Spring is HERE!!!

Spring is FINALLY here! I thought winter would never end---whew. I was quite tired of the freezing mornings and cold afternoons. Marc and I had started taking taxis everywhere, and since the base fare just jumped to W2200 (about $1.65 as of today) it was getting a tad expensive. However, yesterday and today were BEAUTIFUL, so here's hoping it stays like this :)

Marc and I went to a baseball game yesterday--go Samsung Lions! Teams here are not associated with cities, but with companies, even though the teams are from specific cities--like the Samsung Lions are from Daegu. But they're not the Daegu Lions. They're the Samsung Lions. Okay, enough of that. I have pictures!

Here we are waiting for the subway to take us to the stadium. It's only crowded because this is the transfer station. Usually there are not that many people waiting for the subway. 

As you can see, Marc is brimming with excitement. This is Marc's excited face. He's super-excited about going to the baseball game. I'm just excited to be going somewhere.

Now we're outside the stadium. Of course, lots of vendors selling all kinds of Korean yummies--dried fish, flattened squid, fried chicken. Mmm nom nom nom. We're so going to get hot dogs and beer! We can eat dried peanut butter squid any day of the week--it's hot dog time!

Wait, this is Korea. Apparently you only get hot dogs and beer at American baseball games. So we settled on water and fried chicken. And then ice cream. Here I am after realizing you can't get real hot dogs at Korean baseball games. 

That's my fake smile. I'm actually completely angry and ready to throw down some Koreans. Me Hulk! Hulk Angry! **Oooh, Baseball!**

Okay, so it was a pretty warm day. The sun was beating down on us, and I even got a little sunburned. I think this is a good time to mention that Koreans are not big on sunglasses. They prefer hats. Not just any hats, though. No, they must wear special edition Baseball Visors! As you can see in the picture below, they can be purchased at the baseball game and they are the perfect unisex gift! They even come in different colors--Dorothy Blue, and Sandy Tan!

Also very stylish in Korea this time of year is the Newspaper Hat. It's a hat that looks like a newspaper that's been folded into a hat! You can also opt to wear it casually laid across the top of your head, as the young couple pictured below has chosen to pair with their dressy baseball-day attire of a suit for him and a dress with heels for her.

Finally, we have the traditional Baseball Hat. Go Red Sox!

All in all, it was a good day. The Samsung Lions beat the LG Twins 5-3, and Marc and I got out and had some fun. 

Oh, and we decided next time we're getting lunch on the way to the game at this place: 

I know, I found Subway! I'm so excited! Okay, I'm out.

Holy Frequent Posting, Batman!

I know, try not to pass out--more than one post in a week! I told you I was going to work on posting more, I just had to get into my groove. 

I've been sick for 3 days--not fun. It's just a cold, but it's a bad cold. It's actually a "Korean cold", as I was told by one of my Korean coworkers (and subsequent Koreans agreed to the terminology as well). Something about germs and I'm just not used to the Korean germs. In any case, I feel pretty crappy and my nose is so red and gross from blowing it all the time that I'm pretty sure I look pretty crappy also. However, today was the last day of the teaching month so that's good. Classes will start again on Thursday; normally we would have tomorrow off, but we have to go to a teaching workshop from 9-3--at least we don't have to be there at 6:30, so we do get to sleep in. 

Now for some pictures! Here is an example of some of my teaching....

I know, you're impressed. Here I am explaining present vs present continuous verb tenses to my level 2 speaking class. Oh, and here they are! I have 2 level 2 classes, 6:30 and 7:30am. There are usually about 11 students in the 7:30 class, but only a few showed up the day I was taking pictures.

Here are some of my level 3 classes. I have 2 more, but I didn't have my camera for the other two. The 3 ladies in the first picture are very interesting--they gave me low scores on my class evaluations (all of my other classes apparently love me) but they always bring me things--coffee, chocolate--today they even brought sandwiches! I just can't figure them out. The second picture is my favorite class--the girl hardly ever shows up, but the guy, Gary, actually WANTS to learn English. Right now he's reading Harry Potter and he also listens to an English radio station, so he always brings his books to class to have me help him decipher different phrases and idioms. 

Oh, so I heard something funny the other day. In Korea, the name for a married woman is "ajumma" and as they get older they can be characterized by their short, curly hair, sun visor, faux athletic wear, and a serious attitude. The attitude comes from the age thing--Korea is big on respect for elders--and since they are married and have had children, they have more life experience, etc. Basically, they deserve all respect because they've been through it all. They tend to be pretty tough cookies, a force to be reckoned with--you don't want to mess with these little ladies! 

