How do you spell "chize"?

Good news, orientation is done! They gave me a certificate and everything.

I am now living in Taean and loving it. The first few days of classes have been a whirlwind but I think I could get the hang of this. My school is great and everyone is very helpful despite broken English and "language dances" (as I call them). I gave my introduction speech to all my middleschoolers this week and will be presenting a revised (shorter) version to my elementary students. Check out the original here and then picture me talking very slowly and with a lot of actions (hiking, ballet, grandparents, etc.). The highlights for my students were my sister (She's taller than you?! You look same.), my niece (the name is funny to them), my house in France (Soo BIG!), playing piano for so long (mouth gaping), and Megan (So beautiful!). Pretty adorable stuff...



I'm slowly getting the rest of my world in order as I move into my new place. It has a separate bedroom from the main area which is pretty lucky I'm told. My bathroom is tiny by even Korean standards and my co-teacher chuckled when she saw it. It's a wet bath and the shower head is above the sink with about a foot and a half for standing. The bigger issue is getting hot water. So far, no luck. I also found out I have over 60 channels on my TV, you just have to type 22 for one channel and then type 22 again for another channel (curious). I almost feel like I'm pirating TV but luckily my landlord is paying for it so I know it is legitimate. Lastly, I am currently furniture-less with the exception of a bed and TV (why a TV?). The former co-teacher is still using my table and closet until the 10th so I will continue to live out of a suitcase (but with clean laundry! woot*)

You'll be happy to know that I am making new friends almost daily here. All the locals went out yesterday and had coffee and drinks into the night. There are already plans in place for more fun tonight. Plus, orientation friends and other folks are going to the beach tomorrow and then heading to Seosan (the Grand Forks, to my Crookston) for a night out (...and going away party). My predecessor has also invited me for lunch on Sunday and I might check out the arboretum near my school. Should be a good first *free* weekend in Korea!

Catchin' the bus,
-Bets