Lynn Arrives.

XO.

NO and then!

5.25.10
2:30pm

Made eggs in a frame this morning, got Subway for lunch (yes, there’s a Subway in my town), gave out some I heart NY tees to my co-workers and headed over to the Pyeongtaek campus again. Received my summer semester schedule today and after about 2 hours of trying to decipher it… I think it’s going to be good.

9:50pm

Home for the night, the short bus took about 45mins to travel the 20mins it needed to. I rented The Time Traveler’s Wife, I hope I don’t regret it, it looks like a sad one and it is compared to The Notebook on the back. Eh. Tomorrow. Lynn arrives.

And Thennnn...

Day 7- Last day of first week Aloneeee in Korea.
10:35am

I found a Himtoo hair this morning.

It is rainy and cold. Somewhere along the lines I missed that I was arriving at the BEGINNING of monsoon season, I thought I was just missing it. I hear something like spring peepers on steroids outside of my apt down by the little park every night, but no matter how hard I try I cannot see a single creature. I am starting to think it’s a sensor system hidden somewhere in the bushes. It is really loud. My hair has been doing something very odd; it has reverted back to when I was about 11 and going through puberty and becomes a big grease-ball within minutes after I wash it. Mean, mean joke. I don’t know if it’s the fancy new shampoo my hairstylist cousin gave me before I left, the water, or both. The water here seems to be really hard and leaves a nice white film on everything it touches. I’ve cleaned the bathroom twice with bleach in the one week I have been here. One week today. It seems like much longer. I don’t know if that’s a good thing or bad?

10:00pm

Not much actually occurs during my ‘official’ first day of training at the Pyeongtaek campus. I observe 2 of Andy Teacher’s classes and then Sean Teacher (this is what the students call us) makes me, surprise! Teach his class. I am totally unprepared and feel like a big asshole when I don’t know the answers to the simple reading comprehension questions. I had never even seen the book before! I mean common, not all of us are super quick. Then I get some food with Jessica Teacher and take the Avalon short bus, along with a few students back to my campus. All in all it was a decent first day of “official training”.

I am informed that the North has officially declared war on the South, although I don’t know just how credible my source is. I’m wondering if I should be panicking.

Approx. 48 hours ‘till Lynn arrives and I am definitely counting!! ^^

And Then...

So... I stumbled upon a public outdoor gym?!? Right next to the playground of course. Gym equipment bolted to the ground. I want to get a plant to welcome Lynn... or, an I Love Drugs tee shirt I found with a skull and cross bones and a little bow on it. I wonder what she would appreciate more.

On Saturday I go into work and for the first time feel somewhat productive there. I tested the new students for placement by asking simple questions and evaluating their conversational speaking ability. I also go out to lunch with all of my Korean co-workers... THAT was an experience. They were all concerned and surprised that I was able to eat the spicy food. They also gave me a fork, I was insulted. I didn't use it. I would have loved to photo document this excursion but considering I had NO IDEA where I was going or what was going on I didn't even have time to grab anything. The food was spicy though. I liked it. Made me sweat.

I made a friend! The guy from the airport, after facebooking back and forth for a while we discover that we live RIGHT next to each other. Weird coincidence. We meet up and he explains the whole public transportation system to me, where the train station is located, where I'M located and the bus and subway stops and where I can find the schedules. Awesome. He ALSO shows me where America is located- in Korea- aka the Osan Airbase (or right outside the gates anyway). I was in awe, all my displaced people, in one spot! But this is good to know about, I was able to obtain an an International phone card, in English, while there. Only $12 bucks for 3 hours and 20 mins, and they prefer the USD. I notice entire families walking around, apparently there is a school inside the base for all the kids.

When I get home I make myself some dumplings then run down to the baby blue pay phones in front of 7/11. So nice to hear voices from home! I am on the phone so long I consider dragging one of the plastic 7/11 chairs over to the booth. But then decide against it, I don't want to draw any more attention to myself, I already am the only foreigner in this town.

Day 4

Day 4

11:45am

I think the jet lag is laggin’.

Happy Day of Birth Buddha!

Oh Jesus I love you, and I love Buddha too.

