It's still a little surreal to be living in a foreign country, it almost escapes me that I'm far from my homeland until I realize I have no idea what people around me are saying. But for those back home I suppose I should give a brief synopsis of my adventures so far:
Orientation: So much happened over Orientation week, I can hardly describe it! I met a hoard of incredible people from all over the world coming to Korea to participate in the EPIK program. I can honestly say it was a fantastic experience that has provided me with more friends than I could have hoped for. I'd love to write more about the things that went on at orientation, but alas, I do not have the energy to post it here. Those stories will have to arrive at another time.
Orientation ended with me FINALLY discovering the details of my position. I am teaching at three schools for the next year. Seoseok Middle School is my main school, and I will also do one day a week at Jubong, and Samseang Elementary. So far I have only been to Seoseok to do planning, but from the few students I met they seem like good kids. I have no idea why they find me so fascinating, Mr. Shin (my co-teacher) says it is because I am so tall.... I am curious to experience them in the classroom. As well as meeting my other schools, for which I am more or less unprepared to tackle (but honestly, who's ever ready for kids?)
However, at the present moment. I am huddled inside my new apartment! And when I say new, I mean the apartment that I am taking over from the previous EPIK teacher. It is located above a few little shops, in fact the complex is owned by the woman who runs the galbi restaurant below. (Galbi, for those of you who don't know. Is a type of Korean BBQ that allows you to cook the meat yourself. Neat stuff). I haven't tried it yet, but it looks rather promising.
My apartment is almost impossibly small. If I had to gauge it myself, I'd say my bedroom is at most a 15' x 15' square room. I also have a tiny kitchen and bathroom attached to the bedroom. In total, I say I live in a 15' x 25' box. Pics below, and believe me it's smaller than it looks:
However, on the plus side. If my former resident here is right, it will cost very little to keep this place heated and cool. In addition, I have a full sized bed! Kinda silly in such a small apartment, but hell, you've got to enjoy a silver lining. Especially when you don't have an oven!
More to come as time emerges to tell!
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