So this is Korea

I have arrived safely in Korea. It was a long journey, but I am here. I have been placed in a motel room for 3 days, and then on Thursday I will move to another teacher's apartment and live with her until my apartment is ready on Tuesday the 29th. Due to the swine flu, I am currently in quarantine. However, this just means I cannot meet other teachers or visit the school. I can leave my motel and adventure around the streets of Daegu.

When I first arrived here, my director picked me up from the airport and brought me to McDonalds. He must have wanted me to feel like I was at home. I didnt tell him I never eat McDonalds. It was a kind thought.

After I was dropped off in my motel, I quickly realized I couldn't figure out how to turn the electricity on in my room. I knew something was wrong when I couldn't figure out how to turn the lights, computer, TV or air conditioning on. I went downstairs to get help. We kinda used sign language and she spoke korean to me, thinking I caught what she is saying. She came up and showed me that I have to put my key in this slot, and leave it there until I leave my apartment. The minute you take your key out, the electricity goes off. I find this to be very smart and a clever way to save electricity.

I thought my first 3 days were going to be miserably lonely, but surprisingly they have gone by fast. I have also quickly learned to become independent and more comfortable with getting around a foreign country by myself. On Monday, my first day here I took a 3-hr walk. I bargained on the streets for some fruit- clemintines, bananas, and grapes- but the grapes are really really purple grapes with seeds. They are alright, not my favorite though. I also stopped and got an iced latte, some really good bread with a cream paste in it. I then headed to the Home Plus store where I bought chocolate and crackers. I wish I could have got more meal items, but I can't cook yet... I also explored the Home Plus store quite a bit because I have been told it is like our walmart. And yes, it somewhat is. It has EVERYTHING... clothes, shoes, restaurants, groceries, books, pharmacy, photo print shop, bank, liquor, and typical target necessities. I think Home Plus will soon become my Target....

Yesterday -Tuesday- I took another walk around the city. I walked the same streets as before, but this time decided to sit down and eat my first Korean meal- and Korean-style by sitting on the floor. Although I have read this, I quickly became overwhelmed when I had 1 main dish and 11 side dishes in front of me. It was a great way to try a variety in food. Since the week before I left for Korea I found out I am officially allergic to shellfish, I stayed away from all fish. This only meant that I had to order meat, which can also be scary. It tasted good though, but I have no idea what I ate. I was also seen as a silly American that does not know how to use chopsticks. As I was eating with my spoon, the waitor brought over a fork for me. Later he brought over scissors for me, which I did not use. I am still wondering if thats what they think we use over in America to cut up our food, or is that what they sometimes use??

Besides adventuring the streets and looking like a silly American, I have slept a lot. My body must be completely exhausted after flying and the busyness of last week. Due to being exhausted, I have fought jet lag quite well so far. Once I am not so tired it might get more difficult to sleep through most of the night though.

Only one more day on my own. Since I cannot get wireless on my computer, I am using the motels computer. When I have the ability to use my own computer, I will attempt to post pictures. Thanks to everyone for the kind thoughts and words. It definitely helps me feel I still have connections to back home.

And clearly I am still working on fixing the color and font. I am lucky though that I have figured out how to type and post this on a Korean computer...

6 Days!!

Well folks, I am just under a week from departure date. It is getting very exciting and very scary at the same time. During my weeks of not much talking, I worked hard on getting things done for Korea so this week I can enjoy for visiting with friends and family. I still have a lot of packing to do, but I am getting much closer. Packing up for a year, for a country with 4 seasons and does not have pants and shoes my size, has become extremely difficult. I don't know how I will fit everything in my suitcases, but I am going to work hard to make it happen. 

Being restricted on talking for 9 days was quite an experience, really. I learned how much I depend on my voice, especially to express myself. Telling others my ideas, thoughts, and opinions through writing was much more difficult than through words. Also, staying at home for a solid 3 days became long. I was also told I could not exercise heavily since that puts stress on your vocal cords. My brother (Kevin) and I went out on a calm bike ride during one of my silent days and just listened to our music. It was nice to get out and although we didn't talk, it was nice to have the company. On the 4th day, when I could finally talk a little, my friends took me out on a bike ride and canoeing. We canoed across the lake to visit a friend on the other side. It was a fantastic day. Memorial day Lindsay had a BBQ and bonfire at her house. It was wonderful to get out of the house and visit with great friends. I have been trying to visit with friends as much as possible before I leave.

I received some fabulous news this past Thursday. I went back to the doctor for my post-op surgery appointment. The doctor was very impressed by how well my vocal cords looked and said I have healed very well!! I couldn't have been happier leaving the doctors office that day. I went off to celebrate Lindsay's 25th Birthday that evening with a voice to socialize. This weekend I also had the opportunity to go out in Uptown one more time with a few friends. It was one of those random but fantastic nights. Although I have always appreciated my friends, as I am having these last fun times with them, I am realizing how much I will miss them.

In addition to having a week of finishing packing and visiting with friends, I have 3 aunts that are coming in town and staying at our house. Another aunt and cousin are also coming but staying at my other aunt's house. They have all come in town for my cousin's wedding on Friday. Kevin will continue staying busy with school and soccer as well. I am excited to spend time with family before departing, but it is going to be crazy busy around the Lebahn household for this week!

Preparing for Departure

After four years of wanting to live abroad and two months of some solid research earlier in the summer, I have committed to teaching English in South Korea for one year. I have been placed with a school called ECC Pukdaegu teaching elementary-aged children in Daegu, located near southeast Korea.

The past week has been a busy one for me. My flight itinerary came this past Thursday, my last day of working Twins games was on Friday, I moved out of my apartment and into my mom's house on Saturday, my last day of work at Fraser was yesterday morning and I had surgery on my vocal cords yesterday afternoon. I also had one of my best friends and roommate move across the country this weekend. All of this change has brought about many emotions as well as the beginning of many closures to my life in MN.

Due to surgery I will have no voice for 3 days and major voice restriction until my post-op appointment on Sept 10th, when the doctor will re-evaluate me. Until then, I am working on organizing my stuff at my mom's, spending time with my mom who is off of work d/t hip surgery, and getting other random odds and ends done before leaving. 

Although I have never been one to blog, many people have asked to me to keep them updated while I am gone. So here I am attempting to blog my life in Korea.

Departure Date: Saturday, September 19th.