I
wanted to write a blog about my weekend in Gangneung and the
orientation I attended Monday through Wednesday, but I checked my email
first. In talking to Michelle I summed up everything that I had really
wanted to say about each of them, sooo here is the excerpt (because I'm
lazy and it doesn't make sense to write the same things twice):
"Over
the weekend I went to the east side of
Korea for a wedding. It was beautiful! It was right on the east sea,
and there was an entire street along the shore of coffee shops! The air
was clean, you could actually see into the distance... And all of the
cherry blossoms and other flowers are in bloom right now. Even the city
is beautiful. I had just met the bride that day- she went to school in
Australia with my friend Sio. She and her now husband were so
accommodating! After the ceremonies and a little nap, they spent more of
the day with us. They took such good care of us! They are lovely people
and definitely new good friends.
She made me want to become someone like her, who could just so easily
make others feel welcome.
"I was only back in Bucheon for a night before I
left again Monday morning to go to orientation. It, too, was out of the
city. Although, this place was in a valley. We listened to many
lectures, some of which were absolutely hilarious! One speaker was an
Australian and in his introduction he hit every stereotype of the
attendees. Oh, I was laughing so hard that I was crying! And then when
talking to a girl from England, he mentioned how every British person
always seems to apologize in their manners or way of speaking when they
meet an Australian. Hahaha, he offered her the microphone and said,
"Colonize this." I was crying again. I met a few other teachers there
and learned a few different methods I would like to put into my classes.
I just got back into Bucheon today."
The
orientation was helpful! In spite of all the complaints that it should
have happened sooner, I don't think it will be too difficult to
integrate the new methods, videos, and general knowledge into the
curriculum. We stayed at Hanhwa Resort in Yangpyeon. It was pretty nice.
The food was awesome! Oh, I love food. In the class we attended on
motivating your students by using what motivates us, I came to terms
with the fact that food is a definite motivator for me. But regarding my
students, I think I'll stick to my other types of motivation. I would
say that the orientation was helpful and worthwhile.
I
do really want to go back to Gangneung, though. It was absolutely
beautiful! The trip isn't too bad, either. It's about a 3.5 hour bus
ride, but we stop halfway to use the restrooms and get snacks. :)
I have pictures from each place on my phone, and I will add them in sometime soon!
Ta ta~
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Cute Students and New Adventures
Hahaha, okay. Before I begin, I would like to tell a quick story about what happened a moment ago. I was walking back from lunch with a group of 6th grade boys when one of them says, "Kaitlin teacher is cute." I would like to note that I look like one of my third graders today, so I considered that fair play. Another one goes, "Beautiful woman!" after all of the ooh-ing from the rest of them. Here comes the reason why I'm telling this story. Then they begin to hum Ave Maria. Haha, I almost died! Since when did 6th grade boys know Ave Maria? And when was it related to beauty? :)
Today has been wonderful. My third graders were putting their hands up to mine and then interlocking their fingers, so I said, "high-five!" so that we could move away from this cosmic palm-touching and onto something more active and fun. Ha, but then again I also like high-fives as much as they do, so I'm sure that is the real reason.
I guess you could say that this has been a pretty good week! I went to a piano concert with a friend on Wednesday in Seoul. Her performance was fantastic. I always find myself being pulled into the music, and then into my own head, when I listen to something that really moves me. I think of an idea or two for paintings, and do a little soul-searching. It was like listening to a few of A Silver Mt. Zion's songs, except that this was live and not only could you listen to the music and think, Ah, I know that feeling, but you could also see her facial expressions as she played. It was truly inspiring.
Yesterday I went to 노량진 (Noryangjin) with the 6th grade teachers. It houses a famed fresh fish market with more fish and funny-looking things than I had ever seen in one place before then. They picked out three types of fish that were cut sashimi style (raw, about 1/4" thick, 1" in width, and 1 1/2"-3" long) as well as some shrimp (head and everything). We went upstairs to enjoy the food we had picked out. The raw fish was wonderful! I even liked the shrimp, which was cooked. I was surprised, though, that it didn't bother me to take off its head. We ate the fish with soy sauce and wasabi. I would love to do it again! We then moseyed to a bar that had cream beer. It was delightful! It almost tasted like cream soda... That is something that I would definitely want to have again.
