You want some of this milk?

On Sunday morning I took my first taxi ride alone to a nearby apartment complex about 10min away. On facebook there is a group called the "Jeju marketplace" where people post items they are selling. I've been eyeing this page since I've been in need of everything and I'm trying to be frugal. I met up with a nice teacher and he sold me a huge drying rack, nice kettle, iron/board, some dishes, and hair dryer for about 45,000 ) including the cab ride which I thought was pretty good. When I arrived home I went with Jason and Jess on the bus for about 20min and went to Samyang black sand beach. We ate at a hole in the wall place and I had raw crab for my first time! We each spent about 8,000won for a nice big meal. We also got a few bottles of whats called "Makgeolli". (Uncle Ed I learned what Makgeolli and Sake are!) This is a Korean rice wine that looks like a milky drink but tastes kind of like a light wine I would say. I did some research and learned that in neighboring countries the rice wine is called "Sake" but is actually like a beer. The owner of the shop laughed and made some motions basically calling us crazy since we were taking the makgeolli on the beach. haha! We walked the beach which was lovely and not crowded at all. We jumped in and the water was clear! As we were leaving, I met some nice Korean men wearing speedos...hahaha they were so excited to take pictures with us.

Later on we went to Emart (which is kinda like a Walmart but not as great in my opinion of course). Jerick, Jason, Jess, and I then ordered some buckets of fried chicken down the street and had a picnic in one of our rooms. nom nom! In the evening there was a trade/sell type event where others brings their goods and newcomers usually are there to buy. I ended up buying alot of great things for about 17,000won! I got a huge kettle, knifes, can opener, wine opener, beer opener, whisk, high end conditioner,  hairspray, dermatologist prescribed face lotion (holy hell I was excited since I was looking for a nice face lotion- what were the odds!) strainer, scissors, some other random items, a cute side shoulder purse, some clothes, rabbit fur scarf (okay okay I got excited and treated myself but hey...remember I spent about $15 for all this). I went to bed early and and woke up early since I havent been sleeping the greatest.

I had Monday off for some reason...my school doesnt start till Wednesday so I'm just going with the flow and doing what I'm told. haha! I did 4 loads of laundry and washed all the bedding and clothes! :D I'm still figuring out the washing machine...If anyone can help me read the directions if I send a picture of the washing machine please comment or send me a message! Somehow I feel as though not enough water is coming out to clean my clothes...at least my clothes smell good? haha!

I took a trip to the traditional market which I love! It's so massive and theres so many little old Korean folks selling their goods...from various sea creatures, to veggies, and clothes! I need to learn hangul and more Korean in order to make better purchases. I had trouble today with counting but the locals have been friendly and helpful to me. I bought a huge (and I mean Costco size) bag of like a leafy spinach type greens, big bunch of chives, and 2 red peppers for about 7,000won!! I also got some sesame seeds, salt, and a tomato from the local store near my apartment. While in the market, I met a lady named Lily! She became my friend and was so excited to meet me! Lily is from Shanghai and staying in Jeju for a week. She explained to me that its cheaper and easier to get a driving permit here I believe. We ended up having lunch today in the market and had blood sausage and kimbap. Together we spent 5,000 won and we were both stuffed! The blood sausage wasn't what I thought it would be but it was delicious. Its more of a noodle filling with the sausage part on the outside I'd say. The kimbap is pretty much just a sushi roll. Lily told me she is 36 years old and has 2 older brothers. We exchanged pictures of our families. Nick pay attention here! Lily commented on how beautiful my family is and that my brother is handsome! haha! Since Lily and I are both foreigners its hard to exchange phone numbers but I gave her my email. I hope she stays in touch! What a wonderful lady! On the way home I stopped in a shop and a nice lady sold me a blanket and pillow for 16,000won. She was so sweet!

 Lily and I!

 My first homemade meal in the apartment consisting of green leafy stuff, green onions, tomato, red peppers, sesame seeds, and salt

Blood sausage and kimbap

I deep cleaned my room in the afternoon..and boy it needed it. I made a big salad for dinner from my findings and invited my neighbors over! While we were eating, the internet guy just randomly showed up and connected an ethernet cord for me. I am thinking I'll be charged around 40,000won a month.

