A Dentist, a Farmer, and the Park...
Saturday morning dawned bright and early, and the first stop on the day's adventures was the dentist. Korea makes everything better, including dentist visits. The office was very modern, with a mini-fridge of refreshments for patients. I was escorted back very quickly and the dentist spent over twenty minutes with me. I was told that my teeth are very clean and healthy. No cavities here!
After the dentist, I headed over to the Organic Farmers Market where there were TONS of items being sold. My only purchase was a vegan burger.... it was sooo yummy, and completely plant based! :)
Next stop, Olympic Park, one of my favorite places in Seoul! Amanda and I rented a tandem bicycle and explored the park for a hour on wheels, and then we watched the Senior Citizens pool tournament. It was entertaining, to say the least!
After the dentist, I headed over to the Organic Farmers Market where there were TONS of items being sold. My only purchase was a vegan burger.... it was sooo yummy, and completely plant based! :)
Next stop, Olympic Park, one of my favorite places in Seoul! Amanda and I rented a tandem bicycle and explored the park for a hour on wheels, and then we watched the Senior Citizens pool tournament. It was entertaining, to say the least!
Olympic ParkOlympic Park is an impressive leisure facility in which historic remains from the Baekje Era share space with modern state-of-the-art sports stadiums, an eco-friendly forest, and spacious grassy fields. A legacy of the 1988 Seoul Olympics, the park not only houses the country’s largest sports arena, but has also become a place where Seoul residents come to relax and unwind. |
Seoul Night Life
Spring in the Secret Garden
Royalty for a DayNow that spring is here, I want to spend every moment outside. Everything is in bloom, the air smells fresh, and the suns rays are inviting. One of my most favorite places to visit was the palace secret garden when Cody was here in December, so I decided it was necessary to see it in Spring as well.
The secret garden was once a place where only the King and his family could go for a respite from the demands of royal life. There is such rich history hidden within the secret gardens walls. Also within those walls is great beauty. It has been said that the beauty of the secret garden cannot be fully appreciated until it has been seen in every season. Although I have only seen it in two of the four seasons, I do believe this to be a very true statement. With each new season, the beauty within the garden changes and takes on a different focus. In the winter, I loved how peaceful and still the garden ponds were. Additionally, I loved how the snow highlighted the details on the various buildings. However, in spring, I absolutely love how the flowers and green grass brighten everything up. My favorite part of the gardens in the spring was the royal library, with all the colors surrounding it. It made me want to take a good book, find a comfortable pagoda, and spend the day lost in another world and in the beauty around me. |
Gyeongju, Here I Come!
Spring is finally here, and Earth is celebrating it's arrival with an abundance of beauty. I took a beautiful spring weekend to travel to Gyeongju and explore this historical area on bicycle. Words seriously cannot express how needed this trip was after being locked in all winter long. And boy, Korea really does spring in a grand way!
So I boarded a bus on Friday night, and slept all the way to the hotel. I arrived at the hotel at 5AM and crashed for a few more hours. After waking up and freshening up, I grabbed some breakfast and then hopped on the bus and headed to the bicycle rental shop. Once I got my bike, off I went to explore. (I was given a map of the area and the many historical landmarks, so there was little fear to venture out). I rode on cherry blossom lines streets, through fields of flowers, up a mountain, by a lake, to a temple, and ended at a historical museum. It was literally eight hours of cycling surrounded by beauty!
After the day of biking and exploring, I went back to the hotel, ate dinner, and crashed on the wonderful heated floor of the hotel. (Korean hotels don't have furniture in them. I know it sounds odd, but it is actually very practical and comfortable to sleep on a mat on a heated floor. After a long day of activity, it is like sleeping on a huge heating pad).
The next morning I woke up, freshened up and grabbed breakfast on the way to the bus to head to hike Mount Namsan in Gyeongju. The climb was intense. I was actually fighting a cold over the weekend, and found the higher I went I literally couldn't breath. So, I made it to the first peak, but not to the final peak. But, the climb was well worth it and the sights from the tops were breathtaking! For a little historical background on this mountain, it is considered by many to be a holy mountain. There are over 500 Buddha idols on the mountain. Also, at the top there is a buddhist temple. Interestingly, many of the Buddha idols are beheaded from past wars. I spent the entire climb in prayer, believing that what the Bible says about every place your foot treads He has given to us is true, I was claiming that mountain for Jesus. At the top, by the buddhist temple, I was praying for the worshipers inside. That they would come to know the love of Jesus. That the scaled on their eyes would be broken and they would be able to see the truth, turn from their idol worship, and embrace the one true God. The climb was so worth the view, but more importantly, the spiritual battle was so worth the fight.
After descending the mountain, which was MUCH faster than the climb, I bought a bag of apples from the orchard owner at the bottom and climbed aboard the bus to head back to the hotel for lunch. After lunch the heavens opened up and it began to rain, so I spent my remaining hour in a cafe before the bus departed for Seoul. The bus ride back was relaxing, and I got home Sunday evening with enough time to do laundry and prep lunch for work the next day, and then crash. Overall, the weekend was amazing and Gyeongju stole a little piece of my heart.
So I boarded a bus on Friday night, and slept all the way to the hotel. I arrived at the hotel at 5AM and crashed for a few more hours. After waking up and freshening up, I grabbed some breakfast and then hopped on the bus and headed to the bicycle rental shop. Once I got my bike, off I went to explore. (I was given a map of the area and the many historical landmarks, so there was little fear to venture out). I rode on cherry blossom lines streets, through fields of flowers, up a mountain, by a lake, to a temple, and ended at a historical museum. It was literally eight hours of cycling surrounded by beauty!
After the day of biking and exploring, I went back to the hotel, ate dinner, and crashed on the wonderful heated floor of the hotel. (Korean hotels don't have furniture in them. I know it sounds odd, but it is actually very practical and comfortable to sleep on a mat on a heated floor. After a long day of activity, it is like sleeping on a huge heating pad).
The next morning I woke up, freshened up and grabbed breakfast on the way to the bus to head to hike Mount Namsan in Gyeongju. The climb was intense. I was actually fighting a cold over the weekend, and found the higher I went I literally couldn't breath. So, I made it to the first peak, but not to the final peak. But, the climb was well worth it and the sights from the tops were breathtaking! For a little historical background on this mountain, it is considered by many to be a holy mountain. There are over 500 Buddha idols on the mountain. Also, at the top there is a buddhist temple. Interestingly, many of the Buddha idols are beheaded from past wars. I spent the entire climb in prayer, believing that what the Bible says about every place your foot treads He has given to us is true, I was claiming that mountain for Jesus. At the top, by the buddhist temple, I was praying for the worshipers inside. That they would come to know the love of Jesus. That the scaled on their eyes would be broken and they would be able to see the truth, turn from their idol worship, and embrace the one true God. The climb was so worth the view, but more importantly, the spiritual battle was so worth the fight.
