Meine Stadt

So I realize I haven't added any images on this blog of where I live yet.

I'll post a few here so that you can get an idea of where I reside.

This is the view of my neighborhood. I live in one of the reddish buildings.
To the left is the park.

This is a view from the amphitheater in the park.

This is the park at night...with snow!

A view from the park when it was a bit warmer.

This is a view from my classroom window.

I'll post more soon...

Fortsetzung

Things have been steady here. I have found my routine, and have settled in nicely. I work a lot during the week, but I also have lots of alone time in the evenings, which I really like. The weekends thus far have all been spent in Seoul, where there is always a new place to discover and new people to meet. I am getting used to the super markets here, and have even found some good Western food. On the other hand, I am really liking Korean food. I don't know the names of most of the things I eat, but I do know that I like most everything I have tried, with a few exceptions. I do not like dried squid, and the fish here is rancid. Being from Florida, I am no stranger to seafood; in fact, I quite enjoy seafood. However, seafood here, for the most part, tastes and smells very "fishy." Like raw, on the docks fishy. Kind of gross.

The death of Kim Jong Il was announced yesterday to the public. Lots of people in the States were asking me "What's it like there now that he's dead?!" Well, it's been like every other day - chill. Sure, the event has been discussed, but there haven't been any artillery shells landing in my tiny region of Yongin, or North Korean commandos busting down the doors in my city. I don't know why people expect that or anything similar. I would think that a lot of people, behind their public sorrow for the "Dear Leader", are hopeful that the next leader allows them to eat more.

I talked with all of my non-Kindergarten students about the matter. They said that "North Korea is bad and they do not have much money" (not in a condescending tone, but a sad one) and "their president died because he was fat and old." I asked them how they felt about this, and some said "we are happy because we aren't fighting and we hope they will be kinder now." I really liked their responses - because it shows a sensitivity towards their neighbors who, after all, have been very provocative; yet they see past that and want peace. This contrast from the at times very hawkish mentality of Americans is refreshing. Some kids even talked about how their grandparents escaped from North Korea.

My friend landed a job in my neighborhood, of all places. I am sincerely thankful and happy about this. It is something we spent a long time looking forward to, and it has worked out better than I expected. His school is about 200 yards from my apartment.

That's all I have for now; I actually have work to do for the Kindergartners' speeches that they will present in February. Hence why we should rush to finish it in December, right? Right.

Es fängt schon an

Well, I made it to South Korea. The flight was extremely long - naturally. I arrived and took a taxi from Incheon to Yongin, where I was greeted by a school employee who showed me my apartment. The next day I went to the school and observed the kindergarten teacher who I've replaced and found out that I was to begin teaching the next day. I wasn't expecting that but considering the fact that I only have four students in that class, it was not bad. The kids are well behaved and have great English skills. I am also teaching four other classes of elementary students with a heavy focus on writing and grammar.

I went out with my coworkers one night and then went to a Thanksgiving party on Friday. This past weekend, I journeyed to Seoul for the first time to meet some friends. I had an awesome time and despite being a little intimidated by the subway system, made it there and back in one piece by myself. I really like it here - the city life is an amazing change for me. Living alone is also nice. I don't do much during the week after work, so far, but the weekends will be great. The food here is really good; the only thing I didn't like was dried squid. It smelled (and tasted) rancid.


I have a feeling that I won't be updating this blog too often, as I post most of my pictures and video to facebook. However, I will try to summarize my weeks here and take a look at the bigger picture as opposed to the day-to-day material that I post on facebook.

In sum, it has been a lot to take in in a very short time, but I am genuinely enjoying it here. More to come...

Krankheit vor der Reise

I leave the day after tomorrow, and I have caught a cold. I'm not looking forward to flying or arriving in South Korea in this state, but I don't have much of a choice in the matter. I am hoping that somehow me being sick early on will be advantageous when I am amongst the harbingers of disease (kindergartners) by getting my immune system used to working hard. This could be totally false, but I'm thinking positive.

I'll be flying on Asiana for the long leg of my journey over there; I'm excited because I've heard great things about that airline. But I'm not looking forward to the 14 hour flight...hence why I am bringing some sleeping pills and maybe having a little in-flight cocktail to give them an extra boost.

Everyone has asked me "Are you nervous?" but I really am not nervous. I don't know what to expect when I arrive, or what to expect at the school I'll be teaching at, but nervous does not apply. I'm just ready to leave the rural town that I've been in for the past 4 months. Eager is a more appropriate adjective.

I spent the day with my friend Chris, who is supposed to be coming to South Korea within the next two months to teach. The fact that he will be there to hang out with is something I definitely look forward to. He and I have spent many a late night discussing our post-college move together over drinks. It's been a long summer and fall of preparation and it is time act.

Preparation for departure

Here I am, four days from the commencement of my journey. It is an interesting feeling to know I am truly leaving after planning this for over a year. I don't imagine that the reality of it all will hit me until I am going to the airport, as often happens when I leave the country.

This time is different, though. I've traveled to a lot of places and stayed abroad for about a month maximum. This journey is not a vacation (although there is a sense of adventure I get that thus far has been associated with going on holiday); rather, I will be living abroad for a year. I have wanted to do this for quite some time now, and to see it materialize has been a very positive and exciting thing for me.

My brother has lived in many different countries, and he has lived in South Korea on two separate occasions for a year each. He has shared many stories of his adventures and the opportunities that await expats there. After doing my own research and getting certified to teach English as a foreign language, I couldn't think of anything more alluring than to teach in South Korea.

I signed a contract with a school that is, based on my estimates, roughly 30 minutes south of Seoul proper. I don't really know what to expect, but I do know that I will have a great time while there. I know a handful of people who live in and around Seoul (most of whom I know through my brother or went to college with) and look forward to seeing them when possible.

I will try to keep this blog updated on a somewhat constant basis, but I am notorious for letting blogs/journals wither and decay. I will attempt to post pictures of my adventures, despite the fact that I lack a "nice" camera.