So this blog will be pretty boring, sorry! It's a summary of the last three weeks and it's not a very good one at that! Apologies apologies. I'll do better next time!
So we've reached November. Survived October and all that good stuff. It's gotten cooler and I know winter is coming. I dread it, not quite like the Starks, but in the way that I know its going to be colder than I've ever been used to. The bike ride home is very cold and I am grateful to have good leather gloves I brought with me. We'll see how my winter gear holds out. For now, I'm alright and enjoying the cooler days and pretty fall colors.
I've had some fun weekends out with friends celebrating Halloween and a birthday. A new "foreigner" bar opened up and they carry Maker's Mark Whiskey and ginger ale which makes me happy to no end. They also carry Dr. Pepper and some delicious food so its nice to have a sort of oasis in the sea of Korean.
I got my first haircut while being here. It was super cheap and turned out pretty well. It's a little shorter than I want but not awful short so I know I can manage. I do miss Heather a lot but this woman spoke English and has been cutting hair for 30 years so I will go back to her for sure.
I think I will be joining a swing class, learning the jitterbug. I just need to figure out how to transfer the money to the teacher's account so as soon as that happens I'm in. I'm nervous but excited. It's on Saturday evenings so that make's it easier to go to. Its a 7 week class so we'll see if I can actually dance when I'm done.
I saw my first movie! We saw the new Thor and that was pretty darn exciting. They assign movie seats here so that was a new phenomenon but was nice not to have to rush to the theater. It's also nice that I can ride my bike there in less than 10 minutes! Thor was in English with Korean subtitles. I really enjoyed the movie. Of course there were some flaws but overall for an action movie it was great. Exactly the distraction I needed from a hectic week.
I met my friend Angela for dinner at a delicious burger place and then we walked around a bit in a part of town I had yet to explore. Daejeon is so big to me its hard to explore all the places and not get completely overwhelmed. One stop on the subway at a time and I'll figure it out.
The time has changed back in the States so now instead of being 13 hours apart we are 14. This is a big bummer for me. We'll see how hanging out on the Google goes for scheduling times. I think we'll have to rely more on the weekends and emails etc.
I had a low week where I felt really disconnected from friends. Then like magic I had a long video call with really dear people and notes about the fair from friends missing my presence. Then I got some emails that were great to read so it really helped me feel not so lonely.
I'm planning my Christmas vacation trip. I get a week at Christmas and everyone is leaving with their significant other so I'm considering going to the Philippines for 5 days and enjoying the white sand beaches. It's about a 4.5 hour flight non stop and the pictures are amazing. I don't want to go by myself, but I am sure I will find some way of having fun!
Until next time! Send me a note and let me know how you are doing!
Sunday, November 3, 2013
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
Puff the Magic Dragon and other Korean folk songs
So I know I've been bad about blogging. I've been really awful. I really want to be better but when it comes time to write things down I don't know where to start! I forget things that I wanted to tell you or don't know how to write something down so that it makes sense. I know I know, I'm fired! There is still hope though, right? Don't give up on me, k? Now that I have a cell phone (see administrative announcement below) I can start jotting things down digitally on my task list. Hopefully this will help immensely.
First, an administrative announcement. I have a cell phone now (yay!) and if you want to call or text me you can download kakao talk on your phone then follow this tutorial to make sure you ACTUALLY have a username and can search for me. Email me and I'll give you my username. Also, this means that I am playing CandyCrush again for all those still sending me notifications. I know, I know, you need more life. I'll send as fast as I can.
So lets see, what have I been doing in Korea the last two weeks. I've been working hard trying to balance, rearrange and make things work for me at school. I still hit snags all the time which is frustrating when you think you're doing something right and then they change their mind. Luckily, the other teachers there are amazing and have been super helpful and supportive.
Last week we had a day off for a Korean holiday and today we have a day off for another Korean holiday. Today's is for the invention of Hangul which is actually a pretty fascinating spoken and written language. You can learn more here. This is the last of the holidays until Christmas so I'm soaking up the time. Unfortunately, I've been sick so all I did last Thursday and all I'm going to do today is sleep and rest in hopes of shaking this bug. Koreans go to work sick. There isn't really "sick" time unless you are in the hospital dying. This means I have to work sick which really is NO fun.
