Yay!!! I finally have internet at my place. Kind of shady though...they are using someone else's ARC until I get mine on Friday. Whatever...mini-hiatus officially OVER!!!

Day 5:
It was a pretty average aka boring day. I learned about teaching techniques and ways to supplement the textbook. Probably one of the more interesting parts of training was when we found of which Multiple Intelligence we scored the highest in. Mine was Intra-personal. I think it describes me pretty well. I am very self-aware and reflective which is why I spend so much time lost in the jumble of my thoughts. Like all things being an intra-personal kind of person has its good and bad qualities. I am definitely a very internal human being. I went to sleep pretty early. I don't know what was up with me but I got tired sooo easily during orientation which made me miss out on the fun times after hours. My biggest complain was the beds. They are so hard here. It was/is like sleeping on a rock or something. Nothing exciting happened on Day 5. I ended the night working on my micro-teaching presentation with my partner Mitchell. Overall it was a very low-key kind of day.

Day 6:
I did my micro-teaching presentation with my partner Mitchell. Our topic was giving direction. We focused on simple vocabulary (straight, left, right), and used Zeeto trying to find his spaceship on a huge map as the focus of the presentation. We got a lot of positive feedback, but I think I could have done better. I learned a lot from watching everyone's presentations and it really gave me a lot of ideas on how to become a better teacher, especially when it comes to classroom management. It was cool seeing everyone's teaching styles vs. their personalities. Some were the same and others different.

With only two more days of orientation left. I kept on thinking about the budding friendships I was creating and whether they would last outside these orientation walls. When you are stuck together for a week, you are going to do your best to get along with everyone, but that might change once you all go your separate ways. My thoughts were that I wanted to hang out with people who would do more than party and drink every weekend. I can do that in the states if I wanted. I wanted to find people I can explore Seoul with, take Korean classes with, try new foods with, and just enjoy the year with. I knew that I had to be open minded and give people a chance. I've met a lot of people who are each unique in their own way. I just hope that these relationships grow and gain sustenance over the year. I also would like to make Korean friends and really get an inside look into Korean culture, food, and of course the language.

I told myself I don't want superficiality or drama around me. I just want good people and good times to make this year memorable for all the right reasons. So far it is turning out to be full of unexpected moments, and I have to remember to give as much or even more than I take. This isn't the time to be timid or doubtful. Instead I want to do my best to be bold and live a colorful and flavorful kind of life.

Day 7:
This day was probably the best day of orientation. We got to leave the fortress of solitude and visit a school to see a NSET in action. The school we went to was NICE. Had a lot of cool English areas and you could tell they made an effort to make their school stand out. The NSET was okay. They made her seem like the best teacher in the world..but she was teaching these kids improper English. The worksheets had grammatically incorrect sentences, and I was like if you are going to teach these kids English don't teach them the wrong stuff to say. After the observation we had free time:)! So a couple of us took the subway to Myungdong. I had my first subway experience and it was confusing and crowded. I got my T-Money card too. We ate at this place known for their mandoo (dumplings) and it was delicious. I had kimbap too. It was a nice and relaxing afternoon with some fun people. We ended the outing at the National Museum of Art, but by then I was so tired I just looked around, bought some postcards, and sat at the cafe eating ice cream with some other tired people. By the time we got back to the fortress of solitude I was actually glad to see the place. I found out what school I will be teaching at, and ended the day with packing and goodbyes. I realized that everything would start again tomorrow. My journey in Seoul would truly begin...

Day 8:
The last day was a hectic day. We woke up and loaded the buses with our luggage. This really nice guy helped me with all my luggage and put it on the bus. Thank goodness for all the kindness I have received so far in Seoul. We had the closing ceremony and ate the best meal of orientation. It was soooo yummy, and I realized after that they probably fed us so well because they knew we would starve for the next two days trying to figure out where to find food and getting situated in our apartments. It was in a way like the last meal.

We said our goodbyes and got on our buses. My bus was the Nambu district people. It took about an hour and a half to get to the meeting location. Once I got there, I waited for a bit for my co-teacher to show up. Once she shows up, we see that her car is super tiny and cannot fit my luggage in it. So we call a taxi, the first one arrives and says he won't take the luggage. So then she calls a call van. We waited for almost two hours before finally heading to my apartment. I got to the school at 2 PM and didn't get to my apartment till around 5 PM.

