Hey everyone.
I will be leaving my apartment in less than a half hour to go HOME. I can't believe how fast the past four months have gone. I truly have a lot to be thankful for during this holiday season. I have an incredible family, a great support system at home, a nice apartment, and a job. WOW...you can't get much better than that!
I am all packed, and ready to go. It will be a whirlwind tour of the "New England area" plus New York, as I'll be home for roughly 10 days. Among other things, I will be celebrating a belated Christmas and Hanukkah with family, seeing the Nutracker, seeing YOUR champions...the Boston Celtics, going to a Disney Meet (yay!), going to NYC and visiting all my friends in the area there, catching up with friends in my area (including many dinner dates!) and just spending good quality time with my parents, sister, and aunts.
Again, it's very hard to believe that the time has gone so fast. I remember when I first started my countdown at around 91 days...it's been a rewarding couple months since then, and this break is well needed, and (I feel) pretty well deserved. I will need a clear head when I get back, as I will have new classes, new students, and new material...which I will have to DIVE right into literally the day after I get back to Korea. Fun stuff! But you know what...I'm ready for it! I know I can do it...I know I can be successful, and I know I will get the hang of things and that "everything" will end up being OK, if not better. These four months have taught me a lot...including that I really do have a lot to give to this world. And judging by how "good" I feel now that I have finished four months with students, turning them into better English speakers...I know that the next eight MAY be a challenge, but nonetheless, a GOOD one; I'm DEFINITELY up for it...and I know that I will sincerely do the best I can.
Merry Christmas/Happy Hanukkah everyone! Look for a "HOME" recap post when I return!
Greg :)
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Monday, December 15, 2008
So Soon!
Hey everyone.
December is here, and there's 9 days until Christmas. WOW! I can't believe it! I will be on a plane bound for the states, to see my family and friends in LESS THAN 10 DAYS! I'm so excited, and anxious to see everyone again.
Work-wise, I just have to make some session tests for the students, most are already made. Session tests will be given out next Tuesday, and Wednesday. Besides that, there's not much else to do, besides finish all the books/material by Friday or Monday, which I'm on pace for. So all systems are go on that end.
In terms of packing, I will start this weekend, taking out the suitcases, and packing the clothes, Xmas gifts, and then finally, last-minute things. I will be seeing concerts this weekend, and in between that, I will be doing some FINAL Xmas shopping for a few certain people. Otherwise, I am pretty much done...I hope my friends/family don't mind unwrapped gifts!!!
I'm just hoping these last days fly by as fast as the last 90 or so did! Hope everyone is well! Can't wait to be home SOON!
~Greg :)
December is here, and there's 9 days until Christmas. WOW! I can't believe it! I will be on a plane bound for the states, to see my family and friends in LESS THAN 10 DAYS! I'm so excited, and anxious to see everyone again.
Work-wise, I just have to make some session tests for the students, most are already made. Session tests will be given out next Tuesday, and Wednesday. Besides that, there's not much else to do, besides finish all the books/material by Friday or Monday, which I'm on pace for. So all systems are go on that end.
In terms of packing, I will start this weekend, taking out the suitcases, and packing the clothes, Xmas gifts, and then finally, last-minute things. I will be seeing concerts this weekend, and in between that, I will be doing some FINAL Xmas shopping for a few certain people. Otherwise, I am pretty much done...I hope my friends/family don't mind unwrapped gifts!!!
I'm just hoping these last days fly by as fast as the last 90 or so did! Hope everyone is well! Can't wait to be home SOON!
~Greg :)
Thursday, November 20, 2008
First Snow!!!
Hey everyone. SHOCK. I'm posting twice in a month!!! WOW!
Ok well here's the deal...It snowed today! Sure, it was kind of dinky, and the flakes were really small, and it was only for like 10 minutes...but it SNOWED! I was so happy! :)
It's been really cold here for the past week. I've had to use my heater...which really only heats the floor...it takes a LONG time for it to reach the rest of the room (although my feet are happy and warm when I'm walking around...lol!)
Well that's about it. Don't expect to hear from me again for a long time. LOL!
