The School on the Hill

Today we began our second week of school!  I can not believe I have only been here a little over three weeks and I feel like I have done so much and met so many people.  You're thrown into this situation with a group of interesting people from all over the world and the school keeps you busy with new business and fun activities, time sure flies.  I think it's some jedi mind trick to avoid any homesickness or mental breakdowns.  (Yes, I just used a Star Wars reference...whether or not it was used properly, I can't be sure.)

I have never put a classroom together as fast as I did this year.  Efficiency was my modus operandi.  As teachers go, I'm a minimalist, which worked in my favor finally.  Most teachers come with little to nothing and you just use what the school provides you (which is ample).  I was surprisingly calm and stress-free, even the night before the first day of school.  Maybe it was not spending hundreds to thousands of dollars on supplies?  Could it be that simple?

The facilities at this school are exemplary!  I am still learning my way around but I think I'm getting the hang of it.  The kids are very sweet and will guide you along the way (just be weary of "short cuts").  There are sky bridges and connecting passageways that lead to the four buildings - elementary, middle, and high schools, as well as, a multipurpose complex.  This is especially useful during inclement weather as you can move around the entire campus without venturing outside.  

This school has it all - 3 gyms, a pool, squash ball courts, 2 rock climbing walls (one standard and one for the minis), performing arts center, and a vast array of music rooms (they even have rooms for individual practice!).  There are computer labs, art rooms, and multiple libraries.  It's extensive!  The main focus is performing arts, technology, and a healthy lifestyle.  This goes for the teachers, as well, so all are encourage to use the facilities at their convenience.

They have a MAC help desk (basically a mini-Apple store), an IT support team, AND an IT curriculum support team (they provide professional development throughout the week or will help you integrate technology into your class and lessons).  For any teacher who is trying to weave the world of tech into their classrooms, this unheard of...and exactly what every teacher needs if you expect them to apply technology in the classroom.  

The three buildings on the left are (starting at the bottom): elementary, middle school (with a sky bridge to the multipurpose complex), and high school in back.  

The kids just began their swimming sessions for P.E.

An older picture, before the multipurpose complex.  A better view of the three main buildings and overlooking Bundang.

My classroom!  18 students (with the possibility of 22...or maybe it's 21...either way, very small 4th grade class!)

Ms. McCabe has relaxed on her previous "no water at your desk" rule - you have to drink water constantly in this weather!

Also, we do some serious stair climbing here - anywhere between 2 - 6 flights of stairs multiple times a day.  We counted from B3 (basement 3) to our 4th floor classroom...159 steps!

We've already started adding work to our bare walls!

Our lovely view of the soccer field from Room 403.

And the pièce de résistance...an office with a view!!

Subway to Seoul

Saturday was supposed to be a staff public transit trip to Seoul but it was canceled (missed the "why" part of the explanation).  This was probably for the better since the new faculty "welcome" party was the night before.  However, with a later start, a few of my new coworkers/friends (Tiffany, Dave, and Tamara) and I decided to head into Seoul anyway.  

This was my first time taking the subway in Korea, Tamara was the expert in the group, and it  is actually very easy to figure out.  Subways and buses are a quite zone and many Koreans use that time to catch up on sleep or watch TV (on phones).  Americans use that time to chat, cackle, and talk on their phones.  The former is so refreshing (and something the four of us probably should have been aware of before heading out on Saturday).

We headed to Jongno--gu, Seoul where Changdeokgung Palace is located.  This is one of the "Five Grand Palaces" built by the kinds of the Joseon Dynasty.  This was the kinds secondary palace to Gyeongbokgung Palace.  However, all palaces were destroyed during the Japanese invasion (1592-1598).  Changdeokgung was restored in 1610 and served as the main palace for 270 years.  Gyeongbokgung was finally rebuilt in 1868.  A little history lesson for you.  

The exterior of the palace has been restored and is vibrant with color and intricate details.  The interiors are a bit more aged but still maintain the color and details of the exterior.  

