Out and About

Yikes...I'm falling behind. I'll try to catch up over the next couple of days...and eventually I might even be able to talk about Chadwick's hair...I'm just not ready yet.

Here are some things from the past weeks...

A parent from the school donated tickets to all of the staff to see Pinnocchio (it was an Italian production subtitled in Korean). It was at the Seoul Arts Center...the building was really beautiful.

Chadwick took me on a surprise date to "Piu." They had a delicious wood fire margarita pizza.

We met up with Seth and his co-worker for sushi in Gangnam.

Our first plant casualty...poor basil.

BUT, Chadwick brought me home another orchid.

Us, happy at home.

Chadwick, not so happy at Costco. It was so crowded, but we got lots of comfort food.

At most restaurants here the meat is cooked at your table...whenever I tell people I'm a vegetarian...I get either a confused or pity look (there's not too much around here without meat.)

We heard mixed reviews on Itaewon, a foreigner district. We walked around one Saturday to check it out for ourselves. They did have a variety of restaurants...Indian, Mexican, Greek, Italian...

One of the Italian restaurants.

We're doing pretty well for ourselves over here.

Who I Want to Meet

My new niece, Brynn Emaline Hardin, was born last Thursday the 6th at 11:43, weighing 7 lbs. 11 oz. and was 20 inches long! It was so crazy to come home from work, being Friday here, and finding out. I was so thrilled to see the pictures online and get all the updates. I had my first Korean tears...it was a mix of being overjoyed that she was born, and heartache for not being able to meet her and be close to my family to celebrate with them. I am excited to get to see her on Skype soon! I admire Bryan and Faith so much as parents, and I'm excited that they have a new daughter!

Here she is...adroable Brynn-e

Peyton is going to be such a wonderful older sister!

Isn't Faith so beautiful?

...so little and sweet.

First Day of School

Today was the first day of school with the kids. Our first grade classroom only has four students so far! I can hardly believe it. There are four other first grade classrooms at the bigger campus that have around 20 kids (the max amount). They keep telling us by the end of the year we will probably be full, but it's actually really nice to start out so small...I already know all of their names! Working with younger kids is a totally different experience. I melted at how adorable they were and the cute things they would say. Many times throughout the day I had to remind myself to not use baby talk (as specified in the handbook). It was a good day, but I was totally exhausted by the end of it. I don't know a lot about elementary, but I can tell these kids are very advanced for their age. I kept thinking there is no way you just came from kindergarden. One can skip count by 2's, 3's, 4's, 5's, 10's, could find anything on the globe, and kept telling us when things were in the "past tense." That's not normal right?

These are not the students I am working with...but it gives you an idea...

Back to Work

It's strange to be working internationally. It feels like you're on vacation, but you go to work. Well, work so far hasn't really been work. The new staff orientation was mostly filled with free meals, trips to stores, Costco, and setting up bank accounts. There are about 40 of us who are new to Korea International School, and we've gotten to know almost everyone, especially the ones in our neighborhood. Everyone is friendly, excited to be living here and trying to figure out the basics. It almost feels like college again...new people (I guess with more broader ages and backgrounds) living close together, no one knows anyone and you're all in the same boat. It sort of bonds you all together.

The school has treated us so well. From the minute we got here we felt welcomed and taken care of. The staff is so on top of things and helpful. A couple of times we have called to just ask for subway directions, and they say "hang on" we're going to come pick you up. So I guess we can't ask for directions, or we'll keep making someone leave their desk.

One of our first nights here, we went out for dinner and drinks with the school director and most of the principals. I was nervous to meet them all, but was quickly surprised at how down to earth and funny they all were. They aren't intimidating at all and have been putting fun events on like dinners, BBQ's and nights out for everyone.

I'm working at the smaller campus called Gaepo. It's their early years program which is pre-k (3 year olds) to first grade (which is who I'll be working mostly with). Beth the head teacher I'm with is really nice. Our director there, Don, took us on a tour of Seoul last Saturday on his free time. It was really hot out, but we had a blast. We're feeling so thankful that this is where we ended up, we are loving the Korean culture and have had such a positive experience so far with the school.

