The view from my window

Check out my view! I get to see this and walk this street everyday.

First days in Dong jak-gu

Yesterday was my first day of teaching. When I walked into the school, I was treated like a rockstar. All the kids crowded around me and took my picture with their cell phones and told me I was beautiful. A few of the boys told me that they loved me. I did get through a lesson on giving directions however. I realized that my biggest challenge here will be getting the kids to speak up in English. The can read and write very well, but they are afraid to speak because they do not want to make mistakes. I have made this my number one goal.
All of the women I work with are so nice. My coteacher Min, (English name Christine) is only two years older than me. We are becoming good friends.
My apartment is treating me well. It is brand new and has many modern convieniences that I have not had before. However, typical of Korean bathrooms, no shower curtain, so the water goes everywhere. I also have this wierd blue light in my bedroom (see above photo). It was funny because when the woman who showed me my apartment was like, "mood lighting."
Last night I paid freaking 12000 won for fried chicken! ($12). I had a bad craving. Tonight we are going to an all you can eat and drink place for 22000 won. That will be the death of me.

Time to mow some pigs feet

For your viewing pleasure I have posted some pics from Orientation. Also see my personal bio for my new address and phone number. This image to my right is where my office is. Many of the teachers share an office in my school. New wierd food: Jellyfish and pigsfeet. More to come. Kamsahamnida!

My recruiter (to my right) and very good friend LuBo from Canada.  

A great photo from the Nori Bar, or Kareoke Bar. We are singing Bon Jovi in this photo.  

Yes it is. Our first Koean bar experience. 

The view from Hyundai Training Center. 

Cheers! Here's to Korean beer.  

When the lounge becomes a pub... 

I am here!

Hey everyone- Sorry I have not posted yet. We have been so busy with training. I arrived here without incident. Wes drove me to the airport (sigh) and I slept for most of the 14 hour flight. Training has been one of the best times I have ever had. The other teachers here are from so many different countries- Ireland, England, the Netherlands, El Salvador, and many others. We are all spread throughout Seoul in various schools. My school is a middle school in Dong Jak, which is almost in the center of Seoul just south of the Han river. For training, we have been hanging at the Hyundai Training Center, which is in a small town that I can't pronnounce. Last night we went to a "noribar" which is a karaoke place where you get your own private party room to sing in with your friends. You can choose from a giant song list and order drinks. We were singin Bon Jovi and Madonna until 3:30am, at which time the owner of the place kindly offered to drive us home. The evil thing about the bars here is that they don't really close- so I've a few late nights- like 4am late. Anyway, the food here is fantastic, but very spicy. I am still getting used to it. I have had some raw squid and fish, but nothing really strange. The weather is warm and humid as all hell. My hair is a giant frizz ball everyday. Not many people speak English, but their kindness allows for a lot of barriers to be broken. I have a ton of pics that I will post as soon as I get to my apartment, which is tomorrow! Yeah!