Ok well here's the deal...It snowed today! Sure, it was kind of dinky, and the flakes were really small, and it was only for like 10 minutes...but it SNOWED! I was so happy! :)
It's been really cold here for the past week. I've had to use my heater...which really only heats the floor...it takes a LONG time for it to reach the rest of the room (although my feet are happy and warm when I'm walking around...lol!)
Well that's about it. Don't expect to hear from me again for a long time. LOL!
Sunday, November 16, 2008
New updates!
Hey all!
So it's November. It's getting cold. And the air quality hasn't gotten much better (oh well!). I'm not sick anymore *knock on wood*, but I still occasionally have that cough that just WON'T go away.
Work is going well. I am on auto-pilot, and I am excited that there won't be any more changes in classes between now and Christmas. There are officially no more classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays until next year, so we use that time for presentations, learning about how each of us teach certain classes. Hopefully, it will be useful and effective. The kids are great (for the most part), and I enjoy teaching them...and it seems they have all really improved, which makes me feel REALLY good...that my effort and hard work I've put in is actually starting to show! It's a great feeling...truly.
Speaking of Christmastime, there's under 40 days now till Christmas, and till I get to go home! I am really excited and looking forward to seeing my family, and all my friends!!!! I have around half of my time home planned out, and will work on the the rest once December comes. I don't want to become obsessed with making plans and getting into that way of thinking, because honestly, it will only lead to homesickness (which I've had BAD recently). Like I said before, I'm on autopilot...the work week goes by SO quickly...and I really can't complain about anything here. Of course I miss EVERYTHING about home, and specifically the people there that I love and care about...but I know they love me and care about me...and me obsessing about it only adds stress and homesickness to my situation here...therefore, yes I'm freaking excited...and yes, I will plan (probably too much)...BUT there's still over 5 weeks left, and my priority (until I leave) SHOULD BE work and my life here.
Another piece of news: I bought my plane ticket for Hong Kong, and booked my hotel (park view room BABY!) for my trip to Hong Kong Disneyland, January 25-27! I can't wait!
That's pretty much it here. I miss everyone at home...but I'm doing well...hanging in there, and really enjoying my time here overall. I frequent the classical concert scene, and try to do something new every week. I got my haircut, which wasn't a disaster...and it seems like I've lost weight...so no complaining on my end!
Hope everyone reading this is doing well. Miss you all! Leave love!
~Greg
So it's November. It's getting cold. And the air quality hasn't gotten much better (oh well!). I'm not sick anymore *knock on wood*, but I still occasionally have that cough that just WON'T go away.
Work is going well. I am on auto-pilot, and I am excited that there won't be any more changes in classes between now and Christmas. There are officially no more classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays until next year, so we use that time for presentations, learning about how each of us teach certain classes. Hopefully, it will be useful and effective. The kids are great (for the most part), and I enjoy teaching them...and it seems they have all really improved, which makes me feel REALLY good...that my effort and hard work I've put in is actually starting to show! It's a great feeling...truly.
Speaking of Christmastime, there's under 40 days now till Christmas, and till I get to go home! I am really excited and looking forward to seeing my family, and all my friends!!!! I have around half of my time home planned out, and will work on the the rest once December comes. I don't want to become obsessed with making plans and getting into that way of thinking, because honestly, it will only lead to homesickness (which I've had BAD recently). Like I said before, I'm on autopilot...the work week goes by SO quickly...and I really can't complain about anything here. Of course I miss EVERYTHING about home, and specifically the people there that I love and care about...but I know they love me and care about me...and me obsessing about it only adds stress and homesickness to my situation here...therefore, yes I'm freaking excited...and yes, I will plan (probably too much)...BUT there's still over 5 weeks left, and my priority (until I leave) SHOULD BE work and my life here.
Another piece of news: I bought my plane ticket for Hong Kong, and booked my hotel (park view room BABY!) for my trip to Hong Kong Disneyland, January 25-27! I can't wait!
That's pretty much it here. I miss everyone at home...but I'm doing well...hanging in there, and really enjoying my time here overall. I frequent the classical concert scene, and try to do something new every week. I got my haircut, which wasn't a disaster...and it seems like I've lost weight...so no complaining on my end!
Hope everyone reading this is doing well. Miss you all! Leave love!
~Greg
Friday, October 17, 2008
LOOONG overdue update
Hey everyone...sorry about the delay in posting. It has been a busy three weeks or so. I guess I should start off where I left off. Here we go.
