Sunday, March 18, 2012
Leak Watch
The leak is getting worse. Every morning my little porchy-bit is flooded. And what's worse is that I've just discovered a second! This makes me sad... They said on Friday that they'd look at it on Monday. I hope they get them fixed!!
Saturday, March 17, 2012
"The List" Update
I think I can cross off the following:
34. Do karaoke in public - Having been to three noraebangs since I've been in Korea, I think I can safely say I've done this!
And ones I'm getting closer to completing:
66. Visit all 7 continents - I have now been to Europe (obvs!), North America, Africa and Asia. Three more to go!
Thursday, March 15, 2012
That awkward moment when...
You want to get in the bathroom to get ready for bed but you put some washing on and the machine is emptying the water all over your bathroom floor so you have to wait until it's finished... Average!
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Happy White Day!
Today is White Day, so Happy White Day! This is the day when the boys give gifts (mainly sweets/candy I think) to the girls. On Valentines Day, the girls give gifts to the boys. I gather that this is normally choccy-based. This is what my last class of the day were teaching me. One of the girls had a whole tub of lollipops so I was teasing her that she had lots of boys that love her, haha. "Teacher no!"
She gave me a lollipop for White Day, and one of the boys gave me a sweet, how cute.
She gave me a lollipop for White Day, and one of the boys gave me a sweet, how cute.
Monday, March 12, 2012
Korean Ages
The age system here is interesting. When a child is born, they are considered to be 1. They then add a year on New Year's Day. So they don't actually add another year onto their age on their birthday. And if a child was born on 29th December, they would be 2 on New Year's Day, when in our reckoning they would be 3 days old. Interesting stuff, eh?
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Shops
Shops that I didn't expect to see here:
- Accessorize
- The Body Shop
- Cath Kidston
Argh, there were more but my "morning after the night before" brain can't recall at this second...
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Week Two!
Having not updated for 2 weeks, let's hope I can remember what's happened. It's been such a whirlwind so I'll give you a very quick break down of what happened in week 2. I'm bound to forget something interesting...
Monday 27th February
So today was the first time visiting the school. Got to watch some classes, and did some origami. One girl taught me how to make an origami jewel, although I have completely forgotten how to do it now! Was pretty cool though!
Found out I'm an afternoon teacher. Means my first class is at 11:50, and some days I'll be there until 20:30. That's cool though. No early mornings and everything stays open so late here that a late finish isn't really a problem at all! Plus, I'm sooo not a morning person.
In the evening we went for more Jjimdak. Twas yum.
Tuesday 28th February
Today we went in to school and then had to go for our medical. The process was so quick. We just went from one station to the next. Height, weight, hearing test, eye test, blood pressure, blood sample, urine sample, x-ray and we were outta there! They're nothing if not thorough!
The evening was spent in a foreigner bar in Nowon. Played some darts... They bloody love darts here! They have dart boards and electronically count the score and they even have a camera on them so you can connect to somebody in another bar and play with them. Mental! Now I didn't expect to see so many dart boards when I came to Korea.
Wednesday 29th February
More observations and got our schedules.
Went over to Bucheon for a night out with Luke as it was his last day at work. It's really far away!! But was a great night. Went to a bar where you pay W15,000 for a glass and then it's all you can drink red wine. Well, it would be rude not to!
Then it was time for more noraebang! Woop! Was a really good night.
Thursday 1st March
Moving day! But first I had to get back to the Love Motel in Suyu for 11am. Now that was never going to happen. Firstly, I left to get the subway at 10am...
It took me a good 40 minutes to find the subway. Then I had to ride to rammed subway (it was a National holiday) all the way back to Suyu. This took about an hour and a half. In a panic I arrived back to the motel and luckily they hadn't been to collect me yet. However, I then had a problem... I had lost my motel room key. The woman on the reception shouted something at me in Korean. As I can't understand I am going to pretend it was something like "Oh don't worry about it, pet. We'll sort this right out for you." Anyhoo, that got sorted and it only cost me W10,000. A lot cheaper than if I lost a hotel key in the UK I'm sure!
I then managed to squeeze everything in my one suitcase and about 20 minutes later I was on my way to my apartment.
The apartment is cute, except for the cockroaches and a leak. The bathroom is just a wet room. No separate shower cubicle. It all just drains on the floor. That's including the washing machine that is in my bathroom. Drains on the bathroom floor. Interesting!
