Today I was introduced to the steep hills of Dongguk University. Wow, I have blisters on my feet from climbing these hills. My legs are going to come back from Korea looking mighty toned. Woo hoo!
I also came to understand just how unorganized the Dongguk summer school is going to be. They listed the wrong meeting room on my paperwork and the girl who is my “Dongguk Buddy” did not even know where the building was where our classes would be held. Don’t get me wrong, the people are nice but the program does not have a strong foundation. Oh, by the way, I am the only American in the summer school program; the others in the group that I met today are from the UK. I was a total loner, ha!
Other than that I used the subway for the first time today. I went to school with Rari on the subway and I came home by myself. Rari was so worried that I would get lost and she made sure that I called her as soon as I reached the apartment. I came to find out later that the whole family was worried about me using the subway alone because they did not want me to end up lost and without a phone. They are so sweet.
I also went to Olympic Park today with Duri (Rari’s younger sister). Olympic Park is literally the location where the 1988 Seoul Olympics were held. It is very close to the apartment where I am staying. I fell in love with Olympic Park today. It is huge and it has so many different kinds of trees and plants. There was soothing music playing over speakers throughout the park and small outdoor venues where amateur musicians played. And there were so many cute Korean babies!
Tonight Rari painted my nails so now I am in with the trends. Maybe I won’t stand out as bad now… lol. Tomorrow I will go to class and then attempt to get a cell phone. I am learning Korean; it’s easy get motivated to learn a language when you are in fear of getting lost. I started with the alphabet and so far I have only studied the vowels. Korean is tough, so I haven’t gotten far.
And now I am off to bed. I am exhausted despite my 12 hours of sleep last night! I have been waiting for this moment since 5:00. Good night.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Did you know that it's an hour bus ride from Incheon Airport to "Lotte World" bus stop?
So I landed mentally prepared to not have anyone to pick me up. And it is a good thing because there wasn't anyone there to pick me up!
As the last post states that, was entirely my fault but all is well now. Thank goodness.
So I attempted to contact my host family with the contact number that the university provided and there was no answer for some time. I left a message and then tried again and finally after the help of the information desk woman, my host family was contacted and they told me to meet them at the "Lotte World" bus stop near there home.
I was a bit apprehensive to take the bus and get off only hoping somebody would be there, but I had no choice! So I got the information from the information desk woman on how to get to where I needed to go. Thankfully I did not have to transfer or I would be still roaming around Seoul right now.
The bus ride was long and the announcements for the stops were a bit unclear. I asked a couple behind me which stop was "Lotte World" and they motioned that they would let me know when to get off (they spoke no English). They were very kind and shooed me when it was time for me to get off.
Thankfully as I was stepping down off the bus Rari was running towards me saying "Amanda, Amanda". I knew then that I was in the right place and I was relieved.
They brought me to there home which is an apartment, not a house, as are all homes in the city in Seoul. It is a very quaint place and they have a very cute dog named "Doong" (I am guessing the spelling there) which means fat. The dog is adorable and pudgy with googly eyes.
The family is very sweet, there are two daughters and the mom and dad. The daughter that attends Dongguk University is 23 and her name is Rari. She speaks the most English but is not fluent by any means. Their hospitality is greatly appreciated and I feel very comfortable here. As soon as I arrived they gave me a gift which was a utensil set that I could use for meals at there home. There is a fork and spoon and chopsticks as well as a container that they are supposed to go in. I used my gift to eat breakfast this morning!
Today my plans included getting shown around town by Rari and her friend. Tomorrow is orientation at Dongguk University. The trip started off on the wrong foot but I think that I am right on track now!
As the last post states that, was entirely my fault but all is well now. Thank goodness.
So I attempted to contact my host family with the contact number that the university provided and there was no answer for some time. I left a message and then tried again and finally after the help of the information desk woman, my host family was contacted and they told me to meet them at the "Lotte World" bus stop near there home.
I was a bit apprehensive to take the bus and get off only hoping somebody would be there, but I had no choice! So I got the information from the information desk woman on how to get to where I needed to go. Thankfully I did not have to transfer or I would be still roaming around Seoul right now.
The bus ride was long and the announcements for the stops were a bit unclear. I asked a couple behind me which stop was "Lotte World" and they motioned that they would let me know when to get off (they spoke no English). They were very kind and shooed me when it was time for me to get off.
