Rainy Day in Daegu

Only in a Korean PC room would I be using a computer screen so big that I have to turn my head all the way to see the other side of the screen. I almost feel guilty just using it to update my blog. What can I say, I'm a screen waster.

Although they're kind of smoky, these PC rooms can be quite nice when the employees come around with little lattes for everyone. It's definitely a nice treat after a hard-fought blogging battle.

I'm sorry to tell you I have yet to visit a real Korean restuarant, so last night I had dinner at the nearby Pizza Hut. Koreans like pototaes on their pizza which is kind of a weird texture on pizza, but it's actually not bad at all. And from now on, I am always putting hot sauce on my pizza.

Probably the best thing about restaurants in Korea is the service. As soon as you walk in, they run to you . And when you're ready to order, or need anything, you hit a buzzer on the table and they come running. And since there's no tipping in Korea, this service is nothing short of amazing.

Today I went to Emart again to buy a few things. I've discovered just going to the store and walking around gives me a sense of normalcy in a very abnormal place. But slowly, life here in Korea is becoming more normal, more routine, and more enjoyable. And that horrific first night, along with working at Starbucks, is becoming nothing more than a memory.

Teacher, Teacher!

With dove dark chocolates in hand, I survived my first full day of classes. That's right, I bought my student's love. And I feel no shame. I felt it was important to establish the rockstar teacher status right from the start.

I taught 6 classes from 4-9 and every class has its own personality. For the most part, the kids were respectful and well-behaved. The boys think I'm a soccer star and the girls keep asking me how old I am, how tall I am, and if I have a girlfriend. I really have no idea what I'm supposed to be doing at the moment, but I've got a couple games in my pocket to tie me over until I figure things out. You should also know I'm replacing a 50 year old British alcoholic who got fired for coming in drunk and falling down in class. It's going to be hard to top that.

Last night I bought every item of western food the walmart of Korea had to offer which I can count on one finger: Peanut butter, pringles, bagels, cream cheese, and Pepsi. But suprisingly, Korea has really good coffee. They sell iced coffee in big milk cartons and it's better than any Starbucks iced coffee I've ever served. And since my room only came with wine glasses, I drink it in style.

From Dayton to Daegu

Well I made it. After 24 hours of flying, I arrived in Daegu last night around 11:30 p.m. The flight to Tokyo was the longest I've ever been on but I was grateful that the seat next to me was unoccupied. A little extra room goes a long way on a 13 hour flight. The only downside were the three loud American college students who had the uncanny ability to find something to talk about for 13 hours straight, proving that Americans are still a unique people.

The first night was rough. Appearently, the school had forgotten I was coming so soon and hadn't clean my apartment yet. So on top of missing home and not sleeping for two days, I found myself in a dirty, smelly apartment that formerly belonged to a smoker and alcoholic who didn't think much of cleaning. It was almost too much too handle and made me wonder just what I got myself into. But then I opened up Spurgeon's Morning and Evening and read the May 12 evening entry. Talk about sovereign grace in time of desperate need.

So after a long and hard first night, I took to the streets today to look for E-mart, the Wal-Mart of Korea. By God's grace, I found it and a little shopping put me in a better mood. Emart doesn't have quite the selection of a Wal-mart but I was able to pick up a converter, hangars, a beard trimmer, and some cleaning supplies. I also found some cheap furnishings I plan on buying soon that just might make these four walls more of a home. And then to complete my adventerous day, I crossed the street and had lunch at Outback Steakhouse.

Tonight I'm going to the school to observe and meet some of the other foreign teachers. And then tomorrow I start. I'll be teaching mostly middle school students essay writing and pronuciation. Having never taught anything before, I am a little nervous but hoping it's not as hard as I'm thinking it's going to be. My director assured me that as long as I'm enthusiastic and passionate, I will be a good teacher and the kids will like me. If I live to write about it, I will be posting about my first day of teaching very soon. Stay tuned.

Almost There

I know exactly what you're thinking. You're probably asking yourself if this blog will be like my other ones that have sort of fallen by the wayside. While not making any promises, I will do my best to post at least once or twice a week. I should have no shortage of things to write about while I'm in Korea.

Korea? Well if you haven't heard by now, I am leaving this Sunday morning at 11:40 a.m. to teach English in Daegu, South Korea for a year. The idea to do this came to me at Borders bookstore a few summers ago while I was browsing through a book called "Delaying the Real World." This is a great little book for anybody with the travel bug and a meaningless major. I highly recommend it to any upcoming or recent grads.

So after two years of working at Starbucks and pursing an opportunity that didn't work out, I am on my way to Korea on Sunday. Although I've mostly complained about living in the American suburbs, I'm pretty sure I'll miss them. Absence just might make the heart grow fond. The reality of moving to the other side of the world is starting to set in and it's quite exciting.

I've spent the past few weeks reading about Korea and butchering their vowel sounds. But no matter how many books I read or words I horribly pronounce, I really have no idea what to expect. I had a few Korean friends in college, but I have a sneaking suspicion that being surrounded by Koreans as the foreigner will be a totally different experience. There will most likely be a post entitled "Life as a Foreigner" very soon.

Well off I go to do some more packing. I can barely pack for two days and now I'm trying to pack for a year. Stuffing your life into two 50 pound suitcases is no easy task.