Oh Nelly Pt. 2

I feel exhausted and inexplicably melancholy. Probably because when I'm here I'm missing people and when I'm gone I'll be missing people. I'm a nomad. Someday I will put roots down and stick my fingers deep into the earth and make a little bit of it mine. For now I leave a little of myself everywhere I go. This is both a good and bad thing.

Tomorrow is September 1, my, time flys.

Finish each day and be done with it. you have done what you could. some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. tomorrow is a new day; begin it well and serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Oh Nelly

My legs and thighs feel like they are on fire. Itchy moogie bites. 23 to be exact.

MUST NOT ITCH.

(and that was before they swelled up)

Brain Power Workout

Sometimes the most simple things are the best. The things that make you feel truly alive and content. Hanging out drinking and laughing. When I feel like complaining about anything, these are the times I should think of.

Today I conquered Mt. Yongmasan. It was exhausting and exhilarating. I wish Illinois had more mountains ...

It had been awhile since I literally felt like I was going to die laughing. I highly recommend it. Good for the soul.

It's Saturday. I'm clean and hungry, what adventures will the night hold for me?

Love,

The Last (roaming) Unicorn

Remember the Basement

Korea is making me fat.

:(

Freebird

Where are you from?
How old are you?
Where are you from?
Where are you from?
How old are you?
How long have you been here?
How long have you been here?
Where are you from?
Where are you from?


How How How old have you been here from?

I Want a Burrito!

Yeah Yea!

I'm pretty positive one of my students followed me home today. Uh, Brian? Can I help you? Shakes his head while eating his ice cream, "Hello teacher." And then stares...for like a minute. So I unlock my door and go inside. Weird right?

Speaking of my students.

I've made exactly three of my students cry (it's not as bad as it sounds they are like five) all of them being boys. I feel like a manchild-eater.

Today was a particularly heart wrenching example.
RY is a very active day dreamer. Today we were doing a super simple exercise and he fell way behind (like always), not because he's not bright by any means but because he was singing to himself and playing with his pencil instead of copying what was on the board. You know what came next ... my heart cringed a little as I reprimanded him for falling so behind. After giving him a stern face and letting him know that he really needed to pay attention I walked away to check the other student's worksheet.

Five or so minutes later he had only written two letters and was back to daydreaming. After another (more) stern reprimand I stood over him to make sure he finished at least the sentence as he fell further behind. I was feeling crappy because I was a big day dreamer in all levels of school and didn't like the tone I took with him, because after all he WAS holding the class up.

As I stood by him I saw the fear and possibly embarrassment (we're waiting for you) well up in his face. His lip quivered and his eyes grew in front of me questioning asking me why was it so wrong to get lost in my imagination to not finish this stupid worksheet. When I realized he was so upset I immediately distracted the class with something else. I stooped down beside him rubbing his back. What could I say? Dude, don't worry you don't have to finish this garbage, English is overrated? That's what I wanted to say, but all I could muster up was a don't worry buddy, we'll wait, you just got to try and keep up, okay. It's not big deal.

Ugh. When will I find a job where I don't feel like I'm selling out my soul? I know that school is a necessary evil, but he's five. Five year olds learn best through play, it's science. Unfortunately at this school, I'm married to the curriculum. Stupid Jesuits.

Ughhhhh. I don't want to make any more cute kids cry.

:(

A Word I Can't Remember

Nothing in the past or the future will ever feel quite the same.

How Fast is Lightspeed?

Redefining the meaning of home. Exploding with creativity. Bubbling with thoughts.
Oh man it's so easy to stay here. Oh man it's so easy to go. It's moving forward that's sort of hard.

Gonna Gonna make myself start writing again. Creatively not just cathartically indulgent.
Growing up is taking responsibility for your decisions whatever they may be, not being all serious and shit.

I want to live a good life. I want "good" to be defined by me.


Oh jeezus, I'm gonna be pooooooor!

<3

Firm Like Jello

Work was a breeze today. The kids were great and I even received a gift! Mmm. Had coffee with my recruiter and cried a little bit, because I talked about what I really want to be doing with my life. She understood and it made me feel calm. The lights at the market were so bright and the warm breeze felt good on my face. Bought yummy fish cakes at WellBeingUpLife for 1,020 won and it made me very happy.

Today was such a great day, but it couldn't make me change my mind. Which made me both happy and sad. Gonna gonna enjoy my time. Dreaming cool dreams of fall.

Been watching/listening to this like crazy lately, so summery!


Love the Paul, and all the things he reminds me of.

I Am Sinking Into the Bedroom Floor

Talked to bestie (yes I have officially added this word to my vernacular, sorry guys) on the gphone today for hours and it was like we were sitting in her room hanging out on a lazy day. Man, I love that girl. I'm glad our futures are permanently entwined.

Went out last night. Crazy how you can meet people and within moments know that you can get down with them. Talked music, comics, and kids songs. Ate tofu and danced on tables. Wild night in a foreign country, I think I could have watched the sunrise, but I wouldn't want to do it without you guys.

It's not you S.Korea it's me.

Paul Simon cleaning soundtrack. He makes me feel like I can do everything and nothing and still be a successful woman.

Erggg Arghhhh

Thinking really hard. Really Really Hard. Hard to smile. Talked to a soul-mate friend who is thinking really hard too and she sent me this:



Damnit if I didn't smile.

Sending out an S.O.S because your voice/face can save my ship. Or at least stop it from sinking.
Garble garble.

Going out and being social tonight. At least I feel pretty for once.

The Pains of Far Away

Finally got internetz in my apt. Oh yeah, I'm in Korea. Will talk all about my flight, but right now I'm so very tired and this is what I have to say...

I don't like not knowing how to read any directions of any sort. Street signs, menus, google homepage, how to work my washer/aircon/water heater. ETC. Didn't think about that did you Last Unicorn? This will probably be a constant thorn in my side. I'm way too independent to rely on someone for everything and way too klutzy to try and figure everything out on my own.

Frown town.

So I'm tired on day three in foreign country and day two of being "JessicaTeacher" and all I want to do is watch some of The Office ... Guess what? Hulu, NOT AVAILABLE IN YOUR LOCATION. NBC, NOT AVAILABLE IN YOUR LOCATION. If anyone knows where I can watch some American comedy I would be forever greatful.

While I am complaining a lot, my place is adorable (small, but adorable), my students are mostly rad and seem to dig me, I'm eating lots of wild food with hardly any (a little) stomach problems, and my neighbor is an awesome Canadian who came to teach a day before me!

A proper update soon.

<3 Lots of foreigner love.