Catching Up

So I haven't been very happy with any of my outfit posts as of late, which is one reason for my serious lack of updates. On the other hand, I am in a foreign country and should be taking pictures of tons of interesting things besides the clothes I wear, right? And I have! I'm just getting lazy... But I won't go on about my absence. Let's just do a little updating, shall we?

...deep breath...

I visited Seoul Tower with a few of my friends. Seoul Tower, or Nasam Tower, is a communication and observation tower on Nasam Mountain in Seoul. It's kind of surreal to have this huge, huge capitol city and then to have this mountain hanging out in the middle of it. The hike up was hot (ugh), but it was really beautiful, so, yeah, it was worth it. Took a bus down though...  I didn't need to see it again, haha.
















They had these metal trees and fences where you could attach a lock or chain or, um, cell phone cases. A lot of them had sweet, lovey-dovey sentiments. At least, from the ones I could read. Most the others, I assumed said the same. I mean, what else would be written on a heart? Ah, damn, I should have bought one and wrote something like, "I have to take a poop. FOREVER. Love, Anna".

 

our rendition of a korean drama

my rendition of a map

That same day, we visited a traditional village, also in the heart of Seoul. We found some pretty swell face-in-a-hole cut outs. I think I found the best one.

All right. Next.

 Boots was neutered and declawed. Boy, oh boy! Little guy was a champ though despite some mishaps (notice the makeshift sock-cast around his left paw) the and has made a full recovery!

Moving on.

one of our many sets of twins. luckily, one has since adopted bangs.

I had summer camp. Yes, and I actually had summer camp before my Busan trip from my last post (damn, I am behind...). I taught two small classes of 4th and 5th graders. It was meant to help the students who are the most behind/having the hardest time with even the basics.

Case in point, we spent a week going over and over the alphabet, telling time, and days of the week. We spent the other week reviewing past lessons and introducing the new material for next semester. Yeah, I know, super exciting. I mean, I heard that other kids have to endure Harry Potter or Under the Sea themed classes. God forbid, right?

 We actually made a lot of progress and from the kids who showed up consistently, they managed to get through the whole alphabet, BIG and small! I consider that a success.

Also, this..

Alyissa and I visited the War Memorial of Korea in Yongsan, Seoul. Technically, South Korea is still at war with North Korea ever since the Korean War in the 1950's. Some people just can't let things go....

No, but seriously, it's a shame the two countries can't come together and focus that hatred towards the Japanese...

No, but seriously, seriously. These two countries share such a tumultuous past, but a common past. Somewhere along the line, though, shit got divided and an entire country split. I mean, yeah, this kind of stuff has happened before; countries divide and create new independent countries. But which ones have become such polar opposites that they can't even live peacefully and independently? I mean, North Koreans are forbidden to leave their country to travel to South Korea and South Koreans are denied entry into North Korea. It just feels like things have been left unresolved for so long, I don't think the two countries can ever unite again without some kind of confrontation.

All right, I'm not going to pretend I know everything about Korean relations at all. In fact, I know very little. But I did see some interesting stuff at the memorial, and not all of it was based on the Korean War. Here! Let me tell you all about it in picture form:

 

Whew! That was a lot! I was going to have an accompanying outfit with this post but 1) like I said, I'm not overly pleased with my outfit photos latel, 2) but, hell, let's spread the wealth and make it it's own post anyway, and 3) there's so much shit in this one, there's no real way I could find a way to relate my clothes to anything here.

So yeah. Another time.


Sincerely,
Anna
yay!

Tuxedo

.... A Canadian tuxedo? Kind of. Denim shorts, but the shirt is actually chambray. Also, how much clothing actually constitutes a tuxedo? If it requires three pieces, then I'm lacking. This is the summer version. These pictures were taken in a hurry, as the sun was soon setting. I also had a few shots of me climbing this... this.. water tower? But they weren't all that good, and I was nervous to try it again with people walking around. Haha, oh well. I can always come back.

 -Anna-

shirt: thrifted

shorts: ebay

shoes: Payless?

necklace: antique show

Also, paper mache in my after school class! I'm teaching them about the planets and space, so we're making a a whole solar system to display in the class room and in the hallway. It's good, messy fun :)

Until next time,
Anna

Positively Super!

I recently purchased a lacey top from Forever21 to pair with dresses or tops that would otherwise not be suitable for school (ie. sleeveless). I wanted to get something other than a cardigan type piece. So how could I resist when I found this little number on sale? AND it's navy blue? My favorite color to wear? Wonderful!

-Anna-

dress: thrifted

shirt: Forever21

shoes: ebay

watch: gift

my example, awesome anna

I've also included projects my students from my after school class have done. I have fourteen 5th and 6th graders each week, seven on Mondays and seven on Wednesdays, for 80 minutes each. I am free to teach whatever I want, so I decided to teach lessons that incorporated some type of art project, being so fond of it myself. Kids here don't have art classes, which is a damn shame. Creativity isn't really nurtured here. I mean, it's not discouraged, it's just not really available unless they pursue it on their own, and no doubt, after their other school work has been completed. So here I am to help these kids harvest their creativity! Although, creating lessons to practice English while offering an engaging art project for 10-12 year olds is kind of a tough en devour. Sometimes they understand, and sometimes they just smile and nod, haha.