Oh, so yeah, the funny thing. One of my students told me that Korea has 3 genders--male, female, and ajumma. So it's good to know that all Koreans are afraid of them, not just foreigners :) 

So that's all I've got for now, time to shower and get ready to go back to work. 

Wanted: Exciting Trip to Anywhere

Greetings to all of my faithful readers, I'm already posting again and it's only been 5 days! Maybe I'm starting to get the hang of this whole "blogging" thing--as opposed to the whole, "maybe I should write something so people know we haven't been nuked by the N. Koreans yet are still alive." *cough* Anyway.

It's 6pm on Saturday; Marc went to work today to sub for another teacher from 3-7, and I've done NOTHING today. Well, except for waiting up at 6:15 this morning absolutely freaked out because I thought I was late for work. I'm not kidding. I opened my eyes, saw the sunlight, and practically leaped out of bed, hyperventilating. Marc was all, "What's wrong?! Christina, WHAT'S WRONG??!?!?" For 2 seconds I was almost violently angry because Marc didn't seem to understand the gravity of the situation but then I realized what day it was. I sank back to the bed, put my head in my hands and sighed, "It's the weekend, isn't it...". I blame it on the cold medicine I took last night.

In any case, I took a shower about an hour ago and have been playing on the internet since then. It's just so hard to get going when I have a sweet little cat named Elliot sleeping by my side! Oh well, we're going to a wedding tomorrow for one of Marc's friends so that's something. The cherry blossoms are starting to bloom, so as soon as it gets warmer I'd like to go to one of the various cherry blossom festivals around here. They're such a welcome sight (and smell!).

Oh, so, I do have some interesting tidbits to report on. First, I witnessed my first public urination last Wednesday. I've heard that Korean men really have no qualms about peeing in public, but I hadn't actually seen it until now. I was walking to meet Marc after he got out of work, and heard the sound of running water. I looked up and there's a man in a suit leaning against a wall just taking a leak like it's no big deal. The American female in me quickly averted my eyes and just walked a little bit faster. I'm not really sure why they have no shame about that, or about hacking and spitting in public (even indoors), yet they're so private about some other things. 

I'm also a little tired of people who are not Americans thinking it's okay to rag on America in front of Americans. Oh, and saying things like, "If Bush did that I'd say he's an idiot but since it's Obama, I don't care so much!" But, you know, whatever. 

I know there was something else I wanted to mention, but I can't remember right now. I'll post it when I remember it. Until then, I leave you with... "The Obama Song".

Night of the Living Teachers. And Signs.

Hm. It's obviously been much longer since my last post than I promised, and I'm sorry. I know you've been waiting ever-so-patiently (or maybe not) to find out more about our adventures in Korea, but hey, the time's finally come.

It's not that I've been just so busy, per se, just.... sleepy. This month I've been working 6:30 to noon M-F, and 7:30-9:30pm T, Th, and every other Friday. I usually end up taking like 2-3 hour naps in the afternoon, play on the internet, do laundry (I'm ALWAY doing laundry!), and in general, I'm just being lazy. I'm trying to fix that, however, and I think I'm starting to be more awake during the days. 

Teaching is going very well, I think. I don't really have any cool stories to tell but I do have some pictures. I have learned, however, that it is very difficult to make plans with Koreans because if they don't want to meet or they want to go someplace else, they don't actually tell you. For example, 2 Saturdays ago we wanted to get some dinner and drinks with some Korean friends. We set up a time and place to meet, but when we got there nobody was there. So we called one person and she said she had already eaten dinner--well, what the heck? You couldn't have just told us that when we made the plans? Then we called the other person and she said she didn't know the plans were for that night. Again, what the heck?? Whatever, man. Rather than do something that might disappoint the foreigners, they'd rather wait until the last minute, after we've already walked 25 minutes to meet them, to tell the truth. 

They're not that bad, though, it's just a pride thing that's inherent to all Koreans. Some of Marc's friends took him out for his birthday and bought him a cheesecake and everything. It was really nice, and the restaurant was great. Here's a picture of Veronica, Agnes, Bo, and Christi.

Christi is teaching us Korean on the weekends--I know the alphabet and some key phrases, but I read like I'm in kindergarten. It's okay though, it's progress! Here's one of Marc and Veronica...

