Seaweed Pie: The other side of the world

Here I am in South Korea, literally on the other side of the world. I planned and planned for this but never could have prepared myself for the impact this has had on me already. I arrived February 25, but just had my internet hooked up in my apartment yesterday, which is why I haven't updated sooner; in a way I'm almost glad I wasn't able to post here when I first arrived, because I was such a mess and I think much of what I would have had to say was a bit on the dreary side.

Luckily there are some really nice foreign teachers here who have kept me busy, and the Korean teachers have also been very kind. Most of all, my friends and my family have been amazing with their support and encouragement. I realize how lucky I am to have these people who love me! I think I surprised myself at how badly I was handling the situation ( I had read lots of blogs written by foreign teachers in Korea who seemed just fine and apparently had little problem adjusting and figured that's how it would be with me) and I know I wouldn't have gotten through the first week without all the support. I imagined it to be difficult around the two or three month mark, when life got a little mundane, but I didn't anticipate the shock to be so intense at the beginning.

I'm still finding it difficult sometimes to imagine being here a year. I go back and forth between seeing the big picture and feeling like a year is so fleeting in the context of the rest of my life, and feeling completely overwhelmed at the days and months ahead. Everyday things are changing and I notice different things about my new environment, and in one day I can go through a whole spectrum of emotions.

The days at work go by quickly and are a bit hectic, which is good. At home I've been keeping busy reading and writing letters, and sprucing up my apartment with garbage pile finds (a desk, a chair, a tv cabinet and an end table so far!). I actually like my apartment quite a bit, with its heated floors and pink wallpaper :) I'm planning on setting up a space to paint when I get paid, and I've got some yarn to keep me going until then (thanks Emily!).

Here are a few pictures of my neighbourhood and of Apsan Park where we hiked last weekend.