Things you learn while eating watermelon

I think a few entries back I wrote about my awkward relationship with my Co-teachers and how I didn't like the feeling at all. I can't remember the last time I had an awkward relationship with someone that I had to see everyday. It seems impossible, but leave it to me to make it possible. It was confirmed last night by an outside source (another teacher at another school) that the Cos feel the same way. They think I am cold and that I don't like them because I don't ask them to help me. I don't ask them to help me because I know they are busy and I don't want to bother them. Way to make middle school really middle school again. I am working on smiling more to them. I hope that helps.

I am close to the end here in Ulsan. I am ready for something new, yet I know I will miss the simple life I lead here. It makes me sad, but I need to see more places and live in more places. I am addicted to traveling (and strawberry banana coolattas).

I think I have made a breakthrough with one of my really troubled students (knock on wood). She started the year as the mean girl and now with a lot of patience and me practicing my Korean, we can really get things done and learned. I am thankful.

This weekend was spent with no phone since I turned it off. I just needed a break from everything and everyone. I went for a run that was a lot longer then I expected, but took me near a small mountain/large hill. I decided I needed to climb it, really climb it meaning not take the stairs to the top. It was probably the most challenging feat I accomplished in a while.

I just checked out Epik High's blog. I have been really behind on the fun Internet things I used to do. I realized that they have up all their updates and pictures from their tour, yet I have nothing about their concert in Seoul. I should feel really bad, but instead I just feel sorta bad. I promise to work on it because that concert was really hip (word of the day for my Grade 8 students).

The weather is a bit wacky now. Its the windy season so that means my perfectly styled bangs get an interesting new style on my walk to anywhere. Its nice when I am running though like constant air con.

Last week in Korean class we had a challenge, speak to Korean people. We met at McDonald's and decided on our challenges; mine was to order us food and drinks. The others had to ask strangers on the street for directions to different places. It was all caught on camera and I am waiting for Shiffaun to load them. Our Korean teacher took us to a restaurant after the other students were done so I could do my challenge. The pork restaurant was delicious and once the staff knew what was going on with our table, they were quick to join in. Our teacher got incredibly drunk incredibly fast. My favorite quote from the night can't be put in this blog, but I can definitely share with you my second favorite quote:

Korean Teacher (KT): "Jenika" (looking at me)
Jenika: "That's Julia."
KT: "Yes. Julia, I like your earrings and your style is very good, but your Hangul (Korean) is not good."
Everyone died right there from laughter.

Trying to master that language has been the hardest part. I can write, I can read, but my speaking is atrocious. I wonder if that's because my English is somewhat odd to begin with.

The funniest thing happened to me last week. I walked into the lunch room and all the teachers were there. I looked for a place to sit and glanced at the gym teachers' table. There appeared to be a new guy/substitute for the shorter, broad shouldered guy. It took me two days to figure out that it was the same guy, but just with glasses. When I finally figured it out, I busted out laughing. No wonder I have an awkward relationship here, they all must think I am crazy. (Ok the story was way funnier in my head.)

I promise to upload any pictures that I have. I have plenty, sorry.

Music I have been listening to:
K.Will
MC Mong
8eight
2NE1
Shinee (I change Juliette to Julia just because I like my name, lol)
DJ Shine
SG Wannabe
Super Junior

Just for fun here is W-inds with G-Dragon from Big Bang. Big Bang is trying to break into the Japanese market and W-inds agreed to let G-Dragon do some rapping. The video itself is my favorite. Its like an 80s flashback and it hurts my eyes to watch most of it.