After descending the mountain, which was MUCH faster than the climb, I bought a bag of apples from the orchard owner at the bottom and climbed aboard the bus to head back to the hotel for lunch. After lunch the heavens opened up and it began to rain, so I spent my remaining hour in a cafe before the bus departed for Seoul. The bus ride back was relaxing, and I got home Sunday evening with enough time to do laundry and prep lunch for work the next day, and then crash. Overall, the weekend was amazing and Gyeongju stole a little piece of my heart.
The history of Gyeongju (located in the southeast of Korea) dates back to ancient times when the city was the capital of the Silla Dynasty (BC 57-935), the longest period of reign in the history of Korea. Today, more than a thousand years later, evidence of Gyeongju's rich cultural heritage is still evident in every corner of the city. Since the ancient relics are such an integral part of the area, the whole city has been designated as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage under the name 'Gyeongju Historic Areas'. As such, Gyeongju is often referred to as a 'roofless museum'.
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Changes in Seasons...
In Korea, the school year runs from March to February, with two main breaks in between being a summer break and a winter break. My time as the 5-1 Starfish teacher came to a close all-too-soon, and the new school year began in a flash! I was to be teaching a 6-2 class now, but a major predicament was that I had no students enrolled in my class. So, I began the school year as the gym teacher. In all honesty, I was heart broken because I absolutely love teaching kindergarten; however, my heartbreak only lasted for the first two weeks of school. The third week of the school year I went from no students to six, and I was instantly in love with every single one of them! We quickly worked ourselves into a routine together, and before we knew it, Easter was being celebrated!
Easter was filled with lots of excitement, both within the classroom and in my own personal day to day life. At school we celebrated with a big Easter party and a field trip to the park for a Easter Egg Hunt. The kids had so much fun dying Easter eggs, and then later searching the park for them. It was still rather cold out, but the promise of spring being near added to the excitement. After our Easter egg hunt, we headed back to school to have a picnic lunch in the gym (because it was way too cold outside to picnic in the park).
After school on Good Friday, my friend Amanda and I went to a service hosted by AIM, an organization in Seoul that consists of all the English ministry groups within Seoul. The awesome thing about this organization is it truly reflects what the Church of Christ is all about, coming together in unity as the Bride of Christ. The service was fantastic and very encouraging as we kicked off our Easter weekend. Sunday service was equally uplifting. It is simply so good to have a church home to celebrate Christ with, no matter where I am in the world! Following service on Sunday, Amanda and I tried a vegan cafe out called Loving Hut. It was super yummy, and a nice alternative to the traditional Easter Dinner. Overall, I am excited for this new school year, and for the changing of seasons, in both the physical and within my heart.
Happy New Year Mr. Moon!
What Americans call the Chinese New Year, the rest of the world calls the Lunar New Year for good reason since it is based off the lunar calendar! Celebrating the Lunar New Year was a completely different experience for me, simply because we don't celebrate it in America. However, in Korea, it is a big holiday, and therefor it is celebrated in grand style.
My favorite way to experience any holiday is with natives because you actually get to participate in the traditions that accompany it. I was honored to be invited to celebrate this holiday with a friends family. We all gathered with extended family and cooked an amazing meal of pork, rice cake soup, and korean side dishes. Similar to an American holiday, everyone ate a lot and then lounged around chatting incoherently due to food induced comas. The celebration was ended with the children bowing to the adults and the adults handing out money in return.
After the big family gathering, we loaded up and headed to my friends home, which is actually part of a church. Within the church, a group of Chinese immigrants were being hosted. Little did I know at the time of arrival that I was in a for a long night of tradition and new experiences. Between playing Yut and learning how to make chinese dumplings, there were lots of giggles and many things lost in translation between the three languages present. The New Year was welcomed in with a grand finale before the festivities were brought to a close and goodnights were said.
My favorite way to experience any holiday is with natives because you actually get to participate in the traditions that accompany it. I was honored to be invited to celebrate this holiday with a friends family. We all gathered with extended family and cooked an amazing meal of pork, rice cake soup, and korean side dishes. Similar to an American holiday, everyone ate a lot and then lounged around chatting incoherently due to food induced comas. The celebration was ended with the children bowing to the adults and the adults handing out money in return.
After the big family gathering, we loaded up and headed to my friends home, which is actually part of a church. Within the church, a group of Chinese immigrants were being hosted. Little did I know at the time of arrival that I was in a for a long night of tradition and new experiences. Between playing Yut and learning how to make chinese dumplings, there were lots of giggles and many things lost in translation between the three languages present. The New Year was welcomed in with a grand finale before the festivities were brought to a close and goodnights were said.
Christmas in Korea!
So, Christmas came and went with a flash! My brother, Cody, came to visit for Christmas. It was an AMAZING week! We did so much, it's hard to even remember all the details... Thank goodness Cody was adamant about catching everything on video! I will summarize briefly each day's activities for ya'll, but for the full impact of just how much of a whirlwind our Christmas Vacation was, watch the video!
Thursday I went to work, and rushed off to the airport after. I was sooo excited my Bubbles was finally going to be here! I waited, and waited, and waited for him to walk through the double doors, and as soon as he did, I kinda went crazy. After my warm and wild welcome, we stopped by Starbucks (to help Cody make it to bed time), and headed for the subway. We didn't really have much of an itinerary for Thursday night, but we did venture out for Shabu-Shabu for dinner before turning in for the night.
Thursday I went to work, and rushed off to the airport after. I was sooo excited my Bubbles was finally going to be here! I waited, and waited, and waited for him to walk through the double doors, and as soon as he did, I kinda went crazy. After my warm and wild welcome, we stopped by Starbucks (to help Cody make it to bed time), and headed for the subway. We didn't really have much of an itinerary for Thursday night, but we did venture out for Shabu-Shabu for dinner before turning in for the night.
Saturday we were up bright and early to go exploring in Insadong and check out Kyeongbok Palace. It had snowed overnight, so we bundled as best we could, and headed out to face the day!
Once we arrived at the palace, we purchased our entrance ticket, as well as a ticket for the Secret Garden Tour. We had some time before the tour started, so we explored the various nooks and crannies of the palaces and grounds before grabbing a hot cup of coffee to drink while on the tour. The Secret Garden Tour was absolutely wonderful. We learned so much Korean history from our tour guide, and the gardens were beautiful snow covered. We did begin to go numb after about an hour though, so we were satisfied when the tour ended and we could hit up Insadong for a hot lunch and some souvenir shopping. By the time our bellied were full and we were finished wandering the streets and shops of Insadong, we were ready to head home for some hot cocoa and a movie. At this point Cody was really jet lagged, and we both were tired from trekking through the cold and snow all day, so a movie night in was absolutely the perfect way to relax and end the day. |
Friday was the last day of work before our Christmas break. So, Cody tagged along, which wasn't too much torture since it was a Christmas party with the kids all day!
