Weight issues

Weight has never been a issue with me. I am happy with my weight. Like every woman I sometimes have'fat' days, but I try to eat healthy. I had never been called overweight, chubby or fat. That is, until I came here.

The first time my weight came up wasn't with a Korean but with a crazy Canadian girl that was obsessed with make-up and to be blunt she was vain. She often referred to me as 'skinny fat' and she always told me I was lazy, because I am happy to relax after work at home. I  ignored her as everyone who knew her said she was vain (and slightly crazy).

But, this year I gained weight. It's strange really. I used to eat junk food back in the UK, but over here I eat fruit and vegetables all the time. I don't mind because I was too skinny before.

But, one Korean teacher noticed my weight gain and told her students. Why would anyone do that? Some Korean teachers said it could be culture difference and she probably didn't know it would offend a foreigner. But, most of my Korean friends didn't understand her actions either.

Snow!!!

I think I would not have minded if she had said the comment to me because I am used to everyone talking about weight. But it's the fact she said it to her class so when I had class with them I was put in a very embarrassing situation. And all the other teachers heard.

The bad news is because my co-teacher is pregnant, this teacher will replace her in winter camp in January. Two weeks with her........ Awesome! ㅜㅜ

This made me realise something. The only people who make comments about my weight are other women. What gives one person the right to make comments about someones weight? Do we think putting another woman down will make us thinner? I for one and happy with my weight and that's the most important thing. Not what other people think.

 I just needed to rant about this topic! I feel better already ^^.

In other news, the first snow of the year appeared. Thankfully, it went after a few hours and it didn't stick. I think this winter is going to be colder than last. I treated myself to some more heat-tech clothes.

What to pack if you move to Korea.

I wrote a post before I came here, of what I heard I needed to pack. http://www.wherewillmyfeettakemenext.blogspot.kr/2011/02/packing-list.html
I decided to look back at what was true and what was not.

Before I start, I just want to say things change here daily. I came here 2 and a half years ago and so much as changed. So, what I write now may not be true in a year or so.

This are the items I wrote you needed on my previous post....

• Deodorant- This is false. They have it over here. Though, it is a bit expensive. It is a myth that all Koreans don't sweat. Just most...... I talked to my Korean friends about this and one never gets BO and the other does. 

Yummy Korea!

• Decent chocolate- Okay, this is true and false. They have American chocolate everywhere. I hate the stuff personally.... Yuck! Some of the Korean chocolate is okay. But if you are fussy then bring over your favourite chocolate from home.

• Indoor shoes- Buy them over here much cheaper! Indoor shoes are sold everywhere just go to the bargain store.

• Sun cream! They sell over here at 5 times the price!!! Bring your own if you have room! Plus, it's all 50+ over here.

• Foundation. If you have a darker skin tone then bring your own. I am not sure  about this one.  I am pale, so I could but this over here. Perhaps, the department store sell darker tones.....

• Stickers and stamps - get them at the bargain shop or any stationary shop for a fraction of the cost. Though, my friend from the USA has some cool ones from back home that were from the dollar stores.

• Gifts for principal - I started work day 1 so I was glad I had them ready!

Things I think you need to pack for Korea!

• Bras- 100 per cent pack loads of these bad boys! They are expensive and they only sell up to a B cup here.

• If you have big feet or are bigger than a UK size 8 then clothes and shoes. With clothes you might be able to buy some from western brands in Myeongdong, Seoul. But you will have limited options.

• Salt and vinegar crisp!!!! Sometimes, just sometimes they sell in Itaewon, Seoul. But, not always! 

• Decent gravy! Ahhh bisto! Get from home.

Don't worry about not being able to get your
 favourite food whilst out here!

• Packet mixes for your first week until you get used to shopping and cooking. Those packet soups were a lifesaver my first night.

• If you have a baby then bring all your baby clothes from home. So expensive out here!

• Photos of friends and family.

• English DVDs. It's hard to buy DVDs out here. Everyone illegally downloads them.  If your not into downloading then bring them with you or use Amazon. I bought so many DVDs from Amazon whilst living here.

You can get most stuff out here. Homeplus is owned by Tesco (UK), therefore it sells loads of Western food. Also, Costco and Itaewon sell loads of food and spices that are hard to get elsewhere. You can also get stuff from Gmarket or iherb. 

The only things I miss are parsnips, pies and sausages. There is a guy who sells sausages in Myeongdong, but they are super expensive. I will wait until I go home.

Happy Halloween 2013!

Haunted house

It being my last year teaching, I decided to do something special. The idea of a haunted house struck me on Sunday night, and when I got to work the following morning I had decided to do it. I found some bin bags and made a tunnel in the storage room. I then decorated it with ghost and a scary movie mask.

All week, I told classes if they wanted to come they have to come at after lunch or after school.

I felt like a pop star

On Halloween, I added a candle for light and some spooky sounds. I did the first three classes during lesson time. In the house I hid and jumped out on students. They then had to choose a bag. A, B, C or D. Each bag had something different in it. One had baked beans, one spaghetti mixed with candy, one had goo mixed with candy and the last had just candy. All students were sworn to secrecy as not to spoil the surprise.

After lunch, I went back to the classroom. I expected 10 students max to remember to come but....... two- three hundred came. I was doing the haunted house until 4.30!!! My throat seriously hurts today. They all waited outside the classroom. I think the younger generation can line up better than the older people.

I'm glad I did it. It's a good memory of my last Halloween in Korea.