Well, as I have never done this before, I figured it was time to start jotting down a few of my experiences here in Korea. I have had quite a few to say the least, but a few things have happened in the last hour that pushed me to finally click the mouse a few extra times and create a blog of my own. First, my cousin Chris just recently arrived in Korea with his girlfriend Meghan. These two have taken a teaching position about 45 minutes north of where I live in Seoul. I'm elated they are here and can't wait to show them the sights, sounds, and not so good smells of one of the most interesting cities I have traveled to.
Chris has already created a blog probably teaching more to his friends and family about Korea than I have over the year timespan I have been here. So I am determined to outblog him and ultimately become the best blogger ever. So, with the blogging power invested in me, let the blogging begin!
But actually tonight I'm a bit tired so I think I will call it quits for right now. I have a nagging rib injury and the fruit flies coming from my sink have become quite a nuisance while typing this. Tomorrow I think I need to buy a few cleaning supplies(the shower is in need of a good scrubbing). It's not that I'm dirty, just that in Korea many of the bathrooms actually dont have a shower persay. By that I mean you have a tile floor with a toilet and a hose. So there is no way you can't get everything in the bathroom completely soaked unless you bend over like koreans do when showering themselves. This just looks totally uncomfortable not to mention I can barely fit into my bathroom anyways. This was not the case however last year when I had a monster studio apartment with an amazing view, giant glass pane windows, a shower with a bathtub, and even a cute little doormat that read, "flowers bring yours lucky". I miss that place. But now I live in the rich district of Gangnam. Skyrises, shiny suits, and more platic surgery clinics than Rodeo Drive. As it might seem that I am complaining, I really am happy where I'm at. My apartment is modern, great condition, working appliances, and a killer view of the next building only 3 feet away from me.
As I'm venting now, please listen to what happened last week. So my apartment manager, god bless the little old blind lady, had been leaving notes on my door daily asking me to let them know when a good time for them to replace my water heater and to clean out all my ducts would be. I thought well, everything seems to be working great but a little upgrade never hurts anybody. I asked them to come at 10 am on Tuesday morning. So of course they came at 8 am on Monday morning. I thought nothing of it, as now I knew that she was not only blind but also deaf. A man came into my apartment and asked if he could begin his work so I decided to head out for a quick cup of joe. After I finished my coffee and newspaper(it was all in Korean so I just tried to pretend I understood it all and look cool), I paid the not-so-friendly Starbucks attendant and headed back. So I returned to my apartment and I see my old water heater outside of my door. I'm thinking great, they replaced this old one that was previously in my storage closet. After the man left I told him "gamsamnida" and sent him on his way. I looked in my closet and to my surprise there wasn't a new heater in there. I was perplexed to say the least, but as I turn to look into into the bathroom I see this MASSIVE gray cylinder with about 9 tubes coming out of it only about 3 feet above my toilet. My bathroom size was cut in half not to mention how classy it looked now. I thought about going downstairs and demanding my old heater go back to where it came from, but I realized that would be a losing battle from the start. My good friend John "country tough" Roe came over that day and got a good chuckle at my new setup. I as well got a good laugh and realized that's one of the reasons you choose to go abroad. Nothing will ever be perfect but the experiences, friends, stories, and challenges I face everyday are none that I will ever forget.
Whew! Well, I know I promised to wrap it up earlier but sometimes things just need to be said. I have been in Korea for far too long to keep letting these experiences go un-blogged! I'm lucky to have some of my close friends and family out here to share these great times with. And Chris....you will be defeated!