It was a really nice day. We got off in 여의도 (Yeouido), where the cherry blossom festival was held last week, before grabbing a taxi to the fish market and the trees were in bloom! The first time I saw these trees made me realize how much I really do love Korea. When I told my co-teacher at dinner last night that I could see myself here for another year, she said that I should renew my contract with the school, then. Which really meant a lot! And I am terribly fond of the students and teachers I have been lucky enough to get to know. It seriously feels like every day is a reminder of how fortunate I am with my location. When we were eating the shrimp, I was being really meticulous and slow about peeling them and so one of the teachers peeled one for me. It's not a huge gesture and the others say that she is the most motherly of them, but it still made me feel really good. :)
And the feeling won't stop, I'm sure, at least any time soon. This weekend I am going east into the country with a friend for a wedding. A woman she knew growing up is Korean and is marrying a Korean man, so they are getting married here. I'm really excited to watch/be a part of it! But again, this is something I'm sure I will write about in retrospect.
Thank you all for reading. It means a lot to me!
Today has been wonderful. My third graders were putting their hands up to mine and then interlocking their fingers, so I said, "high-five!" so that we could move away from this cosmic palm-touching and onto something more active and fun. Ha, but then again I also like high-fives as much as they do, so I'm sure that is the real reason.
I guess you could say that this has been a pretty good week! I went to a piano concert with a friend on Wednesday in Seoul. Her performance was fantastic. I always find myself being pulled into the music, and then into my own head, when I listen to something that really moves me. I think of an idea or two for paintings, and do a little soul-searching. It was like listening to a few of A Silver Mt. Zion's songs, except that this was live and not only could you listen to the music and think, Ah, I know that feeling, but you could also see her facial expressions as she played. It was truly inspiring.
Yesterday I went to 노량진 (Noryangjin) with the 6th grade teachers. It houses a famed fresh fish market with more fish and funny-looking things than I had ever seen in one place before then. They picked out three types of fish that were cut sashimi style (raw, about 1/4" thick, 1" in width, and 1 1/2"-3" long) as well as some shrimp (head and everything). We went upstairs to enjoy the food we had picked out. The raw fish was wonderful! I even liked the shrimp, which was cooked. I was surprised, though, that it didn't bother me to take off its head. We ate the fish with soy sauce and wasabi. I would love to do it again! We then moseyed to a bar that had cream beer. It was delightful! It almost tasted like cream soda... That is something that I would definitely want to have again.
It was a really nice day. We got off in 여의도 (Yeouido), where the cherry blossom festival was held last week, before grabbing a taxi to the fish market and the trees were in bloom! The first time I saw these trees made me realize how much I really do love Korea. When I told my co-teacher at dinner last night that I could see myself here for another year, she said that I should renew my contract with the school, then. Which really meant a lot! And I am terribly fond of the students and teachers I have been lucky enough to get to know. It seriously feels like every day is a reminder of how fortunate I am with my location. When we were eating the shrimp, I was being really meticulous and slow about peeling them and so one of the teachers peeled one for me. It's not a huge gesture and the others say that she is the most motherly of them, but it still made me feel really good. :)
And the feeling won't stop, I'm sure, at least any time soon. This weekend I am going east into the country with a friend for a wedding. A woman she knew growing up is Korean and is marrying a Korean man, so they are getting married here. I'm really excited to watch/be a part of it! But again, this is something I'm sure I will write about in retrospect.
Thank you all for reading. It means a lot to me!
Monday, April 16, 2012
안녕~
So here we are again, haha.
This past weekend I ventured into Seoul with thousands of others to see the cherry blossoms. Sadly, the weather has held onto its last bit of winter air for longer than normal so the flowers haven't really bloomed. We saw several trees that were showing half of their blossoms, but a great deal of trees have yet to bloom. The general consensus is that they will be here in another week or so. I thought it was a rather romantic trait, though, that spring here comes with the flowers... And not just the cherry blossoms! Small yellow ones that I cannot remember the name of right now, and trees that give large white or purple/pink flowers. And then there are always the ones planted into the soil in gardens to see, too!
