I woke up this morning at about 5 AM, and I felt great. This was probably due to the fact that jet lag hasn't quite sunk in, but I'm still feeling alright. This morning when I woke up, Dr. Kwon gave me a bag of Cheerios and some milk. I suspect that she doesn't think I'd like Korean food. I ate them obligatorily, but I have to be honest: I'd rather eat raw squid.
This is the bedroom I'm staying in for the next month or so. Yes, that is a guard-rail alongside the bed. Just in case I fall off.
This is the main living-room type area. I forgot what Dr. Kang called it. This is where the family hangs out; it is the only room in the apartment that isn't a bedroom or bathroom. During meal times, a small table is set up and everyone sits on the ground around it.
I went out for a walk this morning. I strolled for a few blocks of shops. There were a lot of Beautfy Salons (at which I will soon dye my hair, right Hannah?). It was a rainy morning, with temperatures in about the mid-sixties, so I stopped into a coffee shop and had a latte. It was a mediocre drink, and I didn't realize until I was almost finished that there were only middle-aged women in the coffee shop. Like twenty of them. And me. Oops!
Teaching
I have a lot more information about whom and when I will be teaching.
I forgot completely that Korean schools go year-round, so it turns out that I won't be teaching any students during the day. Rather, most of the teaching will happen in the evening. So, that means that most of my afternoons are completely free, except when I teach a few adults.
I currently have something like 10-12 students that I will meet with. Some are children, some are adults. I think they just want someone to talk to, although I'm not sure if I'm going to be very good at it. I'll have names and faces soon.
Art
Some hip, trendy chairs at the coffee shop, and a picture of Cyclops from the X-men. Done this morning while at Cafe Paris.
Last Thing
Jun (the boy I'm staying with) is so excited to have me here. So excited. I arrived last night and he took me for a tour of the room I'm staying in. "This is bed... this is bookshelf... this is pillow..." and then he proceeded to show me how to work the key system to the apartment, tell me about his homework, and be scandalized by how I kept my shoes in my room by my bed (I quickly discovered this wasn't acceptable. I now keep them in a closet near the outside door).
I don't think his sister is as near as excited. She sort of ignores me. I don't think she understands that I can't speak Korean, so it's easier to pretend I don't exist. Sad day.
I'll post more pictures tomorrow.
Peace!
---CJ
4 comments:
I don't have a job right now...so enjoy my frequent posts, but don't get too used to them.
I think you may enjoy discovering the smaller ideosyncrasies about a different culture (ie. keeping shoes in a closet near the door) even more than the large ones, or at least the expected ones.
I'm glad to hear you'll have free afternoons. Those are the best. I even enjoy them in Nebraska, which has far less to teach me in the way of culture.
Your pictures and illustrations are enjoyable - thanks.
Don't fall off the bed!
My teaching assistant last year was named June, only it was a girl.
Can you draw Wolverine? Or Nightcrawler, he's my favorite.
My friend, your blog is an entertaining read. I am glad to hear that you will not be falling out of bed at night and that you are living up your Korean adventure.
First picture: How many times have you taken a ride on the trike (or whatever it is) AFTER falling out of bed?
Bunch of middle-aged women... were they discussing any interesting books?
Shoes in the closet... do Koreans wear their shoes into their apartment or house, or do they take them off at the front door?
Today's word verification: "cmenj"... Polish word for "pillow" Teach that to Jun!
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