Camera busted- please standby

Sorry everyone, it seems that my camera cable refuses to connect to my computer and thus cannot upload my pics. I'm gonna work on it and try to get some up asap. In the meantime here are some answers to your burning questions:

Korean Food- for the most part good, kimchi is growing on me slightly, but the BBQ is excellent (you cook thin strips of beef and pork on your table and wrap it in these leaves with other stuff) and the street food is great too.
Teaching- is going well also, younger grades will be pretty good because curriculum is set and I think I'm starting to get how to make lesson plans for the 6th graders. And my co-teachers are excellent.
Apartment situation- my room is on the second floor (202) so not too high of a walk-up. I do have a closet and the bed is plenty big enough (just smaller than a queen size).
Korean ladies- I know you are all dying to know about this, there are tons of very attractive women out here (everyone is just so skinny) but it's tough to meet them (due to all of the GIs they think all American men are a-holes and a cultural norm that prohibits strangers talking) I'll just have to wait to be introduced by mutual friends (apparently that's huge out here).
Weekends- are great, with this being our first month here everyone is pretty open to getting together. And with no last call, it's typically a pretty late night. Also, I have a newfound love of karaoke (it's called a noraebong out here) which I've managed to participate in the last 5 weekend nights.

Gotta go but keep the questions coming and I love you all!

Finally time for another post

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Hey everyone, sorry it's been so long since my last post but I've been very busy. Here's the basics of what's been happening: orientation ended up fine, learned a few more things to do in class (still not nearly enough for me to be confident in lesson planning). Also found out where my apartment is located: right in the heart of the Kangnam, basically like living a minute out of Times Square! My address is Yeoksam-dong, Gangnam-gu 817-20 Sejung Artrill. I'll post some pics when I get a power adapter to charge my camera. My room is very good too, way bigger than I expected (probably about 22" x 12") plus I'm living in the same building as 3 other teachers. I did get a chance to get some pics before the camera died.






I started teaching Monday at Seorae Elementary School and things are going great. All of my Korean co-teachers are great, not a high English level, but very kind and open to my being there. The kids are terrific too, very curious about me and friendly towards me, always waving and saying hello whenever they see me, I feel kind of like a rockstar. So far 3rd grade is doing just fine, have a pretty set curriculum to follow, but I have to come up with one for my 6th grade classes and still a little apprehensive about that. But I think it'll just take time and the whole standing in front of class thing hasn't bugged me yet.

That's about it for now, I'll try to get some pics of what its like out here asap and send me an email if I'm not answering specific questions you're wondering about (I have a lot of down time at work and can respond to emails but can't check my blog because of the Korean OS on all of the computers). Love all of you!

Finally found out where and who I'll be teaching!

After so much uncertainty, finally found out where I'll be and what level I'll be teaching.... (drumroll please) Elementary level in an area known as Kangnam (Gangnam- in Korea k's and g's are interchangeable). At first I had no idea what type of area it was but after asking around a bit I found out it's quite a ritzy part of town (the "Manhattan of Seoul" as one person put it) so I'm getting kind of excited about it! I guess it's one of the most sought after districts so I seem to have lucked out. Here's a couple pics I found, tons more info too if you just do a google search.

We'll see what the rest of the week brings!