Thursday July 1, 2010

Yep, it's already Thursday here! Takes some getting used to. I still seem to have a bit of jet lag, but I'm working through it. Went out yesterday to meet some new friends (and one I already know) and got tired pretty quick~~~but I made it till 11 to head home! But, the subway ride home is about 1hr from where we were hanging out. Got home and to bed finally around 1am.

And here I am awake at 8am. :-P

Anyway, yesterday was awesome! I got to chat w/Ian (love you bb~!) in the morning than I had to leave for the subway to meet some new friends for lunch. The subway was pretty easy, cuz a lot of things are in English, but I had to figure out how to get the T-Money card so I could put money on it. That wasn't to easily explained. But an attendant (i think) came around and directed me to the store to buy the card, then showed me how to put money on the card. I had already known how to use the card, thanks to some research I did. :)

But, I got upstairs and wasn't sure it was headed the right direction and so I got myself all confused I didn't get on the train that came. So I waited for another person to arrive and I asked her. Of course she didn't seem to speak any English, so I just said the name of the place and pointed. It was the right train, so I waited for the next one.

The train ride was easy since I was so distracted by the view and the ride (it was an hour long). Got to my meeting place and it got confusing again. I was supposed to meet friends at a certain exit, and I wasn't sure I was heading the right way. Turned around and starting seeing numbers (the exits) and made it out fine. Now, I'm totally a pro and was able to get home last night, no problem! I am glad I can read Korean tho, it makes me more comfortable, even tho a lot of signs are in English, too.

Met two friends for lunch, and wandered around the area. Bought a phone strap and a headband. Also went and had some tea before going our separate ways. It was cool, cuz I tried to order in Korea. Went from there back a stop to meet my friend from NAU. Then from there, we went to meet the others. We went to the University area, so it was busy! But it was awesome. Went to dinner at a bbq place (not like in the US) and then we walked around to find something else to do. Had tea and ice cream at a shop nearby. It was fun! I was being all touristy of course (taking pics) and we kept laughing about it. I told them it was cuz I was a foreigner. hahaha~ But everything was awesome during the day, and even better at night!! It all lit up, like NYC but cooler. ;) After that we went to get drinks but I was exhausted so I took the subway home. Got back no problem! I was a little worried about heading back so far alone, but it was fine. Everyone on the train were sleeping or ignoring each other and the walk home was easy.

Went to bed after checking email and facebook and such. Woke up today around 7 so I can get used to being up tomorrow. I start school tomorrow!!! It's my first day so I won't teach but I will be introducing myself to everyone and probably observing in class. Monday is a field trip, so I go in but only do planning, I think. Next week I am still observing possibly. But I will try to help as much as possible during lessons. :)

Anyway, better get ready for the day. Still need to clean a little. I also want to be used to getting up early for work tomorrow! I'll be posting pics later, but I wanted to update while I thought about it and still have time.

I'll update a lot this weekend, I'm going out Friday night and Sunday. :) Talk to you all later!!! Love you~~~~

Greetings from KOREA ^.^

Helloooo~~! Hope everyone is well. I am great! Tired a little...

I'll start from when I got here and hopefully, I won't leave anything out! :)

I got into Korea at 3pm. No delays or anything! The flight was looonnnggg. Even if they did show movies and shows, it was still pretty hard to sit still. I was so tired, thought I would sleep well last night. Nope. crashed at 7 or 8pm then woke up at 3am. I'm crashing now and it's only 9pm. I'm worried I'll wake up early again.

The only thing that helped with that was the TV in my sleeping area! Yup, I have cable!! lol

Got picked up by a taxi and drove to Ansan. Seemed like it was a short drive, but I was also distracted.

Met my co-teacher at my apartment, discussed a few things and she left me to rest and settle in. I really wanted to wander around but once I got comfortable, that was it. I fell asleep at 7pm Korea time, and woke up at 3am. It's a good thing I have a tv with a lot of channels! I was able to do something with minimal effort. I do get some channels that show American shows/movies. But, I do like watching the crazy game shows (like face soccer!).

I got up and started unpacking/cleaning at around 6 or 7am. Very cute and simple place, but I like it a lot!

