Finally, at long last, a video of my gorgeous apartment! Some things to know before watching and commenting:
1. Yes, I know it's small. Smaller than wherever you live.
2. It's dirty. I decided I'm not gonna clean for a stupid video.
3. My bedspread has flowers on it. That means I'm gay, right? Shut up.
4. I think I said "crap" a couple times. Sorry mom.
5. If you're thinking about coming to Korea, this is probably not the type of apartment you'll have. This is as small as they get, so yours will probably be a little better. Most people at least have a separate bedroom. I think this one costs about 400,000 won/month while most schools budget around 500,000 won.
6. After watching it, I HAD to make it more interesting, hence the music and such.
7. It's a little long, but it took me forever to edit it and everything.
8. I'm still learning how to edit these things. I promise I'll make my videos more visually appealing someday.
Enjoy!!
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Sunday, January 25, 2009
More Korean Adventures
Happy Lunar New Year! Apart from getting some time off of work, I don't really know what the holiday entails. I guess it's sorta like our New Year? Anyway, I'm off work until Wednesday, so that's nice. I made a few more videos about what life's like here. I promise I'll do one of my apartment soon, I just haven't had time to clean it yet!
Shopping for food in Bucheon. It was crazy busy!!
Pizza in Korea. There are always a few surprises...
Even something as simple as doing laundry can be an adventure!
And more pictures!!
Find Nemo!
I got attacked.
They really love Spam here. This was some kind of gift box that cost about $45.
Hmmm...
What?!
I've never seen this flavor of Pringles before. Maybe you have?
Bucheon at night
Anything else you people wanna see besides my apartment? Let me know and I'll take pics or do a video! :-)
Shopping for food in Bucheon. It was crazy busy!!
Pizza in Korea. There are always a few surprises...
Even something as simple as doing laundry can be an adventure!
And more pictures!!
Find Nemo!
I got attacked.
They really love Spam here. This was some kind of gift box that cost about $45.
Hmmm...
What?!
I've never seen this flavor of Pringles before. Maybe you have?
Bucheon at night
Anything else you people wanna see besides my apartment? Let me know and I'll take pics or do a video! :-)
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Korean Taxis and Trains
I usually just walk everywhere I need to go, but if I'm in a hurry or need to get to the train station or something, I take a taxi. It's actually easier than you'd think, and it's very cheap (it usually only costs about $2). I have a slip of paper with my address on it, so I somehow always manage to make it home.
Here's a video about Korean taxis, starring my British friend, Steve. You can visit his blog here.
Another video, this one just a compilation of things I thought were funny/interesting.
Next, we have a short video we shot on the train. The first part is pretty normal, but watch how crowded it gets at night! Crazy!
And now, some random pics I've taken so far....
My whole world, packed neatly into these suitcases
My first day in Korea. So exhausted
Cute
Somewhere in that maze of Korean symbols is the name of my school...
Dumpling soup. It cost about $3
You get unlimited free sides with every meal! Most of them are vegetables, but they're pretty decent.
Korean Post-Its
I just thought this was funny
A Texan in Korea
Yes, it is simply called "The Mall"
Random street
Korean Barbecue
PIZZA!! It tastes ok, just a little bland. They haven't gotten the sauce quite right yet.
Random guy promoting something
How safe is Korea? Well, we found this stack of beer just sitting outside an elevator. No one was around, so anyone could've walked up and grabbed some free beers...like a couple of foreigners...
Korean escalators - I don't know if they have these anywhere else, but they make a lot of sense!
Quiznos in Korea?! Yes. It tastes the same, too.
My favorite...
I found this in Itaewon, a city with a lot of Americans and foreign goods. All I've been able to find is either Coke Zero or Coke Light. I was ecstatic!
That's all for now! Annyong! :-)
Here's a video about Korean taxis, starring my British friend, Steve. You can visit his blog here.
Another video, this one just a compilation of things I thought were funny/interesting.
Next, we have a short video we shot on the train. The first part is pretty normal, but watch how crowded it gets at night! Crazy!
And now, some random pics I've taken so far....
