Warning: this blog is random and I am too lazy to organize it. If this were my student's paper I would tell him or her to focus on the trait of organization. Alas, it is not. And I am not SO nerdy that I cannot write a simple blog without considering all the six traits of writing. Haha. I need to get away from teaching for a bit.
First of all, I finally feel good. I didn't want to worry anyone, but last week I had the stomach flu on top of some infection that made my lymph nodes swell into giant marble-sized knots. I felt dizzy and nauseous and just plain lousy. However, at the end of last week I suddenly recovered. Nothing makes you appreciate health more than recovering from periods of sickness. It is fantastic to be able to move around without having fevers or fits of nausea. I feel back to my energetic self. Love it!
Secondly, I am feeling like my classes are really getting more comfortable. I definitely have moments where I realize I am a new teacher. But for the most part I have a lot of fun with my students. I am starting to get a little posse of kids who I have to kick out so I can get work done. I see me forcing students out instead of them fleeing as a good sign. This week is spirit week and it has been fun to dress up and get them excited about things. Today was pajamas day (a great excuse to wear comfy clothes). Tomorrow is copy cat day (and a group of us are dressing up like Korean teenagers... so fun. We bought these ridiculously long shirts with frilly bottoms and a giant dog print. We are going to layer these tank tops over tee shirts. We are also wearing heels with jeans, giant plastic hair bows, and massive hoop earrings. I don't understand fashion here. It's a fun bonding experience, though). Bad hair day on Wed is going to be a piece of cake. On the topic of aesthetics, my room feels more like a classroom too. The students have made bright posters that are all over. I like to joke that a rainbow threw up all over my walls.
Sarah visited this weekend and it was great to see someone from home. Even with bad weather (it finally switched to fall!), we had a great time. We got out of town for a day to go shopping with a bunch of people from my school. The school took two buses to Songtan (a big shopping area near an army base where everyone can speak English!). I ended up buying SO many decorations for my apartment. I came home with two lanterns and a custom ordered lamp. I also got two hand-made vases. Sarah and I also got a joint COSTCO membership this weekend. We said we were roommates... I guess we could be? I stayed in her apartment for almost a month!
Other: I am coaching elementary soccer right now and it is such a great stress relief. I love running around with the kids and they make me laugh. Last week my team had to pick a name. They went through all sorts of natural disasters and tried to blend them with the school color (gold)and the school mascot (dragon). My kids also got stuck on certain words (like disaster). The result? SOO many horrible choices: the Golden Earthquake Disaster Dragons, the Dragon Tornado Shooters, the Golden Disasters, the Hurricane Lightening Bolt Dragons... they really struggled to shorten names. Finally they stuck with Disaster of Doom... a name that makes little sense and probably does not exemplify the school's Christian values. We'll have to work on that. However it was pretty funny to watch them run up to one of the other elementary teams (the Ball Shooters) and shout out their scrimmage request: "The disaster of DOOOM, challenges YOUUUUUUUUUU. Do you accept?" They keep me laughing.
Another random aside: I am obsessed with aloe water. It is water that literally has bits of aloe floating in it. It's a little odd the first time, but it really moisturizes your skin and is great! So refreshing.
Yet another random bit: I am starting to sound like I'm from MN. My vowels are changing (I blame my coworker and constant distraction, Emily). I am also starting to pick up Canadian-isms (I have far too many people to blame here). I say "eh" a lot and some of my intonation has shifted. I'm going to come back from Korea sounding like some weird Minnesota-Canadian with a Korean accent. Why are I so susceptible to accents!?!
One final thought: the Korean TV stations like the randomest American shows (my viewing selections are highly limited): lots of CSI, never-ending showings of the Janice Dickenson's Agency show, the Biggest Loser, at least two-week-old E celebrity dish shows, and an occasional old episode of Gilmore Girls or So You Think You Can Dance. There are also a million and one horrible old action adventure movies that I never heard of in the states but are clearly American. SO random.
Anyhow, miss yall. Sorry for the randomness. My brain won't think in an organized fashion right now. Figured it's better to update stream-of-consciousness than not update at all.
Monday, September 3, 2007
Sunday, August 26, 2007
The rain
It rained today. The sky spent its day in indecision-- releasing in random moments with sudden blinding downpours. There were brief periods of utter composition; static clouds waiting for yet another moment of emotion. Rush again. And then peace. My mind lingers on a still frame: weighted beacons of water pummel the ground as we walk to church. Yet behind the sheets of water, the sun proudly shines- bold and unabashed. A stark contrast, it shifts my perspective on the sky's tears. They are momentarily beautiful and tiny in comparison to the light. I pause, ankle-deep in flash-flood water, and soak up the image. A metaphor in the making, and I was completely unaware.
