Saturday 12.22.07
Notes on an airport bar napkin
Sitting at the airport bar. I order a glass of champagne and watch the planes take-off. At this time tomorrow I'll be living in South Korea.... The weeks have wound me up and filled me with anxiety, but now I just have to get on a plane. I'm moving to Korea.
Sunday 12.23.07
Email to family
I'm here. I did it. I arrived late last night.
This morning I woke up at 6:00am. I got dressed and just started exploring. It was still dark outside, but I was awake and there was no reason for me to stay in my dorm room of an apartment. I put on good walking shoes, bundled up and just set out to see if I could find my school. An hour later... I still hadn't found my school. The school is about a 3 minute drive from my apartment and I have a pretty good idea of where it is, but I just haven't found it yet.
But, in the mean time I fed myself, found my way back to my apartment and even figured out the nearest subway station. I used the correct bills to pay for breakfast. I remembered the code to get back into my building and found an internet cafe. And I am writing you this email... I think I deserve a shiny trophy.
Facebook post
It is Christmas Eve.
There is no tree.
There are no presents.
There is no eggnog.
I sat on fluffy pillows, ate delicious Moroccan food and smoked hookah with a couple guys from Saudi Arabia, Sudan and Dubai. We all danced for hours in a hot smokey basement club with Korean girls who could only say "Merry Christmas" in English. I drank beer from three different countries. I smoked an awful cigar. And while eating dinner four different languages were being used at the table.
It is a very very merry Christmas!
Thursday 12.27.07
Email to family
Someone called me 'Miss Jacki' today.
I'm a teacher.
Sunday 12.30.07
Facebook post
It snowed.
I walked home while it was snowing.
Snow flakes actually landed on my nose and my eye lashes.
I live someplace where it snows.
In California I'd be wearing flip flops. But, in Korea I am making fresh footprints in the snow. It feels like I am in a movie.
On an even more exciting note... I ate Korean food for the first time last night! Some noodles and chicken and peppers thing. (And a second time for lunch today.) It was really good... I am going to like it here.
Wednesday 1.2.07
Journal Entry
I have never walked so much in my entire life. I need better walking shoes. Sylish, cool walking shoes. I love walking.
Monday 1.7.08
Email to friend
This morning it occurred to me that I am not scared of anything. I know how to deal with all my co-workers (who are fantastic). I know how to deal with my boss if he asks me to work hours I don't want to work. I can get just about anything I need in the city. I know how to use the subway. If I get lost, I may not know how to get home, but I know how to get to places where I know how to get home. I'm good at my job and I am safe. Not bad for having been here only two weeks.
2 comments:
Good for you Jacki! I am going to enjoy reading about your adventures so keep up this blog.
As far as good walking shoes. Try Danko or Campers and get yourself a pair of Uggs.
New Balance are what I wore when I lived in DC. They are the most comfortable shoes to wear! enjoy south korea! what grade do you teach?
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