Can has!

Got a bank account, so now I can get paid.
Got a phone, so now I can contact people.

Yay!

Something that could be useful from The Korean Times

The Korean Language Section (which I didn't know exist, since I don't look/read at the Korean TImes very often) seems pretty interesting if you're interested in learning Korean.

But, the romanization sucks, in my opinion *^^*

Weekend in Busan

Made my way to Cheonan-Asan Station (천안아산역), via Bus 370, a train to Cheonan, and then taxi to the station. Got tickets to Busan, and a ticket to come back Sunday afternoon.


My friend and I didn't have any lunch, so we had a late lunch - McDonalds. The McDonalds in Nampodong is huge. This is only one small section of it.


We then walked around and did a bit of shopping, and we found Frisbee - an Apple Premium Reseller. The staff there were so helpful and kind (and did the whole "한국말 잘하시네요" (you speak korean well, in a surprised voice) thing - I think I got that about 5 or 6 times this weekend). Maybe they just enjoyed their job, or maybe it was because I spent $400 there. Anyway, I had a good experience there, so the next day, I bought them some Krispy Kream donuts.

Later on that evening, we had dinner at out most favourite Galbi (갈비) restaurant in ALL of Korea, 생수갈비, met up with some of 성진's friends, and went to a bar and did a bit more shopping. They had to go, so after that, we got some Krispy Kream donuts, some drinks, and went to 용구산 공원 (Yongdusan Park) and chatted.


Sunday Morning breakfast - 소육백반, or as I called it "모닝 갈비". It was very good. A nice selection of 반찬/side dishes, and the meat wasn't overcooked, and was thinner than regular galbi/samgyeopsal.


We did a bit of internet research, and found 나무그늘, a place that has the skin care fish for your feet. So, we got some drinks, and paid for Dr. Fish. It was not busy at all, when we got there, there were only about 7 or 8 people there, including the staff working there.


Since it was very quiet there, they let us have Dr Fish for 30 minutes. It was 성진's first time to have fish eat his feet, so he was more surprised and shocked than I was when I put my feet in.

After that, went to Busan station, and made my way home. Decided to treat myself to Pizza, and got Domino's. Wasn't anywhere as good as Domino's back home, so I think I'll try some other cheaper Korean Pizza places near my house next time.

Week 2

First week of work, and first week of Geomdo, so things were pretty full on. Was pretty tiring, but survived ^^

Here's a few pics.


Added some more words to my "Word's I'm learning" wall. Have taken a few off since then, since I've used and remembered some ^^


The new washing machine arrived Wednesday afternoon. It's a lot bigger than what I thought it would be. It's very quiet, and does an awesome job.


Dinner with my Geomdo teacher, and two if his friends.


At Geomdo. I think this was one of the students who was going to Seoul on the weekend to take the Black Belt 1-dan test. Will find out the results this afternoon.

Week 1

Well, I'm here, and i've had the week in "quarantine", which means... just don't go to school for a week - you might have H1N1. But you're free to roam around and do whatever. So i have been ^^

I've joined a gumdo place and will start tomorrow. I'll also start going to work tomorrow. I've met some of the other local English teachers, and went to Seoul yesterday to meet up with some old friends. Here's a few pics.


Dinner with some local teachers on Wednesday night.


The co-teacher left a piece of paper at the school, when we were going to go to Suwon to get all my immigration stuff sorted out. I wasn't allowed to go into the school. I'm in "quarantine" holiday, remember? But, I was "lucky" enough to see this sign at the school's entrance.


3 buses go past my school. There buses are the ones I need to take to get to work, and to get back to my place in the afternoon.




Us at Dr Fish. After having some deeee-licious Samgyeopsal for lunch, we went to the Dr Fish cafe, got some yummy treats, and then out feet were the treats for the fish for 17 mins ^^ Very ticklish, but was good. Felt bad by putting the same socks on afterwards.

After that, we did a bit of shopping, and took a photo using some new touchscreeny camera things on the street. Was cool to meet up with friends again.

Other highlights and lowlights of the week were: going to Anseong hospital to get a medical thing done for my Foreigner Card, waiting for 1.5 hours at Suwon Immigration Office for 5 mins of time with a clerk for dropping in paperwork for my Foreigner Card. Going to noraebang 2 times this week, having my first "bored" day on Friday.

I think my first phase of culture shock is over. When I get into a regular routine next week, with work, and gumdo, that's when the second phase will kick in. I'll see how I go.

So, yeah, I'm here

3rd day, and I haven't taken many photos. Tried today:


My "Words that I'm learning" wall.

My new Gumdo place that I'll start at from next monday.