My whole world, packed neatly into these suitcases
My first day in Korea. So exhausted
Cute
Somewhere in that maze of Korean symbols is the name of my school...
Dumpling soup. It cost about $3
You get unlimited free sides with every meal! Most of them are vegetables, but they're pretty decent.
Korean Post-Its
I just thought this was funny
A Texan in Korea
Yes, it is simply called "The Mall"
Random street
Korean Barbecue
PIZZA!! It tastes ok, just a little bland. They haven't gotten the sauce quite right yet.
Random guy promoting something
How safe is Korea? Well, we found this stack of beer just sitting outside an elevator. No one was around, so anyone could've walked up and grabbed some free beers...like a couple of foreigners...
Korean escalators - I don't know if they have these anywhere else, but they make a lot of sense!
Quiznos in Korea?! Yes. It tastes the same, too.
My favorite...
I found this in Itaewon, a city with a lot of Americans and foreign goods. All I've been able to find is either Coke Zero or Coke Light. I was ecstatic!
That's all for now! Annyong! :-)
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
First Post from Korea!!
Yes, I really made it! After months of wondering if I'd actually go through with such a life-changing move, I actually got on a plane and flew to Korea.
I haven't had much time to make any videos or take pictures, but I'll give you the rundown on what I've noticed so far:
1. Everyone stares at me everywhere I go
- Since foreigners are relatively unheard of here, people will stare at anyone who looks different. It's not insulting or uncomfortable, it just feels like I'm being watched in everything I do...because I am! It makes a trip to the store or lunch in a restaurant an adventure because everyone wants to know what you're doing in their country. I think it's comparable to being a celebrity that people are too shy to talk to.
2. SO MANY LIGHTS!!
- We've all seen pictures or videos of places like Tokyo at night. Well, they don't do it justice! The best way to describe it is: it feels like I'm walking around in a video game or pinball machine. There are flashing lights and signs of course, but I've seen entire buildings lit up and blinking, too. I guess Vegas would be the closest thing we have in the U.S., but this is just a medium-sized city in Korea. It's so fun to just look around, I find myself staring at the buildings when I'm walking.
3. The food is good
- I was a little bit nervous about this one, but it turns out I had nothing to worry about. Most of the meals I've eaten have been some combination of chicken, beef or pork with rice and vegetables. They serve a million side dishes with every meal and they refill them if you want. Oh, and it's CHEAP! Usually I'm paying between 3,000-6,000 won for a meal (roughly $2.80-$5.80), and I can eat a LOT more than in the U.S. But the best part? It's so HEALTHY!! I try to watch what I eat at home and everything, but here it will be hard not to lose weight. Fatty, greasy food just doesn't exist here. Most of the food I eat is some type of vegetable, but it's cooked in such a way that it tastes great. Needless to say, I like Korean food. :-)
4. The people are so nice
- Maybe it's because I'm an American, but Korean people so far are extremely accommodating. From a taxi driver to a convenience store worker, they've been nothing but polite and kind. They love to hear me say things like "hello" and "thank you," and some even try to speak English to me. The service in the restaurants is much better than in the U.S. Even they don't know what I'm saying, the waitresses/waiters do their best to help me eat!
5. The kids are awesome and crazy
- Wait, Korean kids can be crazy?! Oh my...yes. I think their lives are so orderly and rigid, they have few opportunities to really relax and have fun. Enter the English Language School. The teachers try to make learning fun instead of a chore, so the kids take full advantage of it. They're not bad or anything, just a little wild sometimes. They are very shy about speaking English, so if I call on them to give an answer, they quiet down immediately. Oh, they LOVE to laugh at me for trying to speak Korean to them, but they also like to help me learn new words (hopefully nothing bad!). I'll post some pics/vids when I get time so you can see what these kiddos are like. At the end of the day though, they always manage to make me smile :-)
More Questions:
Do all Korean people look the same?
- Absolutely not!! Besides having the same hair color, they all look very different.
Do they drive on the wrong side of the road?
- No, thankfully they aren't Japanese or British :-)
Are they short and skinny?
