This week marked my 1-month milestone of being in Korea. A month sure has flown by. I almost feel like I've only been here about two weeks.
Although I've been adjusting fairly well, there are some things I miss:
1) Southern foods... aka Chick-fil-a and Waffle House. Can't tell you how many times I've thought about a delicious chocolate pecan waffle or a Caesar wrap. Not that I ever ate these often in the US, but now that they're not readily available I sure would like one.
2) Dryers. Never have I wanted to do laundry so badly. Korea is mega technologically advanced, yet people still dry their clothes the old fashion way...
3) My cellphone. The cellphone I have now is pretty cool (still want to test out that video chat), but I wish I could text message people back home. It's hard being limited to those people I can call up at a moment's whim.
4) Being able to easily communicate with people.
5) Easy access to friends and family. Especially with the events of this past week, I realized how scary and inconvenient it can be not having a family member or friend close by.
6) My dog. Yup.
7) Not being stared at when walking around town. I don't get stares as often as other people I know, but still it's strange seeing them out of the corner of my eye when it does happen. Although, it was very amusing when a Korean man thought I was from Spain.
8) American water systems. You read that right. The Korean water and air quality here aren't the best, and they're showing their effects on my face every time I wash it or walk outside. I feel like a middle schooler all over again.
9) Music and movies!!! Some K-Pop is great, but my days are totally made whenever I hear the random Maroon 5 or Jason Mraz at the country subway stop in Suwon or hip mall in Seoul.
10) TV. TV. TV. Glee, I miss thee. I miss watching it the night it's on. If Lost was still on, the world would be over for me.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Chuseok Holiday
Happy Chuseok!!!!
For those who don't know, I went to Suwon Sunday to visit Brittanie, but also bring her back to Seoul with me for the next two weeks. Long story extremely short, Saturday evening she was attacked by a guy not far from her apartment who tried to drag her into one of the sketch motels. Fortunately, she was able to get away uninjured, but as one can imagine, she is very frightened and no longer feels safe in her area. I went to school with her the next day as well to be her support as she talked to them about what to do. I also wanted to see a Korean public school and compare to my job at a private after-school program. Ultimately she decided to leave her job, choosing her safety over the paycheck. After talking with the co-teacher and principal, she was told that they could move her, but it was not known how long this would take, or if her new place would be any safer, and she'd have to fund her own housing. They rushed her to make a decision, so we'll see if maybe she can get out of her contract and find a job her before she has to leave the country October 3rd.
In the meantime, today we met Sean, a friend of ours from high school and also currently teaching in Korea, to check out Lotte World, the largest in-door amusement park in the world. Amusing it was. It's basically a knock off of Disney with a similar logo, raccoons as your main mascots rather than mice, and parades throughout the day. At one point in the afternoon there was a talent show and we were fortunate enough to witness this beauty of talent:
For those who don't know, I went to Suwon Sunday to visit Brittanie, but also bring her back to Seoul with me for the next two weeks. Long story extremely short, Saturday evening she was attacked by a guy not far from her apartment who tried to drag her into one of the sketch motels. Fortunately, she was able to get away uninjured, but as one can imagine, she is very frightened and no longer feels safe in her area. I went to school with her the next day as well to be her support as she talked to them about what to do. I also wanted to see a Korean public school and compare to my job at a private after-school program. Ultimately she decided to leave her job, choosing her safety over the paycheck. After talking with the co-teacher and principal, she was told that they could move her, but it was not known how long this would take, or if her new place would be any safer, and she'd have to fund her own housing. They rushed her to make a decision, so we'll see if maybe she can get out of her contract and find a job her before she has to leave the country October 3rd.