Before the flower festival in Yeouido, a friend and I went to the Seoul Museum of Art around City Hall in Seoul. Their 2011 acquisitions were really great! I was drawn into some of the paintings to the point of leaning as far as I could over those little lines on the floor that you're supposed to stand behind. It felt wonderful to be there. I don't think that I could properly articulate the sense of self and satisfaction, along with the inspiration, that that museum was able to give to me. There were also a lot of great installations on the second and third floors. I regret not taking down the names of the artists, but I was just so enamored that I forgot I had pen and paper, haha.
For a change of pace... This blog has largely become past-tense since my coming to Korea, but I will be going to a wedding with a friend this weekend! It is out in the country so we'll stay there for the whole weekend. I'm so excited! I can't wait to take a bunch of photographs. I have really been jonesing for some woodland inspiration. I need backdrops for these drawings in my head. I haven't done any on the toned paper I bought yet, but I've done a few sketches...
I am also going to a fish market to eat raw fish with some of my co-workers on Wednesday! That should be interesting... :) I'm also really excited for that. So much is happening this week! Tomorrow, too, I am going to a show with a friend that I am expecting to be beautiful. I know this is all a bit vague, but I'm getting good at past-tense, and I'm sure I'll want to fill in the details once it happens.
Last note- COSTCO. It exists and it is wonderful. Unlike the dull, sullen Costco stores in North America, the Costco stores here sell cheese you can find nowhere else, have carts that take two people to push, offer samples of dumdum suckers and mentos, and sell booze. And then everything else is basically the same. But it still almost feels like Christmas.
Till next time :)
This past weekend I ventured into Seoul with thousands of others to see the cherry blossoms. Sadly, the weather has held onto its last bit of winter air for longer than normal so the flowers haven't really bloomed. We saw several trees that were showing half of their blossoms, but a great deal of trees have yet to bloom. The general consensus is that they will be here in another week or so. I thought it was a rather romantic trait, though, that spring here comes with the flowers... And not just the cherry blossoms! Small yellow ones that I cannot remember the name of right now, and trees that give large white or purple/pink flowers. And then there are always the ones planted into the soil in gardens to see, too!
Before the flower festival in Yeouido, a friend and I went to the Seoul Museum of Art around City Hall in Seoul. Their 2011 acquisitions were really great! I was drawn into some of the paintings to the point of leaning as far as I could over those little lines on the floor that you're supposed to stand behind. It felt wonderful to be there. I don't think that I could properly articulate the sense of self and satisfaction, along with the inspiration, that that museum was able to give to me. There were also a lot of great installations on the second and third floors. I regret not taking down the names of the artists, but I was just so enamored that I forgot I had pen and paper, haha.
For a change of pace... This blog has largely become past-tense since my coming to Korea, but I will be going to a wedding with a friend this weekend! It is out in the country so we'll stay there for the whole weekend. I'm so excited! I can't wait to take a bunch of photographs. I have really been jonesing for some woodland inspiration. I need backdrops for these drawings in my head. I haven't done any on the toned paper I bought yet, but I've done a few sketches...
I am also going to a fish market to eat raw fish with some of my co-workers on Wednesday! That should be interesting... :) I'm also really excited for that. So much is happening this week! Tomorrow, too, I am going to a show with a friend that I am expecting to be beautiful. I know this is all a bit vague, but I'm getting good at past-tense, and I'm sure I'll want to fill in the details once it happens.
Last note- COSTCO. It exists and it is wonderful. Unlike the dull, sullen Costco stores in North America, the Costco stores here sell cheese you can find nowhere else, have carts that take two people to push, offer samples of dumdum suckers and mentos, and sell booze. And then everything else is basically the same. But it still almost feels like Christmas.
