New Things Going On

Within the past two weeks two new things have started up for me this Spring. Once again I am helping coach our girls soccer team. The season just recently started and half of last year's team came again, and the other half is composed of girls who have never played soccer. We are starting from Step 1 again rather than being able to build on last year's success. Oh well, what can you do...? We had our first game on Friday and the Head Coach was out of town so I had to run the show. I was a bit nervous, but things worked out well. I yelled for 80 minutes while the girls played soccer for 80 minutes and they finished with a 4 to 0 victory. Great job girls!!!

During my time here I've let some parts of my life get sloppy...mainly my physical health. Although I still look relatively healthy, I don't feel that way. Since I'm going to be here for another 18 months I've resolved to take back control of my life and my health. Last week I joined a Kickboxing gym and I've started taking Muay Thai Kickboxing lessons. On of my friends introduced me to the gym and I work out alongside a couple other foreigners and then 4 to 6 Koreans. My instructor is Korean and he doesn't speak English. It's awesome!! Right now it's all about conditioning along with a little bit of technique and bag work. My body is sore, but it's a good sore! I have a long way to go, but it's exciting.

Two weeks ago I went ice climbing in the world's largest indoor ice climbing facility. We were able to climb up for 62 feet. My hands have never been so tired. I had a great time, but I can't foresee myself doing it often because it takes 2.5 hours to get there via public transit (bus, then subway, then bus).




It's been a long, cold winter here. Many people say it's been the worst winter in the past 10 years. The weather is slowly changing for the better. Once the ground dries up the trails will be rideable and the temperature bearable, which is quite exciting because I built a new mountain bike before the winter started and now it's ready to go.

Although work will be extremely busy until the end of the school year I'm optimistic about achieving some of my personal goals for the next few months.

The Unthinkable

Life doesn't always go as planned and these past couple of months I have had an up close and personal experience with that. When I ventured off to Korea in July of 2008 I planned on being here for two years and then returning to the states. A couple months into my stay circumstances back home changed, so I was less inclined to return home after two years in Korea. Over the course of my time here I've come to love living outside of the states. I miss a lot of people and aspects of American life, but the international educator lifestyle is great.

For quite some time now I've planned on finishing my contract here (June 2010) and then moving to another country to work at another international school - hopefully in Europe. I applied to approximately 15 schools and attended a job fair in London. No results. A potential offer with a school in London fell through after their current counselor decided to stay. My interviews with a school in Zurich went well, but they wanted someone with UK university experience. The American School of the Hague wanted a female counselor. And, well, some schools just weren't interested in me.

Here I am now with no other options for a job. My current school has been kind in allowing me extra time to find other employment, but they finally said time is up, and I have to decide what I'm going to do. It's either sign for another year here in Korea or face the possibility of unemployment or having to take a job for 2 years in a country that I don't want. So I'm signing on for another year in Korea. I never thought I'd be spending 3 years here in Korea, as two has been more than enough! But circumstances change, therefore, plans have to change. My attitude has been very negative towards the thought of staying here another year, but I must change that now because it's a reality. My situation is great compared to many others. I have a good job, I get to travel a lot, and I'm able to save money - that's a nice combination :) I am working on changing my attitude, and seeing the ways that I can benefit by being in Korea for another year. Wish me luck! :)