Sunday, September 9, 2012
THursday and Friday, Sept 6 and 7th
I really, rely love my yoga class. It's actually pretty funny cause I pop and crackle in every pose, and my friend Sarah who is pregnant huffs and puffs her way through each move she can do. Then there is our instructor who is this little Korean girl who can make her bones bend in this smooth, seamless movement with excellent breathe control. I have no idea if I am the oldest in this class, but the way my joints keep popping, they might as well call me Granny.
I was going to go running with Anne again today, but Matt and I had a lot of errands to run. We had to stop by my school to pick up some furniture that was delivered there by accident. While there, we were unexpectedly fed dinner and was showed where the piano was. Matt, who is going through music withdraw, had to play..... and of corse I had to sing. We ended up giving a little mini concert and the teachers and students came in to watch and listen. It was cute, and I think everyone is excited for me to start. Well, we are going to have to wait for quite some time still.
Friday, was a big travel day. Luckily, we had beautiful weather. On our second trip to Ulsan, we took the train for the first time. It wasn't the supper fast bullet train, but it was still nicer and faster than the bus. Poor Matt, he gets so stressed out, and in a bad mood when we travel. Not being able to communicate, really bugs him, despite the fact that most the tellers here speak decent english. We submitted my application for an Alien card to officially become a resident of Gyeongju. Woohoo. We got home and took our daily nap. We are becoming quite use to naps. It's a bad habit, but nice.
Matt decided to go out with our friends to enjoy another Friday night drink fest. I passed this time, cause I was just tired.... or scared of the crazy soju here... one of the two.
Wednesday Sept 5
Not a lot to report today. I was going to go hiking with a friend, but had to stay home while our internet was being fixed. Later though,I went on a nice run with a new friend, Anne, along the local lake side. It was so humid down there, but absolutely beautiful. I learned that though the area is nice, the water is not fit for swimming in.... actually most Koreans don't even swim. WHAT!!! I with Matt of this one... these people are nuts not to like water. I guess I am the only one in this country then that loves and appreciates the song "Pontoon" by Little Big Town. Lol Christy and Amy- I still love this song!!
Not a lot to report today. I was going to go hiking with a friend, but had to stay home while our internet was being fixed. Later though,I went on a nice run with a new friend, Anne, along the local lake side. It was so humid down there, but absolutely beautiful. I learned that though the area is nice, the water is not fit for swimming in.... actually most Koreans don't even swim. WHAT!!! I with Matt of this one... these people are nuts not to like water. I guess I am the only one in this country then that loves and appreciates the song "Pontoon" by Little Big Town. Lol Christy and Amy- I still love this song!!
September 4
I got up extra early to go to the coffee shop for my weekly Skype call to the family.There is 13 hours difference, so there is a very small window of time to catch each other. After a nice long chat, I head to my first yoga class with some friends. I am so excited. It was a great class and so refreshing. Much of it to my surprise was very similar to yoga in the States, but there are a few twists.
More furniture showed up today, which is also very uplifting. Because we purchased the cheapest things we could find, it's not very impressive or comfy furniture, but it will do. My mood is lifting more and more, but Matt is still struggling. He is finding it difficult to look beyond everything that is 'wrong' to us, and shrug off the things that bother him. At least he has an easy, stress free job that makes a lot. One things for sure, this adventure really makes a person appreciate everything back home. My friend said she was showing her class some pictures back home, (which were just normal, adverse pictures of a house and yard) and the kids were amazed and kept saying she is rich. She had to explain that no, her family is not, but that is how most live in America.... it's just different. There are definitely pros and cons to all countries. I actually find the nature here beautiful. I can't wait to go hiking and exploring!!
Monday September, 3
I am really starting to feel better about everything. Matt has to go to work pretty early this morning. (ahhh how the tables have turned) I leave at the same time to head to the coffee shop. I try to call the family, but we haven't quite worked out Skype issues yet. I hang out and message some local friends before heading back home. I am finally starting to make many plans with various people to keep busy. I got yoga class lined up, a running partner, and a hiking partner. My butt better be smaller after this week! Anyway, Matt makes it home early since his last class got canceled today. Wow, rough job right? He said two teachers already left to go back home. We aren't too surprised because it is hard for a while, especially if your doing this alone. All our new friends that are here by themselves amaze me. Majority of them are right out of college too!!
Throughout the day, some furniture starts to arrive. With my supervisors help the other day we were able to order a few things for the apartment. WOOHOO chairs!!! Anyway, we go back to the school tonight to pick up some documents. My results from the traumatic hospital health screening are in. Everything is prepared to take to Immigration office in Ulsan to apply for Alien Card. Since we have already done this once for Matt, we aren't as nervous about it. Since Matt is off on Friday, we will probably make a day trip to Ulsan hen. For now though, back home to relax!