I barely got a chance to look at the place before we headed to Home Plus to buy necessities. The place is very spacious for one person. I'm hoping to get a couch/futon in there. So on we go to Home Plus and my co-teacher calls her mother to come help us shop, and she comes and take over. She pushes the cart, and is like you need this, you don't need this...etc. It was a pretty funny and cute situation. After all the shopping, they both come to my place and her mom makes my bed for me and puts away the things we bought. It was a nice moment to feel taken care of. They left after making sure I was okay, and then the silence penetrated my mind. In that moment I realized I was here. I was really doing this. In that moment there was loneliness and excitement bubbling inside of me. I had made it this far, and even though there was so much I didn't know. I was proud of myself for doing this, and trying to figure out my life by my own terms. So the journey in Seoul begins, let the adventures and mishaps begin to unfold.

Be Blessed,
~Lola O.~

PS: I promise pictures of my apartment and Korea So Far will be posted soon...I'm so sleepy but I wanted to update my blog for my lovely readers. Thanks for taking this ride with me:)!!! Enjoy the SMOE March 2010 video. There is a little bit of me towards the end.

SMOE March 2010 Orientation from SMOE Coordinator on Vimeo.

Okay, peeps I am in Nambu district. Does anyone have any info good/bad about this district? All I know is that it is a working class area so the level of English there is pretty poor. Anyone in this district?

Edit: I tried to google it, and nothing but the Nambu Bus Terminal comes up.

Day 2
On Sunday, we had a pretty relaxing day since we didn't have anything mandatory to do. So I spent the day lounging around and just being lazy accept when I needed to go down to the cafeteria to eat. As far as the Korean food we are eating goes, some days are better than others. However, in my opinion, for the most part everything is pretty good, sometimes even great. My only disappointment is breakfast time, I wish we had more fruit, but lately they have been giving us oranges which is great and makes me super happy.

So in the afternoon we went on another Korean cultural experience. We went to the BNJ Art Center which in one word was interesting. There was cool art, weird art, creepy art, and just what is this supposed to be kind of art. The weirdest one for me was these two canvases on the wall, and at the right and left bottom corners was hair...yes HAIR. Either stapled or glued onto the canvas. That really kind of grossed me out. That is the thing about art, you might dislike it and wonder how that can be considered art, while someone else is so touched and inspired by it. Art to me is all about your individual perception of beauty or ugliness, and sometimes your perception is the same as the artist's perception and other times it isn't.

Then we went to Suwon Hwaseong, which I guess is also known as the Fortress. I have pictures but I am too lazy to upload them right now. I'm waiting till orientation is over before I start messing around with all the pictures I have taken. The Fortress was pretty intense and it made me feel like I was in another century. This Korean haraboji (grandpa) was waving at me. I thought he wanted me to take a picture of him and his grandson, but instead he wanted me to take a picture with the two of them. The dad took the picture and thanked me after, it was funny and sweet at the same time. My friend told me this halmoni (grandma) who was waiting with us at the crosswalk also wanted a picture but was too afraid to ask me for it. I would have done it, because I know it would have made her day. For now, I am cool with things like that. Hopefully it doesn't become a constant request. I did encounter a bit of staring at there but nothing too bad...or maybe I just wasn't paying enough attention to people because I was so focused on how cold it was.

Lastly, Sunday night I watched this Korean romantic comedy Please Teach Me English, which was funny and corny all at once. Overall Sunday was a good day.

Day 3
It was the first official day of orientation. We had the opening ceremony and these ladies came from the Bloom Gayageum Trio and played Moon River and Let It Be. I loved it, it was soothing and I hope I can find their music on the internet. They were dressed in hanboks (I am determined to get one before I leave). All of the speakers were good, but the best one was the Korean history teacher who told us about Korean history. He was just so funny, that I ended up tearing up from laughing so hard. I ended the day with the Korean movie Welcome to Dokmangol and I really enjoyed it, it was funny and sweet, but I hated the ending because like a typical Korean movie/drama the ending was sad. I liked the meaning behind the movie, and the simple life that yielded happiness to the village people and in the end the soldiers since they sacrificed themselves to preserve that. I loved the instrumental music in the movie and am going to look for the OST to it.

