The rules of my Facebook free time...

This is a tricky one to write about. Any one who knows me will know that since I acquired Facebook from a friend in 2nd year of University it has become an extra limb. When I wake up in the morning, the first thing I do is log on and check it; during breakfast, I'm on Facebook; When I'm planning lessons, I'm on Facebook; When I'm eating lunch, I'm on Facebook; when I'm inbetween lessons, I'm on Facebook; when I finish lessons, I'm on Facebook; when I'm waiting to meet someone, I'm on Facebook. So you get the general picture.

One of my friends told me that she lives on Facebook because she thinks she feels closer to the world at home.

But in reality, I have started to use Facebook as a crutch. I can go a whole day without doing anything, simply because I'm on Facebook!! The are endless links, games, friends information, meeting up with new people, and just random crap!!

So I decided that it might do me some good to have a wee break of it. I decided that I would be a late comer to Lent, an originally Christian tradition but has spread to the wider world in the form of giving up chocolate or some form of bad food. If you want to know more about it then pop over here!

I though it would be good to get some rules down on paper (or on blog in this case) so that you all know what I can and can't do during this period of self-denial:

1) No clicking on any facebook links that will take me to the portal that is facebook!

2) Any emails into my hotmail account are allowed to be read, but not replied to!

3) No posting of statuses, pictures or links on facebook!

4) The only time I am allowed on facebook is to pick up important contact information, such as addresses or links (that are already in my facebook emails).

5) The day I log into facebook and post or search, or look around is the day I quit this period.

So, them's the rules guys - and you'll know when the time is up!

In the mean time I'm getting used to life sans facebook, and catching up on emails and work I should have done a long time ago!

Enjoy the quiet time on facebook people!

Love xx

Running in the rain and other crazy Korean adventures...

This week has been interesting.

We'll start with Monday. After a wonderful weekend in Daejeon, Seoul, and Pyeongtaek, I crashed into bed on Sunday night, not so much looking forward to my 12 noon start. But class looked up, with my boss agreeing that the 'conversation' book I've been using with the Monsters is a total bust. They hate it more than me (which I never thought was possible). Me being me - that person who talks before thinking - blurted out 'Oh, so you noticed!' but he seemed to understand. I did add an idea I've been harbouring for a while, which I kind of tested out on Friday, which involved the class watching a video of something (Mr. Bean in this case) and then telling me what happened and answering some questions. This actually worked beautifully. He agreed and a movie watching syllabus was put into action! I have a text book and a movie and everything. While I was on such a good roll I thought I would add that the youngest class finished their text book a few weeks ago now, and I'm done reviewing their topics (there's only so many times the kids can focus on the same pages in their book before going mad!) and I couldn't do much more until we got new books, or he decided what he wanted me to teach them! He was fine about it!

I like my boss!

I think I'm pretty lucky about this fact. It seems that so many people have gone through life not getting along with their employers, but I really got lucky, especially in Korea :)

I soon realised why I was getting the extra nice treatment - there are two new teachers arriving this week to replace Ryan and Denice (who are currently stuck in Pohang while they wait for the weather to improve so that the once a day ferry can cross the water to the remote island of Ullengo, where they'll teach for 3 years!). The problem the schools are having is that there is one male teacher and one female teacher, and in Korea that means they cannot live in the same apartment (unless they are married - although I know a few people who are living together sans wedding vows!) so could I kindly let the girl stay with me! Of course I would love to have someone else cramped into the smallest apartment known to man, why not :) Do we know when these wonderful people will arrive, you might be asking? No. But I'm sure they will tell us before they get here...hahaha...welcome to Korea :)

After class I caught up with Denice, then went running early so that we could all go for dinner to say goodbye. I decided to do a different route than my normal school track running. I'm on a new week on Podrunner and I thought it would be ok - how wrong was I!? It hurt so much, and I didn't run the distance I was supposed to. I felt like crying. But I held my own. Later on, when I was chatting to Denice, she mentioned a friend of hers who had a similar problem, and encouraged me to run again on Tuesday so I could get over my hurdle. Hmmm...

Anyway, it was great to catch up with everyone, even under the cloud that was Denice and Ryan's departure.

Tuesday was a good day. Walking into class, my recently graduated 6th graders decided I was going to take them out to lunch, and took me to a quaint place in the middle of the market - the food was so good! I'm really starting to love Korean food :) we had a great time, and chatted away. I had to laugh though, when once we'd finished our food, the girls spent a good 10 minutes looking in the mirror at their reflections, moving one or two stray pieces of hair and checking their teeth.

