Getting to Incheon airport is going to be easy cause my friend (and his car) are taking me there. But since I don't know anyone in Seattle, taking care of that end is going to be a challenge. Until I read about Taskrabbit in the New Yorker.
It's the new startup where there are "rabbits" and people who ask for things to get done. The "rabbits" are background checked people who sign up to take on tasks other people request. For example some tasks range from needing help assembling Ikea furniture to doing one's budget.
I figured why not use this service and so signed up a few weeks ago and posted my "airport pickup" task. The way it works is that you either have rabbits bid (goes to the lowest bidder) or you can pick the rabbit. I chose to pick the rabbit and went with the first person to respond, also their price was reasonable ($31). From there you communicate via email with your rabbit to make the final arrangements. After the task is completed the website will draw money from your bank and give it to your rabbit, plus any expenses that were incurred (tolls, parking fees) and then a percentage goes to the website.
I could use a taxi or van service when I get to Seattle, but because I have so much luggage and Tom I wanted help from someone who can be there at the baggage claim. Plus this whole set up sounds like a lot of fun.
Now of course I haven't completed the task yet so we will see if it actually works. However if it does I hope to use Taskrabbit in the future as it is a great idea. It's available in most large U.S. cities, so take a look if you think it could work for you. :)
Maybe I will miss the warm sun rising over my little home here in Korea. It's warmth carrying it's way into my shoebox and warming things up from a cold night. You can watch the sun go past the sky by seeing the sun-rays go from one end of the wall to the other. It's funny because Tom has a little pattern he follows. Around noon he comes out of the covers, where he was slumbering, and heads to the sunshine. I've also noticed around 2:30 he likes a spot on top of my suitcases that sit in the balcony.
Sorry, Tom but our routines are going to be smattered to pieces as we head to America. I hope you can find sunshine in our new place, despite that it rains a lot in Seattle. But I think the amount of stairs and that there is a little porch outside will make up for it. I'm going to have to get some kind of bowl for him to cozy up in, as I'm not taking his plastic one.
Day three was less vigorous than yesterday. It was also one of final conundrums. Instead of using a friend to help get my box to the post office, I figured I could use a taxi. I told the taxi, "Nowon Post Office, please?" But in Korean. To my dismay he took me to a further away post office then the one nearer to my house. I guess I didn't know the one I had been going to was called something else, so he took me to THE Nowon Post Office. No matter, I just hopped on a bus to get me back to my neighborhood.
I then went to the bank and loaded up on some USD! It's cheaper to get cash then to exchange, so I figured take advantage of that. However, I will still end up transferring after my school gives me all what is due.
Time to head back to America and stimulate their economy and contribute taxes. Is there a tax break for taking care of a sweet and lovable cat!? On my way home from the bank I stopped in the local stationary store. I really need to avoid these before I leave, as I now have yet another notebook. But I wanted to get a nice little card holder for Seattle. I plan to use their bus card (like T-Money) to get around and thought a sleek pouch would be a good idea. Well two hours later, I got it! haha.
I looked around on Google Maps today to figure out how to get to all the places I need to visit when I get back. I hope to get to the DMV to get a shiny new WA State driver's license, then head to the Sprint store for a new phone. Ah the wonder's of technology...who needs a paper map anymore?
Once I'm feeling a bit less jet lagged I hope to start making my day trips around the town getting what I need out of the way before the next Quarter starts. Oh yea, I'm going to be a student! I'm starting to get a little nervous because it's been six years since I was in school and don't know if I can remember how to do it. But I know I was doing well at the Seoul KOTESOL workshops, taking notes and contributing, that it should be fine. I'm actually looking forward to doing research, taking notes and compiling it all together.
Well, I guess three more sunrises for me and Tom here in Korea.
I've been spending the past 24 hours figuring out how to get all my stuff to Seattle without paying more than I should. I might have too much stuff to begin with, but I've been here for five years. I have summer and winter clothes to take with me, along with my art stuff. It piles up!
I did a "mock packing" yesterday to see if I could fit all my clothes in two suitcases and not be overweight. Turns out things were too close to the edge. The maximum weight is 23 KG and after I would add all my knick knacks and stuff it would have gone over. So I took out my summer clothes and put those in box, since it should still be mildly cold in Seattle when I get there. Thankfully I have a military friend who is kind enough to ship these boxes out to America. I believe this will be cheaper and faster than using the Korean postal service.
