All Good Things Must Come To An End

I've been home now for about 2.5 weeks and, really, not much has happened.  I've been relaxing, spending time with some friends (the few who are still in the area) and lots of time with my family.  Mostly, I've been sitting on my deck, enjoying the fabulous summer weather, reading or going for walks-one in the morning with my mom and grandmother and another at night with just my mom.  As boring as this may sound, it's been really nice.  I've seen pictures of vacation people have uploaded onto facebook (Mychaela, Steph, Amy and Emily) and it looks fabulous and I wish I could have done more, but it would have been too much money wise and being at home chilling has been really nice after surviving a year in Korea ;-)

When I first got home I spent several days trying to get over jet-lag.  I was consistently waking up at 3 or 4 in the morning wide-awake.  Got over that. I'm still getting up early, 6 or 7, but its better.  Around the end of the first/beginning of the 2nd week was when I started freaking about finding a job.  That makes relaxing a lot harder.  But, there was no need to worry, I've got my previous job back! I'll begin training (again) starting September 12 and I'm very happy to be going back there, its a great place to work. Knowing I have a job that's going to start soon, meaning I'll have money again soon too, is allowing me to really enjoy the time I have now.  I'm sitting on my front deck writing this where the only annoyance are the mosquitoes (damn bloodsuckers!) that have taken too much of a liking to me over the last couple of weeks :-/

I've also been able to set up some volunteer activities.  Starting on the 12th I'll be teaching an ESL class to Spanish speakers at a church in the city.  This is great as it will help me keep up what teaching skills I acquired last year, learn new ones, and practice some Spanish.  It also helps me with Peace Corps.

Have I mentioned how amazing my neighbors are?  They are seriously 2 of the most thoughtful people I've ever met.  They invited me to dinner last week at their house with the director of the Delaware division of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).  The director, Kathleen, has offered me a volunteer/internship opportunity there, which would be AMAZING!  This would get me around lawyers and actually allow me to get experience working in law myself.  I'm über excited!


Anyway, things are really coming together for me here.  I've been medically cleared (!) by Peace Corps, been contacted by placement for my resume (which has been sent) and am waiting for more news there, which should be a couple more weeks coming :-/  


There are definitely things I miss about Korea.  Kimchi jjige, the ease of public transportation, my students, my social life, my paycheck, and my friends, to name a few.  It was a good experience and I don't regret any of it.  I'm happy I did it, but I'm also happy to be home, at least for a little while.


It's time for me to move on to the next chapter of my life (that's so cliche, I know) and end this one.  So, this is The End.  Goodbye and good luck to those of you in Korea now.

Final Countdown

I only have 9 more days in the ROK before I hop on a plane and head home!!! This is something I'm really excited for, but also feeling kind of sad about.  I can't wait to get home and see my family.  And eat Mexican food and understand at least most of what's going on around me.  I'm ready to get back to a sense of normality.

However, there are things I'm going to miss about being in Korea.  My students, some of my co-workers, my Korean tutor, some foods, and the friends that I've made here. The amazing public transportation that makes it so easy to go pretty much anywhere in the country.  Seriously, the US needs to get some better public transport, then I might take it.  I also really enjoy having a steady paycheck. I don't enjoy the weather.  I'm so sick of the rain.  I'm terrified about not finding a job at home, not having a car, and therefore being incredibly bored.

That's not to say that I'm not bored here sometimes.  This week and next week work is painfully boring.  I'm desk warming.  I literally have nothing to do for 8 hours a day, 5 days a week for 2 weeks.  It's awful. I'm spending my days watching Criminal Minds online (already onto season 2) and spending hours using stubleupon. And my school is being crazy about some stuff, which is annoying me, but I'm hoping to have some of it resolved tomorrow.

Last weekend I went out with friends in Itaewon and Hongdae.  In Intaewon we went to The Bungalow, and cool bar with sand and swings that Amy, Emily, and I came across one of our first weeks here.  The next day, Saturday, I went with my friend Stephenie to the Seoul Zoo! That was pretty sweet.  And, seriously, flamingos are trippy animals.  They have crazy, twisty necks and they are a pretty awesome pink color. 