I am riding my bike to work pretty regularly . It hasn't been everyday because I've overslept and lately because I haven't felt well. Yesterday, a Typhoon splashed by so we didn't ride bikes because of the pouring down rain. On Fridays the last two weeks we buy some soju or beer and head down to the river to hang out. It's been a really great way to unwind and get to know people better. I think I really got lucky with the other English teachers at the school. They are all really cool! The first Friday we did this there was a hip hop fest going on. They had tents and a stage and had set up a water fall off the bridge. It was crazy over there. We didn't go to the concert because it was something like $40 for a ticket, but we could hear what was going and the Korean rap with a few MF's thrown in to give it some legitimacy. Also the outsides of the tent entertained us pretty well with their badass hip hop posses. I was going to post some pictures but Blogger won't let me right now.
This past Friday after our riverside drinks we wanted to go to a place called Shisha House but they were packed so we then went to a pub called Santa Claus. These are near a University so there are a lot of expats who hang out there. I had a really nice time except for the whole music fiasco, but I won't go into that here. Then it was Sports Day on Saturday and a work dinner after. It was a gorgeous day and the kids came with their parents and we played a bunch of group games and ate tons of food together. The parents brought "snack" but it was more like a full meal. I don't know how they expected me to eat all the food! Parents are pretty generous like that. Afterwards, we all biked over to dinner. This was my first time going to a place you had to sit on the floor. I'm not a fan. It is not comfortable even with mats. But what the dinner lacked in table comfort it made up for in food. It was DELICIOUS. I want to eat there always and forever. I posted pics in the album so I hope you can smell the deliciousness wafting from your screen.
Sunday was the last day of Winefest and though I knew I should be sleeping in bed, I had to hit up the good free wine! If you brought your own wineglass it was FREE to get in and drink all the wine you wanted. If you lacked a wineglass (like me!) it was a whopping $3 to buy one and then you could drink all the wine you wanted for free. I tasted some great Austrian, Italian, French, German and Georgian wines. I didn't enjoy the Korean wine so much! I managed to meet up with a couple friends there after a bit and we hung out and talked. It was really nice. I then went home and took a two hour nap!
Last night (Tuesday) I went to the doctor finally. I'll be honest, I've been a bit scared to go. I don't know why exactly. This isn't a third world country, but it is a different country and I didn't know what to expect especially after hurting myself in Poland. A guy at work told me about a 24 hour clinic so I headed there after work in a cab. On the way to the place a sound penetrated my deep thoughts and brought me back to what was going on in the car. What was it I thought? Did the cabbie ask me something? Did a car swerve and catch my attention? Nope. It was a song. On the radio. Oh, I thought, a song in English! I wonder what it is. As I strained my ears to catch the faint tune I realized it was none other than Puff the Magic Dragon. It made me laugh out loud! After the song was over it was back to the Korean DJ apparently not aware what the song is about. Good times and now back to my doctor story.
After entering one wrong building I managed to find it. I was seen in about 3 minutes by the doctor who looked at my throat with a metal tongue depressor, listened to my chest, and looked in my ears (all gloveless btw). He asked me some questions in broken English then announced he would only give me "3 day of medicine" and then motioned toward the door. I went to the front desk paid my expensive $5 doctor fee and headed down the stairs to the pharmacy with my prescription. I waited another 5 minutes before she motioned to me to come and get my medicine. They are all bundled into dosage plastic bags so you just have to open one for each dose along with some weird liquid medicine, also individually packaged. The told me I had to take one of them three times a day and that it might make me sleepy. Then she asked for $2.80 for my medicine. So to go to the doctor and my medicine it was a total of $7.80. Pretty damn sweet. Now I just hope its enough to kick this thing to the curb so I can go back to feeling good!
Well I guess I ought to start some laundry and do the dishes if I'm going to stay home and rest today. Keep sending me emails! Those of you that aren't (you know who you are) I'm eyeing you angrily! You said you would write! You said you'd keep in touch! Help a girl out! Send her some love! Please? Also, here is a link to my Photo Album with all my pictures and an awesome video in it. The ones referred to in this post are near the bottom.
First, an administrative announcement. I have a cell phone now (yay!) and if you want to call or text me you can download kakao talk on your phone then follow this tutorial to make sure you ACTUALLY have a username and can search for me. Email me and I'll give you my username. Also, this means that I am playing CandyCrush again for all those still sending me notifications. I know, I know, you need more life. I'll send as fast as I can.