However, I already sent three boxes to my family's house back home. Two of which already arrived. It doesn't really cost too much to ship out from the Korean post office, but just makes me a bit nervous when it goes by ship.
So now I've got it down to that one suitcase is empty and the other half full. My winter clothes are still hanging up in my closet but should fit nicely now without a problem. This extra leg room will be helpful for whatever packing surprises might come.
I also needed to ship my carryon luggage (a rolling backpack type thing) because I'm going to need my hands free at the airport. So I went out and bought a laptop backpack that wasn't too expensive. Something to just get me through this transition.
Tom certainly did not enjoy the frenzy of packing I was in lately. Because I am using vacuum seal bags to get all my clothes in a box, he hid from the noise. Sorry, Tom!
Well two more days of work left...wow time is flying!
After five years here, stuff starts to accumulate. I'm talking about books, souvenirs, memorabilia, and just anything else I've held onto over the years. So I've been sorting things lately and making one big pile of "donate" and the rest is being packed into boxes to be shipped across the ocean. I found it the cheapest to send via "surface" or by ship. But the weight limit for each box is 20kg or 44lbs. So trying to meet these requirements is a little tough.
This small pile pictured above is the stuff I am hoping to take with me along with my clothes in two suitcases. Speaking of clothes, I have a lot! Since Korea has four or really two seasons (hot and cold) I've accumulated quite the collection. However, I am going to let go of a lot and hold on to the essentials. Some of it's old and worn out anyway.
How does one get rid of their stuff here in Korea? Back home you would call up the Salvation Army and they would pick up anything if it's in boxes. They have the Salvation Army here in Korea, but I have yet to try it. So we will see if that works out. In the meantime I have a nice huge pile of clothes, books and stuff growing in my laundry room closet.
What's left besides my "stuff" is a lot of kitchen wares, items and also furniture throughout the house. For some reason I filled up my space here with 3 bookshelves, desk and chair, microwave stand and a large TV stand. All of which will need to go, as you can see by my previous post. Hopefully people will come and buy this stuff or it can be donated. The worse case scenario is just giving it up to the front of the building. Instead of donating it themselves they tear left over furniture apart and get rid of it that way.
I also notice I have a lot of art supplies including sketchbooks and other materials. Also I have my portfolio that I need to figure out how to get back home, either with me or by shipping.
Thankfully I have till February to liquidate it all and pack up my two suitcases for the move. Our school's Christmas vacation is coming up next week and so that will give me plenty of time to start squaring away these tasks.
Seeing and going through all my stuff made me realize how much I settled into living here in Korea. I'm sure if I had planned on just teaching a few years and moving back, I wouldn't have accumulated so much. Oh well! Time to head back home and start piling on more! ha ha
Yesterday I was busy in Itaewon checking in at the Chung Hwa Animal Hospital to have a chat and see what carriers they had for sale. It looks like the best option would be to buy Tom a sturdy carrier with plenty of room to curl up in. However, the one and only they had for sale was a bit out of my price range so I will be using Gmarket once again. Also I took care of ordering a name tag for Tom, which will include his name and my email address.
After I took care of cat stuff I headed to Jankura Artspace, which was just around the corner. I handed off copies of ArtAsiaPacific to Mike and got ready for his life drawing session in the evening. During which I had a great conversation with him about his art studio and life in Korea. When I started the drawing session I couldn't help but think what could have been if I were to continue living in Korea. My mind wandered down areas thinking that I could have gotten more into the art scene here, making a clearer name for myself. Perhaps I could have taught some art classes at his studio, and had a steady extra income that way. These thoughts permeated my mind while I enjoyed drawing the costumed model in a Belly Dancer outfit.
But then during one of our mini-breaks I overhead a couple of people talking. It turned out they were reminiscing on good times they had in Seattle. As I listened I started to think, "Hey if two people in Korea can look back fondly on their life in Seattle, then perhaps my move is really a good idea." One of these folks I had known for a while, but I guess didn't really know his background. As he sat back down to get ready for the session I informed him I was moving to Seattle, and he was quite enthusiastic. Also praised the University I will be going to with good remarks. Needless to say I felt a huge moral boost in my decision to leave Korea.
As the evening wore on I was told of the great Art scene there and the possibilities. Also was given a few tips on what neighborhood to live in and which to avoid. I don't really know anyone in Seattle, except for an old friend back home who actually just moved out of there. So I was really pleased to find someone out here who has lived there.