The students had so much fun meeting my brother, and my older students even interviewed him as part of a Christmas writing homework assignment! We had different stations set up for students to rotate to throughout the day, and I was once again at the face painting station. Additionally, the students were visited by Santa, and given gifts to open after being read Twas the Night Before Christmas with hot cocoa. After work, Cody was jet lagging, but it was too early to head home, so we headed to Jamsil station for him to experience subway shopping at its finest, buy a warm winter hat (since it was freezing here), and venture out to see the Christmas lights in front of Lotte World. Of course, because we were freezing, we ventured inside to see what Lotte World was all about. Inside we rode our first ever curved escalator, and saw a very pretty waterfall that had water designs in it as it cascaded down. In the end, we decided the entrance fee wasn't worth it, but it was more fun exploring! |
Sunday was started with Church service, and followed by a 2 hour all-you-can-eat suchi buffet at Bono-Bono. Oh my word, did we eat A LOT! The sushi was sooo yummy, and they even had a dessert bar with a chocolate fountain and an espresso machine to make your own lattes. Food heaven followed by food coma for sure!
Following our feast for the day, we headed over to the COEX (which is like a big shopping mall) to brows through the many shops. In one of the random stores we found Tim Tams, in which Cody exclaimed, "We gotta get these so you can try a Tim Tam Slam. It's so good." So we bought a package of Tim Tams, and after browsing around some more, we headed home to watch The National Lampoons Christmas Vacation.
With popcorn popped, and hot cocoa made, we settled in to watch our yearly traditional movie. I also was introduced to what a Tim Tam Slam is... Which is basically using a Tim Tam cookie as a straw to drink hot cocoa through until the cookie begins to disintegrate, in which you quickly pull it into your mouth and go to chocolate heaven. I seriously was in awe of just how good it was, and will probably never drink a cup of hot cocoa with out a Tim Tam again! So, all in all, it was a very relaxing day, and our caloric intake was through the roof, but we enjoyed it in preparation to the busy week ahead!
Following our feast for the day, we headed over to the COEX (which is like a big shopping mall) to brows through the many shops. In one of the random stores we found Tim Tams, in which Cody exclaimed, "We gotta get these so you can try a Tim Tam Slam. It's so good." So we bought a package of Tim Tams, and after browsing around some more, we headed home to watch The National Lampoons Christmas Vacation.
With popcorn popped, and hot cocoa made, we settled in to watch our yearly traditional movie. I also was introduced to what a Tim Tam Slam is... Which is basically using a Tim Tam cookie as a straw to drink hot cocoa through until the cookie begins to disintegrate, in which you quickly pull it into your mouth and go to chocolate heaven. I seriously was in awe of just how good it was, and will probably never drink a cup of hot cocoa with out a Tim Tam again! So, all in all, it was a very relaxing day, and our caloric intake was through the roof, but we enjoyed it in preparation to the busy week ahead!
Monday was Christmas Eve, and Cody and I went to Myeongdong to do some more shopping. We found a HUGE clearance sale at Forever 21 (which is owned by a Korean, for those who don't know), and Cody got a nice coat and a bag full of clothes! Unexpected, but the deals were too good to pass up! Then, we wandered through the many shops. Cody was adventurous when it came to street food, trying everything that looked good to him. I was really proud of him simply embracing the street food as the adventure that it truly is.
After shopping and exploring, we went to watch NANTA, which is an incredible show that is wordless, so the story line can be followed by everyone. I really like going to shows, but I honestly didn't really know what to expect because the only details I was given about the show when I asked others who had previously seen it was that it was excellent and it was a cooking show. So, we took our chance, settled in to our seats, and literally laughed the entire show. The shows about three chefs who are preparing for a wedding feast. Then the boss brings his nephew and tells the chefs to teach him how to cook while preparing for the wedding feast. The entire show is about the chefs competing against each other, and it is musical, using the various kitchen utensils and tools to create various beats, with the beats getting faster and more intense each time. Not only was the show musical and funny, but it was audience interactive, with members of the audience being called up on state at various times, and with food flying into the audience as the chefs chopped and worked. By far the best show I have seen for a long time!
After NANTA, we were starving, so we found a little duck restaurant to have dinner at. Cody and I both enjoyed the smoked duck (which taste like ham, but way better), and were ready to head home to bed.
After shopping and exploring, we went to watch NANTA, which is an incredible show that is wordless, so the story line can be followed by everyone. I really like going to shows, but I honestly didn't really know what to expect because the only details I was given about the show when I asked others who had previously seen it was that it was excellent and it was a cooking show. So, we took our chance, settled in to our seats, and literally laughed the entire show. The shows about three chefs who are preparing for a wedding feast. Then the boss brings his nephew and tells the chefs to teach him how to cook while preparing for the wedding feast. The entire show is about the chefs competing against each other, and it is musical, using the various kitchen utensils and tools to create various beats, with the beats getting faster and more intense each time. Not only was the show musical and funny, but it was audience interactive, with members of the audience being called up on state at various times, and with food flying into the audience as the chefs chopped and worked. By far the best show I have seen for a long time!
After NANTA, we were starving, so we found a little duck restaurant to have dinner at. Cody and I both enjoyed the smoked duck (which taste like ham, but way better), and were ready to head home to bed.
Tuesday was Christmas, and as all Christmas mornings start off, we opened our gifts. Cody had a very stuffed stocking filled way too full, he couldn't even pull anything out. I had a bag of Bath and Body Works supplies, which I was completely over-the-moon about. After opening gifts, we made breakfast and just hung out at home for awhile.
In the afternoon we went to the AIM Christmas service. AIM is an amazing organization which basically is made up of all the English churched in Seoul that come together on a united front for special occasions, such as Christmas and Easter. It was wonderful to be able to worship with so many other expat believers, and to see the church united in a way to proclaim that it isn't about the church name and numbers, but about worshiping God together. The service was great, too, with many different performances. Cody and I both really enjoyed it.
