I have spent a week in Seoul. The week was exhausting. I was given so much information about teaching that I thought my head was going to explode. I start teaching Monday. This seems insane to me, but at least I have some books to work with, and I think a lot of the classroom time I will just be "wingin it". That's what the other American teachers told me when they started they just had to make it up as they went along.
I am walking everywhere. To work, the store, anything I need I have to walk to get it. I'm getting more used to the area of town I live in. Last night after work Derek and I took the subway to Hong Die (not correct spelling but that is how it sounds). It is an area of Seoul that has many westerners in it. When we got off the subway it was like a different world. Neon lights, huge buildings, so many people, peddlers on the sides of the narrow roads selling food, clothes, shoes. Lots of bars. I passed by two Starbucks : ) There is also a lot of food variety. I am getting a little anxiety about the food situation here, it is sooo different from what I am used to. I think I will go there on the weekends so that I can have different food. They have greek, vietnamese, and other types of restaurants there.
I met Derek's highschool friend, Kyle, and many Canadians last night. They all seemed a little younger than me. Maybe 24-26 and all were very preppy looking. They were nice enough, but I still felt a little out of place not knowing anyone. They like to party hard. Apparently, Derek is a party animal. We went to a cool upstairs bar that I liked a lot. I had a vodka orange juice. Derek and his friends had shots and drinks. After about 5 drinks I was spent and ready to go home. After I asked Derek to please take us home, he told me that I could go home by myself in a cab. I was a little hurt by that. I didn't want to go home by myself so I stayed out with him and his friends. I dont expect Derek to be my babysitter, but I sure as hell wasnt going to leave his side for the night in a foreign place, so I just drank a lot of water and waited until he was finished. We took a cab home, it was about $6 for the cab, and made it home around 5am. I will never do that again.
It's funny, being around all of those white people last night should have made me feel more connected, but ironically enough it made me lonely. I felt lonely for the first time last night. I'm sure it wont be the last. I'm not terribly sad, just felt a little pang of lonely. And the fact that it took some white people to make me feel it was just funny to me. It was good to go out and see something new, and see westerners all around me, but I just dont like staying out like that so I will figure something out.
I made a friend on the plane ride over here. His name is Yong Jeong. We have made contact through email and we will get to visit each other next weekend probably. He is going to show me around the city. I am excited about that. He is so nice and I think we will be good friends. Also, Mandy is coming next week!!!!!!!!!!! She will be working with Derek and I. She will live in the apt. complex right beside me. I have talked with her on facebook. From her pictures she looks very fun and cute. She looks like she likes to party too, so I'm sure Derek and her can handle that part of our adventures. It's not that I don't like to go out, but I guess I'll just find people that have a going-out schedule more like mine. Home and in bed by 2 or 3am : ) Anyway, I am so ready to have an American woman near me. I need a girlfriend here! So am very anxious for her to get here.
In my apartment complex there is always the owner of one of the two maintenance men that stay at the front desk. I have rarely walked by the front door and not seen someone in there. I dont know if they stay all night, but I think they do. Which is comforting to me. One of the maintenance men is a short guy probably in his 50's who always smiles at me. He also likes to sing very loud in Korean, and it cracks me up. The other night when I went out to smoke a cig. he brought a chair out for me and motioned me to sit under the carport. I usually sit on the short wall by the street. He kept slapping his arm saying "bogas, bogas"! I finally realized he was saying bugs. And then he said "Americans" and put his fingers to his mouth like he was holding a cig. He went back and forth a few times. I think he was trying to say Americans are chain smokers, but I'm not sure. He is always talking to me in Korean, like I can understand a word he is saying, but it is nice to have the attention and I try to be very polite to him so he will be on my side and help me out when I need it in the future maybe. Most of the Koreans I see everyday on the street do not smile. A lot of the men in the evenings get together outside of little convenience stores and hang out. Today when I was walking home I saw a few of them squatting outside talking. It was odd to see men squatting and hanging out, but that is a comfortable position for them I guess.