3pm

Found a new area today. Fun. The sun was HOT and I wore a tank, I’m not sure if that is acceptable, I was feeling some looks. But that could also be because it seems as though I am THE only foreigner in this town. Came upon a small ceramic studio where an old lady was giving a woman a lesson on the wheel and a young girl was playing with some clay in the back… I tried very hard to communicate with her but no luck. Nothing in my translation book about it either. I’ll have to figure something out and go back. I love Clay. Saw some street vendors, bought some lettuce, a tomato, an onion and a rather skinny cucumber from an old man farmer- he didn’t seem too happy about it either. I don’t think he was a happy person in general; none of the farmer vendors seemed too happy. Oh, and I also somehow managed to set up an account to rent DVDs! Although it seems like I can probably watch all the English movies they have in about a week.

Stopped at the supermarket to pick up some more hangers and some salad dressing and when I was in there something strange occurred,  all of a sudden all the employees in the entire place started chanting in unison. One would yell something then they all stopped and said something back. This went on for about 5 mins. I really, really would like to know what that was all about.

 

Day 3

Day 3

5.20.10

Soon I will stop with the days… things are still new, I must document accordingly. Happy Day of Birth Dad!

I miss everyone.

Today I am going to Avalon Pyeongtaek- where I thought I was?? Tomorrow is a holiday but I don’t know what that means. I feel like I am in college again with my hot pot and ramen noodles, although the ramen noodles I’ve eaten here are spicy and better. I see lots of women gardening. Walking around with their big hats and rakes.

 Midnight:

Tomorrow is Buddha’s birthday, a Korean National holiday, no work. I found this out from the teachers at the other campus. They didn’t know I was coming. I met the head teacher, Andy from Scotland; he explained how things work to me. Usually you don’t know what’s going on until it’s happening, so, it was okay that he didn’t know I was coming. I observed some classes and then went to my first real Korean dinner… in Korea. It was pretty much giant pieces of thick bacon that you cook yourself, naturally. I went with Andy and his girlfriend Jessica, who is from Florida and teaches at a different Hagwan (private English language school). They are leaving in August and going to Taiwan.

 I also learned that PyeongTaek is about 300,000 people, not 10,000, like Madeline, my recruiter told me. Way off there, Maddy. AND the beach is pretty far- about an hour away, I won’t tell Lynn that ‘til she gets here ^^

Day 2

Day 2

5.19.10

12:45pm

Slept 13 hours. Woke up with severe anxiety and headache. Took a klonopin and some Advil and ventured out. I went to Dunkin Donuts because it was the only place open at 8:30am, the guy made me sit down so he can serve me my bagel and cream cheese… and instant coffee ‘Americano’. I ate and then proceeded back to the PC Bang armed with my phrase translation book, thank you Sara! I get on a computer for only 800 won/hr, under 1USD, F-you Kinko’s.

I found out the name of the card I need- Alien Registration. I won’t get it until I get a physical and I won’t get that until Lynn gets here so we can be brought together. Great. I also need that card to get Internet in my apt.

Next mission: Supermarket. Wowwwww. There is milk and cheese here too, who said they didn’t have milk?

Oh and GREAT NEWS!! Lynn is going to be here sooner than expected, she got her visa issuance number today!! The sun’s out.

10:15pm

Got home from my first day at work to find my cool sliding kitchen doors dividers missing, a table, 2 chairs and a closet in my apt. Of course being the New Yorker that I am I panic and quickly check to make sure everything is in place. Obviously someone other than myself knows the code to my door and I don’t really like that. Also, Lynn’s code must have been mysteriously changed because I went to go put her dishes away and couldn’t get in with the code on the paper I was given. Odd.

Work was uneventful because there was nothing for me to do. They are waiting for Lynn to get here so we can go over to the other school for orientation together; why did I have to come here first again? Anyway, my co-workers were all very nice and friendly. As a welcoming present I was given Starbucks and Dominos pizza. Ha. Oh and ‘cock’ aka coke.

On the way home I stop to buy some CHOCO wheatmeal natural biscuits. Delish.

 

Day 1

Day 1  5.18.10

6:30am

The flight was long but I slept most of the way so it really wasn't that bad at all.

BiBimBop for dinner and kimchi, broccoli, rice for breakfast, and yogurt of course. Oh and fruit with both meals. 

I sat next to a Korean-American guy, Steve, I think? Moved to the U.S. when he was 7 and hasn't been back since. From NJ, quit his job to come here and teach English. Actually, I think his name was Kevin, not Steve.

