Finally Here

As most of you know, I tend to draw out stories and include way to many details (For example, see my last posting). I had this whole long thing about every detail of my journey here, but have graciously decided to shorten it for you.
Basically, I got here safely. I got butterflies for the first time when my mom dropped me off at the airport. Until then, I hadn't felt nervous at all. After that, I kind of forgot all about it because I was too focused on the logistics of getting through Chicago and L.A. It wasn't until I was getting on the plane in L.A. that went to Seoul that I started worrying again. As I sat down, my heart was beating noticeably faster. After take off, as I watched the lights of California fade in the distance, I started sweating. What the heck was I doing? I was on a plane by myself to a country that I had never been to, and knew nobody. I was so scared.
My last flight was fine. I had a good seat, and the thirteen hours went by relatively fast. (It only felt like twelve and a half) I got in at 5:30 am, and was picked up from the airport by a pick-up service. He brought me to a hotel, where I dropped off my luggage, and a guy from my school picked me up. I got to school way before the other teachers, who don't get here until 9:00. I then observed my classes for the morning. They let me go back to the hotel at noon when I could check in. I then attempted to sleep....
I was supposed to begin teaching today (Friday) but the departing teacher thought that would be cruel, so I won't start until Monday. I have brilliant kindergartners from 9:40-2:20, and some afternoon classes on Mondays Wednesdays and Fridays. My students call me "Stacie Teacher.
I will move into my apartment on Monday, after the departing teacher leaves. Everyone tells me that I have one of the best apartments. It will be a rooftop, but that's about all I know about it.
'til next time
Stacie

Chicago

I drove down to Chicago on Thursday night. When I got off the freeway to go to my hotel there was a park and ride for the blue line train right there. After checking in, I decided to take the train the 15 miles into the city. I assumed that there would be a map at the park and ride telling me where I was going.... There wasn't. I hopped on the train and went towards the city. From looking on the map on the train, I figured out that the first stop on the loop once you get down town was a transit station with links to all of the lines. I got off the train there, assuming that I would at least be able to find a map there. I was wrong. Instead I went outside and just started walking. I was thinking that maybe I would try to go to the Korean Consulate so that I would know where I had to go the next morning, but I didn't know exactly where it was. I stopped in every Walgreen's and Seven Eleven, thinking that I would find a map somewhere. I had no idea where I was going, but I just kept going. I got to a big street so I urned. I even walked by a AAA and got excited. Surely I could get a map there. But of course, they were closed for the day. Eventually I found a map on the side of a bus stop. The map reminded me that I had wanted to go to Millennium Park. I turned around and went back the other way.
The park is really cool. They had a great African band playing at the band shell.
At times when I was wandering around Chicago at dusk by myself I started feeling a little scared. Who knew what could happen to me in this huge city without anyone knowing where I was? But the feeling didn't last long. Mostly I felt really independent. I haven't really been so far from home by myself before. I guess I went to Council Bluffs, Iowa by myself, but Council Bluffs is nothing compared to Chicago.
Friday Morning I again took the train into the city to go to my Visa interview. I didn't know exactly where the Consulate was, and I wanted to make sure that I didn't miss my appointment, so I ended up getting there over an hour early. I just went down to the river and read for a while before going up. By the way, the river that goes through Chicago is absolutely gorgeous. My interview ended up being the most ridiculous thing in the world. They do two people at a time, so the guy asks a question, and we just took turns answering. The thing lasted five minutes, maximum. He asked if we had been out of the country before, if we had ever taught before, how long we were planning on staying in Korea and what we planned on doing when we were done. I was so mad when I left. I had driven 14 hours and payed for a hotel room for that? I don't see why they couldn't have done it over the phone. They have pictures of me, and they know that they are me because they also have my passport. I understand that they want to know that we aren't terrorists or anything, but that was just stupid.
Next Tuesday morning I will fly back down to Chicago to pick up my passport. It will be ready by three that afternoon. I will then rush back to the airport, because I have a flight that leaves at eight out to L.A. I will fly from L.A. to Seoul. I get into Seoul at five on Thursday morning, and go into work that same day.
I am ubuer excited. Last night I went on Youtube and found some videos of other teachers who were in the same city that I am going to (Bundang), giving video tours of their apartments. I can't wait to see what my living quarters for the next year are going to be. It looks like there are a bunch of things that will be quite different.
This time, for sure the next time I post I will be in Korea.
'Til then,
Stacie

P.S. Dad, if you read this, can you reply so that I know that you know what is happening? Thanks!

Finally, some plans!!!

Today I got my visa confirmation number. Now I need to go to Chicago not once, but twice. On Friday I have my visa interview, so I will drive down on Thursday afternoon, and back on Friday after my interview. Then I have to wait two to three business days and go back to pick up my passport. It is going to be ready to pick up by 3:00 next Tuesday afternoon. Hopefully what is going to happen is I will get a flight down to Chicago, and fly out of there to Korea the same or the next day. Everything is tentative right now, but it is looking like I will be leaving for Korea around Wednesday the 26th.
It is such a relief that something is actually happening. I was supposed to start working tomorrow (August 20th). Now it looks like I will be starting closer to August 31. It has been driving me crazy just waiting around the last few days hoping that something would happen.
On Monday my brother drove down from North Dakota to see me. He was only here for about 20 minutes before he had to turn around and go back to Bismark. He drove 10 hours just to see me for such a short time. I love him so much!
I am so ready to start this journey!

Week to Go

I had my going away party yesterday. It was so good to see so many people that I love. There were definitely some people that I missed, but I hope to see those people before I leave.
My contract starts in 10 days now, and I still have no idea when (or if) I need to go to Chicago, or when my flight out is going to be. It is starting to get nerve wracking. I'm the type of person who likes to have things planned out and know what is going on, and this is driving me crazy.
I have had many people ask me what I am most worried about. The only thing that is worrying me right now is what will happen right when I get into Seoul. Will there be someone at the airport to meet me? To take me to my apartment? Show me where the school is? I'm not worried about anything after getting settled in. I know that there are other teachers who all do things together, so I know that there will be people to hang out with. I think that there are a lot of people there who speak English, so I will be able to ask for help getting around, and when I am shopping.
I am really excited about being somewhere where I am average height or even relatively tall. I also will be able to find clothes that fit without as much as the normal hassle that I have here. Although it will take some getting used to, I think that I will do okay with the food over there. They eat a lot of vegetable dishes, so there will be a lot of things that I will like. I am a little concerned about not having an oven, but how much do I really use it anyways. I'm sure that if I am really craving something baked, they will have some things at the stores that I can buy.
Hopefully next time I post I will know when I am leaving. Heck, maybe I will be blogging from Korea.
Till next time,
Stacie

Two weeks out

So I am leaving in about two weeks. The truth is that I don't even know exactly when I actually go. My contract starts on August 20, but they don't actually book the flight until my visa goes through. I have started packing, but there is still a lot that I can't do. I have a web cam now so that I can talk to my family back home.
This weekend is my going away party. A lot of my free time right now is going towards preparing for that. I have decided what korean foods to have and have gone shopping for the ingredients. I am hoping to see a lot of my family and friends there. I know that some of them can't come, and I am just hoping that I will get to see them before I go.
I am starting to try to learn Korean. I have gotten the vowels and a few consenents down. A lot of their basic words seem unnecisarily long and complex.
I am super excited and nervous at the same time. I really can't wait to go!!