In the meantime, today we met Sean, a friend of ours from high school and also currently teaching in Korea, to check out Lotte World, the largest in-door amusement park in the world. Amusing it was. It's basically a knock off of Disney with a similar logo, raccoons as your main mascots rather than mice, and parades throughout the day. At one point in the afternoon there was a talent show and we were fortunate enough to witness this beauty of talent:
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Top 10: Unique Korea
The following list is inspired by Ms. Carri Jean after a Facebook convo. :)
Korea certainly has many items I have not before seen in the US -- food, video calling on cellphones, technology, floors and floors of clothes, etc. Below is a list of the 10 most unique tidbits of Korea that has caught my eye thus far, or that I can remember at this posting:
1) NO public trashcans. More of a nuisance, really. Lately, I have seen more trashcans in the streets. And along with that, "taking out the trash" means putting trash in a specific colored bag and laying it somewhere outside where it will magically disappear by the next day.
2) Korea is most definitely a drinking culture. Many times after work I see the Korean businessmen walking around either stumbling, or with a young woman who is clearly drunk. Mind you, it's only around 10pm, sooo they must've started drinking only a few hours before.
3) No dryer. This makes doing laundry a tad difficult. There is a laundry room of sorts where I hang clothes to dry (as seen in the video), but depending on the sun, it can take hours or days to dry. My clothes, especially my pants, can also end up wrinkled, sooo finding an ironing board needs to be high on my to-do list, but that means I'd have to carry it on the subway, or take a taxi back.
4) Pedestrians do NOT have right of way. You either cross when you feel like being a daredevil, or when you see all the Koreans walking. Blend into the crowd and hope you're not somehow singled out by those crazy delivery vans or on a mission cabs.
5) The streets of Seoul are a fashion show. I want in on this fashion show.
6) You haven't had spicy food until you've eaten Korean spicy. Your lips will hurt. Your mouth will hate you. Canker sores might form. Ouchhh. Unfortunately, your water is served in the equivalent of a sippy cup. My coworkers and I feel like whales... or maybe just wimps... when we have to continually re-fill our cups.
7) If you want to take a warm or hot shower, you must first remember to push the button in your room that turns it on. Then enjoy drenching the bathroom. At least you come out clean.
8) Korean streets have some of the most interesting, and not so pleasant, smells.
9) How do you prevent the American way of buying more food and things than you *really* need? Simple. Follow this motto: Buy only what you can carry, and what you can eat within a few days. Food does not have our preservatives, so things will spoil quickly. Hope you can eat a dozen kiwis or bananas in 4 days.
10) Never before have I seen so many Dunkin' Donuts or Outbacks. Dunkin' Donuts I can understand... but Outback? How often do people really say, "Man. I could really go for some Outback."
Happy weekend! Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving) now begins!!! No class until Thursday, so I'm headed to Suwon tomorrow for a few days to see Brittanie. Then, she will spend some of her break with me.
Korea certainly has many items I have not before seen in the US -- food, video calling on cellphones, technology, floors and floors of clothes, etc. Below is a list of the 10 most unique tidbits of Korea that has caught my eye thus far, or that I can remember at this posting:
1) NO public trashcans. More of a nuisance, really. Lately, I have seen more trashcans in the streets. And along with that, "taking out the trash" means putting trash in a specific colored bag and laying it somewhere outside where it will magically disappear by the next day.
2) Korea is most definitely a drinking culture. Many times after work I see the Korean businessmen walking around either stumbling, or with a young woman who is clearly drunk. Mind you, it's only around 10pm, sooo they must've started drinking only a few hours before.
3) No dryer. This makes doing laundry a tad difficult. There is a laundry room of sorts where I hang clothes to dry (as seen in the video), but depending on the sun, it can take hours or days to dry. My clothes, especially my pants, can also end up wrinkled, sooo finding an ironing board needs to be high on my to-do list, but that means I'd have to carry it on the subway, or take a taxi back.
4) Pedestrians do NOT have right of way. You either cross when you feel like being a daredevil, or when you see all the Koreans walking. Blend into the crowd and hope you're not somehow singled out by those crazy delivery vans or on a mission cabs.
5) The streets of Seoul are a fashion show. I want in on this fashion show.
6) You haven't had spicy food until you've eaten Korean spicy. Your lips will hurt. Your mouth will hate you. Canker sores might form. Ouchhh. Unfortunately, your water is served in the equivalent of a sippy cup. My coworkers and I feel like whales... or maybe just wimps... when we have to continually re-fill our cups.