Till next time :)
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Weekend Update
Good afternoon to everyone in my time zone! I'm sure the rest of you are sleeping, about to sleep, or somewhere around there :)
Yesterday I went out to Seoul with the Bucheon girls for the Korvia welcoming party, which was in Itaewon. Before heading over to Itaewon, we swung into Hongdae for a little shopping and walking. The number of shoes I was tempted to buy was absurd! I walked away with two rings- a Vivienne Westwood (yesyesyes!) knock-off and a simple vine-like one. I'm quite pleased! Not to mention that the total for both was W8000 (a little over $7).
There was also a puppy store we went into after grabbing a bite at Dos Tacos (I wasn't hungry so I didn't eat, but the others gave it rave reviews! I'll have to eat next time!). I seriously thought my heart was going to make its way out of its place because of how adorable the puppies were! One little guy kept pressing its face into the corner of the glass and trying to eat my finger! They were so precious.
We went over to Itaewon a little early to hit a cellphone store, Olleh (Yeah, it's 'Hello' backwards!). I had originally just wanted to look at the phones and plans, but after watching a girl not from our group get a phone, and Sio get a phone, I got a phone. Haha it was really nice being at that store in Itaewon because the woman spoke wonderful English. That's one of the reasons I wanted to go to a store while we were there, but after hearing all the details I figured I should just purchase one now. I ended up going with a black iPhone 4S.
The way it works here is that the cost of the phone is divided up between each month of your contract (a 2 year contract is mandatory), and added to the bill. Unlimited data, 300 minutes, and 300 texts is the iValue Plan and costs W54000/month. Insurance is optional, but costs W4700/month. Here, the iPhone 4S is worth W814000, so insurance is definitely worth it! You do get a discount on the phone with the contract, though. I know I'm only paying about W600000 for the phone (which is still terribly expensive compared to the States!) But with the cost split up between each month, it's not that bad at all. My phone bill will end up being about W70000/month ($70ish) and that I know is cheaper than others with smart phones in the States on their own plans. So you could say that the phone is more expensive, but the service is cheaper.
My phone will be activated on Monday (tomorrow), so I've just been putting all of my contacts into it and customizing it. I did buy a case because, really, this is my first smart phone and I'm terrified of anything happening to it. I don't know if I have to talk to the woman tomorrow via my other phone, or if it's something she can do without being in contact with me... I hope it's the latter, because I will definitely be teaching during the time frame she gave me for the activation.
After getting our phones we went to the Korvia party and got to meet our recruiters! Jessie Kim (my recruiter) is probably one of the nicest and most adorable people I have ever seen. I'm so glad I got to meet her in person! We also met a few other people from Bucheon and other locations in Seoul. It was a good night!
Please feel free to comment, email, or message me if you have any further questions about cellphones, recruiters, or anything!
Till next time~
Yesterday I went out to Seoul with the Bucheon girls for the Korvia welcoming party, which was in Itaewon. Before heading over to Itaewon, we swung into Hongdae for a little shopping and walking. The number of shoes I was tempted to buy was absurd! I walked away with two rings- a Vivienne Westwood (yesyesyes!) knock-off and a simple vine-like one. I'm quite pleased! Not to mention that the total for both was W8000 (a little over $7).
There was also a puppy store we went into after grabbing a bite at Dos Tacos (I wasn't hungry so I didn't eat, but the others gave it rave reviews! I'll have to eat next time!). I seriously thought my heart was going to make its way out of its place because of how adorable the puppies were! One little guy kept pressing its face into the corner of the glass and trying to eat my finger! They were so precious.
We went over to Itaewon a little early to hit a cellphone store, Olleh (Yeah, it's 'Hello' backwards!). I had originally just wanted to look at the phones and plans, but after watching a girl not from our group get a phone, and Sio get a phone, I got a phone. Haha it was really nice being at that store in Itaewon because the woman spoke wonderful English. That's one of the reasons I wanted to go to a store while we were there, but after hearing all the details I figured I should just purchase one now. I ended up going with a black iPhone 4S.
