Lucky (Feb 29)

(Beware, long post ahead)

• Happy Leap Day!
• Today has been a long, emotional, and overwhelming day. It started with it being the last day of orientation. We had a little closing ceremony this morning too but the real finality came when we all congregated in the gym with our luggage. They had a slideshow of pictures from the last few days going on the projector and we were all taking pictures, and then – the coordinators started calling names. Our mentor teachers were arriving to take us to our towns. It was a really weird feeling, waiting for names, giving hugs and watching people leave. Kind of like being at the airport, but a little more ominous (because we didn’t really know where we were going and our names were called one by one). Rachel was crying, and since Alison was crying as she left, I started tearing up. When I met my mentor teacher – and found out she doesn’t speak ANY English – the waterworks started. MTs not speaking English is something that we were warned about, but I really didn’t anticipate it happening to me. I’m really really lucky to have a co-teacher who is as amazing as Ji Hyeon. Seeing as I feel isolated not being able to communicate with my MT even with Ji Hyeon’s interpretation, I can’t imagine what it would be like without her. (I’d like to think that TaLK wouldn’t put us in that position but I don’t think they can control that – or they choose not to.) So this was when I really started crying. Ji Hyeon held my hand and reassured me while my MT was talking with Korean Lady (she was telling my MT that I am a great teacher!) but, between being frustrated and missing all of my new friends, I couldn’t really stop. Especially because she was being so awesome/supporting me and a few other people asked me if I was okay. (I’m not sure sure why the support of people brings me to tears.) We ended up eating lunch in the cafeteria at English Village (I didn’t eat much) so I saw a few people again before I left...but I also watched those people interact directly with their MTs, which really just made me cry more. Luckily, on the way home, I was able to read and nap. When we arrived in Pohang, we went to the school. I was still weepy, and now sleepy, so I think I acted a little shyer than I really am. Oh well. We had tea with the non-English-speaking principal (where I felt talked around...I guess I will just have to get used to that feeling) and I met some teachers and the vice principal. Also, the school police officer was really nice! He speaks English (yay!), though he made sure to tell me how hard it is :) But he was very sweet and he and another guy carried my suitcases to my apartment and up the stairs. My apt is right next to the school (nice commute :) now let’s hope the kids listen when I tell them not to follow me home...) so we went there next. Ji Hyeon, my MT, the police officer and the other man checked things out for me (windows, locks, stove) and showed me how to use the heating system. Then we decided to go get my Alien Registration Card (which I need in order to get a phone and buy things online)...but my MT had to go back to the school. She’s busy preparing for other things for school...like I said, SO LUCKY TO HAVE JI HYEON. She got the information for finding the immigration office and we started the trek down there.

1) Find the bus stop.

2) Figure out the right bus.

2.1) Ask several people which bus is the right one.

2.2) When said people aren’t able to help, look up bus schedule on phone.

2.3) When said people aren’t able to help and said map is too small to see on a phone, call MT to verify address.

3) Board correct bus and ride downtown.

4) Marvel at the beautiful downtown and hail a taxi.

5) Pay and thank the taxi driver, even if he drops you off at the Dokdo Office of Fisheries.

6) Ask workers in the Dokdo Office of Fisheries where the Immigration office is.

7) Hail another taxi.

8) Arrive at the correct address and be directed by a really nice man to the inexplicably shabby, small and hidden building that houses the Pohang Immigration Office.

None of this would have been possible by myself...like I said, SO LUCKY TO HAVE JI HYEON. After we were in the office for a while, I hear “Emily?” It was Liz (friend from Orientation/Group 5)! I was so relieved to hear her voice and see her! She said she had been worried about me all day (I had seen her before we left DGEV and told her about my MT), which of course made me tear up again. A few minutes later, Joe (another friend from Orientation/Group 5) came in! It was seriously amazing that we all managed to be there at the same. And I’ve never been so happy to see 2 people that I know. After some hugs, Ji Hyeon and I left. She saw that I was crying again and was really concerned about me...at first, she thought it might have been because of her! I told her no no no no, of course not – that I wouldn’t have survived the day without her. After that, she told me to just cry, that sometimes you just need to let it out, and suggested that we find a coffee place to relax in. Since the office is literally right on the coast, we walked along the beach to a Starbucks. Arm in arm with Ji Hyeon, listening to the waves and letting my tears out, I started to feel a little better. After getting my favorite drink (despite it being over $6), a White Chocolate Mocha, I felt a little more relaxed. We stayed at Starbucks for about an hour, just sitting and talking and making a To-Do List...like I said, SO LUCKY TO HAVE JI HYEON. When we finished, we got a cab back to the city center and walked around a little bit. We checked about getting a phone without my ARC (not possible) and then caught the bus. When we stopped back at the apartment, I found several notes left by the previous TaLK scholar. Before, I had seen that there was bedding, a TV, dishes, a microwave, a toaster, a ricemaker and some decorations left over. After further investigation, we found food (PB and J!), books, shampoo, body wash, wrapping paper, and a hair dryer. She also left a note with some helpful information and she left her bike for me to use! It’s pink and adorable and I'm very grateful (even though I don’t need it for my commute). It was really nice of her. Next, we went to the market down the street. It’s not a full grocery store, like HomePlus, but there are a lot of things there and I bought toilet paper and breakfast food. The woman who was working was really nice – she thought I was Russian and also laughed when I asked if I could pay with American money. Hopefully, I’ll see her again. Ji Hyeon and I dropped the stuff off at home and then decided to go to the mall to get dinner. It was a good choice. Being in a usual place (like a mall) with a lot of people around was familiar and made me feel not alone. Plus, there was wi-fi, so I was able to briefly connect with my TaLK friends on FB and tell Mom and Dad that I arrived – flustered, but safe. And the kiwi juice I had helped to settle my stomach a little. After hanging out there for a while, we came back to the apt. Ji Hyeon made sure I was settled in and safe and then went home. Her day was as long as mine, but she was my rock the whole time...SO LUCKY TO HAVE HER. Now I’ve unpacked a little and watched NCIS (yay American TV shows!). I’m ready to put this day away. Very glad tomorrow is a rest/errand day before school starts – and VERY excited to sleep in past 8:30 a.m. for the first time in about a month. Goodnight.