Only One Month Left

Sorry for the delays on posting any new info.  My computer's trial version of Microsoft Word ran out, and I've also been a bit lazy of late!  I have a new post saved within Word but can't access it; I will try and email it and open the document up at work to see if it works on another computer.

Anyway, just wanted to give a few updates from the past month or so.  There hasn't been anything super exciting going on at work.  We will have a Halloween party on Wednesday, so that means more work for the teachers to decorate and plan the event.  The kids' should have some adorable costumes, so I will try and post pictures following Halloween.

A co-teacher named Clair, from Scotland, will be leaving at the end of this month (only three more days, can't believe it is that soon!).  She was here when I started and decided to extend her contract by three months before heading home.  She has been teaching in Korea for over two years and was a big help for me, a wet-behind-the-ears teacher with no experience in a classroom.  Only since she has started her leaving preparations has it dawned on me that I will be gone soon too.  I know my departure is coming, but it definitely hasn't sunk in yet.


Claire, a fellow YBM teacher (eating out in Seoul)


After I finish up my contract I will likely travel in Southeast Asia, although for how long I am not certain.  SE Asia has been the plan nearly since my arrival in Korea, maybe even before.  For most of that time I also have been discussing travel plans with a friend from back home.  He wanted to come over and backpack together for at least a couple months, finances permitting.  We had also discussed a winter English camp as a way to help pay for the trip.  To put a long story shot, he now has a job that is worth keeping and doesn't yet know how much time he can get off work.  So at the moment we are both in limbo, waiting to see what winter camps we can land and what his boss says.

Winter camps are yet another opportunity for Korean  kids to study instead 
of having a real vacation.  At least the camps have fun activities sprinkled in.

The camps don't start until late December / early January, so that still leaves me with 3+ weeks after my contract is up.  As of now the tentative plan is to go to Thailand with a friend who is also working here.  To add another layer of complexity, my parents will be visiting my sisters (currently studying in Germany) for Christmas and offered to pay for a good chunk of my flight if I decide to make the trip as well.  If I am not yet working at a winter camp that seems like a good deal to me!

As you can see there are many options and uncertainties that still remain.  I will post an update nearer to my departure from Korea.  Now I am still doing the same day to day things; teaching classes, trying to make it to the gym, playing some poker with teaching buddies, etc.  It probably won't hit me that I am leaving until I actually pack my bags, but when that happens hopefully I will have a better idea where I am headed!

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