After the service we ventured to Seoul Tower. What a crazy idea that was, because every Korean couple had the same exact idea! We waited for the cable car for almost two hours, and once we actually were able to ride it to the base of the tower, we had to wait another hour to be able to go up to the top of the tower. The view was magnificent, making the wait worth it, but it is definitely something that you only do once to simply scratch it off the bucket list. The funniest part of our whole Seoul Tower adventure was coming down. It was super cold and windy outside and the wait for the cable car was minimum one hour outside, so Cody and I decided we would walk down the mountain, because obviously it would take less than an hour. Our logic proved true, as it did take less than an hour to reach the bottom, after going down what seemed like a million stairs, in which we literally giggled about all the way down. However, the problem arose when the stairs ended in the middle of a random parking lot no where close to where the cable car place was. So, we started wandering down various allies until we found a main street, in which we couldn't find a subway station. We finally surrendered and got a taxi to take us to the closest subway station, which happened to be right around the corner, but by this point, we were frozen to the core and were just ready to thaw out and get home. By far, this was the Christmas with the most adventure in it for both of us!
In the afternoon we went to the AIM Christmas service. AIM is an amazing organization which basically is made up of all the English churched in Seoul that come together on a united front for special occasions, such as Christmas and Easter. It was wonderful to be able to worship with so many other expat believers, and to see the church united in a way to proclaim that it isn't about the church name and numbers, but about worshiping God together. The service was great, too, with many different performances. Cody and I both really enjoyed it.
After the service we ventured to Seoul Tower. What a crazy idea that was, because every Korean couple had the same exact idea! We waited for the cable car for almost two hours, and once we actually were able to ride it to the base of the tower, we had to wait another hour to be able to go up to the top of the tower. The view was magnificent, making the wait worth it, but it is definitely something that you only do once to simply scratch it off the bucket list. The funniest part of our whole Seoul Tower adventure was coming down. It was super cold and windy outside and the wait for the cable car was minimum one hour outside, so Cody and I decided we would walk down the mountain, because obviously it would take less than an hour. Our logic proved true, as it did take less than an hour to reach the bottom, after going down what seemed like a million stairs, in which we literally giggled about all the way down. However, the problem arose when the stairs ended in the middle of a random parking lot no where close to where the cable car place was. So, we started wandering down various allies until we found a main street, in which we couldn't find a subway station. We finally surrendered and got a taxi to take us to the closest subway station, which happened to be right around the corner, but by this point, we were frozen to the core and were just ready to thaw out and get home. By far, this was the Christmas with the most adventure in it for both of us!
Wednesday began with lots and lots of freezing rain, so Cody and I altered our plans a little and decided it was time for him to experience a Jjimjilbang (Korean bath house). So, we very carefully ventured out for a day of relaxation.
The heat rooms, salt rooms, rock rooms, cold room, and oxygen room were so relaxing. In the oxygen room we both were in and out of consciousness, but in the salt room and rock room we both were in a chatty mood, which put us both in giggles. At one point we noticed slowly all the Koreans were one by one leaving the room. I fear we stole their peace and quiet, but we both really enjoyed ourselves and time to just catch up while relaxing. The last part of our Jjimjilbang time was spent in the actual bathing rooms, in which I tried to give Cody as much warning as possible before separating with the agreement that we would meet in an hour and half. I fully enjoyed my time, however, after meeting with Cody after the allotted time, I was painfully aware that Cody did not enjoy himself one bit in the bathing section, and was waiting for me for close to an hour. Woops! ;) |
Thursday we were up and about early to catch an early bus to Everland. We had no idea really what Everland was, just that we saw some awesome advertisements for their snow tubing hills. Once we got on our over-crowded bus, in which I stood from Gangnam station all the way to Everland, I was really hoping our trip would be worth it. And boy was it!
The bus dropped us off and we immediately loaded an Everland shuttle bus that took us from the parking lot to the ticketing area. We quickly purchased our tickets, grabbed a map in English, and entered. Everland is a theme park that is built amidst the mountains. It is the most beautiful theme park I have ever seen, though most of the rides were closed because of the freezing temperatures. However, we were on a mission to find that sledding hill. So we oriented ourselves and then wound our way to the back corner of the park where we were a little disappointed with the two hills that we found. Just as we were about to get in line for the biggest hill available, we realized that our disappointment was in vain because there was yet a third hill in which we needed to travel our way up to. Once we got to the top of the line we realized that hill was an understatement, and that we would be tubing town a mountain!
We quickly chose to do single tubes and maneuvered our way to the front of the line, where we were instructed to simply sit on the tube as the tube was connected to a cable that pulled the tube to the top, where you got off and waited your turn to slide down. The view from the top was breathtaking, with snow covered mountains surrounding us, and the tubing was a blast! Of course we had to try the double tube after our initial journey down, and we continued to bounce back and forth over and over until we were cold. Then we went and found a 4D show to watch inside, walked through some animal exhibits, and found yet another treasure of Everland in the Safari.
The Safari area looked cool, yet we really didn't know what it was, just that it had tigers and bears, and there was a sign for a real liger, so of course we had to check that out! Once at the front of the line, we realized that it was a drive through safari in a glass bus, where you literally could drive through the exhibit right next to the animals. It was a highlight of the day that was completely unexpected!
The bus dropped us off and we immediately loaded an Everland shuttle bus that took us from the parking lot to the ticketing area. We quickly purchased our tickets, grabbed a map in English, and entered. Everland is a theme park that is built amidst the mountains. It is the most beautiful theme park I have ever seen, though most of the rides were closed because of the freezing temperatures. However, we were on a mission to find that sledding hill. So we oriented ourselves and then wound our way to the back corner of the park where we were a little disappointed with the two hills that we found. Just as we were about to get in line for the biggest hill available, we realized that our disappointment was in vain because there was yet a third hill in which we needed to travel our way up to. Once we got to the top of the line we realized that hill was an understatement, and that we would be tubing town a mountain!
We quickly chose to do single tubes and maneuvered our way to the front of the line, where we were instructed to simply sit on the tube as the tube was connected to a cable that pulled the tube to the top, where you got off and waited your turn to slide down. The view from the top was breathtaking, with snow covered mountains surrounding us, and the tubing was a blast! Of course we had to try the double tube after our initial journey down, and we continued to bounce back and forth over and over until we were cold. Then we went and found a 4D show to watch inside, walked through some animal exhibits, and found yet another treasure of Everland in the Safari.
The Safari area looked cool, yet we really didn't know what it was, just that it had tigers and bears, and there was a sign for a real liger, so of course we had to check that out! Once at the front of the line, we realized that it was a drive through safari in a glass bus, where you literally could drive through the exhibit right next to the animals. It was a highlight of the day that was completely unexpected!
Friday was another early morning, with our goal being to go to Namiseom Island. It had snowed a lot the night before, but we were determined to get there, so we bundled and headed out for the adventure that awaited. After our long but beautiful subway ride, we took a taxi to the Namiseom dock. We then purchased our tickets to cross to the island. However, we had an hour before our departure time, so we decided to have lunch at a random Korean restaurant while we waited.