I still need to get my apartment cleaned and start packing, but I just haven't been able to bring myself to really do any of it yet.  I'm having an "open house" on Sunday to give a bunch of stuff away.  I'd rather other people have it then have to throw it away. 

Saturday, barring rain, I'm going into Seoul with Mychaela to see the Secret Garden.  I'm really trying to do what I can before I leave.  However, at some point this weekend I'm going to have to suck it up and start cleaning and packing.  Packing shouldn't be top bad.  I'm going to have to get rid of some stuff.  The washer and really hard water here have definitely taken a toll on my clothes, so not all of its going to be returning with me.

What I'm most looking forward to at home, other than seeing my family and friends, is going back to Weight Watchers and really hitting the gym.  And swimming.  I've gained a lot of weight, so now I feel pretty gross.  I want to get back on the right track.  The first week I'm home I plan to do nothing other than sleep, relax outside, work on my tan, eat fruit and veggies, and go to the gym.  And try to get over what is sure to be terrible jet-lag.

It's going to take me about 24hrs door-door to get home next weekend.  As much as I love to travel, I really hate the actual traveling part.  I should, if everything is on time, be getting into Philadelphia at 10pm Saturday night.  This probably means I won't be out of the airport until around 11:30 or 12.  The next day is going to be busy and I know all I'm going to want to do is sleep.  First, at 9, is the Weight Watchers meeting I'm determined to make it to and directly after that is a party at my aunts house with all my family for my grandmothers 85th birthday. 

I'm looking forward to it, but I know I'm going to be exhausted. Then a couple days after being home I have to go to another doctor and get more paperwork filled out for Peace Corps.  It's torture sitting here not doing anything when I need to get something done.

Anyway, I'm sitting here at work watching it rain, writing this, and watching Criminal Minds.  Later I'm meeting friends for dinner, I think at Big Bread.  Speaking of Big Bread, that's another thing I will miss here.  It's a Belgian restaurant owned and run by someone actually from Belgium, so the food is legit.  And it's delicious, especially the chicken pita.  Gah, I really can't wait to get out of here.  All this sitting and doing nothing is too boring to handle. 6 more days of it after today....

Mud Fest

A couple of weekends ago (July 16-17) was the Boryeong Mud Festival.  What is Mud Fest? A chance to play in mud! There was mud wrestling, mud slides, mud fights, and more! It was pretty awesome and probably the only time I will ever be that muddy.  It was also great for the skin, besides for the sunburn I got.

It was right on the beach, so once you were covered in mud and it had dried you could run into the water to get clean! So awesome!  I went down with Seoul Hiking Group (Warren!) with a bunch of friends and we met more there who went down separately.  We spent hours during the day just playing int he mud park.  The wrestling was the best: it was super fun and you go the muddiest.  They also had kind of mud sinks where you could go to paintbrush/splash more mud onto your body. 

 (I couldn't draw this very well in paint, so you get an actual picture:)

After playing around for several hours I went back to the pension, showered (so nice to be clean!) and dressed.  There was a BBQ out back for everyone in our group which was good, though not filling.  Afterward I went for a walk around with a friend to try to find some mud-soap.  I found, which I was unusually excited about, but later found out I had gotten the wrong kind.   What I wanted to get was the soap that was 1,000 won and came in a box.  Instead what I got was prettily shaped mud-soap for 4,000 won :-( But, oh well.  It's still nice.  Hopefully.  I haven't used any yet...

That night was spent, at least mostly, hanging out on the beach with friends and strangers.  We played some ball, drank, and really just relaxed and enjoyed being there.  It was a good time. 

I had told myself that the next day, Sunday, I would not get muddy again.  Yeah, that didn't work out.  Sunday was spent painting ourselves in mud, dancing to the live music, and swimming in the ocean.  They had like a floaty dock thing out there for people to lay on and jump off of.  That was pretty nice, but not so good for my pale skin. 

