I don't use a tripod--I just kind of...find whatever I can and work with it.  These pictures weren't taken with a DSLR, though--they were taken with my Canon A540 Powershot.  It's a great point-and-shoot camera with a lot of manual controls. 

To edit photos, I use Microsoft Photo Editor (isn't officially released but you can find it floating around on the internet) and the Picasa editior (Google's).  

Hey, the more the merrier!  We could use some more females, anyway--most the teachers here are male. 

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hey, i am loving your pictures and am just curious bc i want to invest ina camera/lenses/etc.

do you use a tripod? and isn't it a pain to carry everything around bc it's big and just awkward?

and did you edit your pics? what program do you use?

thanks! and i love reading your posts, i'm seriously considering heading over there this fall... 

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I did graduate from a US college.  My degree is English Literature, which is nothing close to Education.  The English Literature courses at my university were centered around acute analyses of classic British works, so we spent a lot of our time studying meter, form vs. content, political and religious influence, and the development of the English language as a whole. So it's funny that Korean schools favor English Lit degrees--we have nothing to do with teaching anybody! 

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Wowww so that's how it works? What about the whole passports and everything? Maan I'm thinking it must be a drag ><. So if they like Asian Americans more, would filipino-american teachers count? Ah..

and I also have a question did you graduate college in the US?

If so, what degree? I'm still confused...is it like getting a Bachelors Degree in Education? 

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Thanks for being a reader and a poster!

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i love the pictures you posted. i enjoy reading your blogs :]

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I love, love, love Regina.  I think it's great that more indie-folk females like her, Ingrid Michaelson, Rachael Yamagata, and Feist are getting more recognition.  Regina has a really interesting way of writing, as well--I love her lyrics. 

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Planning the whole housing thing can be stressful, I'm sure. My school actually found my apartment for me, furnished it, and they pay for it monthly, so unfortunately, I don't know much about the housing market.  My apartment is a "one room", so it's super small but you know, it does what it needs to do.  300-500,000 won a month should get you a decent apartment, but don't expect anythng roomy.  Also, a lot of Korean apartment managers have a habit of asking for like...half of the rent up front.  Not all of them practice this, but I've heard of foreigners trying to get an apartment but the manager was demanding tons of money from the get go. 

Do the other students like to club?  If they don't, it's probably not that fun for them.  But Club Night is *always* packed and there are always long lines out the clubs, so people definitely take advantage of it.  It can make people anxious if they don't like being around so many people, because in some clubs, it's wall to wall people.  The only thing I really like about it is that everybody I know goes out so all night, I keep running into friends at different venues.   

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Ah, my friends and I all LOVE that song!  Maybe because we were in middle school when it came out, we remember it with such nostalgia.  But yeah, fantastic song.  The Wallflowers are so underrated nowadays.  I wish I could prance around and sing to my ipod on my way to work, but I'd probably get knocked down by one of the speedy delivery cart men who drive on both the street AND the sidewalk.  :(

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I love the new pictures and headphones. Reminds me that I need to buy some new headphones since my skullcandy headphones suck. They are those earbuds types where you can change the earbuds size. Since their so easy to take off I often lose the buds. I only have 1 set of buds left, it came in 3 different sized sets. These sets are the biggest so it's very uncomfortable for my ear. Also! ++++ for Queen and Regina Spektor. Your the first person I know who knows and listens to Regina Spektor. I first got hooked to her when I herd Braille, one of my favs and On the Radio and Samson.

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Hi Ginger!

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one headlight! maybe it's just me, but i'm surprised to see it on your list since no one i know knows that song. but i LOVE that song. in fact, i love the wallflowers LOL lovely headphones too! i dislike my current earbud ones, so i'm trying to save up for those cute mix-style ones. sadly though, i have to curb my my shopaholic ways first LOL & back when i still needed to walk to school, i had to walk across this HUGE field yeah? & all i remember about my high school days was prancing across this field, singing at the top of lungs as i listened to my mp3 player. not sure if you wanna do that though LOL

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Yeah, the color did a good job of making me look younger, too.  When I had this same cut with darker hair, I felt so...아줌마 (ajumma)-ish.  I definitely like my hair dark sometimes, but with this cut, it really needed to be light.

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To sinnie (whoops, didn't press the Reply button) Of course there are exceptions, but there are definitely more skinny girls here than there are in America. It's practically impossible for me to find great jeans because they don't fit in the bum and thighs. A lot of the jeans are not made from stretch material, so they are very coarse and don't have much give in the booty area (the Korean ladies aren't keeping much junk in the trunk).