I had a great birthday overall. I got packages from my aunts and my parents. That Saturday, I had some co-workers over for a apt warming/birthday evening. We had a great time eating in my apartment, then going out to a karaoke room! I then went out to a bar and had a couple Midori Sours, before heading back to the apartment for bed. Since then, a lot has happened.
Firstly, I have a flight home December 25 (yes, it's Christmas!), arriving in Boston at 7:40pm. I will be in MA, and the surrounding states, until January 3. As of now, I do not have set plans for the whole time I am there. I REALLY want to go skiing...and just spend time with my friends and family. I will be going down to NYC the weekend after Christmas, and I will be seeing the Celtics my last evening home! I can't wait! 68 DAYS AND COUNTING...WOOO!
Next, I finally have a routine going on at work. I arrive around an hour early each day to work, so I can get prepared for my classes (I have roughly 6-7 classes a day). I spend that hour writing a detailed lesson plan so I have an outline for what I will be doing in class, what I will be giving out for homework, and so my supervisor has an idea of what I've done. It really does help me a lot...and I am really getting used to this routine. I still really enjoy everyone's help they give me at work...it's a REALLY great work environment (so much better than my last few jobs!) and minus a few bumps along the way, I am officially on autopilot...with my eyes on Christmas break.
I have been really homesick recently. I feel a big reason for this is because I really haven't felt completely comfortable here. I like control in my surroundings, and it's basically impossible here, specifically with the language barrier. Add to that the fact that everyone (meaning the native English speakers) have all known eachother for a long time...I do kind of feel left out. Everybody is so nice, but yet, they aren't and will not be true friends to me...it may be too early to say, but these people have eachother first and foremost...they want nothing to do with me on a deep level (nor should they!)...they don't know me...so there's nothing really there other than an occasional weekend dinner, and the casual hang out, just honestly, is great. It's all fine and good, but who can I go venting to when I have a problem? Who will be there when I REALLY need someone to be there for ME? I'm the one without the 'rock'. I sometimes feel like the last kid picked for a kickball game...with no sides wanting me. I know it's not entirely true...but it's hard not to feel that way sometimes. The one who I 'thought' would/could be that rock simply cannot be, and for all intents and purposes, I feel it's a good thing. The main gist of this is the fact that I often feel that sense of loneliness and I would REALLY love my own friends. Maybe Time will become my friend again. *crosses fingers*
One of my saving graces has been Chris, but I've only seen him twice since I've been here, due to him being very busy...and three (+) hours away. I have a couple of his friend's numbers, and I've met a few of them as well, but they have their own lives here...the same holds true for all the Korean teachers at work. I guess I just haven't found my "place" yet here. I really miss all my friends back home. Everyone who was there to support me through a REALLY rough time...and I kind of feel like I left them selfishly, even though I know it's not true. I have an INCREDIBLE support system back home, and sometimes I feel like I'm a real idiot for leaving it all behind. That's where my handy dandy phone card comes in handy...I've called a lot of my friends, and my family...just to get a dose of that love that I need. All in all, work-related, things could be a LOT worse, and frankly...I'm sitting in a pretty good position, and I KNOW I will end up at the end of the contract a good teacher, and SO damn proud of myself that I FINALLY stuck out a job till the end.
I have found a safe haven at the Seoul Performing Arts Center. The place is beautiful, and the concerts are CHEAP...what more could you ask for?! I have seen two college performances, and both were amazing...especially at the amazing price of 10,000 won, which roughly equals $10. I will be seeing a Cello concert Sunday evening, with a great program, which includes a Sound of Music Medley...I am really excited for that.
So that's pretty much what's going on here. Again, I miss EVERYONE at home, and PLEASE let me know if you'll be around when I'm home so plans can be made.
Leave love,
~Greg :)
I had a great birthday overall. I got packages from my aunts and my parents. That Saturday, I had some co-workers over for a apt warming/birthday evening. We had a great time eating in my apartment, then going out to a karaoke room! I then went out to a bar and had a couple Midori Sours, before heading back to the apartment for bed. Since then, a lot has happened.