Today marks my first day of true homesickness. It started at church: a familiar hymn came on and I suddenly felt a deep longing for home. Not a desire to leave Korea. Just a sadness for the people and communities that are now remote and a yearning for familiarity and comfort. It has been a long few weeks-- an exciting roller coaster adventure full of many firsts and little solid ground. I have survived my first two weeks teaching, my first time living in a foreign country, and my first six weeks in my new home. I have met new friends, a new community, new students, a new culture... so much is unfamiliar my head sometimes spins. All this change has been thrilling--- the excitement and novelty of it keep me restless at night and buzzing for more. Yet there are moments (and today there were many) where the reality of the permanence of this strange place strikes. Where I realize that this-- Daejeon, South Korea-- is my new home. That this is where I really live and will continue to live for the next few years. That this is where I chose to be, am forced to be, and am supposed to be. That, my friends, is terrifying.
All day I felt like one of the heavy clouds that has been weighting down Daejeon's air for the last few days. I felt like at a second's notice I might burst-- all my emotion drowning me and innocent bystanders alike. I found myself rubbing my eyes every few hours and praying that I could will in my tears long enough to be alone or with people I trusted. I finally found that space tonight where I couldn't contain it anymore and where I felt safe. I (in retrospect) jokingly declared myself "a waterfall" at Bible study. I shared with my new co-workers all my feelings: my nagging concern about recent odd health issues (probably just reactions to my new climate, don't worry). My feelings of isolation and distance from all those who truly know me. My deep desire to feel known and understood. My new friends gathered around, hugged, and encouraged. They let me feel my emotions, yet offered hope.
I called Sarah tonight (thank goodness for such a dear friend in my timezone) and began with my "rain." Sarah listened and questioned and shared. Before long I found myself recounting all the amazing things about my school instead of my hesitancies. I found myself brimming with excitement for the activities I have gotten involved in, the relationships I have initiated, the multitude of things I have learned, and the novelties I have encountered. I got off the phone giddy. My mind was unable to escape my metaphor from the day. I am now wide awake, at almost 2 am, driven with the necessity to declare that I am not stuck in either the sun or the rain. That I am allowed both, and that each provides new perspective on the other.
I still feel disconnected from my prior homes. From the people I trust and know and love. But I feel a peace. I am in this space for a reason. This is where I am supposed to be.
I miss you, my friends. Please stay familiar.
Today marks my first day of true homesickness. It started at church: a familiar hymn came on and I suddenly felt a deep longing for home. Not a desire to leave Korea. Just a sadness for the people and communities that are now remote and a yearning for familiarity and comfort. It has been a long few weeks-- an exciting roller coaster adventure full of many firsts and little solid ground. I have survived my first two weeks teaching, my first time living in a foreign country, and my first six weeks in my new home. I have met new friends, a new community, new students, a new culture... so much is unfamiliar my head sometimes spins. All this change has been thrilling--- the excitement and novelty of it keep me restless at night and buzzing for more. Yet there are moments (and today there were many) where the reality of the permanence of this strange place strikes. Where I realize that this-- Daejeon, South Korea-- is my new home. That this is where I really live and will continue to live for the next few years. That this is where I chose to be, am forced to be, and am supposed to be. That, my friends, is terrifying.
All day I felt like one of the heavy clouds that has been weighting down Daejeon's air for the last few days. I felt like at a second's notice I might burst-- all my emotion drowning me and innocent bystanders alike. I found myself rubbing my eyes every few hours and praying that I could will in my tears long enough to be alone or with people I trusted. I finally found that space tonight where I couldn't contain it anymore and where I felt safe. I (in retrospect) jokingly declared myself "a waterfall" at Bible study. I shared with my new co-workers all my feelings: my nagging concern about recent odd health issues (probably just reactions to my new climate, don't worry). My feelings of isolation and distance from all those who truly know me. My deep desire to feel known and understood. My new friends gathered around, hugged, and encouraged. They let me feel my emotions, yet offered hope.
I called Sarah tonight (thank goodness for such a dear friend in my timezone) and began with my "rain." Sarah listened and questioned and shared. Before long I found myself recounting all the amazing things about my school instead of my hesitancies. I found myself brimming with excitement for the activities I have gotten involved in, the relationships I have initiated, the multitude of things I have learned, and the novelties I have encountered. I got off the phone giddy. My mind was unable to escape my metaphor from the day. I am now wide awake, at almost 2 am, driven with the necessity to declare that I am not stuck in either the sun or the rain. That I am allowed both, and that each provides new perspective on the other.
