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| Learning Korean at GEPIK orientation. It was at about this point that my eyes started glazing over . |
Day 33- September 29, 2010
Day 32- September 28, 2010
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| Well, I officially have the best luck with cell phones. I managed to get a free phone (waved of like 50,000 won in start up fees. I pay 12,000 won ( 10 dollars) a month and then like 3 cents per minute of phone time. Sooo freakin cheap. Plus I get this awesome touch phone (it's pink!!!!) with internet and tv capabilities!!! I'm human agaiiiinnn!!!! |
Day 31- September 27, 2010
Photo has been removed due to Lauren being an idiot and putting her bank information on the internet.
Today, September 27th is a very important day. Today I have officially been in Korea ONE MONTH!!! Wow time is flyyyyying. More importantly, today I got my Alien Registration Card, which allows me to open a bank account (proof is the larger sheet of paper) which means I get money, and more importantly, I can now get a cell phone!! Horray I will be normal again!
Day 30- September 26, 2010
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| In Korea, it is perfectly acceptable to drink in the streets. So our friday night consisted of sitting outside Family Mart (7ELEVEN) drinking beer and soju (20% Korean Vodka that is 1850 won, or about a 1.50) for next to nothing. This is a really fun summer activity that I will be sad to see go away when it gets cold. |
Day 29- September 25, 2010
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| Just a picture of the sign in my town. Didn't do too much exciting stuff today. Tomorrow I think i'll tell you all about my convenience store drinking experience. |
Day 28- September 24, 2010
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| Today I found a beautiful park to hike in that was minutes by my house. In it was the most beautiful Buddhist temple I have ever seen. |
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| The temple |
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| The park |
Day 27-September 23, 2010
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| Gorgeous pastry shop in Suwon. I was fasting on the day I went so i couldn't eat anything but god it was all gorgeous!!! |
Day 26- September 22, 2010
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| Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul. |
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| Ceremony for Chuseok which is Korean thanksgiving day. We went to a palace to witness the coolness. |
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| Traditional Korean costumes for adults |
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| Cutie patootie dressed (like many other korean children) in traditional Korean costume and playing a game |
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| Pretty gardens a the second palace |
Day 25-September 21, 2010
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| So my day today was finding a way to balance shopping and a torrential downpour. Had my fun, but won't be doing it again any time soon. |
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| Gate at Dongdaemun, a discount shopping complex. I went completely forgetting the fact that it's Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving) and everything's closed |
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| So I went to MyeongDong the shopping district two stops away. They have forever 21, H&M and everything you can think of. This is AVENUEL mall, which has every high end designer from Jimmy Choo to Chanel. One day i'll be able to spend money there. For now, I spent my hard earned cash at forever. |
Day 24- September 20, 2010
In todays issue of random stuff my coteachers give me:
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| Corn and Apple Jam |
Day 22-September 18, 2010
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| Entrance gate at the base of Hwaesong fortress! |
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| I climbed those stairs!!! |
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| Walled city which is one of the only remaining of its kind in Korea. |
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| Look out tower on the top of Hwaesong |
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| Life size bonzai trees! Shout out to Dad!!! |
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| Gorgeous view of Suwon and the mountains from the fortress on the hill |
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| Part of the Hwaseong Village |
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| Traditional Korean Tea Tasting. Everyone was not a huge fan of the flavor |
Day 20- September 16, 2010
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| I found a gym!!! It's right next to school and only costs about 27 dollars a month... sooo cheap! |
Day 19- September 15, 2010
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| Today two students came into the teachers room and one of the teachers made them sit on their knees with their hands above their heads and lighters in their mouths... I assumed they were in trouble, but this was certainly some interesting punishment. |
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| What did the sign say? I guessed "I screwed (in a more colorful way) up." My teacher later informed me it said "I'm a smoker," thus explaining the lighters in the mouth scenario. It'll make you all think twice about lighting up outside of school (especially when you are 14 years old) |
Day 18- September 14, 2010
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| An extremely crowded Korean Subway Station. I would say 75 % of the time I have to push through some Koreans to find a handle bar to hold on to in the subway. |
I spend a lot of time on the subway. Sometimes I feel like I spend more time on the subway traveling and tranfering trains than I actually do at the place i'm trying to go. For the most part though, it is worth it and always and adventure!
It is super cheap though to take the subway. To go from Pyeongtaek to Seoul (about and hour and a half) only costs 1900 won (about 1.50). I can go anywhere in Seoul for maybe 50 cents!!
Day 17- September 13, 2010
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| Today I received a sandwich, 4 apples and two packets of seaweed. My teachers must think I'm too skinny. |
Day 16- September 12, 2010
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| Our Sunday trip landed us in Itaewon, a "foreigner" neighborhood of Seoul. It has lots of different kinds of restaurants, shops and even an English bookstore. Me and my travel buddies were all in heaven at the book store. It was nice to see all the different countries walking around the streets, there is not a lot of diversity in Pyeongtaek. |
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| Cool building in Itaewon. |
Day 15- September 11, 2010
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| Only in Korea do you have small buddha men chillen in the fish tank. |
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| What do you do when it rains in Korea? You go to the Aquarium! DUH! |
Happy 20th birthday to the one and only M.J!!!!
Day 14- September 10, 2010
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| Wonder where all the spice in Korean spicy food comes from. Oh just the peppers drying outside someones house.Of Course! |
Day 13-September 9, 2010
A Very Korean Rosh Hashanah
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| Our weak attempt. honey doesn't really come easily in this country. BUT i am proud of my 1650 Won ($1.00) wine that paid a remarkable resemblance to Manishewitz! |
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| Nothing says a festive jewish meal more than spicy hot dogs, ham and cheese stewy soup thing. |
Wishing everyone at home a happy and healthy 5771.
AND....HAPPY ANNIVERSARY JAY AND JACKI. 36 YEARS? THANKS FOR GETTING MARRIED!
Day 12- September 8th, 2010
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| My "housewarming" party at a korean restaurant where we had samgyeopsal. It is Korean seaoned pork served over a grill at your table. You then cut it into small pieces (with a scissors) and put it on lettuce. Top it with some soybean paste and a garlic clove and pop it in your mouth. I may smell bad, but it's tasty. Those are all the English teachers in my school. From my left: Miss Lee, Miss Kim (The one who is responsible for me), Mr. Yo (I think), Miss Cheon, Mrs. Hong, Miss Kim (Yung Wa). They look particularly Korean when photographed, but are extremely nice, warm, caring and helpufl! |
Day 11-September 7th, 2010
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| Korean Escalaters: no Steps as to make it convenient for cart moving |
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| My trip to LotteMart= Wal Mart for Koreans |
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| Korean Salad Bar... Just a tad different |
Day 10- September 6, 2010
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| My first homemade "Korean" meal. Couldn't really call it anything, but we'll say it's a mix of bulgogi (marinated beef) and bibimbap (vegetables and rice). I am very proud of myself!!! |
Day 9- September 5, 2010
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| A large traditional korean market in Seoul. They have lots of everything here. Cheap clothes, Knock off purses, ETC. |
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| It went on forever! |
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| Lady selling bugs.. no big deal... actually kind of disgusting. |
Day 8- September 4, 2010
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| Pyeongtaek Boys Middle School English Speaking Contest. The boys debated on whether or not they agree with cosmetic "surgeries" or not. Some also talked about a book or experience that meant something to them. They were so courageous to try to speak in English! |