Back to elementary

"I expected to be thrown in the deep end when I arrived. I just didn't expect it to be the deep end of the Pacific" -Me

As i'm sure you can guess from my choice of opening quotes (being the perceptive reader that you are), my first week of teaching k-6 was a mix of the wonderful and the extremely stressful. I'll get the bad parts out of the way first. My first day they expected me to teach 7 classes with no time for prep and no experience teaching kids. I survived with only a few panic attacks. The next day was at my 2nd school (I teach at 2) and there I met another expat teacher who really helped me find my footing. Her websites, tips and my only have 3 classes that day gave me a chance to breath and get something resembling a plan together. The rest of the week was occupied solely with teaching all day and planning lessons all night.

This picture has no relation to our current narrative but its on a hilltop here and it's pretty and calming after that last paragraph

Fortunately there was plenty of good news too. Now that i'm getting my bearings i'm not so stressed anymore (I was slightly-nauseated-stressed for my first couple days). I'm getting the hang of lesson planning and i'm getting faster. Soon instead of taking all night, it will probably take me 30 minutes or less. Also i'm starting to understand how to teach kids and that makes a big difference too. Once I get some backup plans in place and come to better understand each individual class, I have no doubts that this will become as second nature to me as teaching in Prague was.

Another good thing is that I love the kids and they seem to love me. Maybe it's because i'm a giant to them. Maybe it's because I smile a lot. Maybe it's because I'm new. Maybe it's because I throw them in the air and play lots of games in class. Whatever the reason, they all yell and wave and smile every time they see me. It certainly makes the job rewarding. Heck, at one of the schools I even have my own room to teach in (in the other I visit each grade's homeroom).

My classroom

My classroom

One of my principles even told my korean co-teacher that he thought I looked like a movie star. Tom Cruise to be specific. I laughed and pointed out that he is much shorter than me. They all laughed quite hard at that.

This weekend I am spending sleeping, reading, grocery shopping and generally relaxing. I'm trying to let the stress bleed off then refocus and get ahead so i don't have another week like that anytime soon. I can certainly handle it but I don't like being unprepared if I can help it. For now, here are a couple beautiful pictures I've taken walking around. I'll say this for Jeju, I definitely won't be bored here :)

Looking across the city to where the ocean meets the sky

As my path leads, so I go

My new apartment (round 2)

"Ok, lemme esplain. No, is too much. Lemme sum up." (bonus points for anyone who can ID the movie this is from)

Things are happening quickly here. This is the cliff's notes version. Thursday I did a short interview (and apparently impressed them according to my recruiter). Then I went and climbed a small mountain next to the harbor which was very pretty and peaceful and is pictured above.

Friday I signed my contract. Basically I get paid better than most, thanks to my experience in Prague, and I have 18 days of vacation (and quite a few more for sick days if needed). I also went out with some people friday and met lots of other expats (expats if you'll recall are people living abroad like me).

Saturday I woke up early and went to play tennis with 8-10 other teachers which was amazingly fun :D. Then I came back and moved into my new apartment. Pictures below. 2 things were notable about that day. The internet was installed the day i moved in (thank you Lord) and my bed was pink. Details below.

Now clearly I couldn't sleep on this or I'd have lost my manhood forever

Fortunately, I brought sheets with me (whew! that was a close one!)

The view from my bed. Its a simple efficiency with a small tv, small fridge, microwave and one hotplate burner but its enough for me

Itty-bitty living space. Toilet (off camera by sink), sink, shower and washer (on right) all rolled into one.

My street. I living in the exciting part of town

Looking out my window. Kinda looks like the city disappears into nothing doesn't it?

Today I went shopping to get most of the stuff my "fully furnished" apartment was missing (silverware, plates, bowls, cups, cleaning supplies, pots, pans, etc). Tomorrow morning the actual teaching of elementary age kids starts. I have to admit i'm a little nervous but I think that's natural. And realistically, it shouldn't be too tough. After all, it isn't rocket science (they cover that in middle school)

Welcome to Jeju

Welcome to Jeju Island. A lovely place of 300,000 people that isn't nearly as scary to navigate as it looks (when you don't read Korean, it looks pretty scary)

Can you see how this might be a problem?

This is a little better

After entirely too much flying, I arrived sunday night. A guy met me at the airport and took me to my temporary hotel where i proceeded to do my best garfield impersonation. The next morning I had a fast, professional medical exam (to make sure I'm healthy and not on drugs before they hire me). I then took the rest of the day to wander around and get my bearings. A trip to the harbor and the market highlighted the exploring.


I only got slightly homesick once that day. And ironically, it wasn't my texas home I was missing.

