Little Extras

Social distancing / voluntary quarantine is still being highly recommended in South Korea.  The streets are still fairly quiet, although, if I’m being honest, the elderly tend to be out and about more often than the rest of us. 

School Talk

This week, I changed my routine up a bit by going to my schools to do lesson planning.  I have felt more motivated, and am understanding my role a tad bit better. 

Korean public primary school buildings tend to be L or C shaped around the soccer/athletics field.  This field is multi-purpose, mostly used for assemblies, recess, and PE.  Although I have not had an opportunity to really see the classrooms, I have spent time within the teachers’ office, which is right next to the principal’s and administration’s offices.  The vice principal may have their own office, or they may work within the teachers’ office.

My elementary school is less than 5 minutes walking from my apartment, and I can see it from my window.  I have not had many interactions with the teachers, as of yet.  They seem much more wary of the Coronavirus, and most stay home.  My co-teacher came to the school to log me in to my computer for the first time, and then left immediately.

My middle school is a 1 hour walk, or 10 minute bus ride, and is in a quiet farming area on the outskirts of the city.  The ride reminds me of 401 between the north end of Fuquay to the south end of Garner.  There are some office buildings, apartment buildings and small houses dispersed throughout, and there is farm land.   The school is up from the valley a bit on a large hill.  Since the schools are closed to students, the teachers must hike all the way up to the top to enter the administration building.  I look forward to the walk the 2 mornings (Mondays and Wednesdays) out of the week because once at the top, I can turn around and see a beautiful valley of mostly farm land and mountains, while I catch my breath.  The teachers have all been welcoming, so far.  We went out for lunch together on Monday, to a Chinese restaurant.  It was delicious!  Some of the teachers speak a little English, but my co-teacher was kind enough to translate some of the conversation.  Inevitably, they did fall back into having a full Korean conversation.  Although I recognize the Hangul characters (Korean characters), I have not been able to learn any Korean.  I do love hearing the sing-song tones as they pronounce each syllable of a word, and I know that once I am in the offices and constantly interacting, I will begin to learn. 

At this time, we are still scheduled to start school on April 6^th.  Next week, however, the Korean government is to sit down to discuss the possibility of another delay. 

Other randoms

There is a park that runs alongside Sincheon Stream. The park has workout equipment approximately every kilometer, and stone paths to cross the waters.  It is a lovely, quiet place to walk or ride one’s bicycle.  If I follow the park all the way into downtown Daegu, it would be a 2.5+ hour walk.  So far, I have made it about an hour, and started walking home, as it was getting dark.

I’ve finally put up the decor I brought with me from the US. The walls are still very bare, and I am working on buying some fabric to hang and drape, to add some color and dimension. I am having a hard time finding blue tack adhesive for hanging things without damaging the walls. If you have any laying around that you do not mind sending over the ocean, I would greatly appreciate it! Please note, the beautiful birds are art by our dear Charlene Bowling!

That is it for this week, folks! Once Daegu goes back to normal, I know I will have exciting stories to share. Until then, stay classy, strong, and healthy!