This 15 hour advancement of time is still killing me. I wake up early in the morning for a couple of hours, so I haven't had a proper night of sleep yet.
We had a campus tour at 10:30 this morning. It seemed pointless, as most tours are. I definitely don't remember any building or how to get there. I suppose that is what makes maps useful. After the tour, a few of us went to Dongdaemun Market to buy towels for some of the girls. I'll have to go back there eventually.
Then, we had to register and have the whole orientation thing. It was too much information being thrown at me. Two cool parts existed: 1) The traditional Korean dancers had a drumming performance for us. 2) They fed us amazing food from many countries. I pigged out on the sushi especially, cuz it's sooooo good!
There was a small break, and then we went to the Buddy Party at a noraebong (karaoke-esque bar). It was alright. We were all planning on going out to the clubs, but the groups are always too big. Of course, 35 foreigners trying to invade a tiny bar or club isn't going to work. I hung out with Hyun (Korean - 2nd gen), Moniek (Dutch), and Marloes (Dutch), but we didn't make it anywhere. So, the best night for clubs was cancelled. Oh well. I'm actually quite tired. I hope I can sleep lots.
Friday, February 29, 2008
I Just Can't Get Past It
Some of the weird things that I have not gotten over yet:
1. Guys wear girls coats and carry purses. It's completely socially acceptable.
2. Women wear heels almost all the time.
3. Everyone carries an umbrella when it snows, rains, or is too sunny.
4. The colder it is, the shorter the skirts become.
5. People walk/pass on the left, even though they drive on the right.
1. Guys wear girls coats and carry purses. It's completely socially acceptable.
2. Women wear heels almost all the time.
3. Everyone carries an umbrella when it snows, rains, or is too sunny.
4. The colder it is, the shorter the skirts become.
5. People walk/pass on the left, even though they drive on the right.
Rambo at COEX Mall
Last night, we wanted to go out for Korean barbecue, but the restaurant was too packed. So, we went to eat fried chicken. Queenie (Chinese girl in the I-House) knows Korean really well, so she translates for us and makes sure our bills get paid correctly. After the so-so dinner, we took a 40 minute subway ride to the Coex Mall. It's a huuuuuuge mall, where pretty much anything can be found. We bought tickets to a film, but had time to kill. So, we went to the Board Game Cafe. Honestly, that's what it is called and that is what you do. We played Jenga, some stupid pirate game, and Life (in Korean). I was surprised to see how much better I can read and remember some words. Everywhere I go, I tend to read the signs out loud, which has been helping me read a lot faster too. I'm working on the accent, but I'm thinking that that will be aided by class. Anyways, after the cafe, we went to the movies. The guys wanted to see Rambo 4. I'm not sure why I agreed to go. I think I watched a third of the film and covered my eyes for the other two thirds. Never again.
I think I'm going to pass on movies for awhile. I need to do laundry already. I wish I would have brought more pants and fewer shirts. Maybe I'll be able to find some pants/dresses in the market soon.
P.S. Happy leap year!
I think I'm going to pass on movies for awhile. I need to do laundry already. I wish I would have brought more pants and fewer shirts. Maybe I'll be able to find some pants/dresses in the market soon.
P.S. Happy leap year!
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Level One
Interesting info of the day: McDonalds delivers.
I met with Brianna yesterday! We had a good time catching up. She took me out for bulgolgi at lunch time. Then, I took my placement test, and they said for me to start at level one. (Yesssss!) The guys who were here last semester said that it was difficult to get up every morning for class. Those are also the guys who speak French and are determined to improve mine.
Anyways, after the placement test, Brianna and I met up again. I got to see her apartment at the InKAS (Internation Korean Adoptee Services) guest house. We went shopping for shoes and I found a pair of flats and a pair of brown boots for a total of 40,000 KWN (~$43). We went out to dinner with Bri's friend, Ji Eun at Pizza Hut. It was deliciously greasy.
Today, I met with Peter. He took me out to a Japanese place. Then, we went to Yongsan Electronics Market to find a memory card and a webcam. My memory card started at 48,000KWN and we got it down to 30,000KWN. So, anyone on skype, I have a webcam now. However, I have no idea how to get it working...
