One Month Update

Hello everyone!!

It is quickly approaching one month here in Seoul. Tomorrow will be four full weeks, and man has time been flying by. I figured I would give a semi-detailed post about what has been going on. Some info about the job, culture, food, friends and night life.

The apartment situation is going well, I really have no complaints (except one) and I love being so close to school. My place is easy to keep clean, laundry is easy and slowly but surely I am getting used to the tiny bathroom. I brought some very nice sheets (thanks mom) and they really hit the spot at the end of the day. My only complaint is the damn plastic walpaper over concrete. It does not allow me to hang my posters up. Even duct tape can't do to job, DUCT TAPE can't hold up a dang poster?!?! (I am still working on it though, I will find a way)
The job is going well, the kids are still on my good side and I am having fun in the classroom. It is too early to see individual improvements in the students but our relationship is getting better. My Tiny Talk kids are only 5yrs old and adorable, and I find it funny I am teaching them sentences like. "What do you have?" "I have a ball." "It is red." After countless hours of calculus, abstract algebra, and differential equations I never thought this would be my curriculum. On the other hand my trophies class is so smart and speak great English so they can be very fun and we get into some interesting conversations about science and such. My Korean co-teachers are great! I bug them with questions I am sure but we have a pretty good working relationship. Thanks April, Tiffany and Grace!!
This last Friday I had my first open class. This is where the students moms come right into the classroom and watch me teach a lesson to their kids. This is really the only big deal, MAKE THE MOMS HAPPY. I had an open class with Lion class and we were very prepared and I did quite well. The moms were all smiling afterward and Cindy (the vice principal) said I did well. This coming week I have 3 more open classes, then I am free for a while. I am not too nervous but they are rather important. I will update you on my Domination!

Food is good. Spicy but good. Just about everything you get has some kick to it and I am definitely liking it. Koreans do spicy right. Over all I am liking the food, many good restaurants. The traditional Korean barbq is so good. Nothing more manly than cooking your own meat AT the table. The best dish I have had was cow vertebra stew! So so good, picking the meat off the bone, then drinking up the remains. Sounds gross maybe but amazing. The snack foods are okay, and I am getting all I can eat no problems. Still eating ramen, but it is tasty here and cheap. Oh and favorite place to eat so far, Don Kings Korean Barbq with drinks.

The night life is very cool here in the city and I have barely began to scratch the surface. My area Daechi-dong is a very wealthy and has some very fun restaurants and bars. Still hundreds/ thousands to explore. The other big night life areas are Iteawon, Hongdae and Gangnam. I will give a quick lowdown on what I have experienced.
Iteawon, total foreigner hangout spot. There is a military base near by so there is always military men around. It is also the most if not only multicultural area in the city. It has a variety of nightlife entertainment from bars, shopping, restaurants, street food, book stores and "Hooker Hill." Overall a fun place to visit on the weekends if your NOT looking for a good Korean place or people.
Hongdae, total club/ university area. I have only been there once because it is about an hour subway ride. It was very fun place, lots of dance clubs, bars, big building, restaurants. Not much info, besides the clubs/ bars are open late, we were there until 7am when they closed.
Gangnam, not sure, I only went there once to meet up with friends. I had great food, great drinks, and well ya. Gangnam is a district, where I live, but also a specific area. It has some of the biggest coolest buildings, no foreigners.

I am loving Korean culture so far. I really like how (for the most part) everyone is very respectful. Age is very important in Korean culture so as the youngest at the table, I pour everyone's drink first (with two hands). They receive the drink (with two hands) and them they pour my drink. Everyone seems to bow when saying thank you. Not quite sure when to bow and when not to, so I figure better to be over respectful rather than under respectful. I am learning how to read Hangul, (korean) and I am finding it quite easy. Within the month I expect I will be able to read just about everything. I won't know what it means but I should be able to read and say it out loud. Speaking actual Hangul though is a different story, anything but easy and I and still limited to a dozen phrases and maybe a dozen vocab words. Hopefully some new Korean friends will help with this process.

Well I have been doing some serious writing here, so please comment on this post and others. Ask any questions or requests and I will do my best to answer them. I enjoy getting feedback and reading comments and questions. I hope all is well is the other parts of the world, I am doing great, safe and sound and having a good time.

P.S.- I just booked some tickets for vacation. Going to China on the 18th!!! Shanghai and Beijing for 8days! Boooyyaaaah!