Once I was in, I felt a little lost. I had no idea where the others were. Then they knocked on my door - how nice.
Friday 2nd March
First day of teaching - argh! I think it went ok though. To be honest, it was all a bit of a blur so looking back I can't really remember. First day ever teaching, ever! Was pretty scary, but I survived. And once I was finished, it was party time. On to Hongdae!
Monday 27th February
So today was the first time visiting the school. Got to watch some classes, and did some origami. One girl taught me how to make an origami jewel, although I have completely forgotten how to do it now! Was pretty cool though!
Found out I'm an afternoon teacher. Means my first class is at 11:50, and some days I'll be there until 20:30. That's cool though. No early mornings and everything stays open so late here that a late finish isn't really a problem at all! Plus, I'm sooo not a morning person.
In the evening we went for more Jjimdak. Twas yum.
Tuesday 28th February
Today we went in to school and then had to go for our medical. The process was so quick. We just went from one station to the next. Height, weight, hearing test, eye test, blood pressure, blood sample, urine sample, x-ray and we were outta there! They're nothing if not thorough!
The evening was spent in a foreigner bar in Nowon. Played some darts... They bloody love darts here! They have dart boards and electronically count the score and they even have a camera on them so you can connect to somebody in another bar and play with them. Mental! Now I didn't expect to see so many dart boards when I came to Korea.
Wednesday 29th February
More observations and got our schedules.
Went over to Bucheon for a night out with Luke as it was his last day at work. It's really far away!! But was a great night. Went to a bar where you pay W15,000 for a glass and then it's all you can drink red wine. Well, it would be rude not to!
Then it was time for more noraebang! Woop! Was a really good night.
Thursday 1st March
Moving day! But first I had to get back to the Love Motel in Suyu for 11am. Now that was never going to happen. Firstly, I left to get the subway at 10am...
It took me a good 40 minutes to find the subway. Then I had to ride to rammed subway (it was a National holiday) all the way back to Suyu. This took about an hour and a half. In a panic I arrived back to the motel and luckily they hadn't been to collect me yet. However, I then had a problem... I had lost my motel room key. The woman on the reception shouted something at me in Korean. As I can't understand I am going to pretend it was something like "Oh don't worry about it, pet. We'll sort this right out for you." Anyhoo, that got sorted and it only cost me W10,000. A lot cheaper than if I lost a hotel key in the UK I'm sure!
I then managed to squeeze everything in my one suitcase and about 20 minutes later I was on my way to my apartment.
The apartment is cute, except for the cockroaches and a leak. The bathroom is just a wet room. No separate shower cubicle. It all just drains on the floor. That's including the washing machine that is in my bathroom. Drains on the bathroom floor. Interesting!
Once I was in, I felt a little lost. I had no idea where the others were. Then they knocked on my door - how nice.
Friday 2nd March
First day of teaching - argh! I think it went ok though. To be honest, it was all a bit of a blur so looking back I can't really remember. First day ever teaching, ever! Was pretty scary, but I survived. And once I was finished, it was party time. On to Hongdae!
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Random Thought
I forgot to mention that there's a Ben's Cookies in Dubai Airport! Am I the only one that finds that incredible?!
AND literally as I was writing this post, I've found out that there is a Ben's Cookies in Seoul!! You must be kidding me!
AND literally as I was writing this post, I've found out that there is a Ben's Cookies in Seoul!! You must be kidding me!
Monday, February 27, 2012
Week One!
Monday 20th February
Travelled down to Heathrow from Nottingham on Monday morning. Jen came with us and Karl met us at the airport so that was nice to see them before the flight. After Krispy Kremes and a brew it was time to go through to Departures. My plan had been to buy a camera from the Departures Lounge. Instead, I opted to sit at the gate with tears streaming uncontrollably down my face, as you do. Quite embarrassing. But lucky I was in Britain where people just leave you to it, haha.
The first leg of the journey was the Emirates flight to Dubai. This was about 8 hours and there was loads to watch - they even had wifi! I did have to pay for it, but still! So after emotional goodbyes and warning people I wouldn't be in contact for a while, I then started Whatsapp-ing people about 30 mins into the flight, haha.
Tuesday 21st February
Arrived in Dubai after midnight (UAE time). Whilst looking completely lost, started talking to a fellow passenger who turned out be going out to do exactly the same thing for the same company! Freaky - in a good way!