Oh, most importantly, I found out I am going to be teaching elementary. Which was my first choice so I am pretty happy about it. If any of you are teaching elementary please give me lots and lots of resources, advice, and tips to not only being a good/great teacher, but also managing my classroom, and what to expect from my elementary kids, and the atmosphere of an elementary school .Kamsahamnida (thanks) is advance:)!!!


Day 4
Today was a looong day for me because for some reason I woke up at 3:36 AM and was unable to fall back asleep. I've been tired all day, which sucks because today was the first day of training in our specific grade levels. I learned about games/activities, classroom management, and co-teaching. Some information was relevant and helpful, and some was not. I really liked most of the speakers, and I feel better about teaching elementary after learning from them. I think though that elementary is going to take a lot of endurance to keep my energy and creativity flowing so the kids don't get bored.

I applied for my KEB bank account, since it seems to be the most foreigner friendly, and it was nice that they were here. Originally Hana Bank was supposed to come, but thankfully KEB came instead. For those with KEB, is the debit card for international usage, or is that something I have to ask for specifically?

I was super tired after dinner, so I took a three hour nap and woke up just so I can update my blog and let everyone know how I am doing. I have to say I feel blessed to be here, and I know it won't be all sunshine everyday, but I want to do my best to always stay positive and open-minded. I know it will make a difference if I choose to have a positive attitude vs. a negative one. I have to say it is a little lonely being here without my family and friends from home, but like one of my good friends said I've only gotten here, so I need to give myself time to find my way here. I am excited to move into my apartment on Saturday (granted I don't hate it...pray I get a good one), and pray even more I get a good co-teacher. I'm excited to leave this comfortable nest of foreigners and really know what it means to be in another country.

Alrighty, off to bed before another day of training begins. Goodnight!!!

Be Blessed,
~Lola O.~

I finally have a moment to myself, and even though I am super sleepy I know I will feel a lot better if I do some writing. So lets start with the day before I left...

It was an awesome way to leave Arizona. Lots of friends and family came over to the house to visit, my grandma cooked all my favorite Nigerian foods, and I could just feel have loved and blessed I am because of the people in my life. I laughed a lot, cried a bit, freaked out for a second, and then just felt peaceful and excited to finally be making this happen.

 I had no problem with my luggages. I'm pretty sure all three of them were over 70lbs but the guy didn't even weigh them, and just asked me how much they way. I paid my excess luggage and was on my way. I had my carry-on, pillow, backpack, and purse as I went through security so that was a bit of a hassle, but no one stopped me when boarding started to tell me I had to much stuff. Once, I landed in LAX I got a bit stressed. That airport is huge and confusing. I had to take a shuttle from Domestic to International, and I had no clue where Korean Air was, but these nice people helped me find where I was going, and made sure it was the right area. I had to recheck-in, go through security all over again, and by the time I got to the gate they has started boarding people. I was sweaty, out of breath, and stressed, but I made it through, and got on the plane.

Thirteen hours is soooooooooooo long. I was beyond bored, and didn't find any of the movies interesting. We had soooooooo much turbulence and it freaked me out, because I am not fond of flying and the turbulence made it scary. I mean this was some hardcore turbulence we experienced and it came in increments throughout the whole flight. The food was yummy! I had bibimbap, some chicken and rice thing, and these yummy buns with some kind of meat inside them. I really liked Korean Air, the flight attendants were very kind of helpful. I sat next to three Korean girls and didn't really get to talk to anyone for the whole flight. It was a weird feeling of loneliness and excitement throughout the flight.

Once I got to the Incheon Airport, immigration took forever, and then I couldn't figure out where my luggages were. This nice man directed me to the correct carousel, and then I couldn't figure out how to get the luggage cart out, and this tiny little man comes over and does it for me. I must have that "I'm so lost and confused look" going on because I got so much help from people that day. So once I got my luggage, I exchanged some money, and then was on my way to find Gate F, which turned out to be quite the walk since it was on the opposite side of where I was. I found the meeting point, met my recruiter, and got my first meal in Korea. Don't get to excited it was just veggie kimbap. It was yummy and cheap!