I met with Brianna yesterday! We had a good time catching up. She took me out for bulgolgi at lunch time. Then, I took my placement test, and they said for me to start at level one. (Yesssss!) The guys who were here last semester said that it was difficult to get up every morning for class. Those are also the guys who speak French and are determined to improve mine.
Anyways, after the placement test, Brianna and I met up again. I got to see her apartment at the InKAS (Internation Korean Adoptee Services) guest house. We went shopping for shoes and I found a pair of flats and a pair of brown boots for a total of 40,000 KWN (~$43). We went out to dinner with Bri's friend, Ji Eun at Pizza Hut. It was deliciously greasy.
Today, I met with Peter. He took me out to a Japanese place. Then, we went to Yongsan Electronics Market to find a memory card and a webcam. My memory card started at 48,000KWN and we got it down to 30,000KWN. So, anyone on skype, I have a webcam now. However, I have no idea how to get it working...
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
My Roommate is Not a Snuffleupagus
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27TH, 2008
First, may I note how upset I am about my camera's memory card breaking. I'm going with Peter on Thursday to buy a new one. So, no pictures until then. Second, I found out that my cell phone has an English/Korean dictionary. Sweet, huh.
Snow Update: it's all gone. :) It was muddy and gross for most of the day, but it's starting to dry out.
Yesterday (26th) was the official move in day for the international students. I thought my roommate was a snuffleupagus. Her name wasn't on any of the other lists. However, she came later in the day. She walked in with one suitcase. I was super impressed. She left and came back with another huge suitcase and a friend carrying five bags of crap. :-P That made my afternoon amusing. A whole bunch of the international students went out to eat with some of the Ewha Buddies. We had a ridiculously huge group.
The bad thing about the International House is that everyone speaks English. I mean everyone. So, their English and Korean improve, while my English regresses and my Korean somewhat improves. Although, my roommate is Chinese and doesn't speak much English. I'm forced to use the limited Korean that I know.
Today (27th) is the placement test for the Korean language. I hope I test low.
I also get to see Brianna today and give her the huge bag of Swedish Fish! We're going out for lunch. I need to find a bank today. My money is quickly dwindling from buying a phone, airport pick up, and foodage.
First, may I note how upset I am about my camera's memory card breaking. I'm going with Peter on Thursday to buy a new one. So, no pictures until then. Second, I found out that my cell phone has an English/Korean dictionary. Sweet, huh.
Snow Update: it's all gone. :) It was muddy and gross for most of the day, but it's starting to dry out.
Yesterday (26th) was the official move in day for the international students. I thought my roommate was a snuffleupagus. Her name wasn't on any of the other lists. However, she came later in the day. She walked in with one suitcase. I was super impressed. She left and came back with another huge suitcase and a friend carrying five bags of crap. :-P That made my afternoon amusing. A whole bunch of the international students went out to eat with some of the Ewha Buddies. We had a ridiculously huge group.
The bad thing about the International House is that everyone speaks English. I mean everyone. So, their English and Korean improve, while my English regresses and my Korean somewhat improves. Although, my roommate is Chinese and doesn't speak much English. I'm forced to use the limited Korean that I know.
Today (27th) is the placement test for the Korean language. I hope I test low.
I also get to see Brianna today and give her the huge bag of Swedish Fish! We're going out for lunch. I need to find a bank today. My money is quickly dwindling from buying a phone, airport pick up, and foodage.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Jet lag is a killer
I arrived in Korea on the 24th of February around 5PM. We were about 50 minutes ahead of schedule - yay for that. Customs took 45 minutes, which is ridiculous. My buddy from school, Youna picked me up at the airport, and we rode the 'limousine' back to Ewha. This limousine turned out to be a coach like bus with a flat screen t.v. in the front. It was an experience. Somehow, seeing everything written in Korean didn't really phase me. It's always slightly bizarre to have Koreans talk to me in Korean and assume I speak it fluently.
I crashed shortly after arriving at Ewha, which was around 8 or 9. Jet lag is a killer. I woke up around 2:30, couldn't sleep until 6:30 or so. I roamed the halls and wished I had thought of bringing food with me. By this time, my roommate had returned to the room and fallen asleep with her loudly ticking clock.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25th, 2008
9:30am rolls around and there's a knock at the door. Who knocks on someone's door at such an early hour! :-P It was a girl from next door, who was supposed to meet with my roommate. We quickly got the awkward delayed introduction overwith. (Unfortunately, I don't really remember her name. It's okay though. She's moving to another dorm on the 26th, and I get my official semester roommate.) Later, we all went to eat breakfast. I had something that resembled bibimbop, seaweed soup, tofu block, and kimchi.