So lets see, what have I been doing in Korea the last two weeks. I've been working hard trying to balance, rearrange and make things work for me at school. I still hit snags all the time which is frustrating when you think you're doing something right and then they change their mind. Luckily, the other teachers there are amazing and have been super helpful and supportive.
Last week we had a day off for a Korean holiday and today we have a day off for another Korean holiday. Today's is for the invention of Hangul which is actually a pretty fascinating spoken and written language. You can learn more here. This is the last of the holidays until Christmas so I'm soaking up the time. Unfortunately, I've been sick so all I did last Thursday and all I'm going to do today is sleep and rest in hopes of shaking this bug. Koreans go to work sick. There isn't really "sick" time unless you are in the hospital dying. This means I have to work sick which really is NO fun.
I am riding my bike to work pretty regularly . It hasn't been everyday because I've overslept and lately because I haven't felt well. Yesterday, a Typhoon splashed by so we didn't ride bikes because of the pouring down rain. On Fridays the last two weeks we buy some soju or beer and head down to the river to hang out. It's been a really great way to unwind and get to know people better. I think I really got lucky with the other English teachers at the school. They are all really cool! The first Friday we did this there was a hip hop fest going on. They had tents and a stage and had set up a water fall off the bridge. It was crazy over there. We didn't go to the concert because it was something like $40 for a ticket, but we could hear what was going and the Korean rap with a few MF's thrown in to give it some legitimacy. Also the outsides of the tent entertained us pretty well with their badass hip hop posses. I was going to post some pictures but Blogger won't let me right now.
This past Friday after our riverside drinks we wanted to go to a place called Shisha House but they were packed so we then went to a pub called Santa Claus. These are near a University so there are a lot of expats who hang out there. I had a really nice time except for the whole music fiasco, but I won't go into that here. Then it was Sports Day on Saturday and a work dinner after. It was a gorgeous day and the kids came with their parents and we played a bunch of group games and ate tons of food together. The parents brought "snack" but it was more like a full meal. I don't know how they expected me to eat all the food! Parents are pretty generous like that. Afterwards, we all biked over to dinner. This was my first time going to a place you had to sit on the floor. I'm not a fan. It is not comfortable even with mats. But what the dinner lacked in table comfort it made up for in food. It was DELICIOUS. I want to eat there always and forever. I posted pics in the album so I hope you can smell the deliciousness wafting from your screen.
Sunday was the last day of Winefest and though I knew I should be sleeping in bed, I had to hit up the good free wine! If you brought your own wineglass it was FREE to get in and drink all the wine you wanted. If you lacked a wineglass (like me!) it was a whopping $3 to buy one and then you could drink all the wine you wanted for free. I tasted some great Austrian, Italian, French, German and Georgian wines. I didn't enjoy the Korean wine so much! I managed to meet up with a couple friends there after a bit and we hung out and talked. It was really nice. I then went home and took a two hour nap!
Last night (Tuesday) I went to the doctor finally. I'll be honest, I've been a bit scared to go. I don't know why exactly. This isn't a third world country, but it is a different country and I didn't know what to expect especially after hurting myself in Poland. A guy at work told me about a 24 hour clinic so I headed there after work in a cab. On the way to the place a sound penetrated my deep thoughts and brought me back to what was going on in the car. What was it I thought? Did the cabbie ask me something? Did a car swerve and catch my attention? Nope. It was a song. On the radio. Oh, I thought, a song in English! I wonder what it is. As I strained my ears to catch the faint tune I realized it was none other than Puff the Magic Dragon. It made me laugh out loud! After the song was over it was back to the Korean DJ apparently not aware what the song is about. Good times and now back to my doctor story.
After entering one wrong building I managed to find it. I was seen in about 3 minutes by the doctor who looked at my throat with a metal tongue depressor, listened to my chest, and looked in my ears (all gloveless btw). He asked me some questions in broken English then announced he would only give me "3 day of medicine" and then motioned toward the door. I went to the front desk paid my expensive $5 doctor fee and headed down the stairs to the pharmacy with my prescription. I waited another 5 minutes before she motioned to me to come and get my medicine. They are all bundled into dosage plastic bags so you just have to open one for each dose along with some weird liquid medicine, also individually packaged. The told me I had to take one of them three times a day and that it might make me sleepy. Then she asked for $2.80 for my medicine. So to go to the doctor and my medicine it was a total of $7.80. Pretty damn sweet. Now I just hope its enough to kick this thing to the curb so I can go back to feeling good!