Firstly, I have a flight home December 25 (yes, it's Christmas!), arriving in Boston at 7:40pm. I will be in MA, and the surrounding states, until January 3. As of now, I do not have set plans for the whole time I am there. I REALLY want to go skiing...and just spend time with my friends and family. I will be going down to NYC the weekend after Christmas, and I will be seeing the Celtics my last evening home! I can't wait! 68 DAYS AND COUNTING...WOOO!
Next, I finally have a routine going on at work. I arrive around an hour early each day to work, so I can get prepared for my classes (I have roughly 6-7 classes a day). I spend that hour writing a detailed lesson plan so I have an outline for what I will be doing in class, what I will be giving out for homework, and so my supervisor has an idea of what I've done. It really does help me a lot...and I am really getting used to this routine. I still really enjoy everyone's help they give me at work...it's a REALLY great work environment (so much better than my last few jobs!) and minus a few bumps along the way, I am officially on autopilot...with my eyes on Christmas break.
I have been really homesick recently. I feel a big reason for this is because I really haven't felt completely comfortable here. I like control in my surroundings, and it's basically impossible here, specifically with the language barrier. Add to that the fact that everyone (meaning the native English speakers) have all known eachother for a long time...I do kind of feel left out. Everybody is so nice, but yet, they aren't and will not be true friends to me...it may be too early to say, but these people have eachother first and foremost...they want nothing to do with me on a deep level (nor should they!)...they don't know me...so there's nothing really there other than an occasional weekend dinner, and the casual hang out, just honestly, is great. It's all fine and good, but who can I go venting to when I have a problem? Who will be there when I REALLY need someone to be there for ME? I'm the one without the 'rock'. I sometimes feel like the last kid picked for a kickball game...with no sides wanting me. I know it's not entirely true...but it's hard not to feel that way sometimes. The one who I 'thought' would/could be that rock simply cannot be, and for all intents and purposes, I feel it's a good thing. The main gist of this is the fact that I often feel that sense of loneliness and I would REALLY love my own friends. Maybe Time will become my friend again. *crosses fingers*
One of my saving graces has been Chris, but I've only seen him twice since I've been here, due to him being very busy...and three (+) hours away. I have a couple of his friend's numbers, and I've met a few of them as well, but they have their own lives here...the same holds true for all the Korean teachers at work. I guess I just haven't found my "place" yet here. I really miss all my friends back home. Everyone who was there to support me through a REALLY rough time...and I kind of feel like I left them selfishly, even though I know it's not true. I have an INCREDIBLE support system back home, and sometimes I feel like I'm a real idiot for leaving it all behind. That's where my handy dandy phone card comes in handy...I've called a lot of my friends, and my family...just to get a dose of that love that I need. All in all, work-related, things could be a LOT worse, and frankly...I'm sitting in a pretty good position, and I KNOW I will end up at the end of the contract a good teacher, and SO damn proud of myself that I FINALLY stuck out a job till the end.
I have found a safe haven at the Seoul Performing Arts Center. The place is beautiful, and the concerts are CHEAP...what more could you ask for?! I have seen two college performances, and both were amazing...especially at the amazing price of 10,000 won, which roughly equals $10. I will be seeing a Cello concert Sunday evening, with a great program, which includes a Sound of Music Medley...I am really excited for that.
So that's pretty much what's going on here. Again, I miss EVERYONE at home, and PLEASE let me know if you'll be around when I'm home so plans can be made.
Leave love,
~Greg :)
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Birthday/flu
So it's my birthday. I am a quarter century old. I don't feel different...probably because I ACTUALLY do not turn 25 until like 4:15AM tomorrow morning...lol.
I am REALLY medicated, as I have the flu. Yesterday was terrible, but after seeing the doctor and getting meds (all for under $20 I may add!), I am feeling better. Last night was tough, but everything is going better now. Today was a rollercoaster of a day. I am feeling better (with the drugs in me), but I had three classes where I had behavior problems. My saving grace was a package I got from my aunt with cookies and $$ inside. Halfway through the day, I got a card from my other aunt with practically a monologue written on the card...very sweet. I miss my family so much. Anyway, the last class of the day was my older kids, and they brought food and drinks for my birthday...along with homemade cards for me! I was shocked, and really impressed. Everyone at work said Happy Bithday to me, and I am excited for this weekend, when I'm going to have a birthday/apartment warming party! It should be a fun night. Don't know what my friends have planned for dinner tonight...I really haven't asked. I will be calling my travel agent either tonight or tomorrow night to purchase my flight back home over Christmas. YAY! Something to REALLY look forward to.