The way it works here is that the cost of the phone is divided up between each month of your contract (a 2 year contract is mandatory), and added to the bill. Unlimited data, 300 minutes, and 300 texts is the iValue Plan and costs W54000/month. Insurance is optional, but costs W4700/month. Here, the iPhone 4S is worth W814000, so insurance is definitely worth it! You do get a discount on the phone with the contract, though. I know I'm only paying about W600000 for the phone (which is still terribly expensive compared to the States!) But with the cost split up between each month, it's not that bad at all. My phone bill will end up being about W70000/month ($70ish) and that I know is cheaper than others with smart phones in the States on their own plans. So you could say that the phone is more expensive, but the service is cheaper.
My phone will be activated on Monday (tomorrow), so I've just been putting all of my contacts into it and customizing it. I did buy a case because, really, this is my first smart phone and I'm terrified of anything happening to it. I don't know if I have to talk to the woman tomorrow via my other phone, or if it's something she can do without being in contact with me... I hope it's the latter, because I will definitely be teaching during the time frame she gave me for the activation.
After getting our phones we went to the Korvia party and got to meet our recruiters! Jessie Kim (my recruiter) is probably one of the nicest and most adorable people I have ever seen. I'm so glad I got to meet her in person! We also met a few other people from Bucheon and other locations in Seoul. It was a good night!
Please feel free to comment, email, or message me if you have any further questions about cellphones, recruiters, or anything!
Till next time~
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Fate and a Bank Account
Hello all!
I know I promised that it wouldn't be so long in between updates, but here we are! I have a lot to say, too! So put those reading glasses on ;)
One thing I wanted to say before getting into my current happenings, is to comment on the play of Fate in my life. I have never felt more sure of something than I am of my moving to Korea. I wrote about it on an earlier post, so new readers may not know, but I was originally an EPIK applicant who managed to fail the interview. I read all over about how hard it was to fail the interviews, but I'm a girl that did it. Ha, I can't blame my interviewer for it though- I forgot how to describe even myself. And don't even get me started on what happened when he asked me about what I knew about Korea. I don't think I formed a full sentence once. Ahh, it's really sad... I was so nervous! But. These days I have come to realize that I was abnormally nervous so that I could fail the interview. I wasn't supposed to be there, but here. The people I've met, how I've met them, even the perfect timing of the buses, subway, and buses again on my way to apply for my ARC, have all been absurdly wonderful by chance. I absolutely (still) adore my co-workers and my students, too! We (other teachers and I, not students) get together outside of school, and have plans to keep doing so. I feel so blessed to be so welcomed.
Funny fact- when getting passport photos taken in South Korea, they will airbrush and remove all flaws within 5 minutes. I went to a small place just off the subway in Incheon where I had to apply for my ARC. He was super fast, and my face has never looked so good- which is awesome, because that's the picture they put on my ARC.
(There are several of documents you need for your ARC. Two of them are filled out there while waiting, one of them is provided by your school, and the others are your passport with valid Visa, medical exam results, and two passport photos.)
My co-teacher is on an extended field trip with the 6th graders and their homeroom teachers, so I have been teaching with the 4th/5th grade English teacher. She is close with my co-teacher, so we've talked quite a bit before this. She is another lovely person! I'm really glad that I get to meet the other grades. Ahaha, they're so cute! And their love of hangman is admirable. I want to take the amount of passion they put toward hangman into every aspect of my life...
So that's what I'm doing for the rest of this week. I left school early today to open a bank account. With my co-teacher gone, I had to do it alone! It was kind of nervous-making, but the teller I worked with was nice. Really, you just pull a number like any building with a row of help desks, and wait for a teller/secretary to display your number (the hospital I went to was the same). Then, he asked me if I wanted a Check Card and had me sign a few different papers and my bankbook. It was super painless! But I still feel proud of myself. I have heard that KEB is the most foreigner-friendly bank, but I decided to go with Woori because of the perks on their Expat Check Card, which I can get once I have an account with them. They are also a major bank and so I can find them anywhere I need. As far as documents go, you only need your ARC (Alien Registration Card) to open a bank account. When you go to apply for a credit card, you need your ARC, passport, proof of work/salary, and a valid Visa.
Now I can get paid!!! Wahoo!