Once it was departure time, we checked in and were taken up an elevator... Oh wait, I almost forgot to mention, we chose to travel by zipline instead of ferry! So, we reached the top of the zip-line tower, were given instructions, and were harnessed in. After a simple three count, the door opened, and we were off, zip-lining over the water toward the island. It was so much fun! (For the full effect, check out our Christmas in Korea video!)
After safely landing, we were a bit in awe of the experience we just had, as we set off to explore the island by foot. Nami Island is a island that is rather small, and is filled with beautiful tree lines pathways, and lots of recycled art. We explored the entire island within a couple hours, fully enjoying the view of the water, snow, trees, and mountains all together.
Once it was departure time, we checked in and were taken up an elevator... Oh wait, I almost forgot to mention, we chose to travel by zipline instead of ferry! So, we reached the top of the zip-line tower, were given instructions, and were harnessed in. After a simple three count, the door opened, and we were off, zip-lining over the water toward the island. It was so much fun! (For the full effect, check out our Christmas in Korea video!)
After safely landing, we were a bit in awe of the experience we just had, as we set off to explore the island by foot. Nami Island is a island that is rather small, and is filled with beautiful tree lines pathways, and lots of recycled art. We explored the entire island within a couple hours, fully enjoying the view of the water, snow, trees, and mountains all together.
Sunday we went to church and then to the Korean War Memorial Museum. I have respected Korea for how far they have come in such a short time, however, after visiting the Korean War Memorial Museum, my respect level increased ten fold. I am simply amazed at how many lives were sacrificed for this generation to be able to enjoy Korea for the beautiful country it is today. I truly respect and honor the older generation who have worked hard to bring their country from third-world poverty to thriving and modern in less than a century. Cody and I both found it fascinating to read of the various accounts, see the different artifacts, and interact with multiple displays.
After hours of increasing our historical knowledge, we headed off for a river cruise. While we waited for our cruise ship to be ready, we had a snowball fight and then grabbed a cup of coffee to warm up. The cruise was fun and informational, as we rode up the Han River with a guide telling of the many different landmarks that lined the river. Again, we felt as if we were being schooled in Korean history again, as we learned how different bridges, and even the river, were vital elements in the war. |
Saturday was chill, after two days of very cold and energy consuming activities, we decided to just take it easy. We went to Costco to get a membership together, since it is so much cheaper here for the membership than in American, and we can both use it. Additionally, Cody needed to buy a flash drive to store all the video he had taken so far. After Costco, we went to the COEX again to watch The Hobbit in 4D. However, it was only in 3D there, so we frantically searched my phone to find it in 4D and discovered the Digital Mart was playing it in 4D, so we jumped on the subway and headed there, where we purchased our tickets and had to wait for an hour for the show to begin. The wait was worth it, though, as the 4D experience literally kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. Of course, it didn't help having Cody next to me scaring me randomly throughout the movie too. I was really amazed though how quiet Koreans are during movies. No one entered or left during the three hour movie, even kids sat quietly the entire time!
Now, we are counting down the years to when 4D will come to America, because it makes movie watching a completely new and thrilling experience! |
Monday The day we had been dreading had finally arrived, it was time for Cody to pack his bags and head back to America.
We both were so grateful for this time together, to explore Korea, to share in Cody's first experience abroad, and to catch up. We sadly packed up and headed for the airport, where we checked in and said our goodbyes (thankfully with no tears) with sad but grateful hearts, and life time of memories to relive together. Who knows, next Christmas may just be another adventure for us! |
A Birthday Spent Abroad...
I spent Friday night and Saturday with dear friends. They surprised me with a little birthday dinner, and I felt so blessed. Our time together was completed with a trip to Costco, which is comparable to Black Friday shopping when you go on a Saturday, and boy was it fun!
Today, however, is my actual birthday. Since it fell on Sunday I did not have to work, which was nice, but it also meant not really seeing anyone on my actual birthday... Anticipating that special events would be hard, I braced myself and spent the day as I would any other Sunday with Church and preparing for the week ahead, and I checked out Seoul's Lantern Festival. But still, I have to be honest and say that birthdays spent alone are no fun, and I think I have experienced homesickness for the first time in a big way. Thank God for creating the creators of facetime and skype, and for peace to know that I am where He has called me to be for the time being!
Today, however, is my actual birthday. Since it fell on Sunday I did not have to work, which was nice, but it also meant not really seeing anyone on my actual birthday... Anticipating that special events would be hard, I braced myself and spent the day as I would any other Sunday with Church and preparing for the week ahead, and I checked out Seoul's Lantern Festival. But still, I have to be honest and say that birthdays spent alone are no fun, and I think I have experienced homesickness for the first time in a big way. Thank God for creating the creators of facetime and skype, and for peace to know that I am where He has called me to be for the time being!
Seoul Lantern Festival
Despite the chill in the air and the crowd, the Seoul Lantern Festival was the perfect way to spend the evening! Many of the lantern designs were far more intricate than I had imagined, the camera failing to capture the amount of detail due to the brightness of the light within. Each lantern had a plaque telling about a piece of Korean cultural history that the lantern represented. I would highly recommend checking it out in future years, although I would suggest taking a friend!
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Field trip to the Bubble Science Museum!
With the weather getting cold (and for this southern girl, when I say cold, I mean FREEZING! Never mind that I lived in the North the better part of my life, I am totally southern at heart when it comes to weather!), monthly field trips are now indoor adventures. Honestly, I was not really looking forward to this field trip once I found out we were going to a bubble museum, because every image that came to mind reminded me of the Bubble lady that visited a former school that I taught at. Boy was I wrong! This place was awesome, for both kids and teachers! It was laid out nicely, with groups moving from one station to the next, and there was no stress for teachers to keep kids together or behaving correctly because they were too engrossed in making bubbles! From blowing giant bubbles as a group, being inside a bubble, using fans to blow bubbles, throwing balls to pop bubbles, to dry ice air hoses to make dry ice bubbles, this place had it all! My boys had so much fun, and I enjoyed watching them enjoy themselves. After what felt like minutes, but was actually over an hour of bubble fun, we hit the bathrooms and loaded back into the buses to head back for a late lunch. Both boys were exhausted, but completely happy, and I was ready for a nap... or some strong coffee!
Halloween, Gangnam Style.
October 31 in America is celebrated by many as Halloween. While I do not personally participate in this holiday because of the history of it, my school had a Halloween party, and we were required to dress up and decorate our rooms for the occasion. The students loved the day that we had planned for them! Each class rotated every 20 minutes throughout the day to a different station. From face painting, to scary stories and crafts, they had a day filled with fun. Also, we had a nice change of pace by not rotating with our class, but instead, being in charge of a station. I was at the face painting station. It was so fun to see how each student responded to what they wanted painted, and how they were enjoying the day. For the afternoon classes, we had actual class time for the first part, and then a party for the second part. The highlight was a dance off at the end of the day, where most of the students simply had fun. To check out more on the history of Halloween, click below!
