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Published: March 25th 2008
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First night out after we passed training.
Playing Titantic with Soju and beer.
If you sink the Soju shot, then you must drink.
I'm a professional! It's been a month since I got to Seoul and it's been hectic but an amazing experience so far. The last time I wrote, I had just started my job. I'm starting my fifth week and it's been going well. The children still amaze me with how much they know, but kids will be kids where ever you go. That is what I've learned. I have my good days and bad days, my favorite students and least favorite students, but all in all, it's been going well.
A week after I started my job, I found an apartment but couldn't move in until this past weekend. So I moved out of the hotel and for the last three weeks I've been staying with my aunt and that in itself has been an experience. It's been good and bad. I haven't lived with anyone for a few years now and it was hard for that first experience of living with someone again to be like a mother. I would often feel bad about coming home late, so I'd stay at a friend’s house. But then I'd feel bad about not seeing her. The first week that I lived here, I didn't
???
Nick took this picture in the men's bathroom of Beer Angels. We realized after walking into the bar that it was the Korean Hooters. even see her. To top it off, the commute was about a 45 minute subway ride to work. I'd have to leave 2 hours before work and wouldn't get home until 11pm, and that's if I came straight home. Needless to say, I am so excited about being in my new apartment! It is small and way overpriced, but the location is amazing. I am down the street from the COEX Mall, across the street from the Hyundai Department store and just a few minutes from the Korea City Air Terminal. The best part, it's just a 15 minute walk from my work.
This is the first time that I've been alone since I've been in Seoul, and finally being able to settling to a place makes it actually feel like I'm living here and not just visiting. I have fully unpacked for the first time since I got to Korea. And it feels so good.
Last weekend, I was able to go visit from friends in Daegu for a birthday party. It was nice to be able to go back to a place that I was familiar with and to see friends again. I got to see
my old co-workers and am happy to say that at the end of this month, all the old teachers will be out of my old school and moving onto better opportunities. It was awesome to hear Kate tell me that she quit and that she would be going to work at Betty's school.
Other than that, nothing new has really happened. I have been getting know meet some really awesome people and trying to venture out into this amazing city. I've started to realize a few things about it:
-Seoul should be nicknamed the City of Couples. I don't think it's possible to walk a few feet without seeing a couple hand in hand. There's something about this city that makes you want to be with someone. And in a weird way it's starting to rub off. Korean take coupledom to another level. Only in Korea will you see a guy and a girl wear the same outfit because it’s cute. February 14 is a day for girls to give their boyfriends chocolate. March 14 is called White Day, and is a day for guys to give their girlfriends stuff. And April 14 is called Black Day, a day
The apartment
It's small, but cute. for singles to go out and eat Jajangmeyon. (a noodle dish, that’s black)
-The subway is ridiculous here. It’s huge and in fact quite easy to operate. Bad thing is that it stops around midnight. When I first got here, I would try to be nice and let give up my seat to the old ladies that were standing, but I've quickly come to realize that getting a seat on the subway is a rare occasion and just try to avoid eye contact with people that are standing so I don't feel guilty about sitting. My excuse is that I stand all day at work and my feet hurt. And plus the old people have a section where seats are always open! It’s a battle to get that seat once someone stands up to get off.
-Only in Korea will you be at risk of getting hit by a car...WHILE WALKING ON THE SIDEWALK! In America, sidewalks are used for pedestrians. However, in Korea, sidewalks are additional parking spaces for cars. Get out of the way!
-Speaking of cars, be careful when turning corners, as it's pretty typical for cars to come around alleys and to turn at 60 mph!
The red is back!
Of course I had to get a red couch again! -I HATE MOPEDS! Just like bikers in Minneapolis times 1,000,000,000! They are on a whole different wave length.
Life is good.
Peace and love,
Susan
p.s. I'm working on the pictures.
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Chitra
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Yeay!
Love the couch. Glad things are pickin up lady. I'm doing well also. You should join the moped trend...how much fun would that be. DO IT! K, miss you. p.s.- don't get run over.