I do realize that not posting may cause some worry, and for that I apologize. From now on I will try to write at least once a week, even if it's about the NEW FUZZY BLACK SWEATER I BOUGHT YESTERDAY. It's wonderful, but vintage enough to warrant a 'do they still sell that?' from my co-worker.
Take care, everyone, everywhere.
All is well :)
I know I promised that it wouldn't be so long in between updates, but here we are! I have a lot to say, too! So put those reading glasses on ;)
One thing I wanted to say before getting into my current happenings, is to comment on the play of Fate in my life. I have never felt more sure of something than I am of my moving to Korea. I wrote about it on an earlier post, so new readers may not know, but I was originally an EPIK applicant who managed to fail the interview. I read all over about how hard it was to fail the interviews, but I'm a girl that did it. Ha, I can't blame my interviewer for it though- I forgot how to describe even myself. And don't even get me started on what happened when he asked me about what I knew about Korea. I don't think I formed a full sentence once. Ahh, it's really sad... I was so nervous! But. These days I have come to realize that I was abnormally nervous so that I could fail the interview. I wasn't supposed to be there, but here. The people I've met, how I've met them, even the perfect timing of the buses, subway, and buses again on my way to apply for my ARC, have all been absurdly wonderful by chance. I absolutely (still) adore my co-workers and my students, too! We (other teachers and I, not students) get together outside of school, and have plans to keep doing so. I feel so blessed to be so welcomed.
Funny fact- when getting passport photos taken in South Korea, they will airbrush and remove all flaws within 5 minutes. I went to a small place just off the subway in Incheon where I had to apply for my ARC. He was super fast, and my face has never looked so good- which is awesome, because that's the picture they put on my ARC.
(There are several of documents you need for your ARC. Two of them are filled out there while waiting, one of them is provided by your school, and the others are your passport with valid Visa, medical exam results, and two passport photos.)
My co-teacher is on an extended field trip with the 6th graders and their homeroom teachers, so I have been teaching with the 4th/5th grade English teacher. She is close with my co-teacher, so we've talked quite a bit before this. She is another lovely person! I'm really glad that I get to meet the other grades. Ahaha, they're so cute! And their love of hangman is admirable. I want to take the amount of passion they put toward hangman into every aspect of my life...
So that's what I'm doing for the rest of this week. I left school early today to open a bank account. With my co-teacher gone, I had to do it alone! It was kind of nervous-making, but the teller I worked with was nice. Really, you just pull a number like any building with a row of help desks, and wait for a teller/secretary to display your number (the hospital I went to was the same). Then, he asked me if I wanted a Check Card and had me sign a few different papers and my bankbook. It was super painless! But I still feel proud of myself. I have heard that KEB is the most foreigner-friendly bank, but I decided to go with Woori because of the perks on their Expat Check Card, which I can get once I have an account with them. They are also a major bank and so I can find them anywhere I need. As far as documents go, you only need your ARC (Alien Registration Card) to open a bank account. When you go to apply for a credit card, you need your ARC, passport, proof of work/salary, and a valid Visa.
Now I can get paid!!! Wahoo!
I do realize that not posting may cause some worry, and for that I apologize. From now on I will try to write at least once a week, even if it's about the NEW FUZZY BLACK SWEATER I BOUGHT YESTERDAY. It's wonderful, but vintage enough to warrant a 'do they still sell that?' from my co-worker.
Take care, everyone, everywhere.
All is well :)
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
In Korea
Well, hello there! It's been a while! Especially since I've been in Korea for the past 5 days without a single update.
I think I've been waiting until I feel settled. I really need hangers. I have a lot of sweaters (which become not so many sweaters after all of the necessary layering I pull off) and light jackets sitting on my desk. I went to Homeplus, which basically has everything, and bought a few groceries, some indoor shoes to wear at school, and the softest dish towel ever... But I totally forgot the hangers! I'm blaming it on the store being packed and my decision to not push my way through groups of Koreans who actually knew what they were looking for, as well as my cowardice and inability to speak at appropriate times. Haha, it's not as bad as it may seem, really. I just totally blanked on the one sentence I wanted to remember. I wrote all of my items in Korean so I could find them more easily, but that didn't help very much because I completely underestimated the massive size of this multi-floor shopping center.