We sat in Dubai Airport chatting for 4 hours and then it was time for our second flight to Incheon. This flight was just unbearable! The plane was full and I just couldn't settle. But after 7 hours we arrived in South Korea!
Our luggage was already out by the time we got through immigration. Then as we walked out into South Korea, feeling a little startled by the whole experience, I then hear a broad English accent shouting my name - Luke had come to meet me! Bless him.
Then it was time to get a bus from Incheon to Suyu. This was pretty long, but I met two of the other new teachers from my school so that was really good. Was taken to our "Love Motel" where we'll be staying until are apartments are available.We then went for Jjimdak (I hope that's right!). It was chicken and vegetable stew-type thing. It was all marinated in a sauce of some description... I should really learn what it was. Was pretty fit to be honest!
Wednesday 22nd February
First day of training! Pretty long day of training but there was quite a big group of us and everybody seems lovely. Was my first experience of the subway too. Pretty much just like the London underground! I even have a T-money card which works just like an Oyster card. Although the T-money card is better - you can even pay for taxis with it! Mental.
After training, a few of us went for a meal in the Suyu area. We had something that was nice! No idea what it was. It was rings of something (maybe squid?!) on a bbq-type thing in the middle. One of the girls had a dish that came with a glove for her to mash it all together in her hand! As you do...
A couple of us then went for some drinkies. Went to a place where they apparently don't let in Raccoons... Random!
Thursday 23rd February
Second day of training! Afterwards, went to a Japanese restaurant with a few people from training. There was no English on the menu at all so it really was just pointing to something and hoping for the best! Was nice though. They forgot to put my order through so I just pointed to one near me that looked nice and got one of those, ha.
Friday 24th February
Last day of training! And I overslept! Thank god there are other new teachers staying in this motel. They woke me up! Never got ready so quickly.
Had to give a 20 minute lesson. Good job it wasn't with real kids as I had totally run out of things to do after the first 15 mins! A little cringey but never mind.
At night we went for Korean food - I think it was Galbi? Raw meet cooked over a flame on the table. The great thing about the Korean food is that they tend to come with a load of side dishes which are FREE. Amazeballs!
After a few drinks we ended up in a Noraebang! For those of you that don't know, this is karaoke. And I can see why they love it so much. It was so much fun!
Saturday 25th February
This was the day of sleep, sleep and more sleep. The orginial plan had been to go to this extra training day but my days did I need to sleep!
The night time was then Luke's leaving do in Hongdae! Went to an Irish bar. Had fish and chips. Then drank a lot. Went to a club and drank some more! And you know it's been a good night when you end up at McDonalds at the end of the night and they're already serving breakfast...
Sunday 26th February
Sleep, sleep, wander, more Japanese food, PC bang (internet cafe without the cafe), sleep.
Travelled down to Heathrow from Nottingham on Monday morning. Jen came with us and Karl met us at the airport so that was nice to see them before the flight. After Krispy Kremes and a brew it was time to go through to Departures. My plan had been to buy a camera from the Departures Lounge. Instead, I opted to sit at the gate with tears streaming uncontrollably down my face, as you do. Quite embarrassing. But lucky I was in Britain where people just leave you to it, haha.
The first leg of the journey was the Emirates flight to Dubai. This was about 8 hours and there was loads to watch - they even had wifi! I did have to pay for it, but still! So after emotional goodbyes and warning people I wouldn't be in contact for a while, I then started Whatsapp-ing people about 30 mins into the flight, haha.
Tuesday 21st February
Arrived in Dubai after midnight (UAE time). Whilst looking completely lost, started talking to a fellow passenger who turned out be going out to do exactly the same thing for the same company! Freaky - in a good way!
We sat in Dubai Airport chatting for 4 hours and then it was time for our second flight to Incheon. This flight was just unbearable! The plane was full and I just couldn't settle. But after 7 hours we arrived in South Korea!
Our luggage was already out by the time we got through immigration. Then as we walked out into South Korea, feeling a little startled by the whole experience, I then hear a broad English accent shouting my name - Luke had come to meet me! Bless him.
Then it was time to get a bus from Incheon to Suyu. This was pretty long, but I met two of the other new teachers from my school so that was really good. Was taken to our "Love Motel" where we'll be staying until are apartments are available.We then went for Jjimdak (I hope that's right!). It was chicken and vegetable stew-type thing. It was all marinated in a sauce of some description... I should really learn what it was. Was pretty fit to be honest!