Well I guess I ought to start some laundry and do the dishes if I'm going to stay home and rest today. Keep sending me emails! Those of you that aren't (you know who you are) I'm eyeing you angrily! You said you would write! You said you'd keep in touch! Help a girl out! Send her some love! Please? Also, here is a link to my Photo Album with all my pictures and an awesome video in it. The ones referred to in this post are near the bottom.
Saturday, September 21, 2013
Busy Busy Busy
Hi all you lovely readers. The last two weeks have been insanely busy. Between trying to get through my days at work and trying to explore my city, things have been pretty nuts. Thanks for sticking around and sending me nice notes or talking to me online.
Last week was a tough week at work. I'm learning how to balance the expectations I had with the job with the actual expectations of the job. Its something that I'm still getting my head around but I think in another few weeks I will be in a good routine and won't feel so exhausted at the end of each day.
As you may have seen on my google + album the kids dressed up for Chuseok (see a detailed explanation here) which is Korean Thanksgiving. Its a big holiday here and families get together and give gifts and thanks for an excellent harvest. All the kids dressed up in their traditional hanboks and they were so cute! Parents brought in outfits for us teachers to wear as well. Some fit better than others but overall it was a really cool experience.
Because of the holiday, I've been off of work beginning Wednesday. I went to my first karaoke bar. It was so much fun. We had this whole little room to ourselves with couches and only us so we could sing as loud as we wanted and pick whatever songs we wanted without having to be on a stage in front of people. I also had to ride the subway all by myself to meet up with my new friends. I got to see their neck of the woods have yummy dinner and fun singing. I also had the scariest cab ride of my life with high speeds, back allies, and places I was sure he was going to rob and leave me. Luckily he was just taking shortcuts but at the time it was scary!
Thursday was Chuseok and I spent the morning "hanging out" with some of my favorite people. I laughed a lot which was a wonderful way to start the day. I went down to the river on my bike to read for a bit and watch the sunset. It was beautiful but not very quiet. For a holiday it seems everyone was out walking around with their dogs, bikes and music. Thursday night I went out with some people from work to eat, drink and be merry. It was a nice night and I was glad to get out and see more of the night life.
Today (Friday) I met some new people and tagged along for a trip to the outer regions of Daejeon and thought I was going on a hike. What actually happened is we ventured out to the nether regions and went to an outlet mall. It was a new outlet mall, kind of like going to Smithfields. We walked around made fun of fashion and bought nothing because its all tiny sizes and way too expensive for an outlet mall. We then went back into town and went to the hot springs. THEY WERE VERY HOT. I had a red water line on my leg from the heat but it felt so good. You have to wash your feet beforehand and only then can you soak your feet in the springs' waters. It was a relaxing way to end my day. I walked back home from the subway and just enjoyed the night.
I wish all my days could just be spent traveling and being a tourist. I guess I've still got to work! Two more days of a break before school starts back and I'm going to try and hit up a spa and get a massage. The spa's here involve nudity so I've got to overcome that!
This weeks interesting things:
Last week was a tough week at work. I'm learning how to balance the expectations I had with the job with the actual expectations of the job. Its something that I'm still getting my head around but I think in another few weeks I will be in a good routine and won't feel so exhausted at the end of each day.
As you may have seen on my google + album the kids dressed up for Chuseok (see a detailed explanation here) which is Korean Thanksgiving. Its a big holiday here and families get together and give gifts and thanks for an excellent harvest. All the kids dressed up in their traditional hanboks and they were so cute! Parents brought in outfits for us teachers to wear as well. Some fit better than others but overall it was a really cool experience.
Because of the holiday, I've been off of work beginning Wednesday. I went to my first karaoke bar. It was so much fun. We had this whole little room to ourselves with couches and only us so we could sing as loud as we wanted and pick whatever songs we wanted without having to be on a stage in front of people. I also had to ride the subway all by myself to meet up with my new friends. I got to see their neck of the woods have yummy dinner and fun singing. I also had the scariest cab ride of my life with high speeds, back allies, and places I was sure he was going to rob and leave me. Luckily he was just taking shortcuts but at the time it was scary!
Thursday was Chuseok and I spent the morning "hanging out" with some of my favorite people. I laughed a lot which was a wonderful way to start the day. I went down to the river on my bike to read for a bit and watch the sunset. It was beautiful but not very quiet. For a holiday it seems everyone was out walking around with their dogs, bikes and music. Thursday night I went out with some people from work to eat, drink and be merry. It was a nice night and I was glad to get out and see more of the night life.