What will be?
What I look forward to is discovering the new city I will be living in and getting back into American life. I hear Seattle has a good music and art scene, so I will enjoy that. Surely I will end up too busy with school work, but for the most part I think I'll be able to enjoy my time off wisely.
I know I am going to miss Korea and I want to write about what I will miss in more detail. However, it's kind of hard to write about it when you don't really want to face that you will be leaving a lot behind.
This post was just to expunge my recent thoughts on the whole matter. Hope it wasn't too random!
As you enter my new home you are greeted by the usual shoe-drop area. To the left of you is the bathroom and to the right is the washing machine closet (sorry no picture).
The bathroom comes equipped with old plumbing, but at least there is a bathtub (my first in Korea).
The house is split up between two rooms. In the first room is the kitchen and dining nook area. The kitchen is pretty basic with two burners, little room for food prep and a sink. Cabinetry is standard as well and as a short person a little hard to get to.
The other half, or room-number-two, is equipped with outlets for TV and internet. It comes with a single-sized bed and a wardrobe. (Extra mattress came with the place, but as it was old and dirty has since found itself outside in the cold.)
Beyond this space is the balcony area, which could use a bit of explanation for those new to Korean housing arrangements.
This is pretty much the only window to the outside that the apartment provides. There are sliding doors that partition it from the bedroom. It's hard to tell but there are two sets of sliding doors there, one is paneled with etched glass and the other with clear glass. When completely closed the natural light from the outside world is obscured, but having all panels closed helps retain heat. Once inside the balcony you are greeted with more windows, which provide a view of the apartment complex outside.
When laying on my bed and looking out from my balcony window I get to see the other buildings. I have noticed myself enjoying seeing people walk by and randomly exit their houses to shake things out. Looks like I am in for an amusing year at this place.
View from standing near the balcony and looking inward. The two rooms are partitioned off by one set of sliding glass doors with etched glass.
I know as I unpack and get some more furniture this place will continue to feel like home. :) The sliding doors of this place are what makes me feel like it is vintage. Although I do wish the slid more easily, haha.
Yesterday I moved in to my new place, which I am in right now. Oddly enough there is still internet connected in here. Not sure how long that will last, but of course I am enjoying it. However, I did leave my laptop charger at JH's house so can only work on it for so long.
I hope to put up pictures and a video of house #4. This place has character since the building is 20 years old. I already knew the building was old before I moved in, but I was hoping that my place would have been renovated. Besides new wallpaper the place probably looks the same as it did way back when. The set up is pretty good with two major rooms, a small bathroom and a little room for laundry. I even have a "balcony" area as is common for Korean apartments.
Unfortunately, the place wasn't super cleaned and there are large amounts of dusty areas that I have been cleaning. Even though I miss living in a newer building with snazzy equipment I kind of like the vintage feel. Or I am just telling myself positive things so I don't freak out. But really I lived in hell (house #2) so this place is just fine.
I go back to work Wednesday and tomorrow will get my boxes of stuff. My new place didn't come with several things including a microwave, TV, desk and shelves. Either the school will cough these things up or I'm going to have to invest in it. Already JH is helping me find used stuff to buy.
Guess I am just trying to keep busy since I am starting to get really nervous for my new job. But I'm also really tired! Jetlag is biting my butt. sigh
From the words of my boyfriend, "Don't worry, it will take just 30 minutes to clean." I gave him a serious look and told him no. I explained we needed to make it clean so I get my money back. The truth is I don't even know if the cleaning has anything to do with getting my deposit back. From what I gather it has more to do if items are missing or broken. Oh well. I wanted to make sure that the new teacher and my old coteachers saw me as a clean person who doesn't just leave them with a mess.
Once we got all the stuff out, like suitcases and other such things, it was a lot easier to start. We scrubbed, scraped and washed off the past year. Finally, around five o'clock we looked around and knew we were finished. I was going to clean my trash bins but gave up due to just not wanting to clean anymore.
The sad part about cleaning a place and having it look so minimal is that you wish it was like that everyday. Every time I do this I say I am going to be cleaner and better in my new place. haha!
The new teacher is getting a lot of bonuses. For one I left my curtains, since we were too tired to stuff them in the car. Along with the cleaning supplies, an ample amount of toilet paper and even a cheap sketchbook, the new teacher is getting more than the usual empty office-tel.
