Settling In

Sorry it has taken me a couple of days to update this. I have been moving around quite a bit trying to get settled and into my apartment where I will be staying for the next year. I have some awesome pictures and video I will be uploading soon as well that I hope everyone enjoys. I was able to find an internet cafe in my neighborhood and hope that my internet in my apartment is fixed very soon. It is frustrating how slow it is (slower than dial-up!!).

I miss everyone and am feeling a little homesick but I know this will pass soon. The first few weeks when you move somewhere new are always the hardest. I have met two English speaking teachers who live next door to me, we actually went to dinner last night. I think this will make adjusting a little easier. And, for those of you who know what I am talking about, I have my bunny which makes sleeping alone in the apartment much easier, being able to hear Nick's voice.

Let's see the last few days have not been all that interesting. I have mostly been trying to get situated and unpacked. I start teaching on Monday so this should make the time go faster and I start my FAU Accounting program the 6th.

Last Wednesday was pretty basic. We were learning how to play games and teach Korean children in our orientation classes. It was nice though because we were at the university and had free access to the internet. I cannot stand not being able to use the internet freely, it is driving me crazy!

We spent Wednesday evening walking a couple of miles to see a temple we had heard about, within walking distance. You could only see it from across the river but we wanted to see some traditional architecture since everything seems so westernized (something I was not expecting). I am going to try to find a host site to get these pictures posted on my blog as well.

After this we hurried back for dinner and then the program hosted a traditional Korean song and dance performance for us. It was a lot of fun! I have video of each one that I am going to link through Blogger as well once I can get everything figured out, so keep checking back!

Thursday we met our co-teachers, who are Korean speaking English teachers that are going to be helping us throughout the year. I found out that I will be teaching in 3 schools. My main school is closest to Nonsan, the city I am teaching in. My co-teacher is very nice but has to be spoken to very slowly. She also cannot drive so her mother came with her to pick me up in Chungnam where the orientation was. The ride to Nonsan City was about 40 minutes. We went to the Nonsan City office of education where I met my coordinator, Janet who informed me my apartment would not be ready until the next day at noon because the teacher I was replacing was still in it and leaving the next day. She said I would be staying with her if this was alright. I was very happy she took me in! It had been a hard first few days moving around and was anxious to get into my apartment and settled, but I would have to wait one more day.

That night I went home with Janet, she was from the Philippines and had married a Korean man. Korean and English were her second languages! She was very nice and hospitable offering me their bed to sleep in, and taking me to Pizza Hut for dinner! It was very expensive, around $24 for one pizza.

The next day she took me to get my physical and bank account set up. I was getting to be a little anxious because I had not received any material on what I had to teach. We went to the office and she printed me lots of materials as well as gave me 4 different level books with workbooks to help me with my teaching materials. I was very excited. I have had to fly by the seat of my pants since I got to Korea and it was nice to have some structure. After she helped me move into my apartment she took me to Home Plus, the equivalent of Wal-Mart in the states to buy anything I may need for the apartment. She has been great and I don't think I would have been able to do this all without her. She told me a story that she had thought about quitting her job at one point because it is very stressful so she prayed to God and asked for a sign that this was the job she needed to be doing. That night she received a phone call from the police saying that one of her English teachers had been in a motorbike accident and to please help him translate because he did not speak English and the teacher did not speak Korean. She said that she thanked God for the sign. Her teacher ended up being ok with a few bruises but was very lucky. I am very thankful for Janet. She said this sign told her that Native teachers (what we are called) needed her. I can definitely attest to this!

I think this is where I will leave it for now. Please feel free to post comments. I would love to hear your comments on my experiences. I miss all of you very much and hope you find my blogs enjoyable.

LiN