Tiffany, Dave, Tamara

We got to the palace about 3+ hours before the English tour of the Secret Garden.  Initially we thought maybe we'd stay long enough to catch it.  Then our bodies reminded us that it was 95 degrees with about 70% humidity.  I think the Secret Garden will be a lovely fall activity! 

Extreme heat aside, the palace was quite picturesque...

One of my favorites...

Tiffany, Tamara, and the author

This is the part of the tour where we thought we could quite possibly melt into nothing.

This is a doorway...a slider door between two rooms!  Add this to my dream home right behind shoe closet and professional grade kitchen.

Next we opted for something indoors, so we headed to Intaewon.  This is known as sort of the cultural melting pot of Seoul.  Really, it's like little New York City.  It's were you go when you need your Mexican, Italian, Indian food fix.  I wasn't that impressed but maybe in six months that will be a different story when I'm jones-ing for a burrito.

The 'Hood & The Digs

The staff here is lives in different neighborhoods throughout Bundang.  They do this with the hope that we will get out and meet some non-foreigners and also to help us learn about various areas.  For the most part, families are in a more suburban area and singles are in the hub of downtown.  The couples are sort of in the middle of all that.  

I love my neighborhood!  It is close to everything - buses, taxis, subway, and school.  The KIS bus stop is right outside my building or it's about a 20 minute walk to school.  Uphill.  Maybe in the fall or spring, but not in this heat.  

My building - Royal Palace Houseville

I am the left tower.

The Tancheon River is a block from my house.  My building is on the far right.

There are many bridges (both car and pedestrian) that go over the river...

...but my favorite are the many rock bridges.

There are running trails and bike paths on either side of the river.  Along with playgrounds, water parks, and fitness stations scattered along the way.

My building is at the end of a pedestrian promenade (like 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica).  I haven't taken any pictures yet, but it's full of shops and restaurants.  I'll add those soon.

I live in a 1 bedroom apartment on the 26th floor of a 31 story building.  I am very fortunate to have the view I have.  I feel like I paid my "shady apartment" dues in SF and have finally earned a nice spot.  

Still unpacking...

It is customary to take off your shoes upon entering a Korean household.  Part of this is tradition, part of this is cleanliness, and I've also been told it helps preserve the heated floors. Oh yes, heated floors!  More on that in the winter.

The entryway is slightly sunken down and has a closet.  A shoe closet!!  My shoe closet dream has been realized!!  This is by far the best feature of the apartment.  I was a little worried about bringing 37 pairs of shoes (this is the edited version, some were donated, some stayed behind), but as you can see, there are still a few sad, empty shelves.  Challenge accepted!

That door leads to a two foot "balcony", half of which contains a fan/ac.  A door to nowhere, if you will.  Note the sticky notes on the video call box and other controls.  The FST guys were kind enough to leave notes for me since everything is in Korean.  The one on the bottom right says, "Don't touch until winter."  Heater.  Got it.

On Saturdays in Seoul at Hongik University they have a "free market."  It's an art market where local artists sell their work.  I can't wait to go to jazz up the place a bit.

Koreans prefer a very firm mattress.  Me?  Not so much.

What they lack in mattress choices they more than make up for in custom closets.  I think I could just do a post on the closets and storage.  Happiness!

Koreans don't generally have/use ovens.  In lieu of an oven I have a dishwasher.  I haven't had a dishwasher for over 6 years.  Living alone it's quite an undertaking to try to fill one.  So I use it as a drying rack instead!

To continue our theme of "Colleen's Obsession With Closets"...half of that mirror slides over to reveal...a quite large medicine cabinet!

This is quite a shower contraption!  The three knobs down the center control whether you would like to use the overhead or handheld nozzle.  The third one turns on four water jets, like a spray tanning salon, so I've been told.

This may be TMI...but this is mission control for the toilet seat bidet!  

Washing machine in the bathroom...

...it's the little things...I love that the lid slides back rather than lifts.

This concludes my tour.  Next up, my 1st trip into Seoul!

Diving In

I had a very relaxed, mellow weekend...partly because, I didn't know anyone and was trying to acclimate to the area.  Speaking of acclimating, I promise not to complain about the weather throughout the winter if we could just please cut this heat/humidity short for the summer. 

