The End of Orientation, and the Start of Something New

I first want to start off by answering Jaimes question! I can't narrow it down to the most interesting though, because there are just so many new things that I learn about Korea everyday. For now though, an interesting thing in Korea that I have noticed are the showers! In my dorm room, and apparently everywhere else in Korea, the shower is actually connected to the sink, so that you can't turn on the shower without turning on the sink. It took a little getting used to, because you have to move the toilet paper, and anything that could get wet out of the way because your whole bathroom is literally your shower! 

Anyways, orientation is over! I'm going to say a lot of cliches right now, but it is so true. Time flew by so fast. I can't believe that I've spent 8 days in Busan already. I've loved my time here, and it is only about an hour away by train (cheap as well!) so I will definitely be back to enjoy its beaches during the Spring. I've met so many cool people, and made a lot of friends. I've connected with people from Canada, California, Virginia, and...Guam? Yup, Guam! Hats off to EPIK because I think they did a great job, and if it was a little iffy at times, they always did their best to fix it. I don't have a picture of Jenn and I's classroom supervisor and teacher aid but maybe she will post it for you :) Young Kim and Rebecca were awesome, and the guest lecturers at this orientation gave us so much useful information. But why talk about it when I can just show you? We have this really awesome EPIK video that they made for us of the whole orientation. I'm going to try and upload it here and hopefully it works!

Aside from orientation, Jenn and I found out where we will be teaching in Daegu! She will be teaching elementary school students at Gosan Elementary, and I will be teaching middle school students at Maeho Middle School. I'm a little nervous--actually, I'm petrified, but I'm also very motivated to do my best. My main concern right now is classroom management, and I hope to curb that problem before it starts by having a clear set of classroom rules. But thats enough teacher talk for now (dont worry, plenty more to come!).

The most important thing that we learned today?? Jenn and I, are in the SAME DISTRICT!! Which means that we are a lot closer than we thought we would be to each other. And I looked up our schools--and got even better news! Our schools can't possibly be more than 5-7 minutes by car from each other. Now hopefully they give us housing in between our schools so we can be even closer to each other, but Jenn and I are preparing for the fact that we might actually be living on the outside of our schools. Not as awesome as living near each other, but we would still be super close regardless! 

So thats my update, don't know how long it will be till my next one. We can't get internet in our apartments until we get our ARC (Alien Registration Cards--an ID pretty much), and that wont happen for at least two weeks from Monday. And of course, school is starting! Fingers crossed that the first day isn't a complete disaster! Will let you all know how that goes as soon as I can. Bye!

Last Blog at Orientation

Hi everyone!

Tomorrow morning we leave orientation to (finally) make our way to our schools and apartments. I feel like orientation has kinda been like camp--everyone meeting everyone, learning important info on our future jobs, discovering a new culture and language, and eating in the caf. Now, the real adventure begins!

On the schedule tomorrow: load luggage onto a bus, sit on the bus for around 2hrs, arrive at province of education office where each person will meet co-teacher, travel to school with co-teacher, meet with whoever is there (Principal, Vice Principal), give gifts (chocolates), and finally make it to the apartment. Who knows what will happen at that point?! Except... I definitely need to buy a few things and unpack as much as possible. On vacations I tend to live out of a suitcase. After 8 days of living out of 1 extra large, 1 large, and 1 small suitcase, I am OVER IT!!! And let me tell you, it was quite a challenge to repack what I had taken out and organize the dirty laundry together! EPIK (English Program in Korea) gave us towels, a sweatshirt, a mug, and some books. All greatly appreciated. All difficult to cram into my already crammed bags! Although it is nice to not have to worry about weight and measurements. Thank goodness my bags can expand! Oh, and I bought a hairdryer and an iron. I'm still not sure how those fit!

Orientation has been such a great experience! I met so many people who I hope to keep in contact with and get together with throughout the year. I learned about teaching techniques and teaching resources available in Korea that I'm sure will be invaluable to me as I lesson plan.

I wanted to show you pictures of where we have been, but I couldn't figure out how to put captions underneath so here are your captions....the first picture is of our teachers (Young Kim and Rebecca), the second of Fluke and me after closing ceremonies on campus, and the third is a part of the beautiful Pukyong National University. In the area pictured, upbeat classical music plays around you. It's awesome. Anyway, it will be awhile until my next post so until then...annyong-hi-gasayo! (goodbye!)

love and miss you all,

Jenn

Just a quick Photo Post!

Jenn's First Blog about Food!!!

Hi everyone!

Breakfast!