I am currently relaxing and enjoying the good life at my friend's house till Wednesday. Ah time to get on a plane again. I'm starting to think about what to do with my free time, books to read, things to make...:)
Well I made it folks for this is my last night here in Sanbon South Korea. And it's about darn time really!
Today was filled with kids coming to me giving me presents and saying goodbye. Some begging me to not go.
I think I touched the hearts of most of the girl students since they seemed to come by the office most often.
It's heartbreaking but I know that eventually one of us would of moved on, either they would go to middle school or I would leave the school.
There wasn't a big goodbye party for me. Instead a gathering in a conference room where the Principal said something and I was given a small sum of money. Then I gave a little speech saying how I enjoyed my time at the school and will miss the children dearly. It wasn't translated and so I spoke slowly in hopes they would understand. I said thank you and bowed, then everyone clapped and returned the gesture. The meeting commenced and we went our separate ways.
All in all, it feels really good to complete one year at a school. I stuck it out through thick and thin and in the end can now feel accomplished.
I now have one month that is mine to look forward to where I will be living in Seoul and do some traveling to Japan for my new visa.
Thanks to everyone and your kind and thoughtful comments that helped me through the dark times and kept me excited during the brighter days.
Sorry for any lack of blogging. As you can imagine I am busy with moving and paperwork.
In the meantime, I woke up this morning with a bug bite on my right hand index finger. It's not terrible, but just makes me wonder what crawled around and bit me in the night. Or if it happened before I went to sleep. Oh those mysterious bug bites.
Come the end of May in two months I will have completed one year here in South Korea. It feels like everything has happened in the blink of an eye. So it is that I want to remember it all and capture the greater moments.
I created this little video to give a kind of preamble to my year here in Korea. There are so many emotions when it comes to contemplating a year living in another country. So stick with me as I will release more videos summing up and sharing what it has been like fulfilling my year here.
Without further ado, I bring you the interior of Office-tell 628:
What you see when you enter my room:
Turn to the Right and you have a Toilet/Shower (Everything works as it should)
To the left of the entrance is the frig (for now just breakfast items are in it, don't cook dinner....you will see why)
Kitchen Unit (Two gas ranges, one "oven" thing ... the dial next to it has images of fish... I guess it is a fish cooker...since the kitchen is so close to everything else I don't feel like doing heavy cooking...pasta is okay, but stir frying...eh..no) (Otherwise, it functions well.)
Dining Table (colors make you want to crawl and hide)
TV / Dresser (Still organizing, oOo big TV)
The Bed (There is a shelving nook built in above it. Also this is a kind of hideaway bed, where one could lift it up and tuck it in where those shelves are.)
Newly Installed Heater: The owner installed this today and although small it packs a punch! Actually the Ondol system started to kick in...(Mom, that is the floor heating system here.) I figured out that the floor heaters are along the perimeter of the room. With all of these devices I am really cozy and warm.
View from Outside Looking left:It isn't much, but noise is low and I miraculously heard some birds this morning.View looking Right:
There you have it folks, my new diggs and I am enjoying getting cozy. So far I have one plant, and already it makes the room feel like a home. I really need to control myself from going over to Emart and buying all sorts of home decorating things.
Anyways, yesterday after my coteacher and 2 other teachers helped me move my stuff I took them out to dinner and paid for it all. They seemed very impressed that I did that, so I hope that is one thank-you gift out of the way.
Tomorrow I am going to dinner with all the 5th grade teachers to an Outback Steakhouse. I like all this shmoozing because my coteachers are mature and adult like. At the hagwon it felt like I was with too young of a crowd.
My last hours in my windowless cave are getting close, because I am moving to a window room tomorrow!
After talking about it with my coteacher she called up the office-tell owner and made an agreement. I am to move into room 628, which is straight across the hallway.
Although, I was hoping to move to a whole other building due to this one is kind of dingy, the new place will still be a lot better because of the window. I have already seen what the room looks like and it isn't any different, except the bed has above it shelves.
Anyways, I will move in after work tomorrow and I look forward to finally settling in to my new home here in Sanbon. I can get some plants and maybe a pet fish.
Part I: Shock I like to listen to a podcast called Zencast. If you have ever done any study on Buddhism, especially the Zen kind than you come across koans. These are like little poems that offer mind bending powers. For example: What is the sound of one hand clapping? When a tree falls in the forest does it make a sound?