Wednesday 22nd February
First day of training! Pretty long day of training but there was quite a big group of us and everybody seems lovely. Was my first experience of the subway too. Pretty much just like the London underground! I even have a T-money card which works just like an Oyster card. Although the T-money card is better - you can even pay for taxis with it! Mental.
After training, a few of us went for a meal in the Suyu area. We had something that was nice! No idea what it was. It was rings of something (maybe squid?!) on a bbq-type thing in the middle. One of the girls had a dish that came with a glove for her to mash it all together in her hand! As you do...
A couple of us then went for some drinkies. Went to a place where they apparently don't let in Raccoons... Random!
Thursday 23rd February
Second day of training! Afterwards, went to a Japanese restaurant with a few people from training. There was no English on the menu at all so it really was just pointing to something and hoping for the best! Was nice though. They forgot to put my order through so I just pointed to one near me that looked nice and got one of those, ha.
Friday 24th February
Last day of training! And I overslept! Thank god there are other new teachers staying in this motel. They woke me up! Never got ready so quickly.
Had to give a 20 minute lesson. Good job it wasn't with real kids as I had totally run out of things to do after the first 15 mins! A little cringey but never mind.
At night we went for Korean food - I think it was Galbi? Raw meet cooked over a flame on the table. The great thing about the Korean food is that they tend to come with a load of side dishes which are FREE. Amazeballs!
After a few drinks we ended up in a Noraebang! For those of you that don't know, this is karaoke. And I can see why they love it so much. It was so much fun!
Saturday 25th February
This was the day of sleep, sleep and more sleep. The orginial plan had been to go to this extra training day but my days did I need to sleep!
The night time was then Luke's leaving do in Hongdae! Went to an Irish bar. Had fish and chips. Then drank a lot. Went to a club and drank some more! And you know it's been a good night when you end up at McDonalds at the end of the night and they're already serving breakfast...
Sunday 26th February
Sleep, sleep, wander, more Japanese food, PC bang (internet cafe without the cafe), sleep.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Hello! My name is Lucy...
Just a quick intro to begin with. I am Lucy. About 2 years ago I made a list of 100 things I wanted to do in my life. I haven't been very active in this at all. Over the past 2 years I have crossed off:
13. Go to Glastonbury - went to Glasonbury 2011. Headliners were U2 (didn't bother), Coldplay (amazing) and Beyonce (flipping incredible!) Probably one of the best weekends of my life!
83. Be a bridesmaid - was a bridesmaid in August for my lovely friend Sam.
84. Drink in an ice bar - went to an ice bar in Benalmadena for the lovely Sam's hen do.
That's really not much in 2 years... But I have tried to complete the following:
3. Learn a langauge - I was learning to speak Mandarin Chinese.
5. Learn to play the guitar - I had a guitar. I never learnt to play it. I bought a Ukelele. I never learnt to play it.
29. Learn to juggle - bought a juggling set and I can actually juggle with 3 balls for a couple of second. Not mastered it though.
30. Be in a TV programme - I applied to be on Deal or Not Deal. I got through the application stage, and the telephone interview. Had the audition and failed at the last hurdle - they didn't want me!
76. Learn origami - I have an origami app. I need to get on this!
So anyway, I decided I should do these things so I applied to teach abroad (number 43) in South Korea for a year (number 2)...
13. Go to Glastonbury - went to Glasonbury 2011. Headliners were U2 (didn't bother), Coldplay (amazing) and Beyonce (flipping incredible!) Probably one of the best weekends of my life!
83. Be a bridesmaid - was a bridesmaid in August for my lovely friend Sam.
84. Drink in an ice bar - went to an ice bar in Benalmadena for the lovely Sam's hen do.
That's really not much in 2 years... But I have tried to complete the following:
3. Learn a langauge - I was learning to speak Mandarin Chinese.
5. Learn to play the guitar - I had a guitar. I never learnt to play it. I bought a Ukelele. I never learnt to play it.
29. Learn to juggle - bought a juggling set and I can actually juggle with 3 balls for a couple of second. Not mastered it though.
30. Be in a TV programme - I applied to be on Deal or Not Deal. I got through the application stage, and the telephone interview. Had the audition and failed at the last hurdle - they didn't want me!
76. Learn origami - I have an origami app. I need to get on this!
So anyway, I decided I should do these things so I applied to teach abroad (number 43) in South Korea for a year (number 2)...
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