I met with Youna at noon, and she helped me get a cell phone. It's actually decent and far better than the piece of shit I've been using at home. I paid 50,000 KWN, which is about $52. Later, I had an adventure with Erik, who you will meet shortly, to Dongdaemun. We got my phone working, which was absolutely fantastic. Youna also bought me coffee at Starbucks. I am glad to inform you that the cafe mochas taste the same here as they do at home.
Erik Hagen knocks on my door and gives the quick intro. He's from Oregon State and has been here for 3 weeks already. He is super enthusiastic about life and appreciates the small things, as far as I can tell. He can be super sad and super happy about the little things that most people just pass by. It's overwhelming at times. Anyways, he helped me buy a TMoney card for the subway. I think it's 900KWN to use the subway. Sweet, huh. Like I mentioned earlier, we went to Dongdaemun. He wanted to find a phone, and I just wanted to get out into Seoul. As we're leaving, it begins to snow. I left Minnesota in hopes of not seeing snow until the next winter.
I severely needed a nap. Again, jet lag is a killer. Erik came later and asked if I wanted to join a group of them going to the movies. We saw Across the Universe. Turns out the Korean title is the phoentic version of this. I thought it was funny. (We left the movie around 2am, and the snow is still coming down. Although, it's lighter now.) The Dutch people thought it was interesting to see the subtitles. They are an interesting bunch of Europeans.
I'm not really homesick at all. I miss eating bread, but that's about it. This has been great so far. I'm excited to meet all the other international students today. Brianna and I are meeting for lunch tomorrow. I'm also very happy that I get to see her.
I crashed shortly after arriving at Ewha, which was around 8 or 9. Jet lag is a killer. I woke up around 2:30, couldn't sleep until 6:30 or so. I roamed the halls and wished I had thought of bringing food with me. By this time, my roommate had returned to the room and fallen asleep with her loudly ticking clock.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25th, 2008
9:30am rolls around and there's a knock at the door. Who knocks on someone's door at such an early hour! :-P It was a girl from next door, who was supposed to meet with my roommate. We quickly got the awkward delayed introduction overwith. (Unfortunately, I don't really remember her name. It's okay though. She's moving to another dorm on the 26th, and I get my official semester roommate.) Later, we all went to eat breakfast. I had something that resembled bibimbop, seaweed soup, tofu block, and kimchi.
I met with Youna at noon, and she helped me get a cell phone. It's actually decent and far better than the piece of shit I've been using at home. I paid 50,000 KWN, which is about $52. Later, I had an adventure with Erik, who you will meet shortly, to Dongdaemun. We got my phone working, which was absolutely fantastic. Youna also bought me coffee at Starbucks. I am glad to inform you that the cafe mochas taste the same here as they do at home.
Erik Hagen knocks on my door and gives the quick intro. He's from Oregon State and has been here for 3 weeks already. He is super enthusiastic about life and appreciates the small things, as far as I can tell. He can be super sad and super happy about the little things that most people just pass by. It's overwhelming at times. Anyways, he helped me buy a TMoney card for the subway. I think it's 900KWN to use the subway. Sweet, huh. Like I mentioned earlier, we went to Dongdaemun. He wanted to find a phone, and I just wanted to get out into Seoul. As we're leaving, it begins to snow. I left Minnesota in hopes of not seeing snow until the next winter.
I severely needed a nap. Again, jet lag is a killer. Erik came later and asked if I wanted to join a group of them going to the movies. We saw Across the Universe. Turns out the Korean title is the phoentic version of this. I thought it was funny. (We left the movie around 2am, and the snow is still coming down. Although, it's lighter now.) The Dutch people thought it was interesting to see the subtitles. They are an interesting bunch of Europeans.
I'm not really homesick at all. I miss eating bread, but that's about it. This has been great so far. I'm excited to meet all the other international students today. Brianna and I are meeting for lunch tomorrow. I'm also very happy that I get to see her.
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