I have been eating Korean food for a few days now, and I can honestly tell you I have eaten many dishes that were not only unfamiliar to me in taste, but also in looks, smells, and textures. The following is an overview of what I have noticed regarding food customs and my experience trying completely unknown foods.

No matter if it is breakfast, lunch or dinner, a few dishes are always served: kimchi, rice and a lettuce mixture. Dessert consists of some type of fruit (sweet oranges from Jeju island are my favorite!) The juice is served hot. Napkins are only in a couple wall dispensers…I guess if one is using chopsticks, one does not require napkins. Occasionally I walk over and grab some. Speaking of chopsticks…the Korean chopsticks are metal and much heavier than the ones I am used to. I had thought I was fairly proficient at using chopsticks, but these metal ones are tricky! My rice falls apart and it’s challenging to pick up with the slippery metal. A few times each meal I fumble like an idiot. Luckily, I am surrounded by people learning too (Fluke is already pro). Plus, the heavy foods like fried pork and large kimchi pieces are frustrating just to pick up, let alone hold them long enough to move from the plate to my mouth!

Jenns Lunch

Now, onto my food adventures J

I have tried this fish soup thing (No, I did not know it was fish when I took a small bowl). I have twice eaten squid (one tasted “interesting” and the other was totally red—I thought it was a different kimchi-like vegetable food. It was too spicy and I couldn’t even taste the squid taste—whatever that is. I did not have the courage to try the dish of really tiny fish with eyeballs. Apparently it was just really salty and tasted good mixed in with a Korean version of spaghetti. I really like the pork dishes. One was marinated in this really yummy sauce. Another had thin sautéed pieces with onions. The chicken wings and other chicken dish were also yummy. The soups seem to be hit or miss for me. I either really like it (the one with vegetables and tofu was excellent) or strongly dislike it (the fish one). Oh, and although kimchi is served at breakfast, I have not had the courage to start my day with it. Maybe in a couple days…

Flukes Meatfest

I hope you enjoy the blog and if you have questions/suggestions for postings, let us know!

Love and miss you all,

Jenn

Orientation is kinda like...college?

Well, thats me and Jenn there on the right. Pretty cool, I'm not exactly digging my pic, but she looks good :) We are in our EPIK sweaters, cool logo huh? Sorry about the bad quality photo, took it with my ipod touch. Anyways, this was our welcoming ceremony. There were about 400 of us in this huge auditorium and there were the usual welcoming speeches, etc. etc. They also had some cool cultural performances. There was this drumming thing, which would have been cool to take a pic of but I didn't really get the courage to snap a photo until the second and third performances. Didn't want to bother the people sitting behind me! Anyways, I eventually said who cares and pictures of the next performances! The performers in pink did this kinda dance thing where they floated/twirled around and each dancer had a small drum pad that they hit in tune with the music. The second one was like a musical thing, pretty entertaining. Will try to take some film next time so you guys can get an idea of what I'm talking about! 


So yeah, they got us all hyped up for orientation, and then we actually had it. And I gotta say, it is exactly like going to school...for the whole day. We had two classes in the morning from 9-12:20, and then an hour break for lunch. Then we had two more classes from 2-5:20. Thats SIX hours of lecture. And don't get me wrong, they were very informative and helpful, it has just been so long since I've been on the college grind (lol, ok only like half a year) but it was still a very long day of lecture. They went over topics like effective co-teaching strategies, classroom management, and lesson planning. Very useful, but so much information!! Oh, and that wasn't even the end of our day!! After a nice dinner (will devote a whole post on food later, cause food deserves its own post), we had a Survival Korean class from 7-8:10 PM. WOW. What a long day of studying. I don't think I even did that much studying during college! But yeah, Survival Korean was just them teaching us about the Korean language and some useful phrases. Today we learned how to say where we were from, what country, what we were doing (English teachers!), and numbers. Learned that the United States in Korean is "Mi-gook." Again, pretty useful, but my brain was like screaming for a break by that point! Lucky for me, we got...3 or 4 more days of this schedule. So I will be fully trained or at least full of information by the end of this week. Sweet. I guess.


I feel like I had more to say, but just got back from a long walk around Busan and I'm wicked (heard some England dude say that in one of my classes...thought that was an east coast thing!) tired so until next time dudes and dudettes.


chyeeeaahhhhhhhh

Oh hey there Busan!