I still feel disconnected from my prior homes. From the people I trust and know and love. But I feel a peace. I am in this space for a reason. This is where I am supposed to be.
I miss you, my friends. Please stay familiar.
Monday, August 20, 2007
Busy being a teacher
I officially made it through an entire week of "real" teaching and have to say-- it was a lot of fun! I teach five classes: two sections of 10th grade writing, two sections of English 10, and one section of freshmen writing. The classes are tiny (which is quite a pleasant change!). In my writing classes I have 12, 14, and 15 kids. In my English classes I have 17 and 26. I can't get over how small the groups are and how much freedom that gives me to interact w/the kids! Week one was mostly getting to know the kids and learning about the setup of my class. It was great to be able to spend so much time discovering the exciting lives my students have lived. While most are ethnically Korean, many have spent large portions of their lives living all over the globe. It has been interesting to see how diverse my students really are. Basically, teaching has completely taken over my life at the moment. But it has been really good so far (minus all the planning). I've vowed to take time away from school in a week or two when I get my feet on the ground.
As for other things in life-- I went to my first Korean baseball game. It was pretty amusing. They have these cheerleaders at the game who lead these funny cheers/dances/workout moves which the crowd mimicked (or at least my friends did). They also have a humorous version of the seventh inning stretch-- the players sprawl out on the field and stretch instead of the fans! Ha!
This week I'm starting to help coach the elementary soccer team. I'm going to assistant coach for the high school team in the spring. But for now, just playing around with the little guys should be fun. I'm really excited to be doing something other than planning English lessons. Though I'm ready for the summer heat to subside...
One final tidbit for the day-- Korean drivers are known to be a bit crazy. However, nothing prepared me for the statistic I discovered in one of my writing classes. Out of the 10 students who were present at the time, 6 had been hit by cars (as pedestrians) at some point in their lives. This prompted me to ask my next class where 4 out of 11 students had also been struck by vehicles (either motorbikes or cars). That means nearly 50% of my students have been hit! Now I'm scared that I'm next! I'm really paranoid of all car noises these days.
Anyhow, miss all. Send me happy messages!
As for other things in life-- I went to my first Korean baseball game. It was pretty amusing. They have these cheerleaders at the game who lead these funny cheers/dances/workout moves which the crowd mimicked (or at least my friends did). They also have a humorous version of the seventh inning stretch-- the players sprawl out on the field and stretch instead of the fans! Ha!
This week I'm starting to help coach the elementary soccer team. I'm going to assistant coach for the high school team in the spring. But for now, just playing around with the little guys should be fun. I'm really excited to be doing something other than planning English lessons. Though I'm ready for the summer heat to subside...
One final tidbit for the day-- Korean drivers are known to be a bit crazy. However, nothing prepared me for the statistic I discovered in one of my writing classes. Out of the 10 students who were present at the time, 6 had been hit by cars (as pedestrians) at some point in their lives. This prompted me to ask my next class where 4 out of 11 students had also been struck by vehicles (either motorbikes or cars). That means nearly 50% of my students have been hit! Now I'm scared that I'm next! I'm really paranoid of all car noises these days.
Anyhow, miss all. Send me happy messages!
Sunday, August 12, 2007
A bit like a matador
Hi friends. I am finally surfacing the day before school starts to share that I am alive and well. I have been in a whilrwind of meetings, orientations, setting up apartments/classrooms, meeting new friends, shopping for necessities, etc since I have arrived. I am confident, though, that life here is going to be good. I'll break it down (also, added pics to shutterfly):
The apartment: almost settled. I decorated and it feels much more like home. My building is actually filled with all TCIS teachers (all the single females... sometimes referred to as "the nunnery"). It is a lot of fun having everyone so close. It is almost like being in a college dorm again.
The people: I REALLY like my coworkers. I feel SO lucky that there was a huge wave of young unmarried teachers who came this year because it makes it much easier to have an immediate social network. We have had so much fun together getting to know each other and the city. We have celebrated birthdays together, gone karyoking (at a ridiculously nice place that was SOOO much fun), bowled, shopped, etc together and have had a blast. It's always scary to move to a new community, but the people have made it much easier to adjust.
The school: I don't know how I am ever going to go back to a public school. I have never been in a school so united in their vision and dedication to the kids. People are incredibly supportive and focused. Classes are tiny (my writing classes range from 9-15 kids and my lit classes max out at 26!). There are many resources available. The administration is so positive! I haven't even started teaching yet but know that this is going to be an amazing place to work.