Foreign Food Festival
The Sunday following our work Saturday, I met up with a co-worker after church to go shoe shopping. I mean, who can resist shoe shopping?! Well, we didn't find any shoes, however, we did end up in Itaewon at the Foreign Food Festival. Upon our arrival, the streets were lined with tent after tent representing different countries, with their food, music, and traditional items presented. We arrived just in time to see the Korean soldiers parade down the streets wearing military uniforms from many different eras. Following the parade, we flowed with the crowd down the middle of the street trying to see what each tent and booth had to offer. We taste tested a few various food items, got to talk to the people representing different countries, and really just enjoyed the beautiful weather, sights, and sounds. Although Itaewon is not a favorite place of mine to go, it was totally worth the visit!
Work... On a Saturday...Saturdays are precious... for many it is a day to sleep in, catch up on house work such a laundry, cleaning, etc., or for others, it is a day to explore this amazing country. For me, Saturdays are my day to learn the Korean language by attending a Korean class that I am enrolled in. However, this Saturday was given up for all of us in exchange for Christmas eve off. Due to scheduling, we were scheduled to be open on Christmas eve (which is a Monday), with our actual Christmas break beginning on Tuesday, Christmas day. Many teachers will be traveling over Christmas break, and therefor, we were offered to receive Christmas eve off (making our break 3 days longer including the preceding weekend) in exchange for working a glorious fall Saturday... A good trade, if you ask me. So, with this in mind, this Saturday was spent with the older students at Yongjae park playing many games, some educational, most just for fun. From finding candy in a bowl of flour (don't try unless you like inhaling flour), to tug of war and the limbo, we were quite the sight, with eight foreign teacher and a group of forty-five Korean students. And boy did we attract attention, with many park goers stopping and staring for extended amounts of time. Overall, the day was fun, the students loved having us all outside of the classroom, and we don't have to work Christmas eve!
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Chuseok Staycation!
Following the Chuseok celebration at work, we had a five day weekend to celebrate the holiday. It was such a great staycation! I spent the entire five days with friends and their families. It was such an honor to celebrate this traditional holiday in the home of Koreans and to be apart of all the preparation that precedes the family gathering together to celebrate. I learned how to really make songpyon, which is a traditional rice cake filled with yumminess. I also learned how to make many different types of Chun! I discovered that in many ways, no matter the country, Thanksgiving is celebrated by eating, eating, and more eating... After spending the actual holiday with my friend and her family, we both then went to join more friends for a two night pajama party. Our time was again spent eating, playing games, and chatting to the wee hours of the morning. We did venture out to Olympic park for a day, where we enjoyed the perfect fall weather, a bike buggy ride, and a surprising oasis in the midst of a bustling city. Overall, I felt completely blessed to be able to spend my staycation with such great people, and as time does when your having fun, it passed way to quickly. Thankfully, we only had a two day work week to complete before it was the weekend again!
Chuseok
Chuseok is Korea's Thanksgiving. Traditionally, it is to give thanks to the ancestors for the years harvest. With many unique traditions associated with Chuseok, it made for a fun and educational day at work! The children all arrived with their traditional clothing on, called hanboks, and the day was filled with making songpyon (traditional rice cakes), dancing, arm wrestling, and tug of war. There is quite a history to the celebration of Chuseok, way too much for me to post here; however, you can learn more by clicking below!
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Food Adventures!
Weekends seem to fly by quickly, and although I have every intention to update the blog regularly, time seems to be limited. So, I am a couple weeks behind, and hope to catch ya'll up to date soon.
A couple weekends ago I spent the weekend with dear friends, and the entire weekend was filled with one food adventure after another. I guess I should start off by stating that I have found that there is very little that I actually do not like once I have tried it; however, I have to get over my pre-conceived-Americanized notions before I can bring myself to put the new food in my mouth. With this said, I have a food philosophy, and that is: Just try it, you may like it. This philosophy has not let me down, because as previously stated, I like almost everything I try, once I try it. So, living by my food philosophy, I was greatly anticipating trying these new foods... Now aren't you curious as to what I ate??? For starters, on Friday night we ate live octopus. Now, like I stated before, you gotta get over the pre-conceived-Americanized notions of food before you can try anything like this. Sad to say, I did not get a picture, but boy do I wish I had! Actually, a video would have been way better at capturing my excitement and embarrassing show of nervousness as I was shown how to clean a live, moving octopus. I had to put on gloves, because I couldn't stand touching it with my bare hands, it just felt so weird squirming while I was cleaning it to eat. After removing the dye and cleaning the tentacles really, really, really well, we quickly cut off its head and cut the tentacles into bite sized pieces. Just like a chicken running without a head, octopus tentacles move even after the head is removed. The tentacles then were covered in sesame seed oil and eaten! Beyond the feeling of it moving within your mouth, I actually really like octopus ( and I have liked the cooked variety for years now). This is definitely one thing I can cross off the bucket list, and if I have the chance to eat it again, I absolutely would! Saturday morning began with breakfast of soy bean paste soup with tofu and crab in it. It was oh so yummy. Now, many of you know how delicious crab meat is, but I am assuming you have never eaten the crabs egg sack, right?! Well, let me just tell you, it taste nothing like I expected it too. Actually, because of my love of sushi, and bi bim bop, I really have come to adore eating fish eggs. I love the way they 'pop' in your mouth! So, even though I recognized the the crabs eggs were still in the sack, I thought they might be something similar to fish eggs. With this thought, I put the whole sack in my mouth and began to chomp... Boy was I wrong! I love crab, but never again will I eat a crabs egg sack. Its taste was not bad, but the texture was similar to chewing on a panty hose filled with sand. NOT what I was expecting, and not enjoyable in the least bit. But hey, at least I tried it, and the rest of the soup was yummy to wash away the memories! Following breakfast we had a girls morning out at Costco. Now, as an American, I never understood just how much I would feel at home in such a place, but seriously, it was like a trip to America without the jet-lag! With three woman and three kids, we all paired up and set out to find whatever our heart most desired... and we came away with some real treats, including peanut butter and oatmeal. I was a happy shopper! For dinner I was able to cross off another bucket list item... I actually ate dog stew for dinner, and I didn't feel the least bit guilty about it! I mean, seriously, we eat pigs, goats, ducks, chickens, and cows, all of which live on a farm and are super cute too, right?! Now, I know this is really a touchy topic with many Americans, but to be honest, I really enjoyed dog. It taste very similar to beef, but it is extremely tender, and apparently it is good for health (so I am told). I would positively eat dog again, in a heartbeat, no questions asked! Wow! That was a lot of food adventure for a 24 hour period, but it was shared with great friends, and I am really happy to say that I didn't shy away and I enjoyed almost every bite! |
Adventures at Work!