It's very popular here to give the peace sign--anyone know why? I don't, but I'd like to know. Here's another popular sign...

Yeah, I don't know either. The restaurant we were at (Mise) had several of these. I'm not sure who told them it was a good idea, but whatever floats their boat. Here's another favorite sign of mine, and it's right on the highway...

Notice the "No Horse-Drawn Carts" at the top? I smile a little every time I walk by this. 

So we're about to go to Costco for some water, detergent, food, and PIZZA! I bid you adieu, mes amis.

P.S. Say hello to my sleepy boys! Don't miss Elliot between Marc's feet :)

Daegu? Daewoo? Day WHO?

Okay, so I had intended on posting more last week, but I was so frustrated with the computer in my motel room that I decided just to wait until I got to the apartment in Daegu and could use my super duper MacBook. In any case, I'll try to cover as much as I can while keeping it somewhat entertaining (shouldn't be too difficult considering how awesome I am.)

First of all, I think it's worth mentioning that my first real meal in the great city of Seoul, South Korea, came from this place: 

It is EXACTLY like it is in the States. My only complaint was the price--definitely more expensive than back home. I think it's the same for Outback, TGIFriday's--it seems like the American chains are way overpriced here. Any ideas as to why?

Oh, I wanted to show you a picture of the amenity pouch from Korean Air that I mentioned in the last post:

Isn't it cute? I thought so. I didn't actually use anything though, because I actually brought my own toothbrush, toothpaste, and slipper socks in my carry-on bag. However, if I didn't have those things--DEFINITELY would have used them!

(I would just like to let you all know, by the way, that I just spent the last 30 minutes trying to figure out how to get these pictures to go where I want. Apparently you can't just insert a picture wherever you want--when you upload it, it automatically goes to the top of the page, and from there you drag and drop it. Not so hard once I figured it out, but geez, it was a pain the ass!)

All in all, Seoul was pretty nice. Here are some of my favorite moments:

This one, I think, for obvious reasons. I have an amazing camera that I bought myself right after Marc left (hey, he got an iMac!) and the display screen flips out so you can actually see yourself when you take self-portraits *gasp*. 

This is Motel Touch, across the alley from my motel. I'm assuming it is what Koreans call a "love motel"--a cheap place for Koreans who still live with their parents to get it on. Dirty? yes. Necessary? Apparently--they're all over the place.

Starbucks! There was seriously one on every corner in Seoul. This one, however, is unique because the sign is actually in Korean (I was told that it actually says "Starbucks Coffee"--it's just written in the Korean script [hanguel]) and Starbucks, no matter where in the world, is always "Starbucks". Marc says it was a big to-do because Seoul had to really fight with Starbucks on this one; everything on this particular street is in Korean--I've been told this is the only Starbucks in the WORLD that does not have the traditional sign in English!

I just like this bathroom sign, especially the artwork. Okay, so I'm not really sure why the girl has whiskers, or why the handicapped person is pooing in their chair, but it's funny! You can't NOT laugh at this.

 

On Thursday night I went out with the other trainees to a "foreigner bar" called Mike's Cabin (even though Mike has since returned to Canada). We found this neat-o alien mask in the corner by our table.

Ooh! We also met the Korean rep for Jagermeister. He bought us all Jager bombs (a shot of Jager with Red Bull--ugh), so I took his picture.

I figure I don't really need to go into detail about our apartment since Marc already did that. I will tell you that for my Christmas/Valentine's Day gifts, Marc bought me a bed, vanity table, dresser, and stand-up mirror. How awesome is that? The beds here are as hard as a rock; seriously, they're about as comfy as sleeping on the floor--but at least with the bed frame, it's like an elevated floor :) 

The cats are getting along well--Mewster likes to clean Elliot's hard-to-reach areas, like the top of his head, back of his neck, and inside his ears.

Here they are doing what they do best:

Oh, what's that? You only see one cat? Well, let's take a closer look, shall we?

See? You just have to know where to look.

Oh, one more thing to add to my incredibly long post--we have a washer, but no dryer, so we have to hang up all of our clothes to dry. Unfortunately it's been a little humid here, so it's taken TWO DAYS for my pants to dry! TWO! DAYS! And the waistbands were still damp! That's my only real complaint so far. All in all, I'm enjoying it--just trying to learn my way around. Since they don't really use street names, it's a little difficult--especially when you try to tell a taxi driver where you want to go. 