Today (Friday) I met some new people and tagged along for a trip to the outer regions of Daejeon and thought I was going on a hike. What actually happened is we ventured out to the nether regions and went to an outlet mall. It was a new outlet mall, kind of like going to Smithfields. We walked around made fun of fashion and bought nothing because its all tiny sizes and way too expensive for an outlet mall. We then went back into town and went to the hot springs. THEY WERE VERY HOT. I had a red water line on my leg from the heat but it felt so good. You have to wash your feet beforehand and only then can you soak your feet in the springs' waters. It was a relaxing way to end my day. I walked back home from the subway and just enjoyed the night.
I wish all my days could just be spent traveling and being a tourist. I guess I've still got to work! Two more days of a break before school starts back and I'm going to try and hit up a spa and get a massage. The spa's here involve nudity so I've got to overcome that!
This weeks interesting things:
- Noticed this sign in the bathroom and thought it was interesting. Korea Toilet Association. That's all I'll say.
- Had some friend chicken recently and its different. The fried part is fine (and delicious) and I can find the drumstick and the wings but all the other pieces are new. They cut it up very differently and it doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me. At least the neck is easy to pick out. Gross.
- I keep hearing police sirens but when I try to find the car its usually a motorcycle with the sound for its horn or a tow truck driver. I don't actually know what sound a Korean police car makes.
- At the outlet mall it was REALLY hard to tell the difference between men's and women's clothes.
- For Chuseok we got a gift from school. The English teachers got movie tickets and the Koreans got a huge box of seaweed.
- Much like some people in the US have a superstition with the number 13 the Koreans have something similar with the number 4. Notice the elevator doesn't have a 4th floor but it does have an "F" floor. I mean it still the 4th floor putting an "F" in the elevator doesn't change that. I just shake my head.
That's about it for now. Keep emailing me or hanging out! I hope to have a phone in the next weekish so you can text me as well!
Sunday, September 8, 2013
Week Two
Well hello! How are all of you doing? I seem to be doing very well. I'm actually surprised how quickly my life has become boring! I have a routine and it works for me. This was my first full week of teaching so that was stressful, but overall I think it went pretty well. Only made one kid cry and another had a nasty tantrum but other than that we seem to be hanging in there. I have hot water, which has been glorious. I have successfully cooked on my stove and been back to the grocery store. I also had to go the doctor for the preliminary check-up so I can get my ARC. They took blood, tested hearing and sight, blood pressure and did a chest x-ray. the VD from work went with me because they didn't speak English but I knew what to do when she handed me a TOPLESS paper cup and pointed toward the bathroom.
I bought a bike! It wasn't the cheapest but it wasn't the most expensive and I am, so far, very happy with my purchase. Granted I haven't ridden it much because 1) I'm a little scared and 2) I'm out of shape and the first bit of riding was painful on both my rear and my legs. Tomorrow though, I'm riding it to school so I may have some funny stories of falling or doing something else crazy. I hope, overall, that I survive and aren't too worse for wear.
When I walked into the store the man at first thought I wanted to just buy a basket for a bike but after some pointing and a few words from my Korean dictionary I believe he was convinced I was going to buy a bike. The first one he showed me was $400 and I was like WHOA back up buddy I'm not made of money (which I could have said out loud because he didn't understand me) and we instead found a couple bikes in my price range. I bought a helmet, lock and headlight as well. I then drove her home. I forgot how much fun riding a bike can be!
Saturday night I had a great dinner with two co-workers at an all you can eat Korean BBQ place. It was one of those nights where you get to talking and before you know it almost 2 hours had passed. It was really nice and exactly what I needed. I really like all of my co-workers but all of them are either living with a significant other or are married. That makes calling up a girlfriend to grab coffee or to hit up a bar a little more difficult.
That's why after dinner I went a few doors down to this party at a club that was labeled as a "Welcome to new Daejeonites" kind of thing. I went hoping to meet some new people. I know it may shock MANY of you but I am actually introverted and get really nervous about being in large groups of people. It's one thing if I know everyone, its a total other thing when I know no one, its loud, and its in a foreign country. So on one hand I really wanted to go because I want to make friends and on the other I wanted to take off running to the nearest cab to the safety of my apartment.