It's a good thing I soaked up being lazy for the weekend because once Monday rolled around things started shifting into high gear.  My principal gave me a few people's numbers and I called around and about 15 of us ended up going to Korean BBQ.  

The new teachers don't have cell phones yet (we have to receive our Alien Registration Cards (ARC), like a green card), so meeting up is reminiscent of the 80's.  No landlines, call waiting, caller ID, or even voicemail!  Once you do connect with someone it goes something like this, "Ok, I'll meet you on the corner of [insert various landmarks or discernible signs] in 20 minutes."  No doubt, it helps us get out and explore and learn our way around.  

A Cliff Notes version of the week:

• Tour of the school - the campus is beyond impressive.  It sits on a hill overlooking Bundang.  I'll post pictures and more info in a separate update.  
• The school took us on shopping trips to Emart, Daiso ($1 store or 1,000W store, rather - we actually have Daiso stores in the bay area), and...wait for it, Costco!  It only took me moving to Korea to get a Costco card.  Note about Emart:  Many westerners here keep comparing it to Walmart, I refuse to accept this.  Thankfully, my dad followed up with exactly what I wanted to hear: the locations were formally owned by Walmart, however Emart bought them out.  Emart is more closely related to Target.  Whew!  

Example #1 of Korean efficiency: Sodoku toilet paper

Emart

Costco was insane!  The line to get on the escalator ramp (similar to a moving sidewalk, except it's metal and the carts have magnets on them so they stay put on the ramps) went all the way to the back wall.  We are on the ramp going down to the food section.

To be clear, three of us are sharing a cart.  We went in with a focused list:  mattress pads (way too expensive), wine, cheese, and salami.  Mission accomplished.  

Many of the single teachers go in together on things, which is what we did and will do.  Just like the states, it is just so excessive.  It will mostly be for those "can't live without" items (see above).

• We each received a new Macbook Pro...yippee!  The school is as close to paperless as a school could get.  It's so exciting...could it be that I won't have stacks of paper on my desk this year (aside from student work)?!?!
• The school hosted a Welcome Night at a local bar/pub.  Nothing brings a staff together faster than beer and a dance off.  I'll leave it at that.  

The Arrival

I'm cheating a bit and doing some back-blogging to get caught up.  I'm sure I'm breaking all kinds of blogging etiquette rules.  The rebel blogger.

I left last Thursday, August 26, 2012.  Which seems like a month ago.  The last few months have been an amazing emotional roller coaster.  I am so fortunate to have so many supporters as I embark on this journey.  

All went smoothly en route and all five ridiculously large bags arrived unscathed.  I was greeted at Incheon Airport by Andrew, one of the Faculty Support Team (FST) members from  Korea International School (KIS).  The FST members are Korean or in one guy's case, Korean-Australian (yes, ladies, Australian accent!), and are our right hand men for anything home or school related.  They will even translate your home appliances for you!

On the drive to Bundang-gu (the district I live in within the city of Seongnam, in the province of Gyeonggi-do...just a little breakdown, the address is confusing) I mentioned to Andrew that my brother-in-law's parents live in Seoul and I look forward to meeting them.  He said, "Oh yeah, she came by the school today with a package for you.  I have it at the apartment for you."  Wow, what a welcome!  I didn't take a picture of the care package, but she included a plant, cleaning products, food stuffs, fruit, AND wine (including a wine opener)!  Among the delicious fruit were these grapes.  They are so huge I wasn't sure what the were at first!  Yum.  The school provided a box of other goods, food, etc.  It was nice to wake up and have something in your refrigerator already.

Please note the Kirkland (Costco Korea) water. :)

The first few days I mostly alternated between sleeping and reading.  The last few months came to a head and I was EXHAUSTED.  I ventured out a little bit, but must admit, I was intimidated.  I'm still unpacking and putting my place together, so I will post apartment pictures soon.  Last weekend I at least found homes for two important items.  I'm on the 26th floor and look at that view!