7) If you want to take a warm or hot shower, you must first remember to push the button in your room that turns it on. Then enjoy drenching the bathroom. At least you come out clean.
8) Korean streets have some of the most interesting, and not so pleasant, smells.
9) How do you prevent the American way of buying more food and things than you *really* need? Simple. Follow this motto: Buy only what you can carry, and what you can eat within a few days. Food does not have our preservatives, so things will spoil quickly. Hope you can eat a dozen kiwis or bananas in 4 days.
10) Never before have I seen so many Dunkin' Donuts or Outbacks. Dunkin' Donuts I can understand... but Outback? How often do people really say, "Man. I could really go for some Outback."
Happy weekend! Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving) now begins!!! No class until Thursday, so I'm headed to Suwon tomorrow for a few days to see Brittanie. Then, she will spend some of her break with me.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Wedding Dress
Ha. Got your attention.
Enjoy the music renderings of some K-Pop. The Head Teacher at my branch described Korea as being a decade or two behind us. We've moved on to rap and country (blech!) but they're all about their versions of our 90's lovin' boy bands.
Here's a peek:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uthxUVMcYw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yDhql20TSU
This singer is from the mega popular Big Bang. Some of my students loveeee them.
And for the record, I only said wedding dress since that's the name of a song.... ;)
Enjoy the music renderings of some K-Pop. The Head Teacher at my branch described Korea as being a decade or two behind us. We've moved on to rap and country (blech!) but they're all about their versions of our 90's lovin' boy bands.
Here's a peek:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uthxUVMcYw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yDhql20TSU
This singer is from the mega popular Big Bang. Some of my students loveeee them.
And for the record, I only said wedding dress since that's the name of a song.... ;)
Monday, September 13, 2010
Crazy Story of the Day
If you've ever been around kids, then you know they say the craziest things.
For instance, last week one of my girls in my Monday/Friday class came in with a giant bandage on her head, which covered stitches. Apparently during school she had tried to reach for her lunch tray, and when she did so her desk (or table?) toppled over, thus causing her to bash her head as she fell forward. Some of the details might be lost in translation, but essentially she was rushed to the ER and had 6 stitches. Not such a crazy story. Intriguing, yes, but crazy, maybe.
This girl came in today with her stitches gone and replaced with a small band-aid. During the middle of the lesson, the ever-thrilling "What should we eliminate in the sentence?", she raises her hand and proceeds to tell me her grandma told her that the bump on her leg, aka your knee, is actually a potato, or has a potato in it. Something of the sort. Pretty sure I gave her a WTF!!! look. She, of course, just smiled.
I just might never be able to look at my knee in the same manner again. And perhaps same for you.
And on that note, I leave you with my current obsession (guilty pleasure obsession): Nick Jonas. Yes. I like a Jonas Brother. HELP!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKTct-5i1OA
Cheers.
For instance, last week one of my girls in my Monday/Friday class came in with a giant bandage on her head, which covered stitches. Apparently during school she had tried to reach for her lunch tray, and when she did so her desk (or table?) toppled over, thus causing her to bash her head as she fell forward. Some of the details might be lost in translation, but essentially she was rushed to the ER and had 6 stitches. Not such a crazy story. Intriguing, yes, but crazy, maybe.
This girl came in today with her stitches gone and replaced with a small band-aid. During the middle of the lesson, the ever-thrilling "What should we eliminate in the sentence?", she raises her hand and proceeds to tell me her grandma told her that the bump on her leg, aka your knee, is actually a potato, or has a potato in it. Something of the sort. Pretty sure I gave her a WTF!!! look. She, of course, just smiled.
I just might never be able to look at my knee in the same manner again. And perhaps same for you.
And on that note, I leave you with my current obsession (guilty pleasure obsession): Nick Jonas. Yes. I like a Jonas Brother. HELP!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKTct-5i1OA
Cheers.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Quick Update
I finished my second week of teaching. Starting to find a routine with the kids and classes. I teach the same material many many times so the days sometimes run together. Ha
Very excited for today because my bff Brittanie is FINALLY joining me in Korea. :) Hopefully we can meet up this evening, but with our lack of cellphones and possibly her lack of internet, this meet-up may or may not happen. She'll be in Suwon, right outside Seoul, but a rather long subway ride. Perhaps once my Korean improves I can brave the buses and discover if that's any quicker.
