

Then we moved on to the aquarium, which is actually quite small. Here the kids ran amuck looking at the tanks of fish and other sea life. We enjoyed the synchronized swimming performance along with one involving seals.

 I think the kids got the most kick out of the small Doctor Fish tanks set up. This is where they put their fingers into a small tank and the fish nibbled on them.

 It was a fun field trip and not too exhausting like ones in the past. However, I think the group could have benefited from time spent in the nearby river park, as it was a gorgeous day outside. Wondering around the halls of a building is fun up to certain point.

 We will go on another field trip next month, yet I don't know where it will be. I have to say I have been with these kids for almost exactly two years now and they for sure have grown on me. I can't believe that in about 5 months I will be saying goodbye to them, as they move up a grade. I certainly hope they don't forget about me as they get older.

On the Business of Being a Team Leader

It's been almost two months into my second year at my school, and I figured it is time to talk about being a Team Leader. This title makes me in charge of three other foreign Native English teachers in my department (2nd grade). It also means that I am in the intermediary between the English crew and the Korean homeroom teachers. When I was first given this duty I was stricken with fear that I couldn't do it, and would find myself stressed out too much. Today I am going to expose how being a Team Leader has developed for me and give insights into what's been happening so far.

Things started off kind of rough when on the first day back I was bombarded with level testing. I wasn't aware this had to be done so I was found scrambling for the test and spending my prep time giving it to the new students. But I handled it quite well and did my best to keep up with the day. During that first week I thought it was very important to make a good impression with the Korean staff, and so tried to talk with them, and one day gave them some chocolate I acquired from recent travels. But it seemed they were too busy and into their own worries to really pay attention to me or my English staff in general. I mostly just tried to go with the flow and so stayed out of their way.

Since then I have gotten use to being the person the Korean staff goes to when delivering important messages. Information includes schedule changes or nuances about vocabulary and tests. There are four Korean homeroom teachers and the make up is interesting. One of them is an older woman and doubles as the school's Vice Principal. So she doesn't really talk to me much, but I try my best to be nice and mild around her. The other homeroom teacher is the one to go to for paperwork and schedule changes, and mostly for English messages. However, she is going to have her first baby at the end of this month, so we won't see her again till next semester. Then there is the next homeroom teacher, a guy, who pretty much keeps to himself. I only go to him if one of the kids from his class is having trouble. That leaves us with the Head Teacher, a guy who is nice and communicates well with me. All major things pass through him, so I try to be nice and just do whatever he requests.

For example, today we had a new student and this morning as I was just setting up in my room, he informed me of her. I was to give her the level test. If this were me about 4 years ago when I first came to Korea, these last minute things and random invites would have me in a twirl. But I've gotten use to a lot of the Korean workplace nuances and so I'm nice about these things.

Otherwise, being Team Leader seems to mostly be about keeping up with everyone's paper work. Monthly planner, vocabulary and lesson plans are the major forms of paperwork I have to check and make sure are all right throughout the month. I have to make sure folks are keeping up with these things and occasionally ask them to hurry along.

As leader itself I am letting things grow at a good pace. I have had bi-weekly meetings with my staff to catch them up on current topics and agenda. It seems to make my team happy, as we also end up talking about the kids and our classes.

I have to say I find being team leader not as stressful as I thought it would be, but at times I hope I'm not slacking off too much. My concerns would be that I don't really talk to the Korean staff or get to the know them. This is something I am notorious for doing. I just figure if I'm being nice and doing what is being told, than I am on their good side anyways. Hmm, maybe time to rethink my strategy, haha.

In the end, I feel that my position at this school and the unique teaching environment that I am is a fortunate win on my side. So being Team Leader, so far, is treating me very well.

November Field Trip: Lotte World

You might go into shock when you hear this, but I've never been to Lotte World. It's been three years here in Korea and not once did I step inside the infamous amusement park located in Jamsil. I've been past it zillions of times, and often wondered what the hype was all about. Well I got my chance this month when the kiddos were taken to the park.

However, I only ended up riding one ride and mostly just followed these youngins around.

For 7 or 8 year olds they loved the rides they went on and didn't really cry much or get sick. Also I found it interesting how little concern for safety the other adults were around me.

 We got there pretty early and the park was just starting to fill up, but there were other school groups inside. Yet, as time went on you got to see the place full of screaming children and couples. The bigger people rides were outside, and so the kiddos got the play of the land.

I must remark at how teenagers react when they see a group of first graders. They wave and say hello, often times taking pictures. Sometimes they can be well...teenagers and rude. For the most part though not a single child got lost and no one seemed to have a bad time.

The inside of Lotte World is this big dome of a place with rides, shops and restaurants laid out in a doughnut shape. In the center, and at a sub-level, is an ice-skating rink. The whole place certainly has a charm to it and I think would look interesting during the night.

I can't tell you the warmth in my heart when I look at these pictures. These kids have infected me with their love, and every time I give them a scolding in class I feel like an idiot. However, they really should speak less Korean during English time.

After the fun and games we were directed into an outer hallway separated from the public area. Here were set up mats for schools to eat lunch on. I didn't get any photos of this, as I was tired and hungry. I guess next year!

The kids were pretty excited for their Lotte World trip and at the end seemed tired, but still wanting to do more. We headed back to school and thought back fondly on our trip to Lotte World.

There Was A Snake

So far walking home within the past month has yielded new sights of wildlife. Several weeks ago I saw this snake weaving it's way through a patch of weeds alongside the river. I couldn't help but get extremely excited. Unfortunately, for some people (my boyfriend) I love reptiles. When I saw this snake I dug out my camera and quickly tried to get a shot. As I moved closer it got away. I even tried to see where it went but it was difficult as it went under the sidewalk and probably into the river.

For all I know this snake is poisonous and I was being too curious. It is the first wild snake I have seen in Korea. The mystical side of me thought it was symbolic and that it linked to someone in my life.

The other little piece of wildlife I ran into was a mouse. But I guess that isn't really much of wildlife, since rodents can be found anywhere in most cities. Still I put meaning to that little fellah, too.

As fall has set in I wonder if I will see any other creatures besides the usual ducks outside. Oh! I did see a feral kitten near the Paris Baguette. I was going to Seoul so didn't try to rescue it. Since then every time I pass by that area I keep my eye out. Hope somebody took it in or picked it up and gave it to a shelter. hmm

Here is a picture of the path home, which I took after seeing the snake. It was still summer time, but the scene pretty much looks the same as now.