- For the most part, yes. I'm one of the taller people here, and I'm only about 5'9". Few people are overweight.
Are the girls pretty?
- Yes, some are absolutely gorgeous.
Is it hard to do things because you don't speak Korean?
- Not really. Easier than you'd think. Paying for things like food is simple, I usually just give too much and get change back. Plus, they all know I don't speak Korean, so they're patient with me.
So there you have it, my first impressions of this very different country. Yes, I do have a few complaints, like the size of my apartment (SMALL) and the way they drive (INSANE), but overall I'm glad I came here!! :-) Oh, and PLEASE comment on this thing so I know people are actually reading! You don't have to have an account to comment, just put your name so I know who ya are! :-)
I haven't had much time to make any videos or take pictures, but I'll give you the rundown on what I've noticed so far:
1. Everyone stares at me everywhere I go
- Since foreigners are relatively unheard of here, people will stare at anyone who looks different. It's not insulting or uncomfortable, it just feels like I'm being watched in everything I do...because I am! It makes a trip to the store or lunch in a restaurant an adventure because everyone wants to know what you're doing in their country. I think it's comparable to being a celebrity that people are too shy to talk to.
2. SO MANY LIGHTS!!
- We've all seen pictures or videos of places like Tokyo at night. Well, they don't do it justice! The best way to describe it is: it feels like I'm walking around in a video game or pinball machine. There are flashing lights and signs of course, but I've seen entire buildings lit up and blinking, too. I guess Vegas would be the closest thing we have in the U.S., but this is just a medium-sized city in Korea. It's so fun to just look around, I find myself staring at the buildings when I'm walking.
3. The food is good
- I was a little bit nervous about this one, but it turns out I had nothing to worry about. Most of the meals I've eaten have been some combination of chicken, beef or pork with rice and vegetables. They serve a million side dishes with every meal and they refill them if you want. Oh, and it's CHEAP! Usually I'm paying between 3,000-6,000 won for a meal (roughly $2.80-$5.80), and I can eat a LOT more than in the U.S. But the best part? It's so HEALTHY!! I try to watch what I eat at home and everything, but here it will be hard not to lose weight. Fatty, greasy food just doesn't exist here. Most of the food I eat is some type of vegetable, but it's cooked in such a way that it tastes great. Needless to say, I like Korean food. :-)
4. The people are so nice
- Maybe it's because I'm an American, but Korean people so far are extremely accommodating. From a taxi driver to a convenience store worker, they've been nothing but polite and kind. They love to hear me say things like "hello" and "thank you," and some even try to speak English to me. The service in the restaurants is much better than in the U.S. Even they don't know what I'm saying, the waitresses/waiters do their best to help me eat!
5. The kids are awesome and crazy
- Wait, Korean kids can be crazy?! Oh my...yes. I think their lives are so orderly and rigid, they have few opportunities to really relax and have fun. Enter the English Language School. The teachers try to make learning fun instead of a chore, so the kids take full advantage of it. They're not bad or anything, just a little wild sometimes. They are very shy about speaking English, so if I call on them to give an answer, they quiet down immediately. Oh, they LOVE to laugh at me for trying to speak Korean to them, but they also like to help me learn new words (hopefully nothing bad!). I'll post some pics/vids when I get time so you can see what these kiddos are like. At the end of the day though, they always manage to make me smile :-)
More Questions:
Do all Korean people look the same?
- Absolutely not!! Besides having the same hair color, they all look very different.
Do they drive on the wrong side of the road?
- No, thankfully they aren't Japanese or British :-)
Are they short and skinny?
- For the most part, yes. I'm one of the taller people here, and I'm only about 5'9". Few people are overweight.
Are the girls pretty?
- Yes, some are absolutely gorgeous.
Is it hard to do things because you don't speak Korean?
- Not really. Easier than you'd think. Paying for things like food is simple, I usually just give too much and get change back. Plus, they all know I don't speak Korean, so they're patient with me.