Customs line was long, and hot. I met an American guy from Ohio who is in the military; he went to school in Syracuse and has been here since August. He gives me his name and tells me to find him on facebook; he likes to host BBQ’s. He is the only foreigner I notice in the airport.

 

I finally get my luggage, change some money and I see him- a man holding a sign “Jade Giorgi… Welcome to Korea” wowwww. I’m here. I started to laugh, I’m not sure why. When I identify myself as Jade he grabs a bag and starts running, literally, out of the airport and to his car. I mean, I know I am slow, but he was FAST.

 

It is raining and dark and approx 4:30am by the time we leave Seoul Incheon International airport. I can’t see too much out of the windows during the hour-long drive. A young couple meet me in front of my new apartment building and take me up an entire 3 flights- so much for that high rise I was dreading, so that’s good. They tell me to choose a door, 301 or 304- I go with 301 on instinct. I don’t need a key to get into my apartment, only a code that I hope I don’t forget.

I am left to ‘rest’, and the woman tells me she will come back around 2 or 3pm. I can’t figure out how to change the time on my watch. I turn on my laptop and change the time zone before they leave.

My apartment is super cute and super Asian and super… wallpapered! Everything is brand new, the entire building is brand new and I am the first person to live here. That’s cool. Except, I have no food and I am hungry. Oh, and I have no toilet paper or soap. I am sad.

10:00am

I decide to take a shower, but quickly notice there is no hot water. Eh. I take a short nap, wake up, don’t know where I am. It is almost 9am so I throw on some jeans and sneakers, mission#1: Umbrella. Found. Along with soap, a bottle of water and some toilet paper- at a convenience store. Mission#2: Contact home. Tried 2 places for calling cards, no luck, all writing is in Korean. Then I proceed to follow “PC” sins up 5 flights in a random building, kind of creepy. I come upon a room with rows and rows of computers but can’t communicate my want to use one, I will come back with my book, I need food now anyway. Places are just beginning to open. I end up in a bakery type place, lots and lots of different sweet breads and pastries and things with hot dogs embedded in them?? The guy working speaks a little English and is happy to try and speak to me! I ask him about the Internet and he lets me use the lone computer in the corner that is playing music! Yes! Mission#2 accomplished. I write a short email home, I wish I can sit and write more but I feel like I shouldn’t be on the computer so I get off and buy a DELISH little sweet bread with yogurt and cream cheese in it and almond flakes on top. First thing I eat in Korea… BREAD. Who said there was no bread here!?

 

Oh, and I didn’t lock myself out. When I get back to my apt and shut the door behind me the lock plays a little song.

 

1:10pm

The woman should be here soon. It feels late already, I wonder if I am jet lagged. I’m very hungry but I don’t want to leave because I am scared I might miss her. I don’t think I have ever been alone this long in my entire life. The wallpaper pattern looks like Lynn’s curtains that Himmy scratched. I love you Himtoo, oh yes I dooo, you’re not near me and I’m very blueee. (I’m pretending the panda travel pillow is youuuu).

 

1:45pm

I think I might be in purgatory.

 

6:30pm

 I lay on my bed for hours reading Loose Girl waiting for the woman to come back. By 4:30 I realize the only thing I ate all day was that tiny pastry. I figure the Internet café I noticed earlier would be open so I leave with email/facebook/food mission. I complete all three and end up with a box of fried chicken take out, mmm. Of course, she is here when I return. She is unloading kitchen stuff: utensils, a pot, a pan, giant scissor and knife I can’t open because I need a giant scissor or knife to open, electric hot pot and a rice cooker of course. Lynn, 304 IS your apartment! Awesome! Like on Friends, the show, except, we’ll need more friends!

Anyway… she tells me the Internet will take a while. And I can’t get a cell phone without a card nobody seems to know the name of in English.

But… I saw the school I will be working at and got my desk and found out that Lynn and I are going to be the only American, or, native English speaking teachers at our school. Innnnteresting.

 

Oh, and the hot water situation has been solved, I have to press a button, duh.

And I saw a pig hanging in the street. And I saw a small car accident. It seems as though there are little or no traffic laws and people park where they please- on sidewalks mostly. Lynn, are you on your way yet?