February 2012
3 posts
Denial
In 10 days, I need to be packed and out of my apartment.
10 days.
That’s not a lot of time to pack and ship stuff home and also pack for India.
But yet I can’t seem to drag myself out of bed. I’m constantly tired. I’m constantly irritable. I’m constantly distracted.
It just dawned on me tonight. I’m depressed.
The apprehension and denial about leaving...
10 tags
LASIK in Daegu
TL;DR
Who: Dr. Choi Jae-Ho at Noon Eye Center http://noon.co.kr/ What: LASIK eye surgery Where: Daegu, South Korea. Located on the 20th floor of the LIG building (exit #4 of Beomeo Station on the Green Line) When: M/W/F all day, T/Th morning only. Consultations before 4pm preferably. Why: 1.3 million won for BOTH eyes for standard LASIK only. Wavefront an extra 100k, LASEK is extra 200k....
January 2012
2 posts
6 tags
Acupuncture Recommendation
I don’t have a question but a recommendation. You said you had some major back pain issues so I thought I would give you an English speaking Korean oriental medical clinic. Accupuncture works on my bum knee and neck pain. Relatively non-evasive and no side effects. The clinic is named Hoo Clinic near the Hyundai department store downtown. The doctor is Audrey Shin and she’s fluent in...
9 tags
Magic Straight in Korea
If you knew me before September 2010, you probably saw me with both curly and straight hair. In the USA, I had looked into getting my curls relaxed, but it was too expensive and wouldn’t exactly give me the results I wanted. What did I want? I wanted straight hair. Like straight straight. Like the kind I can let air-dry and it will be perfect.
(“Yes please!”)
Why,...
December 2011
2 posts
5 tags
Waiting for the onslaught
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/opinon/2011/12/162_101309.html
Just wrote a controversial opinion article for The Korea Times.
Interested to see the response.
7 tags
"Toy" Shopping in Daegu
No, I’m not talking about board games or stuffed animals. I’m talking about the other kind of toys. You know… the battery-operated ones, the ones you hide in your underwear drawer, the ones that keep you going through the lonely nights.
I find Korea in general to be a very sexually repressed country. Even though prostitution is frequently (albeit illegally) practiced...
November 2011
3 posts
Panic
On March 1st, I will leave Korea on a one-way ticket to Delhi, India. This scares the crap out of me.
Every single day I think about cancelling that plane ticket and just staying in Korea.
4 tags
What Amanda Wants....
I was a strange, strange little person. Some might argue that I still am, but that’s not the point.
There are things throughout your life that you think you want or need. Things that you think are cool. Things that are cool until you have them and you experience a paradigm shift so severe that your outlook completely changes.
Casts.
(See how she looks so happy and cool and has so...
Dating in Korea
Don’t do it.
Thank god I only have 3 more months left here.
October 2011
4 posts
They're all the same...
My friends in Korea and I have frequently commented that Korean students are more disciplined and generally more respectful. GENERALLY.
Normally, my advanced classes are a breeze. Some of these students have spent enormous amounts of time overseas either studying abroad, living with family, or traveling. Some of these students are fluent in English.
However, this fluency in English makes them...
15 tags
Daegu Recommendations
I’m often asked to recommend various doctors, businesses and motels here in Daegu. Instead of repeating each time, I have pooled together my most frequently asked recommendations in this blog. Most of my recommendations are located in Suseong-gu or downtown Daegu.
With all these places, I would really appreciate if you could tell them that I referred you (except the motel). Just tell...
4 tags
Autumn: Changes & Planning
The leaves have just begun to change here in Daegu. The weather has been chilly and cool for weeks. The air-con has long been turned off, replaced by open windows and an extra blanket. Long gone are the skirts which I wore every day this summer; jeans and leggings have once again returned. There is excited talk among foreigners planning their Halloween costumes. Newbies and veterans are...
