Hi everyone!
So I'm in my new appartment, and I'm not gonna lie, it's a bit of a dive...but it's MINE so I love it and call it home. I have a small bedroom with just a bed (well, I bought a cheap shelf for books and "homey" things, like Farley), then a kitchen with a stove (they don't have ovens here) fridge, toaster oven, microwave. Then I have the living room with TV VCR desk, leopard-print chair for the desk, strange orange sofa and a smaller love seat. My armoire for my clothing is in the living room, but that's OK, I can walk around naked after a shower to find my clothes. My first shower here was a little chilly because you have to turn on the heat to get hot water and I'm still learning that one. Oh yeah, and water pressure? pretty much non-existent...so much so that I don't have or need a shower curtain in the bathroom :P
I have my own washer, but apparently it needs repairs so I may be getting a new one. I've done two washes...my slothes seem ok.
Alright, now for the fun part:
So, on Thursday when we all got picked up by our co-teachers, mine wasn't there...the supervisor was! I thought, great, what an awesome way to start off - my coteacher forgets about me. At any rate, we get to Boseong and I go to the school first ,meet my co-teacher, Mrs Kim, then meet the principal vice principal, head teacher, etc, etc. The principal is very kind and can speak some english, unfortunately the next day was his retirement ceremony so I have to meet a whole new principal on Monday when I start! Anyway, Mrs Kim brought me to my appartment and we started to clean. I was pretty much useless because I was so tired, but then Mr Son came over. Oh Mr Son! He is an old man that lives in Boseong and can speak English very well. He loves chatting and making friends with the foreigners here. He has been so good to me these past two days. Mom, he's like my guardian angel, i think. You would like him!
The very first time we met, Tursday night, he re-wallpapered part of the kitchen that had some mold on it, then he took me and Mrs Kim out to dinner. After dinner, Mrs Kim and I chatted and got to know eachother. No one here can believe I am only 22 years old (one of the first questions you get asked by korean people, right after "Are you married?"). Apparently I'm the youngest english teacher they've had here. It's true, during orientation I only met on other person who was as young as me...
Anyway, I slept like I was dead that night and woke up to start cleaning and unpacking. At about 8:30am, Mr Son called to come over because the internet guy was coming. Mr Son has set everything up for me and is my own personal interpretter! Then, get this, he showed me my own motorbike! Yeah, I didn't have to pay for it, it's here for the use of foreign teachers because in a small county like this, it's pretty much necessary. We went to a stadium so he could teacher me to ride his scooter before I learned the motorbike. It's very fun!
Of course, in true Vanessa fashion, I embarass myself on my first day in a new place by accidentally scratching a lady's car :S. Thankfully Mr Son was with me so he could talk to the lady (the car was parked, by the way). I just had to pay for the repainting, and it's all good, no harm done. Don't worry Mom! I'll be very very very very careful, and I've learned my lesson. Actually, I'm going to have my own scooter AND my own motorbike. The scooter is for around the downtown, because it's lighter and easier, and the motorbike is for more long distance stuff because it goes faster, so I'll use that when I want to tour the countryside.
At any rate ,on Friday, MR Son showed me all around town and then unexpectedly dropped me off at the school (at the point I was dressed casually and un-showered). I attended the principal's retirment ceremony and then went out for lunch with the faculty. They ignored me for the most part, but I'm sure they'll warm up! I'm not really warming up very well to Korean food, though (big surprise), though I'm trying very hard. I do like eel, though! What do ya think about that, Bern?!?!
After lunch Mrs Kim (co-teacher) and I drove to Gwangju City to get my alien registration card application done. After that we went shopping for various things and had a great time. She told me on the car ride home that at first she thought I was too young, but now she sees it as a good thing. She says the students will love me because I am enthusiastic (and I think she's warmed up to me a bit more too!!).
I'm really excited about the first day of class on Monday - I want to make a good impression on the kids. OH! here's my basic schedule:
I'm teaching three grades, three classes per grade in Boseong girls' school. Then, on Wednesday afternoon and thursday all day I take a bus to Beul Gyo, another town in Boseong county, to teach teachers. I also have some teacher's classes in Boseong. I think I teach 4 classes/day, which Mrs Kim says is very busy!
Today I woke up and decorated a little bit. Then, Mr Son came over with the internet guy, so I am able to write this for everyone now!! After that was done, Mr Son took me to the stadium again to teach me to ride the motorbike (instead of the scooter). We're going to have a few more lessons before he let's me loose on the town, but it's pretty easy even though I have shift gears. Then he took me on another tour and to the market, where they pretty much sell everything, even the kitchen sink. In the afternoon we went to the famous green tea plantation. It's a very busy tourist attraction, especially since it's the weekend. I didn't have my camera, but I will definitely go again and take pictures - it's absolutely breathtaking. I won't try to describe it, but I'm certain it's like nothing anyone has ever seen (unless you've been to a green tea plantation). Lucky for us, a music concert was going on, so I got to see some traditional Korean music and dance. Mr Son and I were sitting at the fron, so the MC pointed me out to everyone and gave me a prize, just for being from Canada!!
Whew! I'm pretty tired after that, but it's non-stop. Mr Son and his neighbour are making me dinner soon (I have to go over there and peel onions and garlic) and then we are going to a party for a foreigner who is moving away to Suncheon City, which is close to Boseong. This guy is from North Bay, is a frenchie, and has been in Korea for 8 years! At any rate, Mr Son said it would be a good idea to go to the party so that I can meet some Korean people. Non STOP! But I think i's better this way because I haven't had time to be lonely. Maybe he'll let me take a bit of a break tomorrow!!
Wow, this was a along one, but a lot has happened, and I'm sure I've missed somethings.
Special messages: Mom and Dad, don't worry too much about me, I'm being well taken care of!
Say hi to al lthe arnolds for me at the family reunion! Tell me when it is, and maybe I can call!
Sari *HUG*! If you see Tini, let her know about the blog and tell her I miss her.
Laura...good luck with O-WEEK!
I don't know who else reads the blog...but hi to you too! LEave a comment sometime so I know you're reading!
ness
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