I decided to take Denice's advice and try the run again. She came and walked round the track while I ran, and do you know what - I didn't die! I kept going. It was hard, and unpleasant at times, but I did it!! I was so happy I jumped up and down for joy! Literally!! I was flying :D

Afterwards we went to our favourite eatery to get some 'western food' of oven spagetti and chicken tenders, chatting for ages and chilling out. It'll be weird not to do that all the time!

Wednesday was pretty uneventful. It was such a nice, sunny day that I was tempted to walk up the mountain, but I didn't (something I regretted all day, and the next two rainy days!!!) Everyone was in a good mood and it was really nice! After class I caught up with Denice and Ryan and helped them move boxes and rubbish and some stuff for the new teachers to help them feel at home :p then later on I popped over to say goodbye!

It was weird to see them go, and it's still not sunk in yet they they don't live just around the corner, but it'll be a new and exciting adventure for all of us :) yay!

As I was laying in bed on Wednesday night though I decided that I might like to give something up for lent - I know it's late, but that's ok :) the one thing I know I'm addicted to is Facebook. Ever since I got it in the 2nd year of uni, I've basically filled every space second with it! It's a very effective way to pass time and be anti-productive!! I thought I'd sleep on it.

With Thursday can rain, and bad moods. The rain came down in torrents and it was all a bit sad really. My classes were moody and bored and we were all happy for school to finish! I decided that it was a good idea to at least attempt to halt my obsession with facebook for a while - so I stopped. It was easier than I thought. And nice not to be on it all the time. I had a few near misses with automatically clicking on my icon, but it was ok in the end :)

I went to help Ann (my bosses daughter) out at a place called Happy Zone. She teachers English there, and asked me to go and play games with the kids as a treat. IT was her last night, so we had snacks and got presents and took some silly pictures. I love the kids there, they are so enthusiastic about learning and having fun, it's almost easy to teach them!!! So I'll be sad not to go any more. Maybe in summer we'll start it all up again :) I was so touched that the directors of the place make such an effort and even gave me a present, it was so kind.

Oh, I also ran. It was the 3rd (and supposedly last) repetition for this week, and running in the rain was pretty good. I managed to finish and felt pretty good for doing it. But I still think I want to do one more before I move up levels....

Today, Friday, has bee gloomy. It's hard to believe that Tuesday and Wednesday were so sunny and spring like. Classes were good though, and in fact my last class was cancelled. I started missing facebook a little, just in the short gaps between classes and such like. But I think I'm going to be ok.

Word on the street is that the new teachers should arrive tonight. No doubt they will arrive either while I'm out at dinner with the Happy Zone kids, or while I'm in my run. Hmm...that'll be interesting. The poor teacher's will run a mile seeing me looking oh so attractive in my running gear, panting for air and looking in pain! Hahaha, poor souls! But it'll be nice to have some new people about.

I'll keep you all informed on my oh so exciting life, lucky souls!

Love xxx

50 Things to be Thankful For: No. 7...

The Bank Being Closed...

After class today I took a bus over to Yeongdeok where I needed to go to the bank that can send my money to the UK. The day was so warm and beautiful I was in a pretty good mood, so when I go to the bank and found out it was closed I assessed my options:

1) Go back to Yeonghae straight away;

2) Go to the shops and then go back to YH;

3) Go for a walk to the Buddhist temple to feed the fish.

Option 3 was the only one I wanted to do. I've only been once before and wanted to go and see the crazy fish, and the day was so nice I couldn't just pass it up!

So off I went, up the busy street, over the raod, across the bridge, along the river, past the bare apple trees, and up to the temple.

It was nice.

And then I went home!

It was a good day :)

Don't you hate those callers that never let you answer?

I do!

For a short while (and maybe a little longer), while I'm in Korea I'm keeping my UK mobile going. It sounds silly, but has turned out to be pretty handy! But that's just an aside to my little story of the day...

Last week mum and dad got a call at home from my bank, asking for me. Obviously I'm not in the UK, so there was no way they could get hold of me at home. So for the last couple of nights they have tried to call me on my mobile. I don't normally pick up my mobile, especially if it's a number I don't recognise - simply because I have to pay for incoming calls on my contract, and unless it's an emergency the people that need me will normally call me on either my Korean phone or on Skype.

