Week 2

I've now had over a week to get accustomed to my new apartment and new school, and I feel quite a bit more comfortable at both. I share an office with three other English teachers, all who have experience living abroad in either Australia (for one and seven years respectfully) or in the UK (for two years). They are much more international than my previous co-teachers, which makes them much more aware of western culture, and the communication is miles apart from Donghak (in a good way). The school let me order a new futon for my apartment, which should be coming sometime this week. The ladies (as I have dubbed my office mates) and I have shared quite a few laughs the first week, and I think we can build and maintain a healthy relationship.

As for the apartment, the word of emphasis is 'convenience'! I've never had so many things available to me so close to where I live. Friday night we journeyed to the foreign bar 'Big Chill', which is owned and operated by a Canadian who has lived here for over ten years. The place has all the usual things found in a bar (darts, pool, dance floor), but what makes it unique is that So-Yeon's older sister started working there a week ago. Her sister, Hye-Yeon, is saving money up and getting English speaking experience before she heads to Australia to work and study more English. It was fun to have a friend in the bartender.

Saturday I spontaneously went to Itaewon, the foreign ghetto of Seoul. There, I went to a recommended tailor to get fitted for a custom suit. The man spoke perfect English and frequently travels to the U.S., where he has an array of lawyer clients that buy suits from him. I'm excited to go in for the fitting next weekend. Afterwards I of course indulged in the only Taco Bell in the country (located just down the street from the tailor). Travel time took only about an hour with train and subway from my house (thanks to the station being located across the street from me).

Sunday started out rainy, but turned into a nice day. So-Yeon and I walked to Hwaseong Fortress, the original walled city of Suwon that is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site (and can be seen from the window of my apartment). After walking around for a while, we rented some free bikes, and I successfully taught her how to ride one. That's right, she never learned how before. However, I'm proud to say she was able to conquer this challenge yesterday, and you can catch a glimpse of her accomplishment on youtube. Here's the link...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZNYl4bugSU

That's all for now, ta ta.

1st day at my 2nd job

An excellent first impression from my new school, Suwon Buk (North) Middle School. The school is old and has some kind of funky aspects to its older construction, but it adds character.

I share an office with three other English teachers, two of which have spent some significant time living abroad in Australia and England. It's much easier to communicate at this school, and they seem to be more understanding of western culture and expectations. The school is quite a bit bigger than my old school, and actually separates classes based on English ability (I don't have to teach the lowest level students).

I'm finally all settled in my new apartment. I moved in on Friday, and it has been a pretty wild time getting everything in it's right place here. It's a bit smaller than my old place, but new and with a view. I live right across the street from the main transportation hub in Suwon (Suwon Station). Not only do I have an abundance of trains, a subway line, and buses connecting me to the entire city and surrounding cities, but also all my other needs within walking distance (grocery store, bank, post office, restaurants and coffee shops galore). These are things that were not as readily available to me before. Anyhow, back with more later.