First Day Tomorrow but first.....

It's been a couple days since my last post. Despite the spotty internet I think it's time for an update.

I told you a little about my co-teacher Claire. But I didn't mention her in detail. She is 53. Yes, 53. I would never guess by looking at her. She didn't travel abroad until she was 40. When I told her my age she responded by saying she is probably older than my parents. Sorry Mom but I laughed and told her my parents age. She was shocked. Anyway, Claire is not a typical co-teacher. She is older than the other co-teachers I met. She is not married. She lives at home with her mother and brother. And she commutes from an hour away in Seoul. But she is extremely helpful, very kind, and knowledgeable. Not to mention her English is fairly good. I foresee a good working relationship between the two of us.

Anyway, I have been meeting up with Ryan, my roommate at the hotel, and Raccine, a South African teacher I met during quarantine. Ryan is from the same group, Footprints, as me. He is from Portland. He is a little younger than me by a few years. If I was to compare him to anyone it would be Brad. Brad no offense. You are much funnier and more intelligent than this guy. But the two of you share a lot of similarities. Construction, the way you talk to your girlfriends, etc. But the one that stands out the most is how mono-cultural you two are. When he first arrived here he had never held chopsticks. He is better at using them than me now. (I blame my long, alien fingers mixed with these small Asian, metal chopsticks. Does Yao Ming have bigger chopsticks???) But Ryan is very timid to try new things. But he has been forced to do so and he loves it. Especially BBQ Pork. Although the spicy fish soup we had last night was not the best meal we have had. But he ate some of it. He didn't like it. But he ate it. He is really settling in. And so am I.

Since the moment I arrived I have found my biggest ally is confidence to try new things. For example, when we are at a meal I confidently say 'Juseyo' (Please) to any questions they ask us. By doing so I get to see what happens. Trial and Error. Lots of errors. But a lot of good. During the spicy fish soup dinner last night I ate snail meat. The moment I loaded it into my mouth it exploded. All that remained was a rock hard muscle. Gross. But I smiled politely through the whole matter in order to encourage everyone else to do the same. But I laughed after it happened. During the day, I go out alone. I walk around. I ride the subway. And I stay away from the many, many blackened window barber shops. They aren't barber shops. Get it? Got it? Yeah, I'm still curious, too. So much to learn and do around here. Without talking your ear off anymore you will have to wait until I can come up with better stories.

Two more quick things of note:

I blew out my only Transformer today. I smoked it straight black. Sparks jumped out of the transformer onto the floor leaving a black mark behind. I am just glad I shut it off before it burst into flames. Care package!

My dad added me on facebook today. I did the only thing a youth like me could do. Reject the friend request. Sorry Dad. You're not facebook friend material. haha



*Long winded below* For those of you who will travel extended periods abroad and my brother *JAMES*

Today, I set up a bank account. 2 actually. If anyone of you ever do something like this I know you are wondering how you can wire money back to the states. I asked questions and saw the remittance (wire) form at the bank. So, I asked a few questions. I found out KEB, my Korean bank, is partners with Bank of America. I worked for Bank of America and I had no clue. What makes this especially nice is that KEB has a bank account called an 'Easy One Remittance Account.' Whenever you transfer money to that account it automatically draws the account back to ZERO and sends the money to your bank account wherever it may be. Because I am with BOA it will be in my account in 1-2 business days. Nifty little thing to know, eh James?