I got a little annoyed by the call tonight, so I decided to look for the number on the internet. I found a website telling me it was a fake number, from someone claiming to be from my bank.

I needed to call my bank anyway because while I was in Honk Kong I managed to lock my credit card right in the middle of a shopping spree (something I was a little annoyed about, but which I think might have saved me a whole bunch of hassle!).

After 16 minutes and 34 seconds, the phone call was over and I was happy I had done some investigating!!!

It turns out while I was buying some perfume in the duty free in Incheon Airport, South Korea my credit card (the one I accidentally locked, and I'm convinced was a very lucky thing!) was cloned. It's amazing that they know exactly when your card's being cloned!

And we all though there was no crime in Korea! Pha!

Isn't that scary? I think I'll be watching a lot more carefully from now on!

A revelation...

Today I discovered that if I wanted to live and work in Australia I would have to do it before I was 30! If you look older than about 30 in Korea, you're unlikely to get a job (they like the young ones!) and if I want to work in China I'm fine.

What does all this actually mean?

Well, at first I panicked - my age in Korea is 25, and so I only have a few years to get to Aus.

And then I remembered my true age...23! Thank Goodness :) I have a few more years.

All I can say is this:

Thank you Korea for making me feel old, but giving me more time than I thought I had!

As an aside, I've been looking at jobs elsewhere in the world. The idea of Dubai still interests me, I'm not sure why, but there are so many opportunities. Sometimes I wish that I only had to choose between 2 opportunities at a time. Don't you? That way you know that you have a pretty good chance of picking the right place. I could stay here, but then I'd be missing out on an awesome opportunity to see more of the world. I'm not sure I'm ready to settle just yet. Hmm...

It's raining...

Deal with it :)

Hong Kong Part 2...

Wednesday

Heading back to Hong Kong Island, but to the south this time, we felt joyful. The day was yet again sunny and bright, and I couldn't help wondering about the day ahead. Chris had head of a place called Ocean Park, something I had completely missed in all that I read, and so I charged him with sorting the day out. Firstly getting lost, we finally managed to decipher where we were meant to be going, making our way by bus to the south of the island, we met some excited girls who wanted to know if we were going to Ocean Park. Later we told them and they seemed even more excited by this! How cute. We got off at Repulse beach. the temperature seemed to have soared, and we were feeling the heat. The beach was neatly decorated with bins every 10 or so metres, the trees are equally spaced out too. It makes me wonder why there aren't more trees on UK beaches. We sit on the lip of the bank and eat some snacks we just bought. I watch as some families play in the foamy water, shrieking and running away when it comes near. A little while later walking along the beach I dip my feet in the water, but it's FREEZING. A little too cold even against the warmth of the mid day sun. Still it's nice to be beside the seaside.

We find the little temple at the end of the beach, it's very small and not as good as we hoped for, so we headed to Ocean Park for an afternoon of fun!

Not sure what to expect, we buy our tickets (and at less than £25 who can complain!?). Looking at what we've been given with our tickets, we discover a 50HK$ voucher for use in the park. Crazy! We head in to find some food, but stumble instead upon a circus extravaganza. Boys and girls between the age of maybe 8 and 18 are dressed up in multicoloured costumes. Pinks and purples, blues and greens, reds, whites, yellows, oranges, pinks. All of them have face paint on and flying goggles, and are mighty jolly. The run and jump across each other, barely making it, but looking perfectly practised and enjoying themselves too. We wonder why they aren't in school, but with skills like these, who needs school. We maneuver through the crowd to get a better view of the action. It's amazing to watch them. When we thought they couldn't get better they started doing some tricks, where they were thrown from a see-saw onto another guys legs, where they balanced perfectly and honestly looked as if they loved their art.

We ate at a really nice Chinese place before making our way up to to the other part of the park to explore the rides. The food was great, we watched the carve the fresh duck and beef and the rice was nice too. I wasn't sure how I would cope with the rollercoasters at the top site, knowing how my body reacts to being thrown around like a rag doll. I braved the 1st one, and had a really good time, no feelings of sickness, only mild woosiness. But I survived. While I made sure I wasn't going to be sick Chris went on another ride and met me at the bottom. We went on one more ride before heading for the aquarium. I love fish, so this was where I wanted to be! I loved spending time sauntering through the madly busy place, but still felt an ever increasing calm come over me. Seeing sharks and rays really made my day and I was happy. Chris took some awesome pictures and we were on our way. Walking through the Avery was nice too, but mighty warm. On our way down we saw the seals and watched our afternoon playground disappear as we headed back to the lower part of the park.

