Another Korean Holiday

An interesting week...its not even over.

Work has been really stressful. A foreign teacher got fired on Monday (it was his second day). He looked like a child molestor anyway, so its a good thing. But the really bad part is that they gave me 3 of his classes. I now teach 12 classes in total. I don't even think I took 12 classes at a time in anything in my whole life. Now, most of the people I've met here would say that it doesn't matter how many classes they teach, because it is all so easy. I don't know if its only my school, or only me, but I was already feeling very overwhelmed with the 9 classes that I had, so this was an overload. It not just the teaching, its also marking tests, marking diaries, creating word tests, photocopying, marking homework, entering lesson plans into the online system, entering grades into the system, writting report cards and planning every class. Its tough. I had a bit of a meltdown on Tuesday. I was mostly just so pissed off at the situation.

I had yesterday off. Hurray for Korean holidays. It was a welcome break, from the 3 days I have worked in the last 2 weeks. HA! I played tourist again. Leesa and I went to the Prison Memorial/Museum in the northwest part of the city. It was totally heartbreaking.

This wasn't a prison for criminals. It was for Korean Independance protestors from the early 1900's, who stood up against the Japanese during 2 different invasions. I almost couldn't look at certain displays. Both men and women were prisoners. They were brutally tortured. The women were also "sexually tortured". Nine of the 15 buildings were still there. The cells were small. There was a Leper building and an execution building. I will post photos soon. It truely was one of the most heartbreaking things I have ever seen. I didn't realize there was such resentment against the Japanese but I can now see why.

We then wandered around one part of the city called Hongdae. Its very funky...lots of shops, nightclubs and restaurants.We saw a very very cool art gallery, and got some free schwag (posters and post cards). We had sushi (ironic) for lunch. It was some of the best sushi I have ever had. We then headed to Leesa's neighbourhood to see her insane grocery store (E-Mart) and then a movie. It was a great day off.

Then back to work today. I felt way more comfortable with the three new classes. I know it will be even easier as time goes on. I also asked my employer for an advance. Korean people get paid once a month, and I was getting down to the last of my funds. They said no. I was pretty shocked (and pissed) because a lot of people I know here have received an advance from their schools when they've asked for it. Plus I have already worked for a whole month. I will get my revenge somehow.
I arrived in Seoul 4 weeks ago today. I can't believe its been that long. It feels like one week. The weather is turning into sweatshirt weather, which is much better than the "sweating from walking 2 blocks in the humidity" weather. Leesa reminded me that this weekend is Canadian Thanksgiving. We are going to the Rocky Mountain Tavern for poutine to celebrate.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!