Eventually we all had showers and got back on the bus around 3pm.  It was an amazing weekend and I'm glad I went and got to spend time with friends I'll be leaving soon.  Besides, when am I going to get a chance to spend the weekend playing in mud again?

Korean Family Reunion

This past weekend I went with my co-teacher, Chi, to her family reunion in Jeollado. My friends Mychaela came as well, which I'm thankful for since she, you know, speaks fluent English.  It was a good time.  Jeollado is in the southern tip of Korea, so the bus ride down and back was long, about 4-5 hrs each way.  Chi's family had rented a bus, so we all had plenty of  quality-time together.

Unfortunately, it rained all weekend which meant more time on the bus and less time out exploring.  We stopped of at a "beach" for a little bit, but the tide was out so far we couldn't actually see the water.  There they did introductions/speeches by family branches.  Mychaela and I were our of branch and also had to give a speech. Actually, they had me giving speeches all weekend. Awkward.

Her family is amazing though.  They were so nice and welcoming, a few people spoke English so one of them pretty much adopted us.  And the kids were ADORABLE.  Seriously, so cute.  By the end of the trip we'd been able to make friends with them and were playing together on the bus ride back.

Anyway, while we were at the "beach" there were traditional snacks.  Including a traditional fish you can only get in that area. Of course we were made to try it.  It had bones, which, apparently, are meant to be chewed and swallowed.  Needless to say its not one of my favorites and I have no intention of ever eating it again.  I think this picture (which I stole from  Mycheala) says it all.

After this we went to visit their grandfather's tomb.  Tomb's in Korea probably aren't what your picturing.  They aren't like a mausoleum.  They are outside, and really just raised circles with grass growing on top.  They look like small hills, or (if you ski) moguls in grass.  So, we trekked out to the tomb in the rain, they made their bow, and we left, slightly muddier then when we arrived.

Then we had eel for dinner.  Not too bad, but still not something I need to eat again.  And, of course, there was drinking.  The drink of choice: VERY strong strawberry "wine."  While better than soju, I wouldn't classify it as wine or delicious.  Korean's really like their alcohol strong.  And I'm a girl who doesn't really like alcohol unless its in some super girls drink, like a pina colada.  So my year here has definitely upped my alcohol tolerance.

And, when there is alcohol, there is usually karaoke.  That dinner was no exception.  And I was forced to sing.  Those of you who have heard me sing no I can't, for the life of me, carry a tune.  I tried explaining this, but it did no good.  So, I did the first verse of 'Old McDonald had a farm.'  It was pathetic.  Mychaela had been pointing to me, trying to force me into it.  So I got her back.  She did a lovely (uhm) rendition of 'Oh, my darling Clementine.'  It was good times.

Then we went to the pension, which is like a youth hostel, but Korean style, meaning you sleep on the floor.  We tried putting down a ton of blankets, but it was still hard. Whoever said that sleeping on the floor is good for your back lied.  Neither of us were moving very smoothly the next morning.  Also, the pillows were stuffed with cut up straws.  That's right, by pillow was made of straws.  Oh, Korea.

It was totally worth it though.  It was a good weekend and it was great to spend time with a Korean family and really get into the culture.  I'm very grateful that I was invited along and was able to have that experience.

But, moving on.  Here's a quick countdown/timeline

1 day until Harry Potter!!!

4 days until Mud Fest

31 days (Korean time) until I head home!!!

There is sure to be more in between, but this is what's planned right now.  Getting so close!! And, lame as this is, I'm super excited to see Harry Potter with Michaela and Clara tomorrow!!! Its going to be awesome!!

Decision Made

I'm sure by now most of you who read this already know that I've been changing my mind about what to do for the next couple years, especially next year, but I have finally made a decision and I am sticking to it!

I just sent an email accepting a 1-year deferment to law school.  I've going through the Peace Corps application process and have been nominated for a position in Central/South America leaving in February 2012. I feel like this is an opportunity that I can't let pass.  If it doesn't work out for whatever reason, then law school is still an option for next year (2012).  Anyway, that's it! Very short post.  Really, nothing new here to talk about.  Although, there was an AWESOME 4th of July/Blake's going away party on the roof of my building last night.  And its FINALLY sunny! Yay! Really, now that's it.  I've started a Peace Corps blog.  The link is:

http://jenniepc.blogspot.com/

Going's On

Some things happen here that just make me stop and go 'What?'  So here are some fun(ish) stories.

