Music Monday

I always catch my co-teacher, Fathima, listening to Indian music so I've been itching to listen to some too. Here is one she recommended to me.

I love it. Doesn't it make you wish your life could be an Indian music video for a day? Or even a Bollywood movie for a day? In my dreams. 

Yoga Class

As I've mentioned before, I've started taking yoga classes during my time in Korea. Yes, I still think it's weird too, as I am a skeptic of the art of yoga. Well let me share one of my more interesting yoga classes with you.

Usually I have yoga on Monday, Wednesday, Friday mornings, however last Wednesday our working schedule changed so Fathima and I had to go to the evening yoga class on Wednesday. I kind of wish we just didn't go.

We went in and it was all full of ajummas (아줌마). Ajummas are defined as older women above the age of 40 years old. These ajummas in my class were in there 60s and some probably in their 70s. "Oh great" I thought, "now I won't be too embarrassed with my nonexistent flexibility with these old women." Man was I ever wrong. They were the most flexible women I had ever seen! I bet if they wanted, they could have kissed their own butts. If it were the 2008 Olympics, and there was a competition on strictly flexibility, these women would give Nastia Liukin a run for her money.

To make matters worse I was dragged to a mat in the front of the class. Why? I don't know. I truly despise being in the front of a group of people (yes, I struggle with this when teaching too). It was pretty embarrassing, but I'm sure comical for everyone behind me.

To make matters even worse there was a strange man videotaping and taking pictures of our class during my yoga struggle. Why was he there? I don't know.

Even more embarrassing was the when I stayed in the same position without realizing that we have moved on. And everyone laughed. In my defense, the instructor speaks in Korean (obviously) so when my eyes are closed and she tells us to change positions, I have no idea. I guess I was just really in the zone.

Namaste, my friends

An American Thanksgiving in Korea

This was my first Thanksgiving away from home and away from my family, so I was a little concerned that I would be really sad and slip into a mild depression and then eat a lot of chocolate to make myself feel better. However, there was a lovely "American Thanksgiving" feast planned in a neighboring town, Wontong.

Digging in to the delicious food

There was a lot of fun, a lot of food, and a lot of togetherness that was shared. It was wonderful. The only think that was missing was the turkey.

Gathering around the feast

There was mashed potatoes, a vegetable stew, some chicken, pork, a South African desert, bread, and many other things that everybody brought.

Sam (the wonderful host), Ashley, Fathima, and Josh

The boys being "cute"

My first Thanksgiving abroad was a success; the turkey wasn't missed as much as I thought it would be, I was surrounded by good company, and I later slipped into an amazing food coma, but I did miss my momma's mashed potatoes. 

2 teachers + 250 students = no class!

Desk Warming. Quite possibly one of the most underrated things ever.

In the Korean public schools, there's a term called "desk warming". It's when the teachers still have to come in during Winter or Summer break even though there are no students. This is a norm for public schools, but luckily my hagwon gets a full week of desk warming due to our lack of staff.

Since Johnlyn just left, and her replacement doesn't come until the end of the week, and it is just me and my co-teacher Fathima, our director decided to simply cancel all classes for the week. It is amazing! Two hours in, and I have already finished all my work for the day, what to do, what to do.

Any suggestions on what do to with all my free time at school?

If you're ever desk warming, here's a post with some ideas to help you pass the time: The Joys of Desk Warming in Korea