One of the side reasons I got those headphones was because they'd keep me warm in the winter. :)

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I love your new hair! You look much younger and it really fits you. :D

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Hello Ginger,

I was reading your blog, and wow-life in Korea seemed intersting. About the Jeans thingie, OMG-seriously are all those women in Korea really that skinny? That would explains why all their clothing models have such nice slim skinny legs & hips.
Anyhow, those are some really gorgeous picture of you. Love those huge earphones. They almost look like ear muffs lol xd
Your blog is actually really amusing to read along. I've been reading for a while-just lazy to sign up too (like others as well).

-keep us posted with life in Korea.
Until next time...
-Sinnie

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Did you check out my older posts about teaching at a public school?  I'll give you a quick rundown: it's easier for Korean Americans to get hired at a public school than it is for a Korean American to get hired at a private academy.  The reason?  The academies are about money and the directors need a clean, white face to use in advertising.  The parents are often ignorant to the idea that an Asian can speak English fluently, so they will complain to the directors that they're paying good money to have some Korean teach their kid English.  With the public schools, the parents don't interfere wtih that kind of thing.  My school actually requested an Asian-American teacher, actually.  They told me this the first time I met them.  They said that, especially in low-income areas, having a teacher that speaks English fluently but who also is Korean/Asian-looking is inspiring to the kids.  If it's just another white teacher, the kids can be more dismissive.  But seeing someone that "looks like them" speaking English is a motivating factor. 

If you want a public school in Seoul, you'll only send in one application.  There are 3 recruiters that work for the Seoul Education Board (SMOE), and you'll send your app to one of them.  If they like you and you do well on your interview with them, you'll be passed on to be interviewed directly by SMOE.  So it's quite simple in that you don't have to ship your app out to dozens of recruiters or companies.  You don't choose your school--your school chooses you.   

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hey! just wanted to say i'm a huge fan reading your blogs about life in korea! I've been like the other girl, lazy to make an account but I finally made it! I'm actually planning to go to korea after i graduate this spring to teach like you but i'm totally clueless as to when to apply and where to apply.... I heard that its more tough for korean americans to get a english job at a public school but i really want to teach at a public school because of the good hours and you won't have parents pestering you about their kids dropping grades. So, I was wondering how many school you applied and if i should teach in a summer school program that holds for about a month? Your suggestions and advice would be greatly appreciated! thanks!!  

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Thanks for leaving a comment.  I love writing but I'm actually crap at writing things like fiction (poetry is my forte).  I'm glad you enjoy reading!

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hi, I love to read your blogs. Actually I am an avid reader of them. Sorry I haven't commented before, I was just too lazy too. I think your an awesome writer and have a really pretty and unique face :] Your stories about teaching in Korea are also amusing and fun to read !

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you're quite awesome, i hope you know that

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Ahhhh I know what you mean!  My Sunday is totally wasted in the evenings. 

Yeah, I like ear buds because they're so easy to transport, but these Audio Technica ones fold up really easily.  I just hate cramming something in my ear.  I even tried out some REALLY expensive pairs from a headphone shop, but I didn't even like those.   

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You know I dislike Mondays so much that it ruins my Sunday night more often than not because I'm complaining to myself that the day after is Monday.  As for those nice pair of headphones I think you've inspired me to actually go out and get my own pair.  I've always thought that the audio quality is much better and they are a lot more comfortable than those ever so popular ear bud style ones.  Anyways keep up with the great blogging it's really interesting to see what teaching in Korea is like.  I'll be sure to forward this to some friends who will be teaching there sometime soon.

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Thanks for commenting!  We'll have to meet up when you come to Korea, since Ilsan isn't too far from Seoul. 

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Thanks for commenting!  We'll have to meet up when you come to Korea, since Ilsan isn't too far from Seoul. 

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I've got to say, your blog so enjoyable to read and still very informative. I'm actually going to teach at an elementary school in Ilsan starting in April and I want to thank you for helping me through your posts. You've actually inspired me to start my own blog for my experience Korea so please continue your posts! The more I read about your work and students, the more I want to start working! :) Of course, I'll have to be a good teacher first! haha. Anyways, enjoy the new term!

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It's hard to find the balance of being young/having my own style and being a teacher that students have to respect.  :(  It's easier for the older teachers, since they seem to enjoy wearing nice blazers, turtlenecks, and skirts, but...I can't exactly do that without looking like a little girl who has played dress up in mommy's clothing. 

Are you coming to Seoul or another part of Korea this summer? 

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I love this set of pictures, you look so young and fresh it's a really nice look for you. ALso I love those headphones!!! O.O!!! I want some... somehow reading your blog makes me smile, I can't wait to be in korea this summer!

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I think it's so weird that kids think a song that came out a few years ago is "old." 

Yeah, I tried the earbud thing...but I didn't like that they could easily fall out if my hand snags on them or anything.  I also favor the sound of something that has to come into my ear rather than a sound that is already pressed inside of it.  Maybe that's weird?  Oh, well.  They kept my ears warm this winter.  :) 

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I love your loud-and-proud headphones!  That's the way to go... be proud!

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