I am glad I live in Youngdeongpo. There are not as many Americans around, but it is quieter and more peaceful than Hong Die. And Hong Die is only two subway stops away when I want to get out. I think god was looking out for me when she helped me find this job. She/he -whatever. Whoever god is she is looking out for me I think.
I miss my family very much. I am so glad that I have such wonderful people in my life, and that I am able to have this adventure and tell it to you all that I love. It fills my heart, I am grateful. Ok, so obviously I am starting to feel very emotional and corny, so I will leave you for now. I am doing very well, eating well, sleeping well, and happy to be here. Talk soon. Love -Katie
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Last day before teaching on my own
Today is Friday. I have spent the week observing other teachers. Although this seems adequate, I am still feeling nervous. We have not been given a lesson plan, looked over the books we are using, or told how to teach. Just observing classes is helpful, but next week is definitely going to be a challenge. It's sort of a sink or swim situation.
Yesterday Derek and I went to the hospital with John and Julie (school director and recruiter) to get a visa health check where they took blood and pee test, xrayed my chest, tested my sight and hearing and teeth. As usual there was difficulty finding a good vein for me, but the lady only had to try once, she was very steady.
I am getting used to the surrounding area by my apartment, but not that well yet. I know how to walk left toward the market and internet cafe (I haven't gone back to the market yet. I know where to avoid the dog bodies, but I am just still struggling with the image and am apprehensive about going anywhere near that again. But, honestly the rest of the market was fine. Lots of fish out and rice in huge tubs, fresh fruit. So it would be silly of my not to take advantage of it at some point). To the right, left, right takes me out to a large intersection, huge intersection, I will try and take a picture of it today. Then across the huge intersection to my school, about a ten minute walk. I'm a little more familiar with the places right by the school, but don't go very far down either way.
Near the school there is a great little restaurant that one of the other teacher's has shown us. $3-4 gets you a huge helping of bulgulgi and also this pork dish with a really yummy brown gravy that has a tangy flavor. Behind the school and about a five minute walk is Lotte Mart. It is a huge store with food court, clothing, electronics, groceries, home goods. The food court has a Dunkin Donuts and fruit ice cream and a coffee cafe, and Korean food. I go there for things I need in my apartment. Lotte is a huge corporation in South Korea. I am told that there are just a few corporations here , but that they are huge corporations. There's Lotte Mart, Lotte Hotels, Lotte Theme Park, and the list goes on.
There are two Korean-American teachers names Matt and David that grew up in America and are over here teaching also. They have shown us around quite a bit and are very kind. They are both leaving by next week, but David is staying in Korea to take language classes in Korean, and plans to stay indefinitely, so I will have a good contact with him this year. This weekend Derek and I are going with him to Ittewan, and area of the city that has more American goods. I need some books and shirts. I'm excited about using the subway because I need to learn so that I can get mobile.
Next Thursday once our health checks come back, we are going to immigration office to "officialize" our stay here. It's quite a process to get a job over here. And next Monday I start teaching. I'm nervous, but I have this weekend to try and get prepared mentally.
There is so much more to say, but its still kindof jumbled around in my head. I'll keep trying though. I love this blog so that I can keep everyone updated! Love-Katie
Yesterday Derek and I went to the hospital with John and Julie (school director and recruiter) to get a visa health check where they took blood and pee test, xrayed my chest, tested my sight and hearing and teeth. As usual there was difficulty finding a good vein for me, but the lady only had to try once, she was very steady.
I am getting used to the surrounding area by my apartment, but not that well yet. I know how to walk left toward the market and internet cafe (I haven't gone back to the market yet. I know where to avoid the dog bodies, but I am just still struggling with the image and am apprehensive about going anywhere near that again. But, honestly the rest of the market was fine. Lots of fish out and rice in huge tubs, fresh fruit. So it would be silly of my not to take advantage of it at some point). To the right, left, right takes me out to a large intersection, huge intersection, I will try and take a picture of it today. Then across the huge intersection to my school, about a ten minute walk. I'm a little more familiar with the places right by the school, but don't go very far down either way.