My class: I have my own room! (I am lucky, many new staff are floaters). It is large and has a huge window that looks out onto the back stairs and quad area. I have plastered the walls with color. It is all set to welcome kids tomorrow. Many of the classes that I am teaching are still developing (as far as curriculum goes) but I feel confident that I can now at least look like I know what I am doing. I have bright colors and flashy first day activities to distract students from the fact that I am a first year teacher who is still in the process of figuring our what each of her classes is all about...I have been in school for what feels like forever and tomorrow is finally the moment of truth! CRAZY.
Anyhow, off to hike down some unnamed streets to an untitled ally where I will walk until I see some busses and turn left to hopefully find a specific store where I may or may not be able to communicate my needs... gotta love navigating in Korea (they don't label anything!). Miss you all... please let me know if you have joined Skype so I can talk to someone in the states! Keep me in the loop :)
The apartment: almost settled. I decorated and it feels much more like home. My building is actually filled with all TCIS teachers (all the single females... sometimes referred to as "the nunnery"). It is a lot of fun having everyone so close. It is almost like being in a college dorm again.
The people: I REALLY like my coworkers. I feel SO lucky that there was a huge wave of young unmarried teachers who came this year because it makes it much easier to have an immediate social network. We have had so much fun together getting to know each other and the city. We have celebrated birthdays together, gone karyoking (at a ridiculously nice place that was SOOO much fun), bowled, shopped, etc together and have had a blast. It's always scary to move to a new community, but the people have made it much easier to adjust.
The school: I don't know how I am ever going to go back to a public school. I have never been in a school so united in their vision and dedication to the kids. People are incredibly supportive and focused. Classes are tiny (my writing classes range from 9-15 kids and my lit classes max out at 26!). There are many resources available. The administration is so positive! I haven't even started teaching yet but know that this is going to be an amazing place to work.
My class: I have my own room! (I am lucky, many new staff are floaters). It is large and has a huge window that looks out onto the back stairs and quad area. I have plastered the walls with color. It is all set to welcome kids tomorrow. Many of the classes that I am teaching are still developing (as far as curriculum goes) but I feel confident that I can now at least look like I know what I am doing. I have bright colors and flashy first day activities to distract students from the fact that I am a first year teacher who is still in the process of figuring our what each of her classes is all about...I have been in school for what feels like forever and tomorrow is finally the moment of truth! CRAZY.
Anyhow, off to hike down some unnamed streets to an untitled ally where I will walk until I see some busses and turn left to hopefully find a specific store where I may or may not be able to communicate my needs... gotta love navigating in Korea (they don't label anything!). Miss you all... please let me know if you have joined Skype so I can talk to someone in the states! Keep me in the loop :)
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Top Fives
I move to Daejeon tomorrow so thought I'd sum up my three weeks in Seoul with a series of top five lists:
Top 5 teeshirts:
(there are an abundance of horrible teeshirts... many are just funny English and others it is very clear the wearers have no idea what their clothes say)
1. Kiss me, I'm Latina (I have not seen a single Latino in Korea)
2. I'm afrain of Amecicans
3. I like long-hair anorexic emo boys
4. I'm not terrorist, please don't arrest me
5. World's best dad (worn by a teenage girl)
Top 5 things that make me say "oh, those smart Koreans:"
1. There is very limited parking in Seoul, so people double park and leave their cars in neutral... if you need to get your car out, you literally push the cars that are in your way aside
2. ATM machines won't give you your money until you take your card and your receipt (no having your money or account numbers stolen)... also, ATM machines print all your account activity directly into a book so you don't have to spend lots of time balancing your checkbook!
3. Outside every big store they have umbrella bags in multiple sizes so when it rains you don't track in a ton of water. So convenient!
4. They have these crazy exercise machines built in to every park (my favorite is this pendulum one where you just lean back and forth... here the philosophy is if your body is moving, it is exercise). Work out for free!
5. They are very big on recycling/conserving in Korea... they make you pay to get a bag when you go to the store, they give you cash back for returning your beverage cups, trashcans are hard to come by and always located beside recycling bins
Top 5 crazy reactions to my Caucasianness:
1. Groups of young people asking to take their picture with us
2. A mom dragging her toddler up to Sarah and I and asking us to shake her son's hand
3. Mobs of elementary school children following us in a museum and introducing themselves by name
4. People of all ages starting conversations with us in passing... "Hello, how are you?" "Where are you from?" "Where are you going?" "Welcome to Korea!" "You live here?"
