Adjusted

This week so far has been pretty good in the sense of feeling at home. I cook and eat at home alone yet I haven't felt lonely. I'll credit that to having skype though and sometimes being able to share my meal  internationally. Love when I'm having dinner and my companions are having oatmeal.

Teaching has definitely become much more for me than just a job, I'm enjoying my time with the kids (although I might have predicted that, seeing how my closest friends and family all work with kids) much more than I thought I would. I was worried about the middle schoolers but even they are not too bad. Especially because I don't yell when they choose not to respond, maybe out of rebellion or just boredom. Instead I like to find topics they like because lets face it I can't stand boring teachers or some of the lessons I have been asked to teach. Things that honestly would not be of use to these kids and it doesn't even come with fun activities, just repitition after repitition. I'm 2 and a half weeks in and loving the process of getting to know the 80 or so students we have and its been a great experience. I feel lucky for having landed this hagwon, even if they are denying me my pension I feel that the kids I got at this school makes it worth it. *side note: this may change after a few more months of being a teacher, so don't hold me to this positive outlook!

I have yet to eat a meal out by myself but lets just do the baby steps for now. I am trying more Korean dishes and galbi (meaning ribs and not beef ribs which is pul-galbi) was a good experience, very similar to Vietnamese pork and lettuce wraps but there was onions/garlic/radishes mmm, is definitely a must try. But next time I would double up the order because its cheap for $6 but it is not all you can eat and I was a little hungry still after some beers. Overall a nice interactive eating experience, but that is standard in Korea, not often will you see a person having dinners by themselves. The quantity of an individual order is evidence enough that eating in Korea is meant to be enjoyed with companions. Kimchi Jiggae is officially my comfort food :D have failed in locating any GamJaTang (pork bone soup) apparently it is big in Busan (another city about 2 hours away from Gwang Ju) LOL can you see the drool on my face!

Joined the gym this morning for a 3 month contract: $100 000 won (roughly $33/ month) BUT it comes with hot yoga, all the classes, leg massage chairs and big clean change rooms :D so excited, it is right beside my grocery store (3 minute walk from home) and I have a gym partner, Marisa (who lives across the street from me). We will motivate each other because my plan of becoming depressed for the first few months and losing weight (not that I'm complaining) has not worked. The food is just too good and except for the first three days in that seedy dark and lonely motel I haven't felt down often. There is just too much "How I Met Your Mother" to keep me busy lol. Caught up to season 3 now and can't believe in another 3 weeks I won't have that to fill my time. Vampire Diaries next? Because I'm refusing to watch the "Big Bang Theory" JAY lol
In case you're wondering about how my Korean is coming along, I officialy started yesterday and I used several phrases today and since MOST people think I'm Korean anyway it only further pushes them to only try and communicate with me. But its fun so far, everything has gotten across one way or another and I haven't had to walk away empty handed yet.

On the plus side, got my ARC (Alien Registration Card) and Bank card today :D yay I'm officially a foriegner working in Korea lol should have my internet by this weekend or Monday, should make planning Thailand a lot easier.

K, early day tomorrow so my weekly update should end now, but definitely with a quote:
"Matthew Manzano: a thousand mile journey begins with a single step"