Aside from my brief shopping stint that had me traveling to the third floor in order to look at cute clothing so I could feel better about my experience, everything has been lovely. My taxi driver from the airport was incredibly nice, and my absolutely wonderful co-teacher was waiting for me at my apartment. She explained the electronics and heating system to me, and then took me out for my first meal, followed by coffee. <3 Wonderful. She is also very helpful in class, and we share the time we teach. I didn't know if it would just be me and the students or not, so having her there is a godsend. We teach third and sixth graders, 4 classes each, and there is another Korean woman who teaches English to fourth and fifth graders. This Friday, all of the teachers will be staying behind to share a meal and welcome the new teachers. I'm excited! I have been enjoying the meals at school... I'm pretty sure it was octopus the other day. It's good!
One thing I'm not so excited about is the medical exam I need to do tomorrow. I'm not allowed to eat anything after 9pm tonight, or to drink anything after 6am tomorrow morning. No coffee for Kaitlin! Oh boy... And we're teaching sixth graders tomorrow, haha! I'll be okay, though. My co-teacher will be there with me, and it's probably about time I got over my obvious dislike for hospitals.
As for my apartment, it has a little loft where my bed is and some storage up with it. The kitchen is narrow, but I really like it's layout. The main room is a perfect size, too! I'll be taking a video tour of it once I get those hangers... Then everyone will be able to see for themselves! :) It's well-equipped and I am quite pleased with it.
I met a few other girls who are teaching English here, as well, and they are wonderful! I'm glad I was able to get in-touch with them, as I can only imagine how difficult it would be to not have any English-speaking contacts at first.
Speaking of friendship, I have also fallen in love. The heated blanket I found in one of the cabinets is nothing short of a modern miracle and is one of my favorite things right now. I recommend them. Strongly.
Well, I am going to sign-off. I'll try to have less time in-between posts. I think it's easier to read when I'm not typing off short novels.
a bientot~
I think I've been waiting until I feel settled. I really need hangers. I have a lot of sweaters (which become not so many sweaters after all of the necessary layering I pull off) and light jackets sitting on my desk. I went to Homeplus, which basically has everything, and bought a few groceries, some indoor shoes to wear at school, and the softest dish towel ever... But I totally forgot the hangers! I'm blaming it on the store being packed and my decision to not push my way through groups of Koreans who actually knew what they were looking for, as well as my cowardice and inability to speak at appropriate times. Haha, it's not as bad as it may seem, really. I just totally blanked on the one sentence I wanted to remember. I wrote all of my items in Korean so I could find them more easily, but that didn't help very much because I completely underestimated the massive size of this multi-floor shopping center.
Aside from my brief shopping stint that had me traveling to the third floor in order to look at cute clothing so I could feel better about my experience, everything has been lovely. My taxi driver from the airport was incredibly nice, and my absolutely wonderful co-teacher was waiting for me at my apartment. She explained the electronics and heating system to me, and then took me out for my first meal, followed by coffee. <3 Wonderful. She is also very helpful in class, and we share the time we teach. I didn't know if it would just be me and the students or not, so having her there is a godsend. We teach third and sixth graders, 4 classes each, and there is another Korean woman who teaches English to fourth and fifth graders. This Friday, all of the teachers will be staying behind to share a meal and welcome the new teachers. I'm excited! I have been enjoying the meals at school... I'm pretty sure it was octopus the other day. It's good!
One thing I'm not so excited about is the medical exam I need to do tomorrow. I'm not allowed to eat anything after 9pm tonight, or to drink anything after 6am tomorrow morning. No coffee for Kaitlin! Oh boy... And we're teaching sixth graders tomorrow, haha! I'll be okay, though. My co-teacher will be there with me, and it's probably about time I got over my obvious dislike for hospitals.
As for my apartment, it has a little loft where my bed is and some storage up with it. The kitchen is narrow, but I really like it's layout. The main room is a perfect size, too! I'll be taking a video tour of it once I get those hangers... Then everyone will be able to see for themselves! :) It's well-equipped and I am quite pleased with it.