I think I've talked about Christianity in Korea before, but here's a recap.  Christianity is fairly new here, especially when compared to Europe where my ancestors are from.  So when I'm approached by Koreans, on the street or when they knock on my door, who try to lecture me/convert me to Christianity I can't help but think, 'Yes, I know about Christianity.  My family is from Ireland and Italy.  I'm pretty sure they have known about it for a while now.'  So I usually just run away or shut the door.  And they go in groups where at least one person speaks English and they will, inevitably, shove that person towards me.

Now, the rainy season has started here.  A couple weeks ago I was walking back to my apartment at 10pm in the rain.  You would think that given these facts I would have been safe from the Christians who wander the streets trying to convert/educate unsuspecting pedestrians.  No.  There I was, speed walking home to avoid me totally soaked, and what happens? I get stopped by these people!

Always, they ask "Are you busy? Can we talk to you about the Bible?" And I always say that yes, I am busy.  This night I was heading back hoping to make home in time to skype with my mother.  So I them that, that I was in a hurry and needed to get home to talk to my mom.  Did this deter them? No.  They asked to come back with me to my apartment.  At this point, and this is a little sad, I literally ran away from them.  There I was, with my umbrella at 10 at night, running down the street in the rain to escape these 2 ladies who wanted to educate me about the Bible. 

And I do consider myself Christian.  But I have very strong feelings about forcing your religion on other people.  So, this is getting kind of old.  Especially since they are rather forceful and very persistent when you've made it clear that you don't want to talk to them or listen to what they have to say.

Different topic.  Koreans' believe in something called 'fan-death.'  This is the belief that during the summer if you sleep with your fan on and your windows closed you will die.  There are several theories about how this works.  Here are 2: 1) the fan sucks all the air from the room or 2) the fan acts like the fan in a convection oven and takes out all the air while also making you hot so you die from dehydration. 

I've talked to a couple of Koreans about this, including my tutor and they are all convinced it is true.  The news reports incidents of fan death and it is one of the top 3 causes of death during the summer, along with AC explosions.  Now, you might be thinking this a little illogical and no one would actually believe it.  You would be wrong.  Fan-death isn't a superstition.  It's a fact.  I've been told by several people never to sleep with my fan on and windows closed.  My thoughts when I'm told this usually run along these lines, 'Well, I always sleep with my windows closed and my fans on at home.  Sometimes multiple fans (gulp) and yet I'm still alive.'  So, this is just one of those things that I find amusing but accept as a Korean quirk.  And have learned not to talk about with Koreans. 

Ok, time to change topics again.  I'm currently rather annoyed with my school.  I'm leaving August 13th.  In September they have to give me quite a bit of money for my severance, housing deposit, flight, and last pay.  My school wants me to get an international debit card so I can withdraw this money, thousands of dollars, from an ATM when I get home.   You can only withdraw so much money from an ATM at a time and per-day.  Plus, I would be charged international fees every time I withdrew.  And I need that money in my home account as soon as possible to pay bills.  So their idea really doesn't really work for me.

I even told them I would pay the transfer fee if they wire the money.  Maybe that will help.  I emailed the GEPIK coordinator for the area so hopefully she will be of some help.  I'm tired of this type of BS and it really just makes me want to get out of here and get home.  The miserable, rainy weather also isn't helping my mood.

Good news is that my students started finals today, so I'm desk warming, which, yes, is quite boring, but at least I'm not teaching.  Summer camp is only a couple of weeks away, then I have 2 more weeks of desk warming before I leave.  I think there are things I'm really going to miss here, like how active my social life is, my students, friends, etc, but I'm ready to get on that plane home and back to normality.  And fruits. And vegetables.  Anyway, that's it for today.  Hope you enjoyed the stories and my complaining didn't bother you too much :)

How Winter is Still Killing Me

I've mentioned a few times how the winter here is AWFUL.  Well, I suffered from cold-weather induced laziness during this 3-4 month season and am now paying for it.  I've gained weight and am now way out of shape.  I was pretty happy with myself when I arrived in August, now I'm not and I can't wait to get home where I can have SALAD and other fresh fruits and vegetables.  But this is leading to the coming story.