I miss everyone at home so much! Thanks for all the birthday wishes on Facebook, and I will try to post again (a post-Birthday post!) within the next few days.
~Greg :)
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Getting the hang of things...
Hey all...
So Malaysia was great. Kuala Lampur is not a very beautiful city, but it certainly had flavor. It is roughly 100 miles north of the Equator, so it was VERY hot and humid. I think I lost a good amount of weight just sweating!! I went to the KL Tower, one of the highest communication towers in the world. I also went on a jungle walk nearby. I visited Chinatown and ate some great Chinese Food (as well as Malay food and Indian food). I spent 6 hours at the largest covered Bird Park in the world. I fed Lorikeets (one bit me!), and I also fed Emus, Ostriches, and a Casawary (which looks like a dinosaur!). I went to the Batu Caves. If you remember Amazing Race All Stars...it was the episode in Malaysia when Charla and Mirna were really far ahead and they climed the 272 steps to the base of the caves (yes Charla...the little person!)...unbeliveable sight. Anyway, the caves are amazing, as is the scenery from the top, and I almost got attacked by a monkey because it wanted my half drunk soda. I finished the soda running away from the attacking money...threw the can in the trash...and immediately saw the monkey jump into the trash, take the can out...slam in onto the ground, and sip the remaining drops of soda from the ground...determination if i've ever seen it! I also went to the "dark caves" and had a tour of the stalagtites and stalagmites as well as fruit bats, insect bats...and I saw a really cool spider looking insect! Overall, Malaysia was fun, and I'd definitely go back there again.
Work is going well. Homesickness has sunk in a bit, but I'm really excited to book my flight ticket back to the US probably next week...so at least I'll have a date to get really excited about. Although, knowing my birthday is less than a week away, and I can't be near my closest friends and family does make me a little depressed. I like the people here...a lot...they're incredibly supportive and friendly. But, they're not the people who knew me prior to 4 weeks ago. These people don't really know who I am...they didn't see me have to deal with my heart breaking 11 months ago and going through a depression I HOPE I never deal with again...they didn't see me get better, and turn into the person I am today...hopeful, aware of self, and REALLY happy with who I am today. They also don't know how singing is my life, and besides singing along with CDs, I have no way of expressing myself through music (like I was able to at Clark with choir and Clark Bars). They also don't know how amazing my life is...and how much of an INCREDIBLE support system I have that I left behind. I KNOW I made the right decision to come to Korea...but sometimes it's hard to legitimize the feeling of going 7,000 miles AWAY from the people you love and care about the most for 365 days and $22,000. I know the experience and rewarding(ness) of it all makes it priceless...but other times I just have to think...Did I really do the right thing? Don't get me wrong...I really do enjoy my job...and by all accounts, this very well may be my calling...TEACHING...but honestly, the longer I stay here, and get into this structured routine of sleep, teach, sleep (and all there is in between), the more I feel like I'm falling deeper into a lake of quicksand and doubt.
I can only hope that my over-analyzing is just that...over-analyzing. I miss everyone so much...and I will be starting a countdown to USA soon. Oh yea...and I found a flight on NorthWest Airlines that would get me into Boston late afternoon on Christmas Day...so there's a CHANCE that I may in fact be able to see my extended family for Christmas afterall...that is if they're ok with doing Christmas for dinner instead of lunch. We'll see. Once I have flight details, I will let you know.
I miss everyone SOOO much. Please post replies to show me you're reading and to give comments/criticism!!