I didn't really talk to any of the other people there because I was super tired and all I could think about was a shower and some sleep. We had to wait like an hour before enough people came and then we got on the shuttle. This nice man pushed my luggage cart for me to the shuttle and put everything on it for me. I didn't even ask, and felt kind of bad because everyone else was pushing their own luggages. Thank God for the kindness complete strangers have shown to me on this journey to Seoul. The shuttle ride was long, and that was due to the driver getting lost of something. It took more than two hours to get there. It was after 9 before we arrived there. I checked in, met my roommates (awesome and funny girls), and then took a shower and slept like a baby.

I have no jet lag, which is nice, and am already on Korean time. Orientation really doesn't start till Monday so we have A LOT of free time, which is good and bad. Good because we all need to relax before orientation starts. Bad because I get bored easily. I met a lot of people today, and even though I don't remember all of there names, everyone has been really interesting and nice. I met a lot of the girls from the FB Smoe Spring 2010 group, and we all seem to be meshing well. I just hope at the end of orientation we get placed in the same or nearby districts.

Today they took us to E-Mart. My first Korean shopping experience, and it was interesting trying to find snacks and things I would like. I spend like $10 bucks and got quite a few things. There was even a Starbucks there:)! After dinner, I went to this Survival Korean class and it was a waste of two hours because it was stuff I already knew. Hopefully the next one will be more useful. Now I am just relaxing in my room,  listening to music, and writing in my blog. It feels good to have this time to myself after spending the day around other people.

As far as how I feel, everything feels so dream like. I know I am in Korea, but at the same time I wonder if I need to pinch myself to make sure this isn't a dream. I have a lot of "WOW" moments; like when I see how different it is from AZ, or when I saw God of Study on the tv and was like I can watch dramas live now, or when we are eating and I just look around and am amazed to be here and really making my dream a reality. I feel a little overwhelmed and rushed just because everything is so new and different, and I want to capture every moment ,but at the same time give myself space to just absorb it all in.

I'm sure lots of other people must be feeling the same way. IDK, it is a weird kind of happiness I have right now. It really hit me that I am doing this, and am going to be here without my family for a whole year. I felt pretty sad about it, but at the same time I am happy to be challenged to do this on my own, for me.

I'm starting to fall asleep so that is it for now. I think I will be blogging either bi-weekly or weekly, depending on what interesting things happen in my life. I bought a journal for the everyday moments of reflection, and hopefully will get a chance to write in it soon.

Be Blessed,
~Lola O.~

I remember  four months ago how miserable I felt having to wait six more months before I could finally leave for Seoul. In the past four months there have been a lot of obstacles thrown my way, but I have made it this far and I know I will make it through the next two months and finally get on that plane and leave for Seoul.

Now, I am feeling more antsy about getting everything together as far as my NOA and visa stuff goes. My recruiter said SMOE won't be sending out the package with all the necessary information till the end of January. I just don't understand why they like to cut things close, but I am just going to be patient and hope it gets here earlier than that. I would like to book my ticket by the beginning of February, and have everything ready to go.

I just keep smiling when I think about going to Seoul. It feels good to finally be starting something just for me, and doing it all on my own for the most part. I'm not really sure what the future holds but I am looking forward to finding and creating it bit by bit, day by day.

Time seems to be winding down these days, but I am not planning on taking it for granted. I want to keep practicing Korean everyday, and learning useful phrases/vocab so I am not as flabbergasted when I get there. I feel a lot more prepared to do this, and don't have the same anxieties or fears I had in August.

This extra time has really made me appreciate everything I have, and realize that we get one chance at life so we should make the most of it. I don't want to spend my life dreaming of doing things without ever trying to make them a reality. Being sick has a way of opening your eyes and mind to how fragile life is. Which is why I want to take advantage of every opportunity and make my life the way I have imagined it to be.

That journey starts with Seoul, and who knows where life will take me after that chapter ends. I for one am excited to finally begin!

I wish all of you a happy and blessed New Year. May 2009 come to a great ending and lets make 2010 a year of opportunities, great health, new beginnings, laughter, and lots of happiness!!!

