First Full Week

Our first full week of teaching here went quite well. We have learned the names of most of our students, and gave our first round of unit tests yesterday. Friday after work, we went with our co-workers by train to the Cheonan office, where we met with our CEO, manager, and other co-teachers for a delicious jjim dak (chicken stewed with vegetables and sweet potato noodles) dinner, followed by more food, and a visit to the noraebang (singing room). It was great to meet more staff and just hang out and bond as a group. We continue to be touched by the warmth and generosity of folks here in the "Georgia of South Korea," as one of my friends so aptly described our town.

Today we took it easy, since last night was a late one for us and the weather was nearly 80 degrees. We napped, ate Japanese for lunch (chicken cutlet stuffed with sweet potatoes, California roll) and came back home to regroup. Our manager arrived and explained that we'd be getting a new boiler so he would stick around for the installation process and to translate for us, if need be. We ended up spending the afternoon with him and consequently, he was able to help us connect our intercom system (a box is attached to our gate so visitors can buzz us to be let in.) We also had a nice chat and learned that he spent a year each in Canada and the U.S.

Tomorrow we are hoping to finally visit Seoul and sight-see around Insadong (famous for antiques, art galleries, and traditional gift items) and Myeongdong (shopping area.) Should be a great adventure! We'll probably try to get home early, since Shane will be covering classes at another location the first part of this coming week and will need to leave much earlier for work.

Hard to believe tomorrow is Easter. There's really no indication here, despite the surprising number of churches in our town. Like Christmas, Easter is completely uncommercialized here, a refreshing departure from the candy, colored eggs, and Easter Bunny-laden holiday in the West.