Thankfully as I was stepping down off the bus Rari was running towards me saying "Amanda, Amanda". I knew then that I was in the right place and I was relieved.
They brought me to there home which is an apartment, not a house, as are all homes in the city in Seoul. It is a very quaint place and they have a very cute dog named "Doong" (I am guessing the spelling there) which means fat. The dog is adorable and pudgy with googly eyes.
The family is very sweet, there are two daughters and the mom and dad. The daughter that attends Dongguk University is 23 and her name is Rari. She speaks the most English but is not fluent by any means. Their hospitality is greatly appreciated and I feel very comfortable here. As soon as I arrived they gave me a gift which was a utensil set that I could use for meals at there home. There is a fork and spoon and chopsticks as well as a container that they are supposed to go in. I used my gift to eat breakfast this morning!
Today my plans included getting shown around town by Rari and her friend. Tomorrow is orientation at Dongguk University. The trip started off on the wrong foot but I think that I am right on track now!
And I call myself a college graduate… 6:51pm (PST) June 27th
So I am in the air right now currently flying over Alaska and all of a sudden I realize that I am an idiot. I checked my application that I sent to Dongguk University and I put the wrong date to be picked up! I put the 29th instead of the 28th! I’m dumb.
So I don’t know what lies ahead of me… Maybe my host family was provided with the flight information and they checked and realized that I am dumb and put the wrong date. I hope.
I think I have about 7 hours to go before I arrive in Seoul and it looks like I can only wait and see what happens. You think they’ll let me sleep in the airport?
In this situation, all I can do is laugh at my dumb self…
So I don’t know what lies ahead of me… Maybe my host family was provided with the flight information and they checked and realized that I am dumb and put the wrong date. I hope.
I think I have about 7 hours to go before I arrive in Seoul and it looks like I can only wait and see what happens. You think they’ll let me sleep in the airport?
In this situation, all I can do is laugh at my dumb self…
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Gimme SMOE
I had my interview with SMOE (Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education) today!
It went really well, and I feel confident with my answers. I was really nervous that my phone wouldn't work again, but lo and behold the phone rang at exactly 6pm. The anticipation was killing me and now I feel calm but excited.
At the end of the interview, my interviewer Rachel told me that she is confident that SMOE would be interested in having me teach for them. She then asked if I would be up to the task. Seriously, my heart pounded and I felt like by saying yes I would change my life forever. I almost got scared and said nothing, then I realized that I just could not pass this up. What felt like a minute in my head was probably less than 3 seconds... and then I just blurted out "yes, I am so excited!"
Alright, so the job is not in the bag... but I am confident. I am excited to do something new and stimulating. I am hoping that my experience as an English teacher will solidify my plans for the future. All I can do is wait and see... and make the best of what comes at me.
Wish me luck!
It went really well, and I feel confident with my answers. I was really nervous that my phone wouldn't work again, but lo and behold the phone rang at exactly 6pm. The anticipation was killing me and now I feel calm but excited.
At the end of the interview, my interviewer Rachel told me that she is confident that SMOE would be interested in having me teach for them. She then asked if I would be up to the task. Seriously, my heart pounded and I felt like by saying yes I would change my life forever. I almost got scared and said nothing, then I realized that I just could not pass this up. What felt like a minute in my head was probably less than 3 seconds... and then I just blurted out "yes, I am so excited!"
Alright, so the job is not in the bag... but I am confident. I am excited to do something new and stimulating. I am hoping that my experience as an English teacher will solidify my plans for the future. All I can do is wait and see... and make the best of what comes at me.
Wish me luck!
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Korea or Bust
Only 2o days until I leave for South Korea. This will be my first of two trips...
Trip #1 is to study for a month at Dongguk University in Seoul.
Trip #2 ... if all goes as planned... is to teach English in the public school system in Seoul.
I am thrilled to be traveling again, it has been quite a while. I can't wait to feel revived and alive.
Traveling changes me, it makes me better.
This blog is for my friends and family. I want to let them experience Seoul with me.
Maybe then we won't miss each other so much :) Ya, right.
Love you all.
Trip #1 is to study for a month at Dongguk University in Seoul.
Trip #2 ... if all goes as planned... is to teach English in the public school system in Seoul.
I am thrilled to be traveling again, it has been quite a while. I can't wait to feel revived and alive.
Traveling changes me, it makes me better.
This blog is for my friends and family. I want to let them experience Seoul with me.
Maybe then we won't miss each other so much :) Ya, right.
Love you all.
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