September 2011
2 posts
9 tags
Laser Hair Removal in Daegu
TL;DR
What? Laser hair removal. Where? Joseph Skin. Downtown Daegu. 11th floor of Lotte Cinema. When? M-F open until 7:30pm. Saturdays until 5pm. Why? General dermatological care & dermatological procedures How? 5 treatments (one month apart) How much? 50,000-100,000 won per treatment (for happy trail/bikini line)
So as English teachers in Korea, we are lucky enough to have a...
Boys = Stupid
Boys. Boys are stupid.
When did romance completely go out the window?!
I mean for godssake, ask her out on a date. The least you can do is put a little effort into it before you expect her to put out.
Since when is it acceptable to expect every single girl to go home with you just because you looked at her twice?
Since when is it acceptable to expect a goodnight kiss before...
August 2011
6 posts
Doctor visit #52345
Today I saw a general surgeon who specializes in breasts (for my continuing lactation problem), who then made a conference call with an endocrinologist at another Daegu hospital. This resulted in more blood work. Then I saw a gastroenterologist for my constant… “intestinal problems” still lingering from Thailand/Cambodia.
The entire time I had Ms. Ku, the International...
“With the influx of English-speakers to Daegu over the past 2 years, you’d...”
9 tags
Tuk-Tuk'ing in Thailand
I just got back from my 2-week summer vacation to Thailand and Cambodia. I went with a big group of friends from Korea. It was my first time ever traveling in a big group and it definitely had its perks and drawbacks. Drawbacks included waiting for a bazillion different bathroom breaks, having to take 3 taxis to get anywhere, and generally having to be ready to go at certain times. Perks...
6 tags
Stream of Consciousness...
So it’s been a while since I’ve updated. I realize I’m a huge slacker and I really have no excuse. It seems the more free time I have, the lazier I get, the less I do. This blog will be written in pure stream-of-consciousness form, with little to no editing/censoring.
—————————-
School is officially over. Well, the...
June 2011
1 post
5 tags
The Sound of Silence... I wish.
For many years, I’ve known that I was different than most my friends.
Their blaring stereos in their cars would physically hurt my ears, while no one else seemed to mind at all.
Certain movie theaters (especially IMAX theaters) cause me to go into a panic attack. Seeing Inception in the IMAX was one of the most painful experiences.
I must sleep with a fan or humidifier to provide white...
May 2011
4 posts
Q&A: How to be an ESL teacher?
Hi Amanda! I recently found your blog and I was so excited to see a real foreign teacher and her life experiences in Korea. I am very young, but I myself am interested in teaching English in Korea. I was wondering what you had to study in college/university and how you became a certified foreign teacher?
- Anonymous
Thanks for your question!
In university, I changed majors 5 times,...
3 tags
Sparks of brilliance
Sometimes I get frustrated with Korea. Sometimes I get downright furious with Korea. And then there are times where Korea really does things right.
Chargers. Every phone (except the iphone of course) has the same charger. Every place of business has a charger that they will let you use while you shop/eat/sleep.
저기요 button. Many Korean restaurants have doorbells on the table. When...
4 tags
There is a bar...
… where I feel at home.
… that makes me forget that I’m in Korea.
… that is located downtown, down a forgotten dark alley you would surely pass as you walk by.
… that has a waiter whose English rivals my own.
… that is pitch black with the exception of candles at each table and a singular string of christmas lights around the bar.
… whose walls...
April 2011
1 post
10 tags
April Update
So it’s been a while since I’ve updated about my everyday sorta living.
April has been a weird month — sick for roughly 1/3 of the month, have really been working hard at school making lessons and worksheets from scratch, and have spent a lot of time just… healing.
——————-
April 1st (April Fool’s Day)
Better known in...
March 2011
4 posts
7 tags
A visit to the "Lady Doctor" in Daegu
WARNING: This is a blog about my trip to the gynecologist here in Korea. You have been warned. Proceed with caution.
Just because you’re living abroad and cannot speak the language, does not mean you can forgo the normal check-ups you should get year-to-year.