Till next time,
~Greg
So Malaysia was great. Kuala Lampur is not a very beautiful city, but it certainly had flavor. It is roughly 100 miles north of the Equator, so it was VERY hot and humid. I think I lost a good amount of weight just sweating!! I went to the KL Tower, one of the highest communication towers in the world. I also went on a jungle walk nearby. I visited Chinatown and ate some great Chinese Food (as well as Malay food and Indian food). I spent 6 hours at the largest covered Bird Park in the world. I fed Lorikeets (one bit me!), and I also fed Emus, Ostriches, and a Casawary (which looks like a dinosaur!). I went to the Batu Caves. If you remember Amazing Race All Stars...it was the episode in Malaysia when Charla and Mirna were really far ahead and they climed the 272 steps to the base of the caves (yes Charla...the little person!)...unbeliveable sight. Anyway, the caves are amazing, as is the scenery from the top, and I almost got attacked by a monkey because it wanted my half drunk soda. I finished the soda running away from the attacking money...threw the can in the trash...and immediately saw the monkey jump into the trash, take the can out...slam in onto the ground, and sip the remaining drops of soda from the ground...determination if i've ever seen it! I also went to the "dark caves" and had a tour of the stalagtites and stalagmites as well as fruit bats, insect bats...and I saw a really cool spider looking insect! Overall, Malaysia was fun, and I'd definitely go back there again.
Work is going well. Homesickness has sunk in a bit, but I'm really excited to book my flight ticket back to the US probably next week...so at least I'll have a date to get really excited about. Although, knowing my birthday is less than a week away, and I can't be near my closest friends and family does make me a little depressed. I like the people here...a lot...they're incredibly supportive and friendly. But, they're not the people who knew me prior to 4 weeks ago. These people don't really know who I am...they didn't see me have to deal with my heart breaking 11 months ago and going through a depression I HOPE I never deal with again...they didn't see me get better, and turn into the person I am today...hopeful, aware of self, and REALLY happy with who I am today. They also don't know how singing is my life, and besides singing along with CDs, I have no way of expressing myself through music (like I was able to at Clark with choir and Clark Bars). They also don't know how amazing my life is...and how much of an INCREDIBLE support system I have that I left behind. I KNOW I made the right decision to come to Korea...but sometimes it's hard to legitimize the feeling of going 7,000 miles AWAY from the people you love and care about the most for 365 days and $22,000. I know the experience and rewarding(ness) of it all makes it priceless...but other times I just have to think...Did I really do the right thing? Don't get me wrong...I really do enjoy my job...and by all accounts, this very well may be my calling...TEACHING...but honestly, the longer I stay here, and get into this structured routine of sleep, teach, sleep (and all there is in between), the more I feel like I'm falling deeper into a lake of quicksand and doubt.
I can only hope that my over-analyzing is just that...over-analyzing. I miss everyone so much...and I will be starting a countdown to USA soon. Oh yea...and I found a flight on NorthWest Airlines that would get me into Boston late afternoon on Christmas Day...so there's a CHANCE that I may in fact be able to see my extended family for Christmas afterall...that is if they're ok with doing Christmas for dinner instead of lunch. We'll see. Once I have flight details, I will let you know.
I miss everyone SOOO much. Please post replies to show me you're reading and to give comments/criticism!!
Till next time,
~Greg
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Update/my address...
Hey everyone. Sorry I have not written more recently. The cut and dry of it is that I am fine, I arrived a week and a half ago, and I am VERY busy. Training was tough and very challenging for me (not being a teacher before and having all this stuff to do), but it also made me feel like I can really REALLY do this. It may be really hard sometimes, and really boring at other times (my highlight of the day Friday was teaching kids about the words BALL, BALLOON, TRUCK, and CARPET), but I honestly feel like this experience is going to be really rewarding. It already is actually. I really like the kids for the most part, and they actually LISTEN to me, and I can tell that they are actually learning (which is good...because that means I'm doing my job).
I am staying out of the office drama, and pretty much keeping my nose into my own business. I had my first confrontation with my supervisor yesterday regarding my passport, but long story short, anything huge was averted, and all systems are go. I leave for Kuala Lampur, Malaysia on Saturday night (we have Monday and Tuesday off for Chusok...which is Korean Thanksgiving) with my friends from work, which will be great.
So yea, things are SLOWLY coming together...work wise and otherwise. The main reason for me not being online is because I don't have internet in my apartment yet. Speaking of my apartment, I LOVE IT. It's small, but absolutely perfect for me. I did my first load of laundry yesterday (and didn't break anything!). My friends and I cook meals communally, which makes it cheaper, and more enjoyable for all of us. I spend my time in my apartment playing my PS2 and flipping through the TV channels for the few to none English shows (I hate to admit that I have resorted to watching Tyra Banks, Oprah, and Sex and the City...along with Law and Order:SVU, House, and a couple reality shows that I may catch...I've seen Hell's Kitchen and Top Model). The great news is that LOST will air in Korea (duh!)...the bad news is that it will air at 9pm...and I don't get back to my apartment until 9:30...add to that the fact that Lost Season 3 just ended, which means I would be watching repeats of last season...so I'm back to watching them online. Oh well.