I am really starting to feel better about everything. Matt has to go to work pretty early this morning. (ahhh how the tables have turned) I leave at the same time to head to the coffee shop. I try to call the family, but we haven't quite worked out Skype issues yet. I hang out and message some local friends before heading back home. I am finally starting to make many plans with various people to keep busy. I got yoga class lined up, a running partner, and a hiking partner. My butt better be smaller after this week! Anyway, Matt makes it home early since his last class got canceled today. Wow, rough job right? He said two teachers already left to go back home. We aren't too surprised because it is hard for a while, especially if your doing this alone. All our new friends that are here by themselves amaze me. Majority of them are right out of college too!!
Throughout the day, some furniture starts to arrive. With my supervisors help the other day we were able to order a few things for the apartment. WOOHOO chairs!!! Anyway, we go back to the school tonight to pick up some documents. My results from the traumatic hospital health screening are in. Everything is prepared to take to Immigration office in Ulsan to apply for Alien Card. Since we have already done this once for Matt, we aren't as nervous about it. Since Matt is off on Friday, we will probably make a day trip to Ulsan hen. For now though, back home to relax!
Day 7 Sunday
Oh soju....... you are horrible the next day!!! I never got too, too drunk last night, but you wouldn't know it from todays hang over. Wow, I felt like crap all day. We venture out though to the local coffee shop to get internet access. On the way there, we meet several people from last night. They were on their way to the little 'Top Mart' store which is a little grocery store here. Matt and I tugged along because we couldn't remember where it was and we needed a few things anyway. It's nice randomly running into people you know out here and also very comforting. After all our errands, we make it back home, and just watch a movie. Boring day, but good.
Oh soju....... you are horrible the next day!!! I never got too, too drunk last night, but you wouldn't know it from todays hang over. Wow, I felt like crap all day. We venture out though to the local coffee shop to get internet access. On the way there, we meet several people from last night. They were on their way to the little 'Top Mart' store which is a little grocery store here. Matt and I tugged along because we couldn't remember where it was and we needed a few things anyway. It's nice randomly running into people you know out here and also very comforting. After all our errands, we make it back home, and just watch a movie. Boring day, but good.
Thursday, September 6, 2012
Day 6 Saturday
Today the depression and our moods are really up and don. The 'yo' bed added a little more comfort to sleep on, but still it's a big adjustment for the body. Both of us are getting tired of the same ole distractions and games. Matt doesn't want to go out into the chaos, and I don't want to stay in the apartment. We end up being forced to leave though when our cable and internet go out. Ha ha ha How fortuitous!!!
I tell Matt I want to check out this Pizza place just down the road. We actually had a great time!!! With my poor Korean skills, I introduce myself and Matt to the guy working. With his little english and our little Korean, we have a small but memorable interaction. For the next year, this is my pizza guy... I hope we made a good impression and he will remember us!
Tonight, was a big night.... defiantly one to remember since we discovered Soju beer. It's very cheep, but extremely strong.It's like a smooth vodka drink. The local Foreigners Association organized a night out, which Matt and I RSVPed for. We first met a bunch of foreigners at a bar. There were about 23 of us. We then all walked together to our dinner reservation for a traditional Korean meal. There were a bunch of hot plates in the middle of our tables, which was what the food was cooked on. It was very neat to watch and help out cooking the meal together. For the first time, it actually smelled good to me. Unfortunately, it so crazy spicy I wanted a whole pitcher of water at hand just to get through a few bites. Thankfully, I wasn't the only one struggling. The soup was very tasty though. Towards the end of the meal, to be traditional, they brought out the soju. We all tried it, and it wasn't too bad...... dangerous in other words. I think it's at least 25% proof.
After paying (approx 10$ for a nice traditional meal plus drinks) we head to another bar where the party starts. Matt and I had a really great time and met even more people. It was such a fun night. There were just a few of us left in the wee hours of the morning, and someone had a great idea to introduce Matt and I to Nori-bong (little Karaoke rooms). They are everywhere here and the Koreans love it. The good news at this point is,.... there is no such things as public intoxication. Yep, everyone is drunk in the streets here shamelessly. What makes it even more amazing is that there are hardly any accidents and no crime. Everyone is just having a good time. The walk back was just fine and thanks to soju, we slept like babies on our yo ;)
Today the depression and our moods are really up and don. The 'yo' bed added a little more comfort to sleep on, but still it's a big adjustment for the body. Both of us are getting tired of the same ole distractions and games. Matt doesn't want to go out into the chaos, and I don't want to stay in the apartment. We end up being forced to leave though when our cable and internet go out. Ha ha ha How fortuitous!!!
I tell Matt I want to check out this Pizza place just down the road. We actually had a great time!!! With my poor Korean skills, I introduce myself and Matt to the guy working. With his little english and our little Korean, we have a small but memorable interaction. For the next year, this is my pizza guy... I hope we made a good impression and he will remember us!