Luckily, Daegu offers many English services for women needing to get the annual low-down on their down-low parts.
There...
* happiness *
Last night I had dinner with many of the teachers from my school, including a former head-teacher that now works at a different school. As the food was cooked and the soju passed around, he noted, “Amanda… she is just so happy. It makes me happy.”
It was in that moment that I realized I have a great life here in Korea. I am surrounded by friends and people that support me....
5 tags
New NETs: Odds and Ends Survival Guide (Part 4 -...
Welcome to the 250+ new NETs that have just arrived in Daegu! You’re probably freaking out over the littlest of things….. but if it makes you feel any better, 100 of us came to Daegu a year ago, and roughly 75% have re-signed to stay another year. You can do it!
My tips for you can be found here:
New NETs: Odds and Ends Survival Guide (Part 1 - TRASH)
New NETs: Odds and Ends...
Amanda-Teacher v2.0
Alas, my blogging hiatus has reached its end.
I begin this new school year with a new gusto for blogging and hopefully it shall continue.
Yes, I have chosen to stay in Korea another year and have renewed with my same school. I am excited for the new year — new administration, new teachers, new apartment (much closer to school and the subway!!!) and a new native teacher at my school!
...
November 2010
9 posts
6 tags
"I Do" in Korea
Multi-colored lights zooming and swirling. Cheap fake flower arrangements. A hidden DJ blasting inappropriately cliché love songs. All attention focused on the one couple who were lucky enough to get chosen. There are some people at the front of the crowd, soaking up every minute, every sparkle, every photographic moment. There are those in the back of the crowd, apathetic, texting on their...
8 tags
Blog FAIL = November Update
OK, yes I have been a total blog failure.
However, in my defense, a glass of wine was spilled on my laptop causing the motherboard to fry, and leaving poor Amanda without a computer.
How have I been managing? Well the absolute archaic school computer at my desk takes 5 minutes just to open Firefox. Don’t even get me started on the time it takes for boot the computer.
So I have been...
Back by popular demand: 30 Day Blog Challenge -...
OK when I say “back by popular demand,” that demand means Chance (as she commented on my last post) and my mother.
So without further ado, here is…
Day 17- Someone you would want to switch lives with for one day and why
Switching lives. Can’t say I’d want to do it for the rest of my life, but one day? Okay, that sounds good.
Now as to who….
At first...
What's In Your Backpack, Amanda, world traveler...
In a homage to Matador Network’s recurring articles such as THIS one, I have accumulated my own packing list of the most important travel items.
Medicated chapstick. Personally, I can’t live without it. But generally, it’s important to have when the salt-water or powdered-snow mountains have dried out your lips. No one wants to kiss you when you have cracked lips. It can...
30 Day Blog Challenge -- Day 17
Day 17: Someone you see yourself marrying/being with in the future
Well obviously, there isn’t any certain person at the moment. I’ve been single for over 2 years. Sure, there’s been small relationships and dating in between, but they were short-lived and nothing serious.
I’ve often been laughed at for having a very specific type of guy. I really want to be married...
30 Day Blog Challenge -- Day 16
So this whole 30-day blog challenge was a total failure on my part. The past week has just been soooo busy with the school newspaper, trying to fix my USB, trying to plan winter vacation, writing a competition essay, and planning/videotaping a competition class.
But now to resume my 30 Day Blog Challenge, here is entry #16
Day 16: Put your iPod on shuffle: First 10 songs that play
Dave...
Attacker on the Subway: UPDATE
So you’ve probably read my previous post where I detailed an incident where I was attacked by a girl on the subway.
Today, accompanied by my co-teacher, we went to Daegu Bank station to file a report. My co-teacher had previously called them, gave them the date and approximate time span.
By the time we arrived, they had already pulled up the CCTV footage.
They pointed to a woman,...
30 Day Blog Challenge -- Day 15
Day 15: Songs you listen to when you are Happy, Sad, Bored, Hyped, Mad
Happy: any random assortment of K-Pop I have, like 2pm, K-ara, Rain, Taeyang, etc.