Anyway, I miss everyone A LOT...and I can't wait to see some/all of you in December when I come home for a bit. For all you New Englanders, I hope the hurricane blew over quickly.
Till next time,
Greg :)
PS. for all interested (*cough cough*...my birthday is coming up), my address is:
Gregory Tomao
SLP Uijeongbu
5th Floor Gu-Won Plaza #418
Howon Dong Uijeongbu City
Gyeonggido, South Korea
480-020
I am staying out of the office drama, and pretty much keeping my nose into my own business. I had my first confrontation with my supervisor yesterday regarding my passport, but long story short, anything huge was averted, and all systems are go. I leave for Kuala Lampur, Malaysia on Saturday night (we have Monday and Tuesday off for Chusok...which is Korean Thanksgiving) with my friends from work, which will be great.
So yea, things are SLOWLY coming together...work wise and otherwise. The main reason for me not being online is because I don't have internet in my apartment yet. Speaking of my apartment, I LOVE IT. It's small, but absolutely perfect for me. I did my first load of laundry yesterday (and didn't break anything!). My friends and I cook meals communally, which makes it cheaper, and more enjoyable for all of us. I spend my time in my apartment playing my PS2 and flipping through the TV channels for the few to none English shows (I hate to admit that I have resorted to watching Tyra Banks, Oprah, and Sex and the City...along with Law and Order:SVU, House, and a couple reality shows that I may catch...I've seen Hell's Kitchen and Top Model). The great news is that LOST will air in Korea (duh!)...the bad news is that it will air at 9pm...and I don't get back to my apartment until 9:30...add to that the fact that Lost Season 3 just ended, which means I would be watching repeats of last season...so I'm back to watching them online. Oh well.
Anyway, I miss everyone A LOT...and I can't wait to see some/all of you in December when I come home for a bit. For all you New Englanders, I hope the hurricane blew over quickly.
Till next time,
Greg :)
PS. for all interested (*cough cough*...my birthday is coming up), my address is:
Gregory Tomao
SLP Uijeongbu
5th Floor Gu-Won Plaza #418
Howon Dong Uijeongbu City
Gyeonggido, South Korea
480-020
Thursday, August 28, 2008
First Post!!! Travelling to KOREA...
Hey everyone. So this is my first attempt at "blogging"...I feel a bit weird about it...first I feel kind of "cool" because I can call myself a "blogger"..."blogger" is a cool title. Anyway, I also feel weird about it because of my 'unique' writing style...oh well...I'm sure you will all forgive me for my incessant "..." and possibly 'different' ways of explaining things. Ok so now we got that out of the way...The main reason why I started this blog: To be able to write down my experience, and be able to share it with the people i care about most...YOU. Yes, I'm really just talking about YOU. :)
So here we go:
I woke up this morning early so I could play the Wii with my sister before she had to leave for work. She left, on the verge of tears, and I admit I was a little sad myself...I pray and hope that this will be a rather "un-drama" filled semester for her. I played my video game one last time, and then headed into my room to finalize packing. I have 2 huge suitcases, a carry-on roll-on suitcase, and my olympics duffel bag that I've had since '96 I believe. I pretty much packed everything...to this moment I only really KNOW I forgot my cologne, moshi dice pillow, and thats it i believe. I drove out to Bank of America to cancel my account (I ended up keeping it, as they made it so I wouldn't receive finance charges for 12 months), and then went to TD Banknorth and withdrew a good amount of money so I can survive in Korea for the next month (plus the trip to Malaysia mid-Sept). I made a quick trip to the post office, then drove home...took the rest of my stuff out of the van, and completed packing everything.
After a quick lunch, and catching up on the latest episode of Big Brother (free on On Demand...woooo!), it was time to leave with Dad. On the drive there, I spoke to my mom who is in RI, and that was nice to talk to her before I left. I called Lauren as well, and then called my aunts, who obviously were upset that I was leaving. Quick side note: I woke up with my cell phone service discontinued because I told them I was leaving at the end of the month and the end of the month in ATT world is Aug 28...so to anyone I didn't call, I applogize profusely!