I have a new one for the pantheon of koans: What can you see through a windowless window?
This is the question I face in a my new home, because I have no window!!
Where a window should be is this: As Roboseyo would put it, when he looked at it, that it is a thing that is mocking you. It looks like a window but does not function as one. And the light inside adds to the illusion.
When you open the "shade" you get this:
A fluorescent bulb glowing in all its glory.
When I realized that this window wasn't real and that my new home had no window at all, my heart completely sank. Claustrophobia sunk in as well.
Roboseyo and Gomushin Girl were there trying to cheer me up and keep me on the bright side. But my mind was in shock.
That was yesterday. Since then I have taken action and emailed my recruiter demanding the school work on finding me a new home with a window.
I noticed that across the hallway are other rooms that are on the window side. So all they really need to do is move me into an open room on the other side of the hallway. How this develops I will let you know.
Keep in mind that my school only had a week to find their new teacher a new home. They probably did it in a hurry and without getting all the details. So I do appreciate that they got me a home, but a window inside the home would have completed the job.
But having a room with a fake window, does open one up to either going insane, or experiencing a philisophical breakthrough. (perhaps both)
Part II: Exploration
We all felt it was time to get away from the depressing sight of a windowless room with a mocking window.
So it was time to head out and explore the area and meet up with ZenKimchi in Beomgyeo.
First we walked a little bit around Sanbon and the streets near my home.Do you see that building in the far background? The one with the circle shape? That is the subway station, which doubles as a shopping center for outlet clothing. Next to this building is the building I live in. Sorry didn't get a picture but will for you in time.
There was some kind of cultural festival going on with a stage and people gathered around it. This was very welcoming to see, because it felt like a real community thing.
Anyways, it was time to move on and meet up with ZenKimchi.
Part III: Rehabilitation
We got on the subway and made our way to Beomgye.
Flea Market:
Central Park: This park was pretty central, for it was situated between many buildings. In it there was a water fountain, dung-beetle sculpture and open space.
After wandering around the area we settled upon going to a cafe. BK was coming to meet us so we thought to chill in a cafe. But on the way I was told that we were going to do a "Dr. Fish". First thought of mine was some kind of food, then as things transpired more I realized it had something to do with health and beauty.
Dr. Fish is a foot cleansing process where you put your feet into a tank of fish, which then proceed to nibble at your feet. They take little sucking like actions on your feet in all the nooks and crannies.
Gomushin Girl there in red going through laughing fits. Me next to her. Opposite me is ZenKimchi, with Roboseyo next to him.
Gomushin Girl going through her experience:
I thought of the experience in a way that these little fish are my workers and their task is to nibble my feet. I have to say they were good little workers.
I really found it pleasing, except for when a lot of them would gather in one spot and have a party. But to ease this I just shook my foot and they regrouped elsewhere.
After Dr. Fish we gathered ourselves and made our way to Lamb Galbi place, which was super delicious!!! Sorry again no pics, at this point my mind was getting tired.
Part IV: Hope
Today (Sunday) was spent shopping and resting. BK and I were tired. Plus, I am still getting over my flu from last week. It is now in the form of congestion and occasional coughing. I am beginning to think I may have a sinus infection, but haven't had any fevers. Anyways, I am managing through the day with Sudafed from America and some Korean medicine BK helped me buy.
But I think the point of today was to get myself mentally prepared for starting my new job tomorrow. BK gave me some pointers on how to make good relationships with my Korean colleagues. This is important because I will be the only foreigner there.
His pointers were:
Don't be cold. When saying yes or no, do so without just saying frankly "YES" or "NO".
Don't deny food. If I am being offered to try something, don't deny it. Instead try just a little and politely say you don't like it.
Be Warm and kind. He made the point that I have this as part of my personality and I should try to use it as my dominant way of expressing myself.
Maybe it is the congestion or tiredness but I don't feel nervous about tomorrow. I am hopeful that I can use this fresh start to live here in Korea in peace.
So that brings me to show you my surroundings. On my walk to the school this is what I see:
The school is hidden behind the trees, we didn't walk up to it.
I will post more pictures of the rest of my new house when I get the next chance. Know, that besides not having a window, I feel cozy here. But I do feel far from BK...sigh. My move here was welcoming mostly because my blogging pals and BK helped me settle in.
