3 Weeks

It has officially been 3 weeks since I arrived in Korea. It feels like a short time, but I guess it's been a while... I got in trouble from my distant uncle for not calling earlier. After talking to him, it makes me feel like I should contact ALL of my relatives PRONTO. I thought it would be okay to call later because I've had a lot going on with my housing drama, because I started work, and because I'm going to be here for a whole year. But, I have now learned that I should not expect the world to revolve around me. (-.-;) Just because I'm busy doesn't mean that I should leave my relatives or friends hanging. This was a big oops on my part. I've only called my grandma and my distant uncle and I still have to call my aunt and my cousin. I don't even have their phone numbers. -.-;
So after I finally contacted HyungSan samchon, he called me back to ask if I was doing anything tonight. Jessica and I were considering going to the Korvia welcome party in ShinChon, but we decided not to because she wasn't feeling well. I didn't feel up to the long trip. I guess it was a good thing that I decided not to go because HyungSan samchon invited me to his father's birthday dinner. I met my relatives for the first time ever and ate a delicious dinner at a 한정식 restaurant in YongIn. 한정식 is a fine dining dinner course and it's all Korean food! I love this idea because I love Korean food and I don't want foreigners to think that Korean food is all 포장마츠 and Korean BBQ. All of the food was super delicious. I would love to take my foreigner friends there because it is a well-known restaurant, but we went through a montainous road and I don't remember how to get there. I will have to settle on a 한정식 restaurant accessible by bus. (If you know of any good ones, let me know!) I felt at home with samchon's family. It was nice to sit down to a meal and pray over our meal together. Strangely, many of the Koreans I've run into don't go to church. The lady who came to clean my apartment doesn't go to church; the Korean English teachers who I share the office with don't go to church. I'm actually quite shocked that I've run into so few Koreans who go to church. I'm more surprised that none of the Korean teachers whom I work closely with don't attend church. Discovering the unexpected is a good thing though because it brings me out of my bubble!
Another fact about Korea that surprised me is that clubbing and drinking seem okay here. In LA, the stereotype is that everybody at the clubs and bars are party animals, but here, most people in their 20s seem to enjoy it. It's normal and it's okay. Samchon's wife asked me if I had been to the clubs in Hongdae and Itaewon! She told me that those clubs are probably more fun that the ones in YeongTong! Most of my aunts and uncles in California would never ask me a question like that or even encourage it! Wow~ Maybe she just asked me because I'm young? Still, what a shocker.
Another thing: everyone in Korea really do smoke. -.-
I think I will be getting internet at my place this week, so I will be able to contact people more frequently and update my blog more often! woo hoo I'm excited because I need to catch up on Korean dramas.

Update

Hello, friends in America (and maybe a couple of readers in Korea). I haven’t been able to update my blog as much as I’d like because I have no internet at my apartment yet. I’m secretly updating my blog from work because I’m exploding with stories to tell! There were so many “firsts” this past week: I met my Korean co-teacher for the first time. I met the teachers whom I will be sharing an office with for the next year. I met my students. I got my first haircut of the year in Myeong dong. I had my first drink in Korea with Jessica last night (she liked the Korean rice wine!). I went to my first kpop concert. I went to my first 회식 (staff dinner). I signed up for a cell phone. I made my first lesson plan. I checked out Young Nak Church in Seoul this past Sunday. I got lost for the first time. Etc~ But before I can blog about any of these things, I should update my blog about my housing status. Korvia recruiters came down to see Jessica’s and my apartments, but they couldn’t do much. They pretty much came down to show they cared, which was really nice of them because their office is about an hour away. We talked about the situation and decided that Korvia would pay for a cleaning service to work on my apartment. Afterward, they took us to eat Korean BBQ in nearby Yeong Tong. They wanted to show us around Yeong Tong because there’s so much to see and do there. It’s located next to a college, so the area is catered toward college students. During dinner, they were patient enough to listen to us vent. Haha Jessica and I were so dissatisfied with the whole situation then. Now, we can laugh about it (kind of). We’re trying to make the best of the situation. :--)


To make a long story short:
I asked the school to move us to cleaner apartments. The Korean teacher said no because the school had already signed the lease.
I asked the school to have my apartment cleaned for me because it was too difficult on my own. The Korean teacher said the school doesn’t have money, so Korvia paid for the service.
I asked the school to buy me a bed. The Korean teacher said this might be possible later, but that he would have to look at the budget books.
I asked the school for an AC remote because it can’t be turned on manually. The Korean teacher said the school doesn’t have money. It is missing because the Korean teacher didn’t inspect the place carefully after the previous teacher moved out.

At this point, I was really fed up, so I told the Korean teacher that the whole situation made me think that the school isn’t ready to have two native English teachers. I told him it made me question whether I should stay or not. He listened pretty calmly and he told me the school’s postition. I think honesty was the best policy at that point. He understands me better and I feel like I can empathize with the school. I decided to stick it out at the school for this year. I haven’t given up on the AC remote or a bed though because I know I deserve those two things at the least!

I think my first day at the school played a big part in my decision to stay here. The teachers whom I share the office with are all friendly and welcoming. One female teacher, in particular, is a really warm person. She told us to let her know if we need anything from Costco because she can pick it up for us when she goes. And when she gave me her phone number, she told me to call her if anything happens. <3 I was deeply touched. Hehe

Well, cheers to a more positive outlook! I received a lot of encouragement through the Word and from people’s messages throughout the messy situation. I’m feeling a lot better now and my appetite came back. I can say, with confidence, “God, I surrender.” I don’t know what I’m doing here, but rather than spending the year in bitterness, I’m going to discover His plan.