I met a few other girls who are teaching English here, as well, and they are wonderful! I'm glad I was able to get in-touch with them, as I can only imagine how difficult it would be to not have any English-speaking contacts at first.
Speaking of friendship, I have also fallen in love. The heated blanket I found in one of the cabinets is nothing short of a modern miracle and is one of my favorite things right now. I recommend them. Strongly.
Well, I am going to sign-off. I'll try to have less time in-between posts. I think it's easier to read when I'm not typing off short novels.
a bientot~
Thursday, February 23, 2012
YESSS
This post is more for people who I am not friends with on Facebook, but who do follow this blog.
Today my passport came back, Korean Visa and all! :D And under 'Entries' I have a beautiful 'M'. You can either have a S or a M, with S standing for Single and M standing for Multiple. This means that on breaks I can leave Korea and visit Japan, Thailand, wherever, and still get back into the country. If I had a single entry visa, I would not be able to leave if I wanted to come back without applying for a whole new visa.
What's really great is that I thought I would need to apply for a multiple entry visa once I got into Korea, and pay an additional amount. I didn't request a multiple entry visa, but since I wanted one, I am really glad I have one!
And so here I am, less than a week away from leaving the States for South Korea. I am packed, going to sleep at seven in the morning (next week it will be eight!), and as prepared as I think I can be right now. All I am waiting on is my Form 8802 response, which just exempts me from paying Korean taxes because I will be paying taxes on my earnings in the States. They sent me a letter stating they received my request early January and that within 30 days from February 21 I would get the letter that I actually need to bring to Korea. I hope it gets here before I leave. If it doesn't, I will have to have it sent to my address in Korea. Thankfully I just need to bring it to my school within the first month. I don't understand why it is taking so long, though, because the maximum time they said it should take for a response is 45 days. Ah, oh well...
I'm really excited, and in a really good place, mentally. I absolutely cannot wait for this new chapter in my life :) Things are looking good!
I'm about to have my dad weigh my suitcase. It's wider than our scale, and I don't want to try to lift it while standing on the scale. So here we go. Wish me luck!
**UPDATE** We believe the suitcase weighs 49.5 lbs. Also, this is the most helpful website I have come across in a long time: WAYGOOK.ORG has forums with people who sincerely know what they are talking about, and offer help and answers on topics ranging from life in Korea to vacation time at your school.
Today my passport came back, Korean Visa and all! :D And under 'Entries' I have a beautiful 'M'. You can either have a S or a M, with S standing for Single and M standing for Multiple. This means that on breaks I can leave Korea and visit Japan, Thailand, wherever, and still get back into the country. If I had a single entry visa, I would not be able to leave if I wanted to come back without applying for a whole new visa.
What's really great is that I thought I would need to apply for a multiple entry visa once I got into Korea, and pay an additional amount. I didn't request a multiple entry visa, but since I wanted one, I am really glad I have one!
And so here I am, less than a week away from leaving the States for South Korea. I am packed, going to sleep at seven in the morning (next week it will be eight!), and as prepared as I think I can be right now. All I am waiting on is my Form 8802 response, which just exempts me from paying Korean taxes because I will be paying taxes on my earnings in the States. They sent me a letter stating they received my request early January and that within 30 days from February 21 I would get the letter that I actually need to bring to Korea. I hope it gets here before I leave. If it doesn't, I will have to have it sent to my address in Korea. Thankfully I just need to bring it to my school within the first month. I don't understand why it is taking so long, though, because the maximum time they said it should take for a response is 45 days. Ah, oh well...
I'm really excited, and in a really good place, mentally. I absolutely cannot wait for this new chapter in my life :) Things are looking good!
I'm about to have my dad weigh my suitcase. It's wider than our scale, and I don't want to try to lift it while standing on the scale. So here we go. Wish me luck!
**UPDATE** We believe the suitcase weighs 49.5 lbs. Also, this is the most helpful website I have come across in a long time: WAYGOOK.ORG has forums with people who sincerely know what they are talking about, and offer help and answers on topics ranging from life in Korea to vacation time at your school.
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