Happy 6 Month Anniversary

Folks, I am proud to announce that today is the 6 month anniversary of my love affair with Korea. We have had our ups and downs, and at times I wasn't sure we were going to make it, but we stuck together. I feel as if these 6 months have gone by so quickly and yet so slowly. When I think back to my arrival in this country, I can't believe my feet carried me out of the airport when every ounce of my body and mind was telling me to turn around and buy a return flight home. When my cab driver dropped me off outside of my school, I felt that I had made a mistake for sure. Everything was literally foreign. Being told by my boss that I had an apartment but no furniture only reaffirmed my belief that this was not meant to be. I was wholly unprepared and inept for teaching most of my classes. Yet somehow, I managed. I made it out of the haze that was my first 2 months here. I fully believe that the only reason I made it was due to my zombie-like state caused by shock, jet lag and time difference. The following is a list of things that I have learned about myself during my time here:

1. I love fried foods...in any country.
2. I will not get along with or enjoy everyone that comes into my life, something that was hard to accept.
3. I can find friends in another country with similar likes and beliefs.
4. While some Koreans love foreigners, others highly dislike us, and I finally know what it's like to be the minority and treated poorly for the way I look.
5. It is only possible to live in a country without knowing the language, with several Korean friends who go above and beyond the call of friendship to help me. I will be eternally grateful to them.
6. I will never get my haircut here again.
7. I can commute successfully by bus, subway, or taxi. Getting lost or making mistakes is the fun part of it.
8. Mexican food is my crack cocaine...I am going through withdrawals.
9. Coffee makes me a better teacher.
10. I still have to import some of my American Toilettries. Korean toothpaste, deodorant and gum just won't cut it.
11. This country is a college student's/poor man's dream. Let me explain. The "trash" piles in my town are full of "gold." People throw away the nicest furniture and accessories. I get a rush everytime I see a new heap of gleaming treasures. Just last night we found a barely used leather couch for my friend Tiffany! I look forward to watching movies on that couch...after a good scrub down of course.
12. "Amanda going clothes shopping in South Korea and being successful" is an oxymoron.
13. Pedestrians in this country do NOT have the right of way, and failure to recognize this will result in severe injury or death.
14. The crispiness of an air dried towel is incomparable to a warm towel, fresh from the dryer.
15. I miss my friends and family dearly!

I have another 6 months on my contract, and after that the world is my oyster! (That one's for you Kelly)

Happy Black Day

Black Day is an informal Korean tradition that follows in the steps of Valentine's Day and White Day. April 14th is for those who did not receive gifts on Valentine's Day and/or White Day...hence the "Black" part. If you were unlucky enough to be a part of this lonely sector of being, then tradition dictates that you gather your other single friends and eat jja jang myun - noodles with black bean sauce.

I coincidentally ate this dish on April 13th, with two of my single co-workers, so I think this counts. However, I am still trying to master the art of eating noodles with chop sticks. What this means is that I had to teach my last class with my vest zipped up all the way so the students wouldn't see the black bean sauce I had managed to splatter all of my shirt. I am not exaggerating...I mean all over. My next few sessions with this dish will also be accompanied by an apron.

So, in conclusion, if you are single, use this day to appreciate your singlehood. Celebrate by eating some noodles, any noodles will do, and enjoy being independent!

I Just Got Back From The Hospital

Did I worry you? Good. I wanted to illustrate the power of words and their meanings. Ok, you can stop worrying now. By "hospital" I meant "doctor's office." In Korea, when they say "hospital" they mean "doctor's office." On numerous occasions, my Korean co-worker, Christine, has told me about having to rush from the hospital to work. I also have a young student who was always going to the hospital after class. Imagine my concern, for these two people. Why was my friend and co-worker spending so much time at the hospital? After months of being really concerned, I came to find out that it was merely routine doctor visits, NOT scary hospital stays, and I was just unaware of the word usage.

I have also been perplexed by the number of my students who shake their heads "no" everytime they see me. I usually react with some nerdy adult response such as "NO? Why are you saying no to me?" In time, I came to find out that shaking your head "no" at someone is the same as waving hello. You use this greeting when you are either: A.) lazy; B.) your hands are full; or C.) both a and b. It still takes me a minute to stop myself from saying something stupid, before I can respond "hello" back to them.

On a sadder note (don't worry, no one died), two people that I have grown very close to during my life in Korea, have left to go back to Canada. On the bright side, they are going on an adventure around the world: first the Trans-Siberian Railway to Moscow, then touring Europe, then Home. On the dark side, I don't get to see them everyday and spend time with them on the weekends. They will be lifelong friends, and I am sad that I didn't get to spend more time with them, but they have proven to be inspirational to me and the things that I want for my life.

Jennifer won a contest and got to have her photo displayed in two
different coffee shops in Seoul. Unfortunately, it was stolen before
Lawrence could pick it up! I miss them so much already!



Here's to meeting and making good friends, no matter where you go!