I went of course and it turned out to be really fun. I met two girls with EPIK who live on the other side of town but who are easy to get to on the subway (I hope to tackle the subway soon!). We hung out on the patio and drank beer and soju while random people stopped by. Some they knew, some just wanted to say hey, and some were just drunk. Soju will do that to you. Afterwards we all went to a club which was way too loud and I didn't stay more than 10 minutes. I'm glad I met some new people and I look forward to meeting up with them and going to Karaoke together!
Today is Sunday and I am bushed. I didn't do anything but finish watching season 4 of Arrested Development, work on my lesson plans for the week and do laundry. It felt good to just chill out and prepare for my week. I have this full week of work then two days the next week and then five days off for Chuseok. It's the Korean Thanksgiving and sounds pretty intense. I've got some plans to chill and plans to explore so I'm glad to have time off.
Here is a link I've been adding photos to so you can check it out. I don't have a ton of photos, but when some saying or picture strikes my fancy I click away.
My camera has been spotty and burning through batteries. It doesn't always seem to want to focus or to take the picture when I click the button. I can't wait to finally take some pictures down by the river. It's so pretty at sunset and I hope to get some good shots this week since I"m riding my bike and can stop when I want! Also I hear there is a van down there that has a crazy guy living in it.
I've also gotten to Google Hangout with some more people this week. If you give me about 12 hours notice I can verify a time we can be on together. Send me an email and lets set something up. I've loved all the talks I've had with my family and friends this week. You don't seem so far away.
Here is my list of interesting things I've noticed recently:
I bought a bike! It wasn't the cheapest but it wasn't the most expensive and I am, so far, very happy with my purchase. Granted I haven't ridden it much because 1) I'm a little scared and 2) I'm out of shape and the first bit of riding was painful on both my rear and my legs. Tomorrow though, I'm riding it to school so I may have some funny stories of falling or doing something else crazy. I hope, overall, that I survive and aren't too worse for wear.
When I walked into the store the man at first thought I wanted to just buy a basket for a bike but after some pointing and a few words from my Korean dictionary I believe he was convinced I was going to buy a bike. The first one he showed me was $400 and I was like WHOA back up buddy I'm not made of money (which I could have said out loud because he didn't understand me) and we instead found a couple bikes in my price range. I bought a helmet, lock and headlight as well. I then drove her home. I forgot how much fun riding a bike can be!
Saturday night I had a great dinner with two co-workers at an all you can eat Korean BBQ place. It was one of those nights where you get to talking and before you know it almost 2 hours had passed. It was really nice and exactly what I needed. I really like all of my co-workers but all of them are either living with a significant other or are married. That makes calling up a girlfriend to grab coffee or to hit up a bar a little more difficult.
That's why after dinner I went a few doors down to this party at a club that was labeled as a "Welcome to new Daejeonites" kind of thing. I went hoping to meet some new people. I know it may shock MANY of you but I am actually introverted and get really nervous about being in large groups of people. It's one thing if I know everyone, its a total other thing when I know no one, its loud, and its in a foreign country. So on one hand I really wanted to go because I want to make friends and on the other I wanted to take off running to the nearest cab to the safety of my apartment.
I went of course and it turned out to be really fun. I met two girls with EPIK who live on the other side of town but who are easy to get to on the subway (I hope to tackle the subway soon!). We hung out on the patio and drank beer and soju while random people stopped by. Some they knew, some just wanted to say hey, and some were just drunk. Soju will do that to you. Afterwards we all went to a club which was way too loud and I didn't stay more than 10 minutes. I'm glad I met some new people and I look forward to meeting up with them and going to Karaoke together!
Today is Sunday and I am bushed. I didn't do anything but finish watching season 4 of Arrested Development, work on my lesson plans for the week and do laundry. It felt good to just chill out and prepare for my week. I have this full week of work then two days the next week and then five days off for Chuseok. It's the Korean Thanksgiving and sounds pretty intense. I've got some plans to chill and plans to explore so I'm glad to have time off.
Here is a link I've been adding photos to so you can check it out. I don't have a ton of photos, but when some saying or picture strikes my fancy I click away.
My camera has been spotty and burning through batteries. It doesn't always seem to want to focus or to take the picture when I click the button. I can't wait to finally take some pictures down by the river. It's so pretty at sunset and I hope to get some good shots this week since I"m riding my bike and can stop when I want! Also I hear there is a van down there that has a crazy guy living in it.
