Nov 1 Update on Korea!

Matt and I have been back in Korea almost a month now. Many of our friends were shocked and happy we came back a second time, especially considering the conditions and circumstances we left in.
When we arrived in Seoul SK, it was late and we were exhausted. We had missed all the busses and trains to our home town, so we had to stay in a hotel. I will post some pictures of it because it was REALLY nice. After getting up extremely early, we caught the first KTX train (also known as the Bullet train) to Gyeongju. What is normally a 5 hour bus ride ended up being a 2 hour ride going up to 200 miles an hour on the train. IT WAS AWESOME. I took lots of pictures and videos to make a little movie about it. This is one of many projects I keep procrastinating on
From the KTX train station you would think normal travelers would go home and get to settle in before reporting for work....... I guess we didn't learn that lesson the first time we arrived because once again we hit the ground running. Ha, 'running' is so wildly exaggerated because we looked like the walking dead, ALL of our luggage dragged behind us, heading for Matt's office and his waiting classes. With cheeks red from embarrassment, a mountain of luggage around me, I sat at Matt's desk repeatedly explaining to everyone that 'Yes, we are back' and 'We literally just arrived'. I should have said... 'yeah, we got back a few days ago, but I am so use to have my truck load of luggage with me that I just carry it around with me everywhere now.'
Miserable and tired, I thanked my lucky stars that Matt only had to work 4 or 5 hours before I could blissfully pour my butt into bed....... well, not a bed..... a hard mat on a hard floor. AAAHHHH Welcome to Korea!!!

Since then SOOO much has happened. We have been to several cities, made lots of new friends, experienced Korean bath House (me of course), had our Birthdays, went to a Korean movie theater to see an English movie with Korean subtitles, ate all kinds of food such as whale (very disgusting), and most importantly, BOUGHT A REAL FREAKING BED!!!  Cue the angle choir- aaaahhhhhhhhhhhh

I really like it here. The bath house was a little awkward at first, but man was it nice. They really  have a smart thing going there. There are 5-6 different pools of various temperatures, dry and wet saunas, and lots of areas for scrubbing/washing. One of the pools is full of green tea.... my favorite. Cleanliness is very important here  and they take it very seriously. Snubbing and exfoliating is extremely important. Because there is no sense of modesty or embarrassment with the concept of bath houses, nudity is so normal and accepted in this area that it never seems weird. After a while, I really enjoyed the experience and never felt awkward at all.  It's so ingrained in the culture and atmosphere that it makes you feel relaxed and unconcerned about nudity. I have never felt this way when i went to a western spa in the  states. We (my BF and i) were there for about 2 hours, and I never felt more indulged, relaxed, and of course.... clean.        


We really enjoyed our Birthdays here..... or at least I did. Matt did a great job in making mine special. We went traveling in a near by large city that is so nice. Matt found a huge electronic store that he got so excited about. Poor guy..... he wants a gaming PC here so bad, but computers are VERY expensive here. For his birthday we explored our downtown and went to the movies (he wanted to see the new James Bond movie) Also, finally we can have drip coffee once again. I got Matt a coffee pot and A LOT of coffee :) I think he is happier now   lol.
Lately, we have also had some great Korean meals with friends. I'll try to post some pictures for yea. I am still learning all the Korean terms for food here. Basically though, restaurants specialize in a certain meat and certain cut of that meat, so it is very specific when you choose a restaurant. Matt doesn't have very many options, but he seems to be fine with it. All the meals are very focused on meat, and little side dishes are shared to provide veggies and other things. Each table comes with a little grill in front of you, and you cook the meat how ever you like at your table. It's very fast, and different. Matt is so funny, he says, 'Why are we paying for a meal if we are still doing all the work cooking it" Bless his heart, he misses out on the best part....the meat here is so freaking good! It's different, but it's totally worth it.

I am still going to Yoga...... when I can get my butt out of bed. Oh, did I mention I have a REAL BED? Yoga is so refreshing here, and afterwards, I sit with my girls at our local coffee shop....... all afternoon. My God this whole not working things is freaking amazing. I have been knitting my heart out lately too. I have one girlfriend who has become my recent student, and I have even been hired to knit some items for Halloween Costumes. I have found not one, not two, but THREE yarn shops in my town!
With my girlfriends, yoga, real coffee, yarn shops, bath houses, a REAL  Bed, and of course my honey bun, life is so nice right now.
I wonder what I will be writing in 3 weeks when i start work.......

Week 3 
Carbs, Sugar, and beer...... the Korean diet

Week 3 is going well so far. Every week is easier and easier, though still difficult at times. So far this week I have gone to a Hoff (Pub), gone hiking over mountains, tried kem-chi again (still horrible), walked downtown, and ate at McDonalds.
Hiking is so beautiful here. What is even more amazing is what you find at the top! Yes, Yes, the view is breath taking, but just incase your not breathing hard enough, they put exercise equipment up there!!! No joke, I wish I remembered to take a picture of it, cause it's hilarious. They have a weight bench, a bench that slants upward for sit-ups, and other things. They even had hula-hoops there (Emily, you would be proud)!!

Anyway, Tuesday after yoga my friend Sarah and I were going to go swimming at  a local pool house. These are hard to find, but for 6,500won (approx 6$) you can go swimming. Even after Sarah explained to me that there is little modesty here and everyone is expected to shower before and after in community showers (gender appropriate of course), I still agree to go. She warned me that everyone would be staring, but that's just because Americans Shave/trim (whatever) areas, and Korean women do not...... at all...... Huummmm I am not to sure about this idea now. I learned that at least my tankini is acceptable swimming attire though. Then, right  before we walk in she says 'Oh, do you have a head cap for swimming"? No, not something we normally wear right???? Well, it is mandatory that everyone, no matter where you are swimming,  wear a swim cap. Since that was going to cost more money, Sarah asked if I would like to walk downtown instead... at this point.... Hell yea!!!!
Off to downtown we walk with my modesty in tacked. We walked A LOT....miles, and miles. A 7 month pregnant woman just walked my butt off and she isn't even breathing hard. For an American, I didn't think I was in that bad of shape till I came here. Back on topic  now!!! Downtown is really cool. Matt would hate it! Here is where the affordable shopping is, but you still have to be very clever. We went to McDonalds, which was very much the same. However, the lack of Diet Coke crisis that Matt blogs about, extends here as well. NOOOOOO!

Speaking f eating, I am already getting tired of the Korean options here. Everything lately has been high in Carbs, sugar, and at night, everyone just wants to drink beer. It's like I am in college again. These Koreans may be starting to eat more unhealthy western style foods, but if they keep climbing mountains to get to exercise machines, I guess they can eat and drink whatever the hell they want. I think Matt is on to something here.... they are definitely like Klingons..... just much smaller and walk A LOT!

Pictures from Friday, sept 7 

Our train ride from Ulsan back home to Gyeongju South Korea. 

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!!

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!