You make me a better person.
Happy anniversary x
Sunday, October 27, 2013
Saturday, October 5, 2013
First Day at Pagoda Academy: Jong-ro
We survived!
After going into work the morning before to pick up our schedules and textbooks.
After getting our revised schedules the night before classes.
After waking up before the sun.
And even after [my first time having] a split shift of 7-10am, 6-10pm.
We. Survived.
The managers were really accommodating and adjusted our initial schedules to both 1) not have a triple split shift and 2) make us have the same time schedule. Plus, I'm only teaching one level this month (while Rob only has two) and we both have more than the six classes that we're guaranteed.
Yes, it sounds a bit daunting, but being able to come back to the apartment to have a cup of tea and take a nap doesn't sound that bad.
Here's to hoping that we can keep up the enthusiasm.
After going into work the morning before to pick up our schedules and textbooks.
After getting our revised schedules the night before classes.
After waking up before the sun.
And even after [my first time having] a split shift of 7-10am, 6-10pm.
We. Survived.
The managers were really accommodating and adjusted our initial schedules to both 1) not have a triple split shift and 2) make us have the same time schedule. Plus, I'm only teaching one level this month (while Rob only has two) and we both have more than the six classes that we're guaranteed.
Yes, it sounds a bit daunting, but being able to come back to the apartment to have a cup of tea and take a nap doesn't sound that bad.
Here's to hoping that we can keep up the enthusiasm.
Pagoda Academy Training: Check!
After a full day of flying, the boyfriend and I finally arrived in Seoul with 100+ lbs. of luggage between us and enough jet lag to last a lifetime. Luckily, the Pagoda housing manager saw us straight away and introduced himself. Unluckily, he only introduced himself to Rob. Only looked at Rob when he was speaking. Only shook Rob's hand when Rob introduced himself. And then turned and started walking toward the taxi stand. Yes, I was dealing with a lack of sleep, but the words 'rude' and 'sexist' flashed before my eyes. In bold, neon letters. Hmph.
Deep breath. Anyway.
We spent the next day looking for apartments ranging in sizes and prices; I had definitely prepared myself for a small, room-sized apartment that would take half of my salary away, but we ended up with something really nice that's a 5 minute walk to a subway station and the downtown area of Sinchon! We've been collecting things here and there and hope to have it finished within a couple weeks. [insert boring before apartment photos here] But I won't trouble you.
Training was technically for three days, with the first two being spent at the Gangnam branch. Training can be tedious because every employer wants to do it "their way", but we moved through the 50-page manual pretty seamlessly. Plus, if anyone remembers EPIK training (10 days and endless activities, speakers and downtime), this was a breeze. It was only a few other new teachers going to various branches and lasted from 9am-3pm. Doable.
The last day was spent at our actual branch in Jong-ro (which is actually pronounced Jong-no...tricky), where we were supposed to observe two classes. Guess whose second class of students didn't show up.
Then, due to some miracle, we had a week off between training and our first day of classes, so it gave us some time to get ourselves together and our apartment semi-presentable.
Next up—first day at Pagoda Academy!
Deep breath. Anyway.
We spent the next day looking for apartments ranging in sizes and prices; I had definitely prepared myself for a small, room-sized apartment that would take half of my salary away, but we ended up with something really nice that's a 5 minute walk to a subway station and the downtown area of Sinchon! We've been collecting things here and there and hope to have it finished within a couple weeks. [insert boring before apartment photos here] But I won't trouble you.
Training was technically for three days, with the first two being spent at the Gangnam branch. Training can be tedious because every employer wants to do it "their way", but we moved through the 50-page manual pretty seamlessly. Plus, if anyone remembers EPIK training (10 days and endless activities, speakers and downtime), this was a breeze. It was only a few other new teachers going to various branches and lasted from 9am-3pm. Doable.
The last day was spent at our actual branch in Jong-ro (which is actually pronounced Jong-no...tricky), where we were supposed to observe two classes. Guess whose second class of students didn't show up.
Then, due to some miracle, we had a week off between training and our first day of classes, so it gave us some time to get ourselves together and our apartment semi-presentable.
Next up—first day at Pagoda Academy!
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