My first two weeks

It’s been two weeks since I arrived in Korea and it’s hard to believe… yet not so hard to believe how fast the time has gone by. I guess I’d better explain. Well--- arriving in a country (let alone continent!) that I’ve never set foot in before certainly does hit you in the face with tons of differences and new things that you need to adjust to. (Below: the view from my apartment window)

Take city life, for one. I’ve never lived in a big city before, and Seoul definitely is one of them. It’s a new feeling to be walking through town among a sea of Asians (although I myself am half) because I do look in some ways Caucasian. Be it some facial features, my hair color, or my height (which, might I add, I really appreciate especially when I see so many women walking around in high heels probably in an effort to be taller just as much as for fashion)--- I know I stick out. But then again, here in Mokdong (a part of Seoul) where I live, there are quite a lot of foreigners. Nonetheless, it’s kind of weird getting used to the feeling of walking around knowing that someone is looking at you because you’re different. Another aspect of city life that seems to be hitting me hard is the air quality. I never knew how good I had it in Maryland before I got here! All the exhaust from the never-ending flow of traffic does a good job of stuffing up my nose. Let’s just say I’ve had to use a LOT of tissues and now when I blow my nose it sounds like a herd of elephants instead of just one. (Below: pictures from the walk to work)

Another thing that I’ve unfortunately come to realize is that the mosquitos in Korea are just as vicious and love me just as much as the ones in Germany. My arms, legs, and even my face look like a battlefield!

But now back to the changes. Not only has it been a change and feast for my eyes to adjust to--- seeing so many Koreans 24/7, bright neon omnipresent signs written in Hangul (Korean alphabet), and also Korea’s gorgeous mountainous landscape--- but it’s also been a change for my ears. Whenever I go out I hear Korean all around me. I know, it is not a surprise. I just wish I could jump right into conversation with people, but my Korean language skills are limited. Hopefully that will change by the end of my year here. I have managed to have a few simple dialogues with some people here and there--- whether it was while ordering food or taking a taxi or even just talking to a random person on the street. The conversations usually involve me saying how delicious the food was, please/thank you, or where I’m from/my background. I guess people are curious because of my Korean features. (Below: Mokdong at night)

The next change I’ve encountered causes my stomach to growl. It’s the smells of all the delicious foods being grilled, steamed, stewed, brewed, baked, and freshly prepared. For me, food heaven is right here because Korean food is my favorite food in the world. The prices are really good and the food is just amazing. There have been times when I’ve walked past street vendors only to turn around a few steps later to go back and buy whatever it was that produced the tempting smell that I succumbed to. (Below: street food: Dokbokki and soondae, TakoYaki, and Bibimbap at a restaurant)

All of these new encounters and experiences definitely add up and make time run right by. But what makes it seem to stand still is my work schedule. Boy, are my days long! I usually get up around 6:30 and leave for work by 8. My friend (and co-worker) Lillian and I (I met her on my first night here--- we live in the same apartment building) walk to work (about 40 minutes) to get some exercise. Work starts at 9:15. Then we’re given some time to plan and prep before our Pre-School/Pre-Kinder/Kindergarten students arrive. At 9:50 teaching begins and the day ends on MWF at 8 pm and on TuTh at 7:15 pm with a lunch break and another planning period in between. On the days that we end later, we teach eleven classes and on the other days we teach ten. I usually get home between 8 and 8:40 pm because we also walk home to unwind and for more exercise.

It’s definitely tiring but I’m getting more and more used to it. So far from teaching I’ve realized that 1.) I’ve never used my voice this much in my life, 2.) I don’t want to use my voice this much for the rest of my life ;-), and 3.) I often catch myself saying things to students that elementary school teachers would say to the “bad kids” in my classes growing up. I have to admit though that the students are incredibly bright and sooo adorable. But they’re also just kids and I wish they didn’t have to be in school for so long. In one of my classes we read a poem about recess and afterwards I explained it, telling them how kids get to play outside after lunch. Some of the kids sighed and said, “Oh teacher, we want that! You’re so lucky that you had recess.” (Below: my Rosemary Pre-Kinder class--- not the ones I just described--- those kids are in 2nd grade)

I’m also lucky and so blessed to be having this experience! I actually didn’t realize that two weeks had passed since I arrived in Korea until the day before yesterday when I video-chatted with my cousin. She said, “So Steff--- you’ve been there now like... what? Two weeks?” I said yes after having it click in my head that she was right. Then she said, “Well, that’s two weeks down, fifty to go!” Looking at it like that, it makes me realize just how fast this year is going to fly by. I just hope that I’ll be able to experience, enjoy, appreciate, and take in as much as possible in these 50 weeks of adventure that I have left! :-)