Seoul trip

Koreans shop like they drive. Just go ahead with what they want to do, oblivious to all other people. Start shifting through a rack and expect it to be shoved back your way by a Korean who decides she wants to have a look at the other end of it. If you spot what you need and want to grab it, there always seems to be a couple of Korean girls with their high heels glued to the floor and their thin little bodies managing to block out the entire display.

Unfortunately this didn't deter me from hitting the stores on my first trip to Seoul. I'm never completely comfortable with shopping on a trip. I mean, you can shop at home anytime, right? But to justify, there is quite a bit in Seoul that you can't find in Daejeon. For starters, H&M and Forever21. I know, I know. Forever21? Going there for clothes while abroad is like eating at McDonald's. But sometimes you just want the familiar.

And I got a lot of familiar this weekend. Every subway car I rode in had at least 2 or 3 other foreigners in it. Some cars were even nearly half white people. I'm so used to being the only blond girl on the block. And being pleased with myself to have found such a gem of a country to live in for a year. Seoul reminded that there are thousands of other foreigners basking in glow of the same gem. Now I was just part of the crowd.

And there were literally crowds everywhere. If I could sum up Seoul from the small glimpse I got of it this weekend, I would say one word-crowded. But truly amazing. The typical Korean attitude- a blend of easygoing enjoyment, brotherly love, and prideful industry- seeps from the streets. There is no wonder at all why many foreigners find a second home here. It is a happy home. Yet, I won't say I'm disappointed that I can't call it my home. I'm perfectly content in Daejeon with its one subway line, 2 dance clubs, and no Mexican food. Okay, scratch that last one.

As the bus from Seoul heaved into Deajeon, I thought of how I had secretly missed the subtle stares from strangers and the delighted waves from children I get when I pass by. I missed being special.

My fate is revealed

I finally found out where and who I will be teaching for the next year. Although I had listed High School as my preference on my application form, I wasn't expecting anything after being placed in my 5th choice of city. Not that I am bummed about being placed in Daejeon. There is no beach but I am told it is a very beautiful city and a prime location at the hub of the Korean peninsula's transportation system. Which means, weekends in Busan and Seoul! So, I was neither disappointed nor surprised when I received my assignment for middle school. Middle schools actually. Since my school is small (around 300 students) I will be the native English teacher at two. For this I will receive a bonus of 100,000 won each month. Here's the kicker: they're all girls middle schools. Of this I have no thoughts yet but it is something I wasn't expecting.

On another note, I learned the Korean version of "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes" today, as well as my new favorite word in Korean: ji na da. It means thick. Not exactly the most useful word to know, but it's easy to say and reminds me of Spanish.