Be blessed,
~Lola O~

P.S...You need to watch this drama is you are not already tuned in. Apduy made a great fan mv to my favorite OST track:)

In Korea you celebrate your child's first 100 days, or for couples their 100 day anniversary. Well for me I am celebrating that I have 100 days left before I finally leave for South Korea. I've had a countdown going ever since I got out of the hospital, but I try not to look at it often because it makes time seem like it is going slower.

From today I have those 100 days left to enjoy my family, explore my surroundings, and discover bits and pieces of myself before I start something new. I am itching to go and finally do this, but I have learned that sometimes we have to wait before we finally get to go.

Today I will be mailing out my contract for SMOE, so I hope I will get my Notice of Appointment in December so I can get things rolling and get my visa so I can purchase my ticket. I'm sure it will feel weird doing it all over again, but I appreciate it more this time around. I don't have the same fears I had last time, but I am definitely more cautious with my enthusiasm.

Last night I was lying down thinking about how we all have to take risks in our lives to go beyond our limitations. I could stay here, and have my "safe" little life, but at the end of the day I would regret never taking the chance to see what else is out there. To see what I am capable of. To discover, create, and maybe confirm some things about myself.

I'm ready to do something on my own, without my family, and test myself. Pop the bubble, leave my comfort zone, and so on. I saw my future so clearly before, but now I just question it all, so I need time to figure it out, and I hope being in Seoul does that for me. However long that might take. I know the road to clarity won't be smooth, but it will be an experience that brings about other experiences both good and bad.

I think my biggest concern is hoping I pack enough warm clothes, to not freeze to death there. Being from Arizona, I am definitely worried about how cold it might get there. I guess it will be an experience!

Check it out: There is something very soothing about this song. The singer's voice is wonderful.

Be blessed,
~Lola O.~

Last Friday I went to do my follow-up with my GI doctor, and I don't know why I was expecting to get the "everything is fine" speech so soon. I mean I finished up my medication last week so I just thought everything would be fine. I need him to give me a letter of good health to submit to KC/SMOE with the rest of my application stuff. So instead of getting that letter of good health, he decided he wanted to run some more tests to make sure all the bacteria (H. pylori) is out of my system and to see if my blood count has improved.

You don't know how sick I am of tests especially blood tests. I hate needles! I close my eyes and try not to whimper like a baby when they do it. The sight of blood makes me want to gag. So now I have to go to the lab and run a few more tests. I have had a problem with anemia for the past year, and I am still anemic. I cannot describe the utter tiredness that consumes me because I'm anemic. I have fatigue like no other, so I am still on iron supplements/ iron-rich foods until my blood count goes up significantly.

I just feel nervous about all these tests and all the waiting I have to do. I hate going to the doctor and I have been to the doctor's office way too much in these past 3 months. I am just praying to God that 1. No more h.pylori in my body 2. My blood count improves 3. I finally leave for Korea at the end of February with good health. I have another doctor's appt in December and then based on how that goes we shall see what happens next.

It just feels weird, being 22 and dealing with this kind of stuff. I mean I used to be so healthy, before all this unraveled. I just want to feel like a normal 22 year old. Healthy and alive and just having fun. I don't want to feel so tired and weak all the time. It seriously sucks! But I am keeping positive and trusting that as long as I keep my focus everything will work out in my favor. I guess I am also nervous that something like this could/will happen again.

I got my SMOE 2010 contract in an email today, and felt nervous and excited all over again. Excited for things to start happening again. It's been almost 3 months since my trip to the hospital and I am just happy to be on my way to doing what I want to do with my life. For me, going to Seoul is the only thing I am sure about right now so I want to go for it, take that risk, and see what the results are. I was nervous for the same reason I am excited, it's all starting again.

KC/SMOE have been great for me and very understanding of my situation. Let's just hope that continues and that they don't have the debacle they did for Fall 2009 with the 100 teachers that got screwed. I think they've learned from that and won't repeat their mistakes again (hopefully). I feel like the next three months will go by fast (thankfully) with weddings, Christmas, New Years, and just lots of family time. I think God had a reason for me to stay here right now. I know I am here to help the people around me and share their special moments with them.