Major news of the weekend: bought rainboots. Yup. Desperately needed them. I was tired of being ill-prepared shoe wise. Definitely should've made room in my suitcases for my rainboots!!! Oh, well. Now I have some cool black/white tweed-style boots. I went to the Wal-mart like E-mart and found the last pair. Actually, there were 2 pairs but the other had heels and since I can trip over nothing in flip flops, heels + rain + uneven sidewalks sounds like a terrible idea.
Very excited for today because my bff Brittanie is FINALLY joining me in Korea. :) Hopefully we can meet up this evening, but with our lack of cellphones and possibly her lack of internet, this meet-up may or may not happen. She'll be in Suwon, right outside Seoul, but a rather long subway ride. Perhaps once my Korean improves I can brave the buses and discover if that's any quicker.
Major news of the weekend: bought rainboots. Yup. Desperately needed them. I was tired of being ill-prepared shoe wise. Definitely should've made room in my suitcases for my rainboots!!! Oh, well. Now I have some cool black/white tweed-style boots. I went to the Wal-mart like E-mart and found the last pair. Actually, there were 2 pairs but the other had heels and since I can trip over nothing in flip flops, heels + rain + uneven sidewalks sounds like a terrible idea.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Weekend Weekend Weekend
Weekends are great no matter where you are... catching up on sleep, talking to family and friends on Skype, exploring... maybe some cleaning.
Saturday I went to Itaewon, which is the city largely known for its expat community. I went with my roommate from training, and it was my first time navigating the subway lines solo. Didn't get lost once. YAY ME!
My main purpose was to get the much desired third book of the Hunger Games series, Mockingjay. If you have not read this series, I highly highly highly suggest it. You will not be disappointed!!!! After I found it, we just walked and down the streets browsing alleyway stores. I know where I'll go should I crave McDonald's, Burger King, Taco Bell, etc. It was nice hearing some English again as well.
Oh, so apparently a typhoon hit us on Thursday morning. I had heard whisperings that it'd strike, but didn't know when or where. Well, it struck while I was sleeping, probably around 6 am. Surprisingly, or perhaps not so surprisingly, I slept through it for the most part. When the wind was at its strongest I did wake up because I was concerned something was going to either fly through my window and hit me (but I figured the bars would protect me haha) or large amounts of debris would shatter the building's glass doors. Neither occurred. I was too tired to be completely worried so I fell back asleep for another few hours. I spent the afternoon-evening at school and enjoyed the conversations about what was broken, what the kids saw, etc. Either they embellished a bit or their area was hit worse. The biggest concern was that one kid's computer broke. haha
Happy Weekend!
Saturday I went to Itaewon, which is the city largely known for its expat community. I went with my roommate from training, and it was my first time navigating the subway lines solo. Didn't get lost once. YAY ME!
My main purpose was to get the much desired third book of the Hunger Games series, Mockingjay. If you have not read this series, I highly highly highly suggest it. You will not be disappointed!!!! After I found it, we just walked and down the streets browsing alleyway stores. I know where I'll go should I crave McDonald's, Burger King, Taco Bell, etc. It was nice hearing some English again as well.
Oh, so apparently a typhoon hit us on Thursday morning. I had heard whisperings that it'd strike, but didn't know when or where. Well, it struck while I was sleeping, probably around 6 am. Surprisingly, or perhaps not so surprisingly, I slept through it for the most part. When the wind was at its strongest I did wake up because I was concerned something was going to either fly through my window and hit me (but I figured the bars would protect me haha) or large amounts of debris would shatter the building's glass doors. Neither occurred. I was too tired to be completely worried so I fell back asleep for another few hours. I spent the afternoon-evening at school and enjoyed the conversations about what was broken, what the kids saw, etc. Either they embellished a bit or their area was hit worse. The biggest concern was that one kid's computer broke. haha
Happy Weekend!
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