Week2

The week started off and ended with sickness.
On Monday Tedd had a kidney stone bout, which required him to go to the hospital. Since Tedd is the teacher I am replacing, I ended covering for him and teaching 4 hours of classes. This was a bit unexpected because I am in training, so I have mainly observed and assisted during classes. I wasn't completely prepared to teach, but I gave it my best. I felt quite silly because my grading took foreverrrrrr. Thankfully Tedd made it out alive and now I know what to look for while I am watching the other teachers.
The next two days were primarily unremarkable. During the afternoon, before work, I go on walks in the area around my apartment. I love seeing all the youngsters run about; it reminds me of my own childhood. Jen and I would bike about or create adventures in our alley. For the most part, young American kids don't play outside anymore. There is a certain amount of magic that the outdoors possesses and I think it's a shame that some kids miss out.
On the subject of children: When i am out at the market or on a walk, eager kids frequently approach me and ask me my name, how I am doing, where I am from. Most likely these are the questions they have learned in school. It is super cute! With all the stares and random smiles I feel like a celebrity. At the moment I appreciate the friendly attention, but I can imagine that it could get tiresome........
The weeks turning point arrived on Wednesday: Since we work from 4-10:30PM, the school provides dinner. I have courageously sampled many new dishes each night. Besides a few plates that I find agreeable, I resort to the rice and the fruit in my purse. Anyways---- On Wednesday I tried this raw fish that was really revolting. Following dinner my stomach was slightly upset. Then Thursday when I woke I had a headache and some stomach pains, which basically subsided following my morning workout.
On Friday when I woke up the pain was worse and I didn't go away. To minimize the discomfort I curled up in a ball and slept most of the day. The sickness on Friday was a huge reminder of just how far I am from home. I have no clue where to locate Common remedies that sick Americans implement. It is a classic story of you do not know what you have until it's gone. I realize chicken noodle soup is probably ineffective in demobilizing viruses and other various pathogens, but psychologically it helps in a large magnitude. The distance from Korea to California is also more apparent. I am conflicted at moment; is the the distance good or bad? The distance could help me grow more independent and all that mumbo-jumbo I have heard repeatedly. However, I believe it is one-dimensional to claim any human person exists without the assistance of others. Currently I think that every adult must be substantially independent. Nonetheless it would be short-sighted to assert that people exist as lonely mountains. There are moments in every person's life, in which lack the energy or resources to handle certain situations. I believe that it's acceptable to relinquish independence in those moments. So all that inner-reasoning is to say, I realized complete independence is not necessary or even reasonable.
Saturday I slept basically the whole day, except for 2 episodes of America's Next Top Model( Sending my love Jordan!)
Now it is Sunday. The pain is less constant and I am praying(although I don't pray) that it will terminate tomorrow. I hope I hope I hope! At the moment the stomach discomfort is minimal if stay immobile, but I cannot stay in this chair forever.
Well I am sure this painting a fantastic picture of Korea for everyone:) My new plan is to bring my own dinner to work and forgo all this madness.
Much Love,
-Holly-
P.S. I hope someone will go to El Torito and Mimi's, where they serve cooked food, in my spirit.

Week 1

So, I successfully survived my first week in Cheongju. Yay!
The week started out a bit rough. I got into Seoul following a hellish 12 hour flight. My baggage didn't arrive for an hour. Then, the non-English speaking cabbie the school had sent whisked me away. He was literally running to the cab. The whole thing was quite confusing.
When I arrived at my apartment I passed out for awhile. When awoke I was starving but had no won on hand, so was basically starving. Then ted, my coworker, showed up and saved the day.
The rest of the week consisted in me going to the market and work. The market was pretty confusing; I rely on pictures for the most part. Bread is really thick and apples are huge! I was able to locate bagels at the dunkin donuts (which are as prevalent as bacteria here)
Throughout the week i observed the citizens of cheongju: The women are impeccably dressed-- full makeup and usually heels. I am astounded with their beauty and elegance. The men are less eye-catching. However, the younger guys are much more fashion-focused than most American men.
On Saturday some of the teachers and I ventured to chungju lake , where we planned to take a ferry to the gosu caves. The ferry dropped us prematurely, which we were not aware of initially. After several phone calls and the like we traveled by cab 12 km, where the caves were located. The caves were really cold and neat to look at. Korean families go on lots of weekend trips within the mountains so the place was packed. Totally different than American grannies, elder Korean women were huffing it up the cave's multitude of staircases. I was most impressed.
Next we headed to pyeongtek, nearby camp humphreys. My fellow teachers friend owns a burrito shop on strip of bars that caters to the army personnel. I was so thankful for the Mexican culinary delights, even if it wasn't as good as el torito. I bopped about and talked to some of the guys. It was nice to have a full conversation. Since I know so little Korean, unless I am talking with some one from school, the last week consisted in 3 word conversations.
Although I am missing home quite a bit right now, I am going to hold on. At the moment it is difficult for me to exist without close contact to others. I like hugs, smiles, and people loving me. I keep telling myself I will get there. In the mean time I am missing my family, friends, and American food.

P.S. Check out these photos
http://s538.photobucket.com/albums/ff343/hbingham14/