5. An old woman standing about 5 inches away just staring at me and following my every move (maintaining the super close proximity) as I washed my hands and dried them in a bathroom
Top 5 touristy adventures in Seoul:
1. The DMZ tour-- just an all-around fascinating experience
2. Shopping in Insa-Dong (the "traditional" shopping area of town-- lots of fans, tea-sets, Korean art, etc... I did some of my decorating shopping here) and going to a traditional tea-house there
3. Seoul city bus tour-- Sarah and I took it twice (once our first day and again the day before she left... crazy how much we learned about the city in between those two trips). It dropped us cool places like Seoul tower and some of the palaces
4. BBQ with Sarah's family- the food was delicious and Sarah's aunt, uncle, and cousins were so fun to be around... I loved our broken English/Korean/mimed conversations
5. Korean War Memorial-- while depressing, I really liked the war memorial. It filled me in on a lot of the history that I did not know
Top 5 hardest things to get used to:
1. People everywhere! There are 14 million people living in Seoul (40% of all Koreans are here... there is no space anywhere! Even the middle of the night every park, alley, store, space is filled)
2. Motorcycles on the sidewalk-- traffic laws are very different here and basically motorcycles don't seem to have to follow any of them... they can drive against traffic, through busy sidewalks, anything paved; game on)
3. Kimchee with everything (I enjoy it, but Koreans REALLY like it)
4. Coffee being so freaking expensive (it is about $4-5 for just a regular coffee)... I now have motivation to lose my caffeine addiction
5. People running into me-- the American concept of personal space does not apply here... I've been completely body-slammed by both an old woman and a Buddhist monk! Stand your ground and push forward or you'll be waiting a long time. Even leaving church people viciously shove their way through doors and will slam into you if you get in their way.
Top 5 things I miss already:
1. American toilets (girls get to squat in holes and frequently have to bring their own toilet paper)
2. Showers that are enclosed and separate from the rest of the bathroom (and I miss a bathtub already too!)
3. Bigger cups (in order to drink enough water I have to get up like 5 times a meal and refill-- you get your own water in most restaurants)
4. Signs in roman characters (I'm REALLY slow at reading Hongul)
5.A lack of humidity-- Korea is hot. Plain and simple, weather can be miserable here sometimes.
Top 5 things on my mind with my new move:
1. Meeting everyone-- I know that the people I meet are going to be a huge part of my experience here. I can't wait to see what everyone is like!
2. Teaching-- I've studied a lot, let's hope I can put it all into practice!
3. Getting settled in-- I was lucky enough to see my apartment, but SO excited to get settled in. I've been living out of suitcases now for three weeks!
4. My lack of Korean-- I hope I learn more and learn it fast. I feel like I'm making very slow progress (but progress nonetheless!)
5. Switching times-- while I have been in Korea for three weeks, I have been keeping Sarah's schedule (she begins working about the time that I will end working). So many days we don't get up till 11 and don't sleep until 2 something. I'm going to have to shift my sleep and eating about 4 hours to adjust to TCIS life.
Anyhow, I know that was a long series of lists. I'll update again once I get settled in my new home. I love the messages I've been getting. Keep 'em coming!
Top 5 teeshirts:
(there are an abundance of horrible teeshirts... many are just funny English and others it is very clear the wearers have no idea what their clothes say)
1. Kiss me, I'm Latina (I have not seen a single Latino in Korea)
2. I'm afrain of Amecicans
3. I like long-hair anorexic emo boys
4. I'm not terrorist, please don't arrest me
5. World's best dad (worn by a teenage girl)
Top 5 things that make me say "oh, those smart Koreans:"
1. There is very limited parking in Seoul, so people double park and leave their cars in neutral... if you need to get your car out, you literally push the cars that are in your way aside
2. ATM machines won't give you your money until you take your card and your receipt (no having your money or account numbers stolen)... also, ATM machines print all your account activity directly into a book so you don't have to spend lots of time balancing your checkbook!
3. Outside every big store they have umbrella bags in multiple sizes so when it rains you don't track in a ton of water. So convenient!
4. They have these crazy exercise machines built in to every park (my favorite is this pendulum one where you just lean back and forth... here the philosophy is if your body is moving, it is exercise). Work out for free!
5. They are very big on recycling/conserving in Korea... they make you pay to get a bag when you go to the store, they give you cash back for returning your beverage cups, trashcans are hard to come by and always located beside recycling bins
Top 5 crazy reactions to my Caucasianness:
1. Groups of young people asking to take their picture with us
2. A mom dragging her toddler up to Sarah and I and asking us to shake her son's hand
3. Mobs of elementary school children following us in a museum and introducing themselves by name
4. People of all ages starting conversations with us in passing... "Hello, how are you?" "Where are you from?" "Where are you going?" "Welcome to Korea!" "You live here?"
