Beware: Random stream-of-consciousness blogging ahead. Though, I guess all blogging is that way.
I've been in Korea about 10 days now; 7 of which were all but sequestered at a university with 500 other new teachers. During this orientation they pretty much beat the phrase "Korea is dynamic" into our brains. What is meant by Korea is dynamic is, "Korea can be a pain in the ass, it's unpredictable and everything happens at the last minute, so learn to adapt."
So far, this is true. In 36 hours I start teaching. What grades? How many students? (my estimate is between 800-1000 kids) Where is my other school? What days do I go there? How do I get there? None of these have been answered and I doubt they will be until the moment they occur.
I'm currently living in a Korean motel.
I was told they would have an apartment for me when I got to my town. The first thing they told me when I showed up was, "we didn't get you a house yet." Ah, so dynamic. They told me I was going to stay with a 25 year old female teacher for a few days, but she didn't want me to stay with her, so I ended up in this hotel instead. Which is fine by me. Though, Anne (the teacher's English name) is actually really nice and was just too shy to have me stay with her.
I am determined to learn my co-teachers/ friends real names and not their English names, Will (Dong-Uk) and Anne (Young-Jin).
When we got to Yeongcheon (sounds like Young-chawn) we were all greeted by our main co-teacher holding up a sign with our name on it. Our co-teacher is our go-to person for the rest of the year, from setting up utilities, rides to the grocery store, and contract disputes, whatever. I was expecting a young female teacher. I saw my name being help up by a young, male, and very cute Korean guy dressed to the nines. With him was a very serious looking middle aged woman also wearing her professional attire. She is my vice principal. Will, my co-teacher, speaks English well and introduced me to the VP. She didn't utter a word to me for the next hour or so during a welcome ceremony.
On the way to Will's car after the ceremony the VP pulled out her phone and called someone. Will nudges me and says she's talking to the principal. Teasing, I said, "oh, is she telling him she wants to trade me for a different teacher?" He replied, "oh no, she Looooovvvesss you!" which I totally wasn't expecting. Then Will and I got into his car (the VP had her own) and as I was about to shut the door, the VP leans into the car, right over me and goes, "He's really really handsome isn't he!?!"
Great, the VP is trying to play matchmaker!
Though, It's not like I had to be told he was good looking! Will, Anne, and I went out to dinner at a posh restaurant and I sat across from both of them. They kept whispering and Anne would giggle. I asked why they were staring at me and Will said matter-of-factly, "You have blue eyes." Anne giggled while covering her mouth. I guess neither of them had ever stared directly into blue eyes before.
They both stared at me through dinner. I can handle that. I got used to that in Africa. I don't take offense to it. After dinner it was harder to ignore because I had nothing to distract myself with. Anne stares at me indirectly where Will makes no attempt to disguise the fact that his gaze if fixated directly on my face. It is intense. Imagine the person sitting 3 feet away from you just staring directly into your eyes during an entire meal!
Bored with the awkward silence after dinner, I said, "you're still staring at me." Will just grinned and said, "You look like a Barbie Doll."
The three of us, and another woman, had lunch at a traditional Korean restaurant for lunch today. Again, I sat across from Anne and Will. Will being directly across from me, spent the entire time staring so intensely at me that it felt like he was drilling a hole into my head. From now on, I'm sitting next to Will at meals not across from him.
Traditional Korean restaurants are going to take time getting used to. The food was delicious but the facilities are a little tricky for the average American. You sit on the ground, legs crossed, at a table that is only a few inches above the floor. That isn't a problem. The problem arises when it's time to leave and you can't figure out how to walk with two numb legs!! The best case scenario is that you end up with a pimp walk and have to sort of limp and drag one leg on your way out! But I guess if they are staring at you regardless, why not look like an idiot on top of that!
Koreans make fun of my height.
Damnit, Damnit, Damnit, Damnit!!!! I can't win. Anywhere. That's it... next time, I'm moving to a Pygmy village.
We went to my future apartment yesterday to check it out. It was in need of some TLC but overall not bad. It's about 4 times larger than what I expected so I can't complain. There was no furniture in it and they asked if I wanted a bed. (They asked because Koreans typically sleep on the floor) I said that I would prefer a bed. My principal asked how tall I was because he needed to order it (apparently they come in sizes) and I told Will and he translated. Then they all laughed. Crap.
My principal is a Korean version of my grandpa.
When I met my principal I immediately was reminded of my Pap. My principal speaks basically no English. I sit is his palatial office with Will and he gives me juice and talks at me for a half hour or so while Will just nods his head. Based solely on vibes, he seemed like an iron-fisted authority figure with a soft side. And again, this is based on nothing but gibberish and a feeling. At one point today I was sitting around with Will waiting to go somewhere when the principal left the room. Will leans in and says, "my boss is very strict. But he is also a very kind man." He hit the nail on the head and confirmed my vibe.
Though, all I ever really knew of my Pap was the soft side, I heard stories from his time as a principal. I imagine my Pap was like this principal of mine. Someone all the teachers respect but there is the ever-present undercurrent of fear.
Pizza party at my place!
The day we got to our new homes my friends and I decided it was time we plan a reunion! Somehow, my 3 friends and I all ended up within an hour of each other. I'm in the middle. So we have decided to meet up at my apartment this weekend (hopefully I'll have one by then even though I'm supposed to move in tomorrow.)
Already, I spend an hour on the phone with them every night laughing about stupid stuff that keeps happening. I have no idea how to tell them where I live or how they can get here, but we'll deal with that hurdle when we need to.
So far I have been able to identify 3 western stores in my city. An Office Depot, a 7-11 and a Dominos Pizza. The latter being very close to my apartment. Though, just because the logo looks the same, doesn't mean the product is the same. Koreans prefer potatoes, corn, and squid as pizza toppings. Bleh. But regardless, they are all coming in for a pizza party/ sleepover this weekend.
Maybe we'll just order a cheese pizza! If they even have cheese!
