In Korea and what has happened so far…

The Journey

So I arrived on the 15^th. I flew to Chicago via United, which was ok. Found out my new bag died there but that’s something I will talk about later. I had at least an hour to wait before my next flight, so I called my mom, sister and brother. I left my regular phone with them. After talking to them I just waited for my flight to Korea. I was flying Asiana. Let’s just say I will not fly that airline again if I can help it. I flew Korean Air last time and was ok.

What happened? Probably worst nightmare.

I was sick for over half the flight. Couldn’t eat anything more than fruits and drink water. I had Sprite a few times. After awhile I couldn’t seem to even swallow without feeling sick. Just the smell of food made me feel horrible. The air was stale and hot, there were a ton of little kids that were crying, the girl beside me kept moving and bumping against me, the guy in front of me decided he wanted to basically recline his seat all the way into my lap. Doesn’t help that I have pretty long legs either.

After what seemed like the longest 14 hours of my life we finally landed. I could not have been happier to be on the ground. The weird thing is I’m not afraid of flying, I just hate how warm it can get. The hotter I get the sicker I feel.

On Land. Thank God.

I went through immigration and customs. Some people were trying to figure out why my picture wasn’t taken and I was like “I was here last year so they have it already. ^^;” Went to pick up my luggage. I saw a bag all wrapped up and praying it wasn’t mine. Then I saw United and want to cry. My bag didn’t make it out The States before dying on me. So I’ll have to buy another one later.

Ready to continue my journey…kinda

After all that I was ready to go. I went out and saw the driver that was sent for me. I was still feeling sick but not as bad. We loaded up my luggage and took the long journey to my new city of Yangpyeong. I should make a post about where I’m living.

Please pull over

On the way, we were still in Seoul and I had to get the driver to pull over. Let’s just say my fruits are on the street side in Seoul. The horror. But I did feel a bit better after that. Then, we continued towards Yangpyeong. Once we arrived I was a bit confused because well I don’t know which way is which. Then my co-teacher showed up.

A sweet co-teacher and home for the next year.

She’s so sweet! Coming to find out she’s pregnant so in like two months she’s gone. The sadness.

 I live on the fourth floor with no elevator. The joys of mountain climbing to get home. I have all the basic stuff, just had to get an air condition and some more furniture.

Later that night she invited me to eat with her and her husband as well as her in-laws (brother and sister in law). It was Korean BBQ. Anyone who knows me knows I LOVE some Korean BBQ. So I was introduced and they are all super nice. Her husband is pretty shy but in a good way. He kept giving me food. I was so stuffed. His brother wanted to drink so they ordered Soju and beer (Cass beer).

I don’t drink beer and I have no clue what soju tastes like even though I was here last year. So, I accepted the beer, we did like 3 toasts that night, and I was sipping on that one glass. Shockingly, it goes really well with the food. So it wasn’t that bad but I didn’t know how I would handle it so yeah…not trying to get drunk.

That was the fullest I’ve been since I left home. Later he (my co-teacher husband) realized that I was getting tired and my co-teacher took me home.

Next day at school

The next day we met up and she took me to the school which is like 4 miles away. I had to meet the other teachers as well as the vice principal and principal. They are all really nice. They say the principal is sometimes hard to please but she’s just all smiles with me. So far. I hope it stays that way. I was shown around and the school is under construction and doing some remodeling. So I’ll have to go to each class, which isn’t too bad. Maybe…I still don’t know my way around that well. I was only shown once, briefly.

Hospital

After all that I went to the hospital. I swear they move so fast. For 85,000 won Got an x-ray, blood test, urine test, blood pressure checked, eyes checked, hearing checked, checked for color blindness, weight and height checked all in less than 30 minutes. I would’ve been waiting forever at home to be seen even with a bone sticking out.

Shopping?

Coming to find out my principal gave some more money to get the air conditioner and furniture. So we went shopping for those after the hospital. Later that night my co-teacher and her husband picked me up to go to E-Mart in Hanam. Since it’s half-way between Seoul and here. I was able to buy my own sheets and some things for my kitchen as well as some food. They let me borrow some money until I get my settlement allowance and I will give it back to them. My co-teacher and husband are too sweet. I swear, I don’t know what I would do without them.

Finally some AC

The air condition was put in Sunday and thank goodness. My skin was breaking out from the heat and humidity. My hair gave up. I thought I was going to die from a heat stroke. I couldn’t even sleep with a light sheet. My furniture should be coming this week. So that has been my life for the past four days.

Oh and I found out that I live in between the bus station and the subway station. Woo~! And there’s a grocery store next door. It’s still a pain lugging everything up these stairs.

Today is my first official day of work in which there are no English classes today. So yay! I just have to introduce myself to the school and sit at my desk for the rest of today. These kids are so freaking adorable. They just stop by to wave and say hello. I love them already. After today is over off to the hospital to get my results and they are going to take my blood pressure again. It was high last week. I doubt it’s going to be normal in this heat. X.X

Until next time!