That's all I've got for now. I'll hopefully post more often now that I have my computer and the wireless internet's all set up, and my future posts will not be 9384a934 lines long :)

Day 1: SLEEP!

So I finally made it to my destination in Seoul, South Korea. Here's how the story unfolds... My sister and dad drove me and Elliot to Atlanta on Friday morning (see them at the airport? It only took 3 tries to get that picture); we left Birmingham around 5am CST and arrived in Atlanta right around 9am EST. My plane left Atlanta at 11:55am Friday the 13th (cue eerie music) and arrived in Seoul at 5pm Saturday (Korea time). Korean Air, by the way, is freaking AMAZING. Aside from the snacks, beverages, and meals, there were screens in the back of every headrest with a variety of television, movies, games, etc. to choose from. I watched "The Secret Life of Bees", "Babylon A.D.", and "Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist" when I wasn't sleeping. The headphones were free (!) and they handed out little pouches containing socks, an eye mask, a toothbrush and toothpaste, and a little lanyard-type thing to go around your neck (I'm not sure exactly what this was supposed to hold). Since I actually did sleep for the majority of the flight, I only recall two incidents worth mentioning. There was an Army family on the plane, and just after the "Fasten Seat Belt" sign came on and the plane was taxi-ing down the runway, the father decides to get up from his seat and dig around in the overhead bin for his luggage. As I observed this, I thought to myself, "Hmm, this guy is either slightly stupid, or just isn't used to actually having to stay seated during this part of a flight (being military and all)." All of a sudden, 2 flight attendants--1 male and 1 female--tackle him from either side and haul him back to his seat. Now when I say tackle, I literally mean TACKLE. The male attendant ran and grabbed him around the waist while the female attendant grabbed his arms. It was pretty awesome, I must say--even more so considering the 2 Koreans were significantly smaller than the Army guy. The second incident wasn't so much an "incident" as it was an observation. I was sitting in the aisle seat of a 3-seat section and a Korean man had the window seat (no one between us). I am certain that some questionable activities were going on because every few hours another Korean man from 1st Class would come get the man next to me along with his bag and they would both go back to 1st Class. My neighbor would return sans bag maybe 5-10 minutes later. Maybe it's just me looking for some drama, but that seemed awfully suspicious. So anyway, after the plane FINALLY landed and I picked up Elliot and my luggage (all 9845745 bags that I brought), we found Marc--yay! We then proceeded to take a bus from the airport to Shinchon, where we were meeting Andy from the school who would show us to the motel and where I needed to go for training. We sat near 3 very nice Koreans who were in love with Elliot, although one girl jumped back every time he yawned--I guess she thought he was going to bite her. When we made it to the motel around 7pm, I crashed--Marc woke me up around 11 (I think) because he was going to go to McDonald's and get dinner, and then I promptly fell asleep again after I finished eating and woke up around 9:30 the next morning... EDIT: I planned on posting more pictures with this post, but for some reason this computer in my room will not let me upload any more pictures. The system is all in Korean so I can't read the error message :( I'll try again later on when I can get internet on my MacBook.

Oops, sorry for not writing

Simply put, I've been busy. I got my new schedule for the month and it is good. I have two writing classes which I really like and then several lower level classes which could be a lot worse. I finally got my first paycheck. It wasn't as much as I hoped, but that was because I had to pay two months rent from it, Dec. and Jan. But on the up side, my last paycheck won't have any rent on it. Anyway, I'm doing well and even cooked in my apartment for the first time a few days ago. It was just some spaghetti, but it was still cooking. I am currently on a hunt for cat food. I'm trying to find a way to buy some in bulk so its cheaper. Plus Mewster is a bit picky so I don't want to get him some random, god knows whats it it, Asian made stuff. No offense to Asians, but in the past they have been more prone to eating cats then to feeding them as pets. Next weekend is the Lunar New Year. I am going to go skiing on Sunday. I found a place that rents skis for 10,000 won, ski pants and jacket for 10,000 and the bus trip there, back and the lift tick for the day is only 56,000 won. So that's just under 80 bucks for a day of skiing. I think its a pretty good deal. Hopefully I'll get the lay of the land there well and then I can take my wife up there and teach her to ski. (She's going to love it too...or else) Things are going really well here. Work is going great, I'm getting along with my co-workers and getting to know my many students too. Anyway, I hope everyone is doing well too and I'll try not to be so long between now and my next post.