Arriving, I was very pleasantly surprised. My apartment is clean, bright, modern, and (most importantly) a place I feel comfortable to spend my time. Even at half the size of my studio in Denver, I feel like I have all the space I need. As far as furnishings, the apartment came with a naked bed, wardrobe, vanity, TV on a TV stand, a washing machine, drying rack, and that's about all. The first day I was here my co-teacher took me shopping at Lotte Mart where I dropped $200 for some cheap bedding (just a double size comforter and thin blanket), showering supplies, bowls, silverware, and a few other odds and ends. I am also well stocked with bottled water, since tap water isn't drinkable here. I've been slowly buying other household items as needed over the weeks, and will (hopefully) soon have just about everything I need... Which I will get rid of when I leave in a year.
In Korea, they heat their homes and apartments with heating elements under the floor, which I absolutely love. Being one to chronically leave my clothes on the ground, it's so refreshing to pick up a shirt, and have it feel like it came out of the drier. [Also, dryers don't exist out here.] My feet are warm, and the cold air has no place to hang out.
Another thing I've noticed about Korea: They like their mattresses firm like whoa. What might be considered a box spring in America is the whole shebang in Korea. The springs feel like they're concealed by no more than a couple layers of paper towels. Sheets: also not a thing out here, which I'm trying to adjust to. You can buy them, but they're expensive and not readily available everywhere. I think a quest for a mattress pad and some decent bedding will be my first order of business once I get paid next week.
Oh, and I also bought a tiny house plant that I'm naming Herman. After three years with Toulouse, it feels weird to come home to a pet-less apartment, so I bought something to serve as a [painfully underwhelming] substitution. It's green and spindly, and actually quite hideous.
Anyway, I've finally managed to upload my video tour for your viewing pleasure, so without further ado...
And while we're on the subject of my apartment, I also have my address for those of you who were asking about it. My co-teacher informed me that mail wouldn't make it to my place if the address were only written in English, so you would have to have it in Korean. To make it easier on you, and to prevent any illiterate-monks-copying-the-bible-incorrectly types of mistakes, I made up this label which you can just print out and paste on letters and packages. (I still did, however, provide the English version of my address on the label so you can use it on forms or whatnot.)
An entry about teaching is on its way soon.
Have you ever seen a 52in plasma? Well, I have... OMG loved your video and love your blog. You made me laugh so much!!! We just had tacos like your uncle Mike made and they were sooo good. Emily thought of you because after dinner she found a brownie/waffle/espresso recipe. We will definitely try that next time you come over. Glad to see you and see how you are doing. Thinking of you and wishing you a great experience!!! You know who ;D XXX
ReplyDeleteThis is not Annie :)
ReplyDeleteAlright NOW this is annie... so my mom is using my account? And she's being weird. sorry. she's senile.
ReplyDeleteYou guys are cracking me up. And I love a good ol' case of mistaken identity in my comments - it keeps me on my toes. I'm glad you both are reading and enjoying! More to come!
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