One of our projects was creating a superhero. So the kids decided if they wanted to be a superhero or a supervillian and then we discussed powers they could have. They picked out names and created a city to defend (or wreak havoc in). Then they designed their superhero/villian! I even let them use my nice Prisma Color markers.

the instant comfort pocket box

Another recent project was based on positivity. I taught them positive words and positive actions, as well as how to compliment others. We had to practice, of course, so I had each one give each other compliments ("You're good at soccer", "I think you're handsome", "I like your teeth" are some examples, haha, some better than others). Then we made these little boxes with encouraging words, an idea I got from artist, Kim Welling.

I'm really proud of the work they're doing! It's a struggle to find the right words to understand each other, but images are a universal language :)

Until next time,
Anna

If I Watched Mad Men...

... and I ever went to a Mad Men themed party, I might wear this dress. Definitely the pearls, because pearls just scream dinner party apparently (ala Pretty in Pink...). And if I smoked cigarettes, I would be right now. Er, well, in the photo. Although, I guess if I smoked I quite possibly could be doing it now too. Anyway, sorry I look so unhappy in these pictures... I feel like I look cheesy when I try to smile, haha.

 -Anna-

dress, shoes, necklace: thrifted

tights: Forever 21

earrings: Icing

watch: gift

Today was a good school day. Not to say I have bad days, but today was especially pleasant. We had to give a months/dates test to our 6th graders who hadn't passed the first one. I have a morning class Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, where 13 or so students come in for extra help. There are about 7 who are especially behind. Today I drilled those 7 students, who were all going to retake the test later that day or tomorrow, on the months and their spelling, hoping I made an impact.

We had two 6th grade classes, who included one of my most remedial students, Ingi. He is the cutest, sweetest kid, who happens to love English and me. But bless his heart, he has trouble writing English. On his first date test, he scored a 2/20. But today he scored a 14/20!! Oh, I was so excited! There were a number of my other slower students who scored perfect (yaaay!!) or high scores too (and then a few who still don't get it. We'll get 'em next time).

Not only am I proud of them for sticking through it even when it wasn't making sense or when it seemed too hard, but, I'm going to go ahead a gloat for a second, I'm proud of myself too :) While I am out here teaching English, I've never thought I was the most qualified person for the job. But seeing students of mine succeed with some extra direction from me makes me feel as though I'm actually making somewhat of an impact.

Ingi ^^

-Anna-

Among the Green Wildlife

 

This is from last week. My first outside post of my outfit! This is from when I took pictures around the school. There were some people walking by and a few dogs, but whatever.... I had some green company, a giraffe, a lion, and... something else I forgot....

 Anna:

sweater: Gap

skirt, shoes: thrifted

necklace: garage sale

tights: don't remember. maybe stolen from bette

I hope to have more to come! No pictures yet, but give me time... In the mean time... Bette?! where you at?

 

Anna

Songnae Elementary School

School pictures!! I teach at Songnae Elementary School in Bucheon City. It's a smaller elementary, I have about 20 kids in each of my classes. I teach 4th, 5th, and 6th with my co-teacher, Elly. I teach two 3rd grade classes on my own. I also have a daycare after school on Thursdays, in which I teach 1st and 2nd graders,  but with no set curriculum, just songs and games.

I wasn't sure what level of English my students would already know, but after meeting them, I realize it's very low. And that's totally fine; it means we have plenty of room to grow. At the same time though, there are different levels in every class. So while the majority of students have very little knowledge of English, there are some students who go to private English institutions, so they are more advanced. We need to figure out how to address and appropriately challenge the different levels, which is tough.

And from the student's and teacher's feedback, the kids seem to like our class! When we first asked the students, "Who likes English?", a few kids raised their hands. And when we asked "Who doesn't really like English?"... all the rest of the kids raised their hands. Haha! Oh no! We just need to convince them that English is fun and useful! I'm confident they'll come around. I can't wait to see how much they'll learn after a year!

I kept forgetting to take pictures of students, so I had Elly help remind me today with our fourth grade class. we canceled their class last week because of a scheduling issue, so this was their first class. We played games and made name tags. I got to name little Korean kids! It went over better with the 4th graders than it did with the 5th graders, who didn't seem to like any of the names I offered, haha.

the daycare kids. they're so energetic!!

we have two english classrooms. this is where my desk is. we teach in the room next door, where elly's desk is.

our stamp boards: rewards for good behavior.

a rock display showing different types of rocks. its a science thing. i thought it was a graveyard when i first saw it. lol.

the great mother. apparently she had some awesome son, so she's something to live up to.

a few murals painted around the surrounding wall. how cuuute.

I'm very happy with the school I'm at. All the teachers are very friendly and the students seem enthusiastic. Plus, my school is RIGHT next to my apartment building, so the walk in the morning takes 5 minutes! Can't argue with that...

Anna