D-Day (Departure Day, silly)

Aug. 15. 2010.

I’m having a hard time fathoming the length of one year. I’m hoping it flies by, but that I will have made a lot of awesome memories.  I’m really anxious about not getting to see my friends and family for so long.  I hope they’re the same when I come back, and that I will be able to pick up those friendships right where they left off, like I never left.  Ahh… I miss you all already!! Add me on Skype: kate.symank.  It was especially hard when Ally came over last night… it was the first time I felt real anguish about what I’ve decided to do and wondered if it was the right decision.  I just keep thinking a year is so long.  Sleep last night was fitful.  My cat will probably die at some point while I’m gone, he’s so old, and Zoe will probably forget me.

It’s really funny to remember that I am going to South Korea to be an English teacher.  What do I know about teaching?  Ha, not much!  I keep forgetting that minor detail, since the only thing I know going into this deal is that I will be teaching 4-6^th grade kids English from 2-10pm at a school called Avalon. I have no idea how much English the kids already know, I know nothing else about the school.  Brave, or ignorant?  I will be living in an area called Bundang, which is a relatively new city, clean, pretty big and rather posh.  And that is the extent of what I know of the land.  I don’t know what kind of curriculum I will be receiving or how long training will be before I get thrown in as a teacher.  This is so silly… basically, I know nothing at all about what I will be doing. 

I’m sitting in the Sea-Tac airport during my ridiculously long layover of seven hours before my 11-hour flight to Seoul takes off.  I’m sure this first entry will be particularly long because I’m bored out of my mind and I would rather write than sit twiddling my thumbs.  If you have no interest in reading about what I’ve just eaten or who I’ve talked to in the last few hours, stop reading now and I’ll understand.  Four hours left!  I’ve just guzzled down the best iced mocha I’ve ever had—a marble mocha from Seattle’s Best—and now I’m ready to bounce off the walls.  I’ve already napped for an hour on the airport floor, discussed philosophy with the last airline attendant and unpacked and reorganized my carry-on bags. 

So, this is my first-ever actual blog.  Word.  I’m not counting the last entry.   

My biggest personal tangible goal is to write daily, whether in the form of my blog, journal or “book in progress.”  It would be cool to have a book-length’s worth of material after one year specifically about my travels in Asia, memoir-style.    My big chance as an aspiring traveling writer!  I’m also planning on visiting Japan, Thailand, Cambodia and possibly Taiwan at some point during the next year in South Korea.  And quite possibly one trip back to the US, perhaps in the spring.  I only have 10 vacation days during the whole year though, so I’ll have to plan carefully.  Any suggestions?

South Korea is going to be 16 hours ahead of Oregonian time, FYI.  So basically just add four hours to your time and switch the AM and PMs.  If it’s 8pm Monday for you, it will be noon on Tuesday for me; a perfect time to Skype!  Laura, don’t forget we have an ongoing 7pm Wednesday Skype date.  No, you’re right; I’m the one who is more likely to forget.

Hmmhmhmmmmm…. Guess I’m all set.  I have a calling card, purchased a Korean cell phone which should be handed to me as I get off the plane, some new teacher clothes (heehee!), a cool electronic Korean pocket dictionary, new laptop sleeve from my Aunt (hey, it’s okay to get excited about the little things!), etc.  I’m really excited to have an apartment of my own, to decorate and keep clean and cute!  The last English teacher will have just moved out of there, and apparently they aren’t really required to leave the place clean, and it isn’t inspected before they leave, so I could have quite a project on my hands.  On the flip side though, they also could have left a lot of useful things in the apartment that they didn’t want to haul back to North America, i.e. silverware, dishes, bedding, hangers, pots and pans, furniture.  To supplement for whatever I don’t have/find in the apartment, apparently all I have to do is hop in a cab and say “emarta” and I will be taken to the Korean version of Wal-Mart. 

My shoulders are sore already from the staggering weight of an overflowing backpack, and I feel like a tool in my wool coat and winter boots (it’s at least 80 outside) with another sweater tied around my waist and shirts in my coat pockets because I can’t squeeze another dime into my suitcases if my life depended on it!  Expecting a material girl to fit a year’s worth of living into two suitcases and two carry-ons is a joke.  I can’t imagine how I will get everything back to the states, either.  Obviously I’m also planning on buying a good amount of clothes while abroad…Korean girls are just so cute!  Is that racist to say?  Well, whatever, I love Asian styles.

Heck, I didn’t even have room to pack a towel with me.  As soon as I arrive and will be dying to take a shower, I’ll have to towel off with a washcloth.  I suppose I could have left out the Pasta Roni, or my little kid purple pillow, but it’s all about priorities. J  It didn’t take long to realize I just couldn’t squeeze in my espresso maker, to my great chagrin. 

Food is another thing I find myself thinking about.  Food for me= kind of a big deal!  I’d say I have a two-man appetite.  What if I hate it?  I have no idea what kind of food/ingredients I will find and be eating most often.  Sensing a theme here?

To buy:

-An electronics converter

-Frying pan

-Bath stuff: shower curtain, shower product basket, bath mat, towels

-Bedding: foam mattress and comforter

-Hangers

-Teapot

-Groceries

Well, I think I’ll go study my little Korean 101 handbook, and then jog in circles before I’m expected to sit for 11 hours straight.  Thanks for all the well-wishes and prayers, and I’ll be keeping you updated.  Peace!