Wow! After three airports in two days, and a ton of luggage moving, Jenn and I finally made it to Busan for orientation. Tired, but wanted to jot down some quick impressions of everything so far...list time! But first, check out this view from my dorm room, its pretty awesome! (Staying at a University in Busan for orientation)

Sunrise

1) I hate luggage. With a passion. 
2) South Korea is awesome. Spent some time walking around Seoul (during our layover) and Busan, and there were plenty of people, places to see, and things to do.
3) Theres like a cell phone store at like every corner! 
4) The people that I have met at orientation are from all corners of the world, quick list of where they're from in no particular order: New Zealand, England, Canada, South Africa, Ohio, Minnesota...and more!
5) Did I mention that I hate luggage? And pillows. Even though it is definitely worth it. I mean, pictures and books and stuff from home remind you of home...but my memory foam pillow is like, a physical reminder of home, that I can touch? I'm really glad I brought it, even though I will probably have to throw away the pillow case because of all the nasty places its been which include: two carry-on compartments (whats been in there??), the ground outside the airport (wet and cold, way to go taxi driver...), the floor in the airport (so yeah, I dropped it a couple times), and...my HEAD?? Ha. Just kidding. I'm not that gross.
6) Koreans love their cafes and coffee shops! They are everywhere, and I have yet to try one but will do so tomorrow for breakfast :)
7) Almost forgot I'm here to teach English,  been so busy just trying to soak in all the culture and stuff. (Then again, have only been here for like two days...LOL)
8) Excited for orientation!
9) They have a coin laundry then...I can clean my pillowcase...YES!!
10) So hungry...


Until then, bye!!

Here's what I've learned since Tuesday

Well, we survived the 12 hour plane ride, the overnight layover, and the long wait at Gimhae to get on the bus to orientation! I've learned so much already about international travel and thought I would share...

1. A neck pillow is a MUST (thank you Grammy)

2. An overly stuffed backpack should be avoided at all costs. It took up the majority of my precious foot space and it was extremely irritating.

3. Eat light (thanks Dad)

4. Turbulence is to be expected (Thanks to Fluke's mom for the heads up. I actually didn't freak out)

5. A sleep mask is definitely necessary (Thanks for the gift Fluke!)

6. Wear bulky stuff and then put it in the overhead bin (Thanks for the suggestion Dad!)

7. Travel with a buddy (i.e. Fluke) to take turns going potty and watching bags and stuff.

8. Good headphones. The ones they provide suck and it makes it difficult to hear the dialogue in the movies.

9. Don't pass up the little cups of water/juice. I really think that's why I didn't get dehydrated.

hmm...I thought I would have at least ten, but I think that's it for now!

I'll keep you posted on the happenings of orientation! I was placed in the "Intermediate Korean" class because I passed the reading test. Thank you Uncle Rich for that book!!

I love and miss you all!

~Jenn

Greetings!

Hello Everyone!


So it's finally happening! In two weeks, I leave for S.Korea to teach English...for one whole year! It's going to be a long and crazy ride, and I have no idea whats going to happen. I just can't seem to figure out what to pack though. I mean, how do you pack for a whole year? I guess I would have to bring all my favorite clothes, but i don't really have "favorite" clothes. I just have comfy clothes, and non-comfy clothes. But I have to bring my non-comfy clothes, because those are the ones I have to go to work in... :( Anyways, I thought I'd collect my thoughts, and write a list!


Packing for S.Korea list (for a whole year...whaa??)
1. Clothes
2. ...Xbox???


As you can see, I'm not much of a planner. I think I'm going to just put whatever I can, into whatever I'm allowed to bring, and go from there. I mean, S.Korea is a pretty well-developed country, from what I've read, so they should have a lot of things there that I would need...right? Although I did look up on some forums, and one thing that most people recommended were deodorant. Yeah, who would've thought right? But thats fine, deodorant is cheap, and I am kind of particular to Old Spice, so I'll buy like 5 sticks and call it a day.


Ok, ok, lets back up a step. Whats going on here? I'm going to S.Korea? Yup! Here is some much needed background info on what this blog is going to be about! It is the first post after all. My girlfriend and I are going to teach in S.Korea! I'm sure you will be hearing from her too, because not only is this my blog, it is also hers! We made this blog for all our family and friends, so if you are reading this, we love you guys, and miss you already! (Even though technically we haven't left yet). Anyways, we are going to be in Daegu, which is the 3rd or 4th largest city in S.Korea. It's going to be my first taste of the city after having lived in suburbs/military bases/small towns for most of my life. Why are we doing this? I say...why not?? In all seriousness though, its something I've wanted to do for a while now. It gives me the chance to experience a completely different land and culture, and also the chance to learn something about myself. I'm just glad that I get the chance to do all this with my beautiful gf, whom I love very much. (Bring out the candy corn, I know). Well, I think thats about it, and I don't know when I'll next update this. Maybe when I actually get to S.Korea?? That would probably make sense huh? Until then, see you later!