My favourite bit of the afternoon was walking through the Panda enclosure and seeing all the Pandas there. I was innocently watching a panda trying to get some bamboo out of a giant block of ice when he thought he'd come and see what I was doing. What can I say, Mr Panda like me! After managing to get away from the window with my life intact (everyone squished!!) we saw some funky fish and then went home. A day well spent I say.

Thursday

We decided to get up early and head to Macau for the day. after all we were so close, and it's only really a day thing. I was also hoping to get a glimpse of the post Portuguese ruling influence. And we did. But we also saw into the very busy Chinese side of life. We were very quickly disorientated by the confusing road signs and the abundance of huge Casinos. We headed towards St. Paul's Ruins, making our way through throngs of people. It was loud and busy, and very very hot. Finally breaking through the hoards we got to the steps and made our way up. Resting on an ancient uneven brick wall to get our bearings, Chris reading all about the ruins and me watching a photographer and his models posing and laughing in between shots.

We walked around the ruins, but with not a lot to see, we quickly thought of what else we could see. Opting for another museum (we really wanted some nice cool aircon) we made our way up the escalator. The museum was interesting, with dioramas, cool bugs, fake houses, movies and lots of other things I think we stayed more than the hour we thought it would take to get round it. On to the Temple of Ama, but after walking and walking and walking, we still hadn't found it. I was ready to give up, but Chris egged me on. After a while more we gave up and took a well deserved rest by a lake. Taking pictures and playing the alphabet game until we made it back to the centre of town.

I was so disappointed we hadn't made it across to the southern island, and had a custard pie, but we decided that the day was probably over. Making our way back to the ferry port, we saw Macau lit up at night - something I was really excited about. But after the day we had I wasn't all that enthused by it.

Stopping at a Japanese restaurant on our way back I ordered whole host of food for us to share and enjoy. It was a little greasy but really made up for the lost day. And we left feeling full and happy. Passing an arcade we couldn't help but pop our heads in, just to have a look. It was so cheap we couldn't help but spend some time playing the many games we played as teenagers. Laughing and racing each other we decided that the day was not lost, and made our way back to the ferry harbour. We managed to find a kind lady who rushed us through the process and got us onto the ferry that left not even 8 minutes after we arrived at the terminal...we were impressed, but very happy! We crashed into our beds and slept soundly for the night.

Friday

After a long week of cramming something into every available minute, we were feeling the strain on our eyelids. We decided not to set our alarms and enjoy our restful holiday. We woke up and relaxed for a while, watching American TV and laughing at the adverts, which Chris had almost memorised since arriving. We headed to Kowloon Park, to see what the fuss was about. It was amazing. We had a picnic lunch of Pret sandwiches, crisps, brownies and cookies. It was fun. Then we wondered around, looking at the beauty of the park. We watched as a gardener delicately trimmed his hedges. It was wonderful and so calming. Definitely what we needed after our hectic week.

We found a quiet spot where we sat and read until it was too cold to stay still, the light was starting to fade and the hunger was making its presence known. Chris had promised me a trip to The Peninsula Hotel for afternoon tea, so we headed over to the hotel. Walking past the fountain and towards the doors I could feel the vibe already. I'm not unused to places like this, when I was little tea parties and grand affairs were more common. The doors were opened and we took our line in the queue. All around was grandeur. An air to the place. I missed the little dark restaurant from the other night, with the home made food, friendly staff and buzzing atmosphere. But we were eventually seated and we ordered the afternoon tea. It was fun in the end actually. Chris completely loved it, which was awesome to see!

Walking Nathan Road back to our hotel via some shops and the wonderful market again I felt buzzed. We chatted and watched TV while I packed. Then slept soundly.

Saturday

After Chris' wonderful gift of the Peninsula I felt it only right to buy him breakfast at the hotel. It was a buffet and we filled up and drank coffee to wake us up. Is was fun. Finishing packing, we left our bags with the porter and headed back to the park, where we relaxed for the majority of the rest of the day. We headed for Dim Sum and then back to the hotel to get our shuttle to the airport, where we would leave each other for who knows how long. I contemplated the wonderful whirlwind holiday that occurred while I attempted to sleep on a slightly uncomfortable set of air port chairs. And then on the very long bus ride home the next day.

Well I hope you enjoyed this blog, and well done for finishing it!!! I'll write again soon, I'm sure! Kat xx