5. An old woman standing about 5 inches away just staring at me and following my every move (maintaining the super close proximity) as I washed my hands and dried them in a bathroom
Top 5 touristy adventures in Seoul:
1. The DMZ tour-- just an all-around fascinating experience
2. Shopping in Insa-Dong (the "traditional" shopping area of town-- lots of fans, tea-sets, Korean art, etc... I did some of my decorating shopping here) and going to a traditional tea-house there
3. Seoul city bus tour-- Sarah and I took it twice (once our first day and again the day before she left... crazy how much we learned about the city in between those two trips). It dropped us cool places like Seoul tower and some of the palaces
4. BBQ with Sarah's family- the food was delicious and Sarah's aunt, uncle, and cousins were so fun to be around... I loved our broken English/Korean/mimed conversations
5. Korean War Memorial-- while depressing, I really liked the war memorial. It filled me in on a lot of the history that I did not know
Top 5 hardest things to get used to:
1. People everywhere! There are 14 million people living in Seoul (40% of all Koreans are here... there is no space anywhere! Even the middle of the night every park, alley, store, space is filled)
2. Motorcycles on the sidewalk-- traffic laws are very different here and basically motorcycles don't seem to have to follow any of them... they can drive against traffic, through busy sidewalks, anything paved; game on)
3. Kimchee with everything (I enjoy it, but Koreans REALLY like it)
4. Coffee being so freaking expensive (it is about $4-5 for just a regular coffee)... I now have motivation to lose my caffeine addiction
5. People running into me-- the American concept of personal space does not apply here... I've been completely body-slammed by both an old woman and a Buddhist monk! Stand your ground and push forward or you'll be waiting a long time. Even leaving church people viciously shove their way through doors and will slam into you if you get in their way.
Top 5 things I miss already:
1. American toilets (girls get to squat in holes and frequently have to bring their own toilet paper)
2. Showers that are enclosed and separate from the rest of the bathroom (and I miss a bathtub already too!)
3. Bigger cups (in order to drink enough water I have to get up like 5 times a meal and refill-- you get your own water in most restaurants)
4. Signs in roman characters (I'm REALLY slow at reading Hongul)
5.A lack of humidity-- Korea is hot. Plain and simple, weather can be miserable here sometimes.
Top 5 things on my mind with my new move:
1. Meeting everyone-- I know that the people I meet are going to be a huge part of my experience here. I can't wait to see what everyone is like!
2. Teaching-- I've studied a lot, let's hope I can put it all into practice!
3. Getting settled in-- I was lucky enough to see my apartment, but SO excited to get settled in. I've been living out of suitcases now for three weeks!
4. My lack of Korean-- I hope I learn more and learn it fast. I feel like I'm making very slow progress (but progress nonetheless!)
5. Switching times-- while I have been in Korea for three weeks, I have been keeping Sarah's schedule (she begins working about the time that I will end working). So many days we don't get up till 11 and don't sleep until 2 something. I'm going to have to shift my sleep and eating about 4 hours to adjust to TCIS life.
Anyhow, I know that was a long series of lists. I'll update again once I get settled in my new home. I love the messages I've been getting. Keep 'em coming!
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Picture time!
Just wanted to let you know that I have posted a few of my pictures. Follow the link at the side of this page. Hope you enjoy them! Watch the slideshow for my captions (if you want to know what you're looking at)
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Mud, Luggage, Apartments, and a Lack of English
Mud: Just got back to Seoul after four days out of town. Sarah, Sarah, and I went to Boryeong for a mudfestival and it was SO much fun. What does a mudfestival involve you might ask? Well, my friends, mudfestivals include hundreds of people on a beach playing with mud-- mudslides, mudpools, mudpits, mudpainting, mud jails (where you stand while people fling mud at you), mud masks, mud obstacle courses, mud pottery... so amusing. We stayed in a tiny little room that was right on the beach. It was perfect... we spent our time divided between playing with mud and frantically reading Harry Potter (we got our reserved copies on our way out of Seoul). I finished Harry Potter Monday... if anyone wants to discuss, send me an email.