On Tuesday my handler picked me up and showed me how to take the bus to school. She gave me a little tour then allowed me to start planning in my classroom. This classroom was great! There is a smart board and a really fast computer! There is also a big toothbrush contraption that seems to sterilize the toothbrushes after use? Lesson planning is going okay I think. I will see if I did a good job when I try them out on Thursday at Sehwa Elem. From what I've counted, I am preparing 13 different lesson plans!!!! :o I met the Principle from Sinchon Elem and he was very kind! In Korean he told my handler that he wants me to concentrate on classroom management first, then teaching the curriculum next since the students are "hyper and not well behaved".  I start teaching at Sinchon Elementary on Monday. While I was preparing lesson plans, a little girl came into my classroom to give me a small carton of milk. She was so cute and respectful I couldn't say no thank you. However, I don't like milk and I especially don't like the milk in Korea haha! ...Have you seen the movie "Billy Madison" with Adam Sandler? Well, I may relate to this movie frequently during my year here. Please read below:
Billy Madison: You want some of this milk?
Veronica Vaughn: That milk belongs to that classroom.
Billy Madison: But they don't gots to know about it. It could be our milk.
Veronica Vaughn: No milk will ever be our milk.
Billy Madison: Now that wasn't very nice. How 'bout you Sideburns? You want some of this milk?
Janitor: I'd rather have a beer.

HAHAHA!!!! I also feel as though I may turn into Ms. Lippy at times...see below

If you haven't watched the movie Billy Madison movie yet please do so! 

 My classroom at Sinchon!

 toothbrush sterilization contraption in the school?

 Classroom in Sinchon

Sinchon Elementary

After school, I went on a walk with Amy where we saw the Jeju lady divers! What a wonderful view off the coast! I also played badminton for my first time with Jerich! There's a court just up the hiking path near my apartment. Surprisingly, I'm not too bad!

 These are the Korean female divers! I find it to be an interesting topic...please find more information at the following link: http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_6.jsp?cid=260918

 Mcdonalds does delivery here...

 This little convenient store is everywhere...reminds me of CVS pharmacy!

 Amy and I taking a walk by the water!

 Fisherman going out

 This is the view from the water looking back onto the island. In my last post I included pictures about the hill I hiked up that is right by my apartment...well, this is it! The picture is small, but at the very top you may be able to see the gazebo type structure that I hung out in. Up top there is various workout equipment!

These gross critters are EVERYWHERE!!!!

After teaching at Sinchon on Wednesday I took a bus about an hour to pick up a $30 bike I bought!  It's not the nicest bike but it will ride for shorter distances. I have named the bike "Rusty"! I'm still on the look out for a decent hybrid that I can take on longer distances though! I road the bike back home and was so proud of myself. Having just moved here I am not comfortable with my whereabouts quite yet, barely read any hangul, barely know any Korean, do not have the ability to use my phone for directions, yet somehow after riding for an hour, was able to find my way home without getting lost or attempting to ask for directions. Somehow my sense of direction switched on and I had such a lovely downhill ride on the sidewalk. :)

I taught at Sewha Elementary school today which is 6 classes grades 3-6. I don't have a co-teacher at this school which makes it a bit more challenging but hey, I got through it and believe I did my best! By no means was teaching today easy, but I feel accomplished at the end of the day. The students are not nearly as disciplined or perhaps interested as I had anticipated but then again...I put myself in their shoes...most of these children are in public school during the day, play music after school or a sport, and then go to a private English school to learn more in the evening. Once I get the hang of their books and understand which lesson I am to teach each week I will be able to make more enjoyable plans. Needless to say, there are some very cute and attentive students but there are also some troublemakers.

Sewha Elementary school

This weekend I look forward to seeing more of the island and will of course update my blog about once a week or when I have the time.

My mailing info is below and also in the "Contact me" page at the top of my blog.

Please mail only love letters/postcards that do not have to be signed for to my residential address at the following address:

Lauren Brown
Mideum Hanaro Apt. 405
Imhang-ro 286 Jeju-si, Jeju-do
690-800
South Korea

If you wish to mail me love packages/fan mail please send them to my main school at the following address:

Lauren Brown English Teacher
Shinchon Elementary School

51 Sinbuk-ro
Jocheon-eup, Jeju-si, Jeju-do
633-37
South Korea

Please make sure to include all parts of both addresses! Sometimes fedex/ups will claim the entire address wont fit..they are full of crap- make them put the whole address on the package or make sure to have the entire address printed and taped to the package. I love getting mail (not bills) so send me letters! I will of course mail you back :) Also, please send me a message if and when you do mail me something so I can expect to check the mail.

Finally, I apologize for not uploading my videos in the past posts properly. Please find a few videos below:

Salsa Festival!

Eating a fish eyeball!

Taekwondo performance from orientation

Dancers in Jeonju during the orientation field trip

Drum class during orientation field trip

Here is my Mama and my baby brother Kasper skyping!! Don't mind my lovely facial expression 

I will post a video of my apartment soon as I hope to have a fridge any day now. I'm loving Jeju so far! What a beautiful island! I'm thankful for this experience so far and I'm learning more than my brain can comprehend. I will continue to post! Please feel free to comment, message, email, or mail me! Thank you for reading!