David and Teo <3
This past week has past like a whirlwind, and I am happy to say that parent conferences are over and were a success! It was actually really nice to meet the parents of my students, as well as to be able to communicate with them personally. The set-up at the school is a little different than what we experience in the states. In the states, the teacher has direct communication with the parents. In Korea, however, a Korean supervisor has direct contact with the parent, and anything that needs communicated to me comes from my supervisor. In some aspects, this is nice, giving me the opportunity to simply focus on teaching my students. However, in other aspects, it can be a bit frustrating because it leaves room for miscommunication and misunderstanding. Either way, parent conferences are always nice to reflect on what has been accomplished and look forward to what will be coming up, and now that they are over, stress levels can drop again! ^ ^
Kindergarten field trip to a rice farm!In addition to parent conferences, this past week also held a field trip. I am pretty sure their motto is: "If the week is already stressful, another stressful event won't hurt", and boy do they live by it! So, in the midst of conferences, we took a filed trip to a rice farm, which was a 2 hour drive away from school. In all honesty, I think the trip was a good idea. However, because of lack of planning and preparation, in addition to the poor weather (it was raining and cold), the trip was not all that it could have been. For me, it was fun, but for my little guys, it was not. I seriously have never met kids before that didn't like the rain, mud, rocks, and puddles, but now I know what city kids are like! However, despite the negative elements that accompanied the trip, there was a lot of positive educational elements that were learned by both my students and myself. With that said, I now know how rice is harvested. With this knowledge, I have a greater appreciation for this healthy little grain! |
Harvesting Rice... |
Seriously, where is the time going?!?!
The days seem to be passing all too quickly! I officially just completed my first full month of work. And, believe it or not, I am just now starting to feel as if the classroom is my own. It has been crazy stepping into the middle of a school term and taking over where another teacher left off. I honestly have felt like a substitute for the entire month. Today, however, marked the end of the term, and the new term begins on Monday. I am so grateful for this because I finally know every detail that the days hold since I planned it myself. Also, since it is the beginning of a new term, I was able to give my classroom a make-over, and completely make it my own, and I am very pleased with the outcome. (I will post pics soon). My kindergarten class has a new student, so now I have 2 students in the morning. This addition helps in so many ways! And, with today being the first day to have 2 students, I did find it completely adorable when both boys had to use the restroom and were standing side-by-side at the urinals chatting away. If it were legal and modest to take a picture, I would have, because it was so precious!
Outside of school, my life seems to be slowly getting into a routine as well. My evenings are short-lived, since it takes almost an hour to get home after work, so I simply use my time in prayer and leisurely reading. I started tutoring also (not for pay, for the record, so no one thinks that I am violating visa laws haha). Tutoring is twice a week after work, and it is a really nice change of pace to teach an adult, who is also a Christian. (It has been hard being in a work environment with no Christians, save one Korean teacher). My weekends are either spent with friends or exploring more and more of the major city in which I live. Last weekend I went to Dondaemun to shop for fabric. Literally, its a seamstress' dream come true, with endless aisles of fabric for sale, and then several floors of accessories like buttons, zippers, thread, lace, etc... If it can be attached with needle and thread, you could find it there! It was a really fun experience, and a nice way to spend a Saturday!
Outside of school, my life seems to be slowly getting into a routine as well. My evenings are short-lived, since it takes almost an hour to get home after work, so I simply use my time in prayer and leisurely reading. I started tutoring also (not for pay, for the record, so no one thinks that I am violating visa laws haha). Tutoring is twice a week after work, and it is a really nice change of pace to teach an adult, who is also a Christian. (It has been hard being in a work environment with no Christians, save one Korean teacher). My weekends are either spent with friends or exploring more and more of the major city in which I live. Last weekend I went to Dondaemun to shop for fabric. Literally, its a seamstress' dream come true, with endless aisles of fabric for sale, and then several floors of accessories like buttons, zippers, thread, lace, etc... If it can be attached with needle and thread, you could find it there! It was a really fun experience, and a nice way to spend a Saturday!
Oh, I can't forget to mention this week was a little more interesting because of the Typhoon. Originally, we were suppose to work. Then, after waking and getting ready, I received a text saying we closed. I was so happy about not having to leave my house, although the weather was quite mild during the morning hours. Honestly, it was quite mild all day! I was expecting torrential rains, shattered windows, flooded streets, loss of electricity, flying cows (oh wait, thats tornados isn't it?!), but all that I witnessed was just really strong winds. It was an answer to prayer and it made for a very relaxing day!
Settling in...
Yes, that is my bed next to the kitchen table!
Welcome to my home! These past 2 weeks have been a whirlwind of discovering the area in which I live, learning the in's and out's of my new job, and finding a church to call home. Throw on top of that learning to read Korean, and how to converse and purchase food and necessities, there has been little down time.
As you can see from the photos, my home is nice and "cozy"! My kitchen is honestly the tiniest kitchen I have ever seen, and I was scared to even try to cook in it until this weekend, for fear of having to put dishes on my couch since there is no counter space. But, alas, I figured out a better way to make use of the space, and am going to plan on making one pan dishes, since there is only a single burner. But, on a very positive note, I can clean my entire apartment thoroughly in less than an hour, it is in a nice area, and I have a security man! What more could I ask for?!
As you can see from the photos, my home is nice and "cozy"! My kitchen is honestly the tiniest kitchen I have ever seen, and I was scared to even try to cook in it until this weekend, for fear of having to put dishes on my couch since there is no counter space. But, alas, I figured out a better way to make use of the space, and am going to plan on making one pan dishes, since there is only a single burner. But, on a very positive note, I can clean my entire apartment thoroughly in less than an hour, it is in a nice area, and I have a security man! What more could I ask for?!
Work, work, work!
Ready to begin my first day!
My first day of work I was expecting to be in training. Instead, I was introduced to my Kindergarten student, and left to begin teaching immediately, with the promise that I would be coached during art time that same day.(This, by the way, never happened!) And yes, I only have one student in my kindergarten class, who also started at the school the same day and me. It has been one big learning experience. I mean, I know how to handle 25 students, but what do you do with just one student all morning?! And, for the record, my student is only 3 in American age, although because of the aging system here, he is 5. With this being said, it is understandable why it took a solid week and a half to get him to adjust and become comfortable in the classroom with only me, a teacher who doesn't look anything like everyone he has ever seen, and who doesn't speak his native tongue. So, my challenge was presented to me from the starting gate, and I took it head on, and boy was it a challenge! Now though, as I enter into my third week, I can admit that it is so enjoyable to have him as a student, and to have the ability to focus on his personalized needs since he is such a young thing. So Monday through Friday, my mornings are spent with my kinder boy, working on phonics, reading, writing, science, math, and theme work.