Luggage: The trip did not end in Boryeong for Sarah W. and I. One of the purposes of our trip was to continue on to Daejeon (where I am moving) and drop off two of my bags. Sounds simple, right? Well imagine Sarah and I dragging two 50 lb bags to the Seoul metro. Within 10 minutes of our departure one bag's handle snaps in half (effectively leaving nothing to pull it with) and the other bag's handle gets stuck up (so not so easy to store anymore). We manage to get the bags up and down a million stairs and onto a jam-packed subway. Change stops with it multiple times (stopping to get Harry Potter and eat lunch with Sarah's great-aunt) before riding a bus to Boryeong, dragging bags down a dirt road, taking another bus to Daejeon, dealing with multiple forms of transportation there, and finally taking it to my apartment (where it moved up 4 flights of stairs)... one other lovely image... as I tried to drag the one that lost its handle it hit me in the back of my leg with every step. I looked like some weird Frankenstein lurching down the blocks. We were very relieved to leave my stuff behind.
Apartment: When I arrived at TCIS to drop off my stuff they offered to let me into my apartment and Sarah and I were able to stay there for the night. I was very excited to find that my new home is much bigger than I anticipated! It is only about 5 minutes from my school (so convenient!). I have a moderate sized living room and a good sized kitchen. My bedroom has a wardrobe and dresser. I have another little vanity type room with another dresser and wardrobe. I have a bathroom with a very interesting Korean-style shower... you know those sprayers that are attached to most American sinks? Well I have a slightly bigger version attached to my bathroom sink... I shower in front of my sink and the whole room gets wet. There is a small laundry room in my apartment as well. I am very excited that I got to see it while I was in town-- I wasn't expecting to.
Lack of English: No one in Daejeon speaks English... at least not compared to Seoul. None of the signs (or very few) are in English. The transportation system lacks English altogether... I am definitely going to have to learn some more Korean.
That's all for now, friends. I am eager to get to Daejeon for good and set up Skype so we can talk. Miss all! Love the many emails I've been getting :)
Luggage: The trip did not end in Boryeong for Sarah W. and I. One of the purposes of our trip was to continue on to Daejeon (where I am moving) and drop off two of my bags. Sounds simple, right? Well imagine Sarah and I dragging two 50 lb bags to the Seoul metro. Within 10 minutes of our departure one bag's handle snaps in half (effectively leaving nothing to pull it with) and the other bag's handle gets stuck up (so not so easy to store anymore). We manage to get the bags up and down a million stairs and onto a jam-packed subway. Change stops with it multiple times (stopping to get Harry Potter and eat lunch with Sarah's great-aunt) before riding a bus to Boryeong, dragging bags down a dirt road, taking another bus to Daejeon, dealing with multiple forms of transportation there, and finally taking it to my apartment (where it moved up 4 flights of stairs)... one other lovely image... as I tried to drag the one that lost its handle it hit me in the back of my leg with every step. I looked like some weird Frankenstein lurching down the blocks. We were very relieved to leave my stuff behind.
Apartment: When I arrived at TCIS to drop off my stuff they offered to let me into my apartment and Sarah and I were able to stay there for the night. I was very excited to find that my new home is much bigger than I anticipated! It is only about 5 minutes from my school (so convenient!). I have a moderate sized living room and a good sized kitchen. My bedroom has a wardrobe and dresser. I have another little vanity type room with another dresser and wardrobe. I have a bathroom with a very interesting Korean-style shower... you know those sprayers that are attached to most American sinks? Well I have a slightly bigger version attached to my bathroom sink... I shower in front of my sink and the whole room gets wet. There is a small laundry room in my apartment as well. I am very excited that I got to see it while I was in town-- I wasn't expecting to.
Lack of English: No one in Daejeon speaks English... at least not compared to Seoul. None of the signs (or very few) are in English. The transportation system lacks English altogether... I am definitely going to have to learn some more Korean.
That's all for now, friends. I am eager to get to Daejeon for good and set up Skype so we can talk. Miss all! Love the many emails I've been getting :)
Saturday, July 21, 2007
DMZ
Yesterday Sarah and I went to the DMZ. It was a very interesting experience. First of all, my last week filled with museums and the like has made me realize how very grateful I am that I have not had to experience living in a war zone. Koreans have definitely not been that lucky. It was odd driving out to the DMZ (the area that separates north and south Korea)... while there is no war going on between the two sides presently, the divide is still a highly active military zone. For miles before reaching the border there are barbed wire fences and guard stands. When you actually reach the line there are guards from each side staring each other down and trying to psych each other out. It seemed to be such a contrast-- signs, museums, etc spoke of strides towards reunification. However the line itself did not reflect this "desire." Instead it was clear evidence to me that there is still a deep division between the two parts of this country. As I write this, I don't want to seem as if I saw no hope. There is a railroad that has been built between north and south. There is also a road that has been constructed. The signs and paintings in the northernmost station in South Korea alluded to a unified Korea; as did the soldiers who gave us our tour. Also, have to say-- I stood in North Korea! (monitored the entire time in an area that is designated for the purpose, but still!)