Tonight, was a big night.... defiantly one to remember since we discovered Soju beer. It's very cheep, but extremely strong.It's like a smooth vodka drink. The local Foreigners Association organized a night out, which Matt and I RSVPed for. We first met a bunch of foreigners at a bar. There were about 23 of us. We then all walked together to our dinner reservation for a traditional Korean meal. There were a bunch of hot plates in the middle of our tables, which was what the food was cooked on. It was very neat to watch and help out cooking the meal together. For the first time, it actually smelled good to me. Unfortunately, it so crazy spicy I wanted a whole pitcher of water at hand just to get through a few bites. Thankfully, I wasn't the only one struggling. The soup was very tasty though. Towards the end of the meal, to be traditional, they brought out the soju. We all tried it, and it wasn't too bad...... dangerous in other words. I think it's at least 25% proof.
After paying (approx 10$ for a nice traditional meal plus drinks) we head to another bar where the party starts. Matt and I had a really great time and met even more people. It was such a fun night. There were just a few of us left in the wee hours of the morning, and someone had a great idea to introduce Matt and I to Nori-bong (little Karaoke rooms). They are everywhere here and the Koreans love it. The good news at this point is,.... there is no such things as public intoxication. Yep, everyone is drunk in the streets here shamelessly. What makes it even more amazing is that there are hardly any accidents and no crime. Everyone is just having a good time. The walk back was just fine and thanks to soju, we slept like babies on our yo ;)
Day 5
Market day....
I woke up so excited because today is Market Day!!! Sarah is taking us to the market to find a 'yo' (a floor bed used in Korea). I am looking so forward to this, but Matt .... well, not so much. We meet Sarah at the Dunkin' Doughnuts and she shows us how to get to the main market which is about a 40 min walk for us (thankfully, she has a car). Not 10 minutes after we get out of the car and start walking through the market we see.... wait for it..... wait for it..... two old ladies getting in a fist fight!!! Yep, our first front row experience of two little ladies going at it like it was WW3. I was trying not to laugh, Sarah looks over at me and says ' do you want to stay and watch? It will take them a while to battle it out.", and Matt is behind me pushing me ahead to get the hell away. I kind of wanted to see if they would start throwing the fruits and vegetables, but Matt was on the verge of a panic attack, so onward we went. Matt found the market a little traumatizing, overwhelming, and miserable, but I thought was the most fun, belly laughing, and interesting experience so far. Poor Matt.... he just doesn't have a shopper's bone in his body.
Since Matt really had a rough time coping with the culture shock this morning, we decide to stay in and watch a movie. Matt was feeling very blue and home sick. I was too, but more from going crazy in the little apartment. Now that we have been here almost a week, we are starting to see how each other copes differently, and how we are responding differently to the culture..... I like walking around,checking out the little stores, and exploring. Matt just likes chilling in the house or at coffee shops, because walking around the crazy traffic, seeing Korean guys openly stair at my boobs, and not being able to communicate with anyone drives him nuts.
Though we are so much closer, this experience is bringing out different qualities in our relationship. So far, we are doing well....... better than the little old ladies anyway.
Market day....
I woke up so excited because today is Market Day!!! Sarah is taking us to the market to find a 'yo' (a floor bed used in Korea). I am looking so forward to this, but Matt .... well, not so much. We meet Sarah at the Dunkin' Doughnuts and she shows us how to get to the main market which is about a 40 min walk for us (thankfully, she has a car). Not 10 minutes after we get out of the car and start walking through the market we see.... wait for it..... wait for it..... two old ladies getting in a fist fight!!! Yep, our first front row experience of two little ladies going at it like it was WW3. I was trying not to laugh, Sarah looks over at me and says ' do you want to stay and watch? It will take them a while to battle it out.", and Matt is behind me pushing me ahead to get the hell away. I kind of wanted to see if they would start throwing the fruits and vegetables, but Matt was on the verge of a panic attack, so onward we went. Matt found the market a little traumatizing, overwhelming, and miserable, but I thought was the most fun, belly laughing, and interesting experience so far. Poor Matt.... he just doesn't have a shopper's bone in his body.
Since Matt really had a rough time coping with the culture shock this morning, we decide to stay in and watch a movie. Matt was feeling very blue and home sick. I was too, but more from going crazy in the little apartment. Now that we have been here almost a week, we are starting to see how each other copes differently, and how we are responding differently to the culture..... I like walking around,checking out the little stores, and exploring. Matt just likes chilling in the house or at coffee shops, because walking around the crazy traffic, seeing Korean guys openly stair at my boobs, and not being able to communicate with anyone drives him nuts.
Though we are so much closer, this experience is bringing out different qualities in our relationship. So far, we are doing well....... better than the little old ladies anyway.
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