Everything has its season, and mine will start soon. I am not looking forward to paying for my visa, ticket, and other expenses all over again. That really makes me annoyed when I think about it. Especially since I haven't found a job yet. I kind of get the feeling God doesn't want me working right now, especially with me being constantly tired. I just hope though that I can find something, even if it's just for the holidays that can add a little cushion to my bank account.

I really need to practice my Korean, and getting back into the learning about Korea mood. I am excited to finally go and meet people there, and just live. I guess I am most nervous that something else will happen to keep me here, but I trust that God knows my heart and will make my path smooth. I cannot wait to explore, enjoy, and learn there. I hope going there will help me figure out what I'm going to do with my life.

Seoul, Korea here I come!!!!
~Lola O.~

Currently Loving:

Right now I feel an overwhelming amount of happiness in my heart. Lets start from the beginning. For the past few days I have been anxious about going to Korea, worrying about when I am going to get my notice appointment since it seems like others had already received theirs. I know I tend to be a worrier but even so God still blesses me.

Today I woke up, and I had just started eating breakfast and checking out the latest episode of Triple. Just going about my day as usual, and then as I am about to take a bite of my cereal my grandma walk in with a smile on her face, and in her hands is the FedEx package. If someone could have taken a picture of my face it would have been quite the image.

I looked at it and saw it was from Korea and I totally went crazy, laughing and smiling, and dancing around my wonderful Grandma. I was on cloud nice, and right now it has settled to a simmering feeling of being on Cloud 9.

나는 행복하다!!! So very very happy and thankful to God for his continued mercy and blessing upon my life. I am so happy I feel kind of tearful, I know a bit extreme, but if you knew me you'd understand that getting just a little bit closer to my dream/goal is something worth shedding tears for.

Thank you Lord, for loving me and watching over from me. I guess you must have heard me singing your praises as I walked home yesterday.

Let me leave you with a song I am currently in love with. It is from the Triple OST and if you have not checked out that drama then you need to start. There is something so peaceful about this song.



Best,
~Lola O.~

I am not a patient person at all. To say I was one would be an utter lie. So this whole waiting process to go to Seoul is driving me nuts. I hate waiting because it leaves too much room for thinking, analyzing, and questioning.

Ever since I graduated I have had plenty of time to think about my decision to go to Seoul to teach and the fear is starting to crawl in. I keep thinking what the heck am I doing and wondering if this is the right decision. Other times I have a deep belief that I am doing what I need to do to grow into my own person. I know that this might not be what my family wants for me, but I know that you cannot live your life through the eyes of others even if they are your loved ones.

I have to pursue my own happiness, and this is something I have been wanting to do for a while now. Yes, I am scared, and yes I don't know if this is the right decision...but isn't the point to get there and find out? You are never going to be completely sure about it but you have to trust yourself and take a risk. Isn't that what living is all about! I keep trying to tell myself not to rush anything and to enjoy my time in the states because although it feels like time is passing slowly in a matter of 2 months my whole world is going to change hopefully for the better.

I just feel kind of bored and spend my days researching life in Korea, getting everything together,and dreading the idea of packing all my stuff into 2 suitcases. I like clothes and shoes and purses and I like all of my stuff so packing is going to be a pain in the butt! I keep telling myself things will all work out and you know what it always does.

I am a worrier but I know that God always comes through for me! I sent my documents to Korea Connections yesterday and it cost me $60. Getting things ready to go to Korea is not cheap so prepare for all the little fees that add up when you are making the decision to come to South Korea. I just want things to get rolling. I want to get my visa so I can buy my plane tickets, and make sure I get to see my sister in Florida before I leave. I want to buy all the things I think I will need there.

I just want it to feel more real. I keep thinking what if something goes wrong and I end up not leaving August 21...that is a scary thought. I am excited and nervous to do this but even so I am taking a deep breathe and doing it. Life is supposed to be about experiences, mistakes, and growth and I feel like I am a late bloomer in all those areas. Playing it safe leaves me wanting more and I hope that I have the strength to do this and do it well.

May the Lord guide my way and make things smooth for me. I just want it to be August already!

Best,
~Lola O.~