On a lighter note- we are off to get our copies of Harry Potter. Then Sarah Yu's great aunt (who is apparently famous for her cooking in the family) is making us lunch. Then-- get this-- we are off to a mudfestival! What does that mean? Not exactly sure... but I know there are mud slides, mud kayaking, mud baths, mud Tarzan pits, mud madness! Awesome! Finally, Sarah W and I are dropping some of my stuff at my school so I get to see Daejeon! I'm excited.
Stay in touch people!
On a lighter note- we are off to get our copies of Harry Potter. Then Sarah Yu's great aunt (who is apparently famous for her cooking in the family) is making us lunch. Then-- get this-- we are off to a mudfestival! What does that mean? Not exactly sure... but I know there are mud slides, mud kayaking, mud baths, mud Tarzan pits, mud madness! Awesome! Finally, Sarah W and I are dropping some of my stuff at my school so I get to see Daejeon! I'm excited.
Stay in touch people!
Saturday, July 14, 2007
Korean Firsts
Hello friends. Wanted to let you know that I am safe in Korea. After a long flight I was greeted in the airport by Sarah Yu's cousin (James) and Sarah W. We somehow managed to get all my stuff to Sarah's apartment. It is quite a tight fit, but so much fun. Right now Sarah doesn't have internet, so I will keep this brief.
So far Sarah and I have taken tours and tried to ignore our jetlag. Sarah Yu has been introducing me to the food that is Korean...I have tasted numerous dishes that you certainly would not find at home (like omelettes stuffed with rice with chili shrimp over them... suprisingly good!). I have had some delicious noodle dishes and have begun to enjoy Kimchee more (I am sure by the end of my time here I will love it).
One of the most interesting things about Korea is the random things they have thought of that we haven't-- my favorite find thus far is the "etiquette bell" (in bathrooms you can push a button and it makes toilet flushing sounds to mask any unseemly noises). Haha!
Another random tidbit before I go... I am going to have to get used to the staring. As one of the sole white people that the average Korean encounters daily, I am subject to a large amount of gawking. People will literally sit one foot away from me and just blatently stare. I really don't think I am that interesting. But to Koreans, I guess I'm a novelty!
Anyhow, leaving tomorrow to see some temples in southern Korea. Will post again when have access to the internet. Leave me happy notes!
So far Sarah and I have taken tours and tried to ignore our jetlag. Sarah Yu has been introducing me to the food that is Korean...I have tasted numerous dishes that you certainly would not find at home (like omelettes stuffed with rice with chili shrimp over them... suprisingly good!). I have had some delicious noodle dishes and have begun to enjoy Kimchee more (I am sure by the end of my time here I will love it).
One of the most interesting things about Korea is the random things they have thought of that we haven't-- my favorite find thus far is the "etiquette bell" (in bathrooms you can push a button and it makes toilet flushing sounds to mask any unseemly noises). Haha!
Another random tidbit before I go... I am going to have to get used to the staring. As one of the sole white people that the average Korean encounters daily, I am subject to a large amount of gawking. People will literally sit one foot away from me and just blatently stare. I really don't think I am that interesting. But to Koreans, I guess I'm a novelty!
Anyhow, leaving tomorrow to see some temples in southern Korea. Will post again when have access to the internet. Leave me happy notes!
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Poised and Ready
I can't believe the time is here, but my bags are packed and my suitecases ready. It is crazy to think that I will be in Korea in almost exactly 25 hours! I managed to cram my life into just 4 suitecases (3 clothes and such and 1 bedding--I hear Korean beds are a record hardness). Then I just have the world's heaviest carry on bag (all my books are in it) and my computer. I am quite impressed with myself. AND, important to note, I restricted myself to about 12 pairs of shoes! Think of all the pretty pairs I left behind waiting in my closet. You should be very proud of me. I did well.
I may not have email access right away when I get to Korea... Sarah Yu doesn't have the internet in her apartment now so it may take a bit of work. BUT I will post again soon. Send me some love, my friends! Know I am thinking of you and missing America already!
I may not have email access right away when I get to Korea... Sarah Yu doesn't have the internet in her apartment now so it may take a bit of work. BUT I will post again soon. Send me some love, my friends! Know I am thinking of you and missing America already!
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