Here are some pictures from the tour...

This one is for Bry and Chase...I think Don was telling us that this is the only Korean written sign that Starbucks has in the world.

We went back to Insa Dong...it was much busier on the weekend.

Chadwick happy with his pastry puffs from a street vendor.

We went to a Korean lunch in Samcheong Dong, a really cute street filled with art, boutiques and restaurants (and waffles-which is a Korean dessert here, which I haven't had yet, but want to.)

Authentic Korean meals have lots, and lots of side dishes. This meal had like 8 courses. Everything was beautiful, but I haven't gotten accustomed to Korean flavors yet. I miss familiar tastes and smells.

The magical school bus.

We went to Gyeonbokguna Palace, and this was where they would have big dinners and celebrations.

This is inside one of the many buildings on the palace property.

Here is most of the new Gaepo staff (Don our director is on the left).

This is right when you enter the palace walls.

I felt so bad for these guys...it was so hot out...

This was outside the palace walls...they were changing the guards.

Inside the race car bus...

We drove up the Bukak Skyway to a lookout point.

Here is a view of Seoul on an overcast morning.

Meeting the Neighbors

Our bathroom floor has been constantly wet, so last night a plumber and our landlord lady came over to check it out.  Little did I know this leak (which was a broken pipe) would create a very interesting night.  The only thing we could understand was that it was going to take a long time for someone to come out...and then we finally realized they were going to wait with us until they came and until the job was done.  The landlady was full of smiles, and even though she understood that I couldn't understand her she talked with me for about 4 hours.  I'm not going to say there wasn't some awkward times with the communication barrier, but it once again showed me how friendly people are here.  I had my horrible Korean notes covering the coffee table trying to communicate.  It was pretty pathetic, at one point I was bringing in the plants for her to look at.  Charades also entered the picture.  She at one point walked me to her beautiful house and showed me her garden.  She filled a bag full of grapes, peppers, cucumbers and tomatoes for us.

People were in and out of the apartment all night.  The landlady's husband came over.  We also met our neighbor across the way from us and her little son who liked to jump on our couch.  The landlady loved giving him kisses, and he made the cutest disgusted face when I tried to feed him gummy bears.  I later learned that the landlords don't usually help out with problems, because they just own the buildings, and the school owns the apartments and takes care of them.  They just came because we were new in the neighborhood and they wanted to make sure everything went ok.  A Korean co-worker was trying to explain to me this attitude or feeling Koreans have toward their neighbors, but he said it was hard to translate into words.  He didn't really need to explain what it was, because I think I got to experience it first hand. 

(Side note:  they said we couldn't use the shower for 3 days while the tiles reset...guess who was a grease ball for their staff picture today?)

Oh, Hello Seoul

On Monday Chadwick and I went into the heart of Seoul.  It took us about 40 minutes and a couple of transfers on the Subway.  We went to Insadong, which is a tourist and local favorite for antiques and gifts.  We also went to Namdaemun market.  It's one of the largest markets in Seoul, which I was excited about and Chadwick was not so excited about.  I got lost in the maze of streets and enjoyed seeing all the goods.  I impressed myself by not buying anything all day (well I guess I got some treats...they have dip-n-dots here!)  Seoul wasn't as crowded as I had anticipated, but then again it was Monday afternoon. 

I'm looking forward to heading back with my co-workers this Saturday.  My director at the Gaepo campus (pre-k through 1st) is taking us on a tour of the Gyeonbokguna Palace, Samcheong Dong, and Insadong.

Here are some pictures of our first trip into Seoul.

This was a park that we found right off the subway...the crickets were so loud inside the gates!

Outside the park walls were covered with elderly men reading...they were really adorable.

I've been getting daily doses of each of these.

Chadwick's favorite candy is everywhere here.

In Insadong

The market.

Outside a palace (we were sad it was closed on Monday...we'll go back).

By Seoul Station.

These are the stairs I was telling you about at our subway station.