Adventurous Seoul: The Adventure: Part 2

Adventurous Seoul: The Sequel!

I'm back in the Land of the Morning Calm! I got back the first weekend in August (late Saturday) and thanks to Misty, I didn't have to drag my suitcases up the infamous Seoul Foreign School hill (YAY for Misty and for a school has cars that you sign out!). I was exhausted after the 20 hour trip but thanks to my roomie, my bed was made and I just crashed for the night.

The next day I was wide awake at 5am (oh don't you love jetlag?) so I figured I'd unpack my suitcases and take my things out of storage so that I would be ready for the first day back at work. I also went to the supermarket to get the basics. After unpacking and going to the supermarket, I headed to Onnuri. I was tired but I missed it a lot over the summer and I wanted to see all my chingu deul (friends), too. We went out for samgyupsal (yum) and I stuffed my face with all the yummy Korean food that I didn't have all summer.

I'm living in a new building this year (E-dong) and I also have a roommate, Kristen. Kristen is an expert international teacher with previous experience in her native California, Norway and Egypt. (Side note: Kristen and most of my colleagues here are pros at this international education thing, which makes me want to do this for life! ) It's nice to live with someone again as I really do NOT like living alone and we both got a pretty sweet deal for being roommates (because the school was in need for more single housing for the new teachers) Cha-ching!

Back of E-dong

Front side of our building. We're on the first floor

Kristen!

Monday it was time to get back to work. We had lots and lots of meetings but a good amount of time of eating and catching up with everyone, too. (PS: My favorite part about teacher work-week at any school: how much they feed us!). That first week was spent in more meetings and planning for the year as well as setting up and decorating my classroom.

Celebrating the end of work-week by having galbi....yum

After teacher work week was over, some of us headed to Itaewon (the foreigner area of Seoul--NOT my favorite place of Seoul because it doesn't feel like Korea. I only go there when I want good Thai food or brunch)for an international teachers scavenger hunt sponsored by 10 Magazine. It was a good way for people to meet each other and get to know the Itaewon area. At the end of the scavengar hunt, we all gathered at a Canadian bar for some food.

My team

SFSers

Dinner and night out in Hongdae with chingus

Lots of rain in Seoul

Those rain-boots have been so helpful...

My second Sunday back, I went with a few SFSers to the Filipino church in Seoul. We then headed to the Filipino market for a light lunch.

Good thing this country is on my list because I liked the food A LOT.

Around Seoul Foreign School

Which flags can you name?

First Day of School!

The atrium in the middle school and some of the countries represented at SFS.

Pagoda on campus

The newly renovated gym right here on campus--I've even been working out consistently---go me! I'll be starting Zumba and Insanity again soon and hopefully Les Mills classes, too! (Trying to be healthy...hahaha)