So update:
1. We had camp Fulbright for the past two weeks in which we taught classes and were evaluated. It was honestly a great learning experience. I am used to being a perfectionist with everything always going the way I want it to. Teaching requires very much the ability to think and adapt quickly because lessons really do not always go the way you plan them. Sometimes it depends entirely on how the class is feeling. I really enjoyed the students and think that I've found my teaching persona, much like myself, bubbly but lacking the sarcasm (which is probably a good thing ^_^). "Payal Teacher"
2. Placements happened. As most of you know, suspense kills me. I was literally about to faint while I was standing waiting for my placement to be called to find out where I am going to be. Honestly, I can't be happier. I'll be in Busan for the next year teaching at a co-ed middle school! I'm super excited, but I'm a little sad because some people that I got really close to recently are no where near me, but traveling will be amazing!
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| Busan, South Korea (my home for the next year) |
3. I went to Seoul. It was awesome! Such a huge, but amazingly clean city. I'll be going back in a week with the full Fulbright group!
4. I'm helping plan the ETA Talent Show with 9 other ETAs. It's called the Kimchi Games-I wonder what it was named after...but the talent will be great, and I love putting the type A side of my personality to use in developing events!
5. This week was the first week that I've gotten homesick. My poor mother had to deal with me skyping her, and both of us would be upset together. It's kind of comical now, but it was really just a feeling of being around things that were familiar to me: my family, home, and friends. I haven't been able to keep up with any of those things here because of the time difference and everyone's schedule which sucks, but it'll hopefully get better once I get my own phone. I was able to skype with a few friends and just being able to see their faces and talk to them has been so nice. It's like I'm not cut off from all those that are familiar to me and that know me. The loneliness dissipates.
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| Seoul, South Korea |
6. But now Korean language classes are coming to an end, along with orientation. We will be going to Seoul again in a week, writing speeches in Korean, and performing skits as well in Korean of course. I just finished my first day lesson plans as well! Mind-blowing! Super excited.
I have so much that I would love to share, but time is short, and I would rather just talk about it, so Skype me my lovely friends and family. :)
Miss you, love you, take care.