Near the school there is a great little restaurant that one of the other teacher's has shown us. $3-4 gets you a huge helping of bulgulgi and also this pork dish with a really yummy brown gravy that has a tangy flavor. Behind the school and about a five minute walk is Lotte Mart. It is a huge store with food court, clothing, electronics, groceries, home goods. The food court has a Dunkin Donuts and fruit ice cream and a coffee cafe, and Korean food. I go there for things I need in my apartment. Lotte is a huge corporation in South Korea. I am told that there are just a few corporations here , but that they are huge corporations. There's Lotte Mart, Lotte Hotels, Lotte Theme Park, and the list goes on.
There are two Korean-American teachers names Matt and David that grew up in America and are over here teaching also. They have shown us around quite a bit and are very kind. They are both leaving by next week, but David is staying in Korea to take language classes in Korean, and plans to stay indefinitely, so I will have a good contact with him this year. This weekend Derek and I are going with him to Ittewan, and area of the city that has more American goods. I need some books and shirts. I'm excited about using the subway because I need to learn so that I can get mobile.
Next Thursday once our health checks come back, we are going to immigration office to "officialize" our stay here. It's quite a process to get a job over here. And next Monday I start teaching. I'm nervous, but I have this weekend to try and get prepared mentally.
There is so much more to say, but its still kindof jumbled around in my head. I'll keep trying though. I love this blog so that I can keep everyone updated! Love-Katie
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
First day of teaching!!
I am going to have a mini class today, to introduce myself to the kids. I have found a coffee shop, not really coffee shop. Its a photography studio slash coffee shop. I have gotten a iced mocha there for the second day, not bad. There is fresh fruit all around me. There is also a meat market right by my apartment, so the are smells like fish, kinda hard to stomach, but I'll get used to it. I also saw dog meat for sale, an entire body in a freezer. It was pretty shocking, but I expected it before I came here. My coworkers tell me that it is something that Korea is trying to move away from, so that would explain why they wouldnt let me take a picture of it I guess. It's stuck in my head right now. Anyway, its not bad here. The directors of the school and my recruiters are doing everything to make my stay comfortable, and I am getting internet in my apartment today! And a cell phone. Well thats all for now. I'll start taking pictures of the city and post them soon.
Monday, August 25, 2008
First day
Made it to Seoul. Live close to a fish market. The streets are very clean, narrow roads and no sidewalks. Start training today. Found this internet cafe so as soon as I can get my head straight I will try to describe it better. I am having trouble attaching photos, but will try with this. Talk soon. -Katie
Thursday, August 21, 2008
I leave in two days
I just saw Barnum and Baileys Circus! Two days before I leave for Korea. It was so cool to see my little cousins see the circus for the first time. they were glued to the entertainment. It makes me think about my first time to see the circus, and how magical it was. I'm going to miss those boys so much.
Life is hard, remember the times of magic.
My bed is too small for my tiredness. Give me a hilltop of leaves. Tuck a cloud up under my head. Lord, blow the moon out please.
I love you Amy. You are my rock. I cant wait to share the rest of my journey with you.
xoxo- Katie
Life is hard, remember the times of magic.
My bed is too small for my tiredness. Give me a hilltop of leaves. Tuck a cloud up under my head. Lord, blow the moon out please.
I love you Amy. You are my rock. I cant wait to share the rest of my journey with you.
xoxo- Katie
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Leaving Sunday
Guess I'll be leaving a day earlier! Getting packed and ready to go. Gonna load some movies on my iphone for the 15hr flight! Saying goodbye is hard. I'm excited, nervous, and a little bit of everything in between.....
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