Arrived

So, I've arrived. After a day and a half of travel (during which time, I actually lost a whole day! Darn International Dateline...), I'm here in Chuncheon, South Korea, a couple of hours northeast of Seoul. They've just dropped us off at the University to unpack and get settled in before we go through orientation this afternoon, so I don't have pictures yet or any tantalizing details about this far eastern country, but everyone seems to be nice. There are some here who are Korean (including my roommate, Ray). Among these, some know quite a bit of Korean, others know about as much as I do (i.e. none; Ray falls in the former category). There are also some ATEs here who know Korean because their families speak it at home. But the majority of the the ATEs are like me: caucasian, middle class, and have no idea how to speak a lick of the language, but are anxious to jump in and get their feet more than a little wet. Heaven help us!

At any rate, this is mostly to let you know that I arrived here safely. I'm going to find something to do to get over my jet lag now.

Regards.

Saying Goodbye: Give my regards to Grandma

One of the other things I have done recently to prepare myself for a year long stint in Korea is to say goodbye to Grandma and Grandpa Howard. Though Grandpa is quite healthy and active still, despite the loss of a limb, Grandma is not doing so well these days. The doctors don't give her long to live (though she lived long past the kidney failure they predicted for her 2 1/2 years ago--at that point they had given her 6 mos.), so, just in case God should call her home before I return, I went to see her one last time. Afterall, it is unlikely that I would be able to make it home for a funeral given airfare these days. It wouldn't be practical. (It is sad that my family largely seeks practicality in these matters, but it is how it is.)

And so we sat together in her living room. She quizzed me about my upcoming year. I answered politely and quizzed her about her knew living situation. They now live in an assisted living community, though one of the best I have ever seen because it allows for their independence. She likes it there, though she doesn't make it out of the house she lives in too often to take part in the events they put on for the residents. We didn't talk about the possibility of her dying while I will be gone. She never likes to talk about sad things. (She won't even watch a movie unless it is a musical or a comedy of the old school a la Gene Kelly, which hardly ever made one feel awkward about what one was watching a la Will Ferrell). I did see a note on the refrigerator door however. A yellow note, which a small, printer paper picture of her. "In the event that I am unable to support my own life, I refuse all artificial forms of life support, including CPR and defibulators." In the picture, she is smiling.

Packing List: Tentative

After a couple of weeks of contemplation, here's what I've decided to bring with me to South Korea. An interesting thing about the Program is that they require their ATEs to pack two bags. The first bag is for orientation and needs to have the "essentials" in it, at least everything that will be essential to survive 6 weeks of grueling educational experience learning both language and how to teach language. This basically means clothes, though they also recommend American junk food for those who get homesick easily or need to stress eat (i.e. me). The second bag is the teaching bag. This bag is supposed to get you through the rest of the year.

I've followed the advice of the illustrious and well-traveled Brent W. in compiling this list. --Think about everything you think you'll need to pack. Then think about how much money you'll need. Then, cut the stuff you thought of in half and double the money. You should be set.-- Let's hope so.

Packing List:
2 checked bags, 1 stowable carry-on + 1 laptop

Wear:
__ cargo khaki
__ fleece
__ t-shirt
__ underwear
__ socks
__ tennis shoes
__ short-sleeve shirt
__ baseball hat

Carry-on:
__ Laptop
__ Power cords
__ Headphones
__ Ethernet cable
__ Power adapter
__ Reboot CDs
__ Korean phrasebook
__ t-shirt
__ underwear
__ socks

Documents:
__ Passport
__ Driver’s License
__ Visa
__ Travel Itinerary
__ Birth certificate
__ Driver’s license
__ Credit card numbers
__ Proof of immunization
__ photo copies of above
__ passport photos

Orientation Bag:
Clothing:
__ shorts (2)
__ jeans (1)
__ short-sleeve shirts (2)
__ t-shirts (7)
__ athletic shorts (2)
__ underwear (8)
__ undershirt (3)
__ socks (8)
__ rain jacket (1)
__ sandals (1)
__ black suit jacket (1)
__ dress pants – black (1)
__ dress shirt (1)
__ dance shirt (1)
__ ties (2)
__ dress shoes – black (1)

Toiletries:
__ hand towel
__ Razor
__ toothbrush
__ toothpaste
__ deodorant (1)
__ shampoo
__ soap

Misc.:
__ Leatherman pocket knife
__ swiss army knife
__ External hard drive
__ blank cds
__ camera
__ battery charger
__ spare batteries
__ Mp3 player?
__ Card deck
__ photos
__ dew rag
__ flashdrive
__ small alarm clock
__ sewing kit
__ first aid kit

Medications:
__ Pepto Bismal
__ Nyquil/Day-quil
__ Ibuprofen
__ Multi-vitamin

Teaching Bag:
Clothing:
__ khakis – white, tan, blue (3)
__ dress shirt (4)
__ short-sleeve shirts (4)
__ suit jacket – blue (1)
__ ties (3)
__ jeans (1)
__ shorts (2)
__ t-shirts (6)
__ underwear (6)
__ undershirt (remaining)
__ pull over sweater (2)
__ brown shoes (1)

Winter clothing:
__ down jacket
__ scarf
__ knit hat
__ gloves
__ fleece socks

Teaching Materials:
__ March Madness
__ Thanksgiving
__ Superbowl (It’s the superbowl Charlie Brown)
__ Elections
__ Currency (1 of each coin, $1)
__ Food menus
__ Malcom in the Middle
__ TPR books

Gift:
__ 4 packages tea
__ 4 jars Ozark seasoning
__ 4 decks playing cards

Misc.
__ deodorant (3)

If anyone can think of anything else I've forgotten, I'd be happy to hear suggestions!

Packing Lists

This post is mainly so that I have something here for people to view. So... view away.

But, I have been working on my Program responsibilities lately. Just today, I applied for my Visa. Apparently, Program recipients get a special Visa that's reserved only for them--the A-3 Visa, which is free and allows me to stay in Korea for up to 20 months. I feel quite special about that.

I have also been working on getting together a packing list so I know what I need to buy before I leave. First thing on the list is two international flight certified pieces of luggage capable of carrying 50-75 lbs. each and of being folded down for easy stowage. Next on the list is socks, 8 pairs. Well, 10 pairs really, but I'll wear 1 pair and pack the other in my carry-on in case I have a delayed layover longer than a day.

This last bit isn't entirely related to the Program, but as the Program is the first stage of my non-dependent life according to the IRS as a college graduate, it has a tangential connection. I've been going through all the junk in my room (a room which my parents have graciously let me still call my own despite the fact that I'm supposed to be "on my own" now) so that I can get rid of most of it. It's amazing what I've saved over the years. Of course, there are the knicknacks that never got thrown away or given to the thrift shop even though they should have been long ago, but there are even spelling tests from the 4th Grade. It's been quite the trip down memory lane. A trip that will soon face the recycling bin. Well... for the most part anyway. I can't part with some of it, e.g. my first college papers. Maybe I'll have those bound at least so they're in a manageable format (and, ironically, even harder to throw away).

Anyung has'e yo.