I've also gotten to Google Hangout with some more people this week. If you give me about 12 hours notice I can verify a time we can be on together. Send me an email and lets set something up. I've loved all the talks I've had with my family and friends this week. You don't seem so far away.
Here is my list of interesting things I've noticed recently:
- As Chuseok nears, gift boxes (similar to what we see at Christmas) are popping up in the stores. The interesting thing about this is that they are 95% of the time, Spam gift sets. Yep, you read that correctly, SPAM. Its big here.
- You can liter, anywhere, just drop that gum wrapper or receipt and nobody looks twice at you.
- Eating out for one is kind of weird. Koreans are big sharers and so if I go out by myself I get a HUGE portion of food because technically it's made for more than one person.
- A neighboring classroom had a birthday this week and the mom made all the kids fabric crowns. All the kids wore them, even the boys and they didn't think a thing about it. I loved that more than anything. There was no "this is a girl thing" they just embraced it and loved the gift they got to wear. They were so cute!
- Also, I'm pretty sure all hipsters are really actually copying Korean men's fashion.
- Its weird how branding works. I have been able to recognize labels (Ritz crackers, Gatorade, laundry detergent) based on their US packaging even though they are written completely in Korean.
Recent goofs I've made:
- I bought peppercorns at the store thinking a grinder was attached. It was not.
- A co-worker wrote down the area I live in so I could say it to the cabbie. So far I hadn't had any problems until one cabbie yelled at me because apparently I wasn't being specific about where I live. The part I thought I was saying which specified "near the middle school" was actually just the polite way of saying "please take me here" so I kept repeating "please take me here, please take me here" without actually giving him the "here" he was seeking. Obviously, he didn't take me where I wanted to go. When he made a left instead of a right I just asked to get out and walked the rest of the way home.
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
They are called Grills and I'm pretty sure Mr. Franklin did NOT have one
So we're two days into teaching all on my own. I am super tired but things are going okay. Its a long day but goes by pretty quickly. We have a holiday after next week and I hope to spend some time exploring my city better. I don't think I can go without a bike for much longer. It will make my life much easier. We'll see about getting one this week. I did a load of laundry (yay!) and it is all dried. I still don't have hot water. Mr. Lee was supposed to come by tonight (or so I was told) and he hasn't shown up yet. I can't do another day of showering in cold water. Today I saw stars when that cold water hit me. I swear i blacked out a little. The weather had cooled down significantly the last few days. I've had my windows open and my fan on. P.S. I'm still alive.
Today's strange observations:
Here is a bit of wisdom to keep you going today. This was in the newspaper (think larger Minipage from the N&O) that we read in one of my classes:
Today's strange observations:
- Taxi drivers (and I'm assuming all other drivers) put their car in neutral or park at stop lights.
- I have never heard anyone hock a loogie quite like a Korean. Its gross.
- They have stuff called "cider" but it really tastes like sprite.
- Older ladies like to wear these visors. Its creepy and hilarious at the same time. I think they should be worn in all horror movies.
- Koreans are crazy parkers, like nothing I've ever seen. That four feet of curb you were sure you couldn't parallel park your car into, they just pull into like its angled parking.
Here is a bit of wisdom to keep you going today. This was in the newspaper (think larger Minipage from the N&O) that we read in one of my classes:
Saturday, August 31, 2013
Week 1 Part 2: My Apartment
Here is my obligatory apartment/where I live post. Don't feel like you have to read, you can just peruse the pictures! I'll try to remember to take some in the daylight too but this will have to do for now! (Click any picture to make it bigger)
First off, my neighborhood:
My actual street:
First off, my neighborhood:
The main drag I walk up.
Chicken!
One of my local bakeries
Beer and Coffee
My actual street:
Place on the corner
My street!
My building (on on the second floor)
My buildings front door
Weird fliers we get on our doors
My apartment!
There is my new iron!
For some reason i'm really into lime green!
Bedroom. Still have to find a place for my suitcases.
The beautiful fan! And my AC.
All the storage I have for now. Might get another shelf.
My curtain! It's supposed to hang the other way but I made it long ways to fit.
The tiny bathroom.
THE SHOWER. You turn the knob at the faucet
to tell it to change to shower mode. Its actually a pretty
effective bathroom.
Well, that's my house and my neighborhood. Hope you enjoyed the tour! As soon as I have a mailing address I will make sure everyone has it. I want more pictures to change out of my picture wall. Its wonderful waking up and seeing your faces and your cards!
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