In the afternoon, my role shifts quite a bit as I teach second grade Science, Language Arts, Reading, and Story Telling. I seriously love my afternoon classes! The kids speak great English, have such amazing personalities, and are so much fun. These classes also give me the chance to practice more of my administrative skills in the organizing and planning, and I absolutely love it! I also have my own classroom in which I teach both kindergarten in the morning and second grade in the afternoon (since kinder is only a half day). I love the room, but boy is it going to take some time to organize and be able to know what resources I have and where to find them. This will likely be my ongoing project for the rest of August and the whole month of September. I am sure in the months to come, you will hear more details concerning work, but that about sums up my two weeks worth for now!
In the afternoon, my role shifts quite a bit as I teach second grade Science, Language Arts, Reading, and Story Telling. I seriously love my afternoon classes! The kids speak great English, have such amazing personalities, and are so much fun. These classes also give me the chance to practice more of my administrative skills in the organizing and planning, and I absolutely love it! I also have my own classroom in which I teach both kindergarten in the morning and second grade in the afternoon (since kinder is only a half day). I love the room, but boy is it going to take some time to organize and be able to know what resources I have and where to find them. This will likely be my ongoing project for the rest of August and the whole month of September. I am sure in the months to come, you will hear more details concerning work, but that about sums up my two weeks worth for now!
Day 1
Yay! I made it! My first full day in Korea started at 4AM when I could no longer sleep. I immediately began cleaning and rearranging the furniture. The apartment is small, so I wanted to make sure the room was used most efficiently. (I will have pics up soon!) After cleaning and rearranging, I unpacked my bags and organized my things (in which I found a hidden present from home... it melted my heart!), then went out to slowly begin to familiarize myself with the area. I found a starbucks on my venture in which I sat in to use their wifi to txt home while enjoying the air-conditioning. After my short break, I found some of my favorite produce to purchase, as well as water, and I went back to my apartment and rested. (I am really grateful that there is a great street market one street over from my house so produce is never far away, and the prices are fair since there is such strong competition!) The day was long and I was ready for bed by 6PM. Jetlag got the best of me because I caved and crashed!
Departure and Arrival
The morning started early after only a few hours of sleep. Steph and I loaded into the car and headed to the airport. The mood was light as we realized just how tired we were. After checking in, I said my final goodbye, and went through security to find my gate. The first flight was delayed an hour so I spent a lot of down time people watching. Once aboard the small flight to Chicago, the emotions of what was actually happening hit me. I had a moment of questioning my every decision leading up to this move, and thank goodness it only lasted a moment! The first flight was short and sweet, and Chicago greeted me with a bustling airport.
The international terminal in Chicago is separate from the rest of the airport, so I had to check in with my Asiana flight, which proved to be hectic, since they weigh your carry on luggage and mine was WAY over weight. You live and learn I guess. So, once the luggage situation was taken care of, and I spent even more money to make sure my belongings arrived along with me, I rechecked through security into a part of the airport that seemed abandoned save from the people waiting for the same flight as I. Again, lots of time people watching. Once boarding started the process was smooth, and I found my blessed window seat and settled in for the long haul. The flight was pleasant, with a built in screen and remote for my entertainment, and a outlet for my electronics. I tried my hardest to sleep as much as I could, which only totaled to about 3 hours. I watched 4 movies, and spent some time walking the aisles.
Once the flight finally landed, customs was a breeze, and I located all my bags and exchanged currency. After exiting, I found my taxi driver and waited for another member of staff to arrive with his family. Once all was assembled, we headed out into the hot and humid weather. Immediately I felt like a wet rag that needed rung out. Our taxi driver didn't anticipate the amount of luggage correctly, considering that there was a family of three and myself, so we had to wait for a second taxi to arrive. Once loaded in both vans, I was on my way to my apartment. The taxi driver had a hard time finding my apartment initially because it is in what Americans would consider an alley. However, looks are deceiving because this "alley" is highly frequented and has tons of little hidden shops. Once we finally located the apartment building, we unloaded my luggage and hauled it up to the fifth floor. Thank goodness for elevators! I then met the vice principle of my school. She was very kind, and helped me get my things into the room, just to rush out to meet the school owner for dinner. By this point, I just wanted to crawl into bed, but I stuck it out and was rewarded with Bi Bim Bop and Mandoo for dinner, one of my favorites! Dinner was pleasant, and thankfully short, and then i was once again taken back to my apartment building to meet another teacher who lives two doors down from me. (She has proven to be very helpful!). After a quick hello, I bid farewell to the vice principle, and unpacked only my bed sheets and pillow and crashed!
The international terminal in Chicago is separate from the rest of the airport, so I had to check in with my Asiana flight, which proved to be hectic, since they weigh your carry on luggage and mine was WAY over weight. You live and learn I guess. So, once the luggage situation was taken care of, and I spent even more money to make sure my belongings arrived along with me, I rechecked through security into a part of the airport that seemed abandoned save from the people waiting for the same flight as I. Again, lots of time people watching. Once boarding started the process was smooth, and I found my blessed window seat and settled in for the long haul. The flight was pleasant, with a built in screen and remote for my entertainment, and a outlet for my electronics. I tried my hardest to sleep as much as I could, which only totaled to about 3 hours. I watched 4 movies, and spent some time walking the aisles.
Once the flight finally landed, customs was a breeze, and I located all my bags and exchanged currency. After exiting, I found my taxi driver and waited for another member of staff to arrive with his family. Once all was assembled, we headed out into the hot and humid weather. Immediately I felt like a wet rag that needed rung out. Our taxi driver didn't anticipate the amount of luggage correctly, considering that there was a family of three and myself, so we had to wait for a second taxi to arrive. Once loaded in both vans, I was on my way to my apartment. The taxi driver had a hard time finding my apartment initially because it is in what Americans would consider an alley. However, looks are deceiving because this "alley" is highly frequented and has tons of little hidden shops. Once we finally located the apartment building, we unloaded my luggage and hauled it up to the fifth floor. Thank goodness for elevators! I then met the vice principle of my school. She was very kind, and helped me get my things into the room, just to rush out to meet the school owner for dinner. By this point, I just wanted to crawl into bed, but I stuck it out and was rewarded with Bi Bim Bop and Mandoo for dinner, one of my favorites! Dinner was pleasant, and thankfully short, and then i was once again taken back to my apartment building to meet another teacher who lives two doors down from me. (She has proven to be very helpful!). After a quick hello, I bid farewell to the vice principle, and unpacked only my bed sheets and pillow and crashed!