I have, since winter ended, been going to the gym fairly regularly.  Some weeks I go almost everyday, some just one or 2 times.  Jess and I, hoping that we had gotten ourselves back into reasonably decent shape decided to try hiking Seoraksan with Warren.  Ok, Seoraksan is supposed to be one of the hardest mountains to climb in Korea and Warren, who runs the trips we go on, is crazy and a hardcore hiker.

This was the type of hike I did in the fall without too much trouble.  We left Seoul at 11:30pm on Friday and arrived at the mountain at around 2:30am Saturday.  
We started hiking with our head-lamps on at 3am. To start were the stairs.  Now, I hate stairs.  I would rather climb my way up nature then climb stairs. This was the first clue I had that this hike wasn't going to go well for me. The stairs were never ending. And they were big, like king-size steps.  Eventually, after about 30-45mins (though it felt like HOURS) of climbing stairs, we conquered them! However, by this time it had started to rain. Not just a gentle sprinkling either.  I was cold, I was wet, for whatever reason I was having trouble breathing, and it just wasn't fun. Also, I was REALLY far behind the group.  Picture: me in a bright purple poncho, wearing a head-light, hiking up this miserable mountain in the cold rain. Alone. I was not loving it.

Two others from my group had passed by me and told me that they were so far behind because one of their friends decided to turn around and head back to the bus.  Now, this sounded like a great idea to me, so I got that guys number, checked that the bus was still there, and turned around.  I called Jess to tell her what I was doing and she decided to come with me as she wasn't really enjoying herself either.  So then I stood in the rainy, dark woods and waited. And waited.  I kept picturing all the animals that could come out and kill/eat me. Thought about ghost stories and all the bad things that can happen when your alone in the woods. I managed to spook myself a little bit in the 20mins it took Jess to reach me.
 

We continued down together and eventually made it the bus where another 2 from our group were.  By that time it was around 4:30-5am, so naturally we curled up as best we could on the seats and went to sleep.  We got up a few hours later and went on an easy hike for maybe 3 or 4 hours.  It was quite nice and was only raining off-and-on. By the time we got back to the bus it was raining pretty steadily.  There was also a hot spring by the bus where we sat and soaked our feet.  That was probably the best part of the whole trip.

A while later another few people had made their way back to the bus.  Did I mention we were supposed to camp on the beach that night? Yeah.  It sounded like a lot of fun when we signed up, hiking/camping in the sunshine on the warm beach.  Not nearly as appealing in the cold rain.  So, Jess and I, along with another 4 from our group, decided to catch the bus back to Seoul that luckily stopped on the road we were on.  We made it back, caught the train back to Ilsan, and I went home and passed out. It was definitely an interesting day.


This weekend is a long weekend, memorial day or something is on Monday.  Saturday I'm planning to go to Suwon to see a fortress with Mychaela and Sunday were going to try rafting.  Fingers-crossed that it doesn't rain on me again.

Everything else is going pretty well.  I got my plane ticket home!!! August 13th!!! Can't wait! I want fruit, vegetables, real Mexican food, and to get back to a regular diet. And, of course, to see my family and friends! And watch Phillies games!!! But I will miss South Korea, my school, my students, friends, Lake Park, and, of course, kimchi-jjigae.

As of right now, I'll arrive home at around 10pm on the 13th, if everything is on time, anyway.  On the 16th I will have Law School orientation at Temple and on the 23rd classes will start.  Sometime before classes start I want to 1) go to at least 1 Phillies game and 2) possibly find somewhere in the city to live, though I can commute for a while, but there is a good chance that with no car living at home could get old fast. Plus, nothing is set yet and I tend to change my mind about what I want to do every 5 minutes, so we'll see what actually happens :-)