Sad: “Three Little Birds” by Bob Marley — reminds me that everything will be all right
Bored: anything by Kings of Leon or the Crash Kings — they always satisfy
Hyped:...
30 Day Blog Challenge -- Day 14
Day 14: A picture I love.
I love this photo by my cousin Olivia. I’ve always been drawn to it, ever since I first saw it. Olivia is an amazing photographer —- I love all of her photographs. Her tendency for vintage captures, never showing the full face of the model. I think it helps the viewer place themselves in each photograph. They are not distracted by the face of the...
October 2010
16 posts
30 Day Blog Challenge -- Day 13
Day 13: A letter to someone who has hurt you recently.
Wow, what an interesting topic. I would honestly say that I am surrounded by helpful and encouraging people. It’s been a long time since I’ve really been hurt (other than psycho Korean girl who attacked me).
So I will address this letter to Korea (including but not limited to: Korean immigration, Korean newspaper...
30 Day Blog Challenge -- Day 12
Day 12: Nicknames you have and how you got them.
When I was 6 years old, I wanted a nickname. This girl on my T-ball team had the coolest name in the world – Crystal. I wanted people to call me Crystal. So scribbled in all my books was Amanda, nickname: Crystal. My older brother tried to explain to me that that’s not how nicknames work.
The problem with nicknames is that you cannot choose...
4 tags
WARNING: This is not a work of fiction.
What I am about to write, you will probably not believe. I can hardly believe it myself.
I would classify the following event as one of the craziest and most random things that have ever occurred in my life.
Scene: Daegu, South Korea. Wednesday, October 27, 2010. Approximately 6:25pm. I am at Daegu Bank station, on the platform, waiting for the subway to arrive.
As I am waiting, I...
30 Day Blog Challenge -- Day 11
Day 11: A picture of you and your friends
Wow another one of those very broad-topic posts. As a traveler, I have friends seriously scattered around the globe, from Australia to America, from Paris to Portugal.
Of course I have my friends here in Korea. Many of them actually.
Here’s some of us enjoying a day at Suseong Land.
Many of us enjoying a Memorial Day rooftop BBQ in...
30 Day Blog Challenge -- Day 10
Day 10: Your favorite food or favorite place to eat.
Oh geez. My stomach is rumbling as we speak, and still 30 more minutes until lunch!
Food is probably one of my favorite things in life. I just freaking love food. There’s no other way to say it… and although it sounds trite, it’s so true. Most of my life’s pleasure comes from food or activities surrounding...
30 Day Blog Challenge -- Day 9
Day 09: Something you’re proud of in the past few days.
The past few days have been a drastic transformation.
I have decided, for my best interests, to stay in Korea.
While I thought it would be a hard decision, the minute I decided to stay, I felt this warm wave of relief come over me.
I was no longer struggling with job applications.
I was no longer worrying about going back...
30 Day Blog Challenge -- Day 8
Day 08: Short term goals for this month and why
I only have 2 goals this month, the most important one being:
1. Decide whether I’m going to stay in Korea another year.
I am definitely leaning towards yes. If you had asked me a month ago, I would’ve said “hell no,” burst into tears, and cried for my mommy. The past month has been a transition period for me...
30 Day Blog Challenge -- Day 7
Day 07: A picture of someone/something that has the biggest impact on you
Well crap. I just wrote yesterday about my parents, so I guess I have to come up with something else. Uhhhhh….
OK so here goes. There’s no picture of this thing. It is actually a quote. This quote has been one of the most influential things in my life. It made its impact and it’s a thought I...
30 Day Blog Challenge -- Day 6
Day 06: Your favorite super-hero and why.
Favorite superhero? This comes at an interesting time because I am doing Christine’s Superhero Workshop with my After-School class.
The approach I’m taking with my afterschool class is this: They don’t want to be there. I don’t want to be there. If I were learning Korean, I would want to watch movies. However, parents...