Here Goes...Everything

Today was my first day of school. It was about a 20 minute walk this morning and since I left early to make sure I had enough time, I had extra time so I found a bit of shade on an overpass, climbed up and relaxed for 20 minutes. Then I went in and we had our teachers' meeting at 9:10 (I work from 9-5 at the high school Monday - Wednesday and 8:30-4:30 at the middle school Thursday and Friday) I introduced myself in front of all the teachers, in English of course so I'm not sure how much they got but I tried to speak slow and use hand motions and easy words, but its hard to do that and not feel like you're belittling adults. Anyway, after that Oeja (my co teacher, or so I thought) took me over to the middle school to meet the principal, vice principal, and my co teachers over there. I got to see my classroom too which is awesome. I think at the high school I move from room to room (not real clear on that yet, I need to ask Oeja tomorrow) but at the middle school I have not just a room but a whole wing. Behind the classroom is my office. I don't even sit in with the rest of the teachers in middle school. Although it's kinda nice sitting with them in the high school.

Then after I saw the classroom I got to meet my co teachers, Mr. Pa and Mrs. Keong (not to be confused with Mr. Ha and Mrs. Seong from high school - I am not joking). Mrs. Keong is super nice, a little shy, but I think we'll get on beautifully, and Mr. Pa seemed really nice but I didn't really get to talk to him because he had a class. So Mrs. Keong and I sat down and talked about lesson plans and the like for about 45 minutes. Then I headed back to the high school and started working on my lesson plans. I decided I'm either going to do the same topic for each class (all the way from middle to high) and just adjust to each level, OR, find out the topics each class is learning in their other English classes and tie my lessons into those. Not sure which was I wanna do it yet but I know I'm starting everybody with introductions. And I found out that I have to have real lesson plans because I have to submit a copy to Oeja (Mrs. Seong) at the start of every week. No biggie. I'll definitely have plenty of time in school to plan so I won't need to take it home with me. I only teach 22 hours a week but am required to be at school 40 so I have 18 hours every week at school to get everything done. Which will be no problem once I get in the swing of things.

After a while Oeja came to get me to go look at apartments. I said yes at the first one because they said it was the biggest and I trust her. Although I still probably should have at least looked at the others. But you live and you learn. And it is a very nice place. Only drawbacks are the bathroom is tiiiny - like, I don't know how I'm going to take a shower without the door open which obviously isn't an option. I'll figure something out though, and that's a very common thing around here so I never really had any other option on that front haha. And the other is the heating and water heater run on oil which I have to get delivered when I run out. But, not much I can do about that either since all of Yeongdeok is oil. Which I know 1) because Oeja said so haha and 2) (and more importantly) my new Scottish male friend who lives in town and has been here since February (and is cute) told me so :]

So we got back, and lunch time came around, which I was nervous but the food was really good and only a tiny bit spicy but really just enough to have flavor. We had chicken in some kind of red sauce, coleslaw something that was actually good and tasted nothing like coleslaw :], something resembling tofu but which tasted like eggs, rice (of course), and some soup that was really good. Then a little later Oeja came over to talk to me about my Alien Registration Card (to further be referred to as ARC) and decided my pictures that were such a hassle in the States wouldn't work because you couldn't see my ears. Weird reason. But I went and had to have my picture taken at a photo place just down the way. So I walked in, sat down, (he was expecting me - Oeja called ahead - she loves me :] ) he took the picture, then I sat and waited while he photoshopped it (yes, photoshopped it, for free, while I waited - take that Glamour Shots, I can just come to Korea and have it done for FREE!!) Anyway, haha, then he printed them out, cut them up, refused my money, and away I went back to school.

About 3, Oeja asks me if its okay if we go to Pohang to do my ARC today to which I say of course! The sooner the better. We hopped in the car and cruised to Pohang. Saw a Nicole, a friend from orientation in the immigration office. Do the ARC - which took forever because they couldn't find my address - look, I have the same problems in Korea as I did back home haha. Finally finished up about 5 and Oeja starts checking the time. Well, she lives in Pohang so if she were to take me back to Yeongdeok she wouldn't get home til 7, maybe, or I could just take the bus back by myself. Which I didn't mind and told her, so I took the bus by myself (she bought my ticket though - she felt so bad!) and it was fine. She also called Mr. Lee to have him pick me up at the bus station to make sure I got off at the right stop and so I wouldn't have to walk and then she called tonight to make sure everything was okay. haha She really does worry too much. Not even here a week and I already have all the mamas' attention. Which is funny because I'm usually the mama. Nice to not be though. Except when it gets too much and annoying and I miss my babies and getting to be the mama. But the too much doesn't happen very often and I just try not to think about the second... :[

So, my first day went very well and things are falling into place nicely (finally). And on top of all that I met someone in Yeongdeok on facebook (which has saved my life since I've been here) and he's super nice and has answered all my questions. Hopefully tomorrow I'll be in my apartment - only downside to that is no more free internet and someone else cooking my meals. But I'll take my own space over that and just frequent the starbucks internet cafe :] it only costs 1000 won an hour (about 92 cents) until I can get my internet. I'm excited to be in my own space though. I"ll take pictures with my laptop once I'm in and done cleaning and then with my camera once I get it. Yay for progress! :]

I hope everyone is well back home. I miss you all and wish you could experience this with me. Every day is an adventure! ♥

PS - Sorry the posts are always so long, I just get carried away. :]

And, photo for the day is.... drumroll please...

First Day Outfit :]