Settling In
Over a month has passed since we arrived in South Korea and I can finally say that John and I are starting to settle in. It is a wonderful feeling after feeling displaced. To anybody who ever thinks about moving to a new country, for whatever reason, just know that it does get easier!!
So, lets define “Settling In”. To “Settle In” means – to become or help to become adapted to and at ease in a new home, environment, etc.
For us, this means a whole variety of things.
Number 1: Getting Paid
I got my first paycheck last week (long overdue after not getting one for almost 2 months!). I feel like I can now start to enjoy living here because I am not as uptight with money! We brought money with us when we came to Korea, but of course that money went fast! I was able to go to the grocery store and finally cook a full meal in my apartment! It was something simple but exciting. We get paid monthly here which is something I need to get used to, as opposed to every other week. Now I just need to get a bottle of wine and we’ll be set.
Number 2: Going out and actually staying up past Midnight.
Over the past weekend, Beeta and I went out with our friend Adrianna, and we went to a fun bar called Woodstock. After a long week, it was fun to go out and I was excited because on the drink menu they had White Russians! I love White Russians and don’t usually see them on menus, even in the States. Afterwards, we went to a Korean Nori Bong. The Koreans love to sing and a Nori Bong is a place where you go with friends and sing karaoke. It was so much fun!! You pay per hour and you get your own private room, decked out with fancy speakers, a flat screen tv, a couch bed, and a karaoke book that will satisfy any karaoke craving you might have!
Number 3: Going shopping and knowing that I don’t have to be cheap.
We visited Sinsa-dong yesterday. Located close to Gangnam, Sinsa is known for shopping. It was fun to be able to walk around and see all the stores plus some that we are familiar with in the States! I didn’t buy anything but it was nice knowing that if there was something I did want, that I could buy it, now that I have gotten paid. A paycheck is a key to happiness.
Number 4: A Normal Schedule
Summer Intensives are over! We arrived in Korea right as the summer intensives started. Unlike in the United States, kids here have their short school break (similar to Christmas break) in the summer and their long school break (2 months) in the winter. Because of that, for the 4 weeks that kids were off from public schools, they increased their hours in english school. That meant that we taught in the mornings. As much as I like getting off early in the afternoons, I LOVE the night schedule! Its so nice to wake up and ease into the day before heading to work around 3 pm. I am ready to build up a routine to follow these next few months.
Number 5: Finally starting to see the Future
I finally feel confident enough with my job, that I can now start planning trips to travel, both inside and outside of South Korea. Next month, we get 5 days off in September for the Korean Holiday of Chuseouk. Cheseouk is essentially the Korean Thanksgiving. It is a time when family members from near and far come together to share food and stories and to give thanks to their ancestors for the abundant harvest. During this time, I am heading, along with John, Beeta and a friend, to Osaka, Japan for 4 days. I can’t wait to see the city! More to come on this trip soon!
We were able to find a really nice and safe vet to board our dogs at as well! It is always hard to leave them, but I know they will be in good hands till we get back!
All in all:
All in all, it is nice to be settling in. Its amazing what you can push yourself to do. Things may seem scary at first, but for the most part, it does really get easier and then starts to make some kind of sense. 🙂
Photo Share for the Week –
After all the rain we had last month, the plants are starting to flower. Its so pretty!
Mayo Cheese Pringles! They were actually pretty good!
Some of my students working 🙂 I teach 6 graders which is still Elementary School here.
Some of John’s elementary school students 🙂 They were doing an activity where they were not aloud to use one of their senses, so they had to rely on their other senses. In this one, two kids who were trying to get around the room without eyesight and they had to rely on their classmates to tell them where to go.
John and I at Woodstock Bar 🙂
Right before Nori Bong! These are props that you can take with you in the Karaoke rooms! We left them for people who were avid karaoke-ers.
Nori Bong! It is so much fun if you like to sing!!
Hope you have a nice week! Till the next post 🙂
Peace Love Kimchi 
One Response to “Settling In”
I absolutely love following your blog! Have fun in Osaka.