I saw this randomly while walking down the street. I miss the Tyn Church and Staromestske Namesti :(

I also found out that I may be a minor rock star here. I was walking through the city when I passed by 3 buses full of schoolgirls. As I went by all the girls started smiling, waving, calling out hi, giving me thumbs up, making hearts with their hands, blowing kisses, screaming towards me. This happened with each of the buses. I smiled and waved back and that made them go even crazier. I'd only seen reactions like that to celebrities on tv. Crazy (and a little fun) :)

Tuesday consisted of watching monday night football from 10am-1:30pm (time zone fun). After that came another trip to the waterfront. I filled in more details of my mental map of the area, found a very useful store, enjoyed a lovely day and had a good 3 hour walk. Thursday i'm supposed to sign my contract and will hopefully move into my new apartment this weekend. I'll keep you posted on details. For now enjoy my two favorite pictures from the island so far

View looking towards the center of the island with the old volcano in the background

A solitary fisherman

Time for me to go

It's been a bit since I put an update here. Of course since i've been home, my updates would have been mind-bogglingly dull (ie. played golf today. spend time with friends. it was fun. had mexican food for the 5 time this week. continuing my single-handed effort to deplete the world's supply of Dr. Pepper, etc)

However change is in the wind (as opposed to dollars??). This wednesday I was given a tentative job offer on the Island of Jeju in South Korea (pictured below). It had everything I was looking for. Good salary, above average vacation, perfect location, fair workload, free housing, free flight there and back. There was only one catch. It required me to prepare a ton of paperwork by sunday and to physically leave by next sunday. But what's life without a little chaos in it?


So two days, 500 miles of driving, and many MANY hours of planning later, I acquired all the necessary documents and decided to accept the offer. Now I have one week left to prepare and say goodbye. Unlike last year, I won't be able to come home at Christmas. This is goodbye for a year (stop cheering!)

That's where I'll be, way down at the bottom

I promise to send an update including pictures once I get there. For now, here is a map of Korea with Jeju in pink. You've seen this before but I want to remind everyone, I will be FAR from North Korea. I will be safe and I promise not to go anywhere near the DMZ.

Norway!!!

Welcome to Norway. Land of Vikings. Land of nature. Land of Fjords. Just what the heck is a fjord anyway, you ask? Don't worry, we'll get to that in a bit. For now let's settle in and enjoy our tour.

Our journey began with a late flight into the western city of Bergen. Meeting up with a friend (Henri in my case) and bedding down at her family's house prepared us for the adventures that were to come.

The next morning began with a walk through downtown Bergen and featured a tour of its famed fish market and Hanseatic Bryggen (Bryggen is Norwegian for wharf). The lovely architecture here is featured on just about every postcard in the city.


A trip up Mount Floyen soon followed. A funicular lifted us quickly to the top where a spectacular view of the city and ice cream awaited. Photo opportunities abound.

Henri and I

Nice backdrop eh?

The evening ended with a tasty meal whose contents I can not identify but was described to me as "a typical Norwegian meal" and "I'm surprised you ate that".


The next morning was raining and foggy. We went for a walk in the woods. It turned out to be a good plan as the forest was beautiful and alive in the cool morning mist. The pictures weren't what i'd hoped for but i'd say this one looks pretty cool :)


After having a veritable mountain of shrimp the evening before, we began day 3 by heading out to see the fabled fjords. As i'm sure curiosity is killing you, i'll explain that a fjord is a deep, fairly narrow valley carved from the ocean inland by glaciers. These valleys are filled with water and can be 0ver 100 miles long and thousands of feet deep. Almost like an ultra-deep, salt water river stretching far inland. The fishing in these is excellent and the views are better. I was taken to several including one of the biggest and most famous ones, Hardangerfjord. Pictures below

Hardangerfjord

The end of a fjord

That evening as my time ran short, I had a smorgasbord of homecooked Norwegian Salmon and other assorted fish in front of a beautiful sunset. A great ending to a great trip :)

And on a random note; dude, you need to mow your roof!

Breaking News Bulletin

Breaking news from Prague.

Sources close to the star have confirmed that the world renowned Luke Brazell will be staying in the US for between 1-2 months starting August 18th. This news contradicts earlier reports of a 2-3 week stay but the AP has been able to confirm the latest report's authenticity. We aren't sure of the exact reason for the extended stay but rumors abound that a delay in the visa process is the primary cause. Regardless of the reason, the result stands as both good news for Brazell, who has been gone for sometime and is said to be missing his friends and family, and also for anyone who wishes to see him during his American sojourn.

To repeat, Luke Brazell will now be staying in the US for 1-2 months starting August 18th.

One last European Hoorah

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter. The 4 distinct seasons of Prague

Today we begin with the good news first. I have two weeks to go in Prague and I'm really trying to get the most out of the time I have left. My more relaxed summer schedule has definitely helped (working one day a week will do that). The nature pictures posted here have all been taken in the last week or so.

On the other hand, I've been invited by a good friend of both Rachel and myself, Henri, to come visit Norway before I return home (note this is not bad news. there is no bad news). She and her family have very graciously offered to let me stay with them for a couples days and even went so far as to volunteer to show me many around. Needless to say i'm ecstatic about this opportunity. One last big trip before I head out sounds like a perfect ending to my European sojourn. And even better, they live on the west coast of the country, near many of Norway's famous Fjords. Hopefully i'll get to see a few of them while I'm there :D

And now its time to have a Mexican food dinner (that I made, so it actually tastes like Mexican food) and then meet a group of friends for ping-pong and pool to celebrate my birthday tonight :D Pictures from Norway in a week!

Almost looks like a way into Narnia

This picture reminds me of our old house in waco and the creek in our backyard

Rain over Sarka park

Sunrise at 4:20am

The last rays of sunset