I got to the airport with no problem...left Dad who also was sad (but probably happy now there's one kid gone...one left lol), and then ran into the one BIG issue of the day...check-in. My 1st bag was 57lbs...bag #2: 67. Weight limit is 50lbs. What to do? Charge me $375 per bag of course. NO WAY. I told them that's simply unacceptable. They said to go downstairs and find baggage services and "see if I can have an old bag from them to be able to put the excess weight in"...and of course pay $130.00 for an extra bag charge...oh well...better than $700+. I found JetBlue...after a no-go with United...JetBlue gave me a really small carry-on size bag, which worked...BARELY. I went back upstairs, and grit my teeth as I ROLLED UP ALL of my soon to be non non-wrinkled dress shirts into the new bag. $130.00 and a lot of sweat later, I was all set.
The wait for the flight was long. I was depressed because I was alone and I just left my family and friends behind...thankfully I found a woman who talked to me for a while, who ended up having the seat next to me. The flight felt really short, because I slept for over half of it.
I arrived here in LAX, walked to the International Terminal, checked in with Korean Air, went upstairs, had 2 Midori Sours, and then went to security...and here I am now at the gate, at 2:56AM Boston-time, exhausted, anxious, nervous, but hopeful.
To all of you reading this, I miss you all already, and can't wait to relay my experiences in Korea; from the job, to the people I meet, to the places I will go.
~Greg :)
So here we go:
I woke up this morning early so I could play the Wii with my sister before she had to leave for work. She left, on the verge of tears, and I admit I was a little sad myself...I pray and hope that this will be a rather "un-drama" filled semester for her. I played my video game one last time, and then headed into my room to finalize packing. I have 2 huge suitcases, a carry-on roll-on suitcase, and my olympics duffel bag that I've had since '96 I believe. I pretty much packed everything...to this moment I only really KNOW I forgot my cologne, moshi dice pillow, and thats it i believe. I drove out to Bank of America to cancel my account (I ended up keeping it, as they made it so I wouldn't receive finance charges for 12 months), and then went to TD Banknorth and withdrew a good amount of money so I can survive in Korea for the next month (plus the trip to Malaysia mid-Sept). I made a quick trip to the post office, then drove home...took the rest of my stuff out of the van, and completed packing everything.
After a quick lunch, and catching up on the latest episode of Big Brother (free on On Demand...woooo!), it was time to leave with Dad. On the drive there, I spoke to my mom who is in RI, and that was nice to talk to her before I left. I called Lauren as well, and then called my aunts, who obviously were upset that I was leaving. Quick side note: I woke up with my cell phone service discontinued because I told them I was leaving at the end of the month and the end of the month in ATT world is Aug 28...so to anyone I didn't call, I applogize profusely!
I got to the airport with no problem...left Dad who also was sad (but probably happy now there's one kid gone...one left lol), and then ran into the one BIG issue of the day...check-in. My 1st bag was 57lbs...bag #2: 67. Weight limit is 50lbs. What to do? Charge me $375 per bag of course. NO WAY. I told them that's simply unacceptable. They said to go downstairs and find baggage services and "see if I can have an old bag from them to be able to put the excess weight in"...and of course pay $130.00 for an extra bag charge...oh well...better than $700+. I found JetBlue...after a no-go with United...JetBlue gave me a really small carry-on size bag, which worked...BARELY. I went back upstairs, and grit my teeth as I ROLLED UP ALL of my soon to be non non-wrinkled dress shirts into the new bag. $130.00 and a lot of sweat later, I was all set.
The wait for the flight was long. I was depressed because I was alone and I just left my family and friends behind...thankfully I found a woman who talked to me for a while, who ended up having the seat next to me. The flight felt really short, because I slept for over half of it.
I arrived here in LAX, walked to the International Terminal, checked in with Korean Air, went upstairs, had 2 Midori Sours, and then went to security...and here I am now at the gate, at 2:56AM Boston-time, exhausted, anxious, nervous, but hopeful.
To all of you reading this, I miss you all already, and can't wait to relay my experiences in Korea; from the job, to the people I meet, to the places I will go.
~Greg :)
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