catching up...

Since I last updated, I have had two days of work.
Much has happened, but I'm going to try and keep it pretty basic.
I got my apartment now. I'll attach some photos here.
Honestly, I don't really know where to begin. I guess Thursday, which was my first day of work. Luckily, since work does not start until 4pm I got to catch up on some much needed sleep in the hotel. I woke up once too early, fell back asleep, and then woke up later, probably around 11am. I took a shower...cuz I didn't want to attempt the tub (which was a crazy spa thing). The "shower" was basically a shower head mounted above the tub, but not in the normal location... it was pointing towards the toilet and door. Anyways, as a result of that when showering the water goes everywhere. I guess that's normal though because there is a drain on the floor.
I went out and about around town after that and got to check out Olympic Park and such.
Then went to work...
Work seems like it's going to be the perfect mix of fun and challenging. I'm very much looking forward to it. Like I mentioned previously, the kids I'll be working with already have high English proficiency...so I'm going to be doing classes like writing, speech, debate, documentary, and maybe even a Literature class. :D
There have been some funny happenings...when I was on the subway yesterday a guy got on with a loudspeaker and was trying to sell pantyhose. Couples are funny. Many times a girl will be drunk walking around with her boyfriend...she'll be almost falling down and he'll be helping her along. I actually saw this in the middle of the day today at around 5pm on my way to the convenience store. Bananas are pretty cheap, I think. I got about 5 today for 1.18. It was funny when I said thank you (Kamsamidah) to the girl at the store she looked so surprised. I can't wait to pick up some more words and phrases!
The incorporation of other languages into almost everything here is mind blowing. On their money it is printed in English, "Bank of Korea". The name of my apartment building is called, Tres Belle. As far as my recent pallet endeavors, last night I ate some chicken butt...and seaweed soup...a good share of kimchi...oh, and I got some spicy ramen to cook at home today too. I'll try to take some more pictures as times goes on. If you want to mail me anything I'm going to attach a photo of my address. Yes, a photo...because part of the English version of my address is in Korean. The address I'm giving you is actually the school, but I think I'm more likely to receive it if it gets sent there. The bottom portion of the paper is the address in all Korean...you can try that too, if you like. It would probably be more accurate, but it adds a new challenge.
My email here is also acting up a bit...I don't really know what's up with that.

Mom and Dad, since that's the only way we have been communicating, it kind of messes things up. You may have written me back from the other day...and I haven't seen it. If you want try sending it to my FSU email...which, oddly, still seems to work. I'm also leaving myself signed on to AIM now...so you should be able to write me anytime.

Day 1

Before you read this, a slight disclaimer: I wrote this a few days ago...so the actual date it should have been posted was November 19th, BUT since I didn't have internet yet, it was delayed.

Technically, right now, I'm in a love hotel, and I do not have an internet connection.
But I'm afraid that if I do not write this now I will forget small details that I would rather not leave out.
Today was an adventure and I expect tomorrow will be too.
The first thing I had to do was remove tons of stuff out of my suitcase because both of them were overweight and would have cost $300. Aside from that, most airport business went off without a hitch. The plane I took to Seoul was HUGE. I was afraid it was going to be packed too, but I got the aisle seat in the middle section and didn't even have to share with anyone. The plane ride was really long and I didn't really have the attention span to watch any of the in-flight movies. Besides the fact that I was pretty jacked up about everything going on around me. I slept some (but not much), read, and people watched. Once I got to Seoul there weren't any real issues...customs was quick and easy, my baggage was some of the first on the carousel. I got a cart for my luggage and headed out to meet the person who was supposed to take me to Avalon. Well, I walk out of the doors and there was no one. I wasn't quite sure what I should do and I thought I heard my name on the announcement, so I went to the info desk. She said that they didn't call my name and to just wait near where I came out. I walked back and kept looking around. Then low and behold there was a new edition to the people who had signs. A man in a blue surgical mask...I took a look at his sign, and YES, it had my name! I'm not stranded in the airport after all! I waved enthusiastically at him and came over with my cart. We walked to the taxi/van and hopped in and we're on our way. Our ride to the school was quiet...with the exception of the TV/GPS going in the front. Apparently, they like to watch TV while driving here...maybe it helps distract them from the heavy traffic, I don't know. The little flat screen that he had was pretty crazy though and definitely one of the most high tech GPS systems I have seen thus far. We finally got to the school brought my bags in and I got introduced to a bunch of people. What I wasn't aware of is that I will be teaching at the upper level branch of Avalon. The kids I teach will be around 14-15 years old. Which means the classes I'm teaching are more complicated. I will bet teaching things like speech etc... There's also only a grand total of 3 foreign teachers at my branch. I'll explain more about the actual school once I begin (which is tomorrow, actually). I met the head teacher named Mike, he's pretty cool. We went over to eat Korean BBQ...which is different, but really good. It cooks right on the table for you. Oh and they have these awesome buttons on every table. If you have any issue you just push it and an attendant will come right over. After that I went back to Avalon to retrieve my belongings and 2 of the people from the school helped me bring my stuff to the "Bellagio" Hotel, not to be confused by the one in Vegas (time to start chuckling). It's a love hotel...which means people generally just come here by the hour to...well, I shouldn't have to explain. I found out why they have them though. Apparently a down payment for an apartment in Seoul is around 80,000 (upfront). Therefore, people live with their parents here until they are around 30 years old. Hence, the love hotel. Well, I'm pretty sure I left stuff out, but I'm exhausted so give me a break. :) Love and miss everyone!!!
xoxox -Marge.

Departure

So a real expeditious update. My flight to Korea is set for November 18th in the AM.
Kind of sooner than I had expected, but I'm excited!
Hope everyone is doing spectacularly awesome!
love,
Margaret
Oh, if anyone wants to get together before my departure, call/e-mail/facebook me, I'd love to see you.