So there you have it, my first impressions of this very different country. Yes, I do have a few complaints, like the size of my apartment (SMALL) and the way they drive (INSANE), but overall I'm glad I came here!! :-) Oh, and PLEASE comment on this thing so I know people are actually reading! You don't have to have an account to comment, just put your name so I know who ya are! :-)
Friday, January 2, 2009
Things to Do Before I Go to Korea
- Dinner with the family at a Mexican restaurant.
- Drive my (well, technically my dad's) Camaro one more time.
- Swim a 200 Butterfly.
- Finish packing, even though the seams on my luggage are about to burst.
- Get a haircut.
- Try to talk myself out of going.
- Go on a date with this girl...(actually, I did that on Sunday night!)
- Drive my (well, technically my dad's) Camaro one more time.
- Swim a 200 Butterfly.
- Finish packing, even though the seams on my luggage are about to burst.
- Get a haircut.
- Try to talk myself out of going.
- Go on a date with this girl...(actually, I did that on Sunday night!)
Common Questions About Korea
I've compiled a list of the most common questions I've received from friends about South Korea. Please stop asking them.
1. Why are you doing this?
- Lots of reasons! For one, I've always wanted to go to another country. I love teaching/coaching. I love kids. I wasn't doing anything else in 2009. And finally, I didn't want to be an old man and wonder if I should've tried it...
2. Do you speak Korean?
- No, I don't speak the language. It is literally just a mess of symbols and sounds to me.
3. How will you teach if you don't speak Korean?
- Kids in Korea learn to read and write English starting before Kindergarten, so most of them are already fluent. However, since they rarely come in contact with native English speakers, they need help with pronunciation, slang, etc.
4. Are you teaching at a public school?
- No, it's a private language school called a "hagwon." Basically, kids go to school all day just like in the U.S. After school, they go to various academies (hagwons) for a few more hours for subjects like math and English. Yes, they are smarter than us.
5. Why South Korea?
- I had it narrowed down to Japan, China, and Korea. Korea just offers the best combination of a low cost of living and relatively good pay. The country is also fairly isolated from the rest of the world, so they absolutely love Americans. It's always nice to be adored!
6. Isn't Korea one of those "Axis of Evil" countries?
- No, don't be ignorant. That's North Korea. Please learn about it here. South Korea is one of our strongest allies.
7. Where is Korea?
- Between China (to the west) and Japan (to the east). Still unsure? Start in California. Go left.
8. Are you attracted to Asian girls or something?
- You tell me you're not attracted to her or her
9. Are you scared?
- More than you could imagine.
10. What are you going to do after a year?
- Maybe I'll go to Poland...
1. Why are you doing this?
- Lots of reasons! For one, I've always wanted to go to another country. I love teaching/coaching. I love kids. I wasn't doing anything else in 2009. And finally, I didn't want to be an old man and wonder if I should've tried it...
2. Do you speak Korean?
- No, I don't speak the language. It is literally just a mess of symbols and sounds to me.
3. How will you teach if you don't speak Korean?
- Kids in Korea learn to read and write English starting before Kindergarten, so most of them are already fluent. However, since they rarely come in contact with native English speakers, they need help with pronunciation, slang, etc.
4. Are you teaching at a public school?
- No, it's a private language school called a "hagwon." Basically, kids go to school all day just like in the U.S. After school, they go to various academies (hagwons) for a few more hours for subjects like math and English. Yes, they are smarter than us.
5. Why South Korea?
- I had it narrowed down to Japan, China, and Korea. Korea just offers the best combination of a low cost of living and relatively good pay. The country is also fairly isolated from the rest of the world, so they absolutely love Americans. It's always nice to be adored!
6. Isn't Korea one of those "Axis of Evil" countries?
- No, don't be ignorant. That's North Korea. Please learn about it here. South Korea is one of our strongest allies.
7. Where is Korea?
- Between China (to the west) and Japan (to the east). Still unsure? Start in California. Go left.
8. Are you attracted to Asian girls or something?
- You tell me you're not attracted to her or her
9. Are you scared?
- More than you could imagine.
10. What are you going to do after a year?
- Maybe I'll go to Poland...
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