Korazy Korea

Highlights of the morning:

*Took about an hour to figure out where I and my school are on Korean google maps (only accepts Korean characters) but I did it and drew little maps and it really helped since I didn't have anyone to show me around. Very proud of myself!

*Woke up at 5 am for no freaking reason. So I watched the movie Miss Potter. It was cute and kind of sad. Not to self: don't start off day with a sad movie.

*Moving day is Korazy! Photos below. Guess that's what makes sense when you live on the _ _th floor and the elevator is the size of a coffin... ok I'm exaggerating but too small for furniture.

*I bought a succulent plant. I think its a Aeonium ciliatum but I'm not sure... It's precisely the plant I wanted to start off with for my balcony. It reminds me of Val's garden in Huntington and mine in Philly. Emily brought me 3 there but the groundhog ate at least 2 if not all of them? So this one is my new baby.

*Shopped at 2 very small grocers and 1... I dunno what. Bought wall hooks.

*Bought some awesome pastries and bread at "Paris Baguette". They are all over the place here.

*The soy milk brand I've tried so far is delicious!

*Signed up for a DVD rental place without a phone number and the guy didn't speak English. (apparently I lucked out, the other teacher tried a couple times and they wouldn't let her rent) So now I can obsessively watch movies in Korean (like finding Nemo) like I did with French!

*I was warned of the rudeness of Koreans to foreigners and "the stare" they give to foreigners but so far I think it's a bunch of hogwash. Sure they look at me but I would too. It's natural to look at someone that is different. And as far as rude... perhaps the people who say that have never been to a big city. People here are no different than Philly, New York, LA, Orlando, etc, etc. Some are very nice, and some aren't. Whatever! I don't need shop keepers to kiss my butt.



















School:

Well they told me I would be shadowing a sub teacher since the one that sort of trained me yesterday is now gone. But no. I was basically on my own the whole day though I only had to teach 4 out of 8 class periods because of PE and some being canceled. The teachers did help show me where the classes were and gave me quick instructions before going and some a couple minutes into the class but I pretty much have to dive in head first to this whole teaching thing. Though I was left a month's worth of lesson plans which is more than most get from what I've heard so I'm thankful. I think I'll get the hang of it. I think I can be a very good teacher. :)

Some kind of sad news for me is that I might have to move in a month or 2. Since there is a taxi commute after the school merger, when before it used to be walking distance, my boss is looking into selling mine and the other 2 teacher's apartments and getting us places closer to the school.

This concerns me because
A. I don't want a place worse than this one.
B. Now I feel like I can't really settle or get too bonded with this place. Which is what I was planning on doing in the next few days.
C. I don't want to be further from the mountains. I haven't gone yet but I'm a 10 minute walk away from hiking in the mountains. There are mountains near the school area but it kind of depends on what side of the school they are going to find a place for me. I could be too far for a comfortable walk if I'm too far west.

But I'm going to try and float and... let things happen and make the best of whatever comes my way.

In conclusion. So far, I am really enjoying Korea. And that is surprising because I'm not a fan of cities. But I think the city/not knowing the language combo is something really fun for me while for others it would be distressing... (well at least today since I had good luck and was in good spirits). Every day just going outside is going to be an adventure for a while until I get used to everything... and then I shall have to go further for more!