A case of mistaken identity

Turns out the plant is real and I got bleach instead of detergent. 

Current score: Korea 2, Jackie 0

Experienced first monsoon, had first solo mission five stops down the subway, and bought a plant

Much has happened in the last few days, so be prepared for a lot of pictures and a lot of tidbits about said days, but I'm assuming that since you're reading this - that's what you want. So here you are: 

Way back on Wednesday --- I rode on my first subway, bought my first coffee in a carton, and went to my first E-mart (it's kind of like a Costco and has a huge produce cooler in which I can hide from the humidity, thank goodness). Had my first solo grocery store visit; went in looking for detergent and yogurt, came out with what I think is detergent and milk because I couldn't figure out the yogurt. 

That night, the other foreigner in my elementary school, Julie, and I went to a local Korean restaurant. Ate a lot of food I didn't recognize and/or didn't know what it was (but hey, isn't that what this is all about?). The following pictures are me trying some delicious noodles and I did not include the pictures where I ate some very strange raw crab thing marinated with a lot of spicy sauce, they aren't pretty... I love that they bring tons of sides to try!!! 

Thursday: FIRST MONSOON. I have to say I was pretty excited until I was drenched walking to orientation. BUT STILL, a great, loud, forceful storm. These pictures don't do it justice, and I wasn't able to take a selfie that demonstrated just how soaked I was. For the future: always carry an umbrella in Korea. A rain jacket just won't cut it, always an umbrella. 

That night, when it stopped pouring and thundering and being crazy windy, we BBQ'd on the rooftop. 15 floors above the ground. With Briggitta, Will, Gabby, the dog, and the Korean neighbor. We ate monster burgers that Gabby made and drank various types of subpar Korean beer (had to at least try it). 

This morning: had first solo mission five stops down the subway to get my health check in a little town (neighborhood?) that can't be pronounced (by me, yet). Also, Biggby was represented on this extravaganza (Biggby in South Korea!). 

This is at the bottom of the hill from the apartments, to the right is the fire station and at the top of the hill in front of me is the University.

Long walk to the subway, but very pretty. 

 After the health check, I needed some coffee and chocolate because I was slightly traumatized as I wandered around the station and surrounding neighborhood. Of course I went in the completely wrong direction and had to ask a woman in a local convenience store. As it turns out, it was quite obvious where the hospital was as there were signs saying SCH hospital.. BUT LOOK WHAT I FOUND AFTERWARDS! The most perfect coffee shop that ever existed: coffee house Santorini. I'm honestly in love. Hello, heaven.

Tonight, we went to Cheonan, the big city, and ate delicious food. Wandering is one of my favorite things to do. True Korean dining pictured below. 

I sat at that coffee house for as long as I could and made my chocolate mousse breakfast last as long as I could before I got back on the subway. Then I bought a plant. Right now I'm hoping it's fake because I stuffed it in my backpack to take it home on the subway, and also so I don't have to remember to water it. But it's an apartment-warming plant that slightly resembles a pine-tree-like plant and reminds me of Michigan. I'm constantly reminded that it's the little things: like nutella and fake pine trees and whimsical coffee houses, that add bits of joy into this stressful, but grand, beginning. While I miss Lake Michigan, caramel iced coffees from Biggby, strawberries, and grass, I've found subways, iced americanos, rooftop barbeques, and new friends. I'm adjusting. Adventures cannot be predicted, they happen while you stumble through life, into convenience stores, and over Korean words, and that's what makes them adventures: great, awesome, crazy adventures.

Sincerely.

Nesting

I'm finally here. All settled in. Apartment is put together. Arrived last night after  fourteen hours in the air and a two hour bus ride south of Seoul. It was dark so waking up this morning was glorious. I have beautiful trees outside  my balcony and come Autumn they will put on quite the show, so I'm excited. Today, I consumed my first iced latte, outfitted the nest, ate local Korean, rode a Korean bus to and from, and hiked up the massive hill to our buildings and put all my pieces carefully together. And the jet lag is hitting now. Hard.

BUT enjoy these  pictures -

The trees outside my apartment.

Entrance to my new home.

Brought home with me.

Menu I ordered from...

View from kitchen (thank goodness for that fan, the humidity is killer).

That's it! That's home! And the bathroom is pink. Very pink. Just take my word for it.  

Over and out. 

24 HOUR COUNTDOWN

Tomorrow's the day! Plane leaves at 4 o'clock tomorrow out of Detroit and I then fly directly to Seoul and lose 13 hours of my life in the process. If anyone would like me to send them postcards while I'm away, please message me your address via Facebook or my email address.

I wanted to thank all of you who were intentional about sending me good wishes, words of wisdom, and thoughtful gifts. I also greatly appreciate the myriad of hugs.  

Stay tuned as Monday (your morning, my new night), I attempt to navigate the Incheon International Airport, Seoul, and Asan!  

South Korea: just around the corner

Pictured above is South Korea, my soon-to-be home for the next year or so. 

The red region is my future nook. Prayer will be greatly appreciated over the coming months as I venture across a lot of water to teach little kiddos the "beauty" of the English language. While I'm uprooted from everything I find familiar and love, I'm excited to explore this corner of the world I haven't been to yet and this blog is so that you, readers, can live vicariously through my adventures and wanderings! 

A few facts about South Korea you might not know, but definitely should: 

1. It is the size of Indiana

2. It has a population greater than Canada (what!)

3. Population: 48,294,000

4. The largest island, Jeju, has the highest mountain in South Korea at 1,950 meters

5.  Snuppy, the world’s first cloned dog, was created in South Korea at the Seoul National University

6. Tipping is not a requirement in South Korea. You may find yourself being chased by a waiter.

7. Most homes have heated floors!

8. Fruit is a luxury item. 

More to come, once I stumble upon them.

Official departure date is August 25th!