My Korean World

A teacher in SK. Been here since 2013. I write what I want. Basically, my own personal mini k-drama(s) major twist: a black woman (me) is the main lead. 😂 Feel free to ask questions.

[akwonders]

I'm back~

I'm back for a bit, if not a while. Thinking about deleting my website and restarting anew. We shall see. I missed this place's format a bit and am glad to see it didn't change too much.

Note: I left Korea in 2023 and moved to China in the summer of 2023.

[akwonders]

I have so much to say. First, I left Korea last month. I know what?!

I have a website that I'm moving all my posts from here to. It's taking a while (over a year now) because I was swamped with work and the drama from it.

However, I don't work there anymore or in Korea. I'll explain later. So stay tuned for some updates.

[akwonders]

If you thought it couldn't get any worse since the last post, it did. I won't say much now, but one day in the future I shall make a full post. Actually a couple of posts about things in the past couple of months. It's been a crazy year.

I turned 33 last Friday and legit from that morning until now SOOOOOO much has happened.

At this point I should start preparing to really make some things to share what has happened. I'm also thinking about leaving Korea for good. My contract ends in December and oddly I have never felt more ready to go than recently. It's interesting.

We shall see if this is the end of my Korean adventures or not. I might stay another year but not at this job. Where will I go? Who knows.

Until next time~

[akwonders]

A mess

Work is a mess. My boss hired a new person with a teaching degree and experience yet underpaying them. Not to mention doing some underhanded and pretty sure illegal things to not just her but to a lot of teachers (Korean and foreign). What he's doing to her right now in literally less than 2 months is insane.

We are all being careful because he's looking to take out his anger or whatever this is on someone by saying they aren't doing what they are supposed to even though they are 100%. There's some unfair treatment too between what he expects from Korean teachers vs foreign teachers. Thing is only the new Korean teachers can get away with it. Like make it make sense...it doesn't. At all.

There's a lot more happening but idk how to put it all into words yet.

So yeah, looks like I'm going to be job hunting in a few months because this isn't it at all.

[akwonders]

Have you ever gotten to learn of the local culture of Jeju or that of the Jaegaseung people (who are also indigenous to Korea's territories, albeit in the northeast of the peninsula & possibly nearby neighbouring lands)?

Good questions!

Not fully. I have learned some things though. It's interesting how different some things can be. There are museums and other things about it thankfully on the island. I want to go to them now that things are a bit more relaxed when it comes to covid restrictions. I know a lot of the history from the classes I took in university but it would be nice to get some firsthand experience while I'm here. If I find some places. I'll make an update for sure!

[akwonders]

This is my video and photo all done by me.

Anyways, work has been hectic. However, I'm trying not to focus on that craziness and focus on more positive things. Work is work and something is always going wrong or not so well on a daily. Might as well just let it be. It's not as bad as it could be so 🤷🏽‍♀️.

On a positive note. The weather is warming up and it's much brighter. So, my goal is to enjoy living on this island while I'm here. 😄

[akwonders]

I need to update. I've been working a lot, trying to do new posts on my site, too, and some other things.

These days covid is everywhere. The students have been getting sick. A teacher caught it and was out. We have new teachers since it's the beginning of the school year. One didn't show up Monday and well won't be there.

The schedules have been changing daily and sometimes multiple times a day. We are a teacher down, actually two, because we are still down one from last year. Not to mention, we lost a good bit of students. Like their parents withdrew them from the school because of some drama a former Korean teacher started.

Seriously, it's a mess. My schedule starting tomorrow is going to be brutal and I'm not here for this. They asked me after they already made the decision. I rarely get breaks as it is, and now I have the least in the office...again. This happened before but this time who knows when they'll get a new teacher and if they will stay or not.

When I worked in Gangnam, I had that choice to work those hours. I opened them. Later the job did make it difficult to close them plus I was always slammed packed anyways so it was impossible until I finished my contract. Even my last day was full to the brim.

Now, none of this is my choice, and I don't like it. What if I get sick? They can't cover my schedule. I have classes all day MWF outside of lunch. I skip eating lunch with the kids because like why should I? I tend to do work during lunch anyway. I will have classes most of the day one Tuesdays and Thursdays besides the last two periods. That's it.

So, this week is going to be intense. I'm thinking about what to do when I finish up my time here in Korea. I honestly don't want to do this much longer. It's been long enough.

Wish me luck~!

[akwonders]

not a question, just here to say that i’m really interested in your experience/life in SK and i think a podcast would be cool or a mix of mediums! i’m korean/black myself but raised disconnected from korean culture (and getting to know it on my own now). i’m sorry you’ve experienced such lows recently though :( but i know wherever you go next will illuminate you with amazing things.

Thanks~! I'm still thinking about the podcast/youtube channel in the future. It would be good to get it all out there for myself and for it to possibly help someone or for them to connect in some way.

It's odd yet funny that I'm hitting a different kind of low these days. I should update about it.

[akwonders]

Hi~!

Totally a random post.

So...currently thinking about a few things I've been wanting to do for years. It deals a lot with my experiences here in Korea. The good, the bad and the weird for sure.

Currently thinking about blog names. I want to definitely share my almost 10 years of experience here, but I want to share other things too. Travels, thoughts, personal highs and lows too. So, while thinking about the name I don't want it locked down and tied to Korea only. I want to expand on some of the posts (maybe all?) that I've done on here throughout the years too.

Even thought about a podcast/youtube channel because sometimes hearing what happened...gives a different feeling.

Right now it's all ideas but I want them to finally come to life.

If you have any ideas, let me know!

[akwonders]

Happy New Year~

I'm alive. Contemplating some things in life and what I want to do in the future. I think it's almost time to wrap up my time in Korea. Maybe the end of this year or next. Not sure yet. Also, want to start some things I've been thinking about for years. Finally motivated a bit for the first time in ages. So, we'll see what happens.

I hope everyone is doing well and has a great year! 😊

[akwonders]

I'm alive. Nothing to really talk about. Just been working, cafes, ocean, etc. Been thinking about going home more recently though. Maybe one more year then leave.

[akwonders]

Jeju these days. Legit the sunsets have been magical

[akwonders]

Went to dinner yesterday because I won a contest. Delicious food.

[akwonders]

A few pics to catch up. I'm alive. Been mostly working these days or at the gym in the mornings. Of course a cafe or two on the weekends. 😆

[akwonders]

Our boss reserved a room for us and ordered a ton of food (not all of it is pictured) then left. The food was good but the 4 of us couldn't finish it all. Wanted to tag team another group in. 😅

[akwonders]

Cute brunch place with a delicious risotto, salad, and coffee. I have to go there earlier to try the french toast.

[akwonders]

Found this in the middle of a busy shopping area. Super chill place with good coffee.