Sometime last night, I also realized that I will be here for an entire year, not just a few weeks or a few months. It was a little overwhelming, but also exciting. :)

I'll do a video tour of the apartment soon. I just need to finish putting clothes away.

Wandered downstairs to grab some food. Got the money mixed up but the cashier was so nice, he showed me the correct amount. Luckily, I learn quickly. I'm sure I won't always run into someone like that.

Ate food. Cleaned some more. I think I took another TV break at some point. Got bored again and wandered around the neighborhood, trying to see what was around the area. It was pretty cool! I didn't go too far, I wasn't sure what time it was and I didn't want to get myself turned around and lost. Had quote a few people basically stare at me. But, my co-teacher explained that they are fond of Americans and don't often see them here. It's not too hard to notice me since I am blonde. :-P I had one guy stare at me for some time while he walked passed. I was amused.

Went with my co-teacher to start the process of getting my ID. That was a fairly easy process. I impressed her with my observation/listening skills. They were talking about the table at the entrance and I mentioned that we came in that direction and it was right in front (they were talking in Korean, mind you). I had no idea what they were saying, I just figured it out by the gestures and such.

Found a bank that has a global atm (KE BANK). Took out most of the money and spent it at the Lotte Mart nearby. I had a few extra things to pick up (food, rice cooker, hangers, a fan, etc etc). It seems to be a little expensive here. Maybe it was because of my list. Next time will most likely only be groceries.

Also found out I start school Friday. I won't have classes since they are testing, but I will be introducing myself. So, I will have to prepare that, I guess.

Monday is also a field trip and the rest of the week is watching and probably helping my co-teacher. Then, I will start making lessons and teaching!

Anyway, finally got this finished! My internet died on me last night, so I had to wait til now to update. Uploading all my pictures will take a long time until I figure out how to resize and such, so I made a video slideshow! :) Enjoy~~and look forward to a video tour of my apartment later this week (maybe today -Wed for me- since it's raining). ^^

Enjoy the video. There isn't any sound, next time I'll try to add some music or me talking so it's not so boring. ;)

Feel free to comment and ask questions! love you all~!!

address in Korea

They sent me my address the other day! It's a little complicated, but I will figure out exactly how to write it, soon.

WELL. . . I'm a little nervous about posting my address here, especially since I can't seem to make it private, so please email me and I will respond with the address.

musicsporty1@hotmail.com

clairelizabethprice@gmail.com

Final update before Korea...I hope!

So...I bought my plane ticket today!!! It now really feels more certain that I'm going...it made it more real for me, like it's finally starting to set in that I AM GOING TO KOREA! OH. MY. GOODNESS. *^.^*

I leave Tucson Sunday, 6/27 at 6AM (so not fun). I make one stop in San Diego around 11 or 12, then head to Seoul, South Korea (a few hrs later) and arrive 3PM on Monday, 6/28!

I'm only a little nervous about when I arrive. My recruiter told me a taxi will be arranged, but I thought they said someone will be there...I dunno!

At least I arrive at a decent hour. The other flight I wanted had me arriving in Seoul at 9PM! That would make me more nervous to travel at night.

Anyway...there was something else I wanted to mention, but it has escaped my thoughts :P I better get to bed. I still have a lot to finish before next weekend and I want to finish as much as I can tomorrow!

*g'night! ~xoxoxo~

Stuff for sale and free!!

I apparently have a lot of extra stuff I want to get rid of, so I'm selling a few big things and making a list of some smaller stuff I'll just give away. Didn't have time to have a yard sale.

4 SALE:

Most prices are negotiable :)

- futon w/2 matresses $15

*there is a bar on the bench part that broke off, but I still have that piece.

- coffee table $10

*it's fairly lightweight

- TV w/built-in VCR $20

*I'd sell it for more, but the VCR is a little dirty from an old VHS AND the plug cord somehow was chewed when in storage, previously.

- Small desk $20

*I'm pretty sure it's a kids desk--too small for a large desktop computer.

FREE!

- recordable VHS tapes

- keychains

- angel figurine

- mice in teacup figurine

- wine opener set

- CD case, holds about 72 cds.